F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Formula 1

F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)

Mercedes' motor racing chief Haug says it's all part of the game...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted February 20, 2012 GMM Newswire

Norbert Haug (Right) stands by with Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher. (Photo: Bongarts/Getty Images)

F-Duct Legality 'Part Of The Game' Insists Haug: Norbert Haug has the 'F-duct' debate around by admitting he questions the exhaust solution featured on this year's McLaren car. Some teams - notably Red Bull, Lotus and Ferrari - have complained loudly about the W03's aerodynamic configuration, arguing the F-duct ban completely ruled out similar systems that are triggered by a driver's movement. Mercedes argues that its new F-duct is entirely passive and is triggered not by the driver but by the activation of the 'DRS' rear wing system. So far, the FIA agrees, but it has led to suggestions Mercedes is only performing in qualifying because of its questionable F-duct, before struggling in the race when DRS use is much more limited. "We have to live with that," Mercedes' motor racing chief Haug is quoted by Sport Bild, "until we are faster in the race, but it's not true that we do not have a good car. "We are a serious team that has to pretend nothing; we have prepared well in winter testing." Haug agrees that championship leader McLaren's solution, for example, is "probably not what they (the FIA) had in mind when the blown diffuser was banned". But he also said Mercedes is not threatening to protest the "clever" British team. "It is quite legitimate that we ask the FIA for a clarification, otherwise we could be missing a trick. "It's part of the game," he explains.

French PM Could Announce GP Return On Friday: French prime minister Francois Fillon will on Friday travel to the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet. According to Le Parisien newspaper in an exclusive report, he could announce the deal is finally done to revive the French Grand Prix for 2013. A source said Fillon will provide an update and indicate that France is "ready" to host F1 again for the first time since 2008 at Magny Cours. It has been widely reported for some time that negotiations are taking place to annually alternate formula one races between France at Paul Ricard and Belgium's legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit. Friday's media report said Spa is "probably" the circuit that will alternate with France "but it could possibly be another". It is claimed that Bernie Ecclestone originally demanded a EUR 29 million race fee, but eventually the deal was done for 20m.

Abu Dhabi Hopes F1 Sticks With Young Driver Test Date: This year's young drivers' test could be called off. Currently, the event - giving inexperienced drivers the chance to drive current F1 cars amid the sport's strict testing limits - is scheduled to take place as per usual in Abu Dhabi late this season. But with India taking place just one week before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the test scheduled for the week after and then the races in the US and Brazil taking place next, there are fears some in F1 will have to work on five consecutive weekends. There have been reports the teams are therefore contemplating dropping Yas Marina and rescheduling the test for a new date at Silverstone."Whether they have the tests here in Abu Dhabi is a decision the teams themselves would need to make," Yas Marina circuit boss Richard Cregan told The National newspaper. "We have made provisions and blocked out the week after our race, but they have the freedom to change that. "We would obviously be disappointed if Abu Dhabi didn't host the young drivers' test because it has become a part of our season, but I can understand the teams' concerns," he added.

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