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The FIA World Endurance Championship will resume in Belgium on May 4 at Spa-Francorchamps. German car manufacturer Audi will bring a new version of its R18.

A standard R18 won the season's opener at Silverstone a few weeks ago. And Audi will bring a new long-tail variant of the hybrid sports car to be tested in Belgium. Audi Sport Team Joest thus wants to optimally prepare for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the pinnacle of the season for the sports prototypes held on June 22 and 23.

Audi will run three cars in two versions of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro that, also visually, can be clearly distinguished from each other will be running at Spa.

Photo: Audi Motorsport

The winners of the opening round, Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish, and the current World Endurance Champions Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer, will be starting with the aerodynamic variant that was victorious at Silverstone. It generates optimal downforce for track types such as the 7.004-kilometer circuit at Spa.

The third Audi R18 e-tron quattro, driven by Marc Gené/Lucas di Grassi/Oliver Jarvis, on the other hand uses an aero package that has been optimized for the high-speed Le Mans track and can be recognized by its lengthened rear section (long tail, low drag).

The comparison, however, is not focused on absolute lap times. Instead, the team will analyze the time differences to be expected between both models on individual track sectors. In addition, practical aspects of using the second body version will be reviewed and data generated for the fielding in the race at Le Mans.

It's that time of the year! Time to drop them tops! Convertible are, by definition, sexy cars and deserve the love and admiration they get. The following is our list of the sexiest new convertible cars out there.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible

Photo: Ford

Continue reading Top 10 Sexiest convertibles

Honda Canada has issued a recall on 2,016 Fit Sport hatchbacks from 2012-2013 after it's been reported that the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system may not function as intended in some cases.

The tires could lose traction without any intervention by the VSA system, which could obviously lead to a crash.

Honda dealers will reprogram the Vehicle Stability Assist software on all affected units.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

From GMM

One of F1's existing engine bosses has questioned rumours Honda and Toyota could be set to re-join the sport in the foreseeable future.

Amid strong rumours Honda will become McLaren's works partner in 2015, and possibly supply customer V6s to Sauber, another rumour doing the rounds in Bahrain was that Honda's traditional rival Toyota might also come back.

Both Japanese marques withdrew their works teams amid the global financial crisis late last decade, but could now be interested in F1's futuristic ERS-powered turbo V6 rules that will come into force next season.

"Yes, even Toyota is toying with a comeback," Swiss newspaper Blick's veteran correspondent Roger Benoit said in Bahrain. "The Japanese have Williams in sight, and they could get Japanese favourite Kamui Kobayashi back in a race cockpit."

Photo: Renault Sport F1

Senior Renault engine figure Rob White, however, doubts not only the Toyota rumours, but also the reports that Honda's plans are already well advanced.

"If they actually wanted to come back," he is quoted by Speed Week, "then why not take part in the planning meetings? We have never received a request in this regard -- the meetings are always only represented by Ferrari, Mercedes and us. But Honda and Toyota could easily ask the FIA for permission and join in."

Asked whether Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault were always alone in the turbo V6 planning meetings, White answered: "No. The first project meetings were held four years ago, and the interest was great -- Audi, Cosworth, Ilmor, Honda, Toyota, Mecachrome and others.

"However, as it got more specific, only (Craig Pollock's) Pure was left, but now it's only us three. I simply cannot imagine that a company will enter in 2015 without having wanted a say in the rules," added Rob White.

Nissan Canada is recalling 10,005 Altima sedans from 2013 due to a spare tire that may have been under- or over-inflated during assembly.

In some instances, the over-inflation may have been significant. High trunk compartment temperature, such as when the vehicle is parked in the sun, could cause an over-inflated tire to burst.

Also, an under- or over-inflated tire could fail when installed as a road wheel.

Therefore, Nissan dealers will check and, if necessary, adjust the spare tire inflation pressure.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Nissan

On Sunday May 19, before the start of the 24-hour race around the Nürburgring, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher will take to the track.

Schumacher will post a demonstration lap on the Nürburgring's legendary Nordschleife in a Mercedes AMG 2011 W02 to say 'thank you' to his fans for their years of loyal support during his F1 career.

This will be the first time since Juan Manuel Fangio's victory on 1st August 1954 that a modern Formula 1 Silver Arrow has driven on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring.

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes W02. (Photo: WRi2)

Schumacher covered part of the Nordschleife in the last Formula 1 grand prix at the Nürburgring in July 2011, however, that was in a Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Stromlinie W196.

"I have a lot of fond memories of the Nürburgring and am really looking forward to giving fans and friends from my home town of Kerpen, which is quite close to the Nürburgring, something to remember as they see me drive by,” said Michael Schumacher in a Mercedes-Benz press release.

“But it will be a fantastic experience for me too, driving along the Nordschleife in a state-of-the-art Formula 1 Silver Arrow, particularly in view of the fact that the Silver Arrow's legend began here. Posting a lap in a modern Silver Arrow on the most beautiful and most testing circuit in the world, what a brilliant mix - it's every motor racing driver's dream!" he added.

The 2013 edition of the famous Who Works in Motorsports book has been released and covers 18 motorsport series this year.

The indispensable B to B motor sport business tool covering most world's major motor-racing championships in 1058 pages.


ALMS DTM Eurocup FR2.0 Eurocup Megane Trophy ELMS Euro Racecar NASCAR FIA GT Formula E Formula One Formula Renault 3.5 GP2 Series Grand-Am IndyCar NASCAR Sprint Cup V8 Supercars WEC WRC WTCC are covered this year.

Each carefully researched edition of Who Works In Motorsports provides industry professionals and fans with in-depth, hard-to-find details that cover teams, drivers, cars, engines, team principals, engineers, key staff, sponsors, suppliers, marketing and PR professionals, press officers, photographers, journalists, circuits and officials.

Names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses: it's all in Who Works In Motorsports 2013.

This professional reference tool is produced in a convenient-sized hardback book containing 1058 pages and 2000+ colour images.

Who Works in Motorsport is available online at www.whoworksin.com, by emailing info@whoworksin.com or calling +44 20 7193 0686.

Further details are also available on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/whoworksin.formulaone.

From GMM

Ross Brawn looks likely to keep his job at Mercedes, contrary to earlier speculation he will be replaced by McLaren's Paddy Lowe.

Former technical director Lowe is currently on McLaren 'gardening leave', amid the widespread paddock perception that he will arrive at Brackley in 2014.

But while earlier it was rumoured he would replace fellow Briton Brawn in the top Mercedes job, team director and co-owner Toto Wolff is now hinting strongly that the 58-year-old will stay.

Asked by F1's official website what 'most useful lesson' he has learned in his short time so far at Mercedes, Austrian Wolff answered: "To understand what it needs to make Ross function -- or how he functions."

Toto Wolff, Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

Amid talk Brawn faces the axe, Mercedes newcomer Lewis Hamilton recently spoke out in support of his boss, insisting "I signed with him (Brawn) being here and I'm very happy working with him".

Toto Wolff said: "I am not at all surprised. Everybody has the highest esteem for Ross and I would be completely mistaken were I to question Ross' technical skills -- someone who has won seven or eight titles.

"Who am I in this respect?" he added. "I have been in formula one for only three years. So I completely agree with every word Lewis said."

Of course, Wolff's comments leave open the door for a change of role for Brawn, with Lowe perhaps arriving to be team boss and Brawn staying in a purely technical capacity.

But Toto Wolff insisted that Ross Brawn is doing a good job as boss.

"(He is) extremely structured," he said. "Accurate. Focused on sustainable results and not on short-term optimisation. An excellent manager who gives his people room."

"Ross is team principal and I don't want to change that," added Wolff. "We need to get stability in the team as we have a mountain of work to do. From where this team is coming it is important to have as many good people as possible -- that is my focus in all these discussions."

DTM reigning champion, Bruno Spengler, spoke to Auto123.com about the DRS and the soft tires that will make their appearance this season.

During both collective test sessions held in Barcelona and Hockenheim, the DTM competitors had the opportunity to test the DRS, introduced by the series organizers in order to help overtaking and improve the show during races. Each driver has the ability to activate his mobile rear wing system once per lap if the gap between him and the car ahead does not exceed two seconds on the start/finish line.

Spengler, who just experiences these two new elements aboard his BMW M3 DTM, gave some information to Auto123.com in an interview.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

"The gain of speed is clear when the rear wing moves,” he explained. “It's a gain of about 7-10 km/h. But we still have to wait and see how it will operate during the races to know what it will change for us. That will be a big novelty, with the option tires."

Indeed, the soft tires will also make their appearance for the first time this season in DTM. They will only be used during races and will increase the performance of the car.

"That will also change the game,” continued Spengler. “Option tires are faster -- 1 to 1.2 seconds per lap -- than standard tires. We will have one set of option tires for the race, and we can use them when we want.”

"We will all start from zero,” concluded the Canadian driver. “There are a lot of things we still have to discover, such as how the DRS will help us overtake; how long the option tires will perform, etc. This will all cause quite a headache for the engineers who will define the strategy. But I am quite confident, and I have great faith in the BMW team that proved its exceptional ability to adapt last year by winning all trophies for its DTM return."

As Formula 1 heads into a three-week break ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Auto123.com has gone through the history books to dig out some of Formula 1's most hopeless teams which can only be described as ‘ambitious but rubbish'.

The following, then, are a selection of the underwhelming, the rushed, the disorganized, the outright dangerous, the cash-strapped and the downright sinister.

5
Jaguar Racing - 2000-2004
Much was made of Jaguar's entry into Formula 1 after it purchased Stewart Ford for the 2000 season. Extra funding, big name management as well some seriously good drivers were supposed to push what was now Ford's own team into Formula 1's big league, but none of this mattered by the time the team was bought out by Red Bull at the end of 2004. Jaguar's time in Formula 1 was underwhelming to say the least; despite big bucks, the Big Cat's F1 tenure was messy. Slow and unreliable cars, mostly Macchiavelian management and a failed attempt to lure Adrian Newey away from McLaren marked the team's history and in four years, the team's best on track results were two third places in Monaco and a best constructor's position of seventh in 2003 and 2004.

Photo: WRi2

4
Coloni F1 - 1987-1991
On paper, Coloni's F1 effort didn't seem bad; Enzo Coloni, an Italian Formula 3 champion would act as team principal and at the end of 1988, a season which saw the team poach AGS figureheads Christian Vanderpleyn, Michel Costa and Frederic Dhainhaut, Coloni would be sold to Fuji Heavy Industries as a platform for Subaru to enter Formula 1 with a 12-cylinder version of its boxer engine. However, the team was frankly embarrassing - albeit lovable - and in its four-year life, managed to rack up the record for most Did Not Qualify/Did Not Pre-Qualifys in the sport's history. Furthermore, in its last three years of existence, the team entered 46 races and failed to finish one. However, to the team's credit, it turned up weekend in, weekend out to every race in its final two years and operated on a shoe-string of a budget, with rumours circulating that during the 1990 season, Coloni was unable to pay his staff.

Photo: WRi2

3
MasterCard Lola - 1997
Like Coloni, Lola's entry - in theory at least - didn't seem bad. Afterall, the Italian company had a good pedigree in building IndyCar chassis and it had MasterCard as a title sponsor. Making the step to Formula 1, then, seemed a natural progression. The team was originally set to make its debut in 1998, but given MasterCard had put in some good cash, someone at the plastic card company had other ideas and forced Lola to make its entry a year earlier and to its credit it did. In doing so however, it made a pig of a machine.

The team's T97 was basically a lightened IndyCar and had not undergone any on-track or wind tunnel testing which resulted in a car which had too much drag and was woefully slow; so much so, in its first and only race, the Australian Grand Prix, its drivers Ricardo Rosset and Vicenzo Sospiri qualified 15 seconds off of pole winner Jacques Villeneuve's Williams. The team closed its doors after this one outing and in the process almost destroyed Lola thanks to debts of around £6mn.

Photo: WRi2

2
LIFE - 1990
Any car that is described by its designer as a ‘time bomb' should ring alarm bells. However, this didn't deter the LIFE F1 team, and in a flagrant disregard for health and safety, it purchased this death trap from FIRST's failed Formula 1 entry as it tried to bring W12 technology into the sport. It managed it too, but in doing so, it made the car even more dangerous as the chassis changes made to accommodate the W12 unit highly exposed the driver in the case of an accident. However, none of this mattered in the end as the car was so slow due to its power output was around 375bhp, which was around half of the McLaren Hondas. As a result, it failed to qualify for any of the 14 races it took part in and at the San Marino Grand Prix, was 424 seconds off of pole. The team withdrew from F1 with two races remaining of the 1990 season.

Photo: WRi2

1
Andrea Moda - 1992
As Benetton were making good of their opportunity in F1 around this time, Andrea Sassetti, the owner of the Italian shoe manufacturer, Andrea Moda, looked to his fellow fashionable compatriots and thought “I can do that” so he bought the Coloni F1 team. However, it quickly became apparently that he couldn't and the team was nothing short of an omnishambles.

The team's track record was appalling as - amongst other things - it was banned from the season opener by failing to raise the $100,000 deposit from new teams and failed to reach the French Grand Prix as its lorries got stuck in traffic. In addition to the team being poorly organized and having a car that was around 15-seconds off the pace, there was a sinister side to the team, with the team openly mistreating driver Perry McCarthy as a result of a disagreement with Sassetti.

This reached a new low at the Belgian Grand Prix, with McCarthy hurtling through Eau Rough with a flexing steering arm which the team allegedly knew about. That same weekend, Sassetti was arrested for forging invoices and once race later, Andrea Moda was kicked out of F1 for bringing the sport into disrepute.

Photo: WRi2

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