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Author: David Bodapati
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Newcomer Estonia to host 2020 WRC restart
Tallinn (Estonia), 2 July 2020: Estonia will host the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time in September when the 2020 series restarts following an enforced break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rally Estonia (4 – 6 September) joins the fixture list after running as a WRC Promotional Event in 2019. The country will become the 33rd nation to stage a championship round since the series started in 1973.
In a revised calendar announced by FIA and WRC Promoter, Rally Italia Sardegna moves to 29 October – 1 November after being postponed in June as the virus temporarily halted the championship after three rounds.
Estonia’s gravel road encounter precedes scheduled events in Turkey (24 – 27 September) and Germany (15 – 18 October) in the new schedule. Next up is Italy, before the season-closing return of Japan (19 – 22 November), whose date also remains unchanged.
The championship will comprise at least eight events and WRC Promoter will continue its already advanced talks with Ypres Rally (2 – 4 October), with the aim of presenting Belgium as another available host country shortly. Talks with the Croatian Automobile & Karting Federation will also move forward.
Rally Argentina, which was postponed from its original date in April, and which traditionally attracts almost a million fans to Cordoba province, has unfortunately now been cancelled for the season.
Estonia’s WRC debut was announced at a press conference in Tallinn today (Thursday) attended by Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and WRC Promoter managing director Oliver Ciesla. It will ensure an emotional weekend for reigning world champion Ott Tänak, who will have the opportunity to compete in front of his home fans on a WRC round for the first time.
Rally Estonia will be a short format event comprising two legs on Saturday and Sunday after a shakedown and opening ceremony on Friday. It will be based in Tartu, in the east of the country, with the service park at the Estonian National Museum. Full details will be announced shortly.
Rally Italia Sardegna’s switch from Europe’s early summer to autumn means crews will face cooler conditions on tough gravel tracks in the north of the Mediterranean island. It will be based in Alghero and details of the itinerary will be confirmed soon.
WRC successfully completed the first three rounds in Monte-Carlo, Sweden and Mexico before Coronavirus put the brakes on the series. Six-time champion Sébastien Ogier leads the drivers’ standings with his Toyota Gazoo Racing squad topping the manufacturers’ points.
WRC Promoter managing director Oliver Ciesla said a September restart allowed sufficient lead time for event organisers and competitors to be fully prepared: “Today’s restart announcement sends a clear signal that the 2020 WRC is back in business,” he said.
“WRC Promoter has worked tirelessly with the FIA, our competitors, teams and potential rallies, in exceptional circumstances, to revise the calendar. Today’s news allows the WRC to restart at an appropriate time and ensure a season worthy of world championship status.
“Fans demonstrate huge passion for WRC in both Estonia and Italy. The expectation there, and across the sport in general, will build rapidly from now ahead of September’s championship restart,” added Ciesla.
FIA Rally Director Yves Matton said: “I am pleased to announce the 2020 WRC restart calendar following a few months of discussions that have required a great deal of flexibility from all stakeholders in unprecedented times. In light of this revised schedule, I am confident we will secure a minimum of eight events this year and this is thanks to the great commitment and work from organisers.
“As one of the newly proposed rounds, Rally Estonia will be reopening the season in September and I know the Estonian Autosport Union and organising team are putting all their efforts to deliver an event to world championship standards from an already solid foundation.
“Also, extensive work was made with ACI and organisers of Rally Italia Sardegna to reschedule the event and I am happy that they could find a workable slot at the end of October for this much-awaited encounter.
“Preparations for these rounds are now in full swing while paying the greatest attention to key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the current Covid-19 context.
“We are naturally truly disappointed we couldn’t find a logistically viable solution to reschedule Rally Argentina, particularly given all the hard work undertaken by Automóvil Club Argentino and every member of the organisation,” concluded Matton.
All remaining events are eligible for competitors in the WRC 2 and WRC 3 support categories. Future dates for the FIA Junior WRC Championship will be announced separately.
The revised 2020 calendar is:
Round Rally Date 1 Monte-Carlo 23 – 26 January 2 Sweden 13 – 16 February 3 Mexico 12 – 15 March 4 Estonia 4 – 6 September 5 Turkey 24 – 27 September 6 Germany 15 – 18 October 7 Italy 29 October – 1 November 8 Japan 19 – 22 November * Belgium’s Ypres Rally (2 – 4 October) and Croatia (date TBC) remain as further calendar options.
Photo credit WRC Promoter: 2019 Rally Estonia, Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja, TGR
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Jehan Daruvala excited to make F2 debut with Carlin
Spielberg (Austria), 30 June 2020: India’s top racing driver Jehan Daruvala, who was signed up by the Red Bull team last February for their Junior programme is excited to begin the 2020 season as he makes his Formula 2 debut after a successful F3 in 2019. The first round will be held along with the first Formula 1 race of the season, the Rolex Grosser Preis Von Osterreich, here this weekend.
“It’s race week and it has been a long wait for everyone and I’m really excited to get my debut season in the FIA F2 championship this week in Austria,” tweeted the Indian ace, who is billed as the best chance to be the next Indian F1 driver.
Unlike 2019, F3 teammates Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong, Jehan Daruvala didn’t come up through the ranks at PREMA Racing and into F3, but he did stand out to them when they were looking at their options for 2019 and they wanted him to be a part of their project.
He repaid their faith in him tenfold, winning two of the opening four races and quickly establishing himself as a title challenger.
While he would eventually falter to the dominant Shwartzman and finish third in the Championship, he had earned his shot at F2. He has been given a chance by his former European F3 team Carlin, while also being snapped up by the Red Bull Driver Academy.
Excels at testing
Earlier in March, Daruvala excelled in the pre-season testing. “At the end of the day it’s a race car, so you push it to the limit.” Jehan Daruvala is in no doubt as to how he’ll approach his maiden FIA Formula 2 race, and after a dazzling display in pre-season testing, who can blame him?
Stepping up from Formula 3, the Carlin rookie was a surprise package in the testing stint in Sakhir in March. The Indian made his first ever appearance in F2 machinery around the Bahrain International Circuit, but you’d not have guessed it.
Finishing third on Day 1 and first on Day 2, Daruvala found instant harmony with the car, and the new 18-inch Pirelli tyres.
“It feels very good, I am quite happy with how things went,” an elated Daruvala said on that day. “It took me some time to get used to the turbo and stuff during the first morning, but once you find the limit, it feels good.
Divine Leveller
“I think that it’s going to be a big learning curve with the new rims, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The new tyres could play the role of divine leveller in F2 this season, putting rookies on more of an even playing field with the experienced drivers in the paddock. Daruvala appreciates this more than most, having never previously driven on the old ones in F2 – the Indian was forced to sit out the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi due to a training injury.
“It does change some characteristics,” he explained. “It’s a bit easier to lock tyres and harder on traction. I obviously hadn’t driven the car before, but that is what the engineers are telling me,” he told F2 webstie in March.
“It is new for everyone though, so hopefully the rookies have less of a disadvantage. We had a lot of driving over the three days, so there was time to learn and get ready for Round 1.”
The 21-year-old finished third in F3 last season with Team Champions PREMA Racing, forming a prolific partnership with Italians. He notched two wins and seven podiums, narrowly missing out on the title in final round.
For 2020, he is back with his old European F3 team, Carlin, and has also been snapped up by the Red Bull Driver Academy, who had kept a keen eye on his progression with PREMA last year.
Not normally one for sentiment, the Indian admitted that this particular deal, felt a little different. “I am not really an emotional kind of guy,” he said. “But, that is probably the most happy and emotional I have been, when I finally made it official and signed with them. I am very proud to run under their sponsorship and logos and I hope to do well for them this year.”
“I worked with Carlin before as well and I have similar engineers, so I am very happy to join them and hopefully we can enjoy a good successful season together.”
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Silver Arrows to run in all-black to stand against racism
- The Silver Arrows will run an all-black base livery for the 2020 season
- A statement that we stand against racism and discrimination in all forms
- A public pledge to further improve the diversity of our team and our sport
Brackley, 29 June 2020: When Formula One returns to racing this weekend in Austria, it will do so in a world that has changed profoundly since the teams last gathered in Melbourne in early March. Our sport’s united response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, in the form of Project Pitlane, showcased the very best capability that Formula One has to offer.
However, in the past five weeks, the Black Lives Matter movement has shone a searching light on how much we need new measures and actions in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. As a team, we have used the past weeks to listen to the perspectives of our team members, to learn and to reflect on our team as it is today and how we want it to be in the future.
We are proud of our culture and our values. We prize the contribution of every individual, and our team members tell us that the experience within our team is an inclusive one. But in our organisation, just three per cent of our workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% of our employees are women. This lack of diversity shows that we need to find new approaches to attract talent from many areas of society we do not currently reach. We know that our team will be stronger if we can attract talents from the broadest possible pool and we are committed to achieving this through positive action.
For 2020, we have chosen to race in an all-black base livery as a public pledge to improve the diversity of our team – and a clear statement that we stand against racism and all forms of discrimination. The call to ‘End Racism’ will feature on the halo of both cars, and the united F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be featured on the mirrors of the W11.
Before the end of this season, we will announce a Diversity and Inclusion programme that will include but not be limited to: continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of our team members; forensic analysis of our recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the sport’s key stakeholders to improve accessibility to our sport; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach F1. We know that it will take time to build the right strategy, and consistent effort and investment year on year, and decade on decade, to make a measurable difference; our commitment to doing this is irreversible.
Markus Schaefer, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, Responsible for Group Research and Non-Executive Chairman of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team said: “In recent weeks, events around the world have reinforced the importance of continuing to fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. At Mercedes, we know that the strength of our organisation lies in the diversity of our people, and we are proud to be able to use one of our most prominent global platforms to signal our commitment to this fundamental principle of our society and our business.”
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team commented: “Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn’t enough if we remain silent. We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport. We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action. We intend to find and attract the very best talents from the broadest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, in order to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank our parent company Mercedes-Benz and our family of team partners who have supported and encouraged this initiative.”
At the heart of our commitment to fighting racism and discrimination are our drivers, and most prominently six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Lewis recently announced the formation of the Hamilton Commission, a research partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering dedicated to exploring how motorsport can be used to engage more young people from Black backgrounds with STEM subjects and ultimately employ them on our teams or in other engineering sectors. Lewis and Valtteri will race in black overalls for the 2020 season, with both drivers also adapting their helmet designs.
Lewis Hamilton said: “It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change. When I spoke to Toto about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united. I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business. We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change.”
Valtteri Bottas concluded: “Formula One is a world that is defined by performance, but it still contains many barriers for people who come from backgrounds that haven’t traditionally been part of the sport. We know that our teams are stronger when they are more representative of the society we are part of, and it is important for us to be united and show our commitment to change. Racism and discrimination have no place in our sport or in our society and I am proud to stand with the team, with Lewis and with Mercedes-Benz in making this important statement.”
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Aashi for FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars shoot-out
Mumbai, 28 June 2020: Mumbai’s rising racing star Aashi Hanspal has been shortlisted for FIA’s ambitious Girls on Track – Rising Stars Project, FMSCI announced here on Sunday.
Thirteen-year-old Aashi has been selected along with 19 others in the age group of 12-16 out of 70 entries from five continents; as the first step, she will take part in the ‘Shoot Out’ at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France on October 12 and 13.
“Should you be successful, you will join our training camps, and potentially have the opportunity to become (Team Ferrari’s) first-ever female driver obtaining a partnership agreement with the Ferrari Driver Academy, including participation in an FIA Formula 4 racing season,” Michele Mouton, President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, said in her letter to Aashi. The Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA), the world body for motorsports, said that the training-cum-selection process would entail four legs:
• Shoot Out – October 12-13, 2020, Paul Ricard, France – To select Top 12- Training Camp 1 (Karting) – Oct 14-15, Paul Ricard, France- To select Top 8
- Training Camp 2 (F4) – November 3-4, Paul Ricard, France – To select Final 4 .
- Ferrari Driver Academy Training Camp (F4) – November 9-13 (TBC), Maranello, Italy – To select the winner.
“This is a great moment for women in Indian Motorsport,” Sita Raina, Chairperson of FMSCI’s own Women in Motorsports Commission, said. “Aashi has shown her mettle during the last season and has the potential to become a future star,” she added.
Coached by 8-time national car racing champion Rayomand Banajee at the Rayo Racing Academy in Mumbai, Aashi recorded five podium finishes in her maiden national karting season last year and was conferred the Outstanding Women in Motorsports Award by FMSCI for her podium placings.
“The dates have been chosen to enable the shortlisted girls to travel from different parts of the world, despite the current travel restrictions due to the coronavirus crisis,” Michele Mouton said in her letter. -
Ducati Test team returns to track for 3 days of private testing
Misano, 25 June 2020: The Ducati Test Team and Michele Pirro finally returned to the track in Misano after the lockdown, for three days of private testing on the circuit named after Marco Simoncelli, here on Tuesday.
The Ducati Test Team and Michele Pirro completed the third and final day of testing at Misano World Circuit Thursday, finally resuming activities on track after the long suspension caused in recent months by the Corona virus emergency.
After the Sepang Shakedown Test held in the first week of February, the rider of San Giovanni Rotondo was able to return in the saddle of the Ducati Desmosedici GP20 bike on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Italian circuit located in Emilia Romagna, where he resumed the final preparations for the 2020 MotoGP season, which will finally kick off on the July 19 at the Spanish circuit of Jerez de la Frontera.
Thanks to the favourable weather conditions during the three days, Pirro was able to complete the testing program scheduled with the team engineers, completing a total of 178 laps, setting good lap times and putting in his fastest lap in 1:33.000 on the final day.
Moreover, the Ducati Test Team was also able to test the safety protocol that will be adopted during the MotoGP events scheduled for this year. Apart from the adoption of individual protection devices, the Italian team has also introduced a communication system between technicians and the rider via microphones and earphones, in order to allow normal conversations in the pit garages, while maintaining the appropriate safe distances.
A team engineer talks to Michele Pirro, test rider, at Misano on Thursday with protective gear. A Ducati image Michele Pirro (Ducati Test Team, #51)
“It was a positive three-day test, which has allowed us to regain some confidence with the bike after the long break of these months. Despite the scorching heat, the track, which was recently resurfaced, was in excellent condition and allowed me to feel comfortable immediately. We were able to set good lap times, which make us confident for the two races scheduled for September. We’ve been working on several electronics components and some aspects that were still pending after the Shakedown Test in Sepang. We are sure that thanks to these three days, the Ducati riders will be able to arrive at the first MotoGP race in Jerez ready to be immediately at the highest level of competitiveness.”
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F1 to fight against racism; pledges to increase diversity and opportunity in sport
Paris, 22 June 2020: Formula 1 today launched a new initiative call “We Race As One” in support of “Purpose Driven” movement last week by FIA, the governing body of Motorsports in the World.
“As Formula 1 returns after a four-month break, we believe we must return with added purpose and determination to tackle the major issues that we as a sport, but also society, are facing,” began a Press Release from Formula 1.
The release added: 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. Last November we launched our sustainability strategy to make our sport net zero carbon by 2030, improve diversity and inclusion in Formula 1 and to support communities. Recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us take action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and to have a positive impact on the world we live in.
In recent months, the whole world has come together as one collective community in the fight against COVID-19 and it has brought out the best in human nature. In recent weeks people from all walks of life have united in their condemnation of racism and inequality, something that has no place in our modern world.
We believe that as the first international sport to return we can make a difference and use our voice to address these vital issues. As a member of the global FIA motorsport family, we acknowledge its Fundamental Principles Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination.
That is why today, ahead of our season start, Formula 1 announces our new #WeRaceAsOne initiative, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week. This initiative will be the platform for the priorities set out above and is aimed at tackling the biggest issues facing our sport and global communities. It will not be a one week or one-year theme that disappears as issues disappear from headlines, it will underpin the Formula 1 strategy to make a tangible difference in our sport and society.
Recognising the two major issues dominating society’s consciousness at this time, COVID-19, and inequality we will use our opening race to thank people around the world for the incredible strength and fortitude they have shown against a global pandemic. Everyone from key workers through to families and individuals that have endured lockdown to tackle the virus deserve our thanks and gratitude. Equally we want to use 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.
Therefore, ahead of our first race in Austria on 3-5 July and with the support of the teams and our partners Formula 1 will be saying thank you to key workers and individuals around the world by displaying rainbows on the Formula 1 cars and around the race circuit with the hashtag #WeRaceAsOne. The rainbow has been chosen as it has become a symbol used internationally in the recent crisis to bring communities together. We believe this important gesture will encourage our fans to join us in saying thank you. The rainbow initiative will continue throughout the season.
During the race weekend in Austria we will take a stand against racism. This will include visual displays of support in the fight against racism. In addition to the visual display of support we will also announce later this week clear pledges to increase diversity and opportunity in our sport. This will include setting up a Formula 1 Task Force that will listen to people from across the paddock, including the drivers, as well as externals and make conclusions on the actions required to improve the diversity and opportunity in Formula 1 at all levels. Further details of the Task Force will be set out in the coming weeks and the visual displays of support at the first race will be seen for the first time during the race weekend.
We Race As One logo released by F1 Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Our first race in Austria at the start of July is a big moment for our sport after nearly four months of no racing. While it is an important moment for the Formula 1 community it is also a time to recognise the issues that are bigger than any one sport or country.
“The #WeRaceAsOne initiative we have launched today, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week, is our way of saying thank you to the bravery and unity everyone around the world has shown during this unprecedented time. It will also be a platform for Formula 1 to come together and achieve results against the most important issues facing us as a sport and the world. That is why at our first race in Austria Formula 1 will stand united to say loud and clear that racism must end. We will show our full support in fighting inequality throughout the weekend and accelerate our own efforts to make Formula 1 more diverse and inclusive. As a global sport we must represent the diversity and social concerns of our fans, but we also need to listen more and understand what needs to be done and get on with delivering.”
Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said: The “New Deal” I propose for motor sport in the context of COVID-19 pandemic means laying the foundations for the recovery and a sustainable future for Formula 1 and other disciplines. It includes new rules to reduce costs as well as initiatives to increase the popularity and accessibility of motor sport. Importantly, it shall also harness the positive contribution motor sport brings to society, covering all sectors from health, safety, economy, environment, education, inclusion and diversity.
“This is the intention of the #PurposeDriven Movement we launched last Thursday, and I am very pleased to welcome the #WeRaceAsOne initiative as part of this collective effort. With Formula 1, we have already been committed for many years to helping to protect the environment with, for example, hybrid engines and the signing of the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework. The FIA is guided by the Fundamental Principles of its Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination and notably on account of skin colour, gender, religion, ethnic or social origin. We must promote diversity in motor sport.”
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Sound of the SF1000 paraded by Charles Leclerc wakes up Scuderia Ferrari 2020 season
Maranello, 18 June 2020: Maranello was woken at the crack of dawn today by a very special sound, as Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow’s 2020 Formula 1 season is finally underway again. To mark this special occasion, which comes after some dreadful months due to the pandemic, came the sound of the SF1000 paraded by Charles Leclerc on a truly unique route.
After 110 days. Three and a half months on from the final day of testing at the Barcelona track, 110 days ago to be precise, the Scuderia crew fired up the SF1000 engine before it set off from the Officina Classiche, in the heart of the historic Maranello factory, where, some time ago, the racing department was based. Leclerc therefore emerged through the same gate that Enzo Ferrari used on 12 March 1947, in the first car to bear his name, the 125 S.Iconic locations. After crossing a deserted Via Abetone Inferiore, the SF1000 passed in front of the Gestione Sportiva in Via Enzo Ferrari 27, where all the Scuderia’s Formula 1 cars have been designed, built and developed since 2015. Charles then drove on past the Maranello Museum, another significant building for enthusiasts, which is home to some of the most beautiful Ferraris built over the past 73 years.
Image courtesy Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow F1 team. Finish line. Leclerc is the first driver of the modern era to have driven a Formula 1 car though the streets of Maranello and he ended his run taking Via Gilles Villeneuve on his way to the legendary Fiorano Track. This is the track where every road going Ferrari since 1972 is driven for the first time and, until testing restrictions were introduced, it was also the proving ground for every Formula 1 car to come out of Maranello.
Austria. The long enforced break is finally over: the SF1000 is up and running again. The next time the 2020 F1 engines will be heard will be on Friday 3 July, during the first free practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix.Charles Leclerc, #16, says: “I don’t normally like getting up early, but this morning there was a great reason to do so. Maybe it woke a few people up, but it was great to drive through the streets of Maranello in the SF1000.
“It was exciting to get back in the car today, particularly on such a special route. Being back in the cockpit felt like coming home again. It seemed like a fun way of saying we are ready to get back on track. Now I can’t wait to drive the SF1000 in Austria.” -
Formula 1 races in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan stand cancelled
Paris, 12 June 2020: Following the announcement earlier this month confirming the opening eight races of the Formula 1 calendar, Formula 1 is working with all partners to finalise the remaining calendar for the season.
We are confident in our plans to have between 15-18 races by the time our season concludes in Abu Dhabi in mid-December and expect to publish the finalised calendar before we start our season in Austria.
As part of the discussions to finalise our calendar, we have maintained close dialogues with our promoters and authorities and continue to monitor the specific and varying COVID-19 developments in each country. At all times we will ensure the safety of the Formula 1 community and the communities we visit is the number one priority.
As a result of the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19, we and our promoters in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have taken the decision to cancel their races for the 2020 season. These decisions have been taken due to the different challenges our promoters face in those countries. In Singapore and Azerbaijan the long lead times required to construct street circuits made hosting the events during a period of uncertainty impossible and in Japan, ongoing travel restrictions also led to the decision not to proceed with the race.
At the same time we have made significant progress with existing and new promoters on the revised calendar and have been particularly encouraged by the interest that has been shown by new venues in hosting a Formula 1 race during the 2020 season.
We appreciate this is still a time of uncertainty and complexity around the world and will continue to ensure we proceed with the 2020 season in a cautious and flexible way. We have detailed and robust safety plans in place to ensure we begin our season in the safest possible way.
About Formula 1
Formula 1 racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 22 races in 22 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship. Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation. The F1 logo, F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company.
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We want to send talented drivers for ERC, says Vamsi Merla
Bangalore, 12 June 2020: The Champions Group has started providing free rally training sessions in Mysore for drivers who are newcomers, and novice lady drivers to promote `Women in Motorsports’, according to Vamsi Merla of Champions Yacht Club (CYC), the Promoters of the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) for 2020.
The training sessions for the newcomers are being undertaken by ace rally driver and Autocross champion Den Thimmaiah and all the infrastructure including the rally-prepared cars are being provided by the Promoters. “Soon we will rope in other senior drivers to take the training sessions. Last year, the drivers trained by Gaurav Gill have done admirably during the season and we want to continue to nurture these young and talented drivers,” he added.
“We will be training the drivers in basics of rallying but important tips like how to nurture the car are being given prominence,” said Den Thimmaiah, former INRC round winner in his class.
The Promoters, who are into their second year, are getting ready for the Rally season which was affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. “All the preparations are going on and we are ready from our side and even the organisers of the individual rounds are ready and we are expecting the season to begin in September. If all goes well, the first round will begin with the South India Rally in Chennai,” said Vamsi, the Director of the Champions Yacht Club. However, he cautioned, “I am very eager to start immediately. But it is better not to start if we are putting the drivers at risk. For me, the drivers are very important.”
Vamsi Merla of Champions Yacht Group, the INRC Promoters The promoters have made sincere efforts to not only sponsor many drivers from Team Champions’ side but have also supported many other drivers by getting sponsorships, at least in part, from different corporate houses, and one prominent name is JK Tyres. They have also announced free entry and support in the form of tyres and free transportation of the cars for all woman rally drivers.
In one of his rare interviews to `Indian Motoring’ on Instagram recently, Vamsi Merla revealed how he took to the sport. “I always loved speed and occasionally used to enjoy and do speed drives on the Nice road near Bangalore. Once, a gentleman stopped me and said: `If you have talent go and race on race tracks but don’t play with your life.’ That has changed my life and after that I took part in rallies where I noticed the scenario in INRC and realised that talented and skilled drivers are not able to continue rallying for want of sponsors. That is when I started Team Champions.”
Talking about sponsors, he said that big Corporates like Accenture support F1 but not the local motorsports or the local drivers. “So I thought let’s start something and then I thought everybody will join me. It is actually, not me. Everybody should join to support Indian Motorsports,” he said. Talking about the Director of Champions Group, he said: “Mr Shubakara Rao went to a large extent. But how far can he stretch his limit. I too want to support everyone. My mind tells me support all these drivers but my resources tell me, you can only do this much,” he lamented.
Asked about the tyre giants, Vamsi praised both MRF and JK Tyres, saying that both of them have supported Motorsports from the very beginning. “They are the lifeline of the sport. But what I have seen in the commitment and dedication. I have never in my life seen such committed people in their companies. It is because of such dedicated employees, the companies are doing well. Whether it is Sanjay Sharma or Hari Singh of JK Tyres, or Madhusudhan or Murali of MRF. These are the names that come to my mind immediately but it is such sincere stalwarts who put their companies above their own families that keep the ball rolling. I am pleasantly surprised to see such dedication,” he said.
Vamsi promoted a concept of rallying, similar to that of a league where Indian States can support rally teams. “I am approaching different State Governments. Like, if each State promotes two drivers and two cars, it is not much of a burden. AP Tourism, Karnataka Tourism and others should chip in. Goa Tourism and North East, have already supported some rallies in the past. I will get the support from the Telugu States and I need friends in other States to talk to the governments,” he put forth an idea.
In reply to a query, he said that the promoters are supporting drivers from all zones in the country and he named some youngsters who are doing well like Arjun Rao, Fabid Arakkal, Aditya Thakur and Mohamad Kaif from Bhopal. “Off the cuff, these names come to my mind and I have missed some names. But these are talented ones and if nurtured properly, they can go a long way,” he felt.
Finally, talking about talented drivers he said that they should be promoted abroad. “At the end of the day, it is not just rallying in India. I want to support and get sponsors too, so that our talented drivers can go abroad and take part in bigger events. Once they get laurels for the country, I will be proud. I wanted to start with the European Rally Championship but due to COVID situation, we had put if off for now,” he concluded.
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MMSC upgrades Marshals’ cabins; Grandstand to be ready by September
Chennai, 10 June 2020: With the easing of lockdown restrictions, the Madras Motor Sports Club is gearing itself up for the “new normal” with a slew of measures conforming to government regulations to create a safe environment at the iconic MMRT circuit here while also carrying out upgrades to the track.
Keeping in mind the situation arising out of Covid-19 virus, the MMSC will implement safety protocols as mandated by the government at the MMRT. Simultaneously, a new grandstand, digital flags that can be operated from the Race Control room and self-contained Marshal posts are being added to the facility.
A model of the Grandstand that is being built at MMRT circuit. An MMSC image MMSC president Ajit Thomas said: “This is a difficult and sensitive phase we are going through and it is MMSC’s endeavour to ensure that track users, be it vehicle manufacturers who test their products here or the competitors, are provided a safe and healthy environment.
“In this context, we have already put in place the ‘new normal’ protocols such as thermal temperature check at the entrance, social distancing and hand sanitisation, as per government regulations.”
The track has been active for the past few days with testing sessions by vehicle manufacturers, and the facility will be opened to car and bike competitors from June 14 for paid practice sessions.
Regarding various upgrades to the track, MMSC vice-president Vicky Chandhok, who is also Chairman of Racing Events, said: “The track is open for non-sporting activity as we try to ease into a situation and conditions we are not familiar with. So, we are not taking anything for granted or lightly. Health and safety of our employees, officials, competitors and visitors are our priority.
“To start with, for the practice sessions, we will be restricting the number of persons attached to each vehicle to two in the case of cars and one for bikes. This will help us enforce social distancing with a gap of at least 10 feet between them. Next up are the Marshals who play a critical role during races. We are replacing all 21 existing Marshal posts with new, self-contained locked enclosures that will protect them from elements, and numbered as per FIA and FIM international standards.
“We are close to finalising a deal with Tag Heuer for digital flags that will considerably reduce the number of Marshals. We plan to install 12 digital flags at select spots around the track to start off with and go on to 21 in due course. Having said that, I must emphasise that there would be absolutely no compromise on safety and we will have sufficient staff to handle any on-track incidents.”
MMSC is also addressing a long-felt need for a permanent grandstand along the start-finish straight, facing the eastern paddock and pits. “For the moment, it would be a 600-seater structure with a provision for expansion. The bottom rung of the stand will start three metres above track surface. Below the stands, we are providing space for two-wheeler academies with access to the track, food kiosks and self-contained toilets. This facility should be ready by September.
Self -contained cabins for flag marshals at the MMRT. An MMSC image “We also have plans to actively promote the sport at the grassroot level by putting up suitable facilities, the details of which will be announced later,” said Chandhok.
As for sporting events, Chandhok said: “The action will commence with the National Championship in September, by which time, hopefully, the overall situation would have improved.”
Meanwhile, the sport’s World governing body FIA, has extended MMRT circuit’s Grade-2 certification to July 2021 on a request by MMSC and in view of prevailing virus-related situation in India, said Chandhok.
