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Alexander Rossi won race 1 in Abu Dhabi, as Fabio Leimer secured the 2013 championship.

After he inherited pole position following Marcus Ericsson's penalty on Friday, Alexander Rossi took a dominant win ahead of Jolyon Palmer and Ericsson, in the first of two GP2 rounds presented this weekend in Abu Dhabi, as the season ends.

Which is why all eyes were turned on the championship battle between Fabio Leimer and Sam Bird.

Fabio Leimer (Photo: GP2series.com)

The Brit lost all hopes of beating Leimer when his car stalled on the grid just before the start. Sure enough, as he was making his way from last to 10th, Leimer was putting himself out of reach even before Sunday's race 2 with a fourth-place finish.

Jon Lancaster and Tom Dillmann were involved a scary incident, which ended with two cars pilled on top of each other. Dillmann, who suffered a neck injury in the crash, will not be able to race on Sunday, but should be better soon.

Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski stole the spotlight as they snared the front row for Sunday's NASCAR race in Texas.

So it was another Ford Fast Friday as they beat the times put down by the top three in points.

And it was a nail biter for Edwards who turned a lap of 196.114 mph around the mile and-a-half Texas Motor Speedway. “The late draw saved us there,” said Edwards.

“That wiggle, the car got loose off two and I definitely saw our whole hopes fade right there. I didn't think it was going to happen but then it went through three and four really, really well. I have to go back and watch but I don't know that anybody could have gone through much better. (...) Overall I think the car is a lot better than that lap even.”

Carl Edwards (Photo: Todd Warshaw/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Brad Keselowski the 2012 series champion, who failed to make the Chase, was only two thousandths of a second off of Edwards' pace at 196.100mph.

“I haven't looked at disappointments, I have looked at successes. If you spend your time focusing on your disappointments you will get more of them. I have been focusing on the successes and how to repeat them. Opportunities, successes, those moments where things have come together.

“You can't dwell on the things that haven't gone your way. You have to just acknowledge them and move on.”

Jimmie Johnson qualified third (195.943 mph) in a Chevrolet three positions ahead of Matt Kenseth in a Toyota (195.518 mph), who is tied with Johnson for the top spot in the series standings with three Chase races left.

Third-place Jeff Gordon, who trails the leaders by 27 points, earned the eighth starting spot, one position behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Paul Menard (195.837 mph) qualified fourth, .008 second faster than fifth-place starter Kyle Busch (195.780 mph), who is fifth in the Chase standings, 36 points behind Kenseth and Johnson.

This was Edwards' first pole at Texas, his second of the season and the 13th of his career. Edwards is a three-time winner at TMS, tops in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Hyundai Canada announced a recall on 3,149 Genesis sedans from 2009-2012 due to a problem with the braking system.

Apparently, corrosion could occur in the braking system's hydraulic Electronic Control Unit. Over time, this could affect the ECU's operation, causing a low/soft brake pedal and reduced braking effectiveness.

Hyundai dealers will repair all affected units at no cost.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

From GMM

Lotus' 35 per cent team investor Quantum wants Nico Hulkenberg at the wheel in 2014, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

However, the Enstone based team is running out of time as it waits for the deal to be completed, and has set a mid-November deadline, the German trade magazine said.

"We did a triple audit and there is no financial problem with them," added the Enstone team's boss Eric Boullier. "But now it becomes extremely difficult to move money around the world."

If the deadline passes, Lotus will surely resort to signing Pastor Maldonado, whose PDVSA backing is estimated at up to a staggering EUR 41 million per year.

An insider is quoted as saying: "When will Pastor realise that everyone is only after his money, not him?"

Until Lotus gets its hands either on Venezuela's or Quantum's money, team owner Gerard Lopez is reportedly dipping into his own pocket.

"The budget will not be touched (reduced)," he is quoted as saying. "We want to finish second in the championship."

Lotus is currently fourth, but the difference between finishing behind Ferrari and Mercedes or ahead of them is reportedly EUR 15 million in Concorde Agreement cash.

That might help pay for German Hulkenberg, even if the Quantum deal fails.

Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Team owner Lopez declared: "With Grosjean and Hulkenberg, we would have the best driver pairing for the future."

Quadruple world champion Alain Prost thinks it is ridiculous that F1's financial situation could lock the promising Hulkenberg out of the grid.

"You would like to see him have five offers on the table and he can choose the best one for him," said the Frenchman in Abu Dhabi.

"30 years ago," Prost told the German newspaper Welt, "a guy like Hulkenberg would have been snapped up by a top team."

Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen has been excluded from the qualifying session of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi following a front floor deflection test failure performed by the FIA.

During the post qualifying scrutineering, it was found that the left hand side of the floor of the E21 could deflect vertically more than the permitted 5mm when the testing load was applied to it.

Investigations by Lotus F1 Team found that the problem had been caused by a broken floor due to kerb damage, but the FIA stewards did not accept the explanation.

Raikkonen has been excluded from qualifying, but will be allowed to start from the back of the grid.

From GP3series.com

Red Bull protégé, Daniil Kvyat, who is set to become Jean-Eric Vergne's F1 teammate next year at Toro Rosso, sealed the 2013 GP3 championship this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Kvyat started the race 1 from pole and flew away well, until he safety car was deployed for two laps after Bamboo Engineering's Carmen Jorda spun and the car was stuck on the circuit.

Once the action resumed, the Russian controlled the pack well, maintaining a small advantage.

Daniil Kvyat, GP3 champion (Photo: GEPA pictures)

ART Grand Prix wrapped up the teams' championship trophy and end the day on 360 points, with MW Arden on 273 and Koiranen GP on 195.

The final race of the season takes place tomorrow at 12.00pm - midday at the Yas Marina Circuit, with many drivers with a point to prove and hoping for a stunning display to end the year.

Adapted from GMM

Finn Raikkonen confirmed after arriving in Abu Dhabi a day late that he could sit out the last two grands prix of the season because he has not been paid "one euro" in 2013.

"For sure (I could)," the 2007 world champion, who is returning to Ferrari in 2014, answered when asked about not racing in Austin and Brazil.

"I enjoy racing, I enjoy driving -- but a big part of it is business. Sometimes when that is not dealt with like it should, we end up in an unfortunate situation."

His boss Eric Boullier admitted Lotus is still behind in paying Raikkonen's salary.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

But Sir Jackie Stewart, who is an advisor to Lotus' Gerard Lopez-led team owner, Genii Capital, is confident Kimi Raikkonen will line up in his black and gold Lotus in Austin later this month.

"The owners tell me that this problem will be resolved no later than the grand prix in Austin," the 74-year-old revealed.

"I hope that's right and Kimi completes the season. He is a great driver and with the team he has delivered great results this year," the famous Scot added.

Stewart also defended Lotus, insisting that while its financial problems are grabbing the headlines at present, there is trouble elsewhere in pitlane as well.

"I know of at least three teams who have not paid their drivers as of today," he said.

From GMM

After two aerodynamic deputies signed to switch to McLaren, Red Bull's Christian Horner has played down suggestions the Adrian Newey era is coming to an end altogether.

Newey, undisputedly the greatest designer in the paddock, has been linked with a switch from aerodynamics to hydrodynamics and a tilt at penning an America's Cup yacht.

America's Cup Oracle Team USA (Photo: Guilain Grenier)

His boss Horner, however, played down those stories.

"Adrian has always expressed an interest in the America's Cup since the McLaren days," he said.

"But he thoroughly enjoys what he is doing at the moment, he is in the halcyon period of his personal career and he enjoys the environment he is working in."

Christian Horner, Adrian Newey (Photo: WRi2)

No matter what happens beyond 2014, 54-year-old Briton Newey remains committed to his next Red Bull, which in Sebastian Vettel's hands could deliver the team and the German a fifth consecutive championship triumph.

"It has been a great ride," Newey is quoted by AFP news agency.

"Next year is a huge challenge with the regulation changes so at the moment I'm fully focused on that."

Newly-crowned 2013 champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) simply could not match his teammate Mark Webber's pace during qualifying ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Webber edged the four-time world champion in each of the three sessions to earn pole.

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9, Yas Marina Circuit (Photo: GEPA pictures)

Despite being unusually slow compared to the retiring Australian, Vettel managed the second-best performance and at least gets to start beside him on the front row of the grid.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) produced like Vettel a subpar performance. A rare mistake in Q2 ended his day early as he settled for 11th on the grid.

Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fill the second row, despite the 2008 world champion spinning out of Q3. His mistake near the end of the session brought out yellow flags, which ruined Romain Grosjean's (Lotus) last flying lap.

Teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg leaped ahead on the time sheet, leaving the Frenchman seventh.

Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Sergio Perez (McLaren) and Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) complete the top 10.

Qualifying results* - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)
1. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing-Renault) - 1min39.957s - Q3
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing-Renault) - 1min40.075s - Q3
3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - 1min40.419s - Q3
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 1min40.501s - Q3
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus Renault) - 1min40.542s - Q3
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber-Ferrari) 1min40.576s - Q3
7. Romain Grosjean (Lotus-Renault) - 1min40.997s - Q3
8. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 1min41.015s - Q3
9. Sergio Perez (McLaren-Mercedes) - 1min41.068s - Q3
10. Daniel Ricciardo (STR-Ferrari) - 1min41.111s - Q3
11. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 1min41.093s - Q2
12. Paul di Resta (Force India-Mercedes - 1min41.133s - Q2
13. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) - 1min41.200s - Q2
14. Jean-Eric Vergne (STR-Ferrari) - 1min41.279s - Q2
15. Pastor Maldonado (Williams-Renault) - 1min41.395s - Q2
16. Valtteri Bottas (Williams-Renault) - 1min41.447s - Q2
17. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber-Ferrari) - 1min41.999s - Q1
18. Adrian Sutil (Force India-Mercedes) - 1min42.051s - Q1
19. Giedo van der Garde (Caterham-Renault) - 1min43.252s - Q1
20. Charles Pic (Caterham-Renault) - 1min43.528s - Q1
21. Max Chilton (Marussia-Cosworth) - 1min44.198s - Q1
22. Jules Bianchi (Marussia-Cosworth) - 1min43.398s - Q1**

*Unofficial results
**Five-place grid penalty for unscheduled gearbox change

From GMM

Friday in Abu Dhabi was Heikki Kovalainen's last appearance at the wheel of a Caterham in 2013.

Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper reports that the Finn, who has made several practice appearances for the green team this season, will defer to the race drivers for the final two grands prix in Austin and Brazil.

However, the 32-year-old - who raced for the team between 2010 and 2012 but was replaced for 2013 by pay-drivers - is in the running to return to the grid in 2014.

Caterham has admitted it has missed Kovalainen's experienced input this year; a factor that will be all-important for dealing with the radical new regulations for 2014.

"Next season will be a totally different ball game," team boss Cyril Abiteboul said in Abu Dhabi.

"We will have to adapt ourselves, the drivers will have to adapt themselves, so experience might be something that is interesting.

"But more important than anything I think is (to have in the car) someone who is capable of being almost transparent and providing the most accurate feedback as possible," he added.

2014 Acura MDX

The redesigned MDX comes in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

New For 2014

The 2014 Acura MDX is built on a new platform and has a new V-6 engine. It also gets a host of fresh standard features, including keyless entry, remote start, LED headlights, a 432-watt sound system, and acoustic glass. Front-wheel drive joins Acura's SH-AWD all-wheel-drive system (for Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) as a choice for the new model. The 2014 Acura MDX starts at $43,185.

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2014 Acura ILX

The ILX shares underpinnings with the Honda Civic, but the Acura has its own merits.

New For 2014

Acura has added more standard features in a bid to make the 2014 Acura ILX more upscale and sophisticated. These include an eight-way power driver's seat, heated leather seats, upgraded seventeen-inch wheels, a new subwoofer, active noise cancellation, leatherette door liners, and a multi-angle rear camera. Its price increases by $1000.

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2014 Chevrolet Cruze

It’s easy to forget about the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze -- but it’s not quite so easy to dismiss it from consideration.

New For 2014

The addition of a diesel engine option is the biggest change for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, but the Cruze also receives a few minor cosmetic revisions, including a pair of new paint colors.

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To understand why automakers are gung-ho about free trade talks between the United States and Europe, consider this number: $550 million.

Auto sales in the United States rose 10 percent in October, returning the industry to double-digit increases after a September slump. But on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, October trailed September's tepid performance.

Just ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show,

Ford was the top selling automaker in Canada in October and year to date, while General Motors outsold Chrysler in Canada last month, with sales at both Ford and GM jumping 10 percent.

Motor City Blogman: Outlaw Car Phones and Texting, Now

Stop the distracted driving.

Last January, eighty cars and trucks piled up on a stretch of Ontario’s Highway 401 east of Oshawa. A week later, fifty more vehicles collided on eastbound 401 near Woodstock, on the western edge of the province. Both these catastrophes were blamed on snow squalls, but they’ve earned 401 a poor reputation for safety.

Photo Gallery: Motor City Blogman: Outlaw Car Phones and Texting, Now - Automobile Magazine

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Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz sold 4,895 of its $29,900 CLA coupe in the car's first full month of availability, helping the brand post a 25 percent October gain and double its luxury-vehicle lead in the United States.

Hill Holliday Chairman Mike Sheehan, who led the effort to create the One Fund Boston charity that's raised $72 million for bombing victims, thinks Chevy and MLB went overboard canceling the promotion in which fans were supposed to hold signs...