Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow

Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow
Mitch Evans is targeting victory at the first ever Misano E-Prix. (Formula E)
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Updated 11 April 2024
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Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow

Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow
  • The Misano World Circuit in Italy hosts rounds 6 and 7 of the 2024 world championship

MISANO: All eyes will be on Mitch Evans, arguably the most successful Formula E driver in Italy, when the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns this weekend.

New Zealander Evans, with four previous wins in Rome, and teammate Nick Cassidy, will be feeling the pressure of maintaining their “ones to beat” record after securing a 1-2 finish for the Jaguar powertrain last year at the Rome E-Prix.

The championship’s 22 drivers face a new location for the Misano E-Prix, comprising rounds 6 and 7, on April 13-14.

The double-header at the Misano World Circuit is a return to Italy for the next chapter in the battle for the championship in front of an established motorsport fanbase. The adapted circuit is expected to deliver exciting racing to fans in the grandstands and around the world.

For Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara, the race holds special significance, with the Italian-Swiss-French driver eager to perform well in front of a home crowd after his promising performance in Tokyo.

Max Gunther will arrive at Misano fresh off a win in Japan, aiming to capitalize on his momentum and thrill fans with another stellar performance for Maserati MSG Racing on home soil. Oliver Rowland, meanwhile, will hope to extend his impressive streak of podium places, seeking a fourth consecutive top-three finish. With his consistent form, Rowland will be a force to be reckoned with at the weekend.

With the title race wide open, Pascal Wehrlein will also be pushing the limits to sustain his momentum and secure a more comfortable lead in the standings.

For its debut on the Formula E calendar, the track layout will be 3.381 km in length with 14 turns. 

Nestled in the picturesque Rimini province of Italy, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, also known as Misano Circuit Sic 58, has been a staple on the motorsport scene since 1972. Renowned for its rapid, flowing track and wealth of overtaking opportunities, Misano has been a favorite with MotoGP and WorldSBK enthusiasts for decades. 

With its rich history and reputation as a hot spot for motorsport events — the venue also hosts endurance racing, the Ferrari Challenge, DTM (a sports car racing series), and FIA Formula 3 — the venue will be more familiar to some drivers than others.


Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
Updated 30 November 2024
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Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
  • Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second

LUSAIL, Qatar: McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second.
Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying his teammate back for gifting him a win in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Russell finished third.
Verstappen — crowned the drivers’ champion last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car’s nose.
Qualifying takes place later Saturday for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.


Aspiring GCC drivers make the most of GT World Challenge

Aspiring GCC drivers make the most of GT World Challenge
Updated 30 November 2024
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Aspiring GCC drivers make the most of GT World Challenge

Aspiring GCC drivers make the most of GT World Challenge
  • The so-called SAL GT Jeddah 2024 marks a crucial juncture for many of the GCC young drivers as they look to step up from regional to global competition

Jeddah: The Fanatec GT World Europe Challenge has always been a highlight of the racing calendar as a chance for drivers to demonstrate their skills around the world’s most challenging circuits, and this year’s final round in Jeddah featured a diverse grid of international drivers.

The so-called SAL GT Jeddah 2024 marks a crucial juncture for many of the GCC young drivers as they look to step up from regional to global competition.

Six of the contenders vying to leave an impact this weekend are already a part of this year’s challenge and looking forward to achieving positive results. They are: Reema Al-Juffali, Bandar Alesayi, Fahad Al-Gosaibi, Ahmed bin Khanen, from Saudi Arabia; and Ahmad Alharthy and Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, from Oman.

On Friday, the six drivers met the press and expressed their happiness at being part of this international challenge — to enjoy the experience behind the wheel on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest circuit.

Bandar Alesayi explained that the championship and the cars were new to the drivers, but they knew a lot about the circuit. “It is a very strong championship and a tough competition but I will enjoy it,” he said.

Ahmed bin Khanen said: “We will strive to provide our best to achieve distinguished results. It is so great to compete against the best in the world.”

Fahad Al-Gosaibi, who proved his skills in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, said that his 20 years in Porsche racing in the Gulf region would be an incentive to achieve his ambition of first place as he chases the best performance during the Fanatec GT competition being held in his homeland.

“We really appreciate the great support we all receive as Saudi drivers from the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation,” he said.

Reema Al-Juffali said that the generous support of the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation provided the drivers with a great incentive in all motor sports championships. Al-Juffali said that she would seek to achieve a distinguished place in the competition, noting that GT events were the first step toward reaching her dream of representing the Kingdom in this race.

Omani driver Ahmed Al-Harthy said: “The GT race is the most difficult championship in the world because there are 49 cars on the track at the same time.” Al-Harthy said that the Kingdom’s hosting of major motorsports championships such as Formula 1, Formula E, and now GT, was a source of pride and gave hope to Gulf youth who aspired to participate in these races.

His countryman, Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, said that his team was ranked second in the chance to win the challenge on Saturday. “It will be a great joy if we win the championship from the land of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is like our country,” he said.

He praised the Kingdom’s ability to host many of the most important international competitions such as the Dakar Rally, Formula 1, and others. 


SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Updated 30 November 2024
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
  • Second qualifying session for Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe continues on Saturday
  • Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani from Team Speedcar crowned as winners of the first race

RIYADH: The SAL Jeddah GT 2024 is set for another entertaining day at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Saturday, with the second qualifying session for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, supported by AWS, starting at 11:45 a.m.

The session lasts one hour in preparation for the official six-hour, 1,000-km race starting at 5 p.m. Additionally, the second race of the European GT4 Series, supported by Club Raffa Racing, will begin at 2:15 p.m., lasting one hour.

Organized by the Saudi Auto and Motorcycle Federation, or SAMF, and the Saudi Motorsports Company under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sports, the race began on Friday in the presence of Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the board of directors of SAMF and the Saudi Motorsports Company, crowned Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani from Team Speedcar as winners of the first race.

They were followed by Alex Denning and Thomas Emson from Elite Motorsport in second place, just 3.472 seconds behind. Their teammates, Joshua Rattican and Thomas Lepinon, finished third, 2.117 seconds behind. Meanwhile, Team Spirit of Le Mans came fourth, and Les Places Biavenoy was ranked fifth.

In the Pro-Am category, AFR-Avatar clinched first place, ranking seventh overall, while Raison Moon secured second place, followed by Mirage in third. In the amateur category, Schumacher CLRT claimed first place, ranking 16th overall, followed by NM Racing in second (20th overall) and EV in third.

The gates for fans opened at 10 a.m., offering various entertainment zones, children’s play areas, interactive games and virtual reality experiences.


GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale

GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale
Updated 29 November 2024
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GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale

GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale
  • The 6 Hours of Jeddah race marks the final race of the GTWC season with Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari battling it out for the title

JEDDAH: Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed topped Friday’s Free Practice in the GT World Challenge finale at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Jules Gounon leading the way in a two-hour session that began in daylight and ended with the sun setting over the Red Sea. 

The 6 Hours of Jeddah race marks the final race of the GTWC season with Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari battling it out for the title.

Gounon was the first driver to break the two-minute barrier, posting a 1m 59.839s at the halfway mark. He subsequently shaved a further three hundredths of this to end Free Practice with a 1m 59.804s. 

Matteo Cairoli came within touching distance of Gounon’s benchmark with a 1m 59.894s during the final 30 minutes. In doing so, the Iron Lynx Lamborghini jumped ahead of Maro Engel, whose time of 2m 00.093s demonstrated that the Mercedes Team Mann-Filter entry is fully up to speed following its testing accident on Thursday.

Gold Cup title favorite Sainteloc Racing placed fourth overall with Gilles Magnus at the wheel of the Audi. The Rutronik Racing Porsche continued the strong pace it demonstrated on Thursday by placing fifth overall and leading the Bronze Cup thanks to Loek Hartog.

The Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG was sixth, followed by the title-chasing AF Corse Francorchamps Motors Ferrari.

Sainteloc Racing also paced the Silver Cup with its #26 Audi. Kobe Pauwels posted a 2m 00.494s to place 19th overall. A total of 47 cars were on-track during Free Practice following the withdrawal of the Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin, which crashed during Thursday’s Bronze Test. 

In contrast with Thursday’s sessions, Free Practice brought almost no on-track incidents. A number of cars brushed the wall as they tested the limits of the high-speed Jeddah circuit, but there were no stoppages during the two-hour run.

However, there was more bad news for the Walkenhorst squad, which suffered a serious fire in one of its Aston Martins. No one was harmed in the incident, though the car’s continued participation in the event is unclear.  


Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole
Updated 29 November 2024
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Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole
  • Norris clocked a best time in one minute and 21.012 seconds to outpace Russell, the winner in Nevada, by just 0.063 seconds at the end of a closely-fought session
  • Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren was third

DOHA: Lando Norris lifted the spirits of his title-chasing McLaren team on Friday when he powered to pole position ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell in qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.
After a disappointing outing in Las Vegas, where his drivers’ title hopes ended as Max Verstappen clinched his fourth championship with Red Bull, the British driver was back on top form under the lights at the Lusail International Circuit.
Norris clocked a best time in one minute and 21.012 seconds to outpace Russell, the winner in Nevada, by just 0.063 seconds at the end of a closely-fought session. Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren was third.
“It’s tough,” said Norris of his laps and the speed of the track.
“It is so quick around here. It feels like the quickest of the year and in the final sector you feel like you are just hanging on.
“I want to win and I want to win every session as a driver. Our target tomorrow is a one-two so we maximize the points for our constructors’ but we know Mercedes and Ferrari will be quick.”
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc qualified fourth and fifth ahead of Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes, an outcome that was not enough to buoy hopes that the Italian team can stop McLaren claiming their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
Pierre Gasly took an impressive eighth for Alpine ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and RB’s Liam Lawson.
McLaren hold a 24 points lead in the teams’ title race with 608 to Ferrari on 584.
With two Grands Prix remaining, including one sprint, McLaren can clinch the title with a dominant weekend ahead of Ferrari in both the sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
In cooling conditions with temperatures of 19 (air) and 22 (track) falling as darkness descended, Kevin Magnussen set the early benchmark time for Haas in 1:23.750 before the ‘big boys’ joined the fray, Sainz soon going top.
Norris then gave notice of his intentions with a lap in 1:22.785, but it was not enough as speeds increased with the drop in temperature and Ferrari took advantage with Leclerc and Sainz on top.
With three minutes remaining in SQ1, Norris bounced back in 1:22.021, a time Russell equalled exactly with the same lap time. Piastri, last year’s winner, went fourth, six-tenths off his team-mate’s best time.
Norris trimmed his time to 1:21.356 in the final seconds to finish four-tenths clear of Sainz, six-tenths ahead of Russell and Verstappen with Hamilton fifth.
But it was another painful session for Sergio Perez of Red Bull who exited in Q1 along with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Zhou Guanyu of Sauber and Williams’ Franco Colapinto.
As prescribed, all of the cars ran on medium compound tires and nearly all of them were under investigation by the stewards for driving too slowly, at times, in SQ1 as they ‘backed up’ to seek a ‘tow’.
The SQ2 segment began with Verstappen on top before Leclerc took over in 1:22.130 and then Piastri in 1:22.050, the leading teams all very clothed matched.
With two minutes to go, Norris was back in control in 1:22.231 ahead of Russell and Piastri with Verstappen fourth until Hamilton knocked him down to fifth ahead of the two Ferraris.
Out this time went two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Williams’ Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber, Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin and Magnussen.
The top ten shootout began with Leclerc in a hurry to clock 1:21.706, as they all switched to softs, Norris lapping in 1:21.012 for top spot with Piastri a tenth down in second. McLaren looked imperious.