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Formula 1 Lotus

Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing!

Kimi Raikkonen doesn't know what he's doing

It’s only a few weeks since Kimi Raikkonen demanded we leave him alone because he knows what he’s doing. Well, this rather amusing clip from the Brazilian Grand Prix tends to suggest otherwise.

After a minor off, Kimi tried to take a shortcut down an alternate entry onto the Interlagos race track. But, as you’ll see, he didn’t have a clue what he was doing until it was all too late.

For added lolz we’ve found the footage via Finnish TV and while you probably won’t understand a word they’re saying, laughter is universal!

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Formula 1

Valtteri Bottas to race for Williams in 2013

Valtteri Bottas, Williams F1 Team

Williams reserve driver Valtteri Bottas has been signed to race for the team in 2013. He’ll drive alongside Spanish Grand Prix winner Pastor Maldonado, who has kept his place, meaning Bruno Senna is currently out of a job.

Bottas has been on Williams’ payroll since 2010 and both driver and team look forward to a seamless transition from bit part player to full-time driver. The 23-year-old Finn won championships in junior categories every year from 2008–11, including last year’s GP3 title, and is highly regarded in the F1 paddock.

“It feels incredible to be driving in Formula One next season and to be with a team like Williams, with all its pedigree, is even more special,” said Bottas. “I’ve worked hard to get here ever since I started karting at six years old, but the real work starts now as I prepare myself for the biggest challenge of my career. The fact that I’ve been with Williams since 2010 will help a lot though because I know the engineers really well and have a good working relationship with them.”

It will be a welcome return to competitive action for Bottas, who concentrated on his test driver role in 2012.

“I’m a naturally very competitive person and I’ve been competing in triathlons throughout 2012 to keep fit and keep my mind sharp,” he said. “Obviously I’ve missed racing a great deal so can’t wait to get back onto a starting grid, but I’ve been racing constantly since a very young age so when the lights go out in Australia It will be business as usual.”

More info from Williams F1 Team, including brief Q&A interviews with Bottas, Sir Frank Williams and Pastor Maldonado, can be read after the break.

[Pics: Williams/LAT Photographic]

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Porsche

2013 Porsche Cayman image leaked

2013 Porsche Cayman (981)

A French magazine is understood to be the source of this leaked image showing the new 981 Porsche Cayman. The car is scheduled to be officially revealed by Porsche in the next 24 hours.

It’s expected the Cayman will source its engines from the 981 Boxster, which means the entry-level model should feature a 2.7 litre flat-six, while the Cayman S will have a 3.4 litre. Of course, being a theoretical level up the Porsche food chain the Cayman is likely to get a modest 10hp power increase over the 265hp (195kW) and 315hp (232kW) offered in the two Boxster engines.

We’ll bring you full details as soon as we can. In the meantime there’s a short video after the break showing some Cayman prototypes driving near Porsche’s headquarters in Stuttgart.

[Source: Worldscoop | Thanks to John for the tip]

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Formula 1

People power wanted to save Kamui’s F1 career

2012 Japanese Grand Prix

Kamui Kobayashi faces an uncertain future in Formula One. This he knew for certain after the Sauber F1 Team signed Esteban Gutierrez to drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg in 2013.

According to the likeable Japanese driver a lack of funds was “the main issue for sure” behind Sauber’s decision. However, where there’s hope there’s life. “We see I think still some seats that are available so we try to get a seat,” he said. “If we can find some sponsors I think it is easier.”

Caterham, Force India and Marussia are three teams still to finalise their 2013 driver line ups, but without some solid funding Kobayashi’s F1 future appears bleak. In order to assist his cause he has setup a dedicated website to attract donations from F1 fans, who will be given a special wristband in exchange for their support.

When he finished third in the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this year the crowd was in raptures at seeing their local hero on the podium. We expect he’ll attract a lot of followers, but will it be enough?

If you’d like to see Kamui stay in F1, and you can read Japanese, why not throw him some cash: www.kamui-support.com

[Source: Reuters | Pic: Sauber Motorsports AG]

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BMW

BMW confirms 1M production run of 6,309

BMW 1M Coupe

BMW has announced it will be making a special personalised polo shirt for the owners of the 1 Series M Coupé. It’s the first time they’ve done anything like this. More importantly, in making the announcement BMW has also declared the final production count of the feisty 1M, confirming 6,309 were made. Of which some 300+ were sold  in Australia.

If you’re one of the lucky owners you’ll need to confirm your 17-digit VIN with BMW and give them €89 (AU$110), then wait around six weeks for your polo shirt to be delivered.

Watch the video after the break to find out more.

[Source: m-power.com]

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG gets nosey

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG spy shot

If you recall the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé from Auto China this year, then you’re probably imagining sweet seductive curves and shiny metal finishes.

While you might not be seeing that level of detail in this spy shot, you can see enough of the front nose to know that the step from concept to production has taken an approving path.

The model in question is understood to be the CLA 45 AMG version, which will piggyback off the A45 AMG and its expected 350hp. We’ll be getting a proper look at the car when it makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013.

[Source: WCF]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Vettel wins DHL fastest lap award 2012

Sebastian Vettel wins DHL fastest lap award 2012

As if his third world championship wasn’t enough, Sebastian Vettel has also been presented with the DHL Fastest Lap Award for 2012. As the name suggests, the award is handed out the driver who sets the most fastest laps across each Formula One season. It’s been going since 2007 and this is Vettel’s second win, following his success in 2009.

The German ace collected six fastest laps in 2012: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Canada, Hungary, Japan and the United States. He beat a trio of drivers who each registered a pair of fastest laps during the year: Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Rosberg.

The following drivers each posted a single fastest lap: Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Kamui Kobayashi, Sergio Perez, Michael Schumacher, Bruno Senna and last year’s winner Mark Webber. You’ll notice Fernando Alonso’s name is not among them. Although, he did win the award back in 2010.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Volkswagen

Golf GTI gets hot and bothered in South Africa

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI spied

After showing off a Mk7 Golf GTI concept in Paris, Volkswagen is continuing the development and testing of its hero hot hatch, as these spy shots from South Africa show.

The pics were taken yesterday in Upington, in South Africa’s Northern Cape, where temperatures in the mid 40s are not uncommon.

The new 162kW/350Nm GTI is set for a European launch early next year. AUSmotive’s prediction, based on the phases of the moon and not much else, says the Australian launch will follow before the end of 2013.

[Source: opelclub.co.za]

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Categories
Subaru

No turbo for Subaru BRZ STi?

Subaru BRZ Concept

Word via Auto Epxress suggests you’ll be able to buy a Subaru BRZ STi at some stage in 2013. They elaborate with the details that the BRZ STi’s peak power will be around 230hp (approx 170kW). If correct that’d be an increase of some 16% over the 200hp in the standard BRZ.

What’s most interesting is the claim that the BRZ STi will be normally aspirated. This is despite an earlier rumour from the States suggesting Subaru have been developing a 200kW+ turbo engine for the the BRZ.

According to the Auto Express report the BRZ’s engine bay cannot accommodate the intercooler required for turbocharging. Instead they’ll increase the 2.0 boxer engine’s beyond its current 7500rpm limit to help increase power.

STi enhancements such as suspension, wheels and body kit will apply, as you’d expect. And, of course, the Nürburgring already has and will continue to feature heavily in the car’s development cycle.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix in pictures

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix

Here’s our last F1 in pictures gallery for the year. It captures Jenson Button’s victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix and also Red Bull celebrating Sebastian Vettel’s third world championship.

It may be the last time we’ll see the likes of Kamui Kobayashi. Heikki Kovalainen, Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna in an F1 car for the forseeable future. Of course, we already know it is the last time we’ll see Michael Schumacher at the wheel of an F1 car. And there’s HRT’s uncertain future to ponder as well.

It’s been a great season and we trust you’ve enjoyed us bringing you these galleries throughout the year.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Did Sebastian overtake under a yellow flag?

Sebastian Vettel yellow flag incident

During the commentary of this morning’s Brazilian Grand Prix the Sky TV team made reference to an incident where they thought Sebastian Vettel may have overtaken Kamui Kobayashi under yellow flag conditions. We didn’t see the footage here in Australia, but now you can watch the replay and Sky’s post-race analysis with Allan McNish to decide for yourself.

We understand the race stewards have looked at the incident and given Vettel the all clear. However, this is what Sky’s F1 commentator Martin Brundle had to say: “I’ve spoken to Gary Connolly, one of the race stewards, and he has absolutely confirmed that they were red-and-yellow boards—didn’t look much like that from the somewhat grainy and rainy yellow on-board footage, did it?”

Clearly if Vettel was deemed to have passed under yellow flag conditions it could have had severe ramifications for his championship hopes. We think Vettel can probably consider himself lucky and was probably helped by the fact Kobayashi dived into pitlane shortly after being overtaken.

[Thanks to Graeme for the tip]

UPDATE 28 November: Looks like Vettel should get the all clear on the Kobayashi pass featured by Sky Sports F1, but as highlighted already in the comments section there is another pass, which wasn’t shown on the main TV feed, where it does appear that Vettel overtook a Toro Rosso under yellow flag conditions: http://youtu.be/LFER0esusF0
(Thanks to Tom for alerting me to this.)

UPDATE 29 November: Ferrari is now considering a protest, which could alter the result of the world championship.

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren

2012 Brazilian GP: Post-race press conference

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix

Here’s the full transcript from the post-race press conference held at the Brazilian Grand Prix. It’s a shame world champion Sebastian Vettel wasn’t on the podium so we could hear from him. However, Fernando Alonso was there and as you can imagine the bulk of the questions were fired in his direction.

[Pic: Ferrari]

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