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From GMM

A young driver test is going ahead at Silverstone next week.

Earlier, Mercedes' Norbert Haug described as "ridiculous" the confusion surrounding the plans, after some teams baulked at running at Abu Dhabi as scheduled in November due to the calendar congestion in 2012.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone then threw water on the alternate Silverstone plan because, technically, he controls a grand prix venue in the days before and after a world championship round.

The Spanish backmarker HRT, however, has confirmed it will definitely be in action at Silverstone next Thursday and Friday.

"An agreement has been finally reached", the team said in a statement.

Boss Luis Perez-Sala added: "The fact that these tests will finally be able to take place at Silverstone is great news for us because it fits perfectly with the next step that we had planned for (Chinese driver) Ma Qing Hua's development programme."

From GMM

Maria de Villota's condition has been downgraded from 'critical' to 'serious' as she recovers from her horror testing crash in an English hospital.

Marussia's 32-year-old test driver is currently in an induced coma following another round of surgery on Friday.

"Whilst Maria remains acutely ill ... she has been responding well to the treatment she has received since her accident," the team said in a statement.

Team boss John Booth told Bild newspaper: "The swelling in her head is not getting worse.

"This is some good news, but it will take a lot of time before she is completely well again. At the moment it's day to day, hour to hour."

Briton Booth said de Villota, who lost her right eye due to the severe head and face injuries, is aware of what has happened.

"Yes, she has spent most of the time conscious," he told the German newspaper. "But after the long surgery, the doctors decided it would be best for her recovery if she is in an artificial coma."

He denied Marussia acted negligently by putting an inexperienced driver, who does not have an FIA super license, at the wheel of the team's 2012 car for an aerodynamic straight line test.

"No, we did not. This is the normal method for a team to train its new development drivers and give them some experience.

"And it was not the first time Maria has driven a modern formula one car."

Booth would not talk about the likely cause of the crash.

"I cannot. Not yet," he insisted.

"Unlike in some other countries there are very strict procedures in England. What happened must not only be examined by the team but also by the authorities."

Booth said he can therefore "not talk about" issues such as why the truck loading ramp was sticking up at visor height.

Asked if the incident could have "serious consequences" for the Marussia team, he answered: "All I can say is that safety is taken very seriously in England."

Spaniard Fernando Alonso topped a wet qualifying at Silverstone, ahead of the British GP.

The top 10 shootout that saw championship leader Alonso take pole ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber and Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was only the tip of the iceberg, as the red flagged qualifying session offered plenty of excitement.

It all started in Q1, when rain caught out a few drivers. Noticeably, Jenson Button (McLaren), unhappy on the Pirelli intermediate tires, made an early exit. 18th after the session the first segment, he was not allowed to go on in Q2 to try and redeem himself.

Q2 saw weather conditions worsen. Sergio Perez (Sauber) was the early star before the session was eventually red flagged by race director Charlie Whiting. When the action resumed, more than 30 minutes later, the track was considerably faster and everybody had to go out again to fight for a place in the final portion of qualifying.

The biggest looser of Q2 was Romain Grosjean (Lotus), who despite posting the 10th fastest lap, could not go on to fight for pole as he beached his car in the dying moments of the session. He therefore didn't go out in Q3.

On the drying track of Q3, drivers, including Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus), who had opted for the full wet had to come in for inters. Schumacher improved to third fastest, behind Alonso and Webber, but ahead of reigning double champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Räikkönen, Pastor Maldonado (Williams) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), who is only eighth.

Nico Hulkenberg (Force India), in ninth, was the slowest car on track. Grosjean rounds out the top 10.

Penalties to Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), Jean-Éric Vergne (Toro Rosso), Hulkenberg and Charles Pic (Marussia) will see each of them drop down the order.



Qualifying results* - British GP (Silverstone)

1. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1min51.746s - Q3

2. Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min51.793s - Q3

3. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min52.020s - Q3
4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min52.199s - Q3

5. Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1min53.065s - Q3

6. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1min53.290s - Q3
7. Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault)
8. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min53.543s - Q3
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - no time - Q3

10. Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min57.009s - Q2
11. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min57.108s - Q2
12. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min57.132s - Q2
13. Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1min57.427s - Q2
14. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min54.382s - Q3 ****
15. Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min57.895s - Q2

16. Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min48.044s - Q1
17. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min57.071s - Q2 ***
18. Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min49.027s - Q1
19. Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min49.477s - Q1
20. Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1min51.618s - Q1

21. Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min52.742s - Q1
22. Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min53.040s - Q1
23. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min57.719s - Q2 **
24. Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1min54.143s - Q1 ****

*Unofficial timing
** 10-place grid penalty for Valencia incident
*** 5-place grid penalty for Valencia incident

**** 5-place grid penalty for gearbox change

History/Description: Chrysler's SRT team worked their magic on the Grand Cherokee for the 2006 model year, creating a fire-breathing SUV that would become the best-selling SRT8 model yet. With room for the family and their things, a 6.1L, 425-hp V8 engine and all-wheel drive, it was a hot-rod sport-ute that drivers could use all year round. All models got a five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (Photo: Chrysler)

And, best of all, unlike performance SUVs from across the pond, this HEMI-powered monstrosity didn't require parting with an appendage to own.

Look for upgraded Brembo brakes, upgraded suspension, wheels and tires and a variety of track-ready improvements. Forget taking this Jeep in the dirt, though - its lowered suspension and front air dam wouldn't approve.

Feature content included heated leather, navigation, premium audio, a sunroof and plenty more.

What Owners Like: Most Grand Cherokee SRT8 owners rave about crushing performance, looks, sound effects and year-round operation combined with everyday flexible utility. Obviously, passing power, acceleration and braking performance are highly rated.

What Owners Dislike: Fuel consumption, limited rear-seat space and a sometimes-rough ride are among the most common complaints of the Grand Cherokee SRT8. Additionally, some wish for a more ‘upscale' interior feel, though a mid-cycle refresh of the Grand Cherokee did fit some additional premium materials to address this concern.

Common Issues: First-generation Grand Cherokee SRT8 shoppers are advised, first and foremost, to scrutinize the condition of consumable parts like brakes, tires and suspension, and have the vehicle's underside checked for signs of damage or leakage. Checking service records is also advised. Be sure the seller isn't trying to pass off a unit that's wearing a set of fried tires and brake pads.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (Photo: Chrysler)

Continue reading 2006-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Pre-Owned

From GMM

Mark Webber has done little to quell rising speculation he could move to Ferrari at the end of the season.

Amid talk he is either close to re-signing with Red Bull for another season, or moving to Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa, all he would say at Silverstone is that decision-time is "getting closer".

It sounds as though Red Bull wants him to stay as Sebastian Vettel's teammate. Spain's AS newspaper says it's a done deal.

"We're reaching the time of year when you sit down to talk about the future," boss Christian Horner is quoted by Tuttosport.

"Mark is driving very well this year and he's in great shape," he added.

35-year-old Webber, however, admitted he has been talking to some other teams.

"It's been pretty light," he told the BBC.

It is rumoured Webber has been given the 'green light' to make the Ferrari move by his friend Fernando Alonso.

"I know Fernando reasonably well; I wouldn't say extremely well," Webber insisted.

If they do pair up next year, the Australian suggested any friendship would likely end anyway.

"It's that ego thing -- we drivers are all a bit precious and it all kicks off. Let's see," he said.

"I've made the decision I want to carry on. I'm motivated and hungry. Now I have to go and find some work."

Although he's won the Daytona 500 twice Matt Kenseth accomplished something else for the first time.

After 58 career starts at Daytona International Speedway, Kenseth - this year's 500 winner - finally captured his first pole on the 2.5-mile tri-oval with a 192.386 mph lap in a Ford in qualifying for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola.

“I've never won a superspeedway pole,” said Kenseth, who has now qualified for the 2013 Daytona Shootout. “It's great to be on the pole - it puts us in the Shootout for next year. You like to be in all the special races. There's been a couple of years where I missed the Shootout and whenever you're not in (it), you feel like you didn't do your job as good as you should; you feel like you should be in the special races.”

It was Kenseth's eighth Sprint Cup Pole in 454 starts.

In another interesting twist of fate Ryan Newman, the 2008 500 winner, will start second, at 192.353 mph while his boss, Tony Stewart's second place time was disallowed when inspectors found an open cooling hose into the cockpit of his car. Coincidentally that same duct work violation had cost Austin Dillon the Nationwide Series pole earlier in the day.

“We had a couple of engine problems,” Newman noted

“But the Hendrick (who supply their engine) guys have been working really hard on that part of it, making sure we don't have those issues again and we'll keep working forward. I have to thank everyone at Stewart-Haas for doing a great job.Obviously, today we were close.

“This is the closest I've been to a restrictor-plate pole. So, just proud of the team effort.”   

Greg Biffle's Ford will start fourth at (192.139) and Jeff Gordon, in a Chevrolet will take the green flag in fifth (192.061).

Once a high-flying green technology company, battery maker A123 Systems on Friday told investors it has about five months of cash left to fund operations, adding to woes for a sector short on results and long on government loans.

Lamborghini is widely known as a radical Italian sports-car manufacturer with a flair for the dramatic and a predilection for brutal speeds.

EV producer Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. appointed former General Motors executive and one-time Cadillac chief John F. Smith to its board of directors, and promoted chief technology officer Robin Mackie to president.

BMW will introduce the first in what will become a line of M Performance models to North America in early 2014 with the M235i coupe. It will take the place of the

Also in this episode: The Mazda MX-5 Miata receives a styling update, we mourn the death of automotive enthusiast

The automotive world lost one of its most influential figures this week.

A 1930 Ford Model A roadster belonging to a California man was stolen from the Henry Ford museum parking on June 26.

Imagine driving some of the greatest Ferraris ever made on some of the greatest tracks around the world without having to leave your home.

Two House Democrats are pressing Chrysler Group to launch a campaign warning Jeep Wrangler owners about a potential "wobble" condition in the SUV's front suspension. In a letter sent to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne this week, Rep.

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