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From GMM

Mercedes on Thursday hit back at reports Lewis Hamilton racked up a huge damage bill after a jet-skiing stunt in Monaco.

A Swiss newspaper had said the 2008 world champion performed an extra-tight turn in front of a boat of photographers on Wednesday, deliberately soaking and damaging photo and TV cameras and mobile phones.

Blick journalist Roger Benoit said Mercedes had apologised and vowed to pay the $150,000 repair bill.

But a Mercedes source on Thursday insisted that the story was not the classic case of a celebrity lashing out at paparazzi.

Rather, Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were performing on jet-skis for a television film crew.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

And the claims about the cost of the damage to equipment was also wrong, the source said.

"The TV equipment is fine, as Sky themselves confirmed to journalists asking questions yesterday," said the source.

"One photographer who failed to protect his camera equipment got some water inside it. But not specifically from something Lewis did. As he is a freelancer, we will make the goodwill gesture of helping to repair/replace the equipment," he added.

From GMM

Red Bull would be a "logical" move for Kimi Raikkonen, according to fellow Finnish driver Mika Hakkinen.

This week, Lotus' Raikkonen effectively confirmed rumours Red Bull has made him an offer for 2014, admitting he has "two options" for his next F1 contract.

Hakkinen, a former double world champion, said Red Bull would be a wise move for his countryman.

"We can see that Red Bull's situation is quite a lot stronger," the 44-year-old is quoted by Finnish broadcaster MTV3.

"If there is a place open there, then yes, I think it would be quite logical," added Hakkinen.

Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel on Bahrain podium. (Photo: WRi2)

But as Raikkonen pointed out, even moving to the team that has won the last three drivers' and constructors' championships on the trot is not a simple calculation.

"Of course, they have won a number of years in a row, but next year the rules are changing," he told MTV3. "It's a bit of a lottery who will make a good car and who will not."

Listen up, fellas: Are you at that point in your life where you want a hot new sports car while the significant other wants more -- er -- wholesome things like a family, a bigger house or some furry pets? Maybe all of the above?

Yikes!

Typically, this “starting a family” business gets in the way of that boy-racer pursuit of speed, power and go-fast goodies. Don't fret, with a hot hatch, you can have it all.

Models from Mazda, MINI, Ford, Subaru, Volvo, Volkswagen, and others are all available with the room drivers need for kids and pets and home renovation supplies, along with big-time performance, handling, and braking capabilities.

Most of today's hot hatches are turbocharged. All are fun to drive, and ready to use every day.

Best part? You don't have to tell the wife it's actually a sports car. Here's a look.

Model: VW GTI

Starting Price: $29,375

Overview: Without the GTI, there would be no hot hatches. This machine started the scene decades ago and paved the way for other models. The Volkswagen GTI packs selection and efficient, proven performance loved by thousands of enthusiasts the world over. Available in 3- or 5-door models with a standard turbocharged engine, adaptive headlights, Bluetooth, and a full suite of safety features, the GTI offers a just-right blend of the features and pricing today's family-oriented enthusiast shopper demands. You get 200 horsepower, even more torque, and an all-around package suited well to everyday use.

Pros: This former Canadian Car of the Year winner, as selected by AJAC, has proven it's got what it takes to win over Canadian drivers. The Volkswagen GTI is fuel efficient, comfortable, roomy, well equipped, affordable, and a total blast on a winding back road or track. Manual or Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmissions are available. Despite its 200 horsepower punch, the celebrated 2.0T powerplant in the GTI is able to turn in mileage below 7L/100km.

Cons: With 200 horsepower, the Volkswagen GTI isn't the fastest or most powerful hot hatch on the scene.

Noteworthy: Like shifting yourself? Pick the GTI's 6-speed manual transmission. Want a little taste of the world of racecars for your daily commute? The 6-speed dual-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission is for you. This optional piece of hardware operates like a conventional automatic transmission during gentle driving, though it can change gears in hundredths of a second via a set of steering-wheel mounted shift paddles.

Photo: Volkswagen

Continue reading Sports Car Comparison: The Hot Hatch

Dale Jarrett and Maurice Petty lead the list of NASCAR's Hall of Fame Class of 2014 inductees which includes Fireball Roberts, Tim Flock, and Jack Ingram.

The voting was conducted in Charlotte by a voting panel of 54 individuals coming from the sanctioning body, track owners, retired drivers, media and others.

Photo: NASCAR

Petty, the chief engine builder at Petty Enterprises, becomes fourth member of the dynasty to be chosen for membership in the NASCAR Hall of Fame - following his older brother Richard, father Lee and his cousin Dale Inman. The man simply called “Chief” supplied the horsepower that propelled Richard Petty to a majority of his record 200 NASCAR victories, plus his seven NASCAR premier series championships and seven Daytona 500 victories.

Jarrett is son of another Hall of Fame Inductee, Ned Jarrett. Dale Jarrett won the 1999 Sprint Cup championship and is a three-time Daytona 500 winner and two-time winner of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway two of NASCAR biggest events. His 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories place him 21st on the all-time winner's list.

Odd as it sounds Glen Fireball Roberts got his nickname for his throwing arm in baseball, not for his racing accomplishments. His hard charging style made him the stock car based sports earliest superstars. During his career he often came up big in the biggest events, winning the Daytona 500 in 1962 and the Southern 500 in 1958 and '63. Overall, he won seven races at Daytona International Speedway, starting with the Firecracker 250 in the summer of 1959 - the year the speedway opened.

Tim Flock was a pioneer in the racing series which started in the southern states of the US. A two-time series champion his 39 victories puts him 18th on the all-time wins list. In 1955, driving Carl Kiekhaefer's Chrysler, he dominated that season, posting 18 wins, 32 top fives and 18 poles in 39 races. Flock's 18 wins stood as a single-season victory record until Richard Petty surpassed it with 27 wins in 1967. In those days in was common to race two and three times a week.

Jack Ingram was probably NASCAR's superstar in the junior series which is currently known as the Nationwide Series. Before the formation of the series, Ingram won three consecutive championships, from 1972-74, in its precursor - the Late Model Sportsman Division. When the NASCAR Busch Series was formed, he won the inaugural title in 1982 and again in '85. In his 10 years of competition in what was called the NASCAR Busch Series, Ingram had 31 wins, a record that stood until Mark Martin broke it in 1997. All but two of those wins came on short tracks.

Pros and Cons*
Pros
Well-appointed cabin, comfort, reliability, nifty dynamics and the choice between rear wheel and all wheel drive...all much appreciated on the Infiniti G sedan.

Cons
A surplus of controls, excessive gas consumption and an ageing style are a few of the negatives.


Price
The all wheel drive G37x has an MRSP of $43,950. It's equipped with automatic transmission, temperature control, 7” colour monitor with rearview camera, leather seats and bi-Xenon headlights.

The Technology Package comes optional and includes voice recognition navigation system, intelligent cruise control and wifi audio. This options group has a $3,750 value.

The Premium Package, at $2,350, gets you the Infiniti Studio on Wheels® by Bose® Premium Audio system , USB iPod port, seat position memory and back-up sonar system.

The G37 Sport M6 comes with rear wheel drive, manual transmission, sport suspension, viscous limited slip rear differential, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, larger front & fear brake rotors and rearview monitor. For $2,950, you can add the voice recognition navigation system and wifi audio.

At $48,040, the G37x AWD Sedan Sport is equipped with Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, sport steering wheel with solid magnesium paddle shifters and sport front seats. Only the Technology Package, offered at $3,750 is available for delivery for this model.

Fuel Economy
On the highway, all three models rate the same at 7.9 L/100 km. For city driving, the G37x and G37x Sport rate 11.8 L/100 km whereas under the same conditions, the G37 Sport M6 burns up 12.3 L/100 km.

Recent Change
The G25 model has been dropped from the 2013 line-up

Exterior Styling
Its rounded contours, fine horizontal-striped grille, foglights and rear spoiler all accentuate its sporty character. This sedan is the most sold model in our region.

Drivetrain
Under the hood the Infiniti G features a 3.7 litre V6 developing 328 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. For the AWD versions (the G37x and G37x Sport), 7-speed automatic transmission is available. The rear wheel drive G37 Sport M6 is equipped with 6-speed manual transmission.

Cargo Capacity
The Infiniti G provides 382 litres of trunk space.

Safety
Six airbags, preventive braking and vehicle dynamic and traction control systems protect all three G37 models.

Comparable Models
Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW Série 3, Cadillac ATS, Lexus IS, Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes-Benz Classe C, Volvo S60

Photo: Infiniti

*References
Brière Francis, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.314
Gélinas Gabriel, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p.336
http://www.infiniti.ca

From GMM

Pat Fry will return to duty for Ferrari this weekend in Monaco.

The great Italian team's British technical director had his appendix removed in a Barcelona hospital less than two weeks ago, forcing him to miss qualifying and the Spanish grand prix.

Mathias Bruner, the correspondent for German-language Speed Week, said 49-year-old Fry will also sit out Thursday's practice sessions in Monaco.

"But on Friday he will be in Monaco," he added, "and in the pits as usual on Saturday and Sunday."

Photo: GP3 Series

From Honda

Honda Performance Development officially opened its Indiana Tech Center Wednesday, in the Indianapolis suburb of Brownsburg, Indiana.

Driver-in-the-Loop [DIL] simulator technology has been employed successfully by HPD's sports-car racing program since 2007 at a facility in England. HPD's new Tech Center brings that capability to the mid-west, a location central to the American racing community.

A DIL Simulator can save racing teams both time and money, as extensive test programs can be run through the simulator, with the team's driver at the wheel and engineers monitoring “lap times”, prior to going to the expense and time-consuming process of actual on-track testing.

I-Way driving simulator (Photo: René Fagnan)

In the future, in addition to Honda-powered IndyCar and sports-car racing teams, the Simulator and HPD Tech Center facilities will be available for use by teams taking part in other series. HPD offers in-house engineering support for drivers and teams utilizing the DIL Simulator. Customized simulations can be established to meet the specific needs of the teams.

The HPD DIL Simulator provides a cost-effective means of testing chassis setup changes, aerodynamics, engine mapping and future development paths, prior to turning a wheel on the race track. It also allows teams to replicate and experience many on-track situations, including changing track temperatures, surface grip, air temperature and wind direction/strength.

From GMM

The 'T-word' was still the big topic of conversation as the F1 world congregated in Monaco on Wednesday.

But the big paddock whisper is that changes to Pirelli's 2013 tires will be only minor in Montreal next month and beyond.

According to the strong and widespread rumour, the only minor change will be to the rear tires -- which is good news for Ferrari and Lotus, and not-so-good for Mercedes and Red Bull.

"Anything else would be unfair," Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. "You can't change everything just because some teams can't cope with the tires. We can live with the idea of stronger rear tires. I think that will help everybody."

The Finn is also quoted by MTV3 broadcaster: "The fairest thing would be to continue with the current tires, but I know there is a lot of pressure to change something."

It is believed teams will learn more about the rear tire tweak on Thursday.

Photo: Pirelli

In the meantime, the issue continues to divide the paddock. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso said Red Bull's complaining is just sour grapes.

"It sometimes happens when you win too easily for some years, it's difficult to lose some races after," he told English-language reporters.

In his native Spanish tongue, however, Alonso was even more blunt.

"I believe this year we are seeing that they (Red Bull) are not all angels. We saw it in Malaysia and now with these statements. When you win in an easy way for a few years, you can forget how to lose," the Spaniard added.

At the very same time, Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel continued to boldly criticise the Pirelli situation.

He is quoted by SID news agency: "It's like a professional skier having to change for the following season to wooden skis.

"I don't want to speak ill of people," added Vettel, "but in this context they (Pirelli) need to do a better job. We have seen repeatedly that the surface of the tire comes off. This is because they are not good enough."

He is quoted by Italy's Autosprint: "None of us want our tread to come off in the tunnel."

However, Vettel rejects the idea that Red Bull is complaining more than any other team.

"I think you (journalists) would rather quote us than Marussia for example. But in the driver meetings I even hear Lotus complain that they have the same problem as us, but less extremely. So we're not the only ones complaining," the German added.

From GMM

Force India will oppose any move to alter Pirelli's existing 2013 tires.

It has emerged in the Monaco paddock that, following the controversial reaction to its planned significant changes for Canada and beyond, the Italian supplier now intends only to tweak the rear tires.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the change would be only to the steel lining underneath the tread, which was overheating and causing delaminations.

Pirelli wants to revert to the kevlar lining of 2012.

"This would not change the shape of the tire, so the teams would not have to change their aerodynamics," said Paul Hembery.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt, however, thinks the change could alter slightly the behaviour of the tire, because temperatures would drop by up to ten degrees and reduce graining.

But motor sport director Hembery insists: "This change would not punish those who are already doing well with these tires."

Nevertheless, Pirelli will struggle to get the change through.

"We will not agree to any change," said Force India's sporting director Otmar Szafnauer.

"Pirelli needs unanimity, and so nothing is going to change," he promised.

Photo: Sahara Force India

"We built our car based on the specifications given to us by Pirelli in September 2012. Changing the steel ring for kevlar changes the dynamics of the tire, which some teams might prefer. We don't see why Pirelli should intervene just because a few teams are having problems. They should change their cars instead," added Szafnauer.

He also does not sympathise with Pirelli wanting to make the change to stop rear tire deliminations.

"The tires are safe," he said, "because when they are damaged they are still inflated. It just looks stupid, but we don't agree to the change just so Pirelli can have a better image."

Most small cars are often associated with women. Whether it's subcompacts or convertibles, their diminutive size and/or lack of aggressiveness seem to appeal to female drivers in particular.

True or not, we can tell you for a fact that women also like larger vehicles, especially when we have a family to haul around. SUVs and crossovers attract a fair share of ladies -- and not just soccer moms!

A quick survey of friends, family members, and Auto123.com employees has helped us put together these lists of the top 5 best and the top 5 worst chick cars. Fortunately, most of the models in the latter category have gone the way of the dodo.

Top 5 Best Chick Cars

1. Fiat 500

Photo: Fiat

Arguably the ultimate expression of feminity, and the best example of a chick car, the tiny Fiat 500 is all cute and curvy, not to mention infinitely customizable.

Continue reading Top 10 Best & Worst Chick Cars

Officials of the IZOD IndyCar have revealed the new rules that will guide the qualifying session for race two for the three double-header events on the 2013 schedule.

It has been decided that qualifying for the second races in Detroit, Toronto and Houston will be split across two groups, with each getting 12 minutes and a minimum of five minutes of track time.

Each group will be determined by practice times from the previous day, with Group 1 being reserved for odd-numbered positions and Group 2 being allocated to even-numbered positions. Times from the two groups will be combined to determine the starting grid.

The grid for the first race will follow the standard three-round format used at other road and street course events.

Photo: IndyCar

From GMM

McLaren looks set to be the only Honda-powered team in 2015.

The great British team is already signed up to be Japanese carmaker's 'works' partner, but it had been reported that Lotus, Sauber and Williams had enquired about becoming customers of Honda's turbo V6 engine.

Indeed, it was believed that - under FIA rules - Honda was actually obliged to make available its engines to one or more customer teams when it returns to F1.

But German-language reports, in Speed Week and by the SID news agency, quote Martin Whitmarsh as suggesting Honda is in fact not obliged to have customers.

"To my knowledge there is nothing in the regulations forcing an engine supplier to supply several teams," he reportedly told The Racer's Edge.

"So we look forward to an exclusive collaboration with Honda," the McLaren boss added.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Whitmarsh also seemed to play down reports linking Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi with a possible return to F1 in McLaren's new Honda era.

"If we did that (signed a Japanese driver), it would be a driver that we have helped to develop," he said.

From GMM

Wednesday was a costly day in Monaco for Mercedes.

According to Swiss newspaper Blick's veteran F1 correspondent Roger Benoit, Lewis Hamilton lost his temper with a boatload of photographers whilst jet-skiing in the Monaco harbour.

The report said Hamilton performed an extra-tight turn in front of the photographers, deliberately soaking their photo and TV cameras and mobile phones with a wave of seawater.

"An expensive prank," said Benoit. "Hamilton's team Mercedes apologised and paid for the $150,000 (!) in damage."

Later, Hamilton spoke to reporters in the Monaco paddock for his usual media duties with his pet Roscoe - a bulldog - snoring loudly on his lap.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Citing a $600 million loss over the last five years due to high costs and a strong Australian dollar, Ford will terminate all its production operations down under in October 2016, thereby eliminating 1,200 jobs. The Blue Oval will continue to import vehicles through more than 200 dealers, however.

Some insiders believe the adoption of the stricter Euro 5 emission standards in Australia starting on November 1st, 2016 put the final nail in the coffin.

“Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia,” Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano said. “The business case simply did not stack up. Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia.”

The company has sold vehicles in Australia for almost 110 years and manufactured in the country since 1925, when founder Henry Ford first started assembling Model Ts there.

Australian auto industry by the numbers:

• 1.1 million cars built in 2012;
• 65 makes;
• 365 models;
• 22,683,000 inhabitants.

Source: Automotive News

Ontario's AMBER Alert program, led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), is adding OnStar as a new partner to help quickly locate missing or abducted children in the province.

From now on, whenever an AMBER Alert is issued, OnStar will be able to share the alert information with its 430,000+ Canadian subscribers. OnStar will integrate Ontario AMBER Alert data into its call centre's geographical mapping system, and subscribers will be informed of the Alert when they contact OnStar for other services.

“As a company, it is extremely important for OnStar to support the AMBER Alert program and our technology can play a valuable role,” said Kevin Williams, President and Managing Director, General Motors of Canada. “Not only can motorists get information on AMBER Alerts in their area, but they can be directly connected by an OnStar Advisor to local authorities to submit tips and information.”

Photo: General Motors

On Friday, May 24th, Canadian Tire stores throughout Quebec (except the one located on Atwater in Montreal) will invite parents and grandparents to have their child safety seats inspected free of charge.

This is very important since a study conducted in 2011 by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) revealed that only half of all child safety seats intended for children under 5 are used correctly.

To benefit from adequate protection:

• children must be seated in a seat that corresponds to their weight and height;
• child safety seats must be well anchored to vehicle seats;
• children must be properly strapped in.

The event will highlight Canadian Tire's 2013 participation in the Permanent Provincial Network for the Inspection of Child Safety Seats. For a list of members in your area or city, visit www.siegedauto.qc.ca. (Quebec only).

Tomorrow, don't miss our interview with Bernard Villemaire, Regional Vice President Quebec, Store & Auto Operations at Canadian Tire Corporation.


Source : www.caaquebec.com

Photo: Olivier Delorme

In 15 years of development, Audi has set standards with its ultra-lightweight of LMP1 endurance sports prototypes.

Photo: Audi Motorsport

Since 1999, ultra-lightweight design has been playing a central role with Audi's Le Mans prototypes (LMP). Materials, such as CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), harbor major potential for optimizing weight.

Even in its first LMP sports car - the R8R of 1999 - Audi used a carbon fiber monocoque. Audi has significantly been reducing weight to this day.

Although a closed cockpit requires the use of more material Audi has managed to cut the weight of the monocoque in half between 1999 and today, while surpassing all the safety and crash requirements of the FIA.

Carbon monocoque (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Furthermore, Audi managed to again increase the torsional strength of the monocoque during this period of time despite the 50 percent reduction in weight.

The chassis design is complemented by the transmission housing. Since 2012, it has been made of a lightweight and stable full-carbon construction in which the mounting points for the rear axle are integrated. In addition, very light backstays from the monocoque to the transmission housing optimize the stiffness of the rear end.

Audi's V6 TDI engine (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Additionally, numerous smaller solutions have been accompanying the major steps. The carbon fiber gas pedal in the Audi R10 TDI already saved a few hundred grams of weight compared with an aluminum version.

The lithium-ion battery that was used for the first time in the 2009 R15 TDI even proved to be seven kilograms lighter than a lead storage battery.

Carbon transmission casing (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

After Petter Solberg's spectacular off road excursion in the vineyards last year at the rally of France, a grape grower has decided to produce a special reserve named after the former WRC champion.

Claude Hauller showing a bottle of the Cuvée Petter Solberg. (Photo: DNA Franck Delhomme)

In the accident, several grapes were damaged in the village of Epfig, in eastern France.

No less than 2,000 bottles of a special wine have been produced from the surviving grapes, a Gewurztraminer called "Cuvée Petter Solberg", with the agreement of the driver.

Cheers!

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg managed to top the times in both free practice sessions for the Monaco Grand Prix, thus living up to the prediction that the silver cars would be quick around the Principality.

The first session saw Rosberg take fastest time from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by a mere 0.087 seconds and Lotus' Romain Grosjean who finished a strong third.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

The Frenchman managed to pip Alonso's teammate, Felipe Massa, to the final top-three slot in the final minutes of the session.

However, not for the first time this season, there was little on-track action in the first 30 of the 90-minute session, with most drivers choosing to set their quickest time around the halfway mark.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

The No. 10 Mercedes AMG of Lewis Hamilton was fifth despite having to use an escape road at Sainte Devote, whilst 13th placed man, Adrian Sutil, had the only other incident in the session after he spun his Sahara Force India in the same place.

Pastor Maldonado was sixth, in a competitive showing for the beleaguered Williams squad, one place ahead of last year's winner, Mark Webber in his Red Bull.

The two McLarens of Jenson Button and Sergio Perez split the Australian from Red Bull teammate Vettel who had a quiet session down in ninth.

Monaco - Free Practice session 1 - Results*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'16"195 - 31 laps
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'16"282 - 26
3 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'16"380 - 21
4 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'16"394 - 23
5 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'16"469 - 28
6 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'16"993 - 27
7 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'17"020 - 27
8 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'17"129 - 29
9 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'17"378 - 25
10 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'17"380 - 23
11 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'17"509 - 26
12 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'17"548 - 27
13 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'17"625 - 20
14 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'18"193 - 26
15 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'18"454 - 25
16 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'18"754 - 28
17 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'18"830 - 28
18 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'19"067 - 25
19 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'19"203 - 21
20 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'19"438 - 28
21 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'19"773 - 20
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'20"225 - 21

Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne wearing a replica helmet of Francois Cevert, his F1 heroe. (Photo: WRi2)

The second session saw Rosberg underline the Mercedes' pace once again and jump to the top of the timesheets, this time ahead of Hamilton and by a larger margin of 0.318s.

The German driver set his quickest time around the 30-minute mark and remained unbeaten until the chequered flag dropped at around 3:30 p.m. CET.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The Ferraris were third and fourth with Alonso leading Massa once again.

Webber managed to improve his morning's position to fifth, ahead of the Lotus' of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, both of whom are expected to show strong pace in the race, despite being relatively low key today.

The Frenchman was also the only casualty of the session, after he shunted his Lotus at the exit of Sainte Devote.

Mark Webber, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

Jenson Button was eighth, ahead of a yet again quiet Sebastian Vettel and Paul di Resta's Force India.

Having shown strong pace in FP1, Pastor Maldonado finished the afternoon session in 14th, four places ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Monaco - Free Practice session 2 - Results*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'14"759 - 45 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'15"077 - 50
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'15"196 - 37
4 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'15"278 - 38
5 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'15"404 - 41
6 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'15"511 - 38
7 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'15"718 - 10
8 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'15"959 - 39
9 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'16"014 - 32
10 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'16"046 - 42
11 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'16"349 - 43
12 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'16"434 - 40
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'16"823 - 42
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'16"857 - 40
15 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'16"935 - 44
16 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'17"145 - 37
17 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'17"184 - 42
18 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'17"264 - 46
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'17"892 - 40
20 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'18"212 - 43
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'18"784 - 40
22 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'19"031 - 30

* Unofficial timing

Ford, saddled with high costs, falling sales and financial losses, will close its Australian car and engine assembly plants in 2016, ending almost nine decades of manufacturing in the country.