Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

Last Sunday is a day that Austin Cindric will never forget. The Cup Series rookie held off last-second charges from Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney to win the Daytona 500, making him the first points race winner of the Next Gen car era and the first Rookie of the Year contender to win the legendary race.

Cindric started fifth, two rows behind reigning champion and pole sitter Kyle Larson. Duel #1 winner Brad Keselowski, who drove the #2 Team Penske Ford before Cindric replaced him for 2022, battled with Kyle Busch for the lead throughout the early laps before the first caution came out on lap 42 for Kaz Grala‘s wheel coming off, prompting Chase Briscoe to try to avoid him but was spun by Cindric. Wheels dominated the raceday discourse after Justin Haley‘s wheel broke to create another caution on lap 53; the Next Gen car wheel features just one lug nut rather than the traditional five, is larger than its predecessors, and is composed of aluminum instaed of steel.

The first stage ended under caution for a multi-car wreck on the backstretch on lap 64 that began after Keselowski delivered a bump to Harrison Burton while fighting for the lead, with the latter getting sideways and hitting the drafting duo of William Byron and Kyle Busch before flipping onto his roof. The upside-down Burton was then impacted by Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin, with Ross Chastain also getting collected. Martin Truex Jr. was the leader at the time of the yellow flag and therefore won the stage, and following were Keselowski, Todd Gilliland, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Kurt Busch, Erik Jones, Larson, and Chase Elliott.

Unlike the wheel drama and stage-ending wreck, the second segment ran completely green. Blaney took the lead on the restart before green-flag pit stops took place that shuffled the position between Truex and Wallace. Keselowski assumed the lead upon the pit cycle’s completion, but was caught by Truex who went on to win the stage. Logano, wallace, Keselowski, Stenhouse, Cinric, Chris Buescher, Kevin Harvick, Larson, and Gilliland rounded out the top ten.

Keselowski regained the lead as the final stage commented. On lap 152, Reddick got loose in front of Jacques Villeneuve and overcorrected, causing him to spin up the tri-oval into Truex where he collected Busch and Logano. Wallace and Cindric led their respective lines when the race resumed, and this remained the case before Stenhouse entered the picture.

Fernando Alonso will be beginning his second season with BWT Alpine F1 Team in 2022 as new regulations take hold. As the A522 is revealed, the grid’s most experienced driver shares his thoughts on the coming season and the shake-up that may come along with it. 

Alonso is teaming up with Esteban Ocon once again for the 2022 season, after a notable 2021 campaign in which Alonso earned his first podium since 2014, Ocon his first ever win in F1 and an overall result of 5th in the Constructors’ standings.

“Last year was more of a transitional one for the team and obviously a continuation of the 2020 cars. However, we still managed to achieve some fantastic results like Esteban’s win in Hungary and my podium in Qatar. This year, though, there is a real feeling of optimism in the team.

“We’ve worked hard in Enstone and Viry over the winter. We will not know where everyone stands until the cars are wheeled out for the first time in Barcelona, but the anticipation of this moment is always special for everyone involved!”

Alonso said that he is excited to continue competing alongside Ocon and working together within the team atmosphere. 

Following the launch of the Scuderia Ferrari F1-75 last Thursday (17 February), fans got their first glimpse of the new title challenger at Fiorano on Friday (18 February) as they braved the thick fog.

The team completed 15 kilometres as part of a demonstration run for Scuderia Ferrari partners with the all new F1-75 and fans gathered around the fencing of the circuit to see Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. get their first taste of the new car.

While the team had to wait until 10:15 local time, the thick fog had lifted by this point, giving Leclerc the chance to drive the Fiorano circuit before handing the car over to team-mate Sainz.

Ferrari are already in Spain this week head of the first official test of 2022. The team will run the F1-75 on circuit tomorrow (22 February) for a filming day around the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.

Extreme E driver Kevin Hansen is undergoing hospital treatment after a wild run in Sunday’s Desert X Prix Crazy Race ended with a fractured T8 vertebra and a bruised lung.

The Crazy Race, which comprises the bottom four teams in qualifying points with the top two advancing to the Final, saw Hansen and JBXE team-mate Molly Taylor finish third. Hansen was the first in the #22 and got off to a furious start that saw him hold a seven-second lead over McLaren XE‘s Emma Gilmour when he handed over the car to Taylor.

However, his rapid pace had caused him to take an especially hard landing on the downhill leading to the start/finish line and driver swap bay, resulting in his injuries. Upon trading off, he had to lay down to recover before receiving medical attention. Hansen received a seven-second time penalty as he had sped entering the switching dock at 47 km/h, though the team ultimately did not lose any positons from the infraction. With Taylor, the #22 placed third and missed out on the Final by nine seconds including the penalty.

After on-site evaluation at the track, Hansen was taken to the King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, North Western Region in Tabuk. He was eventually visited by Taylor, his team, and older brother Timmy Hansen of Andretti United.

“Had a very hard compression at the final downhill yesterday in the Crazy Race, which resulted in a cracked vertebrae 8 and a bruised lung. But as you can see I already sat up with my back support and the doctors are confident the injury will heal well,” read a Monday Instagram post by Hansen.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN have teamed up with Sabelt, the global leader in the development and production of high-performance safety equipment, in a new partnership for 2022.

The muliti-year deal will see the team get access to ‘the most innovative and advanced products’, while Sabelt can continue to develop their safety features using the team’s motorsport know-how.

“Joining forces with Sabelt is a very positive development for the team and the company as a whole. Safety is paramount and we owe the improvements of the last decades to the relentless research and development of a brand like Sabelt,” said Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal of Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN.

“The gains and innovation deriving from this work not only benefit our drivers, but the wider population of road users as well as the technology is eventually transferred to everyday life.”

Massimiliano Marsiaj, Vice President of Sabelt added, “Sabelt and Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN back together is a great achievement, especially on the 50th Anniversary of Sabelt. This is a great example of partners that share common values and top-end technology from road use cars to F1.”

Williams Racing has announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with one of the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries, specialty cells and rechargeables, Duracell.

The two companies will engage in a number of high-profile marketing initiatives, including TV commercials, esports and activation at several Grands Prix, starting with the Miami Grand Prix in May.

“I am so proud of this partnership between Williams and Duracell, and I am grateful for the trust and confidence they have put in us. Having their name on the side of our car is a personal highlight for me, as my nickname for 30 years has been Duracell – because I never run out of energy. I am very much looking forward to our work together,” said Jost Capito, Team Principal and CEO for Williams Racing.

James Bower, Commercial Director for Williams Racing, added, “We are immensely proud to be partnering with a globally-recognised brand such as Duracell. Our announcement is a testament to all the hard work the team has done in 2021, how we have developed our commercial proposition and the growth of our sport, particularly in North America.”

The Duracell branding will also feature prominently on the Williams car, team kit and race suits of Williams Race Drivers, Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi.

Earlier this month, Cadillac previewed its competitor for IMSA’s new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class in 2023. The new GTP class will replace the DPi class and become the new top class of IMSA. Cadillac is developing a new engine package to work alongside the GTP class hybrid system.

It will be interesting to see what this new package will provide as IMSA plans for the class to “place a renewed emphasis on fuel economy, sustainability, and green initiatives.”

Cadillac’s entry will be co-developed between Cadillac Racing, Design, and the Italian-based manufacturer Dallara with plans to unveil the car this summer. One of the biggest items to note is that the new car will mark the first time Cadillac has raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the last 21 years. However, the new car’s first entry will be in January 2023 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

In Cadillac’s eyes, this is its showing of commitment to performance and its V-Series line of road cars. They hope for what can be learned and developed on track to trickle down into their street-legal vehicles. The plan is also for design characteristics of Cadillac’s brand DNA to show through in their GTP car. In the words of the lead exterior designer at Cadillac, Chris Mikalauskas, “It will artistically combine form and function to influence the development of the forthcoming race car. Elements of Cadillac’s brand DNA, such as vertical lighting and floating blades, will be present throughout.”

All of this comes in the presence of Cadillac’s defence of its 2021 IMSA Manufacturer’s Championship. It is always great to see manufacturers returning to the top tiers of motorsport especially those with such illustrious backgrounds as Cadillac. Rory Harvey, vice president of Cadillac seems to think so as well, “Cadillac has a long history of performance success on and off the track which drives excitement for our fans and customers. That excitement was never more evident than last year when we saw extraordinary demand for the V-Series Blackwings right after they were revealed.”

For the first time since 2019, fans will fill the stands at Baku City Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Tickets for the event, taking place on 10-12 June 2022, will go on sale Tuesday 22 February.

The street circuit, known for its unpredictability and on-track drama, will be hosting it’s 6th Formula 1 Grand Prix this year and will feature Formula 2 as the weekend’s support series. 

Fans who had purchased tickets for the 2020 Azerbaijan Grand Prix and did not request a refund will be able to use them at this year’s event at no additional cost. Ticket prices for the event will fall between £160 – £558 ($220 – $760) for grandstand seats and £51 – £88 ($70 – $120) for general admission. VIP hospitality and Paddock Club options will also be available. 

Baku City Circuit’s boulevard vending area will return, as a variety of food and roaming entertainment will be available for fans. In line with COVID-19 protocol, some of the entertainment offerings previously featured during the weekend will be cut back, as post-race concerts will not be hosted. 

Baku City Circuit Executive Director Arif Rahimov said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of ticket sales for the sixth Formula 1 race weekend in Baku.

Fortec Motorsport have announced their full, three-car line-up for the 2022 GB3 Championship, and have recently begun testing a new car for the season ahead.

Zak Taylor and 2021 two-time race-winner Mikkel Grundtvig will compete with the Daventry squad, with Taylor’s F4 British Championship rival Joel Granfors announced earlier in February.

Granfors became the second Scandinavian driver to be running with Fortec in GB3 when he was announced, and the F4 race-winner from Sweden has been getting to grips with the incoming Tatuus MSV-022 with two months until lights out at Oulton Park.

The new car brings increased power, 25 per cent more downforce, a halo, improved side-impact protection and a side-mounted airbox to bring the championship in line with traditional F3 series’ in looks and pace. The MSV-022 won’t look dissimilar to a Euroformula Open or European Formula 3 car, with older-spec British F3 cars being run in F3 Cup last year.

Most of 2020 Aquila Synergy Cup and Formula Nordic champion Granfors’ running in a GB3 car has come at Snetterton, as he tested the outgoing BF3-020 there with Fortec and Chris Dittmann Racing in September, itself an evolution of the F4-016 introduced with the return of the British F3 name for 2016.

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team has announced that it will be continuing its partnership with British menswear brand Hackett London.

Hackett London have had a long relationship with Aston Martin in their sports car programmes and came on board with the team as the official supplier to the grand prix team in 2021.

For 2022, the deal expands from outfitting the team with travel and office attire, with the addition of formal wear supplier, providing luxury and bespoke clothing to senior personnel and to the two race drivers – Lance Stroll and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

“As we embark on the second year of our relationship with Hackett London, we’re delighted to have grown the partnership to incorporate the brand’s Formal Wear division,” said Jefferson Slack, Managing Director – Commercial and Marketing, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team.

It goes without saying that both brands place great emphasis on luxury and style – whether that’s travelling to and from races across the globe, or formally representing the team at official events and engagements – so it’s fantastic to be able to access the full diversity of the Hackett London range.”

BWT Alpine F1 Team became the ninth team to unveil their 2022 challenger to the world, as the globe got it’s first glance at the A522 which strikes an incredible new livery.

Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi presented the A522 at the launch in Paris, Renault’s home, as Alpine’s brand-new partnership with BWT was noticeably visible on the team’s new car. The new livery features the historic blue of Alpine and iconic pink colours of title partner BWT, with an additional special livery set to be used at the opening two races to embrace the new official title partner’s commitment to the team.

Newly appointed Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, as well as drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso were also on hand to reveal the beautiful A522 to the world. Alpine will be very much hoping to build on last season after an impressive debut in 2021, including a win and a podium for the team.

Ocon and Alonso will partner up for the second time this year, where the Frenchman who took his first-ever Formula 1 victory last season, enters his third season with a Renault powered car. Alonso on the other hand is on the brink of history, as he embarks on a historic and potentially record breaking twentieth season in Formula 1. 

Oscar Piastri is the team’s official Reserve Driver for 2022 after graduating from the Alpine Academy last year. The of course won the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship and will be hoping to gain plenty of experience in his role this year. 

Chloe Grant has been confirmed as Graham Brunton Racing’s all female GB4 Championship line-up, as the second driver, with support from Laser Tools Racing. 

Grant began karting in 2013 at the age of seven and within four years she won the 2017 ESKC Championship and was also named the most improved Minimax Driver of The Year. 

At the end of the 2020 season, Grant was announced as the British Women’s Racing Driver Club’s (BWRDC) Kart Sport Champion. 

The 15-year-old won the Junior Saloon Car Scholarship in 2021 and began her car racing career. 

In 2019, Grant was chosen to be a Scottish Motor Racing Club Rising Star, the youngest driver to earn the accolade. She also became the youngest driver to gain a Motorsport UK Junior Racing Driver License in Scotland. 

Porsche Penske Motorsport hit the track for a 2,000 kilometre test of the new Porsche LMDh prototype with Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron getting their hands on the new machinery as they continue to develop the car ahead of its debut in the 2023 IMSA and FIA WEC seasons.

Nasr had a stellar season in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship – DPi class with Action Express Racing last year, securing four victories on his way to the championship title in the Cadillac DPi-V.R, adding another prototype championship win to his 2018 IMSA title.

Towards the end of 2021 both Nasr and Dane Cameron were announced as Porsche Works drivers, the Brazilian was excited to hit the track in the new car, “These were my first laps in the LMDh car – a terrific experience. Although the car is brand new, we managed to cover a lot of kilometres. That was great and shouldn’t be underestimated. We could even begin the setup work and tyre test,” said Nasr.

“My impression of the vehicle is positive and I’ll leave Barcelona with a smile. I was very much looking forward to these first runs. Now I got the chance to finally work with the Porsche Penske Motorsport team, take the wheel and step on the gas. It was a very special experience for me and makes me excited for everything to come in the future.”

Cameron has an equally impressive North American racing record, having won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD title in 2014 and DPi titles in 2016 and 2019.

Last week Porsche Penske Motorsport passed a milestone in their LMDh programme as they hit the track in Barcelona at the Circuit de Catalunya, completing more that 2,000 kilometres during the few days.

Porsche works driver Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron got behind the wheel of the new car as they focussed on setting up the car, developing the tyres and optimising the interaction between the V8 turbo ending and the hybrid elements to meet the new prototype class rules.

“The successful tests in Barcelona were an enormously important step,” said Thomas Laudenbach, with the Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “During our first laps on our test track in Weissach, it was critical to ensure that the basic functions of the LMDh prototype worked.

“In Spain, we saw the entire scope of development: endurance runs, setup work and, very importantly, the optimisation of the interaction between all partners involved in this project.

“I found it very impressive how quickly the employees from Porsche, Penske, Michelin, Multimatic and others came together as a unit. I’d like to thank everyone for the part they played.” 

Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson came out on top this weekend in the Desert X Prix after an amazing comeback. In a final session bogged rolled cars, missing body panels, and red flags, Team Rosberg X Racing managed to recover and claim the win in the last stages of the race.

Early on Ahlin-Kottulinsky found herself involved with Tanner Foust as the McLaren XE driver ran into the back of RXR’s car at the start of the race when he was blinded by dust. The incident rolled Foust putting him out of contention in McLaren’s first-ever final while Ahlin-Kottulinksy had to do some damage control and bring the car back safely after its first lap. With the rear cowling of the car missing, Johan Kristoffersson was poised to get in the car and take control to gain back the time lost to Acciona | Sainz XE and X44. Kristofferson powered his way back from a six-second gap to take first just before the finish line. Last year’s champion is already proving that he hasn’t lost his nerve in the face of adversity and a new teammate.

Acciona | Sainz was leading the race for the majority of the session leading to what could have been Laia Sanz and Carlos Sainz Sr.‘s first-ever Extreme E win. However, with the session red-flagged after Foust’s roll, Sanz had lost a major advantage and any momentum they once had. The staggered restart tried to alleviate some of that pressure but in the end, it wasn’t enough to hold off RXR.

X44’s Christina Gutierrez managed to bring home the Odyssey in third marking a solid weekend for her and Sebastien Loeb. X44 remained a steady team all weekend avoiding any major moments and maintaining clean driving.

With the win in Neom, RXR heads into the Island X Prix looking to continue their momentum this season when the series returns 7/8 May 2022.