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General Motors and its suppliers repeatedly botched a basic function of the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion #8212; the system that turns the cars on and off #8212; leading to multiple redesigns of the ignitions.

From press release

Lewis Hamilton won the Malaysian Grand Prix from pole, this Sunday, and was followed across the line by his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who completed the German manufacturer's first 1-2 since 1955.

Malaysian Grand Prix podium (Photo: WRi2)

The weather in Sepang was hot and humid, but not has humid as the previous day's qualifying session, which had to be delayed by 50 minutes because of the rain.

This means Hamilton could start the race on medium tires. He stayed on the same compound through two stops, on lap 15 and 33 before switching to the harder tire on lap 51. German Rosberg used a similar strategy to claim his 13th F1 podium.

Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang International Circuit (Photo: WRi2)

"The race was tougher than it perhaps looked today and the conditions here always make it a great challenge. But I was able to look after the car, the tires and the fuel and still keep a bit of pace in hand which made my job that little bit easier," Hamilton said after the race.

"It's great to see Mercedes leading the championship but we know that we have to make these early races pay.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRi2)

"I would like to offer this victory in tribute to all those affected by the tragedy of MH370," he added.

Rosberg acknowledged Hamilton was simply out his reach: "I was able to control the pace and to defend my position against Seb but Lewis was out of my reach, so congratulations to him for his win."

Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg (Photo: WRi2)

In the race for the championship, Mercedes leads McLaren by 25 points in the manufacturers' standings, and Rosberg leads Hamilton by 18 points in the drivers' standings.

Race results* - Malaysian Grand Prix (round 2 of 19)
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 56 laps 1.40'25"974
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 17"313
3 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 24"534
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 35"992
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 47"199
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'23"691
7 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'25"076
8 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'25"537
9 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1 lap
10 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1 lap
11 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1 lap
13 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1 lap
14 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 2 laps
15 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 2 laps

Fastest lap of the race: 1'43"086 by Lewis Hamilton

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

Retirements
Lap 49 - Daniel Ricciardo
Lap 35 - Esteban Gutierrez
Lap 32 - Adrian Sutil
Lap 18 - Jean-Eric Vergne
Lap 8 - Jules Bianchi
Lap 7 - Pastor Maldonado
Lap 1 - Sergio Perez

Drivers' championship
1.Rosberg 43; 2.Hamilton 25; 3.Alonso 24; 4.Button 23; 5.Magnussen 20; 6.Hulkenberg 18; 7.Vettel 15; 8.Bottas 14; 9.Raikkonen, Massa 6; 11.Vergne 4; 12.Kvyat 3; 13.Perez 1.

Constructors' championship
1.Mercedes 68; 2.McLaren-Mercedes 43; 3.Ferrari 30; 4.Williams-Mercedes 20; 5.Force India-Mercedes 19; 6.Red Bull-Renault 15; 7.Toro Rosso-Renault 7.

*Unofficial scoring

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E22 (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

F1 drivers' extreme dieting in 2014 caused one racer to pass out in Malaysia, it emerges.

We reported on Saturday that some drivers are deliberately dehydrating, even at sweltering Sepang, in order to get the weight of their car below the legal 692kg limit.

Sepang International Circuit (Photo: WRi2)

"That is what I was going to do," admitted Jenson Button. "Go in a sauna, steam room, not drink or eat until after qualifying.

"It is a shame for the guys who have to do it."

It appears, in fact, that Button has been toying with dehydration 'strategies' in Malaysia.

"Morning run for Jenson," his trainer, Mikey Collier, said on Twitter on Saturday, "with pre and post weight measurements to guide hydration strategies, taking driver weight loss to the extreme."

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton agreed that he has also heard that some drivers' dieting has become "hardcore".

"I heard someone was doing that, exhausting themselves," said the Briton.

Now, The Times correspondent Kevin Eason has reported that one unnamed F1 driver "passed out at a function in Malaysia, underlining fears that some are starving themselves to meet new weight limits".

Martin Brundle, the commentator for British television Sky, said on Saturday that he has heard the very same story.

Among the very heaviest drivers on the grid is the tall Adrian Sutil, who reportedly weighs a whopping 12 kilograms more than his teammate Esteban Gutierrez.

Worse still, the Ferrari-powered C33 is believed to be well over the 692kg minimum weight, whether the featherweight Gutierrez or Sutil is at the wheel.

The Swiss newspaper Blick reports that Sauber is working on "a new lightweight chassis" to introduce at the Spanish grand prix in mid May.

"We are planning an ambitious weight loss programme," a team source confirmed.

From GMM

Mercedes' one-two in Malaysia was the first since Juan Manuel Fangio and Piero Taruffi dominated the 1955 Italian grand prix.

Almost six decades have passed since that day at Monza, but F1's twenty-first century force - Red Bull - made clear Mercedes' new advantage might not last long.

Sebastian Vettel was 24 seconds behind winner Lewis Hamilton at Sepang, but he was within shouting distance of the other W05, driven by Nico Rosberg.

"At some stage it looked like we are pretty similar, pretty evenly matched," said Vettel, "but then it's like he found another gear, he was pulling away."

German Rosberg, however, is worried F1's reigning quadruple world champion is making up ground at an astonishing rate.

Red Bull is closing in on Mercedes (Photo: WRi2)

"The last day of testing was a few weeks ago and they (Red Bull) were absolutely nowhere," he said, "and now he (Vettel) was right in the back of me.

"Ok, I had some pace in hand so I could beat him in the end clearly but still, the way they've ramped up their pace, very impressive, so we need to keep on it to keep our advantage."

Vettel told German television he thinks Red Bull is indeed making "bigger steps" than dominant Mercedes at present.

Even Mercedes' chairman Niki Lauda agrees with that.

"We need to really pay attention to how fast Red Bull is developing," he told RTL television.

"I can only advise Mercedes and everybody else to speed up, because in the end, there is only one who can be at the front," added Lauda.

"Right now I would say it is clearly Mercedes and then Red Bull. They are now the second force. Then there is a little gap and then comes Ferrari," he said.

Meanwhile, Vettel and Rosberg continued their spat on Sunday, after the world champion had accused his German countryman of holding him up in qualifying.

Now, it was Rosberg complaining about Vettel's tactics at the start of the Sepang race.

"I thought he (Vettel) was going to put me right into the wall, but he stopped just before -- so thank you for that," Rosberg told reporters and Vettel in Malaysia.

Vettel replied that he had "a similar experience last year", but Rosberg hit back: "That doesn't make it right to do it again".

From GMM

Corinna Schumacher wants her husband Michael to continue his wake-up process from coma at home.

British newspapers the Daily Mail and the Sun are reporting that the F1 legend's wife is making arrangements for a $17 million medical suite so that Schumacher can continue his now three-month coma at their home on Lake Geneva.

The Daily Mail report, written by Sam Creighton and Allan Hall, said Mrs Schumacher is making the arrangements after she was "told it is unlikely he (Schumacher) will ever wake up".

The correspondents quoted a 25-year friend of the Schumacher family as saying: "All the money in the world cannot fix what has happened to him.

"The family are making arrangements for a future of permanent immobility."

Corinna and Michael Schumacher (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Jean Todt has named Williams as one of the teams "crying out" for a budget cap.

The FIA president was asked by Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper about the highly controversial cap, opposed by many top teams as unworkable in practice.

But Todt claims: "They all want this limit and it must be in writing. Then it will be binding.

"The teams came to me and Bernie Ecclestone and implored us to finally introduce a budget limit.

Felipe Massa, Williams FW36 (Photo: WRi2)

"Lotus has reportedly not paid its driver. I hear that Sauber and also Williams have problems. It can't go on," the Frenchman insisted.

"I am worried that we will lose teams. Many are crying out for help, and our job is to listen to these cries.

"Formula one is in intensive care and time is running out -- by the end of June, a solution to this problem must be found," said Todt.

From GMM

Christian Horner has reportedly split with his long-term partner six months after the birth of their first child.

We reported late last year that the 40-year-old Red Bull team boss and his partner Beverley were expecting to be parents.

"I'm very happy about it -- it's going to mix things up!" Horner said at the time.

On Saturday, publishing a paparazzi photo of Briton Horner on a walk with Geri Halliwell, the British tabloid The Sun said the pair is "dating".

Halliwell (left) was seen "walking arm-in-arm" with Horner (not pictured) (Photo: Facebook)

41-year-old Halliwell, better known as Ginger Spice of the former British pop supergroup Spice Girls, was seen "walking arm-in-arm" with Horner near her London home recently, the Daily Mail newspaper agreed.

If true, it would mean Horner has split with his partner of 14 years, Beverley Allen, just six months after their daughter Olivia was born.

From GMM

Sepang is fast becoming the 'team orders' capital of formula one.

Last year, not only did Red Bull's infamous 'Multi 21' affair make the headlines, Nico Rosberg was also controversially ordered to stay behind his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

The same did not happen in 2014, as Hamilton easily dominated the grand prix ahead of Rosberg.

The new 'team orders' storm has been triggered by a tussle over mere seventh place, after Felipe Massa was asked by Williams to move over.

"Okay Felipe, Valtteri (Bottas) is faster than you, do not hold him up," the Brazilian was told by radio.

The order was eerily similar to the infamous 'Fernando (Alonso) is faster than you' issued by Ferrari some years ago, but this time Massa was not listening.

Valtteri Bottas only saw the back of Massa' FW36 (Photo: Williams)

Having ignored the order once, Massa was told again: "Valtteri has better tires, we need to let him go. Do not hold him up."

Massa again ignored the order, holding station ahead of his Finnish teammate and failing to pass McLaren's Jenson Button for sixth by the finish.

"I have nothing to say," Massa, breaking his silence, told the BBC afterwards. "I was just fighting to the end, that's the way I wanted to do it and I will fight for my career and for what is right.

"I don't regret what I did. I have very good respect for the team and I believe they respect me and that is very important," he added.

Speaking to Britain's Sky, deputy team boss Claire Williams refused to publicly rebuke Massa, saying only that it had been "a difficult situation".

Bottas suggested he thinks Massa should have obeyed.

"I think there was a really good chance for me to get Jenson. I was approaching really quickly but, like I said, we need to speak with the team," he said.

Niki Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman and also a triple drivers' world champion, indicated he thinks Massa did nothing wrong.

"It is something that could be a problem for us (Mercedes) in the future," he said.

"Racing drivers are racing drivers -- they race for themselves. I would do exactly the same and my drivers would do the same," added Lauda.

Model: 2009 to 2014 Acura TSX

Vehicle Type: Sport Sedan

The Verdict: The TSX seems affected mainly by issues that'll be easy to diagnose on a test-drive, and seems pleasantly free of major driveline and suspension-related problems. If the brakes, clutch and electronics on the model you're considering check out, the TSX is a model that can be bought with relative confidence where fuel mileage, sporty handling and an upscale driving experience are priorities.

Pricing: A used Acura TSX will relieve shoppers of anywhere from $12,000 to $36,000, depending on year, mileage, engine, condition and included options. Selection is rich around $20,000.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

History/Description: With four or six-cylinder power, manual or automatic transmissions and numerous option packages, Acura expanded the TSX lineup to ensure there was a model just right for most needs and budgets. All variants of this Japanese luxury sports sedan were front-wheel drive, packed room for 4 adults (five in a pinch) and came with Acura's promise of safety, reliable performance, high resale value, and owner satisfaction.

Look for Bluetooth connectivity, premium audio system options, xenon lights, automatic climate control, heated leather and navigation. When you compare the used TSX to its competitors in the market, consider the Cadillac CTS, BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.

A Premium Package added up-level lighting provisions, a premium stereo, memory seating and more. A Technology Package, further, added the navigation system, full multimedia connectivity, a backup camera and the like.

The TSX V6, not surprisingly, was powered by an available 3.5L V6, which launched for model-year 2010 and came solely with a paddle-shift automatic. Output from this up-level engine was rated at 280 horsepower, while standard models were motivated by a 2.4L four-cylinder with a tick over 200 horsepower. This engine came with automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.

A TSX A-Spec added a sporty-looking body kit for a more street-smart look.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

What Owners Like: Seems like the TSX got shoppers into the showroom with its promise of safety and long-term value, with some sporty driving dynamics helping to seal the deal. Owners report feeling ‘safe', and most rate the performance, even with the four-cylinder engine, positively. The feature-to-dollar ratio, say TSX owners online, is also favorable. The sporty handling and suspension are rated highly as well.

What Owners Dislike: Common gripes include ‘boring' styling and the perceived lack of high-end pedigree one might find in a comparable European model, and the lack of available AWD. Further, some drivers wish for higher performance for the up-level audio system.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

Common Issues: Though the lifespan of brake system components is largely dictated by driving habits and locale, shoppers are advised to check their condition on the TSX they're considering, as owners have reported premature brake wear somewhat frequently.

A loud clunking noise when coming to a stop, or when just taking off, could be the result of an issue with the TSX's front-end, possibly relating to a ball-joint or strut assembly. Note that any other popping, clunking or grinding sounds or sensations typically indicate a suspension problem of some sort. If in doubt, have a mechanic complete a check of the suspension.

Electronics checks should include the remote key fobs, ensuring the trunk release works properly, all interior illumination, and the memory seating function. Be sure to check that both headlights are functional, as burned-out xenon bulbs can be relatively pricey. Be sure the audio system isn't suffering from any blown speakers, and that it'll link via Bluetooth to your phone, as outlined in the owner's manual.

On models with a manual transmission, be double sure that the clutch is biting hard and not worn down. Though somewhat rare, and dependent on driver skill and habits, there is some discussion of clutch failure at low miles within the TSX owner's community.

Driving at highway speed, ‘feel' the TSX you're considering for signs of vibration from the front of the car, possibly through the steering wheel. If you note any, an out-of-balance driveshaft might be the culprit.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen still thinks Ferrari will be his last team in formula one.

"I am glad to be here again and I am sure that I will not change again," the Finn told Germany's Sport Bild in Malaysia.

Raikkonen, now the oldest driver on the grid, made his debut for Sauber as a highly-inexperienced 21-year-old, going on to win races for McLaren and the title for Ferrari in 2007.

His mid-contract split from Ferrari at the end of 2009 was partly acrimonious, as he left F1 altogether and enjoyed a two-year sabbatical with rallying and Nascar exploits.

Kimi Raikkonen (Photo: Ferrari)

Raikkonen returned to the grid with Lotus in 2012 and, with his pace intact and achieving highly consistent results, he was re-signed by Ferrari to be Fernando Alonso's teammate in 2014 and beyond.

But, now 34, he told Sport Bild: "I will not drive in formula one for ever.

"I already said in my first time at Ferrari that this will be my last team," Raikkonen smiled. "As you can see, I have kept my word."

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has been on a mission in Malaysia this weekend to turn up the volume in formula one.

Apparently alarmed that the sport's new, quieter tones will drive away promoters, sponsors and fans, the F1 chief executive has been hard at work trying to come up with a way to make the turbo V6s louder.

"We think there's a way," Ecclestone told the BBC late on Saturday.

"They're working on it and I think we're going to get it done."

However, not everyone likes the sound of all the bleating about F1's new 'power units'.

After Sebastian Vettel denounced the sound as "shit", McLaren's Jenson Button was quoted as telling the reigning world champion to "go and race somewhere else".

Jenson Button (Photo: McLaren/LAT Photographic)

"My criticism was not directed at Sebastian, but more generally," the 2009 world champion is quoted by Germany's Auto Bild.

"I think that if we (formula one) are criticising ourselves, that cannot be good for the sport and the sponsors," Button added.

"Of course we have to listen to the opinion of the fans, but at the moment we can't change the sound anyway. So there's no point for us to be saying bad things about F1," he said.

Similarly, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was quoted by Italy's La Repubblica as likening those who are complaining to "children".

Nico Rosberg (Photo: WRi2)

"Do they not understand that formula one has to be contemporary?" the German added.

"We're going into emerging markets and new economies and it's right that we are raising awareness about the issue of clean energy. As drivers we're responsible for that too," said Rosberg.

While working to make the V6 engines louder, Ecclestone has also been spotted in an hour-long meeting with Donald Mackenzie, the CVC chief who is rarely seen at grands prix. None other than Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was seen at the same meeting.

None of the parties would comment on the topic of their conversation, but Horner has often been mentioned as the ideal successor should CVC be forced to oust Ecclestone over the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair.

The UAW said its membership rolls expanded by 2.3 percent to 391,415 last year, aided by rising production at the Detroit 3. The tally marked the fourth straight year of increases.

Tesla's electric vehicles can be located and unlocked by criminals remotely simply by cracking a six-character password using traditional hacking techniques, according to newly released research.

When Bill Trautwein offered to buy his daughter a car to drive to college classes, she went for the blue one -- a used 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt that matched the color on the Florida Gators uniform her big brother wore on the way to two national...

Tesla plans to source all the raw materials for its proposed $5 billion U.S. battery factory in North America.

General Motors issued two more safety recalls late Friday, covering 490,000 new full-sized pickups and SUVs as well as 172,000 Chevrolet Cruze models, bringing the total number of GM callbacks this month to six.

It has been the best-selling car in the United States for 12 years, but the Toyota Camry is losing ground in the industry's escalating mid-sized sedan wars.

Sammy Wasem was 15 when he started a Ferrari fan page that would become one of the most popular car sites on Facebook.

From press release

2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton has bounced back superbly from a disappointing first race two weeks ago in Australia by claiming his second pole position of the season, Saturday ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton (Photo: WRi2)

The Brit paced a wet qualifying session from behind the wheel of his Mercedes W05. So wet in fact, the start of the session had to be delayed by 50 minutes. By then, it was dry enough for drivers to use intermediates.

But heavy downpours soaked the track for Q2 and Q3.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren MP4-29 (Photo: WRi2)

Hamilton was obviously very happy to score Mercedes' 101st pole in F1: "I'm really happy with our result today. It was a very close session and I'm relieved to come away with pole position as it was pretty tense towards the end," he said.

In the sister car, Nico Rosberg was able to snatch third from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrar F-14T (Photo: WRi2)

Mercedes' executive director Paddy Lowe praised his drivers for navigating so the challenges of the session.

"The rain was stopping and starting throughout, which made it especially challenging to judge the track conditions in each part of qualifying," he pointed out.

Felipe Massa, Williams FW36 (Photo: WRi2)

"While a wet session is stressful for the team, it's toughest of all for the drivers, who cannot afford to put a foot wrong."

The weather for the race is expected to be the same as it was for qualifying. But if the track is dry tomorrow, drivers will be allowed to choose which dry tire to use because they qualified on wets.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB10 (Photo: WRi2)

Qualifying results* - Malaysian Grand Prix (round 2 of 19)
1.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'59"431 - Q3
2.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'59"486 - Q3
3.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 2'00"050 - Q3
4.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 2'00"175 - Q3
5.Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 2'00"541 - Q3
6.Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 2'01"218 - Q3
7.Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 2'01"712 - Q3
8.Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 2'02"213 - Q3
9.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 2'03"078 - Q3
10.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 2'04"053 - Q3
11.Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 2'02"351 - Q2
12.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 2'02"369 - Q2
13.Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 2'02"460 - Q2
14.Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 2'02"511 - Q2
15.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 2'02"885 - Q2
16.Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 2'02"074 - Q1
17.Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 2'02"131 - Q1
18.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 2'02"756 - Q2**
19.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 2'02"702 - Q1
20.Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 2'03"595 - Q1
21.Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 2'04"388 - Q1
22.Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 2'04"407 - Q1

*Unofficial timing
**3-place grid penalty for blocking Daniel Ricciardo in Q2

Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

A year ago, the Malaysian grand prix sparked the infamous 'Multi 21' team orders scandal.

But behind the Mark Webber versus Sebastian Vettel shenanigans, team orders were also afoot at Mercedes.

Late in the race, Nico Rosberg was quicker than Lewis Hamilton at Sepang, but in order to safeguard a sure podium rather than risk it over a wheel-to-wheel battle, Mercedes issued a 'hold station' order.

That sparked a controversy of its own, but team chairman Niki Lauda insists there will be no team order repeat in 2014, despite the fact championship leader Rosberg and Hamilton might now be duelling for the win.

(Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

"For me, there are no more team orders. They're free to race," the great Austrian told Switzerland's Blick newspaper.

German Rosberg, the winner in Melbourne, agrees that there will be no repeat of Sepang 2013 in Malaysia this time around.

"This year, we are here to race. That is the clear message and you will see it on the track," he is quoted by Le Figaro.

Rosberg added: "At the same time, we know there will be times when there could be team orders. It's inevitable.

"But we've discussed it and we know where we stand," he insisted.

And, anyway, the Mercedes drivers might not have the luxury of fighting only amongst themselves for victory, as the competition appears closer to the pace in Malaysia than it was in Melbourne.

Rosberg, speaking to Germany's Sport1, agrees: "Melbourne has never been a good guide. It (the pecking order) is always a bit messed up there."