Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is feeling confident about 2013. (Photo: Getty Images)

Montezemolo Happy With 2013 Ferrari: In stark contrast to a year ago, team president Luca di Montezemolo sounds happy with Ferrari's preparation for the looming F1 season. Last year's red car was not initially competitive, but the F138 is "meeting all our expectations," the Italian declared. "In the last two years that wasn't the case, but so far the tests have gone as we've hoped," Montezemolo, at the Geneva motor show, is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

F1 Figures Call For Melbourne Night Race: Leading Formula One figures have called on organizers of the Australian GP to consider switching to a Singapore-style night race format. Keen to install a better television time for the bulk European audience, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has been pushing the idea for years, but the state government has always ruled it out. In fact, the Albert Park event is already highly controversial within Victoria, with opponents baulking at the cost to taxpayers and even the government refusing to commit to a new contract beyond the existing 2015 deal. Ecclestone said recently: "We hope we're going to be in Melbourne forever, although we do get a bit of criticism and I don't know why." Suddenly, a trio of what the local Herald Sun newspaper described as F1 'heavyweights' are proposing a floodlit night-race format for the Grand Prix. 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton said he backs the idea to see Melbourne alternate normal daylight races with a floodlit race once every three years. "I'd like to see things vary because every year is the same," he said. Agreed Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo: "It sounds like a good compromise." And Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was also quoted as saying: "A night race in Melbourne, when you consider where the viewing figures are, could be interesting."

De Villota To Work For Spain's F1 TV Coverage: Maria de Villota has been signed up as an expert pundit for Spanish television Antena 3's coverage of the 2013 Formula One season. The Spaniard lost an eye in a near-fatal testing crash whilst serving as a Marussia test driver last year, but has made a good recovery. "Last week, they gave me permission to return to driving," said the 32-year-old. "The distances I can already calculate quite well and it feels like nothing ever happened." Following Antena 3's launch of its 2013 coverage, Spanish reports said de Villota will work as an expert pundit, particularly on a segment called 'Safety Car.' Ferrari reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa will also be a commentator for the 2013 coverage.