Ferrari might be gearing up to incorporate a ‘double-DRS’ setup aboard its improving F2012 car.

If true, the famous Italian team would be the first team to successfully emulate the controversial Mercedes system, which has been declared fully legal by the governing FIA.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said a new rear wing was among the very last upgrades to be trialled by Fernando Alonso as the Mugello test concluded late on Thursday.

“The wing has only minor changes. You have to look closely,” read the report.

The magazine reported rumours that the wing might eventually accommodate the so-called ‘double-DRS’ or 2012-style F-duct, which would work in conjunction with a new and so far unseen front wing.

“That (wing) will debut along with a new diffuser and nose in Barcelona,” added Auto Motor und Sport.

There were happy faces in the Ferrari garage on Thursday, as – despite a minor off by Alonso – the upgrades appeared to work well.

“Barcelona will be a key moment in the season, but not a decisive one,” the Spanish driver insisted.

“It’s not a case that we will suddenly find ourselves back on pole position, because there is no magic button.”

Echoing the earlier words of Mark Webber, Alonso said the “fastest car” at Mugello this week was the Lotus.

Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko agrees: “It looks like Lotus are the quickest.”

Veteran Swiss correspondent Roger Benoit wrote in Blick newspaper: “Lotus, with Kimi Raikkonen in super shape, is the championship dark horse.”

The calamitous Bahrain grand prix saga has not jeopardised the island Kingdom’s future on the F1 calendar.

That is the strident claim of Bernie Ecclestone, after the F1 chief executive and FIA president Jean Todt displayed rare unity as they insisted the country’s civil and political problems would not affect the grand prix.

But amid the bubbling Bahrain saga, Ecclestone had suggested that Bahrain might face trouble when it comes to negotiating a new contract, with the existing agreement only set to extend for three more years.

However, when asked by Reuters if F1 is going to keep returning to Bahrain despite this year’s troubles, Ecclestone insisted on Sunday before leaving the Persian Gulf: “Absolutely. Forever. No problem.”

Like Todt, he even played down the damage done to F1′s reputation this weekend.

“I think it’s good because people talk about things, you know. You know what they say — there is no such thing as bad publicity,” said Ecclestone.

In truth, reputation damage has undoubtedly been done. But Roger Benoit, the veteran correspondent for the Swiss newspaper Blick, admitted he is dismayed with how politics interfered with sport so strikingly this weekend.

“On all continents, somewhere, all hell is breaking loose. And as a formula one reporter, you’re flying around this globe two or three times a year,” he wrote.

“We go to countries that are politically explosive. Where human rights are violated, where poverty reigns.

“But we hardly talk about it — not in China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore or Brazil. In 2014, we’re going to Russia.

“Years ago, our circus happily danced around in apartheid South Africa, and the military dictatorship of Argentina.

“Formula one is pure entertainment. Detached from the problems of the world. But here, in Bahrain, every reporter entered the political field, whether he liked to or not,” wrote Benoit.

So that is why Ecclestone is unapologetic, after championing the Bahrain grand prix.

“Because, basically, the problems they have in Bahrain have nothing to do with F1,” the 81-year-old told El Pais newspaper.

“The relevant agencies gave the nod as far as security was concerned, and I think it is clear that they were not wrong.”

He also sees no problem with F1 being used as a political tool.

“Governments want to have an F1 race for the same reason as they want the Olympics. We come to agreements with the promoters and, if that’s good for the country, fine,” said Ecclestone.

After Sergio Perez’s surprise push for victory in Malaysia three weeks ago, things are looking bright on the Sauber balance-sheet.

The small Swiss team announced in Shanghai that it is continuing its deal to promote the North American country with colourful ‘Visit Mexico’ signage.

“We can assume that our good results in the first two grands prix have contributed to the renewing of the agreement,” said team boss Peter Sauber.

Not only that, another big deal is on the way, according to the well-connected Swiss publication Blick.

During Friday practice in China, the C31 was bearing mysterious ‘Out of the blue’ signage on the engine cover.

It is a ‘teaser’, the newspaper revealed.

“A big sponsor will be announced in a few weeks,” wrote the veteran correspondent Roger Benoit.

That is good financial news for Sauber, but Perez – who finished second three weeks ago at Sepang – is not getting carried away.

The Mexican was fourth in first practice in China.

“I think we are really realistic as a team,” Perez is quoted by AFP news agency.

“I think in normal conditions this (second place) is not where we belong, we have to be very realistic and our target is still to score as many points as possible.”

 Most leading specialist publications see Red Bull as the continuing pacesetter in formula one.
In their recent analysis, outlets including Auto Motor und Sport (Germany), La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy) and Autosport (Britain) believe world champion Sebastian Vettel again resides the best car ahead of the 2012 season.

“They still have an advantage, but it’s smaller,” agreed Jenson Button, according to Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo.

His boss Martin Whitmarsh added: “Red Bull has a solid, fast car, better than us in slow corners, but we’re better in the fast ones.”

Switzerland’s Sonntagsblick, however, sees McLaren actually ahead of the energy drink-owned team, with Mercedes in third place and Force India a surprise fourth.

“Red Bull is faster (than Mercedes),” said the German marque’s boss Ross Brawn, “and clearly a little more than we had hoped for,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.

The international publications said Lotus, amid their chassis flaw problems, rank anywhere between third (Auto Motor und Sport) and eighth (Blick).

According to the same press, Ferrari is in trouble, ranking no higher than fifth in the lists of the aforementioned publications — and the authoritative Auto Motor und Sport predicting nothing short of a disastrous season for the fabled Italian team.

Felipe Massa is quoted by Spanish reporters as saying Barcelona was “a little more positive” than the Jerez test recently, and he was asked to rank the development of the new F2012 car out of ten.

“Probably more than five. There is still much to do, but now we are closer than we were,” said the Brazilian.

As for whether the car is a race winner, Massa added: “I hope so, but it’s very difficult to say anything in testing,” he is quoted by Finland’s Turun Sanomat.

Indeed, Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi ended last week’s Barcelona test with the quickest time, but Blick’s veteran correspondent Roger Benoit warned against taking that too seriously.

“When with the same tyres at the same time, (Mercedes’ Nico) Rosberg was a second faster per lap than Sauber’s Japanese,” he said.

“In testing, the truth is seldom revealed — if the teams used lie detectors, they would all be laying exploded around us.”

According to Britain’s Sun newspaper, Kobayashi confirmed: “I don’t think McLaren and Red Bull are slow.

“We don’t really wish for wins or podiums. For us this is a bit too far away.”

Instead, the midfield battle looks extremely tight, with Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio surmising that Sauber as well as Force India, Toro Rosso and Williams are all in there.

“It will be race to race,” Toro Rosso’s Giorgio Ascanelli told the Italian press. “From what we’ve seen so far, this fight will be amazing.”

And Oricchio concluded: “As for HRT and Marussia, who have not even presented their 2012 cars, they undoubtedly have capable people, but also almost as many difficulties.”

 Sauber has pointed the finger at its drivers after the Swiss team featured low on the list of average pitstop speed in 2011.
According to the pitstop analysis of the 17 grands prix so far, Sauber was ranked equal eighth of the twelve teams, on average 1.3 seconds per pitstop slower than the pacesetter Red Bull.

“Until now, pitstops were one of Sauber’s strongest weapons,” noted veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit.

Team boss Beat Zehnder said in Abu Dhabi: “As far as 2011 goes, we have a problem with our drivers. 80 per cent of the time they (Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi) don’t stop at the right place in the box.

“This costs us valuable time. (In India) Perez was about three metres out of place, costing us about three seconds because the whole team has to move position with all the gear.

“Because of that we lost position to (Force India’s) Sutil,” Zehnder charged.

Another problem could be Sauber’s perseverance with a ‘lollipop man’, while faster pit crews including Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Renault use the automated ‘traffic light’ system.

“The automatic system with sensors brings you half a second, but when it goes wrong it’s damn dangerous,” said Zehnder.

The F1 world is continuing to adjust to its new surroundings in India.
Bruno Senna revealed to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper that he is carrying around in his pocket a bottle of disinfectant.

“Each time I greet someone, I use it (on my hands),” said the Brazilian, referring to the risk of food poisoning.

Rubens Barrichello, meanwhile, laughed when he revealed that one of his rivals – believed to be Sebastian Vettel – is carrying around a bottle of whiskey.

“Someone told him to rinse out his mouth after eating anything,” said the Williams driver.

Felipe Massa is remembering his mother’s advice to think positively whenever he sees a cow. “They’re everywhere!” exclaimed the Ferrari star.

The smiling Barrichello added: “I heard a bell outside my hotel room and came out to the terrace — it was an elephant passing by.”

At the new Buddh circuit, the drivers think the layout will be exciting, but there are some off-track dramas.

A recurring one was clearly apparent during Thursday’s official driver press conference when a blackout struck mid-sentence.

“Listen, mate,” an unnamed engineer told the Guardian, “the place is chaos. The electricity doesn’t work, the gas doesn’t work and there are problems with the plumbing.”

Blick correspondent Roger Benoit revealed that a coffee machine exploded on Thursday due to faulty wiring.

Team Lotus driver Karun Chandhok told the Times of India: “These are only small issues and I am sure they will be sorted out soon.”

Brazilian Massa, also referring to the inescapable poverty suffered by residents just outside the circuit, told the Independent: “It reminds me very much of my country 20 or 30 years ago.

“Brazil has grown a lot since then, and so now, I believe, with events such as this, will India.”

Karun Chandhok has advised F1′s travelling circus to take care this week in India.
Some team bosses recently played down fears about ‘Delhi belly’, but Team Lotus reserve driver Chandhok – a brand ambassador and also a consultant of the new Buddh circuit – has admitted some caution will be necessary.

He told the Swiss newspaper Blick: “The Indian culture will be a shock to many.

“It is organised chaos, maybe like a mixture of Brazil and Malaysia. It affects everything — the traffic, the food, our way of life. We are very loud, chaotic.

“From the moment you arrive you will experience this madness, which will surprise everyone but it also means India is a country with soul.

“Nothing is structured — if someone says 12.30, he means 1 or 2 o’clock. So then you could think of Italy,” he laughed.

Veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit asked Chandhok how F1′s travellers should prepare for their forthcoming adventure.

“Many will get vaccinated, yes, but you definitely need to be careful with food,” he answered.

“Only drink bottled water, don’t use ice, don’t eat salad. Only eat cooked food. This should mean you won’t have problems.”

Red Bull has denied reports it is concerned about team members consuming contaminated food ahead of this weekend’s Japanese grand prix.
The German newspaper Bild am Sonntag on Sunday said Sebastian Vettel’s team had shipped its own food to Suzuka due to concerns about the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

The report also said boss Christian Horner has told the 80-strong race team to avoid eating out.

But Red Bull denied the claims by insisting it “uses both local and international produce” at every grand prix on the calendar “and this race will be no different.

“Red Bull Racing has worked with local Japanese suppliers, such as big retailers, supermarkets and bakeries, in order to obtain good, local produce, which we will serve throughout the weekend,” it said in a statement.

The team also said the claim Horner told his staff not to eat out in Japan is “incorrect”.

The veteran Swiss correspondent Roger Benoit also scolded the media reports, saying recent MotoGP and Indy races at Motegi had allayed any fears about travelling to Japan.

Motegi is only 150 kilometres from Fukushima, while Suzuka is 700 kilometres from the crippled nuclear plant, meaning any alarm in the media “is pure scaremongering”, Benoit wrote in Blick.

“I have no concerns about going and I think it is good that formula one is going to put on a show in a country that really appreciates our sport,” said Ferrari’s Felipe Massa on Tuesday.

Toro Rosso’s current drivers are still unsure if they will be racing beyond the 2011 season.

Team owner Red Bull’s driver manager Dr Helmut Marko is famous for the pressure he puts on contracted drivers.

And hanging over Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi’s heads at present are the advancing careers of Marko’s latest favourites Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

“We have not talked about the future or next year’s contract,” Spaniard Alguersuari told the EFE news agency at the weekend.

“It is very important that the whole team is focused on the rest of this year,” he added, referring to Toro Rosso’s push to beat Sauber to seventh in the constructors’ world championship.

According to veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit, Swiss Buemi is in exactly the same situation with “five penalty shots” yet to kick in Japan, Korea, India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

“I know it’s going to get harder and harder up to the finale in Sao Paulo but I can live with the pressure, and my morale is intact,” the 22-year-old, who trails his teammate Alguersuari by 3 points, said.

He confirmed that Toro Rosso is pushing hard to beat Sauber.

“We have a different car now; front and rear, everything has changed,” said Buemi before his flight to Tokyo.

Australian Ricciardo, meanwhile, is currently at HRT but tipped to move to Toro Rosso in 2012.

But “All this is rumour,” he insisted to the Press Trust of India at the weekend.

Rubens Barrichello’s future at Williams remains clouded.
The Brazilian veteran recently admitted he has not yet been offered an extended contract by the famous British team.

He then arrived at the Nurburgring announcing that talks about 2012 with Williams chiefs should be “straightforward”, after bosses Sir Frank Williams and Adam Parr both indicated a deal is likely.

But long-time Blick correspondent Roger Benoit revealed that he asked team principal Williams inside the Nurburgring’s Dorint hotel if the team will line up next year with Barrichello still alongside Pastor Maldonado.

“Not necessarily,” Benoit quotes Williams as smiling.

The wheelchair-bound 69-year-old then suggested that it is not the well-backed Venezuelan rookie Maldonado whose seat is in doubt.

“Many people believed we only have him because of the money. But he (Maldonado) is also super-fast, straightforward and the team loves him.

“With a Renault engine, we can give him a better car in 2012,” added Williams.

Sauber is setting its sights on loftier ambitions for 2011.
The Swiss team is currently a credible sixth in the constructors’ standings, behind Mercedes and Renault and leading grandees Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

“We keep our feet on the ground,” managing director Monisha Kaltenborn told the Swiss newspaper Blick when asked if more than sixth is the target.

The newspaper, however, said it has learned Sauber’s ‘secret plan’ for the rest of the 2011 season — all available resources, and perhaps even some new recruitments, will be pointed towards the development of the C30.

“So full steam ahead,” wrote veteran reporter Roger Benoit.

Peter Sauber has denounced members of the Ferrari and McLaren teams for displaying “unsporting” behaviour during Sunday’s Korean grand prix.

Hinwil based Sauber’s founder and boss said he was upset to see team members of the rival teams celebrating jubilantly when Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel retired from the front of the inaugural Yeongam event.

In terms of the championship fight, it was indeed Ferrari and McLaren who benefitted most from Red Bull’s problems, but after he saw their celebrations on the pitwall monitors, Sauber said: “They were scenes that didn’t please me at all.

“Very unsporting,” the 67-year-old told Swiss daily Blick.

Meanwhile in Korea, Bernie Ecclestone helped veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit celebrate his 600th grand prix.

F1′s travelling circus is arriving in South Korea, and the first reports are mixed.

BBC television anchor Jake Humphrey summed up the Yeongam venue as satisfactory but “far from finished”.

“Things look pretty ready to go,” said Virgin driver Lucas di Grassi, “with some beauty work still to be finished but the main structure is ready.”

Others talked about their long journeys from the huge Seoul airport to Mokpo, the closest city to Yeongam, in the impressive high-speed KTX train with free wi-fi.

Photographer Darren Heath was less impressed with the journey, tackled by many in buses.  “F1 in Seoul?  Nah, let’s have it in the middle of nowhere 100s of miles from anywhere,” he wrote on Twitter.

Veteran Swiss correspondent Roger Benoit, writing in Blick newspaper, said the F1 track itself is an “enormous construction site”, and his hotel room one of the ones usually rented by the hour.

“No joke,” he said.

Reportedly so unimpressed was Williams with the local accommodation on offer that the British team has committed to a 3 hour round trip every day in order to stay in a nicer hotel.

“Dominating the venue are the excavators, debris and waste,” wrote Benoit, who said a bridge over the front straight is still littered with scaffolding and hard-hatted workers.

Sauber’s team manager Beat Zehnder complained about the cost of the team buildings, with the rent costing $40,000.

“Whoever wants to use the upper floor must pay another 20,000,” he said, “but everyone has decided to just use the ground floor!”

Said Benoit: “I’m already looking forward to the final races in Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi!”

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said rolling machines are still working on the recently-laid top surface of asphalt, with the paint for the starting grid yet to be sprayed.

“Only on Friday will we know whether the surface will withstand the stresses of formula one cars,” read the report.

“Everything on the sandy site is under construction.  Next to the pitlane is a large pile of sand.  Whoever didn’t know that F1 is running here in a few days would think it’s not happening until next year,” it added.

German Sky television pundit Marc Surer reports in Speed Week that the seating in some grandstands is not complete.

“Much remains to be done, but as for the track itself, I am surprised that it is ready,” he said.

“Whether it can withstand hours of practice and racing, however, is another question.”

Kamui Kobayashi was the hero of Sunday’s Japanese grand prix, enhancing his growing reputation as the launcher of kamikaze overtaking moves.

To the delight of his Japanese fans, the Sauber rookie scythed through the field from fourteenth on the grid to seventh at the finish.

“The way he overtook several competitors was absolutely spectacular,” said team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn, standing in as team boss in Japan for the absent Peter Sauber.

The 24-year-old launched audacious moves on Adrian Sutil, Rubens Barrichello and Jaime Alguersuari, but teammate Nick Heidfeld was dispensed rather more easily.

“The team asked me not to make any problems for him,” the German is quoted by Swiss newspaper Blick.

The paper’s veteran correspondent Roger Benoit asked Kobayashi precisely how many overtaking moves he attempted at Suzuka on Sunday.

“I can’t remember,” he answered.  “I only know that there were crashes all around me at the start, and later I made some contacts with my opponents.

“My car is rather damaged!” he revealed.

Team manager Beat Zehnder explained: “Some deflectors are missing from the car, and the sidepod has a big hole in it.  Also a part of the front wing isn’t there any more.”

Renault’s Robert Kubica retired from the race after five minutes with a missing wheel.

Said the Pole: “What Kamui did with his car was super.  Because I had to watch on television, he saved my day.”



Timo Glock and Adrian Sutil had hoped to secure the second race seat at Sauber for 2011, according to a Swiss newspaper.

The Blick daily said the German duo, who currently drive for Virgin and Force India respectively, were in the running to be Kamui Kobayashi’s teammate until the Hinwil based team signed well-backed Mexican rookie Sergio Perez.

“Several times,” wrote veteran correspondent Roger Benoit from Suzuka, “they or their managers have appeared in Hinwil — in vain.”

Also hoping for the Sauber seat was its current occupant Nick Heidfeld, who according to Blick must now consider a 2011 switch to Force India, Lotus, Virgin or HRT.