2013 Formula One Calendar

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has released the calendar for the 2013 season, following a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Paris, France on Friday.

It features 20 races, the same number as 2012, but with the omission of the European Grand Prix in Valencia and the provisional addition of a new US round in New York.

The FIA’s calendar in full:
17/03 Grand Prix of Australia 
24/03 Grand Prix of Malaysia 
14/04 Grand Prix of China 
21/04 Grand Prix of Bahrain 
12/05 Grand Prix of Spain (Barcelona) 
26/05 Grand Prix of Monaco 
09/06 Grand Prix of Canada 
16/06 Grand Prix of Jersey (New York) * 
30/06 Grand Prix of Great Britain 
14/07 Grand Prix of Germany 
28/07 Grand Prix of Hungary 
25/08 Grand Prix of Belgium 
08/09 Grand Prix of Italy 
22/09 Grand Prix of Singapore 
06/10 Grand Prix of Korea 
13/10 Grand Prix of Japan 
27/10 Grand Prix of India 
03/11 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 
17/11 Grand Prix of USA (Austin) 
24/11 Grand Prix of Brazil 

Hamilton make the jump to Mercedes

Mercedes Benz Formula 1 team have announced 
their 2013 driver line-up, with Nico Rosberg being joined by former worls champion Lewis Hamilton, who moves to the team from McLaren on a three-year contract, leaving Michael Schumacher, a 7 time world champion without a confirmed seat for next season.

“It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team,” said Hamilton, who exits McLaren after six seasons. “Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsports, along with a passion for winning which I share. 

“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”
Hamilton’s career has been supported by Mercedes-Benz since its earliest days. In 2000, he and Rosberg were team-mates at TeamMBM.com in Formula A karting. He drove with Mercedes-Benz engines during his two seasons in the Formula Three Euroseries, winning the 2005 championship, and all of his 104 F1 starts - and his 2008 drivers’ title - have been powered by Mercedes-Benz.

Penalty for Button in Japanese GP

Jenson Button will have to take a five-place grid penalty at the Japanese GP following an unscheduled gearbox change to his McLaren car.

The news is a hefty blow to Button's hopes of victory and follows a series of technical failings which have bedeviled his McLaren team in the last month with Button retiring from second place at Monza and current team-mate Lewis Hamilton forced out of the Singapore GP while leading the race when his gearbox failed.

According to Autosport, Button's gearbox has now also been changed after analysis determined that it would suffer the same race-ending shutdown as Hamilton's two weeks ago. 

Three (3) Cylinders from BMW ?

Big news from BMW, is coming in a small package in the 2012 Paris Motor Show’s wake: the brand is said to be considering a small capacity three-cylinder engine for North America market.

Doing so would represent a departure from the brand’s predominantly rear-wheel bias, but BMW is keeping up with the industry beat by reigning in engine displacement and boosting mile-per-gallon ratings. Recent and lesser efforts in that regard include the new BMW 328i that offers a turbocharged four cylinder instead of its former six. But last week the Bavarian brand brought its latest: the Concept Active Tourer.

More often than not, concept cars serve as a display window for things to expect in future cars without any plan to build the specific concept model. In this case, the Concept Active Tourer previewed some key items BMW might siphon Stateside in the future.

That specifically includes the concept’s turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which Bimmer claims is capable of 190 hp. That, along with its performance, is enough for BMW to claim it being on par with many V6 engines despite lacking half the cylinders.

In the Concept Active Tourer’s case, that engine is also helped by a hybrid drivetrain. Recent reports suggest the little engine could make it into upcoming MINImodels, while the hybrid configuration might slip into the recently-shy i8 plug-in hybrid.

Sizzling 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Ad

We're not sure we've ever come across a vehicle capable of turning street-loads of women breathless and sweaty, and we've driven the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Even so, a new European ad for the five-door crossover seems to convey that's exactly what will happen when the fairer sex lays eyes on the machine. How's that for truth in advertising?

Amsterdam-based ad house Edge Design whipped up the 45-second spot, titled "Upskirt" to show off the newly designed Santa Fe. With plenty of blowing garments and sultry actresses, there's no missing the ad's sensuality. We just can't quite wrap our minds around how it all fits with a Korean family hauler.

You can take a peek at the clip for yourself below, just be warned that the spot may be Not Safe For Work depending on the severity of the totalitarian regime under which you toil.

GM recalling nearly 41,000 cars for potential fuel leaks

General Motors Co. said Saturday it is recalling nearly 41,000 vehicles sold in some hot weather states because a faulty part could cause fuel leaks and start a fire.GM said it recalling 40,859 2007-09 model vehicles that have a plastic piece on the fuel pump module that may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

The vehicles involved are:

- 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or now registered in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.

- 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn Ion vehicles originally sold or registered in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada or Texas

- 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona.

- 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma or Texas.

 

GM said owners of recalled cars may notice a fuel odor while the vehicle is being driven or after it is parked.

If the crack becomes large enough and impedes the flow of fuel to the engine, vehicle performance could be affected and a warning light may illuminate on the instrument cluster.

Fuel also may drip onto the ground and, if an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.

GM spokesman Alan Adler said it is unaware of any fires, crashes or injuries related to this issue. No vehicles outside the U.S. are being recalled.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump module. The recall will begin next month.

GM has been studying the issue for more than a year. In July 2011, a dealer contacted GM to notify the company that five vans had leaks at the fuel pump module. GM opened an investigation, which included the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. The review of Equinox and Torrent warranty data in October 2011 showed "some trend" but overall rates were low.

In June, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration contacted GM about owner reports of leaks on 2006-07 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5 and Saturn Ion vehicles. The same month GM conducted a state-by-state analysis that showed higher rates in certain hot weather states, leading to the recall. In states that are not part of the recall, GM will offer free repairs of the condition for up to 10 years from the date of production or 120,000 miles for the 2006-09 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5; 2006-07 Saturn Ion; and 2007-09 model year Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. GM said there was no statistically significant number of incidents in any of these states. The fuel pump module is supplied by Robert Bosch LLC in Farmington Hills, GM said

Farfus claims fourth win for BMW Motorsport in Valencia

BMW Team RBM’s Augusto Farfus has won his first DTM race at the “Circuit de la Comunitat”. The 29-year-old, at the wheel of the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM, crossed the finish line 8.406 seconds ahead of Adrien Tambay (FR, Audi) to become the first Brazilian in the history of the DTM to celebrate on the top step of the podium. He had previously claimed his first pole position in the series on Saturday.

Farfus was not the only BMW driver who could be happy with the result after 46 laps of thrilling racing in Valencia. Having completed a drive-through penalty on lap six for a jump start, Bruno Spengler (CA) worked his way through the field from 12th to sixth. Andy Priaulx (GB, Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM) and Dirk Werner (DE, E-POSTBRIEF BMW M3 DTM) also picked up points, coming home in eighth and ninth respectively. This was the first time since the race at the Norisring (DE) that BMW Motorsport had ended the race with four drivers in the top ten. Spengler also set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:27.116 minutes.

BMW Team RMG had a disappointing race: Martin Tomczyk (DE) had to retire immediately after the start when his BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM was damaged, through no fault of his own, in the turmoil of the first few corners. His team-mate Joey Hand (US, SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM) retired on lap 44, having also been hit and damaged by a rival car during the opening stages of the race.

Farfus’s triumph in Spain underlined emphatically the speed with which he has found his feet in the DTM. Going into the season finale in Hockenheim (DE) he is already assured of ending the year as the most successful rookie. Farfus first stepped onto the podium courtesy of a second place at the Lausitzring (DE). BMW has now claimed four victories in the 2012 season and now has 53 DTM triumphs to its name. Having previously won three titles and countless races in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, BMW Team RBM can now celebrate its first triumph in the DTM.

Despite the difficult race, Spengler (124 points) has reduced Gary Paffett’s (GB, Mercedes) lead in the drivers’ standings to just three points. The race for the drivers’ title will now be decided at the finale on 21st October. Tomczyk is seventh with 69 points. Farfus remains eighth with 54 points. Werner (19), Priaulx (18) and Hand (2) follow in 12th, 14th and 20th respectively.