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From GMM

Even with no car running the technology at Hockenheim, 'Fric' was the buzzword at the scene of the German grand prix.

Some see the end of the 'front and rear interconnected' suspension systems as a chance for dominant Mercedes' rivals to close the gap.

Indeed, Williams looked close in qualifying, as Bottas joined pole-sitter Rosberg on the front row, with teammate Massa a close third.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg agreed: "It seems that we are still fast, which is the most important thing."

The Brackley based team is undoubtedly unhappy, however, that what is effectively a mid-season 'ban' has fallen on a crucial piece of its 2014 package.

But Ferrari technical director James Allison made clear he supports the removal of Fric.

The Maranello based team is fighting hard to convince Fernando Alonso to stick with Ferrari rather than look around for a new team.

It is rumoured at Hockenheim that, last week, the Spaniard was shown the plan for a major improvement in 2015, including a bigger turbo unit for the underpowered V6 engine.

"Kimi (Raikkonen) is quite new to our team," said Allison, "Fernando has had some years with Ferrari but has not yet achieved the goals he wanted.

"I hope the presentation I put his way impressed him, but you should ask him that!" he added.

From GMM

Susie Wolff admits expecting to land a race seat for 2015 is "not realistic".

After breaking down at Silverstone two weeks ago, the 31-year-old Scot enjoyed a bit more track time ahead of the German grand prix on Friday at the wheel of Valtteri Bottas' Williams.

Even she does not deny the PR factor in her two race weekend appearances this year, nor the fact that her husband - Williams co-owner and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff - has helped her on her way.

Even so, Wolff was on the pace at Hockenheim, lapping just two tenths off Felipe Massa's best time.

Susie Wolff (Photo: WRi2)

But she will not be reappearing on any other Friday mornings in 2014, the Grove based team has confirmed.

So the "million dollar question" - as Wolff herself puts it - is what comes next for potentially F1's first female race driver for more than two decades?

She admits a 2015 seat with Williams is a long shot.

"Given the performances of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas," fluent German speaker Wolff is quoted by the Austrian press agency APA, "that is not realistic."

There's a reedy snarl characteristic of most Honda engines during full-throttle, high-rpm operation. It's a noise that results from a combination of the engine's valvetrain, intake system, exhaust manifold design and other factors. You'll hear it, if you listen closely, whether you're in an Accord V6 Coupe, a Civic Si, or maybe, something like a Formula F race-car, which runs a Honda Fit engine in the back.

The same engine, to be exact, that's bolted between the front wheels of my 2008 Honda Fit. A few modifications sure, such as a special race-ready oiling system and mechanical throttle. They're needed in the lightweight, open-wheel formula car but inside, the guts of the engine are the same. Delightful thought, that the engine in my little Fit is fit for race-car duty.

A key reason why? Durability.

Photo: John Walker

Marc Sours, Chief Engineer at Honda Performance Development (HPD), comments “durability is important in a motorsports setting. It means more time between rebuilds, added confidence from the racing team, and the ability for the driver to focus more on driving”.

Sours heads up a special racing technologies group within Honda that works to adapt motorsports technologies to the road, and vice versa, through innovation and real-world testing. Using a factory stock Honda Fit engine in a racing car designed for extensive use at full throttle and redline is just one example of his team's work.

He explains what racing means to Honda, and his team.

“Honda's founder built his first track before the company had ever built a four-wheeled car. Racing was seen as a way to develop the company. It's foundational to Honda. It made Honda unique'.

All of this is driven by a guiding principle formed long ago that's still alive and well today. Whether the product is a road car that'll be passed from family member to family member, or prototype racing car, it's a goal of reliable performance that guides the way. Testing engines, parts and technologies in motorsports is one way to help ensure that reliable performance.

Photo: John Walker

For instance, a version of the direct injection system now found in many Honda Accord models was used in Honda's Indy Car engine in 2012. Different parts, sure, but same underlying technology.

Another example is the twin-turbo V6 prototype engine created as a collaboration between Honda and HPD.

“The rules were changed in 2010” Sours explains.

“To run LMP2 class, we needed to use a stock block—something from a car we already had on the road”.

Honda's 3.5-litre V6 engine provided that block, as well as many of its internals, unchanged. Twin turbocharging was added, and the engine set off to power a series of racing cars to great success.

“We were the first manufacturer to win championships under that new stock block rule” said Sours. “We did 3,000 miles of racing. The engines lasted a long time—and that's on many stock parts. With this engine, Honda won their first races in 2011, winning all 5 ALMS LMP2 class races we participated in. And it helped keep running costs down, too”.

A further testament to the durability of Honda' racing engines lies in the Indy Car series where during 5 years Honda was the sole engine supplier for the race cars. In that time, there were no engine failures.

So, much as they do on the road, Honda engines stack up as a sound business decision in racing for their low running costs and worry-free operation. That's especially important for up-and-coming racers, and track-day enthusiasts alike.

Photo: John Walker

Canadian race-car driver extraordinaire James Hinchcliffe was once an up-and-coming racer concerned with durability and operating costs. He offers some advice for the thousands of young drivers using their factory-built Hondas in motorsports in their spare time and how to maintain that durability.

“The basics are so easy” he says. “You can't hurt an engine by changing the oil too often, and it's important if you're racing. So, over-change it. Brake fluid, too. Brakes are so important—so monitor them throughout the day, in terms of pads and fluid. And use a high-quality fuel because that keeps things clean and running properly inside of the engine, which can reduce costs down the line”.

Hinchcliffe also suggests keeping running costs low by avoiding un-necessary modifications.

“Forget suspension upgrades, brake upgrades or power upgrades until you can absolutely push your car to its limit on the track” he says. “Otherwise, you're just adding to a pile that you're not really on top of. An extra set of track tires is a great idea though—it's a great upgrade, plus, you don't risk driving home on tires that are worn down from the track”.

“Until you have a big sponsor paying the bills, budget is important. And so is a reliable car that's easy to work on, and easy to keep on the road, or track”.

Chrysler Group ordered a supplier of trailer hitches to boost production dramatically a day after the company was accused by federal safety regulators of dragging its feet on the recall of older Jeeps.

Nick Scheele, an affable, globe-trotting troubleshooter and tough-nosed negotiator who served as president and COO of Ford, died Friday. He was 70.

Nick Scheele, an affable, globe-trotting troubleshooter and tough-nosed negotiator who served as president and COO of Ford, died Friday. He was 70.

New documents reveal GM redesigned faulty ignition switches without changing the part number in more than the 2.59 million small cars at the center of its recall crisis.

A new eight-speed automatic transmission will come standard on some 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali models with a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine, GM said today.

South Korean supplier LG Chem plans to supply batteries for electric vehicles that can travel more than 200 miles, or 321 kilometers, per charge in 2016, its CFO said on Friday.

South Africa's Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC), says it is "more than concerned" all parties reach a swift resultion in the country's colossal strike, which has forced some automakers to curtail operations.

Tesla Motors, a month after starting Model S deliveries in the United Kingdom, said its flagship electric sedan is among the cars being considered for purchase by the government there to transport officials.

Continental Structural Plastics signed a definitive agreement to acquire five North American plants from Magna International.

Mitsubishi Motors is recalling cars made with Takata Corp. airbags in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mitsubishi is one of nine automakers to say it will conduct a recall that includes those areas.

Johnson Controls' fiscal third-quarter earnings slid 68 percent as restructuring and other charges offset a modest rise in revenue.

South African government negotiators say both sides in the country's hugely damaging metalworkers strike are now considering ways to end the walkout, which has seen 220,000 employees down tools.

In order to meet rising demand, Audi plans to commence a third shift at its Gyor plant in Hungary from mid-August.

With an aim to win vehicle engineering contracts in China, Magna Steyr is planning to make acquisitions in the country.

For 2014, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) expects to record growth of 6-7%.

By 2017, Volkswagen plans to generate savings worth EUR5bn (US$6.8bn) in order to boost profitability at its namesake brand.

Memo to self - be a little less facetious. Put 'off on a desert safari' in my Skype status to explain my absence and was greeted on return with 'how was your vacation?' from several who had apparently envisaged Sheikh Roberts wafting gently across the Sahara on a camel. Nope, I was in the Mojave, being (willingly) baked alive by Kia.