Auto News 5

From GMM

No longer Ferrari's long-time president, Luca di Montezemolo's next move is now clear.

Authoritative reports including the ANSA news agency say the flamboyant 67-year-old, deposed recently by Sergio Marchionne as the Fiat Chrysler group hit the stock market, has been appointed to lead the Italian flag carrier Alitalia.

"The board of the old Alitalia designated Montezemolo ... who will eventually be nominated by the board of the new company," a source told the Reuters news agency, referring to the merger between Alitalia and Abu Dhabi's Etihad.

From GMM

Williams is not ready to welcome a driver of Fernando Alonso's stature.

That is the claim of Pat Symonds, a veteran engineer who has led the British team's technical progress in 2014 to an impressive third spot in the constructors' championship.

As Alonso considers his next move after his apparent relationship breakdown with Ferrari, Williams has often been named as a potential dark horse destination -- perhaps as a Mercedes-powered stepping stone to a full works seat in 2016.

But Williams has already announced that Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa are staying put.

Photo: Williams Martini Racing.

Symonds, who worked with Alonso when he won his world titles at Renault, argues that Williams should not yet be thinking about accommodating a driver like him.

"Our process of creating a winning team is not yet complete. We have a few areas that we still need to work on," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"For me, Fernando is the best driver in the sport," Symonds agreed, "but he also needs a team around him that can handle him.

"With Alonso's expectations, the pressure would rise at Williams to an unhealthy level that would disturb the progress the team is making," he added.

The Caterham F1 Team is launching the #RefuelCaterhamF1 project today in order to power the team to go racing in Abu Dhabi and hopefully beyond. The team will reward both fans and sponsors in this unique opportunity to be the driving force behind the team by crowdfunding its return to the grid.

Companies and fans can get involved by heading to the Crowdcube website, www.crowdcube.com/caterham, and pledging the amount they wish to give, from just £10. Supporters will receive unique rewards, including a once in a lifetime opportunity to get your name on the Caterham F1 car competing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The opportunity to support Caterham F1's return to the grid will close when it reaches its £2.350m funding target or Friday 14 November, whichever is sooner.

Finbarr O'Connell, Caterham Sports Limited administrator and interim Caterham F1 Team Principal: “We are working non-stop to get the Caterham F1 Team back racing, initially in Abu Dhabi, but hopefully that will be just a stepping stone to get it back racing on a permanent basis, under new ownership. In order to achieve that one of our most useful, innovative and effective options right now is crowdfunding. We want to get as many sponsors and fans as possible involved this week and make our comeback something we can all be part of. This team deserves a future and I'm sure that there are plenty of fans and companies out there that agree with us, so I can't think of a better way to get us all together and show our support to the team than this one, the Caterham F1 Team #RefuelCaterhamF1 project.

“In order to make this happen, we've teamed-up with Crowdcube, the world's leading crowdfunding platform, which has raised £45m for more than 150 organisations since 2011. If we don't hit the target by next Friday, obviously the pledged funds will be returned, but right now we are hopeful for the future of the team and we are confident that the team showing the world that it can race again will lead to a bright future under a new owner on a proper financial footing.”

Mike Stubbs of Mishcon, legal adviser to the Administrator: “At Mishcon, we do a lot of ground breaking work for our F1 clients and for all clients . This initiative represents yet another advancement in the ever growing list of rescue options if you are prepared to think laterally.”

Darren Westlake, CEO of Crowdcube: “It's fantastic for Crowdcube to be able to support an iconic team in this way; helping Caterham F1 to continue doing what it does best. This is a unique opportunity for motorsport fans to be directly involved in the sport they love, getting behind the team and playing a part in powering them onto the grid - even putting their name on the car.”

From GMM

As 18 F1 cars practiced in Brazil, one of the absent teams came to the end of the line.

The Telegraph's Daniel Johnson broke the news, reporting early on Friday that Marussia, although listed on the FIA's 2015 entry list, has "ceased trading".

An early hint about Marussia's impending fate was given by the FIA on Wednesday, when the renamed Manor F1 Team was listed on the 2015 list accompanied by a "subject to confirmation" asterisk.

Interestingly, there is no asterisk alongside Caterham's 2015 entry.

"(Marussia) will not be in Abu Dhabi," Johnson 'tweeted' from Interlagos. "Staff made redundant."

Although the Banbury based team and also Caterham were absent in Austin and now again in Brazil, chief Graeme Lowdon attended the US race for talks.

"But no one came up with the money," Johnson added.

The initially unofficial news, broadcast live by British television Sky during its practice coverage on Friday, was then confirmed by the broadcaster.

Shortly afterwards, the administrator FRP Advisory admitted: "It goes without saying that it is deeply regrettable that a business with such a great following in British and world motor sport has had to cease trading and close its doors."

Adapted from GMM

It's not official, but this is an open secret that Sebastian Vettel will join Ferrari next year, to replace Fernando Alonso.

"When the cameras are on," the German smiled on Thursday, "it is difficult to say anything, "but when they turn off, everyone seems to know what is going on."

Vettel took his Red Bull crew out for a farewell dinner in downtown Sao Paulo on Wednesday night, but he admitted to reporters that he will not be sad when the curtain comes down on his difficult 2014 campaign.

As for 2015, "I know what I'm doing, that's for sure," Sebastian Vettel insisted. "And I know who my teammate will be."

Stand Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

It appears likely he is referring to his friend Kimi Raikkonen, but the Finn's high-profile struggles in 2014 have produced a cloud of speculation.

"Everyone has his own opinion. Many times we have seen that they are wrong," Raikkonen told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3.

"It is the way it is here (in F1). It is probably the saddest thing about formula one.

"The main thing is that you know yourself how things are and to trust in what you are doing," said Kimi Raikkonen.

Nico Rosberg set the fastest lap with Mercedes at Interlagos on Friday, during the free practice sessions of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Dry and warm conditions at Interlagos, although the track was particularly slippery all day with the brand new asphalt.

Nico Rosberg recorded the quickest time in the first practice session, on Friday morning, leading his temmate Lewis Hamilton by 0.221 s.

Almost a full second further, Daniil Kvyat was third aboard Toro Rosso. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) is fourth and the local hero Felipe Massa is fifth with Williams.

Max Verstappen impressed with the second Toto Rosso at sixth position. The crash of Daniel Juncadella to be noticed with the Sahara Force India of Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver was unable to participate the second practice session.

Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso STR9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

Same order for the Mercedes drivers in the afternoon. Kimi Raikkonen is third with Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo is fourth for Red Bull, followed by the two Williams drivers.

Fernando Alonso ended his session with the rear of his Ferrari in fire. A power unit-related problem is suspected.

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

Brazilian Grand Prix
Interlagos, Friday

Free practice session 1 - Results*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m12:764 - 30 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m12:985 - 32
3 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m13:723 - 39
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m13:742 - 30
5 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m13:811 - 28
6 - Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m13:827 - 26
7 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m14:034 - 31
8 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m14:114 - 32
9 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1m14:136 - 30
10 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m14:197 - 27
11 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m14:434 - 31
12 - Felipe Nasr (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m15:522 - 22
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m14:678 - 33
14 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m14:902 - 24
15 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m15:109 - 23
16 - Daniel Juncadella (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m16:030 - 17
17 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - no time - 2
18 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - no time - 6

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Free practice session 2 - Results*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m12:123 - 36 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m12:336 - 36
3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m12:696 - 32
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m12:956 - 24
5 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m13:035 - 31
6 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m13:099 - 27
7 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m13:122 - 20
8 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m13:254 - 35
9 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m13:333 - 28
10 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1m13:479 - 33
11 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m13:497 - 33
12 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m13:714 - 37
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m13:882 - 32
14 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'13”902 - 25
15 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m14:204 - 36
16 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'14”209 - 31
17 - Jean Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m17:171 - 5
18 - Sergio Perez (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - no time

*Unofficial timing

Takata, the Japanese supplier at the center of a global vehicle recall, ordered its technicians to destroy results of tests on some of its airbags after finding cracks in inflators, The New York Times reported.

Honda, the automaker most affected by an auto-safety crisis involving Japanese supplier Takata, said it would upgrade a airbag repair campaign in the United States to a formal recall.

Mounting recalls this year are a 'black eye' for the auto industry, AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson said today.

Volvo isn't giving up ground in the all-wheel-drive wagon market to Subaru, as has just about every other automaker. The Swedish brand will introduce the Volvo V60 Cross Country at the Los Angeles Auto Show in just a few weeks.

Lincoln opened the doors to its first three stores in China today, launching what it is billing as a new customer service initiative -- 'The Lincoln Way.'

A federal judge in Manhattan has set Jan. 11, 2016, for the first trial in consolidated litigation against GM over a series of safety issues, including a faulty ignition switch, that have prompted millions of recalls this year.

Over 70 Takata employees temporarily evacuated the supplier's San Antonio seatbelt production plant after a small fire broke out early this morning, officials said. Employees were back at work shortly after the fire.

Honda's Canadian unit said today it plans to invest C$857 million ($750 million) over three years to upgrade manufacturing plants in Alliston, Ontario, which will be the global lead for production of the next-generation Honda Civic.

Car sales in Western Europe grew by 5.5% in October according to data released by LMC Automotive.

AvtoVAZ says it saw sales rise 4.7% in October to 40,207, with nearly 38,000 sold in Russia, up 3.5% compared to September.

Visteon Corporation announced a third quarter 2014 net loss of US$21m ($0.46 a share) on sales of $1.97bn. Adjusted EBITDA excluding discontinued operations was $142m, compared with $126m in Q3 2014.

Takata is taking more special losses related to airbag recalls as it forecast that it will record a loss of 25bn yen in the year to the end of March 2015.

General Motors has said in a court filing it should not have to face lawsuits based on safety issues in cars made before its 2009 bankruptcy, including a faulty ignition switch that led to the recall of 2.6m cars earlier this year.

Ford, seeking to hit year-end sales goals, rolled out a bonus program that offers dealers a cash bounty for meeting sales targets that some retailers criticize for cheapening the brand.