Auto News 5

Articles 5 Jul, 2014

We explore the UK's top family car contenders in the countdown to the Auto Express New Car Awards on July 15th

BMW is following rival Audi into Mexico with a US$1bn plant planned to start production in San Luis Potosi in 2019, the company's production chief Harald Kruger announced.

News 4 Jul, 2014

More than a million registered in 2014, the best half year total since 2005

UK new-car sales reached a nine-year high in the first six months, rising 11 percent although growth slowed in June as consumer demand started to level off.

General Motors has announced yet another recall - this time in South Korea for 27,051 locally built models.

We've all been there. Something near and dear to us goes missing. For Detroit resident George Talley, it was a 1979 Corvette.

The outbreak of WWII meant that Detroit built its last civilian cars in the early months of 1942 -- and by the end of that year, its factories had been converted to the production of wartime material.

News 4 Jul, 2014

We explore the UK's top supermini contenders in the countdown to the Auto Express New Car Awards on July 15th

Kiekert, a German supplier of automotive door locks and latches, has named Karl Lambertz director of its Asian operations.

The new VW Passat is expected to get a sales boost as companies in Europe take advantage of a brightening economic outlook to resume investing in their fleets.

Mexican auto factory output is poised to explode this decade, making the country a top source of United States vehicle imports -- particularly small cars.

Compared with just two years ago, Japanese parts makers are scrambling to educate employees on actions that are off-limits. The buzzword of the times: compliance.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, July 7.

From GMM

Haas, F1's new team for 2016, has arrived in formula one earlier than expected.

Ferrari announced on Thursday that the logo of Gene Haas' automotive machine business will begin to feature on the sidepods of the 2014 Ferrari this weekend at Silverstone.

The sponsor deal, which surely precedes a technical partnership with Ferrari for Haas' new US-based F1 team, will last all the way to the end of 2015.

Haas' team will then be set to debut in 2016, surely with a V6 Ferrari power unit and gearbox.


Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci confirmed that the Italian team and Haas have been "exploring a number of potential areas of collaboration".

"The partnership marks Haas Automation's entry to the world of formula one," Ferrari announced, "prior to it becoming title sponsor of Gene Haas' team when it enters the sport in 2016."

“We are pleased to welcome Haas Automation as our newest Official Supplier,” said Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Marco Mattiacci. “This agreement strengthens our existing connections with the USA, an important market not only for our company, but also for Scuderia Ferrari, as it is one where the team already benefits from several important partnerships."

Susie Wolff had faced some criticism from Sergio Perez, however a technical problem on the Williams had shortened her morning session.

"A huge thank you to all the support and help that I have had to get me ready for today," says Susie Wolff.

"It was a great feeling driving out of the garage. When I had my helmet on, it was just me and the car. I knew what I had to do and the car felt great. It was only one and a half flying laps but these things happen, I have another session in Hockenheim that I now have to work towards. Every time I step in the car, there is something to learn, so there are a few positives to take from today," added the Williams driver.

Susie Wolff leaving the Williams' stand at Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

Earlier in the morning, Sergio Perez was saying on Antena 3, that Susie Wolff would be "better off in the kitchen".

The Sahara Force India driver apologized later, insisting he "admires" Wolff's talent and admitted it had been an "unfortunate joke".

Claire Williams acknowledges that Wolff's gender is at least playing a role in the opportunity she has been given this weekend.

"You would be naive to say that having a female on board does not bring commercial benefit," she told The Times newspaper. "She has to deliver as well."

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen has revealed he will "probably" retire from formula one at the end of next season.

Despite his 2007 title and his on-form F1 comeback with Lotus, the Finn has struggled this year after returning to Ferrari to be Fernando Alonso's new teammate.

It has triggered rumours Ferrari could once again oust him, despite his existing 2015 contract.

But what is also clear is 34-year-old Raikkonen's frustration with the restraints of life in the paddock, after tasting other disciplines like world rallying and Nascar during his F1 sabbatical.

Now, it is said the 'iceman' has his eye on the increasingly popular discipline of world rallycross.

"The teams are scared that we get hurt," Kimi Raikkonen said at Silverstone. "But it would be nice not just for us but for the fans to do many things."

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

For now, Raikkonen says he is committed to F1 and Ferrari "until my contract is finished, and then I will probably stop," he revealed.

"That is what I think is going to happen."

But until that happens, the winner of 20 grands prix appears to be part of Ferrari's plans for 2015.

The Maranello team is already hard at work on next year's car, having acknowledged the distant gap to the pacesetting teams of 2014.

"The team will definitely do some things differently for next year and some of those changes we can also try this year," said Kimi Raikkonen.

Nico Rosberg leading Lewis Hamilton in the morning, Lewis Hamilton leading Nico Rosberg in the afternoon.

In the two free practice sessions of the British Grand Prix, Fernando is third with his Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

Susie Wolff made history by becoming the first woman to participate an official Formule 1 session since Giovanna Amati in 1992. Unfortunately, due to an oil pressure problem on her Williams, she only covered four laps.

Regarding the reserve drivers, Daniel Juncadella was aboard the Sahara Force India. Giedo Van der Garde drove the Sauber and Robin Frijns was in action with Caterham.

Suzie Wolff aboard the Williams FW36. (Photo: WRi2)

Felipe Massa had a big crash, causing an interruption of 17 minutes to clear his Williams.

Despite his best lap time, Lewis Hamilton was visibly disappointed in the afternoon, unable to properly prepare the race with only 14 laps.

Just like in the morning, Daniel Ricciardo is fourth with Red Bull, ahead of his teammate Sebastian Vettel, and Kimi Raikkonen with the second Ferrari.

The pink helmet of Jenson Button, as a tribute to his father. (Photo: WRi2)

Free Practice 1 - Results*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1:35.424 - 25
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1:36.155 - 22
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1:36.263 - 23
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1:36.623 - 21
5 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1:36.703 - 23
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1:36.921 - 20
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1:36.963 - 25
8 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1:37.175 - 29
9 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1:37.227 - 25
10 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1:37.231 - 30
11 - Sergio Perez (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1:37.720 - 22
12 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1:37.910 - 21
13 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1:38.056 - 18
14 - Daniel Juncadella (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1:38.083 - 23
15 - Giedo Van der Garde (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1:38.328 - 19
16 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1:38.917 - 12
17 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1:39.461 - 7
18 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1:39.814 - 24
19 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1:40.597 - 19
20 - Robin Frijns (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1:42.261 - 11
21 - Susie Wolff (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1:44.212 - 4
22 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - Aucun chrono - 2

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Free Practice 2 - Results*
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1:34.508
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1:34.736
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1:35.244
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1:35.511
5 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1:35.627
6 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1:36.016
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1:36.228
8 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1:36.299
9 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1:36.554
10 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1:36.583
11 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1:36.671
12 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1:36.778
13 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1:36.951
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1:37.064
15 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1:37.097
16 - Sergio Perez (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1:37.236
17 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1:37.449
18 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1:37.520
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1:38.658
20 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1:39.068
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1:39.224
22 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1:39.762

* Un-official results

From GMM

Toto Wolff has revealed he had "a long row" with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Last month, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo called for a meeting with the sport's key stakeholders.

The common perception in the paddock is that Ecclestone, 83, is resisting the modern era of the internet, and so Montezemolo said the likes of Google and Apple should come along.

He also said representatives of "new media" and "social networks" could have some advice to give.

Oddly in F1, arch-rival Mercedes appears to entirely agree.

"I had quite a long row with Bernie in a meeting," the German marque's F1 chief Wolff is quoted by the Guardian newspaper at Silverstone.

"We have lost 30 per cent of TV audience in Italy and we have lost some of the audience in Germany, although interestingly the UK is growing. Sure the (social media) model does not work yet as you cannot monetise it, but it is just a matter of time," Toto Wolff added.

Bernie Ecclestone and Toto Wolff. (Photo: WRi2)

Mercedes' championship leader Nico Rosberg also agrees.

"We are here to entertain the people. Social networks are a young, exciting and emerging media and an excellent platform to show the fans fresh perspectives of the sport. So we should take it seriously," the German is quoted at Silverstone by Speed Week.

From GMM

Caterham's change of ownership this week also caught its race drivers by surprise.

"It was as much news to me as it was for everyone else," Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson said at Silverstone on Thursday.

Swiftly after founder Tony Fernandes admitted his F1 project "hasn't worked", it emerged Caterham has been sold to an unnamed Swiss-Middle Eastern consortium.

Former HRT chiefs Colin Kolles and Manfredi Ravetto, and ex-Minardi driver Christijan Albers, are now in charge.

Christijan Albers, Caterham. (Photo: WRI2)

When asked about Caterham's surprise new future, team driver Kamui Kobayashi said at Silverstone: "I really didn't speak with them (the new management) about it yesterday.

"I think next week we will have more time, so let's see. I will drive for this year, sure," said the Japanese.

Oddly, the green-coloured turmoil is actually good news for Ericsson and Kobayashi, as just a few weeks ago it was being rumoured Caterham would be shut down long before the end of the 2014 season.

"I really appreciate that we can still continue to race," Kobayashi admitted, "and I think our target is clear that we need to push to get back the championship position.

"We need to focus, and I think the last few months we were struggling with the budget, but now it seems we can use a bit more budget, so let's see what we can do."

With traditional rival Marussia breaking through recently for its first ever points, Caterham risks losing access to the lucrative prize money allocated by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"We have nothing to lose, this is simple," Kobayashi agreed. "The new boss is aggressive but I think this is what we need to do."

From GMM

Jenson Button has declared himself on the market, in the wake of McLaren supremo Ron Dennis' criticism.

Dennis is said to have dismayed other members of the Woking based team's senior management this week when the 67-year-old publicly urged Button, who is out of contract at the end of the year, to "try harder".

Clearly, Jenson Button also did not appreciate the comments.

"I think Ron is practicing to be a motivational speaker maybe," he told reporters ahead of his home race at Silverstone, where he will wear a pink helmet in tribute to his late father John.

"I don't think we should be pointing a finger at any individual within the team," said Button.

The pink helmet of Jenson Button for the British Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Jenson Button, 34, rejected Dennis' claim that he is not pushing to the maximum with the uncompetitive 2014 car.

But he said he is keen to race its 2015 successor, to be powered by a works Honda engine.

"I would like to stay," said Button, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

"This team has a bright future and the partnership with Honda will help the team a lot, having that connection with a manufacturer. But it isn't the only team in formula one," the Briton added.