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Adapted from GMM

Toto Wolff wants the final Grand Prix to be fair and clean.

The highly controversial 'double points' situation threatens to eat up Hamilton's big lead with something like a mechanical breakdown.

Even the architect of the scheme, Bernie Ecclestone, admitted in Brazil that he never envisaged his double points plan "would come to this sort of situation".

Lewis Hamilton departed Brazil with the message that the system is "unfair".

Mercedes' Toto Wolff is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport: "If it (reliability) wipes one of them (Hamilton or Rosberg) out, it will put a big shadow over the championship.

"Nobody likes the double points. We should talk about it and maybe get rid of it for next year," the team chief added.

"Every part on the cars in Abu Dhabi will be double checked. We will use all low-mileage parts," Wolff promised.

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

Toto Wolff also admitted he remains worried Hamilton and Rosberg will collide in Abu Dhabi, even though the venom appears to have disappeared from their relationship in the past weeks.

Toto Wolff disputes that.

It has emerged that Hamilton did not attend a team dinner on Saturday night while Rosberg did, but Wolff insists that both drivers still have full access to one another's technical information.

"The atmosphere in the team is intense," he revealed. "They didn't talk to each other here (in Brazil) but that's ok. The championship is in the decisive phase now and in the team we can really feel that."

The first photos of the new Ricciardo Kart were released Monday, one day after Daniel Ricciardo contested the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

"Ricciardo Kart" is a new line of karts, which covers the whole range of categories, from Mini-kart, to Rotax as well as the CIK-FIA classes (KFJ, KF, KZ).

It will be designed, manufactured and distributed globally by BIREL ART, the new player in international karting, born from the merger of the Birel Group and ART Grand Prix.

Ricciardo Kart (Photo: Birel ART)

Ricciardo Kart (Photo: Birel ART)

Ricciardo Kart (Photo: Birel ART)

There are only four days left to the #RefuelCaterhamF1 found raising campaign to power the team's return to racing in Abu Dhabi for the finale of the 2014 season.

Caterham F1 Team is giving both fans and sponsors a unique opportunity to be the driving force behind the team by crowdfunding its return to the grid in exchange for once in a lifetime rewards.

You can help Caterham F1's return to the grid by pledging from just £10. In exchange for your support will receive exclusive rewards, including items such as a Caterham leather car holder, a sling bag, a wheel nut, a suspension wishbone, an exhaust manifold, a carbon engine cover, and even your company's logo on the car.

With four days to go, the team has raised £1,102,581 ($1,749,644) through 2,845 backers, which represents 46% of the target set at £2,350,000 ($3,729,400).

From GMM

With only the 'Abu Double' showdown to run, Nico Rosberg nibbled back into title rival Lewis Hamilton's now 17-point lead with victory in Brazil.

"Obviously I had a big mistake in the mid part of the race," said championship leader and favourite Hamilton, referring to his spin.

German Rosberg, however, who started from pole, insisted that he always felt in control of the Briton on Sunday afternoon.

Still, he looked slightly glum on the podium. "No, I am happy. Very happy," Nico Rosberg insisted.

But he also acknowledged that, having failed to stop Hamilton's winning streak a week ago in Austin, the world championship is no longer under his control.

That's because if he wins again in Abu Dhabi, and Hamilton finishes second yet again, the controversial 'double points' outcome will hand the title to the Briton.

Rosberg, then, is rooting for Williams' on-form Felipe Massa, who finished third in Brazil. If he splits the Mercedes on the podium in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg's title is back in his charge.

"He's the man," Rosberg grinned, pointing to Massa. "I need some Felipe Massa help."

Later, he explained: "Lewis must not finish second in Abu Dhabi. He has to finish no higher than P3.

"I need to motivate Felipe to relax well before Abu Dhabi and have a stunning weekend to finish second!" Rosberg smiled.

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Felipe Massa (Williams). (Photo: WRi2)

Hamilton, however, indicated that although he always pushes to win races, he knows how to tackle the decisive race of the 2014 season.

"The situation is quite different to my first title in 2008, but I know how to win," he is quoted by the German newspaper Bild.

"For sure I don't need to risk as much as before, so if I find myself in a situation where there is a lot of risk, hopefully my experience will come into it."

From press release

Green Savoree Racing Promotions has signed a partnership agreement with Andersen Promotions that will see the complete Mazda Road to Indy series compete at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Honda Indy Toronto and Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio for the next two years.

Comprised of Indy Lights, Pro Mazda Championship and the USF2000 Championship, the ladder system provides a training platform for the next generation of Verizon IndyCar Series stars.

“The Mazda Road to Indy is a great developmental series that offers a spectacular glimpse into the future of INDYCAR racing,” said Kim Green, Owner, Chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions.

“We've been long-time supporters of the program and appreciate all of Dan's hard work and investment in the series. We're delighted to welcome them to our racing events.”

In 2015, Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will host the season-opener for the Mazda Road to Indy, which takes place March 27-29. The three series will then visit Honda Indy Toronto, the only Canadian stop on the series calendar, June 12-14, and will head to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the Honda Indy 200 weekend from July 31-August 2.

“We are very excited to partner with Green Savoree to secure these premier events on our schedules,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “These are doubleheader races for all three series with Mid-Ohio being a tripleheader for USF2000, so they are key rounds in the championships in addition to being fantastic events with tremendous fan support.”

From GMM

New Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has reportedly expressed concerns about the Italian team's 2015 project.

Recently, Italy's specialist Autosprint claimed wind tunnel figures of the project codenamed '666' showed that the 2015 car may be no better than the F14 T.

Now, the authoritative daily La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Marchionne, who recently took over from Luca di Montezemolo, reacted with alarm to the first concrete numbers emerging from the 2015 project.

And "Is it this year's car or next year's?" he reportedly asked when he was shown sketches.

Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

The swords of Damocles have been falling all over Maranello in 2014, with Stefano Domenicali, Luca di Montezemolo, Luca Marmorini and now Fernando Alonso all departing.

There are claims chief designer Nikolas Tombazis could be the next, while a cloud has been over Pat Fry's job ever since James Allison assumed clear leadership in the technical realm.

When asked about the 2015 car rumours, Fry said in Brazil: "There's obviously a huge gap we need to catch up. I think things are progressing reasonably well."

And on the Tombazis rumour, a Ferrari spokesman told Spain's Marca sports daily: "Tombazis is chief designer at Ferrari today and there is nothing more to say."

From nascar.com

The final four in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is set for next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway after four of the eight drivers remaining in contention during Sunday's Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway were eliminated.

Advancing to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship:

Denny Hamlin had to re-pit after he had a flat right-rear tire early in the race and fell back to 36th on the restart, but he rebounded for a fifth-place finish. With eighth-place and 10th-place finishes at Martinsville and Texas, respectively, it was enough for him to advance to the final round.

Joey Logano also experienced trouble on pit road at Phoenix when the gas can lodged in his car and led to a penalty. But Logano eventually got back into a good position and finished sixth. Logano finished fifth at Martinsville and 12th at Texas and his five wins this season are the most among the four championship contenders

Ryan Newman pushed Kyle Larson out of the way on the final lap at Phoenix to qualify for the championship. Newman has yet to win a race this year, but it hasn't mattered. His 11th-place finish at Phoenix follows up runs of third place and 15th place at Martinsville and Texas.

Kevin Harvick did the equivalent of hitting a walk-off home run with his win at Phoenix. He increases his total of most Cup wins among active drivers at Phoenix to six. Harvick managed to rebound from a 33rd-place finish at Martinsville earlier in the Eliminator Round.


Eliminated from contention:

Jeff Gordon finished second at Phoenix and tied with Harvick for fourth place in points, but because of Harvick's win at Phoenix, the No. 4 advanced to the championship round and the No. 24 did not.

Matt Kenseth finished third at Phoenix but fell just one point shy of advancing. He finished sixth at Martinsville, but a 25th-place showing at Texas put him just a little too far behind.

Brad Keselowski finished fourth at Phoenix, but ultimately couldn't make up for his 31st-place showing at Martinsville.

Carl Edwards couldn't make it to the championship round in his final run with Roush-Fenway Racing.

GM ordered a half-million new replacement ignition switches nearly two months before it told federal safety regulators about the safety issues which prompted a recall of millions of vehicles this year, The Wall Street Journal reported.

As the UAW faces what many observers say will be the most difficult contract talks with the Detroit automakers in decades in 2015, its new president said more open communication with union members and the public will help at the bargaining table.

Reports that Takata executives suppressed information about a potentially deadly airbag defect as far back as a decade ago mark a turning point in the case.

J de Vera's auto industry resume is as free-form and hard to read as a graffiti wall in urban L.A.

Toyota is testing technology to be used in the Prius in its high-performance TS040 Hybrid Le Mans racer.

Reports that Takata executives suppressed information about a potentially deadly airbag defect as far back as a decade ago mark a turning point in the case.

A new Mitsubishi compact based on a Renault-Nissan platform could be sold in Europe, Mitsubishi CEO Osamu Masuko said. The automaker's current compact for Europe, the Lancer, has been a disappointment.

Nissan believes the sizeable rear-seat space of its new Pulsar compact hatchback will be car's biggest selling point.

From press release

Nico Rosberg reduced Lewis Hamilton's lead in the drivers' championship to 17 points with one race to go before the end of the season, Sunday, by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Rosberg, who started from pole, led throughout the race without any mistake, despite Hamilton's pressure, to score his fifth win of the season.

Hamilton, on the other hand, made a mistake during his second stint. He spun while trying to catch Rosberg. The Brit was able to carry one, but lost around seven seconds.

His run of consecutive victories therefore ended at five, while Rosberg celebrated his first win since the German Grand Prix back in July.

(Photo: WRI2)

"I had to learn from Austin, which was a big disappointment, and I think I achieved that," said Rosberg after crossing the finish line.

"I was able to control the pace a bit better and didn't let Lewis come too close. He drove really well and was always right there pushing me.

"When he spun I had a bit of time to relax and was able to save some life in the tyres for the end of the stint. That worked out perfectly and it was a great day with another one-two for the team."

(Photo: WRI2)

Even though Rosberg reduced Hamilton's lead, winning the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi will not be enough to clinch the title if Hamilton finishes second again.

"I'm still believing 100% that I can make it but, of course, I will need some help from Felipe (Massa) or Valtteri (Bottas) or Lewis himself," the German admitted.

(Photo: WRI2)

Race results* - Brazilian Grand Prix (round 18 of 19)
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 71 laps 1.30'02"555
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1"457
3 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 41"031
4 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 48"658
5 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 51"420
6 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'01"906
7 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'03"730
8 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'03"934
9 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'10"085
10 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1 lap
11 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1 lap
13 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1 lap
14 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap
15 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1 lap
16 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap

Fastest lap of the race: 1'15"203 by Nico Rosberg

Retirements
Romain Grosjean
Daniel Ricciardo

Drivers' championship
1.Hamilton 334; 2.Rosberg 317; 3.Ricciardo 214; 4.Vettel 159; 5.Alonso 157; 6.Bottas 156; 7.Button 106; 8.Massa 98; 9.Hulkenberg 80; 10.Magnussen 55; 11.Raikkonen 53; 12.Perez 47; 13.Vergne 22; 14.Grosjean, Kvyat 8; 16.Bianchi, Maldonado 2.

Constructors' championship
1.Mercedes 651; 2.Red Bull-Renault 373; 3.Williams-Mercedes 254; 4.Ferrari 210; 5.McLaren-Mercedes 161; 6.Force India-Mercedes 127; 7.Toro Rosso-Renault 30; 8. Lotus-Renault 10; 9.Marussia-Ferrari 2

*Unofficial results

Adapted from GMM

With progress also having stalled over the small teams' touted 'fighting fund', Toto Wolff emerged from a big team bosses meeting at Interlagos on Saturday with little news.

"Nothing was agreed on anything," he told reporters.

"The situation is unchanged on everything, the money side, engine side."

As ever, there is always more to it in formula one.

For now, Mercedes' lack of agreement simply means nothing will change for 2015, as warned by Wolff as he departed the Interlagos meeting.

But more serious games are at play.

It emerges that while unanimity is required for 2015, a simple majority vote is enough for a year later -- and Mercedes, Renault and incoming supplier Honda obviously have the numbers on their side.

"Nothing was agreed on anything," says Toto Wolff (Photo: WRI2)

"Mercedes' opponents are threatening that engine development will be completely opened up (in 2016)," Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports.

An insider declared: "Then there will be war."

With Caterham and Marussia already gone, and struggling Lotus, Force India and Sauber now complaining loudly about costs, opening up engine development would be a major move for F1.

"The fact is that with the new (V6) engine, which from a technology perspective is a great thing, the costs were passed on to all the teams," Lotus' Gerard Lopez argues.

He says Lotus alone spent up to $60 million on buying a Renault engine in 2014 and developing the complex systems around it.

"If we unfreeze the engines now, which is the next topic that is coming up ... at the end of the day not taking decisions has had an immediate impact on the sport in the last couple of weeks with two teams disappearing," Lopez warned.

The only thing Jenson Button can be sure of regarding is future, is that he will be doing something "exciting" next year.

It is understood the 2007 world champion will have to leave McLaren at the end of the current season to make room for Fernando Alonso. But until Alonso's pending departure from Ferrari is confirmed, Button cannot be sure.

So far, the Brit has also been linked to a move to endurance racing.

"One thing is for sure," he is quoted as saying by Formula1.com.

"Whatever I do, it will be exciting. I want to win races and fight for the championship. If I am not able to do that I'd rather be somewhere else, with a new challenge. Whether that is in motorsport or in triathlon or in another sport, I don't know.

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-29 (Photo: WRI2)

"I've been here now for 15 years and it maybe takes someone to ask you whether you will be here next year for you to open your eyes. And that I have done! So whatever happens happens."

This season, of course, only two drivers have been able to consistently fight for victory: Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The two men are still locked in their season-long battle for the title, which they are now taking to Abu Dhabi.

For the sake of the sport, Button only hopes "the guy who does the best job of the circuits" wins.

"I hope (the title fight) does not come down to reliability issues. That is always the scary thing," he said.

"Lewis is in the lead right now. He's done a very good job. If he loses it's hopefully because Nico has done a better job and not because of other issues."

From GMM

Nico Rosberg secured a trophy after qualifying on pole for Sunday's Brazilian grand prix.

But it's not the one he really wants. That one was packed into a box last week by outgoing world champion Sebastian Vettel and sent back to the FIA.

The next name engraved on it will be either Rosberg's, or championship leader and favourite Lewis Hamilton, his teammate at Mercedes.

German Rosberg is 24 points behind with only Sunday's race and then the double-points bonanza in Abu Dhabi left to run.

Told he now has 'nothing to lose' in his chase to catch Hamilton before the chequer, Rosberg insisted at Interlagos: "I wouldn't call the title 'nothing to lose'!"

It is why he is not overly fussed at having secured F1's inaugural pole position trophy, awarded to the driver who completes a season with the most qualifying triumphs.

In 2014, with his impressive tenth pole of the year secured in Brazil, the winner is Rosberg.

He secured the prize in style with the fastest ever qualifying lap of Interlagos, thanks to a new asphalt and the fact the new turbo engines are not affected by Sao Paulo's high altitude.

"In this moment it means nothing to me," Rosberg said coolly on Saturday. "Maybe in ten years I will look back on it (the pole trophy), but right now my focus is somewhere else."

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

He is referring to the big trophy Vettel just sent back in a box.

In truth, however, the biggest pressure now is probably on Hamilton, who is tantalisingly close to wrapping up his second career drivers' title.

Told that he needs to win the last two races of 2014 to win from 24 points down, Rosberg insisted: "Not true."

The meticulous 29-year-old is right, as even if he does win in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, a pair of second places will be enough for Hamilton.

So another hope for Rosberg is mechanical trouble for his British rival.

"I don't like to talk about it," Rosberg was quoted earlier in Brazil by Spain's El Confidencial, "but I don't want Lewis' engine to break."

He then joked: "I would prefer that mine breaks here in Brazil and his in Abu Dhabi!"

With controversial double points on offer, that scenario would in fact probably hand Rosberg the title.

He admitted: "I know that for me to win (the title), something has to happen. It's not just in my hands. But in this sport, so much can happen.

"I need Lewis' help to win the title," Rosberg acknowledged to Bild newspaper. "I need to chase him until he makes mistakes."

Local hero Felipe Massa finished the Brazilian Grand Prix in third place, despite a penalty.

The result could have been very different for the crowd favourite, who overcame not one but two pitstop incidents.

Stopping for the first time, Massa was caught speeding in the pitlane by the officials and had to serve a five-second penalty for it.

Stopping for the second time, the Brazilian pulled into McLaren's stall before eventually finding his way to the Williams crew.

(Photo: WRI2)

"It was not an easy race but what a fantastic result for me, for my family, and for the team to finish on the podium in front of my home fans," said Massa.

"In the first stop I incurred a stop-and-go penalty after speeding in the pit lane after I hit the limiter twice by mistake, and in the second I stopped in the wrong box. We're not normally next to McLaren and in the light their overalls looked the same colour as ours so this caught me out.

"In the end these issues were not enough to take away my podium because we had a good aggressive strategy and a really good car."