Sunday news briefs from Barcelona

Schumacher says manager wrong about ’no sponsors’ claim

The relationship between Michael Schumacher and his long time manager Willi Weber appears to have cooled.

Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm has this year taken over the day-to-day management of the seven time world champion, although Weber is still involved in merchandising and sponsorship.

Weber, who guided the German throughout his ultra-successful initial career, said this week that he senses a "Schumi-tiredness" within the public that could explain low merchandise sales in 2010.

The 68-year-old also said "Vettel is the new Schumi" commercially, while it is "easier to find a 50-year-old virgin" than sponsors.

Schumacher said in Barcelona: "Some of the things he said I cannot understand.

"Sabine has actually been very successful in finding sponsors, and nearly at every race the team has a new sponsor. It is his view," the 41-year-old told Bild-Zeitung.

Grosjean to reappear in Monaco for F1 talks

Romain Grosjean has revealed he will also be seen in the paddock at next weekend’s Monaco grand prix.

In the wake of his partial rookie season with Renault in 2009, the 24-year-old Swiss-Frenchman is in Barcelona this weekend.

"I came to see a few people, make some contacts and show that I’m still around," said Grosjean, who replaced the sacked Nelson Piquet at Renault last year.

"I am not hiding that my number one goal is to return to F1," he added after being spotted in conversation with Peter Sauber.

"I am aware that it is a matter of luck and opportunity and that it is not easy. I am open to the idea that other categories could be a solution for me," added Grosjean, who revealed that he will contest Le Mans next month.

He said he will follow F1’s travelling circus to Monaco after Spain.

"I will be in Monaco and definitely at some other European grands prix to continue negotiations," said Grosjean.

Ferrari to make F-duct ’more comfortable’ - Alonso

Ferrari will tweak its F-duct system so that it is more "comfortable" for the drivers, Fernando Alonso has revealed.

On Saturday he played down suggestions the Italian team’s blown rear wing solution is dangerous because it is activated by the drivers’ left hand.

But he told France’s Auto Hebdo: "In the simulator we practiced with this method so that now it is automatic. But in the future we will find a more comfortable solution for the drivers," added Alonso.

Senna says his HRT chassis damaged

Bruno Senna believes his HRT chassis is carrying an inherent problem this weekend.

The Brazilian rookie was the slowest qualifier in Barcelona, some four tenths behind his teammate Karun Chandhok.

"There is something wrong at the back and we have still not found what it is," he is quoted by Brazil’s Globo.

"I only know that it has been eating up the tyres. Perhaps the floor is loose, we don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s serious," added the 26-year-old.

"If we don’t find what it is then it is possible I will have to make several pitstops, because the tyres are not going to last," Senna concluded.