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The Marussia F1 Team ask everyone for patience and unstanding with regard to further medical updates.

Press release:

Following the accident involving Jules Bianchi during yesterday's 2014 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, the Marussia F1 Team would like to acknowledge the huge outpouring of support and affection for Jules and the Team at this very difficult time.

With regard to the communication of information concerning Jules' medical condition, we will respect, and be guided by, the wishes of the Bianchi family. Together with Jules' care, they will remain our highest priority. Therefore, we would ask for patience and understanding with regard to further medical updates, which will be communicated in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, where Jules is being treated, when they feel it is appropriate.

Representatives of the Marussia F1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari will remain at the hospital to support Jules and the Bianchi family.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Former driver of more than 200 grand prix, Andrea de Cesaris was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday.

Daily sport La Gazzetta dello Sport reports the Italian lost control of his machine on the city's ring road.

Andrea de Cesaris started 208 F1 races between 1980 and 1994 for 10 different teams, among them Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Jordan and Ligier, and had never won any Grand Prix.

A tweet from McLaren read: "All at McLaren send condolences to ex-McLaren #F1 driver Andrea de Cesaris, who passed away today."

Martin Brundle raced against Andrea de Cesaris for much of his career. He said: "RIP Andrea De Cesaris. A lovely man, passionate racer. A little bit crazy, in a nice way. Please let Jules (Bianchi) have the same opportunity we did."

The Sahara Force India team tweeted: “Our condolences to the family & friends of former F1 driver Andrea De Cesaris, who passed away in a tragic accident. Sad day for the sport."

Andrea De Cesaris became a successful currency trader after his retirement.

Andrea de Cesaris, McLaren, 1981. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel's move to Ferrari may be good for the Italian team, but not so good in the short term for the reigning world champion.

That is the claim of F1 legend Niki Lauda, who despite being Mercedes' team chairman admitted that news German Vettel is leaving Red Bull caught him by surprise at Suzuka.

"Yes (it did)," he told the Austrian newspaper Osterreich. "Or at least the date of the announcement did. No one in Suzuka expected it. Vettel apparently told his team on Friday night at half past eight that he's going. Without warning.

"For me there is only one question -- did he tell Didi Mateschitz beforehand? If he did, everything is fine," said Niki Lauda.

He insists, however, that the manner of Vettel's announcement shows that he no longer has a good relationship with Red Bull's leading figures -- even Dr Helmut Marko.

"As you know now," Lauda said, "he didn't tell them (of his decision)."

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

But, if Vettel concluded that Red Bull was "no longer working" for him, Niki Lauda said he was right to "seek a new motivation".

That new motivation is the crisis-struck Ferrari, set to rebuild in the wake of a string of key departures including that of Fernando Alonso.

La Repubblica claims Vettel has signed a three-year contract worth EUR 60 million in total, with an option for a further two seasons through to 2019.

The report said the 27-year-old can also earn more for winning races and titles, and that he had been negotiating with the Italian team including Fiat chairman Sergio Marchionne since as long ago as August.

"It is a new beginning for Ferrari after years of crisis," Lauda insisted. "It is like Schumacher -- now they have a four-time world champion that everyone can look up to."

But it will take time for the partnership to work, he warned.

Asked if Vettel can now challenge for the title in red, Niki Lauda answered: "Probably not. It will take longer than that for them to have a car good enough."

He also does not understand why Ferrari and Vettel have not still not announced their obvious new partnership officially.

"I don't understand why they were too stupid not to react immediately," said Lauda. "When they were surprised by the Red Bull press release, they should have just said 'Vettel is coming to us'."

Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

The next question is what the Ferrari-departing Alonso will do, with Lauda declaring confidently that the Spaniard's contract was terminated on both sides last Thursday.

Germany's Sport Bild claims McLaren-Honda is offering him an incredible $40 million per season, but that supremo Ron Dennis is asking for at least a two-year commitment.

The report said Alonso is warning that he is prepared to take 2015 off altogether, perhaps to contest the fabled Le Mans race next year with his friend Mark Webber.

Toyota plans to halt production on Monday morning at 12 plants in central Japan due to a typhoon that is hitting the area, spokesman Ryo Sakai said on Sunday.

The Fiat brand had little to display at the Paris auto show besides the 500X. Analysts are concerned that Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is neglecting the brand, which still accounts for a large chunk of sales.

The Fiat brand had little to display at the Paris auto show besides the 500X. Analysts are concerned that Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is neglecting the brand, which still accounts for a large chunk of sales.

Volkswagen keeps lavishing money on supercar maker Bugatti even as the company plans painful cuts in its core auto business. Bugatti is working on a successor to the Veyron that may deliver even more power than the current model.

Volkswagen keeps lavishing money on supercar maker Bugatti even as the company plans painful cuts in its core auto business. Bugatti is working on a successor to the Veyron that may deliver even more power than the current model.

Ford is bringing technology into the 2015 F-150 pickup more commonly associated with luxury cars. The list of new features is so long, it might seem bewildering to customers.

Luxury-segment executives at last week's Paris auto show made it clear that they intend to attack new corners of the business as high-end customers emerge with nontraditional expectations.

Sales of Toyota's fuel cell sedan probably won't grow as quickly as those of the Prius hybrid.

Breaking a longstanding taboo, Mazda is finally opening up about its Hiroshima roots, its role in World War II and the atomic bombing of its hometown nearly 70 years ago.

The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will do two three-lap races, next year on the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The initial plan to stage a one-hour race on the 26-kilometre loop was scrapped because WTCC promoter Francois Ribeiro feared the field would spread to much.

So a two-race format, with no repair time between back-to-back contests, was adopted.

"Qualifying will decide the grid for race one," Ribeiro is quoted saying by Autosport.

The Nordschleife is a thrilling but challenging place to stage a race because it is so long it can almost be considered a rally stage (Photo: FIA WTCC)

"It will be a reversed-grid for race two, either reversing the top-10 from race one or from Q2, this has to be discussed at the next Touring Car Commission meeting on October 30.

"But it will be a super-quick starting procedure, no VIPs on the grid, five minutes and then we'll race again."

Furthermore, Ribeiro expects to see Nordschleife experts join the field.

"Some teams will try to find the best solution," he said. "It's good, as that will likely bring a bit more 'Germany' onto the WTCC grid."

From GMM

Carlos Sainz jr is closing in on a Toro Rosso drive for 2015.

Until mere days ago, the Spanish rookie - as the apparent cream of Red Bull's junior programme - remained disappointed to have missed out on departing Jean-Eric Vergne's place for next season.

Red Bull had swept in to sign the teen sensation Max Verstappen instead, despite 20-year-old Sainz's superior experience and success this year in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

But after Sebastian Vettel's shock exit at the energy drink company's main F1 team, Red Bull has called up confirmed 2015 Toro Rosso racer Daniil Kvyat to drive alongside Daniel Ricciardo next year.

It opens up a new vacancy at Toro Rosso, and Sainz - whose father and namesake is the world rally legend - is the obvious favourite.

Franz Tost, Carlos Sainz Jr (Photo: WRI2)

Christian Horner admitted it on Saturday, and now Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has told El Mundo Deportivo: "99 per cent, Carlos Sainz will be in F1 next year."

It is yet another blow to Frenchman Vergne, who ran Ricciardo close as the now Red Bull number 1 driver's Toro Rosso teammate in 2013.

And with Kvyat now moving up to the main team as well, Vergne actually outqualified the highly rated Russian at Suzuka.

Vergne is obviously frustrated to realise he no longer figures in Red Bull's future plans.

"It's not a question you should ask me," he said when asked about Saturday's events in Japan.

Asked if the Toro Rosso vacancy is good news for him, Vergne added: "I have absolutely no idea, I have no expectation right now.

"I don't have anything to say about the situation at the moment. I need a little bit of time to realise it and as well to understand the decision.

"Maybe I will do the Tour de France next year," he shrugged.

From IMSA.com

No American-born driver had ever won overall at Petit Le Mans. Prior to 2014, that is.

Co-driving the No. 10 Corvette DP owned by their father, Taylor brothers Ricky and Jordan won the famous endurance race, the finale of the inaugural USC race, this week-end at Road Atlanta.

They completed 400 laps for a grand total of 1,016 miles with their other co-driver, Max Angelelli.

At Road Atlanta (Photo: Wayne Taylor Racing)

"It's a great way to end the year," Jordan Taylor said. "We've won the last race the last three seasons, and it's a great trend we hope to continue.

"My dad (born in South Africa) won the first Petit Le Mans, so we've always heard about this race. He always talks highly about it, putting it up with Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring,

"We've had the car to beat the last two races, so we're definitely looking forward to next season."

From GMM

McLaren and Honda could be planning to run an interim F1 car outside the sport's officially-sanctioned test dates.

It has emerged at Suzuka that the returning Japanese carmaker's new turbo V6 is being mated to an "experimental vehicle" that according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport is called MP4-29H.

The 'H' supposedly stands for Honda, meaning this year's Mercedes-powered McLaren is being modified to accommodate the different Honda installation.

The fact McLaren-Honda is working on the car indicates the collaboration is planning an unique approach to the 2015 season.

Earlier, it was expected the MP4-29H might debut at the post-Abu Dhabi test.

That is now no longer so certain.

Ron Dennis is quoted as saying: "We will start to use it at a time subsequent to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

"Out of respect for Mercedes, it will be after this date, but we do not know exactly when."

Officially, however, F1 teams are not allowed to freely test outside of the sport's test restrictions.

The first official winter test ahead of the 2015 season is at Jerez in February.

McLaren is not sure when the its new Honda-powered car will debut (Photo: WRI2)

But the fact McLaren is building a special Honda-powered 2014 test car indicates either that the full 2015 test car will not be ready for Jerez, or that the team plans to go its own route with private testing.

Team boss Boullier is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport: "There is a gentleman's agreement among the engine manufacturers that prohibits track tests outside the official dates.

"But we could test if we wanted, because Honda is not (yet) officially part of the world championship," said the Frenchman.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff does not like the sound of that.

"You can't put an engine in an experimental car or whatever and just drive around. It's clearly against the rules."

He said Boullier's argument about Honda not yet being an official part of F1 is not valid.

"McLaren is enrolled as a team," said Wolff. "And if they have an engine supplier (for 2015), then you can't just say 'I don't know who my supplier is'.

"In this case, the rules are quite clear," he insisted.

At any rate, Boullier confirmed the possibility that McLaren's full 2015 car, the MP4-30, may not run at the first official test at Jerez.

"No problem," he is quoted as saying. "We have no pressure."

From WRC.com

It took him 140 starts, but he did it. Jari-Matti Latvala won an asphalt rally.

The Volkswagen driver came close to breaking his asphalt curse in Germany in August but crashed out of the lead on the final morning. He made no mistakes in France to lead for all but one of the 18 special stages in a Volkswagen Polo R to win by 44.8sec.

"I was pretty nervous this morning after my mistake in Germany. I had to take that lesson and without that experience I wouldn't have been able to be as strong today and have belief in myself," he said.

Jari-Matti Latvala, VW Polo R WRC (Photo: WRI2)

"I've been waiting a long time to win on asphalt and done a lot of work for that and now it has finally come.

"I've been able to take some big steps this year and this is one of the most important," said Latvala, who was greeted at the end of the final stage by fellow Finn and 1981 world champion Ari Vatanen.

Robert Kubica was on course for a career-best fourth after demoting Dani Sordo on the final morning, but spun his Ford Fiesta RS into a ditch in the final test.

Robert Kubica, Ford Fiesta RS WRC (Photo: WRI2)

From GMM

Jean Todt has visited his friend Michael Schumacher since the F1 legend returned home after months in hospital and rehabilitation.

The pair worked together at Ferrari through the Italian team's ultra-successful period last decade.

"In the past weeks and months, he has made progress in relation to the severity of his injury," Todt, now FIA president, is quoted by the French daily L'Equipe.

"But a long and hard road is in front of him," he added, referring to Schumacher's continuing recovery from head injuries sustained in a skiing fall last December.

Todt said he visited the German and his family at their Swiss home earlier this week.

"Hopefully things will improve," he added. "His family is close to him. He needs time and peace."

From press release

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton grabbed his third win on the trot, Sunday in Suzuka, at the premature end of a chaotic race.

It was never going to be a simple race with Typhoon Phanfone in the area. And indeed, the Japanese Grand Prix was red flagged twice.

(Photo: WRI2)

First, the race, which started behind the safety car, had to be stopped after just two laps because of heavy rain. It restarted a few minutes later when the weather cleared up.

Soon, drivers were pitting for intermediate tires. Plenty of action kept the passionate Japanese fans on the edge of their seat.

The scene of Bianchi's crash (Photo: WRI2)

And then, on lap 44, the race was red flagged again when Jules Bianchi crashed into a recovery vehicle, attending Adrian Sutil's own crashed car.

With Bianchi in critical conditions, Hamilton, who was leading when the rest of the race was scrapped, celebrated lightly.

"Our first thoughts go to Jules," said Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

"It overshadows everything else when one of our colleagues is injured and we are praying for him. Next to this, the race result doesn't seem significant at all."

"My thoughts are with our colleague Jules and his family and teammates, and we are hoping for some positive news," added teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished second.

(Photo: WRI2)

Race results* - Japanese Grand Prix (round 15 of 19)
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 44 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 9”1
3 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 29”1
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 38”8
5 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'07"5
6 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'53"7
7 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'55"1
8 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'55"9
9 - Jean Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 2'07"6
10 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1 lap
11 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1 lap
13 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap
14 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1 lap
15 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1 lap
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1 lap
17 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1 lap
18 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1 lap
19 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1 lap
20 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 3 laps
21 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 4 laps

(Photo: WRI2)

Retirement
Fernando Alonso

Drivers' championship
1. Hamilton 266 points; 2. Rosberg 256; 3. Ricciardo 193; 4. Vettel 139; 5. Alonso 133; 6. Bottas 130; 7. Button 82; 8. Hulkenberg 76; 9. Massa 71; 10. Perez 46.

Constructors' championship
1. Mercedes 522 points; 2. Red Bull 332; 3. Williams 201; 4. Ferrari 178; 5. Force India 122; 6. McLaren 121; Toro Rosso 29; 9. Marussia 2.

*Unofficial results

From GMM

The word at Suzuka on race-day Sunday is that Sebastian Vettel pulled off a masterstroke.

Not only has he exposed Fernando Alonso's Ferrari split and revealed that Red Bull's doors are closed to the Spaniard, the reigning world champion has reportedly single-handedly brokered perhaps the most lucrative deal in F1 history.

Famously, Vettel is one of those rare drivers who negotiates his own deals without the help of a manager.

"I have a head and a brain," the 27-year-old smiled on Saturday after his shock Red Bull exit was announced.

Sebastian Vettel (Photo: WRI2)

Incredibly, British newspapers claim Vettel's new Ferrari deal - which is yet to be announced - could be worth up to an astonishing $80 million per year, making him easily the highest paid driver in F1.

How has he managed to negotiate that himself?

"I'm not completely alone," Vettel is quoted by Kleine Zeitung newspaper. "I have a friend who I consult with a little and a lawyer but I think I am old enough."

The huge unanswered question now is what Alonso will do.

Some were surprised when it became clear Vettel's exit did not mean the Spaniard simply jumps straight to Red Bull.

Instead, the energy drink company signed Toro Rosso rookie Daniil Kvyat to pair with Daniel Ricciardo in 2015.

Asked if Russian Kvyat's promotion is a surprise, Alonso insisted: "No, not really.

"The programme of Red Bull has been very successful with Sebastian, Ricciardo and Kvyat and it is understandable that they follow the programme.

"A position at Red Bull was never a priority for me."

Dr Helmut Marko agreed at Suzuka that with Red Bull having such talented home-grown talents, it made no sense to go shopping for a ready-made champion like Alonso.

And Auto Motor und Sport quoted Christian Horner as saying: "With Alonso, you buy a mortgage as well.

"He is a great driver, but not a simple man."

Fernando Alonso (Photo: WRI2)

Clearly, McLaren-Honda is an option for Alonso, but the Spanish daily AS insists the 33-year-old has his mind set on a dominant Mercedes seat.

Niki Lauda ruled that out on Saturday, but team boss Toto Wolff is still not willing to guarantee that both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will be wearing silver in 2015.

"We want the best drivers available that work together in an atmosphere of respect," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"We are very happy with our drivers and the contractual situation is clear. I see not the slightest reason for us to starting running around the paddock talking to all kinds of drivers."

Nonetheless, Wolff admitted: "In life there is nothing that is 100 per cent sure, but we are 99.99pc sure that we will be with the same drivers.

"That is my wish for Christmas," he added.

And Auto Motor und Sport quoted Wolff as saying: "If you have a beautiful woman, you don't look for another -- unless the one you have tells you they no longer want you."

So as sodden Suzuka braces for a typhoon on race-day, the big paddock rumour is that Alonso is warning he is prepared to take a sabbatical if he does not secure the seat and conditions he wants for 2015.

"Sabbatical? Why not?" Alonso is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica.

"There are options, but you have to understand that if you see things from the outside, on the inside it is very different.

"When I tell you, you will understand better."

For the moment, McLaren and Honda insist a deal with Alonso has not been done.

"There is still no decision," Yasuhisa Arai, Honda's new F1 chief, told Speed Week. "I emphasise -- no decision.

"Many media are already naming names, but this is not true."

McLaren supremo Ron Dennis said late on Saturday that it remains possible the Woking team will line up with the same drivers in 2015.

Others would put more money on Alonso alongside Kevin Magnussen.

Asked what he knows about the situation, Danish rookie Magnussen insisted: "Almost nothing.

"Much has been discussed in the press, but I am happy with the situation I am in now.

"I would prefer if my teammate was Jenson (Button), but in fact it is not so important who is in the second car. I am more concerned about my own future."