Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

Hamda Al Qubaisi showcased her speed and skill by setting the fastest time for the second consecutive day as testing came to a close in Aragon.

The talented Emirati driver recorded the only sub-two-minute lap of the day, clocking in at an impressive 1:59.937 in the morning session, underlining her dominance on the track. The weather remained sunny throughout the day, providing ideal conditions for the drivers to push their limits.

In the tightly contested morning session, the entire grid was separated by less than a second. Al Qubaisi’s blistering pace put her at the top of the timesheets, with Rodin Carlin’s Abbi Pulling finishing a close second and the top three drivers all within two tenths of each other. The morning session saw the drivers collectively complete 480 laps on the 5.344km track, showcasing their determination and competitiveness.

In the afternoon session, Filipino driver Bianca Bustamante took charge and led the way with a time of 2:00.152, ahead of Pulling and series leader Marta García, both of whom are teammates of Bustamante at Rodin Carlin. The drivers continued to push their limits during the second outing, completing a total of 384 laps and pushing the overall tally for the day beyond 850.

Bustamante, representing PREMA Racing, expressed her delight at the progress she made over the two days of testing: “I really enjoyed Aragon, I have never been here before, so I think it was a huge challenge for myself to keep on improving in the areas I had to work on. The extra track time helped me quite a lot to work on my craft and technique.”

Scottish racer Ross Wylie is poised to fulfill a long-standing dream as he gears up to compete in a Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race, supporting the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July.

The 31-year-old driver from Dumfries & Galloway, who currently competes full time in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, will make a guest appearance in the prestigious Porsche one-make cup series, which represents the pinnacle of international competition in the Porsche racing community.

Wylie will be behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, supported by the acclaimed Glenturret Distillery, based in Perthshire. Additionally, local Thornhill companies AL-2 Teknik UK, PyroDry, and Carronbridge Sawmill have also lent their support to his campaign. With over 400,000 spectators attending the sold-out 2022 British Grand Prix, Wylie is eager to showcase his skills on the world stage.

The upcoming race at Silverstone marks Wylie’s debut in the Supercup series, which exclusively supports Formula 1 events. He will also be making his first appearance with Ricardson Racing at Silverstone, adding further excitement to the occasion.

As a full member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, Wylie’s invitation to join the exclusive club is a testament to his success in the upper echelons of motorsport over several seasons.

It’s June and I’ve already three F1 Academy events under my belt – it’s certainly been a hectic but hugely enjoyable few months!

I’m really enjoying the series and importantly, my driving has progressed a lot while being a part of the amazing ART Grand Prix team is developing me much more as a driver with elements I’d never considered or done before.     

It’s still work in progress but physically and mentally, I’ve improved. I’m very lucky to be contesting the series with ART and I’m really pushing myself to progress in all aspects.

One of the biggest elements the opening rounds has taught me more than anything else is that qualifying is so, so important. Lap times for the field are so close, it’s vital to get a good grid position, because the cars are identical making overtaking in races very difficult.

I learned such a lot in the opening event at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. I started all three races from ninth place on the fifteen-car grid after wet qualifying sessions and was the highest-placed British driver on the Race 1 grid.

In honour of 75 years of Porsche sports cars, the Stuttgart manufacturer embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign during the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For every lap completed by Porsche’s three factory Porsche 963 racers, €750 was allocated to a special fund supporting the “Racing for Charity” initiative. At the centennial edition of the renowned endurance event, the Porsche Penske Motorsport hybrid prototypes impressively covered a total of 733 laps. Commemorating their milestone anniversary, Porsche amplified the initial donation of €549,750, resulting in a remarkable €911,000 in total. The funds will be channeled to three deserving charitable organisations.

Two prominent associations, Kinderherzen retten and Interplast Germany e.V., are set to receive €350,000 each from the proceeds of the “Racing for Charity” campaign. These funds will be utilised to assist children hailing from underprivileged regions suffering from heart diseases, injuries, deformities, or burns.The remaining €211,000 will be directed towards the Ferry Porsche Foundation, established in May 2018 to align with the 70th anniversary of the Porsche brand. This contribution will alleviate the hardships faced by critically ill children and their families, providing them with the opportunity to savour moments of happiness and respite.

Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, Research and Development, affirmed Porsche’s enduring commitment to social responsibility. He commented, “Porsche has always been mindful of its role as a socially responsible company. Through the ‘Racing for Charity’ initiative, we have successfully integrated this ethos into motorsport for the very first time.” Steiner underscored Porsche’s decision to augment the original donation amount, emphasizing the company’s belief that motorsport and people are intrinsically linked in their DNA.

Acknowledging Porsche’s philanthropic efforts, the campaign secured first place in the prestigious “Sustainable Endurance Award” presented by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest on the eve of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Porsche’s wide-ranging social commitment centers around benefiting individuals, encompassing sustainable projects in sports, culture, the environment, social issues, as well as education and science. In 2022 alone, Porsche supported over 150 sponsorship initiatives worldwide, effectively shaping the future of society and setting new benchmarks.

Scuderia Ferrari’s Frédéric Vasseur is aiming for a strong Canadian Grand Prix, after an underwhelming start to the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship for the Italian team, who sit fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.

Ferrari come into the weekend following an extremely disappointing showing in Barcelona, with Carlos Sainz Jr. finishing fifth at the Spanish Grand Prix and his teammate Charles Leclerc finishing eleventh after getting knocked out in Q1 for the first time in his Ferrari career.

Ferrari have fallen behind both Aston Martin Armaco F1 Team and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in the standings and in terms of performance lately, and will be hoping they can bounce back in Canada, but Team Principal Vasseur has made it clear that they still have to make improvements with their race pace despite recent upgrades.

“We come to Canada knowing that there is still room for improvement in terms of race pace with the SF-23. However, the upgrades introduced at the last round in Spain meant that the car behaved more consistently in the race in Barcelona.”

Vasseur looked back on last year’s performance at the Canadian Grand Prix, and hopes the team can use that and the support from the fans in Montreal as motivation throughout the weekend. Last year saw Sainz fight for the win with Max Verstappen until the very last lap, and Leclerc fight his way to fifth from the back row after taking multiple engine penalties.

Ahead of next weekend’s inaugural Portland E-Prix, Mahindra Racing have confirmed that ex-Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi will again fill the team’s current vacant seat.

Merhi made his ABB FIA Formula E World Championship debut recently at the Jakarta E-Prix double-header, where he filled in for the Banbury-based team following Oliver Rowland‘s departure from Mahindra. The Spaniard put in a respectable performance on his debut, where he was able to understand how to “adjust my driving style” to the all-electric series.

Merhi finished eighteenth in the opening race of the Jakarta double-header, whilst he salvaged seventeenth in the second. Given that he’s driving for the team again next weekend, he’ll hopefully be able to get up to speed quicker, something he’s targeting.

The Spanish driver is grateful for the opportunity to drive for the Indian manufacturer once again, with the aim now being to “make a good step forward”.

“I am very happy to be back in Portland with Mahindra Racing. After Jakarta, I now have more experience in the car, which will help me a lot and I will be able to keep improving from where we left off. I think the fact that is a new circuit to everyone will be beneficial as everyone will start with the same experience level on the track.

Kirsten Landman described the 2023 Dakar Rally as the “toughest race of my life” as she competed solo in the Malle Moto class, but reached the finish without a penalty. She will hope to replicate her success in 2024 when she enters her third Dakar.

“I’m super, super excited to announce that I’m going back to Dakar 2024 and going back for some more torture racing in the Malle Moto class,” said Landman in a social media post on Wednesday. “I just want to thank you all for your support in my past Dakars, and I look forward to sharing Dakar 2024 with you.”

After making her Dakar début in 2020, finishing third among female bike riders, being sidelined by a positive COVID-19 test in 2022, Landman returned for the 2023 edition in Malle Moto. Formally known as Original by Motul, the category is regarded as the toughest as riders are forbidden from having outside support and must service their bikes on their own with limited resources.

The lone woman in Malle Moto, Landman finished twelfth overall in class and forty-eighth in the broader Rally2 category. Her best stage finish among solo riders was eleventh in Stage #5, after which she began experiencing severe fatigue and flu-like symptoms. After the rally, she was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, forcing her off the bike for three months to rehabilitate.

In April, she was cleared to resume riding and more physical training, culminating in her Dakar 2024 confirmation two months later. A hard enduro rider and mountain biker, her 2024 will also include competing in the Absa Cape Epic in March.

AF Corse‘s #54 488 GTE displayed a commendable performance at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe, securing the top finish among the seven Ferrari entries in the LMGTE Am class for the 24 hours of Le Mans. The team, consisting of Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci, and Davide Rigon, showcased unwavering determination throughout the prestigious race, claiming an impressive fifth place in their class.

While AF Corse’s #54 car achieved a notable result, other Ferrari entrants faced greater challenges. Walkenhorst Motorsport‘s #100, driven by Chandler Hull, Jeffrey Segal, and Andrew Haryanto, secured a respectable eighth place. Kessel Racing‘s #74, piloted by Kei Cozzolino, Yorikatsu Tsujiko, and Naoki Yokomizo, clinched the ninth spot.

However, not all Ferrari teams experienced a fortunate outcome. The second Kessel Racing car, #57, featuring Takeshi Kimura, Scott Huffaker, and works driver Daniel Serra, encountered an untimely end. In an ambitious bid to regain positions, the car collided with a barrier, leading to an early withdrawal three hours ahead of schedule.

Similarly plagued by misfortune was JMW Motorsport‘s 488 GTE, driven by Louis Prette, Giacomo Petrobelli, and Thomas Neubauer. After nightfall, the team was forced to abandon their pursuit at Le Mans, joining AF Corse’s #21, manned by Simon Mann, Julien Piguet, and Ulysse De Pauw, which had earlier withdrawn from the race. Another setback unfolded for the Richard Mille AF Corse-run #83, achieving impressive speeds courtesy of works driver Alessio Rovera. However, the car encountered a sudden, violent thunderstorm during Luis Perez Companc‘s stint, leading to its premature exit. Frenchwoman Lilou Wadoux, representing the Piacenza-based team, lost control of her car on a flooded section of the track, fortunately emerging unharmed.

Reflecting on the race, Davide Rigon from AF Corse’s #54 expressed mixed emotions: “The race had started well, showing we could do great things with the car and also with the team strategy. I drove a lot and was also in the lead for long stretches, and that is something really thrilling here at Le Mans. Then as time went by, we realized that we were lacking something compared to the others due to BoP issues, and we couldn’t keep hold of the lead.

Nitrocross is gearing up for its 2023-24 season launch, and the excitement continues to build with the announcement of Lia Block joining the round-one driver lineup. As a rising star in the motorsports scene, 16-year-old Block has made her mark in various disciplines, and her addition to Nitrocross’ NEXT roster solidifies her promising career.

Having recently triumphed at the Oregon Trail rally, where she secured a class victory and a fourth-place finish overall, Block’s driving skills have gained recognition. Additionally, she currently leads the national championship in the ARA open class two-wheel drive category and has maintained an impressive track record in ARA racing this season.

Block’s prowess extends beyond rally racing, as she has thrived in karting for three years and competed in the Lucas Oil Off-Road series. With previous experience in Nitrocross’ predecessor, Nitro Rallycross, where she raced both side-by-sides and Sierra cars, Block is now poised to elevate her performance in the NEXT class with the 350hp all-wheel drive vehicles provided by Olsbergs MSE.

Expressing her enthusiasm for Nitrocross, Block said, “I’m so excited to compete in Nitrocross this season. I’ve experienced the intense, door-to-door action that Travis and Nitro Circus have cooked up, especially racing side-by-sides last year. Now, I look forward to the challenge of stepping things up and battling in the NEXT class against other talent from around the world. This is a true dream come true, after watching my dad [Ken Block] race rallycross from such a young age.”

Joining Block in the Oklahoma competition is Casper Jansson from Sweden, driving for OMSE, who secured second place in the 2022-23 NEXT World Championship after claiming the NEXT North American title. BAK40 Motorsports will be represented by a trio of drivers, including Jimmy Henderson, who showcased his consistency by standing on the podium in every North American round of the previous season. Lane Vacala and Eric Gordon complete the BAK roster, ensuring an exciting lineup in the NEXT field for the upcoming Nitrocross event.

In a thrilling display of endurance racing, Toyota Gazoo Racing came within moments of capturing victory at the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team’s #8 GR010 HYBRID, driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, delivered a stunning performance, finishing just 1:21.793 behind the triumphant #51 Ferrari after an intense battle that captivated a sell-out crowd of 325,000 spectators.

Despite encountering challenging competition from a record 16-car Hypercar field, featuring Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, and Porsche; Toyota Gazoo Racing showcased their expertise and determination throughout the race in a bid to secure a historic sixth win in a row.

Team Principal Kamui Kobayashi‘s #7 GR010 HYBRID experienced misfortune during the event. While Kobayashi was at the wheel, an accident occurred after eight hours, resulting in significant damage to the car. A lapped car collided with the #7, forcing an early retirement from the race.

Reflecting on the race, Kamui Kobayashi expressed his disappointment while commending the team’s efforts, stating, “Unfortunately, the centenary Le Mans was not our race… We really fought hard to win, and everyone enjoyed working together to try to get the victory. We need to come back stronger; that’s how we deal with disappointments.”

Mike Conway, driver of the #7 GR010 HYBRID, praised the team’s performance despite the unfortunate outcome, saying, “Unfortunately, it was a short race for our car. We were hanging in there in the difficult conditions, we didn’t make any mistakes and stayed in the fight. Maybe we were not the quickest, but we were doing our job. It’s a pity we got taken out in those circumstances but there were so many incidents in those slow zones.”

French automaker Alpine has now officially revealed the new LMDh prototype named Alpine A424_β (A424 Beta) which will mark the manufacturer´s return to the top class of Hypercar in the FIA World Endurance Championship next season.

Alpine launched the new car during the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Friday, the car is constructed to go under the LMDh regulations, which means it is based on an Oreca chassis with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo Mecachrome V6. The car will be fielded by Alpine´s long-standing partner Signatech, who also fielded the sole Alpine A480 grandfather LMP1 car in the Hypercar class last season.

The Signatech Alpine team is also having a two-car team in the LMP2 category this year, racing in a pair of Alpine A470-Gibson, the cars are just a simple rename of the popular Oreca Gibson 07 chassis.

With the new A424 Beta, Alpine and their parent company Renault will be looking to take their first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1978. The team will only be running the car in the WEC for now but they don´t rule out an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entry in the future, however, the Renault group doesn´t sell any road-going cars in North America at the moment.

“Today we unveil the Alpine A424_β, the forerunner of our Hypercar designed to challenge the best competitors starting next year, True to our values, this new prototype takes the A-arrow brand into the future; while following in the footsteps of our creations, beginning with Alpenglow and the A290_β. The Alpine A424_β is racy, elegant, and distinctive with its iconic and emblematic design. It embodies both our present and our future thanks to the involvement and investment of our designers in its development.” Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine, said.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team KICK Esports is set to enter into the F1 Esports Pro Championship with the partnership announcement with R8G e-Sports Sim Racing Team, led by former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean.

R8G, known for its impressive roster of skilled drivers and a dedicated support team, will collaborate closely with Alfa Romeo F1 Team KICK Esports as they aim for the ultimate prize of securing the World Championship title in the F1 Esports Pro Championship.

With a successful track record in various racing platforms, including notable wins such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual and the ESL Drivers’ World Title, R8G has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of online racing. They have gained a substantial following on social media and made their mark in prestigious competitions like Formula E Accelerate, DTM eSports, and the SimRacing World Cup. In 2021, they even clinched a silver medal in the first-ever Olympic Virtual Games. Their recent entry into F1 Esports has been marked by rapid progression, propelled by their strong team structure and commitment to nurturing young talent.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative of Alfa Romeo F1 Team KICK Esports, expressed excitement about the partnership: “R8G is the ideal partner to help us take Alfa Romeo F1 Team KICK Esports to new heights. Our ambitions are high, both in terms of competition performance and delivering exceptional value to our partners and fans. To achieve this, we need top-tier partners, and R8G perfectly fits the bill.

“Their track record of success in F1 Esports and sim racing is impressive, and they possess the know-how to deliver outstanding results. Romain’s leadership and wealth of experience will benefit the entire team. We eagerly look forward to the upcoming season and the future of our esports team.”

The new Lotus Emira GT4 car is set to be delivered to the first customers over this summer the British manufacturer announced, the new GT4 car will be replacing the Lotus Evora GT4 and has most recently passed homologation and is race ready.

The car has been developed in conjuction with RML and will feature a 455bhp engine, paddle shift sequential gearbox and an optimised aero package. The car is homologated to race in any GT4 series but is also available to race in other national series.

All of the cars are being hand built by RML in a new production facility in Wellingborough, United Kingdom. The car price tag is set at £179,000 plus taxes and delivery, and the audience at the British GT Championship in Snetterton this weekend will have the chance to see the car in public.

“The Emira road car was such an excellent starting point for a GT4, and we’ve now further refined and tuned the package with the team at RML to create what we believe is a highly competitive and performance-oriented race car, we know our customers are keen to get behind the wheel and we’re looking forward to seeing their results.” Gavan Kershaw, Lotus Director of Vehicle Attributes, said.

RM Sotheby’s has concluded its Le Mans Centenary sale in collaboration with the ACO, amassing a staggering €20,101,950 during an electrifying auction held near the iconic race paddock.

Taking place on the eve of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race, the auction added an extraordinary spectacle to an already amazing race weekend.

The highlight of the auction was the exquisite 1955 Ferrari 121 LM Spider by Scaglietti, which achieved the highest price of the night, selling for an impressive €5,742,500. This competition Ferrari holds immense historical significance, having participated in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia of the same year. Piloted by legendary drivers such as Maurice Trintignant, Harry Schell, and Piero Taruffi, this rare gem garnered worldwide attention and rightfully claimed its place as the most expensive car sold during the auction. With only four examples in existence, the Ferrari 121 LM Spider thoroughly justified its remarkable price.

Another notable vehicle was the 2007 Aston Martin DBR9 GT1, built by the esteemed Prodrive team. This exceptional car boasts an impressive racing pedigree, including a 3rd place finish in the GT1 class and 22nd overall at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans. It also secured podium positions in the 2008 Silverstone Tourist Trophy and the 2008 24 Hours of Spa. Considered one of only 18 ever produced, the Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 achieved a well-deserved price of €2,255,000. Similarly, the 1984 Lancia LC2, a factory-backed sports prototype that competed in the World Sportscar Championship, captured attention with its stunning pole position in the 1984 race. Presented in its iconic Martini livery, the Lancia LC2 sold for €2,255,000.

The auction also witnessed the successful sale of other remarkable vehicles. The 1958 Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly,’ one of the most original examples in existence and the only Knobbly to have raced at Le Mans, fetched a price of €1,551,875. The 2008 Saleen S7-R, winner of the LMGT1 class at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, sold for €1,298,750. The 1954 OSCA MT4 by Morelli, an iconic representation of 1950s motorsport with its strong ties to the Maserati brothers, reached a selling price of €1,270,625. Additionally, the 1990 Nissan R90CK, renowned for Mark Blundell’s legendary pole position in the 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans, changed hands for €1,073,750.

The five F1 Academy teams gathered at Motorland Aragón for two days of testing in preparation for the upcoming Round 4 at Zandvoort. The drivers took on two three-hour sessions on Day 1, battling mixed conditions as overnight rain provided an opportunity to experiment with different setups.

Jessica Edgar of Rodin Carlin expressed her confidence in driving in wet conditions before the testing began. She swiftly demonstrated her mastery of mixed conditions by topping the time sheets early on in the first session. However, her reign at the top was short-lived as Léna Bühler, fresh off her debut win in Barcelona, climbed to the summit. Bühler’s consistent performances this season have propelled her up to third place in the standings.

As the overcast conditions gradually gave way to the Spanish sun, lap times began to tumble. Series leader Marta García stormed to the top of the time charts with a blistering time of 2:00.702, closely followed by Abbi Pulling of Rodin Carlin with a time of 2:00.834.

Maite Cacères of Campos Racing was pleased to gain valuable track time after a few weeks break. Completing 19 laps in the morning session, she expressed her satisfaction with the team’s progress and the focus on improving in the second half of the season.

Despite predictions of a heavy thunderstorm, the afternoon session remained clear, allowing all fifteen drivers to continue their testing efforts. MP Motorsport’s Hamda Al Qubaisi took charge and set the fastest overall time of the day with an impressive 2:00.439. The Dutch team, leading the standings after victories in Race 1 and Race 3 in Barcelona, aims to extend their lead at their home race in Zandvoort.