Auto News 5

Volvo chief Hakan Samuelsson says cars built in China could soon be exported to the United States. The CEO says he doesn't expect consumers there to react negatively to the notion of China-built Volvos.

Three new entries in our top 10 list of the most viral automotive videos are for vehicles launched last week at the Detroit auto show.

With the St. Petersburg's season opener less than two months away, there are still a few seats to be filled amongst many IndyCar teams and everyone is trying to find the right candidate for the upcoming 2014 season.

At the present time, there are jobs available to fill single entries at Barracuda Racing and Panther Racing, and second cars from Dale Coyne Racing, KV Racing, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.


According to what we know, Briton James Jakes will probably be back at Coyne alongside Justin Wilson, who appears set to stay with the team and complete the final year of his contract.

Another Briton, Pippa Mann is also believed to be involved with the team althought her role has not been decided yet.

Photo: IndyCar

Chances are good that Sebastian Saavedra will join his former Dragon Racing teammate Sebastien Bourdais at KV Racing.

As we already said, Rahal Letterman team is evaluating some candidates, amongst them Canadian Alex Tagliani.

Panther will nominate a driver after it holds a driver shootout in the coming weeks.
 

As for Barracuda Racing, team owners Bryan Herta and Steve Newey could be close to naming the driver of the No. 98 Honda. Without giving out names, Herta confirmed he has a driver ready to go once the team's sponsorship portfolio is completed.


From press release

Mercedes-Benz will field two former DTM champions in the new 2014 DTM season.

In addition to 2005 DTM champion, Gary, 2010 DTM champion Paul di Resta will also drive a DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé in the coming season.

The Scot will strengthen the squad of drivers at Mercedes-Benz, as Daimler prepares to mark its 120th anniversary of competition in motor racing this year in fine style.

Di Resta previously competed in the world's most popular international touring car series for the brand with the three-pointed star from 2007 to 2010, securing six wins, six pole positions and seven fastest laps from 42 races.

After clinching the DTM title at the season finale in Shanghai in 2010, Di Resta switched to Formula 1, where he contested 58 grands prix for Sahara Force India Mercedes (2011-2013), scoring 121 championship points.

Paul di Resta. (Photo: Mercedes AMG)

Di Resta and Mercedes-Benz go back a long way - the Scot won the McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future Kart series in 2000. He became a Mercedes-Benz junior four years later, moving up in 2005 to the Formula 3 Euro Series, which he won with the Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine in his second season, beating off competition from four-time Formula 1 world championship title holder, Sebastian Vettel.

Di Resta, along with fellow Mercedes-Benz driver Gary Paffett, is one of seven former DTM champions, who have so far confirmed their participation in the 2014 DTM season. During testing in Portimão on Tuesday, Di Resta will take to the wheel of a DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé to begin preparing for the DTM season opener in Hockenheim on the weekend of 3rd-4th May 2014.

Paul Di Resta: “It feels really good to be back in the DTM and to see so many familiar faces again. The DTM is a fantastic racing series with three strong premium brands, a very competitive field and a very evenly matched bunch of drivers. I'm really looking forward to working with the whole Mercedes-Benz DTM team and being part of another championship challenge. Much has changed since my last DTM race in Shanghai in 2010 with new cars, a new set of rules and a third manufacturer, but what has not changed is my enormous appetite for success. Mercedes-Benz has given me a car that I can use to fight for wins and the title. However, I realise that it will not be easy. My competitors already have two years of experience with the new generation of vehicles, but, starting with today's first test, I'll be going flat out in order to be capable of winning at the Hockenheim season opener in early May.”

From press release

The Sauber F1 Team is pleased to announce Giedo Van der Garde as its test and reserve driver for 2014.

The 27-year-old Dutchman will be driving during some Friday sessions and several tests in the 2014 season.



Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal: 
"We are happy to have Giedo van der Garde on board. He has four years experience in GP2 and he drove one year in Formula 1. Many times Giedo has shown his talent as a race driver. Giedo has the right attitude to take the next step forward."



Sauber F1 Team. (Photo: WRi2)

Giedo van der Garde: "I consider this an important step in my career. It is my goal to help the team with the development of the new car. But, of course, I am a racing driver, and I want to show the team and everybody else what I am capable of and that I deserve a race seat with the Sauber F1 Team in 2015."

"I am very thankful to Caterham that they gave me a chance to get a taste of Formula 1. I enjoyed a fantastic season with the team and I have learned a lot. The experience gained will surely help me during the rest of my career.”

“For now, I am really very excited to have signed a contract with the Sauber F1 Team. For every driver it is a dream to work for a well established team such as Sauber. In recent years it has shown impressive results. I am really grateful for this opportunity and I will certainly do my upmost to succeed.”

Giedo Van der Garde joins the race drivers Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutiérrez.

Let's address the elephant in the room first, shall we? This vehicle has gone through a bit of an identity crisis in terms of finding its name. Like the Empress Child in The Neverending Story, it desperately needed a name to give it grounds to stand in the auto industry. From G35 to G37 to Q50, I think it's safe to say that this Infiniti has found its place in the world, and can finally call its name its own.

Names aside, this latest iteration of the Infiniti luxury sedan I'd already come to know and rather like is impressive on so many levels. This was more than just a name change; this was a physical, mental, and emotional overhaul for the 2014 Infiniti Q50.


What is an Infiniti Q50?
Well, I've already touched on that briefly. Its history is littered with past identities and began with the Infiniti G20 in the '90s in North America. The G20 lasted into the 2000s, until the rear-wheel drive G35 appeared.

Essentially, the Infiniti Q50 is the company's "entry level" vehicle. There is also a hybrid version of the Q50.



2014 Infiniti Q50 Premium AWD Price and Specs
There are four Q50 models available (not counting the hybrid version I just mentioned). The starting price of the 2014 Infiniti Q50 3.7 is $37,500. That price can rise all the way to $47,450 for the Q50S 3.7. The two available hybrid models (Premium and AWD Premium) are priced at $47,000 and $49,500 respectively.

All four non-hybrid models come equipped with the same 328-horsepower 3.7L V6 engine and 269 lb-ft of torque, as well as the same electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission. If you don't opt for the AWD version, the 2014 Infiniti Q50s's power is spat out the rear wheels.

My particular 2014 Infiniti Q50 3.7 AWD Premium model was sitting pretty at a starting price of $43,400.

The 2014 Infiniti Q50 come equipped with a 328-horsepower 3.7L V6 engine and 269 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Driving the 2014 Infiniti Q50 Premium AWD
I got into the Infiniti Q50 with an open mind. I was immediately intrigued by the interior design, but most excited about experiencing Infiniti's brand new direct adaptive steering feature. This is the first vehicle of its kind to sport such a feature. To simplify, the system steers the front wheels without a direct mechanical link to said wheels.

I honestly felt a bit like I was driving a simulator the first few times I got behind the wheel. And with the ability to change the steering ratio and input (quick/heavy, standard/light, etc.), that videogame feel continues. However, after a few days I came to really appreciate the quick/heavy setting and how responsive the 2014 Infiniti Q50's steering and handling truly was. It made the next car I drove feel sloppy, uncontrolled, and disconnected (and it was German).

Steering aside, I really enjoyed the 3.7L performance. The 2014 Infiniti Q50 feels fast, and that's thanks in no small part to the 7-speed transmission's ability to properly select gears and play along when asked. I did wish for paddle shifters (something that's available in the S model), but otherwise felt nothing was lacking in the drive experience.

A rear-wheel bias (despite my tester's AWD abilities) meant a sportier feel. With Infiniti Drive Mode selection, I could cycle between Standard/Sport/Snow/Eco or a personal setting to fiddle with throttle and engine response depending on the driving mood I was in.

The 2014 Infiniti Q50 feels fast, and that's thanks in no small part to the 7-speed transmission's ability to properly select gears and play along when asked. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Inside and Out the 2014 Infiniti Q50 AWD Premium
This vehicle is loaded with gadgets and hi-tech stuff. So much so that I can't even get into it all without breaking my word count by a ridiculous amount. So, I'll have to get by simply by saying: It's all quite impressive and all done very well.

Infiniti's new InTouch and InTuition system is stellar to use. I absolutely adore the centre stack layout. It is, perhaps, one of the most modernly elegant layouts I've ever seen. The dual screens are in precisely the right spots and navigation is a breeze.

Technology aside, the 2014 Infiniti Q50 is extremely comfortable up front and in the backseat. Legroom is quite good in the back, and fitting a baby seat was a breeze. The trunk also offers up plenty of space for stroller/groceries/bags.

Moving to the outside of the 2014 Infiniti Q50, something I usually look at before the interior which says something about the impact that interior actually has, it's hard not to be impressed by the fluid lines and look of the new Q50. Infiniti's design language has evolved over the years to include some seriously aggressive lines housed in sensual creases and edges. I like the look, a lot.

Legroom is quite good in the back, and fitting a baby seat was a breeze. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Comparing the 2014 Infiniti Q50 AWD Premium
It's a good thing the Infiniti Q50 is such an impressive product straight out of the gates because it has some steep competitors in the Lexus IS (which has just undergone a serious makeover), as well as the Cadillac CTS and Audi A4.

What's in a name? Well, it's a fitting name as the new Q is so loaded with gadgets and bits and bobs that I think that may just make it a solid choice over the competition based on what today's society really places value on.

Caterham Formula 1 Team announced Tuesday a series number of significant milestones in the ongoing growth of the team.

With a raft of new technical changes to F1's rules for 2014, Caterham has decided to work its aerodynamic department differently.

“Among the news we could share were two very significant deals that will definitely pay dividends for us in 2014 and for years to come - the first being our renewed partnership with Dell/Intel, the second being the migration of our wind tunnel program to the Toyota Motorsport (TMG) facility in Cologne, Germany,” said Caterham team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

Abiteboul explained that the new deal with Dell/Intel represents a major upgrade to the team's HPC (High Performance Cluster), the supercomputer that powers all our IT needs. This has dramatically uprated the CFD capability, something which will be particularly important with the rule changes governing wind-tunnel usage in 2014.

Engineers monitoring the Toyota wind tunnel. (Photo: TMG)

“In addition, we are moving our wind tunnel program to TMG in Germany", Abiteboul continued.

“The TMG facility allows us to run at 60% scale, more than the 50% scale we have been using to date, and that has obvious benefits in increasing the accuracy of the data generated in the tunnel. Ally that to our increased partnership with Dell/Intel and it's safe to say our Design Office now has an IT infrastructure and wind tunnel that are on a par with any team in F1,” he explained.

From press release

Alessandro Zanardi will be back in the cockpit on a regular basis in 2014, as the Italian driver will race in the Blancpain GT Sprint Series behind the wheel of a BMW Z4 GT3.

The car has been specially modified to meet his unique requirements and will be run by the ROAL Motorsport team.

Alex Zanardi. (Photo: BMW)

The 47-year-old lost both legs in a serious crash while racing in 2001, but overcame his disability to return to motorsport.

Among other things, Zanardi drove for BMW in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), where he stood on the top step of the podium on four occasions. Having won two gold medals on his handbike at the 2012 Paralympics in London (GB) and completed a test in the BMW M3 DTM in the same year, he is now set to contest a full season for BMW for the first time since 2009.

Zanardi can hardly wait to return to the motorsport scene: “Even after leaving the sport in 2009, I was still a racing driver at heart,” he said. “When I took to the track in the BMW M3 DTM at the end of 2012, I immediately got itchy fingers again. Ever since that moment I have been toying with the idea of returning to motor racing. Together with BMW we have looked at various options. I am even more pleased that it has worked out with my old friends at ROAL Motorsport. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW for this unique opportunity.”

From GMM

Charles Pic will not be racing in formula one this season.

Having debuted for Marussia in 2012, and switching to Caterham last year, the latter team's boss Cyril Abiteboul announced on Monday that the 23-year-old French driver has been left without a race seat for 2014.

"Unfortunately Charles won't be with us this season, but I want to thank him for the job he did for us last year," fellow Frenchman Abiteboul told Infosport+.

Charles Pic, Caterham. (Photo: WRi2)

Pic was strongly backed in F1 by Idec Groupe, Lagardere and even Renault, and so presumably his successors at Caterham have arrived with even more lucrative sponsorship.

Abiteboul also hinted that performance may have been an issue, saying Pic "has some talent which can develop in a larger, more mature team".

Caterham, however, is the only remaining team in pitlane yet to announce its 2014 drivers.

The logos of McGregor, the sponsor of Pic's 2013 teammate Giedo van der Garde, have been removed from Caterham's official website, suggesting that the team will enter 2014 with an all-new driver lineup.

International reports say the most likely 2014 pairing is Kamui Kobayashi alongside rookie Marcus Ericsson.

Britain's Sky, the Reuters news agency, and France's RMC said Caterham is expected to confirm its new drivers on Tuesday.

RMC added that Pic, having worked until now with Olivier Panis, is now being managed by Jacques Villeneuve's well-known former manager, Craig Pollock.

Nissan recently sold its 100,000th LEAF worldwide to a British dentist named Brett Garner.

"The Nissan LEAF is perfect for everyday commuting, and there is no problem with charging it," Dr. Garner told Green Car Reports. "It is ideal for the family as it is quiet and not tiring even on longer journeys, because there is no vibration. Above all, it is a fun to drive car!"

The Nissan LEAF is now sold in 35 countries around the globe.

Source :greencarreports.com

Photo: Nissan

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 serial number 0001 was purchased by Rick Hendricks, owner of NASCAR's Hendricks Motorsports, for US$650,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona this weekend.

Other prized items sold during the event include the first 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO (US$700,000), Gene Simmons' 1956 Ford F-100 Snakebit (US$450,000), as well as the first 2015 Ford Mustang (US$300,000).

The cream of the crop, however, was a rare 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88, which set a Corvette record with a winning bid of US$3.5 million.

Photo: Chevrolet

Talking to Ferrari.com, Luca Baldisseri, head of the Ferrari Driver Academy confirmed Monday that young Canadian, Lance Stroll would be switching to car racing in 2014.

Stroll is one of the four FDA drivers alongside Jules Bianchi, Raffaele Marciello and Antonio Fuoco.

Born October 29, 1998 in Montreal, Quebec Stroll finished sixth in last year's CIA-FIA World KF Karting Championship.

Driving a Zanardi/TM/Vega for Chiesa Corse Team, the 15-year-old scored 11 points in UK and 6 in Bahrein for a total of 17, giving his sixth place overall.

Formule 4 (Photo: formula4.com)

Baldisseri -- Michael Schumacher's former race strategist -- confirmed that Stroll could be contesting the FIA Formula 4 Championship in 2014.

This series is intended for junior drivers, fresh out of karting. It is a spec series for single seaters made of a carbon fibre monocoque powered by 1600cc engines capped at 150 horsepower.

You may notice that my list includes a fair number of concept design vehicles. It's hardly surprising to find these at auto shows, yet until recently I've viewed these often weird looking contraptions as nothing more than an ego stroke for the car designers. However, manufacturers are now becoming smarter with their development money. The days of wishful thinking & make-believe are thankfully over, and concept designs are now taking on the role of public test platforms for possible future products.

Eye-candy for sure, but if you look closer, you'll notice that most of the doors actually open, they boast real tires, and my favourite test of a concept: they have proper door mirrors! After all, we live in Canada where door-mounted cameras would never have worked in the height of winter.

Toyota FT-1 concept
This vehicle was the talk of the show among my fellow journalists. It's simply drop dead gorgeous and then some! Devised by Calty Design Research in the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game environment, FT-1 stands for “Future Toyota,” and the number “1” represents the ultimate. Will the FT-1 ever make production? Who knows, but we can all live in hope!

Photo: Kevin Corrigan

Continue reading ''Crash'' Corrigan's Top Picks from Detroit

Looking for a great compact SUV? Kelley Blue Book has just published its annual Top 10 SUVs under US$25,000, and unsurprisingly, Japanese and Korean models lead the way.

The KBB.com editorial team chose the vehicles on their recommended list based on a vehicle's overall attributes and value in comparison with other models in their segment and price class.

Top 10 SUVs under US$25,000 for 2014:

1. Honda CR-V
2. Mazda CX-5
3. Nissan Rogue
4. Ford Escape
5. Subaru Forester
6. Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
7. Jeep Cherokee
8. Toyota RAV4
9. Kia Sorento
10. Jeep Wrangler

Source: Kelley Blue Book

Photo: Ford

Caterham F1 Team confirms its drivers line-up, Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson as race drivers, and Robin Frijns and Alexander Rossi as reserve drivers.

Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal and CEO, Caterham F1 Team: "I'm very pleased we can finally unveil our F1 and GP2 drivers for the year ahead. The process may have taken longer than we'd have liked, but we didn't want or need to be rushed into such important decisions, and we have been in the happy position of having a wide range of drivers to choose from for both series.

"In F1, I'm delighted that we've been able to bring Kamui back. He is a very popular driver and it's very good for the whole team that we've been able to attract such an exciting driver to join us at a critical point in our development. His pace speaks for itself and his extensive experience of developing cars, particularly in his years with Toyota, will be incredibly important for us as we tackle one of the most challenging seasons F1 has ever embarked upon.

"Alongside him is Marcus who will be racing in his debut F1 season, but as a driver who has prepared perfectly for the step up with his graduation through the ranks. He started his single-seater career by winning Formula BMW UK in 2007 and rose through the ranks to GP2, where last year he won in Germany, scored two poles, three fastest laps and five podiums. He's physically and mentally prepared for what lies ahead, and he will have all the support we can give him across the team to help him fulfil his obvious potential in Formula One.

"Robin is another new addition to our driver roster and he comes to us as one of the most highly-rated talents around. He will be our Reserve at all races where Alexander is focused on GP2 and he will have a number of F1 runs throughout the year, immersing him in the F1 team and helping him develop his understanding of what it takes to operate at the top level."

Kamui Kobayashi. (Photo: WRi2)

Kamui Kobayashi: "It's a great feeling to be back as an F1 race driver and I'm really pleased it's with Caterham F1 Team. We've been talking to Cyril and Tony since last year about driving for the team for 2014 and beyond. For me, it's a great honour that the team hired me based on the value I bring in racing terms and the experience I have. I am so happy that I am able to make this announcement today. I will do my very best to lead the team and work as hard as possible to achieve our targets.

"I also want to give special thanks to all the fans who have made donations to KAMUI SUPPORT. Their donations and gestures gave me extra strength to come back fighting and I am very pleased that the money they raised not only helped me but will now go to helping Caterham progress this year. Every single one of you who helped with KAMUI SUPPORT will race with me in 2014 and that makes me very proud.

"I can't wait to start work again. One of the benefits of making this announcement so close to the start of the tests means I only have a few days to wait to get back on track! Before then I'll be at the factory as much as possible, working in the simulator and with everyone there to prepare as much as we can for the tests in Jerez and Bahrain. Physically and mentally I'm fully prepared, now I just want to get back to work!"

Marcus Ericsson, GP2 Series. (Photo: WRi2)

Marcus Ericsson: "This is a very proud day for me and everyone who has helped make my F1 dream come true. I'll be making the step up to F1 with Caterham F1 Team in 2014 and I'm already excited about the season ahead, and the first race in Australia in particular.

"It's obviously great for Sweden that we'll have a Swedish driver back on the grid in 2014. This is what I've been working for since I first started racing karts back when I was nine years old, and now I know I'm ready for the step up to F1."

From press release

Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) announced its 2014 driver lineup for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE).

Drivers Brandon Jones and Ben Rhodes, who each drove part time for TSM last season, will return full time with the organization, joined by newcomers Kaz Grala, Calgary's Cameron Hayley and Scott Heckert.

In its debut season in the NKNPSE, TSM captured six wins and three poles overall en route to taking the championship with Dylan Kwasniewski behind the wheel.

A talented young racer from Calgary, Alberta, Cameron Hayley made his karting debut at the age of seven.

Competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (NKNPSW) since 2011, Hayley was the youngest driver to compete in the series and finished second in his debut. Hayley was the NASCAR K&N Pro Series winner at the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach at Daytona International Speedway and finished the 2013 season with one win, six poles and a second-place finish in the NKNPSW Driver Point Standings.

The 17-year-old is a member of the NASCAR Next program, a select group chosen by the sanctioning body that spotlights NASCAR's rising stars.

"I am very pleased to announce our 2014 NASCAR K&N Series East lineup," said team co-owner Harry Scott Jr. "We take great pride in our K&N program, and I believe we've shown what an effective platform it is for up-and-coming drivers in the success we had last year and the fact that we've already seen some of our drivers' potential to advance to the next level. The drivers in our stable have shown a lot of promise and I'm hoping that we can follow up last year's championship with another great season."

The Chevrolet-backed Turner team has created alliances with General Motors' powerhouse team Hendrick Motorsports, which provides engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance.

The K&N season kicks off with the New Smyrna 150 at New Smyrna Speedway on Sunday, February 16.

Pros: The 2014 Chrysler 200, unlike other midsize sedans on the Canadian market, is also available as a cabriolet. Both body styles house an optional V6 engine that endows the car with superb power. In fact, you won't find a more potent engine in this segment. In addition, the 200's low entry price belies its upscale and roomy interior.

Cons: The biggest weakness of this American contender is the 4-cylinder engine/4-speed transmission combo -- you should definitely avoid it. While the cabin offers seating for five, the trunk is a bit limited. Overall, as good as the 200 is on its own, it loses most comparisons with other midsize cars.


2014 Chrysler 200 Price: The sedan comes in four trim levels including LX ($17,395), Touring ($20,895), Limited ($23,595), and S ($25,895). Meanwhile, the 200 Convertible offers the same models: LX ($29,395), Touring ($36,195), Limited ($38,195), and S ($39,195).

2014 Chrysler 200 Fuel Economy: The average fuel consumption for a 4-cylinder Chrysler 200 is just under 10L/100km. With the V6, expect a number in the 10.6-11L/100km range.

Improvements and Changes: Nothing major, but interior fit and finish has slightly improved.

2014 Chrysler 200 Powertrain: The standard engine is a 2.4L 4-cylinder that produces 173 horsepower. All trim levels benefit from a 6-speed automatic transmission except the base LX, which makes do with an obsolete 4-speed unit. The alternative is Chrysler's remarkable 3.6L Pentastar V6 generating 283 horsepower through a 6-speed autobox with manual mode.

Cargo Capacity: The 2014 Chrysler 200 sedan has a 390-litre trunk, which is a tad smaller than most rivals. The 200 convertible can swallow 370 litres of gear.

Safety: ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, stability control, and traction control all come standard. Let's not forget the six airbags and the active front head restraints.

Comparing the 2014 Chrysler 200: The midsize segment is one of the most competitive with the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry. The 200 is the only model that offers a cabriolet, however.

Photo: Chrysler

Référence : L'Annuel de l'automobile 2014

From GMM

Ferrari won the season-long race to become the fastest pitcrew in formula one.

That is the finding of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that although Red Bull and Mercedes performed the fastest single pitstops in 2013, Italian marque Ferrari's crew performed consistently the quickest over the entire calendar.

Team Ferrari at work on Fernando Alonso's F138. (Photo: WRi2)

And the same German magazine reported recently that Ferrari was the only team that got through every grand prix of the year without a single technical failure.

The report said the average speed of Ferrari's 89 pitstops in 2013 was 2.78 seconds, significantly faster than Mercedes' 2.95.

World champions Red Bull came in third, a hundredth of a second behind Mercedes.

McLaren's average pitstop in 2013 took 3.18 seconds, the analysis added.

Meeting the motorsport press this morning at Caterham F1 Team's headquarters in Leafield, UK team boss Tony Fernandes admitted that the 2014 season will be crucial for the future of his team.

Fernandez, also the owner of AirAsia airline company, said that 2014 was a "very pivotal year" for his F1 team as it seeks to score its first point in the sport after four years at the back of the grid.

The Malaysian team announced this morning that F1 veteran Kamui Kobayashi and 23-year-old rookie Marcus Ericsson would be driving the CT04-Renaults this season.

Alexander Rossi, Caterham CT-03, Austin 2013 (Photo: René Fagnan)

The businessman said his team had to make clear and significant progress in 2014.

"I'm the most optimistic man in the world but you don't want to be coming last all the time. This is a very pivotal year,” said Fernandes to Sky Sports News.

Fernandes' threat to walk away from Caterham if the team fails to trouble the point scorers in 2014 was made even more explicit in a subsequent interview with Reuters.

"If we are at the back, I don't think we're going to carry on. After five years and to get no points, there's a limit to everyone's patience, money etc.”, he said.

"If we are not competing then we have got to seriously examine ourselves as to whether this makes sense."

From GMM

Mansoor Ijaz, the man behind Lotus' delayed buy-in by the Quantum group, insists the deal is not dead.

Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez said less than a week ago that, after repeated delays in concluding the 35 per cent deal, "we cancelled it".

"The money never arrived," said Lopez. "For 2014, our budget is complete with our new sponsor PDVSA."

Ijaz, however, insists the deal is still on, albeit now in a different form.

But why would Gerard Lopez so publicly declare otherwise?

"In every clarification," Ijaz told the grandprix247.com website, "there is also the possibility of additional misunderstandings arising, or journalists taking liberty with the actual words uttered.

"This happened in our case," he said.

Mansour Ijaz and Eric Boullier, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

Ijaz said he remains on good terms with Lopez and other Genii executives who are "doing everything possible to assist me in concluding the deal".

"No one regrets the delays we have suffered in completing the Lotus investment more than I do," he explained. "And no one is doing more to fix it than I am because that is what the team deserves for standing so clearly and strongly behind me for 7 months."

Ijaz said a new target for completing the deal is between the forthcoming Jerez test, and the Bahrain tests in mid February.

And he issued a stark warning for those he described as "bloggerheads and irresponsible journalists" who have questioned his character and accused him of often being behind shady deals that ultimately collapse.

"When we finish the Lotus financing, we will take each and every one of those bloggers and journalists who slandered me to task for their irresponsible behaviour," he said. "Then we will see how big their mouths are."