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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber leaves mountain to climb

2010 Abu Dhabi GP

Mark Webber put in one of his more disappointing qualifying performances at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last night. Fifth was the best he could muster. Crucially, his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel claimed his 10th pole of season 2010 and fellow title contenders Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) will start ahead of him on the grid, in second and third respectively.

Questions about Mark’s ability to handle the pressure must be asked and the size of the mountain he must now climb is starting to look impossible to conquer.

With Webber qualifying in fifth place he was not part of the official FIA press conference. However, Autosport has an interview with Mark that offers us some insight into his current frame of mind.

Perhaps a pick-me-up for Mark Webber fans can be had by reading this excellent summary of Webber’s career to date on Peter Windsor’s website.

Meanwhile, you can read the full transcript from the post-qualifying conference after the break, along with some television highlights courtesy of FoxSports.com.au.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Renault

Renault Megane RS 250 – Australian pricing & specs

Renault Megane RS 250

It’s been a while since we first saw the Renault Megane RS 250, but the wait for Australian buyers is finally over. Those wanting entry into to French quarter of the über hot hatch club will need to part with $41,990 for the RS 250 Cup, or cough up an extra $5,000 if they want the Cup Trophée model.

The extra cash for the Cup Trophée gets you 19″ alloys, flash Recaro sports seats and a few other bits and pieces like electric folding wing mirrors, plus they have even thrown in some floor mats. Bless. In addition, the Trophée is differentiated from the regular Cup by way of grey bumper inserts (pictured above), as opposed to black, and satin chrome door handles, as opposed to body colour.

Both models come standard with a 184kW (250bhp) 2.0 litre four cylinder, including twin scroll turbo. Peak torque of 340Nm is available from 3000rpm, while 80% of that figure is on tap from just 1900rpm. Fitted with a 6-speed manual box, Renault say you can reach 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Back in the day it was thought 200bhp was the theoretical maximum one could put through a front-driver. There are many examples of cars breaking that theory now, of course, but almost all employ some form of trickery to at least give the driver some chance of avoiding a call to the operator of a flat bed truck. The new RS 250 is no different with a standard limited slip diff and independent steering axis front suspension offering what Renault describe as “a more reassuring drive”.

After seeing the RS 250 in static mode at AIMS last month, we were quite impressed with the interior, which has taken huge steps from previous Megane offerings. So long as none of the driving pleasures of the former models have been lost, this new effort should be a crowd favourite.

More pics and Renault Australia’s very detailed press release are all yours after the break.

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Categories
Lancia New Stratos

Pininfarina hands over New Stratos

New Lancia Stratos

Turin. Monday, November 8th, 2010. Draped in black cloth, the New Stratos stands waiting in a Pininfarina production hall for its new owner. Work on the details – painting, polishing, etc. – has been underway up until the final hour. Now, at handover time, the automobile is near perfect.

So reads the text on the Handover page of the New Stratos website. The New Stratos will be presented to international media at the Paul Ricard Circuit in just under two weeks from now. During that time the owners will be finalising the performance numbers for the car.

Since our last update some technical info has also been published. Notably, the chassis New Stratos is some 200mm shorter than the Ferrari F430 on which it is based, while the body work has been reduced by 330mm. A 40mm thick steel roll cage helps give the car its high rigidity.

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Formula 1

CAMS fights back in Melbourne melee

Australian Grand Prix

Today’s battle between CAMS and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation has shifted up a gear with a stern press release issued by CAMS. Key to their reply is the claim that their fee charged to the AGPC is “substantially less than the AUD$800,000 or £500,000 stated in some reports”.

According to the CAMS statement they are “acutely conscious of the need to reign in spending on Formula One events”. Further, it is claimed that CAMS and AGPC Executives had negotiated a satisfactory deal several months ago only to have that deal rejected by the AGPC Board.

“In August 2010 after months of negotiation CAMS and AGPC’s Chief Executives reached agreement on a proposal which was put to AGPC’s Board. However that proposal was rejected by AGPC’s Board,” reads the press release.

The CAMS statement continues, “Since that time AGPC’s Board has refused to negotiate further with CAMS and has summarily rejected two revised proposals put to it, despite CAMS and the FIA making it clear that the consequences of failing to appoint an organiser by 19 November will be that the 2011 Australian Grand Prix does not take place. The Victorian Government has been kept informed of developments.”

CAMS say the dispute is a matter of safety over budget and adds further context to the matter saying, “the cost to AGPC of CAMS’ services is less than 0.625% of the AGPC’s annual budget.”

“This is an issue about safety and not fees and we do not believe the Australian Formula One Grand Prix can be run safely without the high degree of professional and safety expertise that CAMS can deliver.”

Looks like we’ll need to watch this space over the next week. CAMS has also issued a separate statement to its members which can be read in full after the break.

[Pic: Mercedes GP Petronas]

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Formula 1

Follow the leader

Jordan team orders, Spa 1998

Throughout the 2010 Formula One season the subject of team orders has been an ongoing discussion point. Mostly due to the Vettel–Webber crash in Turkey and the Massa–Alonso passive overtake in Germany. Of course, the debate over team orders has been rife going into this weekend’s final race at Abu Dhabi, as well. Commentators the world over have been trying to establish if it is a masterstroke that Red Bull Racing have two guys in with a chance of winning the world crown, or if they’re stark raving mad for not having their drivers work together to lock away the Drivers’ title a race or two ago.

While that debate rages, most seem to have missed the fact that Vettel has all but guaranteed he will assist Webber to win the World Championship, if there is no other option to prevent Ferrari and Alonso from stealing the ultimate success from the Red Bull team.

Such controversies have encouraged numerous critics of the ban team orders to come forward. Former team owner and regular BBC pundit Eddie Jordan reckons the ban on team orders is “a nonsense“.

So, then, enjoy two F1-related videos after the break which cover well-known incidents of drivers being forced by their paymasters to act against their will, including a clear case of Jordan putting his money where his mouth is.

[via motorcentral]

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Categories
Formula 1

Fee fight foe fun

Australian Grand Prix

A cat fight has emerged that has the potential to see the Australian Grand Prix de-registered and removed from the 2011 calendar. The fighting foes are the Australian Grand Prix promoters and Australia’s motorsport governing body CAMS.

It’s essentially a fight over money, what else; CAMS charges a fee to the Australian Grand Prix each year in return for providing a race track with officials, marshalls and the like. The promoters, led by Ron Walker, are asking CAMS to lower their fee.

CAMS are sticking to their guns and refusing to meet Walker’s demands. However, Walker is not really bothered by all the fun, and expects everything to be finalised by a CAMS imposed deadline of 19 November.

“CAMS is threatening us, using the FIA as a big stick, to comply with the request of November 19 or they will apply to have us de-registered off the calendar for next year,” said Walker who is in Abu Dhabi to discuss the matter with F1 boss Bernie Eccelstone. “I know it is going to be resolved because there are powers that be, such as Mr Todt and Mr Ecclestone who are sure it will be resolved in an amicable way.”

It’s always nice to have friends on your side, isn’t it. Anyway, Walker is quite happy to take his bat and ball elsewhere, “The organisers at Silverstone would be very happy to organise Melbourne, the organiser of Abu Dhabi could organise it. There are plenty of organisers that would be delighted to come down under and be approved by the FIA.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Renault/LAT]

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2010 Abu Dhabi GP – Pre-race press conference

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

There’s not long to go now. The first Free Practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins in under 12 hours. This is the first time in Formula One history that four drivers have still been in the hunt for the Drivers’ title going into the last race.

There are numerous permutations that could lead to any one of those guys in the picture above being crowned World Champion after the race; the pressure on Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Mark Webber, in particular, is huge. Check out the pre-race presser after the break to see how they’re coping so far.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

Porsche confirms world premiere of mid-engine sports car at LA

Porsche Cayman CS

Porsche has confirmed it will be offering a world premiere at the LA Auto Show. Of course, not much is given away, other than saying, “A mid-engine sports car which will be unveiled during a press conference at 10:55am on November 17.”

Our news from June tells us this is likely to be a lightweight Cayman model. It’s now understood this new offering will be badged the Cayman R and not the CS as first thought.

Following a similar path the gorgeous Boxster Spyder, the Cayman R is expected to shed 80kg of weight and gain a few extra horses along the way.

We’ll have full details for you as soon as they come to hand. In the meantime check out the Porsche press release after the break.

[Thanks to James for the tip]

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Formula 1 Lotus

Gold and black

Lotus F1 history

One of Formula One’s most revered racing liveries will be making a return in 2011 with news that Lotus will be turning out in a new gold and black colour scheme. Even better, you could have a say on how the new cars look. Lotus Racing’s Head of Marketing Silvi Schaumloeffel explains, “We are all very excited about the move to a black and gold paint scheme for next season, and we want our fans to help us design the livery that will be racing around the world next year.

“We will shortly be announcing exactly how the fans can take part in our design process, so keep an eye on our website www.lotusracing.my for more details. The person who designs the livery we finally choose will be joining us at our first test next year to see the car out on track for the very first time, so for Lotus and F1â„¢ fans it is the chance of a lifetime to help us take the next step forward in our amazing story in 2011.”

[Source: Lotus Racing]

Categories
Green Machines Volkswagen

Zero-emission Golf blue-e-motion on sale by 2013

Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion

You’re looking at the Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion. It looks most like any other Golf, except this one is a fully electric creation. VW say it will commence sales in late 2013; Australian buyers will have to wait until 2014.

The front-wheel drive Golf blue-e-motion has an electric motor under the bonnet in the traditional position and its power is stored in a lithium-ion battery. Three driving profiles are offered, “Normal”, “Comfort+” and “Range+”. Each setting alters peak power and top speed accordingly. You’ll need Comfort+ for all the herbs, which gives you 85kW and a dizzying v-max of 135km/h. Normal mode reduces power to 65kW and the top speed is 115km/h. Using the Range+ setting deactivates the air conditioning system and cuts power to 50kW, offering a top speed of 105km/h.

Performance is clearly not one of the blue-e-motion’s strong points, then, and you’ll need near on 12 seconds to reach 100km/h. Of course, going fast is not high on the agenda for this car, so its the range that can be travelled that will be key here. And, wouldn’t you know it, Volkswagen are keeping quiet on that front saying only that prototype models can go as far as 150km before needing a recharge. We’ll get full details closer to launch.

For more on the blue-e-motion, check out the official press release after the jump.

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Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini wants some SUV action too

Lamborghini LM00X rendering

It’s somewhat ironic that the Lamborghini LM002 is one of the coolest SUVs around. In general, SUVs, especially those from Germany, are little more than a status symbol screaming out “look how rich I am!” But the LM002 was created in the mid 1980s. Sure, excesses were obscene back then, too, but this was a time when one of the only crossovers in the world was the Subaru Brumby, unless you count those Holden Overlander things, as well. Therefore, the boxy and otherwise foreign concept of a supercar maker producing a four-wheel drive was something to celebrate.

Now, though, any such overbearing SUV creations are often viewed with disdain. Regardless of how good engineers have made them. The BMW X5, for example, is an excellent drive. But it would be better if it was a few inches closer to the ground.

So, what do we make of the news that Lambo wants back in to the SUV club? Early details have emerged of a new model, dubbed the LM00X, which is likely to have a three-door body based on the Audi Q5/Porsche Cajun platform.

Of course, the LM00X will have stupid power. It will be blindingly quick and it will probably be overtly expensive, as well. The rendering above, from World Car Fans, is around four years old, but given the way Porsche designers tried to turn the 911 look into an SUV with the Cayenne, it’s probably still on the money. The LM00X is probably a couple of years away yet, so we’ve still got time to brace ourselves.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear drags Stig drama back to court

Ben Collins

A couple of months ago a UK court ruled in favour of Ben Collins, the man formerly known as The Stig, allowing him to publish his autobiography. Collins’ tale lifted the curtain on some of the mystique behind Top Gear and the BBC were not too impressed. Unhappy with that initial ruling the BBC are taking the case back to court.

Collins confirmed the new stoush a few days ago saying, “I’ve just had to do a load of witness statements for round two. As it stands they are pursuing me for breach of contract. So here we go again.”

The Beeb are adamant that Collins had revealed his identity well before the autobiography controversy broke. Collins, of course, denies that is the case, “I worked so hard to keep a lid on the whole thing and stay anonymous. I didn’t tell anybody what I did. I used to go to the locations wearing a balaclava in my civvy clothes, which was all my idea, I wasn’t told to do it.

“It seems ridiculous, the BBC stance. Even though they lost the first case they are pursuing me a second time, saying I was leaking my identity. It’s pretty hard to hear it and I’m pretty fed up with it.”

We can certainly understand the latter point, there. Based on recent comments from Jeremy Clarkson announcing a new Stig has been selected it looks like Collins will be the subject of countless passive aggressive attacks in future. What do you think, is Clarkson right to attack Collins’ integrity, or should he just suck it up and move on?

[Source: Drive.com.au]