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Aug 06
Technical boss James Allison has confirmed speculation Lotus intends to debut its so-called ‘double DRS’ system in Belgium next month.
On British broadcaster Sky’s ‘F1 Show’, television pundit Ted Kravitz explained that – unlike Mercedes’ pioneering device – the Lotus version is in fact not attached to the rear wing DRS.
Jul 05
Nico Rosberg has admitted Mercedes’ is not the fastest car in 2012, but insists he is in the running for this year’s title.
The German won his first grand prix in more than a hundred attempts this year in China; a breakthrough also for Mercedes after a 55-year victory drought. 27-year-old Rosberg said recently that the W03 car is perhaps the fastest overall on the 2012 grid.
Jun 01
The 2012 field is so even because the rules are so restrictive, according to Fernando Alonso.
The Spaniard admitted to worrying about the “credibility” of the sport, in light of the common view that the tyres supplied by Pirelli this year are making winning and losing grands prix akin to a “lottery”.
May 12
Lotus is the “biggest surprise” of the 2012 season so far, Red Bull’s team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has admitted.
In an interview with Austria’s Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, the billionaire mogul was mildly critical of the “lottery” that is this year’s championship, with Pirelli’s unpredictable tyres setting the scene.
Apr 20
Jenson Button doubts other teams will be pushing too hard to rush a Mercedes-style ‘double-DRS’ to their 2012 package.
The F-duct-style concept is, so far, the highest profile innovation of the season. So with the FIA declaring it fully legal, and Nico Rosberg breaking through with his maiden pole and win in Shanghai last weekend, it seems a no-brainer that the other teams will now be following suit.
Apr 12
Two publications are reporting strong rumours that Lotus is preparing an official protest against Mercedes’ controversial F-duct system.
Germany’s specialist Auto Motor und Sport said the Enstone based team could file the protest in Shanghai on Thursday, following stalemate meetings last week between technical directors and the FIA’s Charlie Whiting.
Apr 03
The FIA appears to have waded back into the ‘F-duct’ debate, indicating that the Mercedes-style solution is fully legal.
We reported on Monday that the saga looked set to continue into China next weekend, with some teams – notably Red Bull and Lotus – questioning the legality of the aerodynamic innovation.
Apr 02
The 2012 ‘F-duct’ controversy looks set to keep running for now.
“It’s not over yet,” confirmed Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko to Germany’s Auto Bild. In Australia and Malaysia, the threat of results protests hung over the opening races of 2012, due to some teams – chiefly Red Bull and Lotus – questioning the legality of the aerodynamic innovation on Mercedes’ 2012 car.
Mar 30
Sauber has revealed it cannot afford to simply jump in and copy Mercedes’ innovative F-duct solution.
The small Swiss team had almost winning race pace in Malaysia last weekend even without the extra straight-line speed that would be provided by a system along the lines of Mercedes’ DRS-complimenting concept.
Mar 29
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.
Mar 22
Contrary to recent speculation, McLaren does not yet have a Mercedes-style new F-duct on its dominant 2012 car.
When boss Martin Whitmarsh said in Melbourne that he would not be joining a theoretical protest against the Mercedes innovation, many suggested it was because the MP4-27 is already hiding something similar.
Mar 22
Red Bull has stepped up the technical row with Mercedes by accusing the German team of breaching a gentlemen’s agreement.
Red Bull and Lotus last weekend threatened to protest the results in Australia, due to Mercedes’ innovative new ‘F-duct’-like solution. “They are not complying with the agreement of the technical working group,” said Christian Horner.
Mar 17
Rumours are swirling in the Melbourne paddock that Red Bull and Lotus are preparing to lodge a post-qualifying protest.
“I’ve heard something like that,” confirmed Mercedes’ motor sport director Norbert Haug to German Sky television. They are reportedly unhappy with the new ‘F-duct’ solutions seen on the W03 car.
