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The rain could not shake off Sebastian Vettel's (Red Bull) hold over F1 supremacy, going into the last grand prix of the 2013 season, in Brazil.

The four-time world champion, who bids for a ninth straight victory Sunday, beat his German countryman Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) to the pole by over half a second, with the rain still pouring down on the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, in Sao Paulo.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9 (Photo: WRi2)

With the third fastest lap, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) managed to push the second Red Bull of Mark Webber down to fourth, for the Australian's last F1 start before switching to endurance racing with Porsche.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Romain Grosjean (Lotus) line up on the third row, just in front of Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) are ninth and tenth.

Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus) almost cracked the top 10, but the Finn was caught out by the intensifying rain of Q2, which killed any chance of improvement late in the session. The raim actually become so heavy, officials had to delay the start of Q3 by several minutes.

With 14th, Sergio Perez out-qualified his soon-to-be ex McLaren teammate Jenson Button for the 10th time this season, despite crashing out.

Sunday's race features 71-lap of the 4.309-kilometre Interlagos circuit.

Qualifying results* - Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)
1.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'26"479 - Q3
2.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'27"102 - Q3
3.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'27"539 - Q3
4.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'27"572 - Q3
5.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'27"677 - Q3
6.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'27"737 - Q3
7.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28"052 - Q3
8.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28"081 - Q3
9.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'28"109 - Q3
10.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'29"582 - Q3
11.Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'27"456 - Q2
12.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"269 - Q2
13.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'27"954 - Q2
14.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'28"269 - Q2
15.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'28"308 - Q2
16.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"586 - Q2
17.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'27"367 - Q1
18.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'27"445 - Q1
19.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'27"843 - Q1
20.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'28"320 - Q1
21.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'28"366 - Q1
22.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'28"950 - Q1

*Unofficial results

From GMM

Ross Brawn is being linked with a sensational return to Ferrari.

Mercedes' current team boss, who was technical director at Maranello during the ultra-successful Michael Schumacher era, was spotted meeting with Stefano Domenicali in Ferrari's hospitality area at Interlagos on Friday.

Briton Brawn, 58, has been considering his future at Mercedes, with the Brackley based team expected to eventually replace him with Paddy Lowe.

"Ross will step back at some point," Lowe admitted in Austin a week ago.  "At the moment we're waiting for Ross's call on that."

So the big new rumour is that Brawn could return to Ferrari, to lead the fabled Italian team that despite having Fernando Alonso at the wheel has failed to win the title in recent years.

Asked on Friday if he is prepared to step into an overseeing role so that someone else might be team boss, Domenicali told Britain's Sky broadcaster: "Of course.

"If I see that is the best solution I will do it even tomorrow, 100 per cent.

"Also I have bosses on top of me that may take that decision.  At the end of the day the most important thing is that Ferrari has to become the standard for formula one once again," the Italian added.

Asked specifically if he would be happy to work hand-in-hand with Brawn once again, Domenicali said: "I cannot answer that question because whatever answer I give, there will be a lot of titles on the newspapers.

"I have such a respect for Ross, as a friend first of all, and as a professional that, really, let's wait and see."

From GMM

Daniil Kvyat has made an immediate impression on his bosses.

The Russian teen has been signed as the Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo's 2014 replacement at the energy drink company's second F1 team, Toro Rosso.

He has been given an early start in 2013, with two Friday practice appearances in Austin and now in Brazil.

On Friday at a wet Interlagos, the confident 19-year-old was not only faster than Ricciardo and his 2014 teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, but ranked eighth fastest overall in the morning session.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR8 (Photo: GEPA pictures)

"He has big balls," Dr Helmut Marko, the outspoken Austrian Red Bull chief, said after Kvyat set the time on the wet Brazilian circuit.

"I think we have the right man," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was also impressed.

"You could see he's not afraid of the car in any way," he said on British television BBC. "He's throwing it around and has got plenty of car control. It was certainly an impressive performance."

From GMM

Ferrari has played down rumours Nico Hulkenberg is in line to join the Maranello based team in 2015.

Although now fighting simply to stay on the grid next year, the highly rated German came tantalisingly close to signing a Ferrari contract for 2014, until the fabled Italian marque agreed a deal with Kimi Raikkonen instead.

"I was disappointed," Hulkenberg admits to Germany's Die Welt newspaper.  "Who in our job doesn't dream of driving for Ferrari?

"The opportunity was very real, but the negotiations came suddenly to a halt and I got over it relatively quickly," he said in Brazil.

According to the latest paddock rumour, however, Hulkenberg may still be in the frame, amid claims a 'pre-contract' - or letter of intent - already exists in the event Fernando Alonso switches to Honda-powered McLaren in 2015.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

But Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali told Auto Bild: "Nico is a great talent, but there are no agreements between him and us."

Hulkenberg, 26, also played down any suggestion his Ferrari dream is still palpably alive.

"At the moment I don't see Ferrari as a realistic chance for me," he said.

"The door is shut, but I don't know if that's for ever -- it's in the stars."

From Audi

Audi has given eight young talents the opportunity to gather experience in the cockpit of an Audi A4 DTM at a scouting event.

With instructions provided by the two factory drivers Timo Scheider and Adrien Tambay they completed an extensive program of testing on and off the track for three days in Spain. 
 
It has become a bit of a tradition: After the end of the DTM season, Audi gives a number of young talents the opportunity to gather personal experiences at the wheel of the DTM race car.

As in previous years, the event for young drivers between 17 and 22 years of age was not only focused on driving the fastest lap time but on technical understanding, dealing with engineers and mechanics, giving feedback on changes made to the Audi A4 DTM and handling a racing simulation.


Photo: Audi

“We regard this talent scouting event as an investment in the future,” says Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi.

“We're absolutely happy with our current driver line-up but would still like to give young talents an opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes of the DTM from time to time. This is how some of our current drivers got started as well and today they're part of the DTM or other series.”

DTM youngster Adrien Tambay and the two-time Champion Timo Scheider took care of the young talents as ‘driving instructors' and assisted them with tips and tricks.

The drivers who tested in Spain were: Jordan King (GB) and Harry Ticknell (GB), who were awarded the test as the best Volkswagen drivers in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, as well as Robin Frijns (NL, 2012 Renault World Series Champion), Marvin Kirchhöfer (D, 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup Champion), Alessandro Latif (GB, Speed Euroseries), Thomas Schöffler (D, 2013 International GT Sprint Series Champion), Ferdinand Stuck (D, VLN) and Stefan Wackerbauer (D, Formula Renault Eurocup).


From GMM

Pirelli is considering buying a new F1 test car from one of the teams.

Already frustrated by the lack of testing opportunities, and the teams' collective reluctance to help, F1's official supplier became further dismayed in Brazil when wet weather affected its plans to try the 2014 tires in Friday practice.

"We wouldn't have brought it (the 2014 tire) here if we didn't want to run it," motor sport boss Paul Hembery said.

It was a further frustration on top of a frustrating situation overall for Pirelli.

The Italian marque now wants to test the tires in dry Bahrain in December, but the teams cannot agree about who should accompany Pirelli to the island Kingdom.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said McLaren is offering to provide a car and send personnel at its own expense.

"It would give our new driver Kevin Magnussen some more experience," admitted team boss Martin Whitmarsh.

But some teams, like Mercedes and Ferrari, reportedly believe another Pirelli-shod test for McLaren would not be fair.

"I think we all want to help Pirelli provide the best tire they can," said Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn, "but it would be unfortunate if one team had the benefit of running a tire to the exclusion of all the others."

Hembery said: "If the teams are not able to sort out the problem, we will buy a car -- just as we did previously with Toyota and Renault."

If Pirelli buys a car now, it would have to buy a 2011 model, according to the testing rules.  But if it waits until January 1, it can buy a 2012 model.

But Hembery said Pirelli might actually go for a 2013 single seater.

"This is a grey area," Hembery said.  "Actually, we can't be prohibited (from running a 2013 car) because we are not a competitor.

"We would use the data only for ourselves, and each team could send an observer if they want to," he added.

Hembery's frustration, meanwhile, is obvious.

"It's like having to develop tires wearing a blindfold," he is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"No manufacturer, not Bridgestone or Michelin, would agree to return to F1 under these conditions," the Briton added.

From GMM

Lotus insists the team's 35 per cent sale to Quantum remains on track, even though the investment group missed its latest deadline set by chief Mansoor Ijaz.

Ijaz had said in Austin that the deal would be complete by the end of this week, but team boss Eric Boullier now says he is hoping to settle the issue "by early next week".

"Well, there is still some discussion ongoing, especially now between bankers," the Frenchman said in Brazil.

"The process is not fully completed but I think part of it has been done, which is obviously a good sign," added Boullier.

He dismissed reports - easily searchable on Google - that Ijaz has been at the centre of some questionable investments in recent years.

"Fortunately we don't have to base our judgement only on Google," said Boullier.

"To answer the question, yes, we have very serious proof of funds and good compliance of what is Quantum Motorsport."

Mansoor Ijaz, Eric Boullier (Photo: WRi2)

However, Germany's Sport Bild reports that Lotus' team CEO Patrick Louis has sent a letter to employees, apologizing that November's salaries will be paid late.

"We will do everything possible to solve this problem as soon as possible," Sport Bild quoted Louis as saying in the note.

And another sign the Quantum backing may never arrive is the fact that Lotus' first choice to replace Kimi Raikkonen in 2014, Nico Hulkenberg, is no longer counting the Enstone based team among his realistic options.

"It is clear that the (seats at the) top teams are all occupied," the German told Die Welt newspaper.

"For me, the options are limited to teams that have not been in contention for the championship in recent years.

"For sure I will not go for the title in 2014," Hulkenberg added.

Asked to name his options, the 26-year-old answered: "Force India and Sauber."

What happened to Lotus?  "It depends on the new investor (Quantum)," said Hulkenberg.  "I have to admit I'm a bit sceptical."

Hulkenberg thinks Lotus will instead sign Pastor Maldonado, who for the past few years has brought millions to Williams in the form of PDVSA backing.

"F1 is an expensive sport," he said, "and if a team needs financial help, then someone like Maldonado is worth a lot."

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen thinks he is a better driver today than when he won a grand prix for McLaren in 2008.

The Finn, who was dropped as Caterham's race driver at the end of last season, has returned to action with Lotus in Austin and Brazil after countryman Kimi Raikkonen headed for early surgery.

Kovalainen told Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper that the two outings late in 2013 have boosted his confidence, as he seeks a full-time return for 2014.

"Driving this (Lotus) car, a good car, I am now convinced that, with Caterham, I have developed as a driver in many areas compared to when I was at McLaren," he said.

Kovalainen's new race engineer Mark Slade, who has been working with Raikkonen full-time this year, agrees.

"Heikki is now more relaxed," said Slade, who worked with Kovalainen at McLaren.  "He's been very good at adapting to the new car."

Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Kovalainen thinks he has done his quest to return to race action in 2014 no harm with his Lotus outings.

"I am on the right end of the timesheets, everyone can see that," the 32-year-old said.

"Now with a good car, I realise I am better than I was at McLaren," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"I want to remain a formula one driver in all circumstances, even if it's only as a test driver."

Kovalainen has been strongly linked with a return for Caterham in 2014, but the latest rumours suggest rookie Marcus Ericsson could in fact line up alongside Giedo van der Garde.

Team boss Cyril Abiteboul confirmed in Brazil, however, that Caterham is still interested in Kovalainen.

"First of all I need to make sure that Lotus is not going to keep him," he smiled.

From GMM

1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks Fernando Alonso would have won this year's title at the wheel of the 2013 Lotus car.

The French Canadian told the Spanish sports daily AS that the Ferrari driver's performance this season was not quite as impressive as in 2012.

"He (Alonso) is always at a high level," Villeneuve said at Interlagos, "but what we saw from Alonso in 2012 I have not seen this year. That was second to none -- the best I've seen.

"This year, with the statements (made by Alonso) about Ferrari and everything, there was too much negative energy," he added.

Next year, Alonso will be paired at Ferrari with a new teammate.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

"(How will he fare) with (Kimi) Raikkonen?" Villeneuve said. "The Lotus is a great car this year. All I'll say is that Alonso would have won this year's title in that Lotus."

Alonso joined Ferrari in 2010 but, although he has come close, he is yet to add to his tally of two world titles, won at Renault seven years ago.

The Spaniard has had an often tense relationship with Ferrari this year, but despite flirtations with Red Bull and McLaren, he is staying put for 2014.

"You have no other choice than to be patient," Alonso told the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper at Interlagos.

"Sometimes it's frustrating. For days and days. But I have to use this anger in a good way, to work harder and to win again," he insisted.

Meanwhile, while Alonso's comments about Sebastian Vettel might often sound uncomplimentary, the 32-year-old insists the Red Bull driver deserves his success.

"With the same car, Webber was not able to win any titles," Alonso said. "It's clear that Sebastian deserves it."

Fisker Automotive, the dormant California-based maker of hybrid-electric sports cars, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a restructuring plan.

Fisker Automotive, the dormant California-based maker of hybrid-electric sports cars, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday as part of a restructuring plan.

Stephane St-Hilaire has been named president and CEO of automotive auction firm ADESA Inc., effective Jan. 6, parent company KAR Auction Services said. St-Hilaire, 44, is currently the president and COO of ADESA's Canadian auction unit.

Nissan is making a number of management changes in its North American operations designed to enhance the company's performance in sales, marketing and manufacturing. Most of the changes are effective Dec. 1, Nissan said.

2014 Technology of the Year: Autonomy

The end of driving.

Ultimately, there will be no need for seatbelts, airbags, bumpers, rollover protection, steering wheels, pedals, or even Automobile Magazine. Cars will be various-size pods on wheels like the futuristic vehicles of Woody Allen's 1973 movie Sleeper, traveling closely, safely, and efficiently in neat little rows like trains without rails.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Technology of the Year: Autonomy - Automobile Magazine

2014 Technology of the Year: Autonomy | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Like most tire companies, Pirelliand#8217;s products tend to be round and black. But this year marks the 50th anniversary of something far more eye-catching: the Pirelli calendar.

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