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Ford's Lincoln brand has officially introduced "Lincoln Black Label", something it says will redefine what it means to shop for, purchase and own a luxury automobile.

News 19 Nov, 2014

Drivers identified as 'at risk' could be asked to complete online tutorials

Mazda has revealed the new Mazda CX-3 small SUV crossover in a world debut at the LA auto show.

Audi's public relations chief in China, Lu Minjie, is under investigation by the central Chinese government's anti-corruption taskforce, according to Chinese media.

Aiming to lure more upscale customers to its Explorer crossover, Ford today at the Los Angeles Auto Show is unveiling a freshened 2016 Explorer with more available content.

Designers used a light touch to refresh the 2015 Chrysler 300, with a new front fascia and the addition of a rotary shifter as the biggest differences for what will be the 60th anniversary of the original 300 in 1955.

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile, PSA's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, will take over the vehicle import business currently run by the French automaker's Asia office. The move integrates PSA's vehicle distribution channels in China.

Following are some key events leading to the recall of several million cars fitted with potentially defective air bags made by Japanese supplier Takata.

For the third time in the circuit's six-year history, Yas Marina hosts the Formula 1 season finale, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

This promises to be a race to remember, with double points on offer (50 for a win, instead of 25) and lots of potential movement in the points' standings.

Here are 7 things to know about this race:

1
The Yas Marina Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and is located on Yas Island — an island on the east coast of Abu Dhabi. The circuit staged its maiden F1 race in 2009.

2
Racing driver Bruno Senna completed the first official lap of the newly built Yas Marina Circuit in a two-seater Formula 1 car on Thursday September 17, 2009.

3
Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel won the inaugural race in 2009. He completed the 55 laps of the race in first place ahead of his teammate Mark Webber and Jenson Button of Brawn Grand Prix.

4
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix became the first Formula 1 race to be floodlit.

5
More than 60 percent of the lap is spent at full throttle and the stop-start nature of the track pushes up fuel consumption figures. With 12 braking zones each lap, brake wear is also very high.

6
Safety car likelihood is medium. The safety car has affected two of the five races staged at Yas Marina, most recently in 2012.

7
The Abu Dhabi Grand will be Mercedes' last race as the engine supplier for team McLaren. Their partnership lasted twenty years and it has produced one Constructors' title (1998), three Drivers' titles (Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and 1999, and Lewis Hamilton in 2008).

(Story update, see below)

Marussia Formula 1 team's administrators are hopeful the small team can compete in the final race of 2014, the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

Marussia missed the races in Austin and in Brazil, and ceased trading at the start of November with around 200 staff made redundant.

Sky Sports News HQ understands administrators are still in negotiations with an investment group about the team's future and are trying to secure enough funding to be on the grid this weekend.

Sky reports that Marussia had not arrived as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Twitter feed of the Yas Marina circuit posted this photo of technicians of engine supplier Ferrari wearing Marussia team clothing in the paddock of the circuit.


UPDATE
According to Race Car Engineering magazine, engineers and mechanics had prepared the seemingly defunct team's MR03 cars overnight and got as far as them leaving the factory for Abu Dhabi, however a lack of funds has preventing them reaching the circuit.

Anthony Hamilton, the father of Mercedes driver Lewis, designed a revolutionary new concept to be tested this weekend during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

The device, called ‘Info Wing' is designed primarily to provide race-position data to TV viewers and spectators sitting in the grandstands.

'Info Wing' (Image: Hamilton Management Group)

It consists of a LED display system that sits on top of the airbox of the engine.

Using information supplied by race control, data can also be displayed on who has set the fastest lap, tire strategy and flag condition via multiple colours.

“The idea behind the system is to provide race position data plus other race information to the viewing public,” Antony Hamilton explained.

'Info Wing' (Image: Hamilton Management Group)

“One of the major problems with watching race cars is knowing who is where and who is who without having to take your eyes off the action. We might not be able to see the LEDs in the bright sunlight, but it is the concept I hope could be of interest,” he declared.

The FIA is firstly to test the ‘Info Wing' on the safety car during its assessment runs of the Yas Marina circuit, either on Thursday or Friday.

Sahara Force India will conduct a further test of the unit on top of their car Tuesday of next week during the two-day test session.

Jules Bianchi's family published a statement today, Wednesday November 19, carrying the last news about the Marussia Formula 1 driver who's been injured during the Japanese Grand Prix.

The release was sent from Nice, France and not from japan like it was the case with the previous messages.

“Almost seven weeks after Jules' accident at Suzuka Circuit, and following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce that Jules has made an important step.

“Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious. He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as ‘critical'. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.

“Jules' neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France. We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago. Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service.

“We are thankful that the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends. We have nothing but praise for the outstanding care provided by the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center since the accident. We owe the medical staff there an enormous debt of gratitude for everything they have done for Jules, and also for our family, during what is a very difficult time for us. In particular, we would like to extend our thanks to Doctors Kamei and Yamamichi, and also to Mr Ogura, all part of the team of personnel caring for Jules in Japan.”

From GMM

Haas F1 Team, Formula 1's new team for 2016, is not fully determined to field an American driver.

The American team is currently setting up camp alongside founder Gene Haas' NASCAR operation in North Carolina.

However, Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper quoted boss Gunther Steiner as saying there will also be an operations headquarters in Oxford, UK.

Team owner Gene Haas has said an American driver would be ideal, but Steiner insists: "We want, above all, an experienced driver. We're a new team so we're not going to take too many risks. We need to be clever."

Gunther Steiner and Gene Haas. (Photo: WRi2)

Audi unveiled a prototype of a coupe that signals the future styling direction of the luxury brand under new design chief Marc Lichte.

With the CX-3, which stands 4 inches taller than a Mazda3 compact five-door from road to roof but 7 inches shorter from bumper to bumper, Mazda joins the growing list of automakers offering off-road looks and premium content in a package that was...

Mazda hopes that the CX-3 will grab a share of a growing market for subcompact crossovers in Europe, where it will go up against the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and Dacia Duster.

Cadillac is seeking some much-needed momentum for its entry-level ATS nameplate with the launch next spring of V series track-ready versions of the sedan and coupe.

Audi unveiled a prototype of a coupe that signals the future styling direction of the brand under new design chief Marc Lichte. The show car signals exterior and interior styling that will emphasize sportiness, lightweight design and all-wheel drive.

Ford will make a version of the Ford Edge with three rows of seats for the Chinese market, Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service, told journalists Tuesday on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Federal safety regulators are seeking to expand regional recalls of faulty driver's-side airbags made by Takata into a nationwide campaign, prompting the supplier to warn of potential parts shortages.