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Jimmie Johnson's assault on NASCAR's immortal list took another step forward as he clinched his sixth Sprint Cup Championship while Denny Hamlin won the race in Homestead Miami Speedway.

Fans vigorously cheered Johnson's celebration “so thankful that Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick gave me this opportunity in 2002,” he said “so excited to have the ‘Six Pack' (what he calls his sixth title)” he added.

Johnson who came into the race with a 28-point lead over Kenseth and only had to finish 23rd or best had one tense moment on a late race restart. Johnson finished ninth.

“With 74 laps to go I had contact from behind which put me into the 20 (Kenseth) I thought this was going to be wild,” Johnson who fell back to 24th at the time said. “It made the last 50 laps interesting,” he explained.

Now with six NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships Johnson trails only NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt who each have seven titles. This was also his team, Hendrick Motorsports 11th Sprint Cup Championship the most in the series.

Jimmie Johnson, 2013 Sprint Cup Champion. (Photo: NASCAR)

As for getting into Earnhardt or Petty category of titles Johnson said “I feel like this team is capable of a lot of great things. There's still great years out ahead of us. But all of that is in the future, a seventh, an eighth. Richard (Petty) said eight to ten. That's all ahead of us.

I don't want to focus on that yet. It's not time. I want to unplug, enjoy the sixth, let it soak in. We'll get to Daytona for testing soon enough. I guess by then it's probably appropriate to ask the question.”

Kenseth, who started from the pole and led the most laps; finished second in the standings 19 points behind Johnson. He handled the disappointment with great grace. “It was an unbelievable year for us” the 2003 Champion said. He led the series with seven wins. “Overall you can't ask for more.” And he noted that despite finishing second in the points “this is one of the best seasons I've had.”

Denny Hamlin's miserable year missing six races due to a back injury at the beginning of the year at Auto Club Speedway finally had a happy ending. It was his 23rd career win and only of the year. “Horrible year,” he said “and I was going to be counting down the laps keep the streak alive as bad as the year was we can take a little solace. No reason we can't shoot out the gate in 2014 like we did in 2010 after we won here in 2009. It was his eight straight year with at least one win. “Eight years, it's amazing... man I wanted to keep the streak alive. It's heck of way to go out. Hamlin led 72 laps and finished .799 seconds ahead of Kenseth.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who led 28 laps, took third place after a tremendous struggle with Kenseth. After suffering an engine failure at the beginning of the Chase he bounced back to finish fifth in the points his second best year overall and best with Hendrick Motorsports. “We have been more competitive I think not as a company, I just think the 88 team has really stepped it up. But each year, like I said, we've gotten better.”

Also notable was Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was named Rookie of the Year. And it was the final Sprint Cup Series race for drivers, Ken Schrader, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton and Mark Martin.

Volkswagen Canada will recall 16,235 Tiguan CUVs from 2009-2011 to replace a fuse that can overheat and damage the fuse box, causing a partial loss of exterior vehicle lighting. This could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

In related news, 318 Jetta Hybrids from 2013 (all equipped with direct-shift gearboxes, or DSG) are being recalled because the interior of the gearbox can corrode due to incompatible gearbox lubricant additives, causing electrical shorts and blowing gearbox fuses. This could result in a loss of propulsion. Dealers will replace the existing gearbox lubricant with an updated formulation.

Source: Transport Canada

Jetta Hybrid 2013. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

To no surprise, Carlos Munoz has been named as one of the full-time driver with Andretti Autosport for the 2014 IndyCar Series season.

The Colombian drove for Andretti at the 2013 Indianapolis 500 classic where he finished second. He also made a one-off appearance for Panther Racing in Toronto when Ryan Briscoe was injured, before replacing the EJ Viso in Andretti's lineup for the Fontana season finale.

He will take Viso's place for the full season next year and will drive along Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and James Hinchcliffe.

Andretti Autosport. (Photo: IMS)

From GMM

Interlagos is still expecting a big crowd, despite Sebastian Vettel's utter dominance and with the 2013 title already decided.

Brazil has hosted some thrilling title deciders in recent history, but the main point of interest this weekend will be the battle for second place behind Red Bull in the constructors' standings.

Vettel, meanwhile, will try to extend his new record of wins on the trot from eight to nine, after beating Michael Schumacher's record in Austin.

"We'll try," Vettel - who could in Brazil also match legend Alberto Ascari's decades-old run of nine victories spread over two seasons, and Schumacher's 13 wins in a season - smiled on the podium on Sunday.

But even though success for Vettel is almost guaranteed this weekend, and all thoughts about the title now relate to the 2014 battle, Brazilian grand prix promoter Tamas Rohonyi is still expecting a big crowd at Interlagos.

"We have seen the title decided here many times," he told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, "but the effect on the fans at the racetrack is very small."

Race spokesman Castilho de Andrade agrees: "The (race day) crowd numbers differ slightly from 60,000 to 70,000, regardless of the (championship) situation."

Crowd in the pitlane, in 2011, Brazil. (Photo: WRi2)

I've been sitting here, staring at a blank document, waiting for the right words to come. Any words, really. You'd think, writing about a vehicle like the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus would cause a bout of verbal diarrhea that no amount of word-count Imodium could cure... but here's the thing; there are no words to properly describe this vehicle.

I don't feel there are words worthy of its presence, its abilities, its emotional unearthings. The English language hasn't invented them yet; and while I'm tempted to create a few of my own, I'm afraid they'd sound rather dirty and I may get into trouble.


What is the Audi R8 V10 Plus?
Besides being a glorious automobile to behold, the Audi R8 is the German automaker's answer to the super car segment -- and what an answer it is.

True, it may be considered the nouveau riche in a segment that's rife with history and experience, but the Audi R8 is equipped to play with the big boys. It's been around for about seven years now, and while its seen very few changes over those years, that hasn't hurt its appeal.

Besides being a glorious automobile to behold, the Audi R8 is the German automaker's answer to the super car segment. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus Price and Specs
Prepare yourself for some big numbers when speaking about the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus. While some of those numbers will leave you weak in the knees for a good reason, others will just knock you out from sheer shock.

Let's start with the shocking ones first: The 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus has a starting price of $187,000. Take a breath and know that my tester (with its three options) tipped the scale at $211,895.

As for the knee-weakening bits, there are plenty of them. As its name would suggest, the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus carries a glorious 5.2L V10 in its midst. With 550 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, and only weighing 1,635kgs, the Audi R8 is a veritable street-legal racecar. Fantastic.

As its name would suggest, the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus carries a glorious 5.2L V10 in its midst with 550 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus
Full disclosure: In all my years as an auto journalist, I'd never driven an R8 before. This was my first time, and the anticipation, and excitement were palpable when I got the keys. As happy as I was to finally drive it, I was also rather intimidated. This is a lot of car, and it makes that immediately clear the moment you fire up the angry-sounding, visceral 5.2L V10.

Slipping onto the quilted leather seats, wrapping my slightly clammy hands around the small, steering wheel perfectly molded for ideal hand placement, I glanced down at the crowning jewel in the cockpit: the metal-framed 6-speed gated shifter.

That's right: Three pedals. Six gears. Deep breath.

A bit of an anomaly in the supercar world, this was perhaps one of the best manual transmissions I've ever had the pleasure of shifting. From the rather easy-to-manipulate clutch to the fabulous metallic “schlick” as each gear engages, the experience of driving the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is made that much more tangible via this transmission.

As each gear begs to be engaged, while the engine toys with your mind coaxing you to push the revs ever higher as the wail of the V10 echoes through the two-seater cockpit and deep into your very being, the organic growl of the dual exhaust juxtapositions beautifully against the industrial click of shifting gears. As graceful as it is chaotic, driving the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is pure pleasure, if nothing else.

If I've got to find a negative point (and trust me, I struggled to find at least one), I'd say the lack of torque is up there. Sure, it's got enough ponies, but the inability to really throw my head into the quilted leather headrest is a bit disappointing.

Make no mistake, the Quattro all-wheel drive with viscous coupling system is wonderful, allowing the R8 V10 Plus to play when asked. Equipped with ceramic brakes (a $10,900 option worth every penny), the R8 comes to a stop as quickly as it gets going.

Free of any sport, dynamic or plus modes, the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is essentially always fast -- no boost needed. With a top speed of 315 km/hr and a 0-100 km/hr time of just 3.9 seconds, this German is quick... Quick to get the adrenaline pumping.

Slipping onto the quilted leather seats, I glanced down at the crowning jewel in the cockpit: the metal-framed 6-speed gated shifter. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the Audi R8 V10 Plus
If another “sore” point can be pointed out, it's the lack of change the R8 has seen over the years. Some would say a change would be blasphemous, but I'm not sure how much longer Audi can pull off the R8's look as the world's other supercars continue to evolve.

That being said, the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is pure sex on wheels. It doesn't matter what angle you approach it, this car is stunning. Low, wide and perfectly proportioned, there's very little to dislike. Add a layer of Sepang Blue Pearl Effect with carbon fibre front lip, rear diffuser and blades and I challenge you to say this thing isn't hot. I dare you.

Inside, the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is a lesson in simplistic sophistication. Memory seat settings? Nope. Digital gauge cluster? Don't think so. E-brake? Thank God, no. The interior of the R8 is as business as the engine bay, clean crisp and all about the task at hand: driving.

The 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is pure sex on wheels. It doesn't matter what angle you approach it, this car is stunning. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus
I'm glad I finally had the chance to drive the R8 because it really opened my eyes to just how good Audi can be. They are about much more than luxury all-wheel-drive suburban dwellers. They've managed to engineer a supercar that's as willing and able to play alongside the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porsche 911 Turbo S, and still survive the winter months.

With nearly 24 million views so far, Volvo's latest ad starring Jean-Claude Van Damme has been a huge hit. In an effort to showcase the outstanding precision and stability of its dynamic steering system, the Swedish manufacturer called on the world-renowned martial arts specialist to do the split between a pair of moving trucks, with his feet resting on the sideview mirrors. Incredible!

From GMM

Even Sebastian Vettel's post-race 'donuts' are becoming predictable, after the quadruple world champion on Sunday smashed an old Michael Schumacher record in Texas.

Not even in Schumacher's ultra-dominant Ferrari era last decade did the great German win eight races on the trot in a single season, but Red Bull's Vettel put the lid on that achievement at the chequered flag of the US grand prix.

"I'm not getting bored!" he grinned afterwards.

Eight consecutive wins for Sebastian Vettel with Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

However - with the possible exception of those who wear dark blue uniforms in the paddock - Vettel may not find many who agree with him, one week ahead of Brazil's season finale.

"Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes badly need to raise their game," said Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary, "because there are no prizes for guessing who is going to win in Brazil."

Even Bernie Ecclestone apparently got bored in Austin, as he left the Circuit of the Americas with his police escort on lap 43, according to Bild newspaper.

Perhaps that was because even the battles behind Vettel on Sunday were few and far between.

Pirelli took an ultra-conservative approach with hard compounds for the US grand prix weekend, raising concerns that one-stop strategies remove too much excitement from the races.

Speed Week reports that at the next meeting of F1's new strategy group, a proposal from Pirelli to mandate two-stop strategies in 2014 will be considered.

A minor point of note from Sunday's race was that it guaranteed Fernando Alonso will keep second place in the drivers' championship, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and the now-absent Kimi Raikkonen.

"It's a small reward for me," the Spaniard said, "the same as being first of the 'mortals' behind Red Bull."

But F1 legend Mario Andretti said in Austin that Alonso can still be proud, even though Vettel's dominance at present is absolute.

"It's hard to say which one of them is better," he told the Spanish sports daily AS.

"But the fact that after four consecutive titles for Vettel we are still discussing it, shows that Alonso is still an amazing driver, and that both of them are probably among the best ever," Andretti added.

Mercedes-Benz Vision Gran Turismo Concept Revealed Before 2013 L.A. Show

Coming soon to a PS3 near you

Kazunori Yamauchi may have been challenged to make the sixth installment of his Gran Turismo video game seriously bigger and better than ever, but in doing so, he in turn challenged 22 automakers to create futuristic sports cars for use in the new Gran Turismo 6. The Mercedes-Benz Vision Gran Turismo Concept, which debuts at the 2013 Los Angeles auto show, isn't just the first of these 22 bespoke designs to officially debut; it might be one of the only ones modeled outside of a digital environment.

Photo Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Vision Gran Turismo Concept Revealed Before 2013 L.A. Show - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Vision Gran Turismo Concept Revealed Before 2013 L.A. Show - Automobile Magazine

Mercedes-Benz Vision Gran Turismo Concept Revealed Before 2013 L.A. Show | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Stealing cars isn't always a messy game that leaves piles of broken glass at the scene.

The Fusion -- Ford's hottest car since Taurus was America's top seller two decades ago -- is going coastal. Already a hit in the heartland, Fusion now attracts buyers in places that previously panned Detroit iron.

Even as automakers introduce technology that lets cars drive themselves in congested highway traffic, their engineers and suppliers already are working on the next steps, such as automatic passing and lane changing.

From GMM

Pirelli has warned it will take "a very conservative approach" to 2014 unless its mandate is clearly set out by formula one.

F1's official supplier has been the subject of intense criticism about the quality of its tires in 2013.

But boss Paul Hembery insists many have forgotten that the Italian marque was specifically tasked by Bernie Ecclestone to spice up the races by producing aggressive tires that quickly degrade.

Pirelli's patience is wearing out (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)

That mandate, however, was never enshrined in the actual rules, to the point that Hembery argues many of the sport's leading figures have now forgotten.

"We just want to know what we should do," he said in Austin.

"We want clear guidance, as it seems to me as though people have forgotten what we were asked to do."

This weekend in Austin, Hembery admitted Pirelli's tyre selection - the hard and medium compounds - "is on the conservative side" for the US grand prix.

And he warned that, if Pirelli's role is not clarified, the sport should prepare for more "one-stop races" in 2014.

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen has emerged as a surprise and late contender to drive for Lotus in 2014. Meanwhile, 'Quantum', the investment group looking to buy 35 per cent of the Enstone team, has denied once again that the deal is collapsing.

The Finn, Caterham's 'Friday' driver this season, was drafted into Lotus' race lineup for Austin when countryman Kimi Raikkonen headed for early back surgery.

It was believed the highly rated Nico Hulkenberg, or the well-funded Pastor Maldonado, were the only candidates to replace the Ferrari-bound Raikkonen full-time next year.

But Kovalainen has performed strongly from the first practice lap in Austin, qualifying eighth compared to teammate Romain Grosjean's third on Saturday.

Team boss Eric Boullier admitted the 32-year-old might have leapt into contention to race full-time for Lotus in 2014.

"It is true that he was not originally on the list," the Frenchman told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3. "But if he's doing well now, he can change our minds."

Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

The vacancy for Austin and Brazil was created when Raikkonen headed for back surgery ahead of schedule.

But it has been rumoured his relationship with Lotus, broken over a financial dispute, was the real reason.

"Money has little to do with it," team owner Gerard Lopez insists. "We clarified that in Abu Dhabi -- he will get his money.

"Maybe his new employer advised him that it would be better to seek treatment as soon as possible," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Indeed, Lopez suspects Lotus' constructors' championship rival Ferrari might also have had something to do with Hulkenberg's sudden unavailability for the seat in Austin and Brazil.

"As I understand it, he was paid (by Sauber) all of a sudden, so he was no longer available to us," said the Luxembourger.

There is no doubt, however, that Lopez is running out of patience with Quantum.

"Either they fulfil their contractual obligations, or we must draw our conclusions," he also told Auto Motor und Sport.

The Quantum group is led by Mansour Ijaz, who after playing down speculation in Abu Dhabi recently, has now travelled to Austin with the same message.

"There is no question that the deal is going to work out," he insisted on Saturday.

Ijaz said the hefty flow of cash has been held up by red tape, and promised to apologize for the holdup by paying bonuses out of his own pocket.

Lotus, however, cannot afford to simply go on hoping. It is rumoured Pastor Maldonado, with his millions in PDVSA backing in tow, is now definitely headed to Enstone to guarantee the team's 2014 budget.

Lopez only admitted, that Lotus needs to secure its future financially.

"I will need a sponsor," he said. "Whether the money comes with a driver or not, I don't care -- I would also take Fernando Alonso with his sponsor."

Next week's Los Angeles Auto Show will feature one of only 10 custom Neiman Marcus Edition cars based on the new 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante that was originally unveiled at the Pebble Beach Automotive Week this summer.

This rare edition of the Vanquish Volante is inspired from the iconic 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Volante currently owned by Prince William (and used during his wedding with Kate Middleton). It appears in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Fantasy Catalogue. Production is strictly limited to 10 examples and will form the first Vanquish Volante to enter the U.S. market.

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Neiman Marcus Edition. (Photo: Aston Martin)

Under the hood of the all-carbon fibre bodied Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Neiman Marcus Edition is a 6.0L V12 engine that produces 565 horsepower. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, it reaches a top speed of 295 km/h.

The interior features black soft semi-aniline leather, Aurora Blue contrast stitching, Ivory Roekona headlining, and Neiman Marcus nomenclature embroidered on the seat headrests.

Deliveries of the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Neiman Marcus Edition will begin in early 2014 at $344,500 CAD apiece.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has revealed he lost sensation in his left side and suffered "severe" headaches in the wake of the recent Abu Dhabi grand prix.

The Spaniard's participation in this weekend's US grand prix was in doubt, after he hurt his back in a violent ride over the kerbs in a duel with Jean-Eric Vergne.

But Alonso released more details of the effects in Austin, revealing that his symptoms were even worse than was previously thought.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

At the wheel of his Ferrari, however, Alonso is still at full speed, as evidenced by his sixth place in Austin qualifying, many places ahead of his teammate Felipe Massa.

"The adrenaline works for me," he smiled to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"But when I lie down at night and get up in the morning, my back still hurts."

Ferrari's telemetry showed Alonso suffered a 28G impact.

"At first I did not feel too much," he said. But he had to be checked by the FIA's doctors, because the high Gs had triggered the medical warning light.

"They found that I had some numbness in my left arm and left leg," said Alonso.

Fernando Alonso at the hospital (Photo: Twitter)

The results alarmed the doctors and Alonso was sent to hospital, which is where the famous picture of him strapped to a spinal board was taken by his manager Luis Garcia Abad.

The next week, Alonso said, was the worst.

"I had a constant, severe headache," he said. "Not until this week did it get any better. But in the car I am not affected."

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel won a record eighth straight race Sunday at the 2013 Formula 1 Grand Prix of the United States at Circuit of the Americas.

Sebastian Vettel on the podium. (Photo: WRI2)

The young four-time World Champion claimed victory ahead of Lotus' Romain Grosjean and his teammate, Mark Webber. Vettel became the first man to win eight consecutive events in one calendar year.

At the green, Vettel remained in first place from his pole position while Grosjean, starting third, jumped ahead of Webber to take second.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Vettel pushed really hard during the opening laps to build a 10-second cushion over Grosjean.

Near the end of the race, Grosjean and Webber had a good scrap over second place but the Australian never found a way past despite using his KERS in different manners. The Frenchman scored his best finish of the season after five third places this season.

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG finished over 20 seconds behind the podium positions in fourth at the end of what was evidently a frustrating 56 laps for the Briton amid yet more tire management concerns.

Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari arrived home fifth after having battled hard against the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg in the closing laps of the race.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Mexican Sergio Perez (McLaren) drove an inspired race to finish seventh ahead of the flying Valtteri Bottas who scored his first points in career in a Williams.

The points finishers were rounded out by Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG) and, via a penultimate-lap pass on Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), Jenson Button (McLaren) who again endured a very difficult weekend.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Results* of the 2013 US Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas:

1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 56 laps in 1h39m17.148
2 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 6"284
3 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 8"396
4 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 27"358
5 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 29"592
6 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 30"400
7 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 46"692
8 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 54"509
9 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 59"141
10 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'17"278
11 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'21"004
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'24"574
13 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'26"914
14 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'31"707
15 - Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'35"063
16 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'36"853
17 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1 lap down
18 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1 lap down
19 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1 lap down
20 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1 lap down
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps down
DNF Adrian Sutil (Force India)

Drivers' championship:
1. Vettel 372 points; 2. Alonso 227; 3. Hamilton 187; 4. Raikkonen 183; 5. Webber 171; 6. Rosberg 161; 7. Grosjean 132; 8. Massa 106; 9. Button 61; 10. Di Resta 48; 11. Hulkenberg 47; 12. Perez 41; 13. Sutil 29; 14. Ricciardo 19; 15. Vergne 13; 16. Gutierrez 6; 17. Bottas 4; 18. Maldonado 1.

Constructors' championship:
1. Red Bull-Renault 553 points; 2. Mercedes 348; 3. Ferrari 333; 4. Lotus-Renault 315; 5. McLaren-Mercedes 102; 6. Force India-Mercedes 77; 7. Sauber-Ferrari 53; 8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 32; 9. Williams-Renault 5
*Unofficial results

From press release

Sébastien Ogier will take a lead of 20.3 seconds into the final day of Wales Rally GB as he chases his first victory on the World Championship counter.

The Volkswagen Polo R driver began Saturday's third leg with a lead of 20.1sec over his team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, and he maintained that advantage despite a determined challenge from the Finn.

Ogier wasn't fastest on any of the day's seven stages, but judged his pace perfectly on the slippery forest roads of mid-Wales to round off the day with a clean run through the short asphalt stage at Chirk Castle in front of thousands of spectators.

Between them, Ogier's team-mates Andreas Mikkelsen and Latvala won all of the day's five forest stages, with Mikkelsen fastest on the first two and Latvala taking a hat-trick in the afternoon.

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC (Photo: VW Motorsport)

But while Latvala was encouraged by his ability to take time out of Ogier on the latter tests, he ended the day concerned by his lack of pace earlier on.

Thierry Neuville is third on his last outing in a Ford Fiesta RS before a switch to Hyundai for 2014. The Belgian had a largely trouble free day, but was kept under pressure from Mikkelsen behind. A lack of split times in Neuville's car in the afternoon didn't help him judge his speed, but the Belgian completed the day with a 20-second advantage.     

Mikkelsen was satisfied too, having come out best in a three-way battle for fourth that became a duel on SS11 when Evgeny Novikov rolled out.

Mads Ostberg is fifth, just 7.3sec further back, in his Qatar M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS. The Norwegian got a big step closer to Mikkelsen on the final forest stage, thanks in part to some suspension set-up advice from his father, and has fourth place in his sights on Sunday.

After Ostberg there is a gap of almost five minutes to Ford Fiesta RS driver Martin Prokop in sixth.

Dani Sordo is seventh, and Citroen's sole remaining factory entry after Robert Kubica crashed out today for a second time. The Pole restarted after a crash on day two, but went off the road on SS11 after a pace-note misunderstanding.

From press release

Alex Lynn won the 2013 running of the Star River‧Windsor Arch Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, leading home António Félix da Costa in a tense encounter.

Barely more than a second covered the pair throughout the second half of the race, Lynn showing nerves of steel to take his first win in Macau at just his second attempt.

“I can't really put it into words,” said the Theodore Racing by Prema driver.

“I've dreamed of winning this race and ever since I left here finishing third [last year]. All I wanted to do is come back here and win and I can't believe I've actually done it.”

Macau Grand Prix podium (Photo: macau.grandprix.gov.mo)

Carlin driver da Costa, who won the race 12 months ago, started fourth, but quickly found himself in third when Felix Rosenqvist retired on the first lap. He then slipped past Pipo Derani on the run to Lisboa following an early re-start, but was unable to overhaul the leader, despite closing the gap in the second half of the race.

Derani wound up finishing third, but it took a little bit of good fortune. The Fortec driver had just been passed and gapped by Prema Powerteam's Raffaele Marciello, only for the Italian to crash out of the race at R Bend four laps from the end.

A pair of Britons were next, Alexander Sims (ThreeBond with T-Sport) leading home Carlin's Jordan King - who was not only the best-placed rookie at the end of the event, but set the fastest lap of the race with a 2m11.547s.

Jazeman Jaafar was next, ahead of Carlin team-mate Carlos Sainz Junior, and Fortec driver Tom Blomqvist. Nicholas Latifi (Carlin) and Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) rounded out the Top 10.

The race featured just one safety car period, sparked when Lucas Auer (Theodore Racing by Prema), John Bryant-Meisner (Fortec) and Sean Gelael (Double R Racing) all hit the wall at the exit of Mandarin.

From GMM

Sergio Perez will not necessarily simply return to Sauber in 2014, boss Monisha Kaltenborn insists.

The Swiss team was disappointed late last year, when Perez was signed by McLaren.

Sauber continued to wear Telmex branding in 2013, but fellow Mexican Esteban Gutierrez had been promoted from the reserve role.

Two Mexicans for 2014? Perez and Gutierrez wouldn't mind.

"Mexican power!" Gutierrez said on Thursday. Perez agreed: "I think it would be good. Why not?"

Sergio Perez at Sauber in 2012 (Photo: WRi2)

Two Mexicans in a single team might appear untidy for a Swiss F1 team, but Kaltenborn said Sauber has "never chosen drivers by nationality".

The team has also been struggling financially in 2013, so might not be in an ideal position to be too choosy.

When asked about Perez, Kaltenborn was quoted by AS newspaper: "We had a good relationship, and good memories of his years here.

"But there are other drivers who could be on the team," the Sauber chief added.

The ball would appear to be in Telmex's court, particularly after McLaren changed direction so radically by ousting Perez.

"The money is there to run both of them (at Sauber)," an unnamed Mexican was quoted in Austin by AS correspondent Manuel Franco, "and even to buy the team."

From GMM

Renault has played down expectations F1 will become a mere 'engine formula' with the new rules of 2014.

It is widely believed that if one manufacturer - such as Mercedes as per the current paddock rumours - gets an early lead in the horsepower stakes, its teams will dominate the new championship.

But Remi Taffin, of world champion Red Bull's engine supplier Renault, thinks car design will continue to be crucial.

"(Adrian) Newey is king," he told Spain's Marca sports newspaper, referring to how Renault goes about integrating its engine to the overall package.

"The overall package is what has to work," said Taffin.

Remi Taffin (Photo: Renault Sport)

"The importance of aerodynamics will be more or less the same (in 2014)," he added.

Taffin explained that, in his opinion, a key to Red Bull's success in the V8 era has been "the humility of Renault Sport's engineers, who have understood not to have the best engine, or the most powerful, but the best engine for the car".

Meanwhile, Marca correspondent Marco Canseco claims the 2007 Red Bull tested week for 'filming' purposes at the Los Arcos Navarra circuit may have been wearing a low nose, as per the 2014 regulations.