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Author: David Bodapati
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Verstappen takes controlled Qatar Grand Prix win after Norris was penalised: F1
Lusail (Qatar), 1 Dec. 2024: Max Verstappen took a controlled Qatar Grand Prix after chief race rival Lando Norris dropped to last place and recovered to 10th following a penalty for failing to heed yellow flags. Second place for Charles Leclerc ahead of Oscar Piastri means that Ferrari clawed points back against McLaren to take the fight for the Constructors’ Championship to the final round in Abu Dhabi next week.
When the lights went out, Mercedes’ polesitter George Russell made a good start from pole, but Verstappen swiftly drew alongside and then outdragged the Mercedes driver into Turn 1. As the battling pair edged towards the outside of the corner, Norris, starting from third, tried to sneak through on the inside. The McLaren driver was briefly ahead as he and Verstappen went towards Turn 2 but the Red Bull driver resisted to held the lead.
However, at the rear of the field, Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg lost control in Turn 1 and hit the Alpine of Esteban Ocon and the Williams of Franco Colaptino. The latter two ended up beached and the Safety Car was deployed.
Verstappen controlled the lap 4 restart perfectly to hold the lead ahead of Norris and Russell and Piastri, who made his way back past Leclerc after losing the position at the start. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was in sixth place ahead of the second Red Bull of Sergio Pérez.
Verstappen then settled into his first stint, though the champion was never truly comfortable as Norris repeatedly nibbled away at a gap that hovered around 1.6 seconds for the first 20 laps.
Russell was the first of the front runners to make a pit stop, on lap 24, but a stuck right rear wheel mean that after spending seven seconds in his pit box, the Mercedes driver dropped down to 11th place.
Tyre changes for the other front runners should have followed, but before any other pit stops could take place there was drama. On lap 32 Alex Albon’s Williams shed a mirror on the pit straight and while there were yellow flags in place Verstappen noted that Norris had closed the gap. He asked his team to check whether the McLaren driver had reduced speed for the flags.
Two laps later, though, Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas ran over the mirror, and debris was strewn across the track. Both Sainz and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton picked up punctures and the Safety car was deployed.
Verstappen pitted for Hard tyres and emerged in the lead behind the SC. His rivals also made their pit stops and Norris slotted back into second. Leclerc, however, managed to jump in front of Piastri, while Pérez also profited from the timing of the SC and he made his way to P5 ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Russell and Sainz.
The Safety Car left the track at the end of lap 39 and Verstappen was almost caught out by Norris. The McLaren driver stuck with the leader and aided by a slipstream on the straight he attacked around the outside. Verstappen defended hard and he was able to hold the lead as they went through the opening corners. Behind them Leclerc fought off the hard-charging Piastri but Gasly was passed by Russell.
There was disaster for Pérez though. Just ahead of the SC leaving the track the Mexican seemed to lose power and then suddenly spun in the final corner. He was forced to retire from the race.
At the back of the field, Hülkenberg spun off and the SC was released yet again. This time Verstappen’s getaway was flawless and he his lead comfortably as Norris was forced to resist pressure from Leclerc.
Norris’ challenge then evaporated. The Briton was hit with a 10 second stop/go penalty for failing to slow for the yellow flags ahead of the first SC period and after pitting on lap 45 he dropped to last place. He would recover to 10th place at the flag.
At the front, Verstappen was comfortable and with no further incidents he was able to cruise home six seconds ahead of Leclerc and Piastri, who were separated by less than a tenth of a second.
Fourth place went to Russell, while Gasly took a well worked fifth place. Sainz crossed the line in sixth ahead of Alonso, Guanyu Zhou took Sauber’s first points of the season with eighth place and Kevin Magnussen finished in ninth place ahead of Norris.
2024 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix – Race
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 57 –
2 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 57 6.031
3 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 57 6.819
4 George Russell Mercedes 57 14.104
5 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 57 16.782
6 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 57 17.476
7 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 57 19.867
8 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 57 25.360
9 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 57 32.177
10 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 57 35.762
11 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 57 50.243
12 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 57 56.122
13 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 57 –
14 Liam Lawson RB/Honda RBPT 57 –
15 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 56 – 1 lap
Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 39 – Retirement
Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 38 – Retirement
Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 8 – Retirement
Franco Colapinto Williams/Mercedes 0 – Retirement
Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 0 – Retirement -
Norris on pole for Sprint ahead of Russell and Piastri: F1 Qatar GP
Qatar, 29 Nov. 2024: McLaren’s Lando Norris will start the Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix from the front of the grid with the McLaren driver beating Mercedes’ George Russell to top spot by just 0.063s in a tight Sprint qualifying session at Lusail Circuit. Oscar Piastri took third in the other McLaren as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth respectively.
At the start of the session, in SQ1, Norris topped the timesheet, posting a lap of 1:21.356 to beat Sainz by almost half a second, with Russell third ahead of Verstappen.
At the wrong end of the order, Sergio Pérez once again failed to match the pace of his Red Bull team-mate and he exited the session in P16, just over a hundredth of a second behind Williams’ Alexz Albon. Pérez Red Bull stablemate Yuki Tsunoda was another surprise faller and the RB driver, who complained of a “rushed” final run finished in P17, 0.04s behind the Mexican. Esteban Ocon was eliminated in 18th place ahead of Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu and last place Williams driver Franco Colapinto.
Verstappen set the opening pace of S2 with a time of 1:22.188, but that was quickly eclipsed by Leclerc who went five hundredths of a second quicker to take P1 and by Norris who slotted into second place 0.015s ahead of the Dutchman. Piastri was going quicker than all three, however, and he claimed top sport with a lap of 1:22.050.
Norris’s second run was even quicker and the Briton moved to the top of the order with a lap of 1:21.231 that put him ahead of Russell who climbed to second thanks to a lap of 1:21.4988. Piastri went again but time lose when he went wide late in the lap saw him take third place just over three tenths off his team-mate. Hamilton took fourth ahead of Verstappen and Sainz, with Leclerc in P7 ahead Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and RB’s Liam Lawson.
However, there was no place in the top-10 shootout for Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso who exited in P11, just four hundredths of a second off Lawson’s time. Also eliminated at the end of SQ2 were Williams’ 12th-placed Alex Albon who went out ahead of Kick Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen.
Norris was in imperious form in the opening runs of SQ3. The McLaren driver set a blistering lap of 1:21.012 on his first attempt on Soft tyres, more than 0.015s clear of team-mate Piastri and almost three tenths ahead Russell.
Norris pushed more on his second run but the Briton clipped the gravel at Turn 2 and he backed out the attempt. That left the door slightly but while no one could go quicker, Russell close to within a tenths and Piastri ended the session just 0.159s off his team-mate.
Sainz will start the Sprint from fourth ahead of Leclerc, with Verstappen in sixth place. Hamilton was seventh fastest, half-a-second clear of Gasly. Hülkenberg was ninth ahead of Liam Lawson, who had a better lap deleted for a track limits violation.
2024 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying
1 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:21.012 – –
2 George Russell Mercedes 1:21.075 0.063 0.078
3 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:21.171 0.159 0.196
4 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:21.281 0.269 0.332
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:21.308 0.296 0.365
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:21.315 0.303 0.374
7 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:21.474 0.462 0.570
8 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1:21.978 0.966 1.192
9 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 1:22.088 1.076 1.328
10 Liam Lawson RB/Honda RBPT 1:22.577 1.565 1.932
11 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:22.433 1.421 1.754
12 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:22.526 1.514 1.869
13 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 1:22.538 1.526 1.884
14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:22.599 1.587 1.959
15 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 1:22.738 1.726 2.131
16 Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:22.718 1.706 2.106
17 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 1:22.722 1.710 2.111
18 Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 1:22.906 1.894 2.338
19 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 1:22.948 1.936 2.390
20 Franco Colapinto Williams/Mercedes 1:23.423 2.411 2.976 -
Aishwarya Pissay of Sherco TVS Rally team all set for FIM Bajas WC final round
Dubai, Nov. 28, 2024: TVS Racing’s star racer, Aishwarya Pissay, the only World Cup winner from India in motorsports is raring to go at the final round of the FIM Bajas World Cup here from Friday.
The Bengaluru champion who re-launched her international campaign at the Baja Spain Aragon, the third round and finished a creditable second, also took part in the gruelling 590-km of Hungarian Baja this year and kept her good standing on the table.
The Baja season will end with the medal ceremony for the winners of the FIM Bajas World Cup in the Moto, Quad, Women, Junior, veteran and Trail categories on Sunday. Twenty-nine bikes will line up on the start on the final weekend in the Dubai desert.
After a long break due to an injury, Aishwarya worked hard on rehabilitation and plunged into high-performance training abroad for about 45 days. The final round of the FIM Bajas World Cup is set to be an exhilarating showdown, with Aishwarya Pissay aiming to cement her place among the elite. Competing in the Women’s Category, she brings a wealth of experience and adaptability to varying terrains, which will be crucial in this climactic event. This round will feature gruelling stages that test navigation, endurance, and strategy, providing a platform for Aishwarya to showcase her growth and determination. With 29 riders set to participate in the race, she will be a part of Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team. The winner of 2019 World Cup Baja is all geared up for the final hurray and is eager to make the podium of the World Cup once again.
The multiple Indian National rally champion who became the first Indian woman to make her international debut at Baja Spain in 2018 at the age of 22, this will be Aishwarya’s third shot at the World Cup. The Indian rider supported by TVS Racing, co-sponsored by Scott, Ultrahuman, IIFL and Micro Labs, looks to turn tables astride a Sherco 450 SEF. She trained hard, setting up a short base in Dubai, to fine-tune her physical fitness and riding skills.
“Getting back into shape both mentally and physically, is of utmost importance. It was a high-performance training focussed on fitness and mental conditioning but also on identifying and fine-tuning my riding skills and learning the terrain and the art of navigation. Staying focussed and calm are some other interesting aspects that I learnt and enjoyed,” said Aishwarya, who continues to get support from Surana College, her alma mater.
“The training abroad has given me much confidence and now is the time to utilise these skills and continue learning. I will focus on the Baja for the next three days. Every incident has taught me lessons and made me stronger and I am ready to go,” said the 28-year-old, who bounced back after the life-threatening accident in 2018 to bag the World Cup.
On Thursday, The riders did the administrative and technical checks at Dubai Festival City Mall and then took part in the start ceremony. On Friday, a short 4.32km Prologue will determine the starting order for the first 195km special stage on Saturday.
On December 1, at the finish of the second stage, which will also run for 195km, the winners of the various categories will be crowned after a long season in Europe and the Middle East. Only the best six results will be counted towards the final standings from the eight Bajas.
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Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth Consecutive F1 Title in Las Vegas
Las Vegas (US), 24 Nov. 2024: Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One Drivers’ Championship with a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Dutchman now joins legends Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with four titles, trailing only Juan Manuel Fangio (5), Lewis Hamilton (7), and Michael Schumacher (7).
Mercedes’ George Russell won the Las Vegas Grand Prix, having led the race from pole position, with teammate Lewis Hamilton coming home second. Ferrari’s Carlo Sainz Jr rounded out the podium, edging out teammate Charles Leclerc who finished in fourth.
Verstappen arrived in Nevada following a remarkable comeback win at the São Paulo Grand Prix, where he charged from 17th on the grid to victory. In Las Vegas, his task was clear: finish ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris to clinch the championship. Starting fifth, one position ahead of Norris, Verstappen expertly managed his race, crossing the finish line in fifth, while Norris placed sixth.
With this milestone, Verstappen becomes only the fifth driver in F1 history to win four consecutive titles—an achievement surpassed only by Schumacher’s unprecedented five.
Christian Horner, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, praised Verstappen’s dominance:
“Max has been in a league of his own this year. With eight Grand Prix wins—more than double anyone else—his consistency, teamwork, and sheer determination have been extraordinary. He’s handled the pressure with the poise of a true champion.”
Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Pérez delivered a gritty performance, climbing from 16th on the grid to 10th, securing a vital championship point.
Meanwhile, in a strong showing for Visa Cash App RB, Yuki Tsunoda impressed with a ninth-place finish, securing vital points for the team, with Liam Lawson finishing 16th.
With two races remaining in the season, Verstappen has cemented his status as one of Formula One’s greatest drivers. The spotlight now shifts to the remaining battles on the grid, where teams and drivers fight for crucial points to close out the 2024 season.
Find out more about Max Verstappen’s winning mentality by listening to the world champion speak in the Mind Set Win podcast HERE.
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Sizzling Gaurav Gill wins Robusta Rally, back in contention for INRC title
Ammathi (Kodagu), 24 Nov. 2024:Seven times National champion Gaurav Gill displayed enough speed and skill to emerge triumphant in the Robusta Rally, the fifth and penultimate round of the Blueband Sports fmsci Indian National Rally Championship 2024 organised by Robusta Adventure and Sports Academy here, on Sanday.
Notching up his second straight win after the success in the Rally of Hyderabad last month, Arjuna Awardee Gill, along with co-driver Aniruddha Rangnekar, was in superb form and exhibited controlled aggression on the final day for a comfortable win and bagged full 40 points.
The win saw Gill drawing closer to table topper Karna Kadur (Musa Sherif) of Arka Motorsports, who finished second overall. 2021 champion Aditya Thakur (Virender Kashyap) upped the game in the last stage to pip local favourites Jason Saldanha (Thimmu Uddapanda) by a second to take overall third place.
“It is a nice feeling to win back-to-back. I must thank my team, probably the smallest with just four mechanics, who have put in a lot of hard work to give me a perfect car. JK Tyre also deserves commendation for the tyres they specially developed for my car. I think I am getting better as a driver. I would say I was in total control in both Hyderabad and here. My first aim this season has been to bring the car home and I am happy that I managed to do that in two consecutive rallies this season.”
Himachal Pradesh duo Aditya Thakur and Virender Kasyap won the INRC2 class beating the Karnataka pair of Jason Saldanha and Thimmu Uddapanda while Mangaluru’s Dean Mascarenhas (Gagan Karumbaiah) powered his way from 11th to third in the class.
In INRC 3 class, Daraius Shroff (Mumbai) and Arjun Dheerendra of Chettinad Sporting, the championship leaders won by over a minute to stay at the top. Gurugram-Bengaluru pair of Arnav Pratap Singh and Rohin N of Snap Racing came second and Jeet Jhabakh of Hyderabad with Sekar of Erode as co-driver, also from Chettinad Sporting, pushed his way to the third place. Arnav Pratap also won the Junior INRC.
Dehradun’s Anushriya Gulati (co-driver Karan Aukta) won the Ladies class followed by talented Nikeetaa Takkale (Raghuram Saminathan) in second and Shillong’s Phoebe Nongrum (Nash Ross).
Provisional Final Results:
INRC Overall:
1. Gaurav Gill (privateers, Delhi)/ Anirudha Rangnekar (Pune) (01 hour, 40 minutes, 36.6 seconds);
2. Karna Kadur (Arka Motorsports, Bengaluru)/ Musa Sherif (Kasargod) (01:41:57.0);
3. Aditya Thakur (Chettinad Sporting Solan) / Virender Kashyap (Shimla) (01:44:27.3);
INRC2:
1. Aditya Thakur (Chettinad Sporting Solan) / Virender Kashyap (Shimla) (01:44:27.3);
2. Jason Saldhanha (Arka Motorsports, Hassan)/ Thimmu Uddapanda (Kodagu) (01:44:28.5);
3. Dean Mascarenhas (Pvt. Mangaluru)/ Gagan Karumbaiah (Virajpet) (01:44:51.8);
INRC3:
1. Daraius Shroff (Chettinad Sporting, Mumbai)/ Arjun Dheerendra (Bengaluru) (01:45.02.4);
2. Arnav Pratap Singh (Snap Racing, Gurugram)/ Rohit N (Bengaluru) (01:46:10.3);
3. Jeet Jhabakh (Chettinad Sporting, Hyderabad)/ V. Sekhar (Erode) (01:46:53.8);
Ladies Class:
1. Anushriya Gulati (Arka Motorsports, Dehradun)/ Karan Aukta (Jubbal) (01:52:20.9);
2. Nikeetaa Takkale (Pvt, Pune)/ Raghuram Saminathan (Coimbatore) (01:55:07.3);
3. Phoebe Nongrum (Snap Racing, Shillong)/ Nash Ross (Hyderabad) (02:05:49.0);
Junior INRC:1. Arnav Pratap Singh (Snap Racing, Gurugram)/ Rohit N (Bengaluru) (01:46:10.3);
2. Abhin R Rai/ Arvind Dheerendra (Ideal Racing, both Bengaluru) (01:47:53.2);
3. Arjun Rajiv (Chettinadu Sporting)/ Vinay Padmashali (Both Bengaluru) (01:49:14.6);
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Gaurav Gill takes lead on Day1: INRC Robusta Rally
Ammathi (Kodagu), 23 Nov. 2024: Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill and co-driver Aniruddha Rangnekar overcame initial hiccups and performed admirably to take the lead after Day 1 in the Robusta Rally, the fifth and penultimate round of the Blueband Sports fmsci Indian National Rally Championship 2024 organised by Robusta Adventure and Sports Academy here, on Saturday.
The Speed Maestro from Delhi, Gill, was forced to start on a cautious note as their intercom failed resulting in no calls and he had to drive from memory. After losing 17.4 seconds to Karna Kadur, who was fastest in Stage 1, Gill bounced back brilliantly to clock the fastest times in the remaining five Stages and took a handsome lead of over 53 seconds by the end of the day.
“It has been a perfect day. The stages were rougher than I expected with massive stones and boulders but we managed to overcome all odds as our tyres performed well. We had decent speeds and the goal is to bring back the car home tomorrow,” said the seven-time National champion, Gill.
Championship leaders Karna Kadur and co-driver Musa Sherif of Arka Motorsports were second overall followed by Hassan’s Jason Saldhanha and local co-driver Timmu Uddapanda. He who overtook former National champion Aditya Thakur (Chettinad Sporting) in the final Stage of the day, was also leading in INRC2 class with Thakur in second place ahead of Jahaan Singh Gill of Snap Racing.
Chettinad Sporting’s Daraius Shroff from Mumbai, the championship leader in INRC3 category took a 20-second lead over Abhin Rai.
Fabid Ahmer, Harkrishan Wadia, Philippos Matthai and Chetan Shivram were some of the top casualties on Day 1. Of the 61 cars that took the start, only 43 cars finished the day.
On Sunday, the rally will run another six Special Stages at Woshully and Margoli estates.
Provisional Results after Day 1 (Leg 1 – Saturday):
INRC Overall:
1. Gaurav Gill (privateers, Delhi)/ Anirudha Rangnekar (Pune) (00, 57 minutes, 35.1 seconds);
2. Karna Kadur (Arka Motorsports, Bengaluru)/ Musa Sherif (Kasargod) (00:58:28.3);
3. Jason Saldhanha (Arka Motorsports, Hassan)/ Thimmu Uddapanda (Kodagu) (00:59:05.1);
INRC2: 1. Jason Saldhanha (Arka Motorsports, Hassan)/ Thimmu Uddapanda (Kodagu) (00:59:05.1);
2. Aditya Thakur (Chettinad Sporting Solan) / Virender Kashyap (Shimla) (00:59:36.7);
3. Jahaan Singh Gill (Snap Racing, Chandigarh)/ Suraj K Prasad (Bengaluru) (01:00:31.5);
INRC3: 1. Daraius Shroff (Chettinad Sporting, Mumbai)/ Arjun Dheerendra (Bengaluru) (01:00.44.3);
2. Abhin R Rai/ Arvind Dheerendra (Ideal Racing, both Bengaluru) (01:01:06.6);
3. Arnav Pratap Singh (Snap Racing, Gurugram)/ Rohit N (Bengaluru) (01:01:33.8);
Ladies Class: 1. Anushriya Gulati (Arka Motorsports, Dehradun)/ Karan Aukta (01:04:08.0);
2. Nikeetaa Takkale (Pvt, Pune)/ Raghuram Saminathan (Coimbatore) (01:05:52.8);
3. Phoebe Nongrum (Snap Racing, Shillong)/ Nash Ross (Hyderabad) (01:08:18.2);
Junior INRC: 1. Abhin R Rai/ Arvind Dheerendra (Ideal Racing, both Bengaluru) (01:01:06.6);
2. Arnav Pratap Singh (Snap Racing, Gurugram)/ Rohit N (Bengaluru) (01:01:33.8);
3. Arjun Rajiv (Chettinadu Sporting)/ Vinay Padmashali (Both Bengaluru) (01:04:44.9);
Fmsci Classic Challenge:
1. Harish KN Gowda/ Mahesh Nandi (Privateers, both Bengaluru) (01:10:15.1);
2. Praveen Dwarakanath/ Kariyappa (Kass Motorsports., both Bengaluru) (01:10:29.9);
3. Thejas S Reddy/ Ravindra Kumar (Pvt. Both Bengaluru) (01:14:32.2);
Fmsci Gypsy Challenge: 1. Darshan Nachappa/ Abinav Ganapathy (Pvt. Both Kodagu) (01:08:08.4);
2. Sanjay Aggarwal/ Dheeraj Manae (Pvt. Both Bengaluru) (01:09:00.8);
3. Dr Akarsh Sundar (Pvt., Chikmagalur)/ Ravi Kumar (Bengaluru) (01:10:14.8);
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MRF Tyres secures fourth consecutive Italian Gravel Championship
Cingoli, 19 November 2024: MRF Tyres team of Alberto Battistolli and Simone Scattolin clinched their first Italian crown capping off the weekend in style coming out triumphant in the Marche-based rally, 17th Rally delle Marche, the final event of the 2024 season.
The Italian crew of Alberto Battistolli and Simone Scattolin won the 17th Rally delle Marche, claiming their first Italian Gravel Rally Championship of their career.
A fantastic season also saw Marchioro-Marchetti secure the 2WD title and Grossi-Cardinali triumph in the Pucci Grossi Trophy – ACI Sport Under 25 Cup.
The Indian team celebrated its fourth Italian Gravel Championship title in a row. Following three consecutive wins with Paolo Andreucci in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
An exceptional driving display, well supported by the team and the performance of MRF Tyres helped Battistolli and Scattolin lead from the opening stage to the finish, achieving their second victory of the season. This triumph sealed the championship with a final score of 71.5 points.
Driving the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, the crew showcased determination, performance, and resilience. Their late-season surge, including victories at Rally Vermentino and Rally delle Marche, overturned the standings and delivered their first national title. Despite intense competition, Battistolli managed to maintain focus during the final stages, balancing the need to push hard while avoiding mistakes.
MRF Tyres’s other official crew, Emanuele Dati and Daiana Darderi, also delivered a strong performance. Competing in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 for the first time, Dati adapted quickly and secured an impressive seventh place in the overall standings.
MRF Tyres’s season-long dominance extended beyond the top class. At Rally Vermentino, Nicolò Marchioro and Marco Marchetti, driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4, secured the Italian 2WD Championship with a round to spare as part of the MRF Rally Trophy Italia program. The success continued at the 17th Rally delle Marche, where Angelo Pucci Grossi and Francesco Cardinali claimed a remarkable victory in the Pucci Grossi Trophy – ACI Sport Under 25 Cup. Grossi, competing in his debut season with MRF Tyres, achieved this milestone in honour of his father, culminating an emotional season with a win in the Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.
Alberto Battistolli:
“This season has been a rollercoaster, but ending it like this is incredible. I want to share this success with Simone, the team, MRF Tyres, and everyone who supported us. Here at Rally delle Marche we gave everything, stayed focused, and pushed hard. The final stages were the toughest of my career, knowing we had to keep the pace and avoid mistakes to secure the title. It’s an amazing feeling and a fantastic way to close the year.”
Classification Campionato Italiano Rally Terra 2024 – Final Standings
1. Alberto Battistolli pt. 71.5,
2. Tommaso Ciuffi pt. 51;
3. Umberto Scandola pt. 50;
4. Enrico Oldrati pt. 46;
5. Jaakko Lavio pt. 38
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Krish Gupta: Profile of a budding racing driver
Chennai, 14 November 2024: The atmosphere was electric at the Madras International Circuit as the curtain fell on the National Karting Championship finale. While the spotlight was on the podium finishers, the newly-inaugurated Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) also captured attention. Named after Mika Hakkinen, the two-time Formula 1 World Champion, who inaugurated the facility just a week prior, MIKA set the stage for the emergence of fresh talent in Indian motorsport.
Among the standout performances that evening was an inspiring display by 18-year-old Krish Gupta, a rising star in the Senior Karting category. Starting from P19 in the final race, Krish battled his way through the field to finish an impressive fifth—a feat that earned him recognition despite not making it to the podium. This determination and resilience have marked him as one to watch and the commentator did not miss his marauding march that day. “amidst all these winners there is a fine performance today,’’ he announced. “It was Krish Gupta who started last and finished fifth.”
Rising Through the Ranks
Hailing from Mumbai, Krish began his karting journey in 2021 at Ajmera Indikarting. He quickly joined the Rayo Racing Academy, where his natural talent and commitment to the sport flourished. Over the past three years, Krish has secured 22 podium finishes, including 8 wins, and clinched four karting titles across junior and senior categories.
In 2024, he competed in the Senior Max category of the Meco FMSCI National Rotax Max Championship. Despite challenges, including mechanical failures and racing incidents, Krish’s skills were on full display. Notably, he qualified on pole in the fifth round with a lap time of 51.315 seconds and won the first heat before a series of incidents placed him at the back of the grid for the final. Undeterred, he delivered a remarkable comeback, finishing in the top 10 overall standings in the championship.
“It’s been a fantastic season,” Krish shared. “While the results didn’t always go my way, I’m proud of my performances and excited for what’s ahead.”
“Krish is a very promising talent for India. In a very short while he has grown tremendously. His talent combined with his hard work and dedication will take him far.
“He is now recognised as one of India’s best. He has proved himself at the Asian level with his nomination from the Asian Rotax Championship to represent India and Asia at the World Rotax Championship,” said Rayomond Banajee, a multiple national champion and mentor of many National champions. He is a respected figure in the Indian motorsports administration and in nurturing of fresh talent. This reporter has covered many of Rayo’s magnificent victories over the years.
A Global Stage: The Rotax Max Grand Finals
Krish’s talent earned him a good opportunity to take part in the prestigious Rotax Max Grand Finals in Sarno, Italy, where he competed in the challenging DD2 category representing fmsci and India. Sharing the track with global karting legends, including four-time British champion Macauley Bishop, was a defining moment for Krish.
“The Grand Finals were unforgettable,” he said. “Every lap was a challenge, and racing against the best in the world was a dream come true. Meeting Macauley Bishop was inspiring and a reminder of the heights I aspire to reach.”
Reflecting on his journey, Krish emphasized the lessons learned and the memories made. “This experience has deepened my passion for the sport. I’m determined to train harder and aim for the front.”
Professional Karting Journey
Season 2022
Krish debuted in the Indian Rotax Max Challenge senior category in 2022, a season marked by competitive grids and valuable learning experiences. He displayed promising pace, with six top-five finishes, including a standout performance in the wet during Round 4, where he climbed from 14th to 2nd.
His international debut came in the IAME Asia Series in Malaysia, where he finished a respectable 8th under mixed conditions.
Season 2023
Building on his rookie season, Krish’s 2023 campaign showcased significant progress. Competing in both domestic and international championships, he earned his first international podium with a strong 3rd place in the IAME Asia Series. On home soil, he achieved his first national pole position in wet conditions at the Rotax Max Challenge Asia Trophy in Pattaya, Thailand.
Season 2024
Krish’s 2024 season began with a podium finish in the Rotax Max Challenge Asia Trophy in Thailand, marking his first international podium. Back in India, despite technical setbacks, he displayed resilience, finishing 2nd in Round 3 of the National Championship.
Looking Ahead
Krish Gupta’s talent and dedication are evident, and his journey showcases the potential of this young Indian racer. As he continues to hone his skills and push his limits, Krish is poised to make a mark on the global stage, if he does not lose focus and nurtured properly. With the right support and guidance, this budding star is on track to go places.
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Historic hattrick of wins for Johann; brother Geoffrey adds spice with 3 podiums: Qatar Superbike championship
Lusail, Qatar – 18 November 2024: Indian racing brothers Johann and Geoffrey Emmanuel marked a historic moment for Indian motorsport at the final races of the Qatar Superbike Championship, held at the Losail International Circuit (LIC). With Johann clinching three wins and Geoffrey earning 3 podium finishes, their performances exemplified India’s rising prominence on the international racing stage. The final races concluded here on Saturday. “It is a big kick to get victory on such a big stage and a bigger moment holding the Indian flag on the podium… it is a moment of pride and honour that I will cherish forever,” said Johann.
Organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), the championship provided a platform for the Indian drivers to showcase their superb skills and immense talent on the internationally-renowned Circuit. A total of 48 competitors participated in the fourth round. On Friday, riders and drivers completed their free practice and qualifying sessions and the postponed Race 2 of Round 1 in March 2024 due to rains was also held on Saturday.
Johann Emmanuel on the podium. All photos by Christopher Rio Odukwe The postponed Round 1 of QSSP 300 Race witnessed intense competition for the top position on the podium as Johann Emmanuel emerged victorious with a time of 19 minutes 18.511 seconds, with Marton Bellelli claiming second place at 19 minutes 18.549 seconds, and Mahmoud Elbanna rounding out the podium at 19 minutes 18.847 seconds.
Racing Legacy of the Emmanuel Family
The Emmanuel brothers are the sons of legendary Indian rider Emmanuel Jebaraj, a 10-time National Champion (7 in circuit racing and three in Drag Nationals), winner of Malaysian races (7 years in Malaysia), and 18 years (1995 to 2012), currently mentor to numerous Indian racing stars. Jebaraj, with over 50 high-profile wins, is not only a celebrated rider but also a driving force in nurturing Indian talent through his roles with Gusto India Racing, Alpha Racing, and Red Hills KTM Racing. His contributions to Indian motorsport, including his role as race director for the first MotoGP World Championship in India, set the stage for his sons’ success. The Rossi and Schumy fan was also the mentor and selector for the first Indian Mini GP.
Jebaraj: More than a dad, he is a friend and mentor, behind the screens (Courtesy Instagram) Stellar Performances at Lusail – the Report
Collegian Johann Emmanuel from Chennai scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win all three races in the 300 SSP category of the Qatar Superbike and Superstock Championship over the Nov 16-17 weekend at the iconic Lusail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.
His elder brother 20-year-old Geoffrey Emmanuel, supported by Ceat Tyres, Sidvin, and the Sports Development Authorities of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), brought more cheer to the family by finishing on the podium in all three races in the 600cc category.
It is the first instance of Indian brothers finishing on podium in all the races they participated in the same championship, though in different categories.
Astride a Kawasaki Ninja 300, 18-year-old Johann Emmanuel, a 1st year Visual Communication student at the Madras Christian College, made a significant impact by winning all the three races on debut in his category.
Though short on seat time, Johann qualified P2 which he converted into victory after a fierce battle. Later, in Race-2, the youngster kept his nerve despite losing a gear which dropped him to fifth but recovered brilliantly to post a win by a 14-second margin.
In Race-3, it was a lights-to-flag win for Johann as he completed a historic hat-trick, sparing some 18 seconds to his nearest challenger.
A delighted Johann said: “I really enjoyed the races. But the three wins – it’s a surreal feeling. My performance here has boosted my confidence for my future races.”
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Emmanuel, a 3rd year BCA student at the Madras Christian College, exhibited remarkable resilience and skill riding a Kawasaki ZX6r, to earn three podium finishes in as many races.
#17 Geoffrey Emmanuel in action at Lusail QatarStk600 races He finished third in Race-1 after starting from P11 on the grid as he fought his way through the pack for a podium. Later, he repeated the performance by finishing third in Race-2 which he started from P6.
Geoffrey, who is confirmed to participate in the FIM Moto 2 Junior World Championship next year, fared better in Race-3 by finishing second despite being forced off the track into the gravel when in the lead on the last lap to complete a commendable performance over the weekend.
Reflecting on the weekend, Geoffrey said: “Overall, I am pleased with my performance, though it was disappointing that I couldn’t win Race-3 when in the lead as I was forced on to the gravel but managed to get back for a P2 finish. These experiences will help me to prepare better for my future races.”
Johann Emmanuel – Dominating Qatar 300SSP
A debutant in the Qatar 300SSP Championship and a 1st-year Visual Communication student at Madras Christian College, Johann showcased his mettle by securing a hat trick of victories:
- Qualifying: Despite limited practice, Johann claimed a strong second place on the grid.
- Race 1: A fierce battle saw Johann clinch a narrow 0.38-second victory.
- Race 2: Overcoming a gear mishap, Johann made a stunning comeback to win by a 14-second margin.
- Race 3: Johann’s dominance was evident as he stormed to an 18-second victory.
Geoffrey Emmanuel – Grit in the 600cc Category
Geoffrey Geoffrey, a 3rd-year BCA student at Madras Christian College, demonstrated resilience in the 600cc category, supported by Ceat Tyres, Sidvin, and SDAT. Competing on an international stage, Geoffrey secured three podium finishes despite challenges:
- Race 1: After starting 11th, Geoffrey fought back to secure 3rd place.
- Race 2: A stronger start from 6th position saw him finish in 3rd place after an intense fight for the lead.
- Race 3: Leading for most of the race, Geoffrey recovered from a gravel mishap on the final lap to finish 2nd.
Growing talent pool of Indian motorsport
The Emmanuel brothers’ success at the QSSP300 Championship adds to the growing talent pool of Indian motorsport riders. Their remarkable performances at Lusail, in one of the world’s most competitive racing arenas, promise an exciting journey ahead for Indian racing enthusiasts.
As Johann and Geoffrey prepare for future challenges, it is hoped that their combination of skill, determination, and legacy will continue to bring laurels for India.
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#MART1NATOR: Martin crowned 2024 MotoGP World Champion
Barcelona, 17 November 2024:
The Prima Pramac star clinches his first premier class title at #TheRematch decider.
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is the 2024 MotoGP™ World Champion! Having taken a 24-point lead into the title-deciding weekend at the Motul Solidarity GP of Barcelona, the Spaniard held his nerve to perfection to win his first premier class title by 10 points and become the first Independent Team rider to win the title in the MotoGP™ era.
Martin made his debut on the world stage in 2015 with Mapfre Mahindra, moving up after taking the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. He scored his first point in the season opener in Qatar and became a regular top 15 contender, ending his rookie year in 17th overall. The following season, the rider from Madrid took another step forward – including his first podium in the wet at Brno – but he also missed a couple of races through injury, therefore ending the season just one place further forward in 16th overall.
2017 saw Martin cement his place at the front as he moved to Del Conca Gresini Moto3, beginning the year on the podium in third at Qatar. He took nine pole positions and eight further podiums that season – but it was a long wait for one to be a maiden win. The Spaniard wrapped that up in the season finale at Valencia; his first trip to the top step setting him up perfectly for an assault on the crown the following year and seeing him take fourth overall in the standings.
2018 began perfectly as Martin won in Qatar, and it was a year that saw the Spanish star really make a name for himself on the Grand Prix scene. Seven wins were secured while he also set a new Moto3™ pole position record (11), but it was the Moto3™ World Championship crown that counted most. For the first time, Martin was a World Champion, as a move to Moto2™ with Red Bull KTM Ajo beckoned for 2019.
A difficult year for rider and machine followed in his rookie intermediate class season, and it wasn’t until the Japanese GP that we saw Martin return to the podium. That P3 was backed up by a P2 in Australia, as a good end-of-season run set up 2020 nicely for one of Grand Prix racing’s brightest prospects.
Three podiums in the first six races in 2020 included a debut Moto2™ win in Austria. But when sitting just eight points back from title leader Luca Marini, Martin then had to miss the San Marino and Emilia-Romagna GPs after testing positive for Covid-19, and two more 0s cost him dearly in his quest to become Moto2™ World Champion.
2021 was when the Prima Pramac Racing and Jorge Martin story began as the combination teamed up in the premier class. And the first chapter was one to remember! Martin stuck it on pole in just his second outing and went on to claim P3 in the Doha GP to immediately raise eyebrows in MotoGP™. However, a big crash at the next race in Portimao left Martin with eight fractures and forced him to miss four races. Nevertheless, Martin banished those demons to win the Styrian GP from pole position, and backed that maiden victory up in style the following weekend with a P3 from pole.
Capping off a rollercoaster rookie MotoGP™ season with a second place finish in Valencia, 2022 promised a lot – but delivered a little less at times. It was a tougher start with Martin unable to unleash his full potential, but his sophomore season ended with four podiums – none of them wins.
After that more difficult-than-expected 2022, Martin came into 2023 hunting a much more consistent campaign. The year didn’t get off to the cleanest of starts though as two Sunday DNFs came in the first three races, before a P4 on home soil in Jerez got the ball rolling. A debut Tissot Sprint win arrived in France, and that was backed up with a double podium in Italy at Mugello. And from there, Martin’s title challenge against Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was born. Martin went on to become the Sprint King in 2023 as the #89 won seven of the last nine Saturday outings, and having won three Sunday races in the second half of the season, Martin landed in Valencia 21 points adrift of Pecco.
After winning the Sprint, Martin cut the gap – but Sunday saw the home hero suffer a DNF. Martin agonisingly missed out on the MotoGP™ title last season, but that only added fuel to the fire in his pursuit of going one better in 2024.
A Sprint win and Sunday P3 in Qatar was a solid start to the year, and that was followed up by a first 25-point haul in Portugal. Leaving Round 2, Martin led the Championship and from there, he’s only lost it to Bagnaia once. The key to Martin’s success in 2024? Consistency. Between Round 5 and 18, Martin only missed out on a Sunday podium twice – once was in Germany when he crashed out of the lead with two laps to go, and once at the San Marino GP when a tyre switch gamble didn’t pay off.
After six P2 finishes in that stretch, a return to winning ways on Sunday in Indonesia – following a Sprint crash – saw Martin start to become the favourite for the title. A P2 in Japan, a Sprint win and P2 in Australia and a pair of P2s in Thailand saw Martin land in Malaysia with a 17-point lead over Pecco.
In the Sprint, Martin was superb to claim a crucial 12 points as Pecco, dramatically, crashed out of P2. That meant Martin had a 29-point lead coming into Sunday’s 20-lap race in Sepang and with a P2 finish, Martin made sure he held a healthy 24-point advantage over Pecco ahead of #TheRematch decider.
In Barcelona, Martin qualified fourth and finished P3 in the Tissot Sprint to head into Sunday’s race with a simple objective – finish P9 or better. And that’s exactly what he did. Despite Bagnaia’s perfect weekend, Martin claimed a safe P3 in front of his home fans to become the 2024 World Champion – a year on from missing out on the crown in Valencia. A phenomenal job from the #89 as he became a MotoGP™ World Champion, and two-time World Champion too, before he leaves Ducati for Aprilia in 2025.
Congratulations to Jorge and Prima Pramac Racing on a stunning campaign!
