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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 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.

Model: 2008 to 2014 Subaru WRX

Vehicle Type: Sedan/5-door

The Verdict: The WRX appears to be a fairly solid bet in a used sports model that's ready for action 365 days a year. Common issues listed below should be easy to identify on a test drive. A non-modified model is your best bet for long-term confidence and reliability.

Price: Look for an older, higher-mileage unit starting from about $12,000, with newer, low-mileage units commanding over $30,000. There is plenty of selection in the high teens and low twenties.

Photo: Luc Gagné

What Owners Like: Commonly praised in this generation of Subaru WRX are acceleration, handling, seat comfort, and an all-out, fun-to-drive factor. Many owners appreciate the space and flexibility of five-door models, and note generous at-hand storage facilities, too. Winter driving confidence in the WRX is rated top-notch, too.

What Owners Dislike: Common complaints of the WRX include heavy fuel consumption, the requirement to be fed premium gasoline, and a cheap, low-budget interior. Some owners complain of a stiff, firm ride, which is a tradeoff for the model's handling abilities. As the WRX ages, many owners complain of interior rattles, too.

Photo: Luc Gagné

History/Description: The Subaru WRX -- or the Subaru Impreza WRX -- hit the market in its most recent iteration for 2008 with a 224-horsepower turbocharged flat-4 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, and the Japanese automaker's legendary Symmetrical AWD system bolted under its floor-pan.

An up-powered WRX 265 model was launched for 2009, and then dropped for 2010, as its 265-horsepower engine became standard for all WRX models from then on. Both sedan and hatchback five-door models were available. Feature content included Bluetooth, heated sport bucket seats, a sunroof, leather-wrapped accents, automatic climate control, automatic lights, Bluetooth, and more.

Photo: Luc Gagné

Common Issues: Standard sports-car checks apply to the WRX, regardless of mileage or year. Confirm that the tires and brakes are in decent shape, not in need of replacing. Inspect the model for non-stock parts, noting that “upgrades” can in some cases adversely affect reliability and durability.

Opting for a model as mechanically close to stock as possible is advised for the average shopper. Avoid a model with modified turbocharger system programming or components unless you're familiar with WRX engine management and tuning.

Be sure to “feel” the clutch for any signs of slippage, and the shifter for any signs of gears “clashing” or “grinding” when changing gears. Both could indicate clutch or transmission problems.

Walk around the model to inspect the condition of the paint, especially on the front bumper. Many owners complain of poor durability from the factory paint job, as well as “cracks” in the bumper. Confirm proper operation of the driver's seat lumbar adjustment, seat heaters, and air conditioner.

Have a Subaru mechanic check over the model you're considering, noting whether a recall on the turbocharger oil supply line was carried out. Note that a number of owners of 2009 models experienced engine failure caused by a bad batch of engine bearings. This issue happened almost exclusively at low miles and was covered under warranty until Subaru addressed the issue.

Finally, pay attention to the WRX's idle, ensuring it's smooth and steady at around 750 rpm. If that's not the case, a bad sensor might be to blame. Also, although rare, some owners reported issues with the timing belt and pulley system, which could cause excessive roughness and poor power output -- not to mention engine damage. For safety's sake, be sure to determine where the timing-belt is within its lifespan, and don't agree to purchase a WRX that doesn't seem to be running smoothly until a mechanic checks it over.

Photo: Luc Gagné

From press release

Alex Lynn will start the 2013 running of the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix from pole position after comfortably winning Saturday's 10-lap Qualification Race.

The Briton started the race from third on the grid, but wasted no time hitting the front, barging into the lead on the way to Lisboa on the first lap. But his time at the front was initially short-lived, the Theodore Racing by Prema driver running wide at Lisboa, surrendering the lead to Felix Rosenqvist.

The lead changed hands again following an early safety car period - which was caused when Harry Tincknell collected a stalled Tom Blomqvist at the start - with Lynn slip-streaming past Rosenqvist's GR Asia with Mücke entry on the way down to Lisboa, this time making the move stick.

Once in front, Lynn put the hammer down, a series of quick laps leaving him a comfortable winner, 2.411s clear of Rosenqvist at the finish.

Alex Lynn (Photo: macau.grandprix.gov.mo)

Raffaele Marciello, who started the Qualification Race from pole position, was left to rue a poor start, which left him buried in the field. But the Prema Powerteam driver systematically worked his way through the field, finishing the race in touch with Rosenqvist.

He will be joined on the second row by Carlin's Antonio Felix da Costa, who finished fourth ahead of Pipo Derani (Fortec Motorsport) and Alexander Sims (ThreeBond with T-Sport).

2014 Man of the Year: Tadge Juechter

The chief engineer who got the Corvette right.

Tadge Juechter didn't blink as the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray blitzed through a series of tight kinks on a California back road. One wild-eyed journalist after another was putting the coupe through its paces for the launch of the seventh-generation car, and Juechter was stuck in the right seat. No worries for the fifty-six-year-old engineer, for he had total trust in his machine. And make no mistake, the C7 is Juechter's machine. Only the fifth chief engineer in the Corvette's sixty-one-year history, he's likely to go down in the books as the one who got it right. For that he is Automobile Magazine's 2014 Man of the Year.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Man of the Year: Tadge Juechter- Automobile Magazine

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Automobile of the Year: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Not redesigned, reborn.

Yes, the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette is the Automobile of the Year. No, this was not a foregone conclusion. The Corvette may have a special place in the American automotive pantheon, but not every new Corvette has been a big deal. The C6, for example, was a conservative effort, a safe play that didn't reach. The new C7, though, is something else.

Photo Gallery: Automobile of the Year: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Automobile of the Year: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - Automobile Magazine

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Fiat said it will not take part in Italy's only annual car show next year, dealing a further blow to the event that was cancelled this year due to a lack of exhibitors.

BMW is breaking new ground with its extensive use of carbon fiber in the i3 electric car. The move represents the biggest shift in automobile production since at least the 1980s when the first all-aluminum car frames were made.

Chances are you have never heard of Georg Lankensperger, a 19th-century German wooden-wheel maker. He solved a problem nearly 200 years ago that Corvette engineers chose to live with in the redesigned 2014 Stingray.

Tinseltown will see even more power and bling than usual judging by the luxury vehicles dominating the bill of global debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

With sales of plug-in electric vehicles on pace to reach half of President Obama's goal, regulators are following customers and automakers to vehicles powered by other fuels, from hydrogen to diesel.

The three Tesla Model S electric sedans that have caught fire since Oct. 1 have drawn wide public scrutiny.

From GMM

After dropping Sergio Perez for 2014, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh says he is now trying to help the Mexican find a seat elsewhere in formula one.

After just one season with 23-year-old Perez, the Woking based team has decided to replace him with in-house development talent Kevin Magnussen.

But McLaren has been criticised for making its decision so late that it could end Perez's F1 career.

"People say our decision was terribly late, but what I have said to him is to stand back from it a bit," Whitmarsh is quoted by Britain's Sky.

"I am trying to help him get a drive," he revealed.

Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

"At the time (of the decision) Williams had a seat, but that has now gone, but there is a Lotus seat, and one at Sauber, Force India, Caterham and Marussia," said Whitmarsh.

"I have rung Force India and I have rung Lotus. They both do a good job and I have recommended him because he deserves to be in formula one," he added.

Whitmarsh said he was in a difficult position, because new Formula Renault 3.5 champion Magnussen "is the most exciting young driver not in F1".

Indeed, the McLaren chief recently tried to find Magnussen a seat for 2014, at the Force India and Marussia teams.

"I went up and down the pitlane and no one wanted to do it, so we went for it," said Whitmarsh.

While Matt Kenseth was happy with his first pole at Homestead Miami Speedway, third of year, he knows that's not quite good enough to claim his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

“I'm always surprised when I'm on the pole and qualifying isn't my strong suit,” Kenseth said after his 11th career pole. “I think I missed every corner. He (crew chief Jason Ratcliff) did a spectacular job to make the adjustments and we got the (pole) lap.”

That said no matter what Kenseth does Jimmie Johnson, who will start seventh, only needs to finish 23rd or better to clinch the title. Kenseth averaged 177.667mph around the mile and half oval.

“Jimmie is so far ahead if he has a problem; we have to be able to capitalize on that, try to lead as much as we can.

Last week, at Phoenix, Kenseth's bad set up caused him to finish 23rd and fall 28 points behind Johnson. This pole was a bit of mood booster.

“Phoenix takes the wind out of your sails when you have a day like that. We were leading the points with three to go and now there's a slim chance it (the pole) builds confidence.

Johnson, talking about Sunday's race, said of his commanding points lead “It's a great position to be in... it's nice but it doesn't guarantee anything. I have to run all 400 miles on Sunday and that's really the goal.”

Looking to Sunday Kenseth added “we can't control how they (Johnson) finish. We have to concentrate on the 20 (his Toyota's number).”

Matt Kenseth (Photo: Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kurt Busch, in his last race for the one-car Furniture Row Racing team, was chagrined that the team finally turned a corner on his Chevrolet in the final race of the Chase, and starts second at 177.445mph.

Busch, the first champion in NASCAR's Chase format said “it was a great lap gave me confidence to sweep through turn two on the high side.” Considering how he restored his reputation which resulted in his deal with Stewart-Haas Racing and taking the FRR team to the Chase made him proud.

“Ultimately it's been a very successful season.”

Joey Logano, also having one of his best seasons, who starts third at 177.445mph credits a recent test in a Nationwide Series Ford for giving some vital information on how the track will change in a race that starts in warmer daylight and finishing in cooler temperatures after the son sets.

Brad Keselowski, Logano's Penske Racing teammate and 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion will start fourth.

Kevin Harvick, who is third in the standings, and will also be leaving for Stewart-Haas Racing, will start sixth alongside fifth place Denny Hamlin.

From press release

Ed Carpenter Racing announced today that Mike Conway has joined the organization as the driver of the No. 20 Chevrolet-powered Dallara Indy car for the road and street course events during the 2014 IndyCar Series. 

Conway, 30, is a two-time IndyCar Series winner with victories in 2011 at Long Beach and 2013 at Detroit.

Ed Carpenter, the IndyCar Series' only team owner/ driver, will continue to pilot the No. 20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka Chevrolet for all of the oval races throughout the 2014 campaign. Carpenter also is a two-time IndyCar Series winner with race wins in 2011 at Kentucky and 2012 at Fontana.

“We couldn't be happier to welcome Mike Conway to the Ed Carpenter Racing family,” said Carpenter

2014 will be Conway's sixth IndyCar season with 60 career starts including his two victories, four podiums, five top-fives and 18 top-10 finishes.

From GMM

According to the paddock grapevine in Austin, Nico Hulkenberg is no longer in the running for the 2014 race seat at Lotus.

Venezuelan oil minister Rafael Ramirez has hinted to the newspaper El Nacional that Pastor Maldonado's PDVSA millions are being switched from Williams to Lotus.

"The team is changing (from Williams) and what he is working on is going to Lotus," said the PDVSA president.

Maldonado confirmed: "We are talking to teams but we are quite clear about where we want to go.

Pastor Maldonado, Williams (Photo: WRi2)

"I believe in the coming days we will have a confirmation," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

The news of PDVSA's switch to Lotus, whose 'Quantum' investment appears to have fallen over, will also be a blow for Sauber, who recently welcomed Maldonado to Hinwil.

Also assessing his ever-diminishing options is German Hulkenberg, who is now fending off a new and powerful addition to the 2014 driver market -- the Telmex-backed Mexican Sergio Perez.

Force India might now be Hulkenberg's last hope of a 2014 seat, as his current team Sauber muses the possibility of an all-Mexican lineup, featuring Perez alongside Esteban Gutierrez.

"We have several options," team boss Monisha Kaltenborn is quoted by Sport1, "but a team like ours has to consider how it stands financially.

"We have never chosen drivers by nationality," she added. "We are talking about drivers who are both talented."

From GMM

F1's controversial 22-race calendar for 2014 has shrunk by three races, it has emerged in the Austin paddock.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport has seen the revised 19-race calendar and it does not feature previously-scheduled grands prix in New Jersey, Mexico and Korea.

The season finale, previously set to be held in Brazil late in 2014 as per the last few seasons, will now be held in Abu Dhabi, with the championship also to be wrapped up two weeks earlier than expected.

Korea and New Jersey have reportedly succumbed to financial troubles, while Mexico City has run out of time to guarantee that necessary money for improvements to the circuit - last used for F1 in 1992 - will flow.

"But the grand prix will be held in 2015," said correspondent Michael Schmidt. "The (Mexican) government has had to delay its subsidy because of the recent flooding, which is more important than a grand prix," he added.

The revised calendar is set to be rubber-stamped by the governing FIA in early December.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone is officially the 'bad boy' of formula one.

His wife, Brazilian Fabiana Flosi, proudly and prominently wore a t-shirt bearing the words 'Good girls love bad boys' as they strolled together in the Austin paddock on Friday.

Ecclestone, F1's 83-year-old chief executive, has spent the week in London testifying in a multi million pound lawsuit, amid the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery scandal.

On Thursday, Ecclestone's former legal advisor Stephen Mullens told the court he suspects the diminutive Briton may have been behind a "horrific" robbery in 2009.

Asked if he thinks Ecclestone "orchestrated" the crime because of a dispute involving his former wife Slavica, Mullens admitted: "It crossed my mind that he may have."

According to Germany's Bild newspaper, however, Ecclestone might actually be Fabiana's 'bad boy' because F1 teams are angry with him about the unfair distribution of revenue under the new financial arrangements.

Red Bull, for example, is getting an 'appearance fee' of $72 million this year, while Ferrari gets a whopping $99 million, on top of lucrative Concorde Agreement prize money.

Struggling Lotus, however - although with only a few less points than Ferrari in 2013 - gets no such appearance bonus, according to Auto Motor und Sport.

Sebastian Vettel emerged quickest in Q3 Saturday to claim pole position for the 2013 US Formula 1 Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The four-time World Champion set a time of 1m36.338 on a set of Pirelli medium tires. It was the 44th pole of his career and his eighth this season.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Qualifying got underway in ambient temperatures of 27 degrees with a strong wind, blowing the dust from the surrounding fields onto the race surface.

Williams' driver Valtteri Bottas went fastest in Q1 on the medium tires, which all the drivers who completed a second run used by the end of the session.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Lotus drivers Romain Grosjean and Heikki Kovalainen both did only one run while all the other teams completed two runs. Both Red Bull Racing drivers used just one set of hard tires during Q1 and this enabled them to save their allocation of medium tires for the rest of qualifying and the race.

Most drivers complained that the track had changed massively from this morning's P3, complaining about significant balance problems.

View from Corner 1 (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

In Q2, Vettel led his teammate Mark Webber by the end of the session as track temperatures fell slightly and the wind decreased.

The final top 10 again used the medium tires only during Q3. Vettel set pole position on his second run, in the closing seconds of the session - having made the difference over his teammate in the last sector of the lap.

Lotus' Grosjean ranked third, ahead of the impressive Nico Hulkenberg for Sauber.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Mercedes AMG, leading Fernando Alonso for Ferrari, Sergio Perez for McLaren, Kovalainen, Valtteri Bottas for Williams (quick all weekend) and Esteban Gutierrez for Sauber.

Gutierrez was later penalised by the stewards for having "unnecesseraly impeded the car of Pastor Maldonado between turns 19 and 20 whist performing dangerous manoeuvres". The Mexican has received a 10-spot grid penalty.

“It was a tricky session as the wind had picked up quite a bit since this morning; it does influence the behaviour of the car and it's not that easy, especially in the corners, I wasn't that happy with my first run in Q3, but I think I had a solid run at the end which was enough,” said Vettel.

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

Pastor Maldonado was out of action immediately after Q1. After he exited his Williams, an emotional Maldonado told Sky Sports F1: "I think in my car somebody is playing with the pressure and the temperatures."

2013 US Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas (qualifying times*)
1. Sebastian Vettel 1'36''338 (Q3)
2. Mark Webber 1'36''441 (Q3)
3. Romain Grosjean 1'37''155 (Q3)
4. Nico Hulkenberg 1'37''296 (Q3)
5. Lewis Hamilton 1'37''345 (Q3)
6. Fernando Alonso 1'37''376 (Q3)
7. Sergio Perez 1'37''452 (Q3)
8. Heikki Kovalainen 1'37''715 (Q3)
9. Valtteri Bottas 1'37''836 (Q3)
10. Esteban Gutierrez** 1'38''034 (Q3)
11. Daniel Ricciardo 1'38''131 (Q2)
12. Paul di Resta 1'38''139 (Q2)
13. Jenson Button 1'38''217 (Q2)
14. Nico Rosberg 1'38''364 (Q2)
15. Felipe Massa 1'38''592 (Q2)
16. Jean-Eric Vergne 1'38''696 (Q2)
17. Adrian Sutil 1'39''250 (Q1)
18. Pastor Maldonado 1'39''351 (Q1)
19. Giedo van der Garde 1'40''491 (Q1)
20. Jules Bianchi 1'40''528 (Q1)
21. Charles Pic 1'40''596 (Q1)
22. Max Chilton 1'41''401 (Q1)
*Unofficial timing
** 10-spot grid penalty

Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus (Photo: Rene Fagnan)