>> ASIAONE / MOTORING / NEWS / ARCHIVE 2008 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2007 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Ferraris on pole as rule book thrown at McLaren McLaren moved back five places on the grid for blocking other drivers during frantic finale to qualifying. Rosberg back to reality in Malaysia Williams driver will start 16th at Sepang, a far cry from his third place finish at last week's race. Fancy racing Rosberg? The RBS Grand Prix simulator returns to find Singapore's fastest virtual F1 racer. F1: Organisers hope later GP start can appease Ecclestone Melbourne race is financially draining, with Victoria losing almost US$33m of taxpayers' money in 2007. More drivers voluntarily taking breathalyser test at nightspots Zouk sees quadrupling in use of its hand-held breathalysers, while St James Power Station has seen a 20% jump. -ST Fastlane: Porsche recalls Cayenne Porsche is recalling 18,856 Cayennes worldwide to fix a fuel line flaw in the engine compartment. Fastlane: Bugatti eyes Singapore Bugatti has appointed a marketing manager for the Far East - Mr Frank Niermann, who was once Audi area sales manager for the region. Fastlane: Touareg V10 diesel due Volkswagen will start selling diesel cars from July, in response to lowered taxation for such vehicles. Fastlane: Presenting GranTurismo S Just a year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will launch the GranTurismo S at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4. Swiss roll It's time for the glamorous Geneva Motor Show again, when car makers roll out the first major new models for the year. S'pore returns 45 stolen vehicles to M'sian police Vehicles were recovered from places such as HDB carparks and transhipment area in ports here. New rule on taxi pick-up and drop-off points in the CBD Barely four days after a new rule requiring taxi drivers to pick up or drop off passengers at designated spots in the Central Business District (CBD) was announced, taxi drivers and passengers are already grumbling. Pump prices up by four cents The latest round of increases was the seventh consecutive hike since July last year. S'pore link in M'sian stolen car racket Singapore was a transit points for stolen M'sian cars shipped to buyers in the Middle East and Africa. Passengers stranded on ECP by cab driver after accident Cab hits ECP divider, goes into spin, passengers get out and cabby just drives off. Bus overturns after collision with cement mixer Bus landed on its side after collision at Pioneer Sector 1 Road during morning rush hour. 2 staff of parallel car importer fined for removing evidence They were fined for removing evidence seized for a tax under-declaration probe. Pedestrian killed in Siglap horror crash She's flung 15m, body found in drain, severed leg on road. Fiery death after crash A car burst into flames after a crash on the Federal Highway yesterday morning killing the driver. Lorry drivers pay price of fugitive's escape Tail-back stretches as far back as BKE, with drivers forced to spend the night in their vehicles. Cop killed in road accident on his way to work His motorcyle got into an accident with a van at the junction of Eu Tong Seng St & Hospital Drive. Jail for reckless first-time motorists This is to send strong signal to reckless drivers, in the wake of rising traffic casualties. Car COE prices pick up speed They chalked up double-digit gains to end at some of the highest levels in a year. -ST 116,000 COEs for this year - a drop of 7.5% Premiums expected to climb to $20,000 this year. -ST ERP gantries to flash charges by year-end Move aims to help drivers decide on road usage, as some signs are too small now. -ST Mercedes sprints ahead with new minibus Cycle & Carriage has collected 10 orders for the coach so far. Importers warm to cut in diesel car tax But leading diesel carmaker BMW says it has no immediate plans to offer them. Transport operators on notice to step up service Plans to improve public transport system, get more to use it are well and good, but will users end up paying for it? Minister rebuts opposition MP's attack on ERP Accusation that purpose of ERP scheme was to generate revenue & 'squeeze money out of car owners' rejected. -ST Fastlane: Tan Chong arm imports GT-R THE hottest parallel import today is arguably the 480bhp Nissan GT-. But authorised Nissan agent Tan Chong won't get the official export version till the first half of next year. Fastlane: Porsche to call shots at VW Porsche is to take a majority stake in Volkswagen Group, Europe's largest carmaker. This is a move up from the 30.9 per cent stake it already has in VW. Fastlane: Merc's lithium-ion hybrid Daimler will become the first vehicle maker to use the lithium-ion battery when its Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid goes into production early next year. Fastlane: Fuel-sipping BMW X5 BMW will prove at the Geneva Motor Show, which opened this week, that SUVs can be green. Fastlane: Magna to build Rapide Aston Martin's new four-door Rapide will be built by Austrian sub-contracting group Magna Steyr, which assembles cars such as BMW's X3 and Chrysler's 300C. Lorry smashes into car, crushes driver to death Lorry rammed into another in front, swiped it off the lane, and ploughed into a car, crushing the driver. Jail, ban for man who drove against traffic He barrelled into oncoming traffic and smashed two cars, causing one to burst into flames. Blazing drama on N-S highway Thousands heading to work in KL were delayed when a lorry transporting cooking oil caught fire. Formula One statistics for Australian Grand Prix Some Formula One statistics ahead of Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne: Australia offer compromise on start time Australian Grand Prix organisers have proposed changing the starting time of their race next year in the hope of saving it from being scrapped. No decisions on French race in 2009: federation The chairman of the French racing Federation (FFSA) Nicolas Deschaux said Thursday that no decision had been made on the venue of the French Formula One race in 2009. F1 boss says late start will not save Australian GP Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed a proposal by Australian Grand Prix organisers for the race to start later next year. Main rule changes for 2008 F1 season The Formula One season starts in Melbourne on March 16 with drivers adapting to cars without traction control and some new rules. Formula One: World champions since 1950 A list of Formula One world champions ahead of the start of the 2008 season which gets underway in Melbourne on Sunday, March 16. Super Aguri bankrolled by Britain's Magma Group Japan's struggling Formula One outfit Super Aguri said Monday they had secured much-needed financial backing from Britain's Magma Group. Webber fears more crashes after rule change Australian Mark Webber fears Formula One bosses will have to make some tough calls to ensure driver safety in a season that could see more crashes than before. Dennis to stay on as McLaren team boss McLaren boss Ron Dennis said on Tuesday he had decided to stay at the helm of the Formula One team, ending media speculation that he was about to stand down. Massa sees Hamilton as main Ferrari rival Formula One's double world champion Fernando Alonso will be less of a contender with Renault than he was at McLaren last season, according to Ferrari's Felipe Massa. Brawn expects aeropackage to lift Honda Honda's new boss Ross Brawn believes that a new aerodynamic package will lift the team from the Formula One wilderness in the season opening with the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Raikkonen raring to go Kimi Raikkonen will start his first grand prix as Formula One world champion on Sunday, determined to pick up in Australia where he left off in Brazil last season. FIA to take no action against Stepney Formula One's governing body has said it will take no action against former Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney for his part in a spy scandal, although it has warned teams it may be inappropriate to employ him. Williams celebrate past but focus on future Frank Williams has been around Formula One long enough to know that pride comes before a fall. Formula One: 2008 season calendar The 18-race schedule gets underway in Melbourne on March 16. Red Bull pass crash test at the 11th hour Renault-powered RB4 car had passed the frontal impact test in Britain after a previous failure. McLaren dismiss designer who triggered spy saga 780 page dossier of Ferrari technical information was found at his home. Formula One: Fisichella's midfield hopes for Force India Fisichella finished with the ninth-fastest time in the second afternoon practice session. Webber warns home fans not to expect much The Australian driver is always the centre of attention when the F1 circus rolls into Melbourne. De la Rosa urges Hamilton to join F1 drivers' union Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen is also a highly visible non-member of the union. Drivers give backing to Australian GP Many drivers made debuts at the season-opening event at Melbourne's Albert Park, hope it survives. Williams struggle with gearbox glitches The Toyota-powered team were slowed by unexpected difficulties at Albert Park. BMW Sauber quickest in final Australia GP practice Robert Kubica & Nick Heidfeld lapped quickest in final free practice for the Australian F1 Grand Prix. Raikkonen and Hamilton renew their rivalry Finn was less happy with his car's set-up in the afternoon, when Hamilton was quickest. Hamilton starts F1 season on pole position McLaren on pole for Australian GP after world champion Raikkonen's Ferrari broke down. Glock loses five places after gearbox change Formula One's rules have changed this season, with gearboxes having to last four races in a row. Ferrari's Raikkonen under the pump in opening race Reigning world champ faces uphill struggle to score points after disastrous qualifying session. Hamilton wins Australian GP Nick Heidfeld in a BMW-Sauber was second with Nico Rosberg in a Williams in third. Singapore's ban on tobacco ads will apply to Grand Prix Tobacco companies' sponsorships have reduced significantly amid moves by authorities to bar such sponsorships. Ecclestone wants F1 title to be decided by wins Despite his comments, the F1 title has gone to driver with most race wins every year since 1989. Tough start to F1 for Force India team Both of their cars failed to see out the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Alonso buoys Renault with gritty fourth place Spaniard fought his way through chaotic race to claim fourth spot, ahead of Heikki Kovalainen. Australian GP best ever win, says Hamilton 23-year-old demonstrated maturity to survive a chaotic race where only 7 cars finished. Stung Ferrari vow to hit back after Aussie disaster Disastrous start for the Italian giants with both drivers failing to finish the 58-lap race. Rosberg overjoyed with first podium finish 22-year-old German kept his cool to finish third behind Lewis Hamilton and Nick Heidfeld. F1: German duo delighted with podium finish Nick Heidfeld & Nico Rosberg enjoyed a second-third finish to get their teams off to a flying start. Fastlane: Plug-in Prius The next Toyota Prius, due here in 2011, will have two distinctive new features. It will have 'plug-in' capability; and it will be cheaper. Bourdais scores on his Formula One debut Frenchman pulled over with 2 laps remaining as smoke billowed from a blown engine. Banned from driving for 99 years By the time he is allowed behind the wheel of any vehicle again, he will either be dead, or 151 years old. LTA eases taxi CBD rules Taxis now allowed to pick up, drop off passengers from CBD side roads which are not served by public buses. -ST 6 victims recount horror of out-of-control car which hit them Man whose car crashed into bus stop faces charges of drink driving, causing hurt to 6 commuters. -ST Little red Corvette zips through S'pore The latest Corvette is making the rounds of Chevy dealers' showrooms here as part of a $200,000 marketing campaign to raise the profile of the Chevrolet brand in Singapore. Shell, Caltex and Esso raise pump prices again Petrol at Shell, Caltex and Esso stations rose by $0.04 a litre while diesel rose by $0.05 a litre. Two-horse title race: Schumi This Formula One season will be a two-horse race between Ferrari and fierce rivals McLaren, according to seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. 'Singapore rims' for Toro Rosso Homegrown YHI International has sealed a sponsorship deal to supply lightweight racing rims to the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One team. Businessman pays $20m for licence plate One particularly wealthy businessman yesterday forked out a record US$14 million dollars ($20m) for a licence plate at a charity auction in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. Motor traders fix CPF lapse Third-party commissions now part of salesmen's salaries, with CPF deductions; CPF Board still pursuing backdated dues. Cars for sale must display fuel economy labels Govt will make it mandatory for retailers to display fuel economy labels on cars. She asks for divorce, so he rams car into hers When pleas, threats and physical violence did not work, he allegedly crashed a car into hers while she was driving, reported China Press. Toyota to make hybrid, bi-fuel cars in Thailand In future, it will carry out its planning for Asian models there. Analysts unsure over Tata Motors They are questioning its ability to integrate Jaguar and Land Rover with its current line-up. Road rage lands manager 5-weeks in jail He was so incensed with another motorist that he rammed the other car three times. BMW mulling launch of electric car for US market The German luxury car maker BMW is to decide this year on an environmentally friendly car for the US market which was likely to be battery powered. Brazil tops five million hybrid cars More than five million vehicles and almost nine in ten new vehicles in Brazil now run on both gasoline and ethanol derived from sugar cane. Fuel-saving tech won't hit profits Fuel-saving technology that Daimler AG is offering on its new vehicles will not erode the carmaker's profitability. Greener cars in spotlight as carmakers change gear When Lamborghini and Hummer try getting in on the action, you know greener cars have come of age. Made-in-Asia cars threaten to squeeze Europe market This week's Geneva auto show is introducing some of the brand names that might be familiar sights on the streets of London and Paris in coming years, makes such as China's Brilliance Auto and BYD Auto. Car owners to be compensated for Games ban - official Beijing plans to take as many as half of its 3.3 million vehicles off the roads during the Aug. 8-24 Games to help cut emissions. India's Tata Motors says will raise 1 bln dollars to fund expansion The announcement came as ailing US carmaker Ford remained in talks with Tata to sell British car icons Jaguar and Land Rover in a deal analysts say would give the Indian company a big technological boost and sharply raise its overseas profile. F1: M'sia preparing for night races in 2009 FIA has pushed for a change to boost commercial revenues by appealing to audiences in other time zones. Todt resigns as Ferrari CEO, replaced by Felisa Todt headed Ferrari's F1 team when the Italian carmaker won 6 straight constructors' titles. -Reuters Raikkonen strolls to Malaysian GP victory He put Ferrari back on the winning track, slashing Lewis Hamilton's lead to three points. S'porean teen beats F1 driver Bragging rights go to Justin Kwan for beating Team AT&T Williams' Nico Rosberg - even if he did it in a race simulator. COE bids for this year's quota surge With the exception of motorcycle certificates, COE premiums ended higher. Man dies in head-on crash Mr Ong Chu Rui, 23, who was trapped in the wreck, had multiple injuries and it took civil defence officers 20 minutes to free him. He died at the scene. -ST Tasmin's racing the boys She is a rookie and the only girl in the Formula BMW Pacific Championship. But Tasmin Pepper, 17, is prepared to give the 13 boys in tomorrow?s race a run for their money - and possibly bruised egos as well. - The Star Heidfeld fastest, Hamilton runs off track in Malaysia German Nick Heidfeld set the fastest time in Saturday's final practice. -AFP Berger committed to Toro Rosso Gerhard Berger plans to stay with the team if new backer emerges to buy out Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz. -AFP Raikkonen running on empty after Ferrari gaffe Finn was left stranded in morning practice as his Ferrari spluttered, then stopped out on the track. -Reuters Realistic Alonso admits title challenge is beyond him He hopes that the team would improve in all areas to make a title bid possible next year. No regrets from Massa over Coulthard crash Pair were offered a chance to settle their feud following a collision at the Australian Grand Prix. Todt still has important role to play, says Massa Frenchman handed over as team principal to Italian Stefano Domenicali at the end of last year. Barrichello calls for improved pit lane signals He was disqualified after ignoring a red light at last weekend's Australian Grand Prix. Ferrari upbeat despite first week woes Main cause of Ferrari's problems was not erratic driving, but fuel-feed problems caused by high temperatures. Red Bull put Toro Rosso team up for sale 2010 rules will outlaw use of so-called "customer cars", where one team uses a chassis provided by another. Massa puts Ferrari on pole in Malaysia Brazilian Felipe Massa heads an all-Ferrari front row for Sunday's race. Hamilton hot, bothered but philosophical He was sent back 5 places at the start for blocking other drivers, and also suffered a slow pit stop. Trulli happy as Toyota signal future Jarno Trulli showed all the exuberance of a teenage newcomer when he finished 4th at Sepang. Special F1 celebrations for the Finns Two Finns finishing on the podium in first and third places represented best-ever F1 result. Kubica hails team after brilliant BMW day He hailed the BMW team after finishing second in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix. Kovalainen satisfied with podium finish Both McLarens penalised for blocking during qualifying, and had to start from 8th & 9th positions. Massa baffled but determined to cover After starting from pole position in Sepang, he ended up spinning off and out of the race. Raikkonen rekindles Ferrari's winning ways Ferrari had pace in abundance at the Sepang Circuit while rivals McLaren scrapped for points. Team by team analysis of M'sian GP Analysis of Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix (teams listed in 2007 championship order) Fastlane: Swedes to develop hybrids Volvo Car Corp is launching a joint venture to develop plug-in hybrid cars. Fastlane: VW aims to beat Toyota Volkswagen's new chief executive says VW will introduce 20 new models in the next three years as part of a plan to sell.