INDIA in F1

Author: INDIAinF1 Desk

  • WRC 2019: Sebastien Ogier to return to Citroen along with co-driver Julien Ingrassia

    WRC 2019: Sebastien Ogier to return to Citroen along with co-driver Julien Ingrassia

    Ogier and Ingrassia….FIA World Rally Championship 2018 – WRC Monte Carlo (FRA). PHOTO: @World

    Paris, 29 September 2018: World rally champion Sébastien Ogier, along with co-driver Julien Ingrassia, will return to Citroën Racing next season after signing a two-year deal with the French manufacturer. He returns to the Satory-based team, with whom he spent the early days of his WRC career, after a two-year spell with M-Sport Ford.

    Friday afternoon’s announcement was not a surprise after it became apparent in recent weeks that the 34-year-old Frenchman was edging towards Citroën rather than extending his stay with the British squad.

    Ogier made it clear last month he would agree one final WRC contract before ending his stay in a championship he has dominated in recent seasons, but there is no confirmation of how long his contact is.

    Five consecutive World titles with Volkswagen Motorsport and M-Sport Ford have made him the WRC’s second most successful driver behind former Citroën team-mate Sébastien Loeb.

    Ogier said a key factor behind his switch was the desire to win the Championship with a third team, something only Juha Kankkunen has achieved.

    “There were various factors that influenced my decision. I really like the idea of working again with people with whom things went pretty well a few years back and I’m also excited by the chance to try and pull off the challenge of becoming World champion with a third different manufacturer,” he explained.

    “And although I’m not taking anything for granted, I am convinced the car has definite potential and I have great faith in the people at Satory.

    “I’m really enthusiastic about the prospect of taking on this new challenge with Citroën. In fact, I can’t wait, especially as I haven’t forgotten that this is the team that first gave me the opportunity to compete in the World Championship.”

    Ogier won the junior World title with Citroën in 2008 before making his first appearance at the top level later that season.

    He drove for Citroën’s second-string in 2009 and 2010, claiming his first WRC win in Portugal. He was promoted to the top team in the second half of 2010, but left after the 2011 season following increasing tension between himself, Loeb and management regarding team orders.

    M-Sport team celebrating the Monte Carlo triumph. Photo: M-Sport

    Ogier joined M-Sport Ford in 2017 after Volkswagen stepped back from the WRC. The switch from the well-funded German squad to Malcolm’s Wilson privately-run team took many by surprise.

    “When we decided to join M-Sport two years ago, many considered it a risk. I considered it a challenge, and together we achieved something extraordinary,” he said.

    “Malcolm and his team have such a passion for rallying, and I would like to thank each and every one of them for what has been an incredible two years together.

    “It’s now time for another new challenge, but first we will focus on bringing this special partnership to a close in the best possible way. The championship is still extremely close and we’ll keep fighting to keep our chances alive and keep pushing until the very end.”

    Citroën team principal Pierre Budar made clear his desire to resign Ogier in a bid to rejuvenate the team’s flagging fortunes following the mid-season departure of Kris Meeke.

    “I’m obviously delighted to welcome Sébastien and Julien back into the fold. The fact they are joining us is an incredible boost for the whole team. Everyone is going to be even more motivated than ever.

    “We’re already pulling out all the stops to make sure our second stint working together adds to our great history in the sport and showcases the Citroën brand. We feel good!” he said.

    Having secured victories in Monte-Carlo, Mexico and Corsica this year, Sébastien and Julien are also in with a strong chance of defending their titles and the entire team will continue to work their hardest to ensure this successful partnership comes to a close on another high.

    M-Sport Ford Press Release adds:

    Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “I would like to thank Sébastien and Julien for everything they have done for the team over the past two years. Their professionalism, attention to detail, determination and outright speed is something to be admired and we’re all very sorry to see them go.

    “I am immensely proud of everything we achieved together, and their time with the team is something that I think everyone will remember for a long time to come.

    “We wish them well with the next and final chapter of their careers, but there are still three events left to contest this year and the whole team will continue to give one hundred and ten percent in the defence of our championship titles.”

    Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsport, Mark Rushbrook, said: “All of us at Ford are sad to see Sébastien and Julien leave the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team at the end of the 2018 WRC season, but I would like to thank them personally for the great work they have done for us over the last two seasons with the team and to wish them both all the very best for the future.

    “We know we have a really strong package with the Ford Fiesta World Rally Car and all our efforts are focussed on the remaining three rallies as we try to replicate the success of 2017. We will work with our long term rally partners M-Sport on the 2019 driver line up and I am confident we will have a really strong package to continue to deliver the success that we aim for in all the motorsports activities we have around the World.”

  • Raid de Himalaya 2018: New section will challenge the best of men and machine

    Raid de Himalaya 2018: New section will challenge the best of men and machine

    Shimla, 28 September 2018: On the most impossible roads of the Kargil, Zanskar and Ladakh sectors, motorsport titans of India are going to clash at the 20th edition of the Raid de Himalaya, the World’s highest cross-country motorsport challenge. The Raid 2018 will run from October 8 to October 14. It will begin and finish at Leh.

    A total of 31 teams for Xtreme cars and trucks, 37 teams for Xtreme motorcycles and quads, 12 bikers in the Alpine two-wheeler category, and 31 teams in Adventure Trail, which follows the Time-Speed-Distance format, are going to race on the highest reaches of the Himalayas.

    This year’s Raid will run its first stage on the never-before traversed section from Lamayuru, called the Moonland of Ladakh, to Photoksar. Rallyists are going to race on a newly-upgraded road that was earlier a mule track into Zanskar. Crossing the Sirisir La at a height of 4,805 meters above sea level, the 20th Raid De Himalaya is going to enter totally unchartered territory.

    Raid 2018 is all set for the clash between motorsport titans Philippos Mathai and Amittrajit Ghosh of Team Mahindra, Raid winner 2015 Lhakpa Tsering, Raid 2017 runners-up Sanjay Razdan and Sanjay Agarwal, Raid 2017 third overall.

    The choice of vehicles for these motorsport champions is diverse. The gruelling Raid de Himalaya 2018 is going to feature Mathai and Ghosh driving the XUV 500, Sanjay Razdan driving the Maruti Gypsy, Sanjay Agarwal driving the Grand Vitara, and Lakhpa Tsering of Arunachal Pradesh challenging them all with the Polaris RZR 1000 Turbo Dynamix.

    Raid 2018 will see competitors racing to Umba La, a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.496 meters above sea level. This is one of the most spectacular stretches globally, and is listed on dangerousroads.org. The high mountain road features more than 50 hairpin curves and dangerous drop-offs.

    Lhakpa Tsering, Raid Winner 2015, said it takes guts to race at the heights and the roads that form part of the Raid de Himalaya. “Rallying is not cricket or tennis where you have 17-18 year olds as champions. Competitive high-altitude racing needs maturity, brains and physical fitness, and tremendous grit,” said Lakhpa, 45, who has been in motorsport for 20 years.

    The Raid is considered among the top ten toughest rallies of the World. The Raid was established in 1999, and those in the motorsport circuit admit that it’s made grown men cry ever since.

    In 20 years, the Raid has mapped a total of 13.23 lakh kilometres over the highest motorable roads of the Himalayas, including route reconnaissance and transport stages. Competitors driving four wheelers, two wheelers and scarabs have raced over 41,570 kilometers in two decades.

    Raid de Himalaya, India’s most formidable motorsport race, is the flagship rally of the country’s leading motorsport club, Himalayan Motorsport. Vijay Parmar, President of Himalayan Motorsport, said that it has been the Raid’s tradition to open new areas every year to adventure tourism.

    “Raid 2018 offers new winding high-altitude dirt roads as extremely challenging stages on the worlds’ highest cross-country challenge. We have been discovering new routes every year. For the 20th anniversary of our epic rally, there had to be something special. Racing on the new pass of Kaldang-Kildang La at an elevation of 4.092m in the Ladakh region, and the daunting stretches of Photoksar and Sirisir La promises to make Raid 2018 a nail-biting finish,” said Parmar.

  • Harith Noah claims INRC 2w victory after a tie: Rally of Coimbatore

    Harith Noah claims INRC 2w victory after a tie: Rally of Coimbatore

    Coimbatore, 30 July 2018: Harith Noah of Team TVS riding a TVS RTR 450 motorcycle, had tie with Abdul Wahid of the same team, clocking 47 minutes and 33 seconds. Applying the tie breaker rule, Harith Noah who had clocked the fastest time in the first stage was declared the overall winner of the MRF Rally of Coimbatore, the fifth round of the MRF MoGrip FMSCI National Rally Championship for two-wheelers, here on Sunday.

    “The route was very challenging and I enjoyed riding the stages,” said Shoranur based winner Harith Noah. “This is one of the best event I haven taken part“, he added.

    He clocked 47 min, 33 seconds to complete the challenging Special Stages set around the wind farms near the Kethanur (Palladam) area.

    The total distance of the route was approximately 111.11 kms, with the total distance of the Special Stages approximately 56 kms. This time around, unlike last year, there were two Special Stages – the Black Thunder Stage (14.85 km) and the Thunder World Stage (14.45 km).

    R. Nataraj, winner of the opening four rounds, came overall third in a time of 49 minutes and 09 seconds.

    Seventy Four riders took part in the in the rally organised by Coimbatore Auto Sports Club, while Local lad K. Sasikumar won the Star of Tamil Nadu category exclusively for riders from Tamil Nadu and was placed overall 14 with a time of 58 minutes and 16 seconds.

    The ceremonial flag off was from Hotel Gokulam Park by R Kanagaraj, MLA, Sulur Constituency on Saturday, 28 July 2018 at 05.00 PM. Ivan Oswald, Regional Sales Manager, MRF Limited was the chief guest for the prize distribution function which was held at the same venue on Sunday, 29 July at 06.30 PM.

    Organisers, CASC would like take this opportunity to thank M/s.MRF Limited and M/s.Godspeed for sponsoring the event as well as the Championship, and look forward to their continued support.

    RESULTS

    OVERALL WINNER

    1st Place Harith Noah (TVS Racing) Shoranur 2nd Place Abdul Wahid (TVS Racing) Mysore 3rd Place R.Nataraj (TVS Racing) Bangalore

    WINNER OF C-1 – Super Bike Pro Expert

    1. Harith Noah (TVS Racing) Shoranur; 2. Abdul Wahid (TVS Racing) Mysore 3. R.Nataraj (TVS Racing) Bangalore

    WINNER OF C-1A – Super Bike Expert

    1. Badal Doshi, Privateer, Mumbai; 2. Jatin Jain Privateer Nagpur 3. Aakash Aital, Privateer, Puttur.

    WINNER OF C-2 – 130 cc

    1. Rakesh Kumar Privateer Bangalore 2. Santhosh Privateer Coimbatore 3. Vignesh Privateer Coimbatore.

    WINNER OF C-3 – 165 cc

    1. J Imran Pasha TVS Racing Mysore 2. V.Thirinesh Privateer Bangalore 3. D. Sachin Privateer Bangalore

    WINNER OF C-4 – 260 cc

    1. R.E. Rajendra TVS Racing Shimoga 2. Samual Jacob Privateer Hosur 3. Jeeva Rathinam Privateer Bangalore

    WINNER OF C-5 – 400 cc

    1. Venu Rameshkumar Privateer Coimbatore

    2. D. Karthikeyan Privateer Coimbatore 3. Prabhu Chandramohan Privateer Trivandram

    WINNER OF C-6 – 550 cc

    1. Sreekanth Komana Privateer Trivandram 2.MR Ranjith Privateer Trissur 3. Abijith Joy Privateer Eranakulam.

    WINNER OF C-7 – Scooter Class

    1. Pinkesh Thakar Aprilla Racing Pune 2. Syed Asif Ali TVS Racing Hosur 3. Syed Zeeshan Privateer Thane

    WINNER OF C-8 – Ladies Class

    1. U Fazeela Privateer Cochin.

    WINNER OF C-9 Star of Tamil Nadu

    1. K Sasikumar Privateer Coimbatore 2. M. Santhosh Privateer Coimbatore 3. Sam Issiah Privateer Coimbatore.

    (Last updated: 21 July 2023)

  • Jehan Daruvala excels at the legendary Spa circuit, with a Pole, Fastest Lap and a victory

    Jehan Daruvala excels at the legendary Spa circuit, with a Pole, Fastest Lap and a victory

    Jehan Daruvala flashing past the finish line while winning Race 1 at Spa on Friday.

    Spa (Belgium), 27 July 2018: Jehan Daruvala, the first Indian to win in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, once again set a new benchmark with pole position, fastest lap and race victory in Race 1 at the legendary Formula 1 circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium.

    Jehan Daruvala celebrates victory at Spa.

    The teenage racing sensation from Mumbai had a tense qualifying earlier yesterday, and began setting lap times with only five minutes left for the session to end. Jehan was fifth on the timesheets after his first lap and improved to provisional second on the next lap. On his third and last effort, Jehan gave it everything for a brilliant lap to bag pole position by 0.10 seconds ahead of the then championship leader Marcus Armstrong from New Zealand. Jehan managed to lap the 7 kms circuit in a time of 2:12.983, while Spaniard, Alex Palou was third, two-tenths behind Jehan.

    Jehan unfortunately lost ground when the lights went off to start the race. His car bogged down and by the first corner Jehan had fallen to third. As the leaders accelerated out of the iconic Eau Rouge corner, Jehan took advantage of the slip stream and muscled his way into second. Soon, an incident behind the leaders brought out the safety car for two laps.

    The race resumed with Alex Palou retaining his lead ahead of Jehan, who in turn faced no threat. Once again, out of Eau Rouge and onto the long Kemmel Straight, Jehan went around the outside of Palou to grab the race lead. Jehan thereafter had to ensure that he immediately put in a bit of a gap to avoid being overtaken once again due to the slip stream effect. He managed to do that successfully, opening up six-tenth advantage over Palou.

    Jehan Daruvala on way to victory at Spa

    The former CIK FIA Asia Pacific Karting Champion continued his dominance over the rest of the field, pulling out over two-tenths of a lap over everyone else. The Spaniard too, did not face any challenges as the two leaders were in a class of their own, pulling away throughout.

    Jehan then pulled off a series of fastest race laps to move out of Palou’s reach completely, before easing off a bit, at the end. The Sahara Force India Academy racer eventually won the race with a comfortable margin of 3.2 seconds ahead of Palou and a massive 11.9 seconds ahead of Estonian racer, Ralf Aron in third.

    The victory was also Jehan’s fourth podium of 2018 in the FIA F3 series which is arguably one of the toughest stepping stones to reach Formula 1. “The start was not ideal, but I kept my cool as I knew we were quick. Once I was ahead, I just had to make sure I made no mistakes. A lot of credit goes to the team for all the effort that they have put in,” said Jehan after the win.

    Jehan has a number of firsts to his credit such as the first Indian to win a Grand Prix (New Zealand Grand Prix in the Toyota Racing Series in 2017) as well as the only Indian to stand on the podium of any FIA World Championship (third in the FIA CIK World Karting Championship). Jehan also remains the only Indian to win titles in the FIA CIK Asia Pacific Karting Championship and British Karting Championship.

    Jehan will start 12th and 4th for Race 2 and 3 respectively, later this weekend.

     

  • MRF slick tyres for bike races; stage set for Round 2 of National Championship at MMRT

    MRF slick tyres for bike races; stage set for Round 2 of National Championship at MMRT

    File photo. Action in the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship. Photo: Anand Philar

    Chennai, 4 July 2018: The MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship will be shifting gears here this weekend when the second round is held at the MMRT track which will witness a total of 16 races across various categories. The programme also includes the first round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Drag Racing Championship 2018 on Sunday.

    Races will be held in the premier Super Sport Indian 165cc class besides the Pro-Stock (301-400cc and 165cc), Novice (Stock, 165cc) and Girls (Stock, 165cc) categories. Further, two of country’s leading bike manufacturers, Honda and TVS, will be running their own One-Make Championships in association with the MMSC, in the Open and Novice categories.

    The most significant development is that for the first time ever in the National championship slick tyres will be used in races. MRF will be supplying slick tyres for the Super Sport Indian 165cc and Pro-Stock 301-400cc categories. This is a path-breaking move as the MRF slick tyres are expected to see improved lap timings in view of the better traction, especially through the corners, they afford than the conventional tyres.

    File Photo by Anand Philar

    While the focus will yet again be on the “big boys” in the Super Sport Indian 165cc class, there is much to rejoice in the fact that the Novice category, a move initiated by MMSC last season to promote racing at the grass-root level, has yet again attracted over 40 entries, requiring two heats and qualifying sessions followed by a point-scoring race to identify the winner.

    Similarly, the “Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup 2018 organised by MMSC” one-make championship comprising two categories – Open (CBR 250) and Novice (CBR 150). Honda, in its efforts to spot and nurture aspiring youngsters, have focussed the talent hunt among riders in the 13-17 years age group for the CBR 150 grid. The Open class has some of the top riders in the country who have raced in various international series.

    The scenario is much the same in the TVS One-Make Championship 2018 organised by MMSC which will have three categories – Open (Apache RR 310), Novice and Girls (Apache RTR 200) – with strong presence of experienced riders in the Open class.

    About Madras Motor Sports Club

    The Madras Motor Sports Club has been the pioneer in developing and promoting motorsport in India since 1953, and we look to further improve in the years to come. It is the club’s endeavor to provide more opportunities for competitors and to this end, it has chalked out a progressive program for 2017. From the days of Sholavaram , MMSC built its own racetrack which was inaugurated in 1979 and secured its FIA Grade-2 international certification in 2015, making it the only club which owns such a facility. The club has organised the Porsche Super Cup, Formula Campos, Formula Asia, Asian touring car championships, Formula 3, Tata Prima Truck racing championship, the Asian 2-wheeler racing championships besides a host of other motorsport events over the years. The club also has active participation for its events from vehicle manufacturers who also use the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT) extensively for testing their products.

  • McLaren Racing announces changes to leadership structure as Eric Boullier quits

    McLaren Racing announces changes to leadership structure as Eric Boullier quits

    Photo: McLaren Racing (Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images)

    Woking (UK), 4 July 2018: McLaren Racing today announced a leadership restructure of its racing operations, with immediate effect. McLaren Racing Chief Executive Zak Brown yesterday accepted Eric Boullier’s resignation from his position as Racing Director. He also announced a simplified technical leadership team.

    Eric Boullier. Photo: McLaren Racing

    Simon Roberts, COO of McLaren Racing, will oversee production, engineering and logistics. Andrea Stella is appointed Performance Director, responsible for trackside operations. Gil de Ferran takes up the new role of Sporting Director, to maximise the effectiveness of the team’s racing package.

    These changes are the beginning of a comprehensive programme of positive changes to the technical leadership of McLaren’s racing organisation. The team will invest to retain and attract the best talent, internally and externally, to return McLaren Racing to the front of the grid.

    Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said: “The performance of the MCL33 in 2018 has not met the expectations of anyone at McLaren, especially our loyal fans. This is not the fault of the hundreds of committed and hard-working men and women at McLaren.

    “The causes are systemic and structural, which require major change from within. With today’s announcement, we start to address those issues head on and take the first step on our road to recovery.

    “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire team to thank Eric for his service and contribution to McLaren and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

    Eric Boullier said: “I am very proud to have worked with such a brilliant team over the past four years, but I recognise now is the right time for me to step down. I want to wish everyone at McLaren the best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”

  • Dutch Grand Prix: Assen, where myth and magic collide at the ‘Cathedral’

    Dutch Grand Prix: Assen, where myth and magic collide at the ‘Cathedral’

    The iconic Assen TT cirdcuit. Photo: MotoGP

    Assen, 26 June 2018: Since the beginnings of the Dutch TT way back, much has changed, but not the heart and soul of one of the most iconic races on the calendar. Amongst the green fields of the picturesque Drenthe province nestles a true classic, now an 18-apex racetrack made of equal parts courage and precision. It has been a hundred years since motorcycles first raced near the town of Assen, and the track we know today began to appear half a century ago with the finish line the very same today, unchanged since the 1950s. The only track to have remained on the calendar since 1949, the TT Circuit Assen is drenched in magic and myth, and this is the 70th time the event has counted towards the World Championship; a year to remember.

    Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: MotoGP

    In 2018, the MotoGP™ grid arrive in the Netherlands in the shadow of one man: Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team). After two dominant victories in which the ‘Spartan’ was uncatchable and unmatchable, he’s now ahead of teammate Andrea Dovizioso in the Championship for the first time since he joined the Borgo Panigale factory. If he wins at Assen, he will become only the second Ducati rider to win three races in a row, after Casey Stoner. But the Circuit van Drenthe hasn’t always been kind to the number 99 with Lorenzo having taken only one premier class win at the track, in 2010, but for every bad memory, such as a broken collarbone sustained at the track in 2013, there’s a counterpoint, such as the Spaniard’s ride through the pain barrier that same weekend, taking a superhuman fifth place.

    Valentino Rossi. Photo: MotoGP

    His teammate Andrea Dovizioso will be wanting to reverse the swing of momentum within the garage, however. The number 04 doesn’t have the most impressive record at the track, but he may have an ace card if it rains, having always been one of the best in difficult conditions.

    But that’s often been true of the master of Assen, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who has made the magic happen no less than ten times. Pencilled in as a threat at the Dutch track even before the season begins, the rider from Tavullia will be looking to paint the stands yellow. In addition, as well as contributing ten wins to the ‘Doctor’’s stunning record, the TT Circuit Assen was also the stage of his most recent victory, taken in 2017. That’s the last time a Yamaha stood on the top step, and the Iwata marque – and Rossi – will be keen to update the season on that stat. With three podiums in a row, the stage is set.

    His teammate Maverick Viñales will also, like Dovizioso, want to strike back against the other side of the garage. And Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) will want to take his first podium of the season after a run of bad luck. But Assen hasn’t been the best for either – something not true of reigning Champion and points leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).

    Marc Marquez. Photo: Honda Racing

    Will Marquez be racing to win? With a considerable lead in the Championship, the number 93 just needs to keep bagging the points. But with Assen ‘Rossi territory’ in a way and already having staged a showdown between the two in 2015, will that be the blueprint? Or will it be 2016, when Marquez rode to a safe second behind a stunning maiden win for Jack Miller?

    Alma Pramac Racing rider Miller will be hoping for history to repeat itself. After two tougher rounds coming off the back of eight consecutive top ten finishes, the Queenslander will be pushing hard to get back in the mix. But the race for top Independent Team rider will be hard fought once again – former Assen podium finishers, teammate Danilo Petrucci  and LCR Honda Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow, will be tough to beat – as will Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).

    Then, finally, there’s that all-important battle for Rookie of the Year. Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) leads as it stands, but Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) is close behind – can he take over at the TT Circuit Assen? Especially if fortunes favours the Malaysian rainmaster with the weather?

    Watch magic and myth collide at the ‘Cathedral’ from Friday 29th June, with race day now Sunday 1st July. Gone are the days of racing on a Saturday and gone are the tree-lined lanes that formed the track – but the TT Circuit Assen remains drenched in history.

  • US World SBK Day 3 – Masterful Rea does a Laguna Seca double

    US World SBK Day 3 – Masterful Rea does a Laguna Seca double

    Jonathan Rea leading the pack in Race 2 on Sunday. A World SBK image

    Monterey, 25 June 2018: Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) took his second win of the weekend at the WeatherTech Raceway, Laguna Seca, becoming the most successful rider in MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship history at the US racetrack in the process. The Northern Irishman was again unstoppable in the GEICO US Round, flying to the lead in the opening eight laps despite having to start from the back of row three. Second went again to Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), with a sensational performance from Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) to complete the podium in third.

    Rea wasted no time at the lights. By the end of lap one he had managed to climb from ninth on the grid to fifth; three laps around Laguna Seca later, he was already up to second and chasing race leader Laverty. Sitting behind the leading group was Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who crashed out in the early stages of the race making it the third time in the last seven races that the Italian has failed to score any points.

    It didn’t take much longer for the Race 1 leader to pass Laverty either, picking off the Aprilia rider with ease through Lap eight. A similar story to yesterday: two thirds of the race left, an open track ahead, and an unbeatable race pace. When Rea finds his groove and is this confident, the three time champion is second to no one. Even Davies, who put in another stunning climb through the ranks and passed Laverty into second with eight laps to go, couldn’t close the gap and had to settle for second.

    In a similar performance to Sunday however, there was plenty of action for the remaining rostrum place. Laverty, who was now in third, was quickly hunted down by the two Pata Yamaha riders. But the pair battled amongst themselves for just enough laps for the Irishman to keep them both at bay, meaning he was able to clinch his first podium of the 2018 campaign, also a first since Sepang 2014.

    The battle between Round Six and Seven’s race winners van der Mark and Lowes, saw the Brit finally emerge victorious with two laps to go thanks to a brave pass in the run-up to the Corkscrew. A bit of magic from the Lincolnshire rider means he is able to close the gap to his teammate in the standings to just 32 points. Van der Mark meanwhile couldn’t make the best of a fantastic start, which saw the Dutchman rise to second at Turn One, and crossed the line in fifth.

    Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) repeated his Race One performance with sixth at the flag, a sign that the Spaniard is building back his form after two forgettable rounds. Behind him was fellow Spaniard Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in seventh, ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in eighth. Sykes is a three time winner at Laguna Seca, but on Sunday he found himself collapsing down the ranks from the start and it never quite worked out throughout the 25 laps for the Kawasaki rider, closing a disappointing weekend.

    Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) went one better than on Saturday, crossing the line in ninth and taking his personal best result in WorldSBK. A fantastic weekend at home for the Californian, who crossed the line ahead of Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) in tenth and Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura). A special mention for Karel Hanika (Guandalini Racing), who crossed the line in a promising 14th, scoring points in both races at Laguna Seca on his WorldSBK debut.

    Rea said: “I’m super happy, I don’t know what to say, a massive hanks to Pere, they gave me an even better bike today, in the last five laps I took a step back and thought that I’m here in Laguna Seca, riding a ZX-10RR, I felt so cool to be riding out here. Thanks to all the fans, its certainly a case of California dreaming here.”

    Davies said: “That was an enjoyable race, its never easy coming from the third row of the grid but you’ve got to make the passes stick and some of those passes we’re certainly a little bit tight and thats the nature of this grid and with this grid rule. I just missed that but in the early stages to run with Jonny and then we got there and the damage was already done, its great to see Eugene back on the podium.”

    Laverty said: “It is so nice to get that podium we’ve been talking about for so long, it’s been getting closer and closer since my injury, its been getting back into the swing of things, I’m happy for myself but more happier for the team, its been a long time coming and its their first podium.”

  • Jorge Lorenzo hammers home his pace with sublime win in Barcelona

    Jorge Lorenzo hammers home his pace with sublime win in Barcelona

    Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) puts the hammer down in Barcelona. Photo: MotoGP

    Barcelona, 17 June 2018: Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) hammered home the race victory at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in flawless style, taking victory by over four seconds to secure his second consecutive win. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crossed the line second at his home Grand Prix to extend his Championship lead, with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) securing third place for the third race in a row.

    Just like it was in Mugello, Sunday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was all about Lorenzo. However, the number 99 didn’t get the perfect launch from pole position, with Marquez out-dragging the Ducati into the first corner. Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) also made a great start, slotting into second place on the opening laps, with Lorenzo sitting tightly in third.

    Marc Marquez. Photo: Honda Racing

    The Spaniard wasn’t there for long though, keeping his composure to get past Iannone and Marquez to lead into Turn 1 on the second lap and from there, it was hammer time. By now, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was tucked up behind the number 93 in third, before the Italian crashed out at Turn 5 on lap 9 – his third DNF of the season and another massive dent in his title aspirations.

    Back on track, Lorenzo and Marquez had pulled the pin, with Rossi picking up third position, 3.2 seconds back. The gap between the two Spaniards at the front flirted at just under a second, with Lorenzo looking imperious, setting 1:40.0s lap after lap. In the end, the Championship leader had no answer, and eventually finished 4.479 seconds back from the number 99 – who now draws level on points with teammate Dovizioso in the overall standings.

    Valentino Rossi. Photo: Yamaha MotoGP

    Rossi was a lonely third at the checkered flag, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) enjoying a fantastic ride to finish as top Independent Team rider in fourth. The Brit was locked in a battle with Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa in the latter stages of the race before getting the better of the Spaniard down into Turn 4 – Pedrosa rounded out the top five.

    Maverick Viñales’ (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) opening lap woes continued, finishing the first lap down in P10 after starting fourth. The home rider managed to salvage 6th at the flag, holding off Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), with the two locked together throughout the race. Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) crossed the line eighth, with fellow Ducati rider Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) seven seconds further back in ninth.

    Iannone slipped right back after a fantastic start, the Italian rounded out the top ten. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) picking up his fourth straight P11 finish, with Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team) the only other riders to finish the race in P12 and P13 respectively.

    ‘Fabulous’ Fabio Quartararo ….maiden Moto2 success. Photo: MotoGP

    Fabulous Fabio takes flawless first Grand Prix win

    Fabio Quartararo (HDR – Speed Up Racing) stormed to a stunning first Grand Prix victory to take his first podium finish since Assen 2015 in Moto2™. The Frenchman finished 2.492 seconds ahead of Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who came through from P17 on the grid, with home rider and last year’s race winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) taking the final step on the podium in third.

    It wasn’t the start the Frenchman would have wanted from pole position, dropping down to fourth on the opening lap as Marquez grabbed the hole shot going down into Turn 1, with Marcel Schroetter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) slotting in behind. Oliveira again produced a lightning start to get into the top six on the first lap after starting 17th, and by lap 6 the Portuguese rider was shadowing Marquez in second.

    The number 44 hit the front a lap later, but Quatararo was on the move. The double Junior Moto3™ World Champion passed Marquez into Turn 10, and set his sights on Oliveira, making his move at Turn 4 on lap 9 after the KTM rider ran slightly wide.

    From there, it was an exhibition job for the 19-year-old. Quartararo was consistently the only rider to dip into the 1:43s, setting new lap records lap after lap to create a 2.2 second gap to Oliveira by lap 18. Meanwhile, the second-place man had pulled away from Marquez, with the Spaniard holding off the chasing Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) and the recovering teammate Schroetter, who ran wide at Turn 1 on lap 6 after setting the fastest lap of the race.

    Quartararo took the checkered flag 2.492 seconds ahead, getting himself onto the top step of the podium for the first time since 2014. Oliveria crossed the line second, but was then involved in a scary looking incident with Simone Corsi (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) down into Turn 1 on the cool down lap – riders ok. Marquez held off Schroetter to earn a home turf podium, he now sits 20 points behind Bagnaia heading to Assen.

    Vierge was a solid fifth at his home GP, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) holding off a late charge from Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40) to finish 6th, the Italian 0.087 behind in 7th. Championship leader Bagnaia had a disappointing day in eighth, seeing his overall standings lead cut to just one point over Oliveira.

    Enea Bastianini celebrates after scoring a dramatic win. Photo: MotoGP

    Bastianini wins breathless Moto3™ race

    Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) took his first victory since Motegi 2016 in a dramatic Moto3™ race with Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PrustelGP) taking second by 0.003 from Gabriel Rodirigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider), who secured his first Grand Prix podium and Argentina’s first GP podium since Sebastian Porto in 2005.

    The lightweight class race in Barcelona was full of drama for two World Championship protagonists. Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) crashed out of the lead on lap 9 at Turn 9, with fellow-Championship rival Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) involved in a huge crash at Turn 5 on lap 16, with Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team) and Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46) also involved in the incident – Canet was stretchered away.

    Then, on lap 18 of 21, there was more drama as Jaume Masia (Besta Capital Dubai) collided with Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team) down into Turn 1 with both in the hunt for victory – both riders were taken to the medical centre for a check-up.

    An almighty battle at the front developed, with John McPhee (CIP Green Power) Bastianini, Bezzecchi, Rodrigo and Suzuki the five riders left at the front in the final three laps after the two huge crashes. McPhee led over the line onto the final lap, but it was ‘The Beast’ who expertly slipstreamed his way to the front, with Rodrigo and Bezzecchi also getting past McPhee. The Italian rode a flawless last lap to take a much-needed victory, as Championship leader Bezzecchi pipped Rodrigo on the line to grab second place – McPhee had to settle for fourth, his best result of the season.

    Suzuki was an excellent fifth in the end, with reigning Junior Moto3™ World Champion Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) grabbing sixth, 5.961 back from the top five.

  • Jorge Lorenzo pulls the trigger for pole in Barcelona; Marquez, Dovi complete front row

    Jorge Lorenzo pulls the trigger for pole in Barcelona; Marquez, Dovi complete front row

    Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: MotoGP

    Barcelona, 16 June 2018: Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) secured a tantalising first pole position since Valencia 2016 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in a spectacular Q2 session, with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) within a whisker of the fellow-Spaniard in second and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) grabbing his first front row start of the season in third.

    Under blistering Barcelona skies, it was all about the battle of the Spaniards for pole position on home soil. Lorenzo was the first man to set a time, before Marquez crossed the line to set the fastest lap of the weekend – a magnificent 1:38.886, with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) firing in a 1:39.392 to put himself between the two after the first set of hot laps.

    Marc Marquez. Photo: Official website

    It was bubbling up beautifully in Barcelona ahead of the second runs to say the least, with Lorenzo coming out of the box to launch himself to the top of the timesheets, a slender 0.066 the difference between him and future team-mate Marquez. The number 93 was on the ragged edge, and he was right on the pace of his compatriot before hitting traffic at Turn 13 – handing Lorenzo his first Ducati pole and his tenth straight front row start at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

    Dovizioso threatened to take pole on his final run, the Italian was up by a whisker in the first half of the lap before losing time in Sector 3. Nonetheless, the number 04 launches from P3 and looks confident ahead of Sunday. Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was the man who ‘DesmoDovi’ was shadowing on his final run, the Spaniard will start fourth and top Yamaha at his home Grand Prix, a huge improvement from his P9 start this time last year.

    FP4’s quickest man Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was just 0.003 behind Viñales’ time, the Italian starting from the second row for a third consecutive race as he puts himself in a strong position to once again challenge for a podium. Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was able to get himself onto the outside of row two, a good session for the Ducati rider, who starts P6.

    Andrea Dovizioso. Photo: Ducati

    Rossi, who was second after the first runs, pulled out of a potential front row lap at Turn 10 after a message from the Yamaha box told him a certain number 93 was following him. ‘The Doctor’ will start seventh for Sunday’s race, ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), with the Frenchman having to take avoiding action down into Turn 1 when tucked behind Marquez – P8 for Zarco after a difficult weekend. Rounding out the third row was Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) after he was able to earn an automatic Q2 spot, the Spaniard securing his best dry qualifying result of the season in P9.

    Behind Rabat on the grid is Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), who had a disappointing end to the session, crashing at the newly modified Turn 13 while on a personal best lap – the British rider will start tenth. Dani Pedrosa’s (Repsol Honda Team) quiet weekend continued in qualifying, the Spaniard will line up in 11th for his home race, with Q1 graduate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) having a fantastic afternoon in Barcelona, setting a lap time less than two tenths slower than Pedrosa to start a personal best P12.

    So, is it Lorenzo vs Marquez for the victory on home soil? The hammer has been well and truly slammed down by the number 99, but the shockwaves didn’t seem to faze the number 93 too much on Saturday. However, will Lorenzo’s race pace prove too much come Sunday afternoon?

    Quartararo takes stunning Moto2™ pole

    Fabio Quartararo (HRD – Speed Up Racing) will start tomorrow’s Moto2™ race from pole position, setting a blistering 1:43.474 to beat 2017 race winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Marcel Schroetter (Dynavolt Intact GP) to secure his first ever intermediate class pole.

    It was Schroetter who was the man to beat for the majority of the session, jumping to the top of the timesheets from the off, setting a benchmark of 1:43.619 – the fastest lap of the weekend. The German’s time wouldn’t be beaten until home rider Marquez, on his 14th flying lap, went 0.029 quicker.

    Quartararo, who has been up the sharp end throughout the weekend, then stepped up to the mark. The Speed Up rider was looking comfortable in P3, until the 19-year-old increased the pace with just three minutes remaining – a 1:43.474 topping Marquez by over a tenth, with no one having an answer before the checkered flag was waved.

    After leading FP3 by over three tenths of a second, Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) had to settle for fourth quickest in qualifying. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was the leading KTM rider in Catalunya, he picked up his equal best qualifying finish of the season in fifth after spending much of the session battling for a top six place. The South African is in an Italian sandwich in the middle of row two, with Italtrans Racing Team rider Mattia Pasini in sixth – 0.038 back from Binder.

    Beast in Barcelona: Bastianini blasts to Moto3™ pole

    Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) will start the Moto3™ race from pole position as he took top spot in qualifying for the first time since Aragon 2016. Despite a second crash of the weekend, Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) starts second, with Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) on the outside of the front row in third.

    ‘The Beast’ was the rider to beat throughout the session, setting a 1:48.806 – the quickest lap of the weekend – just ten minutes into the session to set a benchmark that wouldn’t be beaten.