Your basket is currently empty!
Blog
-
Solid podium for MRF Tyres at Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria, 6 May 2023: Efren Llarena and co-driver Sara Fernandez won a solid podium for MRF Tyres in the 47th edition of the Rally Islas Canarias which concluded here on Satureday.
It helped the Indian tyre giant’s rally team to continue on their improvement curve on the tarmac surface.
Yoann Bonato is a two-time winner in the FIA European Rally Championship after a sublime drive to victory on Rally Islas Canarias today.
With fellow Frenchman Benjamin Boulloud co-driving, Bonato started leg two 11.0s in front of European championship leader Hayden Paddon. He eventually triumphed by 36.9s following a day dominated by the changeable weather conditions – and some seriously close competition throughout the field.
Paddon takes crucial second
Paddon extended his title advantage in second place with defending European champion Efrén Llarena coming home third. Jon Armstrong claimed FIA ERC3 honours, Bendegúz Hangodi inherited the FIA ERC4 victory after long-term leader Roberto Daprà retired, while Michelin was the Winning Tyre.
Efren Llarena & Sara Fernandez excel for MRF Tyres
Between the team MRF Tyres crews, Efren Llarena together with Sara Fernandez finished in 3rd position: working on car setup throughout the day paid off as the two closed the event with a solid podium.
In the top ten also Martins Sesks and Renars Francis who reached the finish in 8th position: the Latvian driver managed to gain some positions by finding a better feeling with car setup stage after stage, together with a better physical shape after some health issues in the previous days.
Sadly, Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton had to retire during the last road section due to a technical issue: Simone was gaining some positions with a consistent run during the whole day.
Fastest Crew
What a day for Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi! they have been the fastest crew among the Dealer Team drivers, claiming their maiden ERC stage win in SS11. An unfortunate weather change in the morning meant he lost almost all the time gained yesterday but the young Italians managed to climb up as much as possible in the remaining stages with an aggressive driving style and they completed their crescendo with the second stage win on the power stage and a final 12th place. They are followed by Mads Ostberg paired with Patrik Barth in 18th position: the Norwegian kept working on the car’s setup and times on the boards showed that the direction taken was the right one.
Italian duo, Andrea Nucita – Rudy Pollet positioned their car in 6th position in the final classification: satisfaction for his improved driving style setting the target to keep his pace as much higher as possible. For Bogdan Cuzma – Ilka Minor a solid event: positively impressed with the Medium compound behavior within the wet and damp and some good mileage for the next tarmac events to tackle. Unfortunately, Javier Pardo and Adrian Perez, has been forced to retire due to a double puncture in SS9.
About the Rally Islas Canarias
With the stages climbing and descending at a frequent rate, drivers pay close attention to corner speed and lines to ensure optimal momentum is maintained, while precise car set-up and pacenote accuracy are vital. One of the notable features of the sealed stages is the abrasive surface, constructed partly from volcanic lava. It means grip levels are high and remain constant if it rains, although tyre wear can increase in dry conditions. However, with the opportunity to take ‘cuts’ through corners limited, the roads remain relatively debris-free. The rally’s 47´th edition marks a return to a more traditional May date.
Final provisional classification:
3. Llarena Efrén – Fernández Sara +53.4
6. Nucita Andrea – Pollet Rudy +1:15.0
8. Sesks Mārtiņš – Francis Renārs +1:33.8
12. Mabellini Andrea – Lenzi Virginia +1:47.5
16. Østberg Mads – Barth Patrik +2:36.9
21. Cuzma Bogdan – Minor Ilka +11:04.6DNF.Pardo Siota J. – Pérez Fernández A.
DNF. Campedelli Simone – Canton Tania -
Rain-master Jaden Pariat qualifies in superb P5: British F4 Championship
Brands Hatch (England) 6 May 2023: Indian racing talent Jaden R Pariat’s valiant effort in wet conditions got him a superb P5 in the qualifying session of the ROKiT British F4 Championship here on Saturday.
Saturday morning saw a curtailed, wet qualifying session which set the grids for the first and third races of this weekend’s schedule. Jaden put a lap in the bank anticipating more rain and also did a second best lap that put him on P5 for Race 3. The first race of Sunday, Race 2 will see a reverse grid. Each round has three races and after the opener in Donington Park where Jaden secured a podium in Race 2, Saturday’s race was the fourth of the 30-race season. Two more races will be held on Sunday and dry conditions are predicted.
“We had a solid qualifying today, followed by a very eventful race. I took to the track in the midst of a slight drizzle and it was all about banking a lap in-case the rain intensified. Happily my time was good enough for fifth fastest. My second fastest time got me P7 for Race 1. There was a bit more left in the tank and pole was only three tenths up the road, so we were in the mix,” said the 16-year Indian after the qualifying session.
“I got a bit of a wheel-spin off the line on the damp surface and dropped a few places. In trying to make-up places, I made a move into Turn 1 causing me to have contact with another driver, so I lost our front wing and I had to pit,” the Shillong-born Jaden, added.
The karting sensation, who made Bengaluru his home for better part last year, before shifting to England for a full season in the British F4 championship this year narrated how he fought back gaining five places after his pit-stop. “The team did a good job to get me back out and, when the race restarted with five minutes on the clock, I made some decent progress, gaining five places in two laps. Sadly, I ran out of time to gain further places. Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” he concluded.
Jaden finally finished 12th. He will start P13 in Race 2 on Sunday but watch-out for Race 3 where he is expected to fight with the front-runners starting from P5.
For the record, James Higgins (Fortec Motorsport) secured the Omologato Pole Position Award and first position start for both Races 1 and 3, after he set two fastest laps early in the session anticipating the rain to worsen. Teams had hoped the conditions would dry towards the end of the session, however continuing rain saw conditions worsen and a red flag for a stranded car ultimately ended the session early, preventing further challenges.
-
Max Verstappen quickest in FP2 after Russel top FP1:
Max Verstappen set the fastest time of the second free practice session for the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix but Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc brought running to a halt when he crash late in the session.
Ferrari driver Leclerc and team-mate set the early pace, but the first really representative time came from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez who set a time of 1:30.757 and then by his team-mate Max Verstappen who stopped the clock at 1:30.146.
Sainz then posted a lap of 1m30.128s, and Leclerc became the first driver to get under 1m30s with a lap of 1:29.497.
Verstappen put in another quick lap that edged him close to the Monegasque driver and then with his next attempt he finally pushed through to the top of the order with a 1:29.380.
All of the early P1 times had been set on medium compound Pirelli tyres but McLaren’s Lando Norris then emerged on soft tyres and the Briton jumped to top spot with a lap of
1:28.741. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso moved to P2 before being supplanted by Sainz, but Norris’ time proved good enough to stand for some time.
It was Verstappen who eventually toppled the McLaren driver, the Dutchman posting a 1:28.255. The champion then lowered the benchmark to 1:27.930 as drivers began to switch to longer runs.
Ten minutes from the end of the session the red flags came out when Leclerc crashed at Turn 7. The incident resulted in a five-minute stoppage as the damaged Ferrari was rescued. When running resumed it was solely to get more running on the harder compounds and there were no significant improvements in lap time.
Behind Verstappen. Sainz finished second with Leclerc third. Pérez ended the session in fourth, almost half a second behind his team-mate.
Alonso was left with fifth place with the Spaniard having moved past Norris just before Leclerc’s crash. Lewis Hamilton finished seventh ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, as Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon completed the top 10.
2023 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix – Free Practice 2
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 23 1:27.930
2 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 26 1:28.315 0.385
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 20 1:28.398 0.468
4 Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing 24 1:28.419 0.489
5 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 25 1:28.660 0.730
6 Lando Norris McLaren 24 1:28.741 0.811
7 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 23 1:28.858 0.928
8 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 23 1:28.930 1.000
9 Esteban Ocon Alpine 25 1:28.937 1.007
10 Alex Albon Williams 26 1:29.046 1.116
11 Pierre Gasly Alpine 22 1:29.098 1.168
12 Kevin Magnussen Haas 22 1:29.171 1.241
13 Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo 27 1:29.181 1.251
14 Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo 26 1:29.189 1.259
15 George Russell Mercedes 21 1:29.216 1.286
16 Oscar Piastri McLaren MCL60 McLaren 24 1:29.339 1.409
17 Nico Hulkenberg Haas VF-23 Haas 22 1:29.393 1.463
18 Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri AT04 AlphaTauri 25 1:29.613 1.683
19 Nyck de Vries AlphaTauri AT04 AlphaTauri 25 1:29.928 1.998
20 Logan Sargeant Williams FW45 Williams 27 1:30.038 2.108 -
After a podium in Round 1, Jaden Pariat raring to go at Brands Hatch: British F4
Kent (England), 5 May 2023: Indian racing talentJaden R Pariat is raring to go in the Round 2 of the ROKiT F4 British Championship following his maiden overall podium in Round 1 this season and is eager to get on to the track again at the Brands Hatch Indy here this week-end.
The 16-year-old started his 2023 campaign off in style at Donington Park, with an impressive overall third place finish in race two, marking the youngster’s first podium appearance with leading team Phinsys by Argenti.
Having raced on the circuit’s Grand Prix layout in last year’s competition, Jaden will be able to feed from previous experience of the former Formula One venue to aid in his efforts on the shorter but equally as technical Indy layout this time out. Jaden will once again race thanks to the support of his amazing sponsors, Lyca Radio, Boba Tree, Ahom and Minerva Virtual Academy, and will carry the logos on his car at Brands Hatch.
Unofficial testing kicks off the weekend on Friday May 5th, before the teenager gets back behind the wheel for qualifying on Saturday May 6th at 10:25 BST (14:55 IST), with race one later that afternoon at 13:40 BST (18:10 IST). Race two is set for 10:25 BST (14:55 IST) on Sunday 7th, and race three at 15:10 BST (19:40 IST), which will be broadcast live on ITV4 or ITVX for UK viewers.Jaden Pariat Jaden Pariat #77
“I’m feeling positive heading to Brands Hatch Indy, it’s the shortest circuit on the calendar, so it’ll be really, really close. The gaps were tiny at Donington Park, and I expect it to be a lot closer this time because of how short the lap is, so qualifying is going to be crucial and we’ll be focusing a lot on performing well for that.
“We’ve driven at Brands Hatch a few times now, and I think it’s a circuit that could suit us, so hopefully we can achieve a great qualifying result. It’s difficult to predict what could happen or how we’re going to perform, because everyone unleashed their true pace at Donington Park and it showed how competitive the grid is this season, but the team and I will continue to push for good results.
“After my podium at Donington Park last time out I’m definitely striving to get another top three finish under my belt at Brands Hatch. The full focus is on starting the weekend off strong which will hopefully set us up well for another podium.”
-
Pragathi Gowda returns from World finals stronger: FIA Rally Star Cup
Pragiarolo (Italy), 5 May 2023: Pragathi Gowda, the Indian rally talent, achieved amazing results in a new vehicle, the Rally Cross Car, which is not available for practice in India. Nevertheless, the Bengaluru lass surprised the motorsports aficionados in India last year by winning the Continental competition for women and booked a seat in the World Finals.
Pragathi Gowda went down fighting on a TN5 Cross Car, after giving a tough fight to the other three woman finalists, at the finals at the Maggiora Offroad Arena here on Thursday (May 4). Pragathi was not used to these cars and entered one for the first time in the trials at Chennai. However, she went early to Italy to train and acclimatise for few days. The finals which were supposed to be held in Peru were postponed twice.
The Rally Star Cup (RSC), (not to be confused with the Rally Star Cup, a class which used to be held in the Indian National Rally Championship) is new initiative launched by FIA, the Federation that governs Motorsports around the globe, for rally drivers aged between 17 and 26 years to provide them a road to World Rally Championship. Aspiring talented drivers for different continents come through a ladder and are given a chance to fast-track their entry into the Junior WRC as FIA provides free training before selecting the final winners.
India’s Pragathi Gowda who was took a stunning victory in the Asia Pacific continental selection trials at Chennai’s Madras International Circuit defeating Australian driver, played her heart out and displayed a strong run to reach the finals. After giving a tough fight to the three other finalists Gowda bowed out with dignity and came back stronger. “It was a great learning experience. Winning or losing is secondary. The Rally Star Cup provided me a chance to give my best. The best thing is coming up with such a great programme and to build young talent. That’s something good for the future. And I really enjoyed it.”
It was Peruvian driver Annia Cilloniz, 24, who finally won a place for the training. The other finalists along with Paragathi Gowda are Maja Hallén Fellenius (Sweden) and, Kristie Ellis (South Africa)., to compete for the inagural title and a place in the FIA Rally Star Training Season starting later this month.
On a TN5 Cross Car, built and prepared by Hyundai WRC driver Thierry Neuville’s LifeLive organisation, the drivers took on a 4.7-kilometre mixed-surface stage, which consisted of five laps and run three times.
The stage performances, along with the results of physical and reflex tests, were carefully evaluated by the Jury, led by FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid. Following a Jury interview, Annia Cilloniz, 24, was announced as the winner of the FIA Rally Star Women’s Final. Pragathi Gowda, is said to be the reserve driver, in case the Peruvian is unable to attend.
As well as winning the coveted accolade, Cilloniz secures a place in the FIA Rally Star Training Season, which consists of an intensive Training Camp in Sardinia from May 21 to June 1, followed by six rallies in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 run by M-Sport Poland on Pirelli tyres.
The competition schedule begins with the gravel-based Rally San Marino from June 16 to 17 and if Cilloniz completes the FIA Rally Star Training Season as one of the four best performing drivers, then she will win a dream drive in the 2024 FIA Junior WRC Championship, a further life-changing opportunity.
Other male continental winners Jose “Abito” Caparo (Peru), Max Smart (South Africa), Taylor Gill (Australia), Romet Jurgenson (Estonia) and Abdullah Al Tawqi (Oman) already made it to the FIA Rally Star Training. The first training session begins in Sardinia from May 24.
All the six finalists will then each contest six rallies in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 run by M-Sport Poland with the best four performers earning a fully-funded drive in the 2024 FIA Junior WRC. The competition schedule begins with the gravel-based Rally San Marino on June 16 and 17. Later in 2025, the top three then will get a chance for a second Junior WRC season and if one of the FIA Rally Star Team members wins the title, they will secure a WRC2 campaign for 2026.
RevvHard are dynamic youngsters who are trying to accelerate the growth of Indian Motorsports using social media as a weapon to come up to speed. Here’s what they said on Instagram about Pragathi Gowda.
“Pragathi Gowda’s impressive 2nd place finish in the FIA Rally Star competition is a truly inspiring achievement, especially considering the fact that she is a woman in a male-dominated sport. Her success serves as a powerful message of empowerment and motivation for other women who are interested in pursuing careers in motorsports.
Pragathi’s accomplishment is a huge boost for the promotion of motorsports in India, as it helps to break down barriers and promote diversity in the sport. It showcases that with hard work, dedication, and passion, anyone can achieve their goals, regardless of their gender.
Overall, Pragathi Gowda’s achievement in the FIA Rally Star competition is a great source of inspiration and encouragement for all women who aspire to make their mark in the world of motorsports.” RevvHard on Insta!
-
Geoffrey Emmanuel set for FIM World JuniorGP debut
Estoril (Portugal), 2 May 2023: A landmark will be scripted this weekend at the Circuit de Estoril in Portugal when Chennai-born 18-year old Geoffrey Emmanuel becomes the first Indian to participate in the FIM World JuniorGP World Championship. The opening round of this Moto3 feeder series, organised by Dorna Sports, is scheduled for May 5-7.
Geoffrey, son of Emmanuel Jebaraj, winner of seven National titles, is representing team Cuna De Campeones that has produced the likes of 2020 World champion Joan Mir besides Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta among many top-notch riders.
FIM JuniorGP World Championship, comprising seven rounds, is a junior class race event that runs under FIM Moto3 regulations and acts as a Moto3 World Championship feeder class. It is considered to be among the most competitive junior championships in the World.
Recent image of Geoggrey Emmanuel at Valencia. INDIAinF1 photo As part of the preparations, Geoffrey, who is sponsored by Fairstreet Sports, Vidiem, Vamcy Merla, a businessman from Andhra Pradesh Kalyani Group, and Gusto Racing, shifted to Valencia, Spain, last year, and participated in the Hawkers European Talent Cup, a one-make championship by Honda.
“The European Talent Cup was a steep learning curve for me, given the very competitive environment and racing on new circuits. But overall, it did a lot of good for my confidence. I now look forward to the World JuniorGP season which is a big step forward for me as I chase my MotoGP dream,” said Geoffrey.
Earlier this year, Geoffrey tested in Estoril and Valencia, riding the 2018 KTM RC 250GP bike, to prepare for the World JuniorGP season.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey’s younger brother, 17-year old Johann Reeves Emmanuel, is taking part in the FIM JuniorGP European Talent Cup that will be run on the same weekend as the World JuniorGP.
-
Bagnaia pips Binder as the stunner goes to wire: MotoGP
Ducati and KTM test the limits of awesomeness in Jerez, with some sideways poetry, pitch-perfect defence, and a dash of chaos for some big names
Two KTMS, one Ducati, and one hell of a race. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) pounced in style to deny Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) the spoils at the Gran Premio MotoGP Guru by Gryfyn de España, but it went right to the wire – and was far from a two-man show. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was right up in the mix as the podium battle-tested out the adage rubbing is racing, but the Australian said it himself: “I love this so much.” And so do we!
It wasn’t without a dash of chaos, drama and, for some, bad luck, however, with former points leader Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) losing that moniker as he slid out. And before the race – that counts – even got going, the first start was Red Flagged after a crash for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team), with Bezzecchi also “involved”, or rather the rider just to the inside of both. The Portuguese rider was a completely innocent party as he got caught up on the outside, and suffered a dislocated shoulder since treated at the Medical Centre. Quartararo? For the team he was certainly innocent of anything more than racing and running out of space. For the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards the Frenchman deserved a Long Lap…
He was fine to restart though, and as it had been on take one, take two was another KTM show from lights out as they slotted into a 1-2, with Binder leading Miller as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) slotting into third. Polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) lost out once again, with Bagnaia also past and into fourth, and he didn’t waste time attacking Martin either. A stylish swoop around Martin at Pedrosa corner and he was through.
It didn’t take long for Miller to decide he was heading through either, sliding down the inside of teammate Binder at the final corner on his mission for Sunday glory. The KTMs then got the hammer down in tandem too, starting to pull away, before Binder returned the favour and Bagnaia set the fastest lap so far to start reeling them in.
Once on the scene, Bagnaia wasted no time in getting past the Aussie, putting his factory Ducati in the tiniest of gaps at Pedrosa corner to sit up the KTM and making a little contact in the process. He raised his hand to apologise, Miller raised his to say pfff. The number 43 was then under attack from Martin as well but snapped straight back at the final corner. That pushed the Pramac well well wide, but no contact there as he slotted back in just behind Aleix Espargaro into fifth…
One lap later, and more penalty drama. Bagnaia was forced to drop one position after that earlier contact though, and the Italian dropped anchor to let Miller back past. It was a KTM one-two once again, but Martin soon got back past Aleix Espargaro to start bothering Miller again.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) then crashed out from behind Martin, joining earlier faller Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) as a DNF. And Bezzecchi was just about to join them, the Italian sliding out at Pedrosa, rider ok but ceding that points lead.
Back at the front, Binder was now six-tenths ahead of Bagnaia, but as the final few laps dawned the Ducati was gaining, gaining and gaining. At the final corner with four to go, Pecco pounced to perfection and headed over the line with three to go in the lead. Could Binder respond?
At first, it seemed like a no, but the number 33 dragged the speed from somewhere. He closed back in, and by the final lap, it looked plausible if not likely that Binder would get close enough. By the final sector, it looked like one motorcycle was in the lead, and the last Lorenzo corner was coming.
The stage was set for a lunge, but Bagnaia was having none of it. The reigning Champion was incredibly strong on the brakes and shut the door to perfection, leaving Binder to have a brief look but find no way through. Split by just two-tenths over the line, it was fitting it went to the wire after a stunning race.
Miller took third place and that’s now premier class podiums with three different bikes, as well as his first GP rostrum visit with KTM. Martin takes fourth place and was fuming at the Australian for his move, and Aleix Espargaro completed the top five.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took sixth in a close, close finish with KTM wildcard and MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 26 was thousandths off but took another top ten after an incredible weekend on his return to competition. Behind them, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took eighth ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). One bit of late drama saw Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) lose out on that as a technical problem caused him a last-lap DNF.
On Quartararo’s watch, the Frenchman was classified tenth after even more drama. He made progress, did the Long Lap but actually didn’t quite stay in the lines, and then had to do another Long Lap. So the comeback into the top ten was something to write home about. Will we see Yamaha make a statement about the penalty as they did after Assen last season? It seems a story likely to roll on.
With the Championship plot ever-changing in MotoGP™, there’s no telling what the next chapter holds as the paddock moves to the SHARK Grand Prix de France on the 12th – 14th of May. It’s no ordinary race weekend either: it’s the 1000th Grand Prix in history. Home heroes Quartararo and Zarco may have had different ideas of how they’d want to arrive into the weekend, but anything can happen – we’ve already had 10 riders on the GP podium this season and they’re both among them. It’s a date with destiny and history, and you don’t want to miss it!
-
10-time National champ Hemanth Muddappa begins 2023 in style with a double
Chennai, 30 April 2023: Reigning National champion in his class, Hemanth Muddappa, displayed his masterclass once again to begin his 2023 campaign in style as he bagged a double in the opening round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Championship 2023 powered by Vamci Merla at the Madras International Circuit (MIC) here on Sunday.
The Mantra Racing rider, a 10-time Indian National Drag Champion is the defending champion in the 1051 to 1650cc Superbikes class. Today, he claimed the honours as the ‘Fastest Rider’ of the day. On way to victory in the Four-stroke 1051 to 1650cc Super Sport class he defeated Sidharth Parmar of Mumbai with a handsome margin and then set the quickest time of Round 1, as he went on to win the Blue Ribbon event, the four-stroke Unrestricted class beating Mohammad Riyaz of Hyderabad by three-tenths of a second, a big boost for his 2023 season.
“When you touch rock bottom, it teaches you lessons that reaching mountain-tops never will,” was how the fitness freak explained his exploits today. Last year, he set out his focus on three titles but was able to win the Championship in only one class, which may have disappointed the Indian record holder, but nevertheless Muddappa got his 10th National title in 2022.
The second of the four rounds will be organised by Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) at the MIC on July 1 and 2.
Provisional Results: (4stroke National Championship classes on Sunday)
4s 361 to 550cc Super Sport Indian: 1. Shah Rukh Khan, Mumbai (Mantra Racing) 11.891; 2. Mohammad Fazil, Bengaluru, 12.066; 3. Jason D Souza, Mumbai (Mantra Racing) 12.122.
4s 551 to 851cc Super Sport: 1. Mohammad Riyaz, Hyderabad, 8.461; 2. Sidharth Parmar, Mumbai, 8.611; 3. Hemanth Muddappa, Bengaluru (Mantra Racing) 8.772.
4s 1051 to 1650cc Super Sport: 1. Hemanth Muddappa, Bengaluru (Mantra Racing) 7.689; 2. Sidharth Parmar, Mumbai, 8.097; 3. Mohammad Riyaz, Hyderabad, 8.382.
4s Unrestricted: 1. Hemanth Muddappa, Bengaluru (Mantra Racing) 7.616; 2. Mohammad Riyaz, Hyderabad, 7.915; 3. Sidharth Parmar, Mumbai, 8.024.
PS. All privateers, if team name is not mentioned.
-
Photo feast: MMSC fmsci Drag National 2023 Round 1 at MIC
Photo Gallery. IndianMotorsports.in Commissioned photos from Srinivasa Krishnan, photojournalist and Karan Ravi photographer. Videos by Sathya M.
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”24″ gal_title=”Drag National 2023 Ro1″] -
Kush Maini misses podium: Baku F2 race; Daruvala 14th
Baku, 29 April 2023: Kush Maini, the Indian racing star, a rookie in the F2, finished just outside the podium taking fourth place in the FIA Formula 2 Sprint here on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the other Indian veteran in F2, Jehan Daruvala, who was running third at one point after starting from P5 ended up 14th in the Sprint race.
Oliver Bearman demonstrated that to finish first in Baku – first, you have to finish, as the British rookie claimed his first Formula 2 victory in a dramatic Sprint Race.
Off the back of his maiden pole position, he lined up 9th on the grid and carved his way through the field to snatch the win from Prema Racingteammate Frederik Vesti.
A late restart with only three laps to go brought drama, as race leader Dennis Hauger and second-placed Victor Martins crashed out. The PREMA pair were there to pick up the pieces as the race concluded behind the third and final Safety Car. Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Jak Crawford also kept himself out of trouble to take his second podium in third.
AS IT HAPPENED
As the five lights went out, Victor Martins attempted to split the front-row starters, Richard Verschoor and Zane Maloney. However, there was no room for the ART Grand Prix driver as he banged wheels with Maloney.
Reverse pole-sitter Verschoor didn’t hold the lead for long. Contact with the wall at Turn 1 left the Van Amersfoort Racing driver with damage and forced his early retirement. Maloney momentarily assumed the front of the field, but the contact with Martins had caused a right rear puncture. Hauger capitalised to seize the lead from sixth on the grid.
