Year: 2013

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Belgian GP

Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Belgian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel cruised to an easy victory at the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix. The Red Bull ace had to work hard on the first lap to overtake pole sitter Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG) but once that was done he remained unchallenged.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) was the big improver the head of the field, finishing second after starting from P9. Lewis Hamilton had to content himself with P3.

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG) finished where he started in P4, while Mark Webber (Red Bull) dropped two places to finish fifth. Although, there was word just before the race began that Webber had clutch issues which may explain his slow getaway off the line and why he dropped three places after the first lap.

Toro Rosso will be pleased that their drivers made good ground after their qualifying woes. Starting from P19 Daniel Ricciardo managed to fight his way to P10 to claim a championship point, while Jean-Eric Vergne improved from P18 to P12.

Aside from a bit of a kerfuffle with Pastor Maldonado (Williams) and the two Force India drivers which sent Paul di Resta in for an early shower not much else happened.

Tonight’s win is Vettel’s 31st career victory which places him equal fifth on the all-time tally alongside Nigel Mansell. What odds he’ll join Fernando Alonso on 32 wins at Monza in a couple of weeks?

Continue reading “Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Belgian GP”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber anoints Ricciardo his successor

2013 Bahrain Grand Prix

While we’re still waiting for the official word that Daniel Ricciardo will replace Mark Webber at Red Bull next year, Webber himself has pretty much given the game away.

“The decision’s made,” Mark told James Allen on Channel 10. “We all know who it is. I’m happy with that decision.

“It’s good for him and good for Australia.”

Meanwhile, officially at least, the 24-year-old Aussie is not taking anything for granted. “I’m not going to assume anything,” Ricciardo said. “For me there is still a seat up for grabs.”

“Obviously there is a bit of excitement around, but there is nothing further to say from what I knew in Budapest.

“I think I’ve learned that until something is signed, sealed and delivered nothing is ever concrete.”

[Source: Ten Sport | Pic: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Lancia Maserati Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: 1955 Belgian Grand Prix

1955 Belgian Grand Prix

Shell is celebrating its associtation with the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix by transporting us back in time to the 1955 race. They do this by making available a 30 minute documentary of the race and we suggest you find the time to watch before tonight’s instalment if you can.

It’s fair to say a lot has changed in Formula 1 in the last 58 years, as the image above shows. We’re sure you’ll recognise it but in case you don’t the photo is taken at the old pit complex, on the downhill run after La Source and you can see Eau Rouge and Radillion in the background.

Yes, that is a dog running across the track. No, there is no barrier between the track and pit lane. And, yes, it is raining at Spa! Although, that photo was taken during qualifying and the race was run in brilliant sunshine.

The race was completed on the old 14km Spa-Francorchamps layout and only Blanchimont, La Source and Eau Rouge/Radillion remain from the original layout. You can compare the old and current circuits HERE.

All that’s left to do now is sit back, relax and enjoy finding out how Juan Manuel Fangio went about claiming his fifteenth F1 victory.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

Continue reading “VIDEO: 1955 Belgian Grand Prix”
Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear Series 20 in review

James May, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond

Top Gear Series 20 finished up a couple of weeks ago. As usual, in amongst the arsing about there was some quality material to entertain revheads around the globe. The lads have dropped in with this video to share their highlights along with the promise of there being more to come.

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we speculated Top Gear wouldn’t make it past Series 20.

Continue reading “Top Gear Series 20 in review”
Categories
Audi

2014 Audi A8/S8 facelift revealed

Audi S8

Audi has just updated its luxury A8 range, including the S8 sports saloon (pictured above). As we’ve come to expect these days the changes are subtle, but result in a cleaner and more pleasing solution.

The changes are most notable at the front where a new grille and front fascia design lead to revised bonnet styling. Also of note are the new optional Matrix LED headlights, which Audi is very excited about.

Able to work in conjunction with the sat nav system to light up corners before you start turning the Matrix LED lights will be sure to set new trends across the industry that will eventually trickle down to other models.

The refreshed A8 range will arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2014 and will include the S8 for the first time on this platform. Powered by a 4.0 V8 TFSI producing 380kW/650Nm, the S8 can reach 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. It will be joined in Australia by a 3.0 TDI and 4.2 TDI.

Further details can be viewed after the break.

Continue reading “2014 Audi A8/S8 facelift revealed”
Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2013 Belgian GP: Qualifying report

2013 Belgian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG) surprised himself to finish on top after qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix overnight. It was an exciting session in which constantly changing weather conditions kept drivers and teams on their toes.

Starting with Q1, all teams began on intermediate tyres and a natural order was taking place. Rain stopped falling during Q1 and the track began to dry out. Late in the session Giedo van der Garde (Caterham) risked slick tyres, putting on a set of new mediums. It resulted in him setting the third fastest time in Q1. Casualties, failing to proceed to Q2, were both Williams and the Toro Rosso pairing, including Daniel Ricciardo.

“That was down to bad timing more than anything else,” explained Daniel. “We went out too early for that second run and by the second lap, the tyres were already worn and that was when the track conditions were at their best. Obviously, it’s very frustrating, but now all we can do is put it behind us and concentrate on tomorrow. We have to learn from this and make sure we get it right next time.”

The middle session was dry and there were no surprises as to who made the final 10. But Q3 was when the real fun began. All drivers, except Paul di Resta (Force India), went out on slicks and by the end of their out laps all nine drivers came straight back in for inters as the rain began to fall. Meanwhile, di Resta was out in what was expected to be the best of the conditions and with the track to himself he set a time he hoped would be enough for pole (2:02.332).

For a while that seemed to be the case as well, for the next few minutes no drivers really got close. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG, 2:02.332)  posted a quality lap to just pip di Resta and then the track began to dry again. It was still wet enough for intermediate tyres and as the final three drivers crossed the line all indications were they would be fighting for pole.

First to cross the line was Mark Webber (Red Bull, 2:01.325) who claimed provisional pole. Moments later that was bettered by his teammate Sebastian Vettel (2:01.200), whose time in the spotlight lasted until Lewis Hamilton (2:01.012) crossed the line and claimed his fourth consecutive pole position. It’s Lewis’ fifth pole for the year and the 31st of his career.

The full post-quali transcript with the top three drivers can be read after the break.

[Pic: Mercedes AMG]

Continue reading “2013 Belgian GP: Qualifying report”
Categories
Citroen Volkswagen WRC

“Shit happens!”

Sebastien Ogier crashes out of 2013 Rally Germany

This weekend’s Rally Germany was supposed to be Sebastien Ogier’s crowning glory. If things went his way he could have secured the 2013 World Rally Championship. At its home event, it would have been a perfect way for Volkswagen to announce its arrival on the world rally stage. Alas, as Ogier himself said, “Shit happens.”

Ogier crashed out on Day 1 with damaged suspension. He’ll now have to wait to secure his maiden world title. Teammate Jari-Matti Latvala now leads the charge in Germany, with Ford driver Thierry Neuville close behind.

Being a tarmac event, Rally Germany is one of our favourites. On asphalt the WRC cars look their best, with bigger wheels and lowered suspension.

For hot hatch fans it doesn’t get much better. That’s why we’ve included a couple of videos from Volkswagen and Citroën for you after the break.

Continue reading ““Shit happens!””
Categories
Ferrari Lamborghini McLaren Pagani Porsche Video

VIDEO: Evo’s highway to heaven

Evo's highway to heaven

Henry Catchpole from Evo takes us into a motoring fantasy land with this video:

This test brings together some of the greatest analogue super cars—the ones that make you work hard as a driver, but are hugely rewarding – where we discover what they are all about, and why we love them. The McLaren F1 goes up against the Ferrari F40 and F50, Porsche Carrera GT, Noble M600, Pagani Zonda F and Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV.

There’s nothing further we can add, except to ask. Can you imagine how special, how wonderful and how life changing it would have been to experience those seven cars back to back.

[via motorcentral]

Continue reading “VIDEO: Evo’s highway to heaven”
Categories
BMW

There will be a 6sp manual for the M3/M4 after all

BMW Concept M4

Thankfully, we can strike out yesterday’s article which suggested the forthcoming F80 M3 and F82 M4 would be available exclusively with a 7-speed DCT. Turns out an optional manual gearbox will be available in some markets, as BimmerFile explains:

We typically don’t answer rumors from other sites but today’s M3/M4 rumor on Autoblog was so out of left field and straight-up wrong that we have to mention it. Yes the M3 and M4 will have a six speed manual transmission option for certain markets. We’ve seen it in spy shots as well as VIN data leaked earlier this year.

While we welcome this correction as though our left foot and left hand depended on it, we’re not filled with confidence that the manual box will be available for Australian buyers, based on the lack of manual option for the M5.

[Source: BimmerFile]

Categories
BMW

BMW M235i gets in some tourist laps

BMW 235i

After the success of the M135i we can’t wait for the much better looking, if less practical, M235i. Here you can see the M235i in action at the Ring. One tip for a release of the 2 Series is the Detroit Auto Show in January.

[Source: BimmerFile]

Continue reading “BMW M235i gets in some tourist laps”
Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes A45 AMG Black Series spied

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Black Series

Are you sitting down? You really should sit down for this. Mercedes-Benz funsters AMG are turning the wick up even further on the A45 AMG hyper hatch. Not content with an obviously piss weak 265kW from their 2.0 four pot, they’re planning to stuff 300kW inside the donk before releasing it in an A45 AMG Black Series.

Three hundred kilowatts. Three-zero-zero. From a 2.0 litre four cylinder. Holy crap!

As well as the boost of 35kW over the standard A45 AMG, torque will be given a 50Nm nudge to a new max of 500Nm. This is a hatchback remember, with power to embarrass supercars of only a few years ago. Never mind that, a 911 Carrera S only has 294kW. This thing will be totally nuts. We love it!

To be fair it’s all speculation at this stage with nobody from the three-pointed star willing to offer any insight into this test mule. However, the flared guards do tend to indicate there’s more to this A45 that meets the eye.

[Source: Drive.com.au | Thanks to Richard for the tip]

Categories
BMW

No manual gearbox for new BMW M4?

BMW Concept M4

Word on the street is the new F82 BMW M4 will be sold exclusively with a double clutch transmission. That follows the path started by the F10 M5; although, in an odd turn of events, you can buy an M5 with a manual box in North America. Anyway, having no manual in the new M4 should not really be a surprise, but it’s still a shame to see the further demise of one of the simplest ways to involve man and machine.

After the Concept M4 debuted recently you might have thought we’d be seeing the car in Frankfurt next month, perhaps accompanied with more technical info, such as confirmation of the engine configuration. Unfortunately, it looks like we might have to wait until 2015 with reports suggesting the production M4 will debut at January’s Detroit Motor Show.

[Source: Autoblog]