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Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) topped the field, locking down the front row of the European Grand Prix, held in Valencia.

Pastor Maldonado (Williams), he who took pole of Barcelona's Spanish Grand Grand, looked set for another first place start on a Spanish track, until Vettel turned on the heat, clocking a laps four tenths quicker than what Maldonado had managed.

Hamilton then squeezed through to split the two men.

Q2 claimed several high-profile victims: Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) and Mark Webber (Red Bull); the field being so evenly matched.

The top 13 cars were separated only by three tenths.

Alonso, Schumacher and Massa all missed out on Q3 by less than 0.1s.

Their misfortunes allowed Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta (Force India) as well as Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) into the top 10.

Performances were uneven between many teammates. Jenson Button only qualified ninth, where Hamilton sits on the front row. At Williams, Bruno Senna could only manage 14th and Sergio Perez 15th at Sauber. But the teammate out-shined the most by his teammate was Webber.

The Australian was left a distant 19th.

At the back of the grid, Timo Glock (Marussia) had to give up qualifying altogether because of illness. No word yet on whether or not he will be fit enough to take part in the race.



Qualifying results - European Grand Prix

1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min38.086s - Q3

2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min38.410s - Q3

3. Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1min38.475s - Q3
4. Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1min38.505s - Q3
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1min38.513s - Q3
6. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min38.623s - Q3

7. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min38.741s - Q3

8. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min38.752s - Q3
9. Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min38.801s - Q3
10. 
Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min38.992s - Q3

11. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1min38.707s - Q2

12. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min38.77s0 - Q2
13. Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1min38.780s - Q2

14. Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1min39.207s - Q2

15. Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min39.358s - Q2

16. Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min40.295s - Q2

17. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min40.358s - Q2
18. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min40.203s - Q1
19. Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min40.395s - Q1
20. Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min40.457s - Q1
21. Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min42.171s - Q1
22. Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min42.527s - Q1
23. Charles Pic (Marussia MRO1-Cosworth) - 1min42.675s - Q1
24. Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - no time - Q1

From GMM

Formula one is always glamorous and shiny, but this weekend in Valencia, a harsh alter-reality is also obvious.

Floating in the port city's harbour is the Indian Express, one of the world's biggest and most valuable private superyachts that is owned by Vijay Mallya, the boss not only of Force India but also the sinking airline Kingfisher.

That the Indian billionaire's boat is such a centrepiece this weekend is a paradox, amid near-empty grandstands in crisis-struck Spain and frenzied discussions in the motor homes about the urgent need to slash costs.

"He (Mallya) probably doesn't know whether it's good times or bad," Williams co-owner Toto Wolff shrugged to the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung.

F1 is considering a number of measures to reduce costs, or increase incomes. One option for the latter is simply to expand the calendar, collecting and sharing new promoters' money.

One rumour is that up to three or four new races could be added to the 2013 schedule.

"The year has 52 weeks. We should have 26 grand prix!" Toro Rosso's Franz Tost said half-seriously, causing his Lotus counterpart Eric Boullier to explode with laughter.

"There is no exact number, no magic number," the Frenchman agreed, "but I'm rather like Franz -- more races, why not?"

Another idea could provide a new source of income for the bigger teams, whilst reducing the vast design and manufacturing costs for the minnows and providing better value for their sponsors -- customer cars.

"I would like to see some of the smaller teams with a single car sold by a top team, which had been used the previous year," Bernie Ecclestone is quoted by the Sapa-AFP news agency.

"Perhaps it could be driven by a rookie. Some teams would certainly get better results compared to now and spend less, immediately," he added.

The F1 chief executive seemed to rule out a "budget cap".

"It wouldn't work," he is quoted by the Spanish newspaper AS. "You can't stop the teams from spending all of the money they have."

Raybestos is offering residents of Canada and the United States a unique opportunity to win its fabulous 2013 Mustang Raybestos Rousch Stage 3. This rear-wheel-drive monster cranks out 580 horsepower and 550 pounds-feet of torque while burning 13.1 litres of gas per 100 kilometres.

To watch the car being assembled and enter the draw, go to http://raybestosgarage.com before September 15th. Good luck!

Source: http://raybestosgarage.com/

From GMM

Drivers stranded down the Valencia grid are not expecting to scythe through the field on Sunday.

Jenson Button qualified ninth and admitted he doubts he will fare much better in the race.

Told by an optimistic reporter at Valencia that 'lots can happen' over 57 long laps on Sunday, the Briton answered: "Not really, we're in Valencia. You can't overtake round here.

"Not a lot happens here in a race. I don't think it will be the most exciting one."

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is on pole, which is exactly where he wants to be, having travelled to the Spanish port city predicting that overtaking is possible on the streets of Valencia "only with some risk".

In 2010, Vettel's teammate Mark Webber was lucky to escape unhurt after flipping over backwards in a misunderstanding with backmarker Heikki Kovalainen.

And the Australian will have to spend Sunday among the backmarkers due to qualifying a dismal 19th with KERS and brake issues.

Team consultant Dr Helmut Marko admitted it is unlikely Webber will carve through the field.

"In recent years there were hardly any overtaking moves here, so for Mark's sake I hope it's better this time," he told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

From GMM

As F1's topsy-turvy 2012 seeks an eighth different winner at the eighth race weekend of the season, Force India appeared to leap into contention in Valencia.

Paul di Resta was sixth fastest on Friday morning, before his teammate Nico Hulkenberg came a mere tenth of a second from upstaging Sebastian Vettel for the best time of the entire day.

So far in 2012, the Silverstone based team has appeared largely out of the loop, as its formerly midfield rivals including Lotus, Sauber and Williams genuinely battle for champagne spoils in the hotly-contested and unique 2012 title race.

But harbour-side this weekend, it could be Force India's turn.

"There is no explanation for it," Hulkenberg marvelled to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, insisting the Mercedes-powered car has not been majorly upgraded, or is particularly well-suited to the Spanish street layout.

Montreal winner Lewis Hamilton admitted: "Force India looks massively quick so who knows what's going to happen."

Also comparatively quick, however, are Red Bull, Sauber, Mercedes, Williams, Ferrari, Lotus and McLaren -- all separated by less than a second on Friday.

From GMM

Paul Ricard boss Stephane Clair has revealed the uncertainty about France's return to the F1 calendar could drag on for many more weeks.

Prior to Nicolas Sarcozy losing the country's recent general election, the circuit looked destined for the 2013 calendar, thereafter alternating annually with Belgium's Spa Francorchamps.

The new government is currently reviewing the project and also considering Magny Cours as a possible host, but Paul Ricard's Clair insisted that time will eventually run out.

"Even if we still don't know at the beginning of September, we will have time to prepare the necessary infrastructure and market the grand prix," he is quoted by L'Equipe.

"Beyond September, it will be harder."

Indeed, more should be known by September, when the World Motor Sport Council is set to release a 2013 calendar.

"For us, late August is the ideal date, because of the weather and the accommodation capacity in the Var region," said Clair.

He also raised the interesting prospect of an alternating scheme between Paul Ricard and Magny Cours, insisting he has "no opposition in principle" to the idea of "two French grands prix".

The IndyCar series was trying out on Friday its first ever three-heat qualifying format and Dario Franchitti (Ganassi) will start the race at Iowa Speedway from pole position after winning the final qualifying round.

In the final confrontation, current champion Franchitti was able to pass Marco Andretti (Andretti Autosport) on lap five to take the lead while Penske's Helio Castroneves did the same a couple of laps later, although the Brazilian being unable to challenge the Scots for top spot afterward.

James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport) stayed in fourth all thru the race but was put under a lot of pressure by the Penske Dallara-Chevrolet of Ryan Briscoe who tried to pass the Canadian with only five laps to go but without any luck.

The first two heat races determined the grid order from the fifth row back for the main race. But both Kanaan and Rahal are facing 10-place gird penalties for unauthorized engine changes, as are Viso and Schmidt Hamilton's Simon Pagenaud.

Small boys all love them: the Hot wheels toys that generations of kids have played with.

Hot Wheels' latest is called the Double Loop track, where two miniature cars race each towards a daring loop.

The toy inspired the big boys from the Hot Wheels team to try it out in the real world. On June 30th, during the Los Angeles X Games, they will see if they can reproduce the Double Loop track in the real world, and break a world record with this daring stunt.

The two drivers will race each other to a vertical loop - 6-storey high -, accelerating over 83 km/h and suffering 7G at the top of the loop; forces comparable to what fight plane pilots experience.

The experiment will be aired on both ABC and ESPN.

Photo: Hot Wheels

From GMM

If the top teams are to be believed, engineers up and down pitlane are groping in the dark to solve the mysteries of Pirelli's 2012 tire.

But the sport's Italian supplier has hinted that is just an excuse, as midfield teams like Sauber have become regular podium contenders so far this year.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko admits: "Sauber seems to understand them (the tires) almost all of the time."

Peter Sauber, the modest Swiss team's founder and boss, insists it has not been a case of unravelling a Pirelli mystery.

"Put is this way," he told Blick newspaper. "We understand the car.

"Basically, we know how to use the tires. Except in Bahrain, where it was very hot, we've had no big problems."

The sun is also out in Valencia, but Sauber insists it is presumptuous in any conditions to say his team is in a position to push for wins.

But Mexican Sergio Perez, who has been on the podium twice so far in 2012, has another plan.

"I want more," he answered when asked about his second taste of 2012 champagne in Canada recently.

"If you can finish second and third, the next goal must be victory."

History/Description: Bringing Volkswagen's presence into the world of so-called four-door coupes, the Volkswagen Passat CC packed four doors onto a low-slung, sleek body that wouldn't look out of place on a sports coupe. Designed for elegance and an upscale, sophisticated look, the Passat CC (renamed CC from the 2012 model year) was an affordable head-turner.

2009 Volkswagen Passat CC (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Power came from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower, or a 3.6L V6 wih 280. The four-cylinder 2.0T model came in front-wheel drive format only, and with manual or automated DSG transmission choices. The V6 could be teamed only with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. A TDI version of the CC was not available.

Feature content included heated leather seats, a sunroof, navigation, xenon headlights, Bluetooth connectivity and plenty more. Note that many used CC models in the marketplace are four-seaters, though Volkswagen made a five-seat model available via an optional three-person rear bench seat.

Note that the Passat was also available in a more traditional sedan or station wagon model for shoppers requiring something more mainstream.

What Owners Like: CC owners typically rave about a comfortable interior, plenty of creature comforts, a high-dollar feel and a smooth, quiet ride. A sense of pride, expensive looks and styling are also highly rated, and most owners say performance is more than adequate, especially with the V6 engine on board.

What Owners Dislike: Some owners wish for more rear-seat room, better outward visibility and a fully-functional moonroof, as the factory unit only tilts and doesn't slide. Finally, taller drivers wish for more headroom.

Common Issues: When test driving a Passat CC, a few checks should be considered mandatory. Ensure the air conditioner works as expected, and triple-check all interior electronics, including the windows, motorized seats, sunroof and stereo/navigation system.

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Continue reading 2009-2012 Volkswagen Passat CC Pre-Owned

From GMM

Luca di Montezemolo pointed his finger at Pirelli on Saturday as he slammed an "odd" qualifying session at Valencia.

A surprise and rare visitor in the Ferrari garage, team president Montezemolo was bitterly disappointed after neither F2012 made the Q3 cut.

"We were fastest and then everything changed when we put on the soft tyres," he told Italian broadcaster Rai.

"We need to take care that this does not become a tire manufacturing championship," Montezemolo warned.

Fernando Alonso, however, insisted that the main problem in his native Spain was that the red car was simply "not fast enough".

But there were others casting a wary glance in Pirelli's direction, including Jenson Button, who qualified just ninth despite earlier looking to have emerged from his performance slump.

"All the way through the pace was very good, and then we put on a new set at the end, came out of the pits and turned into turn one and I had no front grip," said the McLaren driver.

"I don't know why that is, but it's something I've definitely got to find out about because I don't think the circuit changed that much between runs."

Former grand prix driver Taki Inoue sounded positively unimpressed.

"Another different lottery winner can be expected at Valencia. 2012 seems to be Pirelli gambling. This is not F1 any more. Boring!" the Japanese wrote on Twitter.

Force India boss Vijay Mallya disagrees completely.

"Formula one has become so very competitive, exciting and unpredictable," the Indian billionaire said after qualifying. "Not because of the genius engineers in teams but the Pirelli tyres!"

From GMM

As F1's 'silly season' shifts into a high gear in Valencia, the cameras snapped with glee on Friday when Sergio Perez and his manager Jaume Sallares walked calmly into Ferrari's hot-red motor home.

Mexican Perez, of course - whilst undoubtedly linked with Felipe Massa's race cockpit for 2013 - is also the cream of Ferrari's driver development programme.

So Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni was able to joke when he answered to Spain's AS newspaper: "He has signed ... he has come to sign."

Another rumour in the Valencia paddock is that Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen is also a candidate to replace Massa.

"At the moment I'm hearing that Perez is not the first in the queue," MTV3 journalist Erkki Mustakari said.

"Heikki's strong performances have been noted," he insisted, whilst conceding "This is all largely speculative."

Indeed, Finn Kovalainen, 30, said his talks about a contract beyond 2012 have not even begun.

"There are no negotiations in any direction yet," he revealed, "as there are probably a few drivers ahead of me who have not made their decisions yet."

Tesla delivered the first Model S sedan today and hinted it plans to unveil supercharging technology that will allow owners to recharge the long-range electric vehicle in just one hour.

Today. Oh, today. Almost six years after our first ride in a prototype Tesla Roadster in Santa Monica, we mashed the accelerator pedal on an example of the company's

First official pictures of the new MINI Clubvan have been released, and it will start from £11,000

GM plans to add a third shift at its Arlington, Texas, assembly plant that builds the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs.

If you saw the

General Motors will bring Opel's design chief stateside to head Cadillac and Buick's styling.

Also in this episode: Chevrolet sets the price on the