Marussia Formula 1 team announced Thursday that 22-year-old American Alexander Rossi becomes the team's official reserve driver for the remainder of the 2014 season.
The American joins us with immediate effect from this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
Rossi has spent the past two seasons in the role of reserve driver for the Caterham F1 Team, whilst also competing in the GP2 Series.
With Marussia, he will be on hand throughout the season to deputise for either race driver in the event that they are unable to compete.
“We are very pleased to welcome Alexander to the Marussia F1 Team in the role of Official Reserve Driver,” said John Booth, team principal.
“He is a proven talent whom we have observed in GP2 and we have also been impressed by his performances during Friday morning free practice sessions over the past two seasons. The US is an exciting market for the sport and Alexander has a great deal of support there, so it is nice to develop new links to that audience. Alexander will be an integral part of the Team, immersing himself in our engineering activity so that he is fully prepared should he ever be required to deputise for one of the race drivers.”
Alexander Rossi declared in a press release: “Today is a good day and next step in my Formula 1 career. Since my initial discussions with the Marussia F1 Team management, I've felt right at home. I'm looking forward to working with the Team in Hungary and building for the rest of the season. The timing of my affiliation with the Team is perfect, especially beginning in Hungary before the summer break. My goal is Formula 1, and I'm delighted to be immersed into the Team as Official Reserve Driver, where I have the opportunity to prepare for this next step, with plans to drive in Free Practice 1 this season.
“Marussia is in an exciting place right now and the progress at the team is clear for all to see. I'm thrilled that now I have the chance to be part of that journey, to progress and play a useful role in the development of the Team. I want to thank Marussia F1 Team for the opportunity this season.”
Small-car lovers, take note: The redesigned 2015 Toyota Yaris will soon arrive at dealerships in 3- and 5-door body styles.
For 2015, the popular Yaris sports an aggressive new look with a horizontal chrome grille treatment that appears to continue right into the headlights. A larger, bolder grille opening gives it a bit more character, as well.
Inside the 2015 Toyota Yaris, you'll find a standard 6-speaker Entune Audio system with a 6.1'' touchscreen, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability, voice recognition, and music streaming via Bluetooth. Also, for the first time in a Yaris, a navigation system is available as a dealer-installed option.
Other updates to the Yaris include — depending on the trim level — cruise control, power mirrors, windows and door locks, keyless entry, fog lights, a rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights, 15'' or 16'' wheels, a sport suspension, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
As for motivation, the 1.5L 4-cylinder DOHC engine returns with 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 103 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. The broad torque curve will make those numbers seem even bigger, Toyota says. Buyers will have a choice of 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions.
Pricing and on-sale dates for Canada will be announced later.
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| Photo: Toyota |
General Motors today announced six new safety recalls covering 717,949 recent model vehicles in the U.S. — pushing the total number of recalls this year to 60 and the number of affected units worldwide to 28,767,143.
The first recall involves 2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, 2011-2012 Buick Regal and LaCrosse, and 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX models equipped with power height-adjustable driver or front passenger seat structures. The bolt that secures the height adjuster actuator may become loose or fall out. If the bolt falls out, the seat will move up and down freely because it is no longer attached at the height adjuster.
GM assures the vehicles are safe to drive, but customers should not use the power height adjustable feature until dealers can replace the height adjuster bolt. GM is aware of one crash and three injuries but no fatalities related to this condition.
The second recall affects 2014 Chevrolet Caprice, 2014 Chevrolet SS, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD and HD, 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, 2014 Cadillac ELR, 2013-2014 Buick Encore, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra LD and HD vehicles. Some of them may have an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly due to a loss of power to a laser welding machine, according to data collected from the machine between July 2013 and January 2014.
Dealers will inspect the weld. If it is sufficient, no further action is necessary. If it is insufficient, dealers will replace the lower seat track at no charge. Less than 1 percent of welds are expected to require seat track replacement. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries as a result of this issue.
The third recall targets 2011-2013 Buick Regals and 2013 Chevrolet Malibus equipped with front turn signals that use two bulbs in each front turn signal. While the driver would get a rapidly flashing turn signal arrow in the instrument cluster if both bulbs in one turn signal were burned out; if only one bulb on either side burns out, there would be no signal to the driver.
Dealers will reprogram the body control module to fix the condition. Again, no crashes, injuries, or complaints related to this issue have been reported to GM.
The fourth recall deals with the belt-drive electric power steering on some 2014 Chevrolet Impalas. Customers may experience reduced or no power steering assist at start-up or while driving due to a poor electrical ground connection to the Power Steering Control Module. If power steering is lost, a warning message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds. Steering control can be maintained because the vehicle will revert to manual steering mode, but would require greater driver effort particularly at low vehicle speeds.
Dealers will inspect and clean paint from behind the ground nut, re-torque the nut, and update the power steering control module software at no charge. GM is aware of one crash but no injuries or fatalities related to this condition.
The fifth recall affects 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sparks imported from Korea that were assembled with a lower control arm bolt not fastened to specification. This could result in noise from the front suspension and separation of the lower control arm from the steering knuckle while driving, resulting in a loss of steering control. Dealers will inspect the left and right hand lower control arm attaching bolts to assure they are tightened to specification. No incident has been reported.
Finally, the sixth recall by GM addresses a problem with the roof racks on a small number of 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali vehicles. These racks may have been attached with the wrong retaining nuts, resulting in holes or tears in the side curtain airbags if they deploy.
Source: General Motors
From DTM
DTM series' officials have selected Zandvoort in the Neterlands as replacement venue for China.
Therefore, the ninth round of the 2014 DTM season will be held September 27-28 at Zandvoort, Netherlands.
The Chinese round that originally was supposed to be held at Guangzhou, on that weekend, had to be cancelled as the modifications necessary for erecting the circuit proved to be far more extensive than planned.
Realising a replacement event at one of China's permanent circuits also turned out to be impossible and so, the penultimate round of the 2014 season will now be staged at Zandvoort.
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| Photo: DTM |
“We have to be able to also guarantee the DTM standard when it comes to racing in foreign countries,” underlined ITR Chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht.
“This applies to the safety aspects around the respective circuit, the paddock, the pit facilities including the garages and the spectator areas such as the grand stands. In addition, a solid funding also must be ensured. When it comes to the race to be held in China this year, all this couldn't be realised on the necessary level. Nonetheless, coming back to the most populous country of the world and one of the most important markets for the premium-car manufacturers involved in DTM to contest races, here, remains our goal. And we will keep on working on realising this goal,” Aufrecht added.
Talking to journalists in the paddock of the Hungagoring, Lewis Hamilton declared both he and Mercedes AMG F1 team have indicated to each other that they want to continue their relationship beyond 2015.
The 2008 F1 World Champion, whose current contract ends in 2015 said so only one week after his teammate Nico Rosberg extended his own contract with Mercedes AMG.
In Hungary, Hamilton denied formal discussions had yet started, but said his wish was to stay on at Mercedes AMG.
“My representatives haven't [sat down and talked with Mercedes], but we've both shown interest in sitting down and talking,” Hamilton told journalists.
“We haven't sat down yet but the team know that I would like to push to continue and they have made it clear that they would like to do the same.”
In their early karting days, Hamilton and Rosberg drove for team MBM.com, which stands for Mercedes-Benz McLaren.
“I've been with Mercedes since I was 13 so I very much feel like I have Mercedes imprinted in my chest,” Hamilton admitted when asked if Mercedes was the only team he wanted to drive for at the moment.
From Prodrive
British car specialist Prodrive is relocating its headquarters to a new larger facility in Banbury, UK, less than a mile from its present home.
Construction of the new building, which will also be next to the M40 motorway, will commence in August and the company will move during March 2015.
"It became clear that our current site would not be suitable for our future needs as while motorsport remains core to our business we have diversified into a number of new areas," said David Richards, chairman.
"Our current site has become a familiar landmark for the millions of motorists who have driven up and down the M40 over the last 30 years. However our new location will be no less prominent and the increase in size of the facility will allow us to expand into new and exciting arenas beyond motorsport."
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| Image: Prodrive |
The new site will be Prodrive's third headquarters, having been originally based at Silverstone in 1984, before moving to Banbury in 1986. At that point, the company's single building housed its then BMW race and rally teams and looked out on to fields.
It wasn't until 1991 that the M40 was extended from Oxford to Birmingham passing right in front of the company's headquarters.
Over the last 28 years the company has expanded from one to 12 separate buildings. The new facility is a single 110,000 sq ft structure giving flexibility to house Prodrive's motorsport and advanced technology businesses and allowing for a far more efficient operation. The company's 40,000 sq ft composite manufacturing operation will remain in Milton Keynes.
"While we are best known for our motorsport successes, this now only represents a third of our turnover," said Richards. "Walk around our site today and you will see Aston Martin Racing cars and MINI rally cars being prepared in workshops right next to advanced active aero systems for road going supercars; interior modules for luxury cars; advanced hybrid systems; and even the next generation of control systems for racing yachts."
Prodrive's current headquarters will be cleared in September to make way for a new retail park, which will open in late 2015.
From Pirelli
Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli has revealed the tires that will be taken to the Grands Prix of Belgium, Italy and Singapore.
Belgium
At Spa - one of the most spectacular and demanding circuits on the calendar - the P Zero White medium and P Zero Yellow soft tires will be used, which will be well-suited to the varied track and weather conditions often found in Belgium.
Italy
For Monza, the ‘temple of speed' and Pirelli's home event, the two hardest compounds in the range have been nominated: P Zero Orange hard and P Zero White medium. This is to combat the high-energy loads that are put through the tires as the result of high traction and braking demands, sustained high speeds and frequently warm temperatures.
Singapore
Singapore is the final street circuit of the season and held at night, providing a unique combination of conditions. The two softest tires in the range will be used: P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red supersoft. These will provide maximum mechanical grip.
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| Photo: Pirelli |
The Suburban Collection has acquired two more Michigan dealerships: BMW of Ann Arbor and Mercedes-Benz of Ann Arbor. The two dealerships were acquired from Sonic Automotive for an undisclosed amount.
Nissan said today it will add Los Angeles to its 'No Charge to Charge' promotion for the Leaf electric vehicle on Aug. 15.
Opel said it is working on an "electric" successor to the Ampera, a plug-in hybrid based on the Chevrolet Volt which hit European showrooms in 2011 but will be discontinued.
Opel said it plans an "electric" successor to the Ampera. The plug-in hybrid was introduced across Europe in 2011 but will be discontinued.
GM, moving to expand its immunity from lawsuits after recalling almost 29 million cars in North America, said it sees no need to try to settle customer claims until a judge decides whether it's legally responsible for faults in its predecessor's...
In the first quarter, General Motors received claims that defects in the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion caused 17 deaths and 167 injuries, according to data it submitted to federal safety regulators.
Auto supplier Federal-Mogul today reported a $5 million net loss after factoring in one-time charges, along with a $128 million revenue gain for the second quarter.
Proxy advisor ISS has recommended that Fiat investors vote against a cross-border merger of the Italian carmaker and its U.S. unit, Chrysler, at a meeting on Aug. 1, saying it would reduce shareholder rights.
Proxy advisor ISS has recommended that Fiat investors vote against a cross-border merger of the Italian carmaker and its U.S. unit Chrysler at a meeting on Aug. 1, saying it would reduce shareholder rights.
The first half of the year has seen global light vehicle sales accelerate as expanding vehicle markets have more tan compensated for those that have contracted. Dave Leggett eyes the latest data and the outlook.
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