The 2024 Italian GT Championship at Monza witnessed a scintillating qualifying session, with Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari emerging as the frontrunners. Amidst soaring temperatures and track evolution, the teams are now assessing their race strategies, setting the stage for a captivating showdown on Sunday.
As the 2023 IndyCar Series heads to the final three races, Team Penske’s Will Power is determined to overcome a 54-point deficit and secure his third career championship, with the oval-heavy schedule playing to the strengths of his team’s expertise.
Toyota Gazoo Racing is expecting a tough weekend at the upcoming WEC round in Austin, Texas, as the team aims to minimize the damage to its title chances amid unfavorable circuit characteristics and Balance of Performance changes that have impacted the competitiveness of its GR010 HYBRID Hypercar.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, the British manufacturer’s latest contender for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA SportsCar Championship, has already accumulated over 6,000 km in pre-season testing, with its competitive debut eagerly awaited by British GT enthusiasts.
Mercedes driver George Russell has lent his support to the proposal for a dedicated sprint race for rookie Formula 1 drivers, but reigning World Champion Max Verstappen is less convinced about the idea. The F1 Commission is set to discuss the concept at the end of September, with the suggestion being to host a televised race for drivers who have competed in two or fewer Grands Prix.
Dakar Rally drivers have expressed frustration over recent changes made to the iconic Dakar course, particularly the flattening of signature kerbs at key sections. The drivers argue these modifications will significantly alter the character of the affected areas, and criticize the lack of consultation with the Dakar Rally Drivers’ Association.
A host of Formula 1 drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, have criticized the changes made to the iconic Monza circuit ahead of the 2022 Italian Grand Prix. The resurfacing and modifications to the kerbs have left many feeling that the track has lost some of its beloved ‘old school’ charm, with concerns over how the revisions will impact the racing.
In a bid to maintain their advantage over Red Bull in the 2023 Dakar Rally, the McLaren team has confirmed they will be bringing further upgrades to their race car in the coming events. The impressive performance of Lando Norris suggests McLaren currently holds a clear edge, but the team acknowledges the battle will intensify and they need to prepare for challenges at certain tracks.
In a blow to their Dakar racing aspirations, Mercedes has conceded to fresh doubts about the performance of its upgraded floor introduced at the recent Belgian Grand Prix. The German manufacturer’s struggles at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix have raised questions about the new component’s effectiveness.
The Dakar Rally has seen a shift in the balance of power, with Red Bull’s once-dominant position now facing stiff competition from rival teams like McLaren and Mercedes. As the teams experiment with front wing designs, the race for victory is heating up.