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From GMM

F1's governing body will move to stop 'ugly' noses ahead of the 2015 season.

Drivers, fans and even the designers have expressed dismay at the aesthetics of this year's new cars, after a change to the nose-height regulations on safety grounds for 2014.

But the FIA also expressed doubts about the safety of the new solutions, believing that while the designs conform to the letter of the rules, the 'spirit' has been less well observed.

Sauber C33 and Caterham CT05. (Photo: WRi2)

"As rule makers, we cannot get into how the nose looks aesthetically," FIA technical chief Charlie Whiting told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"What concerns us is whether they fulfil the purpose that we intended with these rules," said the Briton.

Charlie Whiting has already cleared all of the 2014 nose solutions to race, including the unique tuning fork-style Lotus, the double nosed Caterham, and the 'anteater' noses.

"Unless it's dangerous, we have to live with how they look," he said. "We acted in good faith, but we are not designers. They want as much air as possible under the car."

Sahara Force India VJM07. (Photo: WRi2)

What has really upset the FIA is the way the teams have skirted the 'spirit' of the rules regarding the crash structure and the very nose tip.

So, for 2015, changes are looming. Whiting said the next set of rules will require nose "symmetry", which will stop Lotus-style solutions.

New rules will also apply for the rate of deformation in the crash tests at the nose tip, and the minimum surface area may also be increased, preventing the pencil-thin 2014 noses.

And the 2015 changes will also prevent the sort of "radical transitions" from the wide part of the nose to the thinner tip, Charlie Whiting added.

The 41st anniversary of the CIAS promises to be quite the bash. As it is Canada's largest Auto Show, you can be sure that everyone and pretty much every new car available under the Canadian sun will grace the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's show floors.

The Canadian International Auto Show opens its doors to the public from February 15th to the 24th at the MTCC. If you're in the market for a new car or truck, a big car show such as an auto show is the best place to start looking.

This year, as with every other year, carmakers come out in force displaying countless new models to gawk at, sit down in, and compare.

The time is now if you're in a car-shopping mood as the 41st edition of the Canadian International Auto Show in TO is in full swing.

This year's show promises to please something fierce. The likes of the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200, 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and much-anticipated 2015 Porsche Macan are all on hand.

Not only will you find every car available under the Canadian sun, but as an enthusiast of all things cars, you'll want to check out the Auto Exotica and Muscle Car Alley speciality displays. You also have the chance to win $10,000 towards the purchase of any car on AutoTrader.ca and you could even win free gas for a year with CAA.

The Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto is truly a one-stop shop for buyers and browsers alike.

As in years past, Press Day is held on the Thursday preceding the official opening of the show floor to the public, which takes place on Friday, the 14th of February. The show runs a full 11 days and closes on Monday, February 24th.

It's never too late to buy tickets. They are available online at AutoShow.ca or in person at the MTCC.

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull is confident the world champion team will overcome its technical crisis.

The new RB10 barely ran at the opening Jerez test recently amid packaging and Renault power unit issues.

Ahead of the second of three pre-season tests, set to begin in Bahrain next week, team driver Ricciardo said: "We're confident we'll run a bit smoother.

"But it's so complex this year, until we get laps under our belt we can't really be sure of anything," he is quoted by the Australian news agency AAP.

"I saw the car yesterday and they've made quite a bit of progress, so hopefully we'll get a few more laps and kickstart our season," Ricciardo added.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull RB10. (Photo: WRi2)

Williams driver Felipe Massa, who moved from Ferrari over the winter, said recently he would be "worried" if he was in Sebastian Vettel or Ricciardo's shoes.

He told reporters in Sao Paulo this week: "It is not a disaster, but it is a concern not to be able to test.

"But I think it is a problem with all the Renault cars," Massa added.  "With such a small rear, in the case of the Red Bull, there may be overheating, but it's difficult to know."

Meanwhile, Ricciardo was asked by AAP about his new teammate, the reigning quadruple world champion Vettel, following the German's comments that he will not be helping the young Australian get up to speed in 2014.

"I'll pick things up naturally from him and learn the ins and outs of how he works," said the 24-year-old.

"Obviously he's not going to tell me how to drive around a corner -- we're all capable of that now."

Ricciardo was also asked about predecessor and countryman Mark Webber's latest comments, when the veteran Australian predicted he would match Vettel in qualifying this year.

"I won't say I'll come out and beat him -- because until I do that, I don't want to say anything.  But of course I'd love to," Ricciardo smiled.

"Obviously we know the calibre of driver he is, so the first thing is I've got to learn from him, respect what he does and then try to match him."

Audi has turned its limited-production

Canada is increasing its funding for automakers by $500 million ($453 million) in a bid to attract investment from Chrysler Group and other companies as the country's domestic auto industry reels from global competition and declining output.

Moody's cut Fiat's rating, citing weak 2013 results and challenges it sees for the Italian carmaker in achieving its guidance this year, given eroding profitability in its Latin American market.

Moody's cut Fiat's rating to 'B1' from 'Ba3' on Tuesday, citing weak 2013 results and challenges it sees for the Italian carmaker in achieving its guidance this year, given eroding profitability in its Latin American market.

Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee today urged workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga to vote down UAW representation this week, saying the union drive is already hurting efforts to recruit other companies.

Consumer Reports is declining to recommend the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, describing the SUV after testing as an "uneven package" and deeming it "half-baked."

The debut of a number of new vehicles from Chevrolet has not gone unnoticed by companies specializing in building go-faster versions of cars and trucks from the Bowtie.

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was the first person who came to mind after we heard on Monday that Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova was getting her own version of the

Aston Martin's sweeping recall of its high-end sports cars raises larger questions about the risk to global automakers of sourcing key parts thousands of miles away in China without implementing adequate quality control measures.

Aston Martin's sweeping recall of its high-end sports cars last week raises larger questions about the risk to global automakers of sourcing key parts thousands of miles away in China without implementing adequate quality control measures.

How does that saying about casinos go again -- the house always wins? In the case of a Missouri Ford dealership, the house bet on the Super Bowl, and lost, to the tune of $300,000.

On Monday, 9-year-old Eli Williams became plant manager for a day at Ford's Mustang assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

General Motors delivered 9,714,652 vehicles around the world in the 2013, up 4% compared with 2012.

If you saw the 455-hp Chevy Corvette Stingray and thought, and#8220;I'll hang on to my money for something faster,and#8221; and then you saw the

General Motors and its joint ventures last month set an all time monthly sales record in China with sales of 348,061 units, up 12% year on year over January 2013, the previous record month.

We all know that almost nothing approached the

Audi has added 33 shifts at its German plants in January and February, citing strong demand for the A3 compact and Q5 SUV, among other models.