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From press release

2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor will be driving full-time in the Sprint Cup next year, with Roush Fenway Racing.

Bayne, who has started 50 Sprint Cup race over the last five years, will be behind the wheel of the No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion in 2015, bringing back an iconic number to the top NASCAR championship.

"I'm both excited and humbled to be a part of bringing the No. 6 back to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," said Bayne. "I know the history of the No. 6 and what it means to Jack (Roush) and the entire Roush Fenway organization and our goal is to continue to add to its rich legacy in the sport."

Trevoy Bayne, Roush Fenway Racing (Photo: TrevorBayne.com)

Mark Martin, the former Roush Fenway driver who helped make the No. 6 so special, is proud to see it come back: "It's the number we used when Jack and I first went racing in 1988," he said.

"There is so much history associated with that number and with the trials and successes that we went through as we helped build RFR into a premiere NASCAR team.

"I'm happy to see it return with Jack, Trevor and AdvoCare next season."

From press release

Three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti was forced to retire from IndyCar racing last November for medical reasons, but he is making the most of his new situation.

He says not being able to take part in the race this year is not so bad.

"Because my job was always to block out whatever was going on and to focus on the race, this year I'm going to be able to soak it all in and I'm really looking forward to that actually," he said.

Watching from the sidelines even made him realize he was ready for retirement.

"I'm fairly at peace with the fact I'm not in the car. I also realize that I'm not sure I would have the commitment level anymore to do what's required here, or any track. It's a certain mind-set you've got to have," he added.

"The crazy things that you saw the guys do on the Fast Nine (Shootout) last Sunday (in qualifications) is normal for drivers. And it doesn't feel normal for me anymore; therefore I shouldn't be a driver anymore."

Dario Franchitti, Chevrolet Camara Z28 (Photo: IndyCar.com)

As a retiree, Franchitti got to drive the pace car today, leading the field to the green flag of the Indianapolis 500. 24 hours before the start, he had the chance to take his parents around the track in the pace car, a Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

"(My mom) was having a great time," he said.

"I think my dad was a little -- I think it was close to his threshold of what he wanted to experience on the second lap. He was quite happy. So that was great. It was really so much fun, too, anytime you get to drive around here."

From press release

NASCAR's 2012 Sprint Cup champion admitted recently in his blog that he would have pursued a career in the military if racing had not worked out so well.

Keselowski, a 30-year-old Michigan native, comes from a family were many have served. His sister, his grandfathers, his uncle and several cousins all followed that career path.

"I was fascinated with the discipline, the mental strength that it takes to be a member of the military and the code of self-sacrifice and (honour) that goes with it," Keselowski wrote. "And I was also impressed by people who were really looking to make something of their lives and took that route."

Keselowski thinks racing and military communities have a lot in common because of the history of NASCAR.

"It's no coincidence that that the biggest racing weekend of the year is on Memorial Day," he says. "NASCAR was created in 1948, three years after World War II had ended. It was created by a lot of war veterans, and a lot of the garage is populated with former military because the lifestyle is so similar.

"You need to have a lot of discipline and be able to follow orders, or somebody could get hurt, potentially fatally. Because of that, there's a real affinity between the racing community and the military world that doesn't exist in any other sport, as far as I can tell."

Keselowski enjoys working with veterans (Photo: bradracing.com)

So last year, through his Checkered Flag Foundation, Keselowski started offering veterans the opportunity to ride with him on the track.

"On days after races, we started hosting injured veterans, taking them on rides in a specially built car with its own safety setup," Keselowski explains.

"I decided that if I was going to it, I was going to do it full out, and that meant having a car that went full speed -- 180, 190, 200 mph. I didn't want to take an injured vet, who had made all the sacrifices he made, to a racetrack and have him experience 150 mph.

"I wanted to take him out and have him say, 'Hey, this is the real deal here.'"

As a reward, Keselowski hopes his efforts will help racing and military people stay close: "I can play some small part in perpetuating (the affinity), I would be very proud," he concludes.

From press release

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg took the lead in the Formula One drivers' championship back from his teammate Lewis Hamilton, Sunday, with a win in Monaco.

Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo stand on the podium of the Monaco Grand Prix (Photo: WRi2)

It was the German's second consecutive win in the Principality, and also his first since de the season-opener in Melbourne, last March. Rosberg, who lives in Monaco, therefore leads the championship by four points over Hamilton.

"It was a tough race out there today but I am absolutely delighted to have won my second Monaco Grand Prix in succession," said the winner. "It's an amazing feeling and I'm proud to have done it at home, in front of my family and friends who were all here this afternoon.

Nico Rosberg leads the field into turn one at the start (Photo: WRi2)

"It was important for me to break Lewis' momentum of winning the last four races this weekend. That worked out very well, but it was a really tough weekend. I'm so happy for the team that we had another one-two finish and look forward to the party tonight!"

The race was also Mercedes' fifth consecutive 1-2, despite Hamilton falling back in the last few laps with dirt in his eyes.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: WRi2)

"I was following Nico as close as I could and had great pace but I just couldn't get past," commented the 2008 world champion.

"Towards the end, I got some dirt in my eye through the visor which made it very tough for a few laps but thankfully it cleared up and I was able to hold off Daniel (Ricciardo) and keep second place.

Adrian Sutil, Sauber C33 (Photo: WRi2)

"This hasn't been the greatest of weekends but I'll go into the next race with even more energy and determination."

Race results* - Monaco Grand Prix (round 6 of 19)
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 78 laps 1:49'27"661
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 9"210
3 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 9"614
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 32"452
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1 lap
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1 lap
7 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1 lap
8 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1 lap
9 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1 lap
10 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1 lap
11 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1 lap
13 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 2 laps
15 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 3 laps

Fastest lap of the race: 1'18"479 by Kimi Raikkonen

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: WRi2)

Retirements
Lap 59 - Esteban Gutierrez
Lap 55 - Valtteri Bottas
Lap 50 - Jean-Eric Vergne
Lap 23 - Adrian Sutil
Lap 10 - Daniil Kvyat
Lap 5 - Sebastian Vettel
Lap 1 - Pastor Maldonado
Lap 1 - Sergio Perez

Drivers' championship
1.Rosberg 122 points; 2.Hamilton 118; 3.Alonso 61; 4.Ricciardo 54; 5.Hulkenberg 47; 6.Vettel 45; 7.Bottas 34; 8.Button 31; 9.Magnussen 21; 10.Perez 20; 11.Massa 18; 12.Raikkonen 17; 13.Grosjean 8; 14.Vergne, Kvyat 4; 16.Bianchi 2.

Constructors' championship
1.Mercedes 240; 2.Red Bull 99; 3.Ferrari 78; 4.Force India 67; 5.McLaren, Williams 52; 7.Toro Rosso, Lotus 8; 8. 9.Marussia 2.

*Unofficial results

From GMM

The German press already has a word for the situation between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg -- 'Star Wars'.

After the qualifying controversy in Monaco, the furious Hamilton sat down with Rosberg in a mandatory meeting with Mercedes team bosses Paddy Lowe, Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda.

When asked if the teammates are still talking, German Rosberg smiled: "Of course!"

Not according to Hamilton. The Briton, who lost his championship lead to Rosberg as his winning streak ended in the Principality, answered "no" when asked if he and Rosberg are on speaking terms.

Lauda confirmed that Hamilton did not exactly accept Rosberg's apology of Saturday.

"Well, we're not friends," the 2008 world champion, when asked if their falling out after a long friendship was a shame, told British television Sky. "We're colleagues."

After the calm and maturity of Hamilton's early-season form in 2014, he sounded upset not only with Rosberg on Sunday, but also the Mercedes team.

"I knew you wouldn't call me in," Hamilton fumed to his engineer, after suggesting he should have been invited for an earlier pit service on Sunday.

But the big fracture within Mercedes is between Hamilton and Rosberg.

Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg (Photo: WRi2)

"Fortunately I didn't make any mistakes," he said in the podium interview on Sunday, obviously referring to Rosberg's dubious 'mistake' twenty four hours ago.

Even Rosberg is now beginning to catch on to the chill. "I don't want to comment about Lewis in any way," he said after taking back the championship lead with his second consecutive Monaco win.

"'Friends' is a big word," he explained when probed about his relationship with the occupant of the sister silver and turquoise car. "We work well together."

But as recently as mere days ago, Rosberg happily revealed that when Monaco neighbour Hamilton's fridge is empty, the Briton will often knock and ask for a spare rissole.

When asked if Hamilton is still going to drop by, Rosberg told Germany's Sky on Sunday: "I doubt it."

Lauda, a triple world champion who has first-hand experience of tough title battles, vowed to keep the situation under control.

"They know what they have to do -- I made it clear to them this morning," he said. "I think I am earning my money as a mentor!"

At the same time, it emerged - and Lauda confirmed it - that Hamilton had to apologise for using a high engine setting against orders in Barcelona two weeks ago to keep Rosberg behind him.

Rosberg, who complied with orders and used the lower setting, reportedly accepted Hamilton's apology.

"Everything is perfect," Lauda insisted.

From GMM

According to swirling rumours in Monaco, McLaren could be looking to boost its fortunes ahead of the works Honda partnership in 2015 by making a swoop for Fernando Alonso.

"Fernando would be welcome back at McLaren," McLaren 'supremo' Ron Dennis, who clashed so infamously with the Spaniard back in 2007, reportedly told the Italian press.

"You're surprised that I'm talking about Fernando? I don't have any problem -- the most important thing is for us to win again.

"In 2015 we have the Honda engine and we need a great driver."

McLaren's current lead driver, Jenson Button, was asked by Spain's AS newspaper if Alonso will be at McLaren next year.

"He has a Ferrari contract," the smiling Briton replied.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: Ferrari)

"Yes it would be a great challenge to have him as a teammate."

According to two British F1 correspondents, there may be some truth to the Alonso rumours.

Jonathan McEvoy, of the Daily Mail, cited 'sources' as he reported that 'meetings' have already taken place.

And The Times' Kevin Eason agreed that "It is an open secret that McLaren have approached Alonso".

However, while Alonso has sounded frustrated with life at Ferrari recently, returning to struggling McLaren might not be at the top of his wish list.

"I'm happy," he told France's L'Equipe. "I have a great life, I'm a Ferrari driver -- it doesn't get much better.

"A third title would be the icing on the cake for my career. So many great drivers have won three titles."

Flavio Briatore, close to Alonso throughout his career, said in Monaco: "Fernando has a contract with Ferrari, so it's out of the question to go elsewhere unless something extraordinary happens.

"He, like everyone else, has difficult moments, and like every driver he wants a competitive car, and he can't solve the problems of an entire team by himself," the Italian is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

From GMM

Tony Fernandes is not responding to reports he plans to sell Caterham.

Ten days ago, we reported paddock rumours that the backmarker team, which may be behind in its engine and gearbox payments to suppliers Renault and Red Bull, could be losing the support of its founder.

Fernandes has scarcely been seen in an F1 paddock for months, and on Saturday he appeared to have found another source of "ecstasy" as he watched his London football club Queens Park Rangers move into the premier league.

Now, as the sun rises in the Monaco harbour for F1's premier race, Bloomberg and The Edge Malaysia report that Fernandes plans to sell the Caterham Group.

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham CT05 (Photo: Caterham)

Citing a source and a memorandum circulated in the Middle East, The Edge said the Malaysian entrepreneur is seeking just under $600 million for the road car company and the F1 team.

Bloomberg said Fernandes did not respond to a phone call, text message and email about the matter.

But he warned in January: "If we're at the back (in 2014) I don't think I will carry on. This is it -- the final chance. I need to feel like we're going somewhere."

In March, Caterham's joint road car venture with Renault was scrapped, and the Malaysian Reserve newspaper reported on Friday that plans for a premium airline to be called Caterham Jet have also been scrapped.

From GMM

Toto Wolff has admitted he is "surprised" grandee teams like McLaren and Ferrari have struggled so much in 2014.

Mercedes has utterly dominated this year's world championship so far, but after a slow start for reigning world champions Red Bull, the Renault-powered team is now closing the gap.

"When you consider where we were pre-season to where we are now, that's a pretty long way in a couple of months," said Red Bull boss Christian Horner in Monaco.

"Hopefully if we can keep it up we'll be able to challenge Mercedes before too long in the future," he added.

However, it is a markedly different story for Mercedes' other big-budget rivals.

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-29 (Photo: WRi2)

Customer McLaren has the same basic 'power unit' as the works Mercedes team, while Ferrari has the benefit of building its chassis and engine under the same Maranello roof.

Wolff admits he has been surprised in 2014.

"I'm surprised that McLaren have not pushed us more because they have the same power unit," he is quoted by the Guardian.

"They looked very strong in the first test in Jerez, but they haven't been able to deliver on track. Looking from where we are it looks as if they have gone backwards," said Wolff.

As for Ferrari, Wolff admitted he is even more surprised by the fabled Italian team's struggles.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: Ferrari)

"It is bizarre their engine didn't perform in the way ours did," he said. "And they haven't been able to integrate the different parts of the car in the way that we did."

In truth, however, the struggles of McLaren and Ferrari are not new.

Indeed, in the last full calendar year, the only two F1 winners have been Red Bull and Mercedes.

"Ferrari and McLaren have no less a budget," said Horner.

"So it's down to the people, down to the skill and how you apply those budgets.

"It's the skill of a team, it's the skill of the drivers, it's the skill of a company how it's applying those resources to achieve the results," he added.

When Mexican production of the

Federal safety regulators said on Friday that it is likely that more than 13 people died in GM cars recalled earlier this year for defective ignition switches.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has a request for potential buyers of the automaker's Fiat 500e electric car in the United States: Don't buy it. He's tired of losing money.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has a request for potential buyers of the automaker's Fiat 500e electric car in the United States: Don't buy it. He's tired of losing money.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has a request for potential buyers of the automaker's Fiat 500e electric car in the United States: Don't buy it. He's tired of losing money.

Lancia, the Italian car brand that once glided up the streets of Saint-Tropez alongside film star Brigitte Bardot, will soon just be available in one no-frills subcompact model that will only be sold in Italy.

The Viper sports coupe, Chrysler Group's exotic halo car, has an identity crisis. The automaker's most expensive vehicle will remain badged as an SRT, at least for now, even though Chrysler has folded the SRT brand into Dodge.

The hottest racing rivalry right now just may be Chevrolet versus Honda. In the four IndyCar series races run this season (not including Sunday's scheduled Indianapolis 500), cars powered by Chevy and Honda engines have each won two.

GoMoto, a startup that generates sales leads for dealerships by giving consumers test drives in competing new vehicles, continues to stir debate as it plans its national ramp-up.

From press release

Mercedes' F1 team is delighted to announce a long-term extension of its title partnership agreement with the Malaysian national oil and gas company, PETRONAS.

The new agreement was unveiled in the unparalleled surroundings of the Monaco Grand Prix at a press conference attended by Tan Sri Dato' Shamsul Azhar Abbas, President & Group CEO of PETRONAS; Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management, Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars; and Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

The partnership between Mercedes-Benz and PETRONAS dates back to 2010, when the Silver Arrows works team joined the grid for the first time since 1955 and revived one of the most prestigious traditions in motorsport.

During that time, the two companies have grown a state-of-the-art technological partnership to deliver cutting-edge Fluid Technology Solutions for the Hybrid Power Unit and chassis of the works Silver Arrow cars.

The integrated development of the 2014 Silver Arrow included the Fluid Technology expertise of PETRONAS to create tailor-made solutions for the technical challenges of the 2014 regulations and deliver a clear PETRONAS advantage on track.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team)

Furthermore, this technological partnership has been complemented by a strategic business alliance with Mercedes-Benz, extending the partnership from the track to the road. The cutting-edge technology developed in the proving ground of Formula One drives the creation of class-leading lubricants for passenger cars, including high-performance Mercedes-AMG road cars.

Partnership with the Silver Arrows works team has made PETRONAS the leading and most prominent energy company in Formula One. To further consolidate this status, the F1 W05 Hybrid race car will run with a revised livery from the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix, with enhanced PETRONAS branding on the front wing, chassis and bodywork.

Following five victories from the first five races of the 2014 season, this new agreement paves the way for a decade of partnership between Mercedes-Benz and PETRONAS.

“2014 is a milestone year for PETRONAS in Formula One”, said Tan Sri Dato' Shamsul Azhar Abbas, President & Group CEO of PETRONAS.

“Not only does this year mark our 20th season of involvement in the sport but it also delivered an historic 1-2 finish for the Silver Arrows at the 2014 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix. We are proud to partner the best car company in the world, Mercedes-Benz, both on the track and also in our business thanks to our strategic business alliance.

“Our technical teams worked hand-in-hand to deliver the level of performance we have enjoyed this season in Formula One and it shows that we are developing and delivering world-class products together - both on the track and on the road.”

From GMM

It was confirmed on Saturday confirmed that Nico Rosberg is staying with Mercedes beyond 2014.

Big rumours in Monaco have suggested the German has inked a two-year contract extension, but so far the Brackley team has said only that Rosberg and teammate Lewis Hamilton have "long term" deals.

"We have arrived at very favourable contract negotiations," team chairman Lauda told German television RTL.

"The last signature is missing, so it is not announced yet."

Lauda said the final signature will be added to the dotted line "some time soon".

Nico Rosberg (Photo: WRi2)

"The driver pairing at Mercedes is perfect -- Nico as well as Lewis," he insisted.

"You can see it in the results that it is definitely not something that needs to be changed."

The door would therefore seem to be definitely shut to Fernando Alonso, despite Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche causing a storm last week by saying the Spaniard is "perhaps the best" driver in F1.

"To be honest, I was in Spain with (King) Juan Carlos also present, and I am a polite man," Zetsche said in Monaco, explaining the comments.

"Alonso is definitely one of the best drivers, I think we can all agree," he added, "but what I also said - and it was not reported - is that we have a fantastic team and we are very happy."

From GMM

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg claimed pole position ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, but his actions during the final part of qualifying are under investigation by the stewards.

Aboard the Silver Arrows, Rosberg and his teammate Lewis Hamilton dominated an other qualifying session, with the German slightly ahead after the first runs in the top 10 shootout.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRi2)

As he tried to put himself out of Hamilton's reach, Rosberg locked up and went straight into a escape road at the Mirabeau corner. He therefore could not improve his time. But the yellow flags brought out by the incident also deprived Hamilton of one final flying lap.

On British television Sky, former driver Johnny Herbert said Rosberg's steering wheel movements seemed "dodgy" before he ran into the runoff zone, triggering the yellow flags when he then reversed out.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T

"If it was a deliberate thing," said 1996 world champion Damon Hill, "it was a very good deliberate thing. But Nico did not seem contrite at all."

Told by reporters afterwards that Hamilton is furious, Rosberg hit back: "I can't do anything other than apologize.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB10 (Photo: WRi2)

"It will be clear on the data. I just braked a little bit late and locked up and that's it."

Earlier, Hamilton answered "who knows?" when it was suggested Rosberg's 'mistake' was suspicious, but when asked if he thinks it was clearly deliberate, the 2008 world champion said: "I'm not saying that. I'm not saying anything."

Eventually, the stewards did clear Rosberg of any wrongdoing.

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-29 (Photo: WRi2)

Qualifying results* - Monaco Grand Prix
1.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1'15"989 - Q3
2.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'16"048 - Q3
3.Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'16"384 - Q3
4.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'16"547 - Q3
5.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'16"686 - Q3
6.Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'17"389 - Q3
7.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'17"540 - Q3
8.Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'17"555 - Q3
9.Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso SRT9-Renault) - 1'18"090 - Q3
10.Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'18"327 - Q3
11.Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'17"846 - Q2
12.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'17"988 - Q2
13.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'18"082 - Q2
14.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'18"196 - Q2
15.Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'18"536 - Q2
16.Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - no time - Q2
16.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'18"741 - Q1
17.Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'18"745 - Q1
18.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1'19"332 - Q1
19.Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1'19"928 - Q1
20.Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'20"133 - Q1
21.Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'21"732 - Q1
*Unofficial times

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: WRi2)