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Six upfitters are finishing Kansas City-built Ford Transit vans for commercial customers in a most unusual setting: a mammoth cavern system carved from limestone deposited 560 million years ago.

Both Audi and BMW claim to be the first to market with high-beam laser headlights, but it is unclear which automaker should get the bragging rights.

Ford Motor Co. plans to retain fuel economy as a pillar of its marketing, but its rollback of mpg numbers on six models this month will force the company to abandon many of the competitive and superlative claims it has made over the past 18 months.

Sabine Kehm says some stolen medial documents and data are being offered for sale to media and warns that their purchase or publication is forbidden.

Statement of the management of Michael Schumacher:

For several days stolen documents and data are being offered for sale. The offeror claims them to be the medical file of Michael Schumacher.

We cannot judge if these documents are authentic. However, the documents are clearly stolen. The theft has been reported. The authorities are involved.

We expressly advise that both the purchase and the publication of such documents and data is forbidden. The contents of any medical files are totally private and confidential and must not made available to the public.

We will therefore, in every single case, press for criminal charges and damages against any publication of the content or reference to the medical file.

We trust for your understanding.

From GMM

When told on Sunday to push up to his nearest rival, the radio answer from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was immediate.

"Well, give me more power!" the Finn told his engineer.

Kimi Raikkonen has notably struggled since returning to the Italian team in 2014, but so too has Ferrari with its newly V6-powered F14-T.

"Kimi complained about the engine," new team boss Marco Mattiacci conceded after the Austrian grand prix, "but it's up to us to give him a car with which he can deliver his value."

In red uniforms, tempers are fraying all over the Maranello based camp, whose cool Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher-led era now seems entirely of another time.

Now, rumours of discontent are rife.

Spain's Marca reports that, after the Canadian grand prix, Mattiacci had an angry exchange with Pat Fry, whose technical role at Ferrari has been in doubt for several months since the arrival of James Allison, who leads the 2015 project.

Marca claims Briton Fry offered to resign after the Montreal row.

"It's rubbish. Do not listen to these rumours," a spokesman insisted.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14 T, trying to escape from the McLaren in Austria. (Photo: WRi2)

Marco Mattiacci, however, does not deny that a frank exchange after Canada took place, as Ferrari plots a desperate course to improve.

"I like meetings where people talk openly and honestly and no one is silent," he told Spanish television in Austria. "After Canada, we held meetings to discuss our weaknesses and in what direction we should go for the future."

That is because, although Raikkonen wants more "power", Mattiacci said Ferrari needs to work on every single area of the car for 2015, not just the underperforming engine.

"I would not isolate one area," he said. "I do not think that all of our problems are related to the engine, although the one Mercedes has produced is excellent."

Indeed, in Austria, Mercedes-powered cars totally dominated the top seven finishing positions -- with the only exception being Fernando Alonso in fifth place.

He may not have a winning car, but - when it comes to driver skill - Fernando Alonso has the respect of the entire paddock.

Asked how satisfying that is, he answered on Sunday: "Not much, to be honest. It's been like that for five years. There is always a satisfaction that everyone believes you are doing the maximum in the work you do -- drivers, team bosses, fans. But I would rather have less respect and more trophies."

Fernando Alonso is quoted by AS newspaper as admitting that closing the gap to Mercedes in 2014 is "impossible".

2015, however, is another thing, despite rumours he is desperate for a change of scene after five barren years in red.

When asked if Mercedes' dominance can be ended after just one season, Alonso hesitated as he admitted: "Yes ... yes. I think a lot can happen from one year to the next, as we saw from the past year to this one. Especially this year, with these regulations, everything is very new, so I expect 2015 to be another huge step for everyone, including Mercedes, but those who are below them have more room to improve.

"We will catch up to Mercedes. That is our hope," Alonso concluded.

From GMM

One of Michael Schumacher's personal sponsors is ending its deal with the embattled F1 legend.

For years, advertising campaigns for the bottled mineral water brand Rosbacher have regularly featured a bare-chested Schumacher in various sporting poses.

Photo: Rosbacher

Earlier this month, as the seven time world champion remained in intensive care in the wake of his late December skiing fall, parent company Hassia Gruppe's chief Dirk Hinkel said he continued to back Schumacher.

"We remain committed to him and his family, and send him our best wishes," he said.

Dirk Hinkel said at the same time that the more than eight year collaboration with Schumacher had led to "a much higher awareness" of the Rosbacher brand.

But the Swiss Sunday newspaper Sonntagsblick reports that Dirk Hinkel has apparently had a change of heart.

Just as it emerges that Schumacher has left intensive care in France and transferred to a Swiss rehabilitation hospital, the report claimed the great 45-year-old's Rosbacher contract will not be extended beyond 2014.

"After that, our advertising will be with the product alone," a spokeswoman confirmed.

Lamborghini has released a cool technical video showing the various parts and features of its all-new Huracàn LP610-4, heir to the fabled Gallardo. The company says it's like a time machine, only faster.

Three spectacular BMW models will take part in the famous 1.87 km hill climb at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 26-29, 2014).

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine in conjunction with an electric motor to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds, going on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. It's also the world's first production car to offer laser headlights.

Meanwhile, the BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition celebrates 30 years of M5 performance with an exclusive, special edition of the current, fifth-generation model that will be produced in a limited run of just 300 vehicles worldwide. Developing 600 horsepower, it's the most powerful production car in the history of the brand. The M5 30 Jahre Edition sprints from 0-100 km/h in a lightning-fast 3.9 seconds.

Finally, the BMW Individual M4 Coupe, specifically built for the U.K., will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, combining a Tanzanite Blue metallic body with a Merino leather interior. The vehicle's specifications were chosen by fans of PistonHeads.com, and two lucky competition winners will drive the car up the hill as part of the Moving Motor Show.

From GMM

Key mistakes in Austria blew out Lewis Hamilton's championship deficit by another 7 points.

The gap to teammate Nico Rosberg is now 29 points with almost half the 2014 season gone, and conspiracy theorists on Sunday wondered if Mercedes is now actively favouring its German title leader.

According to them, Hamilton's almost 2 second deficit to Rosberg across his two pitstops at the Red Bull Ring was more than just a coincidence.

"I don't know," Lewis Hamilton said on Sunday when asked about his crew's slow service compared to Rosberg.

"I have to have a look at the feedback and just see what the team say about the stops.

"Obviously it's frustrating when you lose time because you're constantly doing everything you can to gain a tenth here, a tenth there, so when you lose quite a chunk - two seconds over two pit stops - it's tough," he added.

Actually, an initial analysis shows that Hamilton positioned his car poorly for his first pitstop, before a wheel rim problem slowed down the second stop.

Mercedes' celebration in Austria, for a new 1-2 finish. (Photo: WRi2)

Undoubtedly, a more pressing issue for Mercedes is the competition.

Six weeks ago in Spain, the silver-clad team's winning advantage was an enormous 50 seconds, but in Monaco, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was on the pace.

The Australian then won in Canada, and Williams' Valtteri Bottas was just 8 seconds behind when the chequered flag waved for Rosberg in Austria.

Team boss Toto Wolff admitted on Sunday that he thinks the heated rivalry between Rosberg and Hamilton's respective sides of the garage is allowing more unified rivals to catch up.

"Transparency is suffering a little bit," he said. "And we need to make sure this is not detrimental to the team.

"Every race we need to learn. And we can only learn if we have an open and transparent way of working with each other.

"The drivers' main agenda is about winning the drivers' championship. Our main agenda is about winning the constructors' championship.

"Maybe first we need to win the constructors and then we can unleash them," added Wolff.

Some believe the proximity to the chasing Williams in Austria, who even monopolised the front row of the grid, is because Mercedes de-tuned its performance in the wake of the reliability problems in Canada.

Team chairman Niki Lauda, however, said the de-tuning accounted only for "two tenths per lap" in Austria.

"I note with surprise that the lead we had in Montreal has shrunk virtually to nil," the great Austrian is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

"Almost the whole race, Williams had the same speed as us -- we beat them only by better tactics and tyre wear. So now the alarm bells must ring now."

Nearly three million vehicles from Nissan, Mazda, and Honda are now being recalled to address possibly defective airbag inflators that were not included in a worldwide April 2013 recall by these three Japanese automakers plus Toyota.

That pushes to about 10 million the number of vehicles affected by these faulty inflators, all made by Takata.

Nissan's recall targets 755,000 units worldwide including 228,000 in North America. The Pathfinder, Cube, and Infiniti FX35 are affected.

Meanwhile, 159,807 Mazda vehicles have been hit worldwide including 14,794 in North America. That recall covers the RX-8 and first-generation Mazda6.

Finally, Honda is recalling 2.03 million vehicles around the globe including 1.02 million in North America. At risk are the Civic, CR-V, Odyssey, and Element that were manufactured between April 2000 and October 2002.

Two deaths have been linked to faulty airbags in Hondas, both of which occurred in the U.S. in 2009, and the company said it knows of 41 cases of ruptured airbags. Neither Mazda nor Nissan has reported incidents.

All three automakers will replace the defective parts free of charge.


_{Source: Automotive News}

Subaru Canada has unveiled pricing for the all-new 2015 Outback, which will arrive at dealerships this summer.

Offering a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines, the 2015 Subaru Outback comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 6-speed manual transmission; a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional.

Photo: Subaru

Fuel economy ratings have been improved: 2.5i CVT models are estimated at 8.0L/100km city, 6.0L/100 km highway, and 7.1L/100km combined, while 3.6R models achieve 11.2L/100km city, 7.4L/100km highway, and 9.5L/100km.

By the way, the 4-cylinder BOXER produces 175 horsepower, while the 6-cylinder BOXER generates 256 horsepower. The latter is mated exclusively to the Lineartronic CVT.

The 2015 Subaru Outback also boasts a long list of standard features including a 10-way power driver's seat with two memory storage, dual-stage heated rear seats, a 12-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system with a 576-watt amplifier, and a power tailgate.

As always, safety is a big part of the Subaru Outback's game. Select models are now available with Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and steering-responsive fog lamps. A rearview camera comes standard, as does a new rollover sensor that can deploy the side curtain airbags if an imminent rollover is detected.

2015 Subaru Outback trim levels and prices:

• 2.5i: $27,995
• 2.5i CVT: $29,295
• 2.5i CVT with PZEV: $29,995
• 2.5i Touring: $31,195
• 2.5i Touring CVT: $32,495
• 2.5i Touring with Technology Package: $33,695
• 2.5i Limited: $35,895
• 2.5i Limited with Technology Package: $37,095
• 3.6R Touring: $35,495
• 3.6R Limited: $38,895
• 3.6R Limited with Technology Package: $40,095

From press release

The Audette Racing Team contested this past weekend's Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) doubleheader, on the Calabogie track southwest of Ottawa.

The team's only driver to take the start, Rémy Audette had a very successful weekend, earning a victory and second place finish to remain among the leaders in the series. 

At the wheel of his Dimensions Doors/Novatech Honda Civic Si, Rémy Audette experienced a very good weekend.  After the free practice, he found himself in second spot before claiming the pole position during the qualifying session: "we changed the differentials but I didn't like it so we went back to the original set-up for qualifying. I was confident and got the pole with a three second lead over second place," explained Rémy.

During the first race, Rémy Audette remained in the lead from the first lap to the last, eventually claiming his third victory of the season with a margin of a little more than six seconds: « I had to go flat out because Roger Ledoux's Subaru chasing me was really powerful and he wasn't letting up at all » specified the driver.

The second race saw Rémy start from the pole position once again.  For the majority of the race, he managed to fight off Ledoux's pressure, before having to let him pass : "I don't know what they did to that car in between to two races but it was impossible to maintain my lead, he really had a much faster car !" confided Rémy, who crossed the finish line in second place, three second behind the winner.

For Rémy Audette, this weekend in Ontario is easy to sum up: "an excellent result ! Thank you to the entire team for giving me my reliable and competitive Dimensions Doors/Novatech Honda Civic Si that lasted the weekend long," he concluded.  Rémy was the only team representative at Calabogie, as his brother Mathieu, winner two weekends ago at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, did not have this doubleheader in the plans for his 2014 programme. 

The following CTCC outing for the Audette Racing Team will be on July 5th and 6th in Québec, at the Circuit ICAR in Mirabel. This is somewhat the home event for the team and the Audette family; Rémy anticipates: "other than the fact that it's a track that is two steps from home and one that I know well, it is shorter and slower than Calabogie, which should be more advantageous for us.  We'll have a new engine for the event and I'm anxious to get back racing at the Circuit ICAR," he concludes.

From GMM

Team boss Christian Horner stepped up his attack on Red Bull's engine supplier Renault after the Austrian grand prix.

At the debut of the energy drink company's very own grand prix at the Red Bull Ring, the premier Renault-powered team was not only uncompetitive, but world champion Sebastian Vettel was struck yet again by technical trouble.

The home soil failure, with German Vettel retiring voluntarily to save engine mileage, came among swirling paddock rumours Red Bull is on the cusp of approving a project to build its very own F1 engine.

Vettel, meanwhile, effectively wrote off his chances of winning a fifth consecutive title in Austria.

"You don't have to be a genius. I'm not scoring points while Mercedes is doing a flawless job," the 26-year-old, referring to the mathematical unlikelihood of a successful campaign this year, is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

In utter contrast, Red Bull's blunt Dr Helmut Marko told Bild newspaper the weekend had been "an absolutely disastrous" home race for the team.

Retirement of Sebastian Vettel at the Red Bull Ring. (Photo: WRi2)

And boss Horner made clear in what direction Red Bull's frustration is pointed.

"Reliability is unacceptable, performance is unacceptable. There needs to be change at Renault," he said. "It can't continue like this. It's not good for Renault and it's not good for Red Bull. Something needs to happen."

The big rumour in Austria was that Red Bull is on the verge of giving up on Renault and instead teaming up with Austrian companies like Pankl and AVL to build its own Infiniti-funded and branded bespoke F1 engine.

Sources indicate that a project like that would need to begin immediately in order to be minimally ready for the 2016 season.

Renault figures revealed at the weekend that Red Bull is in fact contractually tied to its French partner until the end of 2016, but Horner told Sky that Renault will only "maybe" still be in the rear of the car beyond next year.

"A team like Red Bull isn't short of choices, but we want to make sure we're competitive for the long term," Horner said.

Even Renault's own advisor Alain Prost, a four time world champion like Vettel, admitted the ball has been hit swiftly from Red Bull's side of the court.

"This does not look good," he is quoted by Der Spiegel, "and I know that something must change."

According to Computerworld, General Motors of China is currently testing a new app called DiDi Plate allowing smartphone users to scan the licence plate of another vehicle and start texting with the driver.

Some may use the app to alert others about dangerous moves they make on the road or anything else that compromises traffic safety. On the other hand, there are people who could use it to get information on certain drivers.

Privacy advocates in North America would likely prevent DiDi Plate from enjoying any kind of success, but it doesn't appear to be the case in China.

What do you think about an app that lets you scan the licence plate of another vehicle and text with the driver?

Citroen's C4 Cactus is more than just another compact car. It's a manifesto on wheels for the brand's move down-market as parent PSA struggles to return to profit.

Pictures See all 27 pictures 22 Jun, 2014

From press release

Valtteri Bottas achieved his first ever Formula One podium with Felipe Massa finishing fourth after a competitive race in Austria. 


Massa led from Bottas at the end of the first lap and maintained a gap to the chasing Mercedes until the first round of pitstops.


Both Mercedes were able to get ahead of the Williams during the pitstops, but a quick pit stop helped Bottas get ahead of his teammate.

Valtteri Bottas (Photo: WRi2)

"It's difficult to explain how I feel right now. That was the best champagne I've ever tasted," said the Finn after his maiden F1 podium.

"All the hard work that the team puts in shows in moments like this. I had one pitstop that really put in me in the fight and that changed my race, so well done to the boys for that.

"I had put in a good lap before that and so I got in front on Felipe and from there I could manage my pace with the cars in front.

Williams scored a valuable 27 points to move up to fifth in the Constructors' Championship.

From GMM

Daniil Kvyat has his fingers crossed his growth spurt is over.

A cursory look at the Russian's formative career, including his GP3 title last year, shows that the then lanky teenager was 175cm tall.

But other, perhaps more up-to-date F1 resources are showing the impressive Kvyat at 180cm -- the 5cm difference meaning he is either an average 5 foot 9, or a quite-tall 5 foot 11.

Dr Helmut Marko, in charge of Red Bull's driver development programme, has been quoted as saying the young Russian is indeed growing very quickly.

It has raised fears Kvyat might keep growing and hurt his career by no longer fitting easily at the wheel of today's F1 cars.

"Of course yes," he told Speed Week, "I am one of the taller drivers.

"But there were others taller than me in the past, like Mark Webber and Gerhard Berger.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: GEPA Pictures)

"I have had a growth spurt, but it's over now, I think," Kvyat added.

Marko has also suggested that Kvyat, while clearly the standout surprise among the latest F1 rookies, has been lucky to make his debut in 2014 rather than perhaps a year earlier.

"Daniil Kvyat is a very good driver," he told the Guardian. "But he's young and if he jumped in last year's car he would not have finished a grand prix without being completely exhausted.

"Now he can finish because the demands are so much lower," Marko added.

From GMM

Dietrich Mateschitz has played down claims he is set to approve a bespoke engine project to power his formula one team Red Bull from 2016.

The rumours have been fuelled by none other than the billionaire's F1 right-hand-man Dr Helmut Marko, who said links with renowned Austrian companies like Pankl and AVL mean: "You should never say no.

"We are looking at all alternatives."

Mateschitz, rarely seen in the paddock, is attending this weekend's Austrian grand prix at his very own Red Bull Ring.

He said he is coping with Red Bull's struggle in 2014, following four consecutive years of title dominance.

"This is sport," Mateschitz is quoted by the Austrian press. "During the past four and a half years, we have won almost everything.

"But it can't be that way forever. And we know why we are behind," he added.

Helmut Marko, Dietrich Mateschitz (Photo GEPA Pictures)

Mateschitz's last statement is an obvious reference to Renault, Red Bull's underperforming engine supplier.

The team is obviously keen to match the field-leading Mercedes in a straight line, but obviously unable to switch to the V6s supplied by its arch-rivals.

Mateschitz, however, played down the reports of a bespoke 'Red Bull' engine.

"We are not a car manufacturer," he said. "Our primary expertise is not the construction of engines."

The 'Red Bull engine' rumour might therefore be just a stark wake-up call for Renault.

"Red Bull has high standards," agreed the French marque's engine boss Rob White. "So we understand the reasons for the statements of Helmut Marko and other team members," he told motorline.cc.

"We want to satisfy Marko and the others so it is important for us to improve. But I don't see any conflict between Renault and Red Bull," White added.

From press release

Race 1 of the BARC Grand Prix of Ontario goes to Tristan DeGrand, his 5th victory in a row.

Caitlin Johnston led the field to the green after a very impressive qualifying session earlier today. She was pipped by DeGrand on lap 1 but had a spectacular race and was involved in some major battles.

DeGrand did not have things as easily as the last event and could not lose the pack of 6 cars in tow, challenged at times by Johnston, Jeffrey Kingsley and had to fend off a major charge from teammate Max Hanratty over the latter stages of the race.

At lap 5 there was a bit of a scare for Bruce Kitchen. He had a slight off in corner 3, knocking the body loose along with the fuel line. He got going again, only to notice by corner 5 that he was on fire. He stopped at the marshal's stand, and the fire was quickly put out.

The race resumed on lap 9 with Hanratty chomping at the bit to snag his first win. He hounded DeGrand over the last 3 laps but came up just short. Hanratty was followed by Caitlin Johnston in 3rd, Jeffrey Kingsley in 4th and Chase Pelletier in 5th.

Pelletier had a wild first couple of laps going side by side with Kingsley through corner 2 and losing some spots and almost spinning in corner 10 after being put onto the grass in a battle with Reid Arnold. He did post the fastest lap of the race however, and will be a factor in tomorrow's race.

In the B Class battle Connor Wagland and Graham Lobban traded the top spot several times, with Lobban getting back by on the next to last lap. Amy Castell got the final step of the podium followed by Keith Lobban and Mike Lee.

Day two at the BARC Grand Prix of Ontario gets under way with practice at 9am.