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Continental is reviewing whether to close its factory in Gifhorn, Germany, which makes electric motors and hydraulic braking systems, because of a lack of customer orders. About 1,600 people work at the plant.

VW Group, which is cutting costs and overhauling its development and production, is on track to reach its goal of a pretax profit of 8 percent of sales by 2018, a German magazine reported.

SGL Group, the materials supplier for carbon fiber reinforced parts in BMW's electric cars, is in talks with Audi, Porsche, GM and other carmakers to supply carbon fiber for a wider range of automotive components, its CEO said.

Tesla Motors is in talks with BMW over a possible alliance in battery technology and lightweight components, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told a German magazine.

Tesla Motors is in talks with BMW over a possible alliance in battery technology and light-weight components, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told a German weekly magazine.

Tesla Motors is in talks with BMW over a possible alliance in battery technology and lightweight components, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told a German magazine.

Tesla Motors is in talks with BMW over a possible alliance in battery technology and lightweight components, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told a German magazine.

Opinion 23 Nov, 2014

Formula One rule makers had a lucky escape when Lewis Hamilton took the 2014 F1 World Championship

Senators' frustration with what they see as an inconsistent and disorganized response to the Takata airbag recall crisis boiled over last week, signaling a push for more auto safety regulations.

The statistical method the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau uses to identify which consumers belong to minority groups correctly identified African-American borrowers only 24 percent of the time.

ZF Friedrichshafen AG will not follow rivals in pushing for 10-speed transmissions. the German supplier will stop at 9-speed transmissions, says CEO Stefan Sommer.

South Korea's car imports have leapt from 3 percent of sales a decade ago to 14 percent today as foreign brands led by Germany's BMW and Mercedes take advantage of a free trade deal to grow sales in a once impregnable market.

From GMM

The latest names linked with Ferrari are Ross Brawn and Valtteri Bottas.

On Saturday, reports emerged that amid its thorough 2014 shakeup, the beleaguered great Ferrari could now be set to oust its new boss Marco Mattiacci.

The name linked with the job was Marlboro executive Maurizio Arrivabene.

But not only him. Britain's Sky and Germany's Auto Motor und Sport - as well as several other authoritative sources - are mentioning Briton Brawn.

Also linked with a sensational return to Maranello is Aldo Costa, who left Ferrari in 2011 and was responsible for the design of the dominant 2014 Mercedes.

Aldo Costa and Ross Brawn could return to Ferrari together (Photo: WRI2)

The German newspaper Bild said: "We have learned that Arrivabene is not coming alone. Ross Brawn could be the new technical director."

Brawn, who has been enjoying his sabbatical since stepping down as Mercedes team boss, reportedly denied the news on Saturday.

But Bild said that is "only because Ferrari is yet to meet some of his conditions".

Italy's La Stampa said Ferrari insists it is all "just rumours".

Finally, Italiaracing reports that Ferrari is eying the impressive Williams driver Valtteri Bottas to replace his Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen in 2016.

From GMM

A new name "might" have leapt into contention to become Fernando Alonso's teammate at McLaren-Honda next year.

Former team driver Martin Brundle on Saturday told McLaren supremo Ron Dennis that everyone in the paddock knows Alonso has now inked a deal for 2015.

"Which driver are you talking about?" Dennis told the commentator for British television Sky.

In truth, despite Dennis' insistence, the only true question-mark is over the identity of Alonso's teammate.

Conventional Dennis logic would suggest McLaren will put together the best and most experienced drivers it can muster -- and that might be Alonso and the 2009 world champion Jenson Button.

But paddock rumours suggest the Woking based team is in fact more likely to keep the in-house rookie Kevin Magnussen on board.

Dennis told Brundle: "You presume that there are three people involved in this choice. But I think you should stretch your imagination to four."

Kevin Magnussen "could easily become a sporting legend" for Denmark, according to McLaren boss Ron Dennis (Photo: WRI2)

The most logical fourth candidate would be the McLaren-contracted GP2 driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who commandingly won Saturday's Abu Dhabi race from pole.

He will also drive the Honda-powered interim McLaren in next week's post-race Abu Dhabi test.

"'Might' is an interesting word," answered Dennis, when asked if Belgian Vandoorne might be a candidate.

Later, however, team boss Eric Boullier played down the Vandoorne rumours, suggesting the 22-year-old will spend another year in GP2 to try to win the title.

The smart money now is on McLaren fielding an Alonso-Magnussen lineup in 2015.

"I have a strong desire for Denmark to wake up," Dennis told Danish television TV3, "and realise that they have an unique opportunity to support someone who could easily become a sporting legend of the country.

"I hope that one of the multinationals realises that life is not always about money but also national pride.

"I've done my part," added Dennis, "and I think it's time that Denmark does the same."

From press release

Move Motorsports Management, promoters of the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship, and Fuel MediaLab jointly announced today a media partnership with TSN and ESPN Classic Canada to bring the excitement of Canadian Formula 1600 action to homes across the country.

Three events from the F1600 Super Series were selected for this new broadcast package - the F1600 Duals by Juniper Networks at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Race 2, the F1600 Duals by Lubrico Warranty at the Honda Indy Toronto Race 1 and the Super Series finale presented by OKI at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières Race 2.

Lead announcer for the broadcasts will be Dave Bradley, whose voice is synonymous with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Joining Bradley and providing race analysis is Kyle Marcelli, former F1600 Champion and professional sportscar racer. Rounding out the team is veteran NASCAR and Indycar announcer Todd Lewis providing insight trackside.

Episode 1 goes to air Tuesday, November 25th at 1:30pm on TSN 5 with re-airs on Wednesday November 26th at 3:00pm on TSN 2 and Thursday, November 27th at 1:30pm TSN 4. All times are ET and are subject to change.

Additional re-airs and the next two episode airdates and times will be announced shortly.

From press release

Lewis Hamilton drove a perfect race to claim his second world championship, Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

The 2008 and 2014 world champion led throughout despite pressure from Williams' Felipe Massa, who drove an aggressive race to claim second, ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas in third.

(Photo: WRI2)

"I'm a bit lost for words really," admitted Hamilton on the podium.

"'I can't really explain how much this means. It means even more than the first one. It feels like it's the first time. I feel so blessed."

(Photo: WRI2)

Hamilton's teammate, Nico Rosberg, made a poor start from pole position, but was hanging on Hamilton's tail until ERS problems slowed him down. Despite though race that saw him finish only 14th, he was among the first to congratulate Hamilton.

(Photo: WRI2)

"Suddenly the speeds were completely different because ERS was playing up," the German remembers. "And when that happens it starts to interfere with a lot of other systems - and at one point there were problems everywhere."

(Photo: WRI2)

"(Hamilton) did a little bit a better job than me in the races," he added. "Tiny bits that I need to find! He was the best driver on the grid this year."

(Photo: WRI2)

Race results* - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (round 19 of 19)
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 55 laps 1.39'02"619
2 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 2"576
3 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 28"880
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 37"237
5 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'00"334
6 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'02"148
7 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'11"060
8 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'12"045
9 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'25"813
10 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'27"820
11 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'30"376
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'31"947
13 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1 lap
14 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1 lap
15 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap
16 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap
17 - Will Stevens (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1 lap

Fastest lap of the race: 1'44"496, by Daniel Ricciardo

Retirements
Kamui Kobayashi
Pastor Maldonado
Daniil Kvyat

Drivers' championship
1.Hamilton 384; 2.Rosberg 317; 3.Ricciardo 238; 4.Bottas 186; 5.Vettel 167; 6.Alonso 161; 7.Massa 134; 8.Button 126; 9.Hulkenberg 96; 10.Perez 59; 11.Magnussen, Raikkonen 55; 13.Vergne 22; 14.Grosjean, Kvyat 8; 16.Bianchi, Maldonado 2.

Constructors' championship
1.Mercedes 701; 2.Red Bull-Renault 405; 3.Williams-Mercedes 320; 4.Ferrari 216; 5.McLaren-Mercedes 181; 6.Force India-Mercedes 155; 7.Toro Rosso-Renault 30; 8. Lotus-Renault 10; 9.Marussia-Ferrari 2

*Unofficial results

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has lashed back at Marco Mattiacci for questioning his commitment and motivation.

Since confirming that Sebastian Vettel will replace the apparently McLaren-bound Alonso next year, Ferrari boss Mattiacci has referred to the issue of commitment several times.

"In any business," the Italian told German television RTL for instance, "motivation is very important.

"We know that with Sebastian we are getting someone enthusiastic and disciplined and hard-working."

Mattiacci's intimations have infuriated Alonso.

It's over between Fernando Alonso and Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

"He's been here a few months," said the Spaniard, "not the five years in which I fought in every single race."

Alonso also accused Mattiacci of hypocrisy, having tried repeatedly to keep him at Maranello as recently as September.

"Even until the last moment there were many phone calls and the emails have all been saved on my computer," Germany's Auto Motor und Sport quoted Alonso as saying.

"At that time, I was obviously not unmotivated," he added.

Also on Saturday, Alonso continued to deny claims he has already signed with McLaren.

"My future is still open," he said. "I have no plans to test after the race in Abu Dhabi. Let's see what happens in the next few weeks, as I am still under contract until the end of the year."

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone on Saturday said he is prepared to "tear up" contracts and start again, as the sport's civil war appeared to ease slightly in Abu Dhabi.

The F1 supremo reportedly even apologised for calling struggling teams Lotus, Sauber and Force India "beggars" as they look for a fairer distribution of the team's almost $1 billion in annual revenues.

Also strongly chided during Ecclestone's meeting on Saturday between the small teams and F1 owner CVC's Donald Mackenzie was Christian Horner, the boss of the powerful Red Bull team.

It is believed that during one recent meeting, Horner laughed and joked about the demise of the backmarkers Caterham and Marussia.

"I hit the limiter on that one," said Lotus owner Gerard Lopez, not referring specifically to Horner.

"It was a complete lack of respect and from someone paid to be here rather than paying to be here."

Suddenly, the tide appears to have turned in favour of the three small teams, perhaps because of the threatened intervention of the European Commission's competition arm.

So after recently ruling out more money for the teams, Ecclestone said on Saturday: "Let's see.

"Personally, I would tear up all of the contracts and discuss the redistribution of money. No problem," he added.

The next major F1 meeting will take place on Sunday, when Ecclestone and Mackenzie get together with Mercedes (Daimler) and Ferrari (Fiat) bigwigs Dieter Zetsche and Sergio Marchionne.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said that the chiefs of the F1-involved car manufacturers will discuss cost-cutting, engines, and the distribution of the sport's income.

From GMM

Jean-Eric Vergne appears to have missed out on a Toro Rosso seat for 2015.

Prior to Sebastian Vettel's shock Red Bull exit, Frenchman Vergne had already been left out of junior team Toro Rosso's plans for 2015.

The Faenza based team had announced that 17-year-old rookie Max Verstappen will join Daniil Kvyat next year.

But when the Vettel news struck, Red Bull quickly promoted Russian Kvyat, leaving 24-year-old Vergne still in the running to keep his Toro Rosso seat.

He had seemed upbeat about his chances in recent weeks, however French reporters on Saturday noticed that at the Abu Dhabi finale, Vergne's body language has suddenly changed.

Is Jean-Eric Vergne coming back to F1? (Photo: WRI2)

When asked if double points on Sunday would change the team's approach to the race, Vergne answered: "Apparently there are things that are more important to Red Bull than points."

He is probably referring to the fact that, despite the promotion of teammate Kvyat to the senior team, Vergne's current teammate has actually scored less points in 2014.

The French publications RMC and L'Equipe surmised that Vergne's attitude indicates he has been overlooked for the 2015 seat at Toro Rosso, perhaps in favour of Carlos Sainz jr.

L'Equipe quotes Vergne as saying: "No matter what happens in this grand prix, whether I score 1 point or 10 points, nothing will change."

Sainz is not the only contender to replace Vergne.

New GP3 champion Alex Lynn is clearly in the running, but RMC reports that 18-year-old Pierre Gasly, runner-up to Sainz in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, could make his debut next year if Red Bull is asked to run a third car.

The report said F1's Strategy Group will discuss the issue of third cars on Tuesday.

Fresh from a mid-cycle update, the VW Scirocco is something of a survivor. While a few new entries such as the Veloster have appeared in its segment, most former rivals have now vanished as buyers continue to switch to crossovers and premium brand coupes.