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From GMM

Marussia appears to be close to the end of the line.

Last month, the beleaguered backmarker ceased trading and laid off its 200-strong workforce, but chief Graeme Lowdon remained upbeat.

He said the team came within 10 minutes of securing the money it needed to complete the trip to Abu Dhabi for the 2014 finale.

Driver Max Chilton, who did appear in the Abu Dhabi paddock, confirmed to the British broadcaster BBC: "I knew it wasn't over when we went into liquidation.

"We worked very hard to get something done. I can't tell you how close it was -- just as they were about to load the plane (for Abu Dhabi), the final funding for the deal didn't come through."

But it now emerges that Marussia, having entered the 2015 championship to compete as Manor, has been dealt another apparently final blow.

Marussia MR03-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The Daily Mail reports that cars, trucks, spares and other equipment have been scheduled for auction in mid December by the team's administrators FRP Advisory.

"I'm a hopeful person," Max Chilton said in Abu Dhabi, "and I feel that as long as you try hard enough, your work will pay off in the end. It's definitely not over but I agree that it's made it more difficult."

Undoubtedly Marussia's strongest asset is having finished the season in ninth place, which would release significant official prize-money to a new buyer.

Max Chilton said: "It gives us a lot more funding that we're used to, and that makes it much more approachable for investors."

From wrc.com

Former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica outpaced Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi over the final speed test to win the non-championship Monza Rally on Sunday.

Newly-crowned Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton watched the WRC regular turn a 5.1sec deficit into a 12.5sec victory during the final 32.50km special stage at the Italian Grand Prix circuit.

Kubica led by 2.8sec in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC after Friday evening's action. Rossi then won four of Saturday's five stages in a similar car to start the final day with a 7.2sec advantage.

Robert Kubica. (Photo: WRC)

But Monza debutant Kubica was fastest in both tests to defeat the Italian, a three-time winner.

“We took the same Pirelli tires but I knew already after the first loop that I was quicker than him,” said Robert Kubica.

“For some reason he did not have the same pace as before.

“On Saturday we made the wrong tire choice, which was too hard, but on Sunday it was just right. Throughout this rally the tire choice was complicated because of the mixed conditions but we managed to get it right most of the time and enjoy a really good fight,” he added.

Here is the official video showing Sebastian Vettel driving for the first for the Scuderia Ferrari.

The four-time world champion drove a normally aspirated V8 powered, Ferrari F2012 Formula 1 car on Ferrari's private test facility of Fiorano, Italy.

Finnish Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen is set to work alongside a new race engineer next season.

According to Autosport, former Marussia chief engineer David Greenwood will likely work with Raikkonen in 2015.

Greenwood would replace Antonio Spagnolo - set for a factory role - and David Lloyd who worked with Raikkonen from the mid-season on.

Following the recent folding of Marussia, David Greenwood has been recruited by Ferrari.

The British engineer made his first presence with Ferrari at last week's Abu Dhabi test, although his exact role for 2015 has yet to be defined.

From GMM

Jean-Eric Vergne has revealed his next move could be to IndyCar.

After three seasons with Toro Rosso, the 24-year-old Frenchman has been replaced for 2015 by the young rookie Spaniard Carlos Sainz jr.

He told the official website of America's premier open-wheeler series: "I would be really interested in racing in America in Indycar. I think it's a great championship.

Indycar.com said Vergne has already contacted the teams Andretti and Ganassi.

"I'm working with a manager who works with a few drivers in America, Julian Jakobi, and at the moment, it seems like it is quite hard to go to a top team right away, but I am very interested to see what type of seats are available," Vergne added.

Race start in IndyCar. (Photo: IndyCar)

Earlier, it was reported Vergne's best chance of staying in the F1 paddock next year was to accept a possible role as Williams' new reserve driver.

"I'm not really bitter to leave Toro Rosso," he insisted. "I have some other options in formula one, but I want to get back into a series where I can win races and win championships.

"My target is to go for the IndyCar championship in my first year.

"I don't pretend I would win everything, or have an easy time on the ovals. It's a lot to learn coming from Europe, but many European drivers have become quite good on ovals with some experience, and with so many road courses and street races, I know I can be very effective," Jean-Eric Vergne added.

From v8supercars.com

Ford Australia has confirmed it is pulling out of V8 Supercar racing from the end of the 2015 season.

Ford will have a reduced commercial arrangement next season with the team currently known as Ford Performance Racing (FPR), but will cease all involvement beyond that.

The withdrawal is indefinite and has been sheeted home to the company's desire to allocate its limited marketing funds to its expanding product line-up and an improved customer experience.

Photo: V8 Supercars Australia

FPR drivers Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert will still race FG X Falcons in 2015, as will Marcos Ambrose for the new DJR Team Penske entity.

“We understand things are tough at Ford at the moment, but were hopeful they would continue to see the enormous brand value our sport has to them, not to mention decades of Blue Oval racing heritage - particularly at a time when we are growing so strongly,” V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

“The good news for our fans is that there will still be six Falcons on the grid in 2015. With many of our teams being privateers, with no factory support, we are confident that there will be Fords on the grid in 2016 and beyond. In any case, we look forward to welcoming Ford back to our sport at some time in the future.”

The Formula 1 Commission has given Caterham F1 Team dispensation to used its current Renault-powered CT05 car in 2015 should a buyer be found for the team.

Caterham is currently in administration and the man in charge, Finbarr O'Connell, is working hard to find a buyer for the team.

Should a new owner be found in time, he will not have to design and build a new car for 2015.

The final approval to this decision has to be taken by the members of the World Motorsport Council this month.

Caterham CT05 powered by Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

"The F1 Commission and FIA agreed if it would assist the weaker teams they can use the 2014 car next year, so giving them more time and options,” administrator Finbarr O'Connell said.

"That is of interest to all the parties I'm talking to because it gives them a choice, an easier start to get into F1 if they chose that route. It helps."

The decision gives O'Connell more time to sell the team, having previously stated a deal before Christmas was crucial. However, it is no longer the case.

"The number of people I'm talking to has increased, with two very strong candidates, and a third less strong. All I can do is show what I have, show the team, the assets and the facilities, and facilitate in any way I can with them making a decision. I remain confident something will be done,” O'Connell declared.

Autosport magazine Monday revealed that British single seater team Carlin would launch an Indy Lights programme in America in 2015 with the possibility to graduate to the IZOD IndyCar series in the next future.

The British magazine says Carlin will run two Indy Lights cars next year while continuing to race in Europe in the GP2, GP3, Formula 3 series and Formula Renault 3.5.

The choice to compete in the Indy Lights series next year corresponds with the introduction of a new Dallara chassis, powered by a new 450bhp 2.0-litre AER turbocharged engine.

Following good results in the feeder series, Carlin may choose to expand to the IZOD IndyCar series in the next few years.

The British-based team has yet to confirm any drivers for its Indy Lights team, which will operate out of a new base in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Image: Carlin Motorsports

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton says he does not feel the lure of F1's most famous team.

After seven years with Red Bull's teams and four titles, Sebastian Vettel has switched to Ferrari for 2015 but Hamilton insists he is happy at Mercedes.

"I cannot see myself at any other team," the new 2014 champion told Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Lewis Hamilton has a contract with Mercedes for 2015, but team management had scheduled immediate talks to discuss an extension for 2016 and beyond.

"I hope we can sit down and talk about it before Christmas," says Hamilton.

Boss Toto Wolff confirmed to DPA news agency: "We have not discussed it yet."

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG, World champion 2014. (Photo: WRi2)

But Lewis Hamilton allayed any fears that he might be considering leaving the team, perhaps to join Vettel in fabled red.

"I've never had this dream of Ferrari," the Briton insisted. "The red car looks great but I can always buy a Mercedes in red," he laughed.

Finally, Hamilton said that after a year of intensity alongside his title-warring teammate Nico Rosberg, he is now expecting an easier relationship.

"All the tension has disappeared and we have gone back to being two normal guys talking about normal things," he said.

From ROC

Multiple Formula 1 grand prix winner David Coulthard will compete at the 2014 Race Of Champions in Barbados later this month at Bushy Park Circuit.

Ahead of the individual Race Of Champions on Sunday December 14, Coulthard will partner Williams F1 official test driver Susie Wolff - ROC's first ever-female racer - for Team Scotland in the ROC Nations Cup on Saturday December 13.

Coulthard had a glittering F1 career, taking 13 grand prix victories and finishing in the world championship top three no less than five times in over a decade at the top.

He later raced in Germany's DTM series before retiring from full-time competition to focus on his other interests including his F1 commentary for BBC television.

The Scotsman has a strong pedigree at the Race Of Champions, reaching the Grand Final at London's Wembley Stadium in 2008. At ROC 2012 in Bangkok Coulthard reached the individual semi-finals before falling to Le Mans great Tom Kristensen.

David Coulthard. (Photo: Raceofchampions.com)

From GMM

Mercedes chairman Dieter Zetsche says he wants formula one to maintain a healthy grid.

As backmarkers hit the wall in 2014 and three more small teams argue loudly about costs and power, talks to fix the sport's issues have so far produced scarce results.

But Zetsche told Germany's Sport Bild: "Of course we have an interest that, within certain limits, we have a broad field of competitors."

He said there are talks behind the scenes about how F1's commercial income is split between the big and small teams and the owner CVC.

"In this respect, we are involved in constructive discussions," added Zetsche.

Switzerland's Blick reports that the latest idea to help Lotus, Sahara Force India and Sauber stay afloat involves the high cost of buying engines from the big carmaker teams.

The newspaper said that in the coming weeks, it will be discussed that instead of the small teams being billed directly, CVC will send payment for the expensive V6 engines straight to their suppliers Mercedes and Ferrari.

From GMM

McLaren will not announce its 2015 driver lineup on Monday.

Earlier, it was expected that the British team would finally confirm the open secret about Fernando Alonso's switch from Ferrari before the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi.

But McLaren said at the 2014 finale: "We have decided to defer our final deliberations relating to our 2015 driver lineup until a date no earlier than Monday December 1."

It is believed the newly Honda-powered team is deliberating over keeping either Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen to be Spaniard Alonso's teammate.

F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart thinks Alonso will be playing a role in that call.

"I suspect he will have a say on who the number two driver will be," the triple world champion is quoted by the Indian news agency PTI.

"That is not unusual for a number one driver."

But although many were eagerly expecting an announcement to be made on December 1, Italy's Italiaracing reports that the world will not hear any news until at least Thursday or Friday.

Spain's El Mundo Deportivo claims there is plenty of activity behind closed doors at Woking, with Ron Dennis discussing the ownership of McLaren with fellow shareholder Mansour Ojjeh.

The report also said Dennis is believed to have been in Denmark last week for talks with the Magnussen-linked sponsor Bestseller, as well as Lego and Saxo Bank.

McLaren-Honda in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM (story updated, see below)

F1 veteran Mark Webber is in hospital in Sao Paulo following a huge crash during a sports car race in Brazil.

In an echo of his similar crash at the same corner during the 2003 grand prix at Interlagos, the Australian hit the wall at high speed during a 6-hour endurance race.

The impact destroyed his prototype Porsche and he was photographed giving the thumbs-up as he was removed by stretcher.

Mark Webber's Porsche after the crash. (Photo: WRi2)

A teammate, Romain Dumas, was quoted by Fairfax Media: "He was talking on the radio -- he knows his name, he knows where he is, it looks ok."

Race organisers confirmed in a statement: "Mark Webber, who was awake and alert, was taken to the circuit medical centre for further examination."

And a post on Webber's official Facebook page said he is in a "satisfactory condition".

"Mark will stay overnight (in hospital) for precautionary checks."

UPDATE
“I'm quite sore this morning and am pretty bruised and have got a stinking headache. I've got no recollection of the accident or how it happened - the team is looking into the details to find out more,” Mark Webber said on Monday.

UPDATE ON MATTEO CRESSONI'S CONDITION
Following an overnight stay for observation, Matteo Cressoni, 30, is being released from the Hospital Bandeirantes and will be travelling home to Italy later Monday.

The Italian, who was driving the No.90 8Star Motorsports Ferrari 458 Italia yesterday during the closing stages of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, was an apparently innocent victim in an accident involving the No.20 Porsche 919 Hybrid of Mark Webber.

Cressoni, who was sharing the Ferrari with Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti, told his team that he was hit by the Porsche only after the Porsche was careering towards him at high speed. The reasons for the accident have not yet been determined.

From GMM

Mercedes would like to go head-to-head in F1 with Germany's other two premium carmaker brands.

That is the claim of Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, after Mercedes-Benz in 2014 finally succeeded in winning the drivers' and constructors' championships with a dominant display.

Zetsche told Germany's Sport Bild: "We share - and I'm talking about the premium business - about 80 per cent of the world market share with Audi and BMW.

"Of course," he added, "we greatly admire Red Bull and Ferrari and the other teams, nevertheless other manufacturer teams would be very much welcomed by us."

Mercedes AMG, World champion 2014. (Photo: WRi2)

Mercedes bought and renamed the title-winning Brawn GP team - formerly Honda - after 2009 and initially targeted success with the F1 legend Michael Schumacher.

Dieter Zetsche admitted: "We never imagined that success would be so difficult and take so long to achieve."

But he said that Mercedes is now fully committed to F1.

"If we do something, we do it properly," said Zetsche. "Therefore, we have at no time asked the fundamental question, and nor do we have plans to change anything on that commitment now."

He admitted that the new electric open wheeler series Formula E is "worth considering" from Mercedes' point of view, but he ruled out Le Mans.

"A whole year working for 24 hours, we do not consider to be a good cost-benefit ratio," said Zetsche.

He also played down all the current talk about F1 being in crisis.

"It is absurd to say formula one is dead," said the 61-year-old. "I cannot think of a more exciting season. All the criticism was led largely by those who were not successful," Dieter Zetsche added.

And he also blamed people like Bernie Ecclestone for talking F1 down in 2014.

"Most definitely we have not sufficiently exploited the potential of formula one, because the official channels of communication have not been used in a professional way," said Zetsche.

"We are more committed than ever in contributing to professionalise the sport in this regard. Better engaging younger fans is a central question," he added.