Auto News 5

From GMM

Mercedes should not pin its failure to succeed as a formula one works team on departing motor sport president Norbert Haug, according to Hans-Joachim Stuck.

After 22 years in the role, spanning the famous German marque's entire grand prix involvement in the modern era, Haug has resigned.

Niki Lauda, who arrived at Mercedes recently as non-executive chairman, said on Sunday that Haug resigned as a result of the team's failure to succeed since taking over Brawn in 2010.

But Stuck, the president of Germany's motor sport federation, defended Haug by saying: "The failures in formula one are solely attributable to Ross Brawn."

"The car was just not fast enough," he told the Focus newsmagazine in its Monday edition. "He (Haug) was not the one who designed that car. He was the one who, after all those decades, made motor sport acceptable to Mercedes once again."

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

The Swiss Formula 1 team of Peter Sauber enjoyed a very good season in 2012 with its drivers climbing on the podium four times.

Under the guidance of the first female Team Principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, the team collected 126 points to rank 6th in the 2012 Constructor's Championship.

Powered by a Ferrari engine, the C31 car proved a competent, all-round package which was again very smooth with its tires. This characteristic allowed drivers Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi to run longer stints than their rivals; a definite advantage when they were forced to start some races down the field.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

The C31 was a solid, reliable car that proved to be extremely fast in certain circumstances, like in Italy when Perez passed both Ferraris en route to second place just behind race winner Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.

Sergio Perez
10th in the Driver's Championship with 66 points
Best place in qualifications: 4th (once, Belgium)
Best race result: 2nd (once, Italy), 3 podiums
Retired 7 times

Kamui Kobayashi
12th in the Driver's Championship with 60 points
Best place in qualifications: 2nd (once, Belgium)
Best race result: 3rd (once, Japan), 1 podium
Retired 3 times

The first half of the season proved to be one of highs and lows for Perez. Podium finishes in Malaysia and Canada contrast with low-key results elsewhere, as car and driver searched for consistency. Then, the only high note was a podium finish in Italy behind Hamilton.

The Mexican retired seven times during the season, and scored only three points in the last seven races. Perez's performances mysterisouly slumped a little following the announcement of his McLaren move for 2013. Was he too distacted?

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

In contrast, his teammate Kamui Kobayashi had a much more consistant season. The likeable Japanese scored points on nine occasions and only retired three times.

Unfortunately, his second-place start in Belgium was ruined at the beginning by the huge accident caused by Lotus' Romain Grosjean. Despite finishing the year just six points down from Perez, Kobayashi was forced to leave Sauber to make room for another wealthy Mexican, Esteban Gutierrez.

To prove it has progressed, the 2013 Sauber F1 car will need to win at least one Grand Prix.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has already started work at Mercedes.

Britain's Sun newspaper said that although the 2008 world champion remains under contract to McLaren for two more weeks, a "deal" has been agreed whereby the 27-year-old can at least meet his new engineers.

And the report said Briton Hamilton also got his first taste of Mercedes' driver simulator last week.

"Lewis has already been in the factory to see the team and fulfil some duties after we found an agreement about that with McLaren," said Mercedes' departing head of motor sport, Norbert Haug.

Lewis Hamilton has played down his chances of immediately succeeding at Mercedes, saying he will not really be thinking about titles and wins until at least 2014.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

"That's fine," non-executive chairman Niki Lauda told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "I don't really like when drivers say they are going to win every race. For me, a sober, pragmatic analysis of things is better, where you can positively surprise rather than promise something that can't necessarily be achieved."

Niki Lauda admitted, however, that Mercedes must improve.

"We have the best engine and the best drivers. Now we need to improve the car a lot before the season."

But he tipped reigning world champions Red Bull to enter 2013 as the definite favourites.

"Yes, the rules for 2013 are a great advantage for Red Bull, who are already on a high level, to just go on. But in spite of the limited possibilities, we have to try to make two or three steps forward. I know one thing: the people in England are highly motivated and have completely understood their failures."

And Lauda suggested that if Mercedes fails again, it will not be Hamilton's fault, nor his 2013 teammate Nico Rosberg's.

"For me, Hamilton-Rosberg is the strongest pairing compared to all the other teams. Take a look at Red Bull and the gap between Vettel and Webber, or Alonso and Massa at Ferrari. Or, even worse, at McLaren and the gap between Button and Perez. Some teams have worlds between their two drivers. Another advantage of Hamilton is that he comes with experience of another team, and he can tell us exactly what are the strengths and weaknesses of our car," added Lauda.

From GMM

Marussia team owner Nikolai Fomenko has confirmed speculation British rookie Max Chilton will make his formula one debut in 2013.

Fomenko, the head of Russian supercar Marussia who bought into the then Virgin team at the end of 2010, was asked by Russian journalists the identity of the driver replacing Caterham-bound Frenchman Charles Pic.

International reports, including RMC (France), Speed Week (Switzerland) and MTV3 (Finland) say Fomenko answered Chilton's name, the GP2 driver whose wealthy father Grahame is the chairman of the Aon company.

Max Chilton aboard the Marussia MR01. (Photo: WRi2)

The reports said Chilton comes with a financial contribution of EUR 11.5 million.

Meanwhile, Fomenko dismissed reports Marussia is weighed down with US $125 million in debt.

"We have debts, but not $125m, as I read recently," he insisted.

Hiriko, a tiny electric car jointly developed by a group of Basque entrepreneurs and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will be launched in Berlin next month.

Following a stop at the Geneva Auto Show, it will enter production in the spring and later be put in service in a number of cities. Berlin, Barcelona, Paris, Boston and London have already shown some interest.

Mainstream availability is also in the cards, with pricing set at E12,500 plus battery leasing fees.

Hiriko stands a mere 2.5 metres long, or 20 centimetres shorter than a smart fortwo. However, the sliding rear axle allows the car to ''fold'' to just 1.5 metre. That means you could fit three Hirikos into a single regular parking spot!

The wheels can rotate 360 degrees, and each one incorporates its own driving motor. Together, they provide a range of up to 120 kilometres along with a top speed of 60 km/h. Charging the battery takes 15 minutes only.

In addition to the standard Hiriko, expect convertible (Alai) and pickup (Laga) variants to come in the near future.

Source: Lyon Femmes

Here is a video of the moment moments of the 2012 ROC, Race of Champions held last weekend at at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium.

Lotus Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean put in a stunning performance to eclipse 15 fellow superstars of motorsport and win the Race Of Champions.

Following Team Germany's victory over Team France in last night's ROC Nations Cup, the Race Of Champions pitted many of the biggest names in motorsport against each other in head-to-head combat in a variety of different cars.

In the end, Grosjean overcame Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen in the best-of-three Grand Final to become Champion of Champions for the first time.

From GMM

Romain Grosjean insists his formula one career remains "on track".

His comments follow a period of intense speculation, amid suggestions Lotus - and sponsor Total - are considering dropping the 26-year-old after his often impressive yet tumultuous 2012 season.

Some good news for Grosjean, however, is that he won the prestigious Race of Champions event in Bangkok at the weekend, beating the likes of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.

Romain Grosjean, winner of the 2012 Race of Champions. (Photo: Race of Champions)

Lotus celebrated the 26-year-old's "emphatic" triumph with a lengthy press release.

As for his F1 career, "Things are on track," the Frenchman is quoted as saying by L'Equipe.

"I hope everything turns out well and I am able to put into practice what I learned this year. I hope to be stronger next season. Normally, you say that the first year is about learning, but F1 is a little different. We went through ups and downs this season, but I learned a thousand things. I had a good start but also went through some difficult times. Ultimately, the team allowed me to grow and I became a better driver. I hope to continue to learn next year," added Romain Grosjean.

The 500th Lexus LFA rolled off the assembly line on December 14th and will be delivered to its owner after undergoing inspection and road testing. That means that the planned run of 500 hand-built units is now complete.

The first LFA went into production in December 2010. A race-ready ''LFA Nürburgring Package'' was added in January of this year.

The company has since made it clear that future Lexus vehicles will reflect the technological skills gained during the development and production of the LFA, particularly with regard to carbon fibre reinforced plastic parts.

Photo: Lexus

Jean-Philippe Dayraut (MINI) and Benjamin Riviere (Citroen DS3) each won one of the two rounds of the Andros Trophy ice racing series presented this weekend in Andorra.

Championship leader Dayraut dominated the qualifying rounds on day 1, then followed with a win in the Elite super finale, which was good enough for the overall victory of the first day.

Benjamin Riviere (Photo: B.Bade/TrophéeAndros.com)

On Sunday, it was Riviere's turn to be quickest in the qualifying rounds and in the Elite super finale. His performance allowed him to take his first victory of the season

Jean-Philippe Dayraut remains in first place in the overall standings, followed Benjamin Riviere.

With the cold, limited visibility and reduced traction of winter driving, a problem on the road can leave you and your passengers facing a world of potentially fatal problems.

Like most motorists travelling in the colder months, you'll probably escape winter at the wheel unscathed. If you're one of the unlucky ones, you may not. Don't be a statistic. Here's a look at a few potentially life-threatening problems, and how to successfully handle them.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Issue: You're travelling at speed on a two-lane highway when a chunk of ice, perhaps 50 lbs in weight, slides off the roof of an oncoming transport trailer and strikes your windshield. Said windshield shatters in a contained fashion, but powdered glass finds its way into your eyes, and you're driving blind.

Solution: Know your surroundings. Ian Law is race car driver and the president and chief instructor of the ILR Car Control School. He's been teaching drivers of all ages advanced safe driving techniques for years and he recommends a preemptive approach to successfully tackling a catastrophic non-visibility situation.

“This is one scenario where staying focused on your driving pays off in dividends. A good driver will have been focused on their driving and the situation before the incident. This is called "situational awareness," and it involves processing all driving information so that the driver knows at all times what is around them -- and where. Pilots practice this when flying and it saves lives.”

Frequent mirror-checks, being alert, and avoiding driving-related distraction all help contribute to knowing your surroundings on the move. All could save your life if you've got to get off of the road while unable to see.

Issue: It's been freezing rain for 2 hours, salt trucks are nowhere to be seen, and the rising temperatures have called a thick, soupy fog onto the roadways. You've debated pulling over for the last few kilometers, but decided to keep driving. Coming around a corner, you discover you're 3 seconds from plowing head-on into the back of an active, multi-car pileup. You're going too fast to stop.

Solution: Ditch it, now. Being entangled in a pileup with the potential for dozens of subsequent impacts is a lethal proposition, but you and your car can probably survive an impact with a ditch. Aim for it. In this situation, getting your vehicle out of the roadway is likely to offer a higher chance of survival. Pulling onto the shoulder is probably a bad idea, too.

Law adds, “You are much better off waiting 3 hours for a tow truck to pull you out of a ditch than waiting 20 minutes to have the paramedics pull your body out of the wreckage. Remember: If you stop on the shoulder, you will probably get run into.”

Issue: You drive over a large ice-boulder left on the highway by a heavy transport truck. As it passes beneath your vehicle, it strikes and perforates your brake lines, causing a leak. You're now unable to stop using your brake pedal.

Solution: Use your eyes. Look for deep snow on the shoulder of the road, gravel, or even frozen turf. If you can get out of your lane safely, these surfaces can help slow your car down. If you're lucky, the area ahead of your vehicle will be clear, so you can focus on using the emergency brake (which doesn't use the same hydraulic fluid lines) to reduce speed. Firm, steady, progressive application is best, rather than “ripping” on the handle, which can cause a skid.

Downshift your transmission (if you can) and keep your eyes up, looking for emergency paths around vehicles and structures you don't want to hit. Brake system failure isn't fun, but it can be survived with some common sense.

Issue: You've spun off an empty side-road and are now stuck in the ditch. There's no cell phone reception and you won't be able to dig your vehicle free. Snow is falling, and its frigid outside.

Solution: Stay inside. This situation is justification of three important things to do ahead of winter travels: Keep your gas tank full; always tell a friend or relative where and when you're planning to drive; and pack an emergency kit. Assuming you've done this, the best course of action is to stay inside the vehicle if it's still able to start and run.

Conserve fuel by running the engine a few minutes every hour or so, to keep the cabin warm. Clear snow from around your tailpipe periodically, which can reduce the likelihood of carbon monoxide entering the cabin. Open a window from time to time for fresh air. Don't attempt to leave the car and wander around looking for help or shelter unless visibility is back to normal.

Remember: If you run out of fuel and the cold sets in, you can use extra clothing or the blanket in your emergency kit for warmth. Keep moving your extremities to fend off hypothermia, and cover your ears, cheeks and fingertips to help prevent frostbite.

Every year, the government, the media and a number of organizations hammer us with warnings and safety tips to party and drive safely during the holiday season. Despite a significant reduction in casualties since 1970, some drivers still think that they can hit the road after a few drinks without their abilities and judgement being impaired, which endangers their own life and many others.

Forty years ago, there were little alternatives to driving your car at the end of the night. Today, we have designated drivers, taxi cabs, public transit, and various other solutions to arrive home safely after a bit too much partying.


Operation Red Nose
This free and confidential chauffeur service is holding its 29th annual campaign in 2012 under the theme ''Let Rudy Take the Wheel.'' More than 58,000 volunteers in seven Canadian provinces (Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan) are teaming up to provide tens of thousands of safe rides from November 30th to December 31st. If you'd like to volunteer or use a chauffeur, go to www.operationnezrouge.com or Twitter (@ORNose) via a computer or the free mobile app for iPhone and Android. You'll get the phone numbers to call.

Cool Taxi (Quebec only)
Active since 2010, Cool Taxi offers prepaid coupons that users can give to taxi drivers when they get back home. They're especially popular among younger drivers, not to mention parents who want to make a smart gift for their teenagers. Coupons can be purchased from the offices of taxi companies, Couche-Tard convenience stores and Familiprix pharmacies. Find more information at www.cooltaxiquebec.ca.

A designated driver, why not?
You don't need to go on a binge and pass out to have fun during the holidays. One member of the family or one of your friends can stay away from alcoholic beverages for the night to make sure everyone gets a safe ride home. A great way to prevent drunk driving-related accidents!

Good ol' taxi!
If you live in an area without Operation Red Nose or any other chauffeur service, chances are a taxi is still waiting nearby and ready to pick you up to drive you home safely this holiday. The next morning, just ask a friend, relative or colleague to help you return to your car.

Breathalyser FTW
Assessing your level of impairment when you leave a party or a bar is quite tricky. Fortunately, you can use a breathalyser to accurately check your blood alcohol content. Personally, if it's anywhere near the legal limit, I would refrain from taking the wheel. You can purchase a breathalyser from companies such as Alco Prevention (www.alcoprevention.com).

Not drunk, just tired...
So what? Fatigue behind the wheel is another form of impaired driving -- and the third leading cause of road casualties in Quebec after alcohol and speeding. Chauffeur services like Operation Red Nose will gladly pick you up if you consider yourself too tired to drive. The same goes true if you are under medication. Remember that pleading guilty to DWI or DUI charges can lead to major consequences and fees (up to around $7,000 according to CAA-Quebec).

On that note, I wish you all a great holiday season and urge you to be smart and drive safely at all times. See you next year!

According to British magazine Autosport, Robert Kubica would be close to a deal with M-Sport to contest the new European Rally Championship behind the wheel of a modified Ford Fiesta.

After he contested several local rallies in Italy last months, the Pole ran in the Rallye du Var, last round of the French rally championship, driving a Citroen C4. After he easily dominated the event, Kubica finally crashed in the very last stage of the rally following a wrong pace note.

Robert Kubica, who seriously injured his right forearm during a rally crash in Italy bak in 2011, was linked to a future with Citroen, but now it seems he is close to M-Sport that would run for him a Fiesta fitted with a modified gearbox system with the two paddle shifts to be located on the left of the steering wheel.

Ford Fiesta M-Sport. (Photo: WRC)

The new European Rally Championship will be launched in 2013, replacing the Intercontinental Rally Challenge that  ran until this year. The first round will be presented quite early in the year, with the Internationale Jänner Rally to be run in Austria, January 3 to 5.

The biggest car manufacturer of South Korea plans to make a return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2014 with the i20 model. Here's a video of the test European test of the new world rally car.

The prototype of the i20 WRC was unveiled at the Paris international auto show in September. After a shakedown in South Korea, the car was shown in public at a test ground locate near Frankfurt, Germany.

Several medias were invited to attend the event. Hyundai's test driver Kwang Il-Song was behind the wheel of the i20 druing the two days of the test.

From GMM

Norbert Haug fell on his sword due to Mercedes' failure to succeed in its first three years, Niki Lauda has confirmed.

Following last week's shock news, many sensed the new non-executive chairman Lauda's influence when it was announced that Haug is stepping down after 22 years in charge at the German marque.

Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug, Mercedes AMG F1. (Photo: WRi2)

But the great Austrian insists he was as surprised as anyone.

"On Tuesday I was at the board meeting in Stuttgart for the first time in my new role," Lauda revealed to Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "At the end of the meeting, it was an absolute surprise when Haug gave his resignation. I took my cap off to him, because he said essentially he feels responsible for the poor performance this year, and had drawn the appropriate conclusion. To be honest, there are very few managers in top positions who do such things. Personally, I'm very sorry about it. I would love to still have worked with him."

Asked if he tried to convince Haug to stay, Lauda insisted: "No. If a person makes such a decision, you have to respect it."

Norbert Haug with Bruno Spengler in DTM series. (Photo: DTM)

He admitted that Haug's departure leaves a "huge gap" at Mercedes. "Mercedes will now consider how the loss will be dealt with. I don't see anyone at the moment who can take over Norbert's tasks one by one. The situation will have to be evaluated completely."

Asked if he can step in to help fill the void, triple world champion Lauda answered: "No. I am chairman of the board, which has nothing to do with the operation of business."

Toyota is poised to take back the title of world's biggest automaker for 2012, as Volkswagen fights General Motors for second place heading into the final weeks.

2013 Lexus GS450h

You're aware that you're driving a hybrid, but you're not annoyed by it thanks to strong acceleration and natural brake feel.

We've covered the interior and exterior styling, amenities, and driving character of the new Lexus GS with a conventional powertrain already. Now we have the opportunity to see what the new GS, which we quite admire in standard form, is like with a hybrid powertrain. My takeaway impression is that you're aware that you're driving a hybrid, but you're not annoyed by it. By that I mean, the brake pedal and accelerator inputs are far more natural in feel and response than they've been in previous Toyota and Lexus hybrid models. The steering is a little artificial and could use more feel, but it's accurate. Body control is admirable. Best of all is the powerful off-the-line acceleration: the powertrain sounds throaty and strong and the power delivery is linear, not abrupt. Freeway merging is deeply satisfying. What's more, goose the throttle at 80 mph and you'll be at 100 mph before you can say, "I just bought a Lexus GS450h!"

Photo Gallery: 2013 Lexus GS450h - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Lexus GS450h - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2013 Lexus GS450h | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Talks between General Motors' and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen on joint vehicle development are on track, while there are no plans at this stage to build cars together, Opel's interim CEO, Thomas Sedran, said.

Talks between General Motors' and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen on joint vehicle development are on track, while there are no plans at this stage to build cars together, Opel's interim CEO, Thomas Sedran, said.

Renault's move into low-cost cars, which has kept the French automaker afloat as mass-market peers drown in European losses, may soon help it sink competitors in other parts of the world.

Offered on eBay from November 22nd to December 4th, the ''Bolt Gold'' Nissan GT-R raised US$187,100 for charity. Along with nine items of Bolt merchandise, including racing helmets, special driving suits and boots, proceeds totalled US$193,191.

All will go to the Usain Bolt Foundation, which creates educational and cultural opportunities for children and young people in Jamaica.

More than 100 people took part in the auction, and the winning bidder for the car was from Australia.

Photo: Nissan