Sauber has revealed it cannot afford to simply jump in and copy Mercedes’ innovative F-duct solution.

The small Swiss team had almost winning race pace in Malaysia last weekend even without the extra straight-line speed that would be provided by a system along the lines of Mercedes’ DRS-complimenting concept.

Despite their complaints about the legality of the system, there is little doubt the big-budget teams will be working frantically to emulate the Mercedes’ concept, which to date has the blessing of the FIA.

According to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, however, it will be a different story for the smaller teams.

“If we started now with a blank sheet of paper, we would be ready in two months,” said Sauber’s chief designer Matt Morris.

“But it would really add up. We have to ask ourselves whether it’s worth it for us, or whether we would be better off chasing the laptime with more conventional steps.

“On the other hand the big teams can handle a development like that in parallel to their normal programmes,” he added.

Also on the technical front, Auto Motor und Sport reveals that rival teams are closer to getting to the bottom of Red Bull’s ever-flexible front wings.

After the last day of testing in Barcelona, detailed photographs emerged of Sebastian Vettel’s stricken RB8 that appeared to show a sort of torsion bar inside the damaged front wing.

The report said the torsion bar may be pre-loaded in order to pass the FIA’s static load tests, but then bend at speed.

An FIA insider suggested the system, although permitted in private testing, “would not be allowed” at the actual grands prix.

Red Bull’s 2012 car will “surprise” the F1 paddock, its famous designer Adrian Newey has been quoted as saying by a Finnish newspaper.
Already this week, Ferrari’s chief designer Nikolas Tombazis has revealed that next year’s single seater is “fairly different” to the current 150 Italia and could provoke a “wow factor” when it is launched.

But the same is also true of Newey’s RB8, according to Turun Sanomat newspaper, despite the current Red Bull being an evolution of the 2009 concept.

Blown diffusers aside, the rules are staying essentially the same in 2012 but Newey has “revealed that next year’s RB8 will amaze everyone”, correspondent Heikki Kulta wrote.

“When he was asked what about it is so surprising, he replied that if he revealed that now then it would no longer be a surprise.”

Even team boss Christian Horner apparently knows very little about the 2012 Red Bull.

“So far he (Newey) has only told me that it’s going to be blue,” he joked, according to Die Presse.

Dr Helmut Marko said on the Servus TV channel this week that the 2011 car will feature some new parts in Japan this weekend.

“What we learn can be used for the new car in 2012,” said the team advisor. “We want to come back with a clear lead for the first race of the season.”

But before the full focus turns to 2012, Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel need to mathematically conclude their 2011 title triumphs, and Newey insists there is no celebrating yet.

“We still have not won anything,” the Briton said ahead of Suzuka, where Vettel needs only a single point to secure his second drivers’ title.

Horner however insists the team will not be on ‘cruise and collect’ in Japan.

“We are not looking at the one point but the (maximum) 43,” Kleine Zeitung quotes him saying.

As for the future, Horner insists he can live with the constant sniping about Red Bull’s approach to F1 rules and financial agreements.

“We take it as a compliment,” he said. “We have shown that what we have achieved was no fluke.

“Ferrari and McLaren were sworn enemies for twenty years, yet now they are united against us.”

Adrian Newey’s latest creation is capable of beating the formula one lap record at Suzuka by a staggering margin of 20 seconds.

Red Bull Technology’s top-secret X1 Prototype, tested around the Japanese circuit in virtual reality by Sebastian Vettel, was created for the new PlayStation game Gran Turismo 5.

Newey’s challenge was to create a virtual car for the game’s November release not bound by any set of regulations.

“We all have a dream about pushing the boundaries, where the performance of the car and the experience of the driver take precedence over the rules,” said Newey.

The Briton’s next creation will be the RB7, the successor of this year’s impressive 2010 F1 challenger.

“We have a few improvements in the pipeline (for the RB6) but I am personally focused about 70 per cent on the new car for 2011,” he is quoted by Auto Bild.

“There are some very innovative ideas,” announced Newey.

With the exception of his PlayStation creation, he insists his ideas are rule-confirmative, but some of his F1 rivals will suggest he flies too close into the grey areas.

“It’s part of the game,” said Newey, “and it’s been like that for the whole of my career.

“I see it as a compliment, because it is the best proof that my car is fast.”

Red Bull’s car was declared legal on Friday after undergoing the latest wing and floor flexibility tests at Spa-Francorchamps.

Amid suggestions the front of the RB6 is too low at the front when at speed, the FIA ramped up the wing flexibility test for the Belgian event.

This was carried out on championship leader Mark Webber’s car, as well as the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, after Friday practice.

The FIA confirmed that the cars’ wings and floors “were found to be in conformity” with the regulations.

“Our car has complied with the rules at every race so far and it will comply here,” team boss Christian Horner said earlier.

“We take all the talk about our car as a compliment, it shows the others don’t know what we’re up to,” he told the BBC on Friday.

The next hurdle for Red Bull will be the tougher floor tests and rules to take effect at Monza in two weeks.

Horner added: “Adrian Newey seems pretty relaxed about it.  It will only affect us as much as any of the other teams.”

Mercedes’ Ross Brawn admitted on Friday that some teams, perhaps also Ferrari, have not been happy with the recent insinuations about flexing cars.

“I know some of the teams involved were not very happy with comments I made, or McLaren made, but then I was not happy about comments they made about the double diffuser last year,” he said.

“It is the nature of formula one,” insisted Brawn.

Jul.6 (GMM)  McLaren’s British drivers on Tuesday responded to a claim their battle for team supremacy can be likened to an Aesop’s Fable.

Recently, Lewis Hamilton’s use of the Fable “sour grapes” was misinterpreted by the Spanish press as his accusation that Fernando Alonso is jealous of the 2008 world champion.

And on Monday, 1996 world champion Damon Hill used another of Aesop’s Fables to describe Hamilton and his teammate Jenson Button — ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’.

Although Button takes the role of the tortoise in Hill’s eyes, it was interpreted as a compliment.  “He (Button) is not at his maximum the whole time,” Hill said.

“Will Lewis mature and be circumspect when he needs to be?  I don’t know if that’s his style.”

Hamilton told reporters on Tuesday: “I don’t really have a reaction.

“It’s always very, very interesting to hear past world champions talk about present drivers and world champions, and then it’s interesting to see how it plays out and see whether it’s true or false or whether they actually know what they are talking about or not.

“We will find out later on in the year I guess,” said the 2007 world champion.

Button distanced himself from the suggestion he can be likened to a tortoise.

“Those are his words not mine.  But if I win the championship then I don’t care.  I know I won the championship last year because I was quick,” he said.

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh would even be disappointed if the new parts on the McLaren “We would not be a big step further forward.” The goal was, in every race for a quarter-second to be faster. Compared to ‘Reuters’ he gave on record that he certainly does not underestimate Red Bull, but “we have already fought several world championships and have therefore probably a little more experience than Red Bull to be the come back strong, so we have to develop the car well or we do not win races, and no World Cup. ”

His driver showered with compliments and Whitmarsh already designated it as the best drivers in the world. “This is a huge compliment. He has to bring in any event, two drivers, a solid performance. I am also glad and happy happy about Jenson’s performances,” says Hamilton, who expressed the first time about a possible second title: “He would have a much higher value, but to win in his second year, the World Cup is a great achievement. ” Button shows also highly motivated: “I had a good season so far, but there is more to come.”

Hamilton also said that it was now more difficult than in past years to take the title. “In the past three drivers have competed for the title, this year there are fewer than six or seven. One must always give his best. It used to be good enough and we got away with it. But now you have to be at the highest level, so that one before the other remains. Currently, I am as constant as never before in my career, “said the Briton, adding:” There will be some opportunities for me and I will grab with both hands. “

Lewis Hamilton has been charged over his high profile reckless driving antics during the Australian GP weekend.

Hamilton was charged with intentionally losing control of the vehicle in a summons served on his Australian solicitor last Monday. A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed that a summons had been served on a 25-year-old Swiss resident.

The matter has been set to be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 24.

Hamilton had his complimentary Mercedes impounded under Victoria’s hoon laws on March 26 after he was allegedly caught doing a burnout at the entrance to Albert Park circuit.

It is unknown whether Hamilton will appear in court, with the Belgian GP weekend starting on August 27.

Hamilton apologised at the time, “This evening, I was driving in an over-exuberant manner and, as a result, was stopped by the police. What I did was silly, and I want to apologise for it.”

(yallaF1.com)

(GMM)  Christian Klien has been signed by HRT to be a test and reserve driver with the new Spanish team.

We reported recently that although Sakon Yamamoto had joined the team with a similar role, Hispania boss Colin Kolles was eyeing a second experienced driver to compliment race rookies Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok.

Austrian Klien, 27, is a veteran of nearly 50 grands prix with Jaguar and Red Bull, and more recently was test and reserve driver with Honda and BMW.

“He is a young and fast driver,” Kolles said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said Klien will drive in Barcelona on Friday morning and also maintain his role in 2010 with Peugeot’s Le Mans sports car team.

“We look forward to having Christian alongside us in Barcelona later this week so he can spend some valuable familiarisation time with the team,” added Kolles.

The FIA’s rule clarification about adjustable ride-height mechanisms has no impact on Red Bull, boss Christian Horner and designer Adrian Newey insist.
Race winner Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull Racing RB6 Formula One World Championship, Rd 3, Malaysian Grand Prix, Race, Sepang,

Race winner Sebastian Vettel drives into parc ferme after winning the Malaysian GP

Following speculation that the ride-height of the RB6 car is somehow being altered between qualifying and the race, the governing body said last week that such a system would theoretically be a breach of the regulations.

But Horner says the FIA is “completely happy” with the car after detailed inspections, adding that it will be transported to China in an identical mechanical specification to the one raced to first and second places in Malaysia.

And Newey told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport: “We have neither an illegal, automatic system, nor a legal one like Ferrari’s which allows an adjustment at the pitstops.”
Adrian Newey (GBR) Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer with with Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull Racing RB6. Formula One World Championship, Rd 2, Australian Grand Prix, Preparations, Albert Park, Melbourne,

Adrian Newey examines the RB6 cockpit with Sebastian Vettel

However, it also emerges that while Horner said recently he would welcome an FIA rule-tweak to legalise a ride-height change between qualifying and the race, Red Bull actually voted against the proposal.

Auto Motor und Sport said a second team also vetoed the rule change.

But the reason for Red Bull’s veto reportedly has nothing to do with a secret system aboard the RB6, but instead the fact that its design is more efficient than its rivals with both high and low ride-heights.

The team’s German driver Sebastian Vettel told Sport Bild magazine: “It is always the case in formula one that the fastest cars are observed closely by the competition.

“There is always speculation and it’s actually a compliment, because it shows that we are feared,” the 22-year-old added.

Nico Rosberg achieved the first podium finish for the Mercedes GP Petronas team at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia today. Nico Starting from second place on the grid, but Nico lost a place at the start and was running in third position at the end of the first lap.

He made his sole pit stop on lap 22 where superb work from the team enabled Nico to gain over a second on the chasing Robert Kubica. From there, Nico drove a composed race to the chequered flag to secure third position and his third podium finish,

Michael Schumacher was out of the race when a wheel nut came off one of the rear wheels and forced Michael to retire on lap ten.

Nico Rosberg
“Its a fantastic result today to achieve our teams first podium at the home race for our title partner, Petronas. I want to thank the whole team for all of their hard work this weekend and over the winter. This result is the start of the reward for our efforts. Its a great feeling to be back up on the podium again and to have so much support from the Malaysian fans here. My start didnt go that well today as I had a bit too much wheelspin and once I was in third place, I knew it would be difficult to follow the leading cars. I struggled a little with the options in the first stint which allowed Robert to stay quite close but once we switched to the primes, I felt really comfortable and we could manage the race home to third place. This is a great end to a strong weekend for us. Were not quite where we want to be yet so we need to push on but Im confident that well get there soon.”

Michael Schumacher
“It was a shame that I could not finish the race but unfortunately the wheel nut on the left rear wheel was lost. The car suddenly became very unstable in turn six and I could hardly steer and had no drive left. I initially thought it was something to do with the suspension but after I stopped and had a look, it was evident that was a wheel nut missing. It is something very unusual to happen and in testing we never had problems so we have to look it. I would have obviously wanted to finish the race and I think it could have worked out quite reasonably well. But in the end that is motor racing, I remember that very well. It makes no sense to get angry about it, you have to accept it as part of the game and look ahead. At least Nico scored our first podium finish and I am happy for him and the team.”

Ross Brawn
“That was an excellent drive from Nico today and a first-class performance to secure his third career podium and the first podium for the Mercedes GP Petronas team. We are delighted to have achieved the first podium for the Silver Arrows here in Malaysia and to be able to share the rewards of our hard work with our title partner Petronas at their home Grand Prix. My compliments to Nico for an assured performance today and over the weekend. Michael was in a good position after the start and we were looking forward to having a good race on his side but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. The car lost a wheel nut which is a problem that we haven’t experienced before. The wheel nuts are double-checked on the grid so we will investigate and put in place the necessary solutions.”

Norbert Haug
“A great drive from Nico and our first podium after starting from the first row in our third race. The team had a first-class strategy and Nico did not put one foot wrong and secured this first and for us historic podium finish, at the home race of our title partner Petronas. Our gap to the two Red Bull-Renaults in front of Nico was still considerable and we all know there is more work to be done in order to catch up. However it looks like we are heading in the right direction and the point standings after three races dont look too bad. Sorry for Michael who had a great start and was positioned sixth when a wheel nut came loose which stopped his race. We will work hard and concentrated to make sure that our car will be fully reliable in the future and get quicker step by step. After Melbourne, Nico and the team performed again the quickest pit stop which is very rewarding for our guys and sometimes very important to get the right amount of World Championship points. Last but certainly not least congratulations to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing for their first and well deserved victory in 2010. Seb was the class of the field today.”

(YF1)