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From GMM

The tension between the world champion team Red Bull and its engine supplier Renault remains high.

Before the Montreal weekend, the French marque's Remi Taffin announced that, in Canada, the Renault V6 would finally reach "100 per cent" of its potential.

Indeed, Sebastian Vettel had a solid qualifying on Saturday and will line up on the grid behind only the ultra-dominant Mercedes cars.

But when asked about the Renault improvements in Canada, the reigning world champion said: "Well, honestly I don't know where the Renault talk comes from.

"I think as far as we're concerned, we always obviously try to improve but we didn't have any major steps for here."

Also apparently playing down Renault's pre-race '100 per cent' claim was Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

He is quoted by Auto123.com as saying in Montreal: "We are down about 60 horse power compared to the Mercedes teams."

Renault engineers. (Photo: WRi2)

Renault is also expected to be right on the limit in terms of fuel consumption over the 70 laps of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday.

"So when Mercedes goes through without problems and are not on the limit with fuel, then it's difficult," said Red Bull's always-blunt Dr Helmut Marko.

"It will also be very difficult to stay ahead of the two Williams. They have the fastest top speeds here, so if they go to overtake us, we have no chance," he added.

However, both Horner and Marko have now separately confirmed that Red Bull will continue to be Renault powered in 2015.

Perhaps that is because Renault's Taffin says the French marque will produce a substantially new engine next year.

"We will look at what our opponents have done and what is working for them," the Frenchman is quoted by Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

"Next year we will have a new power unit," he added.

Helmut Marko has already referred to some sort of deadline expiring at the Austrian grand prix in two weeks.

Referring to the engine development 'freeze' that is currently in place, he explained: "The necessary steps then need to be taken for the re-homologation for 2015.

"We will continue to work at least to stay within striking distance. But in 2015, we want to be able to win again," said Marko.

Plaintiffs' lawyers began scouring GM's report on its handling of faulty ignition switches that have been tied to 13 deaths and say they are finding details that could bolster their negligence cases.

BMW has begun rolling out the i8 plug-in hybrid supercar as Tesla shakes up the market for luxury cars with alternative powertrains.

General Motors' hidebound culture is the subject of numerous books and business school case studies. The 325-page report penned by attorney Anton Valukas' investigative team might be among the most revealing.

After a yearslong campaign to stop drivers from backing their cars over children, U.S. auto-safety regulators changed federal standards to effectively mandate backup cameras in most new light vehicles, starting in 2018.

Ford and Kia have been intertwined with The Voice and American Idol through elaborate sponsorship deals that include vehicles given as prizes to the top performers.

There's a nice pricing advantage to be had for early entrants in new segments, says Ian Robertson, BMW Group board member in charge of BMW brand sales and marketing and group retail operations.

Pros: The 2014 Aston Martin DB9 is one of the “most posh” luxury exotic cars on the road, meaning one of the most comfortable and beautiful out there. This timeless grand tourer's perfect proportions mimic the near-perfect weight distribution and works with its aerodynamics to make the DB9 as agile and safe as it is fast. Inside, the sumptuous 2+2 seating configuration is slathered in the finest Bridge of Weir hides, real glass and carbon fibre.

Cons: The DB9 is not the fastest around a track, and no dual-clutch transmission is available. Also,, the rear seats of the 2+2 coupe will never actually be used, but it may be best to keep them as a “nice-to-have.”

Photo: Aston Martin

2014 Aston Martin DB9 Price: From the high $100,000 to well over $200,000: The 2014 Aston Martin DB9 is a fully customizable car. There are over 30 possible exterior colours, six wheel designs, four calliper colours, nearly 30 different shades of leather, stitching, pin stripping, and more.

2014 Aston Martin DB9 Fuel Economy: The 78-litre fuel tank will take you places. EnerGuide Canada rates the 2014 Aston Martin DB9 at 16.2L/100km in the city and 10.7L/100km on the highway. In the real world, though, expect to burn quite a bit more.

Improvements and Changes: Last year saw the Aston Martin DB9 get a once-over that replaced more that 70% of its body panels and 50% of all parts. For 2014, it remains virtually unchanged.

2014 Aston Martin DB9 Powertrain: All DB9 models are powered by a silky-smooth 6.0L V12 engine that produces a massive 510 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. As mentioned earlier, the only available transmission is a 6-speed “Touchtronic 2” autobox with a limited-slip differential.

This all-alloy, front mid-mounted AM11 engine uses CNC-machined combustion chambers and hollow camshafts, techie bits lifted directly from Aston Martin's GT race car program. The DB9 will complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.6 seconds.

Don't miss: Elegance extends into the smallest detail. For instance, the DB9 features “race track” stitching, inspired by the bends on a circuit. Different thread weight is used throughout the interior of the DB9 with a heavier “10 gauge” thread used to strong effect while a thinner “20 gauge” thread is more subtle and gives finer detail.

On a totally different topic, the revolutionary carbon ceramic brakes are the most sophisticated ever fitted to a DB9. Larger than an equivalent steel brake but an impressive 12kg lighter, they reduce fade through better heat dissipation and improve performance through silicon-injected carbon fibre.

Safety: All manners of airbags and electronic nannies are standard on the 2014 Aston Martin DB9.

Comparing the 2014 Aston Martin DB9: Rivals include the Porsche 911, Bentley Continental GT, Audi R8, Jaguar XK, BMW M6, and Ferrari 458.

During the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Auto123.com met with Toto Wolff, executive director of Mercedes AMG Formula 1 team. Wolff said he is convinced their rivals will catch them up, sooner or later.

Toto Wolff, do you think the engineering battle in F1 has gone too far with the new V6 turbo hybrid power units?

Wolff: “The engineering battle in F1 has always been fierce. This year, the scope has changed a little bit. In previous years, the aerodynamics of the car played a major role. This year, the focus has probably switched toward power unit. The rules have cut down aerodynamics by 25%, we have narrow front wings, no blown exhaust anymore, so I think the power units plays a more important role”.

Mercedes AMG is currently enjoying a solid advantage. Do you think it's going to last?

Wolff: “Without any doubt our rivals will catch up. We do not expect our advantage to remain as it is. In fact, we were a little surprised to see how well we were doing in pre-season testing. We were one of the few teams running steadily. Red Bull did not run at all during the first days. However, (Daniel) Ricciardo closed up to Lewis (Hamilton) in Monaco and that was a wake up call for us”.

Mercedes celebrates Lewis Hamilton's victory in China (Photo: WRi2)

Any more changes expected for next season?

Wolff: “Next year, we will have a few more aero changes, we know the noses will not look ugly anymore. The engine concept is homologated. I think you will see big steps taken forward. You can almost change the whole engine again as long as you are within the original concept. I think our competitors will make big steps forward, especially on how they deploy hybrid energy, where they are lacking the most this year.”

Are the medias exaggerating the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Nico Rosberg?

Wolff: “The press needs to talk about it, because I think that's the only story left this year! (laughs) Your No. 1 enemy is your teammate. There have been ups and downs so far this season. We haven't seen a big down yet. We have not lost a front wing. The guys are really intelligent and mature. They know that driving into each other is probably the biggest risk of losing the title. They know what to do. Team comes first. Our No. 1 target is to win the constructors' championship. Then if one of our drivers wins the drivers' title, well that's even better. Mercedes is one of the largest automobile brands in the world, and obviously we don't want to look like fools.”

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRi2)

When did Mercedes start working on the Power Unit project?

Wolff: “It goes back to three years ago. We took some crucial decision last year to focus on the 2014 car. You saw that we dropped back a bit in performance in the second half of the season, and that was because we were working on the turbo car”.

From GMM

F1 is proposing to shake up the format of the grand prix weekends for 2015.

It emerged in Montreal on Friday that the plan, already agreed by the powerful Strategy Group including the sport's major teams, is designed to cut costs.

Under the proposal, Thursday's media activities would be axed altogether, while Friday is reduced to just a single, 90-minute afternoon practice session.

"I think the rationale is to reduce the workload on the cars significantly through the weekend and also to reduce the consumption of parts, particularly power units, which is one of the major costs for all the teams, but that's a particular burden for the smaller teams," said Mercedes' Paddy Lowe.

Before the proposal can be approved, it would have to pass through the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, but the BBC claims the sport's bosses Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone are already supportive.

Lowe said the idea is to help the small teams, but within that group - already angered by the budget cap axe - there is opposition.

Photo: WRi2

"From Force India's perspective," said the Silverstone based team's Andy Green, "we don't see this as cost-saving at all."

In fact, he said small teams often use Friday mornings to test young drivers, which is also an "income stream" as sponsors pay handsomely for the privilege.

"If we lose that, that's going to be a relatively severe blow," added Green.

And Sauber's Giampaolo Dall'ara explained that track time is "very precious" for the smaller teams.

"Obviously we are more limited than other teams in simulation as a broad concept so time on track is extremely important for us," he said.

Some sections of the media have also responded with criticism.

Michael Schmidt, the respected correspondent for Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, said the big-budget top teams deciding cost-cutting rules is "a joke, because most of them don't want to save money".

Schmidt argues that the plan will not reduce the fixed price of customer engines for the small teams, while their sponsors will lament the axe of Thursday's media proceedings.

Mercedes' Lowe added: "That was the concept.  It's still to be finalized, by the way, so there's a whole month in order to determine the small print and to finally approve it but the concept was to save money.

"If teams are feeling it isn't going to save money, then of course it could be reviewed."

Everybody expected Lewis Hamilton to take his fourth career pole at the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, but it's his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg who will lead the field, tomorrow, when the green flag drops at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Q1
Qualifying starts under perfect conditions: sunny sky, 24 degrees and packed stands.

Perfect conditions for everyone except for Esteban Gutierrez, who wrecked his Sauber during the third free practice session, on Saturday morning. The Mexican will sit out qualifying.

Nico Rosberg posts the quickest lap of the 4.361-kilometre track in 1min16.690s. His teammate Lewis Hamilton improves only minutes later with a 1min16.438s, then with a 1min15.750s.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: René Fagnan)

Nico Rosberg decides to park it for now. His mechanics start working on the front of his W05.

With one minute to go, Pastor Maldonado's Renault-powered Lotus E22 grinds to a halt in corner 3. Almost at the same moment, Marcus Ericsson spins and breaks his suspension against the wall.

Maldonado, Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi (Marussia), Kamui Kobayashi and Ericsson (Caterham) and Gutierrez (Sauber) are done for the day.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB10 (Photo: René Fagnan)

Q2
Williams' Felipe Massa posts a 1min16.666s that puts him first for most of the session. His teammate Valtteri Bottas is a close second until Hamilton and Rosberg push both of them down two spots.

Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio (Sahara Force India), Kevin Magnussen (McLaren), Romain Grosjean (Lotus), Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) and Adrian Sutil (Sauber) are left out of the top 10.

Valtteri Bottas, Williams FW36 (Photo: René Fagnan)

Q3
Bottas is the early reference at 1min15.550s. But Rosberg (1min14.946) and Hamilton (1min15.014) are unbeatable.

Hamilton and Rosberg go out again to improve. They both do, so Rosberg stays ahead with a 1min14.874.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: René Fagnan)

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault), who edged ahead of both Williams drivers (Bottas then Massa), and his teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) is a disappointing seventh ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso), Jenson Button (McLaren) and Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari).

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: René Fagnan)

Qualifying results* - Canadian Grand Prix (round 7 of 19)
1.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1'14"874 - Q3
2.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'14"953 - Q3
3.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'15"548 - Q3
4.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'15"550 - Q3
5.Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'15"578 - Q3
6.Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'15"589 - Q3
7.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'15"814 - Q3
8.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'16"162 - Q3
9.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'16"182 - Q3
10.Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'16"214 - Q3
11.Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'16"300 - Q2
12.Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'16"310 - Q2
13.Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'16"472 - Q2
14.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'16"687 - Q2
15.Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'16"713 - Q2
16.Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'17"314 - Q2
17.Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'18"328 - Q1
18.Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1'18"348 - Q1
19.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1'18"359 - Q1
20.Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'19"278 - Q1
21.Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'19"820 - Q1
22.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - no time - Q1
*Unofficial timing

From GMM

Ferrari has moved to end Kimi Raikkonen's 2014 troubles by giving him another race engineer.

The Toronto Sun newspaper reports that at the struggling 2007 world champion's side in Montreal this weekend is a Briton, David Lloyd.

The report said Lloyd, until now a factory-based test engineer with the Maranello team, is assisting Raikkonen's race engineer Antonio Spagnolo, an Italian.

"Ferrari did not say if the move would be temporary or permanent," said the report.

Spain's El Confidencial said the appointment of Lloyd - a Briton like Raikkonen's favourite engineer at McLaren and Lotus, Mark Slade - is aimed at improving the line of communication between the reticent Finn and the Ferrari team.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F 14T (Photo: Ferrari)

"Six races have passed and still Kimi is not comfortable with the car," said the report.  "Something is wrong -- is it the exchange of information between Kimi and Spagnolo?"

Carlos Sainz jr, a burgeoning Red Bull junior driver, said Raikkonen's struggle has been "the most surprising thing" of the 2014 season so far.

"I think the best drivers in formula one can even make a tricycle go fast.  For me, adaptation is key," he explained.

Raikkonen said in Montreal that the 2014 title goal for Ferrari is already over.

"But within Ferrari we still want to do the best that we can at every race, we want to get stronger for the future and aim for the podium," he said.

Canadian Grand Prix organizers announced a new, 10-year contract, this weekend at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Robert Poeti, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal and François Dumontier, President and CEO of Octane Racing Group Inc., promoter of the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada, were gathered for the announcement.

They confirmed the government of Canada will invest $62.4M over the next 10 years. Over the same period, the province of Quebec will invest $49.9M, Tourisme Montreal $60M, and the city of Montreal $12M.

Montreal will also be in charge of building of renovation the team garages, the press room and the medical centre. These new buildings will have to be completed in time for the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix.

Statistics indicate the event generates up to $90M every year in economic benefits, and that half of the spectators come from outside the province of Quebec.

Sanctioning fees for the Canadian Grand Prix are amongst the lowest imposed by Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management company for hosting an F1 race.

Australian Will Power scored his second pole of the season and the 34th of his career in the buildup to the Firestone 600, at Texas Motor Speedway.

Will Power (Photo: Chris Jones)

"I was actually surprised by the speed on the first lap (219.550 mph) and thought 'I have to do it again,' '' said Power. "I'm very focused on the race. Last year, Helio was very strong so I'll try to get a car that strong for the race if I can."

The Penske driver posted a two-lap average of 218.896 mph around the 1.455-mile, high-banked oval. Josef Newgarden was second fastest at 217.835 mph.

Welcome to Texas Motor Speedway (Photo: Chris Jones)

"I was happily surprised," said Newgarden. "We didn't go super conservative for qualifying, but we didn't go to the edge. The car was really fast. It's almost like opening a gift at Christmas and getting what you want."

Takuma Sato (Photo: Chris Jones)

Canadian James Hinchcliffe got himself in the top 10. He will start the race in 9th position.

James Hinchcliffe (Photo: Chris Jones)

From press release

Sports car racing legend John Bishop, the visionary co-founder of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), died Thursday in San Rafael, Calif. due to complications from a recent illness. He was 87.

Bishop co-founded IMSA in 1969 with his wife Peggy and Bill France Sr., after a surprise telephone “cold call” from France - also NASCAR's founder - that resulted in a quick trip from Connecticut to Daytona Beach to discuss assembling a new sports car sanctioning organization in North America.

“Bill said he thought there was a need for a new organization, and that he thought I might be the person to run it,” Bishop said recently. “So, very quickly, I got down to Daytona. Bill and I met, we talked a lot, drank a lot of Scotch, talked a lot more and planned it out. Peggy and I didn't know what we were getting ourselves into.”

That wasn't exactly true. Bishop already had a solid resume as an experienced sports car official with the Sports Car Club of America. In ‘69, he decided he wanted to leave that organization.

“I offered my resignation and the SCCA surprised me - they accepted it,” Bishop said.

With France's financial assistance, the Bishops built IMSA into a premier sports car organization that peaked in the 1980s and ‘90s with the Camel-sponsored GT Series, featuring the fabulous GTP prototypes. Bishop sold IMSA in 1989, in part due to health issues. But he remained a vital part of sports car racing, with a lengthy tenure as commissioner of GRAND-AM Road Racing.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Bishop will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in August.

From press release

53 year-old Michel Bonnet showed the young drivers the way around Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve today and will lead the field to the green for Round 3 of the Formula 1600 Super Series.

Bonnet posted a best lap of 1:54.218 and will share the front row with Olivier Bedard who put up a best time of 1:54.836 despite having to hit pit road to have a broken throttle cable repaired. Tristan DeGrand will start from the inside of the second row with a lap of 1:54.960. 58 year-old Duncan Murdoch will start fourth and Max Hanratty round out the top five.

The Masters Class drivers put on an impressive display in qualifying, grabbing not only the pole but four of the top ten spots.

Michel Bonnet (Photo: Dany Flageole)

The session saw lots of spins which may have had something to do with the late 6pm start time. The session was stopped a couple of minutes short due to an incident with Lew MacKenzie making contact with the outside wall on the entrance to the hairpin and damaging his right side suspension.

The first race of the Formula 1600 Super Series at the Grand Prix of Montreal will go green at 2:30 pm ET on Saturday, directly after Formula One qualifying.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton in Montreal sounded unlikely to be considering a return to McLaren.

Reporting from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Daily Mail correspondent Jonathan McEvoy claimed the Woking based team, having given the 2008 world champion his F1 debut seven years ago, has been in contact with Hamilton.

McLaren, and particularly its incoming works engine supplier Honda, is undoubtedly pushing for a top driver to head the charge in 2015, with rumours linking Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel already doing the rounds.

"For now the interest on both sides is tentative," said McEvoy, revealing the Hamilton-McLaren link.

On the face of it, a return to McLaren for Hamilton, 29, would seem unlikely. He only left the team that nurtured him from boyhood at the end of 2012, having reportedly fallen out with supremo Ron Dennis.

And now, believed to be the equal highest paid F1 driver alongside Alonso, he is at the wheel of the ultra-dominant Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton says he is happy at Mercedes (Photo: WRi2)

But Hamilton is also embroiled in a seismic teammate spat with Nico Rosberg as the pair tussle for the 2014 title.

"If Hamilton were to lose the title to Rosberg," said McEvoy, "imagine the trauma that would accompany that outcome."

Hamilton, however, hinted at the scene of Sunday's Canadian grand prix that while he is yet to ink a new deal, that is eventually the most likely outcome.

"At the moment no," he said when asked if he has signed a new contract, "but I have always said I feel happy in this team.

"I cannot imagine myself anywhere else in the future," the Briton is quoted by the Mirror.

From GMM

The door to formula one could be opening up for Danica Patrick.

In April, the sport's newest team owner, Gene Haas, said the world's most famous female racing driver will not be making the switch from NASCAR.

Patrick, 32, drives for Haas in America's premier tin-top series, but the 61-year-old Californian said in April that it would be "impossible" for any of his existing drivers to juggle NASCAR while also preparing for F1.

"It would be really impossible to accomplish that and survive," said Haas.

But perhaps the subsequent decision to delay Haas Formula's grand prix debut until 2016 has changed things.

Danica Patrick (Photo: LAT/IndyCar)

Gunther Steiner, who in the past worked in upper management at Red Bull and Jaguar, confirmed to Speed Week on Friday that he will be Haas' F1 team boss.

"I will be the team boss," Steiner said in the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve paddock.

He clarified that the F1 team will be completely separate to Haas' NASCAR operation, which is in collaboration with the driver Tony Stewart.

"Tony wants to make money with racing, Gene wants to spend it," Steiner smiled.

But what about Patrick, the diminutive American driver whose early pedigree was in open wheel racing, including her famous Indycar win in 2008?

"It's too early for this (driver question)," said Steiner.  "But, you know, everything is possible."

From GMM

The FIA is looking into what happened in Graz, Austria, between the final Bahrain test and the season opening Australian grand prix.

A whistleblower last week circulated letters to the governing body and some rival teams about an alleged illegal six-day test on Austrian automotive company AVL's 'rolling road' facility.

Red Bull have denied conducting the test, but it is believed sister team Toro Rosso was indeed in Graz, along with Red Bull development driver Antonio Felix da Costa.

Engine supplier Renault's Remi Taffin is quoted by APA news agency: "We just had to work with our partner AVL, because our own facilities were at full capacity."

The French marque argues that the 'test' was in fact just perfectly legal engine bench testing, amid reports the Toro Rosso car was not fitted with front or rear wings.

Nonetheless, an FIA spokesperson said: "We will look into the matter carefully and then answer any questions."

Remi Taffin, Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

The 21st World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, scheduled to be held in Detroit, Sept. 7-11, will feature demonstrations and presentations of innovations in transportation technology.