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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber expected to re-sign with Red Bull

2011 British GP

Mark Webber’s decision to ignore team instructions in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix last weekend has brought out the inevitable circus of rumours. Mostly, it has been a repeat of 2010; suggestions Kimi would return to F1 with Red Bull and hints Mark would be off to Ferrari being the order of the day.

Thankfully, someone in this faux-drama has kept their head. That someone is none other than Red Bull’s grand poobah Dietrich Mateschitz who told Autosport, “Mark Webber will re-sign with us. This will happen for sure. He is very popular within the team, he feels very comfortable and it is an excellent relationship. He knows this and we know it.”

On the direct matter of Webber’s decision to race to the flag Mateschitz said, “This is no problem for us. Sebastian realised that Fernando Alonso was gone and could not be caught anymore, so he backed down. This let Mark close in. He would be a very bad racer had he not tried to attack and gain a position.”

With any luck Daniel Ricciardo will secure a full-time drive as well and we can look forward to two Aussies in F1 again in 2012.

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

UPDATE: Mark shares his thoughts on team orders and recent discussions with Christian Horner in his new and regular column on the BBC website.

Categories
Porsche

Porsche 928 set for 21st century revival

Porsche 929 design study

Autocar brings word of a possible all-new Porsche 928 model. Based on the Panamera the report says the new front engine coupé could even wear a 929 badge (wonder what Mazda might say about that?).

The 929 design study shown above indicates a typically sleek long bonnet design which, we have to say, has the potential to look very smart indeed (follow the source link for more pics). Such a model would allow Porsche to give über coupés from Aston Martin, Bentley and Ferrari a run for their serious money.

If it goes ahead it looks as though we wouldn’t see the 928/929 in showroom until 2014 or 2015 after the introduction of the second-generation Panamera. To help build the business case for the new model Porsche may consider platform sharing with Volkswagen stablemates Bentley.

A Porsche insider has been quoted by Autocar as saying, “We have ideas to extend the Panamera line-up, including other body derivatives — a shooting brake, for example.”

Now that is very exciting. We’ll be keeping an eye on developments that’s for sure.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Honda Motorsports

VIDEO: Casey Stoner going slower than ever

Casey Stoner

A rare step into the world of two wheels for AUSmotive to bring you this highly detailed super slow-mo of Australia’s own Casey Stoner. After the break you’ll see the 2007 MotoGP champ slowed down to 1000 frames per second while he talks us through the adrenalin rush a knee down at wide open throttle in fifth gear gives.

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

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Categories
Peugeot

Happy Bastille Day!

Here at AUSmotive we’re big hot hatch fans. For us, the Peugeot 306 holds a special place, not in the least because we lusted after an S16 at a time when our budget couldn’t stretch that far, but also because we rate it as one of the best looking hatchbacks of all time.

Just take the time to admire the next 306 you see on the road. It’s still a great looking car.

So, to help us all celebrate Bastille Day here’s some French we’ve picked up along our motoring journey: Panizzi, Delecour, 306 Maxi!

Continue reading “Happy Bastille Day!”
Categories
Volkswagen

Jay Leno files first new New Beetle “review”

The Chambray Chin has been granted the first opportunity to drive the new Volkswagen Beetle. It’s worth watching for the sights at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg and for his brief test in a 1938 model Beetle, but not so much for the new car.

Calling it a review is probably a little generous. It’s certainly not in depth. But if Volkswagen paid me to go over to Wolfsburg and read out a few pages of text I would probably oblige too. Well, I think that’s probably what happened. What do you reckon?

[Thanks to Dylan for the tip]

Categories
Aston Martin

Nothing now can ever come to any good

The end is nigh

Sir Stirling Moss—acknowledged as the greatest driver never to win a Formula One world championship, a gentleman, a hero—has done the unthinkable. By being associated with that thing above, Moss has allowed himself to be used in the marketing of one of the most cynical automotive exercises known to man.

With apologies to WH Auden:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
power, beauty and soul have been left alone,
pour away the oil, if only they would,
for nothing now can ever come to any good.

Continue reading “Nothing now can ever come to any good”
Categories
Ferrari New Stratos

Ferrari says NO to New Stratos

New Stratos

The New Stratos project is one that has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts across the globe. It also captured the imagination of 40 wealthy enthusiasts who were ready to splash the cash and buy one. Pininfarina, the company responsible for the styling, was ready to build them.

Not any more.

Ferrari is throwing its toys out of the cot and telling the New Stratos backers that they won’t allow Pininfarina to supply their services to the F430-based project. Pretty piss poor, don’t you think?

The project can now only go ahead with the use of companies that are not dependent on Ferrari.

[Source: New Stratos]

Categories
Ferrari Fifth Gear McLaren Top Gear

“Clarkson wouldn’t know a great handling car if it hit him in the face”

Jason Plato, reigning BTCC champ, Fifth Gear luminary and known for his willing opinions on the internet, has taken aim at Jeremy Clarkson after the latter reviewed the McLaren MP4-12C on Top Gear last weekend.

In fact, after watching Clarkson compare the MP4-12C to the Ferrari 458 Italia, Plato felt compelled to tweet the following to his 22,000+ followers: “Tonight’s top gear, prove that JC may be a great wordsmith, however he wouldn’t know a great handling car if it hit him in the face, journos!”

Them there are fighting words, and if you can be arsed you can follow some of the dialogue fired Plato’s way.

Here at AUSmotive, though, we’re not too fussed with the nail files at dusk. We just like the opportunity of seeing two great cars being thrashed around a track. Twice. Which you can do too by watching the Fifth Gear review above and the Top Gear review below.

Let us know which you think is best—McLaren or Ferrari, Fifth Gear or Top Gear—in the comments section after the break.

Continue reading ““Clarkson wouldn’t know a great handling car if it hit him in the face””
Categories
F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 British Grand Prix in pictures

2011 British GP

Here’s the pics from Silverstone. You’ll see plenty of Alonso in his winning Ferrari, plenty of action and plenty of Prince Harry. He gets around a bit, too, spotted at most of the media portals while we were sourcing the pics from the British Grand Prix. He really doesn’t look too much like his dad, does he?

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Categories
Motorsports Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT2 RS conquers Pikes Peak

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Monster Tajima might have claimed an overall record at Pikes Peak last month, but Porsche also came away from the event with something to brag about. At the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT2 RS multiple Pikes Peak winner Jeff Zwart set a new record for a ‘street legal’ car.

After the break you can watch a brief highlights video which, for the most part, lacks the emotion and zip you expect from Pikes Peak. It’s still worth watching all the same, and the glowing exhaust is pretty cool. Afterwards, though, do yourself a favour and watch Climb Dance once more.

[Source: My Car Portal]

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Christian Horner talks team orders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8IpUjUStgo

Following the fallout from the 2011 British Grand Prix where Christian Horner instructed the fast-closing Mark Webber to hold his position behind Sebastian Vettel the subject has been covered in some detail on the BBC fan forum.

Horner faced a panel including former F1 world champion Damon Hill, former F1 drivers David Coulthard and Martin Brundle, as well as other F1 commentary luminaries such as Murray Walker and Eddie Jordan.

The topic has received a little bit too much hot air in our opinion and in this interview Horner explained his position quite rationally. Of course, fans of Mark Webber will applaud Damon Hill’s stance, who took up the case for the drivers, suggesting they should be able to decided when they can race.

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2011 British GP: Post-race press conference

2011 British GP

Fernando Alonso has celebrated the 60th anniversary of Ferrari’s first world championship race win in the best possible manner by taking out the 2011 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Starting from third on the grid the dual-world champion capitalised on an uncharacteristic pitlane mistake from Red Bull Racing to drive past Sebastian Vettel for the lead. Vettel, stuck in his pit box waiting for his right rear wheel to be secured, was powerless to stop Alonso. From there Alonso’s Ferrari seemed in a league of its own slowly building a race winning buffer.

Vettel had taken the lead of the race on the first lap. Red Bull teammate Mark Webber got a clean start from pole position but was unable to defend Vettel’s move into the first corner.

The race began in somewhat bizarre conditions with half of the track being very wet while the other was dry. Starting on intermediates the drivers were free to use the softer compound tyres for the rest of the race when conditions allowed. A three-stop strategy was the order of the day even if it cost Vettel a chance of victory.

McLaren also made an awful blunder that robbed Jenson Button of a tight tussle with Mark Webber. Button was released from the pits before his front right wheel was fastened and he had no choice but to pull to the side of the track on the pit exit.

In the closing stages Webber was closing in fast on Vettel and appeared to have the pace to fight for second position. On the last lap the radio instruction from Christian Horner came telling Mark to ‘maintain the gap.’ A comment which, in true F1 style, has created all sorts of controversy in response to the use of team orders. Webber himself has admitted he paid no attention to the order, which first came with four or five laps remaining, so we must assume that he tried but was unable to pass Vettel.

Sebastian Vettel maintains a stranglehold on the drivers’ champsionship table, 80 points clear of Webber who is now in outright second place. Alonso’s win moves him up into third. Red Bull Racing also enjoys a strong lead in the constructors’ title race.

It was a tough race for Daniel Ricciardo who was unable to make an impression on Hispania Racing teammamte Tonio Liuzzi. We’ll have more coverage from HRT later today.

The full transcript from the post-race transcript is available below, which includes plenty of questions from the press gallery about team orders.

Continue reading “2011 British GP: Post-race press conference”