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Ram's new 2015 ProMaster City small commercial van, a Ford Transit Connect fighter, is aimed at businesses that need small, inexpensive cargo vans.

Shad Laws is used to the questioning look he gets when he mentions his employer. Laws is a Silicon Valley project manager for Renault, a French automaker with little visibility in the U.S.

From GMM

To some, the 'restructuring' at Maranello in recent days and weeks has resembled Italian chaos.

But Luca Furbatto, a prominent F1 designer who has moved from Toro Rosso to McLaren for 2015, says the moves by new Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene so far have actually appeared "impressive".

One of those decisions was to sign up ousted Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne as tester -- a move that surprised most F1 insiders.

Furbatto told Ferrari insider Leo Turrini's blog: "Jev is fast and he's a fighter. In the race he never gives up.

"I know some are wondering why Ferrari didn't offer the opportunity to (Davide) Rigon or (Raffaele) Marciello, but I think there is a very sensible explanation.

New Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene is shuffling things around. Will it work? (Photo: WRI2)

"Today, unfortunately, the rules do not allow track testing, so the very young or the absolute beginners are objectively disadvantaged.

"Vergne has three seasons of experience and in the simulator he has worked a lot with (engineer Riccardo) Adami, who has now gone to Maranello with Vettel," Furbatto added.

"From a distance," he continued, "I have the impression that Arrivabene has understood very well what Ferrari needs. The revolution taking place at the level of the racing department is impressive.

"From my point of view it is good to have at the helm someone like (James) Allison: one of the best in the business, one who speaks Italian so that he is understood.

"It seems to me that Arrivabene is shaping a team according to a pyramid structure, with clear roles and responsibilities. This is encouraging, as with clarity, results will come.

"It may seem strange from someone working for McLaren but I hope for this (Ferrari's success) with all my heart," Furbatto concluded.

From GMM

Audi appears to be taking more steps towards a potential F1 foray in the near future.

Rumours of a project were fuelled recently when ousted Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali resurfaced at the German carmaker, where the Italian is reportedly conducting a feasibility study into a turbo V6 design for the VW-owned brand.

Now, it emerges that former Honda, Brawn, BMW and Williams technical chief Jorg Zander will start work as Audi Sport's new head of technology on 1 January.

Volkswagen's brands, however, have consistently played down speculation of a F1 project, and Bernie Ecclestone said earlier this month that he thinks a foray is unlikely.

"They (VW) have been out there for long enough and haven't made a big enough effort to come in," he told Forbes' F1 business writer Christian Sylt.

From GMM

Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein claims the FIA tried last week to have him fired from his day-job in Belgium.

The American was F1's chief doctor until the end of 2012, when president Jean Todt decided not to renew the contract.

Since then, he has been clinical professor of anaesthesia and emergency medicine at the university hospital in Liege, which last week reportedly received a visit from Gerard Saillant.

Working at the FIA Institute, Saillant is a mutual friend of both Todt and Michael Schumacher, and Hartstein claims it is he who fired him "by email" in 2012.

"Imagine my surprise to learn that despite having heard nothing from you or your boss (Todt) since being fired, you actually came to my hospital because of me!" Hartstein wrote in an open letter to Saillant and Todt on his blog.

On the blog, Hartstein has been a regular critic of the way the Schumacher camp handled the seven time world champion's public face of his skiing accident and injuries.

Last week, Hartstein was also critical of the FIA's investigation into the injuries sustained this year by Jules Bianchi.

Hartstein added: "You made an appointment with the Dean of my medical faculty, to speak about me. I'd be flattered if I wasn't so shocked.

"I think it's important that people understand just how you and your boss work," he added. "You came here to try to get me fired.

Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein says the FIA is trying to get him fired from his new job (Photo: WRI2)

"You and your boss want me fired from the job that pays my rent. The one I've held for 25 years. Wow. Were you wearing a black trench coat and fedora?"

Hartstein said Saillant was armed for the meeting with the Dean with copies of his blog postings and also an email from Schumacher's wife Corinna.

"You came here to raise the issue of whether this blog violated my contract at work and could therefore be a reason to fire me, or at least to muzzle me," he added.

Hartstein defended his blog postings on the basis that they are his private opinions, based on nothing but "conjecture and experience".

"In fact, things like 'privacy' and 'free expression' come to mind -- not as sterile principles, but as laws that you are on the cusp of violating," he raged.

"Be aware that I've referred the 'dossier' you handed over to the Dean to my attorney. You are on very, very thin legal ice.

"Word to the wise? Shut up, back off, and watch out," Hartstein concluded.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso claims F1 drivers stay deliberately quiet in pre-race briefings chaired by Charlie Whiting.

New drivers have often expressed surprise at the contrast between fiery driver briefings in lower categories, and the almost silent exchange between officials and racers in the F1 equivalent.

In a feature covering his final race with Ferrari last month in Abu Dhabi, Spaniard Alonso said the F1 briefing is usually little more than a "chat between friends (drivers)".

"I usually stay out of all discussions and quarrels," he told the La Sexta programme, "because in my years of racing, I have found that the briefing is a formality.

"If you say something, sometimes all you achieve is the race director becoming angry.

"And if you upset him, and then you are involved in something ... instead I sit down, relax, think and listen.

"It has become fairly routine," the Spaniard explained. "I'm there just as a spectator."

From GMM

F1 engine suppliers Ferrari and Renault appear to have won a battle in the long-running 'freeze' saga.

Mercedes' struggling V6-making rivals have been pushing hard for changes to the existing homologation rules, where performance improvements of the 'power units' is tightly restricted during the season.

The next 'freeze' deadline was believed to be February 28, where all four 2015 makers - Ferrari, Renault, Mercedes and Honda - must present their engines to be homologated by the FIA.

But Ferrari and Renault had reportedly argued that a loophole existed in the rules, where they could start 2015 with last year's engine and then introduce improved new power units at a later date during the season.

The BBC reports that the matter was discussed at last week's Strategy Group meeting in Geneva, and "it now seems likely that manufacturers will be able to upgrade their engines after the start of the season as well as before it".

Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport is reporting similarly, claiming that any engine maker "who does not use all 32 (development) tokens by February 28 can continue to make progress during the season".

Roger Benoit, a veteran F1 correspondent, wrote in the Swiss newspaper Blick that the 'freeze' saga is "so sensitive that Mercedes and Honda have already threatened to quit".

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo looks set to get a pay-rise after his meteoric first season with Red Bull.

Australia's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reports that while he out-shone the quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2014, he was making "just over $1 million" for the year.

That is many multiples times less than German Vettel's salary.

The newspaper said Ricciardo's fee is now likely to be more than doubled for 2015, with significant bonuses in the offering for race wins and titles.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull RB10 (Photo: WRI2)

The 25-year-old confirmed: "Yeah, I should be (paid more). I should get a little bit of a pay rise, so we'll see how much that ends up being."

Despite finishing third behind only the dominant Mercedes in 2014, Ricciardo's salary is dwarfed by many of the top drivers he defeated this year.

But he said: "On average, most of us are earning a pretty good wage but the best thing is if you can make a living out of what you love."

From GMM

Sebastien Buemi is staying put as Red Bull's reserve driver.

The 26-year-old has been the team's main test and simulation driver since he was dropped from the junior squad Toro Rosso at the end of 2011.

This year, he became the world endurance sports car champion with his Toyota teammate Anthony Davidson, and he also races in the new Formula E series.

But if Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo or Daniil Kvyat - or perhaps even a Toro Rosso driver - is unable to race during the course of next season, Buemi will remain first in line for the seat.

He told Blick newspaper: "One never wishes anything bad for a colleague. The truth is that I enjoy working in the simulator.

"That's why I have signed up again for another two years," the Swiss newspaper quoted Buemi as saying.

From GMM

More publications are reporting that Ferrari 'vetoed' F1's move to install Luca di Montezemolo as the new chairman of the Formula One Group.

Germany's Sport Bild made the claim last week, after it emerged ousted Ferrari president Montezemolo had been appointed to the board but only as a non-executive director.

Now, Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport is also claiming that F1 owner CVC intended for Montezemolo to become chairman, but the move was blocked by new Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne.

Ousted Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo (Photo: WRI2)

"That is the reason why Peter Brabeck continues as chairman although he had resigned for health reasons," said the Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo.

It means that with former Diageo chief Paul Walsh also stepping back from the role and becoming merely a non-executive director, F1 is still seeking a new chairman.

"We will find somebody," Ecclestone is quoted by F1 business journalist Christian Sylt in the Independent. "Lots of people are in the frame.

"It will probably come up at the next board meeting next year. I don't want to be chairman. That's the last thing I need," the sport's chief executive added.

From press release

GP3 Series organizers are pleased to announce that the 2015 GP3 Series calendar has been confirmed. It will once again consist of a total of nine rounds, which are all support events of the Formula One World Championship.

Seven rounds on the calendar will be held on European soil with two overseas events closing the season.

The sixth season of the GP3 Series will commence in Barcelona on 08-10 May. The action resumes on June 19-21 in Spielberg for round two, followed by Silverstone on July 03-05. Round four will take place in Germany (venue TBA) followed by the back-to-back race in Budapest which then takes the Series into the summer break.

The paddock returns to action on August 21-23 at Spa-Francorchamps with Monza hosting round seven two weeks later. The Series' will make their second visit to Sochi on 09-11 October with Yas Marina staging the season finale on November 27-29.

Photo: WRI2

2015 GP3 Series calendar
08-10 May - Barcelona, Spain
19-21 June - Spielberg, Austria
03-05 July - Silverstone, Great-Britain
17-19 July - TBA, Germany
24-26 July - Budapest, Hungary
21-23 August - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
04-06 September - Monza, Italy
09-11 October - Sochi, Russia
27-29 November - Yas Marina, UAE

From GMM

Jacques Villeneuve says the forthcoming debut of F1's youngest ever race driver Max Verstappen is "an insult".

Just a year out of karts, 17-year-old Verstappen has been signed to drive for Red Bull's junior F1 team Toro Rosso in 2015.

The outspoken 1997 world champion told Italy's Omnicorse: "Should I tell you the truth? I think Max is an insult.

"Do Red Bull realise they are putting a child in formula one?

"I do not doubt that he is fast, but he has no experience. I arrived in F1 when I was 25, after winning in Indycars.

"Before you are fighting against the lives of others, you have to learn, and it is not F1's role to teach," said Villeneuve.

Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: WRI2)

He said the FIA's move to impose a minimum age of 18 is not enough.

"It should be 21," said Villeneuve. "You should arrive in formula one as a winner and with a wealth of experience. F1 is not the place to come and develop as a driver."

The former Williams and Honda driver thinks even Red Bull was not prepared for the controversy that Verstappen's impending debut would trigger.

"The debut of a 17-year-old is a negative message for F1," he charged, "and I think the impact so far has not been as positive as Red Bull expected."

The French Canadian says the main problem is that the modern breed of grand prix car has become too easy to drive.

"Verstappen arrives, does ten laps and immediately looks strong," said Villeneuve. "It seems that anyone can drive an F1 car, while in my father's day the drivers were considered heroes at the wheel of almost impossible monsters.

"F1 impressed me when I arrived, even though I came from Indycar. But this F1 is not exciting. The cars seem slow," he said.

From press release

The Auto GP Organisation is delighted to announce a cooperation deal is reached with ISRA, the Dutch event management company that, under the guidance of businessman Henk de Jong, has organized the 2014 FA1 Championship held during the Acceleration events.

The collaboration between De Jong and Auto GP promoter Enzo Coloni will guarantee at least an 18-car field in all the 2015 Auto GP events, which will be broadcasted, as in the past seasons, by International TV network Eurosport.

Such a high-quality programme will be made available to the drivers with an attractive budget, especially considering the high-performance nature of the car. The most exciting addition will also be the prize set for the 2015 Auto GP Champion: a Formula 1 test.

"I am delighted to have reached a cooperation agreement with Henk de Jong and his event promotion organization, ISRA," said Auto GP president Enzo Coloni. I think this will be a pivotal collaboration and will also guarantee 18 cars on the grid of all the seven Auto GP events we have scheduled for 2015. I am sure that, by joining forces, we will be able to achieve considerable success and deliver a really exciting season".

2015 Calendar
April 19 - Marrakech (FIA WTCC)
May 03 - Hungaroring (FIA WTCC)
May 24 - Silverstone (BLANCPAIN)
June 28 - Paul Ricard (FIA WTCC)
July 12 - Zandvoort (DTM)
September 06 - Brno (ETCC)
TBA - Barcelona

Hyundai and affiliate Kia hired Albert Biermann, chief engineer for BMW's M performance cars and light trucks, to develop performance models and improve ride and handling.

In Japan, automakers achieve recall rates that automakers in North America could only dream of.

Despite suffering heavy losses in Russia's sinking economy, global automakers say they still expect a long-term payoff from their huge investments there.

Jaguar's new XE will be the brand's first model made in China. The midsize premium sedan will be built alongside the Land Rover SUVs in Changshu.

It won't be a merry Christmas for the Mini enthusiast who bought a classic Mini Cooper in England and had it shipped to the United States.

It took a while, but Lotus F1 Team paid Kimi Raikkonen his salary for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

According to El Mundo Deportivo, the Finn's average salary for those two seasons was around $7 million. But the team also owed him some $35 million in bonuses.

Having signed for Ferrari at the end of 2013, Raikkonen skipped the last two races that year. He mentioned a back surgery, but some believed he was simply fed up with the delays.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRI2)

Now much better off financially, Lotus finished paying the 2007 world champion's earnings, and all is well according to nextgen-auto.com.

"The situation with the creditors is much better compared to last year," confirmed Lotus' executive director Matthew Carter.

"(Raikkonen's salary) was a big part of our debt, but it has been paid in full by now."

F1 driver Romain Grosjean was impressive, this week-end during an ice racing meeting in the French Alps, for round three of the Trophée Andros season.

It wasn't Grosjean first racing experience on ice, the Frenchman having already competed in the Trophée Andros in 2011. He even won a race that season, at Isola 2000.

This experience proved useful as the Lotus F1 team driver qualified third and then finished third on Friday, behind the wheel of a Renault Clio prepared by the Dubourg family, with whom he is good friend.

Romain Grosjean, Renault Clio (Photo: WRI2)

Unfortunately, Grosjean could only manage eighth on Saturday. He nonetheless proved he had lost none of his touch on ice.

As dominant as usual, championship leader Jean-Philippe Dayraut claimed his 50^th and 51^st career wins.