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From GMM

Michael Schumacher's US grand prix race-day got off to a bad start long before his Mercedes was fired up.

In fact, the wheels weren't turning at all when his 23 colleagues began the pre-race drivers' parade in the back seats of vintage American road cars.

SID news agency said the fact the car bearing the 43-year-old's famous name broke down before the lap even began was "emblematic of his bad luck this season".

Kimi Raikkonen shared his vintage car with Michael Schumacher in Austin. (Photo: WRi2)

Ahead of his penultimate race in F1, seven time world champion Schumacher instead had to complete the lap sitting alongside Kimi Raikkonen.

"I can't find any words other than ironic ones for the race today," the famous German said after finishing the race a woeful sixteenth.

The final and decisive round of the 2012 Formula 1 season will take place Sunday at Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo. The Grand Prix of Brazil will also mark Michael Schumacher's 307th and final F1 race.

It all started back in August 1991 when the young German had a golden opportinity to contest his maiden Grand Prix, taking the wheel of a Jordan 191-Ford at Spa-Francorchamps.

"Interlagos is the right place to round off my career because so much of the fascination of F1 is rooted there. I always enjoy the enthusiasm of the fans,” said Michael Schumacher in a Mercedes AMG press release.

“It's also the circuit that brings back my memories of Ayrton (Senna). My departure from F1 will probably be less emotional for me this time than in 2006, when we were still fighting for the championship and everything was much more intense. This time round, I will be able to pay more attention to my farewell and hopefully savour it too. I have had fantastic years in F1 and a lot of support from fans around the world, and I wish to particularly thank them for that,” he added.

Michael Schumacher in Austin. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

“With the last race of the season in Brazil also bringing Michael's second and final retirement from F1, it will be an emotional weekend for everyone in the team,” Ross Brawn, technical director and long time friend said.

“We have both greatly enjoyed and benefitted from working with Michael over the past three years, and I would like to pay tribute to his enduring commitment, passion and team spirit. Having worked with Michael for the majority of the 21 seasons of his career, I feel that he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, F1 drivers of all time, and we wish him the very best with his future plans,” Brawn declared.

Set to debut in Los Angeles, the BMW i8 Concept Roadster achieves an estimated 78 mpg and goes from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. This plug-in hybrid is powered by a high-performance drivetrain combining an electric motor and a gasoline engine with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged in a short time, the automaker claims.

BMW will also present the Concept K2 Powder Ride, which signals the arrival of the BMW X1 Powder Ride Edition this month. Its unique Valencia Orange metallic paintwork is complemented by a distinctive graphic whose design takes its cues from a limited-edition K2 ski. A 320-watt Harman Kardon sound system is also part of the mix.

Other BMW models on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show include the ActiveHybrid 3, ActiveHybrid 5, 7 Series, X6 Performance Edition, M5, M6, and 650i Gran Coupe.

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

If you're into cute, then the 2012 Fiat 500c is definitely your ride.

The particular 500c we borrowed for this report was almost too cute. With those big, round headlights, off-white paint scheme, and deep-red retractable fabric top with matching red leather seats, it gave the impression of a red-collared white Maltese puppy wanting to be picked up and petted. How can you look into puppy eyes like that and give the thing a legitimate shake down? Well, we tried...


The natural tendency would be to compare the 2012 Fiat 500c to the VW Beetle and the MINI, who also work the retro, convertible and cute thing. However, I'm not sure the 500c is comparable. It's quite a bit cheaper, a bit smaller, and goes alone down that retractable-big-sunroof path. It's big on style, value and doing its own thing -- just like its intended audience. Thumbs up.

Not Cabrio, more cabrio-ish
Sometimes “cabrio” or “cabriolet” is synonymous with “convertible.” This is not that time. The 2012 Fiat 500c's fabric top is big and rolls down a long way, but not “all” the way down. And the roof rails remain very much up.

The 2012 Fiat 500c really has to be considered a car with a really neat retractable sunroof, and not an outright cabriolet or convertible.

The main problem with the 2012 Fiat 500c is how the fabric bunches up at the back, obscuring rear-view vision. However, get past that, and it's pretty neat. The retractable roof opens up a big space -- or a medium space, if you like -- and open-top turbulence and noise are less than you would imagine.

When the roof is closed on the 2012 Fiat 500c it's cool, too; the fabric gives the car another interesting visual texture, especially when it's in a contrasting colour. The roof seems well insulated too, road noise seemed on par with hard-top models.

The 2012 Fiat 500c's fabric top is big and rolls down a long way, but not “all” the way down. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Zippy, but not too zippy
Cabrio's have the same powertrain and performance as other 500s, which is to say; they're zippy, but not crazy zippy. These Fiats are fun to drive, but they would be more fun with more power.

However, the Fiat 500c's 1.4L MultiAir engine, with 101 horses and 98 lb-ft of torque impresses with its civility and fuel efficiency. Our 5-speed manual car was rated at 6.7 city and 5.1 highway (L/100 km).

Shifting is a bit notchy and the 2012 Fiat 500c clearly prefers delicate and accurate manipulation.

Steering is nice and easy around the parking lot, and remains a bit too easy around the city (for me at least), but tightens up nicely at highway speeds. The Sport button in the 2012 Fiat 500c tightens the steering as well. I kept it on all the time.

The Fiat 500c handles decently, not oversteering or understeering. It doesn't quite feel like it wants to be flung around. But that's OK, it's an easy-driving city car, not a sports car.

The most surprising dynamic aspect in the 2012 Fiat 500c is its comfortable ride, especially for such a short vehicle. It makes around-town zipping a pain-free affair.

The Fiat 500c's 1.4L MultiAir engine, with 101 horses and 98 lb-ft of torque impresses with its civility and fuel efficiency. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Inside information
The 2012 Fiat 500c interior is funky and fun.

There are no rotary dials for any of the HVAC or stereo controls, so you have to press smallish buttons to make things happen. However, everything worked well and the design was consistent and attractive.

The driver's position suited me well, even though the seat cushion is short-ish and there is no telescopic steering wheel. The roundness of the overall design nets good headroom, and the 2012 Fiat 500c actually feels spacious (up front) for its size.

The rear seating area is tight, of course, but it's definitely useable (as long as you don't play in the NBA).

There are no rotary dials for any of the HVAC or stereo controls. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Price as tested
Fiat's Cabrio series, known as the 500c, is comprised of two models: Pop, which starts at $19,995; and Lounge, which starts at $22,995.

Standard on all Cabrio models are seven air bags, A/C, power windows and door locks, heated mirrors, cruise, Bluetooth, USB port, and trip computer.

Main elements of the Lounge package are nicer wheels, more body-coloured bits, more chrome, heated mirrors, and leather seats: cosmetic stuff mostly, yes, but bits that actually make a visual difference and add more cuteness.

Our Lounge 2012 Fiat 500c tester was optioned with TomTom nav system ($495), tri-coat paint ($300), compact tire ($200), upgraded rims ($250), and wind deflector ($150), for a grand (pre-tax) total of $24,390 -- a lot of style and kit for the money.

Alright, this is going to be a bit mommy-centric, but bear with me here (I know there are dads out there too who think/worry about this as well). When it comes to kids in cars, there's a lot to think about; and when you multiply the kid portion, there's even more to consider. Mainly: How do I fit more than one car seat in my car?

Recently, I received a message from a friend who already has a 2-year-old and will soon welcome twins into the world (first off, kudos to her, she is a brave, brave woman). Her question: How do I fit three car seats across one row of seats in my current vehicle?

This is a question I've encountered before; from another friend with a young son who also welcomed twins into the world (I'm surrounded). With two Subaru's in the driveway, their solution: A Honda Odyssey. It provided them with the space they needed for car seats and in the trunk. Perfect.

However, a minivan isn't the answer for everyone, nor should it be.

While I've not seen every car seat on the market, I've used and experienced quite a few and I wonder if this three-to-a-row conundrum ever surfaces in the manufacturer's marketing research and design meetings. I mean, it has to, right? This isn't an anomaly. Couples often have more than one child under the age of 3-4 who need to be in car seats.

And a minivan cannot (should not) be the only solution here.

I understand the need to make a car seat “big.” There's a lot of safety technology (side crash protection, head support, neck support, all-around support) that makes car seats large and bulky. However, if we have the technology and ability to house an airbag in a seatbelt (thanks, Ford), how come children's car seats have to be so big?

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

So, I have a new mission: Solve the three-car-seats-on-one-row conundrum that I know plagues more families than we realize. Whether it's a car manufacturer issue (something they should consider when they engineer family vehicles?) or a car seat manufacturer dilemma, someone has to address this and come up with a viable solution.

Just a quick internet search proves how often this topic is brought up amongst parents of multiple young ones. Websites like Car-Seat.org have entire sections of forums dedicated to the topic (where parents confess their car model and which seats they've managed to squeeze onto one row). This is a fantastic way for parents to research through other people's personal experiences.

A car seat purchase is almost, if not equally, as important as the purchase of the car itself. And when those two things have to be combined (because, inevitably they will go together), it can be super stressful for the parents involved in the purchase. How can you plan properly for the future?

In my opinion, car seat manufacturers and carmakers should work together more often to complement one another as much as possible. Dealers should offer car seats that work perfectly with their vehicles. They should offer car seat combinations for multiple-child families and they might even consider strollers in the mix (trunk space, etc.).

It's not often I play the mommy card, but sometimes it's a necessity; especially when it comes to the health and safety of your child.

Elliott Sadler will join Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series according to an announcement made by the team.

Sadler finished second in NASCAR's Triple-A series in 2011 for Kevin Harvick, Inc. repeated that performance this year at Richard Childress Racing.

The driver who is also a Sprint Cup veteran will have primary sponsorship on the #11 Toyota Camry for next year from OneMain Financial.

In a statement expressing his sponsor's close relationship was is noted that “the 2013 season will mark OneMain Financial's 10th season as a sponsor in NASCAR and they remain committed to the sport and the connections it enables them to make with their customers and employees. Over the last two seasons, the OneMain Racing program with driver Elliott Sadler has recorded 4 wins, 9 poles, 27 top-fives and 48 top-10 finishes in 68 starts.”

He was voted the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver in 2011 and earned nine victories, 46 top-five and 85 top-10 finishes. In 2010 Sadler became the 21st driver to score a NASCAR-style hat trick with wins a in each three of NASCAR's top series.

“OneMain Financial has been a flagship sponsor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series since 2005. I consider myself very fortunate to have shared in much of their success on and off the track. We've won poles and races together and hope to continue our winning tradition in 2013. Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota have been a dominant combination in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and I'm elated to have an opportunity to join forces with them as well,” said Elliott Sadler.

“We're excited about the partnership with OneMain Financial and having Elliott Sadler join our team in 2013,” said J.D. Gibbs, President of Joe Gibbs Racing. “OneMain Financial has been a tremendous supporter of our sport and has developed a successful program that engages both their customers and employees. Elliott is obviously a great talent and his experience will be an asset to our entire Nationwide Series program.”

Driving a PH Sport's Citroën C4 WRC, Robert Kubica took victory win at rally di Como, Italy.

The Pole dominated the last event of the Italian tarmac rally trophy, being fastest in the first seven stages.

Despite suffering from some brake issues that cost him 40 seconds in the last stage, the former Formula 1 driver took the win, 30.9 seconds ahead of Felice Re, who driving a Citroen C4 WRC.



Kubica will face another challenge this weekend, as he will enter the Rallye du Var, last round of the French rally championship. He will drive the same Citroen C4 WRC that Sebastien Loeb drove in the World Rally Championship a few years ago.

Robert Kubica's future is still uncertain. The 27-year-old driver, who badly injured his right forearm in a rally crash in February 2011, could run a full racing program in 2013, in rally or inroad racing , although he admitted that he could not drive a single seater car in a near future.

From Pirelli

Pirelli has nominated the P Zero Silver hard tire and P Zero White medium tire for -- a somewhat conservative choice -- the Formula 1 title decider held this weekend at Interlagos, Brazil.

Interlagos is one of the shortest but also one of the most technically challenging circuits on the calendar of the year, with a 4.309-kilometre lap characterized by fast corners, hairpin bends and dramatic elevation changes.

The different surface variations mean that generating optimal grip and downforce is vital, particularly as there are a number of camber changes as well. Turn 14 - the slowest corner of the track - is a good example of some of the technical challenges that Interlagos poses for the tires: the drivers brake hard while heading uphill and then turning into the corner, before managing wheelspin carefully as they exit the turn.

Just to add to the demands of what is already an extremely complex and busy circuit, the weather at Interlagos is notoriously variable, meaning that the Cinturato Green intermediate and Cinturato Blue full wet tires could be called into service.

Départ du grand prix du Brésil 2011. (Photo: Pirelli)

The teams will also have two extra sets of next year's prototype tires at their disposal for Friday's free practice sessions, in order to give them an idea of the characteristics of the 2013 rubber.

The compounds and construction of the slick tires will be different, so this will be a valuable opportunity for the drivers to prepare for next year.

But with the title fight so closely balanced, many drivers will prefer to concentrate on Brazil: just one of the many crucial strategic decisions that they will have to make over the course of the weekend.

“We'll be bringing some of our 2013 prototype tires to Brazil in order for the teams to get a taste of them during free practice,” Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery said.

“With no testing until February otherwise, this will be an extremely valuable opportunity for them to see what our new tyres are like as they finalise their 2013 cars. Both the compounds and construction will be different, which means that the characteristics of the new tires will be altered, with a wider working range and some compounds that are slightly more aggressive. We've yet to finalise where exactly all the compounds will sit in relation to each other, which is why we are calling the tyre to be used in Brazil a ‘prototype' rather than giving it a specific nomination, but it will be very representative of our general design philosophy next year,” Hembery declared.

IndyCar series' regular Tony Kanaan is currently contesting the last rounds of the Copa Caixa Brazilian V8 stock cars series in his native Brazil.

Kanaan drives the No. 100 Peugeot entered by Bassani Racing.

In Round 11 of the Copa Caixa held at Brasilia, Kanaan qualified 30th (out of 32) but managed to cross the line in 19th place.

Here's a cool in-board video of a lap of the Brasilia circuit in Tony's Peugeot.

The new 2014 Ford Fiesta, which is set to go on sale next year, will be the first vehicle available with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine and reportedly the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car in North America.

Projected to deliver 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, this small engine can already be found in more than 520,000 Ford units around the globe, a number that keeps growing and growing.

In Europe, where diesel engines are kings, the 1.0L EcoBoost now accounts for about 30% of sales in the Focus. It's also available with the B-Max, C-Max, and soon with the all-new Mondeo (Fusion's twin).

Although pricing has yet to be revealed, expect the same level of popularity in North America.

Photo: Ford

The first session of the new year will be held at the Jerez de la Frontera road circuit in Southern Spain, February 5-8, 2013.

The other two sessions will be staged at Circuit de Catalunya located again in Spain, this time up North in the country.

The second test will happen February 19-22, and the third and final one is scheduled for February 28 to March 3.

The 2013 F1 season will kick off in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix, March 14-17.

The 12 days of tests will be used to set up the 2013 F1 cars and come to grips with the new Pirelli tires.

Photo: WRi2

The current-generation Chevrolet Impala seems frozen in time; it was redesigned for the 2006 model year, and has received few changes since then. It still sells well, if you consider fleet sales such as police and rental cars.


The totally redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala will be on sale in early 2013, and will undoubtedly seek to please a greater number of private owners, with swoopy new sheetmetal in a sophisticated new interior design.

New engines
Only one engine is currently offered in the Impala, but the 2014 model will boast three powertrain options. The most potent one will be a 3.6L V6 developing 303 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.5L inline-4 with 195 hp and 184 lb-ft will also be available. The third engine is GM's eAssist (read: mild hybrid) powertrain which consists of a 2.4L engine, an electric motor and a small battery pack, good for a combined total of 182 hp. All engines will be paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

As with the current generation, the front-wheel drive 2014 Chevrolet Impala will also benefit from a four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes; however, the steering will be electrically assisted, while 18”, 19” and 20” wheel sizes will be offered (versus 16 to 18 inches on the 2013 model).

Same footprint
The new Impala is fractionally bigger than the current-generation car; wheelbase and overall length grow by about an inch, while all other exterior dimensions are virtually identical. Same story inside, as the 2014 version will be a smudge roomier in passenger and trunk space.

However, the Impala's redesign marks the disappearance of an available front bench seat, as the 2013 model is the last car on our market to offer one.

The new Impala is fractionally bigger than the current-generation car. (Photo: Chevrolet)

Shapely body
To better rival more modern full-size sedans such as the Ford Taurus and the Dodge Charger, the 2014 Chevrolet Impala sheds its conservative styling for a much more noticeable look. Highlights will include deeply sculpted doors, muscular front and rear fascias, a slim greenhouse and a sloping roofline that give the car a hatchback-like silhouette.

The industrial look of the current Impala's cockpit will make way for a shapelier appearance and available two-tone colour schemes. The 2014 Impala will also get some new tech-gadgets such as a multimedia system with an 8” touchscreen and Chevrolet MyLink as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. With the help of sound-deadening materials and active noise cancellation on certain models, GM claims the big Chevy will be very quiet inside.

Of course, modern-day safety features will also be offered. In addition to 10 standard airbags and OnStar, the 2014 Chevrolet Impala will be available with adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, blind-spot and lane-departure warnings as well as collision mitigation braking.

Since the Caprice PPV will not be sold in Canada, we should expect a police pack version of the Impala to eventually appear.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will be assembled in GM's Hamtramck, Michigan plant alongside the Volt.

GM claims the big Chevy will be very quiet inside. (Photo: Chevrolet)

From ROC

The 2012 Race Of Champions will feature the most successful drivers in the history of Le Mans and the World Touring Car Championship as Tom Kristensen and Andy Priaulx have joined the roll call of legends heading to Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium on December 14-16.

Denmark's Kristensen is acknowledged as the finest endurance racer in motor sport history. He has a record eight victories in the Le Mans 24-Hour race, plus a record six wins at the Sebring 12-Hour race and an American Le Mans Series title.

Priaulx is the World Touring Car Championship's most successful driver with three titles plus another in its previous guise as the European Touring Car Championship. The long-time BMW regular switched to the DTM series this year.

Tom Kristensen (on the left) and Andy Priaulx. (Photo: Race of Champions)

The Race Of Champions, which is being staged for the 25th consecutive year in 2012, brings together the world's greatest drivers from motor sport's main disciplines - including Formula 1, world rally, touring cars, Le Mans, MotoGP, Indycar and the X-Games - and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.

Drivers confirmed for the 2012 Race Of Champions so far:

Michael SCHUMACHER, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
Sebastian VETTEL, Formula 1 World Champion 2011, 2010
Jorge LORENZO, MotoGP World Champion 2012, 2010
Mick DOOHAN, five-time 500cc MotoGP World Champion
Ryan HUNTER-REAY, IndyCar Series Champion 2012
Jamie WHINCUP, V8 Supercar Champion 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008
David COULTHARD, 13-time Formula 1 grand prix winner
Tom KRISTENSEN, eight-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner
Andy PRIAULX, three-time World Touring Car Champion

Audi will introduce four new TDI Clean Diesel models at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, marking the first time the German brand will feature a full lineup of TDI vehicles in America.

The TDI-powered Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q5 will join the updated Q7 TDI, each one delivering up to 30% better fuel economy and 30% lower CO2 emissions than gasoline engines.

''Owners of Audi TDI engines have helped save over 4 million gallons of gasoline, or the equivalent of more than 240,000 barrels of foreign oil, since the introduction of Audi TDI to the U.S. in 2009,'' said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. ''And TDI technology delivers better fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance.''

The A6, A7 and Q5 equipped with the TDI engine will arrive in the U.S. next fall, while the A8 variant is expected as early as next spring. Meanwhile, the Q7 TDI, which launched in the U.S. in September, retails for $52,000.

Canadian availability and pricing have yet to be announced.

Photo: Audi

From GMM

As was rumoured before F1 arrived in Austin last week, the latest developments for Fernando Alonso's title-contending Ferrari did not work.

New pieces, including a new diffuser, were tried in a straight line at the Idiada facility in Spain, prior to the US grand prix.

It was rumoured immediately afterwards that the real-world data did not match up with what was produced in the wind tunnel.

Still, the new diffuser was fitted to Spaniard Alonso's F2012 in Austin, before he was roundly out-performed by teammate Felipe Massa all weekend.

"Yes, indeed, Felipe Massa had the old diffuser and it worked better," former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari told the Spanish sports daily AS.

Which diffuser will be used on the Ferrari in Brazil? (Photo: Pirelli)

And Brazilian Massa confirmed to Marca newspaper: "Everything was the same except the diffuser. I had it available, but I decided I'd be better with the old one. That was the only difference."

Fernando Alonso said "It's not always the case that the latest part is the best choice".

The Formula 3 Euroseries will become the FIA F3 European Championship starting next season.

The new championship will feature ten events consisting in three races each.

It will be ran during DTM events (six rounds), WTCC events (two rounds) and one during a World endurance championship event at Silverstone.

The F3 cars in action durant the recent Grand Prix of Macau. (Photo: F3 Euroseries)

The last round is still to be announced, but it would likely be presented at Hockenheim during the DTM finale.

The F3 Euroseries championship suffered from a serious lack of entries this season, and the FIA wanted to give it a boost with a brand new format. Former F1 driver Grehard Berger mastermined the introduction of the new series.

2013 schedule:
March 23-24 : Monza, Italy (WTCC)
April 12-14 : Silverstone, GB (WEC)
May 4-5 : Hungaroring, Hungary (WTCC)
May 18-19 : Brands Hatch, GB (DTM)
June 1-2 : Spielberg, Austria (DTM)
July 7-8: Norisring, Germany (DTM)
July 20-21: Zandvoort, The Netherlands (DTM)
August 17-18 : Nürburgring, Germany (DTM)
September 14-15 : Oschersleben, Germany (DTM)
October : TBA

The image of newly crowned Sprint Cup Champion Brad Keselowski toasting an adoring crowd with an oversized glass of beer will be etched in the minds of NASCAR fans.

He brings an impression of youth and a little bit of the common man missing for the past seven years in stock car racing.

Although he's not the youngest champ at 28 years old; he's 13-years younger than Tony Stewart last year's titlist and eight years younger than five-time champ Jimmie Johnson.

Due to his penchant for Tweeting Keselowski appeals to a younger hipper segment of fans which had been lacking previously.

Ironically, all the hoopla around NASCAR premier-league title wasn't on his radar scope.

In just three years he vaulted from being the junior member of Penske Racing to a team leader.

Brad Keselowski, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion. (Photo: NASCAR)

“I never dreamed of, at a young age, of being a Sprint Cup champion,” Keselowski said on SpeedTV. “I thought I would be doing well just to be a guy who's winning races in the Truck Series. That was as big as my goals were. But obviously, as different opportunities came up, I had the opportunity to drive for James Finch (one car team called Phoenix Racing) when they raced at Talladega, with Rick Hendrick and so forth; I started to think that big. But it's amazing how those things change. I'm living beyond what I could have ever asked for in life, and I feel very, very fortunate.”

Keselowski's father, Bob, was an ARCA series racer from the Detroit who along with brother, Brian Keselowski, gave him the start he needed to make his rather quick - in only 125 races fastest since it took 1993 champ, Jeff Gordon, 93-races- ascent to NASCAR's brightest prize.

He said it was both a help and a bit of a hindrance.

“I grew up with a family race team. When you're a part of a family, in anything you do, it's great in some ways and awful in other ways. The great parts are that you always have each other's backs. No matter what happens, you are always together; even when there are times (when) you don't want to be.

Then there's also the bad part, when sometimes you get really emotional and do things, say things and act ways that you wouldn't act around other people. What's hard for me to understand when I first got separated from my family's race team was how to be a part of that, and how to have the best of both worlds.

How to be with a group that has that respect for one and other, that you really struggle to have as a family, but also has that motivation to be behind you - you need both to be successful.”

Brad Keselowski celebrating his Sprint Cup title at Miami-Homestead Speedway. (Photo: NASCAR)

At first the move to Penske was an uphill challenge

“So I didn't understand teamwork, I didn't understand those things. The point I was trying to say after the race, and the story in general, is that to be a member of a great team, no one person is strong enough, fast enough, smart enough, but together you are.

For me, I didn't know that until I started to experience it. It's been like a drug for me, but you get a little of it and I want more for the team. I want more teamwork across the board because I know that we'll continue to be stronger as that happens. “

And his Sprint Cup rivals better start to worry as his said on Sunday night “the best is yet to come.”

From GMM

Bob Fernley, the day-to-day team boss at Force India, has backed Ferrari's decision to deliberately penalise Felipe Massa in Austin.

The Italian team was roundly criticised for tampering with Brazilian Massa's long-life gearbox for no other reason than to incur a five-place penalty that switched title-fighting teammate Fernando Alonso to the 'clean' side of the grid.

Start of the US Grand Prix, Austin. (Photo: WRi2)

Ferrari's immediate competitors, Red Bull and McLaren, said they wouldn't have made a similar decision.

But Fernley told PA Sport it is nonsense to write of Ferrari's tactic as unsporting.

"At the end of the day the regulations are what they are, Ferrari took them to the limit, and that's what we do in formula one," he said. "I would absolutely have done the same. We're not here to try to make friends, we're here to win."

Many commentators in the media also slammed Ferrari's tactic, but former driver Marc Surer said the Maranello team did the right thing.

"If you look at the (race) start, it was absolutely right," he told German television Sky.

The Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport added: "With a world title at stake, everyone would have done Ferrari's trick."

From GMM

On paper, Sebastian Vettel is the overwhelming favourite to seal his third consecutive drivers' crown this weekend in Brazil.

His 13-point lead over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso means he can steer his ultra-competitive Red Bull to just fourth place at Interlagos and still set off for his winter slumber with the title.

"But Alonso still must win," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko is quoted by Speed Week. "He must take the risk. That's the important thing."

But it's not quite as simple as that. First, there is the pressure of the season finale, with Alonso a hardened, never-say-die samurai-loving competitor.

And Marko acknowledged that Brazil is often a "crazy race", even without the forecast high probability of rain.

But the Austrian insisted: "The only question mark is reliability. So no, I'm not relaxed."

Dr Helmut Marko is undoubtedly referring to Red Bull's recurring alternator failures in 2012, the latest of which struck Mark Webber's car in Austin.

Sebastian Vettel had to retire in Monza, in Italy, due to an alternator failure. (Photo: WRi2)

It was believed Renault offered Red Bull a brand new specification of the Magneti Marelli unit for the US grand prix, but in fact the reigning champions opted for the tried-and-tested previous version.

Spain's Mundo Deportivo newspaper said Red Bull will definitely use the brand new specification for the Sao Paulo finale.

"We are ready with the new one," Renault's Remi Taffin is quoted by Brazil's Globo Esporte. "Generally we feel more comfortable with something we have known for a long time, but we have tested the new design and so there's no need to be worried."

From GMM

A company has filed a $650 million lawsuit against formula one.

Bluewaters Communications Holdings claims it was the high bidder to buy the sport in 2005.

It is claimed CVC, F1's current owner, was the lower but successful bidder because of F1 chief executive Ecclestone's alleged bribes to the now-jailed former banker Gerhard Gribkowsky.

Gribkowsky, CVC and the German bank BayernLB were all named as defendants in the New York suit, the Financial Times, Bloomberg and cityam.com report.

Bluewaters claims it offered in writing to pay 10 per cent more than all other bidders, but gave "no commitment" to keep Ecclestone in the top job.

But when asked on Monday why the bid failed, Bernie Ecclestone said: "No idea. They probably didn't give enough money."