Author: New York Times Online News

United Auto Workers Open Contract Talks in Detroit

The three Detroit automakers and the United Auto Workers union have begun negotiating a new labor contract in what could become the most contentious talks between the two sides in perhaps half a century. The discussions, which formally started on Thursday, come as General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis have posted a long streak of… Continue reading United Auto Workers Open Contract Talks in Detroit

Mercedes’ F1 Performance Improves After Adjustments to Its Racecar

After qualifying was finished for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in March, Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, condemned his own car. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the team’s drivers, had finished over six-tenths of a second behind the leading time set by the reigning champion, Max Verstappen of Red Bull, which is a huge… Continue reading Mercedes’ F1 Performance Improves After Adjustments to Its Racecar

F1 Teams Are Already Working on the Power Units Coming in 2026

Formula 1’s 2023 season isn’t even half over, but manufacturers are already working on 2026. That is when revised power-unit regulations, running through 2030, will take effect. It will be the biggest overhaul to the rules since the introduction of 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged engines in 2014. There will be more manufacturers and a step toward… Continue reading F1 Teams Are Already Working on the Power Units Coming in 2026

24 Hours of Le Mans: 100 Years of Endurance and Innovation

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was first held in May 1923 to help spur innovation in the growing automotive industry by emphasizing not just speed, but also efficiency, reliability and endurance. “It is a very demanding race, and the greatest race,” said Tom Kristensen, who has… Continue reading 24 Hours of Le Mans: 100 Years of Endurance and Innovation

At 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota Faces New Challengers

For the first time since 2017, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France will feature a handful of cars from the major automakers this weekend, competing for the top prize. Toyota, which has won the last five years as the only big automaker, now faces a crowded field. Fighting for overall victory will also… Continue reading At 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota Faces New Challengers

At 24 Hours of Le Mans, NASCAR Is Out of Its Element

When the possibility of a NASCAR Cup Series car competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race was first discussed two years ago, there was some surprise. “I talked to a few people, traditional sports-car folks and traditional racing folks, and when I told them about the project, they were scratching their head… Continue reading At 24 Hours of Le Mans, NASCAR Is Out of Its Element

G.M. and Stellantis Paid $364 Million in Fuel Economy Fines

General Motors and Stellantis paid a combined $363.8 million in penalties for failing to meet federal fuel-economy standards for cars and trucks they produced in previous years, according to federal government documents posted on Friday. G.M. paid $128.2 million for failing to meet the targets with the light trucks it sold in 2018 and 2019,… Continue reading G.M. and Stellantis Paid $364 Million in Fuel Economy Fines

Charles Leclerc and His Brother Arthur Return to Race at Monaco

Monaco Grand Prix fans who are from the principality have become accustomed to watching one of their own, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, who was born in Monaco, compete in the race. At this year’s event, there will be two locals, as Arthur Leclerc, Charles’s younger brother, races there in Formula 2 on Saturday. “It’s a… Continue reading Charles Leclerc and His Brother Arthur Return to Race at Monaco

Frédéric Vasseur Is Working on Changing Ferrari

Frédéric Vasseur knows all about pressure. In January, he was named general manager and team principal of Ferrari, one of the most high-pressure jobs in motorsport because of the popularity of the team. But in 1996 Vasseur had started his own team, and he said there were times he had trouble making ends meet. “I… Continue reading Frédéric Vasseur Is Working on Changing Ferrari