My Blog

Patrick puts news emphasis on qualifying

2011-04-30T19:37:00.001-07:00

Ben Pon

The races

2011-04-30T17:37:00.001-07:00

Bruno Giacomelli Bernard Collomb Christian Klien Harry Merkel Peter Monteverdi

Mercedes C63 AMG DTM Safety Car revealed [video]

2011-04-30T15:37:00.001-07:00

Mercedes has unveiled the new C63 AMG Safety Car for the 2011 DTM racing season. Details inside

Lee Wallard Philippe Alliot Cliff Griffith James Hunt Peter Whitehead

camaros and firebirds

2011-04-30T13:37:00.001-07:00

hey guys me again i wanna see some camaro 1st gen - 4th gen and firebirds 1st- 4th gen drag car well they can be prostreet or prostock or grudge cars or 10.5 any drag car except funnycars and cars like dat

begin date now

end date never

Don Freeland Chuck Weyant Vittorio Brambilla Gary Brabham Martin Donnelly

BMW Z2 Roadster

2011-04-30T11:37:00.001-07:00

Rumors about a BMW Z2 Roadster started a very long time ago, but as the time passed, nothing concrete ever materialized on this particular model, leaving us with little to work with in terms of providing good information. Thankfully, that time is over as we have received actual information on the future model.

The BMW Z2 Roadster will be a roadster version of the 1-Series model and will be placed under the Z4, in both performance and price. This new model will target models like the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

The BMW Z2 will be built on the same platform as the next generation 1-Series and will weigh less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs). It will be offered with a range of four-cylinders, with the top version going up to 250 HP. There are rumors about a hybrid version, but an electric version is also being taken under consideration.

The first prototypes have already been caught testing on public roads in California, so expect an official debut in late 2013. However, a concept version has already been rumored for a debut in 2012, most likely at the Paris Auto Show. Prices will start at around $30,000.

UPDATE 04/29/2011: Autobild.de has revealed new details on the future Z2. According to the German magazine, the Z2 will be a totally new model placed below the Z4. It will be built on an all-wheel-drive platform, with a RWD one to follow later in 2016. The Z2 won’t debut until early 2014 and it will be offered with a two-liter four-cylinder engine with an output ranging from 163 to 272 HP (model line-up will include: 16i, 20i and 28i). The Z2 will be considerably cheaper than the Z4.

Hit the jump to read more about the BMW Z2 Roadster.

BMW Z2 Roadster originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 29 April 2011 15:00 EST.

Michael Bleekemolen Stirling Moss Troy Ruttman Tom Belso Ronnie Peterson

Leader?s Schmeder?s or Leaderhosen?

2011-04-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

Manny Ayulo Aldo Gordini Bill Vukovich Mike Fisher JeanPierre Beltoise

Fernando Alonso: ?Not the start of the season we were hoping for??

2011-04-30T07:37:00.001-07:00

Fernando Alonso says that there?s a long way to go in the 2011 season, and insists that things can change quickly. He cites the example of last year, when Ferrari?s campaign gained momentum during the year. He concedes too that … Continue reading →

Charles de Tornaco Geoff Crossley Nello Pagani Yuji Ide Mark Donohue

News Corp eyes bid for control of F1

2011-04-30T05:37:00.001-07:00

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is bidding to take a stake in F1, according to the company?s UK TV subsidiary, Sky News. The broadcaster’s city editor Mark Kleinman gave some details of the bid this evening, saying that the company wanted … Continue reading →

Divina Galica Jos Verstappen Eddie Russo Dave Morgan George Amick

Nico Rosberg Feels Better

2011-04-30T03:37:00.001-07:00

Don Edmunds Johnny Dumfries Adolfo Schwelm Cruz Scott Speed Gerry Ashmore

Revell's Tomb Raider Jeep Rubicon....built my way

2011-04-30T01:37:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, I finished this one up last night. I didn't want to build it as a replica of the one in the movie, so I made a few small changes. The rims went into the purple pond and then recieved some black paint, ditched the light bar above the windshield frame, added a couple of bars to the rollcage to mount a cb overhead, and made an antenna for the cb. Even though it's a diecast (the body anyways) and very simplified, it made for a fun and quick build. Now if only they would re-tool and improve this one and turn it into a regular styrene kit.....

Jaime Alguersuari Mike Thackwell Luigi Fagioli Consalvo Sanesi Johnny Boyd

And the Winner of the Kosuke-Carpenter Award goes to...

2011-04-29T23:37:00.001-07:00

Michael Andretti Rubens Barrichello Max Jean Cliff Allison John Surtees

INDYCAR: Young Lions line-up for Barber?s chair...

2011-04-29T21:37:00.001-07:00

Gregor Foitek Bernd Schneider Mika Häkkinen Siegfried Stohr Jo Siffert

Team orders in spotlight again

2011-04-29T19:37:00.001-07:00

Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? © Getty Images

Michael Spearman of The Sun, says that the �65,000 fine Ferrari received for breaching the team orders ban in Germany will seem like loose change if Fernando Alonso wins the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi.

?The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. ?And the �65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. ?Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors' championship just five years after coming into the sport. ?That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.?

The Guardian?s Paul Weaver says that if Fernando Alonso does take the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari owes a debt of gratitude to Red Bull for their decision not to employ team orders in Brazil.

?If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull's headquarters in Milton Keynes. ?While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. ?Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.?

The Independent?s David Tremayne is also of the opinion that Red Bull may regret not using team orders in Brazil.

?Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win ? something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake ? Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points ? just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team's favoured driver ? which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. ?And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.?

The Mirror?s Byron Young has put Lewis Hamilton?s fading title chances down to an inferior McLaren machine and he admits the 2008 World Champion now needs a miracle.

?Sebastian Vettel's victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport's history. ?Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days' time it would take more than a miracle. ?Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.?

Mike Harris Clay Regazzoni Jean Lucas Edgar Barth Umberto Maglioli

Whitmarsh: ?We?ve just got to keep progressing?

2011-04-29T17:37:00.001-07:00

Martin Whitmarsh believes that McLaren can continue to make progress in its pursuit of Red Bull, but he doesn?t underestimate the task at hand. McLaren has made a huge leap since winter testing, but Whitmarsh knows it won?t be easy … Continue reading →

Michael Bleekemolen Stirling Moss Troy Ruttman Tom Belso Ronnie Peterson

Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong

2011-04-29T15:37:00.001-07:00

Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives [...]

Len Duncan Fernando Alonso Alain de Changy Robert Manzon Joe Fry

2012 Volkswagen Beetle spotted on the street [video]

2011-04-29T13:37:00.001-07:00

Production version of the 2012 Beetle spotted in Laredo, Texas well before the new model goes on sale anywhere.

Johnny Thomson Marshall Teague Spider Webb Hiroshi Fushida Anthony Davidson

Original early '60s build of MPC '34 truck

2011-04-29T11:37:00.001-07:00

This is an original early '60s build of the first MPC '34 Ford pick-up kit I bought. This won the first model car contest I ever entered in Phx. at the local hobby shop. I won a nice trophy but it was broke in some long ago move. I don't know what happened to the glass but it was there decades ago. There is one of the rare AMT pewter plaques on the back. Don't know why the truck has only one tailight. The original rattle can Western Auto Orange paint is still on it. I used colored thread to wire the motor and the fuel lines is fishing line. The only modification I did was chop the bed shorter. I need to get a kit glass piece and carefully take the truck apart and install it. The win and trophy I got inspired me to continue building model cars. Thank you. Patrick Mitchell

I am glad this truck survived all the moves and is still in good condition after all these years. Patrick Mitchell

John Surtees Trevor Blokdyk Stefan Bellof Luki Botha Lee Wallard

New rules

2011-04-29T09:37:00.001-07:00

Takuma Sato Lloyd Ruby Toni Branca Riccardo Patrese Felice Bonetto

Max Mosley Wins Vote to Remain FIA President

2011-04-29T07:37:00.001-07:00

Francois Cevert Mauro Baldi Jim Rigsby Alberto Ascari Andre Testut

Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 "Kowalski Edition"

2011-04-29T05:37:00.001-07:00

A lot of us may be too young to remember the glory days of auto movies in the 70s, but for those old enough to remember a movie called Vanishing Point starring Barry Newman, this little tuning project may be if interest. In the movie, Newman plays the role of Kowalski, man who makes some sort of bet that he could take a white 1970 Dodge Challenger and drive it all the way the from Colorado to San Francisco in just 15 hours. Apparently, Vanishing Point was one of the most iconic car movies of the era, having enjoyed cult status to its fans, including one Bob Frederick.

As the dealer of New Wilmington Dodge and a long-time fan of the movie, Frederick decided to do something really cool to pay homage to one of his favorite flicks by unveiling a special edition model of the 392 Inaugural Edition Dodge Challenger SRT8 and calling it the ?Kowalski Edition?.

Hit the jump to read more about the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 "Kowalski Edition."

Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 "Kowalski Edition" originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 27 April 2011 20:00 EST.

David Coulthard Guy Ligier Fred Gamble Gianfranco Brancatelli Gabriele Tarquini

Richmond a favorite track for many

2011-04-29T03:37:00.001-07:00

Wolfgang Seidel Enrico Bertaggia Pedro Diniz Peter de Klerk Chico Landi

Driver Quotes

2011-04-29T01:37:00.001-07:00

Alessandro Nannini Bill Brack Karun Chandhok Danny Sullivan Luigi Piotti

Class of 2011

2011-04-28T23:37:00.001-07:00

Mikko Kozarowitzky Walt Faulkner JeanClaude Rudaz Clemente Biondetti Hans Herrmann

Volvo flagship not coming anytime soon

2011-04-28T21:37:00.001-07:00

Volvo is downplaying speculation about a flagship model, following the introduction of the Universe concept at the Shanghai Auto Show.

John RiseleyPrichard Mike Hawthorn Helmut Niedermayr Gene Force Gimax

Ecclestone willing to wait for Bahrain

2011-04-28T19:37:00.001-07:00

Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that Bahrain could be given more time to regain its place on the 2011 calendar. That in turn means that we could still have to wait to see if any other races have to be moved … Continue reading →

Damien Magee Colin Chapman Norberto Fontana Divina Galica Jos Verstappen

Spy Scandal is Closed But Not for Nigel Stepney

2011-04-28T17:37:00.001-07:00

Tim Schenken Ricardo Zunino Gino Bianco Mike MacDowel Giovanni de Riu

Newman Haas announces ?Hinchtown signing

2011-04-28T15:37:00.001-07:00

Carlos Pace Phil Cade Wilson Fittipaldi Oscar Larrauri Jarno Trulli

Grand twits

2011-04-28T13:37:00.001-07:00

Jorge Daponte Pedro Matos Chaves Franco Comotti George Eaton Cal Niday

Remembering Alboreto...

2011-04-28T11:37:00.001-07:00

Niki Lauda† Dries van der Lof Didier Pironi Hans Binder Desmond Titterington

We needed this win, says Hamilton

2011-04-28T09:37:00.001-07:00

Lewis Hamilton says that McLaren can’t sit back, despite its winning performance in China last weekend. Hamilton admitted that the team needed the boost of a victory but added that it was just the start of the battle for the … Continue reading →

Eliseo Salazar Luigi Taramazzo Myron Fohr Teddy Pilette Brausch Niemann

Red Bull Auction

2011-04-28T07:37:00.001-07:00

Mika Häkkinen Siegfried Stohr Jo Siffert Julian Bailey Ernesto Prinoth

Results for FIA Press Conference

2011-04-28T05:37:00.001-07:00

Raul Boesel Bruce McLaren Hubert Hahne Luigi Villoresi Karl Kling

66 Mustang..........Got Interior Done & Stripes Painted.....4/27

2011-04-28T03:37:00.001-07:00

Starting this Revell Mustang mostly stock with a few add ons.....................

More coming soon.........................

Paul Emery Carlo Facetti Andrea Montermini Alex Caffi Gus Hutchison

Monte Carlo

2011-04-28T01:37:00.001-07:00

PLZ HELP!!!!! i wanna build a monte carlo pro street but what drag car chassis will it fit on. i can scratch build the road cage,but i need a chassis pan if anybody kknows which drag car chassis fits on that body plz let me know

Ken Richardson Jimmy Davies Ray Crawford Raul Boesel Bruce McLaren

George at The Barber?s

2011-04-27T23:37:00.001-07:00

Peter Revson Dick Gibson Luis PerezSala Jackie Oliver Pierre Levegh

Journalists shocked at Korea award

2011-04-27T21:37:00.001-07:00

Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit © Getty Images

Two leading Formula One journalists have expressed their surprise at Korea being named the best grand prix promoter of the season at the FIA?s annual prize gala in Monaco last Friday. The Korean Grand Prix received the Race Promoters' Trophy despite the event taking place at an incomplete facility with few race fans in attendance and team members and media staying at disparagingly dubbed 'love hotels'. "Korea. Korea? KOREA??!! I must have been somewhere else," said Times correspondent Kevin Eason on Twitter. Daily Mirror journalist Byron Young added, "The Korean GP, complete with event and flight chaos, shoddy hotels and things I won't mention, won the race promotors? trophy. Why?"

Bobby Ball Brian Naylor Piero Carini Dennis Poore Clemar Bucci

BMW VS FERRARI

2011-04-27T19:37:00.001-07:00

Mika Salo Rudolf Krause Walt Hansgen Pierluigi Martini Menato Boffa

Team orders in spotlight again

2011-04-27T17:37:00.001-07:00

Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? © Getty Images

?The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. ?And the �65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. ?Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors' championship just five years after coming into the sport. ?That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.?

?If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull's headquarters in Milton Keynes. ?While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. ?Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.?

The Independent?s David Tremayne is also of the opinion that Red Bull may regret not using team orders in Brazil.

?Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win ? something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake ? Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points ? just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team's favoured driver ? which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. ?And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.?

The Mirror?s Byron Young has put Lewis Hamilton?s fading title chances down to an inferior McLaren machine and he admits the 2008 World Champion now needs a miracle.

?Sebastian Vettel's victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport's history. ?Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days' time it would take more than a miracle. ?Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.?

Peter Walker Olivier Gendebien Kurt Kuhnke Don Beauman Christian Fittipaldi

From SI.com: Is Kyle Busch NASCAR's best all-around driver?

2011-04-27T15:37:00.001-07:00

Luigi Taramazzo Myron Fohr Teddy Pilette Brausch Niemann Tim Schenken

Journalists shocked at Korea award

2011-04-27T13:37:00.001-07:00

Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit © Getty Images

Jean Behra Piero Drogo Kunimitsu Takahashi Art Bisch Olivier Beretta

Caterham bought by Team Lotus - introduces special edition to celebrate [video]

2011-04-27T11:37:00.001-07:00

After weeks of speculation, Team Lotus has confirmed they have purchased Caterham.

William Ferguson Bernard de Dryver Jim Crawford Sebastian Vettel Josef Peters

1970 Dodge Challenger T/A - Revell's Streetburner

2011-04-27T09:37:00.001-07:00

Hi fellow modelers!

This will be my first W.I.P here. I'm already working in this model for a few weeks, but only now I decided to take some pictures of it.

I'm talking about the Revell's 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. According to the kit's manual it has a 340 cu. in. small block V8 engine with three 2-barrel carbs.

After some google images research, I decided to paint it yellow, most preciselly the Model Master Yellow PY3, a spray lacquer. The can's instructions recommend that this paint "may be clear coated in 2 hours" after the paint application. But I have some questions:

1. Can I use the Testors Glosscoat # 1261 over this paint? This is the only one I have now.

2. Should I polish the paint before I apply the clearcoat? It seems that I have some orange peel on the paint, I don't know if you can notice on the pictures below.

3. And about the decals, when should I apply them? Before or after the clearcoat?

Thanks in advance,

Starr

Eugene Martin Mauri Rose Miguel Ángel Guerra Guy Edwards Duke Dinsmore

INDYCAR: Long ?Beech Quips

2011-04-27T07:37:00.001-07:00

Alessandro Nannini Bill Brack Karun Chandhok Danny Sullivan Luigi Piotti

INDYCAR: Long ?Beech Quips

2011-04-27T05:37:00.001-07:00

Robert Kubica Adrian Sutil Johnny Claes Rikky von Opel Esteban Tuero

The races

2011-04-27T03:37:00.001-07:00

Carlo Facetti Andrea Montermini Alex Caffi Gus Hutchison Juan Manuel Fangio

Di Resta takes praise in his stride

2011-04-27T01:37:00.001-07:00

In Shanghai

Rookie Paul di Resta has been the subject of high praise in the Formula 1 paddock in Shanghai after scoring a point in each of his first two races.

The Scottish Force India driver was even likened by one journalist to French legend Alain Prost, another rookie who collected points on his debut.

Praise does not come much higher than that - Prost, who first burst on to the F1 scene with McLaren in 1980, went on to win four world championships and 51 grands prix.

But Di Resta is refusing to get caught up in the hype bubbling around him because he views his performances in Australia and Malaysia somewhat differently.

"All I can say is that we expected a bit more but for whatever reason it didn't quite come," Di Resta told BBC Sport.

"It's nice to get [my first points] out the way at the first and second grands prix.

"But that is the job we're out there to do and it has been a realistic target on both occasions."

Talking to Di Resta in Shanghai, I was impressed by his aura of almost palpable steeliness mixed with calm. Here is a man with a definite plan.

If the main priority on his F1 tick-list was collecting his first F1 points, then the second is beating the man in the same machinery.

In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.

Di Resta, who was signed by Force India in January after learning the ropes last season as the team reserve, has already out-qualified team-mate Adrian Sutil twice and finished one place ahead of the German in Malaysia.

He had also been ahead of Sutil in Melbourne but the pair swapped places in the pits because they were running on different strategies and Di Resta crossed the line just behind Sutil in 10th.

"You can gauge yourself against your team-mate," added Di Resta. "And I've got a lot of respect for Adrian.

"I'd like to keep it where it's been and through the races I'm gaining more confidence. I did get the better of him in Malaysia but it's not always going to be like that.

"I wouldn't say he has to be afraid. Adrian is very quick and he's established, all I can say is that our performance has been comparable."

Winning a place in F1 has also given Di Resta, who is the cousin of the three-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, a second chance to test his mettle against his former rivals Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

In his junior career, Di Resta raced against the future F1 world champions, notably beating his then team-mate Vettel to the Formula Three Euroseries crown in 2006 when the German was already dipping his toe into F1 as a tester for BMW Sauber.

Now he has returned to competition with his teenage rivals, does Di Resta think they have grown beyond him in terms of talents?

"They've got good equipment and they're good drivers but at the same time I don't think that anybody's special," he added.

"It's been good [to be competing against them] but at the same time they are a little bit up the end of the grid.

"I'd like to be racing against them. One day I'm sure we will be but I'm not going to compare myself against Sebastian when I'm not in the same car."

Di Resta has out-qualified his experienced team-mate in both races so far. Photo: Getty

And what if Di Resta was alongside Vettel in the second Red Bull?

"I'd be hopeful I'd be as competitive as Sebastian," he added.

"How much he has developed and how much I've developed from 2006 no-one will ever now until we are in the same position again."

Di Resta is refreshingly clear and open about where he finds himself in his fledging F1 career and where he wants to go.

But there are two points on which the Scot would not be drawn; what his ultimate aim is for 2011 and what difficulties he is contending with.

"I've tried not to think about personal targets at the moment," added Di Resta, whose preparations for the Chinese Grand Prix were hampered by a fuel-pressure problem that kept him consigned to the pits for second practice on Friday. "It's too early to do that.

"I'll take it week by week but what I've achieve I want more now of - and you keep wanting more until you've got it.

"I'm not going to speculate on what [I find difficult] as there are people who will pick up on it and I believe that on the outside you need to show you're strong.

"That is the whole idea of competitive nature, you pick someone's weak bits and you bounce on top of it."

There is one wish, however, that Di Resta is happy to talk about and that is the treat he would like for his 25th birthday, which he celebrates this weekend.

"I'd like some more points," he says instinctively. "I'd like some nice cars but there is plenty of time later in life for that, so I'll take some more points."

POST-QUALIFYING UPDATE, 1100 BST, SATURDAY 16 APRIL:

Di Resta's quest to end his birthday weekend on a high with more points to add to his tally was given a nice boost by a career-best qualifying performance in Shanghai.

The 25-year-old had not done any qualifying simulations during his limited running on Friday but he battled his way into the top-10 shoot-out for the first time and claimed eighth on the grid.

Di Resta, who passed Nico Rosberg of Mercedes in Malaysia and almost got the better of Michael Schumacher's Silver Arrow in a battle for ninth place, is now feeling confident he can move forwards during the race.

"Our race pace doesn't seem to be too bad," said Di Resta. "So fingers crossed we can pick up some points again."

Alain de Changy Robert Manzon Joe Fry HeinzHarald Frentzen Nino Vaccarella

Rumor: Next C63 AMG Black Series Coupe will stick with 6.3 liter V8 - and have 507 HP

2011-04-26T23:37:00.001-07:00

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe will be introduced after the sedan variant debuts later this year.

Michel Leclere William Ferguson Bernard de Dryver Jim Crawford Sebastian Vettel

Start as you mean to finish

2011-04-26T21:37:00.001-07:00

David Piper Chet Miller Carlos Reutemann Colin Davis Hans Joachim Stuck

Ferrari 348 Challenge Twin Turbo

2011-04-26T19:37:00.001-07:00

Any Ferrari is cool, and yes we said any, even the 1980?s 400i sedan. As long as there is a prancing horse on the hood, these cars are destined to be cherished for generations to come. The Ferrari 348 series is no different and it spawned one of the most loved modern Ferrari?s in the 355 model. One issue that people tend to have with the 348 is that there was a lack of power from its V8. All that really means is that when you take a 348 Challenge model and bolt on some serious power upgrades you?ll end up with a super cool Ferrari.

Steve Maxwell and Stacey Slead were two men that fell in love with the original driving dynamics of the 348 and put in some serious effort to make this one of the most powerful 348s on the road today. The two became friends when Maxwell was selling his Ferrari 348 and Slead wanted to buy it after a one-night test drive. Soon after Slead became the owner and Maxwell turned into a mad mechanic handcrafting over 200 pieces for the Ferrari it has now become.

After a few new donor Ferraris, a near death experience, and plenty of late nights deciding how to put it all together this Ferrari now makes over 600hp and eats newer models for breakfast. A challenge model Ferrari is nothing to take lightly in the first place, but adding turbochargers and a host of other one-off performance pieces can turn your run-of-the-mill Ferrari into an entirely different animal.

Hit the jump for more details on this Ferrari 348 Twin Turbo.

Ferrari 348 Challenge Twin Turbo originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 21:00 EST.

read more

Syd van der Vyver Moises Solana Joie Chitwood Johnny Herbert Alberto Rodriguez Larreta

On the F1 engines of 2013

2011-04-26T17:37:00.001-07:00
My fellow blogger James Allen has written about the idea of cars running only on electric power in the pitlane in the future. I am grateful to him for reminding me because I heard about the idea in Australia and then completely forgot to write about it! It is a great idea because while there [...]
Duncan Hamilton Taki Inoue Bruce Johnstone Bob Evans Alex Zanardi

David Coulthard & Red Bull

2011-04-26T15:37:00.001-07:00

Mike Hailwood Mike Harris Clay Regazzoni Jean Lucas Edgar Barth

Red Bull Auction

2011-04-26T13:37:00.001-07:00

Felice Bonetto Wolfgang von Trips Jimmy Jackson Peter Hirt Narain Karthikeyan

Will Piquet Score Again in Hungary Next Weekend?

2011-04-26T11:39:00.001-07:00

Pablo Birger Jaime Alguersuari Mike Thackwell Luigi Fagioli Consalvo Sanesi

69 Super Bee six pack

2011-04-26T09:37:00.001-07:00

This is the Monogram "glow" plastic kit, which I wanted to build as a stock six pack. The kit does not have the steel wheels, so I added the (somewhat to wide) steel Nascar wheels from my parts box, and I added the square exhaust tips, which the stock cars appeared to have. A simple but nice kit. I added spark plug wires and fuel line to the carbs.

Marc

Roberto Mieres David Brabham Roberto Bonomi Dave Charlton Chris Craft

Kyle Busch wins Nashville Trucks race

2011-04-26T07:37:00.001-07:00

Bernard Collomb Christian Klien Harry Merkel Peter Monteverdi Vitaly Petrov*

Bugatti 16C Galibier

2011-04-26T05:37:00.001-07:00

Posted on 04.25.2011 13:00 by Simona
Filed under: Bugatti | sedan | Supercars / Exotic cars | luxury cars | future cars | Bugatti Galibier | 2013 | Cars | Car Reviews | Bugatti

All we’ve heard about the Bugatti Galibier so far has been concept details and speculation, but things are about to turn around for all the fans wishing the company would take the next big step. Volkswagen has offered Bugatti the backing they need for a 16C Galibier sedan.
Apparently, Wolfgang Duerheimer, the man who recently took over as head of Bugatti and Bentley, was the main proponent behind pushing Volkswagen to give them a break. The Galibier, a 1000 HP sedan, was first shown as a concept in 2010 and when put into production, will cost about $1.4 million. It will use a 16-cylinder engine that can run on both biofuel and gasoline, and will bring back the dual-clutch gearbox. Production will require facilities in Molsheim, France, to be refitted, which may push back deliveries until 2013 or 2014.
The official name for the production model hasn’t been provided yet, but Bugatti’s decision to offer a production version sedan should come as no surprise considering Lamborghini has already confirmed the production version of the Estoque and Ferrari has brought out the FF. These competitors by no means come close to the power behind the Bugatti, but they do illustrate the luxury automakers that are taking advantage of the upswing the economy is making by expanding their lineups.
UPDATE 04/25/2011: In an interview with Car Magazine, Bugatti has not only confirmed the production of the Galibier, but they also stated that the luscious limousine will get a hybrid option. Yeah, we never thought the words ’hybrid’ and ’Bugatti’ would ever be uttered together, but Bugatti says this option is a must if the company plans to move along with the times and be successful. Another detail revealed are the porcelain trimmings which will be available for the interior of the Galibier. Ooh, fancy.

gallery: 2010 Bugatti 16 C Galibier

Bugatti 16C Galibier originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 25 April 2011 13:00 EST.

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Jim Rigsby Alberto Ascari Andre Testut Naoki Hattori Helm Glöckler

Paasche needle?

2011-04-26T03:37:00.001-07:00

I have a Paasche H-series airbrush that I bought in the early 1980s. The shop I bought it from told me that it had the wrong needle in it for painting models and sold me another one. I still have the "factory installed" needle in a little tube that says H3. I think that H3 is the needle that is currently installed in the airbrush, so my question is:

Is H3 the right size needle for model car painting?

-- Steve
Jerry Hoyt George Abecassis Huub Rothengatter Sam Posey Gijs van Lennep

Life in the pit lane

2011-04-26T01:37:00.001-07:00

The Mercedes pit crew prepare for Michael Schumacher in Singapore © Getty Images

Away from the world of multi-million-pound car development laboratories and drivers whose small change takes care of the Monte Carlo harbour fees, another drama will play out in Singapore this week. The Independent's David Tremayne joins F1's unsung heroes.
These are not select millionaires but up to 16 ordinary, yet gifted, guys; team mechanics who have worked their way up the system and often migrate from team to team, are paid real-world wages of between �30,000 and �50,000 a year, are drilled to perfection ? and whose split-second synchronisation brings their teams huge rewards.
Jimmy Stewart Brian McGuire Andre Milhoux Gerhard Mitter Toni Ulmen

Fernando Alonso: ?Not the start of the season we were hoping for??

2011-04-25T23:37:00.001-07:00
Fernando Alonso says that there?s a long way to go in the 2011 season, and insists that things can change quickly. He cites the example of last year, when Ferrari?s campaign gained momentum during the year. He concedes too that … Continue reading →
Rodney Nuckey Andre Guelfi Gianni Morbidelli Sebastien Buemi John James

F1: We Have To Work On Everything - Alonso

2011-04-25T21:37:00.001-07:00
Fernando Alonso says he has faith in his team...
Jimmy Jackson Peter Hirt Narain Karthikeyan Francois Mazet Ken Kavanagh

Grand twits

2011-04-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

Mark Donohue Eitel Cantoni Ernie Pieterse Alfonso de Portago Bill Moss

Robert Kubica Hospitalised Following Rally Accident

2011-04-25T17:37:00.001-07:00
UPDATE ON KUBICA’s CONDITION: �http://wp.me/p3uiu-11K Renault Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica has been airlifted to hospital following a car accident while competing on a rally. The incident, described as a high speed accident, left the Pole injured and he had to be airlifted to hospital. �His co-driver Jakub Gerber was uninjured in the incident. While [...]
Fred Gamble Gianfranco Brancatelli Gabriele Tarquini Emanuele Naspetti Roberto Guerrero

Mclaren look to takeaway Chinese glory

2011-04-25T15:37:00.001-07:00

Mclaren head to China after another positive race at Melbourne confirmed�a number of their hopes and fears for the year.

Before the season began�you would’ve been considered a fool to say that after two races Ferrari would not have appeared on the podium�while both Mclaren drivers had made�appearances up�there.

Having been quick but hardly rapid at the�tight, twisty�Albert Park�season opener, the team excelled at the ...
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32 Ford A/SR Roadster WIP

2011-04-25T13:37:00.001-07:00

This project started last summer. The Idea was to build an earley 60s A/sr Roadster...period correct.

The first step was to remove the ugly frame horns and replace them with resin parts that I scratchbuilt and cast.

A new X-frame, 34 Ford style was built up from evergreen strips...

The AMT 62 Pontiac SD rear axle is perfect for this project...

New brackets an rear end plates were scratchbuilt from Evergreen trips.

Chet Miller Carlos Reutemann Colin Davis Hans Joachim Stuck Andre Simon

Team Lotus Launch Their 2011 Machine The T128

2011-04-25T11:37:00.001-07:00
Team Lotus (the one who raced last year) have become the second team to officially pull the covers off their new 2011 car. The green and yellow liveried machine will start be raced by Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen this season under the name of Team Lotus as the management’s row with Group Lotus, now [...]
Kazuki Nakajima Jean Behra Piero Drogo Kunimitsu Takahashi Art Bisch

Newman Haas announces ?Hinchtown signing

2011-04-25T09:37:00.001-07:00

Rikky von Opel Esteban Tuero Timmy Mayer Tiff Needell Paul Pietsch

Schumacher on Mercedes: "It will work out"

2011-04-25T07:37:00.001-07:00

Antônio Pizzonia Francois Migault Shinji Nakano Peter Gethin Gary Hocking

Back from OZ ? Whale Sorta...

2011-04-25T05:37:00.001-07:00

Giancarlo Fisichella Ian Burgess Luiz Bueno Frank Armi Wayne Weiler

Where there is smoke?

2011-04-25T03:37:00.001-07:00
In Formula 1 there is rarely a rumour that does not have a purpose. Often there are stories that are designed to throw people off the correct scent. Sometimes information is leaked in order to scupper a project. There are other times when a story is designed to make things happen, to warn what might [...]
Arturo Merzario JeanChristophe Boullion Dieter Quester Kenny Acheson Bernie Ecclestone

F1: Austin reveals Track Name and Second Major event

2011-04-25T01:37:00.001-07:00

Willi Krakau Kimi Räikkönen Jacques Villeneuve Sr Jonathan Williams Peter Collins

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster spied undisguised

2011-04-24T23:37:00.001-07:00
SLS AMG Roadster spied in black with a contrasting light-brown soft-top folding roof.

Chico Landi Chuck Daigh Gerard Larrousse Damon Hill Alain Prost

Results for FIA Press Conference

2011-04-24T21:37:00.001-07:00

Pablo Birger Jaime Alguersuari Mike Thackwell Luigi Fagioli Consalvo Sanesi

F1: Austin reveals Track Name and Second Major event

2011-04-24T19:37:00.001-07:00

Giorgio Francia Louis Chiron Doug Serrurier Louis Rosier Ben Pon

Toyota Coralla beats Ferrari 430 in drag race... backwards!

2011-04-24T17:37:00.001-07:00
Imagine the agony of a Ferrari owner who just got humiliated in a drag race by a Toyota Corolla, and an ordinary one to boot.

Paul Goldsmith Maurício Gugelmin Georges Berger Frank Gardner JeanMarc Gounon

Spy Scandal is Closed But Not for Nigel Stepney

2011-04-24T15:37:00.001-07:00

Masahiro Hasemi Mario Andretti Kazuyoshi Hoshino Bob Scott Eric Thompson

Jimmie Johnson, Rick Hendrick to help replace cars destroyed in tornado

2011-04-24T13:37:00.001-07:00

Kazuki Nakajima Jean Behra Piero Drogo Kunimitsu Takahashi Art Bisch

5 new names join list up for Hall induction

2011-04-24T11:37:00.001-07:00

Carlo Facetti Andrea Montermini Alex Caffi Gus Hutchison Juan Manuel Fangio

Gerhard Berger About Himself

2011-04-24T09:37:00.001-07:00

Rodney Nuckey Andre Guelfi Gianni Morbidelli Sebastien Buemi John James

The races

2011-04-24T07:37:00.001-07:00

Ronnie Peterson Eddie Keizan Toranosuke Takagi Erwin Bauer Nigel Mansell

Official: Mercedes E 63 AMG gets new AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine

2011-04-24T05:37:00.001-07:00
New power plant comes fitted with a stop/start system that now delivers 22 percent better fuel-economy than the previous 6.3 liter unit.

Nello Pagani Yuji Ide Mark Donohue Eitel Cantoni Ernie Pieterse

Belvedere Engine pics: Attempt #2

2011-04-24T03:37:00.001-07:00

Ok, this should be a better pic.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Romain Grosjean Alberto Colombo Art Cross Eppie Wietzes Leslie Thorne

5 new names join list up for Hall induction

2011-04-24T01:37:00.001-07:00

Huub Rothengatter Sam Posey Gijs van Lennep Eric Brandon Henri Louveau

What next for Robert Kubica?

2011-04-23T23:37:00.001-07:00
Robert Kubica has been in hospital in Italy for the last 10 weeks, following his rallying accident at the end of February. He says that he is now beginning to feel better and his strength is beginning to return. He will leave the Santa Corona hospitalin Pietra Ligure soon and will then spend a little [...]
Stephane Sarrazin Helmut Marko John RiseleyPrichard Mike Hawthorn Helmut Niedermayr

Lexus LX570 with Wald Sports Line Black Bison Edition

2011-04-23T21:37:00.001-07:00
After releasing their styling program for the Toyota 200 Land Cruiser, Wald was swamped with requests to do the same for the LX570.

Moises Solana Joie Chitwood Johnny Herbert Alberto Rodriguez Larreta Bob Veith

Q3: Vettel on pole by seven-tenths

2011-04-23T19:37:00.001-07:00
Sebastian Vettel took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, outrunning the two McLarens. Jenson Button was second with Lewis Hamilton third, but the two were a long way off the Red Bull’s pace.Nico Rosberg was fourth ahead of the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa’s Ferrari. Only Vettel and Button did two runs [...]
Paolo Barilla Skip Barber Mikko Kozarowitzky Walt Faulkner JeanClaude Rudaz

Could F1 go pay-per-view?

2011-04-23T17:37:00.001-07:00

Formula 1's ability to generate major news stories above and beyond the excitement of the racing has never been in doubt, and this week has been no exception. No sooner had the dust settled on Lewis Hamilton's brilliant victory in the Chinese Grand Prix than reports emerged that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation was considering buying the entire sport.

The stories appeared first on Murdoch-controlled Sky News, quickly followed by the Murdoch-controlled Times newspaper, and they certainly set tongues wagging within F1.

The prospect of the sport being taken off free-to-air television - in the UK, it is currently on the BBC, which took over the contract from ITV in 2009 - and put on pay-per-view has also created debate on social network sites.

So could it happen?

Given that this is F1, it is no surprise that not only is there no definitive answer to that question, but that any explanation of the situation is complicated. I'll try to make it as straightforward as possible.

There are two inter-related issues here - who owns F1's commercial rights, and where it is broadcast. We'll leave the ownership of the sport aside until later and deal with the issue of free-to-air versus pay-per-view first.
F1 is governed by a document called the Concorde Agreement, which binds together the teams, governing body the FIA and the commercial rights holders, currently the private equity group CVC Capital Partners, represented by F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.

The Concorde Agreement is secret - so secret that the teams are not even allowed to retain their own copy - but it is known that it contains a clause which dictates that, in major territories, F1 has to be broadcast on free-to-air television.

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The reason for this is that free-to-air TV has much bigger audiences than pay-per-view, and the bigger the audience, the greater the chance of bigger sponsorship deals and therefore financial security and, for the teams, on-track success.

Take F1 off free-to-air TV and the audience would shrink dramatically. The smaller the audience, the less keen sponsors are to be involved, and the less money those that are involved would pay to the teams and Ecclestone.

However, the current Concorde Agreement runs out at the end of 2012, and negotiations to scope out a new one are beginning - at exactly the time that the global economic climate is making the commercial environment increasingly tough.

So teams are about to discuss the contents of a new Concorde Agreement at a time when several are struggling to raise funds and when the amount of money available from free-to-air broadcasters is, in a lot of cases, stagnating or reducing.

In that environment, might the F1 teams be tempted to try to secure their own short-term financial futures by removing the bar to pay-per-view in the Concorde Agreement, so they can free up the possibility of a big pay-day from, for example, Murdoch?

The short answer is that they don't know yet. While teams are beginning to focus on the need for a new Concorde Agreement, they are, in the words of one team principal, "nowhere" on the subject of broadcasting.

It is going to be a thorny and protracted debate, because so much is wrapped up in it:

The teams want a bigger share of the total revenue of the sport - they currently receive 47%, with the remainder going to CVC.

The new FIA president Jean Todt wants to renegotiate the deal that his predecessor Max Mosley signed a few years ago to grant Ecclestone's companies the rights to F1 for 100 years for $380m.

And there is also the small matter of the 2013 regulations - with Ecclestone and Ferrari unhappy about plans to switch to smaller, more fuel efficient turbo engines on the grounds of cost and, less credibly, the noise they make.

F1 teams are typically short-sighted and self-interested when it comes to such matters - so it is not hard to imagine that some might see the appeal of Sky's millions as a way of securing their own short-term futures.

The risk with that would be that by reducing its audience, F1 could also reduce its appeal, and put its longer-term survival at risk.

You might think that the teams with least resources at the moment - both from TV revenues and sponsorship - would be most keen on a commercial model that raised more money from pay-per-view. But you would be wrong.

I put these arguments to the Virgin team's sporting director, Graeme Lowdon, who said: "My view is that the sport is served much better in the world of free-to-air for all the reasons you mention.

"F1 is an incredibly popular sport. It's talked about by people. It's the ultimate team game and the drivers are the heroes. If you remove the majority of the public, it removes a lot of the spirit of what F1 is about, as well as the ability for the teams to stand on our own two feet without reliance on the commercial rights holder.

The BBC is in the middle of a five-year contract to broadcast F1. Photo: Getty

"It's more important that we have an agenda that grows the popularity of the sport than one that gazes inwardly.

"F1 is way bigger than pay-per-view and deserves its place on the global stage with the viewing figures it gets. We would be concerned if the sport was heading towards a pay-per-view only model.

"The biggest mistake any team can make is to assume you'll never be at the bottom. Look at Williams. They have called it themselves a poor start to the season - and that's an extremely good team. Anyone who assumes they'll always win and argues the financial model on those lines at some stage could come a cropper.

"There are a lot of examples in football - lots of teams have built their model on winning the championship. But only one can win and (beyond that) there's wreckage.

"We have tried to highlight that the model for F1 needs to make sense for the team with the least resources.

"The attraction of free-to-air is it gives you more opportunity to diversify your revenue streams. If we go pay-per-view and find people use other (TV) channels, then we're at risk. At least if you have underlying popularity, you can get your revenue.

"I'd be surprised if a race headlong into pay-per-view would provide F1 with the defences (it needs). Free-to-air provides you with so much flexibility - it means the business is less at risk than if you put all your eggs in one basket."

Of course, there is an opposing view - as expressed by English rugby and cricket executives earlier this week as Sky Sports celebrated its 20th birthday - that pay-per-view can re-invigorate a sport and provide it with much-needed revenues to fund grass roots and youth development. On that subject, the Telegraph has quoted a News Corp source saying the company would "transform" F1.

The issue of who owns F1 is clearly both linked to the debate over free-to-air versus pay-per-view and separate from it.

Ecclestone himself says the potential News Corp sale is a non-story. He told the BBC: "I know Rupert and [News Corp international boss] James Murdoch and Carlos Slim, and if they wanted to do anything they would contact me direct. And they haven't."

Elsewhere, he added: "We would not sell to a media company because it would restrict the ability to negotiate with other broadcasters."

One senior insider said this was one of "Bernie's curve balls - he's always throwing them up; they don't necessarily amount to anything".

And a team principal said he did not think CVC was looking to cash in on its investment in F1. "I think CVC are in it for the long term," he said.

CVC spent $1.8bn on buying F1 in 2006, following the collapse of the previous owners for financial reasons. CVC got into debt doing so, but those debts are scheduled to be paid down within the next two years, after which it can enjoy the huge profits F1 makes.

Any potential sale of F1 is complicated by the fact that the FIA has a veto which it can use if it does not approve of the potential buyer - referred to by Mosley as the 'Don King clause'. And where Todt stands on the issue of News Corp is not known.

Some F1 insiders are sceptical that the story was grounded in reality. "It's built up some momentum pretty quickly," said one, "and I suspect it will die away just as fast."

That may or may not be the case. But the wider conversation is only going to grow in importance over the coming months.

The ownership of F1 is tied up in the Concorde Agreement negotiations. If the teams want a greater split of revenues, that by definition means less for whoever owns the sport. And how does CVC feel about that?

The FIA is also unhappy about its financial arrangements with Ecclestone and CVC. Will it ultimately side with the teams against CVC, with CVC against the teams, or be one of three separate entities all fighting their own corner?

Whether Murdoch is involved in it or not, then, this story is not going away.
Piero Dusio JeanLouis Schlesser Ukyo Katayama Sergio Mantovani Keke Rosberg†

2012 Nissan Versa sedan bows in the Big Apple [video]

2011-04-23T15:37:00.001-07:00
Nissan has unveiled the redesigned Versa at the New York Auto Show. It will be launched with summer with a base price of $10,990.

Vic Elford Thomas Monarch Dan Gurney Carlos Menditeguy Jenson Button

Team orders in spotlight again

2011-04-23T13:37:00.001-07:00

Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? © Getty Images

Michael Spearman of The Sun, says that the �65,000 fine Ferrari received for breaching the team orders ban in Germany will seem like loose change if Fernando Alonso wins the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi.
?The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. ?And the �65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. ?Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors' championship just five years after coming into the sport. ?That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.?
The Guardian?s Paul Weaver says that if Fernando Alonso does take the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari owes a debt of gratitude to Red Bull for their decision not to employ team orders in Brazil.
?If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull's headquarters in Milton Keynes. ?While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. ?Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.?
The Independent?s David Tremayne is also of the opinion that Red Bull may regret not using team orders in Brazil.
?Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win ? something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake ? Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points ? just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team's favoured driver ? which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. ?And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.?
The Mirror?s Byron Young has put Lewis Hamilton?s fading title chances down to an inferior McLaren machine and he admits the 2008 World Champion now needs a miracle.
?Sebastian Vettel's victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport's history. ?Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days' time it would take more than a miracle. ?Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.?
Gianni Morbidelli Sebastien Buemi John James Ralf Schumacher Paul Belmondo

Olvey joins Austin as medical chief

2011-04-23T11:37:00.001-07:00
Former Champcar medical chief and famed trauma expert Dr Stephen Olvey has been appointed as director of medical services for the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Olvey is best known as the medical chief of CART from 1978 to … Continue reading →
Karl Gunther Bechem Yannick Dalmas Guy Mairesse Bruno Giacomelli Bernard Collomb

KL - Hong Kong - Shanghai

2011-04-23T09:37:00.001-07:00

Rikky von Opel Esteban Tuero Timmy Mayer Tiff Needell Paul Pietsch

Podcast: Chinese Grand Prix Review

2011-04-23T07:37:00.001-07:00

Check out the latest Formula1Fancast podcast analysing the Chinese Grand Prix and looking ahead to the next race in Turkey at the start of next month.

Click here to listen to Manish Patel and Paul Hadsley give their thoughts on one of the most entertaining Formula 1 races in years.

They discuss Jenson Button’s ...
Geoff Crossley Nello Pagani Yuji Ide Mark Donohue Eitel Cantoni

Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong

2011-04-23T05:37:00.001-07:00
Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives [...]
Ettore Chimeri Renzo Zorzi Jean Lucienbonnet Roger Loyer Kamui Kobayashi

David Coulthard & Red Bull

2011-04-23T03:37:00.001-07:00

Kurt Adolff Adrián Campos Ludovico Scarfiotti Chris Irwin Piero Scotti

2011 Auto Shanghai Babes - photo album

2011-04-23T01:37:00.001-07:00

Luigi Villoresi Karl Kling Alan Stacey Red Amick Pedro Lamy

Classic F1 2011 - Michael Schumacher

2011-04-22T23:37:00.001-07:00

Michael Schumacher has chosen his five greatest all-time grands prix for the second edition of this year's new-look classic Formula 1 feature.

To those unfamiliar with the concept, BBC Sport has asked all the F1 drivers to name their five favourite races, and we will select one of them ahead of each grand prix this season to whet your appetites for the action to come.

World champion Sebastian Vettel started the ball rolling with his selection prior to the Australian Grand Prix, and now it is his friend and countryman's turn.

The drivers are free to choose whether they pick races from their own career, or those from the wider history of F1 that have resonated with them. And like Vettel, Schumacher has selected only races from his time in the sport.
Whereas the Red Bull driver made his F1 debut only in 2007, Schumacher's career dates back to 1991 and the 42-year-old has raided the memory banks to come up with what he considers, for different reasons, key highlights of that time.

Not all of them are races in which he starred. Some of them are intended to highlight his admiration for rivals. Some fulfil both aims.

In chronological order, and in his own words, this is Schumacher's list:

"The 1991 Spanish Grand Prix.

"This was one of the first few races of my career, but that's not why I remember it. It's for the wheel-to-wheel battle down the pit straight between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, when they came within inches of touching. It was two great drivers pushing each other to the edge, but with the respect to leave each other just enough room. It's one of the coolest moments I've seen in F1."

"The 1993 European Grand Prix.

"Not one of my greatest races - I spun out in the pouring rain. I've picked this because of Ayrton. My time racing against him was too short. He was a great talent, and I always have been impressed by his driving, and this race showed exactly why."

"The 1998 Hungarian Grand Prix.

"This race sums up the great relationship I had - and still have - with Ross Brawn. We were behind the McLarens of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard for the first part of the race and Ross decided that the only chance of beating them was to switch to a three-stop strategy - one stop more than them. It was a brilliant plan but it wasn't easy. I still remember the radio message from Ross that I had to make up something like 25 seconds in 19 laps."

"The 2000 Belgian Grand Prix.

"I enjoyed many great battles with Mika Hakkinen, who was very fast and a very tough competitor, and this was one of the best. I got into the lead when it was wet early on, but as it dried up Mika had a big pace advantage and he caught up easily. I managed to fend him off for one lap, but on the next he pulled off a great move to pass me as we went either side of Ricardo Zonta's BAR."

"The 2000 Japanese Grand Prix.

"This is probably both the toughest and most beautiful race of my career. Mika and I were flat out all the way, really on the edge every lap on a great drivers' circuit with the world championship at stake. And the race was really tricky because of changing conditions in the drizzle. I managed to get out ahead after my final pit stop and won. What makes it all the more special was that it was my first world title for Ferrari - this race certainly is my personal number one."

As with Vettel, we have chosen one race to highlight in this blog - and how we could choose any other than Schumacher's number one?

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In addition, we have decided to make available the full BBC 'Grand Prix' highlights programme of the time from one of his other choices - the 1991 Spanish Grand Prix. You can watch it here.

You can also enjoy highlights of last year's Malaysian Grand Prix in both short and extended form.

The classic races will also be available on the red button on digital television in the UK. On satellite and cable they will be broadcast from 1900 BST on Tuesday 5 April until 0845 on Friday 8 April. On Freeview, they will be shown from 2215 on Tuesday until 0645 on Wednesday, on Thursday from 0415-0645 and again from 1915-2045.

A final word. In my last blog, I said that we would feature Schumacher's team-mate Nico Rosberg this time around. We were not able to do so because of unforeseen problems. His choices will appear later in the season.
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No Money, No Race - Super Aguri's Financial Problems

2011-04-22T21:37:00.001-07:00

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Team orders in spotlight again

2011-04-22T19:37:00.001-07:00

Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? © Getty Images

Michael Spearman of The Sun, says that the �65,000 fine Ferrari received for breaching the team orders ban in Germany will seem like loose change if Fernando Alonso wins the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi.
?The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. ?And the �65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. ?Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors' championship just five years after coming into the sport. ?That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.?
The Guardian?s Paul Weaver says that if Fernando Alonso does take the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari owes a debt of gratitude to Red Bull for their decision not to employ team orders in Brazil.
?If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull's headquarters in Milton Keynes. ?While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. ?Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.?
The Independent?s David Tremayne is also of the opinion that Red Bull may regret not using team orders in Brazil.
?Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win ? something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake ? Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points ? just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team's favoured driver ? which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. ?And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.?
The Mirror?s Byron Young has put Lewis Hamilton?s fading title chances down to an inferior McLaren machine and he admits the 2008 World Champion now needs a miracle.
?Sebastian Vettel's victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport's history. ?Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days' time it would take more than a miracle. ?Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.?
Alessandro PesentiRossi Emilio de Villota Emerson Fittipaldi Arthur Owen Herbert MacKayFraser

George at The Barber?s

2011-04-22T17:37:00.001-07:00

Ayrton Senna† Keith Greene Phil Hill Cuth Harrison Paul Frere

Mid-engined Fiat 500 by Aznom revealed at Top Marques [video]

2011-04-22T15:37:00.001-07:00
Italian tuner takes the Fiat 500 back to its rear-engined roots with this Motore Centrale model based on the 500 Abarth.

Jo Siffert Julian Bailey Ernesto Prinoth Willi Krakau Kimi Räikkönen

2nd series is 'Music City' bound

2011-04-22T13:37:00.001-07:00

Michael May Pascal Fabre Neville Lederle Al Keller Alex Blignaut