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From GMM

McLaren is next in line for a private tire test with Pirelli, according to the German-language Speed Week.

It emerged at Monza on Sunday that Red Bull will take a 2011 car to Barcelona this week for a two-day, 1000 kilometre session to test tires for 2014.

"The tires will be round and black and unmarked," motor sport director Paul Hembery insisted. "So Red Bull will not know what is being tested."

McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed that, in the wake of this year's Mercedes controversy known as 'test-gate', a condition of Pirelli's ongoing testing with individual teams is that all of the other teams also have to be offered a similar opportunity.

Sporting director Otmar Szafnauer denies Force India was offered a test, but Hembery insisted: "We asked everyone.

"We have another team that is interested but no date as yet," he added.

Speed Week correspondent Mathias Brunner claims the team that has accepted Pirelli's offer is McLaren.

From press release

Fabio Leimer and Adrian Quaiffe-Hobbs take win in Monza, as the Swiss driver moves up to the lead in provisional championship classification ahead of Sam Bird.

Fabio Leimer has grabbed his third feature race win of the season with a storming drive in scorching conditions on Saturday in Monza, stealing a march at the start to lead his rivals all race long, apart from the pitstop window, for victory ahead of Sam Bird and Tom Dillmann and, with it, the championship lead.

Fabio Leimer. (Photo: GP2 Series)

The win changes the shape of the drivers' championship, with Leimer leading Bird by 153 points to 145, while Coletti and Felipe Nasr failed to add to their points after both dropping out with mechanical gremlins, standing on 135 and 130 points respectively, ahead of Calado on 119.

RUSSIAN TIME moved up in first position in the teams' championship on 223 points to Racing Engineering's 205, ahead of Carlin on 198, DAMS on 165 and Rapax on 153 before Sunday's sprint race.

In sprint race, Adrian Quaife-Hobbs gave his rivals a driving lesson with a mature, aggressive drive to lead from lights to flag in changing conditions at this morning's sprint race in Monza, dictating terms all race long to win by almost two seconds from Alexander Rossi and Julian Leal.

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. (Photo: GP2 Series)

The win was set up at the start when poleman Rossi had a poor getaway, leaving the road clear for his fellow front row starter Quaife-Hobbs to easily lead into the chicane.

Although Bird closed the gap slightly in the drivers' championship, Leimer holds on to the lead with 159 points to 153, while Coletti and Nasr's race long battle on sunday made no difference to their point scores, at 135 and 130 respectively, ahead of Calado on 119 points.

RUSSIAN TIME extend their lead in the teams' championship over Racing Engineering by 237 points to 221, ahead of Carlin on 198 and DAMS on 165 as the field looks forward to the next round in Singapore in two weeks time.

From GMM

As the formula one paddock emptied at Monza, one rumour had moved into the realm of fact -- Kimi Raikkonen is returning to Ferrari in 2014.

The news was being confidently reported by broadcasters, including Germany's RTL, the major daily Bild, and even perhaps the most respected correspondent in the paddock, Auto Motor und Sport's Michael Schmidt.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo will reportedly inform Felipe Massa that his services are no longer required in a personal meeting at Maranello on Wednesday.

It would go some way to explaining the Italian team's current 'number 1' driver Fernando Alonso's foul mood and outbursts of recent days and weeks.

Bild reported that the long delay in the actual signing of Raikkonen's deal is because part of his management team, David Robertson, is in hospital in the US with cancer.

In the meantime, Spaniard Alonso has pushed hard for the status-quo, openly arguing that Massa should stay put. He has not won the day.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

Der Spiegel claims to even know who will pay Raikkonen's approximately EUR 20 million salary -- partly the Alonso-linked Spanish bank Santander, and partly team sponsor Shell.

"Let's see what happens," Massa told the Italian broadcaster Rai on Sunday. "Yes, this race was important for my future, but it doesn't mean that my only future can be (wearing) red."

He is also quoted by O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper: "He (Montezemolo) will not announce anything without talking to me, for sure. I love Ferrari. But the other teams also know what I can do."

Finn Raikkonen, as per usual, was also giving little away on Sunday.

"I don't know anything yet," he told the Rai broadcaster. "Once I know, I'll tell you."

Indeed, once the news becomes official, the really explosive speculation may begin.

The German dailies Bild and Welt already report that Alonso is so unhappy with Raikkonen's arrival that he could jump ship to fill the Finn's place at Lotus.

That move actually might not be as unlikely as it sounds.

Bild newspaper said it could coincide with a ramping up of works Renault support for the Enstone based team, backed fully by the French carmaker's chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Eric Boullier and Kimi Raikkonen. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

When asked about that potentially explosive news, Lotus team boss Eric Boullier said: "If Fernando knocks on my door, I will answer it. I just hope that I can pay for it!"

He is also quoted by f1news.ru: "We are trying to establish a relationship with Renault and Total, which is important from a technical standpoint but it also may help on the financial side."

Switzerland's Blick newspaper reported that Nico Hulkenberg will definitely not be staying at Sauber next year.

The German has been linked with Massa's Ferrari seat, but he might also be a candidate to replace Raikkonen at Lotus.

"We all have plans and backup plans," said Eric Boullier.

When asked simply 'Kimi or Nico?' the Frenchman answered: "Good question."

From GMM

The end of Sauber's financial struggles could depend on the new Russian connections paving the way to sponsor deals.

Ever since the so-called 'Russian rescue deal' was announced, suggestions the struggling Swiss team's financial woes are far from over have persisted.

"I understand that people want to know more," team boss Monisha Kaltenborn told Blick newspaper, "because until now we have not said so much. But I want to assure everyone that things go in the right direction."

She hinted, however, that Russian rubles have not been flowing overly quickly.

"I hope that in this season, we will see new sponsor logos on the car," said Kaltenborn.

"We also hope that something happens in terms of Sochi," she added, referring to next year's inaugural Russian grand prix.

Nico Hulkenberg in Monza. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

What is fairly certain is that, if the Russian teen Sergey Sirotkin is able to secure a super license, he will be racing a Sauber in 2014.

But Blick reports that Sauber's current lead driver, the Ferrari and Lotus-linked Nico Hulkenberg, will definitely not be Sirotkin's teammate.

That news would seem to boost Esteban Gutierrez's chances, as he is strongly linked with Mexican team backers, including Telmex.

"Actually one thing really does not have anything to do with the other," Kaltenborn insisted.

In fact, she admitted that, "Ideally, we would want a more experienced teammate" for 18-year-old Sirotkin.

"On the other hand we have been in this situation before and it worked well with two somewhat inexperienced pilots," added Kaltenborn.

However, Sauber is close to renewing its engine deal with Ferrari for 2014, and the Italian team is looking for a middle-ranked team to place Jules Bianchi.

And current Ferrari racer Felipe Massa is also on the market.

Kaltenborn insisted: "Ferrari will have no influence on our driver choice. And there is no obligation for us to take a second Russian driver."

One thing is for sure -- Sauber has no place available for its highly-rated 2013 reserve driver Robin Frijns, who has already departed the Swiss team.

Monisha Kaltenborn admitted letting the Dutchman go was all about money -- or his lack of it.

"Unfortunately it shows what situation formula one is in at the moment," she said. "Despite his talent, his management hasn't been able to find more sponsors. And it makes no sense to hold on to a driver if you cannot give him what he wants."

Jason Hathaway took the lead late in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' event in Barrie to win the Hudco Electric Supply 300 presented by G-Oil which was postponed to Sunday because of heavy rains Saturday.

With this victory, Hathaway has prolonged the championship duel between Scott Steckly and DJ Kennington who will have to wait until the season's finale to battle it out.

Kennington settled for second in front of JR Fitzpatrick. Scott Steckly, who won the Heluva Good! Pole Award earlier in the day, finished fourth.

Kennington has now a five-point lead over Steckly heading into the season finale in two weeks.

Rookie Alex Guenette finished fifth at Barrrie, followed by Martin Roy, Ryley Seibert, Mark Dilley, Ron Beauchamp Jr., and Joy McColm.

It was second win of the season and third career victory for the 36-year-old. Hathaway won at Riverside International Speedway in Antigonish, N.S., in August.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship will be decided on Saturday, Sept. 21 in the Pinty's 250 at Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, Ont.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look

Another Golf-based mini minivan, but not for the U.S.

We've already seen the new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf in both hatchback and station wagon bodystyles, but a third variant -- the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan -- will debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Although Volkswagen calls this particular vehicle a concept, it's quick to note it's merely a warmed-over version of a production model that goes on sale in Europe in the middle of 2014.

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look - Automobile Magazine

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look

Another Golf-based mini minivan, but not for the U.S.

We've already seen the new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf in both hatchback and station wagon bodystyles, but a third variant -- the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan -- will debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Although Volkswagen calls this particular vehicle a concept, it's quick to note it's merely a warmed-over version of a production model that goes on sale in Europe in the middle of 2014.

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look - Automobile Magazine

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept First Look | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Daimler plans to start selling a self-driving car by 2020 to become the first automaker to launch autonomous functions in production vehicles, the automaker's development chief Thomas Weber said.

Daimler expects a decision by the year end on joint production of compact cars with Nissan at a Nissan plant in Mexico, Mercedes-Benz production boss Andreas Renschler said.

Daimler expects a decision by the year end on joint production of compact cars with Nissan at a Nissan plant in Mexico, Mercedes-Benz production boss Andreas Renschler said.

Volkswagen expects production of vehicles based on its new MQB modular assembly architecture to soar in the next few years, Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch told a German newspaper.

Volkswagen expects production of vehicles based on its new MQB modular assembly architecture to soar in the next few years, Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch told a German newspaper.

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the

It's funny to think of any automobile as an upgrade from the 557-hp, $164,000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 coupe. That might be the best way to describe the