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THE NEW Formula One season had barely started when the sport's first technical row erupted yesterday, leaving top teams resigned to an expensive 'arms race' and copying McLaren's innovative rear wing design. Livid Renault chief Bob Bell said a clever ventilation system that channelled air through the drivers' cockpit of McLaren's MP4-25 car was 'totally illegal' and has 'driven a cart and horse through the spirit of the rules and regulations.' Renault stopped short of launching an official protest whi

driven a cart and horse through the spirit of the rules and regulations.   -Bob Bell

 

Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher aired doubts about changes to Formula 1's rules for 2010 after his return to the sport in Bahrain. The 41-year-old finished sixth in his first grand prix for four years, won by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. "Overtaking was basically impossible unless somebody made a mistake," the German said following the race.

Overtaking was basically impossible unless somebody made a mistake   -German Rosberg

 

5th: "I had a great start today and was happy to be running in fourth position by the end of the first lap. However I lacked pace on the option tyres in the first stint and struggled for pace. Lewis beat me on strategy in the pit stop which we need to analyse later and see what happened. I couldn't quite get Sebastian at the end as I lost grip in the dirty air when I got close. However fifth place is a good start for us and I am confident that we can develop well from here." Michael Schumacher - 6th: "Af  

After months of headlines and hype, Michael Schumacher is finally ready to make his return to Formula One complete. But he has admitted he will struggle to finish higher than his seventh place starting grid position Sunday in the Bahrain Grand Prix, his first event since 2006. "The race will be difficult," said the seven time world champion, after being outpaced all weekend by his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Michael's fiercely competitive and by his own admission he oversteps it. It's that little bit of the brain that just takes over for a moment. It's not rational.   -Ross Brawn

 

5th: "To be honest, we were hoping for a bit more today although we were lacking the pace to challenge right at the front so I guess we should not be too disappointed. It was so difficult out there with the tyres overheating. If you made a small mistake and got oversteer, then you lost a lot of grip for the next few corners. It's going to be very important to look after the tyres tomorrow in the race. Overall it's a good start for me and with a bit of luck, we should be able to challenge for a podium place  

The question lingers whether Button, 30, will have enough energy for a second title. Few win back-to-back. But as he said, when he drove out of the garage for first practice yesterday after admiring the No1 on his car, that was it, now it is time to recreate the dream.

We have to have our blinkers on that and concentrate on what is important to us and that is doing the best job we can   -Ross Brawn

 

IT SEEMS like such a long time since we last saw a Formula One car on a race track. But since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year the teams have not just been sitting still. In fact, last month saw them doing plenty of pre-season testing as they get ready for the new season.  

Jenson Button shrugged off the controversy surrounding the new McLaren as Formula One today hit the track running in typically contentious style. A debate is raging in F1 regarding an innovative aerodynamic concept on the car that has been passed legal, but has had nearly every other team principal and engineering guru mumbling words of discontent. The design employs Lewis Hamilton and Button to close off a vent in the cockpit of their car using their legs, which in turn helps to stall the rear wing f

It is fundamentally clear the McLaren wing design is totally illegal   -Bob Bell

 

1st: "We improved the car over the course of the day but it didn't feel great initially with the new track, lower downforce and the conditions were very sandy this morning. So we had a few balance issues to work on but it came together very well this afternoon. There are areas where we can still improve but we have a good comparison with the tyre compounds and on the long runs. Overall we learnt a great deal today so it's a positive start to the weekend." Michael Schumacher - 3rd: "We worked very well th