Schumacher takes pole in Monaco – but starts sixth

Schumacher was quickest in Monaco qualifying Turn the clock back a day or two at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix and all the clever money would have been on Lotus dominating proceedings. But 48 hours is a long time in a 2012 season of tyres that dictate performance seemingly based on which way the wind’s blowing. So instead of Lotus dominating proceedings we had Mercedes qualifying strongly, with Michael Schumacher taking pole and team mate Nico Rosberg in third.

GM reportedly set to sign deal on Thursday to sell Opel

General Motors Co. likely will sign a deal on Thursday to sell a majority stake in Opel to a group led by Magna International Inc., German news agencies reported, citing sources close to the negotiations. GM agreed on September 10 to sell 55 percent of Opel to Canadian supplier Magna and its Russian partner Sberbank, but the deal stumbled amid labor union demands for a veto on factory closures and concern in the UK and Spain that 4.5 billion euros ($6.7 billion) in aid pledged by the German government for restructuring Opel favored the carmaker's German factories.

Detroit auto show 2011: the CAR Live Blog from NAIAS

CAR's review of the 2011 Detroit auto show - By Ben Oliver 3.30pm: Ian Robertson drives onto the stage in a Team USA-liveried Mini CountrymanCountryman sales are 30% above projected orders with 12,000 sold since launch, and the maxi Mini is now on sale in the US too. Marketing chief Robertson says 2010 was the best sales year ever with 234,000 Minis sold worldwide and sales were 8.1% up in the biggest market, the US. Launched 10 years ago at Detroit, Mini now has over 300,000 American owners, or 'fans' as Robertson's Facebook-savvy scriptwriter says.3.11pm: Big waves at HyundaiBP Hyundai's American boss John Krafcik introduces the new Curb concept, a cool Juke-sized crossover, and then the lovely little Hyundai Veloster (below).