David Bodapati, Author at INDIA in F1

Double gold & a bronze for Hemanth Muddappa at 8th Valley Run drag meet

Bengaluru, 15 Feb 2021: He is a man with a mission. The Coorgi from Bengaluru, had a point to prove. Despite the step-motherly treatment to the National Drag Championship for many years, the passionate motorsports lover, became a self-advocated ambassador to drive the sport to recognition and popularity with his efforts and achievements. Beginning with a modest record, he won the Nationals at the Madras Motor Sports Club’s track near Chennai in 2017 and went on to win the title for the fourth successive year in the Covid-affected 2020 season. Despite the absence of the coveted Foreign Open class, he went on to win the top two classes and became the fastest Indian drag racer bagging two gold and two National titles in the MMSC fmsci Indian National Drag Championship 2020 that extended to 2021 due to the pandemic. That was his seventh National title. He broke his own record twice and owns the National Drag record for this strip, the host to recognised Nationals.

He is Hemanth Muddappa, who hogged the limelight winning two gold and a bronze at the 8th edition of The Valley Run, a mega FMSCI-sanctioned Drag event for two-wheelers that attracted over 300 participants at the Ambi Valley’s privately-owned airstrip in Lonavala on Saturday and Sunday. The 402-metre quarter-mile strip is home to 7 annual editions, the the competitors thrive in fighting and look forward to in the Mumbai region, but 2020 edition disappeared and bang came the 2021 event, with equal vigour and stiff competition. The results of the four-wheel section are awaited from the organisers.

The man behind the screens, the unsung hero, Pratap Sharan, has his moment of glory! What else than a warm hug from the rider himself! The tuner and guide, bestowed with respect, affection and, a hug! Exclusive Image freezed by motorsport maestro Srinivasa Krishnan

In the two-wheeler section which received an overwhelming response of over 300 participants in over 14 different classes, the top three classes saw some stunning machines thrill the crowds. The event was run by Elite Octane Inc, a Mumbai-based Motorsports Club affiliated to FMSCI, became a stunning success with teams and riders hogging the limelight. Thirtyone riders in one class, that is `Upto 1050cc category‘ puts the National to shame. It is not just the quantity or the numbers, the bikes, the tuners and the talented riders, made the quality superb and every thousandth of a second is fought tooth and nail.

A file photo of Hemanth Muddappa, with his first love, the Suzuki Hayabusa. A Mantra Racing image

Thus, Bengaluru rider Hemanth Muddappa of Mantra Racing winning the Ribbon Event, the Foreign Open Unrestricted class for bikes above 600cc, zooming to the gold in 9.677seconds astride his race-built black Suzuki Hayabusa is a hard-earned victory. “This win is a perfect race for me after the thrill of the fourth year of success at Nationals. The sheer competition and the number of bikes pushes me to that bit faster and I enjoyed it every moment. I only hope all these talented riders come to the Nationals,” quipped Muddappa. He beat compatriot Alimon to second in a tough race. Alimon, clocking 9.683, on a Kawasaki was a bit faster to react but lost by a whisker as Muddappa clinched the issue in a thriller towards the close, dragging that last inch to a quarter mile. Visakhapatnam’s (Andhra Pradesh State) star Satyanarayana Raju, despite having the best reaction time among the three, had to settle for third place astride his BMW S1K. Raju timed 9.703.

Hemanth Muddappa is usually not worried about the reaction time (RT). It only counts when there is a tie. And he is so confident that no one dares to come near him, and says, `tie means I lost. And it never happens when I am on my job. I also thank my tuner and my guide Pratap Sharan, who sets it up for me to prove it,” says Muddappa.

Hemanth Muddappa astride a BMW S1000rr on Sunday. An INDIAinF1 photo

Muddappa, who became the 2020 National Drag Champion for the fourth successive year in the top two classes last month, displayed his skill and ran away with a second gold in the `1050cc and above class’, the M10. Making a great combination with his tuner Pratap Sharan, the unsung hero, he pushed his Green Hayabusa to the top clocking a stunning 9.683seconds to beat his fighting opponent Zubair Ali Jung, also from Bengaluru, and also astride a Hayabusa, to second place. Jung clocked 10.113seconds. Another Bengaluru rider Hafizulla Khan came third in 10.146sec in a field of 14 riders. The three usually share a good time, but once on the black-top no inch is given and the fight is on till the last breath.

On the day, however, it was Satyanarayana Raju of Visakhapatnam, who had the last laugh. The talented racing champ, salvaged a gold in the upto 1050cc class, the M9, clocking 9.522sec astride his BMW, as he tries his hand at the drag. He loves speed and cannot resist the drag meets. And Alimon came second in 9.619. Hemanth Muddappa, who had suffered a wheelie had to be content with the third place in 9.760seconds. But he is not blaming the bumpy ride, “You have to mind all these obstacles and prepare for the worst. Only then you can give your best. This is not my race and I give all credit to Raju for winning the race,” said the fitness freak, who hard work and discipline are the hidden mantra behind his success.

A Jan 2021 file photo of Hemanth Muddappa with his trusted lieutenant Appu, who has been with him for over five years now, enhancing the team support systems.
Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

The class saw a good response with 31 bikes from all over the country taking part. Eleven other classes were also held for bikes and prizes were given away after every four classes. Results of the best tuner and best female rider were not received at the time of publishing this article.

February 15, 2021

Red Bull Racing secures Honda power unit technology from 2022

Scuderia AlphaTauri’s cars also covered until 2025 next generation engines

Milton Keynes, 15 Feb 2021: Red Bull have formed a powertrain company base on the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes following an agreement with Honda to use the Japanese manufacturer’s F1 power unit technology.

Background:

– After Honda’s decision to exit Formula One as a power unit manufacturer in 2021, Red Bull has reached an agreement with Honda Motor Co Ltd to use Honda F1 power unit technology from the beginning of the 2022 season.

– The FIA’s introduction of a Formula One power unit development freeze takes effect from the beginning of 2022 with the new agreement covering the duration of the development freeze both for Red Bull Racing and sister team Scuderia AlphaTauri’s cars until the next generation engines are introduced in 2025.

– A new company named Red Bull Powertrains Limited has been formed and it will be housed and operated from Red Bull Racing’s F1 Team base on the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes.

– Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Dr Helmut Marko revealed: “We have been discussing this topic with Honda for some time and following the FIA’s decision to freeze power unit development from 2022, we could at last reach an agreement regarding the continued use of Honda’s hybrid power units. We are grateful for Honda’s collaboration in this regard and for helping to ensure that both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri continue to have competitive power units. The establishment of Red Bull Powertrains Limited is a bold move by Red Bull but it is one we have made after careful and detailed consideration. We are aware of the huge commitment required but we believe the creation of this new company is the most competitive option for both teams.”

– Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner added: “This agreement represents a significant step for Red Bull in its Formula One journey. We were understandably disappointed when Honda made the decision to leave the sport as an engine manufacturer, as our relationship yielded immediate success, but we are grateful for their support in facilitating this new agreement. Honda has invested significantly in hybrid technology to ensure the supply of competitive power units to both teams. We now begin the work of bringing the power unit division in-house and integrating the new facilities and personnel into our Technology Campus. In the meantime, we are fully focused on achieving the best possible results in what will be Honda’s final season as an official power unit supplier.”

February 15, 2021

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team virtual presentation

February 15, 2021

Yamaha signs contract to continue in MotoGP for 5 more years till 2026

Lesmo (Italy), 15 Feb 2021: Yamaha Motor Company Limited announced that they have signed a contract with commercial rights holder and series promoter Dorna Sports S.L. to continue their participation in the FIM MotoGP World Championship for a further five years, from 2022 to 2026.

The news was officially confirmed by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal & Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis during today’s post-‘Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Launch’ media debrief.

Yamaha started its World Grand Prix racing endeavours in 1961, making this season the Japanese manufacturer’s 60th anniversary. Throughout their contest in MotoGP, Yamaha has secured a total of 511 Grand Prix wins, 38 Rider World Titles, 37 Manufacturer World Titles, and five Triple Crowns.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Racing Srl take this moment to collectively express their gratitude to Dorna Sports S.L. CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta as well as all Dorna MotoGP management and staff for their hard work and unflagging motivation that contribute to making MotoGP the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

Toyoshi Nishida, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.’s Executive Officer: “First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Carmelo Ezpeleta and Dorna, as well as all of the Yamaha personnel who made our successful run at the highest level of motorcycle racing possible.

“At Yamaha we take great pride in taking part in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. We are all very pleased that we can confirm the contract renewal for a further five years at the start of an important season for our company.

“Yamaha started competing in World Grand Prix racing in 1961. Sixty years on, Yamaha’s passion for motorcycle racing and eagerness to take on a challenge remains unchanged. MotoGP makes up a large part of Yamaha’s DNA. The premier class’s cutting-edge technology will continue to make their way to Yamaha street bikes, bringing customers’ motorcycle and motorsport fantasies to life on and off-track, giving them the feeling of Kando. (Kando is a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.)

“At the same time, I think the coming five years of collaborating with Dorna and the other MotoGP manufacturers will be very important for the future. We want to keep the excitement of MotoGP racing while at the same time making it more sustainable and appealing to a wider public.

“We thank all Yamaha fans for their continuous support, and we look forward to bringing them even more exciting and precious memories in the future.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “First of all, I would like to thank Nishida-san and all the members of Yamaha for the long-term collaboration during all these years. At Dorna we are pleased to be a part of the culmination of this partnership by extending our agreement with Yamaha. We are eager to witness this new chapter of the iconic Japanese manufacturer celebrating its 60th anniversary in the racing scene, a factory that has always shown a great commitment with the MotoGP World Championship and whose future will see many other exciting challenges to be enjoyed together in these upcoming years.”

February 15, 2021

Narain Karthikeyan spearheads Racing Team India’s endurance debut

Dubai, 11 Feb 2021: Racing Team India will take its first step on the road to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend when it makes its debut at the season-opening round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Dubai.

The all-Indian squad, spearheaded by a star-studded driver line-up of Narain Karthikeyan, Arjun Maini, and Naveen Rao, will compete in the LMP2 category over two, four-hour-long races at the Dubai Autodrome. The endeavor is partnered by JK Tyre, India’s largest supporter of Motorsport for over three decades.

The two runnings of the 4 Hours of Dubai will take place on February 13th and 14th, respectively.

The series will then move to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit for another round of two, four-hour races on February 19th and 20th.

Racing Team India’s Dubai debut will make it the first outfit with an all-Indian driver line-up to compete in international endurance racing.

If it secures an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which takes place in June 2021, it will become the first squad flying the Indian tri-color to take part in the iconic twice-around-the-clock endurance classic at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. The race is considered to be one of the trifectas of legendary motor races alongside the Monaco GP & the Indianapolis 500. It is the world’s oldest sports car race, which has been held every year since 1923. The distance covered in this one single race is equivalent to 18 Formula 1 races, thus making it the most extreme test of man and machine in the world of motorsport.

Fielding the Le Mans-winning ORECA 07 with technical support from reigning Asian Le Mans Series champion team Algarve Pro Racing, Racing Team India has already displayed a promising turn of speed. The car has a 4 litre V-8 engine which produces 600 bhp and has a top speed in excess of 320 kmph.

Karthikeyan ended the first day of testing, also held in Dubai, at the top of the timesheets. The success of the project lies in the combined efforts of the team which are now being synchronized.

Padma Shri Awardee and India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan said, “It is an incredibly proud moment for me to be representing our nation’s first all-Indian endurance racing team. I have flown the flag for our country across various motorsport disciplines from Formula One to NASCAR and SuperGT racing. I’ve raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans once before, and it was an incredible experience, one which I always wanted to repeat. However, I couldn’t have imagined anything better than to compete there for an Indian team. I’m extremely grateful to the ACO for giving us the platform to compete. They have been incredibly supportive from the first time we approached them, and this support has been instrumental in getting our team up and running.

“As for the weekend ahead, I’m looking forward to it. Arjun, Naveen, and I have considerable racing experience between the three of us. Our package has also been quick through testing. We did have some issues on the second day with traffic and difficulty in switching on the new tyres. But there’s a lot of speed in the car and I’m confident we can deliver a strong result on our debut.”

Former F2 and European Le Mans Series racer Arjun Maini said, “Firstly, it’s great to be back behind the wheel again, and to be flying the colours for an all-Indian team makes the experience even more special. Endurance racing is a format I’ve come to enjoy during my time racing in the European Le Mans series. I believe it plays to my strengths as a driver. It feels strange to think that of the three of us I have the most endurance racing experience. I’ve competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and I can tell you it’s an incredible feeling. I’m really looking forward to going back there. We have a strong package, a proven driver line-up and with support from Algarve Pro Racing, who I know well, I believe we have all the ingredients in place to make it happen.”

2020 IMSA Prototype Challenge Champion Naveen Rao said, “My entire career has been spent racing sports cars and for me, Le Mans is the absolute pinnacle of competition. I have spent a long time dreaming about one day driving in this iconic event and I am grateful for the opportunity to do it for a team representing the country in which I have my roots. I’ve got a good feeling for the car, the three of us have struck up a strong relationship and I believe we genuinely have a package that can help us fight at the front.”

Racing Team India is also very proud to be associated with JK Tyre, as one of our inaugural partners. JK Tyres has been and continues to be the largest supporter of Indian motorsport for over 50 years. They have been instrumental in developing and supporting both Narain and Arjun over the past two decades and their commitment to the Racing Team India program demonstrates their commitment to the future of the sport as well.

Sanjay Sharma, Head-Motorsport, JK Tyre said, “At JK Tyre we have been steadfast supporters of Indian motorsport over many decades. Not only have we created a robust domestic motorsport ladder but we have always been extremely proactive when it comes to identifying, grooming, and supporting the international racing careers of some of our most talented youngsters. Now, with Racing Team India we have yet another chance to create history for Indian motorsport. We are confident the team has what it takes to be successful and race at Le Mans which would deliver the breakthrough that Indian motorsport needs.”

Note: This article is first published in AutoTrack.

February 12, 2021

F1, teams agree for freeze of Power Unit development

Paris, 11 Feb 2021: The first meeting of the F1 Commission in 2021 was held today, 11 February, in an online format. The FIA and Formula 1 confirm that positive discussions took place on a number of key topics relating to future Sporting, Technical and Financial Regulations as well as the future direction of Power Unit regulations.

2021 Calendar

The group was updated on the “TBC” space on the current version of the 2021 calendar. It is the intention of Formula 1 to fill the position with a race at Portimão in Portugal on the dates already held in the calendar. The final agreement is still subject to contract with the promoter.

Robust COVID-19 protocols enabled Formula 1 to run 17 events in 2020 and will enable us to run a World Championship again in 2021. While changing circumstances may require flexibility, the FIA and Formula 1 are working at all levels from government to local organisation to ensure that the calendar goes ahead as planned.

Proposed Regulation Changes

In order to permit a more equitable distribution of tyre testing during 2021, and taking into consideration the challenges presented to this programme due to the move to 18” tyres and the COVID-19 Pandemic, the FIA, following the request of Pirelli, proposed to increase the number test days allocated for such purpose from 25 to 30. This proposal was accepted unanimously.

Overview of key next Formula 1 generation car and PU objectives and proposed anticipation to 2025

In a significant development for the sport that reflects the unity and collaborative spirit between the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams, a vote on the freeze of Power Unit development was undertaken during the meeting, and the proposal was unanimously agreed by all teams and Power Unit Manufacturers. As such, engine development will be frozen from the start of 2022.

A high-level working group has been established including current and potential Power Unit manufacturers and fuel suppliers.

The definition of the objectives for the next generation of F1 car and Power Unit is of the utmost importance to the FIA and Formula 1, and together with teams and Power Unit manufacturers, there is strong alignment on the overall goals – particularly the need to reduce cost and reach carbon neutrality.

The key objectives for the 2025 Power Unit are:

Environmental Sustainability and social and automotive relevance
Fully sustainable fuel
Creating a powerful and emotive Power Unit
Significant cost reduction
Attractiveness to new Power Unit manufacturers

Environmental Accreditation

The FIA is pleased that Formula 1 and a number of the teams have achieved the highest level of FIA Environmental Accreditation. This was discussed during the Commission, with a glide path outlined for all teams to reach the highest level of Accreditation over the coming years, with this goal being integrated into the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.

Cost control

As 2021 sees the introduction of a cost cap for the first time in Formula 1, various topics around controlling costs and how this overall objective can be achieved over the coming years were tabled during the meeting.

As part of this, a working group will be created – including the drivers themselves – to discuss the topic of driver and senior team management contracts.

Race weekend format

All teams recognised the major importance of engaging fans in new and innovative ways to ensure an even more exciting weekend format. There was, therefore, broad support from all parties for a new qualifying format at some races, and a working group has been tasked with creating a complete plan with the aim to reach a final decision before the start for the 2021 Championship.

Note that all regulatory changes are subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.

February 11, 2021

DS Automobiles commits to Gen3 era of ABB FIA Formula E Worlds

DS Automobiles has today announced that it has committed to the Gen3 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship starting in Season 9.

The sole French manufacturer on the Formula E grid, DS Automobiles has been involved since Season 2, partnering with Chinese racing team TECHEETAH since the start of the Gen2 era in Season 5. Together, the duo has become a formidable force on the grid, claiming twDS Automobiles has today announced that it has committed to the Gen3 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship starting in Season 9.o consecutive driver and teams’ championships, seven race wins and 15 podiums to date.

DS Automobiles is the only competitor to have produced two different driver champions. French driver and DS E-TENSE ambassador Jean-Eric Vergne took the title in Seasons 4 and 5. His Portuguese team-mate, Antonio Felix da Costa, is reigning champion. The pair will look to make history once again behind the wheel of the DS E-TENSE FE20 in Season 7 this year.

The work that Formula E and the FIA have done to shape the Gen3 era focuses on delivering a new generation of progress both as a sport, reaffirming Formula E’s position as the pinnacle of electric racing, and in the future of electric mobility. Gen3 will bring performance and efficiency benefits including more powerful, lighter cars, faster charging and cost controls, all increasing the competitive and unpredictable racing Formula E has become known for.

Jamie Reigle, Chief Executive Officer of Formula E, said: “DS Automobiles securing a place on the grid for Season 9 and beyond reaffirms Formula E’s position as a technology proving ground and marketing platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. We look forward to breaking new ground during the next phase of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with DS Automobiles.”

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will make its Season 7 debut in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia with two night races, at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on February 26 & 27.

February 11, 2021

Ducati, NetApp sign 4th year spnsorship for 2021 MotoGP

Bologna (Italy), 11 Feb 2021: After three years of collaboration with excellent results in the MotoGP championship, Ducati is pleased to announce the renewal of the partnership with NetApp for the 2021 MotoGP World Championship, a press release said on Wednesday, Feb 10.

Last year’s MotoGP season was out of the ordinary. Despite the unique challenges, five Ducati riders earned points that would help land Ducati its coveted Constructors’ World Championship.

Riding high on the success of 2020, we are happy to say that NetApp’s sponsorship will continue for a fourth straight year, as the US-based company will continue helping the Ducati Corse division fully exploit their data’s potential in the racing world.

Francesco Bagnaia with his machine proudly displaying the Net-App logo

Ducati, with the help of NetApp, has been busy delivering innovation and carrying out numerous digital projects, ranging from the data management on the HPC simulations for motorcycle aerodynamics to the collaboration of development of connected motorcycles, including development of the distributed data storage for the backend of the Ducati Link app.

Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse:“Thanks to NetApp, in 2020 we were able to collect and work with new data in totally new race conditions and setup an even higher performing and more innovative bike. We are now ready to provide our new official riders Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia a highly competitive weapon for the new challenge of the MotoGP World Championship. Through data, we were able to understand many key points that helped us compete and win the Constructor Championship and explore many interesting solutions during our development and tests”.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding: “It gives us great pleasure to continue the partnership with NetApp, as we consider innovation as a core component of our strategy for the future and for our success”.

Cesar Cernuda, NetApp president: “We have seen a tremendous evolution through digitalization in the entire automotive industry. We are happy to be part of this journey, supporting Ducati to bring its customers and riders a more safe, fun, and high performing experience, while contributing to the company’s overall success.”

The 2021 MotoGP World Championship, gets underway March 26–28 in Qatar.

February 11, 2021

#WeRaceAsOne will become official Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) platform for F1

Paris, 10 Feb 2021: Formula 1 confirmed on Wednesday, that the initiative “We Race As One” popularised with hashtag #WeRaceAsOne last year, will become the official Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) platform for Formula 1 long into the future and will continue to be used across the sport

Formula 1 confirmed on Wednesday, that the initiative “We Race As One” popularised with hashtag #WeRaceAsOne last year, will become the official Environment, Social and Corporate (ESG) platform for Formula 1 long into the future and will continue to be used across the sport. The Initiative launched last year, supporting the #PurposeDriven Movement by the FIA will now continue.

The initiative was created in June last year ahead of our return to racing following the break in the Championship due to COVID-19. On our return to racing we wanted to show our determination to tackle the major issues that we as a sport, but also society, are facing. Those issues are important to the longer-term future of our sport, but equally have a major impact on the communities we race in and countries around the world.

On our return to racing in 2020 we wanted to recognise the two major issues dominating society’s consciousness during that time, COVID-19, and inequality.

Throughout the season we paid tribute to people around the world for the incredible strength and fortitude shown against the global pandemic. Rainbow was chosen by Formula 1 to sit alongside #WeRaceAsOne as it became a symbol used internationally to bring communities together. Equally we used our restart to show that we as a sporting community stand united against racism and are doing more to address inequality and diversity in Formula 1.

This was highlighted at every race with the 20 drivers uniting in their support of ending racism before the start of the race. We plan to include a moment before the start of each race this season to show our united support for important issues and will be discussing this with the drivers and the teams ahead of the start of the season.

This season the rainbow will no longer feature alongside the #WeRaceAsOne platform. While the COVID- 19 pandemic is still an ongoing battle, we are focussing the platform on the three core pillars of our ESG strategy. Those pillars are sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and community. These areas are a priority for the sport where progress has already been made but with more commitments to be delivered in coming months and years.

In 2019, Formula 1 set out its ambitious sustainability, diversity, and inclusion strategy to improve the long-term future of our sport. This included our commitment to be net zero carbon as a sport by 2030 and create a more inclusive and diverse culture across Formula 1, attracting more diverse talent across technical, commercial, corporate, and on-air roles. Additionally, the plan, in partnership with the FIA, looks at promoting a diverse driver talent pipeline by identifying and systematically eliminating barriers to entry from grass roots karting to Formula 1.

As set out in our #WeRaceAsOne announcement last year, recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us to accelerate and take further action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and have a positive impact on the world we live in. Since 2019, we have put in place the necessary actions, reviews, and structures to ensure we deliver on our 2030 and other commitments. While work has been constant and important plans delivered*, we know we need to continue to deliver on this plan and show our fans, partners, and society that Formula 1 is committed to playing its part.

This year, Formula 1, the FIA, and the Teams will most notably focus on:

Creating a clear path towards sustainably fuelled hybrid engines, something that will be of significant importance to not only the sport but the automotive sector.
Reducing the amount of single-use plastic bottles and cutlery and food waste in the pit and paddock.
Rolling out internships and apprenticeships within Formula 1 for under-represented groups to provide access to a promising career in the sport.
Funding scholarships for talented engineering students from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds with work experience opportunities at F1 and the Teams during their studies.
Growing F1 in Schools – already the world’s leading school-age STEM education challenge.
Working with our promoters around the world to establish and deliver programmes that leave a positive and lasting community impact.
Helping to grow awareness and support for the W Series, the FIA Women in Motorsport Inititiatives and all the talented young female drivers coming through the ranks.
Moving towards new freight methods through adapting containers for use on modern aircraft and other modes of transport.

Continuing to develop our remote operations capabilities where action to date has already eliminated c.70 tonnes of freight being taken to each race.

We have united as a sport in our firm commitment to make lasting change and Formula 1 together with the FIA, the teams and our partners will continue to push ahead with our plans.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1, said:

“Our WeRaceAsOne platform was very effective at raising the awareness of socially important issues and our steadfast commitment to make a positive change. We are very proud of it and the teams have embraced it fully. While our commitment through words to tackling issues like sustainability and diversity in our sport are important, it is our actions that we will be judged on. We have already made good progress on our sustainability plans and you will see strong actions being executed this year across all three of our WRAO pillars. We know we must continue to move forward on these issues and the whole sport is united in doing this in the months and years ahead.”

February 10, 2021

The 2021 Ducati Lenovo Team presented online

Lenovo announced as Title Partner of the factory Ducati team in MotoGP as Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia wear the Ducati squad’s official colours for the first time
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding: “We’re starting the new season off the back of the Constructors’ World Title won last year. In 2021 there are many new things, from our Title Partner Lenovo to our riders Jack and Pecco. We look forward with optimism to the new season”
Luca Rossi, Senior Vice President of Lenovo: “Lenovo and Ducati—two brands that share the core values of high speed, powerful performance and relentless innovation—have chosen to elevate their partnership to its highest level… we look forward to taking our technology integration to new heights and empowering Ducati’s racing team to extend MotoGP’s significance for years to come”
Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse: “Jack and Pecco are extraordinarily talented, and they already have experience on our bike. I believe that with them, we can fight not only to defend the constructors’ title but also for the Riders’ Title”

Borgo Panigale, Bologna, 9th February 2021 – The Official Presentation of the 2021 Ducati Lenovo Team took place today with an online event streamed on Ducati.com, Ducati’s YouTube channel, and official Facebook page. During the presentation, Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, unveiled the new “all red” Desmosedici GP bikes that Jack Miller, 26-year-old from Australia, and Francesco “Pecco Bagnaia, 24-year-old from Turin, will ride in their first season as official riders of the Borgo Panigale-based squad in the MotoGP World Championship.

The iconic Ducati red colour returns to predominate the two bikes’ liveries where the Lenovo logo also stands out. Announced as Title Partner of the Italian team with a three-year agreement, Lenovo is a technology leader in PCs, smart devices, data center, services and software solutions – becoming Ducati’s sponsor and partner in 2018. Over the past three seasons, the company has contributed to developing new strategies and innovations related to racing as a Technical Partner of the team. With the new agreement, Lenovo will guarantee even greater support to the official Ducati squad, which from this year will be named Ducati Lenovo Team.

Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation, the 2021 MotoGP season currently sees 19 Grands Prix confirmed. It will officially get underway on 5th March in Qatar with a day of testing reserved for rookies and test riders, in which Michele Pirro and the Ducati Test Team will also participate. On 6th-7th March, Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia will finally take to the track with their new team at Losail International Circuit for the first official two-day test for 2021, followed by three more days of testing, also in Qatar, from 10th-12th March. Doha Circuit will also set the stage for the first two Grands Prix of the year, held in the evening, from 26th-28th March and 2nd-4th April.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding:“It is always a great emotion to start a new racing season, which as always we face with dedication and incredible passion, driven by the support of the Ducatisti all over the world. We start strong after winning the Constructors’ World Title last year, despite the complexities that have forced us to overcome obstacles and situations that we have never experienced before. In 2021 there are many novelties, starting with the riders: Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia. They are now the young riders of our official team after gaining experience with the Pramac Racing Team. This year Lenovo, which has already accompanied us since 2018, becomes the new Title Partner of the Ducati Lenovo Team. Together with our factory team’s riders, we also have Ducati’s MotoGP riders Johann Zarco and three of the best talents coming from Moto2, Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini and Jorge Martin. They will be a very young and future-oriented presence in the championship. We look forward to the start of the 2021 season on 28th March in Qatar and as always #ForzaDucati”.

Luca Rossi, Senior Vice President of Lenovo: “The global motorsports market is expected to continue to grow by 10 per-cent annually through 2025(1) driven in part by the role of IT in the increasingly data-driven world of motorbike racing. This is why Lenovo and Ducati—two brands that share the core values of high speed, powerful performance and relentless innovation—have chosen to elevate their partnership to its highest level. Through Lenovo’s mission to enable intelligent transformation, we look forward to taking our technology integration to new heights and empowering Ducati’s racing team to extend MotoGP’s significance for years to come.”

Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse:“The start of a new season is always a special moment, and this year even more, as we have a completely new team. We have two new riders with us, Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia. Both are extraordinarily talented, they’re young, but they have already a lot of experience on our bike. Jack and Pecco have great potential, and I think that together we can fight not only to defend the Constructors’ Title won in 2020, but we can also aim for the Riders’ Title. As per this year’s regulations, we cannot modify some of the bike’s components. Still, during winter, we have been able to work on many other aspects to improve our bike’s competitiveness and be ready to start the new season. From 2021 we will also be able to count on even greater support from Lenovo, which has been our partner since 2018 and with whom we have worked very well together over the past few seasons. I’m sure that together we will be able to achieve even greater success this year while entertaining and bringing excitement to all the Ducatisti around the world.”

Jack Miller (#43, Ducati Lenovo Team):“The emotions I felt seeing my all-red Desmosedici and wearing my new suit for the first time were incredible! I still have to realize that I’ll be part of the official Ducati Team this year. It’s taken a long way to get this far, and finally being “in red” gives me a great sense of satisfaction, but also the right motivation to continue working with commitment and dedication towards my future goals. I am looking forward to this new adventure and will try to get some important results this season”.

Francesco Bagnaia (#63, Ducati Lenovo Team): ” This will be a significant season for me because for the first time I’ll be wearing the colours of an official team. I’m proud to have achieved this first goal, and this year I will set my sight on even greater results. It has always been my dream to become part of the official Ducati Team. I will try my best not to disappoint any expectations. I’m sure I have all that I need to be competitive right from the start and aim high”.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$50 billion Fortune Global 500 company, with 63,000 employees and operating in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that create a more inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society. By designing, engineering, and building the world’s most complete portfolio of smart devices and infrastructure, we are also leading an Intelligent Transformation – to create better experiences and opportunities for millions of customers around the world. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Weibo and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

February 9, 2021

Author: David Bodapati