The 23-year-old Los Angeles-born New Zealander is coming off his second season in IndyCar’s developmental category, earning two wins, six podiums and two poles en route to finishing behind champion Christian Rasmussen. McElrea contested both seasons with Andretti Global (then Andretti Autosport ), which featured an additional two wins, seven podiums and three poles in finish fourth in the 2022 standings and claim top rookie honors. While McElrea has no plans of returning for a third campaign in Indy NXT, things are also tricky moving forward due to the increased focus of testing going toward IndyCar’s hybrid program that is set to be unleashed for 2024. “The first thing is trying to get a test sorted,” McElrea said. “It's good chats, but nothing really to say right now. The new hybrid thing, there's not really a schedule that anyone has in terms of testing, right? All the chats I've had, no one really knows when the test days are 'cause the hybrid thing has everything … [Read more...] about McElrea planning for IMSA events in ’24 while pursuing IndyCar shot
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Marc Marquez and Joan Mir: Achieving New Heights in Motegi Sprint Race
Home Off beat -Irwin Mills By Irwin Mills Updated: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 17:43 [IST] During an intense Sprint Race in Motegi, Marc Marquez and Joan Mir secured the spots of seventh and 13th respectively, in preparation for Sunday's main event.The weather in Japan remained warm, despite predictions of rain and the occasional appearance of dark clouds. Free Practice 2 saw both Repsol Honda Team racers finetuning their machines ahead of the day's most thrilling moments. Marc Marquez hit his initial goal as he posted a 1'43.997, making him the fastest rider to pass through Q1. He then teamed up with his crew for a two-run strategy in Q2, taking seventh place on the grid after shaving another tenth off his time. Starting at the front of the third row, Marquez outpaced Bezzecchi in the opening corners of the 12-lap Sprint. Throughout the race, rider #93 was constantly defending his position from both Bezzecchi and Zarco, … [Read more...] about Marc Marquez and Joan Mir: Achieving New Heights in Motegi Sprint Race
‘Too old’ Fernando Alonso ruled out of forming F1 dream team
F1 presenter Rob Kamphues says while he would love to see Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso as team-mates, Alonso is probably now “too old” for such a challenge. Alonso has proven to be quite the revelation in F1 2023 as he continues to demonstrate at the wheel of the Aston Martin AMR23 that age is just a number. The Spaniard left Alpine for a multi-year deal with Aston Martin, the team with which the 42-year-old Alonso has claimed seven podium finishes, including P2s at the 2023 Monaco, Canadian and Dutch GPs. Fernando Alonso “too old” to be Max Verstappen’s team-mate The ultimate goal for Aston Martin and Alonso is to take another giant step forward next season and take the fight to F1 2023’s dominant force Red Bull, who once more are having some trouble with the driver in their second seat. There are zero concerns for Verstappen, who with his 13th victory of the season in Japan, continued his inevitable march towards a third World Championship on the trot, but team-mate … [Read more...] about ‘Too old’ Fernando Alonso ruled out of forming F1 dream team
Bollywoods Ranveer Singh Cheers at MotoGP Bharat with Ducati!
Home Off beat -Irwin Mills By Irwin Mills Updated: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 17:33 [IST] Ducati, the premium motorcycle brand, extended an invitation to Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh, who serves as the brand's India Ambassador, to be present for the kickoff of the Indian MotoGP race, also distinguished as MotoGP Bharat. Singh was cordially greeted by the Ducati team, including Ducati Corse's Sporting Director, Paolo Ciabatti, who gave him a tour of the Ducati garage. Ranveer demonstrated great enthusiasm for the Ducati MotoGP motorcycles and was also escorted to the MotoGP grid prior to the onset of the race. He mingled with the thronging Indian fans, sharing their exhilaration at the starting grid. Post the thunderous start, Ranveer witnessed the entirety of the race alongside the Ducati team in their garage. He got a closer view of the action from the main straight, thrilling at the magnificent roar of the MotoGP … [Read more...] about Bollywoods Ranveer Singh Cheers at MotoGP Bharat with Ducati!
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin cuts Bagnaia’s points lead with sprint win
Pramac Ducati rider Martin was never truly threatened at the head of the field, easing away from the chasing pack over the course of Saturday's 12-lap contest to record his fifth sprint race win of the season. It means the gap between Martin and works Ducati man Bagnaia is now down to just eight points ahead of the main race on Sunday. However, Bagnaia managed to gain back a crucial point with a brave pass on Jack Miller to finish third after a poor start from second on the grid. Bagnaia dropped to fourth on the opening lap as he was passed by the two KTMs of Miller and Brad Binder, who proceeded to swap places at the downhill Turn 11 right-hander. Binder briefly looked as if he would threaten Martin for the lead, but by the eighth lap he was a second down on the Pramac rider and took the chequered flag just under 1.4s in arrears. All eyes were then on the battle for third as Bagnaia caught up to Miller and applied the pressure on the Australian in the closing stages. … [Read more...] about MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin cuts Bagnaia’s points lead with sprint win
Honda selects replacement for axed MotoGP technical boss Kokubu
Sato, previously head of development for the Honda RC213V, will start in his new role as general technical director on October 1, the same day the Japanese Grand Prix takes place at Motegi. However, it remains to be seen whether the appointment will have any impact when it comes to the subject of determining Marc Marquez's future, as Marquez debates whether to see out his Honda contract or jump ship to the Gresini Ducati squad for 2024. Marquez made a reference to Kokubu's departure in his statements on the media after Friday practice in Japan. “It’s true that already in Misano I said there were some new faces there, new names, new people,” said the Spanish rider. “We will see if they bring new ideas or the correct ideas. “But one more time I continue with my words: I’m not the guy who chooses where, how and who needs to make the bike." Marquez had stated that he would make a decision around the time of last weekend's Indian GP and this weekend's Motegi round, but stated … [Read more...] about Honda selects replacement for axed MotoGP technical boss Kokubu
How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season
When Alpine first made the decision to enter the WEC’s Hypercar class in 2021, it was able to obtain the Rebellion R-13 LMP1 car from its previous owner, rebrand it as the Alpine A480, and join the grid in little time. It gave Alpine a relatively easy entry into the top echelon of sportscar racing, and it enjoyed a fair bit of success, winning at Sebring and Monza against stiff competition from Toyota, albeit with some equalisation help. But running a generation-old LMP1 car was always a stopgap measure, something for which it required special dispensation from the rulemakers, and the Renault-owned brand has now put together a bona fide car for the Hypercar class. Christened the Alpine A424, the Oreca-based LMDh challenger was unveiled to the world on the eve of the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, and marks the Renault group’s first proper attempt at winning the French endurance classic since 1978. The A424 is slated to make its debut at the 2024 season opener in Qatar in March, … [Read more...] about How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season
Albuquerque enjoys “wild” unpredictability of 2023 IMSA title fight
After Mazda followed Nissan through the exit door at the end of 2021, last season's DPi class was contested exclusively between Cadillac and Acura teams, but the move to all new LMDh cars running spec hybrid systems for 2023 has attracted Porsche and BMW to join the renamed GTP division. All four manufacturers have won a race this season, with Porsche's 963 LMDh taking three victories, the Acura ARX-06 and Cadillac V-Series.R managing two apiece and BMW M Hybrid V8 breaking through at Watkins Glen. Albuquerque and Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti team-mate Ricky Taylor enter next month's Petit Le Mans season finale three points shy of the championship lead, despite having yet to win a race this season. They are one of four crews split by just 38 points in the standings, with Action Express Racing's Cadillac of Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims leading the way, the #6 Penske Porsche of Nick Tandy and Matthieu Jaminet trailing them by five points and Team RLL's #25 BMW … [Read more...] about Albuquerque enjoys “wild” unpredictability of 2023 IMSA title fight
Calls grow for F1 and FIA to introduce ‘harsher’ driver penalty system
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has joined the calls for a stronger penalty system in the sport, with more robust measures in place to punish drivers. With five-second penalties proving to be not enough of a deterrent at times this season, with faster cars simply able to drive well clear of slower rivals to maintain position, there have been calls for a review into how penalties are dished out in F1. When comparing different incidents, Palmer believes the punishments some drivers have received have been “disproportionate”, and those in slower cars have suffered more as a result. Jolyon Palmer joins calls for stronger F1 penalties In terms of recent examples, Lewis Hamilton was able to maintain position at Monza after his five-second penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri, pushing hard to get enough of a gap at the finish to hold onto his place by the end. And for Sergio Perez, he was given the same punishment for overtaking Fernando Alonso under Safety Car conditions as he … [Read more...] about Calls grow for F1 and FIA to introduce ‘harsher’ driver penalty system