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The press office of Pirelli, the official tire supplier of Formula 1, produced some interesting statistics about the 2012 which concluded on Sunday with the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Total number of tires provided for the season:
Race tires: 31,800 of which 22,500 dry tires and 9,300 wet tires plus an additional 6,600 for the tests (not including development tires)

Percentage of tire type produced:
(for race tires only): supersoft: 6 % / soft: 25 % / medium: 21 % / hard: 17 % / intermediate: 18 % / wet: 11 % / 2 % development tires

Total numbers of tires used: Dry tires: 21,400; wet tires: 2,100

Number of tires recycled during 2012: All, i.e. 31,800 race tires plus 6,600 test tires

Average life span of a dry compound this season: 180 km

Average life span of a wet compound this season: 140 km

Photo: Pirelli

Most laps run on Pirelli tires: Hard - Kobayashi (798); Medium - Senna (869); Soft - Ricciardo (1,012); Supersoft - Raikkonen (237); Intermediate - Alonso (145); Wet - Kobayashi (104)

Distance covered by Pirelli's Renault R30 test car in 2012: 7,012 kms

Total number of pit stops for the year: 957 (of which 14 were a Drive Through and 2 a stop&go penalty)

Total average number of stops per race: 47.9, i.e. 1.9 per driver

Most pit stops in a race: 76 (Malaysia)

Least pit stops in a race: 24 (United States)

Fastest pit stop time: 2.31s (McLaren / Jenson Button at the German Grand Prix)

Photo: Pirelli

Number of overtaking manoeuvres in 2012: 994 (not including Brazil)

Most overtaking manoeuvres in a dry race: 90 at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix

Most overtaking manoeuvres in a wet race: 76 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix

Least overtaking manoeuvres in a dry race: 12 at the Monaco Grand Prix

From GMM

Red Bull's new title sponsorship for 2013 and beyond is worth an additional EUR 15 million per year, according to the German magazine Sport Bild.

Just before Sebastian Vettel won his third consecutive drivers' title on Sunday, the reigning champions had announced in Brazil that it will be called Infiniti Red Bull Racing from 2013, in deference to Nissan's luxury car brand.

"The budget will increase," is all Dr Helmut Marko would confirm.

Despite the closer partnership with Nissan and Infiniti, however, Red Bull's Renault engines will not be rebranded.

Photo: WRi2

Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel has claimed his third consecutive world title -- making him the youngest-ever triple world champion -- after a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix, while McLaren-Mercedes's Jenson Button took his third win of the season.

The young German stopped four times en route to a sixth place finish, having lost time with a spin and sustained damage following contact with Bruno Senna's Williams on the opening lap.

Photos: WRi2

The race started in ambient temperatures of 19 degrees with light drizzle, but the rain intensified during the first 10 laps. Button, who claimed an early lead from second on the grid, stayed out on the medium tires while the rain fell.

When the safety car came out for 10 laps, Button pitted on lap 23 for hard tires while the track still remained damp as the rain eased off. In the closing stages of the race, the rain returned with a vengeance, meaning that it was no longer possible to stay out on the slicks.

On lap 57 Button made his second and final stop onto intermediate tires without losing the lead. Fernando Alonso of Ferrari arrived home in second place followed by his teammate, Felipe Massa.

Vettel crossed the line in sixth place with a damaged car, scoring enough points to clinch his third world title.

Yves Matton, head of Citroën Racing, revealed that Robert Kubica has refused an offer to run the 2013 DTM championship.

"He refused a interesting proposal in DTM because he wants to compete in rally," said Matton to L'Equipe. "But he wants to do it the right way, he does not want to run without being able to be at the top. He has a great approach and a motivation that I find admirable."

The offer was probably made by BMW, which will run two more cars in the DTM championship next season. The german brand ran the Pole in Formula 1 for four seasons, Kubica having taken his only F1 victory in Canada Grand Prix in 2008 under BMW's colours.

Despite his retirement after an accident aboard a C4 WRC while he was leading rallye du Var this week end, Robert Kubica impressed the Citroen Racing team, which could support him next year in rally. Maybe in the new European Championship.

Robert Kubica, Rallye du Var. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

In the world of practical vehicles (because, let's be honest, there are many), sometimes it takes a little flare and pizzazz to set yourself apart from the masses. And that's precisely what the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline does.

With a starting price just under the $30k mark, the 2013 VW Tiguan isn't cheap, and that's because it's not. As with any Volkswagen, it's all about German engineering, and in the Highline R-Line trim (which my tester was sporting), quality is the name of the game in this compact CUV. From the drive to the feel of the interior materials, the Tiguan offers practicality with a touch of sophistication not often found in the segment.


Germanic looks
Volkswagen's latest design trend is fabulous. I love the clean lines, masculine touches and classy angles. Some might consider the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline “plane” or even boring, but I implore you to take a closer look at the entire package. From the businesslike front grille (where the “R-Line” logo was nicely nestled on my tester), to the LED-framed HID headlights, back across the muscular, flared wheel arches, to the taught, simplistic rear: there's very little not to like about the Tiguan Highline. A subtle, spoiler juts off the roofline and the 19” 5-spoke alloy wheels give the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan an equally sporty look; letting you in on its “fun” side.

Inside, sophistication and organization look continues -- with a touch of “wild.” The asymmetrical, perfectly proportioned middle console might seem simple and stripped down, but it's actually quite perfect. It's all right there; no searching for buttons required, no faffing about, which is just great. The only hang-up I have about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan's interior bits and bobs is in regards to the onboard entertainment system. The touch-sensitive screen has a bit (read: a lot) of a delay that's quite aggravating and annoying.

European inside and out
On the wild side of things, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline -- thanks to its near $3,000 R-Line trim option -- featured a fancy and oh-so-sexy flat bottom steering wheel that I absolutely loved. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's the subtle touches like that which set the Tiguan (and most Volkswagens with touches like that) apart from the pack and make them that much more attractive.

Interior space is decent in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline. Obviously, it's not the largest vehicle out there, but it does the job. Fitting a standard-size baby-seat in the back was a breeze, however, the trunk just managed to swallow a stroller, and not much else.

Comfortable seats, outfitted in saddle brown Vienna leather, front and back, make journeying in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan a delight. But it's about more than the seats when it comes to piloting this sporty little CUV.

On the wild side of things, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline featured a fancy and oh-so-sexy flat bottom steering wheel that I absolutely loved. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Autobahn drive
Powering the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder coupled with VW's 6-speed automatic transmission. While my tester did not sport the always-fun-to-drive DSG, it was still a pleasure to pilot and I was rarely left wanting more from the 200 horses on board. Popped into “sport” mode and the Tiptronic automatic transmission performs accordingly and never stumbles over gears.

Steering felt good, if a little loose. I wanted to feel a bit more connected to the vehicle, but then in a CUV you can't really ask for much more. Visibility is great and I felt comfortable and well-suited in the driver's seat. Not too small, not too big. Just right. Where's my bowl of porridge?

With VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive keeping me firmly planted on the road, I was often shocked at how car-like the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan actually felt -- I really could take a corner like that.

Powering the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder coupled with VW's 6-speed automatic transmission. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

And that's one of the main reasons the Tiguan stands apart from the compact CUV pack: It's driveability coupled with its design and engineering. Sure it will have its rattles and annoying wear-and-tear bits down the line, but in the end you know you've got yourself a solidly (at the core) built, German vehicle and I think that's well worth the price of admission to own one.

Auto123.com Racing is happy and proud to launch its fourth and final Facebook contest -- just in time for Christmas!

Enter our contest on Facebook and you'll have a chance to win a fantastic prize: a pair of driving gloves signed by Lotus F1 Team driver, and recent winner of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, Kimi Raikkonen!

Kimi Räikkönen (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Raikkonen, who raced for F1 teams Sauber, McLaren and Ferrari between 2001 and 2009, has made a return to Grand Prix racing this season, running for the Lotus F1 Team.

Raikkonen signed one of his pairs of OMP Lotus driving gloves during the weekend of the Singapore Grand Prix.


We at Auto123.com are happy to offer these signed gloves to the winner of our contest. They would make a perfect gift for the ultimate F1 fan!

Enter now by clicking here to visit our Facebook page.

Tesla is a start-up car company on the verge of world domination. Every new model to come out of Elon Musk's brilliant mind and company has sent ripples through the automotive world.


At first, there was the Roadster. Here was a slightly understated, 2-seater sports car capable of humiliating supercars without ever using a drop of fuel or making the slightest noise. Then, they announced the luxury family sedan to end all others: The Model S promised to and delivered performance, styling and more features than anyone could shake a stick at.

Now, Tesla is offering the Model X for larger families to consider. This upwardly mobile people and gear mover has, as the company describes, been designed from the ground up blending the benefits of an SUV and a minivan.

On paper or, more accurately, on screen, the 2014 Tesla Model X is as handsome as it is versatile. It is able to accommodate up to 7 passengers along with plenty of gear wherever the road may take you and your family.

The cabin offers an impressive array of state of the art technology, luxurious materials and top-drawer craftsmanship. Tesla's massive Touchscreen serves as the front passengers' gateway to the 2014 Tesla Model X's multiple accessories and entertainment system.

The 2014 Tesla Model X has many distinctive features, to be sure, but the traffic-stopper are its Falcon Wings. Much like the gullwings found on the Mercedes SLS AMG coupe, the X sports a pair of rear doors that fold up and out of the way in a graceful and elegant manner. The fronts are of the conventional style.

Although stunning to behold, the reason for their existence is equally functional. No more do passengers climb aboard their vehicle. In the 2014 Tesla Model X, occupants simply step in. The opening is in fact so wide that access to the third row is possible without removing a child seat that may be installed in the second row.

Motivating the X out and about is an electric powertrain that delivers varying levels of power and the choice between a single rear drive motor and the addition of a second front drive unit.

There will be two battery options made available to buyers. The base output is rated at 60 kWh while the option is a whopping 85 kWh. The pairing of two drive units, or motors, drastically augments the 2014 Tesla Model X's appeal, especially here, north of the border.

The 2014 Tesla Model X has many distinctive features, to be sure, but the traffic-stopper are its Falcon Wings. (Photo: Tesla Motors)

Now, if you're in the market for a green AWD family vehicle, there's no need to throw performance out the window. In Performance trim, with twin 85 kWh motors, the 2014 Tesla Model X will snap its way to 100 km/h in only 5 seconds. This, then, makes it one of the quickest SUV/CUVs on the market. Not bad for zero tailpipe emissions.

Deliveries of the 2014 Tesla Model X will begin in 2014. Final Canadian specs and pricing should be available during the course of next year.

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT GLS Review

2013 Porsche Panamera GTS Review

2012 Kia Optima EX Turbo Review

Other very interesting topics

• 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta preview
• Blog: The car seat conundrum
• 2014 Chevrolet Impala preview
• 2013 Ford Flex Limited review
• 2013 Mazda CX-9 preview

In mainstream cars and trucks, more and more manufacturers are offering leather seating surfaces, or leather upholstery.

In the vast majority of cases, it is not real leather, but what is called leatherette or simulated leather. You also have vinyl. What's the difference?

Genuine leather, obviously, is made from cowhide. Its porous texture allows it to breathe and adjusts to body temperature. It gets softer over time, and in luxury cars, the smell of leather is an important factor. On the other hand, it wears more quickly than leatherette or vinyl, it costs more to produce and if it's not treated with a protective finish, it will stain and absorb odours more quickly.

Leatherette, or simulated leather, is a synthetic texture made with vinyl, but with a softer feel to match leather as closely as possible. It's cheaper to produce than leather and easier to keep clean, and more durable. However, it's generally colder in winter and hotter in summer than the real stuff.

Luxury brands will say that owners and environmentalists want them to offer an alternative to genuine leather so they wouldn't slay as many cattle -- as if cows were sent to the slaughterhouse only to dress up car cockpits.

Vinyl is the ultimate low-cost texture for seating surfaces. It wears down much less quickly than leather and is the easiest texture to keep clean. However, it stays hard, has a tendency to crack and doesn't breathe, so on hot days we get all sweaty on them.

While vinyl seating surfaces have become pretty obsolete in passenger cars, some manufacturers will use vinyl on the lower portion or backsides of their leather seats to keep costs down. In most cases it's not readily apparent, in others it's obvious.

Leatherette, or simulated leather, is a synthetic texture made with vinyl, but with a softer feel to match leather as closely as possible. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The problem is that a lot of manufacturers call their seat upholstery leather when it's in fact leatherette. It couldn't be more obvious in certain vehicles, including the 2013 Chevrolet Spark I'm currently driving, which has polka dot motifs on the optional “leather” seats.

Frankly, when I analyze the pros and cons, the best compromise in mainstream vehicles is actually leatherette for its combination of durability, appearance and comfort. So why are manufacturers ashamed of calling it “simulated” leather? They shouldn't be.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's supporters were clinging to hope even after Sebastian Vettel sealed his third consecutive world championship on Sunday.

Replay footage from the Brazilian title showdown appeared to depict Red Bull's Vettel passing Kamui Kobayashi under yellow flags during the Interlagos race.

However, the apparent infraction was not investigated by the stewards during the race, raising suspicions the officials had not noticed.

So it became a post-race point of intrigue, given that if Vettel was subsequently demoted from sixth to eighth place, Alonso would have won the championship by a point.

"The yellow flag, (there's) not any news," the Spaniard told reporters after the podium ceremony.

Fernando Alonso said race winner Jenson Button had told him about the possibility Vettel had passed illegally.

Podium 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

"There was some kind of hope when he told me there is some yellow flag problem but then I think it was not true," he admitted.

Indeed, it was Ferrari's technical boss Pat Fry who clarified that the waving flag was actually coloured yellow and red, which is a warning to drivers about treacherous track conditions.

From GMM

After sealing his third consecutive drivers' title on Sunday, Sebastian Vettel bemoaned the "dirty tricks" his rivals deployed to try to stop him.

"A lot of people tried to play dirty tricks," the German said in a television interview immediately after the Brazilian grand prix.

Reporters furrowed their brows, wondering what Red Bull's 25-year-old German was referring to: Ferrari's deliberate gearbox penalty in Austin, perhaps, or Felipe Massa's blocking tactics at Interlagos?

Maybe the incessant and destabilising rumours of Vettel's switch to Ferrari, or suggestions Red Bull only wins because its car is illegal or the team refuses to stick to budget restraints?

"People tried everything, inside the lines and outside the lines, to beat us," he insisted.

Sebastian Vettel refused to be much more specific than that.

"Sorry but I think I've mentioned everything I have to mention," he said.

"I think it's clear but it's not for us to rate ... we have to focus on what we have, what is in our hands and getting excited about what others are doing -- what's the point?" added Vettel.

Sixth in Brazil, Sebastian Vettel clinched a third world championship title in a row. (Photo: WR2i)

He admitted, however, that given Red Bull's on and off-track struggles in 2012, victory in the end was particularly sweet.

"It is always important that you are happy with what you see in the mirror," said Vettel. "There is no point in being a fake or trying to cheat. I have made mistakes like everyone else, but the way I was brought up, I was told to be honest."

Vettel's defeated title adversary Fernando Alonso did not congratulate Vettel in his official post-race statement, but he insisted he did not feel beaten in Brazil.

"The championship was not lost here," France's RMC Sport quotes him saying.

"I lost the championship earlier, like when Grosjean went over my head (at Spa). There are many situations of the season that make me think about these 3 points, but that's sport. Even though I finished second, I have never had so much respect and affection from the people in the paddock. It is the first time that not only the fans, drivers, old drivers and even the teams have all told me that we did the best championship," said Alonso.

His countryman, former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari, agrees.

"The result in Brazil underlined that he (Alonso) is the world champion in terms of what he deserves," he told Mundo Deportivo newspaper. "Sixth place for Brazil meant Vettel finished his third consecutive title in points and engineering talent."

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC

The latest Mercedes-Benz CLS is very true to the original's design, and that is a great thing.

The latest Mercedes-Benz CLS is very true to the original's design, and that is a great thing. The menacing front end keeps it from looking too soft, which is also good. The design is very distinctive, but one unexpected annoyance caused by the car's appearance is the fact that the rear doors are extremely long, such that you must be very careful opening them lest you bump them into another car. The CLS also inflicted pain because of the hunched-over positioning required to install a pair of child seats. Fortunately, I wasn't uncomfortable with the rear roofline when I sat back there (I'm 5'6").

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

As Volkswagen plots a course toward its goal of becoming the world's biggest automaker by 2018, it's increasingly clear that the path to global dominance runs through places like Lanzhou, in western China.

As Volkswagen plots a course toward its goal of becoming the world's biggest automaker by 2018, it's increasingly clear that the path to global dominance runs through places like Lanzhou, in western China.

News 25 Nov, 2012

Jenson Button has won the Brazilian Grand Prix, while Sebastian Vettel finished sixth to clinch his third consecutive drivers' championship

Nissan's luxury Infiniti brand is planning to commence sales in Brazil from 2014.

From GMM

Jenson Button has admitted 2013 will be a perfect chance for him to win the world championship for the second time.

Since arriving from Brawn as the reigning world champion in 2010, the 32-year-old has been paired with the highly rated 2008 title winner Lewis Hamilton.

But Hamilton, on pole for his last McLaren race at Interlagos, is setting off for Mercedes, leaving Button as the de-facto 'number 1' at the great British team.

His teammate in 2013 is Sergio 'Checo' Perez, the 22-year-old Mexican who has shown promise at Sauber since debuting last year.

So when asked if next season is his best chance so far to be champion again, Button said in Brazil: "Yeah definitely."

The Englishman suggested that being so closely matched with Hamilton since 2010 has dented both of their title prospects.

"When you compare it to Lewis and I, when you look at our three years together, there has not been a massive amount of points difference between us," Button is quoted by British newspapers.

"And that means we were taking points off each other as well.

"If I have a quick car next year I am going to score a lot of points.  But I am sorry to see him (Hamilton) go," he added.

From GMM

Gerard Lopez, the owner of the Lotus team, has played down rumours Romain Grosjean could be dropped.

Before the Frenchman got involved in yet another incident this weekend - a high-speed qualifying clash with Pedro de la Rosa - whispers in the Interlagos paddock suggested Grosjean's future was less than secure.

That's because of the 26-year-old's tumultuous 2012 season, and the fact his teammate Kimi Raikkonen's 2013 deal has already been announced.

"It is not yet completed, there are ongoing discussions," said Lopez, the head of Lotus' investment company owner, Genii.

"The decision will be made after the season."

When asked by France's RMC Sport if Grosjean could be ousted, Lopez answered: "No, this is not the subject right now.

"The subject is to sit down and see what we are going to do."

The buzz in the Interlagos paddock has been that Lotus is pursuing a high-profile figure for 2013, just as it did when it brought Raikkonen back from a rallying sabbatical this season.

One name mentioned a few times has been Robert Kubica's, even though the talented Pole is saying openly that his injuries are still preventing him from driving a single seater.

And Lopez told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "There is no 'Kimi' on the market right now."

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel laid hand on his third consecutive drivers' crown at a wet and crazy Brazilian Grand Prix, which capped off an exciting 2012 Formula One season.

The title-deciding contest between the German and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso did not bode well for Vettel, who slipped from fourth to seventh in the first corner, and crashed moments later with the Williams of Bruno Senna, and the Sauber of Sergio Perez. While Alonso was moving up the field from seventh, he was going backwards.

Luckily for Red Bull, the reigning champion was able to turn it around, swiftly earning back what he had lost in the opening stages of the grand prix. Intensifying rain helped putting the two title rivals back on a playing field.

Meanwhile at the front, Jenson Button (McLaren) and Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) were stealing the show. The two drivers stayed out on slicks when everybody else pitted for intermediate tires. Their strategy was proved right when the rain stopped, prompting the whole field but them to pit once more to revert to slick tires.

The gap Hulkenberg managed to pull on Button was wiped clear by the safety car Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) brought out when he punctured a tire. A mistake by the leading Force India driver then allowed Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), who had already disposed of his teammate, to slot in first position.

But while fighting, Hamilton and Hulkenberg crashed, bringing the Brit's McLaren career to a disappointing end. Hulkenkerg managed to re-join the race, only to see a drive-through penalty end his impressive bid for the win.

The leaders' misfortunes prompted Alonso in the runner-up spot, behind Button, Felipe Massa (Ferrari) to the last spot on the podium and Vettel to sixth. As the positions were, Vettel still had a three-point cushion over Alonso in the championship battle. A three-point cushion which proved sufficient to clinch the title, since Paul di Resta (Force India) froze the race positions by bringing out, with a crash, another safety car, one lap from the finish.

Vettel's title-clinching performance aside, it was Button who won the race.

Also noteworthy, Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) ended his second Formula One career in a discrete seventh position.



Race results* - Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)
1 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 71 laps 1.45'22"656
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 2"754
3 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 3"615
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 4"936
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 5"708
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 9"453
7 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 11"907
8 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 28"653
9 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 31"250
10 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1 lap
11 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1 lap
13 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1 lap
14 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
15 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1 lap
16 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1 lap
17 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 2 laps
18 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 2 laps

Fastest lap of the race by Lewis Hamilton (1'18"069)

Retirements
Lap 1 - Sergio Perez
Lap 1 - Bruno Senna
Lap 2 - Pastor Maldonado
Lap 6 - Romain Grosjean
Lap 55 - Lewis Hamilton

Drivers' championship
1.Vettel 281; 2.Alonso 278; 3.Raikkonen 207; 4.Hamilton 190; 5.Button 188; 6.Webber 179; 7.Massa 122; 8.Grosjean 96; 9.Rosberg 93; 10.Perez 66; 11.Hulkenberg 63; 12.Kobayashi 60; 13.Schumacher 49; 14.Di Resta 46; 15.Maldonado 45; 16.Senna 31; 17.Vergne 16; 18.Ricciardo 10.

Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 460; 2.Ferrari 400; 3.McLaren-Mercedes 378; 4.Lotus-Renault 303; 5.Mercedes 142; 6.Sauber-Ferrari 126; 7.Force India-Mercedes 109; 8.Williams-Renault 76; 9.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 26.

*Unofficial results

From GMM

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand, will become reigning world champions Red Bull's title sponsor from 2013.

The sponsorship and on-car branding deal began in 2011, but from next year the Milton-Keynes based team will be known officially as Infiniti Red Bull Racing.

Red Bull is powered by engines supplied by Renault, the 44 per cent owner of Nissan, a Japanese carmaker.

The F1 team said on Sunday that the new title sponsorship is for four years.

"Having a committed technical partner like Infiniti gives us a great platform for working together on technical projects, such as the Energy Recovery Systems for the 2014 season," said Adrian Newey.