The 'stepped nose' featured so prominently on most 2012 Formula One cars may go away next season. (Photo: Getty Images/AFP)

FIA To Push For Less 'Ugly' Cars In 2013: Charlie Whiting has vowed to do what he can to ensure next year's cars are not as 'ugly' as the 2012 generation. "It's an ugly regulation," said Red Bull's Mark Webber, referring to the compromise reached between the FIA's push for lower nose heights, and the teams wanting to keep the old monocoque dimensions. It has meant every 2012 machine, with the notable exception of the McLaren, has a conspicuous 'duck head'-style bump in the middle of the front of the car. "We only got a sense of what was coming in December," Whiting is quoted by Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo, "when it was too late." The Briton said the new rule for 2013 would have to be agreed by the end of June. "I promise to do everything I can so that the representatives of the teams agree to a change," said Whiting.

'No Pressure' To Host Race At Night - Malaysia: Sepang will not modify its circuit in order to organize a Formula One night race, organizers of the Malaysian Grand Prix said on Friday. Melbourne — in a similar timezone — is coming under increasing pressure from Bernie Ecclestone to install floodlights and host its race at night, to better serve the core live television audience back in Europe. But Razlan Razali, Sepang chief executive, said the F1 chief executive is putting "no pressure" on Malaysia, whose 2012 race will be held next weekend. "Why do a night race when most other circuits do not do it?" he told reporters. Already, Singapore hosts its annual street race under lights, while the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins at twilight and concludes at night.

Ferrari Says Red Bull 'Half A Second Ahead': Pat Fry, Ferrari's technical director, thinks Red Bull remains clearly ahead of the F1 field. There is lots of talk that the reigning champion team is now closely matched by McLaren, with a big chasing group nipping at the heels headed by Mercedes. But Briton Fry told the Guardian newspaper: "I think Red Bull are ahead of the rest at the moment. Maybe half a second. We're guessing about fuel levels used in testing but I would say Red Bull are between five and seven tenths ahead of everyone else." Fry recently wrote off Ferrari's chances of a podium this weekend in Melbourne, but — at least in the most recent hours — drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso are sounding more positive. "At the moment we don't know who is fast and who is not," insisted Alonso, according to Marca. "Don't pay much attention to what is said. We are not even going to know anything until Malaysia — a normal circuit." HRT's Pedro de la Rosa, at least, is daring a prediction. "Maybe (Sebastian) Vettel will win again, but if he does, he will have more sweat on his shirt," the Spaniard is quoted by EFE agency. As for Ferrari's apparent problems, de la Rosa commented: "All I know is what I read, but think about how much time has passed since the last test. Two or three weeks in Formula One is a world."

HRT Cleared To Race In Australia: HRT has survived a close call in Melbourne, after crucial parts of Pedro de la Rosa's chassis did not arrive in time for scrutineering. The back-of-the-grid Spanish team had to apply to the FIA for an exemption to Thursday's scrutineering deadline, because pieces of the suspension for the second car had yet to arrive from Europe. And even when de la Rosa's car was ultimately cleared to enter the Albert Park circuit shortly before first practice, the mechanics were still hard at work 'dressing' it for action. Ultimately, the late start was of little consequence, when the sporadic rain around the Victorian capital made a wet deposit just before practice, ensuring that early action was scarce. But de la Rosa did not even appear later in the session. More showers are possible later in the day and also on Saturday, but Sunday's season-opening race should be dry.

Ross Brawn (Right) and Michael Schumacher (Left) look over the Mercedes car. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

New Schumacher Deal Would Indicate Progress - Brawn: Ross Brawn in Melbourne has admitted he would like to keep working with Michael Schumacher beyond 2012. The seven-time World Champion's three-year Mercedes contract expires this season, and the 43-year-old said on Thursday he has "no timetable" for talks with the Brackley-based team. There have been reports Mercedes sees McLaren's Lewis Hamilton — also with an expiring contract — as a potential successor to Schumacher. Team boss Brawn, however, admitted he hopes Mercedes and Schumacher live up to their expectations in 2012. "We look forward to continuing to work with Michael," he told SID news agency, "because that would mean we are successful in what we are doing. If Michael stays in the team, that would mean that we are coming closer to our goals," explained Brawn. "At some point in the season we will decide to continue, or do something else." Schumacher, however, denied that 2012 is "any more important than any other" season in terms of his future.

Tweaked DRS Here To Stay - Whiting: At least for now, the overtaking innovation DRS is here to stay. "It will stay as long as it's in the regulations," said the FIA's Charlie Whiting in Melbourne, indicating it is a certainty for 2013 and 2014. The concept debuted last year, replacing the driver-operated F-ducts with a standard rear wing flap that can be adjusted by chasing drivers in the midst of battle during Grands Prix. Whiting said there are changes for 2012, to better balance the ease or difficulty of passing based on the experience of last year. "For example, here (in Australia) there is a second zone, and in China and Belgium the zones will be shortened. Barcelona is lengthened by 50 meters and Canada there will be no second zone, same with Valencia," he is quoted by Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo. "In Monza the zones will be longer, while for most of the other circuits we are satisfied."

Wealth Hasn't Dimmed Brawn's Drive: Ross Brawn insists great wealth has not affected his drive to succeed. As team boss, the Briton bought Brackley-based Honda for a nominal pound after the 2008 season, before 'Brawn GP' and Jenson Button raced to the drivers' and constructors' titles. At the end of that campaign, Brawn sold the team to Mercedes, and the Financial Times claims the Briton — still team principal — collected dozens of millions of dollars. "I'm obviously a lot wealthier now than before and you wonder if you still have the same motivation to get up in the morning," Brawn said. "But it did not alter my perspective or my passion and ambition to succeed in racing." His job now is to win for Mercedes, and 2012 is year three, and the end of Michael Schumacher's initial contract. "If it does not come off I will have to recognize there is something missing, something I am not able to do that perhaps someone else should have a go at," revealed Brawn.

Donington No Longer Wants F1: Donington Park no longer aspires to host Formula One. The circuit's bold bid to redevelop the site and host the 2010 British Grand Prix failed spectacularly, but it is once again the scene of minor category and motorcycle racing. Managing director Christopher Tate told the BBC: "We have no ambition to run the British Grand Prix for cars."