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Using the data contained in the “Black Book Formula One,” we guesstimated the money Caterham will receive this winter in preparation for the 2013 season.

“Black Book Formula One” is a 300-page softbound book published in the UK by SportsPro Media Ltd.

Big battle this season between Caterham and Marussia for the 10th place in the constructor's championship. (Photo: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic)

However, can we rely on the figures it contains? During a dinner held during the week of a previous Canadian GP, I sat beside the account manager of a top Formula 1 team who told me: “Well... For people who do not have access to the contracts and the legal documents, I have to admit that their numbers are pretty close to reality...”

The 2010 edition of the Black Book disclose the approximate money each team receives, based on the 2009 constructor's championship. Only the top 10 teams receive payments.

1: Mercedes GP (from Brawn): $52M
2: Red Bull Racing: $48M
3: McLaren: $46M
4: Ferrari: $45M
(5: Toyota, but withdrew from the sport at the end of the 2009 season)
6: Sauber: $38M
7: Williams: $38M
8: Renault: $37M
9: Force India: $35M
10: Toro Rosso: $33M

This year, there was a huge battle between Caterham and Marussia for the 10th place in the constructor's championship. In the end, Tony Fernandes' Caterham clinched that magical 10th place when Vitaly Petrov crossed the line in 11th place at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Cyril Abitboul, Caterham Team boss, happy with the 11th place of Vitaly Petrov after the Brazilian Grand Prix. (Photo: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic)

Best placings per team:
Caterham, Vitaly Petrov: 11th place in Brazil
Marussia, Charles Pic: 12th place in Brazil
Marussia, Timo Glock: 12th place in Singapore
Caterham, Heikki Kovalainen: 13th place in Monaco and Abu Dhabi
HRT, Narain Karthikeyan: 15th place in Monaco
HRT, Pedro de la Rosa: 17th place in Valencia, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Brazil

So, according to the figures published in the Black Book, we can assume that Caterham should receive at least $30M in bonus from the holder of the commercial rights, in addition to the money they get from their sponsorship contacts.

As the latest expression of the brand's ''KODO - Soul of Motion'' design language, the hot new 2014 Mazda6 made a splash today at the Los Angeles Auto Show ahead of its arrival in North American showrooms early next year.

Offering six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the 2014 Mazda6 comes with a new 2.5L SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine. A 2.2L SKYACTIV-D diesel engine will also be available at a later date, making Mazda the first Asian manufacturer to offer a modern clean-diesel engine in a non-commercial vehicle.

The 2014 Mazda6 also features the innovative i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system.

Final specifications and fuel economy numbers for all trim levels will be revealed closer to the on-sale date, as will standard features, optional packages and pricing.

Photo: Mazda

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has slammed as a "complete joke" Ferrari's efforts to question the outcome of the 2012 world championship.

The controversy erupted when video footage emerged - and was circulated widely by "Fernando Alonso's management" according to Sport Bild - of Sebastian Vettel purportedly overtaking illegally under yellow flag conditions at Interlagos.

Ferrari confirmed that it asked the governing body for "clarification", and spokesman Luca Colajanni insists the Maranello team has "until tomorrow (Friday) to file an appeal".

British newspapers quote F1 chief executive Ecclestone as blasting the affair "a complete joke".

"It was a super race, a super championship. Now everyone is talking about this," he said.

Ecclestone said the subsequent furore is a "joke" because of the "fact" that Vettel overtook only once he had passed a waving green flag.

"I don't think there needs to be any action taken. It's completely and utterly wrong," he added. "It's a very silly, bad thing for anyone to do to push this because there is nothing in it. Ferrari had a great season but this was a mistake."

And he told Germany's Der Spiegel: "Vettel will suffer no consequence and will remain the 2012 world champion."

Sebastian Vettel, triple world champion with Red Bull, 2010-2011-2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, FIA spokesman Norman Howell indicated that the Paris federation will now spell out the news to Ferrari in a formal letter of response.

"Now that Ferrari has sent us a letter asking for an explanation we will give it to them," he said.

F1 race director Charlie Whiting added: "We never had any doubt that Vettel's overtaking was compliant.

"There were conflicting flags and lights," he acknowledged to Germany's Sport Bild. "It was investigated during the race, with the result that there should be no punishment."

An FIA spokesman added: "Vettel's title is not in danger. A further investigation will not happen."

However, Bernie Ecclestone acknowledged that another route open to Ferrari is civil action.

"But the case is flawed before it starts," he told the Telegraph. "Nothing is going to happen."

But what has happened already is the criticism of Ferrari and Spaniard Alonso. Germany's Berliner Kurier accused them of being "sore losers".

And the Bild-Zeitung daily said the efforts to have Vettel's championship overturned are "Unfair. Un-ferrari".

China's government has approved a plan by Wanxiang Group, a major Chinese auto parts maker, to acquire bankrupt U.S. battery maker A123 Systems, although a deal still hinges on the outcome of an auction next month and U.S. government approval.

Hyundai's admission that it overstated fuel economy claims on several of its top-selling cars has the industry worried, with speculation rife among executives and analysts at the Los Angeles Auto Show that more automakers may have to do the same.

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First Drive: 2013 Honda Civic

Honda takes a mulligan.

It isn’t too often that a car company admits to having whiffed a redesign, but that’s what Honda has done with the Civic. When the all-new, 2012 model made its debut, Honda was stung by the reception its new baby received, and soon promised a quick fix -- that would arrive for the very next model year. Honda would take a do-over, if you will.

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Green Car Journal has named the 2013 Ford Fusion sedan the Green Car of the Year.

Ford Motor Co. will upgrade and extend the warranty by two years on its MyFord Touch system following a series of consumer complaints and poor reviews of the automaker's touchscreen entertainment and navigation system.