Toyota surprises with profit, boosts forecast

Toyota Motor Corp reported a surprise profit Thursday and cut its projected red ink for the year by half, adding to growing evidence that carmakers are starting to recover from the deepest industry downturn in years.

McLaren to buy back Mercedes holding

Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG will have stakes in two Formula 1 teams next season, with a majority shareholding in Brawn GP coming into effect while its 40% stake in McLaren Racing is set to be bought out by the McLaren Group over the coming year...  

Renault react to race-fixing claims

• F1 team accuse former driver of blackmail• 'Matter will also be referred to police in the UK'Renault have announced they have begun legal proceedings against Nelson Piquet Jr and his father, Nelson Piquet, over "the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Piquet Jr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season".The action followed claims from Nelson Piquet Jr that he was ordered by Renault to crash at last year's Singapore grand prix in order to improve his team-mate Fernando Alonso's chances of victory.The FIA is investigating the claims and Renault will go before the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September, when it could be thrown out of the sport if found guilty."The ING Renault F1 team is to attend that meeting and answer allegations that members of the team conspired with Nelson Piquet Jr to cause a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP, so that Fernando Alonso might benefit from the resulting safety car," read a Renault statement. "The ING Renault F1 team had not commented publicly during the FIA's initial investigation into this matter. However, today the ING Renault F1 team and its managing director, Flavio Briatore, personally, wish to state that they have commenced criminal proceedings against Nelson Piquet Junior and Nelson Piquet Senior in France concerning the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Mr Piquet Jr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season. The matter will also be referred to the police in the UK."Piquet Jr's contract for 2009 had still not been renewed by the time of the Singapore GP and Briatore fired the Brazilian driver last month after one and a half seasons with the French team.The crash at Formula One's inaugural night race brought out the safety car shortly after Alonso had pitted. The twice world champion was then able to position himself for victory.Alonso denies having any knowledge of the alleged plans.RenaultFormula OneMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Raikkonen welcomes Fisichella to Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen has hailed new team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella as an "expert driver" who can help guarantee Ferrari third place in this year's Formula One constructors' championship.

Italian GP Preview: Ferrari

Maranello, 9th September - The final European event on the Formula 1 calendar is a very important one for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, it being the home race for the Maranello-based team.

Ferrari keen to test Massa, seeking test exemption

Ferrari will soon try again to gain an exemption from the in-season testing ban, this time for Felipe Massa...