There are still some “gentlemen” in F1, team boss and owner Peter Sauber insists.

Amid the recent F-duct debate, it was suggested that Mercedes’ Ross Brawn had broken a teams’ ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ that the technology should not be pursued.

“I think you need gentlemen in formula one for this” Sport Bild reporter Ralf Bach jibed sarcastically during a news conference recently.

But Sauber, arguably one of the few gentlemen in the paddock, told Sonntagsblick that he still has some peers.

Asked if he was privately congratulated after Sergio Perez’s second place in Malaysia recently, the Swiss said: “Martin Whitmarsh, of McLaren, offered me a very nice congratulation.

“Franz Tost (Toro Rosso) wrote me a lovely text. And then Domenicali and the people at Ferrari; we have a very friendly relationship,” added Sauber.

As for whether there are many other gentlemen in F1, he insisted: “In this business, you don’t really ask this question.

“I didn’t know Colin Chapman. Ken Tyrrell was someone who appealed to me greatly, but he didn’t take us (Sauber) seriously. It was the same with Frank Williams.”

Indeed, in the paddock, scepticism and cynicism are more widespread, which explains why Sauber’s 2012 car – although fast throughout winter testing – was not regarded as a serious threat until mere days ago.

“We knew our car was good after the tests in Jerez and Barcelona. But the others just thought that we were running light, which is common when a team from the midfield shows something,” said Sauber.

Also amusing, according to Peter Sauber, is the story of Sergio Perez.

“A year ago it was said he just paid for his cockpit. So it makes me chuckle now when I see them say he is going to Ferrari,” he smiled.

Tony Fernandes has reportedly lost the support of Clive Chapman.

The news was reported by the well-known French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet in his latest Auto Plus column.

He said he received the information from “a very good source” at Lotus Cars.

The famous British sports car maker is locked in a legal battle with Fernandes, who intends to continue to use the Lotus name in formula one next year, despite Group Lotus withdrawing its official license.

Moncet’s source said Fernandes, Lotus Racing’s majority owner and team boss, continually says he has the backing of Chapman, the son of the late Lotus founder Colin Chapman.

But the source said Chapman in fact has dissociated himself from Fernandes’ team.

Chapman has reportedly written a letter to Bernie Ecclestone to this effect, and may also issue a press release to confirm his stance officially.

The issue could be doubly problematic for Fernandes’ Lotus Racing, with Renault believed to be holding off confirming its supply of engines for 2011 until the wrangling has stopped.

Lotus Racing said last week it will not be making “any further comments” on the issue on the advice of Tun Dr Mahathir, advisor to Group Lotus owner Proton and the former Malaysian PM.

Tony Fernandes on Friday admitted he would like Group Lotus, the Proton-owned maker of British sports cars, to be involved with his formula one team.

But in reality, Lotus Racing – Fernandes’ entirely separate Malaysian-owned outfit – and Norfolk based Group Lotus, seem to be moving even further apart.

Group Lotus is reportedly retracting the license for the Lotus Racing moniker, meaning Fernandes has had to buy the separate and historic Team Lotus name in order to continue to be called Lotus in formula one.

At the same time, the Malaysian airline millionaire admitted he was surprised when he learned that Group Lotus is getting involved in GP2 next year with the top team ART.

Asked pointedly in Singapore if there is a link between Lotus Racing and Group Lotus’ new motor racing plans, he answered: “No.”

Fernandes admitted that, when originally founded by Colin Chapman in the 50s, Group Lotus and Team Lotus were entirely cooperative.

“Of course they cooperated and of course we would like to cooperate but if Group Lotus doesn’t want to then there’s not much we can do about it,” he said.

“The door is always open,” continued Fernandes. “It makes sense if they did.

“If I was sitting there and there was a formula one team going around the world with 20 races, promoting a brand, if I was the CEO, I would definitely want to get involved, especially if I’m not putting any money in it,” he added.