Red Bull is considering taking the ‘old’ version of its new car to Melbourne for the 2012 season opener.
That is the claim of Germany’s authoritative Auto Motor und Sport magazine, after the radically updated model made a troubled debut late last week as the pre-season test period ended.

Rivals and pundits believe the reigning champions are still leading the field, but the latest Barcelona-spec car – featuring a significantly different exhaust layout – did not complete many laps.

Moreover, it also did not appear fast.

“When I watched Webber’s long run on Saturday afternoon,” said an engineer for a rival team, “it was nothing special — not the laptimes nor the tyre wear.”

Also unconvinced are the drivers, with Mark Webber saying the new car did not feel “massively different” to the earlier launch-version RB8.

Sebastian Vettel, meanwhile, was dead last after just 23 laps on Sunday, and is quoted as saying: “It wouldn’t be fair for me to judge the upgrades, so we have to rely on the data collected by Mark.”

Another rival engineer said there is visual evidence that the exhaust gases on the revised layout “are not going where they (Red Bull) want them to go”.

Contrary to reports elsewhere, it is certain that Nick Heidfeld will vacate his role as Pirelli’s tyre development tester.

After it was announced the 33-year-old is joining Sauber to immediately replace Pedro de la Rosa, speculation emerged that German Heidfeld might make his race return whilst remaining with Pirelli.

It is true that the veteran of almost 170 grands prix is testing Pirelli’s tyres for a third time this week at Jerez, but then on Friday his role with the Italian marque ends.

Indeed, whilst not referring specifically to Pirelli, Sauber confirmed that Heidfeld’s new contract only begins on Friday — after the Jerez test and his final Pirelli outing.

“This is all being done rationally,” confirmed Heidfeld’s manager Andre Theuerzeit, according to DPA news agency.

“Everyone is well aware that, first of all, a driver wants to go racing,” he said.

Auto Motor und Sport magazine said the ousted de la Rosa, with years of experience as McLaren’s highly respected main tester, is the obvious candidate to replace Heidfeld at Pirelli.

Jacques Villeneuve is reportedly bidding to return to formula one next year with his own team.

Germany’s authoritative Auto Motor und Sport magazine said ‘Villeneuve Racing’ is one of the three candidates for the 13th and final place in pitlane.

The 1997 world champion and now 39-year-old French Canadian wanted to return to the cockpit this year with Stefan GP, but the Serbian outfit was not granted an entry.

The report said almost ten candidates originally made applications to race next year, but now there are only three in the running; with Villeneuve Racing and Cypher Group among them.

Auto Motor und Sport said the third name could be Spain’s Epsilon Euskadi or the former GP2 team Durango, after Nicolas Todt’s ART failed at the hurdle proving finance for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The magazine said Villeneuve Racing has cleared all the hurdles so far, including proving an existing infrastructure for a team based in England.

The report said it is rumoured that Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds may be involved, as might be a crew made up of former Arrows and Super Aguri staff.

The FIA’s decision about the 13th team is expected in late July.

Villeneuve last raced in F1 with BMW-Sauber in 2006, losing the seat to Robert Kubica mid-season.

It is this year’s generation of Bridgestone tyres that is helping Mark Webber to be so competitive at the wheel of the Red Bull.

The Australian commandingly won the past two grands prix from pole position, causing experts to wonder how his highly rated teammate Sebastian Vettel is being momentarily put in the shade.

The latest issue of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine quotes Webber, 33, as admitting that he is enjoying the narrower and more durable 2010 tyres provided by sole supplier Bridgestone.

“The new generation of tyres better suit my driving style,” he confirmed.

“The fronts do not bite as extremely and the rears have better lateral stability. Sebastian prefers it the other way around,” added Webber.

Vettel said: “You can’t get as much out of these tyres than before. They have a lower limit.”

Like Vettel, Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher have been struggling with the 2010 tyres.

Only with the softest compounds, as were used in Bahrain and Monaco, can Massa cope with the pace of his Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso.

“I have been having trouble getting the harder tyres to work,” the Brazilian said. “With the softer ones I have the grip that I need from the first lap.”

(GMM)

Apr.22 (GMM) Ferrari may ask the FIA for permission to make changes to its formula one engine on the grounds of reliability.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine on Thursday said the Italian team’s recent engine problems – including two failures for Fernando Alonso – have been identified.

Reportedly, the problem – which could cost Alonso grid places later this season if he runs through his allocation of eight engines – is with the pneumatic valves.

The report said too much air is escaping from the engine during the races, and because of the new regulations there is not enough time during the single pitstop to replenish the 2.4 litre V8s.

Auto Motor und Sport said that if Ferrari can prove to the FIA that the engine is suffering a general reliability flaw, it may be granted a temporary exemption from the ‘freeze’ on engine development.

The engines already used by Alonso and his teammate Felipe Massa, however, may not be altered.