Helmut Marko is taking a hard look at Pirelli tires. (Photo: Getty Images)

Red Bull Still Planning Jerez Debut For 2012 Car: Red Bull plans to get its 2012 car up and running for the first test at Jerez next month. In an interview with Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, the energy drink company's motor racing consultant Dr Helmut Marko admitted that time is tight. "That's normal for January," said the Austrian, as the team prepares to attempt three consecutive drivers' and constructors' championship crowns next year. As per usual, the new car - the RB8 - has been designed by Adrian Newey, who said recently the Renault-powered machine will be another evolution of the 2009 concept. "Time is short," said Marko, "but our program is that we are ready for the first test at Jerez with the new car." For this year, Newey has to contend with the banning of the blown exhaust and diffuser concept, which was so effective in the hands of Sebastian Vettel in 2011. "The rules are the same for everyone," Marko insisted. "We have taken up the challenge.

2012 Force India Passes FIA Crash Tests: Force India's 2012 car is scheduled to make its debut at the opening test of the pre-season at Jerez early next month. Technical director Andrew Green revealed that the Mercedes-powered VJM05 has successfully passed the mandatory FIA crash tests. For the first time from 2012, teams must meet the governing body's requirements before their new cars can be run at the official winter tests. "It's been a little bit tougher this year," Green said, "so there was a little bit of extra planning involved to get that sorted. "The chassis has been homologated since December," he revealed. Force India finished the 2011 championship in sixth place, behind Renault/Lotus and the four biggest teams. Driver Paul di Resta said he is expecting more for his second F1 season in 2012. "It will be difficult but we have got ourselves prepared for a podium," he told the Express newspaper. The Jerez test kicks off on February 7.

Ferrari Loses Key Man To Mercedes: Mercedes has reportedly poached a key member of Ferrari's technical team. Media reports claim Marco Fainello has been enticed from his role at the head of the famous Italian team's F1 performance group. Sources claim the 47-year-old will join his former Ferrari colleagues Ross Brawn and Aldo Costa at Mercedes GP after a period of 'gardening leave'.
Finland's Turun Sanomat said Fainello was a tire performance specialist.

Lauda Could Be Paddock Absentee In 2012: It is possible Niki Lauda, the legendary cap-wearing triple world champion, will be absent from the Formula One paddock in 2012. Blick newspaper reports that the 62-year-old, recently an expert television pundit, is yet to ink a new agreement with the German broadcaster RTL. "I'm very optimistic," the Austrian insisted, amid suggestions he is arguing with the channel's sports boss Manfred Loppe over the size of his retainer.

Williams Called Buemi After Toro Rosso Axe - Report: Sebastien Buemi received a phone call from the Williams team shortly after Toro Rosso announced its all new driver lineup for 2012.
23-year-old Swiss Buemi, and his 2011 teammate Jaime Alguersuari, both admitted to surprise when the Red Bull rookie team announced on December 14 they were being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne. Veteran Blick correspondent Roger Benoit revealed that Buemi, who subsequently accepted the role as reserve driver for the senior team Red Bull Racing, "got a call from Williams a few hours after" Toro Rosso's news hit the airwaves. Benoit suggested that Williams might sign both Adrian Sutil and Rubens Barrichello to partner Pastor Maldonado in 2012. "(Buemi) will be well paid to be the Red Bull reserve -- and the job is for every race," he wrote.

Toro Rosso Trainer Dies At 46: A trainer working with the Toro Rosso team has died. Spanish news agency EFE reports that physiotherapist Raniero Gianotti, 46, had a fatal heart attack whilst cycling. "I've lost a brother," said Jaime Alguersuari, a driver with the Italian based team between 2009 and 2011. Italian reports said Gianotti began working in F1 in the nineties, when Faenza based Toro Rosso was Minardi. The reports also said he worked during his career with Ferrari, Stewart and Toyota and with drivers including Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa and world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Red Bull Reserve Buemi 'Not A Winner' - Marko: Dr Helmut Marko has dented Sebastien Buemi's hopes of one day moving to Red Bull Racing by insisting the Swiss is not a potential race winner.
Marko, in charge of the energy drink company's driver program, justified the decision to oust both Buemi and his 21-year-old teammate Jaime Alguersuari from the rookie team Toro Rosso during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "They had their chance for three years and that's enough to evaluate the development of a driver," said the Austrian. "We didn't see in them the possibility for more. They are Grand Prix drivers, but not enough for what we want, which is to have Grand Prix winners." Buemi, who has been appointed Red Bull's reserve driver, told a Swiss newspaper late last week he hoped to use the role as a springboard to possibly replacing Mark Webber in 2013. Spaniard Alguersuari on the other hand is still looking for a job for 2012.