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From press release

Ganassi driver Tony Kanaan topped a 60-minute practice session, Friday, ahead of the Indianapolis 500.

"It feels good to be up there today, but that's not what it's all about," said Kanaan, who qualified his No. 10 Dallara-Chevrolet in 16th position ahead of tomorrow's start. The Brazilian, who won last year, could become the first repeat winner at Indy since Helio Castroneves in 2002.

"Last year I was already happy with the car I got, but I think we've got a better car. But the field is definitely more competitive this year."

Cars leave the pits for practice (Photo: Walter Kuhn)

Castroneves agrees with his countryman: "It's always hard to win, no matter the number. I feel right now that things are so competitive," he said.

The three-time winner hopes to join A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser at the top of the all-time winners list.

"I also feel that we've taken care of ourselves and are prepared better," he added. "Every step of the way seems to be going well. I have the best guys and strategists that have won races. I guess our chances should be very high."

From GMM

Struggling F1 teams could be dealt another financial blow.

There are reports that the European Union is considering banning alcohol sponsorships in sport.

Some years ago, F1 had to deal with the loss of tobacco millions, even though Ferrari continues to be quietly backed by Marlboro parent Philip Morris.

"It (sponsorship) is crucial," said team boss Marco Mattiacci in Monaco. "It is fundamental to attract sponsors in formula one."

In tobacco's wake, sponsorships by alcoholic beverage brands have become prevalent in F1.

McLaren has a 'Johnnie Walker' livery this weekend in Monaco, Force India is headed by the Indian drinks magnate Vijay Mallya, and Williams' new Martini deal was hailed as the return of an iconic sponsor to formula one.

Smirnoff logo on Sergio Perez's VJM07 (Photo: Sahara Force India)

"It's getting harder and harder to go out there and bring sponsors in," said Claire Williams. "We're continually out there trying to bring in new sponsors to keep Williams alive."

According to reports, the task may soon get even harder.

"This is a mirror image of what happened with tobacco sponsorship," an insider at the European Union told The Times newspaper.

"Governments are moving fast to bring in health legislation, and alcohol sponsorship is an obvious target. What happened with tobacco a few years ago will happen with alcohol," the source warned.

From GMM

Ferrari should consider adding a UK base, according to former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore.

The Italian team is believed to have offered to double Adrian Newey's current salary to lure him from Red Bull, with some estimating the potential pay-day at $40 million.

But one reason the Briton said 'no' could be because he would have to move his family from the UK's so-called 'motor sport valley' all the way to northern Italy.

"I have always said that logistics is one of Ferrari's problems," Briatore is quoted as having told Sky Italia in Monaco.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14-T (Photo: Ferrari)

"In my opinion, Ferrari must have a base in the UK, where all of the technology of formula one is concentrated," the Italian explained.

"At Maranello it is difficult to create an effective team and to recruit these British engineers," Briatore said. "Other teams are well aware of this and that is why they are located in the UK."

Briatore also said it will be a challenge for Ferrari's new team boss Marco Mattiacci to turn around the fabled team's troubles.

"He needs time," he said. "He will be judged by the results.

"Certainly Ferrari has everything, along with a budget that as a team leader I never had.

"But to reorganize a team takes leadership and clear ideas."

From GMM

Niki Lauda on Saturday ruled out replacing Bernie Ecclestone as F1 supremo.

Embroiled in a bribery scandal, the sport's current chief executive on Friday actually named Lauda, the great triple world champion and Mercedes team chairman, as a potential successor who could potentially be named "tomorrow".

Lauda doesn't think so.

"No, I will not be boss of formula one!" the F1 legend told German newspaper Bild.

"I have a job at Mercedes with a contract that goes up to and including 2017. Anyway, I do not think about things that will not happen," said Lauda.

But what about when that Mercedes contract expires? By then, Ecclestone will be a ripe 87.

"Completely excluded," Lauda insists. "I was never asked if I want to be Bernie's successor. Period."

And Auto Motor und Sport quotes him as also saying: "You might as well ask me if I am flying to the moon."

A few days ago, security footage showed Solange Knowles throwing punches at her brother-in-law, Jay-Z, in an elevator. The two have since made peace, but that didn't stop Toyota from using their short-lived feud as inspiration for one of its ads.

Source: Twitter

Image: Toyota

From GMM

Ferrari technical director James Allison insists all the rumours about Adrian Newey are not making him nervous.

It is reported the great but beleaguered Italian team was so desperate to sign Newey it offered to fork out as much as a reported $40 million to lure him from Red Bull.

As it happens, Newey apparently said no, with Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci denying an offer was even made.

Whatever the truth, Ferrari's existing technical boss, Briton Allison, might be excused for feeling unsettled.

"I only know that the team is supporting me and a lot of others as well," he insisted in Monaco on Friday, according to Italy's Autosprint.

Allison said he is being given time to have an impact at Maranello.

"I only came in September, when there were only five months until the beginning of the season, with a (car) project that began two years ago," he explained.

At Lotus, Allison was known for his creative and aggressive designs, and he has now been tasked with building that into Ferrari's 2015 machine.

James Allison, Fernando Alonso (Photo: Ferrari)

"I hope so," he smiled. "I am convinced that originality and creativity are two important factors in making a competitive car.

"There is no magic recipe, but you do have to give engineers time and space to develop their ideas."

However, with not only Newey linked with Ferrari but also the former technical director Ross Brawn, Allison might now fear being shuffled aside as the Italian team reacts amid its difficult 2014 campaign.

Allison responded: "I just hope that Luca di Montezemolo and Marco Mattiacci continue to seek high-calibre individuals to further strengthen the team.

"I do not need to ask for more support, just the optimization of our resources."

At the same time, Allison acknowledged that finding a quick fix for Ferrari's current car is not likely.

"I can say that it is very difficult," he smiled. "Making a car fast that was not (fast) in the first races is a challenge.

"The problem is not only improving, but improving relative to the competition."

Test your grasp of the latest with our weekly quiz.

General Motors and the University of Michigan said they agreed to extend their more than 50-year relationship with the opening of the Automotive Collaborative Research Laboratories.

Toyota is recalling an estimated 50,220 Highlander sport utility vehicles globally, most in the United States, for a software problem that could result in the front passenger seat belt not working properly.

Meet the Mini Superleggera Vision, Mini's biggest hint yet that it plans to push ahead with development of a uniquely styled roadster to rival the Mazda MX-5.

Anticipating strong Memorial Day weekend action, some analysts predict the pace of U.S. light-vehicle retail sales in May will be the best so far this year.

General Motors is recalling about 500 new pickups and SUVs to fix a potential flaw in the sensor that controls the airbags.

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