Auto News 5

From GMM

McLaren has urged Sergio Perez to keep up his fighting spirit, despite rebuking the Mexican for pushing "over the limit" in his battle with teammate Jenson Button in Bahrain.

Reports say team boss Martin Whitmarsh had firm words with the 23-year-old after the Bahrain race, following Button's depiction of their clashes as "dangerous" and "dirty".

But just a week ago, in China, Martin Whitmarsh had accused struggling Perez of being "too polite" in wheel-to-wheel duels, urging him to use his "elbows" in future.

"I don't want to curb Checo's passion and spark, because that's what got him past Alonso and Webber," Whitmarsh said. "And even if he knows that he pissed off his teammate, I don't suppose that will keep him awake tonight."

Jenson Button ahead Sergio Perez, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Earlier, Perez admitted the early pressure of being a McLaren driver in the spotlight, versus racing with Sauber in 2011 and 2012, was palpable.

His predecessor at the great British team, Lewis Hamilton, admitted he has noticed the strain on Perez.

"There is a lot of pressure when you are in such a strong and powerful team like that," said Hamilton. "It's not easy. Just as it is here (at Mercedes). The team relies heavily on you, on just those two drivers to pull those results out and if you don't you feel it."

"He looks like an individual who feels it," he added.

Stephane Ortelli and Laurens Vanthoor (Audi R8) won qualifying race in Zolder, before taking second position in championship race, which put him in first position in provisional classification.

Photo: Audi Motorsport

The pair already clinched victory in main race in the opening round in Nogaro. Vanthoor moved up in front of qualifying race when the Lamborghini Gallardo driven by Stefan Rosina went wide in the closing lap, after the italian car started from pole position. The Audi won qualifying race, as the second WRT car driven by Mayr and Melnof completed the podium.

Peter Kox and Stefan Rosina took revenge on Sunday. The Lamborghini moved up to the lead in the first stint, then Rosina was, this time, able to keep the pressure from Vanthoor and maintain its lead until the checkered flag.

Photo: FIA GT Series

Ortelli and Vanthoor now stand in first position in provisional classification, two points ahead of Sandstrom and Stippler, with Kox and Rosina in third position.

After a great start of the season in Nogaro, the Sébastien Loeb Racing had a tough week end in Belgium. Loeb and his team mate Alvaro Parente were given a penalty after qualifying for a turbo pressure issue, and were forced to start from the back of the grid. The pair was caught in race incidents in both races, as their team mate Zuber and Parisy took fourth place in both races.

Qualifying race:
1 - Ortelli/Vanthoor (Audi R8) - WRT
2 - Kox/Rosina (Lamborghini Gallardo) - Reiter - 10"332
3 - Mayr-Melnhof/Rast (Audi R8) - WRT - 15"928
4 - Zuber/Parisy (McLaren MP4-12C) - Loeb - 16"427
5 - Stippler/Sandstrom (Audi R8) - WRT - 17"355
Etc.

Championship race:
1 - Kox/Rosina (Lamborghini Gallardo) - Reiter
2 - Ortelli/Vanthoor (Audi R8) - WRT - 0"448
3 - Stippler/Sandstrom (Audi R8) - WRT - 3"763
4 - Zuber/Parisy (McLaren MP4-12C) - Loeb - 14"587
5 - Mayr-Melnhof/Rast (Audi R8) - WRT - 17"899
Etc.

Championship:
1. Ortelli/Vanthoor 44 points ; 2. Sandstrom/Stippler 42; 3. Kox/Rosina 32; 4. Mayr-Melnhof/Rast 31; 5. Ide/Kumpen 24, etc.

From GMM

Romain Grosjean has hit back at Alain Prost, after the quadruple world champion said the Lotus driver's lack of pace in 2013 was due to his "emotionally difficult situation".

"I haven't seen him (Prost) this year," Grosjean said, after putting his early-season troubles behind him with a podium in Bahrain.

"I have a deep respect for what he did but I think it's easy to speak when you are not here," the 27-year-old added.

The two Lotus drivers on the podium. (Photo: WRi2)

Grosjean struggled with a mysterious problem in Australia, Malaysia and China, leading Lotus to wipe the slate clean with a brand new chassis for the Swiss-born Frenchman in Bahrain. Grosjean drove chassis 01 since the beginning of the season, and switched to 02 for the Bahrain race.

"We have realised what was wrong," he told France's RMC Sport. "There was nothing mechanically broken. Honestly, I can't tell you what it was because it's confidential, but I said on the radio on Saturday morning 'This is day and night -- this is the car I love'. I had asked myself whether it was me, or the tires, or the car, but in the end it was neither one nor the other, but a combination very difficult to detect."

Team boss Eric Boullier backed Grosjean's explanation.

"Well, we found a lot of details that had not been working well in Romain's car," he is quoted by Speed Week. "It's nice to see him smiling again."

Romain Grosjean at the arrival of the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Finally, Grosjean dismissed Prost's diagnosis that his recent struggles had a psychological cause.

"I think that the fact that you're able to come back from a very difficult situation proves that I think he was wrong," he said.

If it's NASCAR Sprint Cup you're interested in, you've come to the right page.  Find everything you need to follow the 2013 season, right here at the reach of your mouse.

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

TEAMS
From BK to Wood Brothers, all the race teams that entered the 2013 Sprint Cup season are listed here, along with everything there is to know about them.

BK Racing
www.bkracing.com
260 Aviation Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
USA
Owners: Ron Devine, Wayne Press
Drivers:
David Reutimann - No. 83 Toyota Camry
Travis Kvapil - No. 93 Toyota Camry
Crew Chiefs:
Doug Richert (Reutimann)
Todd Anderson (Kvapil)
Engine Builder: BK Engines
Team Twitter Account: @BKRacing8393
Driver Twitter Accounts: @TravisKvapil, @DavidReutimann

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
www.earnhardtganassi.com
8500 Westmoreland Drive
Concord, NC 28027
USA
Owners: Teresa Earnhardt, Chip Ganassi, Felix Sabates
Drivers:
Jamie McMurray - No. 1 McDonald's Chevrolet
Juan Pablo Montoya - No. 42 Target Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Kevin Manion (McMurray)
Chris Heroy (Montoya)
Engine Builder: Hendrick Engines
Team Twitter Account: @EGRTeams
Driver Twitter Accounts: @JamieMcMurray, @jpmontoya

FAS Lane Racing
www.faslaneracing.com
160 Gasoline Alley
Mooresville, NC 28115
USA
Owner: Frank Stoddard
Drivers:
Ken Schrader - No. 32 Federated Auto Parts Ford
Terry Labonte - No. 32 C&J Energy Ford
Timmy Hill - No. 32 US Chrome Ford
Crew Chief:
Frank Stoddard
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @fas_lane_racing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @KenSchrader, @TimmyHillRacer

Front Row Motorsports
www.teamfrm.com
2670 Peachtree Road
Statesville, NC 28625
USA
Owner: Bob Jenkins
Drivers:
Josh Wise - No. 26 Front Row Motorsports Ford
David Ragan - No. 34 Peanut Patch Ford
David Gilliland - No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Steven Lane (Wise) Jay Guy (Ragan)
Frank Kerr (Gilliland)
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @FrontRowNASCAR
Driver Twitter Accounts: @Josh_Wise, @DavidRagan, @DavidGilliland

Furniture Row Racing
www.furniturerowracing.com
4000 Forest Street
Denver, CO 80216
USA
Owner: Barney Visser
Driver:
Kurt Busch - No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet
Crew Chief:
Todd Berrier
Engine Builder: ECR Engines
Team Twitter Account: @FR78Racing
Driver Twitter Account: @KurtBusch

Germain Racing
www.germainracing.com
218 Raceway Drive
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Owner: Bob Germain Jr.
Driver:
Casey Mears - No. 13 GEICO Ford
Crew Chief:
Bootie Barker Engine
Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
218 Raceway Drive
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Team Twitter Account: @GermainRacing

Hendrick Motorsports
www.hendrickmotorsports.com
4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28262
USA
Owner: Rick Hendrick
Drivers:
Kasey Kahne - No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet
Jeff Gordon - No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet
Jimmie Johnson - No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Kenny Francis (Kahne)
Alan Gustafson (Gordon) Steve Letarte (Earnhardt)
Chad Knaus (Johnson)
Engine Builder: Hendrick Motorsports
Team Twitter Account: @TeamHendrick
Driver Twitter Accounts: @JimmieJohnson, @JeffGordonWeb, @kaseykahne, @DaleJr

Humphrey-Smith Racing, LLC
114 Meadow Hill Circle
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Owners: Randy Humphrey, Mark Smith
Driver:
Mike Bliss - No. 19 Plinker Tactical Toyota
Crew Chief:
Peter Sospenzo
Engine Builder: Pro Motor Engines

Joe Gibbs Racing
www.joegibbsracing.com
13415 Reese Blvd.
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owner: Joe Gibbs
Drivers:
Denny Hamlin - No. 11 FedEx Toyota
Kyle Busch - No. 18 M&M's Toyota
Matt Kenseth - No. 20 Dollar General/Husky Toyota
Crew Chiefs:
Darian Grubb (Hamlin)
Dave Rogers (Busch)
Jason Ratcliff (Kenseth)
Engine Builder: Mark Cronquist
Team Twitter Account: @JoeGibbsRacing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @kylebusch, @DennyHamlin, @mattkenseth

JTG/Daugherty Racing
www.jtgdaughertyracing.com
7201 Caldwell Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075
USA
Owners: Tad Geschickter, Jodi Geschickter, Brad Daugherty
Driver:
Bobby Labonte - No. 47 Kingsford/Clorox/Scott Products/ Bush's Beans Toyota
Crew Chief:
Brian Burns
Engine Builder: Triad Racing Technologies
Team Twitter Account: @nascar47
Driver Twitter Account: @Bobby_Labonte

Leavine Family Racing
www.lfr95.com
6007 Victory Lane
Concord, NC 28027
USA
Owner: W. Robert “Bob” Leavine
Driver:
Scott Speed - No.95 Leavine Family Racing Ford
Crew Chief:
Wally Rogers
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @LeavineFamily95
Driver Twitter Accounts: @ScottSpeed

Michael Waltrip Racing
www.michaelwaltripracing.com
20310 Chartwell Center Drive
Cornelius, NC 28031
USA
Owners: Michael Waltrip, Robert Kauffman
Drivers:
Clint Bowyer - No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota
Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip - No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
Martin Truex Jr. - No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
Crew Chiefs:
Rodney Childers (Martin, Vickers & Waltrip)
Chad Johnston (Truex)
Brian Pattie (Bowyer)
Engine Builder: TRD, U.S.A., Inc.
Team Twitter Account: @MWRTeam
Driver Twitter Accounts: @mw55, @ClintBowyer, @55markmartin, @martintruexjr56, @brianlvickers

NEMCO Motorsports
www.nemcomotorsports.com
P.O. Box 177
Mooresville, NC 28115
USA
Owner: Andrea Nemechek
Driver:
Joe Nemechek - No. 87 NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
Crew Chief:
Steve Gray Engine Builder: TBD
Driver Twitter Account: @FrontRowJoe87

Penske Racing
www.penskeracing.com
200 Penske Way
PO Box 500
Mooresville, NC 28115
USA
Owner: Roger Penske
Drivers:
Brad Keselowski - No. 2 Miller Lite Ford
Joey Logano - No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Paul Wolfe (Keselowski)
Todd Gordon (Logano)
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @PenskeRacing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @keselowski, @joeylogano

Phil Parsons Racing
103 Center Lane
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owner: Mike Curb
Driver:
Michael McDowell - No. 98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford
Crew Chief:
Gene Nead
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
103 Center Lane Huntersville, NC 28078
Team Twitter Account: @PR98
Driver Twitter Account: @Mc_Driver

Phoenix Racing
www.phoenixracinginc.com
195 Jones Road
Spartanburg, SC 29307
USA
Owner: James Finch
Driver:
Regan Smith, AJ Allmendinger and Austin Dillon - No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet
Crew Chief:
Nick Harrison
Engine Builder: Hendrick Motorsports
Team Twitter Account: @PhoenixRacing51

Richard Childress Racing
www.rcrracing.com
425 Industrial Drive
Welcome, NC 27374
USA
Owner: Richard Childress
Drivers:
Paul Menard - No. 27 Menards Chevrolet
Kevin Harvick - No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John's Chevrolet
Jeff Burton - No. 31 Caterpillar/Cheerios Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Richard “Slugger” Labbe (Menard)
Gil Martin (Harvick)
Luke Lambert (Burton)
Engine Builder: ECR Engines
Team Twitter Accounts: @RCRRacing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick, @RCR31JeffBurton

Richard Petty Motorsports
www.richardpettymotorsports.com
403 Gilead Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owners: Richard Petty, Andrew Murstein, Doug Bergeron
Drivers:
Marcos Ambrose - No. 9 Stanley Ford
Aric Almirola - No. 43 Smithfield Foods/U.S. Air Force/STP Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Todd Parrott (Almirola)
Drew Blickensderfer (Ambrose)
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
403 Gilead Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Team Twitter Account: @RPMotorsports
Driver Twitter Accounts: @MarcosAmbrose, @aric_almirola

Roush Fenway Racing
www.roushfenway.com
4200 Roush Place
Concord, NC 28027
USA
Owners: Jack Roush, John Henry
Drivers:
Greg Biffle - No. 16 3M Ford
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - No. 17 Best Buy Ford
Carl Edwards - No. 99 Fastenal Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Matt Puccia (Biffle)
Scott Graves (Stenhouse Jr.)
Jimmy Fennig (Edwards)
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @roushfenway
Driver Twitter Account: @stenhousejr, @gbiffle

Danica Patrick (Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

Stewart-Haas Racing
www.stewarthaasracing.com
13016 Eastfield Road, Suite 200-126
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owners: Tony Stewart, Gene Haas
Drivers:
Tony Stewart - No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
Ryan Newman - No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet
Danica Patrick - No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Steve Addington (Stewart)
Matt Borland (Newman)
Tony Gibson (Patrick)
Engine Builder: Hendrick Motorsports
Team Twitter Account: @StewartHaasRcng

Swan Racing
www.swanracingteam.com
117 Crosslake Park Drive
Mooresville NC 28117
USA
Owner: Brandon Davis
Driver:
David Stremme
Crew Chief:
Tony Eury Jr.
Engine Builder: Triad Racing Technologies
Team Twitter Account: @SwanRacingCo
Driver Twitter Accounts: @DavidStremme

Tommy Baldwin Racing
www.tommybaldwinracing.com
296 Cayuga Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Owner: Tommy Baldwin
Drivers:
Dave Blaney - No. 7 Accell/Seal Wrap Chevrolet
J.J. Yeley - No. 36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Tommy Baldwin (Blaney) TBD (Yeley)
Engine Builder: ECR Engines, Pro Motor Engines
Team Twitter Account: @TBR_Racing
Driver Twitter Account: @BuckeyeBullet10, @jjyeley1

Wood Brothers Racing
www.woodbrothersracing.com
7201 Caldwell Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075
USA
Owners: Glen Wood, Eddie Wood, Len Wood and Kim Hall
Driver:
Trevor Bayne - No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford
Crew Chief:
Donnie Wingo
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates
Team Twitter Account: @woodbrothers21
Driver Twitter Account: @tbayne21

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

TRACKS
Wondering what the banking on the backstretch at Michigan International Speedway is like, or maybe you want to know how many people fit in the grandstands at Talladega?

Don't look any further! We've got stats on all 22 race tracks featured on the 2013 calendar.


Atlanta Motor Speedway
www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
Event: AdvoCar 500 (September 1st)
Track Length: 1.54 Miles
Race Length: 500.5 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 99,000
Banking: 24 degrees in corners, 5 degrees on straights
Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
Backstretch: 1,800 feet

Auto Club Speedway
www.autoclubspeedway.com
Event: Auto Club 400 (March 24)
Track Length: 2 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 90,988
Banking: 14 degrees in turns, 11 degrees on frontstretch, 3 degrees on backstretch
Frontstretch: 3,100 feet
Backstretch: 2,500 feet

Bristol Motor Speedway
www.bristolmotorspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Food City 500 (March 17)
IRWIN Tools Night Race (August 24)
Track Length: .533 Mile
Race Length: 500 Laps
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 160,000
Banking: Turns vary from 24 to 28 degrees, frontstretch varies from 5 to 9 degrees, backstretch varies from 4-8 degrees
Frontstretch: 650 feet
Backstretch: 650 feet

Charlotte Motor Speedway
www.charlottemotorspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Coca-Cola 600 (May 26)
Bank of America 500 (October 12)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 600 Miles (1), 500 Miles (2)
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 135,000
Banking in Corners: 24 degrees
Banking on Straights: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,980 feet
Backstretch: 1,500 feet

Chicagoland Speedway
www.chicagolandspeedway.com
2013 Event: GEICO 400 (September 15)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 70,000
Banking in Turns: 18 degrees
Banking on tri-oval: 11 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,400 feet
Backstretch: 1,700 feet

Darlington Raceway
www.darlingtonraceway.com
2013 Event: Bojangles' Southern 500 (May 11)
Track Length: 1.366 Miles
Race Length: 500 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 60,000
Degree of Banking in Corners: 25 degrees - Turns 1 & 2; 23 degrees - Turns 3 & 4
Banking on Straights: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,229 feet
Backstretch: 1,229 feet

Dover International Speedway
www.doverspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Dover 400 (June 2)
AAA 400 (September 29)
Track Length: 1 Mile
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 113,000
Banking in Corners: 24 degrees
Banking on Straights: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,076 feet
Backstretch: 1,076 feet

Homestead-Miami Speedway
www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com
2013 Event: Ford EcoBoost 400 (November 17)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 55,000
Banking in Corners: 18-20 degrees (variable)
Banking on Straights: 4 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,760 feet
Backstretch: 1,760 feet

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com
2013 Event: Crown Royal presents the “Your Hero's Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard (July 28)
Track Length: 2.5 Miles (160 laps = 400 miles)
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 250,000+
Banking in Corners: 9 degrees
Banking on Straights: 0 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,330 feet
Backstretch: 3,300 feet

Kansas Speedway
www.kansasspeedway.com
2013 Events:
STP 400 (April 21)
Hollywood Casino 400 (October 6)*
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 73,635
Banking in Corners: 17-20 degrees (variable)
Banking on Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,685 feet
Backstretch: 2,207 feet

*Note: After April 2012 race, due to the repaving of Kansas Speedway the configurations will adjust for October race.

Kentucky Speedway
www.kentuckyspeedway.com
2013 Event: Quaker State 400 (June 29)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race length: 400 miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 107,000
Degree of Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
Degree of Banking on Straights: Front - 8 degrees;
Back - 4 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,662 feet
Backstretch: 1,600 feet

Las Vegas Motor Speedway
www.lvms.com
2013 Event: Kobalt Tools 400 (March 10)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 142,000
Banking in Corners: 20 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 9 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,275 feet
Backstretch: 1,572 feet

Martinsville Speedway
www.martinsvillespeedway.com
2013 Events:
Virginia 500 (April 7)
Goody's Fast Relief 500 (October 27)
Track Length: .526 Mile
Race Length: 500 Laps
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 65,000
Banking in Corners: 12 degrees
Banking on Straights: 0 degrees
Frontstretch: 800 feet
Backstretch: 800 feet

Michigan International Speedway
www.MISpeedway.com
2013 Events:
Michigan 400
Pure Michigan 400
Track Length: 2 Mile
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 85,000
Banking in Corners: 18 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 12 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,600 feet
Backstretch: 2,242 feet

New Hampshire Motor Speedway
www.nhms.com
2013 Events:
New Hampshire 300 (July 14)
SYLVANIA 300 (September 22)
www.nhms.com
Track Length: 1.058 Mile
Race Length: 318.458 Miles (1), 317.4 Miles (2)
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 93,521
Banking in Corners: Variable banking at 2 & 7 degrees
Banking on Straights: 1 degree
Frontstretch: 1,500 feet
Backstretch: 1,500 feet

Phoenix International Raceway
www.phoenixraceway.com
2013 Events:
SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 (March 3)
Kobalt Tools 500 (November 10)
Track Length: 1 Mile
Race Length: 500 Kilometers
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 50,000
Banking in Turns 1 and 2: 11 degrees
Banking in Turns 3 and 4: 9 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,179 feet
Backstretch: 1,551 feet

Pocono Raceway
www.poconoraceway.com
2013 Events:
Pocono 400 (June 9)
Pennsylvania 400 (August 4)
Track Length: 2.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A
Banking in Turn 1: 14 degrees
Banking in Turn 2: 8 degrees
Banking in Turn 3: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,740 feet
Backstretch: 3,055 feet
Shortstretch: 1,780 feet

Richmond International Raceway
www.rir.com
2013 Events:
Toyota Owners 400 (April 27)
Federated Auto Parts 400 (September 7)
Track Length: 0.75 Miles
Race Length: 400 Laps
Grandstand Capacity: 94,063
Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 8 degrees; Banking on Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,290 feet
Backstretch: 860 feet

Sonoma Raceway
www.racesonoma.com
2013 Event: Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 23)
Track Length: 1.99 Miles
Race Length: 350 Kilometers
Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A

Talladega Superspeedway
www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Aaron's 499 (May 5)
Camping World RV Sales 500 (October 20)
Track Length: 2.66 Miles
Race Length: 500 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 108,000
Banking in Corners: 33 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 4,300 feet
Backstretch: 4,000 feet

Texas Motor Speedway
www.texasmotorspeedway.com
2013 Events
Texas 500 (April 13)
AAA Texas 500 (November 3)
Track Length: 1.5 Mile
Race Length: 500 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 122,377
Banking in Corners: 24 degrees
Banking on Dogleg: 5 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,250 feet
Backstretch: 1,330 feet

Watkins Glen International
www.theglen.com
2013 Event: The Cheez-It 355 at The Glen (August 11)
Track Length: 2.45 Miles
Race Length: 220.5 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A

Enjoy the season!

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

AJ Foyt Racing's Takuma Sato ran with the frontrunners all afternoon long to finally claim his first ever IZOD IndyCar victory Sunday in the streets of Long Beach.

The former Formula 1 driver and Honda protégé took the lead on lap 31 and then ran a flawless race, making sure to maintain a good  gap between himself and his rivals.

Although he crossed the finish line under a full-course yellow, the Japanese driver had a 5.2-second lead over Graham Rahal who needed to clinch a good result following a disappointing start to the season.

Takuma Sato. (Photo: LAT/IndyCar)

Briton Justin Wilson, another former F1 driver, started the race from the pack of the field because he's been unable to complete a lap during qualifying. He finished the race at an impressive third place for Dale Coyne Racing.

Ganassi's Dario Franchitti, who took the start from pole position, crossed the line in fourth place, the Scot having lost time during a slow first pit stop.

JR Hilderbrand (Panther Racing) completed the top 5, having been promoted to that position after Oriol Servia was penalised for the incident in which he was involved with Tony Kanaan.

It was a day to forget for Andretti Autosport... James Hinchcliffe was squeezed into the wall and crashing out on a restart - an incident that also damaged the car of teammate EJ Viso - while Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed while trying to pass Ana Beatriz.

Takuma Sato leading the race in Long Beach. (Photo: LAT/IndyCar)

Results - 80 laps:

Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Takuma Sato Foyt Dallara-Honda 80 laps
2. Graham Rahal Rahal Dallara-Honda + 5.3612s
3. Justin Wilson Coyne Dallara-Honda + 8.2386s
4. Dario Franchitti Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 12.3573s
5. JR Hildebrand Panther Dallara-Chevy + 28.2402s
6. Oriol Servia Panther/DRR Dallara-Chevy + 29.4683s
7. Marco Andretti Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 30.2703s
8. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 31.8674s
9. Simona de Silvestro KV Dallara-Chevy + 33.1224s
10. Helio Castroneves Penske Dallara-Chevy + 33.4118s
11. Scott Dixon Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 33.6278s
12. James Jakes Rahal Dallara-Honda + 35.0645s
13. Josef Newgarden Fisher Dallara-Honda + 35.8945s
14. Ana Beatriz Coyne Dallara-Honda + 36.3442s
15. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon Dallara-Chevy + 36.5936s
16. Will Power Penske Dallara-Chevy + 43.0022s
17. Tristan Vautier Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 51.7961s
18. Ed Carpenter Carpenter Dallara-Chevy + 56.4533s
19. Alex Tagliani Herta Dallara-Honda + 1 laps
20. Tony Kanaan KV Dallara-Chevy + 2 laps
21. Charlie Kimball Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 2 laps
22. EJ Viso Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 27 laps

Retirements:
AJ Allmendinger Penske Dallara-Chevy 51 laps
Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Dallara-Chevy 49 laps
Mike Conway Rahal Dallara-Honda 38 laps
James Hinchcliffe Andretti Dallara-Chevy 34 laps
Sebastian Saavedra Dragon Dallara-Chevy 1 lap

In light of a blog I wrote a few weeks ago regarding the fact that I already know which car you own, I feel I should point out there's more to than knowing sales numbers and being generally observant. It also has a great deal to do with the fact that there are definite go-to cars out there; and the manufacturers know it as well as the consumers do.

What's a go-to car? Well, it's the vehicle you can buy without anyone questioning your purchase. There's no argument against it. You wanted an economical sedan and you bought a Honda Civic? Great choice! You wanted a pickup so you bought a base Ford F-150. You're the man. Finally reached a point in your life where you can afford the sports performance car you've always wanted and you chose a Porsche 911? No one is going to ask you, “Why the 911?” I guarantee you that.

Of course, car sales reflect these go-to car fixations, but they aren't the reason they exist. The Dodge Grand Caravan doesn't sell well because it's a big seller. That's the thing, these vehicles don't do well because they sell in droves, they do well because they are the originals; the models everyone else is trying to mimic to garner the same go-to status, and therefore the same sales.

This became glaringly true on a recent comparison drive. With three vehicles in the same segment, we realized that two of the three were just trying to be like the No. 1 seller, the one that everyone turns to in that segment. They were variations on the original, and they had a hard time matching up to it. The go-to car is a go-to for a reason.

The go-to car has history, and is often the first of its kind or the first in its segment. They are/were the trend-setters, the fad-starters, and so they became staples in driveways across the country. Because of this, go-to cars aren't often completely overhauled, they are kept as close to the original as possible, and despite that they continue to sell. Why? Because if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

Manufacturers aren't dumb, they know what their consumer wants and so they continue to give it to them. Imagine the next F-150 suddenly came out with two doors, front-wheel drive, and only with a manual transmission. Can you imagine the response to such a sacrilege and how it could hurt the F-150's go-to status in the end?

I think go-to cars are a good thing. They are a constant in a constantly changing world of automotive choices consumers face every time they want to purchase a new car. It's nice to know there are certain makes and models we can always rely on, ones we know we can be satisfied with if we have specific needs.

All hail the go-to car.

Rally champion, Sébastien Loeb will contest the Porsche Supercup races in Barcelona and Monaco.

The nine-time World Rally Champion will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 991 and will make his debut in the Supercup, after having raced in the French Porsche Carrera Cup in Albi in 2008, Paul Ricard in 2011, and especially Pau last year where he clinched victory.

Loeb, who will run under the colours of his own team, just took part in the FIA GT Series round in Zolder last weekend, before flying to Rally Argentina. In June, he will compete in the Pikes Peak's hillclimb, driving a Peugeot 208 T16.

He is also rumoured to enter the 2014 Dakar rally, driving a buggy in Nasser Al Attiyah's team. Loeb is also waiting for the green light from Citroën to enter the World Touring Car Championship.

The Sebastien Loeb Racing's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. (Photo: Sebastien Loeb Racing)

From GMM

Lloyds, the part government-owned British bank, has sold its stake in the F1 team Marussia.

F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the bank's private equity division LDC decided to sell its 25.3pc stake due to huge losses and the team's lack of results.

"LDC has sold its minority shareholding in the Marussia F1 team to (Russian supercar maker) Marussia," a spokesman confirmed to the Telegraph.

The spokesman said the team will continue to have a loan from LDC.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

True colours revealed on a road trip
First impressions are important, but sometimes you really need to get to know someone to discover their true nature. This doesn't just apply to people, but vehicles too, and was all too much the case for my time behind the wheel of the 2013 Acura MDX.

At just a smidgeon over $60k (for my Elite model), the 2013 Acura MDX sits in high class, futuristic company, and I thought it was sitting pretty and was a viable choice from the aristocratic group in which it resides.

I was wrong.


What is the Acura MDX?
The Acura MDX is a three-row, seven-seater crossover SUV, and was the first of its kind when it arrived in 2000. With plenty of space and a decent engine available from the beginning (a 3.5L when it arrived, and now a 3.7L), the MDX answered a need for space, a bit of power and efficiency. Wrapped in a stylish Acura-designed package, it was well received.

Always a “luxury” vehicle, the Acura MDX has continued the trend well over a decade into its North American stay. The 2013 model is no slouch when it comes to amenities, loaded to the gills with everything you need to make life behind the wheel (and as a passenger) easier.

Technicalities
The 2013 Acura MDX is equipped with a 3.7L 24-valve VTEC V6 that pushes out 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Tipping the scales at 2,109 kg (for my Elite model, the chunkiest of the bunch), this is no lightweight. A 6-speed automatic transmission manages the power and performs quite well on its own, but can also be controlled via paddle shifters. The 2013 Acura MDX also features Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD) and has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

As the Acura MDX was designed and introduced to be a convenient family vehicle (with luxury amenities) cargo volume and space are of the utmost importance. With all back seats folded down, the 2013 Acura MDX offers up 2,364 litres of space to swallow up goods. With all rows up, that number shrinks to just 425 litres behind the third row (less than the Kia Soul that offers 546 litres with all seats up).

The 2013 Acura MDX is available in three model trims: MDX (base), Tech, and Elite. Prices range from $50,810 all the way up to $61,010. Engine and drivetrain remain the same across all models.

The 2013 Acura MDX is equipped with a 3.7L 24-valve VTEC V6 that pushes out 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the Acura MDX
Behind the wheel of the 2013 Acura MDX is a pretty good place to be. Throttle response is good, as is engine delivery of the 300 horses under the hood. I also enjoyed the ability to shift via the steering-wheel mounted paddles. Honda/Acura have a knack for making vehicles that are good fun to drive, and such is the case with the MDX -- despite a few niggles.

On a trip to the country with a fully loaded MDX (which I'll get to in a moment as well), we noticed that road noise is abysmal. For a luxury vehicle, the 2013 Acura MDX doesn't “sound” luxurious as we actually had to raise our voices to speak to one another. All passengers also noted that the MacPherson strut front independent suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension may need some serious updating as it was a less than comfortable ride.

Even though the 2013 Acura MDX Elite offers up the ability to change the “ride” from Comfort to Sport, it just stiffens things up from float-y, sea-sickening (read: Comfort) to jarring and uncomfortable (read: Sport). Not the ideal road-trip vehicle after all.

On a trip to the country with a fully loaded MDX, we noticed that road noise is abysmal. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the Acura MDX
Sitting at the top of the pack, my 2013 Acura MDX Elite was decked out with everything and then some (DVD entertainment for the back, XM satellite radio, blind-spot monitors, rear-view camera, the whole shebang). I quite like the look inside: it's sophisticated and upscale without being too snooty. I want to offer up a “bravo” to Acura for the multitude of buttons it threw into the MDX in our currently button-less automotive world. While everyone else goes for touch-this and link-that, Acura's remained old school, and for that I'm thankful.

However, button placement on the steering wheel is a bit annoying as some sit much too low.

Seating in the 2013 Acura MDX is mainly good. Front passengers have plenty of space and comfort. Second-row occupants will feel the same with plenty of legroom. But it all kind of goes downhill when you hit the third row. At 5'2” essentially I should fit anywhere. Yet, I had virtually no legroom in the third row and had to sit with knees to the side -- and the second row cannot be slid forward for more room in the back.

The exterior look of the 2013 Acura MDX is, perhaps, its best quality. Sitting atop 19” wheels with modern Acura touches we've come to recognize over the years, this is a sharp-looking crossover SUV.

Sitting at the top of the pack, my 2013 Acura MDX Elite was decked out with everything and then some (DVD entertainment for the back, XM satellite radio, blind-spot monitors, rear-view camera, the whole shebang). (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the Acura MDX
The 2013 Acura MDX Elite sits amongst some pretty heavy hitters like the BMW X5, ">Audi Q7 and even the Mazda CX-9. While a good-looking package inside and out, the MDX just isn't “fresh” enough to warrant the price tag attached, in my opinion.

Fernando Alonso has described Ferrari's 2013 car, the F138, as its ‘best of the last four years' following his comeback drive in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Spaniard was tipped to take victory in yesterday's race, but a jammed open DRS flap forced him to make consecutive pit stops on laps eight and nine and saw him drop as low down the order as 19th.

Despite having no DRS for the remainder of the race, Alonso staged a remarkable fightback to finish eighth and attributed this to the F138's responsive nature.

“It [the car] is definitely our best of the last four years,” said Alonso after the race. “I am sure that without the problems me and Felipe had, we would have finished higher up, because the car responds very well.”

Alonso's Ferrari running with the inverted flap. (Photo: WRI2)

The double world champion also believes the weekend was something of a missed opportunity, given Ferrari's pace throughout free practice and qualifying.

“We definitely didn't have much luck today and that's a real shame, at the end of what had been such a positive weekend for me and Felipe up until this afternoon,” he continued. "We had been competitive in free practice and qualifying and we were both expecting to have a good race.”

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali echoed Alonso's feelings, but praised the Spaniard for driving an ‘incredible' race in difficult circumstances.

“This is definitely not the outcome we expected after showing all weekend long that we were capable of fighting for the top places,” said the Italian. “Despite his problem with the DRS, Fernando produced a blistering drive, pulling off overtaking moves and setting lap times that were absolutely incredible.”

Photo: WRi2

The team also believes that without the issue, a top-three finish and possibly a win for Alonso would not have been impossible given his speed in qualifying and the Ferrari's pace in the free practice sessions.

“A problem occurred with the DRS on Fernando's car which forced us to bring forward his first stop to try and fix the rear wing which literally turned upside down,” explained the team's technical director, Pat Fry.

“The first attempt from the mechanics was not enough to fix it and a second stop further cost valuable time. It's a real shame because even with a damaged car, his race pace was among the best and it should have been enough to see us finish second or even fight for the win.”

Following a varied start to the season, Ferrari lies third in the constructor's championship with Alonso its best-placed driver in fourth on 47 points, 30 behind championship leader Sebastian Vettel.

Toyota is giving its Vios and Yaris models a major makeover for China as part of the Japanese group's make-or-break move into the no-frills entry-level segment of the world's biggest autos market.

GM and Volkswagen, the largest foreign carmakers in China, both forecast sales will climb to 3 million vehicles in the country this year as the rivalry heats up for a second year.

GM and Volkswagen, the largest foreign carmakers in China, both forecast sales will climb to 3 million vehicles in the country this year as the rivalry heats up for a second year.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: This 2013

Rolls-Royce is seeing slowing growth in China. The brand expects sales growth of 2 percent to 3 percent a year in the country this year, CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said.

Opel unit returned to China's main auto show after a five-year absence with three new cars at the center of a long-promised push into the world's largest market.

Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas (Ganassi BMW/Riley) extended their championship lead, Saturday, by winning the 2013 Grand Prix of Atltanta.

Friday's rain forced the cancellation of the qualifying session, which meant Pruett and Rojas could start first because they lead the championship. A flawless performance in the race ensured they stayed atop the standings in the title race.

Alex Popow and Ryan Dalziel (Startworks Ford/Riley) finished some 17 seconds adrift, followed by Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty (GAINSCO Corvette DP).

John Edwards and Robin Liddell (Steven Chevrolet Camaro) scored their first victory of the season in GT, 2.506 seconds ahead of Patrick Long and Patrick Lindsey (Park Place Porsche GT3).

Alessandro Balzan and Jeff Westphal (Scuderia Corse Ferrari 458) were relegated to third by a late passed pulled by Long on Balzan.

Joel Miller and Andrew Carbonell (SpeedSource Mazda 6) picked up the win in GX.



Race results - Grand Prix of Atlanta (Grand-Am)
1 - Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 120
2 - Dalziel-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 120
3 - Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette/Riley) - Stallings - 120
4 - Pizzonia-Yacaman (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 120
5 - Taylor-Westbrook (Corvette/Dallara) - SpiritOfDaytona - 120
6 - Angelelli-Taylor (Riley-BMW) - Taylor - 120
7 - Valiante-Pew (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 120
8 - Frisselle-Frisselle (Corvette/Coyote) - ActionEx - 120
9 - Lamy-Potolicchio-Sarrazin (Corvette/Coyote) - 8Star - 119
10 - Hartley-Legge-Mayer (Porsche 997) - Starworks - 119
11 - Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 114
12 - Edwards-Liddell (Chevy Camaro) - Stevenson - 112
13 - Long-Lindsay (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 112
14 - Balzan-Westphal (Ferrari 458) - Corsa - 112
15 - Davis-Keen (Porsche 997) - Brumos - 112
16 - Lally-Potter (Porsche 997) - Magnus - 112
17 - Papis-Segal (Ferrari 458) - AIM - 112
18 - Johnson-Della Lana (BMW M3) - Turner - 111
19 - Assentato-Lazzaro (Ferrari 458) - AIM - 110
20 - Povoledo-Hurley (Porsche 997) - Muehlner - 109
21 - Hart-McCutchen (Porsche 997) - ParkPlace - 108
22 - Miller-Nunez (Mazda 6) - Speedsource - 103
23 - Donohue-Norman (Porsche Cayman) - BGB - 103
24 - Barbosa-Fittipaldi (Corvette/Coyote) - ActionEx - 100
25 - Long-Tremblay (Mazda 6) - Speedsource - 99
26 - Cameron-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 64
27 - Curran-Said (Corvette Z06) - Marsh - 18
28 - Marsal-Schaldach (BMW M3) - Turner - 3

From GMM

Michael Andretti, a leading motor racing figure in the US, has played down reports F1 could add the iconic Long Beach race to its own annual calendar.

Reports this month said that with Indycar's contract expiring, Bernie Ecclestone and F1 sponsor agency chief Zak Brown had expressed interest in snapping up the California street race.

More recently a fixture of American open wheel racing, the Long Beach event was actually devised for formula one in the mid seventies, and the race ran until 1983.

Now, Ecclestone, Brown and race founder Chris Pook are reportedly in talks to bring F1 back to Long Beach.

Mike Conway, Long Beach (Photo: IndyCar)

"I'm an advocate of F1 buying the Long Beach GP," Brown told Motorsport magazine this month, "and I've been having those conversations."

However, Andretti - a former McLaren driver - doubts it will happen.

These days, as well as fielding a prominent Indycar team, Andretti's company promotes races in Milwaukee, Toronto and Baltimore, and he told the Indianapolis Star there is "no way" formula one is heading to Long Beach.

"Why would they sell it?" he wondered.

"It runs along every year, making enough money.  They have things in place; it works.  I don't think it's a headache for them at all."

Andretti also doubts F1 has the appetite to spend the money necessary to bring the street circuit up to the sport's higher standards.

"They'd have to spend $100 million to bring it up to where F1 would want it," he insisted.  "No one would do that."

Chip Ganassi's Dario Franchitti earned his first pole of the 2013 IndyCar season for the upcoming round of the series, held in the streets of Long Beach.

Franchitti took advantage of his final flying lap to deliver a 1m07.2379s that was good enough to move over Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport) by 0.0555 seconds.

Hunter-Reay's time was still good enough to keep him in second place in front of Team Penske's Will Power and Takuma Sato (AJ Foyt Racing) who delivered another good performance.

Mike Conway (Rahal Letterman) ended-up in fifth while Helio Castroneves (Team Penske) was the last driver who managed to get in the Fast Six Shootout.


Qualifying results - Long Beach (IndyCar)
1.Dario Franchitti (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 1'07"2379
2.Ryan Hunter-Reay (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 1'07"2934
3.Will Power (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 1'07"3987
4.Takuma Sato (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Foyt - 1'07"4472
5.Mike Conway (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Rahal - 1'07"5994
6.Helio Castroneves (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 1'07"9698
7.James Hinchcliffe (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 1'07"4358
8.Tony Kanaan (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 1'07"5891
9.Charlie Kimball (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 1'07"6306
10.Ernesto Viso (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 1'07"7209
11.Graham Rahal (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Rahal - 1'07"7799
12.JR Hildebrand (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Panther - 1'07"7902
13.James Jakes (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Rahal - 1'07"9185
14.AJ Allmendinger (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 1'08"2001
15.Sebastien Bourdais (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Dragon - 1'07"9823
16.Josef Newgarden (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Fisher - 1'08"2579
17.Simon Pagenaud (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Schmidt - 1'07"9979
18.Oriol Servia (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Panther DRR - 1'08"2889
19.Tristan Vautier (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Schmidt - 1'08"1512
20.Simona de Silvestro (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 1'08"3173
21.Sebastian Saavedra (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Dragon - 1'08"4404
22.Alex Tagliani (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Herta - 1'08"6431
23.Ana Beatriz (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Coyne - 1'09"9133
24.Ed Carpenter (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Carpenter - 1'09"0318
25.Justin Wilson (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Coyne - no time
26.Marco Andretti (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 1'09"4506
27.Scott Dixon (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 1'09"6706

Nico Hulkenberg believes Sauber must “bring some new parts to Barcelona” after a difficult Bahrain Grand Prix, should the Swiss team want to score points on a regular basis.

Despite running in the top-10 at one stage, the highly rated German finished 12th after a difficult race which saw a him struggle after a miscalculated pitstop and a car that was short on speed.

“We are lacking speed and eat up the rear tyres”, commented a dejected Hulkenberg after the race. “It was a difficult and frustrating weekend.”

He also believes the miscalculated pitstop which lead him to pit later due to anticipated problems on low fuel also lost him a position.

“We pitted a bit too late because we expected to have more problems on low fuel, which in the end we didn't have,” he continued. “That cost us at least one position.”

“This weekend clearly showed we need to bring some new parts to Barcelona in order to improve our speed and fight for points.”

Sauber's team principal, Monisha Kaltenborn echoed her driver's feelings and believes there was no reason for the team's below-par performance today and praised Hulkenberg's performance in difficult circumstances.

“We knew this track would be difficult for our car, but this cannot be an excuse. We can't be satisfied with this race,” she said.

“Nico drove a good race, so it is now our job to provide him with a quicker car.”

Sauber has scored just five points in 2013, all courtesy of Hulkenberg and lies eighth in the constructor's championship.