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From GMM

Adrian Sutil may have breached the terms of his Sauber contract in 2014, the Dutch publication Formule1 reports.

When the struggling Swiss team signed up paying drivers Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr for 2015, it appeared legal trouble could be ahead as Adrian Sutil already had a signed contract for next season.

But team boss Monisha Kaltenborn, who is a lawyer, insisted: "I am very clearly aware of my situation and I know what I'm doing. It is a clear situation."

Adrian Sutil, Sauber C33-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Formule1 cites sources in reporting that German Sutil did not comply with contractual clauses in 2014 that he would seek and deliver sponsors to Sauber.

It was also believed that Dutchman Giedo Van der Garde had already penned a deal to race for Sauber in 2015, but Formule1 says he also failed to deliver on certain promises.

Not only that, Kaltenborn - referring at the time to the sport generally - reportedly said in Austin early this month that "contracts in F1 are worth nothing".

In light of the Sutil controversy, Formule1 insists Kaltenborn subsequently clarified that she did not mean the remark.

With Mercedes AMG teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg set to battle for the 2014 Formula world title in Abu Dhabi this weekend, we present our top 5 most memorable F1 showdowns.

James Hunt, McLaren 1976 (Photo: WRI2)

5
1976 - Grand Prix of Japan
James Hunt (champion) vs Niki Lauda

The 1976 turned out to be one of the most dramatic, turbulent and intense F1 seasons. Only three points separated Ferrari's Niki Lauda and McLaren's James Hunt at the final race of the year at Fuji in Japan. Lauda, who had protested before the start of the very wet race, pulled out after one lap. Hunt led almost throughout, before he suffered a late puncture that forced him to pit and dropped him to fifth. It meant Lauda was still headed for the title. But two laps from the chequered flag, Hunt passed Alan Jones and Clay Regazzoni to secure third and beat Lauda to the crown by just one point.

4
1994 - Grand Prix of Australia
Michael Schumacher (champion) vs Damon Hill

Controversy, acrimony and recrimination swirled in 1994, even before one of the most infamous final rounds in F1 historyDuring the race, Michael Schumacher slid off track and thumped the wall in his Benetton. Damon Hill's Williams closed rapidly, and Schumacher chopped across Hill. The German was out immediately; his British rival limped back to the pits but, unable to continue, had to cede the title.

Nigel Mansell, Williams, 1986 (Photo: WRI2)

3
1986 - Grand Prix of Australia
Alain Prost (champion) vs Nigel Mansell vs Nelson Piquet

Williams' Nigel Mansell went into the Australian Grand Prix as the title favourite, needing just third place to guarantee him glory. Nigel was running third and seemingly cruising on lap 64, when a rear tire suddenly and violently blew, forcing the Briton into a retirement. Williams bought Nelson Piquet in for fresh rubber in reaction to Mansell's exit. Alain Prost therefore moved into a decisive lead, resisting Piquet's late charge to clinch his first world championship.

2
1997 - Grand Prix of Europe
Jacques Villeneuve (champion) vs Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher carried a one-point advantage over Jacques Villeneuve into the Jerez decider. Schumacher led the race but Villeneuve stayed in touch with the German. When the Canqadian tried to pass the Ferrari, Schumacher drove into him, and ended up in the gravel and in disgrace. Villeneuve survived the collision to finish third, enough to clinch the title.

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 2008 (Photo: WRI2)

1
2008 - Grand Prix of Brazil
Lewis Hamilton (champion) vs Felipe Massa

Ferrari's Felipe Massa headed into the 2008 Brazil finale knowing only first or second would give him a chance of the title. He did everything he could, qualifying on pole and leading all but seven laps en route to victory in front of a home crowd. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton had slipped up when rain had begun to fall, losing his grasp on an all-important fifth place. The title fight swings, however, just a few hundred metres from the chequered flag: Hamilton passed the slick-shod Toyota of Timo Glock to secure fifth, and with it a crucial four points.

From GMM

Disgruntled small teams Sahara Force India, Lotus and Sauber have written a letter to express alarm that F1 appears headed in the direction of 'Super GP2'.

After backmarkers Caterham and Marussia entered administration, and the grid threatened to dwindle yet further amid financial pressures, it became clear that one plan to boost numbers in future is three-car teams.

But with the next smallest teams requesting more of the sport's commercial income and even threatening boycott, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suddenly axed talks in Brazil and said the solution is simply for the teams to spend less.

"After our meeting in Brazil," a new letter from the three teams to Ecclestone reads, "we clearly see the direction of formula one towards customer cars/Super GP2."

'Super GP2' is reportedly a plan for small teams to abandon being constructors and instead run single-make chassis that count only towards a separate, lower-tier championship.

"It is equally clear that the Strategy Group has no intention at all to reduce cost," added the letter, written by Sahara Force India's deputy boss Bob Fernley.

Bob Fernley, Vijay Mallya (Sahara Force India) and Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber). (Photo: WRi2)

The three teams are now requesting urgent new talks at the Abu Dhabi season finale this weekend, where a boycott threat if made would have enormous impact given the championship showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

The letter was also sent to the FIA, F1's owner CVC, and the other teams.

It referred to a "questionable cartel" headed by Ecclestone and the biggest and most powerful teams in the sport, who control "both the governance of formula one and, apparently, the distribution of funds".

The 'cartel' claim indicates the next step that could be taken by the three teams, who it is believed question even the legality of the strategy group and the distribution of funds under European competition law.

Asked if potential legal action is on the cards, Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn - a lawyer by trade - said in Brazil a week ago: "Being a lawyer, you have to be careful with these assessments off the top of your head.

"It all sounds very easy and logical, but you really have to look at the detail," she told Britain's Sky. "What is the criteria, does it apply to us or not?

"But I don't think we should be going to that stage. We are all sensible people in here (the paddock), we all know that whatever (money) we generate here is through all of us -- I'm very sure four teams could not generate this much income."

Newly crowned European Formula 3 champion, Frenchman Esteban Ocon looks set to make his Formula 1 official debut in Abu Dhabi with Lotus F1 Team.

Speed Week and Autosprint report Tuesday that the 18-year-old member of Gravity Management and Lotus Junior Team will drive a Renault-powered E22 in the Friday's first practice session.

Ocon tested a Lotus F1 car earlier this year, as well as a Ferrari F10.

Italian magazine Autosprint also reports that Ocon may not come head-to-head with his Formula 3 rival and new Toro Rosso driver, Max Verstappen Friday.

It appears that Scuderia Toro Rosso looks to maximise the double points race weekend by not sidelining race driver Jean-Eric Vergne Friday morning as originally planned.

Lotus E22-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

McLaren Formula 1 team has confirmed it will not unveil its 2015 driver line-up during the next coming weeks.

In a short press release published Tuesday night, the team said “in order to avoid distracting the race team from its primary objective during the final Grand Prix weekend of the season, which is to secure the best possible on-track results, we have decided to defer our final deliberations relating to our 2015 driver line-up until a date no earlier than Monday December 1st”.

McLaren-Honda
“Meanwhile, we are working extremely hard to ensure that every element of our competitive package for 2015 and beyond is also specified to the fullest extent. We have spent the past nine months comprehensively recruiting and restructuring within our design and engineering departments; over the next few days we will be evaluating and trialling a range of aerodynamic upgrades for the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and for the 2015 Formula 1 season."

"Furthermore, we are now only a few days away from formally commencing our exciting technical partnership with Honda, and, subject to satisfactory final bench-testing, it is currently our intention to run our interim development car, the McLaren MP4-29H/1X1, on the test days that will follow the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”

In an exclusive interview he gave Tuesday to French radio station Europe 1, former Formula 1 driver, Philippe Streiff admitted he was very worried about Jules Bianchi's condition.

Streiff himself suffered terrible spinal injuries in a Formula 1 crash in 1989.

During a test in Brazil, his AGS left the track, summersaulted several times, and was launched over the safety barriers. The roll-over hoop was ripped from the chassis, causing severe spinal injuries to the French driver who today suffers from tetraplegia and in a wheel chair.

Jules Bianchi's Marussia left the track during the recent Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka and hit a heavy tractor that was removing a stranded F1 car on the side of the road.

Since then, Bianchi remains in a critical, but stable condition in a Japanese hospital.

“Unfortunately, the news is not good,” Streiff told Europe 1.

“[Jules] is in a coma and still cannot be moved. It is very serious, and I personally don't think that he will emerge from his coma very soon. If he does, he will be deeply handicapped,” Streiff explained.

Jules Bianchi, Philippe Streiff and Laury Thilleman during the ERDF Master Karts in 2011. (Photo: WRI2)

“I think Jules' accident was far more serious than Michael Schumacher's. It's a lot worse than hitting your head on a rock. It was serious for Schumacher, but I can say that it is very, very serious for Jules Bianchi. If he emerges from his coma, the situation will be extremely hard for him and his family,” Streiff added.

Philippe Streiff mentioned Michael Schumacher: The Frenchman is fully aware that head and spinal injuries can be extremely serious.

“People say ‘Schumacher is getting better.' It's all relative. His situation is complex and difficult. He's paralysed in a wheelchair, like me. He's also suffering from memory and speech troubles.”

“Being in his house and surrounded by members of his family may speed up his recovery process a bit, but it will be very difficult. Apparently, he can communicate with his eyes to his wife and his manager,” Streiff said.

From GMM

New GP2 champion Jolyon Palmer is not among the numerous contenders to race for the returning Caterham in Abu Dhabi.

When he wrapped up the feeder series' championship recently, the 23-year-old Briton - whose father Jonathan is a former F1 driver and well-known circuit boss - said he was confident he can make the big step into F1 next year.

"I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but this title is a big help," he said.

With Caterham returning from its American absence this weekend, Palmer's name is one that has been connected with becoming Kamui Kobayashi's teammate.

But Palmer "has ruled himself out of the running for the second seat", Times correspondent Kevin Eason reveals.

Jolyon Palmer, 2014 GP2 Champion. (Photo: WRi2)

In other driver news, the impressive new champion of European F3, Esteban Ocon, having beaten Max Verstappen to the title, looks set to make his F1 race weekend debut in Abu Dhabi.

Speed Week (Germany) and Autosprint (Italy) report that the 18-year-old, under contract to Lotus' young driver programme, will drive the Enstone team's E22 in the first Friday practice session.

Autosprint also reports that Ocon may not come head-to-head with his F3 rival Verstappen in that session, as Toro Rosso looks to maximise the double points race weekend by not sidelining Jean-Eric Vergne as originally planned.

From press release

Veteran motorsports engineer Matt Borland has been named vice president of technology for Haas F1 Team and Stewart-Haas Racing.

In this role, Borland will serve as a liaison between the two organizations - Haas F1 Team in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Haas F1 Team will make its Formula 1 debut in 2016, becoming the first American-led Formula One team in 30 years.

Borland will oversee the transfer of F1 technology to Stewart-Haas Racing while providing Haas F1 Team with deep engineering resources.

Concurrently, the highly respected Borland will serve as a gatekeeper, ensuring the privacy of proprietary information respective to each team.

Borland came to Haas CNC Racing with significant NASCAR experience, first with Team Penske from the end of the 1999 season through 2006 and then with Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007.

Prior to coming to NASCAR, Borland was the race engineer for driver Mark Blundell at PacWest Racing in Champ Car and before that, Borland was at Pi Research, a well-known engineering organization specializing in motorsports.

Borland joined Haas CNC Racing, the precursor to Stewart-Haas Racing, in May 2007. He has served in numerous capacities, including crew chief, competition director, technical director and, most recently, vice president of engineering, where he oversaw all of the team's technical initiatives and research and development projects.

Albatec Racing will field a two-litre, 16v Peugeot 208 for 2007 British Rallycross Champion Ollie O'Donovan in the final round of the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship.

The London-based Irishman will join regular driver Andy Scott aboard one of the team's 600bhp Supercars in San Luis, Argentina over the weekend of November 28-30.

This news confirms that former Formula 1 World Champion, Jacques Villeneuve will not be driving for Albatec Racing in Argentina.

Peugeot 208 16v. (Photo: Albatec Racing)

From press release

Five-time 500cc MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan will compete at next month's Race Of Champions in Barbados.

Doohan, one of the greatest riders in the history of two-wheeled sport, dominated his sport in the ‘90s, collecting a haul of over 50 wins and five straight 500cc MotoGP world championships for Honda from 1994 to 1998. This run was sandwiched by two serious crashes, the second of which broke his leg in several places and ended his competitive career.

Doohan will partner V8 Supercar great Jamie Whincup (who sealed his own sixth championship on Sunday) for Team Australia in the ROC Nations Cup.

Drivers already announced for the 2014 Race Of Champions:

Tom KRISTENSEN, nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner
Romain GROSJEAN, Lotus F1 Team driver, reigning ROC Champion of Champions
Ryan HUNTER-REAY, Indianapolis 500 winner 2014, IndyCar Champion 2012
Jamie WHINCUP, V8 Supercar Champion 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008
Petter SOLBERG, FIA World Rallycross Champion 2014, FIA World Rally Champion 2003
Susie WOLFF, development driver for the Williams F1 team
Kurt BUSCH, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion 2004
José-Maria LOPEZ, FIA World Touring Car Champion 2014
Esteban OCON, FIA European F3 Champion 2014
Mick DOOHAN, 500cc MotoGP World Champion 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel has hinted once again that he will be a Ferrari driver in 2015.

With Ferrari not yet confirming the deal amid its apparent contractual impasse with Fernando Alonso, the departing Red Bull driver has already hinted at his Maranello move by telling the Italian broadcaster Sky he is a "driver for Scuderia Ferrari".

And this week, he has mused openly about becoming his friend Kimi Raikkonen's next teammate.

Now, in conversation with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, he was asked if he blames Alonso for the hold-up because the Spaniard has not yet officially vacated the Ferrari seat.

"I don't think the fault lies with one person," the German answered, "so I don't think you can talk about blame.

"It's just a situation that is not yet entirely clear, which is the way it is in formula one sometimes.

"It is of course silly if you can't answer the questions that are being asked of you, so I do hope there will be clarity soon," Vettel added.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

Interestingly, it has not been lost on some that in pairing Vettel with Raikkonen next year, Ferrari is putting together two drivers who notably struggled to match the pace of their respective teammates in 2014.

Asked about Raikkonen and his problems this year, Sebastian Vettel answered: "We do not need to talk about Kimi's talent. That is undisputed. Apparently he just hasn't been able to get from the car what he needs in order to feel comfortable this year."

From GMM

Caterham has bucked expectations and arrived in Abu Dhabi for the 2014 finale.

After a two-race absence and with administrators raising money through crowdfunding, scarcely a soul in the Interlagos paddock truly believed the green team would make the trip to the United Emirates Capital.

Indeed, there was still scepticism mere days ago, when the team announced its comeback and signed up Kamui Kobayashi to race.

But on Tuesday at the Yas Marina circuit, Caterham is definitely among the teams busily setting up for the weekend's racing.

Photo: Caterham F1 Team/Twitter

Photos on social media show Caterham staff, although reportedly laid off, arriving through the paddock turnstile.

And the Leafield based team posted photos on Twitter confirming its "busy, busy, busy" efforts to set up the garage.

Photo: Caterham F1 Team/Twitter

That is despite the team not yet confirming the identity of Japanese Kobayashi's teammate.

Another driver apparently out of the running is the talented Dutchman Robin Frijns, who earlier this year was the team's reserve driver.

He told the racexpress.nl website: "My manager Timo Gans said that I am not driving in Abu Dhabi, but I can't say anything about it."

From GMM

Christian Horner has put an alarming horse power figure on Renault's deficit to dominant Mercedes in 2014.

"Our engine has 75 horse power less than the Mercedes," he declared to the Italian publication Autosprint.

A big argument is taking place at present between struggling Renault - Red Bull's works supplier - and F1's other engine marques Ferrari and Mercedes.

Renault and Ferrari are pushing hard for the so-called engine development 'freeze' to be relaxed, but Mercedes is understandably resisting.

"If you look at the speed in the corners," Red Bull chief Horner said, "we are always the best. Unfortunately we don't have the power that we need.

"When you are 75 horse power down, it doesn't really matter what else you have. What can you do? Nothing."

Red Bull RB10 powered by Renault. (Photo WRi2)

He thinks it is unfair that when Red Bull was utterly dominant in the past, F1 did not hesitate to clamp down on the team's aerodynamic advantages.

"I do hope that Renault is able to close the gap for the future, but it's not easy," said Horner.

"Because if you freeze a new technology so early, it is very difficult to fix all of the problems that you have.

"In the past, always with the aim of slowing down Red Bull, there were no doubts whatsoever about altering the technical regulations when we had all the double diffusers, blown diffusers, flexible parts, engine maps," he added.

From Citroen Racing

After a convincing performance on his first full season in the World Rally Championship, Kris Meeke will be driving a DS3 WRC again in 2015.

The British driver will continue to compete alongside Irish co-driver Paul Nagle.

Third in the Junior WRC with Citroën in 2005 and winner of the IRC in 2009, Kris Meeke competed in his first rallies with the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team in 2013.

This season, the Briton played a major part in Citroën securing second place in the Manufacturers' World Championship.

In 2015, Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle will therefore be joining forces in a works DS3 WRC.

Having secured podium finishes on surfaces as different as Monte-Carlo, Argentina, Finland and France, Meeke and Nagle also led rounds in Germany and Australia.

With an identical calendar scheduled for next season, the experience they have acquired this year will help them be even more competitive in 2015.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to clamp down on the proliferation of internet journalists in F1.

After controversially rubbishing the power of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter last week, the F1 supremo is now warning that online publications will find access to the paddock more difficult in the future.

He told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt: "Choose your race for free, enter the paddock, meet the drivers. How do you do it? Set up a website.

"I'm going to have a good look at the accreditation because it is a bit of a joke," 84-year-old Ecclestone added.

Bernie Ecclestone surrounded by journalists in Brazil. (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, amid Marussia and Caterham's troubles and with other small teams demanding talks with Ecclestone, the diminutive Briton sounds determined to plough ahead with plans to introduce third cars per team.

"We are talking about all the different options with third cars," he told City A.M.

"The contracts just say they have to run a third car if it drops below the limit. We are talking about what the right way is to go," Bernie Ecclestone added.

Only two drivers - Mercedes AMG teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg -- still have a mathematical chance of winning the 2014 Formula 1 drivers' World Championship in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Let's review all the possibilities for each of them.

The “easiest” way for Briton Hamilton to clinch his second world title is to finish Sunday's race in first or second place.

With the double points rule that prevails for this final race of the season, Rosberg must finish ahead of his teammate. However, if Rosberg wins the race, Hamilton has to finish third or lower for the German to take the crown.

Here is the points' possibility chart with the current standings and the points awarded for each position.

Toyota said it plans to sell close to 200 of its Mirai -- it means 'future' in Japanese -- fuel-cell sedans when it goes on sale in California in late 2015, and 3,000 units by the end of 2017 as it expands marketing to cover the...

Toyota said it plans to sell close to 200 of its Mirai -- it means 'future' in Japanese -- fuel-cell sedans when it goes on sale in California in late 2015, and 3,000 units by the end of 2017 as it expands marketing to cover the...

Plans to upgrade a paint shop at a Chrysler Group factory in Detroit will leave the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango colorblind for a couple months.

Harold Coker, founder of Coker Tire in Chattanooga, which produces tires for antique vehicles, died Sunday. He was 84.