Auto News 5

Toyota has switched back to using the air conditioner refrigerant R134a for some Toyota and Lexus models in Europe. Until Toyota's decision, Daimler was the only automaker that refused to phase out R134a.

Before Ford decided to take the next-generation Mustang global, the company had to search for the soul of its celebrated nameplate.

The Land Rover Defender can take a tremendous pounding in the world's harshest settings: jungles, tundras and deserts. But it can't survive the Baltimore claw.

From GMM

Despite protestations to the contrary, Sauber's struggle for survival is not over, according to the latest German-language reports.

The Russian rescue deal had appeared back on track on Friday, as teen driver Sergey Sirotkin confirmed rumours he has now signed a race deal for 2014.

But Welt newspaper said the flow of money from Russia has actually been barely more than a trickle.

Reporting from Spa, Bild correspondents Nicola Pohl and Lennart Wermke referred to a promised EUR 22 million injection, in exchange for Sirotkin's race seat.

But the reports said only EUR 3 million actually materialised.

"For Sauber, the situation is dramatic," said Pohl and Wermke.  "The Russian rescue is probably off the table."

However, there are also conflicting reports.  Auto Motor und Sport claims team driver Nico Hulkenberg, who has been waiting to be paid all season, has now received the first instalment.

"We got some money," confirmed his manager Werner Heinz.  "At Sauber things are looking up."

The German report also said Sauber has travelled to Belgium with a new front wing and is tinkering once again with a passive double-DRS system, indicating that funds for technical development are flowing once again.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton pulled off an impressive fourth consecutive pole position ahead of the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix, with a hugely impressive run on a damp Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Everyone started Q3 on slicks and tried to take the rain by surprise. But before the queue of cars even crossed the finish line to start a timed lap, the rain got to heavy for dry tires. Only Force India's Paul di Resta, wasn't caught out, because he already had intermediates on.

The Scot banged in a fast lap, which seemed unbeatable because the intensifying rain was only making the track worse. Even Felipe Massa (Ferrari) who went out only minutes after Di Resta couldn't match his pace.

With every car that got by, the lap times were increasing, but only until Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) ripped a fast one to get ahead of Massa.

Unfortunately for Di Resta, the rain eased off and the conditions improved slightly, which allowed Rosberg, and the two Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, who had enough time left for a second lap, to get one up on him.

When Vettel crossed the line, pole position seemed in the bag.

But Hamilton was still on a flying lap, which turned out sufficiently faster to edge his German rival in the title hunt.

Earlier in the day, during the dry free practice session, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) managed to split Vettel and Red Bull at the top of the timing sheets. Jean-Éric Vergne (Toro-Rosso) clocked an impressive fourth fastest lap ahead of Massa.

The Spaniard settled for ninth in qualifying, ahead of Massa in 10th. Vergne got caught out in Q1, and left 19th, he too ahead of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, in 20th.

By playing the conditions rights, both Caterham's Giedo van der Garde and both Marussia drivers Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi moved into Q2, placing 14th, 15th and 16th respectively.

Qualifying results* - Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
1.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 2'01"012 - Q3
2.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 2'01"200 - Q3
3.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 2'01"325 - Q3
4.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 2'02"251 - Q3
5.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 2'02"332 - Q3
6.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 2'03"075 - Q
7.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 2'03"081 - Q3
8.Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 2'03"390 - Q3
9.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 2'03"482 - Q3
10.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 2'04"059 - Q3
11.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'49"088 - Q2
12.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'49"103 - Q2
13.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'49"304 - Q2
14.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'52"036 - Q2
15.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'52"563 - Q2
16.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'52"762 - Q2
17.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 2'03"072 - Q1
18,Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 2'03"300 - Q1
19.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 2'03"317 - Q1
20.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 2'03"432 - Q1
21.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 2'04"324 - Q1
22.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 2'07"384 - Q1

Free practice 3 results* - Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
1.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'48"327 - 16 laps
2.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'48”432 - 14
3.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'48"533 - 16
4.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'48"776 - 15
5.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'48"788 - 15
6.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'48"882 - 13
7.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'48"930 - 18
8.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'48"967 - 14
9.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'48"993 - 16
10.Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'49"008 - 17
11.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'49"035 - 15
12.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'49"046 - 17
13.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'49"122 - 15
14.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'49"177 - 15
15.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'49"226 - 14
16.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'49"417 - 14
17.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'49"478 - 19
18.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'50"418 - 14
19.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'51"416 - 15
21.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'51"800 - 18
22.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'52"221 - 17
23.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'53"507 - 18

*Unofficial timing

Citroën's Dani Sordo ended Saturday as the new leader of the Germany Rally, round nine of the 2013 Word Rally Championship (WRC).

Former leader Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen) had to throw in the towel after stage 12, where he slipped off the road, and broke a disc brake.

Second-place Thierry Neuville (Ford) went off at the same place, but escaped terminal damage, instead getting away with only a damaged exhaust. The Belgian was slowed down but could still press on.

Sordo therefore leads Neuville at the end of day two, but by only eighth tenths of a second. Sordo's teammate Mikko Hirvonen holds on to third place.

Aboard is Citroën DS3 RRC, Robert Kubica is leading in WRC2 and maintaining himself in the top five overall, ahead of Elfyn Evans (Ford), who is fighting the Pole for the class win.

Latvala will be allowed to take part in Sunday's remaining two stages thanks to Rally2 regulations.

Dani Sordo, Citroën DS3 WRC (Photo: Citroën Racing)

Provisional standings - Rallye Deutschland (WRC)
1. Sordo-Del Barrio (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 2.43'48”5
2. Neuville-Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 0”8
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) a 1'27”6
4. Prokop-Ernst (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 6'06”3
5. Kubica-Baran (Citroen DS3 Rrc) a 7'33”1
6. Evans-Barritt (Ford Fiesta RS R5) a 7'40”9
7. Latvala-Anttila (VW Polo Wrc) a 9'27”0
8. Paddon-Kennard (Skoda Fabia S2000) a 10'37"3
9. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 12'27”8
10. Novikov-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 14'08”1

Hyundai is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Canadian adventure and has created a special consumer-accessible website for the occasion. The website allows users to retrace the highlights of Hyundai Canada's accomplishments as well as the chance to win a 2013 Veloster with Tech Package and EcoShift DCT transmission.

"Hyundai has always boldly forged ahead. The fact that it was firmly established in the Canadian market only 16 years after being founded and a full three years before conquering the American market is indicative of its accomplishments. It was an audacious endeavor, but dreaming big has always been part of who we are as a company,'' explains Steve Kelleher, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp President & CEO.

Go to www.hyundai30years.ca to visit the Hyundai anniversary website.

Denny Hamlin, NASCAR's virtually forgotten man, won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway seemingly the best news he's had in quite a while.

Driving a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Hamlin turned a lap of 128.969 mph around the .533 mile concrete paved oval. It was his fourth pole of the year 16th in his career.

Hamlin's looking for any bright news in a season that virtually started with missing four races due to a fractured vertebra in California the second race of the season.

To add insult to injury the Virginia-born driver who had been a major contender is mired in a nine-race slump where the best he could finish was a not-very competitive 18th.

"It's by far the worst run, these nine races, in my career," he said.

"A lot of it is our own doing. We got off track for a couple races because we've blown right front tires in consecutive weeks and we started changing our setups and we couldn't find anything that was very good with that. That burnt another three, four weeks. We've had horsepower cut back. But we're headed in the right direction.”

He's looking to parlay the pole back into Victory Lane with a take-no-prisoners outlook.

Denny Hamlin (Photo: Joe Gibbs Racing)

"I'll be as aggressive as I possibly can to get a win -- there's nothing really that I won't do.”

Kurt Busch, who's trying to revive his entire career, the subject of rumours of an offer Stewart-Haas Racing drive next year was second-fastest at 128.770mph in a Chevrolet.  The 2004 Sprint Cup Champion, who left Penske Racing two years ago, finds himself the flavor of the week as a potential move up to a more powerful team than the one-car Furniture Row Racing.

"The guys (his current pit crew) know that this is the time now, and they are all shaking my hand saying 'Thanks' and they are also saying 'Let's do this again next year,'" Busch said.

"I'm like, 'Heck, yeah. I'm right there with you.' We have to stay focused on the present as well as balance the future, and it's a tough thing to do. You hope you can do it behind the scenes and it's not out in the public. But today was a great reminder of how hard you have to work in this sport."

“Concrete” Carl Edwards was third quick in a Ford while Toyota drivers Brian Vickers and Matt Kenseth as Toyota took three of the top five spots. Mark Martin, who starts 11th  is filling in for the recovering Tony Stewart  this week.

Auto123.com is sad to report that two Dutch taking part in a demonstration run aboard an historic car died in a crash during the Arena Panzerplatte stage of the Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The event organizers issued the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that the organiser can confirm an accident took place this afternoon at the Arena Panzerplatte involving a historic car participating in a non-competitive demonstration programme.

The car, driven by a Dutch pairing, left the route near the Gina crest. The emergency services were on the scene immediately to assist but despite their best efforts the injuries sustained by both the driver and passenger proved fatal. No one else was involved in the incident.

Everyone associated with the event extends their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends and individuals who are being touched by today's terrible tragedy.

The second passage of Arena Panzerplatte has been cancelled and the competition cars have been re-routed back to the Service Park in Trier.

The rally will continue on Sunday according to its itinerary.”

Our best wishes from Auto123.com go to friends and family of the departed.

From GMM

Despite protestations to the contrary, Sauber's struggle for survival is not over, according to the latest German-language reports.

The Russian rescue deal had appeared back on track on Friday, as teen driver Sergey Sirotkin confirmed rumours he has now signed a race deal for 2014.

But Welt newspaper said the flow of money from Russia has actually been barely more than a trickle.

Reporting from Spa, Bild correspondents Nicola Pohl and Lennart Wermke referred to a promised EUR 22 million injection, in exchange for Sirotkin's race seat.

But the reports said only EUR 3 million actually materialised.

"For Sauber, the situation is dramatic," said Pohl and Wermke.  "The Russian rescue is probably off the table."

However, there are also conflicting reports.  Auto Motor und Sport claims team driver Nico Hulkenberg, who has been waiting to be paid all season, has now received the first instalment.

"We got some money," confirmed his manager Werner Heinz.  "At Sauber things are looking up."

The German report also said Sauber has travelled to Belgium with a new front wing and is tinkering once again with a passive double-DRS system, indicating that funds for technical development are flowing once again.

From GMM

Pirelli on Saturday said metal debris, not a tire design flaw, caused the rear failures and cuts seen at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday.

The latest tire problems revived memories of June's tire-exploding chaos at Silverstone, and reportedly pushed the drivers back to the brink of boycott.

The new saga has arisen after Sebastian Vettel suffered a rear failure during practice at high-speed Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, reviving fears of a repeat of June's tire-exploding British grand prix.

It later emerged that a similar failure had occurred at the rear and on the same side on Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, while Speed Week said yet more drivers had also reported problems.

But Pirelli said on Saturday morning that the punctures had been traced to a piece of metal debris on the circuit that had fallen from Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus.

Motor sport boss Paul Hembery told reporters: "There are certainly no tire-related issues.

"We've seen no signs of fatigue and from our point of view there's no reason to be concerned."

Media reports said the Pirelli investigation had allayed the nervous drivers' fears.

But it hasn't stopped rumours Michelin, reportedly backed politically by FIA president Jean Todt, is poised to return to F1 to replace Pirelli in 2014.

The BBC said the French marque has already held talks with the governing body, while a Michelin spokesman confirmed the company is still "interested" in F1 but would want a shift away from the new era of heavy tire degradation.

Adapted from GMM

Kimi Raikkonen on Friday said he is unwilling to even talk with Lotus about 2014 until certain issues are cleared up.

"They (Lotus) know exactly what they have to do first, and then we are open to talk," he said.

Undoubtedly, the inimitable and unforthcoming Raikkonen was uncomfortable and annoyed as the media spotlight burned brightly. But he did little to assuage suspicions his Thursday illness was a form of boycott because Lotus is behind on paying him.

"Yeah, fine," he said when reporters asked if he had returned to health.

"There's always reasons for things.  I don't have to tell."

Meanwhile, team owner Gerard Lopez was playing down reports of financial strife at Lotus.

Reportedly in debt to the tune of EUR 120 million and with the new Infinity Racing investment in doubt, Lopez insisted at Spa-Francorchamps that Lotus is in fact in good health.

Indeed, some believe the team's debt is actually just 28 million.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

"It is 120 million," Lopez confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport, "but four-fifths of it we owe to ourselves, to Genii, because we do not sponsor the team but finance it through loans."

He said, therefore, that Genii is not going to urgently demand Lotus pay it back.

"First of all I want to ensure that the team continues to be well funded.  Whether we get the money back now or later, we have to see.

"We continue to look for partners to join the team.  It's not about getting money back quickly now."

Lopez insisted that is precisely why Lotus does not have a title sponsor at the moment.

"We could have signed a cheap contract," he said.  "But we think from the performance point of view, we need a sponsor who pays really well.

"We don't want to sign something now for three, four, five years that we will regret later."

Hyundai is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Canadian adventure and has created a special consumer-accessible website for the occasion. The website allows users to retrace the highlights of Hyundai Canada's accomplishments as well as the chance to win a 2013 Veloster with Tech Package and EcoShift DCT transmission.

"Hyundai has always boldly forged ahead. The fact that it was firmly established in the Canadian market only 16 years after being founded and a full three years before conquering the American market is indicative of its accomplishments. It was an audacious endeavor, but dreaming big has always been part of who we are as a company,'' explains Steve Kelleher, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp President & CEO.

Go to www.hyundai30years.ca to visit the Hyundai anniversary website.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton pulled off an impressive fourth consecutive pole position ahead of the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix, with a hugely impressive run on a damp Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Everyone started Q3 on slicks and tried to take the rain by surprise. But before the queue of cars even crossed the finish line to start a timed lap, the rain got to heavy for dry tires. Only Force India's Paul di Resta, wasn't caught out, because he already had intermediates on.

The Scot banged in a fast lap, which seemed unbeatable because the intensifying rain was only making the track worse. Even Felipe Massa (Ferrari) who went out only minutes after Di Resta couldn't match his pace.

With every car that got by, the lap times were increasing, but only until Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) ripped a fast one to get ahead of Massa.

Unfortunately for Di Resta, the rain eased off and the conditions improved slightly, which allowed Rosberg, and the two Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, who had enough time left for a second lap, to get one up on him.

When Vettel crossed the line, pole position seemed in the bag.

But Hamilton was still on a flying lap, which turned out sufficiently faster to edge his German rival in the title hunt.

Earlier in the day, during the dry free practice session, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) managed to split Vettel and Red Bull at the top of the timing sheets. Jean-Éric Vergne (Toro-Rosso) clocked an impressive fourth fastest lap ahead of Massa.

The Spaniard settled for ninth in qualifying, ahead of Massa in 10th. Vergne got caught out in Q1, and left 19th, he too ahead of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, in 20th.

By playing the conditions rights, both Caterham's Giedo van der Garde and both Marussia drivers Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi moved into Q2, placing 14th, 15th and 16th respectively.

Qualifying results* - Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
1.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 2'01"012 - Q3
2.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 2'01"200 - Q3
3.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 2'01"325 - Q3
4.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 2'02"251 - Q3
5.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 2'02"332 - Q3
6.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 2'03"075 - Q
7.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 2'03"081 - Q3
8.Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 2'03"390 - Q3
9.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 2'03"482 - Q3
10.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 2'04"059 - Q3
11.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'49"088 - Q2
12.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'49"103 - Q2
13.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'49"304 - Q2
14.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'52"036 - Q2
15.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'52"563 - Q2
16.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'52"762 - Q2
17.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 2'03"072 - Q1
18,Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 2'03"300 - Q1
19.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 2'03"317 - Q1
20.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 2'03"432 - Q1
21.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 2'04"324 - Q1
22.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 2'07"384 - Q1

Free practice 3 results* - Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
1.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'48"327 - 16 laps
2.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'48”432 - 14
3.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'48"533 - 16
4.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'48"776 - 15
5.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'48"788 - 15
6.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'48"882 - 13
7.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'48"930 - 18
8.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'48"967 - 14
9.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'48"993 - 16
10.Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'49"008 - 17
11.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'49"035 - 15
12.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'49"046 - 17
13.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'49"122 - 15
14.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'49"177 - 15
15.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'49"226 - 14
16.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'49"417 - 14
17.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'49"478 - 19
18.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'50"418 - 14
19.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'51"416 - 15
21.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'51"800 - 18
22.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'52"221 - 17
23.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'53"507 - 18

*Unofficial timing

Auto123.com is sad to report that two Dutch taking part in a demonstration run aboard an historic car died in a crash during the Arena Panzerplatte stage of the Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The event organizers issued the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that the organiser can confirm an accident took place this afternoon at the Arena Panzerplatte involving a historic car participating in a non-competitive demonstration programme.

The car, driven by a Dutch pairing, left the route near the Gina crest. The emergency services were on the scene immediately to assist but despite their best efforts the injuries sustained by both the driver and passenger proved fatal. No one else was involved in the incident.

Everyone associated with the event extends their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends and individuals who are being touched by today's terrible tragedy.

The second passage of Arena Panzerplatte has been cancelled and the competition cars have been re-routed back to the Service Park in Trier.

The rally will continue on Sunday according to its itinerary.”

Our best wishes from Auto123.com go to friends and family of the departed.

Citroën's Dani Sordo ended Saturday as the new leader of the Germany Rally, round nine of the 2013 Word Rally Championship (WRC).

Former leader Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen) had to throw in the towel after stage 12, where he slipped off the road, and broke a disc brake.

Second-place Thierry Neuville (Ford) went off at the same place, but escaped terminal damage, instead getting away with only a damaged exhaust. The Belgian was slowed down but could still press on.

Sordo therefore leads Neuville at the end of day two, but by only eighth tenths of a second. Sordo's teammate Mikko Hirvonen holds on to third place.

Aboard is Citroën DS3 RRC, Robert Kubica is leading in WRC2 and maintaining himself in the top five overall, ahead of Elfyn Evans (Ford), who is fighting the Pole for the class win.

Latvala will be allowed to take part in Sunday's remaining two stages thanks to Rally2 regulations.

Dani Sordo, Citroën DS3 WRC (Photo: Citroën Racing)

Provisional standings - Rallye Deutschland (WRC)
1. Sordo-Del Barrio (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 2.43'48”5
2. Neuville-Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 0”8
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) a 1'27”6
4. Prokop-Ernst (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 6'06”3
5. Kubica-Baran (Citroen DS3 Rrc) a 7'33”1
6. Evans-Barritt (Ford Fiesta RS R5) a 7'40”9
7. Latvala-Anttila (VW Polo Wrc) a 9'27”0
8. Paddon-Kennard (Skoda Fabia S2000) a 10'37"3
9. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 12'27”8
10. Novikov-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 14'08”1

From GMM

Plans to take formula one to New Jersey are in tatters, as Bernie Ecclestone confirmed a race amid the Manhattan skyline will not happen in 2014.

This year's scheduled New Jersey race had already been delayed, but the F1 chief executive announced it also won't be on the 2014 calendar because organizers "haven't got any money".

Ecclestone told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt: "It's not on the cards for next year."

In the same CNN report, however, a spokesman for the event insisted preparations are in fact "on track for 2014".

He added that a statement will be issued after the 2014 calendar is officially published.

But Ecclestone likened the New Jersey foray to Donington's disastrous bid for the British grand prix a few years ago.

He said New Jersey "is like Donington all over again", adding that it is "such a muddle and a mess that it is not worth doing".

Ecclestone said he was surprised promoter Leo Hindery jr could not make the project work.

"The guy is a multibillionaire and is well-known in New York," Ecclestone told Sylt.

Auto123.com is sad to report that two Dutch taking part in a demonstration run aboard an historic car died in a crash during the Arena Panzerplatte stage of the Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The event organizers issued the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that the organiser can confirm an accident took place this afternoon at the Arena Panzerplatte involving a historic car participating in a non-competitive demonstration programme.

The car, driven by a Dutch pairing, left the route near the Gina crest. The emergency services were on the scene immediately to assist but despite their best efforts the injuries sustained by both the driver and passenger proved fatal. No one else was involved in the incident.

Everyone associated with the event extends their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends and individuals who are being touched by today's terrible tragedy.

The second passage of Arena Panzerplatte has been cancelled and the competition cars have been re-routed back to the Service Park in Trier.

The rally will continue on Sunday according to its itinerary.”

Our best wishes from Auto123.com go to friends and family of the departed.

Hyundai is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Canadian adventure and has created a special consumer-accessible website for the occasion. The website allows users to retrace the highlights of Hyundai Canada's accomplishments as well as the chance to win a 2013 Veloster with Tech Package and EcoShift DCT transmission.

"Hyundai has always boldly forged ahead. The fact that it was firmly established in the Canadian market only 16 years after being founded and a full three years before conquering the American market is indicative of its accomplishments. It was an audacious endeavor, but dreaming big has always been part of who we are as a company,'' explains Steve Kelleher, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp President & CEO.

Go to www.hyundai30years.ca to visit the Hyundai anniversary website.

Adapted from GMM

Kimi Raikkonen on Friday said he is unwilling to even talk with Lotus about 2014 until certain issues are cleared up.

"They (Lotus) know exactly what they have to do first, and then we are open to talk," he said.

Undoubtedly, the inimitable and unforthcoming Raikkonen was uncomfortable and annoyed as the media spotlight burned brightly. But he did little to assuage suspicions his Thursday illness was a form of boycott because Lotus is behind on paying him.

"Yeah, fine," he said when reporters asked if he had returned to health.

"There's always reasons for things.  I don't have to tell."

Meanwhile, team owner Gerard Lopez was playing down reports of financial strife at Lotus.

Reportedly in debt to the tune of EUR 120 million and with the new Infinity Racing investment in doubt, Lopez insisted at Spa-Francorchamps that Lotus is in fact in good health.

Indeed, some believe the team's debt is actually just 28 million.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

"It is 120 million," Lopez confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport, "but four-fifths of it we owe to ourselves, to Genii, because we do not sponsor the team but finance it through loans."

He said, therefore, that Genii is not going to urgently demand Lotus pay it back.

"First of all I want to ensure that the team continues to be well funded.  Whether we get the money back now or later, we have to see.

"We continue to look for partners to join the team.  It's not about getting money back quickly now."

Lopez insisted that is precisely why Lotus does not have a title sponsor at the moment.

"We could have signed a cheap contract," he said.  "But we think from the performance point of view, we need a sponsor who pays really well.

"We don't want to sign something now for three, four, five years that we will regret later."