Auto News 5

From GMM

Maria de Villota's family have confirmed the testing crash at the wheel of a Marussia last July led to her death on Friday.

"Maria left us while she was sleeping as a consequence of the neurological injuries that she suffered in July of 2012," sister Isabel said.

De Villota's family added that the "forensic doctor" had come to that conclusion after an autopsy.

Investigations into the incident at Duxford airfield last July are still taking place.

A spokesperson for the UK's health and safety executive said the organisation "would expect to be kept informed of any new evidence".

De Villota was cremated in Seville on Saturday before a private ceremony, the Spanish news agency EFE said.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has tempered his comments, having earlier urged Ross Brawn to stay at Mercedes.

Earlier at Suzuka, amid rumours Brawn could step away from the Brackley based team, the 2008 world champion said he would "like him to stay", as Brawn was "very influential in bringing me to the team".

But Brawn, currently team boss, said he only wants to stay in "a role I'm motivated by and want to do".

"We all want to get the situation clear as to how we are going to go into next year," he told the BBC.

Hamilton, whose next boss is likely to be Paddy Lowe, has now said he supports Brawn's decision and would also be happy under a new regime.

"He knows I'm a big supporter of his," he is quoted by the Mirror, "but at the end of the day he has to do what it right for him.

"I don't think it (Brawn's departure) would derail my season next year," Hamilton added.

Meanwhile at McLaren, boss Martin Whitmarsh did not completely deny speculation linking McLaren with Brawn.

"At the moment, I don't think so," said the Briton when asked if Brawn is heading to Woking.

"I've known Ross for 20 years, I get along with him, but I don't see Ross (coming) here now.

"He is very experienced and is a major asset for any team, but right now I don't think he is thinking of coming to McLaren," added Whitmarsh.

From press release

DTM stars Andy Priaulx (BMW) and Mattias Ekstrom (Audi) teamed up to drive the Xbox One Racing team's Holden Commodore VF in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, a 161-lap enduro in Bathurst. They managed to reach the top 10.

"I am very happy," admitted Priaulx.

"I think that was where we expected to be. It was a solid job and we were able to run with the top guys.

Photo: v8supercars.com.au

"To be leading such an iconic race, on one of the best tracks in the world, while competing against these guys who race in the V8 Supercars week in week out was unbelievable."

The race was eventually won by the Ford of Mark Winterbottom/Steve Richards, with Jamie Whincup/Paul Dumbrell second in their Holden and Craig Lowndes/Warren Luff also in a Holden third.

Priaulx and Ekstrom will now fly back to Europe, where they will face off in the final race of the DTM in Hockenheim on 20th October.

From GMM

Some say reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel is only winning because he drives the fastest car. But 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, once a fierce critic of Vettel's, disagrees.

"Whoever says that the car is better than Vettel needs to look at how he has destroyed Mark Webber, year after year," Villeneuve told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Even Red Bull's own Dr Helmut Marko would agree with that.

"We give both drivers the same car," he insisted. "But how often has Mark won against Vettel?" he asked rhetorically.

Sebastian Vettel has just won his fifth race on the trot (Photo: WRi2)

That could be the cause of Vettel's image problem: he now beats the retiring Australian veteran Webber consistently. Is that enough to be considered great at the wheel of an Adrian Newey-penned car?

"Lots of guys win in Adrian Newey's cars ... big deal. Adrian's the real genius. There's Schumacher, there's Senna, there's Newey," the former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine recently told British broadcaster Sky.

Nico Rosberg would agree that the 'Newey' and 'Webber' factors do not help how people perceive Vettel's achievements.

"For sure it would help his perception if he had - and nothing against Mark who is a fantastic driver and a great person - if he had a Fernando-calibre driver next to him," he told the Telegraph.

Another German, Nico Hulkenberg, agrees: "I think if he had a Kimi next to him, or Fernando at Ferrari, and still came out on top then it's fair to say he would be regarded even more highly."

Despite a new scenario in Japan, the outcome was the same: reigning champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) won again, for the fifth consecutive time.

Photo: WRi2

Vettel usually starts at the front and stays there for the whole race. But in Suzuka, he had to share the lead with his teammate Mark Webber, who beat him to the pole on Saturday, and with Romain Grosjean (Lotus), who ran strong all race long.

The three men managed to open up a big gap after the first round of pit stops, as the rest of the field was held up by a late stopping Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso).

Sebastian Vettel, Romain Grosjean (Photo: WRi2)

On lap 41, Vettel probably felt he had shared enough and drove around Grosjean. One lap later, their two-stop strategy allowed them both to stay out as leader Webber pitted for his third and final stop. With fresher tires, the Australian was able to track down Grosjean, but ran out of time to close the gap to his teammate.

Romain Grosjean, Mark Webber (Photo: WRi2)

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) was the first to cross the finish line after them, as the first to find a way passed Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber). Before the end of the race, the German would also allow Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) through, but nevertheless held on to finish an impressive sixth.

His teammate Esteban Gutierrez also performed very well. Albeit a full 20 seconds behind Hulkenberg, he finished seventh and picked up his first points in F1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) survived a dicy fight with Sergio Perez (McLaren) to come home eighth, ahead of Jenson Button (McLaren) and Felipe Massa (Ferrari).

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04 (Photo: WRi2)

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) could not reach the finish after he touched with Vettel at the start.

The results in Japan means the championship fight is still alive. But Vettel only needs to finish fifth once to win his fourth consecutive title, even if Alonso wins the four remaining grands prix.

Photo: WRi2

Race results* - Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 53 laps 1.26'49"301
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 7"129
3 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 9"910
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 45"605
5 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 47"325
6 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 51"615
7 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'11"630
8 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'12"023
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'20"821
10 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'29"263
11 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'38"572
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1 lap
13 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1 lap
14 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1 lap
15 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1 lap
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1 lap
17 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1 lap
18 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1 lap
19 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1 lap

Fastest lap of the race: 1'34"587 (Mark Webber)

Retirements
Lap 7 - Lewis Hamilton
Lap 1 - Giedo Van der Garde
Lap 1 - Jules Bianchi

Drivers' championship
1.Vettel 297; 2.Alonso 207; 3.Raikkonen 177; 4.Hamilton 151; 5.Webber 148; 6.Rosberg 126; 7.Massa 90; 8.Grosjean 87; 9.Button 60; 10.Hulkenberg 49; 11.Di Resta 36; 12.Sutil 26; 13.Perez 23; 14.Ricciardo 18; 15.Vergne 13; 16.Gutierrez 6; 17.Maldonado 1.

Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 445; 2.Ferrari 297; 3.Mercedes 277; 4.Lotus-Renault 264; 5.McLaren-Mercedes 83; 6.Force India-Mercedes 62; 7.Sauber-Ferrari 55; 8.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 31; 9.Williams-Renault 1.

*Unofficial timing

Back in the summer, Auto123.com's Matt St-Pierre took part in the Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge where he and two other auto journalists had to evaluate the competitors.

A video of the event is now online, and as you will see, Matt and the guys had a wicked time on the track.

Model: 2009 to 2013 Subaru Forester

Vehicle Type: Crossover

The Verdict: Major issues are largely non-existent here, and the Forester is enjoying a reputation for reliable long-term performance. Shop confidently if you find a good deal on a nicely maintained Forester that fits your needs and budget.

Price: Depending on engine and trim, shoppers will find used Forester examples starting from under $10,000 for an older unit with some mileage, and can expect to pay upwards of $25,000 for a newer, loaded, low-mileage unit. There's plenty of selection in the high-teens.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

What Owners Like: Owners commented positively on fuel mileage, performance from the standard engine with manual gearbox, the slippery-weather assurance of the AWD system, and laid-back, easy-to-drive character. An easy-to-use control layout and highly functional interior round out the package.

What Owners Dislike: Common complaints centre around bland looks, poor performance from models with the automatic transmission, and a clumsy cupholder design. Other complaints include sub-par audio system performance and uncomfortable seats.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

History/Description: The 2009 to 2013 generation of Subaru's Forester enjoyed a healthy sales life and a loyal following of owners. A compact crossover SUV with an eye for safety, confidence, and sensibility all models got five seats, All Wheel Drive (AWD) and over 1,900 litres of cargo space.

Available feature content included navigation, Bluetooth, heated leather seats, xenon lights, and more. Building on a solid product noted for safety and value, this generation Forester was available in numerous models and trim levels to fine-tune it to the needs of any shopper.

The Forester came with one of two engines: Standard was a proven 2.5L BOXER 4-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower. Available in the 2.5XT model was a turbocharged version of this engine, which made 225 horsepower. Manual or automatic transmissions were available, depending on the model selected.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Common Issues: Check for proper operation of the air conditioning system. Some owners reported issues with the A/C, possibly accompanied by excessive noise when the system is turned on. Turn on the A/C, and ensure that with no excessive noise it begins pumping cool air into the cabin within a few seconds. If a problem is detected, have it checked out ahead of your purchase.

Be sure to determine where the timing belt lies within its service life on the Forester you're considering. If a replacement is due, it could cost up to $1,000. If you neglect said replacement, it could cost you an engine.

Pop the hood and listen to the engine idle. A squealing or scraping noise from the front of the engine could be caused by a belt-tensioner pulley that's starting to fail. The noise occurs when bearings within the pulley begin to wear before failing out.

Signs of turbocharger trouble on a Forester XT may include smoke from the exhaust at startup or after a drive. Be sure the turbocharged Forester you're considering hasn't been pre-warmed ahead of your test-drive to conceal a smoke issue. Note that models treated to regular oil changes should have no turbocharger issues.

Finally, front seats, hatchback prop struts and paint on the rocker panels just behind the front wheels should be scrutinized for signs of wear. Confirm proper operation from the xenon headlights (if equipped) as replacement bulbs for this up-level lighting system can be pricey.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Feast your eyes on the new 2014 BMW 4-series convertible: The newest drop-top

Nissan, seeking to capture growing demand for upscale cars and better compete with German rivals such as BMW, will sell its Infiniti luxury brand in its home market, a newspaper reported.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is preparing a $4.1 billion capital increase in which China's Dongfeng and the French government would take matching stakes in the carmaker, sources said. A French delegation is heading to China prepare for a deal.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is preparing a $4.1 billion capital increase in which Chinese partner Dongfeng and the French government would take matching stakes in the carmaker, sources said.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is preparing a $4.1 billion capital increase in which China's Dongfeng and the French government would take matching stakes in the carmaker, sources said. A French delegation is heading to China prepare for a deal.

Diesel engines, hybrid powertrains and high-geared transmissions are all on the table over the next few years for General Motors' soon-to-launch redesigned large SUVs, GM's top truck engineer says.

Toyota is forging ahead on advanced safety systems, even as it falls behind rivals on more mundane crash-protection technology.

Thirty-four innovations, in such diverse areas as all-wheel drive, adhesives and infotainment, are finalists for the 2014 Automotive News PACE Awards.

On Oct. 17, 1973, the first oil embargo plunged the auto industry into a new world. The Oct. 15 issue of Automotive News will look at the impact of that historic event.

Considering the Australian has not been on pole position since the Korean Grand Prix of last year, he didn't look very pleased. That's because world champion Vettel, who could win his fourth title on Sunday, struggled all day in Japan with a KERS problem.

"Unfortunately Seb didn't have KERS (for qualifying)," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told the BBC, "so with that deficit to get on the front row was really a success."

The pole-sitter, who has been outclassed by Vettel all season, agreed: "Sebastian had a problem so it's a bit of a hollow pole but you have to grab the opportunities when you can."

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9 (Photo: WRi2)

Two fires, aside from Webber's performance, also highlighted the session. The first one involved Jean-Éric Vergne's Toro Rosso STR8, and the second one Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber C32.

A struggling Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) qualified eighth, which is the last position he can afford to finish in if he wants to remain in the title fight with Vettel.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Romain Grosjean (Lotus), who have been performing well lately, lined up behind the two Red Bull, and just ahead of Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), on the third row. Nico Hulkenberg, at the wheel of his humble Sauber, took seventh.

Veterans Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and Jenson Button (McLaren) complete the top 10.

Meanwhile, Adrian Sutil (Force India), Charles Pic (Caterham) and Jules Bianchi (Marussia) all line up at the back because of penalties: Sutil for changing his gearbox after free practice, Pic and Bianchi for the third reprimand they picked up in separate incidents last week in Korea.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04 (Photo: WRi2)

Qualifying results* - Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
1.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'30"915 - Q3
2.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'31"089 - Q3
3.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'31"253 - Q3
4.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'31"365 - Q3
5.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'31"378 - Q3
6.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'31"397 - Q3
7.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'31"644 - Q3
8.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'31"665 - Q3
9.Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'31"684 - Q3
10.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'31"827 - Q3
11.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'31"989 - Q2
12.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'31"992 - Q2
13.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'32"013 - Q2
14.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'32"063 - Q2
15.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'32"093 - Q2
16.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'32"845 - Q2
17.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'33"357 - Q1
18.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'34"320 - Q1
19.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'34"879 - Q1
20.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'32"890 - Q1**
21.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'34"556 - Q1***
22.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'34"958 - Q1***

*Unofficial timing
**Five-place grid penalty
***Ten-place grid penalty

From GMM

Mark Webber sounds unwilling to move over for his teammate Sebastian Vettel at Suzuka.

With Vettel looking to put his fourth title away on Sunday, the German struggled in qualifying with a KERS failure aboard his Red Bull.

But he will be crowned champion in Japan if he wins and Fernando Alonso is ninth or lower.

Retiring teammate Webber on pole is therefore not part of the ideal plan, particularly with memories of the 'Multi-21' team orders affair still lingering.

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9, Suzuka (Photo: WRi2)

Asked if the drivers will be free to race on Sunday, team boss Christian Horner said coyly after qualifying: "They will do the best they can for the team."

Webber was more specific as he played down the likelihood of following a 'team' plan.

"Seb's had a phenomenal year," said the Suzuka pole sitter.  "He will do his race, I will do my race."

Webber hinted that with Vettel so far ahead in the points standings, and with several races still to run in 2013, his ears are not open to team orders.

"It's not like it's the last race of the championship, obviously, in terms of what can unfold or whatever," he said.

"Normally you talk about these things and they never happen but in general, yeah, we'll be there for ourselves tomorrow."

From GMM

Renault ambassador Alain Prost has dismissed rumours Lotus could become the French carmaker's works team.

Lotus boss Eric Boullier revealed at Suzuka he is discussing "a branding opportunity" with the team's engine supplier for 2014, "and maybe something even closer".

It sparked rumours Renault, falling into the background at Red Bull due to the Infiniti deal, could be looking to make Enstone its works team yet again.

But quadruple world champion Prost told Germany's Auto Bild: "I can say that Renault will keep its strategy of being only an engine supplier.

"A works team in the distant future is not impossible, but not at the moment," he added.

Alain Prost (Photo: DPPI)

From GMM

McLaren has confirmed reports Red Bull's aerodynamics boss is heading to Woking.

Amid the great British team's 2013 slump, McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said in Korea a week ago that "some as-yet unannounced" recruitments "will be headline-grabbing".

The first headlines are indeed now emerging.

"(Peter Promodrou has) signed a contract with us," team boss Martin Whitmarsh told Reuters at Suzuka.

Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt said Prodromou is "one of the leading engineers in formula one", with his impending move "a win for McLaren and a huge blow to Red Bull".

McLaren, however, may have to wait, as Prodromou's current contract runs until 2015.

When asked about Prodromou at Suzuka, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said: "He's not at Woking yet!"

"We've enjoyed a long relationship with Peter and he's a valuable member of the team and there's quite a duration left on his contract," added team principal Christian Horner.

"We won't force him to stay, if it's his choice to leave then he'll leave at the end of his contract.  But we are quite some way off that."