Brabus is bringing its latest tuning program for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG to Essen Motor Show.
Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner
Friday, November 30, 2012
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG tuned by Brabus heading to Essen
Brabus is bringing its latest tuning program for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG to Essen Motor Show. 
Kobayashi To Take Grosjean?s Lotus Seat
Kamui Kobayashi could be in line to take Romain Grosjean?s seat at Lotus for 2013, as the team seek a more ?stable? driver. Kimi Raikkonen completed a solid season for the black and gold team, whilst Grosjean struggled at times with a series of mistakes costing him, and Lotus, points. This has led to links [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/25DOZQngJDs/kobayashi-to-take-grosjeans-lotus-seat
Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh
Lexus LF-CC confirmed for production, due in 2015
A Lexus source has confirmed that the LF-CC will get a production version which should be out in 2015. 
Jimmy Davies Colin Davis Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler
WAG WEEKLY: Florence Brudenell-Bruce
Jenson Button certainly does have a way with women. The�McLaren�manis now dating the gorgeous Jessica Michibata but can count Prince Harry’s rumoured other half Florence Brudenell-Bruce,and underwear model, as one of his previous conquests. CLICK HERE FOR OUR FLORENCE BRUDENELL-BRUCE GALLERY
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/oV-yN9p7GN4/wag-weekly-florence-brudenell-bruce
Alberto Crespo Antonio Creus Larry Crockett Tony Crook Art Cross
2014 Subaru Forester debuts in L.A. [video]
Subaru has launched the 2014 Forester at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It will go on sale next spring. 
Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy Colin Chapman Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves
Karthikeyan Makes Surprise F1 Return With HRT
Narain Karthikeyan has made a surprise return to Formula One after being announced as one of Hispania HRT’s drivers for the 2011 season. The Indian driver was unveiled as the first racer to be working with the Spanish based squad, who look likely to enter into a second season of racing despite on-going financial concerns. [...]
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/karthikeyan-makes-surprise-f1-return-with-hrt/
Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti
Team orders in spotlight again
 Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? |
?The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. ?And the �65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. ?Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors' championship just five years after coming into the sport. ?That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.?The Guardian?s Paul Weaver says that if Fernando Alonso does take the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari owes a debt of gratitude to Red Bull for their decision not to employ team orders in Brazil.
?If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull's headquarters in Milton Keynes. ?While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. ?Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.?The Independent?s David Tremayne is also of the opinion that Red Bull may regret not using team orders in Brazil.
?Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win ? something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake ? Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points ? just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team's favoured driver ? which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. ?And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.?The Mirror?s Byron Young has put Lewis Hamilton?s fading title chances down to an inferior McLaren machine and he admits the 2008 World Champion now needs a miracle.
?Sebastian Vettel's victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport's history. ?Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days' time it would take more than a miracle. ?Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/team_orders_in_spotlight_again_1.php
Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise
2014 Porsche Cayman roars into Los Angeles [video]
Porsche has taken the wraps off the 2014 Cayman at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It will go on sale in Europe next March. 
Larry Crockett Tony Crook Art Cross Geoff Crossley Chuck Daigh
F1 fans? videos from the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix
F1 fans’ videos from the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Pastor Maldonado's lap two crash, which wasn't seen on television, is among the videos shot by fans at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
F1 fans’ videos from the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/KcKgrsvZXUQ/
Geoff Crossley Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly Christian Danner
Thursday, November 29, 2012
2014 Kia Sorento arrives in Los Angeles [video]
Kia has introduced the 2014 U.S.-spec Sorento at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. 
Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant
Lewis Hamilton move would not be a huge surprise
If Lewis Hamilton does move to Mercedes from McLaren for next season, as Eddie Jordan believes he will, it would be a massive shock but not a huge surprise.
There has appeared no urgency from either Hamilton or McLaren to sort out a new contract for 2013 and at the same time there have been signs of unease in the relationship.
The 27-year-old's management team have approached all the big teams this summer and they got short shrift from Red Bull and Ferrari.
Mercedes's reaction has been warmer, and negotiations are known to have taken place, but the issue is complicated by Michael Schumacher's situation.
Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of leaving Mclaren to drive for Mercedes next season. Photo: Getty
Schumacher has not exactly been setting the world on fire this season, with the notable exception of qualifying fastest in Monaco, but at the same time Mercedes cannot be seen to be sacking him because of his status, particularly in Germany.
The German legend is of huge promotional value to Mercedes but the company is split on whether he should continue.
From a marketing point of view, he is a dream - and as he is considered untouchable in Germany any decision to move aside must appear to have come from him.
But those who see the F1 programme from a performance point of view would rather Schumacher stepped down and made way for someone younger and faster.
If they can replace him with someone of the highest calibre - someone such as Hamilton, for example - then that helps, too, as the decision is more easily understandable.
And it is clear after an increasingly uncompetitive season that the team could benefit from employing Hamilton, who is one of F1's 'big three' alongside Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, neither of whom are available.
The attraction Mercedes might have to Hamilton is less clear, given their current struggles, but perhaps the continuing frustrations of his time at McLaren have convinced him it is time for a change.
McLaren struggled by their own high standards in 2009-11, during which time Hamilton did not have a car competitive enough to mount a full-on title challenge.
They came closest in 2010, but it was always a battle against the generally faster Red Bull and Ferrari.
And although McLaren started this season with the fastest car - and have it again after a brief mid-season dip in form - operational errors earlier in the season hit Hamilton's title bid.
Money may well also be an important factor. Hamilton made some cryptic comments in Belgium last weekend about his future move being a "business decision".
Equally, there have been signs of friction between him and McLaren.
In certain quarters of the team, they are uncomfortable about Hamilton's approach to his job and his mindset. And the disconnect was made public this weekend with his ill-advised behaviour on the social networking site Twitter, on which he posted a picture of confidential team telemetry.
Where does that all leave McLaren, Mercedes and Hamilton? Time will tell.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/lewis_hamilton_move_would_not.html
David Clapham Jim ClarkÜ Kevin Cogan Peter Collins Bernard Collomb
The morning after the night before
Yay! The season is over and we had a terrific race in Sao Paulo. It was a race that had everything: drama, excitement, accidents, joy and deep sadness. One can only feel happy for Sebastian Vettel, but at the same time one must feel a little sad for Fernando Alonso, who has driven his heart [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/the-morning-after-the-night-before-3/
Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa
Manhart Racing MH5 S Biturbo officially rated at 646 HP
Manhart Racing has released new details about their MH5 S Biturbo. It features a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine that develops 646 HP (475 kW) and 773 Nm (570 lb-ft) of torque. 
Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy
Porsche North America dealers to use test track from 2014 to entice customers
Starting with 2014, Porsche dealers in U.S. will be able to use a test track to attract customers. 
Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Time running out for Alonso
As Sebastian Vettel headed down the pit lane after winning the Indian Grand Prix, team-mate Mark Webber's Red Bull behind gave him a couple of little nudges as they headed to their correct parking places.
"I switched off the car," Vettel said. "I was told to park the car under the podium and I couldn't remember where it was from last year and Mark gave me a little bit of a push."
He added that he thought it was his "only mistake" of the day, which sounds about right.
The victory was his fourth in a row, a new achievement for the German despite his domination on the way to the world championship last year, and he has now led every racing lap since Lewis Hamilton's McLaren retired from the lead of the Singapore Grand Prix four races ago.
It also moves Vettel to one win short of the tally of Sir Jackie Stewart. At this rate, Vettel will not only pass the Scot's number of victories before the end of the year but join him as a three-time world champion as well.
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Vettel is still only 13 points ahead of his only remaining realistic rival, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, which is less than a driver earns for a third place, but it is the scale of Red Bull's current superiority that has led many to suspect the battle is already effectively over.
Vettel was fastest in every practice session in India and took yet another pole position. After the German's crushing wins in Japan and Korea, the only surprise at the Buddh International Circuit was that Red Bull's margin over the rest of the field was smaller than expected in qualifying.
In the race, though, Vettel was completely untouchable.
In the first 20 laps, he was not that much faster than team-mate Mark Webber in second place, and the Australian was being pretty much matched by Alonso.
But then Vettel cut loose, suddenly lapping 0.5 seconds faster than before. Team boss Christian Horner admitted that, not sure about tyre wear, Vettel had simply been measuring his pace in the opening third of the race.
Ferrari and McLaren both appeared to be in better shape after the single pit stops, more comfortable on the 'hard' tyre than the 'soft', but even then it was clear Vettel was in total control.
For the dispassionate observer wanting to see close racing, Red Bull's current form may be depressing, but it is hard not to admire what they have achieved this season.
For the first time in two years, they started the championship without a dominant car, and although they had strong race pace they were struggling to qualify at the front - the position from which they used to crush their opposition in 2011.
But they have worked away diligently at a series of upgrades aimed at allowing them to run the car as they did last year, and the breakthrough came in Singapore.
Further modifications came on stream in Japan and Korea and now Red Bull have a car that on pure pace is out of reach of their rivals.
It is the qualifying pace that is the key - start at the front and you can run in clear air, dictate the pace of the race, and are not affected by the turbulence of other cars. In this position, Vettel is close to unbeatable.
The start of the season, when there were seven different winners in seven races, seems a very long time ago.
Red Bull are a brilliant team, managed without compromise by Christian Horner and led by a genius designer in Adrian Newey, working in perfect harmony with a great driver. In many ways, it is similar to the way Lotus boss Colin Chapman and Jim Clark dominated the mid-1960s.
How they have done it, BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson has expanded on in his column. For now, the problem for their rivals is what to do about it.
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Alonso was as impressive in India as he has been all season, aggressive and inch perfect in the opening laps as he fought past both McLaren drivers, and relentless in his pursuit of Webber for second place.
The fact that the Spaniard passed the Australian was down to a degree of luck, it has to be said. Webber's Kers power-boost system was working only intermittently, and crucially he got held up behind some backmarkers, allowing Alonso to close to within one second - which meant he was within the margin that allows use of the DRS overtaking aid.
Once there, it took only two laps for Alonso to pass Webber, who without Kers, was defenceless on the long straight against a Ferrari with better straight-line speed anyway, and also employing Kers and DRS.
Nevertheless, to even keep the Red Bulls honest was quite an achievement by Alonso - no-one else was even close.
If there is such a thing as a driver 'deserving' the world title more than another, most people in F1 would say Alonso has been the stand-out competitor of the year.
As Lewis Hamilton put it in India: "Fernando unfortunately doesn't have as quick a car as Sebastian; it's nothing to do with his driving skills, that's for sure."
F1, though, is not purely a drivers' championship - he has to have a car, and at the moment Alonso is fighting an unequal battle with inferior equipment.
And in any case, Alonso himself would undoubtedly say that the driver who ends the season with the most points is the deserving champion.
Red Bull are now virtually certain to clinch a third consecutive constructors' title - indeed they seem likely to do so in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
For all Vettel's recent domination, though, in purely mathematical terms the drivers' championship remains wide open.
Thirteen points sounds a decent amount but the margin between Vettel and Alonso is, in F1's old scoring system abandoned only at the end of 2009, the equivalent of less than four points.
One retirement by Vettel, or a marginal improvement in the performance of Ferrari in the final three races, could tip the balance back in Alonso's favour. Time, though, is running out.
Alonso said on Sunday that the team did have improvements due in the next three races, and there was a hint in some of the other things he said over the weekend that the team expect them to amount to something more substantial than Ferrari have introduced for a while.
McLaren sporting director Sam Michael said on Sunday evening: "The performance can swing from one track to the other by a couple of tenths, and that's all there is in it at the moment - 0.2-0.3secs in terms of qualifying.
"And if you can have that performance, from the front row you have a better chance. So even if no-one upgraded their cars there would still be a reasonable chance that people could have a go at them.
"If Ferrari have a competitive car, then obviously Alonso can still do it."
In the context of the overpowering brilliance of Red Bull, though, that is a big if.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/10/time_running_out_for_alonso_in.html
Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi
Valtteri Bottas Q&A: ?I?ve worked hard to get here??
Given the potential of the Williams this year and the fact that he’s had a lot of mileage Valtteri Bottas could make a big impact next year – possibly the biggest by any rookie since Lewis Hamilton in 2007. Here’s … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/11/28/valterri-bottas-qa-ive-worked-hard-to-get-here/
Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham Gary Brabham Jack BrabhamÜ
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi has just announced that the 2014 Outlander will be unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show on Thursday, November 29th. Next to it there will also be a 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition, which was developed as a celebration of the company’s arrival in North America 30 years ago.
The 2014 Outlander will receive an updated exterior and a new engine, featuring a new version of Mitsubishi?s advanced MIVEC continuously-variable valve lift timing system for increased fuel economy. Mitsubishi has even gone so far as to promise that the 2014 Outlander will be the most fuel-efficient CUV with standard seven-passenger seating. Considering there is still another year before the 2014 models start rolling out, Mitsubishi may want to avoid making those kinds of statements just yet.
Along with the improved exterior look and the new engine, the 2014 Outlander will also be offered with new technologically advanced features, including: Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Full details on the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander will be unveiled during the car’s official debut in Los Angeles. Stay tuned!
Mitsubishi Outlander originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 17 November 2012 00:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mitsubishi/2014-mitsubishi-outlander-ar138084.html
Chevrolet introduces updated MyLink infotainment system [video]
Chevrolet has unveiled their next-generation MyLink infotainment system that will debut on the 2014 Impala. 
Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell
Raikkonen: 2012 Has Benn ?Pretty Good?
Lotus? Kimi Raikkonen has enjoyed his first season back in F1. The Finn returned to the sport following a period racing in the WRC, Despite winning the 2009 World Championship few predicted that he would return with such strength. Raikkonen scored points in 19 of the 20 races, but gave a typically understated opinion of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/atU1yVGPU2o/raikkonen-2012-has-benn-pretty-good
George Connor George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard Piers Courage
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Chevrolet Spark EV
Eco-friendly car buyers throughout the U.S. were anxiously awaiting the release of Chevy?s newest subcompact car, the Spark. Now that its release has come and gone, it is time to focus on the upcoming electric variant. After testing the car for quite some months, Chevrolet will officially unveiled the new Spark EV at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
With the Spark EV, Chevrolet adds another car to its electric-powered lineup that includes the Chevrolet Volt, a car that accounts for more than 50 percent of all plug-in electric-vehicle sales in the United States. Building on Chevrolet?s tried and tested electric motor and battery development program; it is expected to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and will be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability that enables the Spark EV to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes. That may not compare to the several minutes it takes to fuel-up your gasoline-powered car, but it?s certainly the fastest in its segment.
Will the Chevrolet Spark EV be another boring electric car to impress the government or is it one of the very few cars that are capable of drawing new customers towards the noble cause of environmental protection?
Click past the jump to find out.
Chevrolet Spark EV originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 27 November 2012 18:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/chevrolet/2013-chevrolet-spark-ev-ar126766.html
Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy Colin Chapman
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