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Top Gear

Top Gear Series 18 to rebrand the ‘cute little man’

Richard Hammond, Top Gear

British tabloid paper Daily Star is reporting that Top Gear host Richard Hammond wants to reshape his TV persona. It’s understood the 41-year-old is not happy to be simply known as “the cute little man who had a crash” and wants the show’s producers to take him in a new direction when Season 18 returns (on 29 January 2012).

Front man Jeremy Clarkson is well known for his forthright and often grumpy views. While James May aka ‘Captain Slow’ embraces his careful and fastidious identity.

Supposedly ‘The Hamster’ is feeling left behind his two colleagues and says it’s not fair. It’s been reported he has taken his complaints to the BBC’s top brass demanding action. So, when the next season of Top Gear airs on BBC2 later this year we can expect to see a more defined role for Hammond.

We think he’s having a bit of a whinge, just quietly and figure there’d be plenty of people willing to take his place on the iconic motoring show. Perhaps he’ll become known as the ‘whiney little man who had a crash’ instead.

[Source: Daily Star | Pic: TopGear.com]

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F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Hungarian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Hungarian Grand Prix

Here’s your picsture gallery from the 2011 Hungarian Grand Prix. As you can see it was big milestone race for Jenson Button and a big congrats to him for winning the race to celebrate.

Best make sure you savour these pics. They’re the last bit of Formula One action you will see for almost four weeks. The next race is at the highly regarded Spa-Francorchamps circuit on 28 August.

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BMW

VIDEO: BMW 1M around the Nürburgring

Here’s a nice video showing a BMW 1 Series M Coupé driving around the Nürburgring Nordschleife on an open tourist day. It’s a pretty tidy lap as well, with the driver spending most of the time right on the tail of an E46 M3 CSL. We trust you’ll enjoy the next 9 minutes.

[Source: 1addicts]

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BMW

BMW M2 being designed for M3 hardware

BMW M2 rendering

Word on the street tells us the new BMW 2 Series, in particular the cooking M2, is being designed so that all the good bits from the next M3 can be used. That’s mainly referring to the F30/F32 suspension, but expect there to be more goodness where that came from.

The 2 Series will be the replacement for the current 1 Series coupé and convertible. The M2 is expected to again source its power from a 3.0 litre straight six cylinder engine. While the current twin-turbo set up could be developed further, there’s speculation BMW is considering a triple-turbo.

Dr Friedrich Nitschke is the new managing director for M GmbH and in an earlier interview with Auto Express he said, “In the 1M Coupe, we have a starter car for the M Division, and we are continuing to develop this project. Such models must be sporty, and offer extraordinarily low fuel consumption. This is something we could achieve with the M2. I think the 1M Coupe proves there is room for an M2, a coupe.”

[Source: BimmerPost | Pic: BimmerPost]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Helmut Marko: 2012 last hurrah for Mark Webber

2011 Australian Grand Prix

While talking about the F1 future of young Aussie Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing consultant Dr Helmut Marko revealed his belief that Mark Webber will “probably retire” from Formula One at the end of the 2012 season.

Marko told Australian TV station One, “As with the other Australian, he is probably going to retire in 2012. We need to find one of our juniors who can replace Mark Webber.”

Confirming Ricciardo’s F1 career is entirely in his own hands Marko continued, “First of all, he has to beat his teammate, and he has to progress.

“He is losing too much in the pit stops, and losing too much when he is being lapped so he must get the feeling.”

When Marko was asked if the young Western Australian was likely to get a seat with Toro Rosso he replied, “If he is doing well, yes.”

[Source: FoxSports]

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Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb wins Rally Finland

Sebastien Loeb, 2011 Rally Finland

Sebastien Loeb won his second Rally Finland event on the weekend, the first time a non-Finnish driver has won the rally more than once. Loeb finished 8.1 seconds ahead of Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala. Loeb’s Citroën teammate Sebastien Ogier was third.

Success in Finland gives Loeb his 66th career win and a healthy 27 point lead in the title race. In an ominous sign for his rivals Loeb says he is placed just where he wants to be in the chase for his eighth world crown and says the DS3 WRC is the best car he’s ever had.

“It’s one of the greatest wins of my career. But I had to work for it and it took a long time before it took shape. Sometimes you have to go beyond the limits to open up the gap. I felt really good on the roads with the Citroën DS3 WRC, even more so than in the past with the Xsara or the C4. My aim was to be in the lead in the world championship before the events on tarmac. I’ve achieved it, but there are still a lot of points up for grabs.”

More from Citroën after the break. The WRC revs back into life at Rally Deutschland (18–21 August).

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BMW Green Machines

BMW embraces i-generation

BMW i3 and i8 concepts

BMW took a further step with its ‘i’ brand last Friday when it launched concept models of the i3 and i8. The smaller i3, to be released in 2013, is powered by an all-electric engine. The i8, based on the Vision EfficientDynamics, will follow in 2014 and is a hybrid performance car with a top speed of 250km/h. Both models follow a lighter is better principle, relying on the use of carbon fibre body panels and other innovative construction techniques.

The electric motor in the i3 is rated at 125kW/250Nm and can reach 100km/h in a tidy 7.9 seconds. Its ‘everyday range’ is quoted as being between 130–160km. The engine can be recharged to 80% in as little as one hour, while a full recharge will take up to six hours.

Pushing the performance envelope further the i8 has a combined total of 260kW/550Nm from its hybrid drivetrain. That’s enough to propel the car to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Separating the power individually, a three cylinder petrol engine drives the rear wheel and produces 164kW/300Nm. The front wheels are powered by the 96kW/250Nm electric motor, which can achieve a 100% recharge in less than two hours. In all-electric mode the i8 has a 35km range.

After the break you can see a collection of videos published by BMWi. For more info you can download BMW’s media release (300kb PDF) or visit the BMWi website.

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Formula 1 Renault

VIDEO: Nick Heidfeld’s hot pants

Nick Heidfeld has been in the hot seat of late, coming under pressure at Renault for not performing to expectations. Last night at the Hungarian Grand Prix he found himself in a hot seat of a different kind.

As he was being released from his pit box Heidfeld’s car expelled smoke from its left sidepod and sparks were flying. It wasn’t long until the car had erupted into flames. He pulled over to the side of the track just after the pit exit and was able to safely leap out of his flaming Renault.

Fire marshals were quickly on hand to extinguish the blaze. Although one marshal got a rude shock when the affected sidepod exploded shooting debris into his leg.

Alan Permane, Lotus Renault GP Chief Race Engineer, explains, “Nick had a very poor start and struggled in the wet conditions. In his second pit stop we had a problem with one of the wheel nuts meaning that the car was sat at high revs for a long time. This meant a build-up of heat which caused a fire. Although it looked spectacular it was only a small part of bodywork which burnt on the left-hand sidepod.”

The video above shows footage of the incident from the TV cameras. After the break a fan video filmed at the track shows the sidepod explosion.

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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Hungarian GP: Post-race press conference

2011 Hungarian Grand Prix

Jenson Button (McLaren) found the perfect way to celebrate his 200th F1 race overnight by winning a rain-affected Hungarian Grand Prix. In the early to middle stages of the race he and teammate Lewis Hamilton entertained with some great wheel-to-wheel racing in slippery conditions. Each of the drivers made mistakes with the other there to pounce.

In the end poor tyre strategy and a stop-go penalty for obstructing traffic while recovering from a spin cost Lewis Hamilton any chance of the win, and he did well to finish fourth.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) made a good start from pole position, but ran wide later in the first stint to allow Hamilton to inherit the lead. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) also endured a tough race, including an uncharacteristic poor start, and was happy to finish in third place

Mark Webber (Red Bull) followed form by losing two places off the starting line, but was able to work his way back through the field with good tyre strategy. Unfortunately, late in the race, he was spooked by a quick rain shower and came in for intermediate tyres which he changed after just one flying lap. He was in a creditable fourth place after rejoining from his fifth pit stop. But Hamilton, who stopped six times, easily closed the gap and made the pass.

Daniel Ricciardo (Hispania Racing) enjoyed his highest finish in a Grand Prix so far. He placed eighteenth, two places ahead of his teammate Tonio Liuzzi.

Vettel managed to extend the lead over his closest rivals. His 234 points gives him a comfortable cushion over Webber (149pts), Hamilton (146pts) and Alonso (145pts). Red Bull, meanwhile, has an astonishing 103pt lead over its closest competitor in the manufacturers’ championship.

There’s a three week break now until the Belgian Grand Prix in late August.

[Pic: Ferrari]

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Categories
Formula 1

BBC reaches for Sky in new F1 TV deal

2011 German Grand Prix

In a shock move the BBC and pay TV network Sky Sports have announced a shared agreement that will change the way Formula One is televised in the UK as soon as next year.

The new rights deal will run from 2012–2018 and will see Sky offer live coverage for all races plus qualifying and practice sessions. The BBC will broadcast half the season (10 races) live on free-to-air television, with a 75 minute edited highlights package for the remaining races.

It’s not yet clear what effect this will have on One’s coverage here in Australia, but it is expected that the status quo will remain. That is, we should still get to see the majority of races live across the country.

The BBC and Sky will share production facilities at each race, a move that will save money for both parties. The BBC will record live commentary at all races and it’s currently being assumed One will have access to that for their coverage.

BBC’s current F1 rights deal was due to run until the end of the 2013 season, however a need to slash costs has seen them broker this new package. It’s fair to say it’s not gone down too well in ol’ Blighty. For the Beeb’s side of the story have a read of this article from Ben Gallop, BBC’s Head of F1.

[Source: BBC & JAF1]

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BMW Drive Thru Porsche

Drive Thru: 1M v Cayman R v M3

BMW 1M v Porsche Cayman R v BMW M3

The BMW 1 Series M Coupé is the ‘it’ car of the moment. Everyone is talking about it and everyone, it seems, cannot praise it enough. We’ve already had one drive of the 1M and quickly learnt why it has been creating so much fuss. It really is a cracking car. Overseas, it’s even been compared against the Porsche Cayman R; a genuine sportscar with a sharpened focus.

We’re not sure why that comparison is being made, to be honest. They’re at different price points (especially here in Australia) and they don’t really sing from the same hymn sheet, either.

But when a long-time AUSmotive reader offered us a drive of these two cars who were we to say no. For good measure, the owner decided to throw us the keys to his 2008 BMW M3 as well. Lucky us!

All wearing black wheels with white paint, the trio were tailor made for a mini group-test. So, out to the favoured AUSmotive test route we headed. I drove the 1M on the outward journey and this provided a good chance to get reacquainted and develop a better sense for its daily capabilities.

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Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Hungarian GP: Qualifying press conference

2011 Hungarian Grand Prix

After a couple of poor races by his standards Sebastian Vettel has placed his Red Bull Racing machine on pole position for tonight’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 2010 world champion set a fastest time of 1:19.85 on his second timed run in Q3 and it was just enough to edge out Lewis Hamilton (McLaren, 1:19.978). The young Brit looks in good shape following his win in Germany last week, and he has a spare set of super-softs up his sleeve for the race.

In his 200th Grand Prix, Jenson Button (McLaren, 1:20.024) qualified third on the grid. With their mid-season fortunes on the improve Vettel will have a genuine fight on his hands to keep the McLarens at bay.

It was a disappointing result for Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing, 1:20.474), defending race winner in Budapest, who could only manage sixth place to follow his consecutive pole positions at Silverstone and the Nürburgring. Alongside him is the fast starting Fernando Alonso (Ferrari, 1:20.365) and in fourth is Felipe Massa (Ferrari, 1:20.350).

Daniel Ricciardo (Hispania Racing Team) looked set to out qualify his teammate Tonio Liuzzi for the first time in his brief career. However, Liuzzi saved his best for last, lapping 0.15 seconds faster. Good news for Ricciardo, though, in that he will start the race from P22, off the last row for the first time. He qualified ahead of Jerome D’Ambrosio (Virgin) and will inherit one place after Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) receives his five-spot grid penalty following an incident with Nick Heidfeld (Lotus-Renault) at the German Grand Prix.

Comments from the top three drivers can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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