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Ferrari is worth as much as 12 billion euros on the open market based on Chairman Sergio Marchionne's most optimistic blue-sky estimate. The true value will be a hot topic for months.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, Nov. 3. This month's edition looks at why megaplatforms are a must-have for any automaker with global ambitions.

As a design leader at companies such as Ford and Volvo, Peter Horbury has always been the outsider with great insight, the foreigner able to identify style motifs native to a particular country and put them to good use.

BMW has found a unique way that 3-D printing could help some assembly workers at a plant in Germany do their jobs.

Ferrari is worth as much as 12 billion euros on the open market based on Chairman Sergio Marchionne's most optimistic blue-sky estimate. The true value will be a hot topic for months.

Succession is not an imminent topic at Daimler or Volkswagen, the CEOs of both carmakers said, adding that any potential candidates would most likely come from within their respective companies.

Johnson Controls, which counts on Europe for more than 40 percent of its sales, posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit.

Jaguar Land Rover moved another step closer to gaining greater control of its destiny with the opening of its $750 million engine plant near Wolverhampton, England.

BorgWarner, which counts on Europe for about half its global sales, reported a 13 percent increase in revenue and flat net income for the third quarter after one-time charges.

Teenager Max Verstappen, who turned 17 just weeks ago, will participate Friday in the opening free practice session of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

For the second time this season, Max, son of former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, will be behind the wheel of Jean-Eric Vergne's Toro Rosso STR9 Friday morning.

“I spent one day in the simulator for this track, and I find it very challenging. The objective tomorrow is to get more laps than I got in Suzuka, where I got just 22, and learn more about the car,” Verstappen told Auto123.com in Austin Thursday.

“I'm still not chasing lap times. It's in Melbourne next year that I'll need to be fast. My goal is to get used to a Formula 1 car, and especially the new power unit, which is very different from the previous V8 engine,” he added.

Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso STR9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

Verstappen road to F1 has been extremely impressive. Last winter, he was racing karts. He began car racing straight in Formula 3 this season and has been hired by Toro Rosso months later.

Was graduating from F3 to F1 difficult to handle?

“No, the biggest step is from karting to Formula 3, not from F3 to Formula 1. From F3 to F1, the car has more power, the car is bigger and of course is shod on different tires. But a race car is a race car,” the teenager said.

Verstappen drove his F3 car days after he piloted the Toro Rosso in Suzuka.

“I found my F3 car to be a little bit slow when I drove it at Imola, but I quickly got used to it again. It's something I have to deal with,” he told Auto123.com.

“So far in my life I've always taken big steps. Things are happening like this. At the beginning of this year, I had no idea this would happen. I think when you have the chance to do something, you have to take it. I focus on my job and you'll see that happens,” he continued.

Max Verstappen does not know who his teammate will be next year.

“For the team it would be better to have an experienced driver. For me, it would also be a good thing, because I can easily see in which areas I need to improve. An experienced driver is a good benchmark,” he said.

The young Dutch also talked about his preparation for next year.

“The work in the simulator will increase during the winter time but I also need to train more physically. So far, I did not have any issues, but a two-hour race in Singapore is a very different story,” he explained.

One last question: Are you a better driver than your father?

“Yes, of course!” Max replied.

From GMM

With Caterham and Marussia in the throes of failure, the governing FIA has admitted it is concerned about the financial situation in F1.

It is believed the next most endangered team on the grid is the Swiss privateer Sauber, whose boss and co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn sounded furious as she spoke to media on Thursday.

"I think the worst part is that we're damaging the sport with this so much that I think the owners of the product of the sport should think what they're doing here," she said.

Kaltenborn insisted that with "billions" flowing into F1's commercial coffers, it is unacceptable that the sport is "not capable" of keeping 11 teams alive.

"Now you try to explain that to somebody," she exclaimed.

Spain's Marca newspaper claims one struggling team, perhaps Hinwil based Sauber, has leaked the precise cost of minimally keeping a two-car operation afloat throughout a season at present -- EUR 94.4 million.

Paddock entrance. (Photo: WRi2)

Earlier this year, FIA president Jean Todt tried to introduce a budget cap in formula one but ran into the opposition of the powerful, big team-dominated strategy group.

But in light of Marussia and Caterham's collapses, the FIA said in a statement that "these failings once again acutely raise the question of the economic balance of (F1) and justify the position, expressed many times by the FIA, in favour of any initiative that will help reduce costs in order to ensure the survival of the existing grid or attract potential new entrants".

The FIA demonstrated its sympathy for this weekend's absent backmarkers when stewards on Thursday decided against penalising Caterham and Marussia, despite the clear rule requiring every team to "participate in every event".

"In view of the current financial circumstances, the stewards decide not to impose any penalty," the stewards' statement read.

And because "of the particular nature of the breach, the matter is referred to the attention of the FIA president", the stewards added.

From GMM

After the Capricorn deal fell through, a new owner for the German grand prix venue at the Nurburgring has already been found.

Until recently, the embattled Nurburgring's buyer was the Dusseldorf automotive company Capricorn, whose chief Robertino Wild failed to make the second due instalment payment.

So the German business publication Wirtschaftswoche has named the new majority buyer as Russian billionaire Victor Charitonin.

The English spelling of his surname is Kharitonin, as Forbes explains that together with fellow Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich the 41-year-old established the pharmaceutical company Pharmstandard.

Wirtschaftswoche said Kharitonin declined to comment.

But the report claims he has already made the second and third due payment instalments for the fabled German circuit, although the latter is not due until December.

"This is a positive signal for operators, customers and employees," confirmed Pietro Nuvoloni, a spokesman for the insolvency administrator.

He added that a company called NR Holding AG, involving "the Russian businessman Viktor Charitonin", has indeed taken over Capricorn's two thirds shareholding.

Nuvoloni would not say how much Kharitonin paid for the majority stake, but the Capricorn deal was said to be costing the German company EUR 77 million.

From GMM

Mercedes is not yet willing to let its drivers "off the leash" in their three-race fight for the drivers' title.

That is despite the German squad having wrapped up the crucial and lucrative constructors' championship three weeks ago in Russia.

It was said at the time that Mercedes, having tried to contain the hostility of the duel between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, might react to its title success by giving the drivers freer reign to battle for F1's biggest prize.

But complicating the issue, as far as team boss Toto Wolff is concerned, is that Daniel Ricciardo remains mathematically in the hunt for the title.

"I'm a pessimist," the Austrian told Der Spiegel ahead of the US grand prix in Austin.

"The lead that Lewis and Nico have over Daniel Ricciardo is not so big that we can let our drivers completely off the leash."

The two Mercedes drivers in the pitlane. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Told, however, that a silver-clad driver is surely now all but guaranteed the crown, Wolff insisted: "Before you have reached a goal, you cannot sit back. It can still go wrong.

"I call this purposeful paranoia," he added.

"I honestly don't want to be going to this 50-point race in Abu Dhabi with Ricciardo still theoretically able to snatch the title from us. I would like clarity before that.

"And when we have the luxury situation that only our drivers can win, then we can talk about it again," said Toto Wolff.

From GMM

Caterham driver, Marcus Ericsson looks set to keep his formula one career alive by signing with Sauber for 2015.

Said to carry some $18 million in personal sponsorship, the Swedish rookie is trackside in Austin this weekend despite the absence of his failing existing team, Caterham.

"I had the ticket anyway," he told Speed Week, "but I came here because I want to maintain contact with the sport.

"I'm sad that I cannot drive but it's important for me to meet with some people," the 24-year-old added.

Roger Benoit, the veteran correspondent for the Swiss newspaper Blick, claims Ericsson will replace either Adrian Sutil or Esteban Gutierrez at Sauber next year.

Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil, Sauber. (Photo: WRi2)

The news came as the Swiss team's boss and co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn slammed the financial situation in F1, as the struggling privateers begin to collapse.

"I think I'm beyond the stage of frustration," she said.

"It's one thing to always talk about this terrible scenario that some teams are not going to be there, but that the sport and the people responsible for the sport have let it come that far is extremely disturbing," Monisha Kaltenborn added.

"I think the worst part is that we're damaging the sport with this so much that I think the owners of the product of the sport should think what they're doing here."

The Spanish sports daily Marca said one struggling team, perhaps Sauber, has illustrated the point by leaking the precise minimum cost of putting two cars on the grid for the entire season -- EUR 94.4 million.

So with Ericsson's millions said to be arriving in 2015, attention now turns to who - the strongly Mexican-backed Gutierrez or German Sutil - will have to make way.

Sutil doesn't think it will be him, insisting on Thursday there is "no change" in his contractual partnership with Sauber, which continues through 2015.

Gutierrez, meanwhile, said: "I think in the next three weeks we will know what will happen with me. Nothing in life is guaranteed -- and that goes even more so for formula one."

FIA stewards revealed Friday that Sebastian Vettel would need the take the start of the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix from the pit lane.

The Stewards of the meeting, having received a report from the Technical Delegate (document 10), and having considered the following matter, determine a breach of the regulations has been committed by the Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel below and impose the penalty referred to.

The document reveals that a 6th complete power unit has been used.

Car No. 1, driven by the four-time World Champion, is therefore required to start the race from the pit lane.

Starting grid in 2014. (Photo: WRi2)

From WEC

While the session started off dry the rain soon started to fall and by the end of the first hour conditions had worsened to the point that most of the cars had retired to the pits and with 17 minutes remaining on the clock the session was red flagged.

Most of the cars had ventured out while the track was dry and the #8 Toyota of Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi was once again on top with a lap of 1m49.134, an improvement of 0.7 seconds over the best time set in the morning session.  Alex Wurz was second quickest in the #7 Toyota, his best lap of 1m49.806 an big improvement of 1.1 seconds over the first session.  Audi Sport were 3rd and 4th again, with Porsche in 5th and 6th.

Ligier JSP2. (Photo: FIA WEC)

The top two in the LMP2 class was a mirror image of the earlier session, with the #26 G-Drive Racing Ligier-Nissan with Roman Rusinov improving by nearly 0.7 seconds.  The #30 Extreme Speed Motorsports HPD-Honda was second fastest with Ryan Dalziel, with the #31 ESM car in 3rd thanks to a 1m58.145 lap by Johannes Van Overbeek.

The third Free Practice session of the weekend will take place at 09:30 (local) on Saturday morning. Qualifying for the 6 Hours of Shanghai will begin at 13:20 (local) on Saturday afternoon.  

From GMM

Romain Grosjean has revealed an exit clause will allow him to walk away from Lotus at the end of the season.

Insiders believe the Frenchman, obviously frustrated by the Enstone team's struggles in 2014, is waiting for the Fernando Alonso situation to clear before re-committing to Lotus for another season.

Some think he is obviously hoping for a seat at McLaren, where his mentor Eric Boullier is now the team boss.

Asked by France's RMC if he will benefit from Lotus' switch from Renault to Mercedes power for 2015, 28-year-old Grosjean answered: "I can actually be with this project.

"Since May or June I've been screaming that the 2015 Lotus must be better than 2014, and many things have been done in the right way.

"There is a good chance I will stay at Lotus, but there are still a few opportunities elsewhere. I will not say more," Grosjean insisted.

Then, in the official FIA press conference in Austin, Grosjean declared that the fact Lotus is testing a Mercedes-style 2015 nose ahead of the US grand prix is "a strong sign" of the team's impending recovery.

"I have a contract with the team," he revealed. "I have the option to leave if I want to -- this is from some performance clause.

"So far there are still places available at top teams or they haven't been confirmed and that's where I want to be in the near future and that's what we try to do," Grosjean added.

New and old nose of the Lotus E22 at Austin. (Photo: WRi2)

In yet another interview in Austin, this time with F1's official website, Grosjean repeated his possession of an "option to walk out" on Lotus.

"It is no secret that I want to be part of a big team - which is Ferrari, McLaren or Mercedes - and some of them haven't announced their 2015 lineup yet, so there is still hope as I want to join such a team by 2015, latest 2016," said the Frenchman.

"If I stay (at Lotus) I am happy to stay as I think we can probably taste champagne again -- a few times! But I want to be champion and to achieve that I have to move on," Grosjean added.

Although undoubtedly waiting on Alonso's next move, Grosjean also admitted he is keeping an eye on the 'three cars' story for 2015, given the recent collapse of backmarkers Caterham and Marussia.

"If you put it (a third car) on a good team and you're racing in the same cars as what we call the superstars, then it gives you an opportunity to show how strong you are and then get called one of those superstars," he smiled.

"A third car would certainly help some of us to have a good reputation."

From GMM

Fernando Alonso is keeping the F1 paddock in the dark over his future, as a string of rival drivers also wait impatiently for his next move.

Undoubtedly the most powerful player on the driver market, the Spaniard is said to have definitely split with Ferrari, but reports suggest a contractual impasse is in play between Alonso and the Italian team.

Once that is past, Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari switch will surely become official, but for now even Kimi Raikkonen - the other driver wearing red - is on standby.

"Let's see what happens," the typically phlegmatic Raikkonen told Finnish publications in Austin. "Until then there is no reason to speculate."

But also dramatically held up by the Alonso stalemate is McLaren, his likely 2015 destination as the British team's highly anticipated works Honda era begins.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

It means the careers of both Jenson Button - the most experienced driver in F1 and a former world champion - and Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen are hanging by a thread.

"We haven't been told anything (by McLaren) apart from they don't know anything," Button's manager Richard Goddard told Reuters ahead of the US grand prix.

"I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's not like they've made their mind up as to one path or another.

"He (Ron Dennis) speaks to me and he says 'I'm really sorry, but we're still in a holding pattern. I know perhaps we shouldn't be, but we are'," Goddard added.

One of the outlets convinced that Alonso is definitely McLaren-bound is the Spanish daily Marca, insisting that the terms have all been agreed and the contract is only awaiting Alonso's signature.

But for now, Alonso is saying nothing, amid wilder speculation he might spearhead an Audi entry for 2016, take a year out to race at Le Mans, or start on the road to a works Mercedes seat by switching to Williams or Lotus.

"I have a very ambitious plan in my head for my future," he told reporters in Austin.

"If that happens people will be very, very excited -- as I am," the 33-year-old added.

Italy's Autosprint quotes him as continuing: "Some things have slowed down the process of my decision, including the crash of Jules Bianchi at Suzuka.

"But the problem at this time is not what anybody is saying -- the decision is mine," he insisted.

From GMM

Forza Rossa, a Romanian project targeting a debut in formula one, has played down reports it has already been granted an entry by the FIA.

Reports this week suggested that with Caterham now close to collapse, advisor Colin Kolles is set to return his immediate attention to Forza Rossa.

But a statement attributed to Forza Rossa, published by the respected Romanian outlet prosport.ro, insisted: "For the moment there is no official engagement between Mr Colin Kolles and Forza Rossa F1 Team."

The statement clarified that Caterham was never "related" to Kolles' involvement at Caterham, contrary to recent speculation.

Manfredi Ravetto, until recently the boss at Caterham, also denied the reported links between the failing Leafield based team and Forza Rossa.

"The investors involved (in Forza Rossa) should have met with Bernie Ecclestone at Monza, but I didn't see them," he is quoted by Italy's Omnicorse.

"I do not think there is a future for that idea."

But the reports earlier this week had quoted court documents as suggesting Forza Rossa has been granted approval to make its F1 debut either next year or in 2016.

Colin Kolles. (Photo: WRi2)

But the Forza Rossa media statement said: "We would like to inform you that we don't yet have an official and public confirmation from the FIA regarding our participation in the formula one world championship.

"Until the FIA official statement any information on our participation in F1 is pure speculation."

The Spanish news agency EFE is reporting similarly, quoting a man by the name of Bogdan Sonea, who is apparently the marketing director of Forza Rossa Ferrari, the official dealer of Ferrari road cars within Romania.

The latest paddock whisper is that Forza Rossa may now be distancing itself from Caterham because it sees buying the similarly failing backmarker Marussia - already powered by customer Ferrari engines - as a better option.

Also rumoured in the Romanian press is that Forza Rossa will be based in Germany, with cars powered by Renault.

"We're still awaiting official confirmation from the FIA to enter formula one," Sonea said.

He added that the project is purely privately funded, without the rumoured involvement of the Romanian government.

Mercedes AMG's Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in both free practice sessions held Friday ahead of the US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The track was a little bit slippery this morning because of a night rain. The McLarens of Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button set the pace early in the first session before Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg emerged fastest.

Button ranked third ahead of Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) and Magnussen.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Very good work from the rookies: Felipe Nasr was 8th in the Williams and Max Verstappen was 10th in the Toro Rosso.

The end of the session saw a number of drivers undertake a ‘virtual safety car' test being analysed as one possible response to the accident suffered by Marussia driver Jules Bianchi in Japan.

Second free practice session

Lewis Hamilton maintained his position at the head of the field in practice two, beating his teammate Rosberg by just three thousandths of a second.

The new nose of the Lotus E22. (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Both Mercedes drivers reported gearbox problems with a downshift issue for Rosberg and Hamilton having an issue changing from fourth to fifth. Hamilton was stopped early with a suspected hydraulic issue.

Fernando Alonso ranked fourth in his Ferrari, one place ahead Daniel Ricciardo in the fastest Red Bull RB10.

Felipe Massa (Williams), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) followed in order.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (Photo: Rene Fagnan)

Forced to start the race from the pit lane, Sebastian Vettel worked on his race set-ups and was classified a lowly 18th.

US Grand Prix, Austin, Friday 1st free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m39.941 - 28 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m40.233 - 32
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m40.319 - 27
4 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m40.887 - 33
5 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m40.987 - 29
6 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m41.065 - 27
7 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m41.463 - 20
8 - Felipe Nasr (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m41.545 - 19
9 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m41.722 - 24
10 - Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m41.785 - 32
11 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m41.907 - 21
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m41.965 - 23
13 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m42.329 - 28
14 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m42.333 - 23
15 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m42.359 - 23
16 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m42.516 - 24
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m42.598 - 5
18 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m43.229 - 26

US Grand Prix, Austin, Friday 2nd free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m39.085 - 18 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m39.088 - 34
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m40.189 - 29
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m40.390 - 30
5 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m40.457 - 36
6 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m40.543 - 32
7 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m40.631 - 34
8 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m40.641 - 38
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m40.698 - 36
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m40.800 - 25
11 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m40.828 - 37
12 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m41.054 - 31
13 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m41.110 - 36
14 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m41.123 - 35
15 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m41.158 - 37
16 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m41.332 - 33
17 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m41.420 - 34
18 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m43.980 - 19
*Unofficial timing