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News 4 Apr, 2014

Mitsubishi is looking to replace the EVO not with a saloon, but a hybrid 2+2 coupe

VW Group plans to make plug-in hybrids with local partner FAW in China, company sources say. VW sees a big potential market as the country's leaders race to reduce hazardous levels of air pollution.

Renault has cut about 2,500 jobs in the first year of a productivity deal with French unions and says the pact is on course to deliver 500 million euros ($690 million) in savings.

Twenty years after launching U.S. production, BMW says it will expand annual capacity at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, assembly plant to 450,000 units and build a new crossover at the factory.

From GMM

Adrian Sutil will go the entire Bahrain grand prix on Sunday without a sip of water.

The tall and therefore heavy German lost almost 4 kilograms over the winter and is now complaining that, given the heavier 2014 engines, the 692kg car-plus-driver minimum weight is unfair.

Adrian Sutil claims he is barely training in order to further shrink his muscles, and eating and drinking so little that - tapping his head - "you don't work well up here".

Adrian Sutil, Sauber C33-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Not only that, Sauber's car and Ferrari engine are both overweight, so the Swiss team is cutting corners in every area -- including taking away Sutil's half-kilo drinks bottle.

But Ferrari's super-fit cycling enthusiast Fernando Alonso has revealed that, even in stifling Malaysia, he raced comfortably without a drink.

"In the past, Malaysia required a specific training programme," he said in Bahrain. "But this year I told the team I didn't even need a drinks system. The cars are much less physically demanding."

From GMM

Seven Caterham staff were hospitalised following a fire at the team's Leafield factory late on Thursday.

The team confirmed that it was extinguished "very quickly" but staff were hospitalised for smoke inhalation.

"Six were released soon after and one kept in for observation, but he's ok," said Caterham.

"We know what caused it and steps have been taken to ensure we don't see a repeat. The machinery was operational again within hours," the team added.

The all-new Lexus NX compact luxury crossover will make its global debut on April 20^th during a press conference at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show in China.

The first official picture of the production NX is already available online.

The vehicle is based on the Lexus LF-NX concept unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show last fall. It will slot below the RX in the brand's utility lineup.

Photo: Lexus

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge sports sedan concept, unveiled in January at the NAIAS in Detroit, is being put through its paces at the Millbrook Proving Ground (U.K.) by none other than four-time F1 champion and Infiniti Director of Performance Sebastian Vettel.

His invaluable feedback will be engineered into the next stages of the 560-horsepower prototype's extensive development program ― culminating with the production model.

Footage of the testing and further information regarding the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge running prototype will be released at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show on April 20th.

This is the vehicle that the Hollywood Green crowd will be arriving in at next year's Academy Awards, just as they did when the Prius first arrived. However, this time I may actually feel the odd pang of jealousy!


What is a Cadillac ELR?
The ELR is an all-new Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) from Cadillac, which has been designed to appeal to a new growing segment of the market: the eco-luxury buyer.

2014 Cadillac ELR Prices & Specs
Pricing for the 2014 Cadillac ELR starts at $78,250, and there are only four further options available: Luxury Package, Safety Package, Premium Paint, and Premium Kona Brown Interior.

The ELR comes loaded with everything you'd expect from GM's luxury division, and then some! Just to give you some idea, here are a few of the safety features on offer to ELR owners: Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, side Blind Zone Alert, rear Cross Traffic Alert, and full speed range Adaptive Cruise Control.

Yes, some may deem a North American produced eco-luxury vehicle priced at nearly $80k a tad on the ambitious side. However, I beg to differ. This vehicle clearly demonstrates what Cadillac is now capable of, and after driving the ELR, I believe it to be worth every penny!

Driving the 2014 Cadillac ELR
The ELR, although loosely based on the Chevy Volt system of propulsion (as in an apple & tomato are both fruits) is said to be substantially different from the Volt, and this was made sufficiently clear to me after just a short drive. The 2014 ELR tracks, rides, and handles like a genuine Cadillac product. Its active suspension system provides continuous damping control (this adjusts every 2 milliseconds for responsive handling), while its HiPer design front struts reduce torque steer and improve on the overall performance/handling characteristics of the vehicle.

The ELR also benefits from an enhanced ZF Electric Steering System, which further adds to the sporty feel of the vehicle and its rear-end is tied together with a Watts Link rear suspension setup. This helps to keep the axle centered for more predictable handling, and is a system often found on race and rally vehicles. Now does that sound like the setup of a Chevy Volt to you?

I must admit to being rather impressed with the ELR. With four driver modes available to the driver (Tour, Sport, Mountain, and Hold), this is a highly sophisticated piece of automotive engineering.

One feature which I found particularly interesting was the Regen-on-demand system. Operated by two gear shifter-like paddles behind the steering wheel, drivers can command regenerative braking force in a similar fashion to engine brakes found on tractor-trailer units. This not only makes decelerations fun and productive (the recaptured power feeds back to the battery), but should dramatically reduce brake replacement intervals. Now, that's a very clever idea indeed!

Inside and Out of the 2014 Cadillac ELR
Based on the Converj concept car that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the production ELR manages to look better than the design which actually inspired it. While the ELR mirrors the brand's distinctive styling to a certain extent, it appears slightly more chiseled than most, and adds aggression and sexiness in escalating portions. It's a look which is not difficult to like.

Stepping inside, the now familiar cockpit layout is all Cadi. However, this being an electronically propelled vehicle, the dashboard display is even more exciting and informative.

Upfront passengers will enjoy ample legroom, although those in the rear section may well enjoy slightly less. This really is a two-seater with room for small children. Is this an issue? I don't believe so, as this truly is a sporty coupe first and foremost.

Comparing the 2014 Cadillac ELR
In all honesty, I never saw myself becoming an electric-vehicle fan. Till now, they've always appeared rather geeky and awkward, and the idea of renting a vehicle for out-of-town trips was simply absurd. However, with the ELR, most daily commutes will require zero gasoline (with zero emissions), and being an EREV, those longer trips are now completely void of electric-vehicle range anxiety. And it's a stylish looker to boot!

So, competitor-wise, unless you're willing to look at an odd low-volume product, I'd say Cadillac has just created its own niche electric eco-luxury segment of the market. I say, well done Cadi, as you've succeeded in turning this old lead-foot into an EREV believer.

From GMM

The FIA has moved to end the problems with its new mandatory fuel flow sensor, supplied by a British company called Gill.

Red Bull, whose Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified over the matter in Melbourne, has been highly critical of the sensor, arguing it is not reliable.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that '95 per cent' of all the problems with the sensor up and down pitlane in 2014 have been in Renault-powered cars.

It is suspected that after-market modifications made to the sensor to suit the installation of the Renault 'power unit' have been causing the problems.

Fuel flow sensor. (Photo: Gill Sensors)

So the German report said the FIA has reacted by instructing teams that, as from the Spanish grand prix in mid May, the sensors must be installed exactly as they are supplied by Gill.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt claims that if the problems persist beyond Barcelona, attention will turn to the fuel being used by the Renault-powered teams.

It is believed that, although sponsored by the Spanish fuel company Cepsa, Renault-powered Toro Rosso actually uses the same fuel as Red Bull and Lotus, supplied by Total.

The new 2015 Subaru WRX and WRX STI have been long awaited... To put it nicely, the previous WRX and WRX STI, although competent, took a turn for the worse when overall design went poo and performance went nowhere over the 2nd generation cars.

This time around, for the 4th generation WRX and WRX STI, Subaru took everything a step further, save perhaps for exterior design. This is a question of personal taste, but I can see how, with a few tasteful modifications, this issue will quickly be forgotten.

Be that as it may, the new 2015 WRX and WRX STI are impressive and very important cars for the automobile manufacturing division of the Japanese transportation conglomerate known as Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI).


Here's what you need to know about these affordable high-performance sports cars and the brand:

1. Subaru sales continue to climb: there were 36,760 new deliveries last year or an increase of nearly 19% over 2012.
2. The WRX and STI actually define the brand, its overall performance and product value. Toyota, for example, relies on the Corolla...
3. Subaru is looking for a more mainstream buyer and not hiding behind the fact. They're looking to expand beyond the enthusiast without ever abandoning them.
4. There have been roughly 2,000 new WRX and STI sales per year over the last few years. Subaru Canada wants to increase that number to 2,400 for the 2014-‘15 calendar year. 20% of those new cars should be equipped with the new CVT.
5. The crucial aspect in achieving this goal is the Sport Lineartronic CVT transmission. It offers eight virtual gears in “Sport Sharp” mode, six in “Sport.” What's more, at more than 30% throttle, the tranny shifts like a conventional automatic. Under 30%, it works like a regular CVT.
6. There are three key elements that define the new cars and they fall under: Pure power in your control. They include: steering response to maximize rear tire grip. The rear tires work as the pivoting foot. Lateral Gs are rated at 0.93 for the WRX, 0.98 for the STI; flat ride. Body roll is 20% less on the WRX, 16% on the STI.
7. Sadly, no hatchback body will be offered. This is unlikely to affect sales (this may change sooner rather than later).
8. In the “sports car” segment, Subaru has the highest market share. 11% of all roughly 25,000 sold carry a Subaru badge.
9. Although the WRX STI's powertrain is essentially a carryover from the 2014 car, the remapped engine ECU makes the STI far more responsive and infinitely more rewarding to drive.
10. The most astounding improvements come from the car's now stiffer chassis (lateral stiffness up by 14% and torsional rigidity is up by 40%), tighter and tauter suspension and quicker ratio steering racks. No out-of-the-box WRX or STI has ever handled this well.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel was rebuked in writing by FIA president Jean Todt for calling the sound of the new turbo V6 engines "shit".

Citing internal sources, Sport Bild and another German publication, Tagesspiegel, revealed that the reigning world champion received the personal letter mid-week from Todt alleging he risked bringing the sport into disrepute with the critical comments.

By Thursday in Bahrain, Vettel had tempered his view about the sound of F1's technological revolution.

"The fact that I criticise doesn't mean that I do not like formula one anymore," he is quoted by Auto Bild.

"We are still here with the best cars in the world competing against the best drivers.

"At the moment it might not sound that great, but formula one is still the pinnacle of motor sport," added Vettel.

"I realise that everyone thinks I don't like the sound because I have not won yet," said the reigning quadruple consecutive title winner, "but I don't care.

"I stand by what I said -- I am a fan of the old F1," added Vettel.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

He admitted his comments had created an "issue".

"I've always been of the opinion that if you have something to say, then say it. It would not be good if suddenly you start to pretend."

Vettel also welcomed the fact that Todt, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Bernie Ecclestone will get together in Bahrain to discuss potential changes to the 2014 rules.

"If Mr Todt is here, it makes sense to talk about a few things," he is quoted by SID news agency.

But that doesn't mean the controversial sound of the new turbo V6 engines will remain a hot topic in Bahrain.

A touted meeting led by the vociferous Ron Walker with his fellow race promoters has been called off, according to the Telegraph newspaper.

And correspondent Daniel Johnson added that F1 chief executive Ecclestone was also told in a meeting with team bosses on Friday to 'stop being so negative about the noise; that's enough for now'.

I started the month out behind the wheel of a Jeep Compass and then graduated to a Jeep Cherokee to finally end in the shuddery, loud, unsophisticated cabin of the granddaddy of them all, the Jeep Wrangler. Unapologetically raw, the Wrangler is the true Jeep currently available in my books, and I loved every minute of it.


What is a Jeep Wrangler?
Whether it be the CJ, YJ, TJ or latest-gen JK, the Jeep Wrangler is the quintessential four-wheel off-road SUV from Chrysler. While some historians herald the Wrangler as a direct descendant of the WWII Willys civilian Jeeps, others credit Chrysler with having stolen the design and look. Either way you look at it, this is a rough-and-tumble vehicle, and it always has been.

In 2007, the Jeep Wrangler saw a complete redesign, and for the first time was offered with four doors in a long-wheelbase model. A short wheelbase, two-door version is still available. Of course, all wheelbases offer the option to remove the roof and all doors. After all, it's a Jeep.

2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 Price and Specs
It would seem that Jeep likes to offer its customers options, as it offers seven different models to choose from in its Wrangler lineup. Starting at just over $20k, the starter Jeep Wrangler Sport offers up everything you'd want in a basic off-roader with a removable fabric roof. On the other hand, the top-trim Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon comes in at $34,595 before you start adding all the fancy trail-rated extras.

Somewhere in the middle sat my particular tester, a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4. With a base price of $33,795, extras like leather seats, reinforced roof and the 5-speed auto pushed the price to $45,360.

No matter what model you choose, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is good for 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. There is an available 6-speed manual that I've driven in a Rubicon, and can attest that it doesn't make the Wrangler any quicker, but is more entertaining to drive than the 5-speed slushbox in my Unlimited Sahara.

Driving the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4
This is not a plushy, comfortable, Sunday-drive kind of car by any stretch of the imagination. If you want that, look to the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee even, but never the Wrangler.

Loud, obnoxious, shuddery, unruly; these are all qualities the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 has in spades -- and that's just fine because it's supposed to.

A social media follower commented on a photo I'd posted of the Wrangler and mentioned something about never knowing which directions the wheels are pointed in, and all I could do was chuckle and agree. Steering is so vague and disconnected thanks in no small part to the recirculating ball setup that corrections while driving even in a straight line were often almost comical.

The transmission is sluggish and labored, and pickup from the 3.6L is nearly nonexistent. It often feels like the Wrangler weighs about 2,000lbs more than it actually does. This is not a blazingly fast vehicle by any stretch. It's meant to crawl over rocks, down muddy embankments, and cross desert dunes with ease. Highway jaunts are out of its element, and the ridiculous level of road and wind noise at speeds is more proof.

Fuel economy wasn't entirely horrible in the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4, with my average hovering in the 13.5L/100km range, which is roughly what I achieved in the Jeep Cherokee the week before.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4
As I've said above, this is the Jeep. It looks manly. It looks raw. It looks unfinished, and it should. This vehicle is meant to be covered nose to tail in mud and leaves and then survive a complete hosing down inside and out. And it can.

Refinement? There is none. Blunt, big buttons and knobs along with sturdy handles and the like made to last and withstand a bit of a beating.

Perhaps my favourite part about all Jeeps is the “easter egg” additions in each vehicle. From the old Willy decal hiding behind the front right tweeter on the windshield, to the same Willy silhouette on the wheel rims, I love Jeep's nod to its heritage through a continued look and these little “treasures” owners can discover along the way.

Space inside the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 is decent, although legroom in the rear seems like it could be better. My son's feet were firmly pressed up against the front passenger seat when someone was seated there, comfortably. The hinged rear cargo door is always a bonus for easy loading.

Comparing the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4
In my opinion, the only true competition for the Jeep Wrangler is the Toyota FJ Cruiser. In terms of raw, unadulterated off-road-ness, the FJ is on par. Throw in the likes of the LR2 and it's just too luxurious to seriously rival the Wrangler.

If you want to spend your weekends exploring uncharted backroads, or winching with your friends, the Wrangler is the way to go.

From GMM

Dr Helmut Marko has hailed the start of Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull tenure by slamming his predecessor, Mark Webber.

"Finally we have an Australian who starts (races) well and can put Sebastian (Vettel) under pressure with fair methods," Red Bull's always-outspoken director is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Actually, Ricciardo is yet to put a single point in his 2014 account, despite a strong drive to his later disqualified podium in Melbourne and a competitive yet horror race in Malaysia.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

And for his Sepang troubles, featuring the botched pitstop, he will start Sunday's Bahrain grand prix ten places down the grid.

But Ricciardo insists: "I am pleased with my performance so far, but I do need to work on some areas. Seb has been faster than me in some places.

"Obviously I'd love to have points, but most of all I'm very happy with what I've done behind the wheel. I have showed the team that they made a good choice."

As for the botched pitstop at Sepang, Ricciardo said: "The team has assured me that it won't happen again.

"We are going to build in a bigger safety margin, because the punishment for mistakes is brutal," said Daniel Ricciardo.

Mercedes AMG drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg continue to dominate Formula 1 during Friday's two free practice sessions in Bahrain.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (Photo: WRI2)

Hamilton set the fastest time in the opening session, and repeated this performance in the evening, setting some very quick lap times during his long run.

The former Formula 1 World Champion ended up on top by 0.365s from his teammate.

Fernando Alonso, Mercedes' closest opposition in the Ferrari, was just over a second behind Hamilton. And he had no shortage of company as 0.6 second covered the 11 runners down to 13th place.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

It was a difficult day for Red Bull, from which Daniel Ricciardo salvaged fourth place on 1m35.433s, a time which Williams' Felipe Massa narrowly failed to beat.

Sebastian Vettel lost a little time with a downshift problem early on, then struggled on the medium tire and eventually had to settle for seventh place.

Grand Prix of Bahrain, free practice session 1*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'37”502 - 14 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m37.733 - 13
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m37.953 - 17
4 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m38.122 - 10
5 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1m38.636 - 16
6 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m38.783 - 12
7 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1m38.949 - 15
8 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m39.056 - 24
9 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'39”102 - 21
10 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m39.389 - 16
11 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m39.533 - 11
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m39.862 - 26
13 - Felipe Nasr (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m40.078 - 14
14 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m40.406 - 19
15 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m40.652 - 20
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'40”793 - 31
17 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m40.889 - 20
18 - Giedo Van der Garde (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m40.913 - 20
19 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'41”036 - 24
20 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m41.794 - 20
21 - Robin Frijns (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'42”417 - 35
22 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'42”711 - 21

Felipe Massa, Williams (Photo: WRI2)

Grand Prix of Bahrain, free practice session 2*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'34”325 - 28 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m34.690 - 31
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m35.360 - 28
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m35.433 - 28
5 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m35.442 - 13
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1m35.528 - 21
7 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m35.606 - 30
8 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m35.640 - 31
9 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1m35.662 - 22
10 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m35”802 - 40
11 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m35.920 - 9
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m35.972 - 33
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m35.998 - 18
14 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m36.366 - 33
15 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m36.962 - 13
16 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m36.975 - 35
17 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'37”259 - 25
18 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'37”599 - 23
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m37.800 - 15
20 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m38.247 - 10
21 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'38”257 - 33
22 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'39”137 - 30
*Unofficial timing

Here are seven important things you must know before the 2014 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix held at Bahrain International Circuit this weekend.

* The Bahrain International Circuit is 5.412km long and features 15 corners and 8 braking zones.

* The cars will run 57 laps and complete the distance of 308.238km Sunday.

* A 2-stop race strategy will see the cars pit around lap 19 and 28, while a 3-stop will see the cars coming in on laps 10, 20 and 42.

* The pit lane is 480m long and the cars take 22 seconds to run its entire distance.

* There is a 13% chance to see the Safety Car take to the track during the race.

* The race start has been delayed to 6pm this year.

* Last year's race saw Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) take pole position with a time of 1m33.330. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) captured victory ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean (Lotus' teammates).

The Bahrain pit lane (Photo: WRi2)

Sky Sports F1 analyst Mark Hughes revealed Friday the secrets of Mercedes' V6 Power Unit innovative turbo packaging.

Hughes suggests that it is this very unusual packaging that gives the Mercedes W05 of Lewis Hamilton et Nico Rosberg the edge over their rivals.

The Briton claims that in a highly complicated engineering accomplishment conceived over two years ago, Mercedes have successfully packaged their turbine and air compressor at either end of the V6, connected by a long shaft through the vee of the engine.

Red arrow points at normal location of the turbine. In green, its new location.

Hughes says that this arrangement provides significant advantages such as reduced turbo lag, improved overall performance, improved aerodynamics, feeding cooler air into the intercooler (meaning a smaller intercooler and smaller sidepods) as well as better weight distribution caused by moving the car's gearbox forward.

It is said that Mercedes' customer teams all have the same advantage.

However, because McLaren, Williams and Sahara Force India only took delivery of their power units relatively recently, they have had less time to work the layout into their respective car designs.

However, while Mercedes' rivals are aware of the turbo advantage, they are essentially powerless to react since the development of the Power Units is frozen since February 28.

Sabine Kehm, close friend and personal assistant to Michael Schumacher, has revealed Friday that the German champion is showing signs of 'consciousness and awakening'.

The seven-time World Champion Schumacher has been kept in an artificial coma at CHU de Grenoble following his skiing crash three months ago at the end of December 2013.

It is not yet known whether Schumacher's condition has improved sufficiently for him to breathe without the assistance of a ventilator.

Kehm's latest official statement says: “We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident.

“We would like to thank you all for the continuous sympathies. At the same time we again ask for understanding that we do not intend to disclose details. This is necessary to protect the privacy of Michael and his family, and to enable the medical team to work in full calmness”.

Kehm also clarified that the Schumacher family has no intention of moving Michael from Grenoble to his home in Switzerland.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton will be hard to beat for the 2014 title, according to Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda.

Hamilton's former McLaren teammate, Jenson Button, this week said that while the 2008 world champion is "super fast", he is also "very up and down emotionally".

When Button's comments were put to Sepang winner Hamilton ahead of this weekend's Bahrain grand prix, he admitted: "I would say that is quite accurate."

Lewis Hamilton, winner in Malaysia, aboard the Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Since debuting in 2007, the now 28-year-old Hamilton - amid other turmoil - has dumped his father as his manager, fallen out with another mentor Ron Dennis, and had a famously off and on-again relationship with his popstar girlfriend.

Lewis Hamilton told the Independent: "I've always talked about trying to put the right pieces in place to get through my year in a positive way without having those spikes, and I feel like I might have found it. But you never know!"

If Hamilton has found his happy place, it might be very timely, given the five-year gap since his sole title triumph and the current dominance of the Mercedes package.

Triple world champion Lauda told the Swiss newspaper Blick: "When Lewis is fully focused on his work, he is almost unbeatable."

Given the potential for title trouble between Hamilton and his Melbourne-winning teammate Nico Rosberg, Lauda's words could be explosive.

Hamilton and Rosberg's relationship dates all the way back to their karting days, but as the Briton insisted on Thursday, they are not friends.

"In formula one, we can count our friends on one hand," said Hamilton. "Nico does not come in the five friends I have and I don't come in his."

Lewis Hamilton and Niki Lauda, Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

The relationship could be strained even further if German Rosberg has more races like the one in Sepang, where although he finished second, he was easily beaten by Hamilton.

Asked if the 2014 situation has affected their relationship, Rosberg said: "It has not changed at all. Yet."

But he admits that could be because the title battle still has so many races - 17 - to run.

Indeed, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was asked on Thursday if he sees Hamilton or Rosberg as the ultimate favourite.

"I think it's 50 per cent each way," he is quoted by the Spanish sports daily AS, "but there is also Kimi and myself and of course Vettel."

News 4 Apr, 2014

Racing version of China-only 5LS saloon revealed ahead off Beijing show, with 300bhp 1.6-litre engine