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Formula 1

Jules Bianchi out of induced coma, remains critical

Jules Bianchi

The family of former Marussia driver Jules Bianchi, who was seriously injured at the Japanese Grand Prix, has confirmed he is no longer in an artifical coma. However, he remains unconscious and his condition is still critical.

“Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious,” the family’s statement explained. “He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as ‘critical’. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.”

Bianchi has been relocated from Japan to the university hospital in Nice so that he can be closer to his family.

“Jules’ neurological condition remains stable,” his family added. “Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France.

“We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago.

“Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service.

“We are thankful that the next phase of Jules’ treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends.”

The Bianchi family thanked the hospital staff in Japan, in particular Doctors Kamei and Yamamichi, and Mr Ogura, saying Jules received “outstanding care” while in Yokkaichi.

[Source: Formula1.com]

Categories
Porsche

2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 says hello

Porsche Cayman GT4 prototype

The Porsche Cayman GT4 has been spotted testing again. We can’t give you a lot of detail, other than to say this model will be to the Cayman range what the GT3 is to the 911 range. Interesting that it’ll wear a GT4 badge, though.

And actually, with the expected improvements to handling (revised suspension), peak power (360–400hp) and a few kilos (15–50kg) shaved off its overall weight this will probably be all the Porsche you’ll ever need.

Yes, of course, the 911 will always be the icon, but these Caymans are already very bloody good. Making it better still, in pure driving terms, well, colour us interested!

[Source: CarScoops | Pic: CarPix]

Categories
McLaren Porsche Video

VIDEO: McLaren P1 v Porsche 918 Spyder

McLaren P1 v Porsche 918 Spyder

It’s the McLaren P1 versus the Porsche 918 Spyder. It’s Evo. It’s Angelsey. This needs no further introduction.

Suffice to say, like Jethro, I’d be prepared to sell my soul. And I suspect you would too.

Categories
Citroen WRC

Kris Meeke keeps his job with Citroën

2014 Wales Rally GB

Put Kris Meeke in a rally car and you’ll soon learn he has raw pace. Consistency is where Meeke struggles and, of course, he’s partial to the odd spectacular crash. Yet, after his full WRC season in a top team he has progressed enough to keep his job. And that’s good news for the WRC, because as well as pace Meeke is great to watch.

“When we chose Kris Meeke for this season, we took a bit of a gamble,” said Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal. “But he has improved with pretty much every race and has now become a complete driver.

“The real turning point was at Rally Finland. He adopted the right approach. He has managed to acquire experience throughout the season. He has shown that he not only has real pace, but that he can be more patient sometimes as well.”

Meeke’s ability to perform well on numerous surfaces impresses his bosses and helped his cause. He scored podiums in Monte-Carlo, Argentina, Finland and France.

“This first full season has been spent learning about the WRC,” explained the 35-year-old Meeke. “In the second half of the year, I was able to show part of my potential.

“There’s room for improvement, but I now have some decent foundations to build on next year, in order to keep progressing.”

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf R wagon revealed

Volkswagen Golf R estate

Thank you Volkswagen. Thank you, for finally making a red hot version of the Golf wagon. This the the Golf R Variant, stuffed with the same 221kW/380Nm 2.0 litre four pot from the popular Golf R hatchback.

The cost of that practical 605 litres of cargo space (1620 litres with rear seats folded down) is just 0.2 seconds off the 0–100km/h time, which is quoted at a rapid 5.1 seconds. Full technical details are yet to be revealed but it seems as though the go fast estate will be available exclusively with a 6-speed DSG transmission.

Now on public display at the LA Auto Show there’s no word yet from Volkswagen Australia confirming the Golf R wagon will be offered for sale down under, but let’s hope that announcement is not too far away.

This is one seriously cool car!

Categories
Ford Video WRC

Thank you Mikko

Mikko Hirvonen,

Mikko Hirvonen retired from the WRC after Wales Rally GB. Via his personal YouTube channel he’s released this thank you video, which includes footage from his final rally and a few short interviews with his colleagues and competitors.

One of the nice guys is leaving one of world motorsport’s best most exhilarating categories. Let’s refelect for a moment and say thanks.

Categories
Ford Video

VIDEO: Ken Block ‘Gymkhana Seven’

Ken Block, Gymkhana Seven

Ken Block goes all nuts about in a fully standert 1965 Ford Mustang on the streets of Los Angeles for his latest Gymkhana clip. Actually, on second thoughts, maybe that Mustang has had a few mods. After all, it is all-wheel drive and does have a fearsome 845 horsepower to play with. It even has its own name: The Hoonicorn.

The clip went live a few hours ago and it’s already racked up 2 million views!

Categories
Caterham Formula 1

Caterham F1 Team ready for one last dance

2014 Singapore Grand Prix

“The Caterham F1 Team is delighted to announce that it will be racing at the final Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi next week thanks to the support of the fans, who have helped the team raise enough money to make it possible through Crowdcube, the world’s leading investment crowdfunding platform.”

So reads an announcement on the Caterham F1 Team website. At least Bernie will be happy his F1 fans can afford to pay for an F1 team, even if its for one race only.

Caterham’s appearance in Abu Dhabi will be in contrast to the fact the team has made its 230 staff redundant. Apparently that move has been done with the staff’s blessing so that they may commence formal claims, assuming a buyer cannot be found. No wages have been paid at Caterham since 30 September.

Kamui Kobayashi will drive one of the cars in Abu Dhabi, but former teammate Marucs Ericsson, armed with the security of a job in 2015, has told Caterham to bugger off.

So, too, has Andre Lotterer, who drove for Caterham in Spa earlier this year.

That leaves reserve driver Roberto Mehri claiming the drive is his and he has a contract to prove it. Haha, kids these days.

Good luck to Caterham in Abu Dhabi. But really, what a mess!

[Source: Autosport]

Categories
Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2014 Wales Rally GB in pictures

2014 Wales Rally GB

Will you just look at all that bloody mud! It’s the signature look for the Wales Rally GB and, for once, being first on the road was a nice advantage for rally winner Sebastien Ogier who made the most of the wet conditions before the stages became too rutted and dug up by all the cars.

There’s some great photos below and we trust you will enjoy your last gallery of rally pics for 2014. Until Rallye Monte Carlo… if in doubt, flat out!

Categories
Citroen Ford Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2014 Wales Rally GB

2014 Wales Rally GB

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have capped off a stunning WRC season with their eighth victory of the year at the Wales Rally GB. It’s the twelfth win for Volkswagen from the 13 race calendar and a season of success like this has to be savoured, for you can never expect it to be repeated.

“That is obviously the best way to end a season: with a win,” said Ogier after the rally. “We really had to go flat-out on Friday and had a close battle for the lead with my team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala. That allowed us to open up a big lead over the rest of our rivals.

“When Jari-Matti made a mistake on Saturday, it obviously completely changed the character of the rally for us. I just had to get the car to the finish line. However, that is anything but easy given the typical conditions here in Wales. All in all, it has been another magnificent season for Julien and me, with a fantastic team behind us.”

In perhaps his best achievable result in his final WRC start Mikko Hirvonen ended his career on the podium, a bit over 37 seconds behind Ogier. It was a great way for the popular Finn to say goodbye to his fans.

“I couldn’t really think of a better way to end my career,” Hirvonen said. “We had a great fight all through the weekend and to finish with the second place is absolutely fantastic.

“Today it was a bit emotional for sure. Before this morning I manage to be pretty on it and concentrate on the rally, but today it was a bit more difficult!”

Mads Ostberg finished third, meaning the healthy sight of three different manufacturers on the podium was a pleasing way to end the WRC season, dominated by Volkswagen.

Ostberg’s points proved valuable for Citroën and allowed them to claim second place in the manufacturers’ championship, just two points ahead of M-Sport (Ford).

Given their all-conquering season Volkswagen might have hoped the final event could end like the championship standings, with their drivers filling the first three places. But for some minor errors by Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen that might have been the case too. The Polos certainly had the pace in the muddy conditions, but not the consistency from the men behind the wheel.

Still, 2014 has been a great season for Volkswagen and we hope Citroën, Ford and Hyundai can raise their game in 2015.

Categories
Formula 1 Video

2012 Monaco GP: Driver’s eye view

Paul di Resta at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix

Who doesn’t love watching footage of Formula 1 cars screaming around the tight Monaco Grand Prix circuit? Nobody, that’s who! Especially when you’re given a driver’s eye view from the helmet of ex-Force India driver Paul di Resta.

The footage was captured during the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, won by Mark Webber. The image quality isn’t great, but we still think you’ll enjoy the ride.

Categories
Formula 1

It’s time to go Bernie, it really is

2014 Brazilian Grand Prix

Further to his comments about double points, Bernie Ecclestone expanded on a number of issues in F1, especially the chase for a younger audience. We think it’s best if we let Bernie’s words speak for themselves.

Bernie on attracting younger generation to Formula 1:

“Young kids will see the Rolex [watch] brand but are they going to go and buy one? They can’t afford it. Or our other sponsor UBS—these kids don’t care about banking. They haven’t got enough money to put in the bloody banks anyway. That’s what I think.

“I don’t know why people want to get to the so-called ‘young generation’.

“Why do they want to do that? Is it to sell them something? Most of these kids haven’t got any money. I’d rather get to the 70-year-old guy who’s got plenty of cash.

“So, there’s no point trying to reach these kids because they won’t buy any of the products here and if marketers are aiming at this audience, they maybe they should advertise with Disney.”

Bernie on social media:

“I’m not interested in tweeting, Facebook and whatever this nonsense is. I tried to find out but in any case I’m too old-fashioned. I couldn’t see any value in it.

“And I don’t know what the so-called ‘young generation’ of today really wants. What is it? You ask a 15 or 16-year-old kid, ‘What do you want?’ and they don’t know. The challenge is getting the audience in the first place.”

Bernie on Caterham, Marussia and female shoppers:

“These teams don’t need to be in financial trouble. They need to think about what they have got to spend and do the best they can with that… it’s the same problem with ladies and credit cards.”

Bernie and his autocratic style has built Formula 1 into the global phenomenon it is today. Nobody can mistake that. But things have changed and are constantly changing in the new media landscape. Television audiences are falling and, rather than looking at ways to bring new fans to the sport, Bernie is more worried about flogging off tacky watches to 70-year-olds.

Is the future of F1 really best left to a sexist luddite who is 84-years-old?

[Source: The Independent | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]