Yesterday’s announcement from Mercedes of title sponsorship from Petronas was, I think, the first time the team has managed to grab some headlines from its competitors.

Petronas was believed to be heading towards either Sauber, with its historic links to the company, or Lotus, because of the Malaysian connection. But Mercedes bagged the deal, and very impressive that is.

Mercedes biggest announcement was, of course, the creation of the team through effectively buying out Brawn GP. But that was quickly overshadowed by Jenson Button’s move to McLaren.

There was no fanfare around the confirmation of Nico Rosberg, partly because it was widely known, and partly because it’s not desperately exciting.

What there should be fanfare around – and there certainly will be if it happens – is Michael Schumacher, who is looking increasingly likely to drive for the team next year. But even there Mercedes is losing out on press coverage. Little comment has been forthcoming from either side, presumably because they don’t want to raise expectations too much just in case it falls through if, for example, Schumacher’s neck still isn’t up to it.

So Ferrari has stepped in to grab a bit of positive attention, with Luca di Montezemolo telling everyone about what Schumacher has been telling him. It’s very clever by Ferrari to get what they can from their association with him while it lasts.