Tighten your belts and ditch the rose-tinted glasses. That is Formula One group CEO Bernie Ecclestone’s advice to F1’s other big players as he ponders the future health of the sport. As for 2012, with six world champions on the grid a fascinating campaign is all but assured. Ecclestone, of course, wants to see it go down to the wire at the very last race – though he admits that could be a case of him wearing the rose-tinted specs…. (more…)

This time last year McLaren were in desperately bleak mood after a difficult winter. Fast forward to 2012 and the British team seem to have a real spring in their step. With the MP4-27 impressing during pre-season testing and drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button chomping at the bit to wage a convincing championship challenge, team principal Martin Whitmarsh is feeling optimistic. In a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Phone-in on Monday, Whitmarsh discussed McLaren’s title chances, Pirelli’s 2012-spec tyres and much more…. (more…)

Jenson Button admits he is “very happy” with the direction McLaren have taken with their 2012 package ahead of the season opener.

Button and team-mate Lewis Hamilton head into this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix high on confidence after a relatively successful pre-season. This is in stark contrast to the 2011 campaign when the mood in the McLaren camp was downbeat after they struggled during winter testing. (more…)

Force India team owner Vijay Mallya is confident that their 2012 challenger, the VJM05, will help the squad to take another step forward this campaign.

The Silverstone-based outfit finished sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2011 – their best position to date – and are now hoping to improve even further.

Mallya feels the VJM05 coupled with “some healthy in-house rivalry” between Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will give them the boost they need. (more…)

Fernando Alonso is expecting a tough ride at the opening races of the season after admitting Ferrari still has a lot of work to do on its 2012 car.

Ferrari has been sending out mixed signals since its tricky pre-season testing campaign, with technical director Pat Fry ruling out a podium finish at the first race but Felipe Massa insisting a top-three finish is possible. Team principal Stefano Domenicali has warned against making any judgements until the start of the European season and Alonso agrees the first races will be tough. (more…)