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From GMM

According to international reports, British engineer Pat Symonds' paddock exile is about to end.

Although working as a crucial technical consultant with Marussia in the last couple of seasons, the Briton -- who worked for Renault with Fernando Alonso -- was officially serving his F1 ban in the wake of the 2008 Renault 'crashgate' scandal.

But the Spanish newspaper ABC, and Italy's specialist Autosprint magazine, said Symonds will return to the paddock with Marussia in a direct role in 2013.

ABC said the 59-year-old veteran will be Marussia's technical director.

From GMM

Vitaly Petrov's hopes lie with Caterham, as the Russian bids to stay in Formula 1 for a fourth consecutive season in 2013.

His manager, Oksana Kosachenko, admitted that while there is also still a race seat vacancy at Force India, the 28-year-old driver is only waiting on Caterham's call.

"At the moment, all the necessary work on our part is done -- and it's for Caterham to decide," she told Russian web site sportbox.ru.

Admitting that talks with other teams had all fallen through, Kosachenko insisted it is "difficult to say" whether Caterham will make its decision in the days immediately after Christmas.

She told f1news.ru: "Yes, Vitaly is among the contenders, however, so are six drivers."

From GMM

A major local newspaper has said that the circuit of the Nurburgring will host this year's Grand Prix of Germany as scheduled.

The fate of the 2013 race had been in doubt because of the Nurburgring's well-documented financial problems.

But the Bild-Zeitung daily said the German Grand Prix, as well as GP2 and GP3 support races, will be held at the track in early July, as per the published FIA calendar.

"Formula 1 will be held at the Nurburgring on July 7, 2013," Nurburgring Automotive GmbH spokesman Karl-Heinz Steinkuhler confirmed.

Sport Bild quotes him adding: "The major sponsors are making their bookings now."

Insiders have told Reuters that the Blue Oval will offer a preview of the 2015 Ford F-150 at the upcoming NAIAS in response to General Motors introducing the new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra last week.

Both trucks are scheduled to go on sale next summer, while Ford plans to release the next-gen F-150 in the fall of 2014.

Look for the latter to keep focusing on fuel economy like the rest of Ford's lineup. Back in July, we reported that the automaker was considering dressing up the popular F-150 in aluminum, which would help shed 700 pounds and increase efficiency.

According to Reuters, the show truck in Detroit will provide ''strong visual clues'' to the design of the future production F-150.

Source: Reuters

OTTAWA, Ontario - Ford, it would seem, has taken the North American market by the horns, fully intent on stuffing it with cars that are impossible to ignore. With the likes of the 2013 Taurus 2.0T EcoBoost version, the 2013 Mustang, the 2013 Fusion and the 2013 Escape, no segment is safe from the Blue Oval onslaught. And, there's that F-150 Raptor thingy too...


The new Ford Focus, launched here in early 2011, was a pivotal introduction that cemented Ford's intention to produce and sell world cars, to the world. Based on the success that the Focus has known in a relatively short period of time, and the incessant haggling and bitching from auto journos, Ford announced and has delivered the 2013 Ford Focus ST.

Move over, Mustang
The hot-hatch segment has been an underground favorite of car enthusiasts for decades. Nameplates from the 80s and 90s like Volkswagen GTI, Peugeot 205 GTi, Renault Clio and Citroen Saxo spawned a whole new category of cars that carries on today. Consider the Mazdaspeed3, the 5-door Subaru WRX and the current GTI.

These cars represent an ideal mix between daily driver and weekend track-day hero. All of these cars provide the driver with plenty of performance without sacrificing convenience or fuel consumption, in most cases.

The latest and darn-near greatest addition to this club is the Focus ST. If there is a car currently available in Ford's stable, capable of attracting a younger audience, the ST is the one. Europe has a Fiesta ST and, not to mention, they will be privy to a Focus ST wagon (!) but I won't push it... I'm happy that we at least have an ST.

To further the point, the car has been featured in XBOX's Forza 4 since late last year. In fact, I put it to Ford to knock the always-fun Mustang down a notch and put more energy and emphasis on the Focus. More on this in an upcoming blog.

If there is a car currently available in Ford's stable, capable of attracting a younger audience, the ST is the one. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Worst kept secret: EcoBoost
EcoBoost has quickly become synonymous with good times, be it in a Taurus or an F-150. Under the bonnet of the 2013 Ford Focus ST lies a Valencia, Spain built 2.0L 4-cylinder which has been given the full 21st century-do, including direct injection and low-inertia turbocharging.

All said and when fed premium fuel, the high-strung mill produces 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, plenty enough to push the ST to 100 km/h in about 6.5 seconds, and on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h.

The best part of this powertrain is its overboost function that, much like a turbo-boost button in a video game, gives you a 15-second burst of extra oomph on acceleration. All the driver has to do to tap into it is keep the “go” pedal firmly nestled against the floor. Between 3,000 and 4,500 rpm is when the boost kicks in. It's fantastic.

To it is mated a wheel-heeled 6-speed manual gearbox that is designed to be shifted with conviction. The pedals are perfectly spaced for heel-toeing and the shifter travels mere inches between cogs. My only issue is with the positioning of the centre armrest; it is too large and close to the shifter, and my elbow would come into contact with it.

The ST is quick, not quite fast but energetic enough to land a smile on the driver's face at every outing. Its power delivery reminds me of the Volkswagen Golf R which is that of a perfect balance between horsepower and chassis. In the juicy bits of the power band, the ST snarls forward with plenty of authority, but it never feels like it will get away from you.

All said and when fed premium fuel, the high-strung mill produces 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Electronics and the drive
The 2013 Ford Focus ST's chassis is superb. It is tight, rigid all the while being pliable enough to ensure its worth as a daily driver. The car's platform is in fact the same as that of the regular Focus and a number of other products, including the new Escape and the upcoming C-MAX.

What makes the Focus ST stand out are its enhanced driving dynamics. It features torque steer compensation which does exactly that, almost to perfection. The ESC system manages torque vectoring and dynamic cornering. These aids always remain, but thankfully the ESC can be fully deactivated, positioned in Sport mode or in Normal.

The ST's steering was the feature that garnered the most positive comments from my driving partner and me. The variable-assist electronic power steering system is dosed to perfection and incredibly direct, making every wheel input immediately rewarding. That is, unless you need to perform a three-point turn, in which case it'll more likely require five or six points - the turning radius is awful.

These elements along with its uniquely tuned sport suspension that lowers the chassis by 10 mm make the Focus ST one of the best handling compact cars in the business. Paired to the ultra-grippy P235/40R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, the ST provides the driver with an impressive amount of control and a solid dose of feedback.

The winding country roads leading to the excellent Calabogie Motorsports Park are ripe for apex picking. The Focus revelled at clipping each curve and maintaining stability throughout the drive, despite my occasional over-zealous amounts of speed carried into some of the twisties.

Chaussée de pneus Goodyear Eagle F1 P235/40R18 ultra mordants, elle assure un contrôle impressionnant et fournit amplement de feedback au conducteur. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

The details
The 2013 Ford Focus ST is physically perfect. There is nothing to nip or tuck anywhere. Its five-door hatchback body is as ideal Kim Kardashian's in a bikini. The more distinctive aspects of its physique are its 18” wheels, “enhanced” front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, side skirts and most importantly, its rear centre-mounted tailpipe.

On board, the well bolstered Recaro seats and fatty steering wheel augment what is otherwise a typical Focus cabin. There's this other thing called Active Sound Symposer which channels engine sounds into the passenger compartment. It's fun but ultimately pointless. I'm more interested in the snarls heard by people outside the car.

On board, the well bolstered Recaro seats and fatty steering wheel augment what is otherwise a typical Focus cabin. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Final details
At $29,999, the 2013 Ford Focus ST is well priced. In fact, it puts the hurt on the venerable GTI. The five-door GTI retails for $30,375 and is short on power and a few other items. A Mazdaspeed3 tips the pricing scale at $29,940 and has nothing to envy compared to the Focus expect perhaps for a large dose of refinement. I like the stuff, but I'm also very much into being roughed up once in a while...

The 2013 Ford Focus ST is everything I was hoping it would be. The tested cars were actually prototypes so I have to imagine that the real deal will be even better.

The ST lands in showrooms at the end of August. Production begins now.

Toyota is setting aside $1.1 billion to settle various lawsuits and other claims in the United States stemming from reports of unintended acceleration that plagued the automaker in 2009-2010.

Ford faces a federal lawsuit that contends the new C-Max and Fusion hybrids fail to deliver promised fuel economy claims. Ford's 2013 C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid mid-sized sedan are EPA rated at 47 mpg city/47 highway/47 combined.

The humble Volkswagen Beetle has served as a blank canvas for a staggering range of offbeat projects, from the Meyers Manx dune buggy to a museum's worth of art cars.

Also in this episode: Jeep has big plans for growth, and

Volkswagen AG will vie with General Motors for the sales crown among foreign automakers in China next year, gaining share as Japanese carmakers led by Toyota struggle to recover amid a territorial dispute.

Lexus' 552-hp V10 halo car, the

John Fitch had hoped his Corvair-based Phoenix would prove to be the and#8220;American Porsche.and#8221; Instead, it proved that timing is everything, and Fitch's couldn't have been worse.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Talk about your major hoots. I'm not sure anybodyand#8212;anybodyand#8212;needs this much power at hand for their day-to-day drives. It could only lead to trouble.

Toyota, poised to regain its title as the world's biggest carmaker this year, said its vehicle sales may rise 2 percent next year to a record, led by demand from overseas markets.

Charleston to Bluffton, SC (93 miles)

From an infamous Texas house fire, to the death of one of the greats, autoweek.com's top-12 most read stories of 2012 offer a look back at a wild year.

This year's GP2 series champion, Italian Davide Valsecchi had hopes to be Kimi Raikkonen's teammate at Lotus F1 Team in 2013, but Romain Grosjean got the job for another year.

Talking to Italian motorsport web site Italiaracing.net, Valsecchi said he now has no idea what he will do in 2013.

“I am now trying to get the job of reseve driver at Lotus. Honestly, I really believed I could find the money to get a full-time drive in Formula 1 next season but there are very few places left”, said Valssechi.

“I was hoping to get the second seat at Lotus , but a little while ago I was told that Grosjean had good chances to be back, and that's what happened. But he deserved it because he is really fast,” the Italian driver added.

“Anyway, I'd like to thank the Lotus team for having run me during the recent young driver test in Abu Dhabi. At this moment, my only hope to get into F1 is to become Lotus' reserve driver, which would be very good because they are the fourth best team. But if that does not happen, I don't know what I'm going to do to make it into F1,” he added.

Lotus F1 Team has not confirmed its third and reserve driver for 2013. However, this year's man, Jerome d'Ambrosio, is a Gravity driver -- the management company headed by Lotus boss Eric Boullier.

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa found it hard to accept that the small Formula 1 team HRT closed its doors after the last Grand Prix of the season held in Brazil.

Taking to Spanish newspaper Marca, De la Rosa said he was sad not only for him, but especially for all the team members who gave everything, day after day depiste the difficulties.

“It was a nice project, very special, very humble. We knew we would be last, and that we could only fight against Marussia. However, we always gave our best,” said De la Rosa to Marca.

Interestingly, the team has yet to issue an official press release about the situation. “I am not the spoke person of the team. But I think that the team has ceased all operations and will soon close its doors. But no one knows for sure”, said De la Rosa.

“I am looking to get a ride for next year, but there are no full-time ride available. Caterham and Marussia are my only two options,” the Spaniard added. In mentioning Marussia, he confirmed that the Russian team may let go Timo Glock in favour of a paying driver.

De la Rosa ruled out Sahara Force India. “They signed a driver, but I don't know who he is”, he said.

“I will try to become a test driver or a reserve driver in a good team. I don't have sponsors however. Several teams out there are looking for money, and I don't want to start searching for money. McLaren? Sincerely, I don't know. We talked a lot but nothing really serious. I don't know if they interested in me or not”, said Pedro de la Rosa.

From FIA

Formula 1's stewards explained how technical improvements and the presence of ex-drivers on the adjudicating panels at races have made the decision-making process in the sport easier.

At a meeting chaired by F1 race director Charlie Whiting, the stewards praised the recent introduction of readily available real-time telemetry and added that the presence of former and current racing drivers on the stewarding panels has been a benefit.

The stewards noted that while some former drivers may not have a thorough knowledge of F1's Sporting and Technical Regulations, their ability to immediately understand how and why on-track actions may have been taken is invaluable.

Romain Grosjean's crash at the start of the Grand Prix of Belgium, 2012. (Photo: WRI2)

A recent introduction to the process has been the delivery of a set of race to all stewards on the FIA panel following each Grand Prix, including stewards who did not officiate at the race in question. The stewards present at the meeting all acknowledged the value of these notes in achieving consistency in their decisions.

Consistency was a particular theme of Jean Todt's remarks to the meeting. The FIA president told the stewards that “rather then always applying penalties you must analyse the consequences of the penalties. Consistency, for me, is crucial”.

Todt added: “You have a very difficult job but you are now better supported by all the electronic facilities which help in analysing incidents. The only thing you should now concentrate on, other than the good job you are doing, is how to do it better. It would be good to speak to your partners, the teams and the drivers, who can give you good input.”

Finally, the stewards were supportive of a proposal to introduce a penalty points system on F1 superlicences. This would work in the same way as the road licence systems in operation in many countries and breaches of regulations would lead to the accrual of points until a certain threshold was reached, at which point a driver would receive a race ban.

Construction of the $200 million US Russian Formula 1 circuit for the first Grand Prix of Russia is on schedule, according to Formula Sochi officials.

A press release published by Formula Sochi said: "Many massive Olympic venues are already built, some sport facilities have been put in commission, while the motorsport venue is in the active phase of construction. Construction crews are making good progress with the preparing of groundworks and laying of the asphalt coat. The first layer of pavement has been laid in some areas."

Construction of the pit building. (Photo: Formula Sochi)

German architect, Hermann Tilke, said to DPA News agency: “I can say that everything is going according to schedule. Everything is fine. We'll be able to build the track in time, which means by 2014.”

The race control building is said to be near completion, with installation works at the pit complex due to get underway in the spring.

The new road courses should be ready to host Russia's maiden Grand Prix in 2014, the same year as the Winter Olympics.