Renault’s Alpine Dakar rally team has reportedly enlisted Flavio Briatore, the controversial motorsport veteran, as a special advisor to help steer the squad towards better fortunes. This move comes amid a turbulent period for the team, as they aim to turn things around in the prestigious Dakar Rally.
In the latest developments from the world of Dakar Rally racing, the Williams Formula 1 team has undertaken a significant effort to trim down the weight of its FW46 car. The Grove-based squad has managed to shave off 14kg compared to last year’s model, but still needs to reduce the chassis weight by a similar amount to reach the minimum weight limit.
Legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey has announced his plans to leave Red Bull Racing after nearly two decades with the team. The 65-year-old engineering mastermind, widely regarded as the greatest designer in F1 history, is contemplating his next move, with speculation surrounding possible destinations like Ferrari and Aston Martin.
In a dominant display, Ferrari has taken the top three positions on the grid for the upcoming Imola round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Ferrari factory driver Antonio Fuoco secured pole position, with customer AF Corse-run and factory entries rounding out the front row lock-out.
The latest rounds of the Dakar Rally have highlighted Red Bull’s weaknesses in dealing with challenging terrain, as the RB20 has struggled with issues inherited from its predecessors. This has presented opportunities for rivals like Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell to catch up, making the Dakar competition even more exciting as the race moves to its European stages.
Aston Martin has encountered a challenging few weeks on the Dakar Rally circuit, as their AMR24 car has proven difficult to set up and drive consistently. Both driver Fernando Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll have reported similar issues with the car’s handling, noting a tendency to shift from oversteer on entry to mid-corner understeer. The team is working to address these setup issues and unlock more performance from the car as the Dakar Rally season progresses.
Iconic MotoGP star Valentino Rossi has announced an expanded car racing program for 2024, confirming plans to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Endurance Cup of the GT World Challenge Europe. This marks the next chapter in Rossi’s successful transition from two-wheeled to four-wheeled motorsports, as he continues to leave his mark on the sport as a true legend.
Sergio Perez has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for the Spanish Grand Prix after his reckless crash at the Canadian GP, where his damaged car continued on track against safety regulations. This latest setback caps off a disastrous weekend for the Red Bull driver in Montreal.
Porsche GT3 driver Joel Sturm showcased the impressive performance of the German marque’s racing machinery at the recent FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) round at Imola. Sturm executed a decisive overtake on the struggling Hypercar competitors, taking advantage of his slick tires to secure a podium finish and maintain the team’s championship lead.
In a stunning last-lap battle, the #6 Penske Porsche 911 Dakar driven by Kevin Estre secured a surprise pole position for the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, snatching the top spot from the favored Cadillac team in a thrilling finish.