Oct.28 (GMM) Mercedes has closed ranks following reports it is set to debut an F-duct style front wing innovation in 2012.

The team reportedly tested a prototype in a grand prix practice session this month, with Bild newspaper claiming it adds 8kph to the car's top speed.

"I don't want to comment on every idea," said team boss Ross Brawn. "But we do need to take risks with the new car in order to move forwards."

Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, denied the existence of a new wing.

Asked how the new component felt during recent testing, the German brusquely answered on Thursday: "Perfect."

But he later added: "We didn't use a different front wing, quite honestly. It was as good as before."

McLaren technical boss Paddy Lowe, however, admitted this week that he has heard about Mercedes' idea.

"There's been quite a lot of coverage but we're not feeling desperately excited. We're not singling it out against many other things we're constantly reviewing," he said.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version