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The start of Range Rover Evoque production in China will not reduce output at the UK factory where the SUV is built, the plant's operations director said.

Daimler reported a 21 percent increase in third-quarter profit as deliveries of the Mercedes S class more than doubled. Profit at Mercedes Cars, which also includes the Smart brand, widened to 8.

From GMM

Gene Haas has played down suggestions Bernie Ecclestone could freeze him out of F1 long before his team's scheduled 2016 debut.

The American might be forgiven if he was alarmed by the F1 supremo's latest statements, including Ecclestone's desire for "a formula one with eight teams with three cars each".

And as backmarker Caterham sits on the brink of collapse this week, Ecclestone told The Sun: "I think it's better they go.

"I don't want people going around with begging bowls," he added.

But if Ecclestone's stance sounds ominous for a small startup beginning to plan for its 2016 debut, Gene Haas insisted: "We have a license, we will be there.

"Unless something changes that would be a shock to me," he told CNN.

"I think Bernie's objective is to have teams who are well-structured, well-funded and that race at a level that the world championship requires," Haas added.

He said that with the sport's existing teams spending between $50 million and half a billion per year, "We should be somewhere in the middle of that".

Marco Mattiacci (Ferrari) and Gene Haas. (Photo: WRi2)

And a powerful ally for Haas is F1's most iconic team, Ferrari.

Gene Haas confirmed: "Ferrari wanted to go beyond being just an engine supplier and they were going to help us with the basic structures of the car. It's an honour to have Ferrari help us in this way and we take all the help they can give us because you can't really get better than Ferrari."

German car manufacturer Volkswagen will retain Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen for its factory World Rally Championship team into 2015.

The three drivers currently stands first, second and third in the drivers' standings.

Sebastien Ogier, Andreas Mikkelsen and Jari-Matti Latvala. (Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport)

"We currently have the three best rally drivers in the world on our books,” said Jost Capito, head of Volkswagen Motorsport.

"Continuity is an important factor in any success in motorsport, and I am delighted to have been able to extend our cooperation with Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen”.

"Renewing the contract with Volkswagen is a completely logical step," said Sebastien Ogier.

"The best team with the best car - there was no reason for me and [co-driver] Julien [Ingrassia] to want anything but what is far and away the best opportunity to battle for wins and world championship titles.

"I am very pleased that we will continue to work with this team, in which we feel so comfortable and with whom we have enjoyed our greatest successes."

From GMM

Nico Rosberg has admitted he will think more about his own interests now after Mercedes wrapped up the constructors' championship in Russia.

The German has fallen 17 points behind in the intra-team chase for the drivers' title, after Lewis Hamilton won the last four grands prix on the trot.

Some believe Rosberg is tightening up just as Hamilton is hitting his stride, but the German announced he will "attack with full force" beginning with next weekend's US grand prix.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

"The remaining tracks are among my favourites," he said, referring to the final flyaway trio of races in Austin, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

"I have never felt pushed into a corner," Rosberg is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild. "I am a hunter, I am hunting for the title and I have no reason to give up.

"There will be a tough fight over three challenging races," he continued, "and I have no doubt that after thinking about the team, now it is going to be more about our own interests."

Alain Prost, the F1 legend, agreed that although Hamilton is ahead in the standings and on form, Rosberg cannot be counted out yet.

"It's more in favour of Hamilton," said the Frenchman, "but he can always make a mistake at the wrong time. I would say it is 55-45," he told Spain's AS newspaper.

Adapted from GMM

More than a week prior to the United States Grand Prix and the Formula 1 world knows little about the future of Fernando Alonso.

Insiders suggest Fernando Alonso is wavering between a McLaren-Honda contract on his terms or the very real prospect of a sabbatical as he waits for a seat at dominant Mercedes.

"He hasn't got many places to go has he?" F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told business journalist Christian Sylt. "There's nowhere else other than McLaren."

Spain's AS newspaper claims the Spaniard has received a concrete offer from Porsche, where his friend Mark Webber already races at the fabled Le Mans 24 hours.

Motorhome McLaren-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

Nothing's official
But while Alonso's situation remains unclear, his current employer Ferrari waits.

The Maranello team has surely signed up Sebastian Vettel to replace him, but for now, it remains unofficial.

"If you're asking me if Vettel could be a good driver for Ferrari, the answer is yes," newly departed president Luca di Montezemolo said.

"He's young, he's a four time champion of the world, very good guy, good Ferrari client, so he has all the characteristics. So why not?"

Done deal
According to Red Bull, Vettel-to-Ferrari is a done deal. Dr Helmut Marko says even the details of his release to Maranello have been concluded, as the German will be prevented from driving a red car in the post-season Abu Dhabi test.

"Sebastian may not drive for Ferrari in this test," Marko confirmed to Germany's Auto Bild. "It is clear and we have told Sebastian."

It is an odd situation that, now some weeks since Vettel's next move became clear, it remains unofficial.

But the insiders are already musing Ferrari's chances of success with its new star.

Motorhome Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Disappointment at Ferrari
The latest rumours out of Maranello are alarming, as the well-connected Autosprint claims aerodynamic figures from the 2015 car concept are not even as good as the ones from the disappointing current car.

"They need time to rebuild everything," F1 legend and former Ferrari driver Alain Prost told Spain's AS, "as they have been through a lot lately and it can't be fixed in the short term."

The Frenchman also doubts Vettel is the silver bullet.

"Alonso has proved in the past years that a driver cannot fix things at Ferrari. The managerial, technical and driver sides must come together.

"2015 will be difficult for Vettel," Prost predicted, "but I think his move is positive. When you spend so much time with a team and are a multiple champion, it is normal to lose motivation and require another challenge.

"He is young enough to have the time to build a future with Ferrari. His position is different to Fernando, who wants to win immediately."

Ferrari is showing interest into the career of Pietro Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time Formula 1 World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi.

For a fourth year in succession, Banco Santander has invited several talented young sport drivers to undergo three days of special training at the Ferrari Driver Academy in Maranello.

The drivers underwent medical and physical tests, sessions at the simulator with Pedro de la Rosa, mental training and driving race cars on Fiorano's test track.

Pietro Fittipaldi (Photo: Santander)

One of these young drivers is Pietro Fittipaldi. The 18-year-old Brazilian won three karting championships between 2006 and 2010 and clinched the Protyre Formula Renault 2.0 British Championship this year.

Fittipaldi tested a Formula 3 car at Fiorano.

Pietro Fittipaldi (Photo: Santander)

UPDATE, see below

The Caterham Formula 1 employees have found their factory closed this Thursday morning.

"They (the staff) can't get into the factory today," told Reuters the legal administrator of Caterham Sports Limited (CSL).

"They (1MRT) are using my facilities and haven't paid me," added Finbarr O'Connell, a restructuring and recovery partner with London firm Smith and Williamson.

He said the factory would have been reopened if a deal was reached after meetings on Wednesday with representatives of Caterham and lawyers.

"Effectively 1MRT have been in the building for last few days since I arrived," said the legal administrator. "We are trying to reach an acceptable arrangement for them to be there. We had a meeting yesterday with 1MRT and lawyers and the offer they made was unacceptable. So I've sent them away. Hopefully they can come up with an acceptable proposal."

Photo: Caterham F1 Team

Finbarr O'Connell insisted that despite the air of crisis, there was still time to find a solution.

"I don't think this is gone. It's just a case of who has got the money to make it work," said O'Connell of the team's prospects for survival.

The cars and freight are due to be sent to Texas at the weekend for the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. Team sources say the race cars are inside the Leafield factory.

Finbarr O'Connell keeps the doors closed and suspects there might be chassis elsewhere and is looking for them.

UPDATE
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ENGAVEST SA

23 October 2014

On 29 June 2014 Engavest SA signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Tony Fernandes and the Caterham Group to acquire the shares of 1Malaysia Racing Team/Caterham F1.

Engavest SA has fulfilled all the conditions precedent, including paying the purchase price for the shares.

The shares have not been transferred and therefore Mr Fernandes remains the owner of Caterham F1 and is fully responsible for all its activities.

From GMM

Rumours linking Gerhard Berger with a return to the F1 paddock have resurfaced.

Earlier, McLaren slammed as "complete and utter nonsense" reports the former team driver is a candidate for a prominent role, amid suggestions of unrest between shareholders Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh.

Now, it emerges the Woking team's sporting director Sam Michael is set to depart, while the former BMW chief and Toro Rosso co-owner Berger, 55, suddenly becomes available.

The likeable Austrian, a former teammate at McLaren to the great Ayrton Senna, has reportedly stepped down as president of the FIA's single seater commission.

Italy's Autosprint said Berger informed F3 teams of his plans to vacate the post last weekend at Hockenheim.

"The timing seems to agree with those who had predicted Gerhard Berger's return to formula one," said correspondent Roberto Chinchero.

From GMM

Caterham is on the brink of collapse, as the backmarker team loses even the support of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"I think it's better they go," said the 83-year-old Briton as the latest developments emerged late on Wednesday.

"I don't want people going around with begging bowls," Ecclestone told the Sun newspaper in an article credited to business journalist Caroline Reid.

His comments follow Caterham's publication of an explosive press release on Wednesday, as administrators of a company based at the Leafield factory refuse to release the race cars just days before the freight deadline for Austin.

In the release, the new owners accused Tony Fernandes of not transferring shares, leaving them "in the invidious position of funding the team without having legal title to the team it had bought".

Malaysian Fernandes, having earlier distanced himself from the deteriorating situation at Leafield, hit back on Twitter: "If you buy something you should pay for it. Quite simple."

Photo: Caterham F1 Team

Finbarr O'Connell, representing the administrator, is quoted by Speed Week as saying "Obviously, the party Tony Fernandes sold the business to does not have the funds to finance it".

The situation has left Caterham on the verge of collapse, with three grands prix remaining in 2014.

The team admits administrators withholding the cars and guarding the team factory with private security has had "devastating effects on the F1 team's activities".

"After three months of operating the team in good faith, the buyer is now forced to explore all its options including the withdrawal of its management team," said Caterham.

"Lawyers have been instructed by the buyer to bring all necessary claims against all parties, including Mr Fernandes who, as an owner, will run the F1 operation."

Reuters news agency reported that team boss Manfredi Ravetto confirmed that he is no longer running Caterham.

But the harshest blow could be the loss of support of the powerful Ecclestone, who appears in no mind to intervene and keep the grid at 11 teams.

"I don't know who owns them," the F1 chief executive said. "I don't know and I don't care.

"Let me tell you something, they will tell you whatever suits them to tell you."

However, speaking to the BBC, Ecclestobne told something completely different.

"We're trying to help in any way we can, which we do with anybody that has run into a bit of difficulty," Ecclestone told BBC Sport.

"I'd rather not lose the teams," he added.

From GMM

Spanish grand prix boss Salvador Servia insists reports the capital Madrid is bidding to join the F1 calendar do not worry him.

El Confidencial reported in recent days that Bernie Ecclestone is in advanced talks with private investors who want to organise a city street race.

Ecclestone, however, has already warned that after the decline of Spain's second race at Valencia, there is now room only for one annual race per country.

Held at the Circuit de Catalunya, the existing Spanish grand prix has a contract until 2016, according to El Confidencial.

Barcelona boss Servia said: "We know nothing. Nobody has told us anything.

"For years we have read headlines saying that we will not have the grand prix anymore, that we have to alternate with Valencia.

"Our reality is that we have two years left on our contract. We do not change it. We are proud of our contract and we will fulfil it," he added.

On the other hand, Servia said Barcelona remains open to welcoming a second Spanish race to the calendar.

"We survived with and we even supported Valencia," he said. "To us it seems even good to have two grands prix".

At the same time, he has his doubts. "You would block up the centre of Madrid for three weeks, as happens in Monaco.

"But it's all assumptions. We talk on the basis of a rumour. Today, there is nothing serious and we are calm," said Salavador Servia.

From GMM

Romain Grosjean appears set to remain at Lotus in 2015.

Although the French driver has been leaving his future open while Fernando Alonso's move remains unclear, Lotus owner Gerard Lopez has now suggested Enstone is likely to field an identical driver lineup next season.

Romain Grosjean, 28, has been openly unhappy this year as the team and its engine supplier Renault notably struggled.

But Lotus is switching to field-leading Mercedes power for 2015, while Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper claims Grosjean's key backer Total remains committed to F1 despite the tragic death of its president Christophe de Margerie.

And Grosjean has now been quoted by UOL Sao Paulo: "There are big changes happening here (in Lotus) for next year, so it's not a bad place to be.

"It's not the place to be world champion in 2015, but I think we can score points and reach the podium a few times. In this case, we can build up for 2016," he added.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E22-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

From Sauber

During the two days of testing on the Circuit de la Comunidad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, the drivers Adderly Fong and Roy Nissany were able to go through the planned programme.

On Wednesday, Fong was behind the wheel of the Ferrari-powered Sauber C31 while Nissany took over the car on Thursday.

Sauber C31-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Fong and Nissany completed each 99 laps of the circuit (396km).

“I am very happy that I had the opportunity to test the Sauber C31,” said Fong.

“I have achieved my objective to complete 300 km without making any mistakes and at a good speed. The car was fantastic to drive, it is a brilliant piece of machinery. With so much horse power and high down force, it is a difficult car to learn, but I was able to improve lap by lap. I really want to thank Sauber and Ferrai for providing me such a good package today. It was great being able to test the car at the track in Valencia, having started Formula 3 testing here in 2009.”

Roy Nissany declared “It was an amazing day. It was my first time driving a Formula One car, and it felt great. I was quite excited at the beginning, and I think I feel more experienced now. Going through the fast corners with this high amount of downforce and adapting my driving style to this car was not easy, but I managed to do everything well. I am very happy with today's outcome, not just from my side, but also from the team's side, as everyone works very professionally. I knew the track in Valencia, so I think that was a good advantage.“

Roush Fenway Racing announced that the Cheez-It brand would serve as a primary partner of Greg Biffle's No. 16 Ford for the 2015 Sprint Cup Series season.

The deal is a multi-year partnership with other Kellogg's brands, such as Frosted Flakes, which have appeared on the No. 99 car of Carl Edwards. With Edwards moving on to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015, that sponsorship will now be on Biffle's No. 16.

Biffle will also carry sponsorship for Ortho Insect Control next season for approximately half of his races.

Biffle's longtime primary sponsor, 3M, is moving to Hendrick Motorsports next season to sponsor the No. 24 Chevrolet of Jeff Gordon.

Biffle qualified for the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup but was among the four drivers eliminated following the final race of the opening Challenger Round at Dover. He is currently 14th in the points' standings.

From Lotus F1 Team

Lotus F1 Team Junior driver Esteban Ocon has completed his two-day test for Lotus F1 Team at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.

He accumulated over 650 kilometres in the two year-old Lotus F1 Team E20 over the course of the last two days, October 22-23.

Esteban Ocon (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Esteban is conducting this test as part of the Lotus F1 Team Junior programme and as a reward for winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship in his rookie season. He impressed the Lotus F1 Team engineers present with his application, feedback and pace.

“The test driving the Lotus F1 Team E20 went really well. I had to adapt to the car quite rapidly which I did very well,” said Ocon.

“I felt comfortable with the team straight away and the same with the E20. The word I'd use to describe the feeling of driving an F1 car is that it is just quicker. The car was easy to drive, stable and very enjoyable; it is a great car. I'm really happy with this two-day test and I hope to the get the opportunity to jump into the F1 car again soon.”

Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director, Lotus F1 Team declared “Esteban drove exceptionally well over the course of the last two days, completing every task we asked of him. It's clear he has a lot of talent as he was quickly up to speed and looked comfortable in the car. His feedback and aptitude were very promising. I'm sure we will see him in an F1 car again before too long.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's top official apologized late Wednesday for publishing inaccurate information in its Monday warning about defective Takata airbags that may explode and for technical glitches that made its recall...

The UAW hopes to be recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for workers at Volkswagen's assembly plant in Chattanooga within a year, union President Dennis Williams said Wednesday.

The fourth generation Vauxhall Corsa will undercut the entry level Ford Fiesta, Britain's long-time best selling car, by GBP1,000 when it goes on sale at year-end.

The recall of some 7.8 million vehicles with faulty Takata airbags that may explode attracted additional federal scrutiny Wednesday, with prosecutors launching a probe into the Japanese supplier and a U.S.