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Verstappen begins F1 campaign in style; Red Bull 1-2 at Bahrain
Bahrain, 2 March 2024: Max Verstappen started his 2024 F1 campaign in the same style as he signed off last year, by taking an emphatic victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening round of the Formula One World championship here on Saturday.
The three-time champion marched to a comfortable win more than 20 seconds ahead of Sergio Pérez who made it a second consecutive Sakhir 1-2 for Red Bull Racing, while Carlos Sainz took the final podium place, just three seconds behind Pérez and with team-mate Charles Leclerc fourth to give Ferrari hope of taking the fight to Red Bull over the coming weekends.
Verstappen’s opening win of 2024 was sealed at the start. The Red Bull driver reacted quickest to the lights and he seized the lead into Turn 1 ahead of Leclec who was forced to take an outside line into the corner as Mercedes’ George Russell held his starting third place.
Behind them, Sainz got away poorly and the Spaniard was mugged off the line by Pérez who grabbed P4 and began to chase down Russell.
The Mercedes driver was on a hunt of his own and on the third lap Russell powered past Leclerc to take P2. The Ferrari driver was struggling with his brakes and he was soon being pressured by Pérez. And on lap 7 the Mexican pounced. Leclerc locked up into Turn 10 and Pérez powered past on the short straight to the next corner.
At the front, Verstappen was building a solid comfort zone and by lap 10 he was almost eight seconds clear of Russell, while the Mercedes driver was just a second ahead of Pérez.
The threat from the Red Bull driver prompted Mercedes to pit Russell at the end of lap 11 and the Briton switched to Hard tyres. With Leclerc visibly struggling, Ferrari brought him for Hard tyres on the same lap. Covering Russell, Red Bull brought Pérez in at the end of lap 12 and after his switch to Hard tyres he emerged behind the Mercedes driver in P9.
It didn’t take long for the Red Bull man to make his greater pace tell. He quickly put pressure on the Mercedes and in Turn 4 Russell made a mistake, went wide and Pérez swept past to set up a Red Bull 1-2.
Verstappen made his first stop at the end of lap 17 and in a 2.9s halt he took on Hard tyres to re-emerge in the lead. But while the champion had everything under control, there were problems elsewhere. Leclerc, now in fifth place, was complaining of continuous front locking and Russell was reporting problems with an overheating power unit, an issue that on lap 18 allowed Sainz to power past to take P3.
The order at the top remained largely static during the second stint and Russell was the first of the leaders to make a second pit stop, at the end of lap 31. Over the following laps the bulk of the top 10 drivers cycled through the pit lane and then, at the end of lap 36, Pérez made his second stop, taking on a set of Soft tyres in a 2.7s halt that allowed him to emerge a little under two seconds ahead of Sainz who had pitted for a second set of Hard Tyres. Verstappen then made his final stop a lap later and after also taking on Soft tyres he emerged almost 16s clear of his team-mate.
The final major move of the race came on lap 46 with Russell locking up into Turn 10. His slide wide allowed Leclerc through to take fourth place. And there the order settled.
Verstappen, who had also sealed fastest lap earlier in the race, could now manage his pace and 11 laps later the World Champion crossed the line to take 22 seconds clear of his team-mate to take his first win of the new campaign.
The Red Bulls were followed by the Ferrari cars of Sainz and Leclerc, with Russell in fifth place at the flag. Sixth place went to McLaren’s Lando Norris, with Lewis Hamilton in seventh place in the second Mercedes. Oscar Piastri was eighth in the second Mercedes and the final two points places were taken by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
2024 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix – Race
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 57 1:31’44.742
2 Sergio Pérez Red Bull Racing RBPT 57 1:32’07.199 22.457
3 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 57 1:32’09.852 25.110
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 57 1:32’24.411 39.669
5 George Russell Mercedes 57 1:32’31.530 46.788
6 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 57 1:32’33.200 48.458
7 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 57 1:32’35.066 50.324
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren 57 1:32’40.824 56.082
9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 57 1:32’59.629 1’14.887
10 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 57 1:33’17.958 1’33.216
11 Zhou Guanyu Sauber 56 1:31’51.501 1 lap /6.759
12 Kevin Magnussen Haas 56 1:31’53.058 1 lap /8.316
13 Daniel Ricciardo RB 56 1:31’53.700 1 lap /8.958
14 Yuki Tsunoda RB 56 1:31’54.224 1 lap /9.482
15 Alexander Albon Williams 56 1:31’56.628 1 lap /11.886
16 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 56 1:32’02.374 1 lap /17.632
17 Esteban Ocon Alpine 56 1:32’16.192 1 lap /31.450
18 Pierre Gasly Alpine 56 1:32’17.159 1 lap /32.417
19 Valtteri Bottas Sauber 56 1:33’07.972 1 lap /1’23.230
20 Logan Sargeant Williams 55 1:32’05.537 2 laps /20.795 -
Kush Maini rallies from P22 to P7 after missing pole start: F2
Sakhir (Bahrain) 2 March 2024: Despite securing a pole for the Feature race, Kush Maini, driving for the Invicta team, starting absolutely last in the opening round of the Formula 2 Championship due to a technical infringement and subsequent disqualification of the qualifying time, but did a fantastic job to finish the 32-lap race in P7.
Kush, who is part of the Alpine academy, driving car number 9 went on the Prime tires like the majority of the drivers and ensured that he had a long and consistent stint before changing to the faster Soft tires.
He was the last to pit and fortunately well timed with a Safety car and he exited the Pits in P11. With Fresher tires he made good progress through the field by first passing both the Prema cars driven by Bearman and Antonelli. Was continuously closing the gap till he finished the race in P7.
SAKHIR (BH), Kush Maini #09 take P7 in the Round 1 Feature race at Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit for Invicta Racing. Photo by Dutch Photo Agency After the race, Kush Maini said,” I was really happy when we got Provisional Pole on Thursday because that meant that we were able to deliver over one Lap. Was a day with the highest of highs and then the Low when we were told much later that my Qualifying times wouldn’t count because I was disqualified due to a technical reason. Even though it did not change the performance, I had to start both races from the back of the grid. I tried to make as many positions as I could in both races and so as a team we also have enough data to go into the next round. It was also good to get some points in the feature race. Looking forward to racing in Saudi next week.”
Formula 2 returns next week alongside F1 in Saudi. The races can be watched live on F1 TV and in India on Fancode.
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Max Verstappen begins season with a pole after a tough battle with Leclerc
Bahrain, 1 March 2024: Defending Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of 2024 in a closely contested Qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.228 seconds with Mercedes’ George Russell in third place.
Verstappen had to work hard in the final runs of the session to beat Leclerc, with the Ferrari drivers just six hundredths of a second behind the Dutchman after the opening runs of Q3. Verstappen upped the pace on his final run to post a time of 1:29.179 but Leclerc, who had gone quicker than that in Q2, was clear by a small margin after the second sector of his final. However, the Ferrari driver lost out in the final sector and Verstappen claimed his third career Bahrain Grand Prix pole.
At the start of the hour, in Q1, Ferrari were first on track, Carlos Sainz took up early residency in P1 with a lap of 1:31.208 just under six hundredths of a second ahead of team-mate Leclerc.
Verstappen initially held fire but after six minutes he left the Red Bull garage and jumped to the top of the timesheet with a lap of 1:30.031 ahead of McLaren’s improving Lando Norris, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Sergio Pérez, who slotted into fourth place with his time of 1:30.221.
Sainz though was into his second attempt and the Spaniard was the first to dip below the 1m30s mark, stopping the clock at 1:29.900 and returning to the top of the timesheet a little over a tenth ahead of Verstappen.
Verstappen went for a second run at the end of the session but he failed to improve and as Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll jumped to P2 with his final flyer, Verstappen went through to the next session in P3.
There was no place in Q2 for either Sauber, however, with Valtteri Bottas ruled out in P16 ahead of team-mate Zhou Guanyu. Williams’ Logan Sargeant was also bounced out in P18 ahead of the Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
At the start of Q2 Verstappen led the way with an impressive lap of 1:29.374 that put him almost six tenths clear of Pérez and third-placed Norris who was the only other driver below 1m30s. Ahead of the final runs, Leclerc sat in fifth ahead of Alonso, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Sainz.
Both Red Bull drivers backed out their final Q2 runs and that left the door open for Leclerc who stole top spot with a strong final flying lap of 1:29.165. Sainz took third place behind Verstappen.
RB’s Yuki Tusnoda who was ruled out in P11 ahead of Stroll, Albon, the second RB of Daniel Ricciardo and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen.
Verstappen was quickly out on track at the start of Q3 and the World Champion put in a good opener of 1:29.421 to take provisional pole. Leclerc was just six hundredths of a second off the Dutchman, however.
But Verstappen found more pace in the final runs to post a lap of 1:29.179. Leclerc momentarily looked to be powering past that, but despite being marginally clear after the second sector he pushed his tyres too hard and when he crossed the line he was two tenths of a second off Verstappen, and the champion had his first pole of 2024. Russell took third place for Mercedes, with Sainz fourth on 1:29.573.
Pérez’s 1:29.932 was good enough for fifth place and the front of row three, alongside Alonso. The McLarens of Norris and Piastri are set to occupy row four and the final top 10 positions were taken by Hamilton and Hülkenberg.
2024 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix – Qualifying
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:29.179
2 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:29.407 0.228
3 George Russell Mercedes 1:29.485 0.306
4 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:29.507 0.328
5 Sergio Pérez Red Bull Racing 1:29.537 0.358
6 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:29.542 0.363
7 Lando Norris McLaren 1:29.614 0.435
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:29.683 0.504
9 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:29.710 0.531
10 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:30.502 1.323
11 Yuki Tsunoda RB 1:30.129 0.950
12 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:30.200 1.021
13 Alexander Albon Williams 1:30.221 1.042
14 Daniel Ricciardo RB 1:30.278 1.099
15 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:30.529 1.350
16 Valtteri Bottas Sauber 1:30.756 1.577
17 Zhou Guanyu Sauber 1:30.757 1.578
18 Logan Sargeant Williams 1:30.770 1.591
19 Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:30.793 1.614 1.810
20 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:30.948 1.769 -
Hamilton leads free practice time sheets in Bahrain: F1
Bahrain, 29 February 2024: The opening weekend of the longest season in Formula 1 history saw Mercedes write the first headline. The Toto Wolff-run team had both its drivers at the top of the time sheet come the end of the second free practice session, the one that is most relevant as it was held in similar conditions to those found in tomorrow’s qualifying and Saturday’s race. Quickest was Lewis Hamilton (1:30.374) while team-mate George Russell was just 206 thousandths of a second slower. Behind the Mercedes duo came five drivers from five different teams in the following order: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), all within 286 thousandths, the German’s time 510 thousandths slower than Hamilton’s.
Quite strong winds were the order of the day, as well as much cooler temperatures than usual for the Bahrain Grand Prix and to a lesser extent to those experienced at last week’s test, with the mercury dropping below 20° for air temperature in FP2. It should be noted that this event is taking place a bit earlier in the year than usual. Hamilton’s time was just under six tenths faster than the best FP2 time from last year, when Alonso posted a 1:30.907 and 666 thousandths off the 2023 pole time set by Verstappen.
Max, 6th in Free Practice
Lewis Hamilton set the pace in the second practice session for this weekend’s season-opening FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver finishing two tenths of a second clear of team-mate George and with defending World Champion Max Verstappen in sixth place.
At the start of the session, drivers went out on a mix of Soft and medium tyres, with many of the expected frontrunners opting for the red-walled C3 compound. Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez was quicker to the fore with a time of 1:31.629 but that was soon beaten by Charles Leclerc who logged a lap of 131.578 in the Ferrari SF-24. However, both were easily bypassed by Hamilton who posted a lap of 1:30.751 to take top spot. Alonso then split the top two with a 1m31.035s. Hamilton though was improving all the time and the seven-time champion eventually worked his way to 1:30.374 to seal first place for good.
Further down the order, Verstappen’s opening lap was half a second down on Hamilton’s P1 time and, although he later improved on the same set of tyres, he failed to make a serious move up the order and eventually had to settle for the sixth place earned by his best time of 1:30.851.
Behind Hamilton, Russell slotted in behind to sit second, posting a best time of 1:30.580 on his second set of Softs to finish 0.206 behind his team-mate. Fernando Alonso ended up in third place, eight hundredths of a second behind Russell and fourth place went to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on 1:30.769, a time that put him 0.015s ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and with Verstappen 0.477s off Hamilton in P6.
These performance runs of the first half hour then gave way to longer running, which meant that Nico Hülkenberg finished in P7 for Haas, just three hundredths of a second off Verstappen, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was eighth, 0.007s behind the German. Leclerc and Pérez rounded out the top 10, ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon, with RB’s Daniel Ricciardo in P12 ahead of the second Williams of Logan Sargeant.2024 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix – Free Practice 2
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes !:30.374 25 215.584
2 George Russell Mercedes !:30.580 0.206 23 215.093
3 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes !:30.660 0.286 22 214.904
4 Carlos Sainz Ferrari !:30.769 0.395 25 214.645
5 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes !:30.784 0.410 27 214.610
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT !:30.851 0.477 25 214.452
7 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari !:30.884 0.510 23 214.374
8 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes !:30.891 0.517 26 214.357
9 Charles Leclerc Ferrari !:31.113 0.739 26 213.835
10 Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT !:31.115 0.741 26 213.830
11 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes !:31.333 0.959 26 213.320
12 Daniel Ricciardo RB/Honda RBPT !:31.516 1.142 26 212.893
13 Logan Sargeant Williams/Mercedes !:31.715 1.341 27 212.431
14 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari !:31.764 1.390 27 212.318
15 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT !:31.881 1.507 29 212.048
16 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault !:31.951 1.577 25 211.886
17 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari !:32.001 1.627 24 211.771
18 Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault !:32.027 1.653 25 211.711
19 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari !:32.048 1.674 28 211.663
20 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes !:32.608 2.234 25 210.383 -
Kush Maini take pole in the first round F2 at Sakhir
Sakhir, 29 February 2024: Kush Maini scored his maiden pole position in FIA Formula 2 as he beat out teammate Gabriel Bortoleto to seal a P1 start for Saturday’s Feature Race.
On his final attempt in Qualifying, Maini completed a lap of 1:41.696 to go to the top of the timesheets. Bortoleto followed his teammate across the line to place second, two-tenths off the pole-winning effort.
Campos Racing’s Isack Hadjar completed a lap good enough for third having led the way earlier in the session.
It was Maini who set the early pace for Invicta Racing aided by a strong middle sector, he completed a lap of 1:42.533 to lead Hauger by just 0.045s.
With 10 minutes gone, the drivers returned to the pitlane for some fresher tyres. However, that was when Campos elected to send Hadjar and Josep María Martí out on track for the first time in the session.
Hadjar then went to the top of the timesheets with a lap of 1:42.418, with Martí behind him across the line going to second, 0.021s off the Frenchman’s benchmark effort.
The rest of the field then emerged from the pit lane ahead of their final runs with Maloney going fastest. But the Bajan’s time was quickly eclipsed by the Invicta pair of Maini and Bortoleto, with Hadjar then going to third.
Maloney, and a number of other drivers including ART Grands Prix’s Victor Martins, made their second attempts at the top spot, but with the Pirelli rubber not offering more than one push lap on the abrasive Bahrain tarmac, no driver could eclipse Maini’s time.
With Invicta locking out the front row and Hadjar following in third, Zane Maloney and Dennis Hauger rounded out the top five for Rodin Motorsport and MP Motorsport respectively.
Rookies Ritomo Miyata and Zak O’ Sullivan followed for Rodin and ART Grand Prix, while Enzo Fittipaldi placed eighth for Van Amersfoort Racing.
Victor Martins qualified ninth for ART, with Taylor Barnard set to line up on pole for Friday’s Sprint Race after qualifying 10th for PHM AIX Racing.
Attentions now turns to the 23-lap Sakhir Sprint Race with lights out set to occur at 17:15 local time on Friday, March 1.
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Flash: Big Rock Motorsports emerges triumphant in the inaugural CEAT ISRL season
“We are boys from Way DownUnder, We are not afraid of blood and thunder,”
“Of little things, we don’t care and the impossible, we will dare,”…
goes the Aussie fan song. And Matt Moss and Reid Taylor will vouch for the same… The Aussie duo helped the Kolar Kings, Big Rock, to emerge as champions.
Bangalore, February 25, 2024: Stunning overall display by Big Rock Motorsports, under the leadership of Dakar veteran CS Santosh, saw that the Bengaluru team excelled in their home round to extend their overall lead in the points table and emerge triumphant in the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) which concluded its inaugural season with a breath-taking Grand Finale in Bangalore on Sunday.
In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, the home team, BigRock Motorsport saw their Aussie hero Matt Moss win the 450cc international race to spearhead the team’s victorious run. Securing their place as the champions of the inaugural CEAT ISRL season, the Kolar-based team did well in the third and final round at Bengaluru, considered as their home round. The team dominated the Grand Finale, replicating their outstanding performances from Round 2 after a rather mediocre start in Round 1 despite taking lead in the points table. They garnered good points but lost the feature races to Jordi Tixier in Round 1. However, the Aussie rider, lived upto the expectations and reversed the fortunes in the second round and assisted the team to keep up the lead in the final round with a deserving win. Beaing the star athlete Matt Moss, riding the Kawasaki, clinched the first place in the 450cc international race, solidifying his team’s position to emerge as Supercross League champion.
The 250cc international race was once again led by the formidable Reid Taylor of BigRock Motorsports showcased his prowess on the track. In the 250cc India Asia Mix category, the dynamic rider Thanarat Penjan of BigRock Motorsport, riding the Kawasaki, claimed the top spot, adding another feather to their cap.
The Grand Finale in Bangalore drew an unprecedented crowd of over 8000+ spectators, taking the total physical attendance over 30000+ for the season setting a new global record and creating an electric atmosphere. The racing spectacle exceeded expectations, captivating the audience with high-speed action, daring manoeuvres, and nail-biting finishes. The event marked a new chapter in Indian motorsports, bringing together racing enthusiasts, distinguished guests, and top-notch riders from around the world.
Veer Patel, Managing Director of Lilleria Group and Co-Founder of CEAT ISRL, shared his excitement, stating, “The Grand Finale in Bangalore has exceeded our expectations and set the stage for an even more thrilling second season. We have set a new global record with the maximum physical representation anywhere in the world for a Supercross event. It gives me immense pleasure to see our collective dream to take shape in reality. I am confident that with the support of FMSI, FIM, racing teams and all partners we will make India as the focal point for Supercross in the world. On behalf of CEAT ISRL, we congratulate all winners and participants for showcasing their skills and talent, which has led to the success of the inaugural season and is a testament to our collective vision.”
The CEAT ISRL Grand Finale showcased not only the skill and competitiveness of the riders but also the league’s commitment to creating a global extravaganza. The series has successfully positioned India on the world map of Supercross racing, attracting attention from riders, sponsors, and fans worldwide.
As the inaugural season concludes, the CEAT ISRL looks forward to building on this success, continuing to provide a safe and competitive platform for riders of all ages and skill levels. The league remains dedicated to promoting youth development and environmental sustainability, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and excellence.
Full article with result to follow…
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Rookie Nicolo Bulega wins historic maiden win: WorldSBK
- Nicolo Bulega achieved a remarkable feat by winning Race 1 at Phillip Island on his WorldSBK debut, becoming the first rider to accomplish this since Alvaro Bautista in 2019.
- After four years away from racing, Andrea Iannone made a stunning return, leading the race and ultimately securing a podium finish.
- Despite initially finishing in fourth place, Toprak Razgatlioglu received a penalty for a Pit Intervention Time infringement, which dropped him to fifth.
Philip Island, 24 February 2024: WorldSBK Race 1 at Phillip Island provided thrilling action and historic moments with intense battles among the leading riders and strategic maneuvers during the pit stop phase between Laps 9 and 11.Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) stole the show by claiming victory on his WorldSBK debut, achieving a remarkable feat as the first WorldSSP Reigning Champion to win on his first SBK race, marking an unprecedented accomplishment in the championship’s history.
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) displayed impressive pace and strategy to claim second place. Making a sensational return to racing, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) secured third place after leading in the early stages of the race. Locatelli and Iannone completed an all-Italian podium sweep, echoing a milestone last achieved in 1993.Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) demonstrated strong competitiveness, finishing in fourth position, followed closely by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK), who initially crossed the line in fourth but was demoted to fifth.
Alvaro Bautista(Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) struggled to find his rhythm, ultimately finishing in 15th position after a crash, while Jonathan Rea’s(Pata Prometeon Yamaha) difficulties persisted as he crossed the line outside the points in 17th place. Australian Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), encountered misfortune during the race, as a collision with another rider led to an early retirement.P1 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“Maybe it’s the best day of my life! It’s difficult to already believe it but it is something incredible; I was dreaming about this for many months but now it’s reality. I took pole position; I won my first race and got the lap record. It’s something special that I’ll never forget.
I started to cry a little bit and then, there were good emotions as I saw all my guys on the finish line and all my guys with a big, incredible smile. It was so nice for me. It’s incredible because this team is like my second family, and they always believed in me. When I came here from Moto2™, I was in a bad moment, but they kept believing. This is my third year with them, and we started in a very good way. I’ll try to continue giving them a lot of smiles. I’m ready for my first Tissot Superpole Race and I’ll try to do my best.” -
Eurosport India to broadcast MotoGP races again
Mumbai, 22 February 2024: Eurosport India reacquired the broadcast rights for MotoGP in India and South Asia region and the premier Motorcycle World Championship conducted by promoters Dorna on behalf of world body FIM will be eagerly awaited sporting spectacle.
Eurosport India, from the house of Warner Bros., Discovery and the go-to destination for passionate sports fans, has been the home for motorsports in India. It has signed a three-year deal with Dorna, the commercial rights holder, to broadcast MotoGP.
Eurosport India broadcast the MotoGP races from 2020 to 2022, igniting widespread enthusiasm for the sport throughout India. Now, as MotoGP makes its way back to Eurosport for the 2024 season, fans can anticipate an exhilarating 21-race calendar kicking off with the QatarGP on March 8.
Eurosport India has obtained the broadcast rights for MotoGP in India, thanks to a new agreement with Dorna via Fairstreet Sports, the promoter of the Indian Grand Prix.
Anurag Singh Thakur, Honourable Union Minister, Ministry of Information and Broadcast and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said: “We are delighted to welcome Eurosport as the TV broadcast partner for MotoGP in India. This collaboration between Eurosport and MotoGP is not just about bringing the world’s premier motorcycle racing to our screens; it’s a testament to the growing appetite for international sports in the country. I am profoundly encouraged by the potential this partnership holds for elevating the sports broadcasting infrastructure and culture in our country. It will undoubtedly inspire more young athletes and enthusiasts to pursue their passion for motorsports, contributing significantly to our nation’s sporting legacy.”
Daniel Rossomondo, Chief Commercial Officer – Dorna Sports said: “Eurosport is a pre-eminent destination for sports fans as well as a hub of motorsport in India. We believe this makes Eurosport the perfect platform to showcase this thrilling sport to all our fans in India. I’m excited to see 2024 get in gear and I know that our riders can deliver an outstanding performance for everyone to enjoy.”
Arjun Nowhar, General Manager – South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery,said: “We are delighted to announce the return of MotoGP to our loyal fans across India. It brings us immense pleasure to see fans throughout the country enjoying all the races from the comfort of their homes, and we eagerly anticipate the second MotoGP Bharat race later this year.”
Pushkar Nath Srivastava, CEO, Fairstreet Sports said: “We are thrilled to join synergies with Eurosport for the broadcast of MotoGP Bharat. This partnership marks a significant step towards giving MotoGP fans in India and worldwide a thrilling experience via Eurosport’s extensive linear coverage of the sport and their commitment to deliver high quality viewing experience. We look forward to working together and expanding the reach of the sport to existing and new fans alike.”
Eurosport India has been a go to destination for all motorsport enthusiasts with their wide range of offerings which include NASCAR, Bennetts British Superbikes and more. Over the years, Eurosport have also broadcasted F2, WorldSBK, FIM-EWC, FIA-WEC, DTM, SpeedwayGP, W-Series.
About Warner Bros. Discovery – Eurosport India
Eurosport India, Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium sports brand, represents WBD’s portfolio of sports channels and platforms in the Indian market. It engages fans and broad audiences with sports from all across the globe. Eurosport India is the home to some of the most exclusive sports properties around the globe including Pro Wrestling, Tour de France, PGA Tour, Table Tennis, Tennis, Motorsport, Cricket and Football to name a few in the Indian market. All these sports can also be enjoyed by fans on their OTT platform discovery+ app.
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Harith Noah gets fmsci special Motorsports athlete award for his Dakar exploits
Chennai, 21 February 2024: A franchise-based two-wheeler racing league is scheduled to be launched in India later this year, according to Akbar Ebrahim, President, Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India.
Speaking at the FMSCI Annual Awards function here today, Ebrahim said: “We have plans to launch a two-wheeler racing league this year. This will be in addition to the existing 2W Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) and Indian Racing League (4W). These franchise-based leagues will expand the Indian motorsport horizon.
“Last year, we conducted the FIM MotoGP which was appreciated throughout the World as we put together a fantastic event. We thank the UP government for its whole-hearted support. FMSCI thanks the volunteers, officials, marshals and those involved in the technical side of the sport. The eyes of the World are now on India as we occupy a special place in the global motorsport fraternity.”
Ebrahim stated that the night races in Chennai, as part of the Indian Racing League, have received the go-ahead following a High Court verdict. “We would like to thank the Tamil Nadu government for all the support extended in making it happen,” he said.
Special awards were presented to Kerala’s Harith Noah, the Class 2 winner and 11th Overall in the grueling Dakar 2024 Rally, and Prarthana Murugavel (Bengaluru), the gold medallist in Karting Slalom at the FIA Asia-Pacific Motorsport Championship.
Rivaan Dev Preetham, the 10-year-old Chennai lad, received a rousing reception for being the youngest awardee as he received the trophy for winning the Micro Max title in the MECO-FMSCI Rotax Max National Karting Championship.
In all, 105 champions across 11 disciplines, both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, apart from promoters and sponsors, were presented with the awards.
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CEAT Supercross league set for final showdown in Bengaluru
Bangalore, 21 February 2024: The CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) is gearing up for its grand finale, marking the culmination of a historic inaugural season at Bengaluru on Sunday.
The third and final round is set to take place in Bangalore on the 25th of February, that will conclude the first-ever franchise-based Supercross league in the world. The race will be held at the Open Grounds, Survey No. 95-110, Behind Floating Walls, opposite Dash Square, Airport Road, Chikkajala.
After the thrilling races in Pune and Ahmedabad, where the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex and EKA Arena witnessed high-octane action, the CEAT ISRL has left a mark on the motorsports landscape in India. The inaugural season has not only showcased the skill and prowess of the riders but has also established India as a global hub for Supercross.
The leading teams like Bigrock Motorsports, BB Racing and Mohite’s Racing Team, have battled it out in the first two rounds, and are ready for the final showdown. With six franchise teams and 48 riders from around the world, the competition is fierce, promising an exhilarating display of speed, skill, and determination. The categories are: 450cc international riders, 250cc international riders, 250cc India-Asia mix, and the highly competitive 85cc junior class.
Veer Patel, Co-founder and Director of the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League, expressed his anticipation for the grand finale, stating, “As we approach the final round of our inaugural season in Bangalore, the journey of the CEAT ISRL has been nothing short of phenomenal. The passion, talent, and sportsmanship displayed by the riders in Pune and Ahmedabad have set the stage for an unforgettable finale. We have witnessed India emerge as a force in the world of Supercross, and the grand finale in Bangalore is poised to be a celebration of this remarkable journey.”
The league, accredited by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), has garnered global attention with its unique franchise-based format, attracting over 100 riders from different corners of the world. The CEAT ISRL has not only focused on delivering high-octane racing excitement but has also integrated star-studded music extravaganzas, creating a cultural phenomenon that extends beyond the racetrack.
The city of Bangalore, known for its vibrant culture and enthusiastic sporting community, is all set to host the grand finale with open arms and promises to be the perfect stage for the climax of the inaugural season.
As the CEAT ISRL gears up for the final showdown, it reaffirms its commitment to community engagement, talent development, and environmental sustainability. The league is not just about races; it’s a movement that aims to inspire and nurture the passion for Supercross in India.
