Jan.10 (GMM) F1 expert and former grand prix driver Hans-Joachim Stuck has played down formula one teams' fears about using standard electronics developed by a McLaren subsidiary in 2008.

Rivals of the Mercedes-powered team, notably Renault, Ferrari and BMW-Sauber, have expressed concern not only about the apparently troublesome ECU supplied by Microsoft-MES, but its links with McLaren, a current competitor that was recently involved in espionage scandals.

But Stuck, the German veteran of 74 grands prix in the 70s, and newly appointed Motorsport Representative for Volkswagen, told Bild newspaper: "It is clear that the teams are worried.

"But Mercedes would never be so stupid as to get involved in anything chancy like that. For the faint-hearted, I try to reassure them," he added.