Sergio Perez is a lame duck at Sauber. (Photo: Getty Images)

Angry Perez Says 'No Reason' To Skip India Practice: Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton appear to be in the process of falling out of favor within their respective teams. Hamilton is moving from McLaren to Mercedes for 2013, to be replaced at the famous British by Sauber's Perez. Mexican Perez was sidelined in morning practice in India early on Friday, ostensibly due to a heavy cold. He was replaced by Esteban Gutierrez, who is tipped to move into Perez's race seat full-time next year. Perez has told Argentine Fox television, however, that he was well enough to drive. "I am pleased that they are so worried about me," Perez said ironically. "It's obvious that I'm not 100 percent, but I've driven in worse shape. There was no reason for me not to drive. I was ready." Perez said his countryman Gutierrez "did a good job" in the practice session, but insisted: "I would prefer to have done the laps in the car. So we've lost a session. Now it's more difficult to set up the car for the race." Briton Hamilton also looks to be out of favor at McLaren, with the team's sporting director Sam Michael openly telling reporters that the 2008 World Champion's car was on Friday fitted with some experimental parts for 2013. But when asked about the new parts after Friday's track action, Hamilton furrowed his brow and answered: "No, we don't have anything new."

Grosjean Happy To 'Lose Places' To Avoid Start Crashes: Romain Grosjean has vowed to continue his overly-cautious approach to the start of Grands Prix. The Frenchman was noticeably guarded on the run to the first corner in Korea two weeks ago, having been reportedly warned that more start crashes could mean a multiple-race ban, or possibly even the loss of his Lotus seat for 2013. So Grosjean, 26, is happy to go slow for now. "We are happy to lose a couple of places at the start to avoid accidents; it's not the end of the world," he is quoted by the Times of India newspaper. "It is the first step of the approach (and) I plan to follow this approach to the end of the season." His obviously-careful strategy for the otherwise-vigorous opening meters of a Grand Prix has, however, been noticed by his rivals, Grosjean acknowledged. "(Other) drivers are already starting to take advantage because they know I am under pressure. But it is alright as long as I am not involved in another incident," he said.

France To Replace New York '90 Percent' Sure - Paul Ricard: Paul Ricard boss Stephane Clair says there is a "90 percent" chance the French circuit will host a Grand Prix in 2013. He suggested to Le Figaro that the country is first in line to step in to replace the delayed GP of America. "We do not need the state (to contribute financially) for our project," said Clair. He said the 2013 calendar would need to be tweaked, but suggested France could be slotted in for early September, creating a sequence of historic European races moving from Belgium, to France and then Italy. Clair said a decision must be made quickly. "Everything must be done by late November to give us the time to make the legal arrangements. On Jan. 1, we would launch the ticket sales. We will also need three months to develop the circuit," he added.

'Mozzies' A Buzzword In Buddh Paddock: Mosquitoes are a problem at the Indian GP this weekend, the local Times of India reports. The newspaper said Jenson Button swatted one as he spoke to reporters at the Buddh circuit, near the capital New Delhi, on Thursday. "Oh, I got that mozzie," the Briton said. But the Times of India reports that the McLaren driver would not be laughing if he contracted "dengue." Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is an infectious disease that can be life-threatening. The newspaper said McLaren and Williams are staying in hotels in Mayur Vihar, where upon arrival "a swarm of mosquitoes greets you." Journalist Ruhi Batra said he has seen "McLaren team members ... constantly slapping their arms and scratching themselves," while hotel staff rush around "with raquet-shaped zappers." The Times of India said there are hundreds of reported mosquito infections in New Delhi, "and a concerned government on Tuesday asked municipal bodies to carry out fogging exercises across the city."

Elder Chandhok Worried F1 To Lose Other Indian Driver: Vicky Chandhok is worried F1 may soon be without an Indian driver. Chandhok, the Indian motor sport federation's president, has already seen his son Karun's F1 career end due to a lack of sponsorship. And now it is suggested F1's other Indian driver, Narain Karthikeyan, may lose his HRT seat at the end of the season. "After Narain and Karun, I really can't see an Indian driver for the next, I would say, eight to 10 years," Vicky Chandhok told CNN. "Formula One has become all about money," he said. "It never was earlier, you could find a slot with just talent. The formula One teams have decided that even if you've got talent, let's have your checkbook as well — bring in five, 10, 20 million dollars and (then) let's give you the seat."