Mark Webber drives the Red Bull RB9 in preseason testing. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Red Bull Still Best In 2013 - Tost: Red Bull is still F1's top team, according to Franz Tost. Austrian Tost is the boss of the energy drink company's Italian based second Formula One team, Toro Rosso. Asked to ponder the 2013 pecking order following two of the three preseason tests in Spain, Tost answered: "The teams are close together, but by and large, not much has changed. Red Bull Racing will be the measure of all things in 2013," he said in an interview with Speed Week. "Hopefully Toro Rosso will make a significant step forward," added Tost.

Caterham Exhaust 'Legal,' Insists Van Der Garde: After Williams removed its controversial solution for the 'Coanda'-effect exhaust late last week, heads are now turning in Caterham's direction. Williams' move to remove the solution reportedly followed the FIA's Charlie Whiting telling team designer Mike Coughlan at Jerez that he deemed it illegal. But while Williams' solution attempted to find a loophole in the regulations, Coughlan said recently he thought Caterham's similar approach is "clearly not allowed." A Caterham spokesman said: "We are continuing to evaluate a range of options at the pre-season tests as per our normal program." But the team's new Dutch racer Giedo van der Garde is not so sure that means Caterham will remove the solution. "I am told that it is legal, so I am not worried," he is quoted by the Dutch magazine Formule1. "I expect to find the same exhaust on the car in Barcelona." The third and final four-day preseason test begins on Thursday.

2014 French Grand Prix 'Possible,' Says Prost: Alain Prost, the quadruple World Champion, is hopeful France could finally return to the F1 calendar next year. Recently, following his native country's five-year absence from the schedule, Magny Cours and Paul Ricard were linked with a possible French Grand Prix for 2013. "I still read in the press that there are opportunities for 2013," Prost, who was involved in the talks, is quoted by France's Sport24. "It is of course impossible. However, for 2014, there are possible openings (for France). There are a few Grands Prix in doubt but also many new projects considered by (Bernie) Ecclestone," said Prost.

Salo Tips Raikkonen To Fight For Melbourne Pole: Kimi Raikkonen has been tipped to fight for pole in Australia next month, and the World Championship in 2013. "I am quite sure Kimi will fight for the championship," fellow Finn Mika Salo, now a commentator for the MTV3 broadcaster, said. After two seasons in rallying, 2007 World Champion Raikkonen returned to Formula One with Lotus last year, finishing the championship third and winning in Abu Dhabi. "Last year, he was not able to consistently show good results all of the time, and the team made mistakes that should not be repeated," said former Sauber and Ferrari driver Salo. "It is clear that the Lotus has now improved. I have no doubt that, in Australia, Kimi will fight for pole position."

Alguersuari, Schumacher To Race Karts: Unable to find a race seat for his F1 return, Jaime Alguersuari has signed up for a season of kart racing. Spain's El Confidencial reports that the former Toro Rosso driver will combine his continuing role as Pirelli test driver with a seat in the powerful KZ kart category of the European championship. "The truth is that I miss competition and so I will compete in what most resembles a Formula One car," said the 22-year-old. "I don't know if I will return to Formula One but I don't want to believe that my career is over at 22," added Alguersuari. It has also emerged that the newly re-retired Michael Schumacher is returning to kart racing, and will contest the WSK Euro Series race at Ialy's La Conca circuit for Tony Kart. Curiously, one of his competitors this weekend will be Max Verstappen, the 15-year-old son of his former Benetton teammate, Dutchman Jos Verstappen.