Porsche has released this teaser video of the new 991 911 Carrera S. Dramatic scenery, and music to go with, makes this clip worth watching over and over again.
We still need a bit more time to get used to the front LEDs; there’s something not quite right about the styling. But, we know we will get over it as soon as we get a chance to see the car in person.
As we reported earlier in the week Bruno Senna has replaced Nick Heidfeld at Lotus Renault GP and will race at Spa this weekend. At the time it was understood the new arrangement would remain in place for the remainder of 2011. However, Nick Heidfeld has other plans.
Commenting on his new Sunday plans Bruno Senna said, “Right now I am confirmed for this race and the next race (in Italy). But for some legal issues to be resolved, they can’t confirm if I am doing the rest of the year or not.”
Heidfeld has also arrived at the famous Belgian circuit in his LRGP team gear and was asked if he thought he would be racing in F1 again this year. He replied, “Yes, because we have court proceedings pending.
“I can’t tell you a lot. the main hearing will be in about three weeks and we will have a decision then and my position is that I have a valid contract and I want to drive.”
As always, F1 continues to deliver action on and off the track. We’ll keep an eye on this little spat and see how it pans out.
[Source: Reuters]
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Mark Webber says a new deal to drive with Red Bull Racing in 2012 is “not far away”.
Mark says things are moving in the right direction, but when asked by Autosport if a new contract is a formality he replied, “It will be cheeky for me to say yes. My decision has to be taken into account although the team’s decision is pretty clear. Obviously Dietrich has been great, as have all the boys and everyone at the team. All will become clear shortly.”
Speaking broadly about his longer term future and his partnership in a GP3 team with Christan Horner, Webber said, “The GP3 operation is going well, so it is enjoyable—but I will not be immersing myself whenever that day comes. I still really enjoy the car, and there is a huge chance I will be racing in F1 next year… so that decision will come in a few years.”
Reading between the lines it sounds to us as though the door to the exit on Mark’s career with Red Bull is, if not open, slightly ajar.
[Source: Autosport | Pic: Getty Images]
Those of us with long memories of Formula One will remember the buzz caused by Michael Schumacher when he qualified in seventh place for his first Grand Prix. That was at Spa-Francorchamps in 1991; two decades ago.
At this week’s pre-race press conference Michael went along with five other drivers. Naturally, most of the questions posed to Schumacher centred around his unique anniversary.
You can read all comments after the break, but we liked this one from Michael the most, where he reminisced about his doubts prior to his F1 debut:
“I was doubtful whether my quality was good enough to compete with these guys. You see them as untouchables, especially in those moments where you had (Ayrton) Sennas, (Alain) Prosts, (Nigel) Mansells and so on. I didn’t really think I could match. Getting the first experience, coming over here and driving the car, I sought of quickly picked up the confidence that it was possible and from there on we all know. At the end of the day we are all humans, we all have limits and you drive within those and there is no reason why it is impossible to beat those guys in the past and neither these guys that are here right now. That’s the good thing about Formula One. It is always a challenge and it is always a motivating challenge that is great fun.”
It was this big!
Sadly, we bring you this video of a soaked 996 Porsche 911 Turbo being craned out of the Rhine River in Zurich, Switzerland. We’re told the owner was a well-to-do 24-year-old but that it was a friend of his who drove the Porker off a dock and into the river.
We’re guessing the 24-year-old is not quite so neutral to his one-time ally anymore. (Video after the break.)
[Source: Axis of Oversteer]
Aston Martin has already confirmed they will be building a limited production run of 150 gorgeous V12 Zagatos. Now, ahead of a showing at the Frankfurt Motor Show, they’ve given us a couple of new pics to whet our appetites.
And, if you’re keen on one of these flash Zagato models, you’ll need a very expensive appetite as well. The cost of admission is a tidy £330K (AU$515K) plus taxes.
Assuming sir didn’t have to ask, then he would be rewarded with one of the coolest and most exclusive cars on the planet. Of course, the raucous 6.0 litre V12 and its 380kW will provide their own unique rewards.
Aston Martin previewed their new V12 Vantage GT3 back in April and now they’ve showing us the finished article, including a list of specs. Doesn’t it look absolutely superb!
Designed to replace the DBRS9, the V12 Vantage GT3 is suitable for multiple motorsport categories including including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nürburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT and more.
And the price for sir’s 600hp/700Nm 1250kg track weapon? A mere £300K (AU$470K). Deliveries will be starting early next year.
There’s more from Aston Martin after the break.
David Coulthard has become the first person to drive a Formula One car on the new Circuit of The Americas track in Austin, Texas. Yes, that’s it there in all it’s dirty and bumpy glory.
The promotion has certainly proved to be a nice publicity stunt, gaining media attention around the world. But seeing as we’re still over 12 months away from the 2012 United States Grand Prix, it also gave us a nice preview of the new circuit.
The 5.47km track layout has been known for some time, however this is the first opportunity we’ve had at seeing the dramatic elevation changes in the course.
Tavo Hellmund, CoTA Chairman says, “We’re going to build the closest thing to a traditional old school Grand Prix track from the 1950s and 60s. With the elevation, with the fast corners [and] with the technical corners.”
Sounds promising. (Video after the break.)
Word has come through confirming local pricing for the new Porsche 911. The 991 is expected in Australia by March 2012 and list pricing will start at $229,900 for the Carrera (3.4 litre, 257kW) and $263,100 for the Carrera S (3.8 litre, 294kW).
Despite a strong Aussie dollar, the new pricing represents an increase of around 3–4% compared to the outgoing model.
For more detail on the new 911 click here.
This 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, the first of just 22 made, was sold at auction on the weekend for the princely sum of US$16.4 million. The buyer of another stunning 250 Testa Rossa back in 2009 will be pleased to learn his/her asset is appreciating.
BMW USA has released this video of the new BMW M5 on track around the Laguna Seca raceway in California. The video and audio rarely match and, given the location, it’s perhaps not the most exciting result you could think of. But, it’s an M5 on a track, so we think that makes it worth watching!
In the build up to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix we’re sure you’ll enjoy this video with John Surtees and Fernando Alonso sharing their thoughts about the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Surtees is the only man to win a world championship in Formula One (Ferrari: 1963) and 500cc Grand Prix racing (MV Augusta: 1956, 1958–1960). Alonso, of course, has two F1 championships to his name (Renault: 2005, 2006). He will be elevated into true hero status if he can reach the summit with Ferrari.
Getting a couple of world champions together, plus some on-track action, filming it all; the costs add up. See if you can work out who picked up the tab.