Well, folks, it looks like that elusive peace is slipping away yet again as the members of the Formula One Teams Association reportedly up and walked out of a meeting today with technical representatives from the FIA.

The meeting of the Technical Working Group was convened to iron out the details of the regulation changes for the near future, and included the ten current teams – of which eight are members of FOTA – as well as the three new teams joining the grid for next year. As of this writing, FOTA has yet to explain its specific reasons for the walkout. However, their exit indicates that the supposed deal between FOTA and the FIA is anything but finalized after Max Mosley (who reportedly agreed to stand down as FIA president as part of the deal) said he may yet run again – and Bernie Ecclestone continues to give the sport a black eye.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty]

Jacques Villeneuve knows what it's like to win. After emerging victorious in the Indianapolis 500, the CART title, the Formula One World Championship and narrowly missing the chance to score the triple crown with Peugeot at Le Mans this year, the son of legendary racer Gilles Villeneuve finds himself without a ride for next year as the Speedcar Series in which he'd been competing teeters on the verge of bankruptcy. But JV's got a plan. He wants back into Formula One. And he reckons next season will be the perfect time for him to return.

Even with Max Mosley's radical proposals cut back, next season is shaping up to be vastly different from the Formula One of two or three seasons ago. In-season testing is almost entirely eliminated. Fuel stops are being cut out. Slick tires are back and electronic aids are gone. And there are three new teams joining the grid for next season. All these factors, according to Villeneuve, means that there will be an even higher demand for experienced drivers than usual. Will anyone bite? Only time will tell, but he figures it's high time.

[Source: Autosport]

After attempting to clarify and apologize for his recent and controversial professed admiration for Adolf Hitler's ability to "get things done," F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly added fuel to the fire by blaming "the Jews" for failing to address the worldwide banking crisis.

Ecclestone apparently issued the controversial comments in response to calls made for his resignation by the community advocacy organization World Jewish Congress. According to Ecclestone, "It's a pity they didn't sort the banks out.... They have a lot of influence everywhere." He would go on to add that his colleague – FIA president Max Mosley, the fascist leader's son who made headlines for allegedly engaging in a Nazi-themed S&M orgy with several prostitutes – would make a good prime minister.

In addition to protests lodged by Jewish organizations worldwide, elements within Germany have publicly stated that they are appalled by Ecclestone's comments, which come just days before the start of the German Grand Prix. Government officials in Germany have already canceled meetings with Ecclestone, while some have speculated that the series' German teams – which include McLaren-Mercedes and BMW Sauber as well as the Cologne-based Toyota team – could boycott Ecclestone's leadership, whatever practical implication that would have. Either way, following hot on the heels of FOTA's near split with Formula One's management, Ecclestone would do well to watch his next step. Thanks for the tip, Sparky!

[Source: Daily Mail | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Toyota finances being what they are, the company is ruthlessly assessing its accounts and making cuts anywhere it deems appropriate. The latest head to roll is the Formula 1 race at Fuji Speedway, Toyota's own circuit. Opened in 1965 and host of the Japanese Grand Prix for the first time in 1976, Formula 1 returned to Fuji in 2007 and 2008, and was due again in 2010.

In spite of that, Toyota deemed the $20-to-$30 million dollars necessary to hold a Grand Prix -- a mere fraction of the money it spends on its F1 team – couldn't be justified. Said Hiroaki Kato, president of Fuji Speedway (above), trading conditions have made the race "extremely difficult."

This year's Japanese GP will be held at Honda's Suzuka as scheduled, but next year's race will need to be decided on. Honda has said it has no idea where the 2010 race will be held.

[Source: AFP via Google | Image: Yoshikazu Tsuno/Getty]

For such a distinguished and high profile institution, Formula One looks more and more like some sort of pro wrestling outfit by the day – and much of that circus-like atmosphere can be traced to the sport's leadership. The latest development in the series is Bernie Ecclestone's Marge Schott-esque interview with London's The Times newspaper.

Over the weekend, an interview ran in which Ecclestone talked about his preference for "strong leaders," including people like former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher and Max Mosely. No problem there, but bringing up talk of Adolf Hitler in such contexts is generally frowned upon, particularly when saying things like "he got things done," but "In the end he got lost, so he wasn't a very good dictator."

Like Mosely, Ecclestone has never been a shrinking violet, and he's rarely been one to shy away from controversy. He famously once noted that women should wear white "like all other domestic appliances," a comment he revisited in The Times interview, suggesting that the utterance was a joke, only to follow it up with: "I would love to have a good lady race driver and preferably black and Jewish, too, but they might take maternity leave."

Ecclestone's comments have raised the hackles of a number of Jewish groups and politicians, who have called him "either an idiot or morally repulsive," chiding him for "a complete lack of judgment.

In a subsequent interview with Germany's Bild, the 78-year-old reportedly maintained that the furor his comments inspired were predicated on "a big misunderstanding," saying that: "It was never my intention to hurt the feelings of any community... many people in my closest circle of friends are Jewish." Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Sources: The Associated Press via ESPN; Motorsport.com | Image: AFP/Getty]

In any game of chicken, it's all about who flinches first. Ever since its first running in 1963, the Japanese Grand Prix has bounced between Fuji Speedway and Suzuka Circuit, the former dominating in the '60s and '70s before the latter got the exclusive in the late-'80s through 2006, at which point Fuji took over again. The rivalry is about more than just the tracks, though: With Toyota owning Fuji and arch-rival Honda owning Suzuka, the back-and-forth has become something of a turf war between the country's automotive powerhouses.

Two years ago, the two tracks worked out a deal that would have the race alternating year to year, sort of like Germany's arrangement between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. However, emerging reports suggest that tightening belts at Toyota could spell trouble for Fuji Speedway. The costs of hosting a Formula 1 grand prix event continue to escalate, and those costs may be harder to justify for the cash-strapped auto giant – especially if ticket sales don't cover the budget. Honda is likely in no better a financial situation, as evidenced by their unfortunate withdrawal from the sport. But if Toyota flinches first, Honda might win the race... in one sense or another.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Typically F1 drivers come up through the formula racing ladder. But for every rule there's an exception, and that exception seems to be creeping up for Ferrari, who are facing a potential change-up in drivers that involves not just numerous racing classes but varied disciplines of motorsports.

First up is Kimi Raikkonen, the team's 2007 world champion who's been trying his hand at rallying. The Finnish driver has contested local-level rallies with limited success, but remains undeterred in entering the World Rally Championship stage in Finland next month. The event will be the first top-level rally for Raikkonen, and also the first professional rally on agravel surface following previous outings on ice, snow and asphalt. Given his level of performance lately in F1, if Kimi finds his footing in rally, he could make the switch.

If Kimi were to jump ship from F1, there's no lack of talent out for Ferrari, but the Scuderia could reach into a different talent pool and bring Valentino Rossi on board. The multiple MotoGP champion has tested for Ferrari on several occasions to considerable effect, and could be ripe for a switch from two wheels to four. But even if Kimi stays in F1, Rossi could find himself with an open door just the same as reports indicate that the terms of the new arrangement between the FIA and FOTA could make way for teams to field a third car in F1 in the near future.

[Source: Autosport and F1-Live]

As we start the second half of 2009, the automotive industry remains in turmoil but the economy is finally showing signs of recovery. And once again, we have a full calendar of events to keep our minds on the positive aspects of our industry. Show season is in full swing so you'll find plenty of concours events, cruise nights, and local shows filling July weekends. In America, Meadowbrook is the star of July, but there are also other interesting events like the GoodGuys Heartland Nationals, Hudson-Essex-Terraplane meet in Pontiac, New England Concours d'Elegance in Vermont, the First Annual Great American Car Show in Massachusetts, Micros on the Monument in Racine, International Bricklin Owners Club Annual Grand National Meet, and the Alfa Romeo Owners Club National Meet in Portland, among others.

There's lots of racing in July, too. Most Formula 1 teams will make a brief stop at Goodwood before resuming their regular racing schedule at the Nürburgring, followed by the Hungarian GP at the end of the month. IndyCar hits Watkins Glen, the Streets of Toronto, and the airport course in Edmonton. NASCAR fans can look forward to races in Daytona, Chicago, and at the Brickyard. ALMS teams can take it easy after the marathon that was the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a two-hour stint at Lime Rock Park.

There will also be plenty of other random racing action in July, with the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Portland Historic Races, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman, and the New England Forest Rally. Green car fans can look forward to the Eco-Rally U.S.A. 2009, and bike fans can take in the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix or AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio.

If none of those events appeals to you, check the Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. Please use the comments section to add or modify listings. Oh, and Happy 4th of July!

It's on again, off again in the face-paced world of Formula One politics. First the biggest teams in F1 were slated to split off and form their own series. Then everything seemed reconciled, until Max Mosley got all torqued off again and threatened to scuttle the whole deal. It's anyone's guess at this point – we think the one series will be on track for next season – but in the meantime, the FIA issued the official list of entries for 2010.

Alongside the ten current teams (Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Williams, Force India and Brawn) returning for next season, the FIA chose three out of the dozen prospective teams that lodged applications to join the series. So if all goes according to plan, Campos Meta, Manor Grand Prix and Team US F1 will be joining the grid next season. Follow the jump to read more about 'em, the engine suppliers that will be providing their motivation and some of the big-name sponsors already being associated with the new teams.

[Image: GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty]

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the Formula One waters, Max Mosley goes and sends a nasty-gram to Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) chairman and Ferrari head honcho Luca di Montezemolo threatening to back out of his promise to step down from his throne as leader of the FIA if he doesn't get a full apology ASAP.

It seems that Mosley is none too pleased by the way that FOTA have portrayed the events leading to the agreement between the teams and the FIA to run the 2010 Formula 1 season as previously scheduled. Says Mosley:

If you wish the agreement we made to have any chance of survival, you and FOTA must immediately rectify your actions. You must correct the false statements which have been made and make no further such statements. You yourself must issue a suitable correction and apology at your press conference this afternoon... [G]iven your and FOTA's deliberate attempt to mislead the media, I now consider my options open. At least until October, I am president of the FIA with the full authority of that office.

There's plenty more where that came from. Click past the break to read Max Mosey's letter to Luca di Montezemolo in its entirety.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer | Photo: makeroadssafe CC 2.0]