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Following today's crisis meeting at Mercedes AMG's headquarters in Brackley, Nico Rosberg issued a press release in which he admits contact with Lewis Hamilton was “an error of judgement”.

On his Facebook page, Nico Rosberg wrote the following statement:

“In the days since the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what happened during the race and discussing it with the team.

I have already expressed my regret about the incident but, after meeting with Toto [Wolff], Paddy [Lowe] and Lewis [Hamilton] today, I wish to go a step further and describe it as an error of judgement on my part.

The number one rule for us as teammates is that we must not collide but that is exactly what happened.

For that error of judgement, I apologise to Lewis and the team. I also want to say sorry to the fans who were deprived of our battle for the lead in Belgium.

Lewis and I have been given clear instructions about how we race each other.

As drivers, we have a clear responsibility to the team, the fans of the sport, our partners and Mercedes-Benz to deliver clean racing. We take that responsibility very seriously.

I look forward to concluding the season with hard, fair competition on and off track right up to the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi.”

Lewis Hamilton's view
Lewis Hamilton also posted a comment on his Facebook page. He it is:

“Today we came together as a team and discussed our differences.

Nico and I accept that we have both made mistakes and I feel it
would be wrong to point fingers and say which one is worse than the other.

What's important is how we rise as a team from these situations. We win and we lose together and, as a team, we will emerge stronger.

There is a deep foundation that still exists for me and Nico to work from, in spite of our difficult times and differences.

We have the greatest team, the strongest group of individuals who have worked their hands to the bone to give us the best car you see us racing today.

It's important that we never forget that and give them the results they deserve.

Today, Toto and Paddy told us clearly how we must race against each other from now on in a fair and respectful manner.

The fans want to see a clean fight until the end of the season and that's what we want to give them.

It's going to be a tough road from here but Championships have been won from much further back than I am now.

And I promise you that I will be giving everything and more to win this for my team, for my family and for my fans”.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

From BMW

Just one week after Marco Wittmann triumphed at the iconic Nurburgring, BMW Motorsport has spent four days testing in preparation for the final phase of the DTM season.

From Monday to Thursday, the BMW drivers completed over 3,000 kilometres at the Lausitzring, which will host the eighth round of the touring car series on 14th September.

Heikki Kovalainen, BMW M4 DTM (Photo: BMW)

Making his debut at the wheel of the BMW M4 DTM during the tests at the “EuroSpeedway Lausitz” was ex-Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen who competed in F1 between 2007 and 2013.

"First of all I am grateful that BMW Motorsport offered me the opportunity to drive its car. I was really looking forward to this interesting experience,” said Heikki Kovalainen.

Heikki Kovalainen, BMW M4 DTM (Photo: BMW)

“To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect as I have never driven a car like this. But I felt really comfortable in the BMW M4 DTM from the very beginning. It's an impressive car. Of course, it is heavier than a Formula 1 car and has less power, but the aerodynamics are very good and you can drive through corners very fast. The team helped me a lot to get used to everything. You can see that it is highly professional. I enjoyed the day very much.”

From GMM

Plans for a New York street race were foiled by financial backers that pulled out, Bernie Ecclestone has revealed.

A second American grand prix, in New Jersey but amid the iconic Manhattan skyline, has appeared on draft calendars for some time but the F1 supremo now admits it is unlikely to happen.

"I honestly don't think so," Ecclestone said in Belgium last weekend. "They still have the same problems they had in the beginning. Nothing has changed."

Now, speaking to the F1 business journalist Christian Sylt, the nature of those 'problems' has become clear -- and it's all about money.

"Two or three backers that (promoter) Leo (Hindery) had had confirmed to me that they had an agreement with him and they were going to put the money up," Bernie Ecclestone told Forbes.

"If Leo had got the money or I had put the money up that race would have been on."

Bernie Ecclestone admitted that he went beyond his usual efforts for New Jersey, as the teams "were dying to have a race in New York so we were trying to make it happen".

Christian Sylt said Ecclestone gave Hindery lots of chances by continually reinstating the race on draft calendars, and he even offered funding.

"I had nothing to lose with Leo," Bernie Ecclestone insisted. "If somebody had come along and put the money up and he had done the job I would have been delighted. He (Hindery) was trying to keep things alive hoping that somebody was going to put money in. It suited us to give him chances. Everybody wanted a race in New York."

Land Rover has released online a short promotional film showing the interior cabin of its all-new Discovery, which will be unveiled globally on September 2 at 7:01 PM (EDT). The digital short may be streamed live at www.landroverusa.com.

According to Land Rover, the Sport, which is the first member of the new Discovery family of vehicles, offers a more versatile interior. With optional 5+2 seating, the cabin showcases leather seating, a huge panoramic roof and a GPS screen.

More information will be posted on Land Rover's Facebook page: facebook.com/landroverusa

The Lagonda name may be familiar to car enthusiast, and not so much to others. It was Aston Martin's flagship uber luxury sedan that debuted in the mid 70s. Its styling was, to put it nicely and in one word, odd.

Gaydon, England's pride and joy Aston Martin has officially given the name a Rapid based hand-built sedan that is slated for the Middle Eastern market.

Details are scarce, however it would seem that the big car will be motivated by the Rapid's 552 horsepower 6.0L V12. We suspect that the Lagonda may get more power but that remains to be seen.

One way or another, the new AM Lagonda is far better looking than the old.

Source : motorauthority.com

From wtcc.com

The new LADA Vesta WTCC that will compete in the FIA World Touring Car Championship from 2015 was revealed at the Moscow International Motor Show, in presence of the current LADA Sport drivers Rob Huff and James Thompson.

The new Vesta WTCC sported its future yellow-black livery, as the unveiling of the new car was coupled with the announcement of a new three-year deal sponsorship between JSC AVTOVAZ and ROSNEFT petrol company, which will start in 2015.

Lada Vesta WTCC (Photo: WTCC)

The Vesta WTCC is a brand new car, designed by LADA chief designer Steve Mattin and his team, in close cooperation with LADA Sport; it is bound to represent a milestone in LADA's racing history. Its larger wheelbase and more efficient drag make it especially suited for racing.

Until the end of this season, LADA Sport will continue to participate in the FIA WTCC and the Russian Racing Series with the LADA Granta Sport cars, in LUKOIL livery.

Lada Vesta WTCC (Photo: WTCC)

According to Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun, Mazda could well become the first Japanese automaker to sell a diesel hybrid model...as early as fiscal 2016. However, sales of this vehicle would be limited to markets in Japan and Europe.

Comparable to gas hybrid vehicles, this Mazda model would be powered by a combined diesel engine and an electric motor. This type of vehicle could throw down the gauntlet to conventional gas hybrids, because diesel offers better fuel efficiency with lower fuel consumption.

Mazda will develop a system in which an engine-powered small motor will play a supporting role to the main diesel-fueled engine. Mazda's aim is to develop a diesel hybrid whereby it can travel about 40 kilometres on a litre of light oil — that's about 30% better than ordinary diesel-powered vehicles can run.

It's no coincidence that Mazda is focusing on the European market for this project: indeed, 1 car in 2 sold in Europe runs on diesel. The outcome also looks promising in Japan, where last year almost twice as many diesel vehicles were sold compared to the previous year.

Diesel engine vehicles represent 50% of new cars sale in Europe. In 2013 in Japan, approximately 76,000 units were also sold, about 1.9 times more than sales from the previous year.

Source : the-japan-news.com

From GMM

Ferrari is looking to deploy the Red Bull-like approach of installing a 'satellite' team in formula one.

Alarmed by its poor start to the new turbo V6 era, it has been all change at Maranello in 2014, including the ousting of boss Stefano Domenicali and engine chief Luca Marmorini.

New chief Marco Mattiacci is now plotting a further change of gear for the iconic marque.

"We have decided to invest in new infrastructures and people to create a more modern and slimmed down organisation, but one that at the same time puts the emphasis on the team and on individuality," he said recently.

One of the new strategies, according to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, is following the lead of Red Bull by having a Toro Rosso-like 'B-team'.

Ferrari has historically had close alliances with 'customer' teams, such as Sauber, and also Marussia, where leading team 'academy' driver Jules Bianchi is currently housed.

The report said Ferrari is not looking to 'buy' a second team, as Red Bull did with Minardi, but to trial and develop technology with a preferred partner team.

The obvious candidate is the new American team, set to debut in 2016. Gene Haas' machine tool company Haas Automation has already joined Ferrari as a sponsor.

Gene Haas shaking hand of Marco Mattiacci in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

Haas also intends to deploy Ferrari technology throughout its F1 project, while other 'academy' drivers like Raffaele Marciello and Antonio Fuoco are frontrunners to take a race seat.

La Gazzetta said that, ahead of the Haas tie-up, Mattiacci is lobbying hard for alterations to the rules in terms of the allowed transfer of technology between teams.

He also wants teams to be allowed to use more components and engines per season, and a relaxation of the engine development 'freeze'.

"To return to winning ways, Ferrari must first think of improving itself, the performance of the group and the development of the car. We must be innovative and ahead of the others," Marco Mattiacci said recently.

"As for making its weight felt, the voice of Ferrari, one of formula one's main players, is always listened to: clearly we need to work with common interests to truly understand what formula one should be in the future," he added.

From press release

Green Savoree Racing Promotions and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park management have discussed the option of a Verizon IndyCar Series date at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2015.

A Verizon IndyCar track inspector has completed a full track inspection at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and has provided recommendations.

“Understandably, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am & Parapan American Games have forced us to consider alternative dates and venues for next year's race. We have worked tirelessly to explore all options and are close to making an announcement regarding when and where we'll be racing in 2015,” said Charlie Johnstone, president, Honda Indy Toronto.

“Kim Green and Kevin Savoree are friends within the motorsports industry and we will do whatever we can to help maintain an IndyCar date in 2015 here in Canada, given the challenges of the 2015 Pan-Am Games,” said Myles Brandt, president and general manager at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. “We'd be happy to help.”

Unveiled at the Moscow International Auto Show, the BRABUS Business Lounge is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter decked out in sumptuous amenities and tech-gadget goodies to create the ultimate business lounge for all your high-powered, high-brow transactions (or just to sit there on your MacBook Air and try to look important).

Outfitted with four business seats in the back that face each other for all those important business meetings, the BRABUS Business Lounge also allows you to integrate your notebook or tablet into the vehicle's media centre. And, yes, there's a coffee machine. And a cooler (for those celebratory business meetings).

Photo: BRABUS

It's not just the interior of the Sprinter that got a spiffy business upgrade, the exterior features 18” Monoblock wheels and a sexy black finish that's oh-so Armani along with the new front bumper.

No pricing available, but our guess is if you're a high enough powered business tycoon who's constantly on the move and this spikes your interest, money isn't that much of an issue for you and you're gonna have one in your fleet, regardless.

Source: blog.dupontregistry.com

From GMM

Dieter Zetsche has become involved in resolving the damaging spat between warring Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

As team chiefs Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe and Niki Lauda work to safeguard Mercedes' overwhelming title prospects amid an escalating driver feud, Lauda revealed that Zetsche has been moved to intervene.

"Naturally we have to report to him," the F1 legend and team chairman told the German weekly Bunte. "We have a need for clarification. It (the F1 project) is all about building credibility for the brand."

Until now, although there have been efforts to cool the heat in the wake of last Sunday's incident, the clear finger of blame has been pointed at Rosberg for causing the lap 2 crash at Spa that left Hamilton almost 30 points behind in their title fight.

Niki Lauda, for instance, admitted to Bunte that even the German driver's post-race explanation of what happened was "not understandable to me".

Nico Rosberg's front wing and Lewis Hamilton's tire, after two laps at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

A key meeting to plot a way forward will take place at the team's Brackley base on Friday, Germany's Sport Bild reports.

"I will not be there," Lauda confirmed, "but Toto, Paddy and the two drivers will be."

It is possible that Zetsche, who has always argued against team orders, will ask for any solution to the problem to not involve ending Mercedes' policy of 'free racing'.

Indeed, on Twitter on Thursday, Mercedes asked its half-million followers to vote for either "team orders or free racing".

"This is a chance to have your say," the team tweeted.

The predictable and overwhelming response saw 92 per cent support for free racing, with Mercedes going on to ask for suggestions for potential penalties for breaching the "no contact rule".

"Would you suspend a driver for a race and not maximise constructors' points? Perhaps you'd set the order at qualifying slots?" the team twitterer wondered.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

Niki Lauda tipped Mercedes to ultimately keep the faith and refrain from playing safe and introducing team orders for the rest of the 2014 battle.

"Nothing changes," he said, "although it is important to avoid unnecessary risk.

"But I do not want to prejudge the meeting tomorrow (Friday). Let's see what the decisions look like," Niki Lauda added.

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which was held between August 14th and 17th, was the stage chosen by Renovo for the unveiling of its « American electric supercar », the Renovo Coupe. This RWD car is propelled by 500 electric horsepower.

Capable of crushing the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint in only 3.4 seconds, the Renovo coupe will not be a car for the masses given its retail price of $529,000 usd ($579,000 cdn). Despite the impressive stats, the Coupe's top speed is limited to only 129 mph (207 km/h).

The Renovo Coupe is based on a Shelby American CSX9000 chassis and will go into production in 2015. As with most electric exotic cars, the Coupe will be available in California before hitting other markets.

Source : thedetroitbureau.com

Ford won dismissal of a lawsuit claiming the company aided South Africa's apartheid regime, with a judge saying it couldn't be sued in the U.S. over actions of their units overseas.

Toyota is using a location-based mobile ad tool to supercharge its annual clearance sale.

Bluetooth technology aims to leave drivers hands-free, but some drivers end up connection-free, according to a study of multimedia quality and satisfaction released today.

As antitrust regulators, most recently in China, go after auto suppliers in what has become a worldwide probe into price fixing, a longtime "business model" in the supply chain is now in danger, says an automotive purchasing executive.

As antitrust regulators, most recently in China, go after auto suppliers in what has become a worldwide probe into price fixing, parts makers can no longer collude to keep prices relatively high for new components they supply to car manufacturers.

Transform Automotive is expanding in Michigan after landing a new contract to build transmissions parts.

Automotive steering systems specialist Nexteer has announced strong financial results for the first half of 2014.

Responding to a question from just-auto.com, a spokesman for Peugeot has named Wuhan 2 as the location for build of the new 408, a sedan version of the 308.