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F1: Red Bull Problems ‘Nothing Major’ – Horner

Christian Horner has played down fears of a Red Bull crisis, insisting the problems with the new RB10 are “nothing major”. After four consecutive world championships at the tail-end of the former regulations, Red Bull's all-new V6-powered


Christian Horner has played down fears of a Red Bull crisis, insisting the problems with the new RB10 are "nothing major".

After four consecutive world championships at the tail-end of the former regulations, Red Bull's all-new V6-powered car managed only a handful of laps recently as the winter testing season for the all-new V6 era opened at Jerez.

"There's a few things we needed to tighten up on our side but nothing major and obviously Renault have some issues that they are tidying up as well," team boss Horner told Sky Sports News.

"But these cars are so complicated that even small problems can cause big failures."

(GMM)

McLaren supplying LCD readout to rival teams

McLaren is supplying a standard LCD steering wheel display to fellow formula one teams in 2014.

The new display, part of the package provided by the Woking based company's technology subsidiary for the McLaren-supplied mandatory electronic control unit (ECU), could be seen fitted to cars including the Mercedes and Ferrari at Jerez recently.

Use of the multi-function display, however, featuring the gear-shift warning lights and graphical data for the drivers, is not mandatory, and it is believed world champions Red Bull will continue to use their own layout this year.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the new 13cm display is called PCU-8D.

"It's all very different," Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg is quoted as saying. "Almost like a smartphone."

(GMM)

Planning 'all in place' for Austria GP - Mateschitz

Austria's return to the F1 calendar this year is on track, Red Bull supremo Dietrich Mateschitz says.

"We are striving for a perfect race weekend with sold out grandstands," said the Austrian billionaire, who has rebuilt the former A1-Ring circuit.

There had been some minor doubts about the race's return, as the Red Bull-Ring was initially limited to a small maximum crowd, while circuit upgrades were still in the planning.

"The construction is on schedule, even if it is tight, and the permits are all in place," Mateschitz told the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

With world champions Red Bull arguably the biggest spenders in pitlane, Mateschitz also commented on the hardening plans for team budget caps for 2015.

"At the moment the question of what is excluded and what else the manufacturers can redeploy in other budgets is still open," he said.

"On one hand, billions were spent on the development of the new engines, which is not questioned," added Mateschitz.

Finally, he was asked about Ferrari's explosive 'fire and ice' new driver pairing of Fernando Alonso alongside fellow champion Kimi Raikkonen.

"Even if there are frictions," Mateschitz insisted, "it has to work.

"With us, the media spoke about the crisis between Vettel and Webber for the longest time, but it still worked.

"It doesn't matter if Alonso and Raikkonen are blood brothers or not."

(GMM)

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