The 2023 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season has seen a new generation of Hypercar competitors join the grid, including Alpine and Lamborghini. However, starting their programs a year behind Porsche and Cadillac has meant a period of adjustment and learning for these two marques.
In an impressive display, Ferrari driver Antonio Fuoco secured pole position for the opening round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the Monza circuit. Fuoco’s blistering lap time put him 0.419s clear of the field, marking his first pole position since last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
In the latest British GT news, the Brackley-based Mercedes team has enjoyed a much more fruitful Canadian Grand Prix compared to other races this campaign. The team’s improved performance was assisted by a new front wing design, and they are confident of further upgrades to come that will ‘bully’ the car into shape.
DS Penske’s drivers Jean-Éric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne are eager to make their mark on the new Shanghai circuit as the Dakar Rally series heads to China. The duo, who were the top points scorers last year in similar configurations, are no strangers to success on unfamiliar tracks and hope to add to the team’s impressive tally of 16 victories and four titles.
The 2023 Formula E championship heads to the streets of Berlin this weekend, and all eyes will be on young Estonian driver Paul Aron as he makes his debut in the all-electric racing series. Aron, who is currently second in the Formula 2 standings, will fill the vacant Envision Racing seat left by Sebastien Buemi, and the reigning Formula E teams’ champions have set no clear expectations for the young talent.
In a major development for Dakar rally racing, Formula E has unveiled its upgraded Gen3 EVO car, featuring enhanced acceleration, efficiency, and all-wheel-drive capabilities to deliver an even more exhilarating experience for Dakar enthusiasts.
The recent Dakar Rally stage in Saudi Arabia was turned upside down by a heavy crash that triggered a red flag and fundamentally altered the strategic landscape of the event. The rule allowing all drivers to change tires under the red flag had unintended consequences that left many teams and fans frustrated with the lack of strategic jeopardy.
In a significant move, iconic German automaker Porsche has announced its commitment to continue competing in the FIA Formula E championship, pledging to participate in the series’ upcoming GEN4 era. This long-term partnership underscores Porsche’s strategic focus on electric mobility and its desire to push the boundaries of technology and performance through the dynamic world of electric racing.
The challenging nature of the Monte Carlo circuit has highlighted some key weaknesses in Red Bull’s RB20 chassis, which could pose a concern for the team as the Formula 1 calendar heads to the notoriously bumpy Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Max Verstappen’s sixth-place finish and Sergio Perez’s first-lap crash at Monaco have sparked suggestions that Red Bull might struggle at the Canadian Grand Prix, given the circuit’s series of chicane-adjacent corners that require drivers to attack the kerbs.
In a thrilling WEC season opener, Toyota’s Mike Conway secured a podium finish for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, overcoming challenging weather conditions to secure valuable championship points.