All the Formula 1 teams are working to find the best position for the exhausts

As was the case in 2011, exhausts look set to remain the key to technical success this season.

“I don't know if they will be the key factor,” said Sauber driver Sergio Perez, “but of course the exhaust is the area of ​​greatest potential for improvement.”

“That's where we're focusing most of our time this preseason,” the Mexican driver told Spanish newspaper Marca.

After the ban on blown exhausts, capable of giving a positive aerodynamic effect, in the middle of last season, teams are still looking for the optimal solution for the new set of rules.

“This year's cars are very difficult to drive,” said Fernando Alonso, after the recent tests in Jerez and Barcelona.

“Regarding our situation, I can only say that we are continuing to work on the best car configuration for Melbourne,” said the Spaniard.

According to Marca, McLaren would even have three different configurations for the position of the exhausts available to use during the season.