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The BBC claimed Friday that McLaren driver Jenson Button might leave Formula 1 at the end of the season to switch to endurance racing.

McLaren has yet to announce its 2015 driver line-up, and on-going rumours suggest that Fernando Alonso will race for the British team next season.

Sources say Button, age 34, has had talks with Porsche, for whom former Red Bull F1 racer Mark Webber drives.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid (Photo: WRI2)

Richard Goddard, manager of Button, said his protégé is only interested in remaining in F1 if he can secure a competitive car.

"Jenson is still focused on F1 but would only want to be in one of the top teams. So we're always open to talking to anyone,” Goddard told the BBC.

Goddard described the FIA World Endurance  Championship (WEC) as a "formidable series that is gaining strength".

"It is a very credible race series to compete in”, he added.

"Jenson is an incredibly competitive racing driver who wants to race. He's too good to sit at the back of the F1 grid. So he either gets a competitive car in F1 or he goes to get one elsewhere."

From Pirelli

After a meeting of the Tire Working Group, the tire nomination for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, scheduled for November 6-9, has been changed, following Pirelli's proposal and with the unanimous agreement of all the teams.

Although the hard and medium nomination has been used in Brazil for the last two years, the recent resurfacing of the Interlagos track has prompted the change to medium and soft.

This new choice is the same nomination as the United States Grand Prix the weekend before.

“We've always said that we would be open to any changes if they were required” said Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery.

“After further technical analysis of the impact of the revised circuit surface, together with a risk assessment suggesting a low probability of compound overheating due to extreme track temperatures, we have made this change with the unanimous agreement of all 11 teams.”

Start of the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. (Photo: WRi2)

RTL's contributor in Japan met with Christine Bianchi, Jules' mother Friday, October 17.

Jules Bianchi, driver of the Marussia Formula 1 team, received serious head injuries when he crashed into a heavy tractor during the wet Japanese Grand Prix, almost two weeks ago.

Bianchi remains in a serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit of the Mie medical centre in Yokkaichi.

As it was the case with Michael Schumacher's skiing accident last December, access to Jules' room is strictly controlled.

Mother Christine, Jules Bianchi and his father, Philippe. (Photo: WRI2)

RTL's contributor met mother Christine in the lobby of the hospital. She is obviously devastated and she's not inclined to speak. In fact, according to the reporter, she's not allowed to speak with the press.

She confirmed that Jules is still unconscious.

“Jules is treated well here. The medical centre is perfect. The doctors are really great. They are all experts, they are very respectful,” she told RTL.

However, she attacked the critics. “You know, certain people said certain things to evade responsibility”, she added.

The reporter asked her why she was not saying more. “Did someone told you not to speak?” he asked.

After a pause, and using carefully chosen words she replied: "The F1 is a business. A very big business.”

With this being the last year of production for the Eos, many are hoping this will signal the return of the Golf Convertible, which is currently only offered overseas. However, the Eos is not going out without a splash as the company is offering a rather special Wolfsburg Edition for its final fling.


What is a VW Eos?
The VW Eos was first unveiled to the North American public in January 2006 during the Los Angeles Auto Show. With its unique bodywork, the Eos was designed as a stylish mainstream alternative to the funky “New” Beetle Convertible which had previously replaced the much-loved Golf Cabriolet. The success of this endeavour is somewhat questionable and the answer rather depends on which side of the VW fence you tend to reside. While many Golf fans found the Beetle styling a tad far out, the Eos never quite captured the hearts of former soft-top Golf owners.

2015 VW Eos Wolfsburg Price & Specs
The new Wolfsburg Eos carries a starting price of $42,990, and apart from a Tech/Nav package ($2,625) there's very little that you don't actually get as standard fitment. In fact, searching through the list, the only other option I could find was Metallic Paint, and even that was a no-charge option! So the vehicle comes very well equipped, indeed.

Driveline wise, there's only one box to tick: The 2.0 TSI (200hp) 4-cylinder, coupled with a 6-speed DSG Automatic with Tiptronic. It's a great setup and buyers certainly won't be disappointed.

Driving the 2015 VW Eos
The Eos drives extremely well. The 2.0 TSI offers up plenty of playful fun and the vehicle is well mannered. While not as sporty as certain other convertibles in this price range ($40k+), the Eos does benefit from being a proper 4-seater (it's a little cozy back there, yet considerably better than most of its rivals). Its full-metal retractable hardtop is appealing in many ways, as it does assist greatly with blocking out exterior road noise and makes the cabin area almost church-pew quiet. It also somewhat suits our climate here in Canada.

However, there's a slight price to pay for this, as the handling characteristics of the vehicle alter quite dramatically once the roof is lowered. You see, in order to house such a huge metal lid, its designers were forced to enlarge and shift the trunk substantially rearward. This now sits well behind the rear wheels and when filled with a rather hefty lump of roof, it rather alters the vehicle's weight distribution.

Not a big deal for a RWD car, but the Eos is powered from the front!

Perhaps I'm being a tad overly picky here as very few Eos buyers will have sleepless nights worrying about 0-100km/hr times and/or weight transference under heavy braking, it's just not that sort of vehicle. No, the Eos is more your fun wind-in-your-hair summertime cruiser, yet I had to mention this as it's my one and only bug bear with the vehicle. Apart from that, the Eos is a first rate sunbed on wheels.

Inside & Out of the 2015 VW Eos Wolfsburg Edition
This final Eos Wolfsburg Edition comes in a choice of five colours, which all sound rather pleasant (Pure White, Flash Red, Black Oak Brown Metallic, Night Blue Metallic, and Deep Black Pearl) and any colour chosen is complimented by a stylish set of 18” Vicenza alloy wheels. It's a good look, I like it a lot.

Stepping inside, it's a similar story. The two-tone Vienna leather comfort (12-way power) seats appear inviting and are as comfortable as they look. Volkswagen has gone to great lengths to give its Wolfsburg Eos that extra touch of class. The leather-bound steering wheel feels like true German quality and its stylish two-tone door coverings (matching the seats) helps bring the interior together in a way in which others often fail.

Now, although I'm not a huge fan of Piano Black, this somehow works for the Eos as it's been thoughtfully placed alongside brushed aluminum finishes. Both are used as accent pieces, yet in a subtle pleasing-to-the-eye manner.

Volkswagen did a fine job. This is an upmarket-looking vehicle without a doubt, and those stylish little Wolfsburg badges certainly add to its distinction.

Comparing the 2015 VW Eos Wolfsburg
The Volkswagen Eos is a vehicle that can be somewhat difficult to compare to other four-seater convertibles. Perhaps comparable though are the MINI Cooper Cabriolet (smaller rear seat), BMW 2 Series Cabriolet (sportier, yet less comfortable), Beetle Convertible (fine, if funky is your thing!), and Ford Mustang Cabriolet (more powerful, less refined).

Basically, the Eos is part luxury/part mainstream. It's not out-and-out sporty like the 2 Series, yet it's no floating gin palace, either.

No, what it is, is utterly unique, and for that reason you either love or loathe the Eos. Me? I love it for what it is, because it plays so many roles so well. Of course, I'm going to say the same about the new Golf Cabriolet when/if it arrives... nudge, nudge, wink, wink, hint, hint Volkswagen!

From GMM

Brazil had to spend millions on upgrading the ageing Interlagos circuit or risk losing its place on the formula one calendar.

That is the claim of Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, after inspecting the first phase of $65 million improvements to the popular venue this week.

The biggest change ahead of next month's Brazilian grand prix, set to be the penultimate round of the 2014 world championship, is a full resurfacing of the asphalt.

But by the 2015 edition, F1 teams will be housing themselves in a completely new pit and paddock complex.

Interlagos' garages, Brazil. (Photo: WRi2)

Fernando Haddad is quoted by the Spanish news agency EFE as saying a federal government programme funded the improvements.

"If it were not for the (programme), we would be in a very delicate and serious risk of losing this race to another city," he said.

Brazil's Globo also quoted him as saying: "It is the biggest reform since 1990 because we were at risk of losing F1 to another Latin American cities like Buenos Aires."

And Haddad was quoted as saying by Totalrace: "We were at a delicate moment because the track is loved by drivers and the teams, but there was a technological gap."

From GMM

Carlos Sainz jr says he is being "patient" as Red Bull decides his future in formula one.

Before Sebastian Vettel blew the 'silly season' wide open and Daniil Kvyat got the call to replace him at Red Bull Racing next year, Spanish rookie Sainz was licking his wounds at having missed out on a Toro Rosso debut for 2015.

But with Daniil Kvyat now headed to the parent team, a seat is once again available at Faenza and 20-year-old Sainz jr, the next cream of Red Bull's junior programme, is an obvious favourite.

Carlos Sainz father and son discussing with Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

Team boss Franz Tost and owner Dietrich Mateschitz, however, have hinted it might make sense to keep experienced Frenchman Vergne on board after all, given that the only confirmed Toro Rosso driver for 2015 is the unprecedentedly-young and inexperienced Max Verstappen.

This weekend at Jerez, it is little more than a formality for Sainz to wrap up a dominant title win in the highly-regarded Formula Renault 3.5 series.

Ahead of that finale, he was asked by Spain's El Confidencial if missing out on the 2015 Toro Rosso seat for a second time would be too disappointing to bear.

"When everybody was saying I was already sat in the Toro Rosso, I was the first to lower the expectations," said Carlos Sainz jr, whose father is the world rally legend.

"I was telling people I am a Red Bull driver, like any of the others and with Red Bull you never know what is going to happen," he explained.

"If you think about logic, merit, numbers and results then it would be me, but we know that in formula one things do not always go this way.

"It is necessary to be patient," Sainz added, "because things can change very quickly."

From GMM

Top F1 drivers are calling on the sport's sole tire supplier to improve its wet-weather product.

The now critically injured Jules Bianchi lost control of his Marussia in worsening rain conditions at Suzuka recently when raining on worn 'intermediate' tires.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton said drivers often prefer to run on that tire when it is wet, because the 'full wet' Pirelli is so much slower.

"It is no secret that they are not the greatest wet tires that I have known," said the Mercedes driver.

"The slick will always be improved, but I guess not so much focus gets put on the wet," he is quoted by the Daily Mail.

"You want a tire that clears the water and does not force us to go to the intermediate when it is so much quicker, and when it is probably not safe enough to do so," Hamilton added.

Rain in Japan. (Photo: WRI2)

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel admits the drivers' concerns have been passed on to Pirelli.

"It's definitely something we've passed on already, not just after Japan," he said, reportedly having raised the issue in the pre-race briefing last week in Russia.

"As soon as you've got rid of most of the water (with the full wet tire), you try to put the intermediate on, taking a lot of risk into account, just because it's the quicker tire," the Red Bull driver added.

"That's something we need to work on," said Sebastian Vettel.

NBA superstar LeBron James, following his high-visibility return to the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, has signed on with Kia Motors America as its first luxury ambassador.

China's once blistering auto sales growth has cooled significantly this year, damped by a slowing economy.

A fatal accident near Los Angeles last year of a 2002 Acura sedan involved a Takata airbag -- the third death in the United States linked to a defective safety component made by the Japanese supplier, according to local officials and the automaker.

European Union officials in Brussels can now shuttle between policy meetings without burning fuel, thanks to a new fleet of electric-powered taxis made by China's BYD, which was the big winner in the city's first tender for emission-free taxis,...

Laura Soave, the ex-Fiat brand chief in the United States who left after the flawed launch of the Fiat 500, has been named chief marketing and communication officer of Federal-Mogul Motorparts.

A former executive of Japanese auto parts supplier Showa has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Cincinnati on a charge of conspiring to fix the prices of parts sold to American Honda and others.

Volvo says it engaged in extensive talks with its organised labour before committing to the third shift for Torslanda announced today (16 October).

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said an export quota may be agreed with Russia for Fiat 500L cars built in Serbia.

Faurecia said third-quarter revenue rose 6.5 percent on a rebound in sales in the United States and a tentative recovery in Europe's vehicle market.

Faurecia said third-quarter revenue rose 6.5 percent on a rebound in U.S. sales and a tentative recovery in Europe's vehicle market.

News 16 Oct, 2014

New report reveals even the newest diesels are breaking pollution limits when tested in real-world conditions

Fiat sales in the US will take a step up in 2015 with the introduction of the 500X compact crossover, according to the head of US sales at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) speaking exclusively to just-auto.

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA) has laid the cornerstone for its fourth plant in Chengdu, China to support its sales growth in the country.