Jules Bianchi was a Force India reserve backed by Ferrari last season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Designer Coughlan Defends Williams' Maldonado: Williams' technical chief Mike Coughlan has defended Pastor Maldonado. Venezuelan Maldonado won this year's Spanish Grand Prix, but he also had a tumultuous season littered with mistakes. The 27-year-old, who carries significant PDVSA sponsorship, has been retained for 2013. "We win as a team and lose as a team," Briton Coughlan is quoted by Speed Week. "Of course we've been through some difficult situations together and he will have learned from it. But it's not our style to point the finger at someone. It could just as well be argued that if we had given him a better car, he would not have been battling in the midfield so often." Overall, Williams' 2012 season (76 points, 8th in the constructors' championship) was much better than 2011 (5 points, 9th). "The biggest advantage has been the Renault engine — light, powerful, reliable," said Coughlan, referring to the switch from Cosworth power. "It meant we were able to focus entirely on aerodynamic development, and it paid off."

Austria 'Has Everything' For 2013 F1 Return - Berger: Gerhard Berger sees no reason why Austria cannot return to the F1 calendar. Following reports the former A1-Ring's new owner Red Bull has offered up the venue for the unconfirmed 20th race in 2013, Bernie Ecclestone played down the possibility of an Austrian return next year. But Austrian Berger, the former McLaren and Ferrari driver and ex Toro Rosso co-owner together with Dietrich Mateschitz, thinks his native country is in the running. "If Red Bull is in the game, nothing is impossible," he told Osterreich newspaper. "They have everything: the track, the facilities, the contacts and the necessary status in F1. And money should not be a problem." Berger rubbished Ecclestone's claim that the 'Red Bull Ring' is not appropriate for F1 because there are not enough hotels in the surrounding area. "That opposite is true," he insisted. "The critics should look at what Red Bull has brought into the area in terms of the hotel sector. There is a direct motorway connection to Graz; in 45 minutes you're in the city. At Silverstone, there is a much bigger hotel problem," said Berger.

Haug Denies Lauda Pushed For F1 Axe: Norbert Haug has denied Niki Lauda played a decisive role in his departure as Mercedes' motor sport boss. When it was announced on Thursday that, after 22 years, 60-year-old Haug will not be with the German marque in 2013, some sensed the hand of Mercedes' new non-executive chairman, triple World Champion and Austrian great Lauda. "I want to state strongly that this was a decision that the board and I reached by consensus. Niki had absolutely nothing to do with it. We have respected each other over the years, and this changes nothing," Haug told the news agency SID. He hinted that Mercedes' failure to properly succeed since forming its works team in 2010 was a reason for the split. "We have had success in the past three years, but not enough consistently," said Haug. Niki Lauda told German television Sky: "I was just as surprised as anyone about Norbert. For me personally, I'm sorry about it. I have always had a very good relationship with him and would have very much liked to have continued to work with him." Michael Schumacher, who is returning to retirement in 2013 after three seasons with Mercedes, also sounded disappointed with the decision. "This step represents a major turning point," the seven-time World Champion said on his website. "His departure will tear a big gap in both our sport and our team." German motor racing federation president Hans-Joachim Stuck is quoted by Speed Week: "Norbert has also had some health problems, perhaps that played a role."

Journalist Says Buemi Could Be Ferrari Tester: It is possible Ferrari could poach Sebastien Buemi from Red Bull, the well-connected Swiss correspondent Roger Benoit claims. Benoit, who has written for Blick newspaper for years, said Swiss Buemi's future remains uncertain, despite his links to the Force India cockpit for 2013. Buemi, 24, was Red Bull's reserve driver in 2012 and he is tipped to stay in the role for next year. "But another door could suddenly open," veteran journalist Benoit wrote. "At Ferrari. Buemi knows many secrets of Ferrari's nemesis Red Bull," he added.