Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Daimler gains full control of Mercedes F1 team after buying out Middle Eastern stake]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/23/daimler-gains-full-control-of-mercedes-f1-team-after-buying-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/23/daimler-gains-full-control-of-mercedes-f1-team-after-buying-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/23/daimler-gains-full-control-of-mercedes-f1-team-after-buying-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When rumors surfaced earlier this year regarding the desire of Abu Dhabi's Aabar Investments to completely shed its stake in Daimler, no one knew why and neither party would comment. The Middle Eastern investment firm took a 9.1-percent stake in Daimler in 2009, had dropped that to 3.1 percent earlier this year, then got rid of the remainder in October. Part of that original deal in 2009 was a 40-percent share in the Mercedes Formula One team, and Reuters has reported that Daimler just bought that back as well.

Pending approval from the regulatory authorities, the German company will fully control its F1 team (team principal Ross Brawn had owned 24.9-percent of the team but sold it to Mercedes in early 2011). The amount paid for the stake hasn't been disclosed.

Daimler can now focus on getting the team where it wishes to be, which is not down in fifth place fighting with Sauber and with less than half the points of fourth-placed Lotus. The team rebranded itself Mercedes-AMG this year, has committed to Formula One's Concorde Agreement until 2020 and signed Lewis Hamilton for three years. It will want to begin extracting added value for the hundreds of millions of dollars it has already invested and the hundreds of millions more it knows are required.

Daimler gains full control of Mercedes F1 team after buying out Middle Eastern stake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Nov 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aabarAabar Investements PJSCamgf1formula 1mercedes f1mercedes-amg petronasmercedes-benzFri, 23 Nov 2012 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20384423/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/23/daimler-gains-full-control-of-mercedes-f1-team-after-buying-out/20384423/article-detail.xml 20384423 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/daimlerf1control_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/daimlerf1control.jpg <![CDATA[Nico Rosberg explains why F1 cars are so safe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/nico-rosberg-explains-why-f1-cars-are-so-safe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/nico-rosberg-explains-why-f1-cars-are-so-safe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/nico-rosberg-explains-why-f1-cars-are-so-safe/#commentsFiled under: , ,



So far this season Nico Rosberg has clued us in to why this year's Formula 1 cars look like they do and how the drivers sit inside their cockpits. For his next installment of Grand Prix Insights, along with the help of a Mercedes F1 engineer, he goes over some of the features of the carbon fiber monocoque that has allowed drivers to walk away from crashes that would have once been very bad news.

McLaren was the first team to use all-carbon-fiber monocoque 31 years ago on the MP4/1, and even though it took years for teams to be able to make their own shells instead of using aircraft suppliers, the idea of carbon fiber innovations in the automotive world is tied to the sport.

Watch the video below to find out what's happening at the bleeding edge of carbon fiber construction today. The crash test with the 3.5-kilogram chassis nose without wing at the front of a 775-kg sled shouldn't be missed.

Continue reading Nico Rosberg explains why F1 cars are so safe

Nico Rosberg explains why F1 cars are so safe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1mercedes f1mercedes-benzmotorsportsnico rosbergvideovideosyoutubeFri, 22 Jun 2012 11:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20263081/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/22/nico-rosberg-explains-why-f1-cars-are-so-safe/20263081/article-detail.xml 20263081 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/f1-safety-carbon-fiber-nose_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/f1-safety-carbon-fiber-nose.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Nico Rosberg explain why F1 cars are so ugly this season]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/watch-nico-rosberg-explain-why-f1-cars-are-so-ugly-this-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/watch-nico-rosberg-explain-why-f1-cars-are-so-ugly-this-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/watch-nico-rosberg-explain-why-f1-cars-are-so-ugly-this-season/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nico Rosberg

Race #1 of the 2012 Formula 1 season is officially in the books. Along with a talk of a more exciting season after inconclusive winter testing, everyone has had a few words about the way the new cars look, one of the most common being "ugly."

The stepped noses used on most of the field are how every team, save for McLaren and Marussia, dealt with new regulations. In the video after the jump, Mercedes F1 driver Nico Rosberg explains the look of his car from front to back. With Michael Schumacher putting up a good time in mixed conditions during the first two Free Practice sessions, there just might be a swan in there somewhere.

Continue reading Watch Nico Rosberg explain why F1 cars are so ugly this season

Watch Nico Rosberg explain why F1 cars are so ugly this season originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1mercedes f1mercedes-benzmercedes-benz tvnico rosbergyoutubeSun, 18 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20195331/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/18/watch-nico-rosberg-explain-why-f1-cars-are-so-ugly-this-season/20195331/article-detail.xml 20195331 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/nicoexplainscar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/nicoexplainscar.jpg <![CDATA[Teen writes letter to Mercedes F1, scores world's most advanced bionic hand [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/teen-writes-letter-to-mercedes-f1-scores-worlds-most-advanced/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/teen-writes-letter-to-mercedes-f1-scores-worlds-most-advanced/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/teen-writes-letter-to-mercedes-f1-scores-worlds-most-advanced/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Matthew James Touch Bionics i-LIMP Pulse

Matthew James, a 14-year-old boy in the UK, was born with a rare condition - his left arm stops at the wrist and he has no left hand. He had been fitted with a simple electric clamp of sorts that allowed him the freedom to pick up small objects but little else.

Young Matthew is also a big fan of motorsports, and he went to the same school as Mercedes GP head Ross Brawn. That connection was enough to pique Brawn's interest when Matthew wrote the team a letter asking them to consider gifting him a new i-LIMB Pulse bionic hand from Touch Bionics.

Brawn took a personal interest in the young boy, and he contacted Touch Bionics to work out a deal. In exchange for access to technology services provided by Mercedes GP, Touch Bionics agreed to give Matthew the new hand he so desperately wanted.

Oh, and the F1 team also got to put its logo on Matthew's new bionic hand. Not bad for a £35,000 investment... Check out video of the i-LIMB hand in action after the break.

Continue reading Teen writes letter to Mercedes F1, scores world's most advanced bionic hand [w/video]

Teen writes letter to Mercedes F1, scores world's most advanced bionic hand [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At least now we know he'll have no excuses: Michael Schumacher says his neck is completely healed after last year's motorcycle incident, and he feels "extremely fresh and fit." The three-year sabbatical he's had since retiring at the end of 2006 has recharged his batteries and his competitive fire.

Interestingly, though, he says the last two years in the sport - the two years in a row he lost the title to Fernando Alonso - were even more demanding on him because of "living under constant observation," and he was glad to get out. But the pressure is already all on him and the season is still six weeks away. He has stated he wants both Championships, and team principal Ross Brawn said he'd put his money on Schumacher. Apparently, however, he'll need teammate Nico Rosberg's car number in order to do that...

[Source: Autocar | Image: Malcolm Griffiths/GP2 Media]

Schumacher reportedly says his neck is fully recovered, F1 return a go originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brawn GPBrawnGpF1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnemercedes f1MercedesF1michael schumachermichael schumacher injurymichael schumacher neckMichaelSchumacherMichaelSchumacherInjuryMichaelSchumacherNeckNico RosbergNicoRosbergRoss BrawnRossBrawnschumacherFri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19325433/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/22/schumacher-reportedly-says-his-neck-is-fully-recovered-f1-retur/19325433/article-detail.xml 19325433 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/schumacher-benz-test_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/schumacher-benz-test.jpg <![CDATA[He's Back: Schumacher reportedly signs with Mercedes-Benz F1 for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/23/hes-back-schumacher-signs-with-mercedes-benz-f1-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/23/hes-back-schumacher-signs-with-mercedes-benz-f1-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/23/hes-back-schumacher-signs-with-mercedes-benz-f1-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,



All clearances given, the BBC is reporting that Michael Schumacher is officially a driver for the Mercedes-Petronas F1 team. The deal is understood to be a one-year agreement, with Schumacher being paid £6.2 million ($9.82M U.S.) and having an open door at the end of the year to carry on if it all works out.

Mercedes is said to have its eye on Sebastian Vettel when his contract is up in 2012. Theoretically then, if Michael remains Michael behind the wheel, he could drive for the Three-Pointed Star and collect trophies, and perhaps Championships, until then. That's an immense theoretical, however: Prost and Lauda took time off, came back, and won the whole show again; Jacques Villeneuve, well, not so much.

And as much as Ferrari respects the times it had with Schumacher, we have a feeling Luca di Montezemolo has already called Alonso to tell him, "You know what you have to do..." On the other hand, if Alonso doesn't work out at Ferrari, and Michael does well and only has a one-year deal with Mercedes...

[Source: BBC | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

He's Back: Schumacher reportedly signs with Mercedes-Benz F1 for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are hearts breaking all over Italy, and the biggest one of all is that which beats in the chest of Ferrari head Luca de Montezemolo. Michael Schumacher is still under contract to The Prancing Horse as a global ambassador and consultant for their road cars. However, given the opportunity to return to a Formula One cockpit and prove a thing or ten, he appears keen on racing no matter the color of the car.

Neither Schumacher nor the Mercedes F1 team is revealing anything public about the German's chances of driving, but it's been in the press for a few weeks now. Last week, Schumacher phoned Montezemolo and told him there was a "very, very, very strong possibility" he'd end up as a driver for Mercedes. Speculation is that the final say is only waiting on Schumacher's neck to be declared fully healed after his motorcycle accident earlier this year.

If the 41-year-old Schumy does race again with Mercedes, it will be with the company that put him on the road to becoming one of the greatest racing drivers ever. And it will come at the expense of a muy doloroso de Montezemolo, who is so torn up about Michael switching camps that he has taken to calling the former Ferrari driver "the real Michael Schumacher," and the potential Mercedes pilot, "the new Michael Schumacher."

If it comes to pass, we'll play a sad song for de Montezemolo on the jukebox, but we'll do a dance for the coming F1 season: Rosberg and Schumacher in Mercedes', Alonso and Massa in Ferraris, Hamilton and Button in McLarens, Vettel in his Red Bull. There hasn't been a field like that in that kind of machinery in more than a decade. Please let it be March already...

[Source: Autosport | Image: Juergen Schwarz/Getty]

Schumacher Says It Himself: driving for Mercedes F1 is a "very strong possibility" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At this past weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the Brawn cars didn't just beat McLaren - they lapped them. With both teams running the same Mercedes engines, and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton piloting the lapped McLaren, it was clear that Brawn is simply running a better car. Anyone watching the race had to be wondering what the corporate big-wigs at Mercedes were thinking as the Brawn cars crossed the finish line a full lap ahead of the McLaren. But we can stop wondering now.

According to the latest reports, Mercedes is considering throwing more weight behind the championship-leading Brawn team. Or at least jumping on the bandwagon. The customer engine deal between the German automaker and the former Honda team doesn't include any branding on the BGP 001 chassis' livery - which remains conspicuously light on sponsorship altogether - but that could change as Mercedes is keen to cash in on the success of the team to which it's selling engines. Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug was quick to emphasize that any rapprochement to Brawn GP doesn't reflect on its relationship with McLaren, but with that partnership constantly in jeopardy, you can't help but wonder now if Mercedes would be saying the same if McLaren was leading and Brawn was marking the back.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty]

Shining Star: Mercedes to throw its weight behind Brawn GP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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