Automakers and analysts disagree on when European passenger car sales will finally rebound from a six-year slump. Ford and Daimler see signs that the bottom will be reached this year.
Automakers and analysts disagree on when European passenger car sales will finally rebound from a six-year slump. Ford and Daimler see signs that the bottom will be reached this year.
Monisha Kaltenborn has admitted Sauber's Russian rescue deal is facing delays.
Despite reports of an enormous investment in the struggling Swiss team by Russian government-linked entities, we reported recently that the money is yet to start flowing.
Sauber's financial crisis, therefore, may not yet be over, with the German newspaper Welt reporting that Ferrari's ultimatum of a EUR 9 million engine supply bill being paid by the end of the August break is still in effect.
It is suggested the entire Sauber deal has to be signed off by none other than Russian president Vladimir Putin, and as yet he not done so.
Team boss Kaltenborn has admitted a delay.
Photo: Sauber F1 Team
Welt quoted her as saying it is only because of "bureaucratic obstacles and complex questions of detail", and did not elaborate.
Another German newspaper, Bild-Zeitung, reports that Monisha Kaltenborn and team founder Peter Sauber have kicked off their August 'break' with a trip to Moscow.
Correspondents Nicola Pohl, Frank Schneider and Helmut Uhl said the Sauber chiefs' visit to Russia is to "sign contracts with potential sponsors", because "no money is yet to flow" from the country in northern Eurasia.
Amid the country's rising presence in the sport, the next Russian drivers have appeared on the formula one radar.
The Black Sea coastal city of Sochi is set to host the inaugural Russian grand prix next year, the supercar maker Marussia has a F1 team, and struggling Sauber has been bailed out by a swathe of Russian government-linked entities.
And the next Russian connection with formula one could involve the great British team Williams, who in recent days have been linked with the new Russian GP2 team Russian Time.
Italiaracing reports a link between the ownership of the Russian Time team and the father of Artem Markelov, an 18-year-old competing in the German F3 series.
Elsewhere, Oksana Kosachenko, the former manager of Russia's first F1 driver Vitaly Petrov, has reportedly started working with a new Russian hopeful, Nikolay Martsenko.
It has been rumoured Kosachenko is set to step down as commercial director of the F1 team Caterham.
"Actually, I have two interesting proposals," she told Russia's Championat, insisting that, at the moment, she is still working for Caterham.
Kosachenko, however, played down suggestions Martsenko is poised to make the leap into F1.
"We are discussing Nikolay seriously, but I met with his father just recently and we have a clear conviction that he needs a third season in the Renault world series," she said.
Australia's Marcos Ambrose might want to keep an eye in his mirror for another driver from Down Under. That's because his countryman, Owen Kelly, will attempt to qualify the Phoenix Racing Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen this weekend.
And the 36-year old Kelly has racing experience in the slightly comparable V-8 Supercar cars which race in countries like Australia. Another Aussie, Andrew Dickeson, will be reunited with Kelly (from the V-8 days) as the Phoenix Racing Team's engineer.
“It's a big weekend for the Australian motorsport industry as a whole,” said Dickeson. “It's been six years since we worked together and I'm pretty proud to be a part of this story.
“It's just funny how our paths have crossed again,” he continued. “Looking back at those days with Owen in V8 Supercars, (car owner) Terry (Wyhoon) was a huge supporter and encouraged me to come over to the States and give it a go.
“As Owen will testify, it's no different in my shoes as it is in his. The hardest part is getting in the door for that interview, when you get the opportunity, it's up to you to make that impression and grab it with both hands.”
Owen Kelly at Road America (Photo: Toyota Racing)
For Kelly, having an Australian in his corner in his step-up to the big stage adds an air of familiarity to his surrounds, which will make the challenge slightly less daunting.
“Andrew is a great guy and we get on extremely well. When you hear a familiar accent around the garage, it just makes the transition so much easier,” explained Kelly. “Andrew's an excitable character and to see how much it means to him spurs me on even more.”
Kelly has been with the team preparing for two weeks, joining them just prior to the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, when AJ Allmendinger drove the Hendrick-built #51 to 22nd.
The car the Kelly will drive finished third at Sonoma last year with Kurt Busch behind the wheel.
Although Kelly is racing for a position and not points he knows that he shouldn't be a spoiler. “Obviously, I'm tremendously excited to be realizing a long held dream to have my name added to those that have started a NASCAR Sprint Cup race," said Kelly - who finished fourth in a Nationwide Series race at Road America earlier this year. "I am realistic with where we are going to be. I want to finish on the lead lap and do a good job for the team. If we can generate a result out of that it will be fantastic.
“The NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship is getting down to an interesting point now and the boys will be battling hard - I don't want to be the guy that ruins someone else's Championship.
“There are some of the best racers anywhere in the world that I'll be racing against this weekend, so to be on the same track with them in the NASCAR Sprint Cup is a huge moment.”
With Kelly in the race that would mean there will be four foreign born drivers in the race including Ambrose, Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia, and Max Papis, substituting for the injured Tony Stewart from Italy.
Honda Performance Development (HPD) has revealed its plans to introduce energy recovering systems (ERS) to its LMP1 and LMP2 customer programs, starting in 2014.
The HR22T, HPD's 2014-spec engine for endurance, will be based on the 2.2-litre direct injection V6 currently used in IndyCar, over in America. Its introduction will be timed with the World Endurance Championship's (WEC) new rules package, which favours small-displacement, turbocharged engines.
But it will also be allowed in the new Unified SportsCar Racing series, which will debut next year.
Photo: HPD
Teams will individually get to pick within a variety of ERS devices. Their options will also include not running one at all.
Performance will be controlled through the flow of fuel, rather than with air restrictors or engine displacement like in the past.
The previous generation HR28TT engine has been very popular all around the world, because it's legal in a wide range of racing series, including the WEC and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) championships. HPD is hoping to build on the HR28TT's success, which includes two LMP2 wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the last four years.
Jules Bianchi has admitted it is possible he will be called up for a Ferrari race seat in 2014.
While president Luca di Montezemolo admitted Brazilian Felipe Massa's future is uncertain, the head of Ferrari's driver development programme, Luca Baldisserri, has left option the possibility Bianchi could have a change of scene for 2014.
The Frenchman currently drives for backmarker Marussia.
When asked about 2014, the 24-year-old driver told Nice-Matin newspaper: "Frankly, it's too early to talk about it.
"We will analyse the possibilities after the season," said Bianchi, who is managed by Nicolas Todt, who also handles Massa's career.
"I do not forget that with Marussia I was given the chance to make my grand prix debut. If I stay in this team next year, it will be in good faith -- that's all I can say. I am pleased with the first half of the season, especially the first few races," he added.
"Then things got more complicated. But I think the most important thing in these six months is the experience I have gained."
Jules Bianchi. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)
Whether Ferrari now regards Bianchi as experienced enough to replace team veteran Felipe Massa, or whether Nico Hulkenberg is seen as the safer option, is an open question.
"I don't know what Ferrari's plans are," Jules Bianchi said.
"If the team ever turns to me, it is because, in their opinion, I am ready to go to Maranello. We'll see. Maybe I will be asked to join the team this winter. Of course, I will not say no! If not, and I spend another season with Marussia, or go to another team to gain more experience, that is also a good option," he added.
Hermann Tilke insists he is "100 per cent certain" the circuit in Sochi will be ready for next year's inaugural Russian grand prix.
Big doubts hang over the 2014 race on the Black Sea coast, after a dispute between the promoter Omega and the Russian automobile federation resulted in Russia missing the deadline to apply to be on next year's calendar.
Earlier, there were also reports of construction delays, while German Tilke, whose company is responsible for the design of new F1 circuits, expressed concerns about the quality of the local construction contractors.
Photo: Formula Sochi
But Tilke has now told Russia's Championat he is "100 per cent certain" the circuit, part of the infrastructure for the 2014 winter olympics, will be ready on time.
"Nothing else is in my area of responsibility," he said.
"The track will be built on schedule," Tilke added, insisting that even the construction delay between November and the end of the 2014 games in February will not pose a problem.
"No, everything will be ok," he said. "The track will be ready on time."
Tilke also insisted he is no longer worried about the quality of the construction work. "All of these problems were long ago. Everything is now solved," he said.
NASCAR has released the entry list for the Canadian Tire series' race to be held this weekend at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres.
The best Canadian stock car drivers will tackle the 1.53-mile temporary street course located downtown Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.
Practice and qualifying will take place on Saturday, August 10 and the JuliaWine.com 100 will be contested on Sunday, August 11.
Number Driver Hometown Car 02 Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont. Leland/BDI/Dickies Ford
03 Elie Arseneau, Bedford, Que. Prime Racing/Circuit ICAR Dodge
3 Jason Hathaway, Dutton, Ont. Snap-On Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge
04 J.F. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que Bellemare/Bernier Crepeau Dodge
5 Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta. EMCO/Praxair/Safety Kleen Dodge
07 Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que. Archibal Dodge
09 Ryley Seibert, Williams Lake, B.C. * Lake Excavating/Emco Waterworks Dodge
16 Benoit Theetge, Boischatel, Que. * Mercedes-Benz St. Nicolas Chevrolet
17 D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont. Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge
21 Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C. Bowers & Wilkins Dodge
22 Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont. Canadian Tire Dodge
24 Jacques Villeneuve, Montreal, Que. Dodge Dealers of Quebec Dodge
27 Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que. La Cite De Mirabel Inc. Dodge
28 Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie, Que. Dicom Express/EPIPEN/Sennheiser Dodge
29 Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Que La Cite De Mirabel Inc. Dodge
36 Alex Labbe, St. Albert, Que * VR Victoriaville/Soudure Plastique Dodge
39 Alex Guenette, Terrebonne, Que * Motos Illimitees/DLGL Dodge
47 L.P. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge
52 Simon Dion-Viens, St. Joseph de Kamouraska. Que. * Best Buy Pièces d'auto
55 Dexter Stacey, Kahnawake, Que. WJS Motorsports Dodge
56 Howie Scannell Jr., Milton, Ont K&B Auto/Trailers by Jim Bray Dodge
60 Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont. Mopar/Exide/Pennzoil Dodge Ronald
69 Trevor Seibert, Williams Lake, B.C. Lake Excavating/Emco Waterworks Dodge
71 Patrice Brisebois, Montreal, Que. Jiffy Lube Dodge
76 Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont. Tim Hortons Dodge
84 J.R. Fitzpatrick, Ayr, Ont. Equipment Express Chevrolet
88 TBA Lucas Oil Chevrolet
90 Martin Roy, Napierville, Que Batteries Expert/Gamache/Veloce Dodge
91 Xavier Coupal, St. Jean, Que. * Bain Magique Dodge
97 Hugo Vannini, Repentigny, Que. VTI Motorsports Ford
99 Paul Jean, St. Eustache, Que. * BFI Canada Chevrolet
DTM has produced this stunning video of the Top 10 most spectacular DTM crashes since the new series was introduced in 2000. Luckily, no driver was severely injured in these accidents. This video is a testimony of the amazing strength of the modern DTM cars.
The footage shows some amazing crashes such as the pileups at the start of the 2006 Barcelona and 2002 Norisring races, Kris Nissen's wreck at Sachsenring in 2001, Bernd Schneider at Eau Rouge at Spa in 2005, Tom Kristensen's frightening accident at the start of the Hockenheim 2007 race and Alexandre Premat's series of scary rolls at Adia en 2010.
Infiniti will host the world premiere of its new Q30 Concept on September 10th at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. This compact car is aimed at a new generation of premium customers.
According to Infiniti, the Q30 Concept represents the latest evolution of the design philosophy introduced with the Infiniti Q50 in Detroit earlier this year. It's said to deliver head-turning looks, innovative materials with precise fit and finish, and passionate craftsmanship.
“Q30 Concept is slender, sleek and seductive,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. “When you see speedy big cats, like cheetahs, they have a slenderness and a lightweight stride. It's almost like they're floating. That's the muscularity we were aiming for with Q30 Concept.”
During a conference call with Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas yesterday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared his thoughts on the new BMW i3 electric car.
“I'm glad to see that BMW is bringing an electric car to market. That's cool. There's room to improve on the i3 and I hope that they do,” he said with a not-so-straight face.
Following a few seconds of laughter, Musk continued: “I really do encourage other manufacturers to bring electric cars to market. It's a good thing, and they need to bring it to market and keep iterating and improving and make better and better electric cars, and that's what going to result in humanity achieving a sustainable transport future. I wish it was growing faster than it is.”
Motoring is reporting that MINI wants to boost sales by replacing the lacklustre Coupe and Roadster models with a brand new sports car sometime around 2015-2016. It will be available in both soft- and hardtop configurations, and use a variant of BMW's 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. Cooper S and John Cooper Works will be the only trim levels offered, apparently.
MINI is expected to launch various other models over the next five years, including:
Vision concept (F56), at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
Five-door hatchback (F55), at the 2014 Paris Auto Show;
MINI Clubman (F54), possibly at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show;
Vision-based cabriolet (F57), likely at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show.
The MINI lineup in North America and China will also add a new sedan (F53), while the Countryman (F60) and Paceman (F61) will be based on a different architecture from the rest of the family. A minivan is reportedly in the cards, too.
Canadian IndyCar and road racing star Alex Tagliani will partner reigning Grand-Am Rolex co-champion Jeff Segal in the No. 61 R.Ferri/AIM Autosport Racing with Ferrari 458 Italia at next weekend's inaugural Grand Prix at Kansas Speedway, August 16-17.
Tagliani will be filling in for regular No. 61 R.Ferri/AIM Autosport Ferrari driver Max Papis who was previously committed to the NASCAR Nationwide race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Tagliani will join Segal at the wheel of the No. 61 just two races after the R.Ferri/AIM Autosport team won its first race last month in the Brickyard Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario once again hosts one of the largest community sponsored drag racing events in Canada. The Stratford Spectacular "Hot August Nationals" presented by Ideal Supply and NAPA Auto Parts will draw over 20,000 fans over the weekend of August 9 -11.
The three-day event will feature PMRA Pro Mods, PBSS Pro Bikes and Sleds, Quick 32 Sportsman Series, NDRA Alcohol Funny Cars, Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars and a Top Fuel Dragster that will thrill spectators pass after pass.
Right from when the gates open each day, the "Hot August Nationals" racing action will be continuous right into the night under the lights.
The National Drag Racing Association will be there with their NDRA Alcohol Funny Car Racing Series on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday for their third event of the 2013 season.
Photo: NDRA
Along with the Alcohol F/Cs, the Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars will be on hand both days for high-caliber entertainment! Doug Cadman's Trackless Vehicle Ltd. sponsored '73 Dodge Charger; the Chi-Town Hustler is a renowned crowd favorite. Cadman will line up with Gary Kraus and his '72 Ford Mustang; the Pony Up for edge of the seat, flame belching duels of the 3,000 horsepower nitro guzzlers.
Topping off the racing program, the Stratford Spectacular "Hot August Nationals" presented by Ideal Supply and NAPA Auto Parts weekend will have added fun for racers and fans alike with vendors, fireworks and the "Party in the Pits" on Saturday night.
For information about the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223, visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com or www.stratfordspectacular.com
The NDRA is proudly supported by Ohsweken Speedway, Essroc Ready Mix, Miska Trailer Factory, Xylotek Solutions Inc., Fast Entertainment Inc., Trackless Vehicles Ltd, Cambridge Concrete Pumping, Shellbourne Fuels, Sousa Concrete, ClearShot Customs, Pegasus, InSight Graphics & Design, Carmen's Banquet Centre, Sportz Truck Tents and Canadian Drag Racer Magazine.
For more information about the NDRA and their 2013 schedule, visit the website: www.ndra.ca
It will soon be five years since French driver, Jules Bianchi, was linked to the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari. With the recent rumours of a possible move to Ferrari for 2014, let Bianchi reveal how his first encounter with a Ferrari F1 machine played out.
“Ferrari was looking for a first member to be part of its new Driver Academy. Nicolas [Todt] had watched me since my karting days, and he advised them to take me on. This turned out to be one of the biggest breaks of my career,” Bianchi told Auto123.com while in Montreal.
Jules Bianchi back in 2009. (Photo: WRi2)
His first taste of Formula1 came at the end of the 2009 season, where Bianchi took the Formula 3 Euroseries' title.
“I was awarded with a two-day test in a Ferrari F1 at Circuit de Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain in early December 2009,” Bianchi recalled.
His first lap in the car was a lot more than just an eye-opener!
“Everything; just everything was mightily impressive. I had tested a GP2 series car at the time, but driving a Formula 1 car was just breathtaking,” Bianchi continued.
“In fact, it all started with the usual installation lap where the team checks if the car is running correctly, and if you sit properly in it. I did not find it striking, whatsoever. I was shifting gears by ear because I was not concentrating at all on the shifting lights on the steering wheel. I must have been shifting gears at 12,000 rpm. To me, that sounded pretty high because the GP2 engine only revved at 9,500/10,000 rpm. I told myself: ‘Well, that's OK. It's fast, but not that much...'” said the Frenchman.
Jules Bianchi aboard Ferrari, in Jerez de la Frontera, in 2009. (Photo: WRi2)
Rookie mistake...
“When I came back into the garage, the Ferrari engineer told me: ‘Now, you've got to really rev it and wait until the shift lights turn on to change gears.' I said to myself: ‘This will not change things much.'
“I was sent back on the track and I quickly realised that this race car was out of this world! Completely mad! It was giving me an astonishing kick in the butt. I soon realised that the power was just unbelievable and I was entering unknown territory!” Bianchi said with a big smile on his face.
Jules Bianchi is contesting the 2013 season with the small Marussia team to gain experience. Wild rumours are sending him to Ferrari next year as a replacement for Felipe Massa. Will his dream become a reality?
During a conference call with Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas yesterday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared his thoughts on the new BMW i3 electric car.
“I'm glad to see that BMW is bringing an electric car to market. That's cool. There's room to improve on the i3 and I hope that they do,” he said with a not-so-straight face.
Following a few seconds of laughter, Musk continued: “I really do encourage other manufacturers to bring electric cars to market. It's a good thing, and they need to bring it to market and keep iterating and improving and make better and better electric cars, and that's what going to result in humanity achieving a sustainable transport future. I wish it was growing faster than it is.”
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