2011 Ferrari California 2dr Conv on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 British Grand Prix kept mostly calm and carried on

Three bursts of chaos decided the course of the British Grand Prix. The first was a literal cloudburst a dozen minutes before the race, which poured water on the Silverstone Circuit while drivers sat on the grid. Six minutes before the lights-out, the race director decided to start the race behind the Safety Car. The field loped around the wet track for five laps. When the Safety Car pulled off, the three leaders – Mercedes-AMG Petronas' Lewis Hamilton, followed by teammate Nico Rosberg and Red Bull's Max Verstappen – stayed out. Behind them, the second chaotic moment occurred: a big group of drivers made pit stops for intermediate tires. When Manor's Pascal Wehrlein spun at Turn 1 on Lap 7, officials issued a Virtual Safety Car. With the rest of the field slowed down, the three leaders ducked into the pits on Lap 8 for intermediates. The fortuitous timing meant all three drivers rejoined the track in their original positions. By Lap 9, with racing resumed, Hamilton had a 4.9-second lead on Rosberg. From that point, even as the track dried, no one bothered Hamilton during what one commentator called "a measured drive." The Brit won his home grand prix, taking the checkered flag seven seconds ahead of Rosberg. Rosberg had to earn second place on track. The German's car didn't respond well to the intermediate tires, so Verstappen excecuted an outstanding pass on Rosberg on the outside through Chapel on Lap 16. After everyone switched to slicks, Rosberg's Mercedes reclaimed its mojo and the German hunted Verstappen down, passing the Dutchman on Lap 38. The final touch of chaos happened when Rosberg's gearbox threw a tantrum on Lap 47 of the 52-lap race. Rosberg radioed his engineer, "Gearbox problem!" His engineer replied, "Affirm. Chassis default zero one. Avoid seventh gear, Nico." The race stewards allowed the engineer's first two statements, but stewards said the instruction about seventh gear contravened the rule that "the driver must drive the car alone and unaided." After the race, officials added ten seconds to Rosberg's time, demoting him to third behind Verstappen. Rosberg's is the first penalty arising from radio communication restrictions. Unsurprisingly, Mercedes will appeal. At this year's Baku race the radio controversy stemmed from engineers refusing to tell drivers what to do. Now we know what happens when the pit wall gets loose lips.

Ferrari vetoes F1 engine supply cost cap

The costs associated with competing in Formula One are enormous. In addressing the problem, the FIA has proposed a number of measures aimed at reducing those expenses. But while most of the teams are apparently on board, one key player has exercised its veto to defeat the initiative. The issue came up at a recent meeting of the Formula One Strategy Group, where the participating parties discussed implementing a global cost ceiling, amending the regulations in order to drive down costs, and increasing the standardization of common parts. However one of the most concrete steps would have seen the FIA institute a maximum price which engine suppliers could charge independent teams for their power units. The issue was put to a vote, which the FIA reports passed with a "large majority." But Ferrari vetoed the measure, exercising the right accorded to it under the governing regulations – a step which the FIA will not contest. With its cost-cap measure defeated, the governing body has confirmed its intent to move ahead with proposals to bring in an outside engine supplier that will provide motivation to independent teams at a lower cost. As we recently reported, the price associated with securing power units from suppliers like Mercedes, Renault, and Ferrari, typically costs teams as much as $30 million per season – a solid two or three times what they cost in the previous V8 era. One of the leading contenders at this early stage to supply those low-cost power units is Cosworth. The British firm has long participated in the championship as an engine supplier, stepping back from the sport only recently. However other companies could enter a bid for the contract as well. A French outfit called PURE run by former BAR-Honda team principal Craig Pollock began development of an engine package back in 2011. BMW and Toyota both supplied V8 engines until a few years ago, while independent outfits like Mecachrome, Mugen, and TAG have also prepared F1 power units based on engines developed by major manufacturers. 26.10.15 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - COST REDUCTION The FIA has studied cost reduction measures for teams participating in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship which were not conclusive, including: - a global cost ceiling, - a reduction in costs via technical and sporting regulations, - an increased standardisation for parts.

Gary Cooper's 1935 Duesenberg SSJ fetches record price at Pebble Beach

The 1935 Duesenberg SSJ formerly owned by Gary Cooper sold for a jaw-dropping $22 million over the weekend at the Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach auction, setting a record for the most valuable pre-war car ever sold at auction. It also appears to have become the most expensive American collector car ever sold at auction, eclipsing the very first Shelby Cobra ever made, which sold for $13.75 million in 2016. The Duesenberg was also the lone American-made entrant in the list of top 10 sellers, which was crowded with the names Ferrari and Porsche. You have to go all the way down the list to No. 21 to find the next American car: a 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton, which sold for a mere $1.127 million. All told, Gooding & Co. said it realized more than $116.5 million in auction sales over the weekend, with a whopping 25 cars sold for north of $1 million, an 84 percent sales rate and an average transaction price of $947,174. Clearly this is how the other half 1 percent lives. Gooding & Co. said there were five world-record sales at the auction. Joining the Duesenberg were a 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II, which sold for $5.005 million; a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta, $6.6 million; a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale, $3.41 million; and a one-of-two 1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT, $3.08 million. Oh, and that 1969 Ford Bronco test vehicle we told you about? The one that was rebadged by Holman & Moody as a Bronco Hunter? It sold for $121,000, which was well below the expected range of $180,000 to $220,000. Perhaps it was the presence of all those gorgeous Porsche Spyders and Ferraris that meant collectors weren't interested in boxy, utilitarian off-roaders. View 24 Photos Gooding and Co. had expected the convertible Duesenberg coupe to go for more than $10 million. It was one of only two of its kind built by Duesenberg — the other having gone to Clark Gable — with a specially shortened, 125-inch wheelbase and a supercharged straight-eight with double overhead cams, able to produce around 400 horsepower and a top speed of 140 miles per hour. It features a lightweight open-roadster bobtail body produced by LaGrande out of Connersville, Ind. The car was also owned at one point by race driver Briggs Cunningham.