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From GMM

Caterham is already focusing on 2014, current race driver Giedo van der Garde has revealed.

According to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the Dutchman is scheduled to test Pirelli's new Hungary-spec tires at the Silverstone test late this week.

But the 28-year-old rookie revealed: "The team has been focusing on next season."

Van der Garde said the focus at Silverstone, then, will be for the race drivers to try Pirelli's new tires.

"For my teammate Charles Pic and me it is important to see how the tires feel. Probably they will have harder compounds that we can use for longer."

Caterham has had a difficult 2013 campaign, faltering initially with an overly conservative car and pushing to catch up with only rival Marussia.

"For this season," Giedo Van der Garde admitted, "there is not much more to gain. We should focus on the fight with Marussia, as we are not going to be able to close the gap to the others."

Caterham CT03. (Photo: WRi2)

Teams Red Bull Racing and Lotus announced that their regular race drivers would not participate in the young driver test held at Silverstone circuit in the UK.

Following a clarification of the permitted programmes from Pirelli and the FIA for the test, Red Bull Racing has revised its driver line up as follows, meaning that Mark Webber will not take the wheel of the Renault-powered RB9:

Wednesday July 17
All Day: Antonio Felix Da Costa
Thursday July 18
Morning: Antonio Felix Da Costa
Afternoon: Daniel Ricciardo
Friday July 19
Morning: Carlos Sainz Jr
Afternoon: Sebastian Vettel

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

The test schedule was also modified at Lotus F1 Team. Nicolas Prost will now be driving the E21-Renault on the final day of the test in place of Kimi Raikkonen.

“After clarification emerged regarding the scope of tests that could be conducted by race drivers for Pirelli this week, it was evident that Kimi would be rather under utilised and that a better way forward was to use one of the team's test drivers to continue their work with the E21,” says the press release.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

“Once details of what race drivers were allowed to do here became apparent, we would have only been able to conduct a very limited programme with Kimi,” said trackside operations director Alan Permane.

“If we were to run him, it would compromise the other development work we want to do with the car here. By running Nico again we'll be able to build on the work already carried out and hopefully be in the best position to develop the E21 ahead of Budapest, whilst also conducting the necessary tire testing for Pirelli."

While Kyle Busch was very upset with Ryan Newman after the running of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway race - Newman laughed off those comments.

On Sunday, after the race, Busch called Newman “the biggest stupid idiot out here, and he's a big ogre and can do whatever he wants because he can probably kick anybody's butt. So no sense in getting in a fight with him, but glad he's out of a job."

Late on Monday Newman called into the SiriusXM NASCAR studio to respond.

In response to a question by Dave Moody Newman laughed and said “what do you want me to say?”

But Moody and co-host Angie Skinner wanted to know how Newman really felt. "I'm just afraid if I re-arranged his face I might fix it," Newman said chuckling.

"He's frustrated finishing third or wherever he was after hitting me first and then getting a little rub down the straightaway. Just imagine how I feel. It is what it is.

"We know that he's not very bright. He's a heck of a talent but he's not very bright. And I'll leave it at that."

Ryan Newman, Chevrolet SS. (Photo: NASCAR)

Then Newman went on to explain “I thought Kurt (Busch's) and Matt and my incident was strictly a racing incident. I admit to dooring Kyle down the straightaway after he blasted me into corner I didn't crash him he didn't crash me. I don't know what he's mad about it.”

Then he addressed Busch's statement that he was happy that Newman lost his job at Stewart Haas Racing when the season ends.

“It seemed like me having not having a ride,” Newman added, seems like he has way more to lose than I do. He might want to check his track before he gets ahead of himself. Laughs I just said he has to watch his back. If he's going to run his mouth he'd better be able back up running his mouth.”

Then with another laugh he concluded “I've just given you guys fuel for your show I really don't care about his opinions.” And he laughed again.

Here is the on-track schedule of activities of the 2013 Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix held at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Toronto this weekend.

Canada's biggest sports car race of the year, the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, featuring the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron for exotic prototype and GT race cars, makes its only Canadian stop.

A world-class field of drivers pilot the globe's top marques such as Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lotus, Mazda, Porsche and Viper on Canadian Tire Motorsport Park's classic, challenging road course, formerly known as Mosport.

Four other U.S.-based series will be on track; the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup and the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires (formerly Star Mazda). The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin returns for their final Canadian Tire Motorsport Park event of the season to round out an exciting weekend of racing.

Tickets are still on sale. Click here to visit the page: https://store.ctmpark.com/

Event schedule*:

Thursday, July 18, 2013
8:00 am - 8:40 am Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Test Session #1
8:50 am - 9:30 am Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Test Session #1
9:40 am - 10:20 am Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Test Session #1
10:30 am - 11:10 am IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Test Session #1
11:20 am - 12:00 pm Pro Mazda Championship Test Session #1
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm LUNCH
1:00 pm - 1:40 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Test Session #2
1:50 pm - 2:30 pm Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Test Session #2
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Test Session #2
3:30 pm - 4:10 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Test Session #2
4:20 pm - 5:00 pm Pro Mazda Championship Test Session #2
5:10 pm - 5:40 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Practice #1

Friday, July 19, 2013
8:00 am - 8:30 am Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Practice #1
8:45 am - 9:15 am IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Practice #1
9:30 am - 10:00 am Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Practice #2
10:15 am - 10:45 am Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Practice #1
11:00 am - 11:30 am Pro Mazda Championship Practice #1
11:45 am - 12:15 pm Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Practice #2
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm LUNCH
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Practice #2
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Qualifying
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Practice #2
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Pro Mazda Championship Practice #2
4:15 pm - 4:45 pm ALMS (GT/GTC) Testing Session
4:45 pm - 5:45 pm ALMS (All Classes) Testing Session
5:45 pm - 6:15 pm ALMS (LMP1/LMP2/LMPC) Testing Session
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Qualifying

Saturday, July 20, 2013
8:00 am - 8:30 am Pro Mazda Championship Qualifying
8:45 am - 9:15 am Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Qualifying
9:30 am - 10:30 am ALMS (All Classes) Practice #1
10:45 am - 11:15 am Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Qualifying
11:30 am - 11:40 am Pro Mazda Championship Pre-Race
11:40 am - 12:10 pm Pro Mazda Championship Race #1
12:10 pm - 1:10 pm Lunch
1:10 pm - 1:20 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Pre-Race
1:20 pm - 2:05 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Race #1
2:20 pm - 3:20 pm ALMS (All Classes) Practice #2
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm ALMS (GTC) Qualifying
3:50 pm - 4:05 pm ALMS (GT) Qualifying
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm ALMS (LMPC) Qualifying
4:35 pm - 4:50 pm ALMS (LMP1/LMP2) Qualifying
5:00 pm - 5:10 pm Cooper Tire Prototype Lites Pre-Race
5:10 pm - 5:40 pm Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Race #1
5:55 pm - 6:05 pm Porsche Cup Challenge Canada Pre-Race
6:05 pm - 6:50 pm Porsche Cup Challenge Canada Race #1
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Pre-Race
7:10 pm - 7:55 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Race #1

Sunday, July 21, 2013
8:00 am - 8:10 am Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Pre-Race
8:10 am - 8:55 am Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Race #2
9:10 am - 9:35 am ALMS (All Classes) Warm Up
9:50 am - 10:00 am Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Pre-Race
10:00 am - 10:45 am Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Race #2
10:50 am - 11:50 am Lunch
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Pre-Race Activities
12:00 pm - 2:45 pm Mobil 1 Sports Car Grand Prix (ALMS Presented by
Tequila Patron Race) - 2 hours, 45 minutes
3:05 pm - 3:15 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Pre-Race
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Race #2
4:10 pm - 4:20 pm Pro Mazda Championship Pre-Race
4:20 pm - 4:50 pm Pro Mazda Championship Race #2
5:05 pm - 5:15 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Pre-Race
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Race #2

*Schedule subject to change

British driver, Mike Conway will participate in the SportsCar Grand Prix at Mosport, Canadian round of the American Le Mans Series this weekend with Level 5 Motorsport.

Conway, who drives full time in the World Endurance Championship, will be replacing Ryan Briscoe who fractured his wrist last weekend during the Honda Toronto IndyCar race.

No stranger to the LMP2 category, the 29-year-old Conway currently races with Delta-ADR and recently participated in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans securing a podium finish in that class.

Mike Conway. (Photo: MB Partners)

The 29-year-old British driver is also racing in select IndyCar Series races and was in Toronto last weekend driving for Dale Coyne Racing. He has had five starts this year and already achieved one win, a podium, two sevenths and a pole.

"Firstly I would like to wish Ryan Briscoe a speedy recovery and hope he gets better soon,” said Conway who won one of the Detroit IndyCar races in June.

“It's a great opportunity to drive for Level 5 Motorsports at the Grand Prix of Mosport, so I appreciate Scott Tucker and David Stone giving me this chance. They are a great team and have already had some successes this year. I need to also thank MB Partners and my manager Mark Blundell for getting this deal done and look forward to having a good weekend.”

From press release

IndyCar team Andretti Autosport, led by former driver Michael Andretti, has today become the third of 10 teams to sign up to the FIA Formula E Championship - the world's first fully-electric global racing series, beginning in 2014.

Photo: FIA Formula E

The launch, held at the team's headquarters in Indianapolis, was attended by Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoters Formula E Holdings and President, Chairman and CEO of Andretti Autosport, Michael Andretti.

Andretti Autosport currently fields multiple entries in the IZOD IndyCar Series along with multiple campaigns in the Firestone Indy Lights, the Pro Mazda Championship and in the USF2000 National Championship.

“It's an honour for Andretti Autosport to have been selected as one of the 10 founding Formula E teams for the inaugural season,” said Michael Andretti. “I look forward to further exploring the series and helping build the future of open-wheel racing across the world.”

Andretti Autosport becomes the third team to join the new zero emission series which will see Formula cars racing on 10 city-centre circuits all around the world. They join UK-based Drayson Racing, who recently set the world electric land speed record, together with China Racing, headed up by the highly-regarded Steven Lu.

From GMM

Rising Spaniard Carlos Sainz jr has expressed disappointment he will not share a F1 circuit with his hero Fernando Alonso this week.

Carlos Sainz Jr, the 18-year-old son of the world rally legend and namesake, has been called up to test at Silverstone not only by Toro Rosso, but also the senior Red Bull team.

Ferrari's Alonso, however, has turned down the opportunity to test, because race drivers will be limited to testing only Pirelli's new Hungary-spec tire.

"I'm not testing, because I'm not allowed to test (car developments)! Instead, I have important work to do on the simulator," he is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica.

The Brazilian correspondent for O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, Livio Oricchio, said Alonso has "shown who is boss" at the Maranello based team.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138. (Photo: Pirelli)

Indeed, Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa will be in action this week, as will championship leader Sebastian Vettel, Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen and others.

McLaren, on the other hand, will not field race drivers Jenson Button or Sergio Perez.

Nonetheless, Sainz jr is disappointed Alonso will not be at the British grand prix venue.

"Yeah, I would have loved that," he told EFE news agency. "So instead of being 110 per cent happy, now it's just 100," he joked.

Sainz jr played down suggestions his tests for both of Red Bull's F1 teams is a clear sign he will be on the grid next year.

Indeed, it is thought that if Red Bull calls up one of Toro Rosso's current race drivers to replace Mark Webber, the other will stay put at Faenza next year and be joined by Antonio Felix da Costa.

Carlos Sainz Jr. (Photo: GP3 Series)

Sainz jr agreed: "Being here (at Silverstone) doesn't guarantee anything. I want to make clear that my goal is to do well in GP3, then try to be in the (Renault) World Series. I think there are still a few years until the time (for F1) comes."

The nature of the question pertains to recent recall onslaughts and false manufacturer MPG claims. Swapalease.com conducted a survey a while back with car shoppers and drivers and discovered a few interesting facts about these people's mindsets.

As I read and studied the results, I could not help but not be surprised as I found myself thinking about recalls and claims in much the same fashion. Essentially, nothing and no one is perfect and we know it, and we carry on with our daily lives.

On the question of recalls and whether or not consumers thought that there were more today compared to 10-20 years ago, nearly half of those surveyed simply said that they're part of our car culture. Moreover, the number of recalls announced does not make the majority of drivers nervous about cars on the road. This is a clear indication that we have far more to worry about these days.

The really interesting inference I pulled from the survey is that although recalls and skewed MPG claims may have some kind of influence on the brand/model of car that is purchased, they are quickly taken for granted once the purchase is made. It's as though the consumer will try and avoid these issues as much as possible at first, but will then accept them.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

One of the questions asked related to Toyota's much talked about safety recalls and other issues. Of those interviewed, only 1% was not aware of the situation, however, nearly 50% said that Toyota still makes a good car. This speaks volumes of Toyota's overall reputation. Had these issues befell the likes of GM or Chrysler the end result might have been different. I digress...

In a time where fuel economy is on everyone's minds and lips, discovering that one's car is not as economical as initially thought has a different impact on the car owner and driver. The reason is quite simple and obvious: the false claims directly affect the wallet, whereas recalls do not.
Nearly 50% of the respondents said that false MPG claims do seriously affect their purchase decision. By comparison, 40% of buyers felt the same way about recalls.

We must remember that large portions of the recalls we hear about are directly related to important safety concerns. Again, it comes down to money.

My conclusion here is that the buying public is more concerned by the state of the economy than their own safety. And I have no problem with that.

Honda worked with Team Dynamics, its title-winning British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) partner, to create the “Mean Mower,” a lawn tractor that goes from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 209 km/h!

Photo: Honda

At the same time, it produces 130db of sound effects -- louder than a jackhammer and equal to an airliner taking off.

Based on the Honda HF2620, the Mean Mower received an all-new, custom-made chromoly chassis, a 1.0L engine derived from the Honda VTR Firestorm, a custom suspension, and ATV wheels.

Despite its blistering speeds, this machine can only cut grass at around 25 km/h. Still, that's more than double the maximum speed of the HF2620.

Ontario's Dave Briggs is one of the rare full-time drift racers in Canada. That's right: His only job is to spend the summer sliding across race tracks, and then search for sponsors and work with his team during the winter months. Isn't that amazing?!

Briggs has been taking on the best Pro Class drivers in the Drift Mania Canadian Championship (DMCC) since 2009. After finishing in 13th place at the end of his rookie season, he just missed the podium in 2010 and wound up 2nd in 2011. This year, Briggs won the 3rd round in Ste-Croix, Quebec.

Let's take a closer look at his resumé, as well as his goals for 2013:

Marie-Laurence Paquin (MLP): When did you take up the sport of drifting?

Dave Briggs (DB): Back in 2008, I bought a Nissan 240SX S14 equipped with an SR20DET. I'm actually driving the same model, albeit a highly modified version, in this year's championship. The powertrain has been upgraded, namely a 2.4L Mazworx engine that was built in Florida. This thing sends close to 700 horsepower to the wheels!

MLP: So, I assume you did a lot of work this past winter?
DB: Yes, especially on the new mill. It comes with a 4-speed, NASCAR-type transmission, which allows me to shift gears even faster. For me, the hardest thing about frequent venue changes is to find the proper settings for the transmission. I believe this modification will help us considerably throughout the season.

MLP: How much will you be involved in the U.S. Formula Drift Championship this year?
DB: Unlike last year, when I took part in just a few events, I plan to enter all seven rounds this year. That's why you won't see me at certain stops on the DMCC tour, probably three out of eight. I love racing here, in front of the Quebec fans. At the same time, I like to take on the top American drivers. Basically, I'm going to be drifting every weekend this summer!

MLP: What are your goals in both championships?
DB: I'm hoping to finish in the top 16 in the U.S. Considering this will be my first full season there, I think it's a good challenge, and one I can realistically rise up to. There are about 60-70 drivers at any given comp; it's huge!

As for the DMCC, I'm not aiming for the crown since I will skip a few rounds. Rather, my goal is to win each tandem and record as many wins and podiums as possible.

Photo: Antoine de Cardaillac

From GMM

Bruno Senna's next move in the world of motor racing could be to America.

After stints in F1 with HRT, Renault and Williams between 2010 and last year, the nephew of grand prix legend Ayrton Senna switched to Le Mans with Aston Martin for 2013.

But the 29-year-old has now told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper that his options for 2014 are open.

"Continuing with Aston Martin is one of the best options I have," said Senna.

"But I also want to see if I can test in Nascar. It was already supposed to happen at the beginning of the year. I am going to have some meetings to see what is the best way forward. I also have options for Indy, Stock and Nascar. What is not lacking is open doors," he added.

Photo: Aston Martin Racing

Bruno Senna said he has enjoyed sports cars this year, revealing the "atmosphere is much more relaxed and friendly. In F1 everyone wants to kill everyone else".

But he admitted to having some safety concerns, particularly after his teammate Allan Simonsen crashed and died in the recent Le Mans 24 hours.

"The category is dangerous," said Senna, "but we all know the risks we are taking."

He said Le Mans is particularly dangerous.

"The track is very quick, because of the characteristics, like the run-off. Racing there is one of the biggest risks you can take," said Bruno Senna.

Hollywood, CA - When a company is charged with reinventing one of their best-selling products, there's bound to be a bit of hesitation. As they say; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But what happens when you want to stay ahead of the curve, at the top of your game, while the rest rely on tried and true to keep them afloat? What happens when you want to stand out from the pack, but remain in it all the same?

Well, that's what the engineers and designers at Mazda had to deal with when they took to the drawing board for the brand new 2014 Mazda3. Since it's introduction in 2003, Mazda has sold over 3.5 million Mazda3s. That's impressive, no wait, that's class-leading. And now they've changed it all, inside and out.


What is the Mazda3?
The Mazda3 resides in the compact car segment, and is sold in over 120 countries. It is available in a hatch and sedan body style, the Mazda3 is responsible for 50% of Mazda's overall sales

The 2014 Mazda3 introduces the third generation of this car. And while some may think the hatch is the better seller, numbers prove that the sedan actually pulls more sales in Canada with roughly a 60/40 split for sales.

However, the new model may just change all that.

It is available in a hatch and sedan body style, the Mazda3 is responsible for 50% of Mazda's overall sales. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

2014 Mazda3 Price and Specs
We'll have to wait on pricing to appear closer to the vehicle's actual launch in September of this year, but despite the long list of amenities Mazda's packed into the new 3, they expect to stay in the same price range as the previous generation across their lineup.

Available in three trim levels -- GX, GS and GT - the 2014 Mazda3 has two engine options: a 150 hp 2.0L SKYACTIV inline-4 or the new 184 hp 2.5L SKYACTIV inline-four we all loved in the CX-5. A 6-speed manual is standard in the GX and GS trims, while the 6-speed automatic is optional and standard on the GT. A manual transmission is currently not available on the GT, however, Mazda is working towards being able to offer it on the top Mazda3 model.

Driving the 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback
Here's the thing about the 2014 Mazda3: It's capable. It's grounded. It's stable and it's a bloody good time.

Starting in the 6-speed automatic 2014 Mazda3 GT, I tackled the twisties surrounding L.A. with confidence, at first letting the transmission handle itself in “Sport” mode (a first for Mazda). Holding the revs in the power range and downshifting at just the right moment, the “Sport” mode is for just that: transmission adjustments. Steering and throttle response remains the same, but the car registers cornering Gs and understands your having a bit of fun, so will hold gears longer, downshift appropriately and generally behave as you'd want it to.

I did, however, find the engine noise to be quite loud when revs were held for a longer period of time.

In manual mode, the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters are great. Shifts are quick with very little lag.

Mazda worked hard at perfecting the steering on the new 2014 Mazda3, and they did a fine job of it. While there's some loss of feel at higher speeds with the electric power steering on open roads, turn-in is sharp and the steering felt very responsive.

My second stretch of drive was handled by a base model 2014 Mazda3 GX with the 2.0L SKYACTIV and 6-speed manual transmission - of note, this SKYACTIV-MT transmission is the first new manual Mazda tranny to appear since the ‘80s.

Despite the new 2.0L featuring more midrange oomph, I felt a need for more torque. On the open highway, a downshift from 6th to 5th did very little to move the car forward. A more drastic 3rd gear was needed. However, in day-to-day situations the 2.0L will satisfy.

Mazda worked hard at perfecting the steering on the new 2014 Mazda3, and they did a fine job of it. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback
Here's where Mazda may lose a few loyal customers. They've rather drastically updated the exterior and interior look of the Mazda3.

Where it was slightly cutesy and bubbly before, the 2014 Mazda3 is now modern, edgy and (dare I say) sophisticated? With the same KODO design language used for the Mazda6 and CX-5, the 2014 Mazda3 sports a front end that's not only aggressive but pretty sexy, too. It has purpose, it has attitude and that continues to the rear where the new hatch looks suspiciously wagon-like ... just sayin'.

Inside, Mazda engineers had a field day (with the top GT version at least), equipping the new model with a brand new HMI system and exposed 7” “flat screen” that rests on the dash. There's also a brand new navigation knob in the centre behind the shifter, reminiscent of iDrive. We were unable to fully test the new HMI system as it was not yet functional in our vehicles at the time of the drive.

Also new for the 2014 Mazda3 this year is a nifty heads-up display. However, unlike BMW, Mazda's head-up is housed on a rather flimsy clear plastic “screen” that pops up over the steering wheel when the car is turned on.

Otherwise the interior received the same grown-up once over that the exterior did. Comfortable, side-hugging seats are available across the lineup, and space is as you would expect in the 2014 Mazda3. And despite the cabin looking smaller, it's actually slightly larger inside.

Inside, Mazda engineers had a field day (with the top GT version at least), equipping the new model with a brand new HMI system and exposed 7” “flat screen” that rests on the dash. (Photo: Mazda)

Comparing the 2014 Mazda3
There's no denying, Mazda has some pretty steep competition out there with the likes of the brand new Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. However, I have a feeling the new Mazda3 hatchback will not only keep Mazda3 enthusiasts happy and wanting more, but also bring in a whole new slew of customers who may not have looked at the compact car segment before.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has been formally charged by German prosecutors for bribery, it emerged on Wednesday.

It has been known since May that the Munich prosecutors decided to indict the F1 chief executive for paying millions to jailed former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky amid the sale of the sport some years ago.

Bloomberg quoted a court spokesman as confirming that although the charges were filed in May, they were only served on Wednesday after being translated into English.

He said more details will be released in a court statement.

Briton Ecclestone, 82, has consistently denied wrongdoing.

He said by telephone on Wednesday: "The lawyers have accepted an indictment.

"It means they have to reply to the indictment which they are strenuously doing," Ecclestone is quoted by the Associated Press.

Ecclestone's German lawyer, and F1 owner CVC, did not comment.

UPDATE
The Munich court will wait until mid-September to decide if the Bernie Ecclestone bribery case will be brought to trial.

The 82-year-old Briton's lawyers said in a statement that they will reply vigorously to the charges, which they say rely heavily on the testimony of jailed German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky.

The court reportedly said a decision about whether to send the charges to trial would probably not be made until mid-September.

A court spokesman confirmed those reports, adding that Ecclestone's defense team has until mid-August to submit a response to the charges.

Volkswagen plans to relaunch sales of the Phaeton in the U.S. as the carmaker looks to reignite flagging growth. The Phaeton, the brand's most expensive model, could be shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

Volkswagen plans to relaunch sales of the Phaeton in the U.S. as the carmaker looks to reignite flagging growth. The Phaeton, the brand's most expensive model, could be shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

Volkswagen plans to relaunch the Phaeton in the U.S. as the carmaker looks to reignite flagging growth. The Phaeton, the brand's most expensive model, could be shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

Volkswagen plans to bring back the Phaeton luxury sedan to the United States as the carmaker looks to reignite flagging growth in one of the few markets it has been unable to crack.

Ford says it will make software tweaks to improve the real-world fuel economy of its 2013-model hybrids. The changes are being offered to 77,000 owners of the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-Max Hybrid and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

We voted it "Best Concept" at this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Chrysler Group LLC's redesigned 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan will begin production in early 2014 at the automaker's Sterling Heights plant here, Chrysler said today.