AUSmotive.com – Page 212 – Hanging on for dear life

Cash for clunkers

We’re not sure if our headline should apply to Vitaly Petrov or his Caterham F1 car, but the point of the story is Petrov’s one year contract is unlikely to be extended unless he can show Caterham the money.

Similarly his employment prospects beyond Caterham would be bleak if he is unable to supply wads of cash to a prospective new employer. It’s the underlying shame of F1 in a way.

Speaking to RIA Novosti Petrov’s manager, Oksana Kosachenko, was quite clear: “If there’s no money, then there’s no drive. I’m not prepared to hold talks all winter like last time.”

She added, “We’ve taken a timeout now. I need time to consolidate all our financial possibilities and understand if there’s sense in continuing any talks.”

[Source: Planet F1 | Pic:Â Caterham F1 Team/LAT Photographic]

Jaguar

More Jaguar F-Type images leaked

Post author By Liam
Post date 26 September, 2012
5 Comments on More Jaguar F-Type images leaked

Jaguar F-Type

The Jaguar F-Type is inadvertently staking its claim to be the star of the 2012 Paris Motor Show thanks to a series of 13 new leaked images. Generally speaking we’re not huge fans of convertibles here at AUSmotive, but we’ve seen enough here to know the F-Type will make us question our views.

It’s seemingly squat styling and curvaceous rear wheel arch is, thankfully, as far removed from the terribly overrated E-Type as can be. As a result we’re left with a car with genuinely pleasing proportions and we can’t wait to see what the hardtop looks like.

We’re guessing the red model, with its quad exhaust tips, is the supercharged V8 and the moody blue is the V6. We’ll bring you the official word once it’s been published by Jag in a couple of days.

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Formula 1

“They don’t have a contract.”

Post author By Liam
Post date 26 September, 2012
3 Comments on “They don’t have a contract.”

The future of the 2013 New York Grand Prix, aka the Grand Prix of America, is again being questioned after Bernie Ecclestone revealed race organisers, “have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract which is now gone anyway.

“They don’t have a contract.”

The 2013 F1 calendar is due to be ratified by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council this Friday. Which doesn’t leave Leo Hindery and his Grand Prix ofÂ America chums much time to placate Bernie’s desires.

Unusually for Ecclestone, perhaps, he has left the door slightly ajar, adding: “We are pretty close to the final [2013 calendar] deadline. We have got a world council meeting coming up. I think if somebody got behind them it could happen in 2013 because they have come a long way with the circuit.”

If the New Jersey race is dropped for 2013 there is a small chance that a new grand prix could be hosted in Mexico or South Africa.

We last reported on Bernie’s concerns for the 2013 GP America back in June, but in early August a statement released by the promoters claimed, “The Formula One race will take place on the shores of the Hudson River in New Jersey in June, 2013.”

[Source: The Guardian]

Tags GP of America

Lamborghini

A Gallardo super Nova in the sky?

Post author By Liam
Post date 26 September, 2012

Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball. Where were you when Lamborghini was letting fly? Someday you will find me, caught beneath the landslide in a Gallardo super Nova in the sky.

Or something.

Just days before the Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini has released this teaser video with the following text:

#nova is unveiling at Paris Motor Show 2012: September 27th – 9:00 am CET What’s next?

Looks like we’ll have to wait and see what’s next. But it appears that the last last last, we promise this time, last Gallardo could be released. Or maybe it’ll be a brand new model. But, how many special people change?

Ferrari

Ferrari loves Shell, Shell loves Ferrari

Post author By Liam
Post date 26 September, 2012

The Singapore Grand Prix represented the 500th race together for Ferrari and Shell. To celebrate Ferrari has shared this short film discussing their long standing relationship with the Dutch giant. It’s quite a nice piece actually.

We’ll probably still keep buying BP Ultimate, though.

[via OzFormula]

Jaguar

The fierce and the focused

Post author By Liam
Post date 26 September, 2012

The official unveiling of the new Jaguar F-Type is only days away; like most everything else it’ll be fighting for headlines in Paris. Following on from our post last week we bring you a couple of (slightly) extended clips showing the F-Type getting its balls smashed around the iconic Nardo proving ground and the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife.

Motor Shows

2012 Australian International Motor Show

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 September, 2012
5 Comments on 2012 Australian International Motor Show

The official AIMS twitter account brings our attention to their latest TVC promoting this year’s show. You can buy your tickets now (we’re trying to get our hands on some free passes to give away as well) and the bright lights will be switched on in just 24 days.

BMW

VIDEO: BMW DTM driver takes wife for a drive

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 September, 2012
6 Comments on VIDEO: BMW DTM driver takes wife for a drive

BMW DTM driver Augusto Farfus recently took his wife, Liri, for a drive around the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife in a company M3. For our amusement BMW fitted the car with a few cameras to make sure we didn’t miss any of the action.

Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

2012 Singapore Grand Prix in pictures

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 September, 2012
2 Comments on 2012 Singapore Grand Prix in pictures

Photographers are presented a challenge under the artificial lights at the Singapore Grand Prix. But as you’ll see after the break they’ve done a great job of capturing the colour and excitement from one of the more unique races on the F1 calendar.

Many drivers took a few liberties flying across the Singapore Sling chicane and they’ve been captured for you here. There’s 106 photos in all, we trust you’ll enjoy them.

Also included below is a series of images featuring the winning design from Mark Webber’s Helmet Promo.

Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder at the NÃ¼rburgring

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 September, 2012
3 Comments on Porsche 918 Spyder at the NÃ¼rburgring

Last week we reported at AUSringers that Porsche had claimed a 7 minute 14 second lap time for its 918 Spyder hybrid.

Since then Porsche has added a handful of new photosâ€”all available here as 2000px super imagesâ€”and explained a little more about the time recorded.

They say the 918 set its lap time on a one-off lap, set from a standing start. The test car was running Michelin road tyres and was also fitted with the optional Weissach Package, which boosts power to over 795hp.

News Porsche

NSW Police secure Porsche Panamera

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 September, 2012
4 Comments on NSW Police secure Porsche Panamera

NSW Police Porsche Panamera

NSW Police will no doubt be fighting for the keys of their latest fleet vehicle, a $210,000 Porsche Panamera V6. Okay it’s probably the slowest Panamera you can buy, but the 220kW 3.6 litre V6 can still propel the Porsche barge to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. And let’s face it, would you rather be in a Panamera or a Falcadore?

The Panamera is on loan to the Harbourside Local Area Command (North Sydney) and will be used for community liaison purposes.

Superintendent Alan Sicard explains: â€œThe thinking behind the concept is community engagement. The use of a Porsche at community events, fairs and programs will act as an ice breaker in talking to younger members of the public; in particular whose dealings or perception of the police are often generally negative.

â€œThe Porsche gives us a chance to talk to kids on an informal basis outside the legal system in the hope that we can influence them and help them make a positive contribution to society.â€

The current loan term is six months, but Porsche may be willing to extend the loan if it’s deemed to be worthwhile.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Formula 1

Pirelli test role possible for Kubica F1 comeback

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 September, 2012
2 Comments on Pirelli test role possible for Kubica F1 comeback

A return pathway to Formula One for Robert Kubica could be presented in the role of Pirelli test driver. Jaime Alguersuari, former Toro Rosso driver, is Pirelli’s current test driver, but they may need a replacement if Alguersuari can secure a full-time return to F1 in 2013.

When Paul Hembry, Pirelli’s motorsport director, was questioned about the possibility of recruiting Kubica he replied: “We are more likely to work with Robert in rallying I guess, rather than F1, but we will see.

“I haven’t spoken to Robert for some time and we are working on a few projects that might involve him, so it might well be a possibility.”

Hembry is uncertain if Kubica’s recovery has progressed enough for him to be ready to drive an F1 car. “I don’t know if he is able to do it at the moment. But he is that type of person if physically he could get back in, then maybe doing a year with us would put him in a good situation to come back in in 2014. It would be wonderful if we could do that,” added Hembry.

“We want to continue our success level of helping drivers into F1. After an F1 drive, the Pirelli test deal has to be the best drive in the world.”

Pirelli don’t plan on making any changes to their current test car for next year, which is a 2010-spec Renault. Of course, that’s a machine Kubica is only too familiar with.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Pirelli]