Auto News 5

When the Formula 1 engine suppliers met in Geneva last week, one thing they discussed was how to bring the “wow factor” back in F1.

The whole idea would be to make the next-generation F1 cars go faster and become harder to drive. Such needed changes would include an increase in downforce, bigger tires and a more aggressive look.

Formula 1's current Pirelli PZero tires are 245mm wide at the front and 325mm (12.8 inch) wide at the rear.

As a comparison, the 1976 F1 cars sat on amazingly fat, 26 inches wide rear tires!

Mercedes AMG W05, 2014 (Photo: WRI2)

McLaren M26, 1977 (Photo: WRI2)

"Wider tires? That appeals. I think when you see the images of the 1970s cars, it's not so extreme that you think dragster, but you do think 'wow look at that',” said Pirelli motorsport director, Paul Hembery.

"At the moment, the tires are quite small from many points of view. We will do what whatever is needed to make the sport what it needs to be,” the Briton added.

Hembery believes that a good target to aim for would be an increase that makes the rears wider than 400mm (15.6 inches). Not only the cars would look great, but also they'd have much better traction out of the corners and increased overall grip.

As a safety precaution following Jules Bianchi's crash in Japan, the Malaysian Grand Prix will start earlier at Sepang.

The Marussia's driver Jules Bianchi remains in hospital in a critical condition after his collision in Japan in fading light and heavy rain.

During the contract renewal talks between Bernie Ecclestone and Razlan Razali, a discussion pointed to a race starting at 3:00pm local time, to avoid the tropical downpours.

"Mr Ecclestone mentioned that because of the Suzuka incident the FIA has some time limit," said the Sepang circuit boss at Reuters. "So he is reviewing to move the start to the original time, maybe this year.

"For us it's good. It's a safer time bracket... so now people can come in for lunch, watch the race and about five o'clock they can go back (home). He (Ecclestone) mentioned the possibility (of an earlier start). We said if you want to go back to three PM, we fully support it," added Razlan Razali.

Aerial view of Sepang track, Malaysia.

The possibility of hosting a night race, like in Singapore, has also been discussed but the promoter are not ready for that.

"It's a danger to force us to do it. In the past he (Ecclestone) was pushing but now I think it's the first time where he actually listened to us as a promoter what we want. At the moment (we don't want it). Every circuit has its own identity, the danger is to copy someone else," said the track boss.

Despite the popular success of the Singapore floodlit street circuit, Malaysia has a positive economic impact, promoting the country as a global destination.

"They (Singapore) have an edge because they are in the city and it looks really nice on TV, it's cooler but I still think Sepang offers better racing," he added.

Razlan Razali defined the talks with Bernie Ecclestone as "very positive" and expected a multi-year extension to be announced soon.

Although MotoGP has provided better value for spectators and attracted bigger crowds to Sepang for the past five years than Formula 1.

Regarding the new quieter power units, the Malaysian said: "We were concerned after the feedback from Australia. Very concerned. When it finally came to Malaysia, I didn't like it. It was simply too quiet. But what I noticed in the grandstands is that you get families with kids watching and enjoying Formula 1 better. I can remember in the past where a dad would put headphones on the kid and hold it. Or a kid would be too scared and start crying, wanting to go home. I think it attracts a new breed of fanbase now. And that's what you want."

Adapted from press release

ART Grand Prix announced that McLaren F1 test driver, 22 year-old Belgian racer Stoffel Vandoorne will remain with the French based squad for his second consecutive season in the GP2 Series.

Vandoorne impressed from his debut in the series by winning the first feature race of the 2014 season in Bahrain before following up the superb performance with three more wins, four consecutive pole positions and a total of ten podium finishes to finish his rookie as runner-up in the F1 feeder series.

2015 will see him contest ART's colours once again with the main goal being to claim championship glory in the drivers' standings and to return the team to the head of the leaderboard, a position they have confidently held three times in the past.

“In the wake of a great season in 2014, I am very happy to continue with ART Grand Prix in GP2,” said Vandoorne.

“We showed we are the team to beat and many of our competitors have already pointed to us as their target, it's normal and rather flattering. I am confident because it will be my second year with a fantastic team that I know well. Apart from the DRS, the regulations won't change and I now have experience of the circuits, races, pit stops and tire management. The objective is clear: we want to win the title.”

Defending title-winners Volkswagen has officially launched its 2015 World Rally Championship campaign by unveiling a new-look for its successful Polo R WRC.

Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport

Volkswagen, which has dominated the championship since its debut in 2013, will be trying for its third consecutive drivers' and manufacturers' title with its unchanged driver line-up of Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen.

Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport

Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport

Additionally, here is the new livery that Robert Kubica's Ford Fiesta RS will carry at the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Ford Fiesta RS WRC. (Photo: Facebook/Robert Kubica)

The predominantly grey scheme replaces the red, white, blue and silver design of 2014. One constant is the branding of Kubica's long-time backers, Polish oil company Lotos.

Kubica is yet to reveal details of his WRC plans this season, but the Pirelli branding on this artwork would suggest a switch from his previous tire supplier, Michelin.

The infamous Tabac corner of the Monaco Formula 1 circuit will be modified because of the development work currently going on at Monaco.

It is said that the track layout will remain the same.

The quayside and the area around the Tabac corner and Boulevard Albert 1er will be modified by construction work going on for the next four years.

The 'Bureau de tabac' corner in Monaco. (Photo: WRI2)

When the work at Tabac corner is done the harbour esplanade will have been widened to match the work previously done on the south side of the swimming pool, which allowed the pits to be extended some years ago.

The next step will apparently be done around the Rascasse hairpin corner, with the possible demolition of some old buildings. This will improve the access between the pits and the paddock and provide better viewing.

Nasser Al-Attiyah captured his fourth stage win of the 2015 Dakar Rally but his X-raid MINI teammate Nani Roma suffered a bad crash and was forced to retire.

The Qatari competitor easily dominated the competition to beat Argentina's Orlando Terranova by 1m35 and, even more importantly, stretch 3m30 away from Yazeed Al-Rajhi and 4m24 from Giniel de Villiers.

Nani Roma endured a very difficult start to the 2015 Dakar with serious mechanical problems.

But after 200km of Stage 10, he rolled his MINI several times. He and his co-driver were reported unhurt.

Peugeot's difficult Dakar improved slightly, with Stephane Peterhansel ninth quickest, but he remains 14th on the leaderboard.

Overall standings (after Stage 10):
1 Nasser Al-Attiyah, MINI
2 Giniel de Villiers, Toyota,  +28m22
3 Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Toyota,  +43m08
4 Krzysztof Holowczyc, MINI,  +1h23m42
5 Erik van Loon, MIINI,  +2h51m13

Mary Barra said she was surprised by the wave of media attention that followed her appointment as the first female chief executive of a major global automaker about a year ago, saying that it reflects a backward view of the automotive industry.

Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH -- the world's largest automotive supplier -- is preparing to roll out the technology needed to allow cars to pilot themselves and change lanes at high speeds on the autobahn.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' head of US and Canadian sales says loose credit terms will continue to drive new vehicle sales, even as pent-up demand dwindles in a recovered economy.

The US auto industry will sell over 17 million vehicles in 2015 and could reach 20 million in 2018, but expect a sharp downturn after that. So predicted John Murphy, lead US auto analyst for Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Car shoppers want a buying experience as efficient in the showroom as it is online -- and dealers are getting that message, a panel of marketing executives said today.

Nissan is very close to eliminating range anxiety with its next-generation electric vehicle battery.

From Tesla to the Google driverless car to the aluminum 2015 Ford F-150 pickup to active safety systems that promise zero fatalities, the auto industry is changing at an unprecedented pace.

Internet giant Google has started talks with most of the world's top automakers and assembled a team of global suppliers to speed its push to bring self-driving cars to market, Chris Urmson, the head of the project, said today at the Automotive News...

Daimler said it is recalling 114,000 of its four-cylinder diesel-engined Mercedes-Benz cars in Germany because some are equipped with faulty seals that can cause potential oil leaks.

Daimler said it was recalling 114,000 of its four cylinder, diesel Mercedes-Benz cars in Germany because some are equipped with faulty seals that can cause potential oil leaks.

Volkswagen plans to sell a little black box in Austria that records trips and tracks the location of a car to gauge European demand for connected-vehicle services.

The first Bentley Bentayga SUV isn't even out yet, but the company is already mulling more SUVs for its lineup, according to Auto Express.

No supercar for you! At least, not until Jerry Seinfeld takes a test drive. Acura will forgo advertising in this year's Super Bowl on Feb. 1 even though it has a production-version NSX for enthusiasts to order for the second half of the year.

Anywhere on the Detroit auto show floor you can see healthy automakers branching out. Call it the vigor of health. These initiatives don't happen in hard times.