Oct.24 (GMM) The design of Mercedes' 2011 car is already in the wind tunnel and "more innovative" that its disappointing predecessor.

That is the claim of the German marque's Norbert Haug, one day after team boss Ross Brawn admitted the W01 was designed too conservatively amid Brawn GP's 2009 title challenge.

"The prototype of the new car is in the wind tunnel," Haug told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "It will be more innovative, the result of taking more risks.

"The development of the current car is finished, so our engineers have more time to perhaps pursue some ideas that initially might seen outlandish.

"At the same time, our competitors are designing their new cars for 2011 whilst still fighting hard for this world championship," added Haug.

In the same interview, the German also scotched reports he is at loggerheads with Brawn.

Working in the same office as his British colleague in the team's offices at Yeongam, Haug insisted: "Does it look as though we cannot work with one another?"

However, much more pressing is the speculation that - at the end of another disappointing season next year - the team's parent Daimler might pull the plug.

"Absolutely not," Haug insists. "We certainly do not intend to be in the midfield, but no one at Mercedes is talking about quitting."

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