INDIA in F1

Author: David Bodapati

  • Marquez blasts below the 1:30 bracket at Buriram: MotoGP test

    Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) celebrated his 25th birthday in style at the #ThaiTest, leaving it late to set the first ever sub-1:30 laptime of Buriram quite a way through a mammoth 90+ lap workload for the six-time World Champion. That took the top spot back from teammate Dani Pedrosa, who ended the day second fastest and a tenth and a half down after having led for the majority of the latter stages of the session. Third was another stunning lap from Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing), who was 0.058 off Pedrosa as he continues his run of top performance in 2018.

    One of the big headlines on Saturday was once again aero. Part of Marquez’ 94 laps in the incredible heat of Thailand was spent on an aero package, with the number 93, teammate Pedrosa and HRC test rider Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) – Friday’s fastest – all having tried updates across the Sepang and Thai tests. Behind the lockout for the Repsol squad at the top, Crutchlow was the third quickest Honda and was eighth, but quicker than his Friday lap. The Brit concentrated on test duty rather than a time attack.

    Miller, meanwhile, continued to show how he’s settled into life on the Ducati GP17. By the end of action, a late run from the Australian saw him shoot ahead of teammate Danilo Petrucci – who is on a GP18 and on Ducati test duty, and who ended the day in P6 after hovering further up earlier in the day.

    Fourth and fifth were locked out by Yamaha – on Saturday, Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) led Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) after Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) had been the quicker rider on Friday. Viñales’ best was a 1:30.274, with Zarco just 0.086 behind. Viñales had a more difficult morning before making a big step in the afternoon – aiming to confirm it on Day 3.

    Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), after going second quickest on the first day of the test, was seventh on Day 2 and again top Hamamatsu machine. Starting 2018 healthy after injury problems last year, the Spanish sophomore did around half a century of laps and tried new aero from Suzuki, with the factory fielding the fairing they’d previously had as well as longer and shorter version of a new package. Both Rins and teammate Andrea Iannone, who ended the day in eleventh but only three tenths back on Rins, tried the updates – and both crashed, but with no consequences.

    The Ducati Team, meanwhile, moved on with the program. They have three aero fairings at Buriram as well as a chassis update and continued working on them. On Day 2 Andrea Dovizioso was ninth and teammate Jorge Lorenzo tenth. ‘DesmoDovi’ was just 0.004 off Crutchlow ahead of him and two tenths ahead of Lorenzo, with the Italian putting in over 70 laps and the Spaniard more than 50.

    Two more Independent Team riders on Ducatis took P12 and P13, with Reale Avinta Racing’s Tito Rabat ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) by only 0.028. Both were ahead of Valentino Rossi, who ended the second day in fourteenth.

    Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) completed the top fifteen on Saturday, fastest rookie once again and the last man in the 1:30 bracket. He had a three tenth advantage over key rival Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), with the reigning Moto2™ World Champion doing a best of 1:31.185. His teammate Tom Lüthi did a 1:31.994, with the Sepang test having been his first time on the bike – and he ended the day just ahead of Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Xavier Simeon (Reale Avintia Racing).

    Syahrin, on a MotoGP™ machine for only the second day ever, was impressive once again on Saturday. The Malaysian rider was only 0.004 seconds off fellow rookie Lüthi and was ahead of Simeon by the end of the action.

    Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the fastest KTM on Day 2, in P16 and only 1.144 off the front in order good showing of progress for the Austrian factory. With teammate Pol Espargaro absent due to injury, test rider Mika Kallio was the second representative for the Red Bull-backed team – and the Finn did the most laps of anyone, only a handful off a full 100. Smith says the squad found some good solutions to some issues they encountered in Malaysia – and after trying some things with the front suspension on Saturday, the front of the bike will be the focus on Sunday.

    Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) had a positive first day and ended Day 2 a tiny margin off Smith ahead of him, just 0.017 off the Brit. Noale factory teammate Scott Redding, who ended Friday just behind Espargaro after some technical issues affecting his running, was a little further back on Day 2 as he continues to adapt to the RS-GP.

    Sunday is a slightly different schedule for the #ThaiTest as the action gets underway half an hour earlier at 9:00 local time (GMT +7), and also ends an hour earlier at 17:00.

    Fastest on Saturday:
    1- Marc Marquez (Honda) – 1:29.969
    2 – Dani Pedrosa (Honda) – +0.158
    3- Jack Miller (Ducati) – +0.216

    MotoGP Buriram Test 2018

    Session 2 as of 17/02/2018

    PDF AnalysisPDF Classification

    Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Lead. Gap Prev. Gap Laps Last lap
    1 MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:29.969 91 / 97
    2 PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 1:30.127 0.158 0.158 39 / 71
    3 MILLER, Jack Alma Pramac Racing 1:30.185 0.216 0.058 64 / 69
    4 VIÑALES, Maverick Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1:30.274 0.305 0.089 84 / 90
    5 ZARCO, Johann Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:30.360 0.391 0.086 53 / 60
    6 PETRUCCI, Danilo Alma Pramac Racing 1:30.367 0.398 0.007 31 / 75
    7 RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:30.446 0.477 0.079 55 / 56
    8 CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda CASTROL 1:30.490 0.521 0.044 75 / 85
    9 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1:30.494 0.525 0.004 26 / 78
    10 LORENZO, Jorge Ducati Team 1:30.729 0.760 0.235 22 / 57
    11 IANNONE, Andrea Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:30.775 0.806 0.046 27 / 76
    12 RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1:30.855 0.886 0.080 65 / 69
    13 BAUTISTA, Alvaro Ángel Nieto Team 1:30.883 0.914 0.028 83 / 89
    14 ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1:30.888 0.919 0.005 22 / 65
    15 NAKAGAMI, Takaaki LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1:30.901 0.932 0.013 78 / 83
    16 SMITH, Bradley Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:31.113 1.144 0.212 38 / 79
    17 ESPARGARO, Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.130 1.161 0.017 18 / 65
    18 MORBIDELLI, Franco EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1:31.185 1.216 0.055 47 / 68
    19 KALLIO, Mika Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:31.598 1.629 0.413 95 / 99
    20 REDDING, Scott Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.637 1.668 0.039 20 / 67
    21 ABRAHAM, Karel Ángel Nieto Team 1:31.661 1.692 0.024 68 / 72
    22 LUTHI, Thomas EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1:31.994 2.025 0.333 36 / 71
    23 SYAHRIN, Hafizh Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:31.998 2.029 0.004 37 / 49
    24 SIMEON, Xavier Reale Avintia Racing 1:32.267 2.298 0.269 55 / 60

    Session 1 – 16/02/2018

    PDF AnalysisPDF Classification

    Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Lead. Gap Prev. Gap Laps Last lap
    1 CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda CASTROL 1:30.797 57 / 70
    2 RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:30.809 0.012 0.012 66 / 70
    3 MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:30.912 0.115 0.103 30 / 78
    4 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1:30.945 0.148 0.033 30 / 60
    5 PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 1:30.960 0.163 0.015 70 / 75
    6 PETRUCCI, Danilo Alma Pramac Racing 1:31.003 0.206 0.043 70 / 74
    7 MILLER, Jack Alma Pramac Racing 1:31.044 0.247 0.041 78 / 83
    8 ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1:31.189 0.392 0.145 68 / 74
    9 IANNONE, Andrea Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:31.235 0.438 0.046 70 / 78
    10 LORENZO, Jorge Ducati Team 1:31.246 0.449 0.011 60 / 64
    11 VIÑALES, Maverick Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1:31.294 0.497 0.048 67 / 70
    12 ZARCO, Johann Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:31.305 0.508 0.011 35 / 67
    13 RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1:31.523 0.726 0.218 70 / 85
    14 BAUTISTA, Alvaro Ángel Nieto Team 1:31.525 0.728 0.002 76 / 84
    15 ESPARGARO, Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.662 0.865 0.137 57 / 62
    16 REDDING, Scott Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.685 0.888 0.023 55 / 59
    17 NAKAGAMI, Takaaki LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1:31.692 0.895 0.007 55 / 87
    18 ABRAHAM, Karel Ángel Nieto Team 1:31.698 0.901 0.006 75 / 82
    19 MORBIDELLI, Franco EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1:31.729 0.932 0.031 67 / 72
    20 SMITH, Bradley Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:31.741 0.944 0.012 58 / 67
    21 LUTHI, Thomas EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1:32.716 1.919 0.975 73 / 79
    22 SIMEON, Xavier Reale Avintia Racing 1:32.720 1.923 0.004 47 / 50
    23 KALLIO, Mika Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:32.749 1.952 0.029 21 / 48
    24 SYAHRIN, Hafizh Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:33.165 2.368 0.416 63 / 70
  • Our adventure is underway; We thank India: NRT Riders Thomas Gradinger & Jules Cluzel

    Our adventure is underway; We thank India: NRT Riders Thomas Gradinger & Jules Cluzel

    An NRT image of team riders for 2018 debut in Phillip Island

    The two riders, Thomas Gradinger & Jules Cluzel, of the new Indian outfit, Nerd Racing Team are excited and after reaching Australia they expressed goodwill about the Mumbai launch saying: “Our adventure is underway! We would like to thank India & all the people who supported us by their presence at the event (in India).”

    Ahead of the first Official test at Phillip Island, Jules and Thomas did a quick Q&A. Excerpts…⠀
    ⠀
    How do you feel going into the 2018 season without testing?⠀
    JC – Initially, I felt apprehensive but now I am very excited, I know the bike and team are completely new but I am sure we can work well together.⠀
    TG – Sure I would prefer to test, but I feel well prepared and I know the potential of the bike and my crew. We can stay focused and work well on the two test days, we will be well prepared for the race weekend.⠀
    ⠀
    What were your reasons for signing with NRT this year?⠀
    JC – The package was really exciting for me, having Marcus as our engine builder was very appealing. Also, I have known Gary for many years and I know he can lead a good team.⠀
    TG – It was always my dream to ride in WorldSSP and the team has faith in me. I worked well with Frank and Thomas last year, and the engines are built by Markus and Thomas, so this was also a big factor in my decision.⠀
    ⠀
    As this is a new team, what are your feelings about them as a package?⠀
    JC – I know that the whole team is very motivated and ready to show how well we can work together. I like the motivation that the team has, it is a very big thing for me. As a new team, we have a lot to prove, and we will prove it. ⠀
    TG – My feelings are very good, I have no doubt in the team and they are very motivated and experienced in what they do.⠀
    ⠀
    Do you feel any pressure for 2018?⠀
    JC – I don’t really feel any pressure, we have a test before the first race in Phillip Island, let’s see what that brings.⠀
    TG – No way. It’s my first year on the big stage and I will learn a lot from the team, and Jules as my teammate. I´m very motivated and can’t wait to race at Phillip Island.

    eom/NRT World Supersport FB page

  • Thomas Gradinger set for NRT debut: WorldSSP

    2017 IDM Supersport Championship winner, Thomas Gradinger, will step onto the world stage next season with NRT, it can now be announced.

    It was in November 2017, that Ride Scotland confirmed the arrival of Thomas Gradinger to the Indian team.

    Since his wildcard entry at Lausitzring WorldSSP round back in August, where he made a firm impression with Team Manager Gary Reynders, he has been in talks with the team boss and can now confirm the rumours that he has signed with the Indian backed team.

    Gradinger commented: “I am very happy and thankful to get the chance from NRT to race in WorldSSP, it was my dream since I began racing. My goal for this season is to learn as much as I can and improve every race. I can’t wait until the first race to work with my crew.”

    Gary Reynders: “I am very happy I have the opportunity to give a young Austrian rider the chance to compete in an FIM Supersport World Championship. His performance in Lausitzring was impressive and we hope he can continue to develop his skills with our team.”

    eom/Ride Scotland website

  • Cluzel ready for NRT debut at Phillip Island: World SSP

    Jules Cluzel – Rider #16 ⠀⠀
    ⠀⠀
    To many, Jules needs no introduction, to the few, he is already a World Class rider with many Victories, Podiums and Pole Positions to his name.⠀⠀
    ⠀⠀
    Riding MX from the age of 4, training in gymnastics & winning the local Go-kart Championship at age 12, his parents then bought a local motorcycle dealership and tempted Jules back onto 2 wheels again. He then realised his passion was to be on the tarmac. His first 125cc took him on to a very respectable 2nd place in the French Junior Cup back in 2004 and he’s moved and risen through the ranks ever since. His target for 2018 is to build on his strengths and he’s confident he can be stronger than ever. “I believe consistency is the key to good results. I’m sure that when we combine this with the package of an experienced team and competitive Yamaha R6, that we can produce some excellent results. I’m really looking forward to being part of NRT’s debut season, come along with us for the ride!”⠀⠀UAE based, Nerds Racing Team have secured the services of French World Supersport rider Jules Cluzel, for their debut into the World Supersport Championship for the 2018 season.

    Way back in October 2017, Cluzel was recruited by the Indian outfit NRT.

    Teaming up with another young star, Thomas Gradinger, who was recently confirmed, Cluzel is hungry for a Championship win.  After many  World supersport race wins and with total confidence in his future package and his highly-experienced team around him, Cluzel is aiming for the top spot on the podium.

    NRT Team Owner, Vafi Khan commented- “Nothing is impossible with vivid dreams and the right team.We are excited and also thankful that Jules has the confidence to join our new team. He has discussed at length the team’s aims and goals and is ready to give 100% in return.

    Jules Cluzel added: “I’m really excited to join this promising project. I know few people inside the Team and I’m pretty sure we will be ready to fight for the victory from Phillip Island 2018 opening round.

    ends/with inputs from NRT team

  • Hyundai Motorsport leads 1-2-3 after opening day’s action: WRC Round 2

    Hyundai Motorsport leads 1-2-3 after opening day’s action: WRC Round 2

    Torsby (Sweden) 16 Feb 2018: Hyundai Motorsport has completed a competitive opening day of action in Rally Sweden, round two of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship, with its crews leading an incredibly close battle among the WRC field.

    At the end of Friday’s action, a total of 140km of tricky snowy stages, Thierry Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul find themselves top of the table with a slender 4.9-second margin over their team-mates Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger in second and Hayden Paddon/Seb Marshall in third.

    Friday’s action consisted of three stages run twice – the 21.26km Hof-Finnskog, 24.88km Svullrya and 19.13km Röjden tests – and a shorter 9.56km stage in Torsby to finish the day. Stages crossed over the Sweden-Norway border, offering a home flavour for Mikkelsen and Jæger, with a lunchtime service in the Swedish service park at Torsby splitting the two loops.

    Fresh snowfall made life difficult for those running earlier on the road order, with few visible lines available to negotiate the treacherous stages. Still, conditions were tricky for everyone with most crews content to make it to the end of the day.

    The Hyundai Motorsport crews completed Friday’s itinerary in style with a stage 1-2-3 in Torsby, led by Paddon, the team’s first stage lockout with three cars since Rallye Monte-Carlo 2016. Each of the three crews had already registered a stage win earlier in the day with Neuville quickest in SS3, Mikkelsen in SS4 and Paddon in SS5.

    At this early stage in a notoriously difficult rally, the team is keeping its expectations in check and with its focus firmly on another trouble-free day on Saturday.

    Crew Notes: Neuville/Gilsoul (#5 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)

    • Stage win in SS3 (Svullrya) moved Belgians into the lead
    • Stayed in lead for rest of the day, gradually building up their advantage to 4.9 seconds

    Neuville said: “What a day! We have just tried to stay focused on the job and doing what we can from our middle road position. We set ourselves the goal being consistent and fast, not making any mistakes. The car has felt good, the settings were spot on and I have felt comfortable. The cars at the front have suffered a bit in the snowy conditions. Every time I pushed I felt that I was creating faster lines for the guys behind to follow, so it was a tricky balance. To have finished the day with all three Hyundai i20 Coupe WRCs in the top-three is a good morale boost, but we know there is a long way to go. We are trying to fight for victory here, but we’ll have to see what we can do tomorrow.” 

    Crew Notes: Mikkelsen/Jæger (#4 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)

    • Stage win in SS4 (Röjden), the Norwegian crews tenth in total for Hyundai Motorsport
    • Second overall between their team-mates as part of Hyundai Motorsport 1-2-3

    Mikkelsen said: “We have made a good start and for sure it’s great to see all three Hyundai Motorsport crews in the top-three at the end of Friday. We used the morning loop to build our confidence and rhythm. We were able to get better stage-by-stage, culminating in a stage win before lunchtime service. I have been really pleased with our progression. Of course, there is no question that the guys first on the road have a disadvantage, but it’s still tricky even for us running later. We took things a bit carefully in places. We have one notch in reserve if we need it, but that brings its own risks. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed driving at home with the stages in Norway today, and I hope that support can see us to a good result come Sunday afternoon.”

    Crew Notes: Paddon/Marshall (#6 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)

    • First WRC event for crew since scoring a podium in Australia 2017
    • Two stage wins (SS5/SS8) and top-three in classification, 12.1s from lead

    Paddon said: “It is great to be back for our first WRC event of 2018. Our objective today was to get the rhythm back. The conditions were not easy. We had to be conscious of keeping the car in the lines and adapting both the car and my driving to suit the stages. The ruts became really pronounced in the afternoon loop. If you go outside of the lines, you become a passenger in your own car, so we had to pull back a bit at times. The road position has helped but we wanted to have a sensible approach to the day, and a clean run, which we have had. There is room for improvement, but the positions are encouraging and there’ll be more to give tomorrow.”

    Three of a kind

    Team Principal Michel Nandan commented: “We have seen some tricky Rally Sweden conditions today and from our team’s perspective it has been a strong start to the weekend. We have to acknowledge that road position has played its part with the earlier cars disadvantaged compared to those running later in the order. Having said that, it was a challenging day for all crews regardless of starting position. We wanted to get all three of our cars to the end of Friday with no problems, and we’ve achieved that. The fact we are currently leading the rally with a 1-2-3 is an added bonus but not something we are getting carried away with. It has been incredibly close today and I expect that to continue. One bad stage and you can lose many positions on the standings, so we have to remain vigilant and keep concentrated on each stage as it comes.”

    Saturday’s itinerary at a glance

    • Eight stages will be contested on Saturday, including a repeat loop of the 19.68km Torntorp, 23.40km Hagfors, and 14.21km Vargåsen stages.
    • The highlight of the day’s action will be the thrilling Colin’s Crest jump in the Vargåsen stage, where crews will endeavour to record the furthest distance.
    • The final two stages of the day will be the shorter 1.90km Super Special in Karlstad, first run on Thursday evening, and the 3.43km Torsby Sprint.
    • All in all, a total of 120.31km of special stages will be held on a
      2018 FIA World Rally Championship
      Round 02, Rally Sweden
      15-18 February 2018
      Thierry Neuville, Nicolas Gilsoul, Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
      Photographer: Austral
      Worldwide copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

      penultimate day with plenty more snowy action forecast.

    Classification after Day One

    1 T. Neuville N. Gilsoul Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 1:16:13.1
    2 A. Mikkelsen A. Jæger Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC +4.9
    3 H. Paddon S. Marshall Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC +12.1
    4 C. Breen S. Martin Citroën C3 WRC +12.6
    5 M. Østberg T. Eriksen Citroën C3 WRC +13.2
    6 T. Suninen M. Markkula Ford Fiesta WRC +29.6
    7 E. Lappi J. Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC +38.5
    8 J. M. Latvala M. Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC +1:06.2
    9 O. Tänak M. Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC +1:29.0
    10 K. Meeke P. Nagle Citroën C3 WRC +1:43.6
  • RAVENOL partners with Sahara Force India

    RAVENOL partners with Sahara Force India

    Image courtesy Sahara Force India F1 team
    Sahara Force India is pleased to announce a partnership with RAVENOL, the high-quality lubricants specialists.

    The Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH based in Werther, Germany, manufactures and markets high-quality lubricants under the brand name “RAVENOL” since 1946. Their Research and Development Department, one of the most technically advanced in the world, is where some of the most innovative lubricants on the market today are developed – not only to meet, but often to exceed the requirements of even the most ambitious vehicle manufacturer and to comply with future regulations. Their high-quality lubricants will be supplied directly to the Force India development center in Silverstone.

    Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India: “I’m delighted to welcome RAVENOL to the team as we prepare for the start of the 2018 season. Formula One represents a fantastic opportunity for RAVENOL to reach a huge global audience and increase awareness of its high quality products. We look forward to a successful partnership as we work with RAVENOL to achieve their marketing objectives.”

    RAVENOL’s Head of Motorsport, Martin Huning, sees the entry into Formula 1 as the next logical step in further developing a brand already respected in motorsport around the world. “We are committed to reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact by continually utilising the latest developments in lubrication technology to produce some of the most advanced lubricants available. To have been chosen as the Official Lubricants Partner of the Sahara Force India F1 Team serves to underline the quality of our products”.

    The partnership will see RAVENOL branding appear on the bargeboard of the team’s VJM11 car as well as on the drivers’ race suits.
     

    eom/SFI release
  • Buriram awaits as MotoGP testing heads for Thailand and the newest venue on the calendar

    Buriram awaits as MotoGP testing heads for Thailand and the newest venue on the calendar

    New country, new culture, new challenge…but the same incredible riders ready to take on the track. It’s time for Chang International Circuit in Buriram to debut in MotoGP™, with a three-day test giving the grid their first taste of the venue ahead of the first ever PTT Thailand Grand Prix in October.

    So where is Buriram? About five hours from Bangkok, in the north east of the country. The 4.6km track, built in 2014, has so far only challenged WorldSBK to its five right-and seven left-handers. That means it’s a total reset from Sepang – where Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) was fastest, putting in the quickest ever laptime around the track – and there’s a new whole new set of records to be established.Ducati have begun 2018 very satisfied with their progress over the winter. Both Lorenzo and 2017 runner up teammate Andrea Dovizioso have good things to say about the GP18 and Team Manager Davide Tardozzi hinted at Sepang that there could be much more to see at Buriram, too. The Borgo Panigale factory were the pioneers of winglets and then aero-fairings in recent history – could there be another innovation ready to come out of hibernation at Sepang?

    For Honda, they have their own aero-fairing to investigate further but spent the first test focused largely elsewhere and on the engine, with reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and teammate Dani Pedrosa joined by HRC test rider Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) on testing duty. There were a lot of positive reports at Sepang, and Pedrosa and Crutchlow made their presences routinely felt at the sharp end of the timesheets. Marquez ended Sepang a little lower down, but wasn’t concentrating on a time attack…

    Yamaha, meanwhile, will be hoping to use the heat of Buriram and the possible lower grip levels to their advantage. After two very positive first days testing at Sepang for both Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi, Day 3 was a little more difficult for the Iwata marque. As well as refining their new bike and attempting to fully eradicate any trace of low grip woes, Yamaha also had an aero fairing on track at Sepang and there were positive reports – will we see the same again, or another iteration of the idea?

    Team Suzuki Ecstar were also contributors to aero-watch – but more of the headlines were stolen by Alex Rins, who begins his second season fully fit and has shown some impressive pace. But it’s good reading for teammate Andrea Iannone, too – with the Hamamatsu factory looking like they’ve averted the mistakes of preseason last year and are ready to get back in the hunt nearer the front.

    Red Bull KTM Factory Racing were another with aero innovations in the first test and showed an incredible step forward as they begin their sophomore season. Despite Pol Espargaro sitting out Day 3 after a hard crash, the 2013 Moto2™ Champion was more than a second quicker than in 2017, and teammate Bradley Smith eight tenths further forward. At Buriram, there’s no 2017 marker against which to measure their ever-impressive progress – but there’s also no advantage for anyone else. Sadly, however, Espargaro will sit out the test in Thailand due to injury.

    In the Independent Team ranks, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco remains locked into refining what he will run this season – and there will be a new face on the other side of the Tech 3 garage. Hafizh Syahrin will be testing at Buriram, with a view to taking on the seat vacated by Jonas Folger. The Malaysian rider, who has a number of podium finishes in Moto2™, has been consistently fast in the intermediate class and now becomes the first from his nation to take on MotoGP™. He’ll feel the pressure, but for the ‘Pescao’, the most important thing to show will be consistent progress.

    There are other four rookies already having tested their new steeds – reigning Moto2™ Champion Franco Morbidelli and teammate Tom Lüthi at EG 0,0 Marc VDS, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemistu) and Xavier Simeon (Reale Avinta Racing). Nakagami had the upper hand at Sepang and the Japanese rider has so far been the benchmark – but his fellow debutants will be pushing hard to hit back.

    Progress is also the buzzword for riders who have changed teams for 2018, too. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) has been a stunner so far as he takes to life on a Ducati and already seems on the pace with teammate Danilo Petrucci. Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) is another who seems happy in his new home. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), meanwhile, remains making progress at Aprilia, with searching for more power the name of the game over winter.

    Preparations for 2018 are now at full speed. So who will stake an early claim on Buriram? Find out from the 16th February for the first ever three days of MotoGP™ action in Thailand, from 9:30 to 17:30 local time (GMT +7). And on Friday and Saturday, the final fifteen minutes of the session are reserved for practice starts.

    Then, as always, there’s After the Flag rounding up all the action after the…flag!

    eom/MotoGP release

  • Honda Motor Europe appoints Chris Pike as new WorldSBK Operations Manager

    Honda Motor Europe appoints Chris Pike as new WorldSBK Operations Manager

    Chris Pike, Operations Head, Hond Motor Europe from 15feb2018 World SBK. HondaImage

    Honda Motor Europe has appointed Chris Pike as its new Operations Manager for the FIM World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK). Pike inherits the position vacated by Marco Chini last month and will manage Honda’s operational and technical support in the WorldSBK paddock, including the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team and Triple M Racing Honda World Superbike Team squads.

    Pike brings to the role a wealth of technical experience in racing, having worked within the Honda family across a unique blend of championships including WorldSBK, MotoGP, Endurance World Championship and British Superbike. Pike’s time in WorldSBK dates back to the very first race at Donington in 1988 and he was part of Honda’s world championship winning campaigns in 1997, 2000 and 2002. More recently he worked with Honda as a crew chief in WorldSBK from 2012 to 2014 before making the move to MotoGP.

    Pike starts his new role with immediate effect ahead of the first round of the 2018 WorldSBK season opener at Phillip Island, Australia from February 23-25.

    Chris Pike – WorldSBK Operations Manager, Honda Motor Europe felt: “I am very happy to be stepping up to the role of Honda Motor Europe’s Operations Manager in World Superbike; a championship that holds many good memories for me. Although it is a return to a championship I know very well, this a fresh, new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to applying all that I’ve learned over the years to help Honda be a force in this very competitive series.”

    Robert Watherston, Head of Motorsport, Honda Motor Europe said: “Chris has been a part of the Honda Racing family for over twenty years and his vast and varied experience will be a real asset to our World Superbike operation. With Honda now having three CBR1000RR machines on the grid, expert oversight from both a technical and operational perspective is critical. In Chris, I believe we have the ideal candidate to move this project forward strongly and help us achieve our goals.”

    eom/Honda Racing press release

     

  • FMSCI promotes Women In Motorsport concept at Auto Expo; celebrates women’s day

    FMSCI promotes Women In Motorsport concept at Auto Expo; celebrates women’s day

    Aishwarya Pissay at the feet of a Master, Bullet Bose, browsing through old photos of Bullets racing at Sholavaram. 2017 photo by www.INDIAinF1.

    New Delhi, 12 Feb 2018: Women’s Day, usually observed on March 8, arrived early for the FMSCI.

    The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India (FMSCI) said that it rolled out an ambitious plan for women in motorsport here on Monday and pledged to make motorsports an attractive and viable for women across the country.

    The Federation, which is the governing body for motorsport in India and a member of the FIA, the international federation, along with its arm, the Women in Motorsport (WIM) celebrated and felicitated its leading lady drivers and lady riders at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida. “The process of hunting for talented girls and women had begun,” it announced in a press release.

     “We encourage our affiliate clubs and association to add events specifically for women during all competitions to draw ladies into the sport,” said Ms. Sita Raina, chairperson of FMSCI-WIM. “The federation will give every possible support to organisers who try to create a platform for women,” she added. However, the details of the plan were not immediately clear.

    India’s top women in motorsports, including national motorcycle champion Aishwarya Pissay, LGB Formula 4 racer Sneha Sharma and ace rallyist Bani Yadav were felicitated by the Federation at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida on Monday. Watch out for more news on Women in Motorsports in INDIA! Your website will soon profile the Ladies on the Fast Track!

    The FMSCI has set up a pavilion at the Auto Expo for the first time and has showcased a host of racing cars, bikes and karts to promote the sport among youngsters.

    Among other things, the FMSCI intends to go the extra mile to provide proper guidelines, training, and quick licenses to help women participate at the national level. It also aims to extend additional support to upcoming and existing racers to make them move on to the world stage.

    Bani Yadav, the only Indian woman to have won all the major rally titles in the women’s category in India, was pleased with the efforts of the governing body and felt that this would see many young girls to take up the sport.

    “I really appreciate FMSCI’s mission. As a woman, I know how difficult it is to come into the sport. But I believe if the right platform is created, a number of women will come forward to race or rally,” Bani said during the felicitation ceremony.

    Sneha Sharma echoed Bani’s thoughts: “I would like to believe that if we all have managed to come into motorsport, then many others can do so too. They just need the right kind of guidance and a few opportunities and this is exactly what Women in Motorsport’s vision and mission is all about.”

    “I would like to really appreciate the federation for this wonderful step. They have been a huge pillar of support for me and now with this novel initiative, I am sure many more women will come up in the sport, making the whole racing scene in the country much more exciting and more challenging,” Aishwarya concluded.

    eom/fmsci press release

  • Circuit de Magny-Cours extends contract, to host WorldSBK until 2022

    Circuit de Magny-Cours extends contract, to host WorldSBK until 2022

    A file photo of SBK race by Dorna.
    Magny-Cours, 8 Feb 2018: Circuit de Magny-Cours and Dorna WSBK Organization are thrilled to announce a contract extension, which will see the French Circuit host the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship until 2022 following a press conference attended by Mr Saulnier (Chairman of the Board), Daniel Carrera (WorldSBK Executive Director), Marc Saurina (WorldSBK Commercial & Marketing Director) and Loris Baz (Gulf Althea BMW Racing Team).

    History was made at the ever-popular French Round in 2017, the stunning weekend saw Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) crowned WorldSBK champion for the third time in succession, becoming the first rider to ever reach this feat.

    Providing fantastic racing, the Circuit of Magny-Cours has been home to the French round since 2003, with world-class facilities and welcoming racing passion not only from the French but from an international fanbase. The Circuit de Magny-Cours will continue to host WorldSBK racing action until 2022, which will come as a delight to many.
    Chairman of the Board of Magny-Cours Circuit, Serge Saulnier emphasizes “To secure the presence of WorldSBK over the next 5 years at Magny-Cours, is a mark of mutual trust towards the future of this discipline.”

    WorldSBK Executive Director Daniel Carrera explains: “Continuing to visit the French circuit of Magny-Cours was an easy decision to make, and one which will welcome stunning racing action for seasons to come. Hosting a world class event with fantastic facilities, passionate fans, and hard-working staff, we look forward to returning to France for the next five seasons.”