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Bentley's Mulsanne Convertible Concept is back on track. Shown by Bentley CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer to a select few customers at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2012, the stately convertible was intended for production.

Adapted from GMM

He didn't want to say the words, but Max Chilton insists a Marussia kerfuffle in Belgium should not be interpreted as a simple 'pay-driver' in distress.

The struggling team stood the Briton down ahead of Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps, but then did a u-turn and reinstated him.

Marc Surer, a former driver and commentator for German television, giggled that Chilton and his sponsors must have "found a bank that was open on a Friday".

It was presumably that sort of interpretation that Chilton was trying to dismiss when speaking with reporters on Friday.

Max Chilton was benched at Spa, then put back in the car (Photo: WRI2)

It is a familiar story in formula one.

"What everyone seems to think has happened is not the case," he insisted.

When pressed for precisely what he meant, Chilton added: "I think I've gently persuaded or let you know what everyone thinks it is and that's all I can say."

According to Germany's Die Welt newspaper, though, the real reason for the Spa shenanigans was because a group of Chilton's investors were behind in payments.

Adapted from GMM

German Andre Lottrer is making a surprise Formula One entrance this weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix. His debuts are a revelation for Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr.

The young Sainz, 19, was expected to kick off his F1 career next season with Toro Rosso, but was pipped by the even younger Max Verstappen, 16.

At one point, Sainz was also supposed to race for Caterham, as early as this season, but negotiations with Leafield fell through.

Now, 32-year-old Andre Lotterer is the surprise Caterham rookie at the Belgian Grand Prix. He is replacing regular Kamui Kobayashi, and a major factor was the arrival of the Le Mans winner's sponsor Hype.

Andre Lotterer, Caterham CT05 (Photo: WRI2)

The Spanish daily AS reports that Red Bull might try again to push rookie Carlos Sainz jr into Kobayashi's car, perhaps even for Monza next month.

"Nothing is finalised," a spokesman for the Spanish youngster is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo.

And Roberto Merhi, a Spanish DTM driver, is at Spa this weekend and also linked with a 2014 Caterham drive under the new regime headed by Colin Kolles.

"Merhi, 23, is a talented driver but he also has the necessary financial support thanks to Russian businessmen", the sports newspaper revealed.

Reigning WRC champion Sébastien Ogier is probably not enjoying week-end in Germany.

The Frenchman crashed for the first time on Friday. While leading, he braked too late and skidded off into a vineyard. Unable to rejoin the road, he had to retire.

He was able to rejoin the event on Saturday, albeit with a 10-minute penalty, but then on Saturday he clipped a roadside barrier and crashed heavily, forcing the organizers to cancel the stage.

"We were in sixth gear on a long straight," Ogier is quoted saying by Autosport.

Sébastien Ogier is OK after two crashes, this week-end in Germany (Photo: WRI2)

"Then there was a slight right turn over a crest. The jump was a bit further than we thought. The rear broke away when we landed and I lost control of the car."

Both Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia were taken to the hospital. Fortunately, they were soon released after precautionary checks.

This time, the pair will not be allowed back in the rally, as the roll cage of its VW Polo R WRC was damaged in the crash.

Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton delivered a perfect result for their team, locking out the front row of the Belgian Grand Prix's starting grid.

Championship leader Nico Rosberg snatched pole position in front of Lewis Hamilton, as the traditional Belgian rain made an appearance.

(Photo: WRI2)

"Sometimes in these wet conditions, you just hit the sweet spot with both the car set-up and the tires, and that's definitely what happened for us today," said Toto Wolff.

"But you then need two fantastic drivers to deliver and it's very encouraging to see both cars on the front row."

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

There was, however, an issue with the braking system of the W05, once more.

"The only issue we saw was brake glazing - in particular on
Lewis' car," revealed Paddy Lowe.

But Hamilton, who thinks this issue cost him the pole, is still happy with second place.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

"This is a circuit where you need confidence on the brakes but unfortunately, on my Q3 run, I had a glazed front left brake which made the car pull to the side," he said.

"I'm not too disappointed, though.

"Last year I was on pole, then Seb came flying past me down the Kemmel Straight, so I think P2 could be the best place to be."

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: WRI2)

Qualifying results* - Belgian Grand Prix (round 12 of 19)
1.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 2'05"591 - Q3
2.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 2'05"819 - Q3
3.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 2'07"717 - Q3
4.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 2'07"786 - Q3
5.Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 2'07"911 - Q3
6.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 2'08"049 - Q3
7.Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 2'08"679 - Q3
8.Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 2'08"780 - Q3
9.Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 2'09"178 - Q3
10.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 2'09"776 - Q3
11.Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 2'09"377 - Q2
12.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 2'09"805 - Q2
13.Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 2'10"084 - Q2
14.Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 2'10"238 - Q2
15.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 2'11"087 - Q2
16.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 2'12"470 - Q2
17.Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 2'11"261 - Q1
18.Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 2'11"267 - Q1
19.Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 2'12"566 - Q1
20.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 2'13"414 - Q1
21.Andre Lotterer (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 2'13"469 - Q1
22.Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 2'14"438 - Q1
*Unofficial results

Valtteri Bottas, Williams FW36 (Photo: WRI2)

From press release

Marussia driver Jules Bianchi was understandably "very happy" after qualifying an impressive 16th on the grid of this week-end's Belgian Grand Prix.

The Frenchman mastered tricky conditions at a wet Spa-Franchorchamps circuit to advance in the second part of qualifying, which guaranteed him a spot in the top 16.

It's the second time Bianchi gets himself out of Q1 this season, after he qualified an even more impressive 12th at the British Grand Prix.

Jules Bianchi, Marussia MR03 (Photo: WRI2)

In Spa, he out-qualified Nico Hülkenberg and Pastor Maldonado, as well as his Marussia teammate Max Chilton.

"I'm really happy to make it through to Q2 again, especially as it repeats a good performance here last year. I love this track," he said.

"I was a little surprised that we had such a strong qualifying, simply because the tricky conditions were the same for everyone, yet we have fared better than some of the teams further up the grid."

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone insists formula one is definitely going to controversial Russia -- but he is much less sure about a race in New York.

After the FIA approved the Sochi circuit for its inaugural October race, F1's 'supremo' said the unstable political situation regarding Russia's Ukraine conflict and the MH17 atrocity has nothing to do with the sport.

"We have a contract," he said at Spa-Francorchamps. "Our friends there are happy with the contract. We are happy. We will be there.

"If people have arguments with Russia, maybe they have, but we haven't got any," the 83-year-old Briton insisted.

As for the on-again, off-again prospect of a New Jersey street race amid the fabled Manhattan skyline, Ecclestone was far less certain.

"I honestly don't think so," he answered when asked if F1 will soon be adding a second US destination.

"They still have the same problems they had in the beginning. Nothing has changed."

From GMM

Adrian Newey says Red Bull will not replace him as technical director when he steps down at Christmas.

Frustrated with the direction of the regulations, F1's most respected designer will begin to head Red Bull's new advanced technologies centre in 2015 rather than work full-time on F1.

"At the moment I'm still full time," he said at Spa-Francorchamps, "and will be (working) certainly over the coming months as we finalise the general layout of the (2015) car.

Adrian Newey is not happy with the new rules in F1 (Photo: WRI2)

"It won't be until Christmas that I start to really get into new roles."

Newey also revealed that when that time comes, Red Bull will not appoint a successor.

"I think that at the track in Paul Monaghan, 'Rocky' (Guillaume Roquelin) and Simon (Rennie) we have three very able technical people and I see no reason why they shouldn't be able to take those decisions, no," he said.

From press release

A Ferrari junior driver has beaten a McLaren junior driver in Spa-Francorchamps.

19-year-old Raffaele Marciello has claimed a long overdue debut win in sodden conditions in today's GP2 feature race. The Italian, who is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, survived a tough opposition from McLaren prospect Stoffel Vandoorne.

The Belgian started his home race from pole position, but Marciello went two laps further before pitting. With fresher tires, he was able to put pressure on Vandoorne, and eventually overtake him with three laps to go.

Photo: GP2Series.com

Marciello had built a 2-second advantage by the time the checkered flag dropped.

"I'm really happy to win this race especially here in Spa and in very difficult conditions," he said.

"Me and Stoffel deserved to finish ahead because we were really fast. The car was really good to drive. After the pit stop we had a very big lead on the rest of the field."

Canadian union workers at an interiors plant that supplies General Motors' Oshawa assembly complex have reached a tentative contract agreement that could avert a strike at the supplier plant.

Some retail and all fleet customers who order their 2015 F-150s early won't see their trucks until February.

Nissan announced pricing on the 2015 models of its Frontier pickup and Xterra SUV today.

General Motors said it opened its fourth information technology center today -- this one in Chandler, Ariz., near Phoenix.

Pricing on the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will start at $78,995, including shipping, General Motors said today. The convertible model will start at $83,995, including shipping.

Toyota said today it will spend $100 million to increase production of the Highlander crossover in Princeton, Ind. The Highlander has been bumping against its production ceiling at the Indiana assembly plant.

General Motors is reviewing the timing of the expansion of its Russian plant near St Petersburg because of a slump in the country's auto market.

There was an interesting development in the area of active safety and emerging advanced driver assistance technologies last week.

News 23 Aug, 2014

Manufacturers accused of dictating finance lease terms based on occupation

Infiniti is seeking a trademark in the United States for 'Eau Rouge,' the name of a storied Formula One racetrack bend in Belgium, for a potential luxury car that may cost more than $100,000.

Scandinavian automotive supplier body, FGK, says it is looking to lead a delegation of its members to Iran early next year as the current draconian sanctions regime against Tehran starts to loosen its grip.