Rubens wins in Valencia

Rubens Barrichello celebrates with Ross Brawn after winning the European Grand Prix Rubens has had a moan or two about his team lately, but he had nothing but praise for them as he held on to the lead he took after Hamilton in the McLaren had a pit stop from hell – when his tyres stayed in the pit garage rather too long – and drove like the veteran he is. Button, on the other hand, managed to throw away his grid position at the start and spent the whol;e race playing catch-up. He managed to finish in seventh – for a very valuable two points – but hge was never in contention.

Michael Mauer appointed head of design at Porsche

Porsche AG has anounced the appointment of Michael Mauer to take over as chief designer from Harm Lagaay, who will retire on July 1 after 15 years in the post. Michael Mauer, 41, studied automobile design at Pforzheim University, and started his career at Mercedes-Benz. In 1989, he was appointed design project leader for the Mercedes V Class models, and was in charge of design work for the first SLK model generation.

Nissan Note Boat makes a splash (video)

Nissan Note Boat makes splash Before you get carried away the the thought that Nissan has somehow turned out a new Note that can turn itself in to a boat, they haven’t. Instead, Nissan’s PR has decided to bolt the new Note to a floating platform to demonstrate the versatility and some of the technology of the new Note. Nissan went of to Eton Dornay Lake – scene of some of our remarkable rowing feats in the 2012 Olympics – with a modified Note with a sliding single stroke seat for a rower to allow the Note – with its wide opening doors – to accommodate an oar poking out of each side.