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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Red Bull Racing

2012 German GP: Post-race press conference

2012 German Grand Prix

Here’s the press conference from last night’s German Grand Prix, won by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. As you’ll see from the transcript a lot of the questions focus on the overtaking move of Sebastian Vettel on Jenson Button. The German Grand Prix stewards showed no favours to Vettel, handing down the local lad a 20 second penalty, enough to push him to fifth.

So the revised finishing order for the race is Alonso (Ferrari), Button (McLaren) and returning F1 star Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus). Seeing as Kimi didn’t get a chance to have his say in the official post-race press conference here’s a few words from the typically understated Finn after confirmation came through that he had won a Clatyons’ podium.

“Maybe if we had found a bit more pace in the wet yesterday we could have started higher and pushed the leaders, but it is what it is. For sure we were hoping for a bit better here, but the car worked well all through the race and we still brought home some good points for the team so there are some positives to take to the next race,” Raikkonen said.

It will be interesting when we get to season’s end to see what effect this loss of eight points has on Vettel’s title position.

One more thing before you start reading the text below; if anyone from the FIA happens to be reading this: Please, no more post-race interviews on the podium!

[Pic: Ferrari]

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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

Fernando Alonso wins 2012 German GP

Fernando Alonso wins German GP

Fernando Alonso won the 2012 German Grand Prix and in doing so has established clear air at the top of the championship table.

Starting from pole position the Ferrari driver made a clean get away off the line and in real terms led unhindered until the chequered flag. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) put a late move on an impressive Jenson Button (McLaren), using all the track and then some, to cross the line in second place.

Red Bull went into the race under a cloud when the stewards were asked to judge on the engine mapping of both Red Bull cars and they have ended the race the same way, with Vettel under scrutiny for his move on Button. We’ll update you if we hear of any post-race penalties; likely to be the equivalent of a drive through penalty, which could drop Vettel as low as seventh.

Aside from that the only real action in this race was Felipe Massa (Ferrari) making a nuisance of himself in the first hundred or so metres when he clipped the back wheel of Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) during the race start. Thankfully the only damage was to Massa’s front wing and no harm was done to the car of the young Australian.

Massa recovered to finish in P12, ahead of Ricciardo, himself narrowly in front of his teammate Jean-Eric Vergne. Alas, Massa’s stocks at Ferrari are surely continuing to plummet as he arses about down the field while his ever impressive teammate is finding his way to the top of the podium.

Mark Webber didn’t translate his pre-race confidence into race pace and finished eighth, the same position he started. The four points gained, though, are enough for him to hang on to his second place in the drivers’ championship.

In winning the race at Hockenheim Alonso collects his third winning trophy from the German track and his third win for 2012. After narrowly missing out on the win two weeks ago at Silverstone he’ll be hoping he can make the most of his good form when the teams head to Hungary next weekend.

UPDATE: The stewards have handed Sebastian Vettel a 20 second penalty for gaining an advantage off the track when passing Jenson Button.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

German GP: No penalty for Red Bull

2012 German Grand Prix

Stewards have acted quickly after being urged to consider engine map irregularities found in both Red Bull cars by the FIA Technical Delegate, Jo Bauer. A statement has since been released by the stewards clearing Red Bull:

“The stewards received a report from the FIA technical delegate, along with specific ECU data from Red Bull Racing cars one and two. The stewards met with the team representatives and the representative of the engine supplier Renault.

“While the stewards do not accept all the arguments of the team, they however conclude that as the regulation is written, the map presented does not break the text of article 5.5.3 of the Formula One Technical Regulations and therefore decide to take no further action.”

That means Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber will start the race from P2 and P8 respectively. We also expect Article 5.5.3 of the regs may get a rewrite quite soon.

[Source: F1 fanatic]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull referred to German GP stewards

2012 German Grand Prix

The FIA’s technical delegate, Jo Bauer, has this morning notified German Grand Prix stewards of irregularities in the engine maps of both Red Bull cars. The stewards will consider Bauer’s report and decide if any action should be taken.

Key to the concerns of Bauer is the mid-range torque curves seen at Hockenheim. “Having examined the engine base torque map of car numbers 01 and 02 it became apparent that the maximum torque output of both engines is significantly less in the mid rpm range than previously seen at other events,” Bauer’s report states.

Bauer adds, “In my opinion this is therefore in breach of article 5.5.3 of the 2012 Formula 1 technical regulations as the engines are able to deliver more torque at a given engine speed in the mid rpm range.

“Furthermore this new torque map will artificially alter the aerodynamic characteristics of both cars which is also in contravention of TD 036-11. I am referring this matter to the stewards.”

The benefit to Red Bull for such a change in torque could be to artificially aid aerodynamic flow akin to the benefits gained form the now banned blown diffusers.

We’ll have to wait and see what, if any action, is taken. Potentially, this could see both Red Bulls sent to the back of the grid for tonight’s race.

Bauer’s statement is show below, along with the article 5.5.3 of the 2012 Formula 1 technical regulations.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2012 German GP: Qualifying report

2012 German Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has again proved his mastery of wet conditions by claiming his second wet pole position in a row in qualifying at the German Grand Prix overnight.

Only a light sprinkling of rain fell in Q1, in which all drivers used slick tyres, but as the rain increased so did the level of wet weather tyres; intermediates in Q2 and full wets in Q3. Which means the weather conspired to ensure each qualifying period was slower than the previous.

Alonso’s time in Q3 was 1:40.621 and he needed to find every ounce of speed in his Ferrari F2012 to head off the challenge from Red Bull. For a while Michael Schumacher (1:42.459) had his Mercedes on provisional pole. Webber, carrying the burden of a five-place grid penalty for an early gearbox change, was the first to knock him off when he lapped Hockenheim in 1:41.496. Ultimately, though, in improving conditions Alonso was good enough to best that time twice and at the death Vettel (1:41.026) also eclipsed his teammate.

Thanks to Webber’s penalty, which moves him to P8, Michael Schumacher will start the race from P3. Although, the seven-time world champion can consider himself lucky on more than one count after he only progressed into Q2 by displacing Jean-Eric Vergne after the chequered flag had dropped.

Despite starting from P8 Webber remains confident: “We’ve got to aim to come forward, I mean that’s what we’ve got to do. It’s not the best position to start the grand prix, that’s clear.

“We’ve had limited running in the dry, there’s been snapshots of information for the teams to get some information. I’m positive going into the race and will try to pick some people off over the course of the grand prix.”

Daniel Ricciardo posted his best qualifying result for some time. He’ll start from P11 after narrowly missing entry in Q3 by five hundredths of a second.

Romain Grosjean and Nico Rosberg join Webber with grid penalties and the revised starting order can be seen here. A full transcript from the post-qualifying press conference can be read below, with thanks to the FIA.

[Pics: Ferrari, Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber deadpans Formula1.com

2012 British Grand Prix

Fresh off his win at the British Grand Prix Australia’s Mark Webber re-signed with Red Bull for the 2013 season. Proving he’s a man in demand he has also taken part in an exclusive interview with the sport’s official website.

To begin with Webber plays a very straight bat:

Q: Life at Red Bull with Sebastian (Vettel) as team mate arguably looks easier than that at Ferrari alongside Fernando Alonso and the potential politics. Did that play a role in your thinking?
MW: I am staying at Red Bull next year. Period.

Q: Can you say what was key to your decision?
MW: It doesn’t matter.

Q: The talks with Ferrari. Who was talking to them? You or Flavio Briatore?
MW: Doesn’t matter. Not important. Ask Ferrari.

Further on in the interview Mark opens up and shares his thoughts on the rest of the season. And, proving what a great bloke he is, Webber also re-confirmed that Alain Prost is his F1 hero.

Follow the source link below for the full interview.

[Source: Formula1.com | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Porsche

What the hell is a Porsche Pajun?

Porsche Pajun

You’re looking at a rendering for the rumoured Porsche Pajun. The what? It’s a baby Panamera which Porsche hopes will give the BMW M5 and its saloon rivals some sleepless nights.

The Pajun is expected to join the Porsche model range in coming years, along with the 960 “Fefi” Ferrari fighter, as the company looks to extend its line up to nine models.

The expansion plans are part of Porsche’s Strategy 2018 in which the company aims to reach 200,000 annual sales. For comparison sake, Porsche sold 117,000 vehicles in 2011.

You’d think the best way for help achieve their goal is with the on-again-off-again entry level 550-inspired roadster. However, that has once again been placed on the back burner by Porsche CEO, Matthias Mueller. “It may take another generation of customers before a small roadster fits in with Porsche,” he said.

[Source: Automotive News | Pics: Auto Bild]

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Formula 1

Bernie offers F1 lifeline to the Nürburgring

Bernie Ecclestone

Amidst the general tales of woe and bankruptcy the chances of seeing the German Grand Prix return to the Nürburgring in 2013 have been given a boost thanks to an offer of assistance from Bernie Ecclestone.

Eccelstone has agreed to waive the usual race sanction fee to ensure the Nürburgring is on the 2013 F1 calendar. But, in a typically shrewd move, Bernie wants the right to claim all the revenue from the race in return.

Speaking to Auto Bild, Ecclestone said, “We will do everything that is commercially feasible to keep it [the German GP]. Hopefully in Hockenheim and the Nürburgring.”

However, that’s no guarantee for the Ring. “If it’s not possible, we will talk to Hockenheim to see if they can do it,” Ecclestone added.

[Source: WCF | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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MINI

MINI Paceman gets busy at the Nürburgring

MINI Paceman, Nurburgring, July 2012

Here’s a short video of the MINI Paceman undergoing testing at the Nürburgring. Judging by the front spoiler we gather it’s a Cooper S model being put under the pump. It sounds alright too.

We’re not really quite sure what to make of a two-door Countryman, but we have this growing feeling that we’re going to like it. Quite a lot. Why, we’re not so sure!

It’s expected the Paceman will be displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in September, with pics and other details released beforehand.

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Aston Martin Toyota

Aston Martin considering Toyota power

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

The word is Aston Martin is considering downsizing its engine range. That means their sweet sounding V12s could make way for V10 engines, or even V8s.

We’ve already seen the wonderful V8 Vantage, so this is not necessarily bad news for Aston. What is surprising, though, is the suggestion the British icon may look to Toyota as a source of engines.

A relationship between the companies exists thanks to that damn Cynical city thing. But more importantly the two CEOs, Dr Ulrich Bez (Aston Martin) and Akio Toyoda (Toyota), get on like a house on fire thanks to their love of racing. The duo even drove each others car at a Nürburgring VLN race last year.

Dr Bez commented afterwards, “We meet regularly as race drivers here at the Nürburgring since the 24 Hour Race 2008. A personal friendship has developed since then which we wish to emphasise with this change of cars. Other bosses of enterprises meet on a golf course, we in contrast share the passion for car races.”

So, an Aston Martin with a Lexus V8, or even the V10 from the LFA? That wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

[Source: Motor Authority]

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Mercedes-Benz Motorsports

Erebus Racing: “The Win”

Erebus Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

After last weekend’s round at Sydney Motorsport Park the Australian GT season is enjoying a mid-season break. The emerging category returns in 63 days at Phillip Island (21–23 September).

Erebus Racing is fast making a name for itself as one of the GT Championship’s premier teams. Indeed, last weekend’s round victory gave Peter Hackett and his slick looking Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 the series lead in the championship.

The team and their distinctive ‘Gullwings’ certainly created a lot of attention at the Bathurst 12 Hour this year as well. To help you find out more about the team they’ve produced a new video titled ‘The Win’, which you can see after the break.

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Audi

“But I don’t have your number!”

With this new commercial Audi shows it’ll be a case of fastest finger first when controlling the new A3.