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From GMM

Mark Webber's alternator survived the Italian grand prix because it was an "older" specification.

That is the claim of Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, after reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel on Sunday suffered a repeat of his Saturday morning failure and failed to finish at Monza.

Sebastian Vettel, back to the Red Bull's garage, without his RB8. (Photo: WRi2)

"The part was from the latest specification (of alternator) that came after the similar failure in Valencia," Marko is quoted by Salzburger Nachrichten. "Webber had an alternator from an older specification that had no problem."

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said engine supplier Renault, whose supply partner for the alternator is Magneti Marelli, is treating the problem as a priority.

"Since 2011 we have changed virtually nothing," said Renault's baffled Remi Taffin.

One glimmer of hope is that the Renault alternator used by Lotus' Jerome d'Ambrosio at Monza was showing early signs of failure, which could be useful for getting to the bottom of the mystery.

Arguably the bigger problem for Red Bull, however, is the recent lack of pace.

Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari said Monza was "the (team's) worst performance since 2008".

And yet another problem on Sunday was Vettel's penalty for driving Fernando Alonso off the track, even though a similar incident at Curva Grande a year ago was ignored by the stewards.

Was the FIA giving Ferrari a helping-hand at Monza on Sunday?

"I think not," Vettel, dismissing the conspiracy, told Bild newspaper.

An ever-increasing array of electric-vehicles are working their way into just about every auto-show, with this year's Mondial de Paris playing host to the e-XIV (electric-eXciting user Interface Vehicle) which has been developed by Korea's SsanYong Motor. The Korean automaker presented different versions of this same model in Frankfurt and Geneva last year.

This class electric B crossover is a range-extender hybrid: it utilizes a small gas-powered engine to re-charge the batteries, thus extending the vehicle's range. The e-XIV is equipped with an exclusive glass-paneled roof that offers a brighter passenger-compartment, while capturing all the available solar energy to further power the batteries.

SsanYong Motor has yet to release any further details about their concept vehicle; we will have to wait for the Mondial de l'auto de Paris to learn more.

e-XIV concept (Photo: SsangYong Motor)

e-XIV concept (Photo: SsangYong Motor)

In the automotive industry, the term “badge engineering” means multiplying versions of the same vehicle by simply changing a few appearance elements and slapping another badge on it.

When General Motors had up to nine divisions to feed simultaneously, it embraced badge engineering more than any other carmaker. Ten years ago, the GM group included Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saab, and Saturn. They also had Geo and -- briefly in Canada -- Asuna.

Photo: General Motors

How can you sell products from nine divisions all at once? That's a lot of marketing efforts, advertising budgets, parts production, and dealer support. Quite a few divisions inevitably overlapped each other in regards to target audience.

Back in the '80s, I remember the Chevrolet Cavalier, the Pontiac J2000 and Sunbird, the Oldsmobile Firenza, the Cadillac Cimarron and the Buick Skyhawk as being more or less the same car ,but with different trim, equipment and logos on the grilles.

More recently, the Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, Buick Terraza, Oldsmobile Silhouette, and Saturn Relay were easily identifiable as being near copycat minivans with distinct badging.

Today, the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and (now retired) Saturn Outlook differ only by unique front and rear fascias, however, their powertrains and equipment levels are virtually comparable.

In Canada, all GM products are now sold under the same roof. Would you choose a Chevy Silverado or a GMC Sierra? A GMC Yukon Denali or a Cadillac Escalade? A Chevrolet Equinox or a GMC Terrain? What's the difference?

Wait. All these examples include a GMC product. If there's a division that still overlaps the others, it's GMC. Either scrap it, or make it the exclusive truck division.

In fact, when you look at the product lineup, the distinction between models that share similar platforms and powertrains, such as the upcoming 2013 Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore mini-crossovers, boast a different look and feel. The buying public may never notice the similarities, and we can't really call that badge engineering. That's good.

The problem is still the number of models offered on one showroom floor. GM's 2013 model range will be composed of no less than 31 nameplates, and I'm not counting the various body styles. Many of them compete against each other. That's bad, not as much for the buying public, but for GM and its shareholders.

From GMM

Jean-Eric Vergne is unhurt after Sunday's incident at Monza.

Toro Rosso is investigating why the French rookie's Ferrari-powered car suddenly veered out of control at the end of Monza's front straight during the Italian grand prix.

The high-speed incident launched Vergne's car over a kerb, "And I count myself lucky that the car did not flip over", he said.

He did, however, land with a bump, and immediately complained on the radio of a sore back.

"I was taken from the accident to the medical centre," explained the 22-year-old, "but apart from a bit of pain in my back and my head, I am fine."

Jean-Eric Vergne aboard the flying Toro Rosso. (Photo: WRi2)

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Review

2013 Honda Accord Preview

2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat Crew Cab Review

Other very interesting topics:

• Blog: This is how you sell a car?
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to make history in Paris
• 2013 Nissan Sentra preview
• More details about the all-new Volkswagen Golf VII
• 2012 Toyota Corolla LE review

What is it?

News 9 Sep, 2012

Lewis Hamilton has won the Italian Grand Prix, ahead of Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso

Ford CEO Alan Mulally says the automaker is considering adding a low-cost Fiesta-based subcompact to sell globally. "We are looking around the world at opportunities to offer a car priced below the Fiesta," Mulally told Automotive News Europe.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally says the automaker is considering adding a low-cost Fiesta-based subcompact to sell globally.

No one sells more subcompacts in Canada than Hyundai. In fact, they're moving out almost twice as many Accent sedans and hatchbacks as the second-place Ford Fiesta and the third-place Kia Rio.

And the reasons for its success are easy to see. It's got plenty of power thanks to its class-leading, 138 hp engine, sophisticated good looks and a well-executed cabin. It's got high levels of standard features, and an aggressive price.

In short, the 2012 Hyundai Accent is on a roll and no other subcompact seems able to stop its segment domination.


Rich-looking cockpit
We'll sit you inside an Accent and remove your blindfold, and chances are you'll think you're in a much more expensive car. Our GLS trim tester smartly flaunts its higher-grade cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped and button-laden wheel as well as niceties such as heated front seats, Bluetooth, climate control, power sunroof, and premium sound system. All this wrapped in a tasteful, modern design, including the comfortable front and back seats.

You also get 600 litres of cargo space with the rear seatbacks in place; that's more than in the Accent's rivals that participated in our recent subcompact hatchback comparison test: the Chevrolet Sonic, Fiesta, Rio and Toyota Yaris. Fold down those rear backrests and you get a very practical 1,345 litres of cargo space.

Oh, but the Accent isn't perfect. Its steering column doesn't telescope, which makes finding a good driving position a little harder. Curiously, the Kia Rio which shares many components with the Hyundai does have a telescoping wheel.

Cabin insulation could also be better; driving down country roads sprinkled with sand and tiny stones, you'll hear them all hitting the Accent's underfloor. And the rear window is pretty small, which limits rear visibility.

The 2012 Hyundai Accent GLS looks like a more expensive car, inside and out. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Class-leading power
Like the Kia, the Hyundai gets a new direct-injected, 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that develops 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. While its output ratings are high, it doesn't feel more muscular than the Fiesta's 120 hp or the Sonic's 136 hp. It's also buzzy at full throttle.

Equipped with a 6-speed automatic, our tester reached 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, pretty much in line with the rest of the pack. On the other hand, at a steady 100 clicks on the highway, the engine spins at only 2,000 rpm, which helps keep both noise and fuel consumption down.

And since we're on the subject, my fuel economy averaged 7.9 L/100km over the course of the test week, which isn't extraordinary. The automatic Accent is rated at 4.8 L/100km on the highway, a figure you might achieve if you drive well under the posted speed limit.

On the road, the Accent handles well for a subcompact, although we found its steering assist a little heavy at slow speeds; somehow, it just doesn't feel right, but you get used to it after a while. The Ford Fiesta, the Honda Fit and the Mazda2 are more engaging to drive, but not by much.

A 138-hp, direct-injected 1.6L engine equips the Hyundai Accent. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Affordable price
The 2012 Hyundai Accent Hatchback starts out at $13,699, while our top-of-the-line GLS automatic lists for $18,649. That's not bad for a well-equipped and decently refined car such as this one. On the other hand, the Kia Rio EX 5-door gets even more features for about the same money.

There's so much to like about the Accent that its shortcomings seem easily forgivable. It offers refinement, power and lots of features for people on a small budget, and it doesn't make them look like cheapskates. That's what a smart design can do.

An Accent or a Rio will please the typical subcompact buyer at about the same level; the only differences concern exterior and interior styling as well as feature content and price gaps of a couple hundred dollars.

We're smitten by the Hyundai Accent, especially in hatchback configuration, and its virtues will provide it with strong and well-deserved sales numbers for the next few years.

From CRC

After taking a lead on the very first stage of the 2012 Rallye Defi, Ken Block (Park City, Utah) and Alex Gelsomino (Park City, Utah) drove through bright sun, heavy rains and over rough roads on their way to victory. The Monster World Rally Team pair led the rally from start to finish, thrilling the fans at the fourth round of the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship.

On the very first stage of the rally, Block set the fastest time, beating his closest rival by 19 seconds. Over the following three stages, the team opened up a lead of nearly a minute.

Clouds and rain rolled in overnight, and Saturday offered a different challenge to drivers. Roads stayed wet as thunderstorms rolled through the region all day. The high humidity also caused a number fogged windshields, cutting already reduced visibility.

Block and Gelsomino continued to maintain their lead trading times with Antoine L'Estage (Ste-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) and Nathalie Richard (Halifax) through the second day. Although L'Estage has won the Rallye Defi six times, he did not have an answer to the pace of the leader and finished the event on the second spot on the podium.

Driving at the limit all weekend took a toll on L'Estage's car. Suffering two flat tires with seven kilometres remaining in the stage, L'Estage was forced to drive without stopping, losing more than 90 seconds and dropping even further back. Problems in the transfer case meant the crew had to rush to replace the part during the midday service.

Crazy Leo Urlichich (Toronto) and Carl Williamson (Swansea, Wales) battled both difficult conditions and an occasionally difficult car all weekend.

On the very first stage, the pair suffered driveline problems, losing power to the right rear wheel of the car. The pair had to contend with the problem for another three stages before they could have the service crew attempt repairs.

Despite these issues, the team was able to keep a secure hold on third place, rounding out the podium.

Pat Richard (Squamish, B.C.) and Alan Ockwell (Toronto) were one of the teams eliminated early, when mechanical problems sidelined the team just a few hundred metres from the finish of the third stage. It was a devastating blow to the team, who needed a strong performance to revive their championship ambitions.

In two wheel drive, only one car - the Ford Fiesta R2 of Ed McNelly (Dalton, New Hampshire) and Ole Holter (Long Beach, California) - made it to the finish. Even so, the rally was not easy, with the pair having a light roll on Saturday. With spectator help, they righted the car and made it to the finish.

From GMM

Jenson Button and Paul di Resta now share a manager.

Force India's di Resta, who recently dumped his former manager Anthony Hamilton, is now officially in the management stable headed by Richard Goddard.

The Scot has been advised by The Sports Partnership since the Hamilton split, which is now in the hands of the courts.

"Based on how it's gone and having seen what they've achieved with other clients, in and out of the sport of F1, it became clear that it was the right way to go," said di Resta.

The Anthony Hamilton split and tie-in with Button's management group comes at an interesting time, with di Resta linked with Lewis Hamilton's 2013 McLaren seat.

There may also be a conflict of interest issue, if Goddard is steering the careers on both sides of McLaren's garage.

Goddard said it wouldn't be a problem.

"There are two of us at the top of The Sports Partnership and if needed James (Williamson) could always look after one whilst I looked after the other," he told the Telegraph.

Anyway, di Resta said it is premature to be talking about a move to McLaren.

"It's always nice to have speculation, to see the interest," he said at Monza.

"But it's something I can't let my brain run away with. I'm in the car this weekend and expected to do a job. That is going to be the focus."

After a thrilling finish, and the victory of Tio Ellinas from Cyprus, Mitch Evans secured the 2012 GP3 title after the final rounds presented at Monza.

Mitch Evans held the championship's lead by a healthy margin before Monza, and thought he had made a step forward to the title when he clinched pole position.

But the driver from New-Zealand, who could have secured the title after race 1, lost everything at the start. He went straight at the first chicane, then wide at the second corner, which damaged his car.

Evans was forced to retire, while Daniel Abt was flying to the victory, which allowed the German driver to stay in contention for the title, mathematically, ahead race 2, the very last race of the season. Meanwhile, Antonio Felix Da Costa was out of championship race, having retired with a broken gear box.

Abt could still clinch the title, but to do so, he had to win again, and hope that Evans would not score any point. From his 25th position on the grid, Evans had a great comeback up to P10, which was enough for him to secure the title.

But, once more, the New Zealander ran out of luck when he suffered a puncture following an off road, and was forced to stop in the pits again.

Evans could only hope that Abt would not win. Luckily for him, Tio Ellinas got passed the German with two laps remaining, which gave Evans the championship lead back.

Abt passed Ellinas back with two laps remaining, but Ellinas was able to overtake once more the German driver in the penultimate lap. Evans, who once more failed to score any points, there
fore got away with the championship, by only two points.



Monza - Race 1 :
1 - Daniel Abt - Lotus - 16 laps in 28'17"548
2 - Tio Ellinas - Manor - 0"349

3 - Matias Laine - MW Arden - 1"881

4 - Conor Daly - Lotus - 14"108

5 - Patric Niederhauser - Jenzer - 14"602
Etc.

Monza - Race 2 :
1 - Tio Ellinas - Manor - 16 laps in 28'18"541
2 - Daniel Abt - Lotus - 1"003

3 - Giovanni Venturini - Trident - 1"408
4 - Marlon Stockinger - Status - 1"715
5 - Antonio Felix Da Costa - Carlin - 7"377
Etc.

Championship :
1. Evans 151,5 points ; 2.Abt 149,5 ; 3.Da Costa 132 ; 4.Vainio 123 ; 5.Laine 111, etc.

From GMM

Christian Horner has confirmed that yet another alternator failure caused Sebastian Vettel to retire from Sunday's Italian grand prix.

Having lost his charge for victory in Valencia earlier this year with the same problem, the issue resurfaced at Monza on Saturday when the reigning world champion broke down in practice.

It struck again on Sunday; a big blow to the German's championship hopes.

"It has to be corrected quickly," team boss Horner told the German broadcaster Sky.

After the practice problem, alternator supplier Renault apologized to Red Bull.

"Today it cost us a lot of points," Horner said on Sunday. "We have to move forward with it urgently if we are to continue for the title."

With Mark Webber also retiring in Italy, is is defending champions Red Bull's first double non-points finish since Korea 2010.

Earlier at Monza, Vettel was penalised by the stewards for forcing his championshp rival Fernando Alonso wide at the Curva Grande.

Last year, it was Alonso who pushed Vettel wide at the very same corner.

"It looked quite the same as a year ago," Horner said. "I thought it was a normal racing incident, with Sebastian in front and taking his line.

"It was very surprising that we were punished for it," he insisted.

From GMM

McLaren has questioned Ferrari's slipstreaming tactics in qualifying at Monza.

The red cars endeavoured to give each other aerodynamic 'tows' down their home circuit's long straights on Saturday, but it went awry when Fernando Alonso's car developed a problem in Q3.

And Felipe Massa, who qualified a season-best third, said he got in his best lap once the towing was all over.

"I was always caring about the tow, to find a good tow, but then on the last run when I did my best lap I was completely outside of the tow, so it was better for me," said the Brazilian.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren's team boss who saw Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button lock out the front row with more conventional tactics, suggested his Italian rivals might have been "a bit too clever" in focusing so much on slipstreaming.

"In practice we were getting tows," said Button, "but it was difficult to work out if it was actually quicker or not.

"It's something that, personally, I feel it's very difficult to plan something like that. It's difficult to get it right.

"You can concentrate too much on it and get your braking point wrong or something.

"The way we did was much better, just finding traffic (to tow) on the circuit, so it worked reasonably well," the Briton added.

Lewis Hamilton's Italian Grand Prix ended as it started - in first place -, but Sergio Perez was the hero of the day, coming from 12th on the grid to finish second, large in Hamilton's mirrors.

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) had a very encouraging start, pressuring the two front row-starting McLaren. When Jenson Button retired on lap 32, the Brazilian was able to take second. But behind him, in the second Ferrari, Fernando Alonso was quickly recovering from his bad qualifying the day before.

Having overtaken Paul di Resta (Force India), Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) and Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), the Spaniard was knocking on Massa's door.

The two Ferrari drivers exchanged positions in very undramatic fashion, given Massa's fragile position within the team. It looked set for Hamilton to win, Alonso to come second and Massa to pick up a refreshing podium.

Except Sergio Perez (Sauber) was on a late charge, thanks to clever strategy. Sauber engineers had the Mexican starting on the harder compound, meaning he was flying in the last part of the race.

The picture was perfect: Massa letting Alonso by with Perez breathing dangerously down his neck - much like off the track.

In the end, Perez was able to get ahead of both red cars and just ran out of time to make a move on Hamilton.

Other notable twists include the two Red Bull retirements. First, it was Vettel who, after his drive-through penalty for aggressive driving while fighting with Alonso, came to a stop with fuel issues.

He was followed to the sidelines four laps later by Mark Webber, who spun out of the race.

This means both men have lost precious ground in the championship hunt. Hamilton (142 points) and Raikkonen (141) are now the two closest rivals to Alonso, whose lead has now grown back to 37.



Race results* - Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 53 laps 1.19'41"221

2 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 4"356

3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 20"594

4 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 29"667

5 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 30"881
6 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 31"259
7 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 33"550

8 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 41"057
9 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 43"898
10 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 48"144
11 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 48"682
12 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 50"316

13 - Jerome D'Ambrosio (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'15"861
14 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap

15 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
16 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1 lap

17 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1 lap

18 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1 lap
19 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1 lap



Fastest lap of the race by Nico Rosberg 1'27"239



Retirements

Lap 51 - Mark Webber

Lap 50 - Nico Hulkenberg

Lap 47 - Sebastian Vettel

Lap 32 - Jenson Button

Lap 8 - Jean Eric Vergne



Drivers' championship
1.Alonso 179; 2.Hamilton 142; 3.Raikkonen 141; 4.Vettel 140; 5.Webber 132; 6.Button 101; 7.Rosberg 83; 8.Grosjean 76; 9.Perez 65; 10.Massa 47; 11.Schumacher 43; 12.Kobayashi 35; 13.Di Resta 32; 14.Hulkenberg 31; 15.Maldonado 29; 16.Senna 25; 17.Vergne 8; 18.Ricciardo 4.

Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 272; 2.McLaren-Mercedes 243; 3.Ferrari 226; 4.Lotus-Renault 217; 5.Mercedes 126; 6.Sauber-Ferrari 100; 7.Force India-Mercedes 63; 8.Williams-Renault 54; 9.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 12.

*Unofficial

Polish driver Robert Kubica has won the first motorsport event he's competed in since the horrific crash he sustained in February 2011, the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana rally.

Kubica, a former Canadian Grand Prix winner in Formula One, won all four stages, crossing the finish nearly a minute ahead of his closest rival, Autosport.com has revealed.

The Pole, who drove for Sauber and Renault - now Lotus - in F1, was at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza World Rally Car.

Earlier this weekend, Kubica revealed his intentions of competing in another Italian rally this coming weekend, as well as his will to stage a comeback in F1 in 2014.

The Ronde Gomitolo di Lana rally was the first step towards a return to any motorsport discipline, and it proved succesful.

While Clint Bowyer was winning the Sprint Cup race at Richmond, Jeff Gordon came back from problems to finish second and make the last Wild Card spot in the 12-man NASCAR-style playoffs.

Bowyer, who overcame an earlier incident with Juan Pablo Montoya, smiled and said "thank you, Juan Pablo, for wrecking me and winning me the race," he said in Victory Lane.

The race, at the three-quarter mile oval, was delayed by almost 90 minutes due to rain then red flagged for another 51 minutes due to rain.

While the crews couldn't work on their cars they could think about fixes and that made the difference for Gordon who seemed finished before he began.

When he got out his car for the first and most lengthy stoppage the usually affable Gordon was tense with a television interviewer.

''I was pretty ticked off that we got that far behind,'' Gordon said. ''When you have that kind of a start to a race, you don't have a lot of hope that you're going to get it turned around.''

But it was an entirely different story after the race.

"Went from last week to being the most disappointed I've ever been to finish second to the most excited I've ever been to finish second," said the four-time Cup Champion.

"What a race for us. We just flat out missed the setup at the beginning. Luckily Alan and the engineers got together and found the tools that we could utilize to make the car better."

Mark Martin finished third.

Kyle Busch who had been a favourite for the Wild Card had a problem on a late race call by his crew chief, Dave Rogers, who took the blame when he radioed his driver "we missed it. I blew it, bud. My fault. A taught-faced 16th place."

Busch added "We missed it. Plain and simple."

With Gordon in the Chase, Hendrick Motorsports had all four drivers including five-time champion, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne in the Chase.

And Michael Waltrip Racing made NASCAR's playoffs for the first time and with its two full-time drivers, Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr.

Under NASCAR rules the points were reset to 2000 with the top ten drivers earning three bonus points for each win in the regular 26-race portion of the season.

Denny Hamlin, who had four wins in 2012 will take the top seed with 2012 points.



Chase Seedings
1. Denny Hamlin, 2012 points
2. Jimmie Johnson, 2009 points

3. Tony Stewart, 2009 points

4. Brad Keselowski, 2009 points

5. Greg Biffle, 2006 points

6. Clint Bowyer, 2006 points

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2003 points

8. Matt Kenseth, 2003 points

9. Kevin Harvick, 2000 points

10. Martin Truex Jr., 2000 points

11. Kasey Kahne, 2000 points

12. Jeff Gordon, 2000 points

Adapted from GMM

Robert Kubica said on Saturday he could be back in F1 in 2014.

After almost two years out of the limelight following his horror rally crash of early 2011, the Pole is finally back in action this weekend at another minor Italian rally.

Kubica confirmed he will also take his Subaru Impreza to yet another forthcoming Italian rally, but also hinted he would rather be in the Formula One paddocks.

"In life sometimes you have to be content with less than what you would really like; and that time is now. However I say I'm happy to be here, I think it's a fine goal," the Polish driver told Italian TV Sky Sport 24.

"Obviously I would have preferred to come back somewhere else, but this is a more active phase in my rehabilitation path."

"Back in formula one?" Kubica also said. "In 2014, but I still don't know if my journey will take me there."

From GMM

Valtteri Bottas is waiting in the wings at Williams, according to Toto Wolff.

Austrian Wolff doubles up as a Williams shareholder and executive as well as team reserve driver and Finn Bottas' manager.

In the context of Romain Grosjean's Monza race ban, the word in the paddock is that the FIA is also running thin on patience for Pastor Maldonado.

"Of course I don't hope that Pastor gets more penalties, and certainly not a ban," Wolff told Turun Sanomat newspaper.

"He wouldn't deserve that. He has certainly made mistakes, but he is aware of what has happened, and often the penalties have hurt him a lot.

"I don't want to see race bans, but if that were to happen, we have a third driver Valtteri Bottas ready to enter immediately," added Wolff.

Bottas, 22, has regularly practiced in Bruno Senna's Williams this year.

"Sometimes he has exceeded our expectations, but we want to keep Valtteri's feet firmly on the ground rather than have him thinking he is a superstar before he is a superstar," said Wolff.

Wolff also said it is too early to say if Bottas will have a full race seat in 2013.

"No, we don't know yet. We have only just begun to think about the situation and the timing of the decision," he said.

"We want to take (an overview of) the situation as a whole, rather than trying to do it a couple of weeks before Singapore."