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Formula 1 seeking independent engine supplier

Formula 1 could get a new engine supplier in the near future, if Bernie Ecclestone and the independent teams gets their way. According to Autosport, the FIA is soon to open the contract up for bids, and there are already several manufacturers that have expressed interest. Currently Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda supply engines – both to their own premier teams (Red Bull and McLaren for the latter two) but also to other teams like Williams, Sauber, and Toro Rosso. Because the new turbocharged V6 hybrid power units cost those four suppliers so much to develop, they're charging their customer teams big bucks – around $20-30 million per season – to provide the engines. These costs are much higher than the $10 million or so it used to cost to purchase a V8 engine under the previous regulations. Ecclestone figures it's time to bring in another supplier who will not run their own team and not play favorites, but will supply engines to private teams at a lower cost. There are already a number of potential suppliers under consideration. One of them is said to be Cosworth, which has a long history in the series stretching back to 1963. The British firm stepped back between 2007 and 2009, returned in 2010, and dropped out again after 2013. The development could be of particular benefit to Red Bull, which has been unable to find an engine supplier and could be forced out of the series as a result. The team has long been powered by Renault, but that relationship has grown sour. And the other three engine manufacturers have not been forthcoming in offering an alternative arrangement for the team. Related Video: News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Cosworth Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz Renault F1 engine contract

Luca doesn't believe in electric cars, but Ferrari will build more hybrids

Confirming what we'd long suspected, the hybrid powertrain in the Ferrari LaFerrari was not a one-time thing. "I don't believe in the electric cars, but I strongly believe in hybrids," Ferrari boss Luca Cordero di Montezemolo tells Bloomberg. It's unclear when we'll see another hybrid Ferrari, though, as the automaker's current lineup is quite fresh - the oldest model is the California, which was updated for the 2013 model year - but make no mistake, there are more electrified cars coming from Maranello. "The answer is yes," Montezemolo told Bloomberg when asked about hybrids, although he was quick to add "without exceeding." It's that last part that is key for enthusiasts of the gas engine.
Ferrari's move towards hybrid powertrains reflects a pair of trends in both the political and motorsports spheres. Politically, automakers, even exotics, are being pushed to produce cars with cleaner emissions, or in many cases, no emissions at all. Look no further than the Range Rover Hybrid, which was just announced. Formula One's push towards hybridization and smaller engines is also informing decisions at Ferrari, with the LaFerrari already using hybrid tech already inspired by the sport.
Still, it's reassuring to know that while Ferrari is pushing forward with future technologies, that the gas engine won't go the way of the manual transmission in Maranello - at least in the near term.

Gooding's Pebble Beach auction tops $128 million in sales

While the million-dollar cars are now packed up for Monterey Car Week, the auction results keeping rolling in. Gooding & Co. set a two-day company record by moving over $128 million in beautiful classics during the event. Of the 115 lots that sold, three brought over $10 million, and 26 more went for over a million. In a surprise to no one, a Ferrari led the way when a 1961 250 GT SWB California Spider sold for $16.83 million. That was a new single-lot record for the auction house. In a close second place, a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale previously owned by famed auto designer Nuccio Bertone went for $16.5 million. Rounding out the top three, a 1982 Porsche 956 that won Le Mans in 1983 cleared $10.12 million. Porsche also grabbed fourth place with a 1960 RS60 going for $5.4 million, and rounding out the top five was a 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series II Coupe for $5.1 million. Check out the gallery above for a look at many of the beautiful vehicles in the sale. While the press release below lists the top sellers, you can check out the prices and info for all of the lots on Gooding's website, here. Gooding & Company's Two-Day Pebble Beach Auctions Realizes More Than $128 Million 3 cars sell above $10 million, 26 cars above $1 million New auction records broken for Ferrari and Porsche Pebble Beach, Calif. (August 17, 2015) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house of Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, realized more than $128 million at its Pebble Beach Auctions this weekend, resulting in a two-day sales company record. During the two-day sale, the auction house sold 115 of 129 lots, an 89% sale rate and their highest ever average price of $1,113,896 per car. During the auction weekend, an impressive 26 cars sold over the $1 million mark including three vehicles over $10 million. World records were broken as new market standards were set for Ferrari and Porsche, including a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (sold for $16,830,000), 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale (sold for $16,500,000), Le Mans-winning 1982 Porsche 956 (sold for $10,120,000), 1960 Porsche RS60 (sold for $5,400,000), 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series II Coupe (sold for $5,087,500), and a 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort (sold for $1,732,500). David Gooding, President of Gooding & Company: "New bench marks were set and our company hit a new record for highest two-day sale.