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From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone's troubles are continuing.

According to F1 business journalist Christian Sylt in the Telegraph, court papers in Munich show that, since the F1 chief executive divorced from his wife Slavica, she has paid him an incredible $100 million per year.

"The duration of the payments from the divorce decree is not known," the indictment confirmed.

Apart from demonstrating the 83-year-old's incredible wealth and income, the news could tie in with other reports of a 'secret' deal with the British tax office.

BBC current affairs programme Panorama claims that HM Revenue and Customs ended a long investigation into Ecclestone's tax affairs when the F1 supremo reached a $17 million settlement.

Bernie Ecclestone has claimed that he paid the alleged $44 million bribe to jailed Gerhard Gribkowsky not to affect the sale of the sport, but to stop the ex-banker from revealing details about his tax affairs to British authorities.

Bernie Ecclestone told the Times: "It feels as though the vultures are circling. The trouble is that vultures are usually around for dead people and I am very much alive."

He insists there is nothing sinister about his British tax affairs.

"I could control the business from anywhere I like," said Ecclestone. "I could go to Monaco or Switzerland and still run F1 quite happily. I don't."

Zach Veach became the first driver to win a race from pole position while Gaby Chaves won a shortened second race at Barber Motorsport Park.

Barber Motorsports Park - Race#1
Pos  Driver   Team  Time/Gap
1. Zach Veach   Andretti  39m40.1544s
2. Luiz Razia  Schmidt  +3.8444s
3. Jack Harvey   Schmidt  +8.9041s
4. Matthew Brabham  Andretti  +9.5182s
5. Alex Baron   Belardi   +28.9822s
6. Gabby Chaves  Belardi  +42.5265s
7. Juan Pablo Garcia   Schmidt  +42.8363s
8. Vittorio Ghirelli   Moore  +43.4799s
9. Zack Meyer  Moore   +44.3637s
10. Juan Piedrahita   Schmidt  +44.5906s
11. Lloyd Read   Herta   +51.6853s
12. Scott Anderson  Fan Force  +51.9025s

Zach Veach. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

Barber Motorsports Park - Race#2
Pos  Driver  Team   Time/Gap
1. Gabby Chaves   Belardi   51m37.3715s
2. Alex Baron  Belardi   +1.5904s
3. Zach Veach  Andretti   +3.5136s
4. Luiz Razia  Schmidt   +7.1546s
5. Jack Harvey  Schmidt  +9.3399s
6. Juan Pablo Garcia  Schmidt  +11.3900s
7. Juan Piedrahita   Schmidt  +14.1426s
8. Zack Meyer   Moore  +17.0000s
9. Lloyd Read  Herta  +25.3682s
10. Scott Anderson   Fan Force  +28.2709s

Gabby Chaves. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

Retirements:
Vittorio Ghirelli   Moore   33 laps
Matthew Brabham  Andretti  28 laps

In 1965, Camilo José Vergara was a Chilean student who moved to the U.S. to study. During the 1970s, he started taking pictures of various neighbourhoods such as Harlem to document how they deteriorated over time.

In a way, Vergara's work could be considered as a primitive version of Google Street View (Google's founders weren't even born yet!).

This week, Google Street View launched a similar feature allowing users to see the evolution of any given area since 2007. Nice.

Source : qz.com

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, must be giddy right about now, while dealer associations in Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, and Massachusetts are probably cringing.

That's because three highly ranked officials with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have publicly opposed current state laws that ban manufacturers from selling automobiles to consumers without a traditional dealer network.

Andrew Gavil, director of the FTC's Office of Policy Planning; Deborah Feinstein, director of the Bureau of Competition; and Martin Gaynor, director of the Bureau of Economics, claim these laws are outdated and “bad policy,” pointing out that the Internet has changed how people shop, not just for everyday items but also for more expensive products.

They also urged lawmakers to be skeptical of auto dealers' arguments that they need protection.

“Change can sometimes be difficult for established competitors that are used to operating in a particular way, but consumers can benefit from change that also challenges longstanding competitors,” they wrote.

Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the commission, however.

Source: autonews.com

Photo: Tesla

On May 6th, Fiat-Chrysler president and CEO Sergio Marchionne will announce Alfa Romeo as a stand-alone company within the automaker's ranks. Similar to Maserati and Ferrari, Alfa Romeo will have to publicly disclose profits and losses.

According to Marchionne, the move will help turn the struggling brand around. Last year, Alfa Romeo sold fewer than 75,000 cars... like it used to in the 1960s, and far from the 300,000 promised a decade ago.

Fiat-Chrysler will need to invest at least five billion euros in Alfa Romeo for the operation to be successful, Mediobanca Securities analyst Massimo Vecchio told Automotive News.

Several sources claim that six new Alfa Romeo products will be launched in the next few years, including a compact SUV and a midsize sedan to be built in Cassino, near Rome. A full-size SUV and a full-size sedan are expected to be produced in Turin. Alfa Romeo also plans a large coupe and a two-seat roadster.

Source : autonews.com

Pros: With ideal weight distribution and efficient brakes, this is one of the best-handling compact CUVs on the market. It also has ideal size for small, urban families. All-wheel drive comes standard. And of course, the new, clean diesel-powered BMW X3 xDrive28d promises gobs of torque, improved fuel economy, and lower emissions.

Cons: You may find the ride a bit stiff at times, the interior lacks storage solutions, and don't expect to sit more than two adults or three children in the back.

Photo: BMW

2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d Price: BMW Canada will start selling the 2015 X3 xDrive28d this spring at a base MSRP of $45,000, putting it halfway between the two gasoline-powered models (X3 xDrive28i at $43,300, and the X3 xDrive35i at $48,900). An xLine package is available to boost the appeal and cachet of the vehicle, while the M Sport package enhances its performance and look.

2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d Fuel Economy: Fuel consumption ratings for this new X3 model will be announced at a later date.

Improvements and Changes: The 2015 BMW X3 sports redesigned front and rear fasciae, new twin-circular headlights (standard bi-xenon, optional LEDs), a more eye-catching kidney grille, new exterior colours and interior trim, and new light-alloy wheel options.

BMW's Connected Drive has been upgraded to include head-up display, active cruise control with Stop&Go, the iDrive controller with touchpad functionality, and a parking assistant.

The standard audio system now includes nine speakers totalling 205 watts, while the rear bench seat features a new 40/20/40 split and a centre armrest with cup holders.

2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d Powertrain: The all-new 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine produces 181 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque (exactly like in the 328d sedan), allowing 0-100km/h acceleration in just over eight seconds. The X3 xDrive28d also uses a new 8-speed automatic transmission with taller cruising gears that help save even more fuel, along with an ECO PRO mode.

Cargo Capacity: The X3 boasts a 550-litre trunk that expands to 1,600 litres once you fold the rear seats.

Safety: In addition to the aforementioned technologies, you should know that the 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d's traction and stability control systems work together with the third-generation xDrive system to prevent slips and slides while correcting oversteer and understeer. Hill descent control is also part of the mix.

Comparing the 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d: The Audi Q5, Acura RDX, Infiniti QX50, Lincoln MKC, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC60 are all worthy alternatives here.

After 57 years of being headquartered in the trend-setting Los Angeles area, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. is moving its sales and marketing headquarters to Plano, Texas, sources close to the matter said.

What Is It?

Volkswagen is set to report record quarterly earnings but the automaker faces a struggle to maintain competitiveness as it expands rapidly, analysts say.

Move over, Ron Burgundy. Chrysler Group's Dodge brand has a new viral video sensation.

Roughly a decade after the United States, China is going gaga for SUVs. The mantra is more SUVs ASAP, as those vehicles -- including SUVs and crossovers -- rapidly supplant sedans as the most popular segment.

Roughly a decade after the United States, China is going gaga for SUVs. The mantra is more SUVs ASAP, as those vehicles -- including SUVs and crossovers -- rapidly supplant sedans as the most popular segment.

Sauber affiliated driver Simona de Silvestro completed the second day of first ever F1 test, this weekend in Italy.

The 25-year-old woman tasted F1 for the first time Saturday, turning 112 laps of the Fiorano test track, aboard a two-year-old Sauber C31, powered by a normally-aspirated Ferrari V8. She clocked a further 68 laps today.

"We continued today where we left off yesterday with the acclimatization programme for Simona," said test engineer Paul Russel. "Simona drove very well, had a good pace and was consistent. Overall these were two very positive days."

Simona de Silvestro, Sauber C31 (Photo: Twitter)

"A big thank you to the team who did a fabulous job explaining everything to me," added de Silvestro.

"I had a lot of questions, and I got all the answers from the engineers, who took the time to show me the data and discuss it with me in all detail. I'm already looking forward to my next opportunity to test the C31."

The former IndyCar driver will be back behind the wheel of the C31 for another test in two months, June 25-27, in Valencia, Spain.

Italian Stefano Domenicali was team boss of Ferrari's F1 team until two weeks ago. Now, he has been linked with Haas Formula, NASCAR owner Gene Haas' American F1 project.

"Never say never," Haas Formula general manager Joe Custer told Motorsport.com when, in the midst of engine talks with Ferrari, he was asked about Domenicali. "I personally think a lot of Stefano Domenicali."

Custer added, however, that the team's priority right now is to find a engine. He therefore hasn't had the time yet to speak with Domenicali.

"We haven't had any discussions(.) People like Stefano Domenicali are hard to find(.) Whether he's a fit or not, we haven't explored that yet."

Custer also said that engine talks with Mercedes and Ferrari have been slowed down by the current F1 season, which is keeping the teams busy.

Ferrari is busy trying to win races again (Photo: Ferrari)

"Like in any form of racing, (Ferrari is) in the middle of their season so you have to give people room to sort through issues - and they're going through that," added Custer, referring to the management changes in Maranello.

"And Mercedes is quite busy at this time, too.

"So we have to be patient and not try to force something through too quickly when all parties haven't had a chance to review all the opportunities involved and candidly, from our end, what all of our needs are."

How long Haas Formula takes to find an engine should determine whether the team starts competing in 2015 or 2016.

Williams head of vehicle performance Rob Smedley believes the key this year for his team will be to develop the Mercedes-powered FW36 strategically.

The Grove based team showed a lot of potential during pre-season testing, but hasn't quite been able to match the expectations over the season's first four races.

Drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa are 7th and 11th respectively in the drivers' standings ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Smedley's job is to help the team develop as the season progresses.

"Part of what I need to do is make sure that we're attacking the right areas first," the 40-year-old Briton is quoted saying by Crash.net.

"That's the important and the clever bit about Formula One I think; you have to realize where the big wins are and what we can put off for a week or two, a month or two, even a year, and what we need to do in the next two days. That's part of what I'm here to do."

Felipe Massa, Rob Smedley (Photo: Williams)

Smedley also believes there is more to come from Massa, together with whom he worked closely at Ferrari between 2006 and 2013, before joining Williams.

"I know Felipe Massa very well - I know him inside out. He's a very, very good driver and he's been given the freedom of head-space here to do what he's paid to do, and he's delivering," Smedley told British magazine Autosport.

"I see Felipe now very relaxed, incredibly experienced, there's a maturity about him and he carries that very well."

Tennis pro Maria Sharapova had a chance to experience Porsche's new 918 Spyder recently.

The former No. 1 tennis player in the world went for a ride with Porsche factory driver and former grand prix winner Mark Webber.

Here is a video:



Australian Webber was at Silverstone one week ago, debuting the brand new 919 hybrid LMP1 car which marks the return of Porsche to prototype racing.

With his teammates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, Webber came third.

Argentina's 16-year wait for a grand prix could be over soon.

That is the claim of local tourism minister Enrique Meyer, who promised during a MotoGP race at the Circuito Termas de Rio Hondo to upgrade the surrounding infrastructures in a bid to lure F1 back.

"F1 has visited Argentina many times in the past. But it left for economic reasons," Meyer is quoted saying by the medias.

"We think that our country deserves to host this kind of events.

"We will (therefore) invest to improve the roads the airports and the hotels in the area."

Argentina hosted 20 F1 races between 1953 and 1998, all in the Buenos Aires region, which is approximately 1,000 kilometres from the Circuito Termas de Rio Hondo where Meyer plans to welcome formula one again.

As car sales spread inland from China's crowded east coast cities and automakers such as VW, Ford and Nissan boost capacity in the west of the country, logistics companies are expanding to meet the demand.

Lexus plans to offer a seven-seat crossover, either by bringing out a new vehicle or by increasing the size of the venerable RX 350.

The nation's largest used-vehicle retailer opened two used-car stores in March and plans to open 28 to 43 more by the end of February 2017. The fiscal year that ended Feb. 28 marked the first time the company's annual sales exceeded 500,000 vehicles.