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From GMM

Organisers of the Australian grand prix are furious with F1's new low volume.

Even some of the sport's stalwarts were alarmed in Melbourne when the 22 cars purred towards the first corner in Melbourne on Sunday.

"At first I said 'Just take out your earplugs, it's the same as before'," triple world champion Lauda told the German broadcaster RTL.

"But I have to honestly say I was slightly disappointed today on television, especially at the start. Simply something was missing," he added.

"Before, it (the sound) was right down to the marrow. We need to get used to it but it has lost some of its attraction," said Lauda.

World champion Sebastian Vettel said driving in Melbourne felt more like being at the wheel of "a vacuum cleaner than a racing car".

F1's most experienced active driver Jenson Button is also worried, especially after a V10-equipped demonstration car did laps at Albert Park at the weekend.

"Oh my god I miss that," he said. "It sounded amazing. Those were great years for the sound of the engine, but that is no more."

Start of the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Most in the F1 paddock are disappointed, but Australian Grand Prix corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott has revealed he is actually angry.

"We pay for a product, we've got contracts in place, we are looking at those very, very seriously because we reckon there has probably been some breaches," he told Fairfax Radio on Monday.

But Lauda, who is dominant Mercedes' F1 chairman, said it would be wrong to tinker with the engine rules just because the sport is now quieter.

"Everyone wants to do something about it, but you can't just change the exhaust pipe, you'd have to redevelop the whole engine and the mapping," he said. "That's just way too expensive.

"Please do not change the engines just to make a bit more noise," he exclaimed.

On 2,314 brand new 2014 Honda Civics, some of the tires may have been damaged during the mounting process, resulting in a tear in the bead of the tire. This could result in rapid air loss and/or tire failure, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Affected owners should take their Civic to their local Honda dealer in order to have the tires inspected and replaced as necessary.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Honda

Here are our top 5 photos of Sunday's Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, a race dominated by Nico Rosberg in his Mercedes AMG W05.

The race was highlighted by several surprises such as Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo (who finished second before his disqualification), rookie Kevin Magnussen who finished on the podium for McLaren and Valtteri Bottas who drove like a man possessed in his Mercedes-powered Williams.

5
Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

The diminutive Japanese made it to Q2 and qualified a surprisingly high 14th. However, a rear brake failure at the first corner ruined his race (and Felipe Massa's too).

4
Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India

Nico Hülkenberg, Sahara Force India-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

Nico Hulkenberg qualified an excellent 7th, and battled with Ferrari Fernando Alonso during most of the race. He crossed the line in 6th place.

3
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG

Nico Roberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

We all knew that the Mercedes AMG W05 was fast. But Nico Rosberg drove a very inspired race. He jumped into the lead right at the start and cruised to victory, his fourth in career.

2
Valtteri Bottas, Williams

Valtteri Bottas, Williams-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

The Finn drove like man possessed. He sliced through the field until he brushed the wall and suffered a puncture. He returned into action and finished 5th.

1
Kevin Magnussen, McLaren

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

The rookie finished third on the road in his Formula 1 debut. In fact, Magnussen drove like a veteran, making no mistakes to cross the line in front of his teammate, Jenson Button.

The very first Datsun cars built in the 21st century will be delivered to Indian customers starting on March 19th, 2014 ― exactly 100 years after the launch of the original DAT car in Japan.

Over the past century, Datsun sold more than 20 million vehicles in 190 countries.

Photo: Datsun

The Datsun GO will land at more than 120 Datsun dealers across India, with pricing to be announced on March 19th.

New Datsun models will be introduced in Indonesia, Russia, and South Africa later this year. No word yet on North American availability.

From GMM

Red Bull Racing is yet to formally appeal the stewards' decision to disqualify Daniel Ricciardo at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The Australian driver was thrown out of the results after finishing second in Melbourne, due to irregularities with his Red Bull RB10's fuel flow data and improper use of the FIA-supplied sensor.

The team said late on Sunday that an appeal will be lodged.


The Australian news agency AAP quoted a FIA source as saying Red Bull has served notice of the intention to appeal, but an actual formal appeal is yet to be lodged.

"It is understood Red Bull now has 96 hours to formally table their appeal," the report added.

As for when the probably Paris-based appeal will be held, the FIA source said: "It's not possible to say when it will be heard.

"It depends on how quickly both parties can prepare their cases. There is no set timetable", the source added.

Featuring a photo of the normally-grinning Ricciardo with a bowed head, the front page headline of the major Melbourne newspaper Herald Sun on Monday read 'Grand Farce'.

Race organiser the Australian Grand Prix Corporation's chief executive Andrew Westacott said: "Of course I want him to keep second place, I'm a bit gutted by it, but that's sport and funny things happen."

Through a partnership with Micello, which specializes in public area mapping (airports, shopping malls, hospitals, etc.), GPS manufacturer TomTom now offers users a brand new app that can guide you around 15,000 locations across the globe including IKEA stores.

The following video shows how you can track your position inside the store and even find the department where a specific item is located.

Source : cnetfrance.fr

BMW's M cars are always an occasion for celebration. Each new launch is always accompanied by fanfare and debates surrounding the car, its worth, and how it compares to the previous most excellent M car.

The 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé cannot be measured against its predecessor, as it does not have one. Perhaps this is why accepting the ultimate version of the 6 Series based Gran Coupé was so easy. Actually, this car need not be discussed, only driven and admired.

In our four-door coupe compare test, the BMW M6 Gran Coupé may not have won overall, but it captured my heart. Mind-bogglingly beautiful, powerful enough to stop your heart in its tracks and an incredible event to be part of when wedged solemnly in the driver's seat at the helm of this rocket, the M6 Gran Coupé has currently hoisted itself to the top of all M cars. Read on.


What is a BMW M6 Gran Coupé?
The Gran Coupé is the four-door version of BMW's lauded 6 Series two-door coupe. Its reason for being is nothing short of making a statement, and it does.

The 2014 M6 Gran Coupé is aimed squarely at those seeking elegance and performance in one sleek package.

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé Price and Specs
The 2014 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé has a starting price of $87,900. Skipping to the M6 tacks on no less than $40,000.

The M6 features BMW's twin-turbocharged 90-degree 4.4L V8. Here, as in the M5 and M6 Coupé, it generates 560 horsepower between 6,000-7,000 rpm. Torque is rated at 500 lb-ft between 1,500 and 5,750 rpm. Between this delectable piece of sweet German muscle and the rear wheels lies BMW's 7-speed MDCT transmission.

The M6 also features BMW EfficientDynamics that consists of the Auto Start-Stop function brake energy regeneration. So, BMW's got you covered “green-wise” despite the 560 stomping horses under the bonnet.

This particular 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé was, in a word, perfect. Included in the $160,950 price were the optional M carbon-ceramic brakes, Bang & Olufsen sound system, Executive package, and Frozen Brilliant white paint.

The Gran Coupé is the four-door version of BMW's lauded 6 Series two-door coupe. Its reason for being is nothing short of making a statement, and it does. (Photo: Auto123.TV)

Driving the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé
Of the four cars in our comparo test, this is the one that got my palms sweatiest. The Audi RS 7 made me act out against the elements the most, but it was the M6 that truly spoke to me.

It all begins the second the V8 barks to life. The reverberations from the V8 and colossal braaapp that exits the quad rear tailpipes makes big strong men collapse from the goodness of sound...

My excitement was palpable when I got behind the wheel of the 2014 BMW M6. Pulling the less-than-cool shifter into “D” makes it all happen. Despite the terrible weather and driving conditions, the M6 Gran Coupé beat the winter driving conditions into submission.

OK, sure, all will point out that the rear Pirelli winter tires were severely struggling for grip, but it had nothing to do with me. I swear... When the snow was replaced with wet tarmac, the BMW would demonstrate its breadth. The acceleration was massive, titanic, and brain numbing. The accompanying melody of backfires following instantaneous super-shifts from the box would do to me what I imagine the effects of cocaine would. More! More! More!

As with any BMW M car, the M6 Gran Coupé is fantastically sharp in every aspect of its drive. Steering is the complete opposite of vague, really fast and rewarding. Without a doubt equal to the V8's goodness are the ceramic brakes. With enough power to halt a runaway freight train, these stoppers are well worth the $6,750 entry fee. Pedal feel is positive and delicate, just the way I like it.

On a handling course, I'm positive the 2014 BMW M6 would have been seriously impressive. I test drove the car in winter and therefore was able to explore its drifting abilities. It's good. On the highway, stability and control are the orders of the day; high rates of speed are expected.

The wheel-mounted “M” buttons make it all the more badass. True story.

It all begins the second the V8 barks to life. The reverberations from the V8 and colossal braaapp that exits the quad rear tailpipes makes big strong men collapse from the goodness of sound. (Photo: Auto123.TV)

Inside and Out of the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé
As with the engine, the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé's inside and out are breathtaking. In fact, I like it better than any other M car, including the svelte M3 and monstrous M5.

The M6 reminds me of a feline's skull. It's sleek, thin, profiled, and fast. The only downside to the M6 Gran Coupé's profile is getting in and out of the rear seats. Make sure you duck your head. A note on the carbon fibre roof panel: I like.

The car's passenger quarters are equally special. Between it and the Porsche Panamera's, I'm not sure which I prefer. The Porker's is more business-like whereas the Bimmer's is all a go-fast affair. The driving position is low and extremely intimate -- making friends with the M6 is easy.

The perches, covered in full Merino leather ($5,900); touch the occupants in all the right ways. The dashboard is complex, but everything is within reach. Those controls that are especially important are the steering, suspension, and transmission response, nestled neatly to the left of the shifter.

The “M” steering is especially nice with great grip and look. What can I say about the gauges? Classic and perfect.

The car's passenger quarters are equally special. The driving position is low and extremely intimate -- making friends with the M6 is easy. (Photo: Auto123.TV)

Comparing the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé
The comparison test in which the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé participated was one of the toughest we've ever had to judge. Although one car failed to fully ignite our senses, the other three all delivered immense sensory-pleasing mojo. The M6 was my personal favourite, but the conditions made the RS 7's Quattro AWD system impossible to resist.

Rumours of a possible Aston Martin buyout by Mercedes-Benz have set the Internet ablaze. Autocar reports that the German automaker, which already owns 5% of Aston Martin, did not rule out the possibility of acquiring the remaining 95%.

The two companies partnered last year, resulting in AMG supplying new V8 engines for the next-generation Aston Martin Vantage. Mercedes-Benz apparently wants to expand that relationship to share platforms and other components.

Obviously, no deal has been signed yet. We'll keep you updated.

Source : autocar.co.uk

From GMM

Former F1 team owner and boss Paul Stoddart has tipped Red Bull to win its appeal against Daniel Ricciardo's Melbourne disqualification.

In a complex ruling, Ricciardo's car was excluded after the team rejected the accuracy of an FIA sensor and relied on its own measurements to comply with the rule governing the maximum allowed flow of fuel into the engine.

"We wouldn't be appealing if we weren't extremely confident we have a defendable case," said team boss Horner.

Daniel Ricciardo, originally second in Australia with Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

Paul Stoddart, who sold his Minardi team to Toro Rosso owners Red Bull in 2005, tipped Red Bull to prove to the FIA that it didn't cheat.

"The Renault engineers would've known exactly how much fuel was going into that engine," the Australian told Melbourne radio 3AW on Monday. "We're talking teams with budgets of $400, $500 million here -- they have far better equipment than the FIA."

The correspondent for the London newspaper The Times, Kevin Eason, wrote: "In the other corner (to Red Bull) is the FIA, essentially an amateur organisation with a budget a fraction of the F1 teams."

Stoddart tipped Red Bull to be able to prove that Ricciardo "did not gain any advantage" and that it decided to ignore the FIA because it was the "right" thing to do in the circumstances.

Christian Horner explained: "We could see a significant discrepancy with what the sensor was reading and what our fuel flow was stated as.

"These (FIA) fuel flow sensors have proved problematic. So we relied on our own data, because otherwise we would have lost a lot of engine power," he is quoted by Speed Week.

Fuel flow sensor. (Photo: Gill Sensors)

The FIA's Charlie Whiting, however, said he advised Red Bull repeatedly throughout the race weekend to "take the necessary steps" to comply with the rules.

"If they had followed the advice we gave them at the time, we would not have had a problem and they would not have been penalised," he said.

"If their sensor was kaput, then things would have been different," Whiting added. "It is a human thing because they have the ability to do what was needed to comply."

Red Bull's case is further weakened by the words of Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell, who said the way the fuel flow is measured is "accurate and reliable".

"All the teams have their own consumption measurements via the injection data. In the case of irregularities, the FIA will compare its values with those of the team. So we have a safety net," he is quoted by the German-language Spox.

Unusually high levels of air pollution in Paris have prompted city officials to offer free public transit as well as bicycle- and car-sharing services at reduced fees.

Meanwhile, car drivers have to obey an ''alternate traffic'' policy: Those with an even licence plate number (or heavy-duty vehicle) are forbidden to hit the streets of Paris on Monday, while those with an odd licence plate number will face the same rule on Tuesday.

Exceptions include:

• Hybrid and electric vehicles;
• Vehicles running on either LPG or natural gas;
• Vehicles with at least three passengers;
• Taxis and school buses;
• Emergency vehicles;
• Refrigerated trucks.

Offenders risk a modest fine of €22, but authorities will make sure they leave the city.

Such drastic measures will last indefinitely ― meaning as long as air pollution levels in Paris drop back to acceptable levels.

Source : lemonde.fr

Gary Bettenhausen, member of one of open-wheel racing's most legendary families in North America, has passed away at age 72.

Bettenhausen was the son of Tony Bettenhausen, a 14-time ‘500 starter whose best finish was second in 1955, and brother of the late Tony Bettenhausen Jr., and Merle Bettenhusen.

Gary Bettenhausen is an Indianapolis 500 veteran who started 21 times between 1968 and 1993 and whose final start in American open-wheel racing came at the 1996 U.S. 500, driving a several-year-old Penske chassis for brother Tony Jr.

Gary Bettenhausen, 1972 Indy 500. (Photo: IMS)

His best result came in 1980 when he finished third, but his best drive occurred in 1972, after leading 138 laps and suffering a late-race mechanical failure.

Bettenhausen, one of the best on dirt, came up on the short tracks of the Midwest and was a multi-time sprint car and dirt track champion. He made several NASCAR starts as well.

From GMM

Malaysia is "not in the mood" for next weekend's Formula 1 Grand Prix at Sepang.

That is the admission of track chief Razlan Razali, even though he confirmed the race is on despite the country's real focus being on the mystery of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370.

On 8 March, the Boeing 777, its crew and 227 passengers disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to China, and despite the involvement of 25 countries in the frantic search, the missing flight is still yet to be found.

Now, Malaysia is set to host the second round of F1's 2014 season.

"People are not in the mood for an event like this," Sepang chief executive Razali told the AFP news agency.

"Everywhere, be it on radio, newspaper, TV or social media, it is all about finding MH370."

However, Razali said there is no doubt the race will go on.

"Whatever it is, Formula 1 will go on and the concert after that will proceed but we will be sensitive and not go overboard," he explained.

From Formula1.com

Caterham's Kamui Kobayashi has been cleared of any blame over his first-lap clash with Williams' Felipe Massa in Melbourne, Australia.

The Japanese driver had been summoned to the stewards after crashing into the back of Massa's car as the pair approached the first corner of the race, eliminating both cars on the spot.

However, having reviewed technical data provided by Caterham, the stewards determined that the incident was ‘caused by a serious technical failure completely outside the control of the driver'.

Caterham have been directed to work with the FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer to determine the cause of the systems failure.

Kobayashi explained on Twitter that no rear brakes had been the problem, adding: "Sorry to Felipe but was not my mistake."

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham, at the start of the Australian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Get the right apps and you get the right shoppers, in the sweet spot of the market: tech-addicted millennials who will be buying cars for decades to come. But the barriers for app developers are formidable.

Audi AG had no choice but to make a few compromises with its A3 sedan, the smallest and cheapest car in its United States stable, to maintain a coherent product lineup and meet its goal of offering a well-equipped car at just about $30,000.

From GMM

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, and Melbourne pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton, failed to finish Sunday's 2014 season opener.

Both men struck trouble right from the start at Albert Park, after a winter of technical struggles up and down the paddock.

"It's a long season," said German Vettel, whose run of victories dating all the way back to last August finally ended, "and there are positives."

The bright side is that Red Bull's 'crisis' appears to be rapidly ending, as teammate Daniel Ricciardo delighted the partisan crowd by finishing second.

Vettel's problems started before qualifying, when his car's fuel flow sensor reportedly alerted the FIA that the Renault engine was using more than the allowed 100kg of fuel per hour.

"The (Renault) software was changed so this no longer occurred," reported Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "Ricciardo's worked, Vettel's did not."

Ricciardo was delighted.

"Just two or three weeks ago, I would have bet everything I've got that we would not be standing up here," he told 1980 world champion Alan Jones on the podium.

"Full credit to the team for an unbelievable turnaround," the Australian added.

Hamilton, meanwhile, was as glum as Vettel as his otherwise dominant Mercedes struck trouble with an engine misfire.

But "the important thing," the Briton said behind the pit buildings, "is that the car is quick.

"It's early stages and there's a long way to go. There's massive positives to take from the weekend."

Indeed, Hamilton was cheered by the performance of his winning teammate Nico Rosberg, who won easily by almost half a minute.

"What a car you have given me," German Rosberg told his Mercedes crew on the radio, "what a car."

More surprising than Rosberg's victory was the fact that doomsday predictions of cars failing left, right and centre did not materialise, as 14 cars saw the chequered flag.

"The teams are learning so much so quickly," said former F1 driver David Coulthard on British television BBC.

"The ones who have managed the new technology best were Mercedes," he added.

Rosberg, however, warned that the arms race is definitely now on.

"We can improve and we must improve," he said. "The other teams will not go to sleep so we have to make sure we are ready for Malaysia."

German Nico Rosberg recorded his 4th career win this Sunday, as the 2014 F1 season kicked off in Melbourne.

Photo: WRi2

The 28-year-old who qualified 3rd yesterday led every lap from the start aboard his Mercedes W05 to eventually cross the finish line 24 seconds clear of the field, in what is Mercedes' 100th win. It is also the 1st win in the new V6 turbo era (obviously).

"That was an incredible day for us," hailed Rosberg.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRi2)

"To start the season with a win is unbelievable and I have to say a big thank you to everybody who was involved in building our car over the winter."

Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton, behind the wheel of the second Silver Arrow, had to retire after only two laps with a misfiring cylinder.

"It looks like we only had five cylinders firing and, while I wanted to keep going, we had to play safe and save the engine," explained the 2008 world champion.

Photo: WRi2

"It's unfortunate but that's racing and we will recover from this. We have a great car and engine, and the pace was really strong today as Nico clearly showed. Big congratulations to him and the team for achieving the win, it's a fantastic result for us."

The team's executive director Toto Wolff dedicated the win to former Mercedes driver and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who is still recovering from a terrible skiing accident.

"I would like to dedicate it to Michael, who has been in all our thoughts this weekend," said the Austrian. "He will keep fighting, as only he knows how, and we are sending all our strength to him today."

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

Race results* - Australian Grand Prix (round 1 of 19)
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 57 laps 1.32'58"710
2 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 26"777

3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 30"027

4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 35"284

5 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 47"639
6 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 50"718
7 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 57"675
8 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'00"441

9 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'03"585
10 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'25"916

11 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap

12 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1 lap
13 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 2 laps

14 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 8 laps

Fastest lap of the race: 1'32"478 by Nico Rosberg



Retirements

Lap 43 - Romain Grosjean

Lap 29 - Pastor Maldonado

Lap 27 - Marcus Ericsson
Lap 3 - Sebastian Vettel
Lap 2 - Lewis Hamilton

Lap 1 - Felipe Massa

Lap 1 - Kamui Kobayashi



Disqualification

Daniel Ricciardo



Drivers' championship
1.Rosberg 25; 2.Magnussen 18; 3.Button 15; 4.Alonso 12; 5.Bottas 10; 6.Hulkenberg 8; 7.Raikkonen 6; 8.Vergne 4; 9.Kvyat 2; 10.Perez 1.

Constructors' championship
1.McLaren-Mercedes 33; 2.Mercedes 25; 3.Ferrari 18; 5.Williams-Mercedes 10; 6.Force India-Mercedes 9; 7.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 6.

*Unofficial results

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull RB10 (Photo: WRi2)

Marino Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas drove the No. 01 Ford EcoBoost-powered Riley DP to victory, yesterday at the 62nd running of the famous 12 Hours of Sebring.

A well timed pit stop, just before a caution, helped the trio move from 5th to 1st in the last hour of the race.

This first win for an EcoBoost engine is also Ford's first at the 12 Hours of Sebring since 1969. Furthermore, it completes Chip Ganassi Racing's resume, as the team has now won the four biggest races in North America: the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona and, finally, the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Marino Franchitti, Memo Rojas, Scott Pruett (Photo: Chip Ganassi Racing)

"What really makes it so sweet is that this is a win made possible by a production-based Ford EcoBoost," said Ford's racing director Jamie Allison.

"Literally it comes out of our production vehicle. It just makes it so, so sweet because it validates what we do at Ford, that the technology we have in our cars is good enough to power an all-out win here at the 12 Hours of Sebring."

Franchitti, Pruett and Rojas completed a total of 291 laps. In comparison, last year's winners Marcel Fässler, Benoît Tréluyer and Oliver Jarvis managed 364 laps in 12 Hours, albeit at the wheel of an LMP1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

Race results - 12 Hours of Sebring (round 2 of 13)
1 - Pruett/Rojas/Franchitti (Riley-Ford) - Ganassi - 291 laps
2 - Sharp/Dalziel/Brabham (HPD ARX03B) - Extreme Speed - 4"682
3 - Barbosa/Fittipaldi/Bourdais (Coyote-Corvette) - ActionX - 8"965
4 - Pla/Brundle/Yacaman (Morgan-Nissan) - OAK - 11"9942
5 - Brown/Van Overbeek/Pagenaud (HPD ARX03B) - Extreme Speed - 17027
6 - Dixon/Kanaan/Karam (Riley-Ford) - Ganassi - 17"837
7 - Angelelli/R.Taylor/J.Taylor (Dallara-Corvette) - Taylor - 34"229
8 - Br.Frisselle/Bu.Frisselle/Fogarty (Coyote-Corvette) - ActionX - 39"559
9 - Pew/Negri/Wilson (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 40"568
10 - Bennett/Braun/Gue (Oreca FLM09) - Core - 3 laps
(...)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone does not think Susie Wolff will ever realize her dream of lining up on the F1 grid.

Briton Wolff, whose Austrian husband Toto is the Mercedes chief and Williams co-owner, will need a full race super license in 2014 as she appears on the Friday mornings at Silverstone and Hockenheim at the wheel of the Mercedes-powered Williams.

But F1 chief executive Ecclestone, who once notoriously admitted he hopes the 31-year-old is "as quick in a car as she looks good out of" it, doubts Wolff will ever actually race in grands prix.

"Susie Wolff is good," he told the Sydney Morning Herald, "but will she ever be in a position to show how good she is? I doubt it.

"The big problem with a woman, even if she's good enough, is having the opportunity to show that," 83-year-old Ecclestone explained.

"Because a team won't take a woman driver unless they bring them massive sponsorship. So you could have a very, very good woman driver and she would not get what she deserves," he added.

Susie Wolff (Photo: WRi2)

A greater matter on Ecclestone's mind at present is the sport's all-new turbo V6 era.

Fiercely critical of the move to quieter engines, the diminutive Briton will have heard with alarm the criticism in Melbourne of the 'sewing machines on wheels'.

"I think at the beginning when all this started we thought this would attract a lot of manufacturers who manufacture the size of engine that we are using in 2014," he said.

"Formula one is entertainment," Ecclestone insisted. "The trouble is that sometimes we forget that. These are the people who buy the tickets, turn on the TV and produce the money so that the sport can grow."

FIA president Jean Todt, however, is just as fiercely dismissive of Ecclestone's and the fans' concerns, insisting the matter will be all forgotten "after a few laps in Melbourne".

The Frenchman is taking criticism of the highly-controversial 'double points' idea for the season finale much more seriously.

As far as he is concerned, the tweak to keep interest in the championship until the end is merely "a little change", and far less significant than the important "revolution" to modernize F1's engine regulations.

But Todt also admitted the FIA is prepared to drop the 'double points' idea.

"If it doesn't work, it is easy to get rid of for next year," he told the Daily Mail.

"We will see if there is more interest at the end of the championship. If not, I would be the first to say let's go back to the way it was."

From GMM

Felipe Massa has kicked off the next phase of his formula one career with two thumbs up.

One thumb is for his move to Williams, where despite the British team finishing the 2013 season deeply uncompetitive, he has found himself powered by the plum Mercedes engine.

"I am happy, that's true," the Brazilian, who lost his Ferrari seat after eight years to Kimi Raikkonen, told the German newspaper Bild.

"I'm glad I went this way. It could have been a stroke of luck. The car feels good," said Massa.

Felipe Massa, Williams FW36 (Photo: Williams)

"The fact that Williams changed to the Mercedes engines is the first step to success," he insisted. "I feel that the car is strong and I'm hungry to finally win again."

Massa's other skywards-facing thumb is for the end of the Ferrari era, where despite intense highs and the almost title-winning 2008 season, the 32-year-old has also experienced some deep lows.

Asked by correspondent Nicola Pohl to describe what four years as Fernando Alonso's 'water-carrier' feels like, he answered: "I'll tell you one thing.

"The time as a servant is over! Williams wants me to take a leadership role in the team.

"In a team you sometimes have to do things that you don't understand in the moment. But you're not a racing driver if you cannot win," Massa insisted.