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In the wake of ZF's $13.5 billion acquisition of TRW Automotive, other merger and acquisition deals are bubbling up.

From GMM

Renault has denied reports it has recruited renowned former F1 engine guru Mario Illien to help close the gap on dominant Mercedes.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported at the weekend that the Swiss, best known for his company Ilmor that produced title-winning Mercedes engines for McLaren, has been signed up to help Renault end its turbo V6 struggles.

But the Russian website f1news.ru quoted Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul as denying the media reports at the scene of the US grand prix.

"I read that we have supposedly signed Mario, but it's not true," he said.

"We have negotiated with his company because we are considering it as a supplier. The power unit is comprised of many parts -- we do not do everything ourselves. We are negotiating but we have not decided whether Ilmor will be a supplier," Cyril Abiteboul insisted.

Mario Illien. (Photo: Illmor)

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton on Sunday continued to charge towards his second world title, but his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg is guaranteed to still be in the title fight for the finale that could be referred to as 'Abu Double'.

Just before to the US grand prix, Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda said: "If he (Rosberg) does not beat him (Hamilton) today, it will be difficult for him (Rosberg).

"So he is very motivated," Welt newspaper quoted Lauda as adding.

But despite German Rosberg starting from pole in Austin, Hamilton surprised him with an audacious overtaking move and went on to secure his fifth straight victory.

Afterwards, Niki Lauda told Bild newspaper: "Lewis has shown again that, at the moment, he has Nico under control."

Hamilton's win, and also Rosberg's gap to third place in the drivers' championship, means that - finally - Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo is mathematically out of the running for the 2014 title.

"For us as a team, the drivers' championship is ours," said Niki Lauda.

Only the identity of the silver-clad champion is still unknown, and it definitely will not now be decided until the final race in Abu Dhabi next month.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

That is because - like it or not - the race in Abu Dhabi, already dubbed 'Abu Double' by some sections of the media, will count for twice as many points as usual.

It means Rosberg could fail to finish in Brazil next Sunday, handing Hamilton a points tally of up to 49 points that, normally, would easily guarantee him the championship with a race to spare.

"For me, that's great to hear of course," said Rosberg, "so I'm sure it will be an exciting end to the season for the fans."

The big issue, of course, is that the scenario of Hamilton having won six races in a row, and eleven of the 19 in total, could still see Rosberg crowned champion.

Asked if he fears that outcome, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said in Austin: "No fear, but the double points has the potential to overshadow a season."

From GMM

Mercedes appears less inclined than ever to give in to its rivals' demands for an engine 'unfreeze' ahead of the 2015 season.

Media reports in Italy suggest Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci may have pulled off a political masterstroke over the US GP weekend by convincing F1's dominant force to agree to a relaxing of the development homologation rules.

Photo: Mercedes F1 Team

But listening to Mercedes bosses Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda, it is difficult to imagine that is true.

"They're saying they want to develop the engine during the year," Wolff is quoted by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. "I think this is an incredible nonsense.

"It just costs a lot more and the order would not change."

Niki Lauda, the German team's chairman, agrees, estimating the additional cost per manufacturer of expanding the engine 'freeze' as at least EUR 10 million.

"We would not allow that," he is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica. "It is irrational and senseless.

"Ridiculous," the F1 legend continued to charge. "Mercedes wins its first title for 100 years and they want to change the rules.

"Ferrari can still work on 48 per cent of the engine. There is nothing to defreeze," said Lauda. "It's already thawed."

From GMM

The Spanish multinational Santander is staying at Ferrari even if the closely-aligned Fernando Alonso jumps ship.

That is the claim of the Spanish sports daily Marca, reporting that the banking group has pledged to fulfil its 2017 contract with Ferrari independent of Alonso's next move.

If true, it is suggested a departing Alonso might still retain some personal backing by the group, particularly as his likely destination - McLaren - has a historical connection with Santander.

Marca also claims Fernando Alonso has been in contact with Telefonica, the Spanish telecom.

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

Separately, the newspaper claims that while Alonso is clearly McLaren-Honda's 'plan A' for 2015, the strongly Eric Boullier-linked Romain Grosjean could be the 'plan B'.

Marca says Grosjean was seen entering McLaren's headquarters in the Austin paddock on Saturday accompanied by his manager Julian Jakobi.

Could that be because Alonso is heading elsewhere for 2015? Gerard Lopez, the Lotus team owner, said in Austin that he can imagine the Spaniard returning one day to Austin.

Suddenly, however, Lopez is playing down his talks with Alonso. "With Fernando ... I talk a lot of football," he smiled.

Lotus chief Federico Gastaldi agrees: "Unfortunately, we are far from Fernando's radar."

Indeed, German television RTL claimed on Sunday that Alonso to McLaren - with a very long-term contract - is a done deal.

But that comes amid persistent rumblings that Alonso is refusing to give up on trying to squeeze into a dominant Mercedes cockpit.

Even Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes driver due to enter negotiations for a new deal with the Brackley team, is not deaf to the speculation.

"Does he want my seat? I'm sure Fernando is pushing hard for my seat," the Briton is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica, "but I won't give it up. I love my car."

At the end of the day, the coolest analysis of the situation surrounding Alonso's future is that he is probably heading to McLaren.

The hold-up is simply a deadlock between the Spaniard and Ferrari over the reported $50 million contractual payoff.

Fascinatingly, after scoring more points for Ferrari in its defence of fourth in the constructors' standings, Alonso made a comment suggesting the team will be able to afford to pay him off when he leaves.

"I'm happy to score points for the team," Spain's El Confidencial quotes him as saying after the US grand prix, "as at the end of the year it (fourth place) means tens of millions of dollars for Ferrari."

The media preview day of the 31st Thailand International Motor Expo was on 28 November 2014. Here follows a list of vehicle world premieres.

The Mazda2 is the first car to have been announced for the 31st Thailand International Motor Expo. The event's press preview day is 28 November.

Several vehicles which will be world premieres at the 31st Thailand International Motor Expo have been announced. The event's press preview day is 28 November.

Several vehicles which will be world premieres at the 31st Thailand International Motor Expo have been announced. The event's press preview day is 28 November.

So far, four world premieres have taken place at the 31st Thailand International Motor Expo.

A cottage industry of vendors has sprung up to help dealers manage the often bewildering world of online reviews. The vendors are adept at intercepting some bad reviews before they are posted.

If North American light vehicle output keeps rising next year, some suppliers warn that spot shortages could develop.

GM and an Iowa Chevrolet dealership have settled a lawsuit that accused the dealership of engaging in "widespread fraudulent and unlawful conduct" to report "sham" new-vehicle sales to the automaker.

Near-field communication, the wireless technology that allows users of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 6 to make payments by tapping the smartphone on a reader at a checkout counter, is coming to the car.

The Sauber F1 Team Saturday announced in the paddock of the Circuit of the Americas that Marcus Ericsson as one of its race drivers for 2015.

After his Formula 1 debut with the Caterham F1 Team this year, the Swede will head into his second season.

“We are pleased to announce this cooperation. We have got to know Marcus as a highly motivated driver,” said Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal.

“He did not have an easy rookie season this year in F1, however, he kept calm and improved continuously, mainly in the last races. We are convinced that signing Marcus can give the team a fresh impetus.”

Marcus Ericsson (Photo: WRI2)

“Fresh from a very turbulent week, I was suddenly given my best early Christmas present ever,” Ericsson declared.

“The Sauber F1 Team has put its trust in me for 2015, and it makes me proud, as Sauber is known to be one of the best teams in developing young drivers. It will be a great challenge. I will give my very best to develop both as a driver, and to be part of the challenge to put the Sauber F1 Team back closer to the front where it belongs.”

The Swiss team indicated that the second driver for the 2015 season would be announced at a later date.

Several penalties were imposed after the qualifying session of the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas.

So here is the official starting grid for Sunday's race:

Row 1
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1'36"067 - Q3
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'36"443 - Q3

Row 2
Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'36"906 - Q3
Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'37"205 - Q3

Row 3
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'37"244 - Q3
Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1'37"610 - Q3

Row 4
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1'37"706 - Q3
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1'37"804 - Q3

Row 5
Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'38"810 - Q3
Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'38"467 - Q2

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

Row 6
Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'38"554 - Q2
Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1'37"655 - Q3 *

Row 7
Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'38"598 - Q2
Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'39"250 - Q1

Row 8
Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'39"555 - Q1
Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'39"679 - Q1

Row 9
Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'38"699 - Q2 *

Start from the pit lane
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'39"621 - Q1 *

*Button penalized for a new gearbox, Kvyat penalized for change of power unit. Vettel has used all five of his power units allocated.

Lewis Hamilton spent the first 24 laps of the US Formula 1 Grand Prix running behind his teammate Nico Rosberg and then passed him to score his 9th win of the season, extending his lead in the championship.

Rosberg started the race from pole position and led the pack. A first-lap collision eliminated Sergio Perez (Force India) and Adrian Sutil (Sauber) while Kimi Raikkonen received a big bang at the rear of his Ferrari, ruining his race.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Mercedes' teammates pitted for tires on lap 15 and 16. However, Hamilton asked for a small front wing change, and that fixed the balance of his W05.

On lap 24, the Briton passed the leader and controlled the race from that moment on.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Rosberg finished second, having lost a bit of time to Hamilton on the last lap when he got caught in slower traffic.

Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo finished on the final step of the podium, despite a poor start.

Williams-Mercedes teammates Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas arrived home fourth and fifth after a quiet race, but both were passed by the flying Ricciardo in the middle part of the race.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Fernando Alonso finished sixth in his Ferrari after a fantastic battle with several drivers, including Jenson Button of McLaren.

Sebastian Vettel started the race from the pit lane. His early pace was disappointing but he passed several rivals in the closing laps of the race, thanks to a set of soft tires. He finished the race in 7th position.

Romain Grosjean and Jenson Button after the race. (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Kevin Magnussen (McLaren), Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) and Pastor Maldonado (Lotus) rounded out the top 10.

Drivers' championship:
1 Lewis Hamilton, 316 points
2 Nico Rosberg, 292
3 Daniel Ricciardo, 214
4 Valtteri Bottas, 155
5 Sebastian Vettel, 149

From press release

Antoine L'Estage and Alan Ockwell of the Yokohama Canada Rally Team won the Rocky Mountain Rally, a two-day competition on the sinuous roads of eastern British Columbia. The two day event forced competitors to race in varied conditions including wet and slippery roads on the final day of action.

“It was a tough day today,” said L'Estage, who struggled with a flat tire and power steering problems throughout the second day of the rally. “We only had one good stage today. I tried to push as hard as I could to compensate for the problems and it paid off with another victory.”

L'Estage clinched the 2014 driver's championship at the Pacific Forest Rally in October. Ockwell needs just two more points to clinch the co-driver title, having joined L'Estage part way through the season.

Antoine L'Estage, Alan Ockwell (Photo: Andrew Snucins)

Martin Rowe and Nathalie Richard have been working hard to increase the pace of the new 2015 Subaru WRX STI rally car. The Rocky Mountain Rally marks the car's third event and Subaru Rally Team Canada have shown considerable improvement.

The team won three of the stages on the second day and closed the gap to L'Estage and Ockwell.

“We're in a good place and the car has been 100% reliable,” said Rowe. “There are still improvements to be made, but we can focus more on driving the car faster with fewer changes to the setup. The car is really starting to show its potential.”

Following a frustrating start on Friday, Hardy Schmidtkeand John Hall were able to fend off challengers to take the final spot on the podium. The team arrived at the first stage of the rally already suffering from a mysterious oil leak. The car was eventually repaired allowing the team to return to a faster pace.

Rocky Mountain Rally Final Results
1. Antoine L'Estage - Alan Ockwell - one hour, 44 minutes, 57.1 seconds
2. Martin Rowe - Nathalie Richard - 1:45:58.8
3. Hardy Schmidtke - John Hall - 1:55:36.0
4. Alex Kozlov - Martin Matas - 1:58:29.0
5. Boris Djordjevic - Chris Kremer - 2:02:51.3
6. Josh Shewchuk - Keith Morison - 2:08:12.4
7. Nicholas Spencer - John Kesslar - 2:09:30.2
8. Mattiew Perron - Robin Chapelski - 2:10:33:3
9. Graham Bruce - Martin Burnley - 2:13:38.8
10. John Munroe - Spencer Armstrong - 2:16:27.1

From GMM

The smell of crisis is in the air in Austin, as Bernie Ecclestone scrabbles to end a boycott threat and put failing teams back on track.

With Caterham and Marussia absent from the US grand prix garages, the next set of struggling privateers - Lotus, Force India and Sauber - have reportedly threatened to also sit out Sunday's race in protest of the sport's income distribution model.

"I think we're going to race," Frenchman Romain Grosjean, racing for Lotus, said on Saturday. "I'm sure we're going to race."

But Bob Fernley, the increasingly furious deputy principal at Force India, has a different view. "Nothing is off the table at this point," he insisted.

"Everything and anything is possible."

Many observers believe the boycott threat is an empty one, including F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who told reporters it was "crap".

"I promise they will be racing. I give you a guarantee," he said. "But I worry if they will be racing next year."

Indeed, in a incredibly rare show of mea culpa for the 84-year-old Briton, he admitted his income distribution tables - giving the most to the rich and the least to the poor - may in fact be the cause of the current problem.

"The problem is there is too much money being distributed badly - probably my fault - but, like lots of agreements people make, they seemed a good idea at the time," he said.

Bernie Ecclestone (Photo: WRI2)

Ecclestone said there is no easy way to undo the situation now.

"If one team is given 10,000, everyone has to have 10,000," he revealed.

He said his ideal solution would be to get some of the bigger teams to agree to give up some of their bonus income to give to the "three or four teams we know are in trouble".

"Then I would put in the same amount of money," said Ecclestone. "But there would not be one (big) team that would think it was a bloody good idea."

He said he will therefore have to go over the heads of team employees like Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci and Mercedes' Niki Lauda, and speak directly to the carmaker parents.

"I think it's probably what will have to happen," said Ecclestone, but he suddenly ruled out the idea that three-car teams is the best solution.

"I'm not happy," he concluded. "We'll have to do something about it."

From press release

Toyota Racing took its second consecutive FIA World Endurance Championship 1-2 finish at Shanghai today with the #8 Toyota TS 040 Hybrid heading home the #7 car, to further extend its championship lead.

Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi finished the race 1m12s ahead of their stable mates Alex Wurz, Stephane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima after another dominant display by the Japanese manufacturer.

Completing the podium today was the pole sitting #14 Porsche 919 Hybrid driven by Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb and Neel Jani.

In the LMP1-L class the #12 Rebellion Racing entry of Nick Heidfeld, Nicolas Prost and Mathias Beche took a fifth victory of the 2014 season.

G-Drive Racing scored a conclusive victory in LMP2 with Olivier Pla, Roman Rusinov and Julien Canal further reducing the point deficit to Sergey Zlobin, who finished third in the #27 SMP Racing Oreca-Nissan along with team mates Nicolas Minassian and Maurizio Mediani.

In LMGTE Pro it was the Porsche Team Manthey squad celebrating a 1-2 finish, with the #92 crew of Frederic Makowiecki and Patrick Pilet heading their #91 team mates Jorg Bergmeister and Richar Lietz.

LMGTE Am also saw a 1-2, with Aston Martin Racing enjoying a formation finish. The #98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage V8 took the victory ahead of the championship leading #95 car.