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From GMM

Michael Schumacher's manager has hit back at claims 'really bad news' about the F1 legend is now just around the corner.

Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein claimed that, more than 12 weeks into the great German's coma, it is "less and less likely" Schumacher will recover.

He thinks "really bad news" about the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver's prospects might be issued soon, due to the "terribly dismal prognosis".

Citing sources, Hartstein was also critical of Schumacher's early treatment following his skiing fall on the French ski alps, and predicted doctors at the Grenoble hospital will eventually move the 45-year-old out of his bed if a patient with better prospects needs it.

In the wake of Hartstein's comments, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told Bild newspaper: "What I said in my last statement is still true. We remain confident that Michael will pull through and wake up, and we are fighting for that together with a team of doctors that we trust".

The German newspaper report questioned Hartstein's claims that his comments were based on the information of "usually impeccable sources".

"Bild knows that, during his time in formula one, Hartstein was never close to Michael Schumacher. He has not had contact with Schumacher's family or the doctors," the report added.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso is working hard to "destroy" his new teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

That is the view of F1's outspoken 1997 title winner Jacques Villeneuve, who acknowledged that the predictions of outright war between the two world champions have not yet been proved right.

But the psychological war, according to Villeneuve, has most certainly begun.

"Fernando's plan is obvious -- he wants to beat Kimi at all costs," said the French Canadian. "In the tests it was all calm, but in Melbourne Fernando showed his true potential."

Indeed, Finn Raikkonen struggled with the handling of his 2014 Ferrari throughout the Melbourne weekend, while Spaniard Alonso comfortably beat him in qualifying and the race.

"In the first three races Fernando is trying to destroy Kimi psychologically and get the team to rally around him," Villeneuve said.

But Jacques Villeneuve tips Kimi Raikkonen to fight back.

Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

"Kimi is not an 'iceman'," he insisted. "He has created this image to isolate himself, but like any driver, he doesn't like bad results. But I don't think Kimi fans should worry -- he also had problems with the handling in 2007 but he still became world champion.

"I think the rule changes will even play into his hands," Villeneuve told Germany's Sport Bild. "In qualifying, Alonso will be faster, but this year that's not so important."

As General Motors recalls 1.6 million vehicles that have defective ignition switches linked to at least 12 deaths, it faces another potential risk -- this time in the spare parts market.

Here's another addend in the complex driver-training equation: Many parents influence their kids to become both a greater danger when driving and more susceptible to the actions of other poor drivers.

SUV drivers should get ready to pay more at the parking lot, especially in big cities.

French President Francois Hollande and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, oversaw the signing of a deal that will see Dongfeng Motor and the French government take matching 14 percent stakes in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen.

Italian design house Bertone has confirmed it entered bankruptcy proceedings in Italy, The Telegraph reports, amid recent reports that it laid off a significant percentage of its workforce.

Toyota said it will buy back stock for the first time in five years as its cash pile swells and profit climbs. Toyota will repurchase as many as 60 million shares, equivalent to a 1.9 percent stake, for 360 billion yen ($3.

Tenneco says authorities in Europe and the US have requested information as part of an ongoing global anti-trust investigation concerning multiple automotive suppliers.

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