Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Vettel: I was faster, I passed him, I won

Sebastian Vettel

Look, we don’t want to keep talking about the fallout from the Malaysian Grand Prix, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Despite the weeks that have passed, Formula 1’s media spotlight is still pointing directly at Sebastian Vettel. And the three-time champ is only too happy to make the most of the opportunity.

Interviewed by Reuters ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, Vettel says he was faster and Webber didn’t deserve to win at Sepang.

Still claiming he didn’t understand the now infamous ‘multi 21’ instruction Vettel said: “Had I understood the message, then I think I would have thought about it, reflected on what it means, what the team wants me to do, to leave Mark in first place and me finishing second.

“And I think I would have thought about it and probably done the same thing because Mark doesn’t deserve that.”

When asked to expand on his comment that Mark didn’t deserve victory Vettel replied: “I don’t like to talk ill of other people. It’s not my style. I think I said enough. The bottom line is that I was racing, I was faster, I passed him, I won.”

On the question of trust with his Australian teammate Vettel added: “Being completely honest, I never have support from his side. I’ve got a lot of support from the team and I think the team is supporting both of us the same way.

“I respect him a lot as a racing driver but I think there were more than one occasions in the past where he could have helped the team and he didn’t.

“I wouldn’t call it trust to be honest. I think we have a professional relationship.”

The Webber–Vettel rift began after the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix and back then Red Bull was able to stage manage a reconciliation between the pair. We don’t think that will be happening again. It will be fascinating to see how the pair’s on-track relationship develops over the course of the year. This could get very ugly.

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

Categories
Porsche

About that Cayman Turbo, can you wait for 2016?

981 Porsche Cayman S

Yesterday we were getting interested about the arrival of a 2.5 litre flat four-cylinder powered Cayman Turbo, expected to debut in September this year. Today we’ve been put in our place!

“It is no real secret that we are working on a four-cylinder engine,” said an unnamed Porsche official. “But it is still in an early development phase. On current planning, it will be another three years at least before we will be ready to reveal anything official on this subject.”

Suggesting we’ll have to wait for the current Boxster/Cayman to receive their mid-cycle facelift the official added, “It is not due before 2016.”

So there!

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

No multi 21, no orders, no bull?

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko wants us to believe there will be no more team orders at the reigning championship constructor. “Team orders won’t be given by us anymore,” he told Germany’s Sport Bild.

We’re not sure if Team Principal Christian Horner got the internal memo from Marko or is simply living in reality, but he has already told Sky Sports F1 that the team’s controversial multi 2-1 and multi 1-2 codes need some work, “both our drivers in the last three races have failed to understand both of those messages.”

Hinting that team orders may still be given from pitlane Horner added, “I think we’re going to give up on that code. We need to probably try something else.”

We’re not buying Marko’s claim. If the circumstances dictate and a championship result for Red Bull rests on the fate of team orders, management will not hesitate to make the call, make no mistake about that. This is Formula 1 and, like it or not, team orders are part of the sport’s culture.

[Source: Planet F1 | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
BMW

BMW M6 Gran Coupe – Australian pricing

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

BMW Australia has announced pricing for its M6 Gran Coupe and you’re going to have to really want one to meet the $299,500 asking price.

Gran Coupe pricing slots neatly in between the M6 Coupé and Convertible, which are priced from $292,500 and $308,500 respectively. Powered by the same 412kW/680Nm 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 as its other M6 siblings the Gran Coupe will arrive in Australia just after mid-year.

Continue reading “BMW M6 Gran Coupe – Australian pricing”
Categories
Porsche

Looks like we’ll see a Cayman Turbo in Frankfurt

981 Porsche Cayman S

We’ve known for some time that Porsche will be developing a new four-cylinder boxer engine and we’ve also previously suggested a high-powered turbo version will find its way into the new Cayman later this year (and the Boxster too).

A new report from Porsche specialist site Flat-6 News says the 2.5 litre four-pot boxer unit is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The new powerplant needs to be in a car, or cars, of some sort, so pencil in the arrival of Boxster and Cayman Turbo models.

Peak power of 350hp (260kW) or more is still predicted and will arrive thanks to the use of a single turbocharger, complemented by proven Porsche technology such as Direct Fuel Injection and VarioCam Plus.

[Source: Flat-6 News]

Categories
Bugatti

Is Bugatti about to unveil the world’s fastest convertible?

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

Unperturbed by their recent admonishment from the Guinness Book of Records and the competition from the cowboys at Hennessey, Bugatti say they’re ready for another crack at a production record of some sort.

The car will be a special edition of the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, which is tipped to carry the extra tag World Record Convertible. Without giving too much away Bugatti say it will be “the latest example of exceptional performance”.

At the very least we can expect the Vitesse WRC to be the world’s fastest production convertible, but will it reclaim the title of world’s fastest car?

We’ll find out for sure when Auto Shanghai comes around later this month.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Motorsports Porsche

1971 24 Hours of Le Mans: A legend is born

Porsche 917 at 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans

Ahead of their 2014 return, Porsche continues with their reminders of previous Le Mans triumphs. Today, Helmut Marko might be a bit of a pain the arse, but back in the early 1970s he knew how to handle one of the most iconic Porsche sports cars of all time, the 917.

On their way to a dominant victory in the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans Marko and driving partner Gijs van Lennep set several long standing records. Watch the video below to see what they were.

Continue reading “1971 24 Hours of Le Mans: A legend is born”
Categories
Ferrari

Fernando has fun in LaFerrari

Fernando Alonso drives the LaFerrari around Fiorano

Here’s a short and sweet video from Ferrari showing Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the LaFerrari at the company’s famous Fiorano test track.

Alongside Alonso is GT racer Andrea Bertolini. Asked to do a couple of slow laps for testing purposes Alonso couldn’t resist and let rip in the 708kW über-hybrid.

Continue reading “Fernando has fun in LaFerrari”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Vettel urged to apologise to Formula 1

2013 Malaysian Grand Prix

Yes, we’re still talking about that controversial win by Sebastian Vettel at last month’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Five-time grand prix winner John Watson has urged Vettel to apologise to Formula 1 and from what we can tell he’s not joking.

Now a media pundit Watson said, “The way he acted was dishonest.” Before upping the ante by adding, “He should apologise to the fans of F1 and to the sport.”

Really?

Watson carried on, he was on quite a roll, “[Vettel] has not yet explained why he did not obey the team, apart from making some mealy-mouthed excuse at the time.

“Sebastian had come across as a well-adjusted young man who was also a three time World Champion. But we have had a glimpse of what he is truly capable of and a lot of people will not like the 2013 version.

“If you agree to a plan that after the last pit-stops then the drivers should hold station, then you should stick to that. He gave his word and then did what he wanted which is very poor really.

“And what he did beforehand when he just told the team to tell Mark to get out of the way because he was slower was even worse.

“He should really have paid a penalty for what he did, but there was a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening.”

Speaking freely, Watson says Vettel’s actions are the fault of Red Bull Racing who has allowed the triple world champion’s stature to grow unchecked.

“But if you create the monster then lose control of him, you are going to pay the price. What happened in Malaysia showed that Helmut Marko and Vettel wield the power in the team.

“Christian Horner has done a good job as Team Principal but at the end of the day he could not control his driver.

“Mark knows his status in the team, but then he has known that for a while. But is is hard to see him trusting Sebastian anymore.”

So there you have it. Thankfully there’s another race this weekend and we can hopefully move on.

[Source: The Sun | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
BMW

BMW 3 Series Touring – Australian pricing & specs

BMW 3 Series Touring

Pricing for the BMW 3 Series Touring (318d and 320i) was released late last year. But now that the models have arrived down under BMW Australia has added the 328i to the range (March build onwards) and come good with some detailed info on the F31 estate. And there’s a lot of it!

If you like the 3 Series Touring, and you should, you can choose from the following three models at initial launch:

  • 318d – from $58,900
  • 320i – from $62,600
  • 328i – from $69,900

Full details from BMW Australia and including a pricing matrix can be seen below.

Continue reading “BMW 3 Series Touring – Australian pricing & specs”
Categories
Mercedes-Benz

More info on the Australian-spec Mercedes A45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Last week Mercedes-Benz confirmed Australian pricing for the hi-po A45 AMG. Since then our inbox has received some extra info from the ubiquitous anonymous source. Much of it is already known but there’s some stuff that’s good to see in writing and some stuff that you may not have read as yet.

First, get your hands on this two page PDF (400kb) which lists the basic specs signed off for the local market.

Consider the A45 AMG offers 265kW/450Nm and can hit 100km/h in the mid four second range. So how cool is this:

Note, with a fuel usage classification of 6.9L/100km, the base A 45 AMG will not attract LCT. The current LCT limit for fuel efficient vehicles is $75,375, meaning an optioned A 45 AMG will attract LCT hence all option MRLPs are inclusive of LCT.

The world’s most powerful production four cylinder engine, hand built no less, has a fuel consumption figure allowing it to sneak under the luxury car tax threshold. Thank you Germany!

We’ve already listed the standard equipment Australian-delivered A45 AMGs will boast, and it is quite extensive for a Euro manufacturer, which just leaves, for now, three main optional extras:

  • 19″ AMG Multi-spoke alloys in black – $490 (MRLP)
  • AMG Aerodynamics Package – $1990 (MRLP)
  • AMG Performance Suspension – $1990 (MRLP)

If you wanted to get your hands on the Edition 1 version, alas, our little birdy says it won’t be coming to Australia.

Categories
Formula 1 Motorsports Porsche Red Bull Racing

“He would have all the qualities to drive with us”

2013 Australian Grand Prix

The Mark Webber to Porsche rumour has increased in intensity following the fallout from Sebastian Vettel’s controversial victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. When we first reported on the rumour in the middle of last year we gave our unwavering support to Webber leading the charge for Porsche at Le Mans in 2014.

Only Mark will know if he has the fire in the belly to continue in Formula 1 beyond this season. Not to mention the patience to deal with the highly charged egos in the sport. The door has been left open by Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz, will Mark stay or will he go?

One thing is certain, these comments from Oliver Hilger, Porsche Motorsport Press manager, reported on the official Le Mans website, will only serve to further heighten the expectations that Mark will be leading the Porsche charge for LMP1 success at La Sarthe next year.

“He would have all the qualities to drive with us,” Hilger said.

“He has been in Formula 1 for more than a decade, he has already raced twice at Le Mans with Mercedes. He knows the road that leads to us in Stuttgart.”

We’ll be sure to keep an eye on this story as it will no doubt develop further over the coming months.

[Source: 24h-lemans.com | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]