IndyCar plans an immediate return to Texas Motor Speedway in 2025 after publishing a calendar for next season which does not feature a round at the oval. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free “I think there’s an opening, and it certainly doesn’t mean that we’re not going back, the fact that we’re not there in 2024,” said Mark Miles, CEO and president of the IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway-owning Penske Entertainment Corporation. “There’s a great relationship there and we’ll double back and see what’s possible in the future. I will say that I think that market is really important to us, so it’s not something that will be neglected.” The initial problem preventing IndyCar from firming up a 2024 date at the track was that NASCAR had not coordinated its schedule for next year and therefore had not decided when it wanted to race at Texas. “We knew there were all kinds of possibilities, but it was really, fairly late in this process for us that it was … [Read more...] about IndyCar plans swift return to Texas after Olympics clash leads to 2024 absence
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‘Real deal’ Alex Albon tipped for return to top seat after sparkling Williams form
Alex Albon is the “real deal” and deserves another shot at a top Formula 1 race seat, that’s according to former Aston Martin strategy engineer Bernie Collins. In his five seasons in Formula 1, Albon has gone through the elation of securing a race seat when he thought the Formula 1 door was shut, the excitement but trepidation of being promoted to Red Bull after just 12 races, and the heartache of being demoted to a reserve role after two years on the grid. Today he’s going through the steps, although it is fair to say in his case leaps, of rebuilding his career with his performances with Williams catching the attention of some of the sport’s top teams. Is Alex Albon worthy of a top drive? Linked to a return to Red Bull, although Helmut Marko has since quashed that, Albon has also been mentioned along with Ferrari. For now, though, he’s a Williams driver. The Thai-British racer has a contract through to the end of next season, potentially even until the end of 2025, but … [Read more...] about ‘Real deal’ Alex Albon tipped for return to top seat after sparkling Williams form
Brown: Quality 11th F1 team will not dilute but add value
The FIA has received several entry requests to expand the grid beyond the current 10 teams. Michael Andretti's high-profile bid is believed to be close to being approved by the governing body. But Andretti is still facing fierce resistance from F1, which will also have to approve any entry, and the majority of the teams due to concerns over their prize fund being diluted. Speaking to Motorsport.com and Autosport's sister website Motorsport-Total , McLaren chief Brown believes that, provided the current $200m anti-dilution fee is at least tripled in the next Concorde Agreement from 2026, a viable expansion team could be financially beneficial for the existing outfits. When asked why he would support an 11th team diluting the prize money, Brown replied: "Because I believe I'm not giving up that money. "It has to be the right team with the right resources. Let's assume for a moment it is. If they pay the right franchise fee - which is not 200 million, let's say it's 700 … [Read more...] about Brown: Quality 11th F1 team will not dilute but add value
Hitech’s high hopes: The billionaire-backed F2 team planning a leap up to F1
Top junior single-seater outfit Hitech GP is the latest team to declare their intention to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026 . Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free They doubled up yesterday’s announcement of their plans with news of major new investment in the team. But does that plus the team’s racing pedigree mark it out as being worthy of the coveted 11th slot on the grid? Founded by Oliver Oakes in 2015, it at least the third team to use the name ‘Hitech’. The former racer obtained permission to use the name from David Hayle, who launched the original Hitech Racing team in 2003 to race in British Formula 3, and knew Oakes as a World Karting Championship-winning youngster. Another Hitech squad raced in Brazilian F3, but Oakes brought the name back to European competition when he was just 27. Oakes’ entity was also launched with the intention of competing in F3, and made its first appearances in 2015 at the end of the European championship season. Right … [Read more...] about Hitech’s high hopes: The billionaire-backed F2 team planning a leap up to F1
Ferrari can be quick in cool conditions too – Raikkonen
In the round-up: Kimi Raikkonen believes Ferrari’s performance in the Malaysian Grand Prix wasn’t just down to the very hot weather. Links Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more. Kimi Raikkonen: Malaysia pace not just down to heat (ESPN) "It might be the conditions (in Malaysia), very hot and good for us but I think even in Melbourne if we got behind them at the beginning I don't think they would have pulled away a lot." Could Ferrari have won without the Safety Car? Bottas says back will be '100 per cent' (Autosport) "It was much better than Sunday in Melbourne which is good and the new driving position I had felt good." Tweets All packed and ready to go. First time to China and first time driving in an official F1 session, exciting week ahead! #ChineseGP — Jolyon Palmer (@JolyonPalmer) April 6, 2015 @f1fanatic_co_uk French Documentary w/ English subs about Bianchi. https://t.co/Vjt8fmQLeO Round-Up material? — Oli … [Read more...] about Ferrari can be quick in cool conditions too – Raikkonen
Zak Brown lands Alex Palou dig as McLaren add new reserve driver to the fold
McLaren boss Zak Brown had a little dig at Alex Palou’s expense as he outlined the team’s reserve driver status for the rest of 2023. McLaren’s reserve driver pool was unclear following IndyCar Champion Alex Palou’s decision to cut and run from the McLaren IndyCar team before turning a wheel for them. Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2023, Palou had been due to join McLaren’s IndyCar squad for next season, but severed ties with McLaren and his own management team – Palou’s decision not to join McLaren has resulted in a legal battle starting between the two sides. Who are McLaren F1’s reserve drivers? With Palou and McLaren at loggerheads heading into the part of the season where the Spaniard was expected to take part in a rookie practice session for the F1 team, McLaren have instead added a new name to their books. Former Haas driver Mick Schumacher, thanks to his Mercedes connection, remains one of the names available for call-up by McLaren, as well as Stoffel Vandoorne. … [Read more...] about Zak Brown lands Alex Palou dig as McLaren add new reserve driver to the fold
Sim session critical for Daniel Ricciardo’s return, Sebastian Vettel ‘hurting’ as a spectator – F1 news round-up
Friday’s practice day at Suzuka saw Red Bull return to the head of the field with Max Verstappen, but there was plenty of off-track F1 news as well… Max Verstappen was the quickest man in Friday practice, restoring the usual status quo after Red Bull’s awful weekend in Singapore last time out. But, off-track, there were plenty of storylines emerging from the paddock – catch up on all the latest F1 news here! Simulator session will determine Daniel Ricciardo’s return Daniel Ricciardo’s possible return for the Qatar Grand Prix hasn’t yet been confirmed, and AlphaTauri’s Jonathan Eddolls says there’s no rush to get him back in the car just yet. “We all saw him in Singapore,” Eddolls said. “He’s still going through that recovery phase. We’re still talking a while away so I wouldn’t put a timeframe of it.” “It’s going well,” he added. “From our side and his side, there’s no rush to get him back too early. Watch this space.” But Eddolls revealed it will be a crucial … [Read more...] about Sim session critical for Daniel Ricciardo’s return, Sebastian Vettel ‘hurting’ as a spectator – F1 news round-up
De Vries vs Piastri vs Sargeant: Which rookie is best prepared for their F1 debut?
The three rookie drivers who will take their places on the grid for the 2023 F1 season arrive with differing expectations heaped upon them. Not only due to the different paths they’ve taken to reach F1, but also because of the teams they are joining. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The most experienced of the trio is AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries , who has one F1 start to his name courtesy of a last-minute call-up to replace the ill Alex Albon at Williams for last year’s Italian Grand Prix. His performance that weekend made him a target of multiple teams for 2023, and Red Bull’s interest won out over Williams’, so de Vries signed for its secondary AlphaTauri team for his long-awaited rookie F1 season. De Vries qualified 13th at Monza but started eighth due to others being penalised. He scored two points by finishing ninth in a car he had only driven in two practice sessions before his first run in qualifying. Team mate Nicholas Latifi came in 15th. … [Read more...] about De Vries vs Piastri vs Sargeant: Which rookie is best prepared for their F1 debut?
Masi made “right decision” with Abu Dhabi restart call – Grosjean
IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean says FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi “made the right decision” when he restarted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one lap remaining. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The decision prompted controversy and has led the FIA to conduct an inquiry into whether the restart was handled correctly. It outraged Mercedes as Max Verstappen was able to use fresh soft tyres to overtake Lewis Hamilton, who remained on old hard tyres, after the lapped cars between them were moved out of the way. However Grosjean believes the decision to ensure the race restarted with a final lap of green flag racing was correct. Asked about the incident today, the former F1 driver said he “loved” Masi’s decision to allow the race to restart on the final lap, having only allowed the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves. “I loved it. It was exciting. I mean, my heart was going, it was pumping like hell,” said Grosjean. “There’s … [Read more...] about Masi made “right decision” with Abu Dhabi restart call – Grosjean