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Automotive News Europe salutes the winners of the 2013 Rising Stars awards. Every day until June 12 one of the 18 winners will be featured. Today's Rising Star is Ian Hucker, Opel/Vauxhall's director of European fleet and commercial vehicles.

FAW Group has started sales to the public of its new Red Flag sedans, pitting the symbol of Communist privilege against Audi for China's elite.

Japan's automakers complain about red tape that discourages young people here from buying cars. Add to all that the trials and travails of simply getting a driver's license and then keeping it.

From GMM

Toto Wolff has admitted continuing to supply McLaren with Mercedes engines next year is "not a pleasant situation".

McLaren has already announced its intention to unite for a works collaboration with Honda in 2015, raising fears Mercedes' IP could leak into the Japanese carmaker's turbo V6 design.

"Supplying McLaren for one more year is indeed not a pleasant situation," Mercedes motor sport chief Wolff is quoted by Kleine Zeitung newspaper. "But I'm confident that McLaren will abide by the rules of the contract and not share any data (with Honda)."

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

Toto Wolff also played down reports the new V6 rules have dangerously ramped up the prices of formula one engines for the suppliers' customer teams.

"With the longer running life and low consumption, they will be cheaper over time," he insisted.

Indeed, the turbo V6 rules are already making sense for Toro Rosso, having switched from Ferrari to Renault power for 2014.

Renault's V6 engine is reportedly the most expensive of all, but the deal means Toro Rosso can now use the same gearbox as sister team Red Bull next year.

"This synergy with Red Bull is important," said team boss Franz Tost.

From GMM

Niki Lauda says Mercedes accepts Pirelli's decision to delay changes to the 2013 tires until after they are tested in Canada next Friday.

Teams like Mercedes and Red Bull had pushed hard for the changes, but some teams - notably Lotus, Ferrari and Force India - insisted the tire supplier follow the rules about needing unanimous agreement.

Pirelli says it hopes all teams agree to the new tires once they have tried them in Montreal next Friday.

"It's a decision we accept, of course," Mercedes chairman Lauda told Osterreich newspaper. "It's so everyone gets the opportunity to test the new tires in practice, and then it is decided if they are used at the next race at Silverstone or not."

Photo: Pirelli

While Red Bull and Mercedes wanted Pirelli to make fundamental changes to the new Canada tire, it is believed the final product is simply a tweaked rear tire that features a kevlar internal belt rather than a steel one.

"We are confident the problems of delamination will be completely solved," a Pirelli source is quoted by Spain's Marca newspaper.

Motor sport director Paul Hembery admitted the change has been a difficult balance.

"You can imagine that some teams are complaining for us to change, and some complaining about the change," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace. "We have to try to change as little as possible, because everyone had the same information before we started the season and so it would be unfair to penalise those teams who have understood how to use the tires."

Meanwhile, a source close to Pirelli has dismissed reports that the secret of using this year's tires is to swap the tires from the intended left side of the car to the right.

"Since 2010, everybody has known that the Pirellis are interchangeable. The construction allows it, contrary to the Bridgestones," the source told the Spanish sports daily Marca.

The source said that if there is a benefit, it is for "a couple of laps" at the most.

From GMM

The FIA has asked Pirelli to compile a thorough "dossier" ahead of an international tribunal hearing regarding the secret Mercedes test, according to Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

Team boss Ross Brawn is quoted as saying Mercedes could not have benefited from the three-day test in Barcelona just after the Spanish grand prix, because Pirelli only supplied engineers with "codes" of the tires being run.

"So we couldn't get any usable information," he said.

Kleine Zeitung said Ferrari, who along with Red Bull officially filed the FIA protest, used a similar argument when Ferrari recently conducted a Pirelli tire test "with an old car".

Photo: WRi2

Nonetheless, new information about the secret nature of Mercedes' test continue to emerge, such as La Stampa newspaper's claim that Lewis Hamilton tweeted a photo apparently from Florida, when actually he was testing in Spain.

Mercedes' Niki Lauda, however, said Red Bull is simply angry that it didn't snap up the opportunity of a three-day test before Mercedes.

Asked by Osterreich newspaper if he understands Dr Helmut Marko's anger, Lauda answered: "Of course. We took the opportunity to test, and I believe Red Bull was quite simply too slow to react. So I would also be annoyed."

"After the protest, the tribunal will decide whether the sporting regulations or the rules that Pirelli has negotiated with the FIA should stand over this. We have acted properly, and now an independent tribunal will decide," added Lauda.

From GMM

FIA president Jean Todt has backed Bernie Ecclestone, as German prosecutors prepare to charge the F1 chief executive for corruption.

It has been suggested Ecclestone will be stepped down by the sport's owners CVC if he is charged or convicted.

But FIA president Todt is quoted by DPA news agency: "He has every right to his job and he does it very well.

"He is also employed by CVC, so it is their decision," the Frenchman added.

Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone.

Jean Todt might be standing firm with Ecclestone due to the turmoil the 82-year-old's departure would create.

Paul Stoddart, the former Minardi owner, told Bloomberg it could take years for Ecclestone's successor to "get up to speed".

"CVC is between a rock and a hard place," he said. "If Bernie Ecclestone was forced to stand down, the Concorde Agreement would be throw into complete turmoil."

For the moment, Ecclestone's legal troubles in Germany are believed to be holding up CVC's plans to float F1 on the stock market.

"Although the IPO market is better than it was a year ago, the company still has a few issues to sort out," CVC's Donald Mackenzie admitted to PA Sport news agency. "So it may happen this year, it may be next year, but we're not in a big rush."

From GMM

Jarno Trulli has announced plans to sue Caterham team owner Tony Fernandes.

At the end of 2011, with a firm contract for 2012, the Italian reportedly agreed to vacate his race seat to make room for the well-funded Russian Vitaly Petrov.

But Trulli, now 38, says Fernandes promised to pay him in full for 2012.

Last appearance of Jarno Trulli in F1 with Caterham, during winter testing, in February 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Italy's Autosprint says Trulli is angry with Fernandes for not paying him, since the Malaysian entrepreneur has not only increased Caterham's budget, but also that of his English football club Queens Park Rangers.

"I'm going to sue Fernandes," he is quoted as saying, "because he owes me a lot of money. My career in formula one ended because I agreed to give up my place, because I was assured that the team would fulfil its contractual obligations."

"To date, this has not occurred," added Trulli, a veteran of over 250 grands prix.

We have learned that J.R. Hilderbrand has been ousted from his driving role at Panther Racing and will be replace immediately by Ryan Briscoe for this week-end doubleheader in Detroit and for the rest of the season by Oriol Servia.

According to reports, Hilderbrand has been fired largely in part of his bad showing during the last Indianapolis 500 where he had an accident in Turn 1 on Lap 4.

JR Hildebrand crash early in Indy 500. (Photo: IndyCar)

Ryan Briscoe has been named driver of the National Guard entry this weekend at Detroit but veteran Oriol Servia is expected to be in the car for the remainder of the season.

Servia, who has been Hildebrand's teammate in the partnership of Dreyer & Reinbold and Panther for the last two seasons was expected to take over driving duties this week-end but a legal issue made it impossible to be behind the wheel of the No.4 in Detroit.

For Hildebrand, it was a bittersweet way to end a 3-year deal that could have launched his already successful open wheel career. 



If you read my blog last week, you knew that I was sceptical about the true quality of this year's edition of the Indianapolis 500 race.

However, after Sunday afternoon's 500-miler ran at a blazing pace, I honestly have to admit that most of the “unknown” drivers really impressed me, including a rookie with limited motorsport experience, Carlos Munoz, who drove a Chevy-powered Dallara for Andretti Autosport.

In his maiden start in the IZOD IndyCar series, the young Munoz never misstepped all race long, and I believe he could have seriously challenged the winner if a late-race crash hadn't caused the last laps to be run under the yellows.

One of the crowd favourites, Tony Kanaan, captured an emotional victory, his first at the Brickyard. Poor Tony lead the Indy 500 year after year, but his quest for victory was always stopped by a minor incident, a brush with the wall or a mechanical failure.

American race fans just love a man like Kanaan -- a true fighter. The crowd was on its feet during the final laps, cheering for Kanaan who's been living in the U.S. for quite a while.

“I'll finally have my ugly face on this trophy!” said Kanaan, laughing during the post-race interview.

Who remembered last Sunday that Tony Kanaan started his motorsport career in Europe, contesting the Italian Formula 3 Championship? A very close friend of Rubens Barrichello, Kanaan then moved to the U.S. where he won the 1997 Indy Lights title. That was a real break in his career.

And who remembered that the diminutive Brazilian tested a BAR-Honda Formula 1 car at Jerez in September 2005 as a reward for clinching the Indy Racing League title the year before?

Would Kanaan be a top runner in F1? Yes, probably. He certainly had the talent, but it's very hard to assess if he had the determination and motivation to make unbelievable sacrifices to succeed in F1. He also needed the financial backing to get there.

However, it doesn't really matter if Tony raced F1 or not. He has just won one of the three most prestigious motorsport events in the world. He also showed, once again, that you should never ever give up. Never give up on your dreams.

Tony Kanaan's victory made me fall in love with the Indy 500 event again.

Photo: John Cote/IMS

From Grand Prix of Canada

The Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada is pleased to announce the creation of an original program, developed with the exceptional collaboration of Cascades Inc.

Indeed, the Canadian company will help create floral arrangements to decorate each of the 600 tables of the corporate suites complex located alongside the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for the weekend of June 7, 8 and 9.

They will also be used as centerpieces in the media lounge, where the meals for the international press present in Montréal will be served. Already created from recycled materials, plastic parts and cardboard, the "centerpieces" will be entirely recycled after the event, while annual flowers and white pine shoots will be planted in Quebec in a predetermined location.

Note that in addition to being recognized for thirty-four years as the annual round of the World Championship where almost all of the hundreds of thousands of spectators arrive to the circuit using public transport, the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada works in collaboration with the Consortium écho-logique since 2004, assigned to the collection and recycling of waste during the weekend of the event.

A non-for-profit organization, the Consortium écho-logique deploys a brigade of about sixty people each year during the three days of the event who collect more than 23,000 pounds of recyclable materials (wood, cardboard and paper, metals, plastics, glass) in addition to composting all materials that could be.

It is important to acknowledge that since 1997, the FIA and Formula 1 teams have put forward programs to capture gas emissions in order to make the World Championship carbon neutral. The appearance on the cars in 2010 of the kinetic energy recovery system - the KERS - and the new turbocharged V6 engines in 2014, are some other illustrations of the environmental concerns of Formula 1.

Sometimes it's best to address than hope for the best. This is exactly what General Motors and their Chevrolet division has done for their popular Malibu midsize sedan.

Completely revamped for the 2013 model year, it was quickly evident that the then new Malibu was not going to be good enough. Nearly every important aspect was enhanced, starting with the car's styling, now more in line with the anticipated 2014 Impala.

Among the other changes, Chevy has added fuel-saving start-stop technology to its base Ecotec 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. The optional 2.0L turbo engine gains 14% more torque, now up to 295 lb-ft.

The other important change is an increase of 1.25 inches (31.7 mm) in knee room for rear passengers. And finally, chassis and suspension tuning was done to improve on the driving experience.

Photo: Chevrolet

From M1 Composites

With offices and workshops located in Laval, Quebec, M1 Composites Technology Inc. (M1 Composites) will offer specialized technical assistance to Formula One teams during the Grand Prix of Canada held June 7-8-9 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

M1 Composites is a Transport Canada aerospace-certified organization specializing in advanced composite materials and structures. Their areas of expertise are engineering, repair and manufacturing of advanced composite components, and assemblies.

M1 Composites' certified clean room for manufacturing carbon fibre components. (Photo: M1 Composites)

“I've worked for a Formula One team in the past and saw how F1 and the aerospace industry share common technologies, especially in regards to composite materials and carbon fibre,” said Lorenzo Marandola, President of M1 Composites.

“M1 has state-of-the-art high-end equipment to deliver composite repairs and part manufacturing to the teams during their stay in Montreal,” Marandola added.

Almost every part of an F1 car is made of composite material with the obvious exception of the engine and the internal components of the gearbox.

“We can easily and quickly repair any damaged part such as the wing, the nose cone, the floor, the diffusor, the winglets, the engine cover or even the chassis itself,” explained Marandola.

M1 Composites has already been approached by a leading F1 team to perform complex composite repairs during the course of the Grand Prix of Canada.

There never was any real doubt that this gorgeous piece of British engineering was going to be exactly that.

Perhaps the less obvious outcome following the introduction of the sleek F-Type convertible, the brand's first two-seat sports car in nearly 40 years was that half of this first year's production of the F-Type is already sold.

As it stands, the F-Type is expected to account for 15 to 20% of Jaguar's total annual output of roughly 60,000 units.

Because of the accessible nature of the car, Jaguar estimates that 90% of the buyers of the car will be new to the brand.

At the moment, these fashion and performance minded Jag enthusiasts will have to be patient if they want to buy one as they'll be very lucky if they get before the year is out.

Source: www.autonews.com

Photo: Jaguar

The NHTSA wants to ban the sale of self-driving cars for the next four years. The reason for this is quite simple: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to make sure that these vehicles are completely safe.

As we found out first hand at this past January CES in Las Vegas, the advent of the self-driving or fully automated car is inevitable.

Technology for the coming of these cars is already present on numerous production cars today and come in the form of intelligent cruise control, braking assistance and other types of active safety features.

In order to fully define what an automated driving car is, the NHTSA has created a five-category classification. Further details on the classifications can be found at the source.

Source : Auto Evolution

Photo: Lexus

Despite the unfortunate turmoil surrounding this fabled super track, the Korean giant Hyundai has decided to build a €5.5 million test facility at the “The Green Hell”.

As one of the best known test beds for evaluating product quality and driving dynamics, the Nürburgring is a perfect venue for Hyundai to continue pushing the limits of its R&D work.

The new center will be in move-in condition by August 2013. This test center is a 4-storey structure that features 3,622 square meters (11,883 sq. feet) of floor space which includes workshops, offices and a VIP hospitality area.

As one would expect from a manufacturer that has built its recent image on forward thinking design, the new facility's exterior look will feature a tasteful mix of glass and metallic finishes matching the building's modern styling.

Photo: Hyundai

Pirelli has issued a statement and held a press conference Friday, claiming that the 1000km tire test carried out at Barcelona by Mercedes prior to the Monaco Grand Prix was to test 2014 tires, and not intended to benefit the team in any way.

Despite in-test season being allowed to assist Pirelli with development, using a current spec car is banned by the FIA, so the company uses an adapted 2010 Renault for tire tests and previously ran a 2009 Toyota.

“In this regard, Pirelli has since 2010 made it clear that it is neither possible nor useful to carry out this type of test with all the teams simultaneously,” read the statement.

“In fact, this type of testing aimed at technological development and researching new solutions, involves many tires of different types which must be tested with a single car at a time.”

Photo: Pirelli

However, Pirelli believes that it has not contravened the rules as it claims that the 12 tires tested were for next season, and the structural change of the tire was also to test anti-delamination measures.

"The tires used were not from the current championship but belonged to a range of products still being developed in view of an eventual renewal of the supply contract.

“None of the tests were carried for the purpose of enhancing specific cars, but only to test tire solutions for future championships.

“Computer simulations have their limitations. We need to put the tires to the test on the track to get the valuable data," said Hembery during the press conference.

"Some teams are telling us that the drivers will be spinning the rear tire in fourth or fifth gear.

"We need to develop the correct tire structure and compound to withstand the increased torque of the engine."

No suitable test car
“Already in March 2012, Pirelli sent an email to all the teams, FIA and FOM, inviting the teams to indicate their availability for testing for the development of tires for 2013," says the press release.

“Further, the company explained that it was necessary to conduct the tests with the teams' cars because it did not have a suitable one of its own.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

The company also argued that its actions did not favour Mercedes, which appears to have higher tire wear than any other front running team this season.

On the back of being questioned whether the test benefited Mercedes due to Nico Rosberg's win in Monaco, Hembery asked the journalists: “Who claimed pole position last year in Monaco? -Mercedes.

"Who finished second in Monaco last year? -Rosberg.

“The Mercedes is well suited for Monaco. It has nothing to do with the tire test.”

The FIA's international tribunal, which was set up in 2010, is reported to be considering protests against both Pirelli and the Mercedes team.

Round one of the 2013 Drift Mania Canadian Championship (DMCC) will take place this weekend, and we can almost smell burnt rubber already. The series is now owned and operated by G1 Tour, resulting in a number of changes for the upcoming season.

In an effort to develop future stars across the country, the DMCC will again present two separate championships, including a TOP 16 Pro for experienced drivers and a TOP 16 Pro Am for amateurs. During the final round, a TOP 32 will feature all the pro drivers as well as the top contenders from the Pro Am class.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Prizes
The elimination of registration fees will likely encourage more foreign drivers to take part in the championship, especially with much bigger prizes at stake -- an unprecedented $187,000!

In the Pro class, the winner of each round will earn $10,000, while the second- and third-place finishers will take home $4,000 and $2,000, respectively. Fourth place carries a prize of $500, while fifth through eighth come with a $250 reward.

In the Pro Am class, the three drivers who wind up on the podium will receive $3,000, $1,500 and $750 in that order.

When it's all said and done, the overall champion will win an all-expenses paid trip for two to California to attend the finals of the U.S. Formula Drift Championship.

And more...
Beyond the track, there will be plenty of action for enthusiasts, such as a music show in Ste-Croix, and parades in the streets of Victoriaville and Montmagny featuring some of the drivers and their cars.

Follow us on Mondays throughout the season to get the results and a detailed account of each round, with exclusive interviews and lots of pictures.

2013 calendar:
Round 1 - Autodrome Montmagny - June 1-2 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 2 - Autodrome St-Eustache - June 29 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 3 - Riverside Speedway - July 6-7 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 4 - Victoriaville - July 20-21 / Rain date July 27-28 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 5 - Riverside Speedway - August 10 (PRO only)
Round 6 - Autodrome Montmagny - August 17 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 7 - Autodrome St-Eustache - September 1-2 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 8 - Sanair - September 14, TOP 32 (PRO+PRO AM combined)

Website:
www.dmccdrift.com

Track websites:
Autodrome Montmagny
Autodrome St-Eustache
Ste-Croix Riverside Speedway
Sanair

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

The new 3rd generation Acura MDX will be hitting showrooms in July of this year. The anticipated replacement for the best selling Acura was recently tested by Matt St-Pierre and the review will be published on Auto123.com on Monday, June 3rd.

In the meantime, here's the price range:
Base: $49,990
Navi: $54,690
Tech: $59,990
Elite: $65,990

U.S. pricing will be slightly lower but not entirely for the usual reasons. Unlike the Canadian market, Americans will be able to purchase a Base front wheel drive MDX for the first time. This, in part, explains to lower entry price of $42,290.

As well, Canadian spec MDXs will carry extra standard features such as a heated steering wheel.

Photo: Acura

Racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss and Mercedes AMG driver, Lewis Hamilton will attend the Grand Prix of Great Britain at the end of June.

(Photo Mercedes-Benz)

For the announcement, the two last winners of the British Grand Prix were accompanied by a Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 car and a stunning Mercedes-Benz W196.

It is the very car that won the Grands Prix in Germany and Switzerland at the hands of five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954, and the same model raced by Sir Stirling Moss at the British Grand Prix in 1955 - his first ever F1 World Championship victory.

(Photo Mercedes-Benz)

Stirling Moss was born September 17, 1929 and is now 83.

Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix in 2008, driving a Mercedes-powered McLaren.

(Photo Mercedes-Benz)