The Ferrari F2012 car has been off the pace so far this season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Sauber Denies Team Order To Help Ferrari: The conspiracy theorists had a field day at Sepang when Sergio Perez's strong push for victory went awry. At about the same time as the young Mexican was told on the radio by his Sauber engineer that "we need the position," his charge to catch Ferrari's Fernando Alonso ended with a minor mistake. Ferrari is the small Swiss team Sauber's engine supplier, and the two teams also often align on political matters. "No, I don't think Perez's mistake was intentional," former driver and British commentator Martin Brundle wrote on Sky. But Perez is also the cream of Ferrari's development driver program, and linked at present with the struggling Felipe Massa's race seat. So he was told to fall in line behind Alonso? "No," boss Peter Sauber said emphatically. "One hundred percent no, 100 percent nothing."

F1 Figures Back Sepang Red Flag: Two Formula One figures have backed the decision to red flag Sunday's Malaysian GP. A handful of laps into the Sepang race, FIA race director Charlie Whiting instructed the event be halted due to the torrential track conditions. The race did not restart for approaching an hour. "Did you enjoy the race," former driver and British commentator Martin Brundle asked his followers on Twitter, "or did the 50 minute red flag spoil it for you?" Force India's Nico Hulkenberg backed Whiting's decision. "I was screaming into the radio that I couldn't drive anymore. And (teammate) Paul (di Resta) did the same," he is quoted by German's Auto Motor und Sport. Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali agrees. "There were small streams and lakes all over the track and also the lack of visibility was a major topic. It was just too dangerous," said the Italian.

Millions At Stake In F1 'Mini Spy Saga': Force India has accused rivals Caterham of saving millions and then reaping even more millions by stealing their secret technical data. A British court last week awarded Vijay Mallya's team EUR 25,000 when Caterham and wind tunnel company Aerolab were found to have based models of the 2010 Team Lotus car on computer files owned by former Aerolab client Force India. The French news agency AFP reports that, as well as referring the case to the FIA, the team is appealing the decision. Force India deputy team boss Bob Fernley said Caterham had managed to speed ahead of Marussia and HRT in the past two years, earning millions in F1 prize money. "To get to the level that is needed, Formula One is a huge amount of investment and time," he said. "Caterham took the Force India aero platform to get to a certain level which took them above HRT and Marussia. First of all, it saves you millions of pounds and secondly it puts you straight into position. But even three years on they've not progressed that (position)." F1's governing body has yet to comment, but famously in 2007 McLaren was fined $100 million for espionage involving Ferrari. Fernley wonders that if president Jean Todt has no reaction now, "Could McLaren claim their $100 million back?"

FIA Also Involved In Concorde Talks - Report: There are more laps to run in the 2013 Concorde Agreement story, according to a respected analyst. French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet said that amid reports Bernie Ecclestone has done commercial deals with most teams, one important element has been left out of the tale. "The FIA and Jean Todt have replied that it (the agreement) is still under discussion and that the FIA is taking part," he wrote in his Auto Plus column. "And as these things are very complex, it is best not to speculate." There has, however, been plenty of speculation, including the apparent detail that CVC wants to float some of its shares on the stock market. But some team bosses sounded reluctant in Sepang at the weekend, including McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh who said flotations "aren't done for the benefit of a sport." "I think until we know more about it, it's silly to be against it," Caterham owner and boss Tony Fernandes responded to AFP news agency.

Raikkonen Gifts Ice-Cream To Press Corps: 'Iceman' Kimi Raikkonen on Sunday proved he is not without a sense of humor. The last time he was at Sepang, in 2009, the Ferrari driver caused raucous laughter in the F1 media center when the global television feed showed him enjoying a chocolate ice-cream and can of Coke. The rest of the field was damply awaiting the race's restart on the sodden grid. There were similar conditions looming in Malaysia on Sunday, and so the Lotus team delivered a present from Raikkonen to each member of the travelling press corps just before the 2012 race. Along with the chocolate treat, a note from Raikkonen read: "Please enjoy this ice cream." AFP Asia sports editor Talek Harris said his was delicious.