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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2012 Monaco GP: Post-race press conference

2012 Monaco Grand Prix

The sun has come up this morning, just like any other day, but starting the working week after an Australian has won the Monaco Grand Prix makes things a little easier. Well done to Mark Webber, we can barely wipe the smile off our faces here at AUSmotive HQ, so can only imagine the Webber clan just down the road are even happier.

Making the start to the day even better is word that no protest has been lodged against Red Bull. Earlier in the week Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes had expressed doubts that some holes in the floor of the RB8 may not be legal. However, the race results were confirmed last night after the time for protests had passed.

Red Bull’s Team Principal, Christian Horner said: “We are totally happy that our car fully complies with the regulations. We have obviously consulted with the FIA over it—we have had their opinion in writing confirming the interpretation, so it would be disappointing if there was a protest. But we are entirely happy that the car completely complies.”

So, make yourself a cup of coffee, get yourself a seat in the sun and read what Webber and his fellow drivers had to say after the race, with the full post-race press conference transcript we have for you after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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BMW

BMW Zagato Coupé revealed

BMW Zagato Coupe

We thought for sure the Renault Alpine A110-50 would the best car we saw this weekend. We were wrong, as this BMW Zagato Coupé shows. Indeed, the latest effort from Zagato, revealed on Friday at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, may well be the best looking car we see all year.

Dr Andrea Zagato explains this latest example of their work is road-ready, although the BMW Zagato Coupé remains a show car only at this stage.

“Zagato has always provided its customers with ready-to-drive cars which can be sent into action on the road or race track without further ado – and the BMW Zagato Coupé fits the same template,” says Dr Andrea Zagato.

“It is relatively easy to build a design study which is not intended for use on the road. Not having to meet any stipulations governing crash safety or pedestrian protection opens up a host of new avenues in terms of design.

“The challenge lies in injecting the emotional appeal of a concept car into a road-legal machine. And we think we have succeeded in doing just that with the BMW Zagato Coupé.”

It seems pretty clear that Zagato went to work on a current model Z4, although this hasn’t been confirmed in the press release below. No matter, the result is stunning and we don’t really care what chassis is under the skin of this gorgeous one-off creation.

When you view the pics and video available after the break we reckon you’ll feel the same as us.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber wins 2012 Monaco GP

Mark Webber wins 2012 Monaco Grand Prix

Mark Webber has driven a masterful race and hung on to record a hard fought win at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix.

Starting from pole position Webber got his Red Bull off the line cleanly and then pretty much led from start to finish. However, the race was anything but a procession with an ongoing threat of rain messing with tyre strategies and keeping drivers and fans on edge.

By not setting a time in the third period of qualifying Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) was able to start the race on the soft tyres, while those ahead of him were on the super softs used to qualify. This allowed Vettel to run much longer for his first stint during the race and gave him the lead after those ahead had stopped earlier.

As the teams kept an eye on the approaching rain it was thought Vettel’s lead would come in handy and push him right up the leaderboard if the drivers needed to come in for wet weather tyres. In the end the expected heavy rain failed to arrive and Vettel had to yield, but did well to resume in P4 where he remained for the rest of the race.

A light sprinkling of rain did fall with around 10 laps to go and Webber drove with great maturity to ultimately hold off Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG) by just 0.6 seconds, with Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) finishing third.

Webber becomes the first Australian to win the Monaco Grand Prix twice, following his win in 2010, and this is his eighth victory in F1. Keeping the category interesting, he’s also the sixth different race winner from six races in 2012.

It is worth noting there is a chance that some teams may protest the Red Bull victory after concerns were raised about the legality of the floor on the RB8 after qualifying. Let’s hope politics doesn’t strip Webber of a truly excellent result.

The final finishing order is listed below, along with updates to the drivers’ and constructors’ championship.

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Motorsports Video

Conor Daly survives sickening GP3 crash

Conor Daly, Lotus GP3 driver, Monaco Grand Prix

Conor Daly has walked away from this spectacular and horrific accident in yesterday’s GP3 race at the Monaco Grand Prix. The 20-year-old was battling for position in his Lotus GP with Dimitry Suranovich from Marussia Manor Racing. The scrap between the two drivers began at Mirabeau and ended brutally just after the tunnel.

For his part in the crash Suranovich was disqualified from the event, deemed to have ignored warning flags after losing his rear wing and making too many moves to defend his position.

Video of the incident can be seen below and we only have to look back to the loss of Dan Wheldon to realise just how lucky young Daly was to survive this crash.

Conor Daly is the son of former F1 driver Derek Daly. He’s now in reasonably good spirits and thankful for modern safety technology, tweeting: “Thank you @GP3_Official for having a safe car. That was definitely the biggest crash Ive ever had. #mymomwillbethankfultoo”

[Thanks to Chris & Micky for the tips]

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Formula 1 News

Ron Howard talks about “Rush”

Ron Howard talks about Rush

Filming for Ron Howard’s F1-inspired movie Rush has just wrapped up. The BBC interviewed the lovable Richie Cunningham recently and some kind soul has added it to YouTube for us all to see. You can watch the piece after the break. Howard reveals his lasting hope for Rush is that it is respected by true F1 fans.

Well, Richie, we can say, after watching the interview below, we’re pumped! Can’t wait for this to hit our movie screens.

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Renault

Renault Alpine A110-50 photo gallery

Renault Alpine A110-50

Here we bring you an extra 50 images of the spectacular Renault Alpine A110-50 concept car. It includes images from its appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as sketches, studio shots and more. If you can think of a way for us to get a drive in this car please make it so!

Enjoy the pics, and remember, simply click on them to launch 2000px wallpaper-friendly super images.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2012 Monaco GP: Qualifying report

2012 Monaco Grand Prix

Finally, it could be interpreted, Michael Schumacher (Mercedes AMG) has justified his return to F1 by claiming a quasi-maiden pole position in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix overnight. As ever, the closing seconds of the third qualifying period contained the high drama and the fairy tales.

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG, 1:14.488) held provisional pole as the key drivers set off on their hope for glory. Who could beat Rosberg’s time? Not last year’s pole sitter and defending winner, Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), who dragged his bottom lip to P10, failing to even set a time. Not Fernando Alonso (Ferrari, 1:14.948), who suffered the indignity of being only one tenth faster than teammate Felipe Massa (1:15.049).

What about F1’s latest victor? We’re told Pastor Maldonado (Williams, 1:15.245) loves this place (he probably doesn’t any more, read on below). Alas, he’s just ahead of the bottom lip. Surely the all-conquering, but yet to actually win anything this year, Lotus cars could knock Rosberg off his perch? No, best they could manage was P5, Romain Grosjean (1:14.639), and P8, Kimi Raikkonen (1:15.199). Lewis Hamilton (McLaren, 1:14.583) popped in his head on the way to P4, to say, “Hey, I’m from McLaren, remember us.”

So that left the once, and possibly returning, great Michael Schumacher and Australia’s best mate Mark Webber to fight it out. The Aussie laid the first blow, displacing Rosberg (1:14.381). Yet, as soon as the cries of “Yes!” from Australian lounge rooms had died down, Schumacher dealt the killer blow (1:14.301) to claim yet another pole at Monaco, his fourth.

Sadly for Michael his use of Bruno Senna as a braking device in Barcelona achieved nothing more than another wasted race and a five spot grid penalty for the next race. It’s not quite shades of 2006 at Monaco, but Michael will start from P6 later tonight. Which means “our Mark” starts from P1. Last time he did that in Monaco he won the race. We can dream, can’t we.

Meanwhile, Maldonado has also had his knuckles whacked by race officials for an incident with Sergio Perez (Sauber) in Qualifying 1. The revised starting grid for tonight’s race can be seen here.

Michael, Mark and Nico share their thoughts in the post-qualifying press conference after the break, with thanks to the FIA.

[Pics: Mercedes AMG Petronas & Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Audi BMW Hyundai Mazda Peugeot Safety Issues

BMW, Hyundai, Mazda and Peugeot latest to achieve Euro NCAP 5 star rating

Euro NCAP crash testing

In the latest round of Euro NCAP testing the BMW 3 Series, Hyundai i30, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 208 have been granted the maximum five star safety rating.

Euro NCAP say their thresholds surrounding pedestrian protection have increased significantly in 2012, making it harder for manufacturers to reach the highest possible rating. The results from the four tests show manufacturers are taking the new regime on board, but there is still some work to do.

Of the four cars mentioned here the BMW 3 Series achieved the best pedestrian protection result achieving 78%. Euro NCAP has described this as “commendable” for a medium sized saloon with no active bonnet, as seen on the Volvo V40. Meanwhile the Peuegot 208 returned a score of 61%, narrowly surpassing the 60% minimum required to contribute to an overall five star rating.

Audi has also received the Euro NCAP Advanced reward for the “Pre sense front plus” technology available on its new A6. The system employs two long range radars to monitor cars ahead and will activate the brakes to mitigate or avoid an accident if the driver fails to act.

Euro NCAP’s press release can be read after the break, along with videos and pictures of the four cars tested. The next round of results from Euro NCAP will be published in August.

[Source: Euro NCAP]

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Formula 1

Nürburgring seeking new 10 year F1 contract

2011 German Grand Prix

Management at the Nürburgring hopes to sign a new contract to extend their rights to host Formula One races. Currently the German Grand Prix alternates between the Nürburgring and Hockenheim, where the race will be held this year. A 10 year deal is on the table, which would mean at least five more races would be held at the Nürburgring.

Controversial track operators Kai Richter and Jorg Lindner say they have been involved in four difficult meetings with Bernie Ecclestone to see that F1 continues at the Ring.

Linder says the outcome is “very attractive” but adds the deal needs to be signed off by June, “Otherwise, Formula One could be gone [from the Nurburgring] for many, many years.”

[Source: motorsport.com]

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Renault

Renault Alpine A110-50 revealed

Renault Alpine A110-50

Here, after the leaks, is the official word on the Renault Alpine A110-50 concept car made to honour the Alpine A110. And what a beautiful set of numbers it brings. Here are the key stats:

  • Engine: Mid/rear mounted 3.5 litre V6
  • Maximum power: 400hp at 7200rpm
  • Maximum torque: 422Nm at 6200rpm
  • Gearbox: 6-speed sequential
  • Kerb weight: 880kg

That power, in a chassis that light—Renault has given us an awesome track weapon that looks pretty damn special as well. We can only begin to imagine how sharp its responses would be; how alive it would make you feel.

Official pics, video and a detailed press release can be seen after the break. We recommend you soak up every detail of that release, too, the specs are quite impressive.

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Safety Issues Volvo

Volvo V40 brings world’s first pedestrian airbag

Volvo V40 with pedestrian airbag

“People are soft and cars are hard,” says Thomas Broberg. He’s the Senior Technical Advisor Safety from Volvo and has been charged with overseeing the company’s current safety goal, which states: “By 2020, nobody shall be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo.”

So, with that objective in mind, the thought of a pedestrian airbag makes a lot of sense. The technology will be fitted as standard equipment to all new V40s.

Broberg explains how the system works: “The airbag has two functions. Firstly, it raises the bonnet to create distance, and secondly it cushions the impact around the hard parts of the area near the windscreen.”

An airbag shooting up from below the bonnet seems a bit of a loopy idea when you first think about it, but we expect most leading manufacturers will employ similar concepts within the next few years. There’s more from Volvo after the break, including a video with Thomas Broberg talking us through the world’s first pedestrian airbag technology.

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Renault

Renault Alpine A110-50 leaked in pics and video

Renault Alpine A110-50

The Alpine A110 was produced 50 years ago and while not strictly a Renault there is a close association due to its use of parts and engines from the French car maker. To celebrate that anniversary Renault will be launching this special A110-50 in Monte Carlo later tonight.

The look is based on the 2010 DeZir concept model, while the chassis and drivetrain are sourced from the mid-engine Renault Megane Trophy racecar.

Using a motorsport derived chassis makes sense, too, thanks to the Alpine 110’s strong rally heritage. It’s expected the 3.5 litre V6 in the Alpine A110-50 will be good for around 400hp.

We look forward to bringing you the official word from Renault as soon as it comes to hand. For now there’s more pics and a short teaser video after the break. A couple of old clips showcasing the DeZir concept and Megane Trophy have been included as well.

[Source: WCF & ZerCustoms]

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