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Videos 26 Jul, 2013

The team at EVO get behind the wheel of the Renault Clio 182 Trophy

ZF Friedrichshafen has opened a new plant for automatic passenger car transmissions in the US.

Rolls-Royce expects sales growth in China to be flat this year as the economy cools and reports suggest the government may introduce a luxury tax.

Renault increased first-half profitability as reductions in labor costs offset slumping sales in Europe but the automaker's bottom line was weakened by lost business in Iran and the bankruptcy of Better Place.

Toyota looked set to retain its title as the world's top-selling carmaker in the first half, outpacing GM and VW as it boosted overseas sales to a record high.

With unemployment in France rising and consumer confidence at a record low, auto sales in the country have tumbled more than any other major European market this year.

DETROIT #8211; Former General Motors product chief Bob Lutz yesterday contrasted his attempts to create an 'excellence pays' culture at two of his employers.

Hyundai's second-quarter net profit stayed near a record high achieved a year earlier as strong China growth overcame rising competition and tight supply that eroded sales at home and in the U.S.

Porsche expects the Panamera plug-in S E-Hybrid to account for about 10,000 sales, which would be double that of the car's first-generation full hybrid.

Infiniti will delay its first electric vehicle until 2016 as it continues to work on a wireless charging system that will be a critical part of the battery-powered luxury car.

Peugeot is pricing its new 308 compact below the European compact segment leader, the VW Golf. PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is counting on models such as the 308 to boost falling vehicle sales.

Volkswagen Group of America has cut its 2013 U.S. sales target for VW division, a sign that executives don't expect the brand to break out of its U.S. slump by year end.

Audi forecast sales in China will increase by about 11 percent this year, driven by rising incomes and the automaker's expansion into smaller cities.

Several drivers, teams and actors of various motorsport categories are showing their support to the victims and injured people of the terrible Santiago de Compostela train crash in Spain.

Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 has three Spanish drivers: Fernando Alonso, Marc Gene and Pedro de la Rosa.

This weekend, Alonso will wear a black armband at the Hungarian Grand Prix while test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Marc Gene asked the Scuderia to show its support for all the victims of the train crash. The team held a banner that read “Todo nuesto apoyo a las victimas de Santiago” (all our support for the victims in Santiago.)

Photo: Ferrari

Lotus F1 Team chairman, Gerard Lopez, born in Spain, also sent a message.

“I and all within Lotus F1 Team would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those affected and involved,” Lopez said in a press release.

“As a Galician, I will provide all the help and support possible to those affected by this disaster, which has taken place in an area of the country I know and love so well. As an expression of support, I would like to reach out to those involved and show my unity to the region.

“Furthermore, as a mark of respect and display of moral support, Lotus F1 Team will drive with the Galician flag on the rear wing end plates of both E21 Formula 1 cars throughout the weekend of the Hungarian Grand Prix.”

World rally driver, Spaniard Dani Sordo will carry a Galician flag on his Citroen DS3 during the Rally Finland in memory of the victims of the train crash tragedy.

After a successful test last month with the team, Australian James Davison will join Dale Coyne Racing at next weekend's IndyCar Mid-Ohio race.

The 26-year-old, who raced in Indy Lights back in 2008 and '09 will join the suad regular driver Justin Wilson on the 2.3 mile road course.

Both of Davison's Lights victories came at Mid-Ohio. Since finishing runner-up to JR Hildebrand in the 2009 Lights championship he has made sporadic appearances in Grand-Am.

Davison will be the fourth driver to have occupied the second Coyne seat during 2013, joining Ana Beatriz, Mike Conway and Pippa Mann.

Photo: Dale Coyne Racing

From GMM

India has emerged as the most likely host to fall by the wayside, as Bernie Ecclestone promises teams the 2014 calendar will not have more than 20 grands prix.

Next year, New Jersey, Russia and Austria are set to join the schedule, meaning that - as things currently stand - the calendar could blow out to 22 races.

But F1 chief executive Ecclestone has vowed to limit the schedule to 20.

German-language reports in Auto Motor und Sport and Speed Week said India and Korea are the races likely to fall victim.

India's problems are immiment. But the problem is not new.

Ahead of the first race near New Delhi two years ago, the event was threatened until the eleventh hour over a tax dispute.

The Indian government wants the teams and drivers to be taxed according to their high incomes, but so far Ecclestone has managed to placate the issue.

Now looking to trim the calendar, however, it is rumoured in the Hungaroring paddock that Ecclestone "will be tough this time".

So if the Indians do not calm their tax demands, "there will be no grand prix this year", Schmidt claims.

Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. and Mercedes-AMG GmbH intend to enter a technical partnership through which the latter will supply Aston Martin with engines as well as electric and electronic components.

“We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process. Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news,” said Aston Martin Product Development Director Ian Minards.

The German automaker will receive up to 5% equity in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership, along with an observer status in the Board of Management of Aston Martin.

Both parties have the intention to work towards signing of definitive agreements during the second half of the year.

From Speedway 660

This Saturday at 7p.m., the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 highlights racing action at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick. In addition to one of the biggest pro stock races of the season, fans will also see competition in four other exciting divisions.

"The Best of the Best 150 is one of our most exciting events of the year and there will be a strong field of competitors from our RE/MAX Group Four Realty Pro Stock Division, plus this race always generates interest from the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and Pro All Star Series race teams" said Speedway 660's Michelle Roy.

"The winner gets more than a trip to the Riverview Ford Lincoln Victory Lane on Saturday night, they'll get an guaranteed starting position in the Auto Value 250, coming up on SpeedWeekend."

There will also be racing in the Martins Home Heating Sportsman, DMR Auto Sales and Service Street Stock, Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter and West Wood Estate apartments Bandolero Divisions. Street Stock, Sportsman and Pro Stock heat races gets underway at 7PM, while the Bando and Sharp Shooter heats are scheduled for 6:20pm.

"Our drivers, in all five divisions, and our fans are looking forward to a great night of racing" said Roy. "After the Best of the Best 150, we'll take our annual break for the August holiday weekend so we expect some awesome action in every division this Saturday night."

Recent winners of the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 include: Ben Rowe (2012); Greg Fahey (2011 & 09); Dave O'Blenis (2010) and; Kirk Thebeau (2008). O'Blenis and Thebeau are also former Auto Value 250 champions.

Adult ticket prices for the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 are $20 - Youth tickets, for kids between 8 and 15 years of age are $15- our family Pass for two adults and two youths is $65- and - as always admission is absolutely free for Speedway 660's youngest race fans - seven and under.

The rain date for this race is Sunday at 2p.m. If the weather is unsettled on Saturday morning, fans and race team members are encouraged to call the race line at 506-454-7223 or visit www.speedway660.com for race day status updates.

MINI recently used a virtual 3D hologram to present the new MINI Vision concept, which hints at the styling direction of future models.

Boasting a compact sporting presence, the MINI Vision combines design cues from the classic Mini with more contemporary touches. For example, it integrates both the bumper and auxiliary lights into the famous hexagonal grille.

The Glamorous Gold paint finish is a MINI first. Other exterior highlights include elliptical full-LED headlights, as well as a clear separation of the roof, greenhouse and body.

Providing maximum comfort within minimal exterior dimensions, the cockpit has a “floating” centre console and driver-selectable mood lighting. A “MINI Disco” floor can come to life, giving the MINI Vision the atmosphere of a nightclub. Lounge seats featuring dynamic piping add the finishing touch.

The next-generation MINI is scheduled to make its world debut in Frankfurt this fall.

Photo: MINI

Three-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel led teammate Mark Webber in a Red Bull one-two in both Friday's free practice sessions for the Grand Prix of Hungary near Budapest.

It was already very hot this morning when Vettel turned his best lap (1m22.723), 0.259s quicker than Webber's, with Kimi Raikkonen third fastest for Lotus and Fernando Alonso fourth for Ferrari.

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

The track remained slippery and very dirty all through the 90-minute session which saw ambient and track temperatures of 30 and 45 degrees Celsius, respectively.

It was the first time the teams got to run Pirelli's revised tires (2012 construction and 2013 compound) in competitive conditions and there were no dramas to report, as everyone ran exclusively with the medium compound.

Romain Grosjean was fifth in the other Lotus ahead of Jenson Button in a McLaren and Adrian Sutil in a Sahara Force India.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Mercedes AMG's drivers, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who did not taste the new Pirelli tires at Silverstone, were down in 8th and 13th spots, respectively.

It was still very hot in the afternoon for the second practice session.

As teams ran Pirelli's soft tires before focusing on long runs on the harder mediums, Vettel carried on where he left off this morning with the fastest time of 1m 21.264, but Webber was right with him this time, just 0.044s adrift.

Grosjean of Lotus was third, only 0.153s off Vettel.

Fernando Alonso. (Photo: Ferrari)

Then came the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and the Mercedes of Hamilton and Rosberg.

Raikkonen, Button and Sutil completed the top 10.

At the back end of the grid, the Renault-powered Caterhams again outpaced the Marussia-Cosworths.

Adrian Sutil. (Photo: Sahara Force India)

Hungarian Grand Prix
Friday July 26, 2013

Free Practice session 1 - Results*
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'22"723 - 19 laps
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'22"982 - 24
3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'23"010 - 20
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'23”099 - 22
5 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'23"111 - 20
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'23"370 - 26
7 - Adrian Sutil (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'23"390 - 20
8 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'23"531 - 28
9 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'23"591 - 26
10 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'23"911 - 21
11 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'24"119 - 21
12 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'24"150 - 27
13 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'24"157 - 28
14 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'24"204 - 15
15 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'24"299 - 19
16 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'24"314 - 23
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'24"383 - 24
18 - Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'24"608 - 21
19 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'25"827 - 24
20 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'26"808 - 25
21 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'27"617 - 20
22 - Rodolfo Gonzalez (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'37"459 - 25

Free Practice session 2 - Results*
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'21"264 - 34 laps
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'21"308 - 42
3 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'21"417 - 40
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'21”426 - 34
5 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'21"544 - 37
6 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'21"802 - 42
7 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'21"991 - 40
8 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'22"011 - 32
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'22"180 - 41
10 - Adrian Sutil (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'22"304 - 41
11 - Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'22"526 - 39
12 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'22"529 - 37
13 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'22"781 - 36
14 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'22"837 - 42
15 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'22"841 - 39
16 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'23"369 - 34
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'23"411 - 41
18 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'23"646 - 34
19 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'24"325 - 38
20 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'25"065 - 36
21 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'25"143 - 39
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'26"647 - 33

* Unofficial timings