With this Paris Motor Show video update we bring you closer to the very cool Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. Will they build this car? Let’s hope so!
From the floor of the Paris Motor Show we bring you a selection of videos featuring the new Volkswagen Golf GTI concept.
The highlight of Bentley’s stand at the Pairs Motor Show is their Continental GT3 concept. It’s based on the Continental GT Speed and is set to hit racetracks late next year.
It’ll be great seeing the big Bentley mixing it with the best on offer from the likes of Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche and others.
There’s been no confirmation of the Continental GT3’s drivetrain, but it will be rear-wheel drive the main discussion point is the engine: will it be the 6.0 W12 or a 4.0 litre V8? One thing is clear—in GT3 trim—Bentley’s Continental looks as good as it ever has.
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Paris 2012: McLaren P1 in video
Here we bring you some videos of the epic McLaren P1 from the floor of the Paris Motor Show. We expect McLaren will nail the objectives they have for this car, which is to pretty much redefine the hypercar market. Sure, it probably match the outright performance of the Bugatti Veyron, but as a useable road/track tool, this car will have few peers, if any.
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2013 WEC calendar confirmed
The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council earned their keep in yesterday’s meeting. In addition to the F1 and WRC calendars they also signed off on an eight race program for the 2013 World Endurance Championship.
The jewel in the WEC crown is the 24 Hours of Le Mans to be held over the weekend of 22–23 June. You can see the full calendar after the break.
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2013 WRC calendar confirmed
As well as next year’s F1 calendar the World Motor Sport Council signed off on the 2013 WRC calendar when they met yesterday. Rally Australia takes its turn in the rotation with Rally New Zealand and will be held on 15 September. There will be 13 WRC events next year.
The WMSC also ratified the Red Bull Media House deal which will see them take on the role of WRC promoter from next year onwards.
Also approved were a number of regulations designed to reduce costs and make competition more attractive to a wider range of competitors. You can read about that in the FIA’s official press release after the break.
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2013 F1 calendar confirmed
March 17th, St Patrick’s Day. Mark it down, because that’s the date the 2013 Formula One season kicks off. And we’re pleased to say Australia has kept its place as the opening race of the year.
For now, a place has been reserved on the 20 race calendar for the Grand Prix of Jersey (New York). It has taken the place of the European GP. There is an asterisk alongside the date, though, so race organisers had better get cracking if they’re going to convince Bernie they can get everything ready (giving Bernie cash, in other words).
The back-to-back races include Australia–Malaysia, China–Bahrain, Canada–New York and Korea–Japan. The mid-season break starts after Hungary on 28 July and ends when the lights go out at Belgium on 25 August.
You can see the full calendar, as confirmed by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council overnight, after the break.
UPDATE: The FIA revised the 2013 F1 calendar on 6 December.
Cast aside after what could bluntly be described as a totally wasted comeback to Formula One, let’s pause and spare a thought for Michael Schumacher.
Statistically, and perhaps practically, he is the greatest driver the sport has known. The comebackâ„¢ has not played out well. So much so, if you’d never read Schumacher’s honour roll you’d be staring down Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, and simply saying: “WTF!”
It’s actually a little sad that, at this point in time, Schumacher’s last act in an F1 car was to totally cock-up his braking and drive into the back of another competitor. Just like he did on the same stage last year.
Generally speaking, we’re not fans of Michael’s. Indeed, his dominance with Ferrari drove us away from F1 for a time. Yet, we love the category and we must, in respect for the sport, acknowledge the awe of what Schumacher has achieved. He is a giant.
So, on the day he has basically been sacked for failing to deliver consistent results, let’s share a few comments from the man himself and his most recent employers.
Michael Schumacher: “I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.â€
Ross Brawn, Team Principal: “On behalf of Mercedes AMG Petronas, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael.â€
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “Over the past three years, Michael has been a great driver and an exemplary ambassador for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. His experience has been an important factor in guiding the development of our team in Brackley and we extend our sincere thanks to Michael for his loyalty, team play and commitment. We will be working very hard together in order to achieve the best possible results in the remainder of the 2012 season.â€
Whatever the future holds, godspeed Michael.
As in football teams, no individual is bigger than the club. So, as the Hamilton era at McLaren ends at McLaren we must quickly adjust and start anticipating what the young Sergio Perez can do in an MP4/28. Flashy results with Sauber are one thing, but he’s in the big league now and patience is not a virtue at the front of the grid.
For his part ‘Checo’ understands the task ahead of him: “I’m under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step—as it would be for any driver—but I’m ready for it. So, while I’m still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I’m already massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and with Jenson, who’s someone I’ve long admired as a brilliant driver and a great champion.
“I’d like to thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years old, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today. Our journey together over the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I’ll do everything in my power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I have been working so hard and so long to achieve together.”
Perez has a multi-year deal to prove his worth at McLaren. We’re interpreting multi-year as being two-years with an option, but that’s based on little more than gut feel.
The 22-year-old Mexican has only been in F1 for two years and now he’s earned himself a shot at the big time. We wish him well.
After the story broke earlier today it’s no surprise we’re here telling you that Lewis Hamilton has signed a three-year deal to drive for the Mercedes AMG F1 Team from 2013 onwards.
In some ways it’s a move that makes sense, inasmuch as Mercedes has a strong relationship with McLaren and therefore Hamilton. Certainly, Mercedes is making sure we’re aware of the connection in their press release below.
Also, this move is a seismic shift for the sport of F1. Not in the least because, until now, Hamilton was McLaren and McLaren was Hamilton. Remember, they signed him as a 13-year-old. Now, he is effectively ending the second coming of a seven-time world champion.
In a team statement Hamilton said: “It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share.
“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.â€
You can read the thoughts of his new employers after the break.
We hear that Hamilton and Rosberg will start next year with equal status. Do you reckon Lewis will get on with Nico as well as he appears to get on with Jenson? Finding out will be a lot of fun!
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Schumacher out, Hamilton in
The F1 silly season is now in full swing with reports stating Michael Schumacher will be replaced at Mercedes by Lewis Hamilton for the 2013 season. More amazing, perhaps, Lewis will be paid £100m for his troubles, The Telegraph claims.
It’s being reported that McLaren only found out about the deal yesterday and an official announcement from Mercedes could come as early as tonight (Australian time), pending the expected sign off of the new F1 Concorde Agreement.
Michael Schumacher’s future is uncertain, but may involve an ambassadorial role with Mercedes.
Sergio Perez is now tipped to be the man to replace Hamilton at McLaren. Showing that F1 is as quick off the track as it is on, McLaren could even formalise their new signing later today as well.
[Source: The Telegraph]
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Three more years for Top Gear?
Richard, Jeremy and James have all signed a new three-year contract with BBC TV to continue as hosts of Top Gear according to The Guardian.
Further, the article claims that Bedder 6 has been bought by BBC Worldwide. Founded in 2006, Bedder 6 controls the commercial rights to Top Gear and is owned by Clarkson and Andy Wilman, Top Gear’s executive producer.
In 2007 the BBC bought a stake in the company, understood to be just over 50%. Now that stake will be upped to 100%, although the terms of the deal remain confidential.
However, shortly after The Guardian published its article last night Jeremy Clarkson took to twitter and said: “I like the Guardian. It’s a good paper. But the story it’s running about Top Gear on line is seriously wrong.”
We’ll take it that he’s referring to the Bedder 6 content and not the reporting of a new three-year deal for the main presenters.
The Telegraph is also reporting on the story and claims Clarkson is set to earn £15 million from the Bedder 6 sale.
We’re not too fussed on what Clarkson, Wilman or anyone else is making from the show, just so long as they keep making it. A Christmas special is due to air later this year before Season 19 hits UK screens in January 2013.
[Source: The Guardian]