After last week’s announcement regarding the Ferrari 458 Speciale we’re very much looking forward to learning more about this car. Ferrari has released a brief video teaser, bringing us very close to the finer details of car and its 445kW 4.5 litre V8. We want to hear it though!
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything about the Audi S1, but thankfully Autocar brings us an update thanks to a new series of spy shots.
Best guesses now suggest the S1 will be powered by a version of the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, with power expected to be around 220hp (165kW). There’s still speculatiom that a manual gearbox, as well as an S tronic, will be available. And, of course, wearing a S badge means the S1 will also employ an all-wheel drive system.
Predictions for the car’s launch say the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, next March, could be the date. The S1 would be introduced as part of a newly facelifted A1 range.
[Source: Autocar]
It’s Mark Webber’s birthday today. The old fella turns 37. In time for his celebrations, Porsche has released a new teaser for its return to LMP1 racing at Le Mans.
For Mark, and for Porsche, it’s almost time to forget history and time to get busy writing a new chapter.
Citroën pairing Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio have shown great personal character to claim their maiden WRC victory. The Spanish duo have been dropped for next month’s Rally Australia, but fought out a gripping battle with Ford’s Thierry Neuville to win Rally Germany.
In truth the win came about because both Volkswagen’s crashed out of contention while leading the rally; Sebastien Ogier on Day 1, followed by Jar-Matti Latvala on Day 2. Neuville inherited the lead from Latvala but was unable to withstand the strong pace shown from Sordo all weekend, who took the lead late on Day 3.
Able to maintain the lead in the final day Sordo was elated with his first WRC win. “It’s fantastic to claim my first win after such a close fight,†he said. “We had no choice but to keep applying the pressure and in the end, Thierry was forced into a mistake. We didn’t get off to a particularly good start, but we all worked together to improve. We did the hardest part yesterday, but we had to maintain our form today and that’s exactly what we did. Now that I have my first win, I want some more!â€
Ogier was able to claim the three points on offer in the power stage, so it wasn’t a total loss for him and Volkswagen. Although, Citroën managed to cut 29 points out of Volkswagen’s championship lead.
The WRC entourage hits our shores next month for Rally Australia (12–15 September).
Sebastian Vettel explains the tale of Belgian Grand Prix victory lay in a good opening lap. “It helped the first lap to have the tow off Lewis through Eau Rouge and then I was flying,” he said. “Once I passed him we had incredible pace and really could control the race until the end.”
Finishing in fifth place wasn’t part of Mark Webber’s plans in his final F1 appearance at Spa. “The two practice starts before the race weren’t great and so we were a bit worried about the clutch going to the start, which put us on to the back foot,” Mark said. “We tried our best, but lost a couple of rows off the line which is not good. We then had to try and clear people on the track, which was difficult, as we had set up the top gear to race in clean air, rather than to pass. The bad start put us out of position and it snowballs from there, as you use up the tyres trying to getting to back into position.”
Meanwhile Daniel Ricciardo was happy to finish in the points after starting from P19. “It was nice to get that point! We ran a long first stint on the Hards and I think that helped us build a good base to have a strong pace in the final stints on the Medium,” Daniel explained. “I felt much more comfortable on the Option tyre and that’s when my race really started. With the last set of tyres I was knocking out maybe ten or so qualifying laps and managed to pick off some cars in front to bring home that crucial point.”
The full transcript of the post-race press conference featuring the first three drivers can be read after the break.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Greenpeace carried out a protest against Shell at yesterday’s Belgian Grand Prix. They wanted to bring attention to Shell’s drilling and exploration for oil in the arctic region. A number of banners and signs were placed around the circuit, including the use of two remote controlled signs that were activated in front of the podium (video below).
The appearance of these signs, or perhaps the removal of them, was responsible for the jeering and booing that could be heard during the post-race interview held on the podium with David Coulthard.
Vanessa Hall, protesting with a banner on the pit straight grandstand, said: “This sport is all about cutting edge developments in engineering and safety, but Shell’s Arctic drilling programme relies on technology and equipment that was developed before today’s drivers were even born. And of course the only reason Shell can drill there at all is because climate change is melting the Arctic ice cap, and they’re going in to drill for more of the stuff that caused the melt in the first place—it’s madness.â€
Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace International Executive Director, said: “I was a fan of Grand Prix racing when I was growing up, but I am not a fan of what Shell is doing in the Arctic. Right now we are in the race of our lives against Shell, a company that sees the melting of the Arctic as a business opportunity, rather than a warning. Every driver and F1 fan knows that oil on the tracks spells disaster; an oil spill in the Arctic would be catastrophic. We hope that when they’ve heard about what Shell is up to they’ll join the almost four-million-strong movement to save the Arctic.â€
You can read more at Greenpeace.
UPDATE: New images added below courtesy of Greenpeace.
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?
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]
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]
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.
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.
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)Â 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]