(Reuters) - The rear wing problem that wrecked Fernando Alonso's hopes of winning in Bahrain last weekend was due to a rare component failure within the DRS system, Ferrari said after an investigation. "It's the first problem of its kind on this system seen on the three years during which it has been used," the Italian team said on their website. "The failure is not something that causes concern for the long term."

By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Jenson Button could be thankful at least that McLaren allowed their drivers to race each other in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, even as he accused team mate Sergio Perez of dangerous and 'dirty' driving. The 2009 world champion looked for positives after he and his Mexican team mate cleared the air at a hastily-arranged meeting with McLaren management after Sunday's race.

Pirelli is expected to hold talks at its Milan factory on Tuesday to decide what, if any, changes are needed to improve the performance of their controversial Formula One racing tyres. After four races dominated and decided by tyre-wear and the strategy required to cope with this season's fast-wearing rubber, F1's leading teams are keen to see Pirelli switch to producing more conservative tyres that help ensure truer racing for the drivers.

McLaren team chief Martin Whitmarsh has moved swiftly to defuse a possible feud between his drivers after Jenson Button had accused team-mate Sergio Perez of dangerous driving during the Bahrain Grand Prix. The pair clashed several times during the race won by championship leader and defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull. But Whitmarsh said both the 2009 champion Briton Button, 33, and Mexican driver Perez, 23, who had been under pressure after a lacklustre start to his McLaren career, had agreed to put the issue behind them.