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From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone thinks formula one needs to act now to prevent a downward trend of unpopularity.

Before qualifying in Hungary, amid a climate of paddock doom about dwindling spectator and television numbers, the F1 chief executive met with team bosses.

Afterwards, it emerged that Ecclestone would revive the F1 career of Flavio Briatore in the wake of his 'crash-gate' ban by appointing him the head of a new 'popularity working group'.

When asked about the flamboyant yet divisive Italian figure, Ecclestone is quoted by Italy's Tuttosport: "We'll see. We'll see what we can do."

Ecclestone is following up the Hungarian meeting with another meeting involving the governing FIA this Thursday, after Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo urged the need for a crisis 'summit'.

Confirming that team boss Marco Mattiacci will be there, Maranello based Ferrari confirmed on Monday that the meeting is to "look at the general situation of formula one and how to increase the sport's appeal".

Bernie Ecclestone added: "We simply want to see if there is the possibility to look at the rules, because there has been so much negativity. We need to have a look at all of this and clear some things up."

The people at Consumer Reports are pressing Toyota to recall about 177,500 Camry Hybrid sedans from 2007-2011 to address potential power brake defects.

The number of affected units in Canada remains unknown.

The Japanese automaker initially decided to call for a service campaign or a warranty extension. That means Toyota dealers would repair Camry Hybrids only when they are brought back by consumers after a problem arises.

Is it enough?

"Consumer Reports believes that Toyota should recall these cars," the magazine said to Automotive News. "What's at issue here is a series of acknowledged defects in a crucial safety system.

"A recall is more comprehensive and widely published than a mere service campaign, and owners don't have to wait for a problem to happen before qualifying for the repair," Consumer Reports added. "Besides that, unlike extended warranties, recalls don't expire and are performed proactively."

U.S. regulators opened a preliminary evaluation probe into an estimated 30,000 Camry Hybrid sedans from 2007-2008 after receiving 59 complaints of intermittent loss of front-brake assist. The problem is potentially caused by a clogged brake-fluid reservoir filter, according to Toyota.

For the time being, Toyota plans to alert owners about the service campaign to install a new brake reservoir tank at no cost between now and June 30th, 2017.

Source : autonews.com

From GMM

Jacques Villeneuve makes comments designed deliberately to trigger sensational headlines.

That is the claim of Oskari Saari, a commentator for the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 who says he knows the 1997 world champion well.

"Jacques is a great guy," he said. "I always like to see him because I like to argue with him! He is always in a happy and positive mood when I see him."

Former Williams and Honda driver Villeneuve is now a regular television pundit for Sky Italia, but he also makes regular print headlines with his biting observations.

Recently, he added fuel to the silly-season by suggesting Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are on the move, and after Hungary accused Nico Rosberg of trying to "destroy Lewis' race".

Jacques Villeneuve drives in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2014. (Photo: Albatec Racing)

MTV3's Saari thinks he has figured Villeneuve out.

"Last season he criticised Valtteri Bottas heavily," he said, referring to the young Finn who in a competitive Williams has emerged in 2014 as a true star.

"Last weekend I asked Villeneuve about that and he admitted that this year is going a little more smoothly for Bottas than last year! I have the feeling that Villeneuve throws these things out there just for fun, just for the colour of the stories and for the headlines," Oskari Saari charged.

Sky Sports F1 reports Tuesday morning that despite reassuring news, Ferrari's engineering director Pat Fry has paid the price for the Scuderia's frustrating first half of the 2014 season.

The Ferrari F14 T is a handful to drive and is said to be fitted with an overweight and underpowered V6 turbo hybrid engine.

Earlier in the season, Marco Mattiacci replaced team director Stefano Domenicali while engine chief Luca Marmorini is also understood to have left Ferrari earlier this month.

According to Sky sources, Pat Fry has been sacked during a recent behind close doors altercation.

Contacted by Sky Sports Online on Monday evening, a Ferrari spokesman denied reports Fry had been sacked.

On its Twitter feed, Ferrari sent this message Tuesday: “For those who ask about Pat Fry: just rumors, rumors, rumors...”

More to come later...

Pat Fry, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Buick has just announced a brand new midsize CUV that will slot between the smaller Encore and the larger Enclave. Called Envision, it's based on the concept that debuted at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show.

The Buick Envision will first launch in China this fall with a 2.0L turbo engine rated at 256 horsepower, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.

North American customers will have to be a bit more patient and wait until the first half of 2015. Out here, the Envision could very well offer the 2.0L unit plus the same 3.6L V6 engine that currently powers the Chevrolet Equinox.

Europe may also get the Envision as a replacement for the Opel Antara.

Buick has yet to give details about the Envision's interior, standard equipment list and price range. Look for more information to be posted on Auto123.com in the next few months.

Source : leblogauto.com

Photo: Buick

The first official trailer for Mad Max Fury Road was released this past weekend at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Instead of Mel Gibson in the leading role of Max Rockatansky, this fourth instalment in the Mad Max franchise will feature up-and-coming actor Tom Hardy, who had his breakthrough performance as Eames in the sci-fi thriller Inception. Charlize Theron is also part of the cast.
The movie will land in theatres in 2015, but that didn't stop the producers from giving fans an early sneak peek of the action including some crazy car chases in the desert.

Will Mad Max Fury Road enjoy as much success as the first three movies? I guess we'll find out.

From GMM

Mercedes chiefs are heading into the month-long summer break scratching their heads at how to deal with an escalating driver battle.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo may have won in Hungary, but Toto Wolff admits that it was Nico Rosberg who probably should have held the biggest trophy aloft -- if only Lewis Hamilton had obeyed a clear and repeated team order.

German media sources report that even though German Rosberg is determined to play cool, calm and controversy-free, he 'poked his tongue out' at the outcome of Sunday's race by uncharacteristically wearing his cap backwards in his post-race meeting with reporters.

He was asked if Wolff is right to say the defiant Hamilton spoiled his victory in Budapest.

"That's so theoretical. I don't know," said Rosberg, before changing his mind.

"Ah, no, no -- let's go with what Toto said. He's looked at all the data -- let's go with his opinion. He's the best person to know that."

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

It's as close as the controversy-dodging Rosberg will come to accusing Hamilton of ruining his race.

But he did admit that he thinks Hamilton should have obeyed the order.

"Lewis didn't let me by although he was ordered to," said Rosberg, "so that's obviously not good."

Beyond that, he closed the door on the topic.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't want to say anything on the subject. I don't know what Lewis said.

"You all saw what happened," Nico Rosberg added. "It's pretty obvious, it was all on the radio, but it's better if we discuss everything behind closed doors."

The facts that Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton chose to ignore team orders during Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix brought back memories of previous infamous team orders.

We obviously all remember what happened during the 2010 German Grand Prix when Felipe Massa was told over the radio: “Fernando is faster than you...”

Here are two great examples of drivers who disobeyed team orders.

1981 Brazilian Grand Prix
Carlos Reutemann disobeyed Williams' team orders during the 1981 Brazilian Grand Prix and thereby refused to allow his teammate Alan Jones to win the race. Jones never forgave this act of disobedience on the part of his teammate, while Reutemann felt frustrated at Jones' refusal to acknowledge his help, especially after having given him the victory at the 1981 USA West Grand Prix.

Carlos Reutemann, Williams, 1981. (Photo: WRi2)

1982 French Grand Prix
During the 1982 French Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard circuit, Renault had its two drivers out front with Rene Arnoux leading Alain Prost. The team issued team orders with a pit board saying: “1 Alain 2 René”. But Arnoux violated a pre-race agreement that if he and Prost were 1st and 2nd, Arnoux would let Prost pass him to help his better championship standing.

René Arnoux, Renault, 1982. (Photo: WRi2)

London Mayor Boris Johnson today announced his intention to start charging owners of diesel-powered vehicles and all 2006 models or older who enter downtown. This new toll would be a similar amount to the congestion charge of £11.50 a day that's currently in effect.

While the idea is still subject to full consultation, it's expected that those diesel cars not meeting the new European emission targets will be penalized when an ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) is introduced in central London in 2020, as promised by the mayor last year.

"When it comes to tackling London's air pollution, and protecting the health and well-being of all Londoners, diesel cars are an issue which must be addressed," said Johnson's environment and energy senior adviser Matthew Pencharz. "Over recent years the European diesel engine standards have not delivered the emission savings expected, yet governments have been incentivising us to buy them. This has left us with a generation of dirty diesels."

Source : auto.lapresse.ca

Caterham F1 Team reacted to the fact that roughly 40 former team employees are to take legal action against the team's new owners following their recent sackings.

A press release issued Tuesday reads: “Caterham F1 Team has read with great concern recent reports about a group of individuals who are claiming unfair dismissal from the Formula 1 team following its takeover by new owners.

The team is now taking legal action against those parties representing the individuals concerned, and each person involved, seeking compensation for the damages suffered by the team due to the gross misrepresentation of the facts made by all those concerned.

These claims include the statement that they have been released from Caterham F1 Team - this is incorrect. Caterham F1 Team's staff are employed by a company that is a supplier to the company that holds its F1 licence, the licence that allows it to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.

Additionally, the team has read claims that its staff were not paid in July - again, this is wholly untrue. Every individual currently employed by Caterham F1 Team was paid their July salary in full on 25th July, one week before it is formally due on the last day of the month, in this case 31st July.

A formal request for the withdrawal of the relevant press statement issued on 28th July has been made by Caterham F1 Team and the team will vigorously pursue its action against all those concerned. However, it will not allow its core focus to be distracted from achieving tenth place in the 2014 Formula 1 World Championship, and building for the 2015 campaign and beyond.”

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone is willing to pay EUR 25 million to settle the corruption case, media reports said on Tuesday.

The German news agency DPA said the F1 chief executive's lawyers made the proposal to pay the money to BayernLB, despite arguing the bank suffered no financial loss.

The report added that the application was made in a statement to the Munich court on Tuesday, even though the lawyers argue that the prosecutors' case against Ecclestone is "highly questionable".

Referring to the DPA report, Auto Motor und Sport on Tuesday claimed the lawyers are making the proposal because of how "extremely stressful" the case is to the 83-year-old Briton.

The defense offer is reportedly valid until August 8, and the prosecution is said to be evaluating it.

From GMM

Toto Wolff has dismissed suggestions Mercedes will sanction Lewis Hamilton for ignoring team orders in Hungary.

Although it was potentially explosive, the German team closed ranks after the incident but rumours persisted that the 2008 world champion will be punished behind closed doors.

"Something like that will not happen," boss Wolff is quoted by Der Spiegel. "We are all adults -- we just have to do a better job next time."

Indeed, Mercedes is admitting its own culpability after repeatedly asking Hamilton to slow down to let Nico Rosberg - on a different strategy - pass him.

The typically non-controversial Rosberg has quietly admitted he thinks Hamilton's defiance cost him the win, but otherwise he is playing a cool hand as usual.

"I will not respond just because you want me to," he told German reporters. "It's not my style to respond. The title race will remain intense until the end, but I'm looking forward to it."

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda backed Hamilton after the race, while Wolff admitted that Mercedes may have to rethink its approach to team orders in light of the intensifying battle.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner, whose Daniel Ricciardo won in Hungary, also thinks Hamilton was right to ignore the order.

"You can understand Lewis," he said. "He's fighting Nico. If he lets him run his fastest strategy, it puts him under pressure. It's entirely understandable from Lewis' point of view to say 'not today thanks'."

In the calm of Monday, Toto Wolff basically agreed.

"When two teammates become the main rivals for the championship," he said, "it is clear that every decision taken by the drivers and the team is affected by a climate of very heavy emotion.

"Many decisions in Budapest were made under pressure," Toto Wolff is quoted by Italy's Autosprint, "with little time to evaluate them thoroughly. It is now evident that we are in a situation where we cannot ask one of our drivers to damage himself for the interest of the team. The message to Hamilton was probably wrong, but it was a very difficult time to determine what was right and what was wrong."

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has hit back at suggestions he was wrong to ignore team orders during Sunday's Hungarian grand prix.

Niki Lauda, who after Hamilton's qualifying fire had cheered the Briton up over pizza, insisting with typical clarity that the driver was "right" and the German team "wrong".

"Lewis ignored it because he remembered before the season that we said they could fight freely against each other. That's why he did the right thing," the great Austrian told Bild newspaper.

Not everyone is as convinced.

The headline in the major German daily Welt claims Mercedes is the victim of "Hamilton's ego-show".

"With his disobedience, Hamilton weakened the authority of the team leadership and provoked his teammate Nico Rosberg, for a comparatively low reward."

Lewis Hamilton leading Nico Rosberg in Hungary. (Photo: WRi2)

But according to Hamilton, that's not the point. On Monday, he insisted he is "hired to race".

"It is not questioning authority," the 2008 world champion explained. "I am hired to be me, and race my heart out."

Team boss Toto Wolff and Rosberg agreed after the race that Hamilton's defiance had cost Mercedes a race win.

Again, Lewis Hamilton doesn't see it that way.

"I did not cost Nico a win," he insisted. "I was racing against him! Why would I be concerned for him? I don't think I was being ruthless. I was not even being bloody minded. I was doing my job. I tried my hardest to be ahead and I don't feel as though I was obligated to help."

John Watson, a former F1 driver turned commentator, thinks the problem is home grown.

"Is Toto Wolff more interested in projecting himself?" he wondered. "Does he really have the authority?" the former McLaren driver told the Daily Mail.

"Paddy Lowe is a fantastic guy, but he is not the person to deal with this. Lauda is a very clever man, but I don't know what authority he has. If there was one person who could kick ass in that team, it is the person that they let go, Ross (Brawn)," said Watson.

Toyota may enter the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship, taking opportunity of the introduction of a new set of technical regulations.

The prototype car, a Yaris designed and built by TMG (Toyota Motosport in Cologne, Germany) has been tested on gravel roads earlier this year.

The Japanese car manufacturer has revealed that the Yaris will make its first test on asphalt next month.

The new WRC technical regulations - still to be written and runner stamped - are rumoured to be open to hybrid engines.

However, no firm commitment about a WRC entry is expected before the end of the year.

"There's nothing from Japan, no news and that's not likely to change before the end of the season,” a TMG source told Autosport magazine.

Tenneco, a ride-control and emission-control systems supplier, today reported that its net income rose 29 percent in the second quarter from a year ago to $81 million on record revenue of $2.2 billion.

A significant percentage of drivers are ready for their cars to do the driving for them. In a study conducted in June by Insurance.

Consumer Reports called on Toyota to recall about 177,500 older Camry hybrid sedans to address potential power brake defects.

GM and Toyota plan to resume production on Tuesday in South Africa and the nation's largest union agreed to end a four-week strike in the metals sector after accepting a wage increase offer from employers.

Panasonic has reached a basic agreement with Tesla Motors to initially supply the electric automaker's proposed lithium-ion battery plant in the United States with machinery to make battery cells, the Nikkei said.

General Motors will offer wireless charging for smartphones for the first time in the 2015 Cadillac ATS sedan and coupe when they are launched this fall.