Michael Schumacher is in the final year of a three-year contract with Mercedes. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Mercedes Eyes New Two-Year Deal For Schumacher: Mercedes is eyeing a new two-year contract extension for Michael Schumacher, according to the major German newspaper Bild. The seven-time World Champion, having returned to F1 with the famous German marque in 2010, has not decided whether or not to continue his comeback beyond this season. "Bild knows that Mercedes wants to keep him," said the newspaper, after the Brackley-based team's new W03 car was launched in Barcelona. The report said Mercedes has decided to offer Schumacher, 43, a new two-year deal through 2014. "Before we talk to any other candidate, our first contact will definitely be Michael," confirmed team boss Ross Brawn. Schumacher commented: "I'll decide when the time is right."

UN Expert Backs Bahrain's 2012 Return: Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, a United Nations war crimes expert, thinks Bahrain is ready to host Formula One again. Last year, the Egyptian led the high-profile independent investigation that found the Bahrain authorities were heavy-handed in reaction to the civil unrest. But now, media outlets including London's Telegraph newspaper have seen a letter Bassiouni wrote to Grand Prix circuit chief Zayed Alzayani, who is determined to host April's Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir as scheduled. Bassiouni, whose letter was copied to F1 chiefs Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone, said the race can be used to promote "national healing and reconciliation." He said it will be "an important point of departure for the people of Bahrain to forge ahead in their national efforts towards reconciliation."

Mercedes Wing Innovation Called 'W-Duct': Paddock insiders already have a name for Mercedes' new front wing innovation — W-duct. We have reported that the German marque has already tested the F-duct style concept at the front of its newly-launched W03 car. The Finnish broadcaster MTV3, describing the system as "W-duct," has provided some detail as to how it works. When the car is being driven in a straight line, air flows into the tip of the silver car's nose and is dispersed in a W-like pattern across the length of the front wing. But when the car is cornering, the air flows more predominantly to one side or the other, improving the balance and handling. Unlike the driver-operated rear wing F-duct, which was banned for 2011, Mercedes' system is entirely passive and requires no moving parts, and is therefore legal. Meanwhile, team boss Ross Brawn on Tuesday defended Mercedes' strategy of employing numerous technical bosses, including Aldo Costa, Bob Bell and Geoff Willis. "How it works is a mystery to me," Red Bull's Helmut Marko told Die Welt newspaper, "but Mercedes must know what they're doing."

Toro Rosso Driver Shakeup Too Late - Keke Rosberg: Jaime Alguersuari has told his fans he "will return" to F1 despite not having a seat on the 2012 grid. Along with Sebastien Buemi, who moved to Red Bull's reserve role, Spaniard Alguersuari was dumped by the energy drink company's rookie team Toro Rosso. A Barcelona native, the 21-year-old's fans showed their support by displaying banners as the Circuit de Catalunya test began on Tuesday. "I did nothing wrong, but I wasn't killed either," Alguersuari told the Italian magazine Autosprint. "I'm only 21 and I did my best with the equipment I had." One of the men who replaced Alguersuari, Daniel Ricciardo, backed Red Bull's decision to make a clean sweep of the Toro Rosso lineup for 2012. "The only reason they kick you out is if you are not performing. And then you probably don't deserve to be world champion," the Australian is quoted by The Sun newspaper. "That's just the business we're in." But Keke Rosberg, the 1982 World Champion and Mercedes driver Nico's father, criticized Red Bull for not giving Alguersuari a fair chance. "They (Alguersuari and Buemi) had been there for three years and they (Red Bull) didn't think they would go all the way to the top, so I understand if Red Bull wants to do something else. What I don't understand is why the decision was made so late, when there was not anything else available for them. If someone says in June that they no longer need your services the following year, that's fair. Then you have the time to find a new job. Buemi would probably have found something, if he'd have had more time," Rosberg said.

Renault Engine Better Than Cosworth - Bottas: Valtteri Bottas has given some insight into Williams' decision to switch to Renault power for this year. For the past two years, the famous British team has been independent UK marque Cosworth's highest-profile customer. But for 2012 the Grove-based team has switched to Renault, the maker of World Champion Red Bull's engines, as well as fellow customers Lotus and Caterham. "The Renault engine is more powerful," revealed Williams' test driver Bottas. "It is also smaller in size, which is good for the aerodynamics, and has a lower fuel consumption," he told the MTV3 broadcaster. The 22-year-old Finn, who is managed by Williams co-owner Toto Wolff, will drive the FW34 on Wednesday at the Barcelona test. He will also contest 15 of this season's Friday morning practice sessions. "This season will definitely be better than the last," said Bottas, "when it was Williams' poorest in history." Cosworth still supplies the struggling Marussia and HRT teams.