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GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Jaime Alguersuari wins Felipe Massa's annual all-star kart race

2011-12-05T00:10:00.000+07:00

Jaime Alguersuari wins Felipe Massa's annual all-star kart race

Sunday, December 4th 2011, 16:22 GMT

Toro Rosso Formula 1 racer Jaime Alguersuari claimed victory in Felipe Massa's annual International Challenge of Go-Kart Champions in Florianopolis, though only after Ferrari protege Jules Bianchi was disqualified.

Bianchi had won both Saturday night's wet race and today's dry heat on the road, but was excluded from the latter event for a weight rules violation.

That handed the heat and outright win to Alguersuari, who had been second behind Bianchi - just ahead of Massa - in race one.

Lucas di Grassi and Rubens Barrichello completed the race two podium.

The star-studded entry also featured fellow F1 men Jerome D'Ambrosio, Tonio Liuzzi, Adrian Sutil and Pastor Maldonado, plus ex-grand prix racers Nelson Piquet Jr, Antonio Pizzonia, Luciano Burti, Ricardo Zonta, Enrique Bernoldi, Christian Fittipaldi and Gianni Morbidelli, and IndyCar's Tony Kanaan, Vitor Meira and Ana Beatriz.

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | David Coulthard says Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 stronger than ever before

2011-12-05T00:08:00.000+07:00

David Coulthard says Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 stronger than ever before

By Dieter Rencken and Matt Beer

Sunday, December 4th 2011, 15:05 GMT

David Coulthard believes his former McLaren team-mate Kimi Raikkonen will be better than ever when he returns to Formula 1 with the Lotus Renault team in 2012.

Renault - which becomes Lotus next year - announced this week that it had secured the services of 2007 world champion Raikkonen, who has spent the last two seasons focusing on the World Rally Championship.

Coulthard drove alongside Raikkonen at McLaren from 2002 to '04, and reckons the maturity and perspective the Finn has gained since his initial F1 stint will be hugely beneficial.

"I think he's more worldly now," Coulthard told reporters at the Race of Champions.

"He's had some changes in his private life and he's in a better place to have a perspective on what a great opportunity this is. Remember he came in straight from Formula Renault to Sauber, and when you go straight from being a kid in a lower formula to being immersed in Formula 1 and you're earning all this money and have all these various distractions, I think you can't really see the wood for the trees.

"So he's taken a step back, and I've no doubt he will communicate with the media better than he did the first time around and he'll give it his all. Good on him."

Now a BBC F1 commentator and DTM racer, Coulthard is sure that Raikkonen has plenty of motivation for coming back to F1.

"Kimi stopped too early in his career, there's no question about that," said Coulthard. "He's gone off and had some fun in rallying.

"I did an event with him earlier this year at the Red Bull Ring and he was just jumping on everything - whether it was motocross bikes or the different cars that were there, he just has a great feeling for pushing the limits. So I've got no doubt at all that he will be on the pace."

Jenson Button also backed Raikkonen's decision to return, though he admitted that news of his Renault deal had come as a surprise.

"It was a shock to me that he's going to be racing for the team he is," said Button. "I was really surprised when they announced Kimi. I thought he had a chance at Williams.

"I think it's really good for the sport. As a driver, he's very, very competitive. If he really wants to race, he's going to be quick.

"From what I've heard from the engineers at McLaren, he knows what he's doing in terms of engineering and setting up the car.

"It's good to have him back and the races will be more fun and obviously the evenings after the races will be more fun..."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Jenson Button: 'Lewis Hamilton didn't fade, I improved' in McLaren team battle

2011-12-05T00:06:00.000+07:00

Jenson Button: 'Lewis Hamilton didn't fade, I improved' in McLaren team battle

By Dieter Rencken and Matt Beer

Sunday, December 4th 2011, 14:47 GMT

Jenson Button believes the change in the competitive balance at McLaren this season was more due to him improving than Lewis Hamilton's form declining.

Hamilton found himself beaten in the standings by a team-mate for the first time this season, as Button took the runner-up spot in the Formula 1 world championship behind dominant champion Sebastian Vettel, and Hamilton was 43 points further back in fifth. In their first year as McLaren team-mates in 2010, Hamilton had beaten Button by 26 points as they took fourth and fifth.

Although Hamilton's performances received a lot of criticism this year, Button thinks his team-mate did little wrong - but that his own form took big strides forward as he settled into the team.

"For me personally I felt more and more comfortable and confident in the team with finding the right direction for the car," Button told reporters at the Race of Champions.

"I feel that I was driving better, and I obviously can't speak for Lewis.

"He had some pretty tough races but he also had some great races. In Abu Dhabi he was untouchable. He's still got the speed."

McLaren signed Button to a new multi-year deal this autumn, and though the 2009 champion said he had never been over-keen on long contracts, he felt honoured that the team was so eager to keep hold of him, and that it was positive for his and the team's future.

"It's something that McLaren wanted," Button said. "I'm not blowing smoke up my arse, but a team wants continuity.

"For me, I wouldn't mind taking it year on year and every year renewing the contract. I think it's a nice position to be in, and it's exciting that way.

"But it's also good to have a long-term contract in terms of knowing that the team is going to support you and help you build as a driver and you need to work together to build a car around you.

"There are two guys in a team, and obviously this team has always been Lewis's team, understandably, he's a world champion, he's achieved so much for McLaren and everyone loves that, but this year I feel I had more involvement in the car than the previous car, and that's really important to me. We've both had a lot of involvement in the car and we've really moved it forward.

"You need continuity, the team thinking that you might leave at the end of the year - it doesn't work. This is working well for me and I'm happy to be in this position."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Romain Grosjean: Chance to partner Kimi Raikkonen makes 2012 Lotus Renault seat even more alluring

2011-12-05T00:04:00.000+07:00

Romain Grosjean: Chance to partner Kimi Raikkonen makes 2012 Lotus Renault seat even more alluring

By Dieter Rencken and Matt Beer

Sunday, December 4th 2011, 14:11 GMT

Romain Grosjean says news that Kimi Raikkonen will drive for the current Renault team in 2012 has made him even more determined to secure a seat at the squad, which will run as Lotus next year.

Raikkonen was the only 2012 Lotus driver specified on the official Formula 1 entry list when it was released by the FIA earlier this week. 2011 Renault racers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna are reserve driver and GP2 champion Grosjean's rivals for the second seat.

Grosjean described the 'tba' on the next to the second 2012 Lotus drive as "a nice empty space", and said his excitement at the possibility of getting a race seat only increased when the team signed Raikkonen.

"I think I'm still on the list. I'm hoping for sure to get the seat," said Grosjean.

"I dream about F1 and I really would like to come back, and I think especially with Kimi it could be something quite special for my career and for my experience.

"I'm still waiting. I think I did everything I could when I had the car in my hands and now I'll try to work it out and find a solution."

Grosjean fully backed the decision to sign Raikkonen, despite the 2007 champion's two-year absence from F1.

"I think for the team, in terms of marketing and media it was a very good announcement," said Grosjean. "Nobody was expecting it, which was really cool. That was the case for everybody, myself as well. They told me just a little bit before, but yeah I was surprised.

"But I knew for the team it was something interesting and something good for the future."

The 25-year-old said he was trying to remain open-minded about his chances of being on the 2012 F1 grid.

"Do you want me to be optimistic or realistic?" Grosjean said when asked how big a possibility he thought it was.

"It changes every morning - it depends on my mood... This morning I was in quite a good mood, but it's difficult to say. If you don't believe in it, you don't try. So far, I believe in it."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Petrov 'still learning'

2011-12-04T23:56:00.000+07:00

Petrov 'still learning'

Russian happy with improvement in 2011 season

Last Updated: December 4, 2011 12:32pm

Petrov: 'Still a rookie' in Formula One

Vitaly Petrov insists he wants to remain with Renault next season and partner new signing Kimi Raikkonen.

The Russian driver has a contract for next year's Championship but recently admitted that a deal doesn't count for much if one or both of the parties want out.

However, he doesn't.

Petrov, who bagged one podium finish and 37 points this past season, says he wants to stay on at his current team, confident he will be even better next season as he continues on his learning curve.

"I think the team did a big construction, changed a lot of stuff with the team and drivers, and they want to be sure we can do it together," Petrov told the official Race of Champions website.

"I know this year was a not a good example from my side but sorry, I am still a rookie. I did just two years in F1, so now I learn a lot so I can do the third season much, much better.

"In 2010 I did mistakes that I didn't do in 2011, so I have a big step improvement. In 2010 you could see how difficult it was to fight with Robert Kubica and be a top guy, but in 2011 I improved quite a lot.

"I can do it. I was still doing some mistakes, but F1 it is not the easiest of sports. But can you imagine what I can do in 2012? So I will again have one more step and, together with Kimi, together in one team, it will be good fun.

"He is experienced and I want very much to be part of this team. I hope the team takes the right decision and we wait a few days more. I hope to stay with the same team because I love very much this team.

"I like the people, working with the mechanics and engineers, so it feels like a family. They gave me the opportunity to drive. I don't want to change to another team, so I cross my fingers and wait for the answer."

Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | D'Ambrosio remains hopeful

2011-12-04T23:53:00.000+07:00

D'Ambrosio remains hopeful

Belgian says he has more credibility than this time last year

Last Updated: December 4, 2011 12:31pm

D'Ambrosio: 'Not gone unnoticed' in the paddock

Jerome d'Ambrosio is confident his time in F1 did not end with the 2011 season finale, revealing he has discussed "various options" with other teams.

In the wake of the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, Virgin Racing confirmed that d'Ambrosio was out and would be replaced by GP2 driver Charles Pic for the 2012 season.

That left d'Ambrosio with few options for next year's Championship as the grid is filling up fast.

However, the Belgian racer is confident that as part of Eric Boullier's Gravity management stable he will find a way to remain in Formula One.

"I finished on a high note with a great weekend; probably my best of the season," he told ESPNF1.

"I will not be with the team next year but the team was happy with my season. The new goal of course is to be here (in Formula One) next year.

"Without saying any names, we have discussed various options.

"My situation is the same as last year, except that I have done a very good season and I have not gone unnoticed in the paddock. So I have more credibility than before.

"I think a lot of things can still happen on the driver transfer market, so we'll see what happens."

Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)

GreenBkk.com Rubens Barrichello | Rubens ganha 18 posições e larga em 3º neste domingo

2011-12-04T23:46:00.000+07:00

Rubens ganha 18 posições e larga em 3º neste domingo

Domingo, 04 de Dezembro de 2011 - 09h52

Brasileiro faz grande prova nesse sábado em Florianópolis

Rubens Barrichello (Head & Shoulders/Caras) fez uma corrida excelente debaixo de chuva em Florianópolis, durante a primeira bateria do Desafio das Estrelas. Na prova deste sábado (3) à noite, Rubens largou em 24º e finalizou a corrida na 6ª colocação. O piloto da Williams F1 fez uma grande largada e imprimiu um ritmo muito forte no início com a pista molhada pela chuva que caiu na Arena Sapiens, do jeito que o piloto de F-1 gosta.

"Foi uma grande prova de recuperação, e com a pista molhada, do jeito que curto muito. Foi bem divertido fazer tantas ultrapassagens e manter as chances de brigar para amanhã", comentou o brasileiro, que somou 10 pontos na classificação geral.

Na prova decisiva deste domingo (4), Rubens larga na 3ª posição na bateria que terá 25 minutos mais uma volta de duração. A prova desse sábado foi vencida pelo francês Jules Bianchi, seguido por Jaime Alguersuari e Felipe Massa.

Confira o final da primeira bateria:

1º) 5 J. BIANCHI (FRA), 26:17.395
2º) 17 J. ALGUERSUARI (ESP) -7.487
3º) 19 F. MASSA (SP) -7.538
4º) 8 N. PIQUET (DF) -20.280
5º) 3 A. PIZZONIA (AM) -21.062
6º) 11 R. BARRICHELLO (SP) -22.529
7º) 64 J. D' AMBROSIO (BEL) -25.620
8º) 9 L. DI GRASSI (SP) -29.376
9º) 18 A. KHODAIR (SP) -29.788
10º) 14 L. BURTI (SP) -35.827
11º) 23 V. LIUZZI (ITA) -38.301
12º) 10 R. ZONTA (PR) -38.406
13º) 77 T. KANAAN (BA) -38.982
14º) 0 C. BUENO (RJ) -39.209
15º) 99 X. NEGRÃO (SP) -39.292
16º) 27 V. MEIRA (DF) -40.254
17º) 33 B. FIGUEIREDO (SP) -40.308
18º) 7 A. SUTIL (ALE) -42.598
19º) 21 L. NIENKOTTER (SC) -43.513
20º) 34 H. CASTRONEVES (SP) -43.584
21º) 16 E. BERNOLDI (PR) -47.417
22º) 65 M. WILSON (ALE) -47.730
23º) 45 G. MORBIDELLI (ITA) -52.894
24º) 12 P. MALDONADO (VEN) -2 voltas
25º) 1 C. FITTIPALDI (SP) -3 voltas
26º) 90 P. FITTIPALDI (EUA) -3 voltas
27º) 25 T. ROCHA (SP) -5 voltas
28º) 74 P. BUENO (RJ) -16 voltas
29º) 80 M. GOMES (SP) -22 voltas

Credit: Rubens Barrichello (www.barrichello.com.br)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Jaime Alguersuari deslumbra en Brasil

2011-12-04T23:21:00.000+07:00

Jaime Alguersuari deslumbra en Brasil

04 de diciembre de 2011

El Karting Arena Sapiens de Florianopolis, Brasil, ha sido sede este fin de semana de la séptima edición del Desafio Internacional das Estrelas, una tradicional prueba de karting que reúne a algunos de los mejores pilotos del mundo, más de 15.000 espectadores en las gradas y un pool de sponsors de primer nivel, entre los que estaab el Banco de Santander. Tras finalizar en cuarta posición en 2010, Jaime Alguersuari ha sido el vencedor en 2011, una vez confirmada la descalificación de Jules Bianchi al infringir la normativa de peso mínimo.

Cuando la temporada de Fórmula 1 parece haber finalizado, para algunos pilotos todavía quedan deudas pendientes que saldar.

Vettel y Schumacher en la carrera de campeones de Düsseldorf; Alguersuari, Massa, Barrichello, Sutil, Liuzzi, Maldonado y D'Ambrosio fueron a Brasil en busca de un podium que la Fórmula 1, por diferentes razones, les ha negado.

En Alemania, Schumacher y Vettel arrasaron. La Fórmula 1 al poder.

En Florianopolis, ante 15.000 personas, Jaime Alguersuari fue la referencia absoluta del Desafio de las Estrellas.

Demostraron todos ellos, Vettel, Schumacher y Alguersuari, que en la F-1 están los mejores pilotos del mundo.

Felipe Massa fue segundo de este meeting de karts carrozados que él mismo y su familia organizan con mucho éxito.

Las dos carreras, la nocturna del sábado y la diurna del domingo, ayer con la pista mojada y hoy con un sol brillante, tuvieron en el francés Jules Bianchi, piloto de pruebas de Ferrari, y en el español de Toro Rosso, Jaime Alguersuari, a los dos indiscutibles dominadores y protagonistas.

El francés se impuso en las dos carreras puntuables, aunque fue descalificado el domingo al descubrirse en las verificaciones técnicas que su kart estaba por debajo del peso mínimo. Esta circunstancia es clave en este tipo de competiciones, celebradas con vehículos de poca potencia y en un circuito donde se rueda en medias de 55-56 segundos, con diferencias entre pilotos que se cuentan por milésimas de vuelta en vuelta. De este modo, gozar de unos kilos menos puede suponer una ventaja determinante, como así ha demostrado la organización descalificando a Bianchi de forma inflexible.

Sin embargo, mucho antes de conocer el veredicto de los comisarios, no había pasado desapercibido para nadie, la formidable calidad, compostura y talento del piloto español Jaime Alguersuari al terminar en las dos carreras detrás del francés superando nueve posiciones hasta llegar al podium en la segunda carrera.

Jaime abandonó el karting a los 15 años en la categoría menor, denominada ICA, de la que fue subcampeón de la copa del mundo Asia-Pacífico, y doble campeón de España.

El resultado de hoy de Jaime, con esa merecidísima victoria final (tres podiums en el fin de semana) le compensan las lógicas limitaciones de la gloria y el boato en el podio de la Fórmula 1.

Hoy se trataba de ser el mejor de los pilotos de F-1, de los pilotos de la Fórmula Indy americana, de los pilotos de stock cars y de los mejores pilotos de la historia del automovilismo brasileño.

Y Jaime lo ha sido.

El año pasado, tuvo la victoria en la mano, y la perdió por una avería en el sistema de frenos de su kart a seis vueltas del final. Su triunfo de hoy es un premio y un reconocimiento a su sacrificio, a su talento y a su madurez.

No hay que olvidar que, de nuevo, Jaime fue el más joven de los 29 participantes del Desafio de las Estrelas.

Jaime Alguersuari

Piloto de F1

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Última hora: Jaime Alguersuari, ganador del Desafio das Estrelas

2011-12-04T23:17:00.002+07:00

Última hora: Jaime Alguersuari, ganador del Desafio das Estrelas

04 de diciembre de 2011

Golpe de teatro en la clasificación final del Desafio das Estrelas. Jules Bianchi, ganador de las dos carreras puntuables, ha sido descalificado en las verificaciones que han seguido a esta segunda carrera por estar por debajo del peso mínimo reglamentario. Esta noticia entrega el triunfo en la prueba al español Jaime Alguersuari, que fue segundo en la carrera de ayer y ha repetido esta misma posición en la cita de hoy domingo tras remontar nueve posiciones. Felipe Massa y Nelsinho Piquet han completado, pues, el podio definitivo.

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Alguersuari, segundo en el Desafio das Estrelas 2011

2011-12-04T23:15:00.000+07:00

Alguersuari, segundo en el Desafio das Estrelas 2011

04 de diciembre de 2011

Jaime Alguersuari ha finalizado en segunda posición con 37 puntos la séptima edición del Desafio Internacional das Estrelas de Florianopolis, Brasil. El piloto de Toro Rosso ha finalizado en esta misma plaza la segunda carrera puntuable tras protagonizar una antológica remontada desde la décima plaza. Jules Bianchi se ha impuesto en la clasificación general y Felipe Massa se ha hecho con la medalla de bronce.

Salida complicada para Jaime Alguersuari en la segunda prueba. Atrapado en el interior, el español cedió tres posiciones y, algo peor que eso, unos metros decisivos respecto al grupo de cabeza. Su remontada empezó en el segundo giro, en el que adelantó a Allan Khodair y Ricardo Zonta de una tacada. Por delante, un gap de 3,9 segundos respecto algrupo de cabeza, que cerraba Felipe Massa.

Con un gran ritmo por vuelta como gran aliado, Jaime calcó sus tandas del segundo entrenamiento libre y, de dos décimas en dos décimas, acabó atrapando al séptimo clasificado, Antonio Pizzonia, en la vuelta 9. Sobrepasarlo fue cuestión de metros, y uno tras otro fueron cayendo los rivales hasta situarse en cuarto lugar coincidiendo con el décimo paso por meta.

Alguersuari volvió a resultar vencedor de la reedición del duelo con el brasileño, y se situó tercero en la vuelta 15. Cuatro giros después, alcanzó el podio tras firmar un interior de libro ante el piloto de Williams Rubens Barrichello. Acto seguido, se escapó a ritmo de vuelta rápida a la caza del ganador del Desafio das Estrelas 2010, Lucas di Grassi, al que atrapó en apenas dos giros. Su duelo con él fue antológico, con constantes pasadas y repasadas, que se cerró con una excelente maniobra del español en la vuelta 30, que le aupó a la ansiada segunda plaza en que cruzaría la bandera a cuadros.

Una vez hechas las sumas de puntos, Jaime Alguersuari se sitúa en segunda posición del evento, con 37 puntos, a 13 de distancia del indiscutible ganador, Jules Bianchi. Felipe Massa, con 26, ha completado el podio

Resultado segunda carrera

1. Jules Bianchi, 33 vueltas en 31'22.820

2. Jaime Alguersuari, a 7.665

3. Lucas di Grassi, a 12.876

4. Rubens Barrichello, a 13.018

5. Nelsinho Piquet, a 13.085

Clasificación final VII Desafio Internacional das Estrelas

1. Jules Bianchi, 45 puntos

2. Jaime Alguersuari, 37

3. Felipe Massa, 26

4. Nelsinho Piquet, 24

5. Lucas di Grassi, 23

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Jaime Alguersuari, segundo en la carrera inaugural del Desafio das Estrelas

2011-12-04T23:12:00.000+07:00

Jaime Alguersuari, segundo en la carrera inaugural del Desafio das Estrelas

04 de diciembre de 2011

Tras una sesión de entrenamientos libres que Jaime Alguersuari invirtió en la preparación de la carrera, rodando la mayor parte del tiempo en 56 segundos y firmando un mejor crono de 56.006 que le dio la novena plaza, llegó el momento de la verdad: los ensayos oficiales. Con el objetivo claro de clasificarse para la Top Qualifying (la superpole reservada para los cinco mejores de cada grupo), Jaime tiró de buen principio. El español encadenó sus vueltas más veloces del fin de semana hasta la fecha: 55.632, 55.441, 55.617 y 55.891, cerrando una tanda que encabezó desde el primer minuto. No tuvo tanta fortuna en la superpole, en la que se tuvo que conformar con la quinta posición, a medio segundo del poleman, Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Minutos antes del inicio de la carrera descargó un fuerte chaparrón sobre el circuito Arena Sapiens, incidencia que demoró casi 30 minutos el inicio de la carrera. Tras cambiar las gomas de seco por las de mojado se dio bandera verde e inició la prueba. Jaime conservó la quinta plaza en la salida, iniciando pronto su ataque a Nelsinho Piquet. El español superó al ex piloto de Renault en el segundo giro, escapándose a por Antonio Pizzonia, al que sobrepasó en una impecable maniobra en la vuelta tres. Ya en posición de podio, Alguersuari trató de acelerar el ritmo para dar caza a los dos escapados, Jules Bianchi, que comandaba la prueba, y Felipe Massa.

De tres décimas en tres décimas, Jaime fue recortando la distancia respecto al piloto de Ferrari y organizador del evento, al que dio alcance en el giro 14. Tras una bella y limpia batalla, el español impuso su superior ritmo y le ganó la segunda plaza a Massa para intentar escaparse a por Bianchi, situado a en un cómodo y distante liderato. Sin embargo, la mayor preocupación para el catalán desde ese momento pasó a ser el kart de Felipe Massa, que se adhirió a su estela y tentó lo imposible, sin éxito, para recuperar la segunda plaza.

Jaime se mostraba muy contento tras la bandera a cuadros: "Ha sido una carrera muy divertida. He disfrutado mucho en mi pelea con Felipe y pilotando en estas condiciones, aunque no era nada fácil mantener el kart sobre la trayectoria. A ver qué ocurre mañana, pero desde luego espero que corramos sobre suelo seco".

La segunda plaza sitúa al español en la misma plaza de la provisional, con 20 puntos, cinco menos que Jules Bianchi. El ganador se decidirá mañana a partir de las 14 horas en la segunda manga puntuable, en la que Jaime Alguersuari tomará la salida desde la séptima plaza de parrilla.

Resultados primera carrera

1. Jules Bianchi, 26'17.395

2. Jaime Alguersuari, a 7.487

3. Felipe Massa, a 7.538

4. Nelsinho Piquet, a 20.280

5. Antonio Pizzonia, a 21.062

Clasificación provisional

1. Jules Bianchi, 25 puntos

2. Jaime Alguersuari, 20

3. Felipe Massa, 16

4. Nelsinho Piquet, 13

5. Antonio Pizzonia, 11

6. Rubens Barrichello, 10

7. Jérome d'Ambrosio, 9

8. Lucas di Grassi, 8

9. Allam Khodair, 7

10. Luciano Burti, 6.

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Vettel and Schumacher triumph again in Nations Cup

2011-12-04T18:39:00.000+07:00

Vettel and Schumacher triumph again in Nations Cup

ESPNF1 Staff
December 4, 2011

Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher made it five consecutive victories as a pairing in Dusseldorf © Sutton Images

Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher followed up their 2010 win for Germany to make it five consecutive Nations Cup victories as a pairing in the Race of Champions.

The German pair had to come through a tough semi-final against Great Britain - their opponents in the final last year - before beating Team Nordic 2-0 in the final in Dusseldorf. With Great Britain having beaten Germany in the group stages, the best-of-three semi-final came down to a decider between Vettel and Jenson Button, with Button spinning out to see the Germans through. Nordic - comprised of Tom Kristensen and Juho Hanninen - defeated French pair Romain Grosjean and Sebastien Ogier 2-0 in the other semi.

The Race of Champions sees drivers pitted in head-to-head races around a stadium circuit, with this year's race remaining at the ESPRIT Arena in Germany. Of those eliminated in the group stages, the second German team of Timo Glock and Timo Scheider was unlucky to miss out by just one point, while Vitaly Petrov secured a fine win over Michael Schumacher in his first race of the night for Team Slavic.

The main individual Race of Champions takes place on Sunday, with a current Formula One driver yet to win the title after Sebastian Vettel was knocked out by eventual winner Filipe Albuquerque in the semi-final last year.

Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Jaime Alguersuari, segundo en la carrera inaugural del Desafio das Estrelas

2011-12-04T18:32:00.000+07:00

Jaime Alguersuari, segundo en la carrera inaugural del Desafio das Estrelas

04 de diciembre de 2011

Jaime Alguersuari ha finalizado en una magnífica segunda posición la primera carrera del Desafio Internacional das Estrelas, disputada esta madrugada sobre una pista completamente inundada. Quinto en la salida, el español ha protagonizado una remontada fulgurante hasta la tercera plaza, que ha culminado recortando un margen de 3,5 segundos a Felipe Massa y rebasando al piloto de Ferrari en una plástica maniobra en la vuelta 14.

Tras una sesión de entrenamientos libres que Jaime Alguersuari invirtió en la preparación de la carrera, rodando la mayor parte del tiempo en 56 segundos y firmando un mejor crono de 56.006 que le dio la novena plaza, llegó el momento de la verdad: los ensayos oficiales. Con el objetivo claro de clasificarse para la Top Qualifying (la superpole reservada para los cinco mejores de cada grupo), Jaime tiró de buen principio. El español encadenó sus vueltas más veloces del fin de semana hasta la fecha: 55.632, 55.441, 55.617 y 55.891, cerrando una tanda que encabezó desde el primer minuto. No tuvo tanta fortuna en la superpole, en la que se tuvo que conformar con la quinta posición, a medio segundo del poleman, Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Minutos antes del inicio de la carrera descargó un fuerte chaparrón sobre el circuito Arena Sapiens, incidencia que demoró casi 30 minutos el inicio de la carrera. Tras cambiar las gomas de seco por las de mojado se dio bandera verde e inició la prueba. Jaime conservó la quinta plaza en la salida, iniciando pronto su ataque a Nelsinho Piquet. El español superó al ex piloto de Renault en el segundo giro, escapándose a por Antonio Pizzonia, al que sobrepasó en una impecable maniobra en la vuelta tres. Ya en posición de podio, Alguersuari trató de acelerar el ritmo para dar caza a los dos escapados, Jules Bianchi, que comandaba la prueba, y Felipe Massa.

De tres décimas en tres décimas, Jaime fue recortando la distancia respecto al piloto de Ferrari y organizador del evento, al que dio alcance en el giro 14. Tras una bella y limpia batalla, el español impuso su superior ritmo y le ganó la segunda plaza a Massa para intentar escaparse a por Bianchi, situado a en un cómodo y distante liderato. Sin embargo, la mayor preocupación para el catalán desde ese momento pasó a ser el kart de Felipe Massa, que se adhirió a su estela y tentó lo imposible, sin éxito, para recuperar la segunda plaza.

Jaime se mostraba muy contento tras la bandera a cuadros: "Ha sido una carrera muy divertida. He disfrutado mucho en mi pelea con Felipe y pilotando en estas condiciones, aunque no era nada fácil mantener el kart sobre la trayectoria. A ver qué ocurre mañana, pero desde luego espero que corramos sobre suelo seco".

La segunda plaza sitúa al español en la misma plaza de la provisional, con 20 puntos, cinco menos que Jules Bianchi. El ganador se decidirá mañana a partir de las 14 horas en la segunda manga puntuable, en la que Jaime Alguersuari tomará la salida desde la séptima plaza de parrilla.

Resultados primera carrera
1. Jules Bianchi, 26'17.395
2. Jaime Alguersuari, a 7.487
3. Felipe Massa, a 7.538
4. Nelsinho Piquet, a 20.280
5. Antonio Pizzonia, a 21.062

Clasificación provisional

1. Jules Bianchi, 25 puntos
2. Jaime Alguersuari, 20
3. Felipe Massa, 16
4. Nelsinho Piquet, 13
5. Antonio Pizzonia, 11
6. Rubens Barrichello, 10
7. Jérome d'Ambrosio, 9
8. Lucas di Grassi, 8
9. Allam Khodair, 7
10. Luciano Burti, 6.

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Vitaly Petrov | Гонка чемпионов. Итоги первого дня.

2011-12-04T18:23:00.000+07:00

Гонка чемпионов. Итоги первого дня.

3 декабря 2011

Завершился первый день Гонки Чемпионов, в которой участники сражались за Кубок Наций. К сожалению, Славянская команда, цвета которой защищали наш Виталий Петров и чех Ян Копецки, не прошла в финальную серию заездов. Зато все прекрасно провели время и отлично подготовились к воскресному дню, когда пилотам предстоит сражаться за титулу чемпиона чемпионов.

Credit: Vitaly Petrov (vitalypetrov.ru)

GreenBkk.com Virgin Racing | EDGE OF GLORY

2011-12-04T18:19:00.000+07:00

EDGE OF GLORY

03 DECEMBER 2011

Timo Glock made a spectacular debut in the Race Of Champions Nations Cup - and now can’t wait to take part again next year.

Timo won two of his three races as he thrilled his home fans in the end-of-season spectacular at Dusseldorf’s ESPRIT Arena.

Sadly, Timo’s best efforts were just not enough to send his SAT.1 Germany 2 Team through to the semi-finals. But he loved racing fellow drivers from different motorsport categories on the 600metre indoor track so much he is already taking about coming back for more in 2012.

Timo said: “It is a great event and I had good fun. I really enjoyed it and have to find a way to come back again next year.

“I’d love to do that. I’ll have to talk to the organisers and see what we can do. It is a bit of fun for all of us.

“But it is also good at the end of the season to meet up with different drivers from all over the world and from different categories and race against them.

The ESPRIT Arena normally plays host to German football team Fortuna Dusseldorf. But it was turned into a unique indoor circuit with drivers racing in the same make of car on parallel tracks and going over-and-under each other at one point.

Timo’s maiden race could not have gone any better as he beat X Games champion Brian "The General" Deegan in their two lap battle.

Driving a VW Scirocco, Timo was never behind as he won in one minute 16.9378 seconds with American Deegan clocking 1:18.3991 secs.

Timo then saw off F1 rival Romain Grosjean in his second race in an open-top KTM X-Bow car.

Timo took the chequered flag in 1:14.2690 with Frenchman Grosjean over a second behind after a costly skid.

In his final race Timo came up against Audi’s eight time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen. And the great Dane used his knowledge of the Audi R8 LMS car to see off Timo clocking 1:10.4405 as Timo came home in 1:12.9097.

With team-mate and DTM driver Timo Schieder winning one of his three races it was not enough to stop Team France and Team Nordic from making it into the semi-finals.

But Timo said: “I won the first two races but against Tom in the Audi I had no chance at all. He just destroyed me and was like two seconds quicker. It helps that he knows the car quite well, but I enjoyed it.

“And my team-mate Timo had no chance against Sebastien Ogier in the rally car. That was really, really tough for him.

“Even on such a small track it does make a difference if you know the cars and how they handle. And it was my very first time in such an event. I hope it is not my last.

Credit: Marussia Virgin Racing (www.marussiavirginracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Toro Rosso | TORO ROSSO STRENGTHENS TECHNICAL TEAM

2011-12-04T18:15:00.000+07:00

TORO ROSSO STRENGTHENS TECHNICAL TEAM

Dec 1, 2011

Scuderia Toro Rosso has strengthened its technical team with two key appointments on the design and aerodynamic front.

Luca Furbatto joins the design team in Faenza having worked at McLaren since 2000, where the 39 year old Italian’s most recent role
was that of Assistant Project Leader on the design of this year’s Formula 1 car and prior to that he was Head of Stress Analysis and
Materials.

Jon Tomlinson has joined the Bicester wind tunnel team, where he takes on the role of Deputy Head of Aerodynamics, reporting to Nicolo Petrucci. The 38 year old Englishman joins us from the Williams team where he was Head of Aerodynamics since 2007. Prior to that he has worked at Jordan and Renault.

Both men have taken up their positions today and on 1 April 2012, Furbatto will take over as Chief Designer, reporting to Technical
Director Giorgio Ascanelli, when Ben Butler returns to work for Red Bull Technology in Milton Keynes.

Credit: Scuderia Toro Rosso (www.scuderiatororosso.com)

GreenBkk.com Red Bull Racing F1 | Countdown to Christmas: Day Four

2011-12-04T18:00:00.000+07:00

Countdown to Christmas: Day Four

by Red Bull Racing, Dec 4, 2011

Kota

Day 4 is a dedication to Sebastian's number one fan, mini-champ Kota from Japan. Kota not only came to this year's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka but also followed his hero to the Infiniti event held in Yokohoma the day after Sebastian won the Driver's Chamionship.

Kota is lucky enough to have parents who are equally as dedicated and who have made him his very own Kota/Vettel race suit AND life-size cardboard Red Bull Racing F1 car.

Fan-tastic.

Credit: Red Bull Racing Formula one Team (www.redbullracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Ferrari F1 | Fisichella meets the fans at the Bologna Motorshow

2011-12-04T17:53:00.000+07:00

Fisichella meets the fans at the Bologna Motorshow

Bologna, 3 December - Giancarlo Fisichella, the Scuderia Ferrari driver who races in the GT Championships was the guest at “Incontri della Gazzetta,” the usual chance for fans to meet motor sport personalities, organised by the Italian daily paper “La Gazzetta dello Sport” at the Bologna Motorshow.

Fisichella faced a barrage of questions about his winning run in the GT championships, as well as about the F1 season just ended, which he answered both as a keen observer and based on his long experience as a Grand Prix driver. “This year, Formula 1 did not produce the expected results for Ferrari,” said Fisichella. “However, the team never gives up and is already concentrating on winning again. We have everything we need to succeed.”

Asked about his own future, the driver confirmed that once again next season, he would be racing for Amato Ferrari’s AF Corse team, with which he won pretty much everything this year. “In GT racing, alongside Gimmi Bruni and AF Corse, this year we took the Drivers and Team titles in LMS and the team one in ILMC, which contributed a great deal to Ferrari taking the Constructors’ trophy in both series. Next year, we face a new challenge in the shape of the World Endurance Championship, organised in collaboration by the FIA, which gets underway in Sebring next March. I cannot deny that, at first, I found it quite difficult switching to cars with enclosed wheels after a long time in F1, but with every passing race I managed to extract more of the potential of the cars that Ferrari gave us, so I was able to make my contribution to these important wins.”

On the subject of his brief time as a Ferrari driver in F1, following Felipe Massa’s accident in 2009, Fisichella explained how difficult he had found it to adapt to a very different car to the one he had raced up to that point. “I was unable to show what I could do, but I am still proud to have been able to do a few GPs in Ferrari colours. The Maranello Scuderia is still the dream of all drivers and for me, as an Italian, it represented one of the most exciting moments of my career.”

Before leaving the fans, Fisichella took the time to give some good advice to a very young kart racer who asked him how he could become a Formula 1 driver. “Always believe in yourself and if you really want it with every part of yourself, you can do it.” At the end of the meeting organised by the Gazzetta newspaper, Fisichella met members of the Scuderia Ferrari Club who got him involved in a pit stop simulation. After that he headed back to the Ferrari stand where he handed out the prizes to the Challenge drivers who had been racing today.

Watch the photogallery

Fisichella ospite agli incontri de La Gazzetta al Motorshow di Bologna

Bologna, 3 dicembre – Giancarlo Fisichella, pilota della Scuderia Ferrari impegnato nelle Competizioni GT è stato questo pomeriggio ospite agli “Incontri della Gazzetta”, il tradizionale appuntamento con i tifosi dedicato ai personaggi dell’automobilismo sportivo organizzato dal quotidiano de “La Gazzetta dello Sport” al Motorshow di Bologna.

Numerose le domande che sono state rivolte a Fisichella sia sulla sua vittoriosa esperienza nei campionati organizzati dall’ACO, sia sulla stagione F1 appena conclusa, sulla quale il pilota romano ha dato un giudizio da spettatore attento anche alla luce della sua lunga esperienza nella serie regina. “Quest’anno la Formula Uno non ha regalato le soddisfazioni sperate” – ha dichiarato Fisichella – “Ma la Ferrari non si arrende e resta concentrata per tornare a vincere. Abbiamo tutte le qualità per farlo”.

A chi gli ha domandato quali saranno i suoi progetti futuri, il pilota ha confermato, anche per la prossima stagione, il suo impegno accanto alla Scuderia di Amato Ferrari con la quale quest’anno ha vinto davvero tutto: “ Nel GT, insieme a Gimmi Bruni e ad AF Corse quest’anno abbiamo conquistato i titoli piloti, team nella LMS e quello riservato alle squadre nell’ILMC, dando un importantissimo contributo a Ferrari nella conquista del primato tra i costruttori in entrambi i campionati. L’anno prossimo ci aspetta una nuova sfida con il World Endurance Championship, organizzato in collaborazione con la FIA che si aprirà a Sebring nel marzo 2012. All’inizio, non posso negarlo, ho avuto alcune difficoltà nel passare alle ruote coperte dopo una lunga esperienza in F1, ma gara dopo gara sono riuscito ad interpretare al meglio le potenzialità delle vetture che Ferrari ha messo a nostra disposizione, dando così il mio contributo a questi importanti successi”.

A chi gli ha chiesto di commentare la sua breve esperienza in F1 con i colori della Ferrari, a seguito dell’incidente di cui era rimasto vittima Felipe Massa nel 2009, Fisichella ha spiegato quanto sia stato difficile per lui adattarsi ad una monoposto completamente diversa rispetto a quella sulla quale aveva corso fino a quel momento: “Non sono riuscito ad esprimermi al meglio, ma sono comunque orgoglioso di aver potuto disputare alcuni GP difendendo i colori della Ferrari. La Scuderia di Maranello resta il sogno di tutti i piloti, e per me che sono italiano ha rappresentato uno dei momenti più emozionanti della mia carriera”.

Prima di congedarsi dai tifosi, Fisichella ha voluto dare un consiglio importante ad un giovanissimo kartista che gli ha chiesto come diventare un pilota di F1: “Credici sempre, se lo desideri davvero, con tutte le tue forze, ce le farai”. Al termine dell’incontro organizzato da La Gazzetta, Fisichella ha incontrato gli iscritti alla Scuderia Ferrari Club che l’hanno coinvolto in una simulazione di pit stop, per poi recarsi allo stand Ferrari dove ha premiato i piloti del Challenge protagonisti delle sfide odierne.

Guarda la fotogallery

Credit: Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro (www.ferrari.com)

GreenBkk.com Ferrari F1 | Bologna Show – Ferrari the star of a special day

2011-12-04T17:47:00.001+07:00

Bologna Show – Ferrari the star of a special day

Bologna, 3 December – The opening day of the 36th Bologna Motor Show offered Ferrari fans a truly unique opportunity to see examples of the Maranello marque’s main racing activities.

The usual Ferrari activities at this event was split into three, two of them featuring races between no less than 16 cars from the Italian and European series of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and the third, a Formula 1 demonstration run with Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel.

The two races were run in three legs and best of those driving the 458 was Philipp Baron: the Austrian driving for the team that bears his name managed to take the win in the final, beating Stefano Gai (Rossocorsa) with Lorenzo Bontempelli coming home third for the Kessel Racing team, while Dario Caso (CDP) crossed the line fourth. Andrea Belluzzi came off best of the F430 drivers, in the Motor/Modena car. The driver from San Marino won this years F430 category in the Italian Trofeo Pirelli, as well as the overall title at Mugello during the World Finals. Behind him at the motor show came Riccardo and Roberto Ragazzi both running in Ineco/Ram colours. Just off the podium was Diego Romanini in a Rossocorsa/Pellin 458.

At midday, the race track in area 48 was the scene of the traditional demonstration from Scuderia Ferrari: Giancarlo Fisichella did some laps and a simulated pit stop at the wheel of an F10, the car that the Maranello team used in the 2010 World Championship, getting a very enthusiastic reception from the fans who packed the grandstands.

Watch the photogallery

Motor Show di Bologna - una giornata speciale all’insegna della Ferrari

Bologna, 3 dicembre - La giornata di apertura della trentaseiesima edizione del Motor Show di Bologna ha offerto a tutti gli appassionati della Ferrari un’occasione davvero unica per vedere in pista le principali attività racing della Casa di Maranello.

Il programma dell’ormai tradizionale appuntamento dedicato alla Casa di Maranello si è diviso in tre appuntamenti: due di carattere agonistico rappresentati dalla sfida tra ben sedici Ferrari provenienti dalle serie italiana ed europea del Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli ed una dedicata all’esibizione della Formula 1, con Giancarlo Fisichella come protagonista.

Al termine delle due prove articolate ognuna in tre manche, ad avere la meglio tra gli iscritti con la 458 è stato Philipp Baron: il pilota austriaco dell’omonima scuderia è riuscito ad imporsi in finale su Stefano Gai (Rossocorsa), mentre il terzo gradino del podio è andato a Lorenzo Bontempelli, portacolori del team Kessel Racing, seguito da Dario Caso (CDP), quarto sul traguardo. Tra gli iscritti con la F430 la vittoria è stata appannaggio di Andrea Belluzzi, al volante della vettura schierata dalla concessionaria Motor/Modena. Il pilota sanmarinese, già campione italiano del Trofeo Pirelli tra le F430 e vincitore del titolo Mondiale alle Finali del Mugello, ha centrato anche l’obiettivo del Motorshow, aggiudicandosi la prova davanti a Riccardo e Roberto Ragazzi, entrambi schierati da Ineco/Ram. Subito fuori dal podio Diego Romanini con una 458 di Rossocorsa/Pellin.

A metà giornata lo spazio dedicato alle competizioni nell’area 48 è stato teatro del tradizionale saluto della Scuderia Ferrari: Giancarlo Fisichella ha effettuato alcuni giri di pista ed ha eseguito una simulazione di pit-stop al volante di una F10, la monoposto con cui la Scuderia di Maranello ha preso parte al Campionato del Mondo nella stagione 2010, ricevendo dai tifosi che hanno affollato gli spalti un applauso davvero caloroso.

Guarda la fotogallery

Credit: Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro (www.ferrari.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Kimi Raikkonen will prove his critics wrong, insists Lotus Renault team owner Gerard Lopez

2011-12-03T23:26:00.000+07:00

Kimi Raikkonen will prove his critics wrong, insists Lotus Renault team owner Gerard Lopez

By Matt Beer

Saturday, December 3rd 2011, 10:22 GMT

Renault team owner Gerard Lopez says questions about Kimi Raikkonen's motivation in returning to Formula 1 will only make the 2007 world champion more determined to succeed.

After two years in the World Rally Championship, Raikkonen is rejoining grand prix racing in 2012 with what will then be called the Lotus team.

The Finn's motivation level was often called into question during the latter stages of his original F1 career and in his WRC stint, but speaking during Raikkonen's first visit to the team's Enstone factory on Friday, Lopez said he was confident this was not an issue anymore.

"Kimi has proven in the past that he is among the fastest and in terms of age he's still in his prime," said Lopez.

"In terms of motivation from what I have seen and spoken to him, he is probably as motivated as ever. And the more people question the better it is because it is going to increase his motivation even more to prove that they are wrong.

"I'm excited that he is here because I think it's one of the very important steps in getting the team to where we want it to be - which is one of the top teams in Formula 1."

Lopez feels that as a proven world champion, Raikkonen will be the benchmark Renault needs to judge its competitiveness as it tries to get back to the top.

"I think we decided that we had to look forward in terms of performance and the key way to see how good a car is, is to have a good driver," he said.

Raikkonen said he was pleased with the welcome he received at the team's base yesterday, and that he was feeling relaxed about the task ahead.

"It is my first time in Enstone," he said, "so it is very nice to see the factory - it feels good. It is a very warm feeling and I'm very relaxed.

"I haven't really read the newspapers about all the excitement but it is quite normal, isn't it? It doesn't put any more pressure on me. I always try to do my best, so I don't put myself under pressure. It will be exciting, yes, but no pressure really and we will see how it goes."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Mexican GP a 'no-brainer'

2011-12-03T23:24:00.000+07:00

Mexican GP a 'no-brainer'

F1 officials urged to take their sport back to Mexico

Last Updated: December 3, 2011 2:46pm

The scene at the last Mexican GP in 1992

Carlos Slim Domit, the son of the world's richest man, says Formula One returning to Mexico would be a "no-brainer" for the sport.

Mexico last appeared on the F1 calendar back in 1992, but Slim Domit, whose father is Mexican businessman Carlos Slim, has been working with entertainment company CIE to bring the sport back to his home country.

"Perhaps naturally I embrace the idea and believe that a new race for Mexico is what, in colloquial English, is referred to as a 'no-brainer'," Slim Domit told the FIA's In Motion magazine.

"Mexico has long been close to Formula One, closer to it indeed than it has been to many other racing series that have visited the country.

"From the non-championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix, which claimed the life of the talented local hero Ricardo Rodriguez, through following his brother Pedro's illustrious career in the sport and on to the series' last visits to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City in the late 1980s and early 90s, Mexicans have always followed Formula One with intense interest.

Sports-mad

"Even when Formula One left our shores in 1992, passion for the sport was undiminished and the seasons since have been watched avidly on TV by a sports-mad nation.

"The rise of a new generation of Mexican racers has only served to boost interest in Formula One. We not only have Sergio Pérez impressing at Sauber, but waiting in the wings is another rising star, Esteban Gutierrez.

"The potential of these young drivers has reawakened interest in F1 beyond hardcore fans and the huge crowds who flocked to see Pérez's F1 demonstration in his home town earlier this year attest to a new-found popularity for the sport that should be capitalised upon.

"It is, after all, a ready-made audience - unlike at some of the venues currently featuring on the F1 calendar."

Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)

GreenBkk.com Vitaly Petrov | Гонка Чемпионов

2011-12-03T23:19:00.000+07:00

Гонка Чемпионов

3 декабря 2011

В субботу в рамках Гонки чемпионов в гостиницу Хайатт в Дюссельдорфе прошла автограф-сессия всех участников шоу.

Счастливыми обладатели фотографий и подписей пилотов стали 120 самых активных болельщиков, которых организаторы выбрали путем жеребьевки.

Все основные заезды пройдут на Эсприт арене с 19 часов по европейскому времени, но до этого пилоов ждет небольшая тренировка.

Credit: Vitaly Petrov (vitalypetrov.ru)

GreenBkk.com Rubens Barrichello | Barrichello vai bem no início das movimentações de pista do Desafio das Estrelas

2011-12-03T22:59:00.001+07:00

Barrichello vai bem no início das movimentações de pista do Desafio das Estrelas

Sábado, 03 de Dezembro de 2011 - 12h27

Rubens cravou o tempo de 55s555 no primeiro treino livre e ficou a somente 0s060 do líder

Rubens Barrichello começou com bem o Desafio Internacional das Estrelas de Kart em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. Na Arena Sapiens, Rubens cravou sua melhor volta no primeiro treino livre nesta sexta-feira (2) à noite em 55s555, ficando a somente 0s060 de Vitantonio Liuzzi, o detentor da melhor volta do dia.

A movimentação de pista do evento continua neste sábado com o segundo treino livre, que começa às 16h. Os treinos classificatórios e que irão definir o grid de largada será iniciado às 18h. Logo após, às 21h45, Barrichello irá entrar na pista contra mais 28 adversários para a disputa da primeira bateria. A competição continua na manhã deste domingo.

Jules Bianchi, piloto da GP2 foi o terceiro no treino e foi seguido de Leonardo Nienkötter, o quarto, e Antonio Pizzonia, o quinto, que disputam o campeonato do Trofeo Linea e o da Stock Car, respectivamente.

Confira como foi o tempo dos pilotos no primeiro treino:

1- V. LIUZZI, 55.495
2- R. BARRICHELLO, 55.555 -0.060
3- J. BIANCHI, 55.754 -0.259
4- L. NIENKOTTER, 55.793 -0.298
5- A. PIZZONIA, 55.853 -0.358
6- J. ALGUERSUARI, 55.877 -0.382
7- N. PIQUET, 55.889 -0.394
8- F. MASSA, 55.891 -0.396
9- L. DI GRASSI, 55.896 -0.401
10- R. ZONTA, 55.902 -0.407
11- J. D' AMBROSIO, 55.914 -0.419
12- T. KANAAN, 55.945 -0.450
13- C. FITTIPALDI, 55.969 -0.474
14- V. MEIRA, 56.020 -0.525
15- M. GOMES. 56.071 -0.576
16- P. FITTIPALDI, 56.125 -0.630
17- L. BURTI, 56.131 -0.636
18- B. FIGUEIREDO, 56.131 -0.636
19- A. KHODAIR, 56.176 -0.681
20- P. MALDONADO, 56.205 -0.710
21- M. WILSON, 56.260 -0.765
22- E. BERNOLDI, 56.278 -0.783
23- A. SUTIL, 56.349 -0.854
24- H. CASTRONEVES, 56.384 -0.889
25- P. BUENO, 56.386 -0.891
26- C. BUENO, 56.410 -0.915
27- G. MORBIDELLI, 56.454 -0.959
28- X. NEGRÃO, 56.489 -0.994
29- T. ROCHA, 56.556 -1.061

Credit: Rubens Barrichello (www.barrichello.com.br)

GreenBkk.com Lotus Renault GP | Gérard Lopez - “It does seem like a motivational decision.”

2011-12-03T22:49:00.000+07:00

Gérard Lopez - “It does seem like a motivational decision.”

03/12/2011

Kimi came to Enstone today – how was his visit?
It was good. It felt like the right thing to do to bring him here today. We decided that bringing Kimi into the team was the right decision to make. We had to be forward looking in terms of performance and, regardless of how good any car is, you need a good driver. Kimi has proven himself as one of the fastest drivers around and he’s still in his prime. In terms of motivation, I think he’s more motivated than ever. The more people that question it (his motivation) the better, because it’s only going to motivate him further. It’s a very important step in getting the team to where we want it to be, which is one of the top teams in Formula 1.

What was the exact reason for choosing Kimi?
I can summarise it in one word. He is fast. I think he will fit in very well with the way we do things; it’s a good place for him to fit in.

This can be seen as a real statement of intent…
There’s no question of that. We’ve given some drivers the chance to shine. I think they have done ok, but have not all lived up to expectations, but it’s difficult because it’s Formula 1. It’s very different to GP2 or karting. As a midfield-placed team hiring Kimi, you do so with the intent of being at the top.

Is there now an upbeat feeling in Enstone?
Yes, I think there is. We don’t make decisions for the outside world to take note, we make them to help this company succeed. Whether people believe that our past decisions were taken in the interests of business or not, the decisions were taken for the staff. So, if we hire Kimi to come in as race driver we are making the right statement internally, which is that it’s the right thing for the staff, the engineers, mechanics, anyone in this company. I think it’s very motivational; I haven’t got all the feedback yet but it does seem like a motivational decision.

From a press side of things, the noise has been great…
Yes, from a press side I was surprised because I had no expectation, positive or negative. From what I’ve seen so far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I’m very positively inclined towards this, which the press seem to be too. The fans are obviously looking forward to it too.

This is a massive boost for the whole company…
Everyone knows that if you are given a good car, we are going to be back at the top again.

The interest seems to be higher than when Schumacher made his comeback…
I wasn’t aware of that, but that’s fantastic!

Credit: Lotus Renault GP (www.lotusrenaultgp.com)

GreenBkk.com Red Bull Racing F1 | Countdown to Christmas: Day Three

2011-12-03T22:46:00.000+07:00

Countdown to Christmas: Day Three

by Red Bull Racing, Dec 3, 2011

The third instalment of our Countdown to Christmas pays tribute to our in-house Red Bull Racing Spy and his weird yet very wonderful tweets via @redbullf1spy.

One of our favourites this season came from his digital ramblings at the Italian Grand Prix, in reference to the legendary Jackie Stewart and his truly mega attire:

All hail the best trousers in Formula One. He should get knighted. yfrog.com/mm25svbj

Credit: Red Bull Racing Formula one Team (www.redbullracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Sebastian Vettel | Saisonrückblick 2011 (en)

2011-12-03T14:16:00.000+07:00

Saisonrückblick 2011 (en)

Friday, 02 December 2011 21:16

Interviews

How was the season for you?
Sebastian Vettel: Well, indeed that is a question that demands digging deeper. One thing is for sure - such a year doesn’t come your way too often.

It was a well-woven tale right from the beginning without a moment of buckling. The car never let us down - and we never let ourselves down. Sure, there were some small issues here and there, but we never ran into a bad-case scenario - nothing like that at all. (laughs) The major improvement over last season is that we have never been irritated by situations. Even if the boat started to rock we never stumbled - probably something that was not quite there last year.

Was the feeling of a great season ahead there right from the very start, when you took the car on track for the first time at the Valencia test back in February?
SV: No, that was much too early, also because we needed some time to come to terms with the new tyres. There were so many question marks about the format of the races - some were thinking of up to five, even six pit stops - so no, nothing was clear in the first week of February. What became clear over the course of the season was that our car hasn’t been as dominant as it was in 2010, but what really made a huge difference was we - the people - have grown into one strong force. We have been much more stable and obviously have learned from our 2010 mistakes. It is funny to get comments after a successful race: you hear descriptions like ‘easy’, ‘walk in the park’ and so on - and it was definitely nothing of the sort at any race of the season. Every victory was hard fought and contrary to what people might think, it was closer, much closer than it looked from the outside. Everything had to come together - and that was what was so special, that we’ve managed to make it come together at so many races.

Your best race?
SV: All victories are special but the win in Monza stands out this year. The reason: we knew that we just did not have the strongest package for the long straights there. Therefore, the victory was for us all emotional and for me much more, because I took my first ever success there – very satisfying .

Your very best lap?
SV: I'm happy with a lot of laps over the seasons, but pole position in 2009 in Shanghai stands out in my memory. We had problems in practice earlier and lacked any real track, so I had to drive just one lap of qualifying to be on pole. That was a great satisfaction for us ALL!. If I can only choose from this year, then the pole at Monza would be my best.

Your biggest enemy?
SV: I think, are the two McLarens of Lewis and Jenson drove a good season and could even beat us sometimes. They have improved their car further and made our lives harder. Nevertheless, we were able to respond and always remain at the front end.

Why you're so much better than any other
SV: Whether I'm better or not is up to other people judge I don’t like talking about myself. The fact is we had a very good car even if it was as superior as 2010. But more importantly, we had a strong package of car, team and driver. As a team I can say that we have learned from the mistakes in 2010, and if the boat has even started to shake, we stayed quiet.

Let’s talk about emotions. What was your most emotional moment of the season?
SV: Two moments. Firstly the win in Monza, as it was where I won my first ever Formula One race, so to do it again was fantastic as it triggered some of the best memories. The podium there hovers partly over the track, partly over the pit lane, so you feel almost airborne and you see all the fans and have that amazing view almost to Curva Grande, far beyond the first chicane. I think life can hardly get any better than being up there. It is pure goose bumps and one or more tears! The second moment was - believe it or not - Korea. In Japan it was difficult to switch from finishing in P3 to having just won the championship - in that moment it was all quite unreal. But after the win in Korea it was the moment when I really internalized that I am the 2011 champion. With winning both championships in 2010 we proved that we know all the steps that it takes to win and the crucial thing this year was not to forget each of those steps - and we haven’t!

Your greatest disappointment - and how did you deal with it
SV: In 2011, it is not appropriate to speak of a disappointment - the year was very special for us and very successful. Of course we had the puncture in Abu Dhabi and we lost the opportunity to race a good race but that's life, you have to live with it. As a driver I couldn’t have done anything different.

How would you describe the character of Kinky Kylie, your car?
SV: Faultless! The good girl behaved well and never made any trouble. (laughs) If there’s a secret to this season it is that we’ve taken it one race at a time. Even if it looked pretty good for us, right from the beginning we always went to the next race with the approach that we have to give the maximum again, never playing it safe.

The strength of your car
SV: That our car this year was competitive on all circuits even in Canada and Monza.

The strength of your team
SV: The secret was that we looked at the season race by race. Even if it went well at the start of the season, we did not feel too safe, but continued to race every single race with maximum focus.

Where have you improved since 2011?
SV: In certain situations, I can now keep the calm and focus needed. This should not be misunderstood. I don’t think now: "That's all easy and I can do it anyway," but if you have achieved a title then you know for yourself you can do it. Nevertheless, I believe today I can improve even more next year. It’s not specific things like taking a different line or braking later. It's about experience, which makes me better in certain situations.

What is the emotional high point after having won a race - crossing the finish line, speaking on the team radio with your guys, jumping out of the car and hugging your crew, stepping on to the podium? Which is it?
SV: …definitely the podium. You’ve done it, nobody can take it away from you, now you can relax and enjoy the moment. (laughs) The playing of the national anthem - when everybody quietens down out of respect - is the minute of a short reflection on the race before the elation and madness sets in. Later, all alone in your room - when everything is so quiet -you suddenly start to smile. First you don’t know exactly why, but then you understand that you have a good reason and you’re just happy.

Your appetite for trophies seems insatiable. Where does that come from?
SV: Ha, I have no idea - obviously it is a natural instinct after two hours’ hard work! (laughs) Even when I was a kid I always went home super satisfied when I was able to bring a trophy along - no matter how big or small. But that was not always so. I remember at my first ever win at a go-kart race I left the award ceremony very disappointed because I had seen on TV that all the ‘real racers’ - the Formula One heroes of that time - got laurel wreaths on the podium and I was fobbed off with a cup! I didn’t even want to take it home! But that changed pretty fast and I started collecting trophies religiously. And if you’ve been very good a whole season long there is one trophy that sticks out from all the others - the championship trophy. At the end of the day this is the one we’re really racing for. (laughs) The award ceremony and handover is very emotional

When you got back to your hometown, Heppenheim, they greeted you as their hero. How was that - again, after 2010?
SV: It was awesome. And it makes you a bit shy. I have grown up there, I went to school with so many of them, I have seen them all my life, so it is kind of strange - and very touching - that you have turned into some sort of hero. It was very special to see how many young kids were there and that Formula One has become so attractive for youngsters of the new media age. It was very satisfying to see that my sport can connect with new generations.

What are you doing in the winter?
SV: First, we still have some PR events like the Race of Champions, one show-run in England and the Team Christmas party up to the middle of the month; then I'll allow myself some rest and spend time with family and friends.

How do you see 2012?
SV: There is not a single name or a team who will be our only competitor, but there are many names. McLaren were very strong this year and with their two drivers - Jenson (Button) and Lewis (Hamilton). It was probably not the easiest year for Lewis, but that does not mean that this must also apply to the year 2012. Fernando (Alonso) will definitely be there and I also have Mercedes on the list, with two great drivers. And never forget my team-mate Mark (Webber).

Credit: Sebastian Vettel (www.sebastianvettel.com)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Jaime, 6º en la primera sesión libre del Desafio das Estrelas

2011-12-03T14:01:00.000+07:00

Jaime, 6º en la primera sesión libre del Desafio das Estrelas

03 de diciembre de 2011

Jaime Alguersuari se ha estrenado en el Desafio das Estrelas con una sexta plaza en los primeros ensayos libres, disputados entrada la madrugada en España. El piloto catalán ha firmado un mejor registro de 55.877, apenas tres décimas más lento que el del líder, Vitantonio Liuzzi.

El Desafio das Estrelas 2011 se puso en marcha con una primera sesión de diez minutos destinada a rodar los motores Parilla-IAME sorteados previamente para cada corredor. Jaime Alguersuari fue, junto a Nelsinho Piquet, el piloto que menos vueltas completó, apenas cuatro, tiempo de pista suficiente para cogerle el tono al circuito y comprobar que el kart estuviera en perfectas condiciones. El español, que luce el dorsal número 17 este fin de semana, firmó un mejor registro de 58.801, que le clasificó en 24º lugar.

Una hora después arrancó el primer ensayo libre de la prueba. Con un solo juego de neumáticos Bridgestone nuevo por piloto (el mismo que han utilizado en la tanda de rodaje), Jaime repartió su trabajo en tres tandas largas. El español fue progresivamente rebajando sus registros hasta estabilizarse en un ritmo constante de 56 segundos. En su 20º giro, el piloto de Toro Rosso rompió por primera y única vez esta barrera para señalar el 55.877 que le dio la sexta posición en la ajustadísima clasificación final, a tan sólo 382 milésimas de Vitantonio Liuzzi, autor del mejor crono (55.495).

La actividad en el Kartódromo Arena Sapiens de Florianapolis se reemprenderá mañana con la disputa de los segundos entrenamientos libres (19h) y las tandas de oficiales (desde las 21h). La primera carrera puntuable, de 30 minutos de duración más una vuelta, arrancará a las 22.45.

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Jaime Alguersuari | Brazilian GP statistical review

2011-12-03T13:58:00.000+07:00

Brazilian GP statistical review

December 1 2011

The Brazilian GP put an end to the 2011 season. Jaime Alguersuari wraps up the Championship in 14 th place with 26 points. Let's review his numbers at Interlagos and the cumulative stats of the whole 2011.

Brazilian GP

Chassis used: STR6-02efore

FP1: 11th (1'15.468), 29 laps

FP2: 16th (1'15.388), 41 laps

FP3: 16th (1'14.286), 20 laps

Qualifying:

Q1: 12th (1'14.225), 11 laps

Q2: 15th (1'13.804), 7 laps

Top speed: 316.2 km/h (1st)

Race:

Grid: 13th

Result: 11th

Differential: +2

Pit stops: 2 (1st: 22.773, lap 21; 2nd: 21.855, lap 48)

Tyre strategy: Soft - Soft - Medium

Fastest lap: 1'17.162 (9th), lap 55

Top speed: 302 km/h (7th)

Overtaking maneuvers: 1

Laps by position:

8th: 1

9th: 5

10th: 4

11th: 25

12th: 8

13th: 5

14th: 10

15th: 3

16th: 7

17th: 2

Fastest lap of the weekend: 1'13.804 (210,183 km/h) Q2

Season 2011

Races started: 19

Retirements: 4

Best result: Italy and Korea (7th)

Racesin the points: 7

Points scored: 26

Race laps: 1,013 (12th) =

Kms raced: 5,103 (12th) =

Total laps (includes FP and qualifying): 2,416 (16th) +1

Total Kms (includes FP and qualifying): 12,392 (15th) +1

Overtaking maneuvers: 47

Laps by position 2011:

3rd: 5

5th: 1

6th: 1

7th: 41

8th: 102

9th: 43

10th: 75

11th: 102

12th: 88

13th: 105

14th: 141

15th: 85

16th: 65

17th: 65

18th: 53

19th: 12

20th: 14

21st: 7

22nd: 3

23rd: 1

24th: 4

Career stats

GP started: 46 (131st) +2

Races completed: 35

Retirements: 11

Points scored: 31 (110th) =

Points per GP: 0.67

Points per season: 10.33

Race laps: 2,380 (118th) =

Kms raced: 12,118 (117th) =

Credit: Jaime Alguersuari (www.jalguersuari.com)

GreenBkk.com Virgin Racing | TIMO ROCS

2011-12-03T13:46:00.000+07:00

TIMO ROCS

02 DECEMBER 2011

Timo Glock has not hung up his racing boots for the season just yet

Timo has returned to his homeland to take part in the Race Of Champions at Dusseldorf’s ESPRIT Arena.

The ROC is an end-of-season spectacular that pits drivers from different motorsport categories against each other in a variety of cars.

Timo partners two-time DTM Champion Timo Scheider to compete for the SAT.1 Team Germany 2 in the ROC Nations Cup which takes place on Saturday evening.

The ESPRIT Arena is the home of German football team Fortuna Dusseldorf but has been converted into an indoor race circuit.

The drivers go head-to-head for two laps on a parallel 600-metre long track crossing over-and-under each other at one point. The two Timo’s will compete in a four-team round-robin group stage with the top two going through to the semi-finals. And there they could face Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher of Team Germany 1.

Vettel and Schumacher have nine F1 drivers’ crowns between them and have won the Nations Cup for the past four years.

Timo said: “It is a good way to end the season being here with all these great drivers and see what we can do.

“But It is a tough challenge. We’ve had our first practice sessions and when we did a heat and after two laps it was already over I thought ‘this is a short time to learn the car’ but we’ll see.”

And Timo joked that his countrymen and fellow F1 drivers had not passed on any tips about racing in an indoor arena.

He added: “I tried to get some information out of Sebastian and Michael but you can guess what they told me.

“They said ‘what is the Race of Champions, I was never there’ so there is no big help from those two guys but we will see what we can do.”

Credit: Marussia Virgin Racing (www.marussiavirginracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Lotus Renault GP | Kimi Räikkönen arrives at Enstone

2011-12-03T13:41:00.000+07:00

Kimi Räikkönen arrives at Enstone

02/12/2011

Lotus Renault GP’s new Finnish star driver Kimi Räikkönen set foot in Enstone for the first time to meet his new team mates.

A throng of LRGP-ites made Kimi feel welcome as he arrived at the factory ahead of the team’s Christmas party tonight.

After being welcomed by Eric Boullier, Kimi was given a factory tour and met with Chairman Gérard Lopez…

“It is my first time in Enstone,” Kimi said, “so it is very nice to see the factory - it feels good. It is a very warm feeling and I’m very relaxed. I haven’t really read the newspapers about all the excitement but it is quite normal, isn’t it? It doesn’t put any more pressure on me. I always try to do my best, so I don’t put myself under pressure. It will be exciting, yes, but no pressure really and we will see how it goes.”

On having Kimi at Enstone, Gérard feels it is like the right thing to happen. “I think we decided that we had to look forward in terms of performance and the key way to see how good a car is, is to have a good driver. Kimi has proven in the past that he is among the fastest and in terms of age he’s still in his prime. In terms of motivation from what I have seen and spoken to him, he is probably as motivated as ever. And the more people question the better it is because it is going to increase his motivation even more to prove that they are wrong. I’m excited that he is here because I think it’s one of the very important steps in getting the team to where we want it to be – which is one of the top teams in Formula 1…”

Read the full Q&A with Gérard Lopez tomorrow…

Credit: Lotus Renault GP (www.lotusrenaultgp.com)

GreenBkk.com Red Bull Racing F1 | See Sebastian And DC At This Weekend's Race Of Champions

2011-12-03T13:38:00.000+07:00

See Sebastian And DC At This Weekend's Race Of Champions

Dec 2, 2011

If you’re missing the world champion on track already, fear not - you can watch all this weekend’s action from the Race of Champions featuring Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard online.

Both the ROC Nations Cup on Saturday (December 3) and the Race Of Champions on Sunday (December 4) will be streamed free-of-charge from Düsseldorf via raceofchampions.com and freecaster.tv

The Race Of Champions is the annual end-of-season competition which brings together the greatest drivers from all motorsport’s disciplines and sets them to battle head-to-head in identical cars on a specially constructed parallel track.

Saturday night features the ROC Nations Cup from 7-10pm CET while Sunday (December 4) has the individual Race Of Champions from 2-5pm CET.

Drivers confirmed for the 2011 Race Of Champions include, from F1, Sebastian, Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Vitaly Petrov, Timo Glock and David Coulthard plus three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, eight-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner Tom Kristensen, DTM star and triple ROC Champion of Champions Mattias Ekstrom, winner of five WRC rallies in 2011 Sébastien Ogier, 2011 GP2 Series Champion Romain Grosjean and four-time Rally America winner and X-Games legend Travis Pastrana.

Further details can be found at www.raceofchampions.com, where tickets are also still available with prices starting at €19.

Credit: Red Bull Racing Formula one Team (www.redbullracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | First Look: 2013 Scion FR-S

2011-12-03T13:27:00.000+07:00

First Look: 2013 Scion FR-S

By Ronald Ahrens / Photos by Ronald Ahrens

At first glimpse, the long-awaited 2013 Scion FR-S, revealed November 30 to an invitation-only crowd at a Hollywood studio, could be compared to a perfectly self-contained single episode. At the same time, to extend the show-biz metaphor, it also has the potential for variable endings, as you choose. Greeted with a techno serenade and pulsing lights, the FR-S drove down a runway flanked by a display of Toyota heritage models, including such immediate forebears as the Celica GTS and MR2, and by distant cousins like the Lexus LF-A and Toyota Supra Turbo.

When it goes on sale in the spring, the FR-S will immediately and ably fill a hole in the Scion (and Toyota family) lineup. The brand needed a halo. Dealers were pleading for a real sports car. Drivers wanted an inexpensive but capable car with the engine in front and the driving wheels in the rear. Rather than any of the hallmark automobiles named above, a more realistic comparison can be made between the FR-S and such icons as the Honda S2000 and Nissan 240SX.

“The FR-S will immediately and ably fill a hole in the Scion (and Toyota family) lineup.”

The FR-S has no crazy scoops or grilles, no tremendously flaring flanks, no steroid-induced bulging muscularity. In its purity and simplicity, the FR-S is actually a bit unprepossessing. None of the Scion club members who’d showed up in their tricked-out xB boxes was heard to cry out rapturously as the new two-plus-two made its appearance. Instead, it was greeted with murmured appreciation, a welcome that implied, “That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

And of course, in their minds, the audience members riffled through pages of aftermarket parts and accessories catalogs, imagining how they would equip and trim their own FR-S when they get one.

Form without excess

The FR-S shares its chassis and mechanicals with the Subaru BRZ, and Subaru led the engineering development. The chief objective was a fun-to-drive car that wasn’t compromised from the adaptation of an existing, mass-market platform. Engineers sought the lowest-possible center of gravity in the shortest-possible wheelbase for a car with two-plus-two seating. Also seeking low weight and high structural rigidity, they eschewed a sunroof (while including a sort of double-bubble form for headroom) and stayed with fixed trunk instead of a hatchback.

Styling is probably the best example of form-follows-function since, well, besides the previously named cars, since the Dodge Sprinter van. One look at this thing, and you know what it’s supposed to do. In the case of the FR-S, it’ll get you to work or the shopping center, but it’s also begging for an autocross course or track day. (Conveniently, by design, there’s enough space between the dash and doors for roll bars.) The FR-S has just a bit of fussy external ornamentation. There’s an insert high on each front fender, a concave form that bears a fake vent and the “86” badge referring to the engine’s square bore and stroke. Red side-mirror housings on black stalks are about as fancy as anything gets. Otherwise, a trip around the FR-S doesn’t yield much: a bit of home-improvement-center menace from the black mesh inserts on the chin and jaws, a minimum amount of badging and chrome, 17-inch alloy wheels finished mostly in black, and a rear fascia that accommodates dual exhaust outlets and a somewhat mystifying, centrally located backup lamp with triangular red reflector. Lamp design at each corner is a matter of taste; enthusiast forums carried some grumbling about the taillights, but we found them quite suitable.

The key thing, and here we repeat ourselves, is that in its simplicity the FR-S leaves the street-performance-mods maven and the pro tuner plenty of possibilities for a sequel. Scion brought a customized black car to the party, too, and people couldn’t take their eyes off it.

Back-to-basics interior

The interior is a recapitulation of the exterior: minimalism and functionality. The driver’s instrument cluster places the large tachometer in the middle, and the black indications on a white circumferential field are as easy to read as a Kardashian prenup. The three-spoke wheel is covered with perforated leather, the seams bound with the same red accent stitching seen throughout the otherwise dismal black environment. The center stack with audio and climate controls is so basic, it could almost be mistaken for a ham radio setup. The twin hoods, one over the I.P. and the other over the center column, are the only architectural flourishes.

But there’s evidently a substantial market for a basic, capable, inexpensive sports car. (No price was announced.) Sports and specialty models of the last twenty years have tended to sell well at first, but the volume has subsequently dwindled. Scion vice president Jack Hollis told us that his brand defies that typecasting. Relying on digital media, viral campaigns, and experiential marketing yields a different effect. For example, Hollis pointed out, the first generation tC sold better in its second season. “Awareness grows over time,” he said, voicing the expectation that the FR-S will accrue similar results as people learn that “pricing is attainable for a high-spec car.”

The rear seats offer but a token amount of padding and upholstery. (A saddle-shaped fuel tank helped designers to achieve the two-plus-two arrangement.) But with one seat folded down, there’s enough room to carry a full set of race tires, a jack, and toolbox while driving with two crew members to the track.

Compact engine is optimally located

The FR-S and its sibling the Subaru BRZ are the world’s only cars with a front-mounted boxer engine and rear-wheel drive configuration. (Another car in the Toyota heritage display, the S800, was the first-ever with this layout.) Hollis used the term “front-midship” to describe the engine’s placement, which results in 53/47 weight distribution. Contributing to this optimization are the relocation, compared to conventional cars, of the battery, starter, and electrically operated power steering box.

But the chief benefits come as the result of capitalizing on the advantage inherent in Subaru’s all-new, ultra-compact FA-series horizontally opposed 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This unit makes 200 hp and 150 lb-ft. The square 86x86-mm bore and stroke are relevant in Toyota’s history. Toyota’s D-4S fuel-injection is used here. Other aspects include the Active Valve Control System that allows for Atkinson Cycle operation at low RPM, thereby improving fuel economy. The compression ratio is 12.5:1. Overall fuel economy estimates were unavailable.

The FR-S buyer can choose between 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, both by Aisin. The manual, which is about 80 percent new, has been reworked for reduced internal friction, and the linkage operates with short throws of the shifter. The automatic features normal and sport modes with an emphasis on quick shifts under full lockup. Second-gear launches are possible on snow and ice. Rev-matching occurs when downshifting. Paddle-shifters are included. A Torsen limited-slip differential is also part of the package.

Front suspension is by exclusive MacPherson struts and a reversed lower-arm layout, with a box-shaped cross member for rigidity. Rear suspension is by a double-wishbone arrangement.

With a targeted curb weight around 2800 pounds, the FR-S comes in slightly under the Honda Civic Si and significantly less than such like-minded cars as the Mazda RX-8 and Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Moving the brand forward

In its outward modesty and inward seriousness, the FR-S makes us regard Scion with new esteem. In a volume brand, the uncompromising approach that went into this car is rare—especially when the presumably affordable price is factored in. (Maybe the development team is eligible for a humanitarian award!) The FR-S is desirable. It has a respectable amount of power, balanced chassis, fair amount of practicality, and good enough looks. And it lends itself to personal flourishes. One tuner we spoke to said, “I like it that they didn’t overdo it.” In fact, he said the absence of body creases and indents is a plus. “If you take the car to the track and you wall it, you can buy a new fender for $350.”

Sure, but we appreciate the off-the-wall approach of the FR-S.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Audi A1 Sportback

2011-12-03T12:59:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Audi A1 Sportback

Audi's smallest model line has now grown an extra pair of doors. The five-door A1, dubbed the A1 Sportback, is poised to reach European showrooms after the first of the year.

At just a shade below 13 feet in length, the A1 is quite small-it's about 13.5 inches shorter and 10 inches thinner than the A3 hatchback. Interestingly, it's not really bigger than the standard A1 itself -- the Sportback is about the same length, and only about a quarter-inch taller and wider than the three-door.

As a result, the five-door car is mechanically and cosmetically identical to the base A1. Up front, Audi's design DNA dictates full LED running lamps and the brand's traditional hexagonal grille. Behind that grille rests one of five engine choices. The top-spec gasoline engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, uses Audi's TFSI setup-which includes turbo and supercharging-to boost the motor to 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The other gas engines range in size from 1.2- to 1.4-liters and make between 86 and 122 hp. The A1's diesel offerings range in size from 1.6 to 2.0-liters and in power from 90 and 143 horsepower, while returning 62 mpg on the EU combined cycle.

Inside, the options range from mild to technologically sophisticated. Although base models make do with five-speed manual transmissions and cloth trim, top-spec models are available with seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions (depending on the engine), panoramic sunroofs, a navigation system with Google Earth capability, a 465-watt sound system, and WLAN hotspot Internet connectivity.

The diminutive Sportback might be little more than a European A1 with a couple more doors on it, but with the premium small hatchback game pretty much belonging to Mini, it could be time for America to see this model for itself. Audi still has no plan to bring the A1 range here, but we'd love to know what you think: Is there room for a Mini-fighter in the four-ring stable? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Sedan

2011-12-03T12:49:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Sedan

BMW has divulged all the details on the ActiveHybrid 5, a new hybrid luxury sedan based on the existing 535i. The car is the first BMW hybrid to employ an inline-six engine. We had long expected the arrival of this car, and had even spied a prototype version testing in California.

The ActiveHybrid employs the same direct-injection, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine as the 535i, producing 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. It is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission which has an integrated electric motor/generator. The motor is rated for 55 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, and stores electrical energy in a trunk-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. The combined peak power output of the engine and motor is 335 hp.

BMW doesn't have any fuel economy estimates for the ActiveHybrid 5, although a 2011 535i is rated at 20/30 mpg (city/highway) with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The car will be able to travel on electrical power alone up to 37 mph, or for about 2.5 miles at an average speed of 22 mph. The car can reportedly hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. As with all hybrids and many modern non-hybrids, engine stop-start technology is standard.

The car's navigation system is linked to the hybrid drivetrain and attempts to optimize the engine and motor for the route. For instance, BMW says the hybrid system might use lots of the battery's charge to help propel the car up a hill, then allow the battery to be fully recharged as the car drives down the other side of the hill. The system also will try to ensure the battery is fully charged as the driver approaches the end of a journey, so that parking and other low-speed maneuvers can be performed solely on electrical power.

There also is an ECO PRO driving mode, which further adjusts the engine and transmission to consume as little fuel as possible. In this mode, the gasoline engine can be switched off and decoupled from the driveline at speeds of up to 100 mph when the ActiveHybrid 5 is coasting, helping save fuel at highway speeds.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: Honda Small Sports EV Concept

2011-12-03T12:38:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: Honda Small Sports EV Concept

By Jake Holmes

Honda will use its home turf of Japan to show off four small new concept cars. The "mini vehicle," electric sports car, plug-in hybrid sedan, and electric city car will all be shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of this month.

The aptly named Small Sports EV Concept is an electric car that's said to be fun to drive, while at the same time producing very few (if any) emissions. The car has jagged, angular lines, and looks to be a two-seat affair with a targa-style roof opening. Expect more specifications to emerge as the show grows closer.

Honda calls the AC-X a "next generation" plug-in hybrid, and says the car is equally suited for urban and long-distance trips. The concept car can be used in "engine drive mode" for maximum performance, or "automatic" mode which apparently is suited for more leisurely driving. The four-door car looks like an elongated version of Honda's Insight hybrid.

The Micro Commuter Concept represents Honda's vision for tiny electric city cars of the future. It resembles a Smart Fortwo, but with wraparound fenders surrounding each of the four wheels. A bare-bones cabin is home to just one seat and a barren dashboard. The car's controls resemble joysticks and yokes, rather than a traditional steering wheel.

Finally, Honda will show a tiny hatchback called the N Concept, which previews a production model called the N BOX. The square, boxy design looks like a shrunken-down Nissan Cube, and appears to be a car that meets Japan's "kei car" rules. The N Concept is tall and skinny, with large tinted windows and minuscule wheels.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | First Drive: 2013 Subaru BRZ

2011-12-03T12:19:00.000+07:00

First Drive: 2013 Subaru BRZ

By Jason Cammisa

A half century or so ago, the car market was blossoming with sports cars. These were generally simple machines that were often unreliable and impractical -- and very often not particularly fast. They came with funny little names like MG and Triumph and Sunbeam and Alfa Romeo and Datsun, and their owners weren’t much concerned with zero to sixty. Or top speed. Or peak lateral acceleration. No, the cars had a simple task: to put a smile on your face.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve become lost. We’ve become obsessed with Nürburgring lap times and launch control, and modern sports cars are dying off. The Mazda RX-8 just breathed its last rotary breath. The Lotus Elise has retreated to its British shores. The Mazda Miata soldiers on, but generating nowhere near the sales numbers it once did.

And out of nowhere comes this (let’s be honest) totally doofus idea: Toyota and Subaru team up to build a rear-wheel drive, normally aspirated sports car. Oh right, Toyota, the purveyors of the Prius, plus Subaru, the company that makes turbocharged, all-wheel drive hotrods and a weird looking crossover thing that Melissa Etheridge fans adore? This was a recipe for disaster.

Out of the most disastrous recipes occasionally comes the most endearing dish, and this is one of those times. The BRZ is a delightfully fun car; a complete package that combines light weight and great handling with just enough power to have fun -- but not too much that you can only enjoy it for three seconds at a time.

For all the Internet armchair warriors complaining about the meager power output, let us be the first to say: the BRZ doesn’t need a turbo. It doesn’t WANT a turbo. And anyone who says the car should have a turbo is missing the point. Like the Mazda RX-8 and Miata, the Porsche 944 and original Boxster -- and all of those cars from decades ago -- the BRZ is fun because of handling, not because of a sledgehammer that hits when you mash the gas pedal.

The 2.0-liter flat-four engine produces 100 hp per liter, but it does so in a way unlike any other normally aspirated four-cylinder. It doesn’t rev to 8000 or even 7500 -- it’s not high-strung at all. Redlined at 7400 rpm, the flat-four soundtrack is mellow, and since the intake resonance tube pipes intake noise from only two cylinders into the cabin, it’s deep, staccato, and almost bi-plane in its exhaust note. There’s no screaming or wailing -- and once the tach needle moves past 2500 rpm, where there’s a big valve timing change, the torque curve remains effectively flat until just before 7000 rpm. It’s the flattest, broadest torque curve this side of an electric motor. This engine, code FA20, shares effectively no parts with the FB20, the 2.0-liter in other Subaru applications. It’s physically smaller than the other engines, and will be used only in the BRZ -- for now.

The six-speed manual transmission has a high-effort, short-throw shifter and a light clutch, and it’s a bit easy to stall the BRZ off the line because its flywheel weighs only 20 lb, some 9 less than an STI’s. The reduced reciprocating mass, along with the FA20’s shorter intake runners, means the engine responds more quickly to throttle blips, though, and the tradeoff is worth it. A six-speed Aisin automatic is optional; it can perform shifts with the torque converter locked, and blips the throttle on downshifts. It’s smooth, too. It’s great. But it’s the wrong transmission for this kind of driver’s car.

The BRZ, like so many other modern cars, uses electrically assisted steering. Subaru engineers say they went EPS for fuel economy and because it’s easier to tune than a hydraulic setup. They’ve done a fine job of tuning the effort -- it feels natural, building linearly with cornering loads. Like all EPS systems though, the additional rotational inertia of the assist motor dampens out most of the steering feel, and that’s a shame. Still, the rack-and-pinion system is highly accurate, and it’s quick, with an overall ratio of 13:1. The small (14.4-inch) steering wheel turns 2.5 turns from lock to lock.

The BRZ’s entire engineering mission was a low center of gravity and low polar moment of inertia (meaning that as much as possible of the vehicle’s mass is located inside the wheelbase and as low as possible.) Subaru says the BRZ has a lower center of gravity than everything but the Porsche Cayman R and 911 GT3, and that its polar moment of inertia is less than the (mid-engine) Porsche Cayman or Mazda RX-8.

While we certainly can’t verify those claims, after driving the BRZ on a handling course, we have no reason to doubt them, either. The BRZ turns in eeee-mediately with minimal, very well-controlled body roll. The front and rear of the car react in unison -- you never get the feeling that the two ends of the car are doing different things. The BRZ settles into steady-state understeer, but don’t let that fool you: the standard limited-slip differential allows you to nix that handily. Indeed under heavy throttle, the BRZ goes -- and stays -- neutral, and is incredibly easy to control at the limit. Breakaway at the rear is slow, deliberate, and progressive; the exact opposite of so many modern cars whose engineers seemed to only care about achieving maximum grip, not what happens when you exceed it.

Subaru made it very clear that the BRZ’s handling benchmark was the Porsche Cayman. We’re not sure exactly which benchmarks the engineers targeted, but from the wheel, we’re not feeling it. In lateral grip and turn-in response, sure -- but in chassis balance, the Porsche is in a different league. The Cayman exhibits slightly less understeer in terms of static balance, but the big difference is that the Porsche allows you to quickly and dramatically adjust the car’s line with the gas pedal. The BRZ won’t trailing-throttle oversteer; once it’s settled into a corner, the only way to adjust the line is to add power.

On the other hand, the BRZ is far, far easier to control because of it. To complain about the lack of corner-adjustability is unfair -- the Porsche is, after all, a mid-engine car that costs twice as much as the Subaru. That we’re even discussing them in the same sentence is a testament to how good the BRZ is.

It’s great in other ways, too -- it’s 9 inches shorter than the Cayman, but seats two additional people. The BRZ’s front seats are highly supportive and very comfortable, though the rears are for very short trips or very short passengers. Still, they’re there, and the rear seatback folds (as one piece) allowing enough room for a set of track tires, according to Subaru. That’s cool.

The steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach, though even extended as far as it’ll go, it’s a long reach for long-legged drivers. And the pedals are spaced a bit too far for easy heel-and-toeing. Trunk space is meager, at 6.9 cubic feet, and Subaru made no mention of an available sunroof.

Not that we would have opened it on the course -- especially the high-speed oval. We saw an indicated 132 mph in the manual-transmission BRZ, and the 2.0-liter was still pulling. It seemed a long shot that it would make it to 143 mph, which is the estimated top speed an engineer gave us. On the other hand, a BRZ automatic couldn’t pull past 128 mph, and that same engineer estimates it will make it to 137 mph – so perhaps the track was headed up a slight grade. The manual transmission car should be able to hit 60 mph in just under 7 seconds; the automatic just over -- but there’s enough low-end torque to easily spin the 215/45-WR17 Michelin Primacy HP tires off the line.

Wait, wait, wait! The BRZ isn’t about the numbers! A sports car doesn’t need to look good in the stats box, it just needs to be a great drive. And the BRZ is a great drive. If you’re looking for smoking 0-60 numbers and crazy top speeds that you’ll never get to, there are certainly other cars that better fit your tastes. The BRZ needs a convertible top more than it needs a turbo -- because that, not horsepower, is the only thing holding this car back from being the modern-day equivalent of those wonderful 1960s sports cars.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 4Matic

2011-12-03T12:05:00.000+07:00

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 4Matic

By: Ben Timmins, Donny Nordlicht, Evan McCausland, Jake Holmes, Jennifer Misaros, Joe DeMatio, Phil Floraday / Photos by Matt Tierney

I am a fan of the Mercedes GL350 Bluetec. The available turbo-diesel engine does a great job moving the relatively large vehicle without using too much fuel and the interior is as nice as any Benz this side of an S-class. Plus the diesel is the cheapest way to get a GL.

Getting a GL550 doesn't make much sense to me. It costs a lot more than an Infiniti QX56, tows less, and doesn't move with the same authority as the Infiniti. Although the GL550 weighs less and make less power, it still manages to burn more gas than a QX56. There are certainly some luxury SUV shoppers who want nothing to do with a diesel engine, but it's tough to understand why those shoppers would choose a GL550 over the competition.

Phil Floraday, Senior Web Editor

Phil is right to point out that on a rational and objective level, the GL550 isn't the best seven-seat SUV you can buy. And I don't care. There is something captivating about the Mercedes-Benz GL-class that overrules other logical arguments. Our Capri blue tester, with its 21-inch wheels and brushed aluminum running boards, looks so much more imposing and sexy than any competitor. Then when you step inside, you find that the GL550 is perhaps the most opulently trimmed seven-passenger vehicle on the market.

The relaxed driving experience, slick dashboard design, elegant ambient lighting, and sumptuous seats make it easy to fall in love with the GL550. Buying the GL350 diesel would be cheaper and more eco-friendly, and the Infiniti QX56 is objectively a better vehicle, but it's hard to ignore the appeal of a fabulous, V-8-powered Mercedes-Benz.

Jake Holmes, Associate Web Editor

The Mercedes GL550 is like half of a joke that is part of the #whitepeopleproblems internet meme: it would go something along the lines of "Oh no! There are not one, but two V-8-powered GLs to choose from! However will I decide?"

Mercedes offers both the GL450 and the GL550 with V-8 power; the former with 335 hp from a 4.6-liter V-8 and the latter with 382 hp from a 5.5-liter V-8. The two V-8s also wear different price tags: the 450 starts at $63,445 including destination, the 550 starts at a whopping $86,175. Is it worth it? Totally. As Jake says, it is hard to ignore the allure of the large, burbling German V-8. The 5.5-liter turns the GL into a Q-ship in a way that the 4.6-liter does not; it's powerful, fast, and luxurious.

The GL550 is for those who want an S-class but need more space and capability, both of which the GL has in spades. I used the GL to help move a friend of mine, and with the rear two rows folded, the capacious 83.3 cu ft cargo area swallowed about a third of her belongings. Thanks to the well-calibrated automatic damping system and air suspension, I never once worried about body roll affecting all of the cargo. And with a one-touch, power-folding third row turning the GL from a cargo hauler to a family hauler is a cinch.

Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor

The GL550 is a typical Mercedes-Benz; it's super luxurious, super fast, and super expensive. I agree with Phil's argument for the Infiniti, but I'm guessing that most GL buyers are repeat Mercedes-Benz customers. With a starting price of price of more than $86,000, the GL550 is the Mercedes-Benz that you step up to after outgrowing your ML or, as Donny mentioned, that you trade for your S-class when you need more utility or people/cargo room.

Being a fairly short person, I really appreciate the GL550's wide running boards. Those on our four seasons Infiniti QX56 are so narrow that even I, also a small-footed person, have to step sideways to squeeze more than just my forefoot onto them. The GLs running boards also look really cool, but the relatively low ratio of rubber grips to chrome can make them a bit slippery when wet.

Jennifer Misaros, Managing Editor, Digital Platforms

I'm glad Nordlicht reminded us that there is a much less expensive version of the GL available, the GL450, because this GL550 sure is a pricey beast. Then again, as big, three-row SUVs go, it doesn't get much better than this. The vehicle is very well sorted dynamically. I tossed the GL550 into a series of roundabouts and was astonished by the body control and the composure, thanks to the sophisticated chassis featuring adaptive damping and air suspension. The GL550 also has tremendous acceleration for such a huge, heavy, tall vehicle. Naturally, with this much power on tap from a 5.5-liter V-8, fuel economy is dismal at 12/17 mpg city/highway. The model to have is the Bluetec diesel for sure.

So, yeah, I can see why an affluent family would want to buy this vehicle. And you certainly would have to be affluent to buy a $90,000 SUV. There's every conceivable luxury feature in the cabin, and I like the perspective out the fairly upright windshield; the visibility is good despite the thick A-pillars. I love the second moonroof over the third-row seat. I also like the thick grab handles that flank the center console; they add symmetry and utility. I do wish that the GL had the full Comand system interface with a rotating dial, like other Mercedes-Benzes do. The telematics work well, but the interface isn't as good as what you get in a Hyundai.

Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor

More often than not, sliding behind the wheel of what the EPA classifies as a large SUV is akin to taking the helm of a large yacht. The vehicles, though plenty powerful, are large, heavy, and hard to maneuver. The GL is one of the few exceptions to that norm. When compared to brutes like the Cadillac Escalade or the Infiniti QX, the GL is about 3 inches narrower, 3 inches lower, and a whopping eight inches shorter overall than the Infiniti. Moving less mass inherently eases the task at hand, but kudos also has to go to the Benz's air suspension system - the ride height is kept at a moderate level (I found the running boards redundant, personally), and the compliant car-like ride is extremely comfortable.

As others have noted, despite its power and superb NVH manners, the 5.5-liter V-8 is quite thirsty, even though the GL has a seven-speed automatic and is lighter than most competitors. Those weary of diesel power have the more approachable, less-powerful GL450 to choose from, but it's still hard to beat the GL350 Bluetec's impressive fuel economy and cruising range.

Evan McCausland, Associate Web Editor

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 4Matic

MSRP (with destination): $86,175

PRICE AS TESTED: $89,125

ENGINE:

5.5-liter V-8

Horsepower: 382 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque: 391 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm

TRANSMISSION:

7-speed automatic

DRIVE:

All-wheel

WHEELS AND TIRES:

21-inch aluminum wheels

Continental CrossContact LX 295/40WR-21 tires

FUEL ECONOMY (city/highway/combined):

12/17/14 mpg

CURB WEIGHT: 5545 lb

CAPACITIES:

Doors/Passengers: 4/7

Cargo: 83.3 cu ft

Legroom (front/middle/rear): 40.3/39.5/34.2 in

Headroom (front/middle/rear): 40.1/40.6/38.2 in

Towing: 7500 lb

EXTERIOR/INTERIOR COLOR:

Capri blue/cashmere

STANDARD FEATURES:

Four-wheel air suspension

Adaptive damping system

Height adjustable suspension

Four-wheel fender flares

Brushed aluminum running boards

Power tilt/sliding sunroof

6.5-inch media interface display

Bluetooth

40GB hard drive w/navigation

Harman/Kardon surround sound audio system

Walnut wood trim

Power folding, 50/50 split 3rd row seats

Automatic climate control

Power liftgate

Parking assist system

Infrared glass and privacy glass

Keyless ignition

Bi-Xenon headlights

Rear view camera

Stability control

Tire pressure monitoring system

OPTIONS ON THIS VEHICLE:

Heated steering wheel- $225

Trailer hitch- $550

Rear seat entertainment- $1950

Accessory chrome package- $225

KEY OPTIONS NOT ON THIS VEHICLE:

Heated rear seats- $620

Cargo area tray and cargo box- $160

Illumination kit for running boards- $650

ADDITIONAL SPECS:

Mercedes-Benz claims the GL550 goes zero to 60 in an estimated 6.4 seconds.

COMPARE TO:

Infiniti QX56, Audi Q7, Lexus LX 570, Land Rover LR4, Range Rover HSE, Cadillac Escalade

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2012 MazdaSpeed3 Touring

2011-12-03T11:48:00.000+07:00

2012 MazdaSpeed3 Touring

By: Amy Skogstrom, David Zenlea, Donny Nordlicht, Evan McCausland, Jennifer Misaros, Joe DeMatio, Rusty Blackwell / Photos by Matt Tierney

First, I must admit my bias: when people ask what my favorite car is, I tell them that it is my own car, a first-generation Mazdaspeed 3. I am predisposed to really like the Speed 3, given that I actually bought one with my own money. Because I own one, I was also able to drive the first- and second-generation cars back-to-back to see how the Speed 3 has grown in four years. On paper, the growth is mainly in the body and weight (it's bigger and heavier), and that can be felt from behind the wheel. The 2012 Speed 3 feels heavier, softer, and more mature. The interior has better ergonomics, higher-grade plastics, and more premium features. What hasn't changed, however, are the mechanicals: both cars use the same 263-hp turbocharged in-line four that sends its power through a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels. Thanks to unequal-length half-shafts and a torque limiter in first and second gears, torque steer is generally kept to a minimum during around-town driving. But if you nail the go-pedal, you'd better hold on, because the Speed 3 will happily remind you that it is one of the hottest hot hatches and will try to wrench the wheel from your hands with a nasty bout of torque steer. Thankfully, the addition of a boost gauge for the Gen II helps new drivers know when to expect the blast to come on. Where the first-generation Speed 3 was a wild thing that happened to also be practical, the second generation is a practical hatchback that happens to have a wild side. At least I know now that if I have to replace my car I'll be getting ... another Mazdaspeed 3.

Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor

I was surprised to discover that the Speed 3 has a blind-spot warning system, although I would've traded it for heated seats this morning. That handy option seems slightly out of place on a pocket-rocket Mazda that excels at pinning you in your seat whenever you flex your right foot.

I love the turbo-boost gauge, an LCD readout located right between the tachometer and the speedometer. I also love making it climb to the top of its scale (+15 psi).

These tires look fairly worn, which helps explain the understeer I experienced when taking a couple corners pretty hot. Overall, though, the Mazdaspeed 3 is a great overall package: good price, nice gearbox (easier to drive than regular stick-shift 3, actually), more power than the chassis can reasonably handle, and a versatile body style. The back seats are too cramped for this family man, though, so I won't be competing with Donny for the next Speed 3 that arrives at our local Mazda dealership.

Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor

Wow, what a difference a generation makes! The new Mazdaspeed 3 drives like the last Speed 3's more mature, caffeine-free brother. Where the last car was a bit frenetic and high-strung -- especially when the boost kicked in -- this new Speed 3 is comparatively, dare I say, relaxed. The turbo buildup is far more progressive, which makes it easier to get off the line quickly without overwhelming the tires. I got behind the wheel expecting the clutch to have the strangely high engagement point present in our Four Seasons Mazda 3 but it's easy to use and has virtually no learning curve.

All around, the 2012 Speed 3 is an improvement over the last generation car. It's easier to live with day to day but hasn't grown up too much to be called a hot hatch.

Jennifer Misaros, Managing Editor, Digital Platforms

I defer to Donny Nordlicht's opinions, to an extent, since as a Mazdaspeed 3 owner, he's an expert on the model. As a 24-year-old car geek, he's also the absolute target market for this car. Basically, this car comes down to four numbers: 263 hp, 280 lb-ft of torque, 155-mph top speed, $25K. That's all you need to know.

Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor

Excuse me, but did one of my colleagues just call the Speed 3 "relaxed?" When compared to the first-generation MazdaSpeed3, perhaps it is, but it's still an incredibly hairy hot hatch. This little thing sends 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque through its front wheels, which can prove a bit tricky when launched hard, especially on slick or broken pavement. As we wrote after driving a 2011 example late last year, it's much like preparing to ride a bull at a rodeo: you'd best sit down, hold on tight, and prepare for a fight. Apart from the gauges, nothing has changed since then; I don't understand why our tone has.

The Speed 3 is perhaps the last of the truly manic hot hatchbacks. Volkswagen's GTI has long been a more balanced blend of speed and tranquility, and the forthcoming Ford Focus ST promises to offer almost as much power and some nifty suspension tricks to help negate torque steer. If a balanced blend is what you're looking for, look elsewhere - but if you're looking for a wicked, wild ride, the Mazda may plant a grin the size of its front grille upon your face.

Evan McCausland, Associate Web Editor

This is the third Mazda 3 variant that we've had in the office in the last few weeks. Driven sedately, the casual driver might not notice a big difference between this Mazdaspeed 3 and its less powerful brethren. But driven more aggressively, the 263-hp turbo four-cylinder delivers a dose of power separates this car from a regular Mazda 3. There's still a fair amount of torque steer as all that power is delivered to the front wheels, but overall the package seems a bit more civilized than the previous Mazdaspeed 3. This is a car that would be pretty easy to live with every day and could still provide you with some thrills.

Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor

The Speed 3 is a taste I've yet to acquire. Some love its excitable, massively powerful engine. And indeed, the sudden blast forward under heavy acceleration, particularly in second gear, puts a grin on your face. However, there are other offerings in this segment that make better use of their power, like Volkswagen GTI or the Subaru WRX. Or the regular Mazda 3. We had the Speed 3's calmer brother in the office recently and I find it a better balanced, more rewarding enthusiast's car. The steering, gearbox, and handling are all just as or nearly as good, and with a 2.5-liter 165-hp four-cylinder, it's hardly slow. The only differences are that it's less expensive, less ostentatious, and less of a handful.

David Zenlea, Assistant Editor

2012 MazdaSpeed3 Touring

MSRP (with destination): $24,495

PRICE AS TESTED: $27,545

ENGINE:

2.3-liter turbocharged I-4

Horsepower: 263 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION:

6-speed manual

DRIVE:

Front-wheel

WHEELS AND TIRES:

18-inch aluminum wheels

Dunlop SP Sport 225/40YR-18 tires

FUEL ECONOMY (city/highway/combined):

18/25/21 mpg

CURB WEIGHT:

3281 lb

CAPACITIES:

Doors/Passengers: 4/5

Cargo (rear seats up/down): 17.0/42.8 cu ft

Legroom (front/rear): 42.0/36.2 in

Headroom (front/rear): 38.9/38.0 in

Towing: N/A

EXTERIOR/INTERIOR COLOR:

Velocity red mica/black

STANDARD FEATURES:

Stability control

Traction control

Tire pressure monitoring system

60/40 split folding rear seat

Auxiliary audio input

Bluetooth

Center console w/sliding armrest

Dual zone automatic climate control

Rear armrest w/cup holders

Front fog lights

Limited slip differential

Tilt-and-telescopic steering column

Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob w/contrast stitching

Power windows and locks

Rear spoiler

OPTIONS ON THIS VEHICLE:

Mazdaspeed tech package- $2575

Blind spot monitoring system

Full-color, compact navigation system

Keyless entry and ignition

Satellite radio

Perimeter alarm

Rain-sensing wipers

Automatic Bi-Xenon headlights

LED rear lights

Bose surround sound audio system

Interior lighting kit- $200

KEY OPTIONS NOT ON THIS VEHICLE:

Pearl paint- $200

All-weather floor mats- $80

COMPARE TO:

Honda Civic Si, Kia Forte Koup, Volkswagen GTI, Subaru WRX, Mini Cooper S

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Vitaly Petrov keen to stay on at Renault to race alongside Kimi Raikkonen

2011-12-03T01:37:00.000+07:00

Vitaly Petrov keen to stay on at Renault to race alongside Kimi Raikkonen

By Jonathan Noble

Friday, December 2nd 2011, 17:48 GMT

Vitaly Petrov is keen to stay at Renault next season and would relish the chance to race alongside Kimi Raikkonen.

Although the Russian's future with the outfit is in doubt, amid reports that it is evaluating other options for its second seat in 2012, Petrov has declared himself keen to remain there.

And he reckons that he would do a much better job next year than he did this season, when errors on both his and the team's side resulted in a disappointing campaign.

"I think the team did a big construction, changed a lot of stuff with the team and drivers, and they want to be sure we can do it together," said Petrov in an interview with the official Race of Champions website about his future situation.

"I know this year was a not a good example from my side but sorry, I am still a rookie. I did just two years in F1, so now I learn a lot so I can do the third season much, much better.

"In 2010 I did mistakes that I didn't do in 2011, so I have a big step improvement. In 2010 you could see how difficult it was to fight with Robert Kubica and be a top guy, but in 2011 I improved quite a lot.

"I can do it. I was still doing some mistakes, but F1 it is not the easiest of sports. But can you imagine what I can do in 2012? So I will again have one more step and, together with Kimi, together in one team, it will be good fun.

"He is experienced and I want very much to be part of this team. I hope the team takes the right decision and we wait a few days more. I hope to stay with the same team because I love very much this team.

"I like the people, working with the mechanics and engineers, so it feels like a family. They gave me the opportunity to drive. I don't want to change to another team, so I cross my fingers and wait for the answer."

Petrov believes the troubled 2011 campaign, and the difficulties he and the team faced, gave him a learning opportunity that he will unlikely never experience again.

"For me there is nothing to lose," he said. "I learn a lot from the 2011 season. I learn very much - and I will never learn so much, even in the future, because we have so many problems.

"I need to adapt my driving for this car to develop new things in the car. I have a big step in my head and a feeling of improvement. Together with Kimi, he is a world champion, and he is motivated and funny.

"I watch a lot of videos of him, from previous years, and we are very close nationality [wise] so I hope I can stay together with him for next year."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Red Bull Racing also confirms FOTA exit

2011-12-03T01:34:00.000+07:00

Red Bull Racing also confirms FOTA exit

By Pablo Elizalde

Friday, December 2nd 2011, 15:30 GMT

Red Bull Racing has confirmed it will withdraw from the Formula One Team's Association, as revealed by AUTOSPORT earlier today.

The team, however, says it remains committed to cost-cutting in Formula 1, despite the row over the Resource Restriction Agreement being one of the reasons why both Red Bull and Ferrari have decided to leave the body.

Red Bull's confirmation comes moments after Ferrari had also said it was leaving the teams' organisation.

"Red Bull Racing can confirm it has served notice to withdraw from FOTA (Formula One Teams' Association)," said Red Bull in a statement.

"The team will remain committed to finding a solution regarding cost saving in Formula 1."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Virgin Racing | STAR TURN

2011-12-03T01:23:00.000+07:00

STAR TURN

02 DECEMBER 2011

The team support the first rung of the ladder to success

As part of its commitment to supporting motor racing talent and promoting the ladder to success, Marussia Virgin Racing is rewarding some of the stars from this year’s Formula KGP championship with a test with the Manor Formula Renault 2.0 Team on 19 December in Barcelona.

The prize has been awarded to the karters who finished in the top three this season, along with the best rookie.

After a hard-fought Formula KGP season, Michael Simpson from Hull was crowned champion, followed in 2nd position by his team mate Tom Fawcett from Pontefract and with Mark Litchfield from Grantham in 3rd position. The best of the rookies, Jake Hughes from Birmingham, earned himself the test with a creditable 5th overall.

John Booth, Team Principal, Marussia Virgin Racing
“Karting is where it all began for most of today’s top Formula One drivers and it is a category we want to support. In my career I have seen Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Paul di Resta - to name but a few - take the step up from Karting to Single Seater Racing with the Manor Formula Renault Team, so it is exciting to incorporate this opportunity into our wider development programme.”

Tony Shaw, Manor Formula Renault 2.0 Team Manager
“I want to congratulate our four young karters on a fantastic season in KGP. This is a great opportunity at an early age and I’m sure they will recognise this and make the most of it.”

Credit: Marussia Virgin Racing (www.marussiavirginracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Ferrari F1 | Ferrari leaves FOTA

2011-12-02T22:20:00.000+07:00

Ferrari leaves FOTA

Maranello, 2 December – Ferrari has informed FOTA President Martin Whitmarsh that it is leaving the organisation made up of the teams competing in the Formula 1 World Championship.

It was a difficult decision and a great deal of thought went into it. It was taken reluctantly after analysing the current situation and the stalemate when it came to debate on some issues that were at the core of why the association was formed, indeed with Ferrari and Luca di Montezemolo as the main instigator and promoter of ideas. It’s not by chance that the President of the Maranello company held that same position and job title within FOTA up to the end of 2009.

Some of the major achievements of the association during these years, also worked out in conjunction with the FIA, centred around cost reduction, which was of significant benefit to everyone, the big teams and the small ones. Ferrari was on the front line in this area, even before the birth of FOTA and it intends to continue down this route to ensure the sustainability of the sport in the long term. Now however, it is necessary to find some new impetus to move it along because FOTA’s drive has run its course, despite the excellent work of current President, Martin Whitmarsh in trying to reach agreement between the various positions for the common good.

Ferrari will continue to work with the other teams to make the current RRA, Resource Restriction Agreement, aimed at controlling costs, more effective and efficient, modifying it to make it more stringent in key areas such as aerodynamics, to rebalance some aspects such as testing and to expand it to areas currently not covered such as engines.

Formula 1, like the rest of the world in fact, is currently going through a delicate period. Ferrari wants to work with all parties for the future of a sport that expresses the highest level of motor sport technology. We must return to a situation where Formula 1 is really a test bed for advanced technological research, the results of which can be transferred to Granturismo cars. In addition, we must not forget that this sport must become more user friendly and more accessible to the general public and furthermore, it cannot be the only professional sport where it is practically impossible to do any training: the number of days of testing must be increased so that the drivers, especially the young ones who lack experience and the teams, can be adequately prepared, as well as providing more opportunities for them to come into contact with spectators and sponsors.

La Ferrari lascia la FOTA

Maranello, 2 dicembre – La Ferrari ha comunicato al Presidente Martin Whitmarsh la propria uscita dalla FOTA, l’associazione che riunisce le squadre partecipanti al Campionato del Mondo di Formula 1.

E’ stata una decisione difficile e meditata a lungo, presa a malincuore dopo aver analizzato l’attuale situazione di stallo su alcuni degli argomenti che furono alla base della nascita dell’associazione, di cui la Ferrari stessa, attraverso Luca di Montezemolo, fu ideatrice e promotrice: non fu certo un caso che lo stesso Presidente della casa di Maranello abbia ricoperto l’analoga carica nella FOTA fino al termine del 2009.

Alcuni dei maggiori successi ottenuti in questi anni dall’associazione delle squadre, anche in collaborazione con la FIA, sono stati ottenuti in termini di riduzione dei costi, il che ha portato significativi benefici per tutti, grandi e piccoli team. La Ferrari è stata in prima fila su questo fronte ancor prima della nascita della FOTA e intende rimanerci per assicurare la sostenibilità dello sport a lungo termine. Ora però si rende necessario imprimere una nuova accelerazione perché la spinta propulsiva della FOTA si è ormai esaurita, nonostante il lavoro svolto dall’attuale Presidente, Martin Whitmarsh, sia stato eccellente, sempre rivolto a trovare un punto di accordo fra le diverse posizioni in modo da raggiungere il bene comune.

La Ferrari continuerà a lavorare insieme alle altre squadre per rendere più efficace ed efficiente l’attuale accordo sul controllo dei costi, denominato RRA (Resource Restriction Agreement), per modificarlo e renderlo più stringente su determinati aspetti come l’aerodinamica, per riequilibrarlo su altri, come i test, e per allargarlo anche ad aree che non sono attualmente coperte, come il motore.

La Formula 1 sta attraversando, come tutto il mondo del resto, una fase molto delicata. La volontà della Ferrari è di lavorare insieme a tutte le parti in causa per il futuro di uno sport che rappresenti la massima espressione tecnologica dell’automobilismo sportivo. Dobbiamo tornare a far sì che la Formula 1 ad essere davvero una palestra per la ricerca tecnologica avanzata per trasferirne i risultati sulle vetture Granturismo. E poi non dobbiamo dimenticarci che questo sport deve diventare più fruibile e più vicino al pubblico e, inoltre, non può rimanere l’unico sport professionistico dove sia praticamente impossibile allenarsi : bisogna aumentare il numero dei giorni di prove private sia per permettere ai piloti, soprattutto ai giovani che devono fare esperienza, e alle squadre – un’adeguata preparazione, sia per offrire più occasioni di contatto con gli spettatori e con gli sponsor.

Credit: Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro (www.ferrari.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Sutil says it is absurd he does not have a drive for 2012 after strong season

2011-12-02T22:07:00.000+07:00

Sutil says it is absurd he does not have a drive for 2012 after strong season

By Pablo Elizalde

Friday, December 2nd 2011, 13:10 GMT

Adrian Sutil says he is surprised he has not secured a Formula 1 drive for next year already after his strong showing during the 2011 season.

The German, who finished in ninth place in the championship with 42 points, looks set to lose his seat at Force India next year to Nico Hulkenberg.

Sutil, however, has been linked with drives at Williams and Renault and, although he admits he's baffled by his situation, he says things are not looking bad.

"Yes, I totally agree," he told the official F1 website when asked if it was absurd he doesn't have a drive for next year yet after his strongest season.

"But that's life in Formula 1 and you have to deal with it. But it doesn't look too bad for 2012 - let's see what will happen."

He added: "To be honest, I delivered great performances at my last 10 races, but obviously the last three are still more current to the onlooker. For sure, these results make things easier for me and my manager to sort out the future."

Sutil said he has more than one option for 2012 at the moment and is hoping he can announce his future in the upcoming weeks.

"Right now we do have more than one option and we are trying to put the best package together for next year. Hopefully we will have a decision within the next two weeks," he said.

And the German conceded he would be pleased to partner Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus next year if the possibility arose.

"I always said I'm happy to have the best team-mate I can get, as this is the only chance to show how good you are - and Kimi would be a great and very strong team-mate..."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Ferrari confirms departure from the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA)

2011-12-02T22:04:00.000+07:00

Ferrari confirms departure from the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA)

By Jonathan Noble

Friday, December 2nd 2011, 14:31 GMT

Ferrari has confirmed its departure from the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) - after issuing a statement claiming that the body's impetus has 'run its course'.

As AUTOSPORT revealed earlier today, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing this weekend wrote to FOTA informing it of their decision to leave the organisation.

Although neither team was initially willing to comment on the situation, Ferrari has now issued a statement explaining its decision – and suggesting that a 'stalemate' within the body over certain issues was key to its move.

"It was a difficult decision and a great deal of thought went into it," said the statement. "It was taken reluctantly after analysing the current situation and the stalemate when it came to debate on some issues that were at the core of why the association was formed, indeed with Ferrari and Luca di Montezemolo as the main instigator and promoter of ideas.

"It's not by chance that the President of the Maranello company held that same position and job title within FOTA up to the end of 2009.

"Some of the major achievements of the association during these years, also worked out in conjunction with the FIA, centred around cost reduction, which was of significant benefit to everyone, the big teams and the small ones.

"Ferrari was on the front line in this area, even before the birth of FOTA and it intends to continue down this route to ensure the sustainability of the sport in the long term. Now however, it is necessary to find some new impetus to move it along because FOTA's drive has run its course, despite the excellent work of current President, Martin Whitmarsh in trying to reach agreement between the various positions for the common good."

Although recent rows over F1's Resource Restriction Agreement have dominated FOTA's agenda, Ferrari insists that it is keen to ensure a deal is still reached to limit costs.

AUTOSPORT revealed earlier that Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes GP and Red Bull Racing are due to meet within the next fortnight to try and end differences over the RRA.

"Ferrari will continue to work with the other teams to make the current RRA, Resource Restriction Agreement, aimed at controlling costs, more effective and efficient, modifying it to make it more stringent in key areas such as aerodynamics, to rebalance some aspects such as testing and to expand it to areas currently not covered such as engines," added the statement.

"Formula 1, like the rest of the world in fact, is currently going through a delicate period. Ferrari wants to work with all parties for the future of a sport that expresses the highest level of motor sport technology.

"We must return to a situation where Formula 1 is really a test bed for advanced technological research, the results of which can be transferred to Granturismo cars.

"In addition, we must not forget that this sport must become more user friendly and more accessible to the general public and furthermore, it cannot be the only professional sport where it is practically impossible to do any training: the number of days of testing must be increased so that the drivers, especially the young ones who lack experience and the teams, can be adequately prepared, as well as providing more opportunities for them to come into contact with spectators and sponsors."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Ferrari and Red Bull Racing withdraw from FOTA

2011-12-02T22:02:00.002+07:00

Ferrari and Red Bull Racing withdraw from FOTA

By Jonathan Noble

Friday, December 2nd 2011, 12:24 GMT

Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have decided to withdraw from the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) on the back of the ongoing row over the Resource Restriction Agreement, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

Amid ongoing debate about the future of FOTA, with teams failing to agree a way forward for the RRA after a crunch meeting at the Brazilian Grand Prix, high level sources have revealed that both Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have lodged notification that they intend to leave the organisation.

It is understood that both teams wrote to FOTA earlier this week to inform them of their decision.

Neither Red Bull Racing nor Ferrari would comment on the situation when contacted by AUTOSPORT on Friday to discuss it.

A spokesman for FOTA confirmed only that the body had received notice from two teams that they no longer intended to be a part of it, but would not elaborate on which teams they were.

"FOTA confirms it has received the resignation of two teams," said a spokesman. "Whilst considering its next steps, FOTA will continue to work on behalf of its members to achieve the aims of the organisation."

FOTA's latest statutes mean that teams must give a two-month notice period to leave the organisation, which means Red Bull Racing and Ferrari will officially depart the body by the start of February next year - providing they do not change their mind.

Ferrari has viewed a deal over the RRA as key to FOTA's future - with Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali warning earlier this year that if a deal could not be reached to sort out cost controls within FOTA then the future of the body should be called into question.

Speaking at the Korean Grand Prix, Domenicali said: "If this [mistrust] will come out of FOTA activity then what is FOTA all about? We know the reason why FOTA started, and now we need to understand if FOTA is still needed. What are the objectives of the future of FOTA, if there is a future for FOTA?

"We need to do that in a very constructive way, a very open way. That is the discussion that I believe in the next weeks is important to take over."

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said at the same race: "I think that FOTA has reached the crossroads where it needs to deal with some of the key issues moving forward or we'll stop. It's as simple as that.

"The principal issues are obviously the Concorde Agreement, the direction that goes in, and fundamentally the RRA (Resource Restriction Agreement). If we can't find agreement within FOTA on that, then what is the purpose of FOTA?"

Although the main battleground between the teams has been over the RRA, and the departure of Ferrari and Red Bull Racing has been linked to this, AUTOSPORT understands that outfits are still working hard to try and find agreement on the matter.

Sources have revealed that the four biggest teams – Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, McLaren and Mercedes – have agreed to meet privately within the next fortnight to try and make progress on the RRA.

If these teams can resolve their differences, then the plan is to then return to other FOTA members with a solution that can then be implemented by all outfits.

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Grosjean to test BMW DTM car

2011-12-02T21:54:00.000+07:00

Grosjean to test BMW DTM car

ESPNF1 Staff
December 2, 2011

GP2 champion Romain Grosjean is set to drive a BMW DTM car at an upcoming test at the Monteblanco Circuit near Seville.

Grosjean is in the running for a Renault Formula One drive next season alongside Kimi Raikkonen, but faces stiff competition, not least from Vitaly Petrov who has a contract for 2012. He drove for Renault during Friday practice at the final two races of the season and only once has the reigning GP2 champion not ended up in F1 the following year.

In his BMW test he will drive the new-for-2012 M3 DTM car alongside its confirmed drivers Martin Tomczyk, Andy Priaulx and Bruno Spengler as well as Marco Wittmann, who like Grosjean will be making his first outing in a DTM car. The test will take place between December 6 and December 8.

BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt said: "Romain Grosjean and Marco Wittmann will also get the chance to test for us. Both have shown what they are capable of on numerous occasions in their racing series. We are looking forward to seeing how they handle the BMW M3 DTM."

Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Red Bull committed for now

2011-12-02T21:51:00.000+07:00

Red Bull committed for now

Marko says company's involvement in F1 being constantly evaluated

Last Updated: December 2, 2011 12:20pm

Helmut Marko (L): Admits that Red Bull could have second thoughts about F1 in the future

Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko admits the company could reconsider its involvement in Formula One, but only if the current run of success dries up.

Red Bull made their debut in the sport in 2005 after buying the Jaguar Racing team for a reported $1 and, after heavy investment, managed to progress to the front of the grid.

Sebastian Vettel took the team's first drivers' title in 2010 before repeating the feat a year later in much more dominant style. Red Bull have also won the constructors' crown in each of the last two seasons.

But questions over their long-term commitment to F1 refuse to go away due to the fact they are backed by a drinks company rather than a car manufacturer or historic racing outfit like most of their rivals.

Marko concedes that Red Bull are constantly evaluating their participation but says that there is no chance of them quitting while they are ahead.

Second thoughts

"There have been comments from (Red Bull owner) Dietrich Mateschitz that should the framework requirements not apply, then there could be second thoughts," he told the official F1 website.

"Formula One is a marketing tool for Red Bull, which means that we permanently evaluate our input and the output of our commitment. This equation has to be positive.

"If long-term success is there, then there is definitely no question at all. And if you look at the reality of the situation, we have long-term contracts with our engine supplier, with our sponsors and our staff."

He added: "It's true that we are not a car manufacturer - and never intended to be - but we wanted to be successful in the sport. That we are leading the likes of McLaren and Ferrari definitely makes us proud.

"We are always focusing on who is the best, who needs to be beaten, and then we go out and try it. That has always been Red Bull's philosophy. I cannot fully understand why others have difficulties with this view.

"What is really funny in is that over the last few decades McLaren and Ferrari have been arch rivals, but since our arrival - and success - they have moved much closer together."

Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)

GreenBkk.com Sebastian Vettel | Sebastian about ROC 2011

2011-12-02T21:46:00.000+07:00

Sebastian about ROC 2011

Tuesday, 29 November 2011 00:00

Last Updated on Friday, 02 December 2011 10:50
Written by Administrator

Interviews

Can you describe the sensation of racing in an enclosed stadium in front of your home crowd last year?

Yes – it’s magic, a little bit like playing in a football stadium. It’s very special.

How much are you looking forward to doing it again and what would you say to fans who are thinking about coming?

People who are undecided should definitely come along. I personally can’t wait for the event to happen. It’s something completely different to what we experience on the F1 circuit, in rallying or other motorsport. The reason is that drivers from so many different categories and countries compete against each other and have a lot of fun together. It’s a very good event to bring motorsport – and its feeling of competition and fun – close to its fans. They have the chance to meet the drivers or do a lap in their cars. To me it’s an unforgettable experience!

Last year you were still in a bit of a daze from your world championship when you came to ROC. Has it a been bit calmer this year and if so do you think you can savour ROC even more this time?

It’s a bit different because I already won the championship in Japan and not at the last race. Still this doesn’t mean that we stopped fighting or competing. We kept fighting for wins, this is all we want: to get the maximum out of every single race.

How much have you changed as a driver since this time last year with this memorable F1 season?

I learned from the first title. I am a bit calmer these days and maybe more self-confident. If you win a title you prove you can do it. But people shouldn’t misunderstand this and think I can handle every situation easily now. I still have to learn a lot, it’s the constant experience which makes you a better driver.

If you had to choose just one, would you prefer to cap it off by winning the ROC Nations Cup again or finally to triumph in the individual Race Of Champions?

I have won the ROC Nations Cup four times and I am very happy with this result. It’s very similar to the constructors’ championship in F1 where you fight together for one target. But I certainly have the ambition to win the individual Race Of Champions as well.

Sebastian spricht über ROC 2011

Dienstag, den 29. November 2011 um 00:00 Uhr

Zuletzt aktualisiert am Freitag, den 02. Dezember 2011 um 10:50 Uhr
Geschrieben von: Administrator

Interviews

Race Of Champions am 3. und 4. Dezember in Düsseldorf:

Sebastian Vettel: „Ich kann es kaum abwarten, bis es endlich losgeht“

Der Auftritt von Sebastian Vettel glich schon im vergangenem Jahr einem Triumphzug: Der Heppenheimer kam 2010 als frisch gebackener Formel-1-Weltmeister nach Düsseldorf und konnte sich vor Sympathiebekundungen, Interview- und Autogrammanfragen kaum retten. In diesem Jahr legt er noch einen drauf: Eine grandiose Formel-1-Saison hat er als jüngster Formel-1-Doppelweltmeister aller Zeiten abgeschlossen und sich damit einen Platz im Olymp der Motorsport-Ikonen eingefahren. Nun tritt der ehrgeizige RedBull-Pilot, der übrigens der jüngste Fahrer im Starterfeld ist, zum großen Show-down in der ESPRIT arena an: Gemeinsam mit Michael Schumacher möchte er den fünften Titel im ROC Nations-Cup in ununterbrochener Reihenfolge holen. Im Einzelwettbewerb will er diesmal endlich ins Finale kommen. Im Gespräch verrät er: Bei aller Professionalität freut er sich schon diebisch auf den Wettkampf mit den besten Piloten der Welt.

???: Könnten Sie uns beschreiben, wie es sich anfühlte, im vergangenen Jahr in einem geschlossenen Stadion vor den heimischen Fans anzutreten?

Sebastian Vettel: „Das ist schon fast magisch – ein bisschen, wie ein Fußballspiel in einem vollen Stadion. Wirklich etwas ganz Besonderes.“

???: Wie groß ist ihre Vorfreude auf die Wiederholung des Heimrennens? Und was würden Sie den Fans sagen, sich noch nicht entschieden haben, ob sie kommen sollen oder nicht?

Sebastian Vettel: „All die, die noch unentschlossen sind, sollten sich definitiv für den ROC-Besuch entscheiden. Ich persönlich kann es kaum noch abwarten bis es endlich losgeht. Diese Veranstaltung ist etwas völlig anderes als das, was wir in der Formel 1, der Rallye-WM oder anderen Motorsportkategorien erleben. Das liegt daran, dass hier so viele Fahrer aus den unterschiedlichsten Ländern und Disziplinen gegeneinander antreten und miteinander Spaß haben. Ein großartiges Event, um den Motorsport – und das Gefühl von Wettkampf und Spaß – ganz nah an die Fans zu bringen. Hier haben sie die Chance, die Fahrer zu treffen oder sogar eine Runde bei ihnen mitzufahren. In meinen Augen eine unvergessliche Erfahrung.“

???: Vergangenes Jahr schienen Sie vom Gewinn des WM-Titels noch berauscht, als Sie zum ROC kamen. Ging es dieses Jahr etwas ruhiger zu? Und denken Sie, dass Sie das ROC deshalb sogar noch mehr genießen können?

Sebastian Vettel: „Es ist schon etwas anders, weil ich den Titel bereits in Japan gewonnen habe und nicht erst im letzten Rennen. Das heißt allerdings nicht, dass wir jetzt weniger hart kämpfen. Wir haben bis zum Schluss darum gekämpft, Siege einzufahren, denn das ist es, worum es uns geht: aus jedem Rennen das Maximum herauszuholen.“

???: Wie sehr hat die großartige Formel-1-Saison, die Sie seit dem vergangen Jahr um die gleiche Zeit hingelegt haben, verändert?

Sebastian Vettel: „Ich habe aus meinem ersten Titel gelernt. Ich bin mittlerweile etwas ruhiger und möglicherweise selbstbewusster. Wenn Du einen Titel gewinnst, beweist Du, dass Du das Zeug hast, dieses Ziel zu erreichen. Doch die Leute sollten dass nicht missverstehen und glauben, dass ich nun in der Lage bin, mit jeder Situation spielend fertig zu werden. Ich muss noch immer viel lernen und es ist das konstante Sammeln von Erfahrungen, das mich zu einem besseren Fahrer macht.“

???: Wenn Sie sich entscheiden müssten, was wäre ihnen lieber? Der fünfte Sieg im ROC Nations-Cup oder endlich den Fahrer-Titel beim Race Of Champions zu gewinnen?

Sebastian Vettel: „Ich habe den ROC Nations-Cup vier Mal gewonnen und bin mit diesem Resultat sehr glücklich. Das ist ähnlich wie in der Konstrukteurs-WM der Formel 1, wo man gemeinsam für ein Ziel kämpft. Doch ich habe definitiv das Ziel, auch den Fahrer-Titel beim Race Of Champions zu gewinnen.“

Credit: Sebastian Vettel (www.sebastianvettel.com)

GreenBkk.com Rubens Barrichello | Rubens Barrichello inicia disputa do Desafio das Estrelas de Kart

2011-12-02T21:26:00.000+07:00

Rubens Barrichello inicia disputa do Desafio das Estrelas de Kart

Sexta-feira, 02 de Dezembro de 2011 - 10h31

Campeão de 2008, brasileiro chega nesta sexta-feira a Florianópolis

Carsten Horst

Rubens Barrichello fará neste fim de semana uma das coisas que mais gosta quando não está pilotando na Fórmula 1: andar de kart. Em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, no kartódromo da Arena Sapiens, Rubens disputará o já tradicional "Desafio das Estrelas", promovido por seu amigo Felipe Massa, e com grandes nomes do automobilismo nacional e internacional.

"O Desafio e as 500 Milhas de Kart já são consolidados em nosso calendário, e agora também teremos o Rally de São Paulo para se juntar a eles. São eventos que realmente aproximam ainda mais o fã de velocidade, e certamente é um grande alegria poder disputa-los. Será um final de ano bem competitivo e acelerando bastante", comentou o brasileiro, que citou as 500 Milhas de Kart do Beto Carrero, no dia 10, e o Rally de São Paulo, dias 17 e 18 de dezembro.

O "Desafio das Estrelas" desse ano irá reunir 29 pilotos da Fórmula 1, Fórmula Indy, Stock Car, Fórmula Truck entre outros, com a realização de duas baterias, uma no sábado (3) à noite e outra no domingo (4) de manhã.

Na edição de 2008, Rubens Barrichello se deu melhor do que todos e levou o caneco de campeão para casa. Ano passado, o brasileiro foi terceiro colocado na competição.

Confira quem mais estará disputando o título da edição de 2011:

Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa, Lucas Di Grassi, Adrian Sutil, Jaime Alguersuari, Pastor Maldonado, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Jérôme D’Ambrosio, Jules Bianchi, Gianni Morbidelli, Tony Kanaan, Bia Figueiredo, Hélio Castroneves, Vitor Meira, Nelsinho Piquet, Pietro Fittipaldi, Cacá Bueno, Popó Bueno, Marcos Gomes, Allam Khodair, Xandinho Negrão, Luciano Burti, Max Wilson, Ricardo Zonta, Antonio Pizzonia, Tuka Rocha, Christian Fittipaldi, Leonardo Nienkötter e Enrique Bernoldi.

Confira a programação do evento:

Sexta-feira, 02/12

17h00 - Sorteio dos karts

20h00 - Warm up (Amaciamento de motor - 10min)

20h30 - 1ª Sessão de treinos livres (40min)

Sábado, 03/12

16h00 - 2a Sessão de treinos livres (40min)

18h00 - Treinos classificatórios grupo 01 (15min)

18h30 - Treinos classificatórios grupo 02 (15min)

19h00 - Top Qualifying

21h45 - 1ª bateria Desafio (30min + 1 volta)

22h15 - Pódio

Domingo, 04/12

08h30 - Warm up (15min)

11h00 - 2ª Bateria Desafio

11h40 - Pódio

Credit: Rubens Barrichello (www.barrichello.com.br)

GreenBkk.com Vitaly Petrov | Гран При Бразилии

2011-12-02T21:23:00.000+07:00

Гран При Бразилии

2 декабря 2011

Ситуация с безопасностью в Бразилии всегда вызывала определенные опасения, но на этот раз организаторы этапа хорошо поработали: жили мы в той же гостинице, что и в прошлом году, у нас был свой водитель на машине с затемнёнными стеклами, и по ходу всего уик-энда мы не ощущали никакой опасности. Полицейские стояли вдоль дороги, ведущей на трассу – сразу было понятно, что ничего не случится.

Я прилетел в Бразилию в среду утром, а уже после обеда у нас было мероприятие – на дорожных Lotus мы катали местных звёзд. С четверга команда уже плотно работала на трассе. В первой тренировке вместо меня работал Роман Грожан: конечно, никогда не хочется отдавать свою машину другому пилоту, потому что каждый километр даёт преимущество с точки зрения наката. Но это решение команды, и я его принял.

Мне не нужно было учить трассу, но команда привезла в Бразилию очередные новинки, которые мы тестировали к следующему сезону, и я, конечно, хотел бы провести за рулем побольше времени, чтобы понять, как они работают, и стоит ли их использовать в новом сезоне.

Все складывалось неплохо – но лишь до начала второй части квалификации. Когда я готовился к первой попытке, то в последнем повороте пропустил вперед Льюиса Хэмилтона. Я рассчитывал пристроиться следом за ним на прямой и увеличить за счет этого скорость. Но получилось совсем не так – на прямой, пожалуй, я и впрямь немного отыграл, но в первых поворотах потерял куда больше времени. Мое решение было ошибочным – ехать следом за другой машиной не стоило. А во второй попытке я оказался в сильном трафике и тоже не смог показать хороший результат. В итоге пришлось стартовать с 15-й позиции.

На этот раз в гонке техника работала без сбоев, и наша тактика тоже была правильной – мы заезжали в боксы именно на том круге, когда это было нужно, не раньше и не позже. К сожалению, вскоре после середины дистанции я надолго застрял за пилотами Toro Rosso, из-за чего потерял время и не смог добиться большего. Я был ощутимо быстрее, но обогнать соперника – даже с использованием подвижного крыла – оказалось невозможно, так как они показывали хорошую скорость на прямых.

В итоге я финишировал десятым – хотя, если бы не эта заминка, мог бы оказаться выше на одну или даже две позиции. Конечно, это всегда немного обидно. Но все же приятно закончить сезон, заработав очередные очки.

Я должен был улетать из Бразилии в понедельник вечером, но специально поменял билеты, чтобы пораньше вернуться на базу и подробно все обсудить с инженерами команды – мы провели за анализом почти три часа, разбирали весь сезон, этап за этапом. Уверен, что это поможет мне в следующем году.

Ну а теперь впереди у меня Гонка чемпионов. Она обещает стать веселым мероприятием, это наверняка будет очень интересный опыт. Я рассчитываю получить позитивные эмоции – посмотрим, как все сложится.

Credit: Vitaly Petrov (vitalypetrov.ru)

GreenBkk.com McLaren | Lewis Hamilton goes underground to launch free New Year’s Eve travel in London

2011-12-02T21:11:00.000+07:00

Lewis Hamilton goes underground to launch free New Year’s Eve travel in London

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes partner Diageo sponsors festive season bonus for partygoers

Lewis Hamilton went underground yesterday to launch Diageo’s Responsible Drinking Campaign and their sponsorship of free travel around the UK capital on New Year’s Eve.

Thanks to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes partner Diageo, Londoners will be able to party and get home safely, with free travel from 23:45 on New Year’s Eve until 04:30 on New Year’s Day on the capital’s transport services including tube trains, buses and trams, and on London overground trains until their last service of the night. At selected central London Underground stations Diageo will be giving out top tips and free bottles of water on some of the busiest party nights of the year.

Speaking at the launch Lewis said: “Whilst we all want to have a good time this party season, a good time will be a better one if you can remember it and get home safely. Diageo sponsoring free travel is going to make it a little easier for us all to get home this New Year’s Eve and this campaign will remind us to drink responsibly for a great night out.

“Through my work with Diageo on Johnnie Walker for the Join the Pact campaign I have been part of many responsible drinking initiatives and I hope today serves as a timely reminder to people in London to have fun but be responsible.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson described the deal as “fantastic” for partygoers. “London has a tremendous amount to offer over the festive period and this will allow people to welcome in the New Year in the world’s most fantastic city, and still get home cheaply and safely, late into the night.”

Credit: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (mclaren.com)

GreenBkk.com Red Bull Racing F1 | Countdown to Christmas: Day Two

2011-12-02T21:00:00.002+07:00

Countdown to Christmas: Day Two

by Red Bull Racing, Dec 2, 2011

Taxi!

Day two unveils THAT image from this year's German Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was hitching a ride with our very own Mark Webber after his own car ran out of fuel, post-race.

The ironic image quickly became an iconic one from this season and is a firm favourite here at Red Bull Racing HQ.

Credit: Red Bull Racing Formula one Team (www.redbullracing.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Williams retain Maldonado for 2012

2011-12-02T20:55:00.000+07:00

Williams retain Maldonado for 2012

Williams have confirmed that Pastor Maldonado will remain with the team next season. It will be the Venezuelan’s second year racing in F1, following a tough rookie campaign in which he secured one world championship point.

Williams also announced the promotion of reigning GP3 champion Valtteri Bottas to the role of reserve driver. Bottas is expected to participate in a Friday practice session at the majority of 2012 Grands Prix.

“I am delighted to be able to continue with Williams into my second season and I will give my very best to help the team as we push to return to the front of the grid,” said Maldonado. “This has been a tough season for the whole team but it has given me personally the opportunity to learn and develop. I am convinced that the steps we have taken to improve our competitiveness will bear fruit in 2012 and beyond. I am thrilled to be part of that and also to represent the people of Venezuela in Formula One.”

Team principal Frank Williams commented: “Pastor has proven this year that he is not only quick but also that he is able to maintain a consistent and strong race pace,” said team principal Frank Williams. “He has been responsible for all of our forays into Q3 in 2011 and his race at Monaco was outstanding. Pastor has also settled into the team at Williams very well, contributing strongly in the factory and with our partners. He will play a critical role in 2012 as we rebuild the team and move forward.”

Of his promotion, Finland’s Bottas said, “I would like to thank Frank Williams and the whole team for the investment that everyone at Williams has made to help me over the past two years. The opportunity now to continue this unique development with the position of reserve driver will enable me to gain essential experience as part of the race team in 2012. In this position, I will do my utmost to help the team to set up for a great race weekend and also look forward to playing a role off the track with the team at the factory and with our partners.”

After winning four prestigious karting titles between 2004 and 2006, Bottas moved to single-seater racing in 2007. In Formula Renault he won both the Eurocup and NEC championships and took 22 wins from 48 starts. In Formula Three Bottas was the highest placed rookie, finishing third in the championship before going on to take three wins in his second season. He also won both years’ F3 Masters races, the first driver to win this race in successive years. In GP3 this year, Bottas won the title after taking four wins in the last seven races. He then joined Williams for two days at the recent Abu Dhabi young driver test where he demonstrated mature car control and consistently quick lap times while providing considered and sound technical feedback.

“We have a very specific approach to young driver development, working with one highly talented individual over a period of years,” said Williams. “Valtteri has proved a very capable and rounded young man of fierce determination. As the team’s reserve driver, we anticipate that Valtteri will participate in a Friday practice session at 15 Grands Prix next year, most likely with a more experienced driver taking over for the remainder of the race weekend.”

Williams will announce the identity of that driver in due course, leaving the future of Maldonado’s 2011 team mate, Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello, uncertain.

Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)

GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Adrian Sutil Q&A: More than one option for 2012

2011-12-02T20:32:00.019+07:00

Adrian Sutil Q&A: More than one option for 2012

With 2012 race seats filling up fast, Adrian Sutil must feel under pressure to secure his Formula One future. His recent run of strong drives with Force India will doubtless help his cause and he hopes to have things sorted in the next couple of weeks. Will he stay put? Could he be Williams-bound to partner Pastor Maldonado? Or could he prove the ideal partner for a returning Kimi Raikkonen at Renault? We spoke exclusively to the German driver…

Q: Adrian, at the last three races your performance literally exploded, creating the perfect platform for negotiations about your future in Formula One…

Adrian Sutil: To be honest, I delivered great performances at my last 10 races, but obviously the last three are still more current to the onlooker. For sure, these results make things easier for me and my manager to sort out the future. (laughs)

Q: On the flip side, it’s a bit strange that you have delivered the best season of your career and yet have no confirmed drive for 2012. Isn’t that absurd?

AS: Yes, I totally agree. But that’s life in Formula One and you have to deal with it. But it doesn’t look too bad for 2012 - let’s see what will happen.

Q: You had hoped that there would be a decision made before December. What is state of affairs right now?

AS: Right now we do have more than one option and we are trying to put the best package together for next year. Hopefully we will have a decision within the next two weeks.

Q: You have never made a secret of the fact that you would like to stay with Force India - especially now, with the team’s and the car’s recent improvement. So leaving would probably be pretty hard …

AS: As I said, we do have more than one option…

Q: Looking at the FIA entry list released this week, there are now nine seats supposedly available, but only three teams would ultimately meet your requirements: Force India, Williams or Renault. Or would you exclude any of these teams?

AS: I guess we all know that sometimes the first entry list is not the last…

Q: The rumour was that your fate could be directly connected to Kimi Raikkonen’s decision. Now he has settled his future, what are the consequences for you?

AS: No consequences for me at all.

Q: Were you surprised by his move to Renault? All the previous stories linked him to Williams…

AS: No, for us it wasn’t a big surprise.

Q: Kimi hasn’t been in an F1 car for two years and things have changed significantly in that time, notably the tyres. Some have suggested he could use a strong and experienced team mate for the first year - could that be you?

AS: I always said I’m happy to have the best team mate I can get, as this is the only chance to show how good you are - and Kimi would be a great and very strong team mate…

Q: If you could post a wish to Santa Claus, what would it be?

AS: To get a car that gives me the chance to fight for my first podium or win! Santa Claus, do you hear me? (laughs)

Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)

GreenBkk.com Williams F1 | Pastor Maldonado Confirmed for 2012 with Valtteri Bottas as Reserve Driver

2011-12-02T14:18:00.000+07:00

Pastor Maldonado Confirmed for 2012 with Valtteri Bottas as Reserve Driver

Posted on Thursday 01 Dec 2011

AT&T Williams today confirmed that Pastor Maldonado will enter his second season in Formula One as Williams’ race driver; and also announced the promotion of Valtteri Bottas to Reserve Driver.

Speaking first of Pastor, AT&T Williams Team Principal Frank Williams said, “Pastor has proven this year that he is not only quick but also that he is able to maintain a consistent and strong race pace. Pastor has been responsible for all of our forays into Q3 in 2011 and his race at Monaco was outstanding. Pastor has also settled into the team at Williams very well, contributing strongly in the factory and with our partners. He will play a critical role in 2012 as we rebuild the team and move forward.”

Pastor said, “I am delighted to be able to continue with Williams into my second season and I will give my very best to help the team as we push to return to the front of the grid. This has been a tough season for the whole team but it has given me personally the opportunity to learn and develop. I am convinced that the steps we have taken to improve our competitiveness will bear fruit in 2012 and beyond. I am thrilled to be part of that and also to represent the people of Venezuela in Formula One.”

Of Valtteri Bottas, Frank Williams said, “We have a very specific approach to young driver development, working with one highly talented individual over a period of years. Valtteri has proved a very capable and rounded young man of fierce determination. As the team’s Reserve Driver, we anticipate that Valtteri will participate in a Friday practice session at 15 Grands Prix next year, most likely with a more experienced driver taking over for the remainder of the race weekend. We will announce the identity of that driver in due course.”

After winning four prestigious kart titles between 2004 and 2006, Valtteri Bottas moved to single seater racing in 2007. In Formula Renault he won both the Eurocup and NEC championships and took 22 wins from 48 starts. In Formula 3 Valtteri was the highest placed rookie, finishing third in the championship before going on to take three wins in his second season. Valtteri also won both years’ F3 Masters races the first to win this race in successive years. In the GP3 championship this year, Valtteri won the championship after taking four wins in the last seven races. Valtteri then joined AT&T Williams at the Abu Dhabi young driver test for two days where he demonstrated mature car control and consistently quick lap times while providing considered and sound technical feedback.

Valtteri said, “I would like to thank Frank Williams and the whole team for the investment that everyone at Williams has made to help me over the past two years. The opportunity now to continue this unique development with the position of Reserve Driver will enable me to gain essential experience as part of the race team in 2012. In this position, I will do my utmost to help the team to set up for a great race weekend and also look forward to playing a role off the track with the team at the factory and with our partners.”

Credit: at&t Williams F1 (www.williamsf1.com)

GreenBkk.com Force India | Robert Fernley: “I think they both did a fabulous job”

2011-12-02T14:11:00.000+07:00

Robert Fernley: “I think they both did a fabulous job”

Thursday ,29 December 2011

Sahara Force India achieved its 2011 target of finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship after a great end to the season in Brazil saw Adrian Sutil finish sixth and Paul Di Resta eighth

Indeed the team closed to within four points of Lotus Renault GP in the final standings. The focus now turns to the new car, and preparations for the 2012 season. We asked Deputy Team Principal, Robert Fernley, for his thoughts.

The Brazilian GP was a great end to the 2011 season for the team. How did the race unfold for Adrian and Paul?

“We swapped strategies for Adrian at the beginning of the race, because the tyres were not going quite the distance that we thought they would, so we moved him to a three-stop in order that we could keep him up front. With Paul we wanted to try and get the two-stop to try and cover anyone else doing that. But we had major gearbox problems from lap 32 or so – we lost oil, we lost KERS at one point, we got KERS back, we lost the seamless shift. How Paul got it home, I don’t know!.”

The team achieved the target of sixth place in the World Championship, but having come so close to catching Renault do you have any regrets about points missed here and there earlier in the season?

“No, I don’t think so really. Clearly our goal was to make sure we got sixth. Of course it would have been a nice bonus and wishful thinking to think you would have got fifth. The season is what it is, and I am sure Renault could also say, ‘If we done better at such and such a race we could have kept the gap.’ You have to deal with what you have. I just think it was a good, solid effort. The team’s come home in a very strong sixth, really challenging for fifth, and we got Adrian home in ninth place, which was another goal. And Paul was the best placed rookie. I don’t think that we could have done an awful lot better than that, considering we had a bit of a late start in terms of getting the car working. What we’ve got to do know is come out of the blocks and really charge for fifth place in 2012.”

How would you sum up the job the drivers did this year?

“I think they both did a fabulous job. I think Adrian’s pass of Nico Rosberg in Brazil was excellent, and it just showed how he’s matured through the year. He had a very strong effort at getting past him, didn’t quite do it, backed off, took his time, and then made it stick the next time round. Maybe he wouldn’t have done that a year ago, so good for him!”

And Paul’s rookie season?

“I don’t think you can fault it for a first year. He’s pushed Adrian all the way. We had to do some mixed strategies towards the end of the season, which in many cases hasn’t helped Paul. But it was actually for the team, and not the driver.”

Williams is rebuilding for next year, Lotus Renault has big plans, and obviously the likes of Sauber and Toro Rosso are not going to stand still. What are your thoughts on 2012?

“Unlike this year, we have to come out of the blocks challenging for fifth place. Unless we can do that, we won’t be able to go near it. You’re right, none of those teams are going to stay still. All of them have probably got better resources than we have, so we’ve got to work harder.”

Credit: Sahara Force India Formula One Team (www.forceindiaf1.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: Mazda Takeri Sedan Concept

2011-12-02T13:52:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: Mazda Takeri Sedan Concept

Mazda has released photos of the alluring Takeri, a concept sedan that will make its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in late November. The car wears Mazda’s new Kodo corporate styling language, features several fuel-saving SkyActiv technologies, and just may preview the styling direction of the company’s next-generation midsize sedan.

Like the CX-5 crossover, which also was styled based on the new Kodo language, the Mazda Takeri wears a rounded pentagon front grille and flowing character lines. The car ends in a pinched, taut trunklid with narrow lights. Its sweeping greenhouse and sloped rear glass create a sporty feeling, while the Takeri’s profile somewhat resembles cars like the Audi A7 and Kia Optima.

Inside the sedan are four bucket seats and a futuristic dashboard replete with a large color display. The three-spoke steering wheel is typical Mazda design, while the flashy gauges and joystick-like shifter are more unusual. The car’s center console also has a collection of buttons and a small joystick, which could be for controlling the aforementioned dashboard display -- sort of like BMW’s iDrive or Audi’s MMI.

Mazda says that its SkyActiv-D diesel engine with i-stop (engine stop/start) powers the Takeri. The car is said to have “lightweight, aerodynamic” components, which presumably hints to further SkyActiv innovations like those seen on the CX-5. Finally, Mazda claims the engine uses capacitors to store electrical energy on deceleration, reducing the load on the alternator at other times and thus improving fuel economy.

The Takeri is slated to mix “excellent fuel economy with vigorous performance and a comfortable ride.” Based on its design, we think there’s a strong chance this concept previews the next iteration of the Mazda6. The company has said that production of the next-generation 6 in Japan could begin as early as 2013. We’ll bring you more once the car is fully unwrapped in Tokyo.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: Mitsubishi Mirage and Concept PX-MiEV II

2011-12-02T13:41:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: Mitsubishi Mirage and Concept PX-MiEV II

By Jason Udy

Mitsubishi only sells a handful of models in the U.S., but the automaker will have 15 vehicles in its booth at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The biggest news will be an all-new Mirage model aimed at emerging markets and the Concept PX MiEV II plug-in hybrid showing off the automaker's latest "green technology."

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II

The Concept PX-MiEV II is a plug-in hybrid PHEV that combines Mitsubishi's existing EV technology in an SUV body. The hybrid setup increases range over traditional small EV-only city cars. The automaker uses technology lifted from its i-MiEV (or i in the U.S.) electric city car and a conventional gasoline engine. Mitsubishi claims the Concept PX-MiEV II has a range of 800 km (496 miles) and can travel as far as 60 km per liter or fuel consumed.

Mitsubishi says the PX can travel as far as 50 km (31 miles) on battery power alone. The gasoline engine can be used as a generator (like the Chevy Volt) or drive the wheels directly. The Concept PX-MiEV II uses a 2.0-liter MIVEC four-cylinder engine making 94 horsepower combined with two 80-horsepower electric motors that drive Mitsubishi's S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) four-wheel-drive system - the same system used in the Lancer Evolution X. Mitsubishi claims the instant torque from the electric motors help it accelerate like a 3.0-liter V6 engine.

Among the cars on Mitsubishi's stand will be one each of the Concept PX-MiEV II. RVR, Galant Fortis, Pajero, Outlander, Delica D-2, and Delica D-3; two each of the Mirage, MINICAB i-MiEVs, and Delica D-5; and four i-MiEV electric vehicles.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi resurrected the Mirage name for a new a sub-compact, five-door hatchback that's only 146 inches long - or, for context, about one inch shorter than the current Mini Cooper hatchback. The five-passenger, front-wheel-drive Mirage is powered by a 1.0-liter inline three-cylinder MIVEC engine with Auto Stop & GO (AS&G) mated to a CVT transmission.

The automaker designed the Mirage to meet the needs of emerging markets and advanced markets alike. According to Mitsubishi, emerging markets need affordable compact cars for maneuverability and drivability; advanced markets need an entry-level model; and both markets need a car with good fuel economy and low carbon emissions that seats five adults comfortably.

Fuel economy is aimed at best-in-class for the Japanese market version. Efficiency gains were made through weight reduction, rolling resistance, less drivetrain friction, improved brakes, and an aerodynamic body to reduce drag. The Mirage is scheduled to go on sale in Thailand March 2012 followed by other markets.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Nissan Juke Nismo

2011-12-02T13:24:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Nissan Juke Nismo

By Ben Timmins

Nissan's Juke crossover already has a turbocharged, direct-injected engine and is available with a manual transmission, but for people with even sportier tastes, it looks like Nissan has a concept car for you: the Nismo Juke.

Nissan's Nismo tuning house has made its name tuning racecars, and this year was no different, with the Japanese team scoring wins in Japanese Super GT, FIA GT-1, and 24 Hours of Le Mans racing series. But the brand has also fettled with Nissan's more pedestrian products, like the 370Z. After its success in 2011, Nismo made the decision to expand the brand.

Its first project is the Nismo Juke concept car, which will show at this week's Tokyo Motor Show in Japan. Like its distant relative the Juke-R concept, it wears a sportier exterior with a lower stance, more flared wheel arches, and a full aero kit with a lower front valance, side skirts, and a rear diffuser.

Nissan hasn't released any specifications about the car yet, so it's unclear if the 1.6-liter turbo-direct-injected engine has received any tuning, but seeing as the naturally aspirated Nismo 370Z has 18 more horsepower than its stock counterpart, we wouldn't be surprised if the Nismo Juke is a bit quicker than its standard sibling as well.

It's also unclear if this pumped-up model will ever make it to showroom floors. Again, like the Juke-R, Nissan says that it will consider production plans if the public responds to it well. So if you're in the Tokyo area, do us a favor: go look at the car and put in a good word.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Nissan Pivo3 Concept

2011-12-02T13:05:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Nissan Pivo3 Concept

By Ben Timmins

Nissan has pulled the wraps off of its newest concept for the Tokyo Motor Show, and it's a funky electric city car called the Pivo3.

The Pivo3 is the third generation of Nissan Pivo, a concept model that has been shaped and tweaked since 2005. While the Pivo 1 and Pivo 2 both had a much more bubbly appearance, the new Pivo3 has a more chiseled, angular look. It receives a smattering of the same zero emissions badges from and blue-accented trim from the current Nissan Leaf, and tight, trapezoidal headlights.

The Pivo3, like its predecessors, is Nissan's vision of a future where the already-sparse parking situation in most cities is even tighter. The car uses an all-electric powertrain with in-wheel motors, and a comically tight steering rack: Nissan says the Pivo3 can make a complete U-turn on a 13-foot-wide street, but that if you really crank the wheel, the Pivo has a turning radius of a shade under seven feet.

This should make the Pivo3 easy to park, although the car is capable of parking itself. The Pivo3 is designed to work with future infrastructure that theoretically allows it to autonomously drive itself through parking lots and garages, and then park itself - all without any involvement from the driver. The system, called Automated Valet Parking, should also work to find places to recharge the car.

Inside, the Pivo3 uses a so-called Robotic Agent that functions like a voice-activated personal assistant. Rear-view mirrors have been replaced with cameras - a good idea, considering the driver is placed in the center of three seats, and away from where conventional mirrors would be located.

The Pivo3 is a concept, and as such won't see production, but seeing that previous Pivo models helped to publicize Nissan's upcoming in-car technologies, we wouldn't be surprised if the Pivo3 will signal some future features from the Japanese marque.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Subaru BRZ

2011-12-02T12:58:00.000+07:00

2011 Tokyo Auto Show: First Look: 2012 Subaru BRZ

By Alex Nishimoto

On the heels of the online unveiling of the Toyota GT 86, Subaru has released details of its version of the rear-drive sporty coupe, the BRZ. We were introduced to the design of the BRZ only recently, with Subaru providing the first glimpse two weeks ago in concept form at the L.A. Auto Show. Now, Subaru has released the particulars of the production version ahead of its scheduled debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Not surprisingly, the car doesn't look much different from the concept, and bears a strong family resemblance to its sister cars Toyota GT 86 and Scion FR-S. But a few key details set this sports car apart from its Toyota- and Scion-badged counterparts.

Like the GT 86, the BRZ is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, though at 200 hp, it makes 3 more than its Toyota counterpart. Torque sits at 151 lb-ft, the same as the GT 86. A six-speed manual transmission with short-stroke shift lever is used, and is optimized for shift feel and response.

As Subaru has been quick to point out in the past, the BRZ has one of the lowest centers of gravity of any car currently on the market. This is accomplished by positioning the engine lower in the chassis and by making it more compact through the use of low-profile parts like a shorter intake manifold and shallower oil pan. Subaru says this "ultra-low center of gravity" gives the car good handling characteristics, one of the primary goals set during the BRZ's development. Overall length of the car is 170 inches (4240 mm) with width set at 70 inches (1775 mm) and a height of just 52 inches (1300 mm) tall. Curb weight is a relatively lean 2700 lbs thanks in part to the use of weight-saving high tensile strength steel.

At first glance, the BRZ's exterior doesn't appear all that different from that of the Toyota GT 86, but a closer look reveals a few distinct differences. The six-star Subaru badge is front and center, flanked by a pair of angry-eye headlights - though not quite as angry as the GT 86's, as they lack the slanted inner strip of LEDs. An inverted trapezoidal grille completes the look of the front end. The fenders are flared, with the rear fenders bulging slightly more than the front to hint at the car's rear-drive layout. Unlike the BRZ STI Concept we saw earlier this month, which wore 18-inch wheels with a staggered set of 215/45R18-size tires in the front and 225/45R18s in the rear, the production version will wear 17-inch wheels with 215/45R17s all around. Subaru claims a few aerodynamic advancements influenced the shapes of the C-pillar, rear glass inclination, and trunk lid, so form and function both prevail in the rear.

Inside, the focus was on creating a fun-to-drive experience. A smaller steering wheel is used to give the BRZ that sports car feel, while a tachometer with digital speedometer is placed in the center of the gauge cluster to relay the most important info to the driver. The BRZ also features unique sport seats, which provide good bolstering and are low-slung to further accentuate the car's low center of gravity.

Full details will be revealed this week, when the BRZ makes its official world debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)

GreenBkk.com Auto | Driven: 2012 Range Rover Evoque

2011-12-02T12:48:00.000+07:00

Driven: 2012 Range Rover Evoque

By Joe Lorio / Photos by Joe Lorio

For all the exploding popularity of the compact crossover vehicle segment, very few of its members stir any excitement. That's true even among premium-brand entries. With its first-ever compact offering, the Evoque, Range Rover has managed to defy the category norm and create a vehicle that is markedly different from the brand's traditional offerings, and yet every bit as special.

Much of the credit goes to the design. The Evoque's show-car styling stands in dramatic contrast to much of the competitive field. Its designers (led by Jerry McGovern) skillfully managed to take the characteristic Range Rover look and evolve it into a sleeker shape on a much smaller vehicle.

And this vehicle is a whole lot smaller. Compared to the next biggest Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport, the Evoque is some 16 inches shorter. Versus others in its segment, the Evoque is also very compact -- about half a foot shorter than a Mercedes-Benz GLK and nearly a foot shorter than a BMW X3.

For such a small SUV, the Evoque is still reasonably roomy. The rear seat is adequate for six-footers and even the middle spot is acceptable, although rear-seat passengers need to thread themselves through a fairly narrow door opening. The reward once they get back there -- at least in my fully kitted out test example -- is a dual-screen entertainment system; it comes with an oversize remote that can also control the audio system (cleverly, its battery recharges when you snap it into its storage spot in the console).

As the uplevel Dynamic model, my Evoque's interior was embellished with contrast stitching, special aluminum trim, and perforated seat leather. The decor isn't as traditional as the big-boy Range Rovers, but materials quality is quite good nonetheless. All Evoques come with what has to be the world's largest glass roof. It makes a huge impression -- particularly on rear-seat passengers. It also opens up what would otherwise be an awfully dark space, given the slit-like side windows and high beltline (both of which are a stark contrast to the Range Rover norm). And don't worry, sunbelt dwellers, all that overhead glass can be shut out with a power sunshade that is fully opaque.

The standard touch-screen isn't the best in the business, but it's far better than what corporate sibling Jaguar offers. (One wonders why Jaguar doesn't just adopt this one.) The Evoque does, however, use Jaguar's contrived, turn-dial gear selector, which rises up out of the console. With gear selection done by knob, the Terrain Response System for the standard four-wheel drive here jettisons its knob for a strip of buttons.

The Evoque's single engine offering is a turbocharged, direct-injected four -- which is absolutely the engine configuration of the moment. At 2.0 liters, it is less than half the size of the brand's other powerplants. And yet, its modest 240 horsepower proves to be plenty of muscle to move the small Rover. (That's partially because the Evoque is quite svelte, weighing in at less than 4000 pounds, a figure that is not only light for a Range Rover but also for the compact-SUV category.) The factory 0-60 figure of 7.1 seconds is fractionally better than that of the Range Rover Sport with its 5.0-liter V-8. The Evoque feels very quick, as the engine's 250 pound-feet of torque arrives at a low 1750 rpm, and pushes the car down the road with a shove. The price you pay for that turbocharged power delivery is throttle response that's not very linear. Achieving a smooth, progressive takeoff requires concentration; more often you just let the engine blast you ahead, and then back out of the throttle.

The price one pays at the pump, however, is not bad at all, and that stands in stark and welcome contrast to the Land Rover norm. The Evoque is rated at an impressive 18 mpg city and 28 on the highway, which not only puts its hard-drinking siblings to shame but is among the most economical of its ilk.

Given the Evoque's on-road bias and sporting pretentions, it's no surprise that its body motions are tightly controlled and that it gets around corners without feeling heavy or clumsy. Given the firm suspension and (on my test version) the high-style, 20-inch wheels, it's also no surprise that the Evoque rides fairly stiffly. Even so, it's able to take the edge off of most bumps; only more serious ridges and potholes can make for sharp impacts. An adaptive suspension is a stand-alone option, but my Rover was not so equipped.

The Evoque impresses because, more so than its competitors, this is one highbrow compact SUV that successfully distills the brand's premium look and feel into much smaller, more economical package. Granted, it's not cheap; the base price is more than $40,000 (most competitors at least start in the $30s) and can reach $60,000 maxed out. But Range Rovers aren't cheap and never have been. The good news is that, one of them at least, is now a lot more nimbly sized and a lot more economical, yet it's still very much a Range Rover.

2012 Range Rover Evoque

Base price (with destination): $43,995

Price as tested: $60,120

Standard Equipment:

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine

6-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles

Permanent 4-wheel drive

Hill descent control

Hill start Assist

Trailer stability assist

Traction control, stability Control

Electrically assisted power steering

Seven air bags

Rain-sensing wipers

Front and rear fog lights

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Leather-wrapped, tilt and telescopic steering wheel

Power seats

Leather seats

Power windows

Fixed panoramic glass roof with power shade

Power tailgate

Power door locks with keyless entry

Pushbutton keyless ignition

380-watt, 11-speaker Meridian audio system

Bluetooth phone and audio

8-inch touch-screen

Front and rear parking aid

Backup camera

Options on this vehicle:

Dynamic Premium trim level - $7500

19-inch wheels

Black exterior trim

Sports exhaust tips and rear skid plate

Oxford leather steering wheel

Perforated leather seats

Contrast stitching

Aluminum interior trim

Passive entry

Surround camera system

HDD navigation with voice control

825-watt, 17-speaker Meridian audio system

Xenon headlamps with AFS, auto high-beam assist

Rear-Seat Entertainment - $2500

Dual 8-inch video screens

DVD player, remote control, wireless headphones

Style 7, 20-inch shadow chrome wheels - $2500

Climate Comfort Package - $1000

Heated front seats, steering wheel, windshield, washer jets

Special paint - $950

Black roof - $650

Key options not on vehicle:

Adaptive Dynamics - $1250

Fuel economy:

(city/hwy/combined)

18 / 28 / 22 mpg

Engine:

2.0L I-4 turbo

Horsepower: 240 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque: 250 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm

Drive:

Four-wheel

Transmission:

6-speed automatic

Curb weight: 3902 lb

Competitors:

Audi Q5

BMW X3

Cadillac SRX

Lexus RX

Lincoln MKX

Mercedes-Benz GLK

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)