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Jean Alesi is expected to be confirmed today as the driver of a new team formed by former Indy Racing League driver Tyce Carlson, who is also co-owner of an Indy Lights team, and funded by Lotus.

Apparently, Lotus has come to an agreement with this new team, Fan Force United to prepare and run a car for former Formula One driver Jean Alesi.

A first deal with Newman-Haas Racing failed to materialise a few weeks ago. And then another one with HVM Racing also fell thru last week.

Keith Wiggins stated that he did not have enough manpower and time to prepare an additional DW12 for the occasion.

Simona de Silvestro, HMV Racing. (Photo: LAT pour IndyCar)

Carlson has two Indy Lights cars entered in this month's Freedom 100.

Alesi will follow the Rookie Orientation programme at the Speedway on Thursday along with former F1 rival Rubens Barrichello.


From GMM

Carlos Sainz Jr is on course for a future in formula one.

The 17-year-old Spaniard is the son of Carlos Sainz, the former two-time world rally champion.

Sainz Jr, however, has pursued a career in open wheelers, and - now that Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne have stepped up - he is the new cream of energy drink Red Bull's junior driver programme.

And another direct link to the world of formula one for Sainz jr is his new sponsorship deal with Cepsa, the Spanish oil company that is also Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso's main backer.

Carlos Sainz Jr. (Photo: F3 Euroseries)

Sainz Jr's new Cepsa deal is for his participation this year in the British and Euroseries F3 categories, but "Our intention is to continue (beyond 2012)," Cepsa co-chairman Santiago Bergareche is quoted by Marca newspaper.

"Hopefully everything goes well and Carlos will be in that world (F1) one day," added Cepsa chairman Alfonso Escamez.

He said the deal does not guarantee Sainz Jr a future in F1.

"The sponsors have no say on the teams of the drivers. We can try to influence, to give our opinion, but we are not (able to decide) on that side. We hope that it does happen, but it will not necessarily."

On May 8, 1982, the world lost the legendary race car driver Gilles Villeneuve, a victim of his own will to win, to be the best. Villeneuve lost in life in a tragic accident that happened on the road circuit of Zolder, Belgium.

We had all watched with increasing awe his rise to the very top of Formula 1 as a member of the most iconic of all teams, Ferrari. Transcending borders, Gilles became the most spectacular and popular Formula1 driver in the world, the idol of millions around the world.

The terrible accident at Zolder during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix meant that he is no longer with us in person, but his memory lives on to this day in everyone mind.


To commemorate his passing thirty years later, the Musée Gilles Villeneuve has produced a high quality lithograph that illustrates some great moments of his career: aboard his Ferrari, in conversation with Enzo Ferrari who treated him like a son, on the podium after his first Formula 1 victory, at Montreal in September 1978.

We can also see a “Labatt” logo, the company that played an essential role in his climb to success, and the “Salut Gilles” theme that we can still see on track surfaces and in the crowd at many Grand Prix every year.

Only 1227 copies (A combination of his two car numbers in F1, 12 and 27) of the lithograph will be produced, and sold for $350.

To order a copy, please contact the Musée Gilles-Villeneuve, at 1-800-639-0103 or www.museegillesvilleneuve@bellnet.ca.

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From GMM

Bahrain, the controversial island Kingdom, could have been central to McLaren's decision to agree the terms of the next Concorde Agreement.

Bahrain's ruling family, through its investment arm Mumtalakat Holdings, owns half of the famous British team.

The Times' F1 correspondent Kevin Eason quoted a source as saying the link "pushed (McLaren's) Concorde deal over the line".

In return for signing up, Bahrain reportedly received a "pledge" that last month's highly contentious grand prix would go ahead.

Start of the 2012 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix. (Photo: Pirelli)

Eason also said it is possible that one of McLaren's two Bahraini directors, rather than the obvious choice Ron Dennis, could be appointed to the F1 board once the sport is floated on the Singapore exchange.

Bernie Ecclestone denied the 2012 Bahrain grand prix and the Concorde Agreement deal were linked.

"It was nothing to do with the Bahrain race (going ahead). But McLaren liked the deal," the F1 chief executive insisted.

Intriguingly, however, F1's post-stock market floatation chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe has defended the controversial decision to push ahead with Bahrain last month.

"The race was exploited by the opposition in Bahrain, not vice versa," he told the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung. "That was not interpreted correctly by the media. If groups want to exploit sporting events for their interests, then the worst thing you can do is give way."

Protests in Bahrain. (Photo: WRi2)

Brabeck also compared Bahrain to England.

"In what countries are there no riots?" he asked rhetorically. "A year ago there were riots in London -- should the Olympic Games now be cancelled?"

From GMM

McLaren tested a higher front nose at the Mugello test last week.

Backmarker Marussia aside, the famous British team is the only team in 2012 to have resisted the temptation of running a high 'step' nose, in the wake of new safety regulations.

McLaren was the early frontrunner this season with its MP4-27 car, but Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton struggled notably last time out in Bahrain.

Oliver Turvey, McLaren (Photo: WRI2)

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the team quietly tested the significant nose development on the final day of Mugello testing last Thursday, with test driver Oliver Turvey at the wheel.

The report also speculated that McLaren experimented with an adjustable brake duct system at Mugello, which might be used to regulate tire temperature for the finicky 2012 Pirellis.

The system would have to be adjusted by the mechanics during a pitstop.

Nick Yelloly and Robin Frijns took wins in the two opening rounds of the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series in Alcaniz, Spain.

Yelloly moved up to first position after he passed poleman Arthur Pic at the start in race 1. Then, the Brit pulled away out in front, but was caught by Jules Bianchi, who put the pressure on the Brit.

Eventually, Yelloly maintained his lead until the checkered flag. Bianchi was excluded after his car failed post race scrutineering, which put Kevin Magnussen and Robin Frijns in 2nd and 3rd position.

Start of Race 1. (Photo: Renault)

Arthur Pic, brother of Marussia F1 driver Charles Pic, started Race 2 from pole position, but the Frenchman was overtaken at the start by Marco Sorensen.

However, Sorensen was forced to retire with a mechanical problem, which helped Robin Frijns to move into the lead, and win the race. The Dutch noe lead the provisional standings.

Race 1:
1 - Nick Yelloly - Comtec - 25 laps in 46'55"350
2 - Kevin Magnussen - Carlin + 12"543

3 - Robin Frijns - Fortec - 17"855

4 - Carlos Huertas - Fortec - 18"761
5 - Nikolay Martsenko - BVM Target + 19"385
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Robin Frijns - Fortec - 27 laps in 46'38"013
2 - Sam Bird - ISR + 9"908

3 - Arthur Pic - Dams + 10"898
4 - Kevin Korjus - Tech 1 + 15"787
5 - Alexander Rossi - Arden Caterham + 21"180
Etc.

Championship:
1. Frijns 40 points; 2. Yelloly 25; 3. Bird 20; 4. Magnussen 18; 5. Pic 15, etc.

No one could stop David Higgins, not even him, from taking a fourth win at the Oregon Trail Rally.

Higgins' main rivals, multi-time Canadian champions Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard, had to retire on stage 7. The pair is already at its second retirement of the season, in three rallies.

Antoine L'Estage, Mitsubishi. (Photo: Rally America)

Their bad luck pushed fellow Canadian regulars Crazy Leo Urlichich and Carl Williamson up to second. When Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew went off the road at high speed, bending a control arm, Urlichich and Williamson weren't close enough to capitalize on the mistake.

"I thought I was done for when I went off," said Higgins.

"But my team got me back on the road. I couldn't have done it without them. I'm so proud to win four Oregon Trail Rallies. I'm getting up there with Ken Block in wins at single events!" said Higgins.

David Higgins, Subaru. (Photo: Rally America)

2011 Rally America rookie of the year, Adam Yeoman, drove to third place in the overall standings, with the help of his co-driver Jordan Schulze.

Belgian Group N champion David Sterckx and his co-driver Karen Jankowski pulled off a class win in Super Production. The 2WD class was also won by an oversea pairing, in Australians Will Orders and Toni Feaver. Canadian Andrew Comrie-Picard took second behind them.

Results - Oregon Trail Rally (Rally America)

1. David Higgins / Craig Drew (2012 Subaru WRX STI) in 1h42min46.6s
2. Leonid Urlichich / Carl Williamson (2007 Subaru Beast) + 4min25.9s
3. Adam Yeoman / Jordan Schulze (2002 Subaru Impreza) + 10min20.2s
4. (1.) Will Orders / Toni Feaver (1989 Nissan Silvia) + 12min30.9s
5. (2.) Andrew Comrie-Picard / Jeremy Wimpey (2011 Scion xD) + 14min15.2s
6. (1.) David Sterckx / Karen Jankowski (2011 Subaru STI) + 14min16.2s
7. (2.) Dave Henderson / Terrence McDowell (2004 Subaru Impreza) + 14min47.1s
8. (3.) Edward McNelly / Terrence McDowell (2004 Subaru Impreza) + 18min54.1s
9. (3.) Chris O'Driscoll / Lori O'Driscoll (2007 Subaru WRX) + 22min39.1s.
10. (4.) Verena Mei / Leanne Junnila (2011 Ford Fiesta) + 39min03.7s


Source: Rally America

Lexus is trying to separate itself from parent Toyota Motors Corp.'s stable -- at least a little -- and come up with a global strategy that gives BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners a reason to switch.

Six months after he was dropped by Toro Rosso ahead of the 2012 season, Jaime Alguersuari was picked up by Pirelli to drive Robert Kubica's 2010-spec Renault R30.

Alguersuari will be behind the wheel of Pirelli's "new" test car through the next development phase of the different tire compounds. So far this season, the Italian tires have had a great deal of influence on the racing, for better and for worst.

Four grands prix have crowned four different winners: tire managing is as crucial as ever in 2012. Some like it, some don't.

"No one can imagine my enthusiasm in this very moment.  I'm just counting down the minutes to be behind the wheel of the most sophisticated machinery of the world. I could never imagine that I was going to miss so much the taste of Formula One," said Alguersuari about his comeback gig.

While testing for Pirelli, the 22-year-old Spaniard will keep his role with BBC Radio.

"Alongside this role I will keep my post with BBC Radio. I am really grateful to them for giving me the opportunity of joining such a professional team.

"I'm a happy man," he added.

Source: RPM Racing

From GMM

Rubens Barrichello is still refusing to give up on his formula one career.

After a record-setting 19 consecutive seasons on the grid, the 39-year-old Brazilian lost his Williams race seat for 2012 and switched to the premier American open-wheeler series, Indycar.

"I'm enjoying it," insisted Barrichello to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

"I have been welcomed and the feeling is a much more open one.

"But the fact that I keep active and am competing is, for me, still a way to be seen and to attract the eye of formula one.

"For all that I did in F1, I would be able to go back there," added the former Ferrari and Honda driver.

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is the Porsche for Canada. Why? Traction at all four compass points - that's why.


All-wheel-drive traction = all-weather performance
Before exploring this week's tester, I want to emphasize the "grip and rip" benefit derived from the distribution of power to all four wheels. It rains a lot in Canada, and it snows a lot as well. Such conditions are not ideal for Porsche ownership unless talking about the Cayenne -- and we're not.

We are focused this week on the iconic 911 sports coupe, a car that sets performance benchmarks on dry pavement -- and that's great if living in Arizona where the sun is a sure bet. North of the 49th, the odds make Vegas look promising.

While the Carrera 4 isn't meant for heavy snow days, its all-wheel traction greatly extends its usage window to include everything else, and that's why it's Canada's Porsche. As a daily driver, which the 911 is, the Carrera 4 with proper snow tires won't be laid-up awaiting the crocuses of spring; albeit the AWD traction of the Carrera 4 is about much more than winter driving.

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is the Porsche for Canada. Why? Traction at all four compass points - that's why. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

Four-wheel grip and technology enhance stability
The Porsche AWD system isn't something thrown willy-nilly beneath the 911. It's a highly sophisticated setup that utilizes intelligence known as Porsche Traction Management (PTM) along with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch combined with an automatic brake differential (ABD) and an anti-slip program (ASP).

That's a tremendous accumulation of cutting-edge technology engineered to maximize the benefit of the Carrera 4's AWD capability. And if it's not sufficient to confuse, allow me to throw in the Carrera's mechanically locking rear differential and Porsche's Stability Management program.

The point in citing this shopping list of electronics and mechanized wizardry isn't to baffle and befuddle but rather to illustrate the significance and sophistication of the Carrera 4's AWD setup.

My experience in the wet
My 2012 Carrera 4 tester was equipped with winter tires. Thanks to the abundance of grip at all four corners and the aforementioned technology, I could rocket off the line on slick pavement with nary a slip or spin from the snow tires as the full force of the Porsche powerplant exploded to life.

The degree of control the Carrera 4 provides under full acceleration in such unfavourable conditions is outstanding, whether attacking a hairpin or shooting a straight line. The Carrera 4 isn't unsettled when thrown a curve during a launch, wet or dry. It simply hunkers down and goes where it's pointed while the boxer brute behind the seat howls in delight.

The degree of control the Carrera 4 provides under full acceleration in such unfavourable conditions is outstanding, whether attacking a hairpin or shooting a straight line. (Photo: Porsche)

3.6L boxer engine strong and responsive
The 6-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine - for which Porsche is renowned - produces 345 hp @ 6,500 rpm and 288 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm. Power flows through a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) manual gearbox with an automatic mode.

My tester was PDK-equipped, which included shift paddles to eliminate the need to remove a hand from the beautifully contoured steering wheel. The PDK is a remarkable component that provides the benefits of a manual gearbox with the ease of using an automatic transmission.

Thanks to the optional Sport Chrono Package, my tester was equipped with 'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' modes that revised engine response and vehicle damping to enhance performance and extend handling thresholds.

Sport Plus also includes Porsche's 'Launch Control' function, which allows the vehicle to literally leap off the line at 6,500 rpm, reaching 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds according to Porsche.

The 6-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine - for which Porsche is renowned - produces 345 hp @ 6,500 rpm and 288 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

Outstanding performance in a daily driver
Everyday drivability is one of the attributes making the 911 Porsche Carrera so popular. This is an exotic vehicle that is sufficiently refined and adequately comfortable to use as a daily commuter. While the ride quality is firm, it's not punishing or race-car stiff unless the Sport Plus mode is activated.

And while it's not a particularly quiet car, the deep, symphonic engine note is pure bliss to those who care about such characteristics. My tester was tight and rattle-free, which again added to the delight it delivered day after day.

997 vs. 991
Sharp-eyed Porsche aficionados will correctly note that my 2012 Carrera 4 tester is a 997 generation 911. It will eventually be replaced by the all-new 991 generation, which was recently launched in Santa Barbara, California. I wrote a "First Impressions" review of the 991. For now though, the 2012 Carrera 4 will continue as a 997 generation.

Wrapping the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
The 911 is a masterful sports coupe that enjoys immense popularity around the globe. The Carrera 4 enables its Canadian owners to drive through some of the worst that Mother Nature assails upon our polite mild-mannered population, justly expanding the usage window of this exhilarating automotive icon.

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From GMM

Food giant Nestle's boss has confirmed he is set to enter the world of formula one.

Austrian businessman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe confirmed to Kleine Zeitung newspaper that he has been lined up to chair the sport's parent company once it has floated on the Singapore exchange.

"That's right," said the 67-year-old.

"And it's true that I have agreed to take over the chairmanship of the supervisory board in a non-executive function.

"If formula one is to be a public company then it is important that the chairman is independent."

Brabeck-Letmathe confirmed that Bernie Ecclestone, 82, is remaining F1's chief executive.

"We certainly hope that Bernie stays healthy for a long time and can keep on working," he said.

"I am already impressed with his performance. But of course it is the task of a supervisory board to ensure the succession of a business.

"At Nestle, I have always ensured that everyone can be replaced from the executive board within 24 hours. So we need to think about how to replace Bernie Ecclestone as well."

BMW has won its first DTM race since its return in the championship, thanks to Bruno Spengler's performance at the Lausitzring, for the championship's second round.

Bruno Spengler on his way to victory (Photo: DTM.com)

Spengler, who set the pole position on Saturday, had to fend off Gary Paffett's (C Class Mercedes) attacks from the very first lap until the finish line.

It marked BMW's first victory since the German brand made its DTM return, after a 20-year-long absence, and 50th in the championship, but also the 10th DTM win for Spengler, who moves up to third in provisional classification, even though he was forced to an early retirement after an accident in the opening round in Hockenheim one week ago.

Paffett, who started from third position, had a good start and moved up to second ahead of Augusto Farfus' BMW, who started from outside row 1. The Brazilian concluded the race in third position, ahead of Jamie Green's Mercedes, who was on his way for a podium finish until a bad pit stop put him out of contention.

Mattias Ekström was the best Audi driver, the Swede finishing fifth.

Robert Wickens, the other Canadian in DTM, was forced to retire after an technical issue on his C Class Mercedes. His was the only retirement of the race.



Race results - DTM (Lausitzring)

1 - Bruno Spengler (BMW M3) - Schnitzer - 52 laps in 1h09min45.795s

2 - Gary Paffett (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA + 1.019s
3 - Augusto Farfus (BMW M3) - RBM + 7.069s
4 - Jamie Green (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA + 7.676s

5 - Mattias Ekstrom (Audi A5) - Abt + 21.362s
6 - Timo Scheider (Audi A5) - Abt + 22.607s

7 - Martin Tomczyk (BMW M3) - RMG + 25.446s
8 - Edoardo Mortara (Audi A5) - Rosberg + 32.202s
Etc.

Championship :

1.Paffett 43 points; 2.Green 30; 3.Spengler et Ekstrom 25; 5.Farfus 15; 6.Vietoris 12; 7.Rockenfeller 10; 8.Priaulx e Scheider 8; 10.Schumacher 7, etc.

From GMM

Ralf Schumacher has tipped his brother to keep racing beyond his 44th birthday.

Schumacher's Mercedes deal runs out this year, but talks about a new contract for 2013 are yet to be discussed.

Ralf Schumacher, also a grand prix winner and six years younger than his more famous sibling, was asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper about Michael's recent anti-Pirelli outburst.

Asked if it was an overreaction to the fact his teammate Nico Rosberg was the first Mercedes driver to win in 2012, Ralf answered: "It has nothing to do with it.

"But for sure Michael came back to celebrate successes with Mercedes. And until he succeeds, he will not give up.

"I still see a lot of fire in Michael," said Ralf Schumacher, now a DTM driver with Mercedes.

"He is pushing hard, as we saw as recently as Mugello last week."

Ralf said Mercedes' 2012 F1 car, the W03, is well built.

"I think we will see Michael on the podium soon," he insisted.

"At some point, there surely comes a point when the body can't do it any more. But when I look at Michael, that's still a few years away.

"I certainly won't be racing as long as he has," he laughed.

The summer is still seven weeks away. But Talladega pole winner Jeff Gordon is already worried about the heat.

In an effort to limit tandem drafting NASCAR has made regulations that cause overheating if cars run nose-to-tail for too long.

"Those temperatures are being managed from the moment that car went on the track yesterday until the end of the race tomorrow. So, even in qualifying we were trying to manage them and not get them too hot," Gordon said after winning his 71st career pole at a speed of 191.623-mph around the 2.66 mile superspeedway.

With a forecast of even hotter weather for Sunday's race water temperatures are on every Sprint Cup driver's mind.

"Basically our entire race for 498 or whatever miles is going to be managing temperatures the best that we possibly can. I think it is going to be...

"The last thing you can do [is] pop that valve off. You pop that valve off, you start losing water, and you're in trouble," said Gordon who drives a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motor Sports.

AJ Allmendinger who was second quick, at 191.111mph, in a Penske Racing Dodge feels Sunday's race has virtually nothing to do with Saturday.

"Qualifying in the end doesn't really matter. If you get the pole, you can at least feel like you're best for a day. We'll be at the front to the back, the back to the front a hundred times during the race.

"You just hope when you're at the front, it's at the right time, at about lap 185 and you stay up there and have a chance to win the thing," Allmendinger said.

Australia's Marcos Ambrose will start third in a Ford alongside teammate, Aric Almirola.

JJ Yeley failed to qualify for Sunday's race.

Joey Logano used the good old slingshot to beat Kyle Busch to the checkered flag at the Aarons 312 Nationwide race at Talladega,

"Coming off turn four, I looked in the mirror and was like, 'Okay, I have a pretty good gap here.' Then I started thinking, 'Okay, when's the moment, when's the moment?' He (Busch) knew it was coming, he knew it was going to happen," said Logano.

"You're just a sitting duck when you're the leader -- Kyle was just a sitting duck."

Busch, who finished 0.034 seconds behind Logano's Toyota, agreed "you just know you're kind of a sitting duck. I just can't say enough about Joey and the guys at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing). They pushed me to a win the last time here and gave me the chance to be in victory lane.

Photo finish (Photo: NASCAR.com)

"There's nothing I can do, it wasn't worth blocking and taking a chance of ending up in the fence or anything."

Ricky Stenhouse Junior's Ford passed Cole Witt's Chevrolet to take third place and gain the Nationwide Series points lead after Elliott Sadler had a lengthy pit stop for repairs and end up 10th.

The race finished after a second green white checker following a hard crash involving Eric McClure whose car slammed into the SAFER barrier on the inside of the main straight.

The race was red flagged for 19 minutes to extricate McClure from his damaged car. He was transported to the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital.

"Eric is awake, alert and talking to family members. He is being kept overnight for further observation," according to a team spokesperson.

And there was more action after the race.

Danica Patrick and former Indy 500 winner, Sam Hornish Jr. were battling for 12th position at the checkered flag.

It appeared that Hornish forced Ms. Patrick high, slowing her down. After the start finish line Patrick took her car into Hornish forcing him into a minor crash. Neither were injured and NASCAR took no immediate further action.

Later Saturday evening, Steve O'Donnell, Vice President of Racing Operations at NASCAR, tweeted that NASCAR was not finished into inquiring about the incident.

"Not ignoring inquiries on 7 (Patrick), was busy with wreck post race. Will get updates to everyone."

Both the National Highway Traffic Security Association (NHTSA) and the German federal office came to the conclusion that too many accidents are caused by driver's fatigue.

While the NHTSA points out in a 2006 study that 20% of the accidents are caused by fatigue, the German office adds that the same phenomenon is the second biggest cause of accidents involving trucks.

Photo: Bosch

That's why Bosch has been working on a "sleep-o-meter", able to detect and assess the first signs of fatigue at the wheel, that should go into production later this year.

"A number of vehicles are already equipped with steering-wheel angle sensors, which work with the ESP systems," Robert Bosch France president's Guy Maugis said.

"It can easily, and cheaply, be used to detect whether or not the driver is falling asleep, which would in turn increase road safety."

The system takes into account how many times long pauses in steering-wheel movements are followed by sudden impulses. It then mixes those figures with other variables such as speed, and, when they become too frequent, lights up a little coffee cup indicator, on the dash, to tell the driver it is time to rest, but more importantly, to stop to do so.

Toyota won dismissal of most claims by Florida and New York car owners who contended the company drove down the value of their vehicles by failing to disclose or fix defects related to unintended acceleration.

Almost 30 years after the minivan was introduced, after attacks from all sides, Chrysler Group remains on top. Now, CEO Sergio Marchionne will have to decide how best to sustain the success.