Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

Electronic Arts Inc. celebrated the launch of EA Sports F1 23, the highly anticipated game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Available across multiple platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, this latest installment delivers an unparalleled racing experience that will delight fans around the world.

Lee Mather, Senior Creative Director at Codemasters, shared his enthusiasm about the game: “F1 23 has everything players love about competing for the World Championship and propels them further into the world of Formula 1. Our precision handling and feedback from real F1 drivers will make players feel in control, whether they’re using a wheel or a pad.”

One of the standout features of F1 23 is the beloved ‘Braking Point’ story mode, which continues the thrilling saga of rising star Aidan Jackson and his rival Devon Butler. This time, they find themselves as teammates on the newly formed Konnersport Butler Racing Team, facing tough competition from Callie Mayer, the first woman to win the F2 World Championship. The choices made on and off the track will shape their Performance and Reputation levels, unlocking exciting bonus objectives and rewards throughout two challenging seasons.

The game introduces the revamped ‘F1 World’ hub, providing players with various ways to engage with the sport they love. Daily, weekly, and seasonal content tied to the real-world calendar keeps the experience fresh and engaging. Newcomers can enhance their skills through challenges and races before aiming for podium finishes. The addition of a safety rating system promotes fair and competitive multiplayer racing, bringing like-minded drivers together.

F1 23 caters to player feedback by including the 35% race distance and implementing Red Flags, adding strategic elements to race weekends. Alongside the 23 circuits of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, three new tracks – Paul Ricard, Shanghai, and Portimão – offer thrilling race opportunities for both F1 and F2 events.

Free Practice One for the Canadian Grand Prix was hampered by CCTV issues, which later saw the session abandoned after just under ten minutes of running. Valtteri Bottas topped the session leading Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.

What Happened In The Limited Running on Track?

The Oracle Red Bull Racing drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, were the first to come out of the pits, as they looked to set the pace early on. Verstappen took the lead by recording a time of 1:20.231 on the soft tires, but then just a few seconds afterwards, his teammate Perez surpassed him, clocking in 0.077 seconds faster on the same tyre compound.

Stroll was looking to impress early on at his home grand prix, and outperformed both Red Bull drivers with a time of 1:19.175 on the soft compound, also beating his teammate, Alonso by over six-tenths. The Silverstone team is optimistic about having a good weekend in Montreal. They have introduced numerous upgrades to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, aiming to rectify the underwhelming performance displayed in Barcelona.

Shortly after that, Bottas of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake went to the top of the timesheets with a lap time of 1:18.728 on the medium compound tires, and that would end up being the fastest lap of the session, due to major technical difficulties at the circuit.

As Bottas set the fastest time, Pierre Gasly was reporting driveshaft problems back to BWT Alpine F1 Team, and the issues ended up with the Frenchman stopping on track and bringing out the red flag. After a quarter of an hour had gone by, the session remained under a red flag. Confusion arose among many as there seemed to be no apparent reason, except for Gasly’s halted car on the track, which would be easy to clear. However, the FIA clarified that the delay was caused by malfunctioning local CCTV cameras, which made the session unsafe to continue. The FIA has to be able to see all of the circuit for safety meaning all of the CCTV has to be operational.

Emil Lindholm who is the reigning WRC2 world champion in FIA World Rally Championship will be switching teams now as he joins the South Korean team Hyundai Motorsport after driving his last rally for the title-winning team Toksport WRT at Rally Italia Sardegna.

Lindholm and co-driver Reeta Hämäläinen were announced this afternoon to become part of the re-launched Hyundai Motorsport Driver development Programme where they will be joining Hyundai´s WRC2 bet with two confirmed outings in Rally Estonia and Rally Finland later this summer with more to follow later.

Lindholm´s fellow countryman Teemu Suninen who is normally driving for the team in the WRC2 class will be taking over the driving duty of the third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 machine in Estonia and Finland while Lindholm is joining the WRC2 team. The Paraguayan driver Fabrizio Zaldivar will continue his WRC2 program as planned.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to become part of one of the most accomplished and successful rally teams globally. My decision to join Hyundai Motorsport stems primarily from the brand’s proven track record of success in rallying and especially their commitment to nurture young talent.” Lindholm said.

“Their clear dedication to rallying aligns perfectly with my own passion and ambition. I see Rally Estonia as the perfect starting point for my journey with the team; it’s been a strong event for both myself and the team in the past which brings me a good deal of confidence. I firmly believe that we have every opportunity to step on the podium multiple times this season.”

Teemu Suninen from Finland announced this afternoon that he will be stepping in to the third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 machine for Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT in Rally Estonia and in Rally Finland later this summer.

Suninen and co-driver Mikko Markkula will be part of the re-launched Hyundai Motorsport Driver Development Programme which means they will do developments for the Rally1 car as well as the Hyundai i20 N Rally2. He was already connected to the programme in May when he was spotted testing the Rally1 car in native Finland, where the team is currently having their operation base located at.

He has been representing the team in WRC2 since the end of 2021 after losing the seat at M-Sport Ford WRT and this will be his second and third outings in the top class for the team after joining them, last time being Rally Monza in Italy at the season-finale when Ott Tänak had to miss the event due to personal reasons.

Hyundai had to look for a new driver to share the third car after Craig Breen lost his life during a pre-event test accident ahead of Rally Croatia in April, the fast gravel rallies were planned for Breen this season while Dani Sordo would go for the others. Since the accident Sordo has been driving all of the rallies.

“This is a great opportunity to get back to top tier cars and I have been really missing it. Estonia and Finland have previously been strong rallies for me, but it will be a big challenge to learn the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 hybrid and the hybrid system with limited testing.” Suninen said in his announcement on social medias.

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda unveiled the revolutionary hydrogen engine vehicle prototype, the “GR H2 Racing Concept,” at a press conference held by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest at Circuit de la Sarthe last weekend. This groundbreaking announcement comes after the ACO’s recent decision to include hydrogen-engine vehicles in the Le Mans 24 Hours race’s hydrogen category, alongside fuel cell electric vehicles.

Speaking at the press conference, Toyoda expressed his appreciation for the ACO and the opportunity to showcase Toyota’s advancements through the prestigious Le Mans race, “My congratulations to the ACO, and all involved, on the 100th anniversary of Le Mans. Le Mans is a place where we not only compete in one of the world’s most celebrated races but a place where we can push the boundaries of technology – a place where we can realize the future.

“We are grateful to the ACO and Le Mans for providing this unique opportunity to share our efforts with the world. My goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in motorsports without sacrificing anything in terms of performance or excitement. We look forward to our new GR H2 race car in view of the new Le Mans H2 class in the future. The sound, the torque, the dynamics, it’s all there. Not only are we re-imagining the race car, we’re doing it with zero emissions. Here’s to the next 100 years of checkered flags!”

The unveiling of the “GR H2 Racing Concept” showcases Toyota’s commitment to developing hydrogen-engine technology through motorsports. Toyota has been refining its hydrogen-engine Corolla in the Super Taikyu Series and the IDEMITSU 1500 SUPER ENDURANCE 2022, utilising the challenging motorsports environment to enhance its hydrogen-related technologies. By collaborating with partners from both within and outside the automotive industry, Toyota aims to accelerate efforts in producing, transporting, and utilizing hydrogen to contribute to a carbon-neutral society.

Pierre Fillon, President of ACO, praised Toyota’s Hydrogen Endurance project and its significance in the history of Le Mans, “This June 9, 2023, will be a milestone in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship: a manufacturer, and which manufacturer, the n°1 in the world, has just presented its Hydrogen Endurance project. 100 years ago, the ACO created the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a real technological laboratory for a car in full development.

The local hero Alberto Heller said already in spring that his goal was to get a Rally1 drive at his home round of Rally Chile at the month exchange of September and October when round 11 of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship takes place there.

Now the Chile local motorsport news sources are reporting that Heller has managed to secure a drive with a rented Ford Puma Rally1 from M-Sport Ford World Rally Team. The British outfit has become well-known for the fact that it has top-class equipment for rental use if the customer can find enough budget and according to the +Moto website Heller has managed to do so.

The 29-year-old was fighting at the top of WRC2 class when WRC visited Chile last time out in 2019 but lost out on the final day when he crashed out on the second stage of the day. Now in March this year, he hinted he wanted to display a Rally1 hybrid car for the return of the rally which he has successfully done now according to local sources.

Heller has so far only competed in one rally this season when he entered the WRC2 grid at Rally de Portugal but he had to withdraw in the middle of the rally due to illness. Last year he became the RC2 PRO champion in Chile and this season he has won two events behind the wheel of a Citroen C3 Rally2.

Hyundai Motorsport is gearing up for the upcoming Safari Rally Kenya, the seventh round of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship. With a strong performance in recent events, the team hopes to conquer the challenging and unpredictable terrain of Kenya’s gravel stages. Led by drivers Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe, Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm, and Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera, Hyundai Motorsport is determined to close the gap in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings.

Safari Rally Kenya presents a unique set of challenges to the competitors. The gravel surface, consisting of fesh-fesh sand and treacherous rocky sections, demands a cautious approach and adaptability to the changing speeds and conditions.

Martijn Wydaeghe, co-driver for Thierry Neuville, emphasized the demanding nature of Safari Rally Kenya: “The greatest challenge in Kenya is that you can prepare as much as you want, but you will still have surprises. The road book looks exactly the same as last year, but we already know that the stages will be different because of the ever-changing weather conditions.

“The profile is unlike anything else; the mix of the fesh-fesh and the rocky terrain creates a completely different rally. This is why it’s important to adapt to the changing speeds – the surface has such varied characteristics. The most challenging stage is probably Sleeping Warrior as it’s the longest, making it harder to get into a consistent rhythm.”

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are excited for this one; we want to have a Safari Rally Kenya to remember. The podium is the minimum target for us.” Abiteboul acknowledged the progress made by the team in recent races and emphasized the need to maintain their momentum and focus on securing valuable points in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.

Jonny Adam who is the current GT3 class points leader in the British GT Championship driving for the team 2 Seas with co-driver James Cottingham, has unveiled a new helmet design for the Maggie´s charity that he will use for the first time over this weekend in Snetterton.

The helmet is supported by the long-time partner Asset Alliance Group and Adam plans to auction off the helmet during the biennial Drive to Maggie´s charity driving tour in August. All of the money raised during this campaign will go directly to the charity and help Maggie with the services. Adam will continue to use the helmet throughout the rest of the season.

“Cancer affects so many lives, and having seen the positive impact that Maggie’s has on individuals and their families, I hope this partnership inspires others to get involved and contribute to this vital organisation,” Adam said.

Maggie´s is a charity that offers free help in social support to anyone affected by cancer with advice by experts and a supportive community in the United Kingdom.

Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is gearing up for the highly anticipated Safari Rally Kenya, a legendary event known for its grueling challenges. Having triumphed in the last two editions, the team aims to maintain its strong record on the demanding African rally, which returns to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar from 22-25 June.

“The Safari Rally has been a really exciting event for us in the last two years, and of course, we hope we can achieve another good result this time around,” said Jari-Matti Latvala, Team Principal of Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team. “It’s the longest and toughest rally in the championship and very different to the others.”

The team’s lineup for the Safari Rally Kenya includes all four drivers who contributed to last year’s historic 1-2-3-4 finish. Reigning world champion Kalle Rovanperä, who currently leads the standings by 25 points, secured victory in 2022, followed closely by Elfyn Evans. They will be joined by Sébastien Ogier, the 2021 winner, forming a formidable manufacturer lineup for the team. Additionally, Takamoto Katsuta will drive an additional GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID with the support of the TGR WRC Challenge Program.

Reflecting on his previous experiences in Kenya, Rovanperä expressed his excitement for the event: “Already in 2021, we were going quite well until we got stuck in the sand. Then, last year, it was of course very special to win with a perfect result for the team. It’s a rally that can depend a lot on the weather, because the conditions can change completely from one year to another.”

Evans emphasized the unpredictable nature of the rally: “It’s always difficult to know what we can expect on the Safari Rally, which is what makes it such a challenge for the teams and the crews. We’ve already experienced a lot of different conditions there over the past couple of years, so we have been looking back through those events to prepare as best as we can.”

Manx Autosport, the club responsible for organizing rallies on the Isle of Man, has unveiled its plans to ensure a thriving future for special stage rallying on the island. Following the remarkable success of the Manx Rally in May, where 130 competitors conquered nearly 140 stage miles on iconic closed roads, the club has taken significant steps to strategically shape the medium-term future of rallying with a fresh and enthusiastic team.

“We believe it is the right thing to do. Cancelling the September rally gives us the breathing space we need to come back bigger and stronger in 2024,” stated Leonie Marchbank, Chair of Manx Autosport. “We have iconic special stages on the island, and we all want to see the island roads used twice a year from 2024 onwards. It is all about future-proofing rallying on the island.”

Acknowledging the challenges faced by rally organizers, particularly those hosting major closed road events, Manx Autosport conducted a comprehensive review of its organisation and functioning to secure the long-term future of rallying on the island, which boasts a proud 60-year history.

“We have been very busy rebuilding the organizing team and restructuring the club, so that we can build on the success of our event in May. Our aim for 2024 and beyond is to continue to deliver outstanding events on outstanding roads in the very best tradition of Isle of Man rallying,” Marchbank emphasised.

The club is actively collaborating with government departments, voluntary agencies, and championship organizers to establish a coordinated and detailed program of events for the next three years, receiving positive support from the island government for its plans.

Conor Daly might be out of an NTT IndyCar Series seat, but at least he will get some track time anyway this summer. On Thursday, Niece Motorsports announced he will make his return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on 8 July, where he will drive the #41 Chevrolet Silverado RST.

“I can”t wait to work with everyone at Niece Motorsports again,” Daly stated. “Even though we’ve only done a few races together, it feels like I’m part of their family. I have a lot of respect for (team owner) Al Niece and the supportive partners of the team like Unishippers and Worldwide Express. It means a lot to get to represent for them as well as Chevrolet. Mid-Ohio is one of my favourite tracks and with the experience I have there I think it will be really beneficial in getting me up to speed quickly.”

Daly last raced in the Truck Series in 2021 at Las Vegas with Niece, but finished last after being a fiery crash. It was his second start in the series after finishing eighteenth in the previous year’s Vegas event, which he ran alongside close friend Travis Pastrana.

Since 2022, he has made sporadic NASCAR Cup Series appearances for The Money Team Racing, which included qualifying for the 2023 Daytona 500 where he finished twenty-ninth. He ran the 500 alongside Pastrana, in his Cup début, while his latest NASCAR race was at COTA in March where he placed thirty-sixth with a transmission failure.

Much of his focus had been on IndyCar, where he was twentieth in points before being released by Ed Carpenter Racing seven races into the 2023 season. He has made seven starts at Mid-Ohio in IndyCar with a best finish of sixth in 2016, while his most recent run there in 2022 was thirteenth.

Northamptonshire racer Harry King showcased his front-running form once again in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, as he secured a brace of top-three finishes in the season’s second meeting at Hockenheim.

Following his impressive debut in one of the most competitive national championships, where he clinched pole position and a race win at Spa Francorchamps, King was determined to maintain his momentum and challenge for more silverware.

As part of the Festival of Dreams, a celebration of 75 years of the iconic German carmaker, King kicked off the weekend with a solid top-three showing in free practice in his Allied Racing-run car. Building on his performance, he improved his time during qualifying, securing a fourth-place starting position on the grid.

With confidence running high, Harry was optimistic about his chances of adding to his podium tally when race one commenced. A strong start allowed him to make a decisive move on Leon Köhler going into turn one, asserting his position and defending it with tenacity. He then settled into third place behind Loek Hartog, maintaining his focus and pushing to close the gap.

A clash further down the order triggered the deployment of the safety car, bunching up the field and adding a strategic twist to the race. Despite the close attentions of Morris Schuring, King showcased his defensive prowess, warding off his rival while also attempting to gain ground on Harthog. The safety car made another appearance to clear a stricken car, interrupting the race proceedings and setting the stage for an intense final push.

Northamptonshire-based team, Richardson Racing, continued its impressive performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux as they secured two podium finishes in round two at Hockenheim.

Dutch teenager Robert De Haan and teammate Micah Stanley showcased their speed and determination throughout the weekend, with De Haan claiming victory in the first race and a second-place finish in the second race despite a time penalty. Stanley, unfortunately, faced challenges with contact and retired from the second race.

Micah Stanley expressed his thoughts on the race weekend, saying, “The race weekend started well with some good pace in practice and I looked good for a top four in qualifying before being dropped back a few places towards the end.

“Race one was a tough race with a poor start from my end, but I still had the pace to match the top three and I think we could have been in the mix for a podium without the contact late on. In race two, I had a very good start to go from ninth to fifth through the first few corners, but heavy contact at the first hairpin made me have to retire the car. It’s a weekend of what might have been.”

Robert De Haan, who showcased remarkable speed and clinched victory in the first race, shared his reflections, “I was really happy with the speed we showed, with two fastest laps and two victories on the road – and it was a mega weekend to help celebrate 75 years of Porsche. After a really good result in race one, it was a shame to get a time penalty in race two that dropped us back to second, but we’ve shown again what we can do and now focus on Oulton Park this weekend.”

Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen are seemingly running away with both FIA Formula 1 World Championships and even as early as the Canadian Grand Prix, many are already claiming that the title races are over.

However, what many won’t realise is the exciting and enticing battles happening behind the Bulls, between Scuderia Ferrari, Aston Martin Armaco F1 Team and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Fernando Alonso has been on top form this season, scoring five podiums this season in seven races, which is an incredible achievement for the Spaniard, who only joined Aston Martin at the start of this season.

Many have overlooked the performances of Lewis Hamilton this season, although the seven-time World Champion isn’t where he’d want to be, fighting for wins at the front, he is driving extremely well and has outdrove his W14 in multiple races this season. The Briton impressed at the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing in second place after starting fifth. George Russell has also been going under the radar too and helped Mercedes secure their first double podium of the season last time out in Spain, despite starting twelfth on the grid. Ferrari have underperformed so far this season, but Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. still have so much to offer, and this weekend will be a chance for the pair to get back into form.

Canada will be an interesting race for all three teams, but the question is who comes out on top?

Aston Martin

Aston Martin have had an incredible start to the season, that not many would have even dreamt of. Despite that though, in the previous race in Spain, Aston Martin’s outstanding start to the season experienced a setback as Alonso and Lance Stroll finished in seventh and sixth place, respectively, without being able to contend for a podium position, and really lacking the pace that everyone expected them to have.

There have been numerous famous racing motorcycles throughout history that have achieved great success and left a lasting impact on the world of motorcycle racing. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Honda RC211V: The Honda RC211V is a legendary racing motorcycle that competed in the MotoGP class. It was ridden by Valentino Rossi during the 2002-2003 seasons, and he won the MotoGP World Championship in both years. The RC211V featured advanced technology and innovative design, making it a dominant force in the MotoGP championship.

2. Yamaha YZR-M1: The Yamaha YZR-M1 is a highly successful racing motorcycle that has competed in the MotoGP series. It has been ridden by renowned riders such as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. The YZR-M1 has secured multiple World Championships and has a reputation for its agility, power, and reliability.

3. Ducati Desmosedici: The Ducati Desmosedici is a race-specific motorcycle developed by Ducati for MotoGP competition. It features a powerful V4 engine and advanced aerodynamics. The Desmosedici has achieved notable success, with riders such as Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso securing victories and podium finishes aboard this machine.

4. Suzuki GSX-R: The Suzuki GSX-R series is renowned for its dominance in various racing categories, including superbike racing. The GSX-R motorcycles have been successful in both national and international racing championships, showcasing their speed, handling, and performance capabilities.