KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister has confirmed the company’s participation in MotoGP until the end of 2026, but admitted that what happens thereafter remains uncertain. The company says its sites in Austria are to be secured in the long term following a loan from Bajaj, which was announced last week. The future of its motorsport activities remains unclear, with a contract with MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports running only until the end of 2026. Neumeister mentioned, “There are existing contracts that we will honour,” but the future of KTM in MotoGP beyond…
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F1 Spanish GP: Lando Norris tops FP1 ahead of Max Verstappen
Lando Norris from McLaren led the first practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix, beating both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona. Teams used the hot conditions of Friday’s session to test out new upgrades and comply with the FIA’s latest technical directive of using stiffer front wings. The session saw teams running on Pirelli’s hardest C1 compound initially to correlate new parts and existing simulation data. Additionally, teams experimented with steel skid blocks to address issues of grass fires that affected the Japanese Grand Prix in April. Fernando…
BővebbenBreaking Boundaries: Wickens’ Triumph in Embracing Change
Robert Wickens approached his first race of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Long Beach with the simple goal of leaving with their heads held high. Racing with hand controls adapted in a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, he showcased impressive performance despite obstacles. Wickens featured the flawless Bosch electronic brake system during the 100-minute race, exemplifying his pace at a professional level since his comeback from the life-changing 2018 accident in IndyCar. Despite challenges such as a side-swipe during qualifying, Wickens found success by topping the second…
BővebbenRevolutionizing Racing: Pirelli’s Bold Move to Introduce Tyre Compound Jump at F1 Belgian GP
Pirelli has revealed the tyre compounds for the upcoming races after the summer break, including adjustments for the British and Belgian Grands Prix to spice up the competition. The choices for the Red Bull Ring and Hungaroring remain the same as last year’s, while Silverstone will have softer compounds: C2, C3, and C4. For Spa-Francorchamps, the selection is intriguing with the hard compound being the C1 instead of the C2, aiming to create a performance gap between the hard and medium options. Pirelli aims to introduce more unpredictability by widening…
BővebbenUnveiling the Engineering Innovations: The Evolution of F1 Front Wings for the Spanish GP Flexi-Wing Tests
Formula 1 teams have unveiled their front wing solutions to comply with the stricter load tests implemented at the Spanish Grand Prix. These tests now allow a maximum of 10mm deflection with a 1000N load, prompting teams to reinforce their wings structurally but some have made visual changes to enhance stiffness and performance. Ferrari and Red Bull have made adjustments to wing elements and endplates. McLaren and Mercedes introduced new front wing designs at Imola, with McLaren yet to race theirs. Aston Martin focused on strengthening the wing structure and…
BővebbenPreserving the Heartbeat of F1: The Vitality of Keeping Barcelona on the Grid with Fernando Alonso
While Barcelona currently has a contract to host a Formula 1 race next season, many view this weekend’s grand prix as a farewell, as Madrid is set to join the calendar from 2026. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, known for its challenging 14 corners where teams have conducted extensive testing. F1 officials, seeking improved infrastructure and traffic management, have opted for Madrid to host a street circuit race known as ‘Madring’. Despite plans for both cities to host races in…
BővebbenTragic Turn: Luca Marini’s Suzuka Incident and Ai Ogura’s Surgical Journey
“Luca Marini, a factory Honda rider, dislocated his hip in a fall while testing for the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in Japan. The Italian also suffered left knee ligament damage, fractures in his sternum and left collarbone, as well as a pneumothorax from the crash. Marini was stabilized at the hospital and will continue to be observed until he is cleared for travel, while the possibility of him participating in the upcoming MotoGP race in Aragon remains uncertain. Due to height differences between Marini and Takumi Takahashi, Marini will…
BővebbenBattle for Supremacy: Francesco Bagnaia’s Race to Reignite Champion Dreams Against Marc Marquez
TNT MotoGP presenters and pundits Michael Laverty, Neil Hodgson, and Suzi Perry believe Francesco Bagnaia may struggle to win this year’s championship, with Alex Marquez emerging as the closest competitor to current leader Marc Marquez. Marc Marquez, a two-time MotoGP champion, has faced challenges this season, including a weekend without points in France and a retirement at the British GP in Silverstone, placing him third in the standings behind Alex Marquez and significantly behind his brother. Hodgson noted before the British GP that Marc Marquez has been even more dominant…
BővebbenDefiant Hulkenberg Stands Firm: Shut Down Monaco GP Critics
Nico Hulkenberg dismissed criticism of the Monaco Grand Prix track, stating that people should stop complaining and focus on qualifying better. He expressed his indifference towards the drama surrounding the difficulty of overtaking on the historic track. Hulkenberg’s comments came as GPDA president Alex Wurz proposed ideas to enhance the race’s excitement, following a less eventful event. Despite acknowledging the lack of overtaking opportunities, Hulkenberg highlighted the enduring popularity of Monaco among fans and celebrities. Fernando Alonso echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the focus should shift towards appreciating the uniqueness…
BővebbenUnveiling the Formula: The Innovative Process of F1 Teams’ Car Upgrades
The current rules in F1 have resulted in the closest grid in history, where even a minor upgrade can make a difference between scoring points or being out in Q1 due to limitations on spending and aerodynamic testing. Racing Bulls, with over 500 people at its headquarters in Faenza, has to carefully integrate every department for updates to succeed. Beginning with aerodynamics, every performance upgrade starts with an idea from aerodynamicists, mostly located at the team’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes. With F1’s budget cap, teams like Racing Bulls need…
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