INDIA in F1

Author: David Bodapati

  • Bagnaia wins, Martin recovers to second & Marquez slides out: Sprint

    Bagnaia wins, Martin recovers to second & Marquez slides out: Sprint

    Gloves off, a Long Lap and a slide out of contention: the Tissot Sprint in Austria puts us on equal points – with Bagnaia back on top as Championship leader.

    Spielberg, 17 August 2024: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) took a stunning victory in the Tissot Sprint at the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, going gloves off against Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in the early stages before the #89 went wide through a shortcut, didn’t lose enough time, and then got handed a Long Lap penalty. The reigning Champion’s win makes it equal points at the top, and Bagnaia is the official Championship leader thanks to his higher number of Grand Prix wins so far in 2024. The stage is certainly set for a showdown on Sunday.

    Behind, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) shadowed the duel in the early stages before losing a little ground, and he then crashed out from second as Martin served his Long Lap. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) avoided any of that drama, coming home third to complete the Sprint podium as Martin recovered to second place.

    It was a sensational launch from Bagnaia in an intense start to the Tissot Sprint, with the reigning champion taking the holeshot and Martin then attacking for the lead on the entry to Turn 3 on the opening lap. The #1 soon tried to respond at the end of Lap 1, getting past at the penultimate corner before Martin sliced through to regain the lead at the final corner as the title rivals went elbow to elbow.

    Bagnaia didn’t attack again at the first corner, but by Turn 2, Martin was in hot and headed wide into the runoff – taking the shortcut through the chicane. He rejoined behind Bagnaia, but didn’t lose enough time with the mistake. The #89 was investigated by the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards for the incident, and a Long Lap handed down.

    He didn’t take it straight away but didn’t wait too long, by which time he and Bagnaia had pulled out some gap on the chasing Marc Marquez. When Martin did head into the Long Lap loop, Bagnaia was left with a solid lead ahead of the #93 and Martin emerged just ahead of Aleix Espargaro.

    Then on Lap 10, there was yet another twist. In some space and on for a solid second, Marc Marquez lost the front on the entry to Turn 3. The #93 dropped to 23rd, outside of the point-scoring positions, and would soon retire to the pitlane, bringing a disappointing end to his Saturday.

    On the final lap, nobody could match Bagnaia’s pace, with the Italian able to hold a four-second margin to Martin in second – putting them exactly equal on points. Meanwhile, the final spot inside the top three went the way of Aleix Espargaro, who claimed a somewhat unexpected third after a drama-free Saturday.

    Meanwhile, there was an intense fight for the final spot inside the top five, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) losing a spot late on to a classic charging Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli also battling behind.

    Bastianini crossed the line in fourth, with Miller rounding out the top five after the Australian defended from Morbidelli to the line. Just 0.102s separated the duo after the 14-lap dash, with Binder lurking in seventh.

    Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) moved up to P8, with wildcard Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) putting in a very solid day at the office to take the final Sprint point in P9 – just ahead of rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

    That’s it from super Saturday, but it was an incredible teaser for what may lie ahead on Sunday in Spielberg. Come back for more MotoGP™ as the battles lines are drawn in Austria at 14:00 (UTC + 2)!

  • Kingfisher set to bring good times to Indian Racing League

    Kingfisher set to bring good times to Indian Racing League

    New Delhi, 13 August 2024: Kingfisher is set to bring the good times back to Indian motorsports as the presenting sponsor of the Indian Racing League (IRL) for the 2024 edition. IRL and Kingfisher announced this exciting partnership for India’s premier race event and the motorsport fans across the country.

    Promoted by Racing Promotions, the IRL aims to captivate India’s booming motorsports fanbase. Returning in 2024, the IRL is set for its most spectacular season yet, with eight franchise teams set to battle for glory over five rounds. Kingfisher Power Soda from United Breweries Limited, part of the Heineken company, known for its vibrant and youthful spirit, joins the high-octane speed extravaganza at Chennai from August 20, when the season testing begins. 

    Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL, expressed delight in welcoming Kingfisher on board; “We are thrilled to have Kingfisher, a brand that has been intrinsically associated with premier sports events in India. We are happy to welcome them as our sponsor for the 2024 edition. Kingfisher embodies the same spirit of excitement, youth, and belief to create experiences—values we at IRL not only share but also aim to celebrate with our rapidly growing fanbase of motorsport enthusiasts.”

    Vikram Bahl, Chief Marketing Officer, United Breweries Limited said, “As one of the most iconic brands in the country, Kingfisher has always been on the forefront in bringing experiences that elevate consumer engagement. With significant opportunities for motorsports and growing popularity of the sport in India, we are thrilled to partner with Indian Racing League 2024 as the presenting partner. Tamil Nadu has been a hub for motorsports and is a state with immense growth potential. By being a part of IRL, we look forward to strengthening our association with the state and connecting with motorsport fans and consumers, as we celebrate the competitive spirit of the sport.”

    Kingfisher has cemented itself as a prominent name in Indian sports, aligning with premier sports leagues and teams, including India’s foremost cricket franchise-based league. Sharing Kingfisher’s dedication, the IRL is equally committed to delivering exceptional moments for its audiences. The iconic visual identity of Kingfisher, the logo, will also be showcased throughout the Indian Racing Festival with a 360 degrees visibility this year.

    The 2024 edition of IRL will witness the pre-season testing from August 21 and 22 followed by the first race at the Madras International Circuit on August 25. The excitement then shifts to the first-ever Chennai Formula Road Racing Circuit, hosting the subcontinent’s first night circuit race from August 30 to September 1 and the grand finale will be played in November 2024.

    With an expanded grid and an unprecedented race experience, India is all set for good times on the track. 

    About Indian Racing Festival

    The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is a meticulously curated motorsport event designed to captivate the growing motorsport fan base in India. The Indian Racing League (IRL) is FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) approved, adding a level of prestige and official recognition to the competition. The Indian Racing League (IRL) is India’s only 4-wheel racing league and the world’s first gender-neutral racing championship series, promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit. IRL features six city-based teams competing in a dynamic franchise-based competition.

    About Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. 

    Racing Promotions Private Ltd., co-founded by Akhilesh Reddy, Abhinandan B, and professional race drivers Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel in 2019, aims to bridge the gap between racing talent and opportunities. The franchise model, a first in Indian motorsports, emphasizes creating lasting engagement opportunities for teams, drivers, fans, and sponsors, while promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit.

    Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) is dedicated to forging a holistic motorsport ecosystem in India, with the mission to host FIA-caliber events and create pathways for aspiring individuals to pursue careers as drivers, engineers, and mechanics. 

  • Chiranth, Sarthak dominate Pro-Stock races; Savion, Rakshitha, Abdul win

    Chiranth, Sarthak dominate Pro-Stock races; Savion, Rakshitha, Abdul win

    Chennai, 4 August 2024: Two of country’s best and brightest, Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru and Pune’s Sarthak Chavan came up with sensational rides to win a race apiece in the two premier Pro-Stock categories as the third round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 – Powered by STORM concluded at the Madras International Circuit here on Sunday.

    Chiranth, starting from P10, dished out a stunning ride to win the Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open race, all but destroying a high-quality field that included multiple National champion Rajini Krishnan (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate), riding in his 23rd season after a year’s break. Later, Sarthak scrambled to a brilliant victory in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open race, starting from P5. The two 17-year-old TVS Racing team-mates, in the process, headlined a fresh crop of young riders who have been making a mark in the National Championship this season.

    Two Chennai riders, 17-year-old Abdul Basim (Rockers Racing) and 15-year-old Rakshitha Dave topped in the Stock 165cc (Novice) and Girls (Stock 165cc) races, respectively, while Bengaluru’s Savion Sabu, who turned 17 three days back, won the Stock 301-400cc (Novice) race with a dominating performance.

    Rakshitha (centre), flanked by Jagathishree Murugesan (left) and Ryhana Bee, 3rd, at at MIC on 4 August 2024. Photo by Anand Philar

    Chiranth was at his very best in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc race. He made some six places in the very first of the six-lap race and continued to progress through the field like a hot knife through butter to burst into the lead for a sensational win ahead of Rajini Krishnan and Alwin Sundar (KTM Gusto Racing India). Sarthak, starting from pole, came in eighth after stalling in the very first lap and then rejoining the race. The loss ended Sarthak’s streak of five wins but he continues to provisionally lead the championship table. Chiranth leapfrogged to second spot, 39 behind Sarthak.

    In the Pro-Stock 165cc Open race, pole-sitter Chiranth led in the initial laps before being overtaken by his team-mates KY Ahamed and multiple National champion Jagan Kumar, and later, by Sarthak. In the latter half of the race, Sarthak moved to the front and notched his second win of the season in this category. Finishing second behind him was Jagan Kumar and the late-charging Chiranth.

    Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup: Kolhapur’s Siddesh Sawant scored his first win of the season in the NSF 250R class by a comfortable margin. Savion Sabu from Bengaluru came in second, ahead of Hyderabad’s Beedani Rajender for whom it was his first podium finish this season. Championship leader Mohsin Paramban (Mallapuram) failed to complete the race but still enjoys a 36-point cushion over AS James (Bengaluru) in the provisional standings.

    TVS One-Make Championship: Coimbatore’s Senthilkumar C notched his fourth win of the season to move to the top of the provisional points table in the Open (RR 310) class. 

    CS Kedarnath from Tirupati recorded his first win in the Rookie (RTR 200) category to end the unbeaten run of Bengaluru’s Harshith Bogar who failed to finish the race but continues to provisionally lead the points table on the back of his five consecutive wins this season.

    Provisional results (all 6 laps unless mentioned):

    Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open (Race-2): 1. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, TVS Racing) (11mins, 03.966secs); 2. A Alwin Sundar (Chennai, KTM Gusto Racing India) (11:06.905); 3. Rajini Krishnan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (11:08.457).

    Pro-Stock 165cc Open (Race-2): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, TVS Racing) (11:40.093); 2. Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing) (11:41.449); 3. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, TVS Racing) (11:43.725).

    Stock 301-400cc (Novice, Race-2): 1. Savion Babu (Bengaluru, Mad Rabbit Racing) (12:11.176); 2. Raj Kumar (Coimbatore, RDX Torque Racing) (12:11.258); 3. Shyam Sundar K (Chennai, Tachyon Motorsport) (12:15.525).

    Girls (Stock 165cc, Race-2, 5 laps): 1. Rakshitha Dave (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (11:02.916); 2. Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai, One Racing) (11:08.132); 3. Ryhana Bee (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (11:08.174).

    Novice (Stock 165cc, Race-2): 1. Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Team Rockers Racing) (12:55.289); 2. Kamal Navas (Chennai, Team Rockers Racing) (13:08.895); 3. Tasmai Cariappa (Mysuru, Motul Sparks Racing) (13:08.982).

    Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (NSF 250R) Race-2 (8 laps): 1. Siddesh Sawant (Kolhapur) (15:11.679); 2. Savion Sabu (Bengaluru) (15:14.661); 3. Beedani Rajender (Hyderabad) (15:25.784).

    TVS One-Make Championship: Open (RR310, Race-2, 5 laps): 1. Senthilkumar C (Coimbatore) (09:52.643); 2. Manoj Yesuadiyan (Chennai) (09:52.644); 3. Ajai Xavier M (Nagercoil) (10:01.808).

    Rookie (Apache RTR 200, Race-2): 1. CS Kedarnadh (Tirupati) (13:30.442); 2. Saranjith KM (Thrissur) (13:34.532); 3. Rajivsham AS (Tirupur) (13:41.466).

    Electric RTE (4 laps): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune) (07:21.134); 2. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru) (07:28.085); 3. Alwin Sundar (Chennai) (07:29.421).

    Media (Apache RTR 200) 5 laps: 1. Praveen Kumar (Chennai) (11:25.490); 2. Charan Karthik G (Pune) (11:34.091); 3. Pratheek Kunder (Mumbai) (11:39.208).

  • Taylor Gill grabs Junior WRC lead on Saturday: Rally Finland

    Taylor Gill grabs Junior WRC lead on Saturday: Rally Finland

    Jyvaskyla (Centreal Finland) 3 August 2024:

    Taylor Gill will go into Secto Rally Finland’s final leg as the leading FIA Junior WRC driver after a scintillating Saturday turned the leaderboard on its head.
    The Australian hotshot languished a lowly eighth this morning after dropping around one minute nursing a rear left puncture through Päijälä, but a sublime afternoon drive saw him rise through the ranks and end the day with a 19.7sec lead.  

    Excluding championship leader Romet Jürgenson, who was ruled out of contention by a crash on Friday, Gill was the fastest Junior WRC driver on every stage but Päijälä 1. Early hopefuls Norbert Maior and Gerardo Rosselot both crashed and Gill climbed to second when Petr Borodin, who led on Friday, suffered front right tyre damage on the penultimate test.

    A blistering run over the 32.98km of Ouninpohja pushed the FIA Rally Star driver past Ali Türkkan and into the lead as Tom Rensonnet completed the podium over one minute further back.

    Borodin dropped to fourth but sits just 21.8sec adrift of the top three with four stages remaining on Sunday. Fabio Schwarz is on course to record his best-ever Junior WRC result in fifth, while Eamonn Kelly overcame a puncture to round out the top six in the M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 field.

    Jürgenson, who hails from Estonia, made amends for Friday retirement by taking fastest times on four of the day’s six stages – earning himself four Wolf Stage Win points in the process. 
  • MotoGP signs new contract with Uttar Pradesh for the Grand Prix of India

    MotoGP signs new contract with Uttar Pradesh for the Grand Prix of India

    A new agreement, signed directly with the Government of Indian region Uttar Pradesh, confirms MotoGP will return to Buddh International Circuit for the next three seasons.

    New Delhi, 31 July 2024: MotoGP has signed a new contract with Invest UP, the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s agency that facilitates international investment into the state. The agreement confirms the Indian Grand Prix will be on the calendar from 2025 to 2027 inclusive. The event will continue to be held at Buddh International Circuit, which made its debut on the MotoGP calendar in 2023.

    With a population of over 1.4 billion people and more than 200 million motorcycles on its roads, India is a key global market for MotoGP, our manufacturers and many of the sport’s partners. Two-wheeled transportation counts for nearly 75% of the total number of vehicles used daily.

    India also has a healthy established audience for MotoGP, with further scope to grow in coming seasons. The inaugural Grand Prix at Buddh saw more than 100,000 fans come to see history made as the world’s most exciting sport raced in the country for the first time.

    This new agreement, signed directly between MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports and the government of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous region in India, provides the perfect backdrop to further the success of both the sport and motorcycle industry across the country.

    Mr. Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary-cum-Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of UP, emphasized the monumental significance of this agreement: “Bringing MotoGP to Uttar Pradesh not only elevates our state on the global sports stage but also catalyzes substantial economic growth across tourism, hospitality, and associated sectors. This event will magnetize visitors worldwide, spotlighting Uttar Pradesh’s prowess in hosting world-class sporting extravaganzas.”

    Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “We’re very happy to announce this new agreement made directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh. The inaugural Indian Grand Prix was a key success and brought an enormous amount of value to both MotoGP and our host region of UP, so it’s fantastic we are able to continue building that together into the future.

    “India is an essential market for MotoGP, with a healthy, established audience for the racing, and one we know we can increase exponentially. There are also hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles used across the country every day, making it vital for our manufacturers and for the sport itself thanks to MotoGP’s position as the pinnacle of two wheels.

    “We’re very proud to work directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh to bring MotoGP back to India, and UP and Buddh International Circuit, for the next three seasons.”

  • After a false start in 2023, Chennai hopes to host India’s first night street race in August

    After a false start in 2023, Chennai hopes to host India’s first night street race in August

    Chennai, 29 July 2024: After a false start in 2023, the Indian Racing League is all set to make history with its inaugural night race at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit from August 30 to September 1.

    This groundbreaking event marks the first night race on a street circuit in India. Over three thrilling days, eight teams will light up the track with their high-speed machines in what promises to be the festival’s most exhilarating and ambitious season yet. 

    Promoted by Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd, the IRF strives to tap into a rapidly burgeoning motorsports fanbase in India. To capture the imagination of these fans, the IRF offers two championships: the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). For the petrolheads, this Chennai night race, supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu, promises an unparalleled thrill for the region.

    RPPL and the Tamil Nadu government announced the night circuit race on July 29 in a media conference, the event was graced by Dr. Atulya Mishra IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and J. Meghanatha Reddy IAS, Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu along with Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL. They were also joined by former Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and FMSCI President Akbar Ebrahim for the even. Also present were RPPL Director Abhinandan and rising stars in the racing world, Formula 4 drivers Mohammed Ryan and Sandeep Kumar.

    Termed as the Detroit of Southern Asia, Chennai is the country’s motorsports hub. While the metropolis boasts other race tracks and has held multiple race events in the past, the upcoming night race will add additional glory to its rich motorsports heritage and excitement to its burgeoning reputation as the center of all the high-octane action. 

    A 3.5-kilometre stretch, the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit was made by RPPL in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The competing speedsters zoom through the heart of India’s motorsports capital at breath-taking speed, within view of the iconic Marina Beach. The track commences at the Island Grounds and weaves past several key landmarks before rounding back to the starting point. Nineteen turns, multiple chicanes, and tricky elevations punctuate long stretches of the tarmac, keeping both drivers and fans on their toes. 

    As the motorsports fanbase in India grows to new heights, Chennai evolves with it. A dream destination for true petrol heads, India’s motorsports capital will now fall in line with the likes of Singapore and Saudi Arabia, offering a distinct and tantalizing street circuit that will light up under the city lights at night. 

    “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for their exceptional leadership and steadfast backing in making this landmark event possible. Their unwavering support has been crucial in bringing India’s first-night street race to Chennai. This ground-breaking event will offer fans a thrilling new perspective and present drivers with unique challenges in a stunning setting. 

    We are confident it will further establish Chennai as the premier destination for motorsports enthusiasts across the country and inspire a new wave of interest in the sport, which India will experience for the first time,” says Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL. 

    “I assure you that this race will set a new benchmark for motorsports and serve as a dynamic showcase of India as a premier destination for global events. This thrilling spectacle will not only highlight Chennai’s exceptional capabilities but also attract international drivers, positioning India as a top choice for future motorsports competitions in the coming times” he further added.

    The Chennai night race will mark another first for the Indian Racing Festival, which is the foremost event in the motorsports world to offer a gender-neutral racing championship. 

    The six-franchise team league is approved by FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India), making it the most trusted and authentic race destination in the country. Meanwhile, the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship is an open-wheel, single-seater racing event that has begun attracting young, talented, and aspiring drivers from across the country, as well as around the world.

    The Indian Racing Festival has also seen the support of heavyweights like Indian sporting great Sourav Ganguly and Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor as Team Owners, while many more are lined up to join the IRF’s exhilarating racing roster and make it one of the most sought-after sporting properties in India. 

    The latest, adrenaline-fueled season of the IRF gets underway with pre-season testing on August 22 and 23, followed by the opening round on August 24 and 25 at the Madras International Circuit ahead of the much anticipated night race for Round 2, starting August 30, 2024. Eight teams are confirmed to participate in the event with Kolkata and Ahmedabad joining seasons one and two stalwarts Delhi, Kochi, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru at the tracks.

  • Rishon Rajeev tops Seniors; Nikhilesh, Rivaan Dev excel with a double each: Karting Nationals

    Rishon Rajeev tops Seniors; Nikhilesh, Rivaan Dev excel with a double each: Karting Nationals

    Coimbatore, July 29: Bengaluru’s Rishon Rajeev and Nikhilesh Raju, and Rivaan Dev Preetham, the 11-year-old from Chennai, took the honours in their respective categories in the third round of the Meco Fmsci National Rotax Max Karting Championship 2024 at the brand new CoASTT circuit, built by India’s first F1 driver, Narain Karthikeyan, here on Sunday.

    Former champion and Indian F4 driver, Rishon Rajeev (Birel Art India), topped the Pre-Final and the Final in the Senior Max class to underline his dominance. In fact, Rishon won the 19-lap Final by 7.4 seconds with Rayo Racing’s Krish Gupta from Mumbai finishing second and Bengalurean Ruhaan Alva (MSport) coming in third.

    Nikhilesh Raju (Peregrine Racing) extended his win-streak by winning both Pre-Final and Final races in the Junior Max category. He edged out Gurugram’s Aarav Dewan (Leapfrog Racing) in the Final with Eshanth Vengatesan (Chennai, MSport) taking P3 spot. In the Pre-Final too Nikhilesh was a comfortable winner while Eshanth finished second, ahead of Aarav.

    Rivaan Dev Preetham led a 1-2 finish for MSport in the Micro Max Final while finishing comfortably ahead of Rehan Khan R. Rayo Racing’s Danish Dalmiya from Mumbai completed the podium. Earlier, in the Pre-Final, the trio had finished in the same order.

    Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City, V. Balakrishnan and District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati were the chief guests at the prize distribution ceremony.

    The results (Provisional):

    Senior Max – Final (19 laps):1. Rishon Rajeev (Bengaluru, Birel Art India) (14:36.817); 2. Krish Gupta (Mumbai, Rayo Racing) (14:44.230); 3. Ruhaan Alva (Bengaluru, MSport) (14:49.916).

    Pre-final (14 laps): 1. Rishon Rajeev (Bengaluru, Birel Art India) (10:40.150); 2. Rohan Madesh (Bengaluru, Peregrine Racing) (10:40.914); 3. Krish Gupta (Mumbai, Rayo Racing) (10:43.194).

    Junior Max – Final (20 laps): 1. Nikhilesh Raju (Bengaluru, Peregrine Racing) (15:06.695); 2. Aarav Dewan (Gurugram, Leapfrog Racing) (15:09.069); 3. Eshanth Vengatesan (Chennai, MSport) (15:12.905).

    Pre-final (15 laps): 1. Nikhilesh Raju (Bengaluru, Peregrine Racing) (11:19.432); 2. Eshanth Vengatesan (Chennai, MSport) (11:23.919); 3. Aarav Dewan (Gurugram, Leapfrog Racing) (11:25.450).

    Micro Max – Final (20 laps): 1. Rivaan Dev Preetham (Chennai, MSport) (16:07.601); 2. Rehan Khan R (Chennai, MSport) (16:09.439); 3. Danish Dalmiya (Pune, Rayo Racing) (16:14.864).

    Pre-final (15 laps): 1. Rivaan Dev Preetham (Chennai, MSport) (12:08.129); 2. Rehan Khan R (Chennai, MSport) (12:09.135) 3. Danish Dalmiya (Pune, Rayo Racing) (12:14.191).

  • Triple for ‘King of Drag’, Hemanth Muddappa; Jagathishree triumphs

    Triple for ‘King of Drag’, Hemanth Muddappa; Jagathishree triumphs

    Chennai, 28 July 2024: Bengaluru ace, Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing), continued to dominate the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2024 as he claimed a triple crown in the third round at the Madras International Circuit, here on Sunday.

    Consistently crossing the 200 Kmph speed barrier, Muddappa, the 12 times National champion, swept to victories in the Unrestricted, 1051-1650cc and 851-1050cc categories besides finishing second behind Hyderabad’s Mohammed Riyaz in the 551-850cc class.

    In the process, Muddappa emulated his triple success in the previous round at the same venue last month and looked set to retain his status as the “King of Drag”.

    Later, Chennai’s Jagathishree Murugesan led a 1-2 finish for One Racing in the Girls (Stock 165cc) category with SP Shuria from Bengaluru placed second ahead of Coimbatore challenger Aisvariya.

    Provisional results (all 4-Stroke unless mentioned):

    Chennai’s Jagathishree Murugesan

    Unrestricted: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (08.110secs); 2. Attaulla Baig (Bengaluru, Pvt) (08.112); 3. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru, Fast Track Racing) (08.385).

    1051-1650cc (Super Sport): 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (07. 970s); 2. Attaulla Baig (Bengaluru, Pvt) (08.196s); 3. Aymaan Baig (Bengaluru, Pvt) (08.227s).

    851-1050cc (SS): 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (08.006s); 2. Niranjan R Kumar (Bengaluru, Pvt) (08.805s); 3. Khaja Awais Ahmed (Hyderabad, Pvt) (08.866s).

    551-850cc (SS): 1. Mohammed Riyaz (Hyderabad, Pvt) (08.407s); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (08.418s); 3. Altaf Khan (Hyderabad, Pvt) (08.684s).

    361-550cc (SS Indian): 1. Jason D’Souza (Mumbai, Mantra Racing) (12.136s); 2. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru, Fast Track Racing) (12.456s); Iqbal Shaikh (Bengaluru, Pvt) (12.458s).

    166-225cc (SS): 1. Prashanth S (Bengaluru, Pvt) (13.719); 2. Prashanth K (Chennai, Pvt) (14.023); 3. Govardhan R (Chennai, Pvt) (14.154).

    Up to 165cc (SS Indian): 1. Shashi Kiran V (Bengaluru, Pvt) (14.143s); 2. Bharathraj J (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (14.281s); 3. Abdul Basim (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (14.319s).

    Girls (Stock 165cc): 1. Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai, One Racing) (16.781s); 2. SP Shuria (Bengaluru, One Racing) (17.305s); 3. Aisvariya (Coimbatore, Motul Sparks Racing) (17.449s).

    2-Stroke (131-165cc, SS): 1. Syed Imran (Bengaluru, Fast Track Racing) (13.019); 2. Prashanth S (Bengaluru, Pvt) (13.286); 3. Balasubramanian (Chennai, ACCSYS India Rookies Racing) (13.315).

    2-Stroke (Up to 130cc, SS): 1. Shahrukh Khan (Mumbai, Pvt) (13.488s); 2. Syed Imran (Bengaluru, Fast Track Racing) (13.499); 3. Ashok S (Bengaluru, Pvt) (13.650).

  • Hamilton takes victory after Russell was disqualified: F1

    Hamilton takes victory after Russell was disqualified: F1

    Spa, 28 July 2024: George Russell has been disqualified from the Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes W15 was below the 798kg minimum weight, handing victory to team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

    Russell took a sensational win at Spa with a well-worked one-stop strategy, but following the race the FIA Technical Delegate reported that while Russell’s car was initially weighted it met the minimum weight of 798.0 kg. However, when “fuel was drained out of the car and 2.8 litres of fuel were removed” to get the required sample, the car was weighed again and “the weight was 796.5 kg… 1.5 kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1”. 

    The matter was referred to the Race Stewards and after hearing from a Mercedes team representative that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team, the Stewards determined that Article 4.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations had been breached and Russell was disqualified from the race result. 

    The ruling means that Lewis Hamilton inherits his 105th win in Formula 1, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moving up to second place. Charles Leclerc claims a 36th career podium finish with P3. With the rest of the field also moving up a place, RB’s Daniel Ricciardo claims his third points finish of the season with 10th place. 

    Surprise by Russell

    Earlier, George Russell springs a strategic surprise at Spa, making a one-stop strategy work to snatch a third career grand prix victory from under the nose of long time race leader Lewis Hamilton who finished a little over half a second ahead behind his Mercedes team-mate and 0.6s clear of third-placed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. 

    At the start of the race, Ferrari polesitter Charles Leclerc got away well to take the lead. Behind him fellow front-row starter Sergio Pérez was slower off the line and into La Source he was passed by Hamilton. Behind them McLaren’s Lando Norris took a wide line and on the exit of Turn 1 dipped a wheel onto the gravel. That allowed Piastri, Russell and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to power past as the quartet went into Eau Rouge. 

    Further back, from P11 on the grid, Max Verstappen got away well and on lap one the Dutchman kicked off what was expected to be a rapid charge through the field by passing Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Williams’ Alex Albon and then on lap 2 he picked off Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso to close in on Norris who was now seventh. 

    On the next lap, with DRS in play, Hamilton closed up to Leclerc through Eau Rouge and on the long Kemmel straight the Mercedes driver powered past the Ferrari to take the lead. Behind them Pérez held on to third under pressure from Piastri with Russell in fifth ahead of Sainz. 

    Behind them, Verstappen was bottled up behind Norris and Red Bull opted to pit the Dutchman on lap 10 hoping for an undercut. That sparked a flood of stops among the frontrunners and after the pit visits had played out, Hard tyre starter Sainz rose to P1 ahead of Hamilton and Leclerc. Pérez, though, emerged from his stop behind the slower Aston Martin of Lance Stroll and that allowed Piastri to close in. Stroll exited the picture when Aston called him to the pits, but Piastri was now right behind Pérez and on the run to Les Combes, aided by DRS, the Australian flew past to take P4. 

    Norris was the last of the frontrunners to pit, five laps after Max, and when the McLaren driver rejoined on Hard tyres, Verstappen was well ahead and beginning to close on Russell and Pérez who was now fifth.  

    The Mexican was struggling for pace on the straights, however, and he was soon passed by Russell. That put the Pérez directly in the path of Verstappen and with the Dutch driver bottled up, Norris on fresher tyres began to close on both. That prompted Red Bull to put Pérez early and the Mexican faced a long, hard slog on Hard tyres to the end of the race.

    Leclerc sparked the final round of stop at the end of lap 25 and when the tyre changes had played out, Russell, who had eschewed new rubber and had suddenly decided that a one-stop was viable, led the race ahead of Hamilton and Leclerc, with Piastri in fourth. Verstappen was now in P5, under a second clear of Norris and behind them Pérez lay seventh. 

    On lap 36 Piastri, after one failed attempt at passing Leclerc, closed up to the Ferrari on the exit of La Source. Leclerc defended hard as the pair entered the braking zone for Les Combes but Piastri hung on around the outside and then firmly shut the door on Leclerc as they exited the chicane to take third place, 5.6s behind Hamilton. 

    On lap 39, Pérez came under pressure from Sainz and though the Mexican defended as best he could on ageing tyres, Sainz muscled his way past on the Kemmel straight to demote the Red Bull driver to P8. 

    Over the final five laps, all of the frontrunners closed in on Russell but remarkably the Mercedes driver was able to keep his fading Hard tyres alive to keep Hamilton and Piastri at bay and at the end of the 44 laps Russell took his third career win just half a second ahead of Hamilton with Piastri a tenth further back in third. 

    Leclerc clung on behind them, just six tenths ahead of Verstappen who took fifth place, another half second ahead of Norris. Sainz finished in seventh and Pérez ended the race in eighth. However, with more than half a minute in hand over Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, the Mexican made a late stop for Soft tyres and banked an extra point with a fastest lap of 1:44.701 in the final laps. Tenth place went to Ocon who edged RB’s Daniel Ricciardo out of the points-paying positions in the closing stages. 

    2024 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Race 
    1 George Russell Mercedes 44 1:19’57.040 
    2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 44 1:19’57.566 0.526
    3 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 44 1:19’58.213 1.173
    4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 44 1:20’05.589 8.549
    5 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 44 1:20’06.266 9.226
    6 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 44 1:20’06.890 9.850
    7 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 44 1:20’16.835 19.795
    8 Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 44 1:20’40.235 43.195
    9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 44 1:20’47.003 49.963
    10 Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 44 1:20’49.592 52.552
    11 Daniel Ricciardo RB/Honda RBPT 44 1:20’51.966 54.926
    12 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 44 1:21’00.051 1’03.011
    13 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 44 1:21’00.691 1’03.651
    14 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 44 1:21’01.405 1’04.365
    15 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 44 1:21’03.671 1’06.631
    16 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 44 1:21’07.678 1’10.638
    17 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 44 1:21’13.777 1’16.737
    18 Logan Sargeant Williams/Mercedes 44 1:21’23.097 1’26.057
    19 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 44 1:21’25.873 1’28.833
         Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 5 11’00.351 Hydraulics

  • Sarthak Chavan gets podium: TVS one-make event at ARRC

    Sarthak Chavan gets podium: TVS one-make event at ARRC

    Lombok Island (Indonesia), 27 July 2024: India’s Sarthak Chavan, the 17-year-old from Pune, delivered a podium finish, his second this season, in the fourth round of the TVS Asia One Make Championship which is part of the Asian Road Racing Championship at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia, on Saturday.

    In a tight race, Sarthak, who started from P3, came in third behind championship leader Hiroki Ono (Japan) and Malaysian Mohd Ramdan Rosli (Malaysia). Another Indian, Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru, was fourth in the race. Less than one second separated the top four finishers.