INDIA in F1

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  • Sweden win pushes Latvala to table top: WRC

    For the first time since Rally China in 1999, Toyota has won a round of the FIA World Rally Championship: on only the second event for the all-new Yaris WRC. Jari-Matti Latvala inherited the lead after yesterday’s super special stage, when the former leader broke his steering. Latvala then won all three stages today to extend his advantage and claim the first rally win for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. Juho Hänninen had a trouble-free day and scored more manufacturer points, meaning that Toyota Gazoo Racing is now second in the manufacturers’ championship, while Latvala heads the drivers’ standings, having sealed his 17th career win, his fourth in Sweden, and his first since Mexico 2016. In total, Jari-Matti won six stages: SS1, SS4, SS13, SS16, SS17 and SS18.

    Double podium for M-Sport: Meanwhile, as the Ecoboost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC secured a second successive double podium, M-Sport have strengthened their lead at the head of the manufacturers’ standings – holding a 20 point advantage over their closest rivals, adds an M-Sport release.

    Having won four stages and delivered an impressive performance over the course of the weekend, Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja were just 3.8 seconds adrift of the lead going into the final-day showdown.

    Ultimately however, the pairing struggled to find the confidence-boosting rhythm they had previously enjoyed and had to settle for second place – reserving an elusive first victory for another day.

    In the sister M-Sport Fiesta WRC, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia secured a fine third place overall after being hampered by a less than perfect road position throughout much of the event.

    Biding their time, the Frenchmen did what they do best and secured a strong haul of points for their championship defence.

    Toyota release adds: Latvala started the day with just a 3.8-second advantage over the second-placed man but won all three stages (including the power stage) to seal an emotional victory, having experienced no problems at all. Hänninen finished just outside the top 20, continuing to test settings for future rallies.

    Quotes:
    Akio Toyoda (Team chairman)
    “It’s a great feeling to win a round of the World Rally Championship after a break of 17 years. I have always been looking forward to this moment, but I never imagined that it would come so soon. A special thanks not just to each and every member of the team, but also to all the fans who have been waiting for our return and shared the joy with us. So I’d like to share with everyone a discussion I had with Tommi and Jari-Matti before the start of Rally Sweden about communication with cars. Jari-Matti said he tries to communicate with them with love, and drive them with care. Tommi said he can have a good understanding of how to drive them faster because he loves cars. Their words, full of love for cars, touched me because I feel the same. So my wish is for us all to keep on enjoying this feeling and facing the challenges together to make the Yaris an ever-better car.”

    Tommi Mäkinen (Team principal)
    “It’s very hard to find the words to describe what I am feeling right now: what we are all feeling. Monte-Carlo was an unexpected result, but this is beyond unexpected. Of course we were lucky to have this win, but it’s also a huge tribute to the talent of Jari-Matti and the united team work that has taken place in Finland, Germany and Japan. It’s an incredible feeling and I just want to thank everybody who has made it possible: especially our chairman Mr Toyoda for his faith in us, Jari-Matti, Miika, Juho, and Kaj. This is a special day that we are all going to remember for a very long time, but at the same time we will keep our feet on the ground now and continue to work as hard as always.”

    Jari-Matti Latvala (Driver car 10)
    “I am so, so happy. For a new team and new car to win its second rally: I really have no words. I think I drove my best power stage ever today. Huge thanks to all the team. Now we are super-motivated to continue like this: I just can’t wait to get to Mexico. It’s fantastic to win but I also feel very sorry for Thierry Neuville, who lost the lead yesterday at the super special stage. I have been in a similar situation myself in the past, so I completely understand how he must be feeling now. We know we were lucky, so we need to carry on improving and working for our goal.”

    Juho Hänninen (Driver car 11)
    “I am so proud to be part of this team of dedicated and hard-working people and so happy. This is an amazing result for all of us. From our point of view we spent the rally recovering from our mistake on Friday, but we completed plenty of useful testing and I increased my time and confidence in the car.”

    Provisional final result, Rally Sweden:
    1 Jari-Matti Latvala/Miika Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) 2h36m03.6s
    2 Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja (Ford Fiesta WRC) +29.2s
    3 Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +59.5s
    4 Dani Sordo/Marc Marti (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +2m11.5s
    5 Craig Breen/Scott Martin (Citroen C3 WRC) +2m51.2s
    6 Elfyn Evans/Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +5m26.6s
    7 Hayden Paddon/John Kennard (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +5m31.2s
    8 Stephane Lefebvre/Gabin Moreau (Citroen DS3 WRC) +7m14.7s
    9 Pontus Tidemand/Jonas Andersson (Skoda Fabia R5) +9m11.1s
    10 Teemu Suninen/Mikko Markkula (Ford Fiesta R5) +10m02.9s
    23 Juho Hänninen/Kaj Lindström (Toyota Yaris WRC) +23m05.6s

    2017 FIA World Rally Championship for drivers after round two:
    1 Jari-Matti Latvala 48
    2 Sebastien Ogier 44
    3 Ott Tanak 33
    4 Dani Sordo 25
    5 Craig Breen 20
    6 Elfyn Evans 18
    7 Stephane Lefebvre 10
    8 Thierry Neuville 8
    9 Hayden Paddon 7
    10 Andreas Mikkelsen 6
    12 Juho Hänninen 3

    2017 FIA World Rally Championship for manufacturers after round two:
    1 M-Sport World Rally Team 73
    2 Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT 53
    3 Hyundai Motorsport 40
    4 Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team 26
    (Results as of 16:00 on Sunday, for the latest results please visit www.wrc.com )

    What’s next?
    The next stop on the World Rally Championship, round three, is Rally Mexico from March 9-12. This will be the first gravel round of the year and the first run in high temperatures, with the stages at high altitude as well, which deprives the engine of oxygen. As a result it represents another brand new challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.

    eom/Toyota Gazoo Racing press release with inputs from M-Sport for 2nd and 3rd places

  • Day 1: Thierry, Nicolas top the timesheets by 28s

    Day 1: Thierry, Nicolas top the timesheets by 28s

    Against a perfect snowy backdrop, Rally Sweden began its first complete day of action on Friday morning with our three crews raring to go.

    Fresh from a Super Special Stage at the Karlstad trotting track on

    Hyundai i20 WRC of Thierry and Nicolas leads after full Day 1 (SSS on Thurs) on Friday in Rally Sweden. A Hundai WRC team image

    evening, held in front of a crowd of passionate fans, it was all systems go for the first full loop of the rally.

    Our Belgians Thierry and Nicolas wasted no time getting back to the speed they showed during the season-opener at Monte-Carlo in January. The #5 crew claimed victory in the opening two stages – the classic Röjden and the all-new Hof-Finnskog – that crossed over the Norwegian border.

    Opening the Door

    Despite an initial close battle for the lead of the rally with the Toyota of Jari-Matti Latvala, it was in the afternoon loop where our Belgians showed their real potential. They added three more stage wins in succession and built up a lead of 28 seconds – despite the door of their car coming open on the final run!

    “It’s been a good day’s work for us,” said Thierry. “To lead the rally by such a margin is obviously very encouraging, but we’re not getting carried away. My door kept opening slightly on the final stage, which was a distraction, but otherwise the car has been working very well.”

    Lunchtime Transformation

    Hayden and John had a tough morning but a detailed discussion at lunchtime helped them get to grips with Sweden’s fast and furious terrain. After finishing second at this event last season, they plan to make up ground on Saturday.

    “I’m not going to lie, it’s not been the start we wanted,” admitted Hayden. “Things were not coming very naturally. I sat down with my engineer at service and he suggested some changes. That really helped. I had more confidence and felt that I was driving the car, not the other way around.”

    In the #6 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, Dani and Marc also endured some difficulties. A missed hairpin in SS4 (the morning’s 24.88km Svullrya test) saw them lose 20 seconds of time and drop to seventh place.

    Dani said: “We had a good morning loop, generally speaking. The car was working well and I enjoyed the stages a lot. I just got distracted in SS4 and we lost a lot of time recovering. I couldn’t get back into the rhythm after that.”

    Building on Success

    We finished on the Swedish podium in 2015 with Thierry and Nicolas, and again last season with Hayden and John, so there’s plenty of hope to make it three in a row by Sunday. But it’s never guaranteed, as our Team Principal Michel warns:  “We have been successful in Sweden in recent years. After the performance we showed in Monte, we had hopes of fighting at the front. With ten stages still to run, we’ve got a long way to go, and lots more work to do,” he said.

    Those remaining stages get underway on Saturday morning with a repeat loop that includes the 31.6km run at Knon, a 15.87km test at Hagfors and the famous Vargåsen. Why famous? Because it contains the legendary Colin’s Crest jump, for which we won the award for longest jump in 2014 and 2015!

    Overall Classification after Day One

    1. T. Neuville / N. Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) 1:16:24.7
    2. J. M. Latvala / M. Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +28.1
    3. O. Tanak / M. Jarveoja (Ford Fiesta WRC) +49.7
    4. K.Meeke / P.Nagle (Citroën C3 WRC) +51.8
    5. S. Ogier / J. Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +55.7
    6. H. Paddon / J. Kennard (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:17.8
    7. D. Sordo / M. Martí (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:40.3
    8. C. Breen / S. Martin (Citroën DS3 WRC) +1:54.3
    9. E. Evans / D. Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +3:01.05
    10. S. Lefebvre / G. Moreau (Citroën C3 WRC) +3:23.6

    eom/Hyundai WRC team release

  • The car is big and it is an awesome feeling: Craig Breen, on his switch to C3

    The car is big and it is an awesome feeling: Craig Breen, on his switch to C3

    Present:
    Craig Breen, Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
    Thierry Neuville, Hyundai Motorsport
    Ott Tänak, M-Sport World Rally Team
    Juho Hänninen, Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team

    Q:
    Craig, great start to the season for you in the older DS3 but now you switch to the C3 – will expectations be high?
    CB:
    Now I get to try the big car and it’s an awesome feeling, the car is fantastic to drive. It’s starting a new chapter in my career.

    Q:
    You are the driver with the most experience here in Sweden out of the team. Were you aware of that? Does that add more pressure?
    CB:
    It is actually something we only figured out last night. It’s the rally where I have the most experience and that in theory should mean I should do something special, but at the same time it’s a big step up. Now I just want to get started.

    Q:
    This is a moment you have been waiting for for quite a while, does that make you nervous or are you calm about it?
    CB:
    I’ve waited all my life for a chance like this so of course I’m a bit nervous, but whenever the nerves kick in I think how a chance like this is so rare and there’s no point letting the stress get to me but that I might just as well enjoy it.

    Q:
    Your pace in Monte-Carlo was something special; can you replicate that pace here on snow?
    TN:
    The pace in Monte-Carlo somewhat surprised me, but everything came together in a good way and made me feel confident and comfortable. The opening of the season is always special.

    Q:
    Thierry, how has the new Hyundai been performing on snow in testing? How many kilometres have you covered on this surface?
    TN:
    For sure it’s been better than before Monte-Carlo. I’m really happy and have been able to do two full days in good snow conditions. The conditions this year look so much better than last year.

    Q:
    You mentioned yesterday that you feel that the pace at the top will be closer here in Sweden than in Monte-Carlo. Why is that?
    TN:
    In Monte-Carlo the guy with the most confidence is leading the rally, but here I think we’re going to see more of the real speed from the teams. I expect a much tougher and more difficult fight.

    Q:
    So who do you think will win?
    TN:
    It’s a tough question, we saw some surprises in Monte-Carlo, but I think we will have a more regular race this weekend. Ogier will be strong and some other guys too and we will try to keep pace with all of them. There’s going to be a few of us fighting it out.

    Q:
    Ott, you had a great start to the season in Monte-Carlo. Does that bring you confidence coming here to Sweden?
    OT:
    Obviously Monte-Carlo was a good event for us and now we’re here with some good points and it feels nice to start like this.

    Q:
    The route has been altered this year, what are your thoughts on the stages? What could we see being the toughest aspect of this event this year?
    OT:
    It looks quite nice, it’s a lot better than last year and from the outset it looks good. Obviously we miss some snowbanks but it looks very nice out in the forests.

    Q:
    So without those snowbanks you have to be more precise out there?
    OT:
    Well, it’s like a normal gravel rally [without the snow banks] and I think in the end it’s still the same

    Q:
    What’s the aim here for you? Are you targeting the top step of the podium?
    OT:
    This is one of my favourite rallies and especially this year with some really fast and smooth stages. Normally I feel confident here and now I just want to enjoy it.

    Q:
    Toyota achieved a podium in Monte-Carlo with Jari-Matti but it was you who opened up the event with strong pace Juho. Were you surprised at the pace or did you know the car would be on par?
    JH:
    I knew that the car was good and I was confident with it, but at the same time, yes, it was a surprise since we didn’t have any idea where we stood compared to the other cars. So it was a big thing for the entire team, having put in so much work and getting results straight away.

    Q:
    How much testing have you done on snow? Are you happy with the setup? What areas still need more work?
    JH:
    I did three days last week in Finland. The conditions were a little bit different than here but the set-up of the car is not all that far from the gravel set-up which I did quite a bit of testing with last year. I’m really happy with the car.

    Q:
    What areas of the car would you say still need development work on them?
    JH:
    We’ve been quite lucky from the start of the project with the car. There are no weak areas or points, so it’s more a case where all areas can be improved a bit but it’s getting more and more close to finished. But at the same time it’s only the second rally for us so we just need to stay calm.

    Q:
    How quick do you think you will be here?
    JH:
    I honestly have no idea. It’s been three years since I last competed here so it’s difficult to say. The main thing is to relax and the results will come.

    Q:
    Is it a different atmosphere now in the team after Monte-Carlo? Is it more relaxed?
    JH:
    It’s difficult to be more relaxed, but the feeling is we have something unique and I’m very happy with the team.
    FIA WRC 2 CHAMPIONSHIP

    Present:
    Pontus Tidemand, Skoda Motorsport
    Emil Bergkvist
    Teemu Suninen, M-Sport World Rally Team

    Q:
    Pontus, how are you feeling ahead of this year’s event? We’ve seen some success from you in the past here, what’s the objective this time around?
    PT:
    I feel very good for this event. For me it’s the highlight all year round and I really enjoy this road and the surface. I’ve had good preparations and the car is very good but for sure it’s a very hard competition in this class. For sure it will be a good fight but I’m ready for it and I’m really looking forward to the start tonight.

    Q:
    You’re talking about good preparations, how much in terms of testing have you been able to do?
    PT:
    Two days of test, last weekend and this weekend also, so for me the team has done very good preparations as always so they’ve done their work from last year so I think we have the best chance to, yeah, take this rally. But for sure we need to stay focused, that’s the key point.

    Q:
    You mentioned that there is strong competition in WRC 2, and it certainly is at this event. How much are you willing to risk out there Pontus, to get maximum points?
    PT:
    It’s hard to say. It’s a long championship and in this rally there are many drivers that can do really well, lots of Norwegian drivers and some more. We just need to start and see where we are and I think it’s important to be on the spot from the beginning and avoid any mistakes. Thirty seconds in one snow bank I think can be the difference between, maybe a podium place here so it’s the main thing I think.

    Q:
    I’m guessing this season is very important for you, aiming for the WRC 2 Championship title?
    PT:
    Yes, that’s the main target this year so me and the team will give 100 percent for this. That’s what we’re working hard for every day.

    Q:
    What do you feel that you’ve learned from last year?
    PT:
    Obviously you learn and get better on everything, but for sure you need to finish the rallies. That’s very important if you’re going to have a chance to take the title in WRC 2. If you have two-three results out of the normal points obviously it’s very tough so that’s what you learn.

    Q:
    Pontus is obviously confident, how about yourself, how are you feeling ahead of the rally Emil?
    EB:
    We have quite a good feeling. It’s my third time here so, yeah, it feels great actually. We had a good test as well, which is important, but like Pontus said, there are a lot of fast drivers here and it’s important to be on it from the beginning on the stages in Norway. But we will try.

    Q:
    Now we do see changes to the route here in Rally Sweden this year. What are your thoughts on the new stages we’ve seen, the new sections?
    EB:
    On the recce it looked quite okay actually. This stage, Knon, is a quite fast stage I would say and the organisation has done a really good job to put everything together for us, and yeah, I think a lot of drivers are happy to get out on the stages.

    Q:
    Being your home event, would you say this is your best opportunity, your best advantage here for you to get maximum points?
    EB:
    Yeah, I think so. Okay, we did some WRC 2 events last year but we had some struggles in many ways. But I feel well prepared for this rally and I think this our biggest chance to get a great result.

    Q:
    Is this going to be a full season in WRC 2 this year?
    EB:
    Not at the moment, but if we do a good result here I think it can help us. If we can do some more rallies it would be great.

    Q:
    So at the moment, this is the only event you’ll be competing in?
    EB:
    No, also France, Portugal and Germany.

    Q:
    From a sponsorship point, getting a good result here would obviously help those sponsors to maybe give you more funding to help you get more events?
    EB:
    Yeah, I hope so. If you show that you can be among the fast guys, it’s helpful.

    Q:
    The Swedes are on form. Are you confident as well Teemu?
    TS:
    Yeah, quite confident. Of course we have a new car and have done testing, and I’m really happy for the car, but as always when something is new it means new challenges.

    Q:
    How many kilometers testing have you done?
    TS:
    200.

    Q:
    Do you feel that was enough for you to adapt to the new car?
    TS:
    Yeah, that’s enough.

    Q:
    What’s your opinion of the stages? You were successful here last year, do you feel that the stages are going to favour you this year?
    TS:
    I think so. This year the stages are in good condition, good ice on the ground, so I think it will be faster than last year.

    Q:
    So, you’re aiming for the top spot on the podium?
    TS:
    I’m aiming for a better result than last year.

    Q:
    Well you were second here last year so that will be the top of the podium you’re aiming for then. What about the season ahead, I know you’re doing a lot of WRC 2 events in Europe, but there is a possibility of seeing you in a WRC car as well this year. What’s happening with that?
    TS:
    I think we will get the new WRC car for Poland and Finland. I’ll try to learn and get a good result from here to be able to be fast in the WRC car.

    Q:
    So how much are you thinking about the WRC 2 season, Teemu, how focused are you on that knowing that you’re actually going to get into a WRC car?
    TS:
    Both of them are really important. I’ll try to do my best here and then move my focus in two rallies, then back to WRC 2.

    eom/FIA press release

    WRC file photo courtesy FIA. 9 Feb 2017
  • Chance for Sahara Force India fans to go behind the scenes at its HQ in Silverstone

    Chance for Sahara Force India fans to go behind the scenes at its HQ in Silverstone

    Sahara Force India headquarters at Silverstone. A Force India image

    Silverstone, 7 Feb 2017: Sahara Force India is offering fans the unique opportunity to step through the doors of a Formula One team and experience the passion, excitement and exhilaration of the world’s fastest sport, the team announced through its website and through the twitter handle.

    Opening the doors to its usually secretive HQ, the team brings fans into the pulsating heart of our Silverstone base, just opposite the famous gates of the British GP circus. Discover where our VJM10 is designed and manufactured: on your tour, you will see all stages of this process, including the normally off-limits design office, inspection departments, proof testing, machining, composite manufacture, sub assembly, race bays, our simulator and of course, the cars themselves*.

    Discover just what it takes to go racing 20 times a year in one of the most competitive stages in the world – and get ready to Feel the Force!

    The tour will take approximately 90 minutes and includes refreshments and a gift. There will be a photo opportunity with an F1 car.

    Dates available for the next three months are as follows:

    February – Friday 24th
    March – Friday 3rd, 10th and Thursday 23rd and Friday 31st
    April – Thursday 6th and 13ths, Friday 21st and Thursday 27th

    For information and to get in touch, contact Rachel Moroney – rachel.moroney@forceindiaf1-tours.com.

  • Foresight & Vision partner with Sahara Force India

    Foresight & Vision partner with Sahara Force India

    Silverstone, 6 Feb 2017: Sahara Force India is pleased to welcome eyewear specialists, Foresight & Vision, as a partner for the 2017 season.
    The partnership will introduce eyewear brands, Eye Respect and LDNR, to the high profile world of Formula One racing with the Sahara Force India drivers and team members wearing a range of sunglasses at race events.
    The Eye Respect and LDNR brands combine fashion and practicality. Crafted by leading designers and made by hand, the brands have become a firm favourite for discerning users of spectacles andsunglasses.
    LDNR logos will appear on the team’s new car, the VJM10, as well as on the drivers’ race suits.
    Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director, Sahara Force India: “I’m very excited to begin our collaboration with Foresight & Vision. Formula One is the most glamorous global sport and a great match for a fashion brand. Eye Respect and LDNR have developed a wonderful range of glasses and sunglasses, which combine colour, style and elegance – the perfect addition to the Formula One paddock.”
    Jonathan van Blerk, CEO and Creative Director, Foresight & Vision: “Working with Sahara Force India is a perfect fit for our brand. We share their fighting spirit and we always strive to punch above our weight as we develop our eyewear brands. The Formula One environment gives us a fantastic opportunity to tell the world about our products and I’m truly delighted to begin our partnership with Sahara Force India.”
    eom/Sahara Force India press release

    Eye Respect Sahara Force India F1 Team Photoshoot.
    2nd February 2017.
    Silverstone, UK
  • TVS Racing bags awards for 11 championships

    TVS Racing bags awards for 11 championships

    New Delhi, 3 February 2017: TVS Racing has concluded a highly successful year winning 11 championships across all forms of two-wheeler motorsport events – Supercross, Rallies and Road racing.

    The winners were honoured at the annual award ceremony organised here by Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI). In the Supercross and Rally categories, TVS Racing riders Abdul Wahind Tanveer won three championships this year while R. Nataraj won two championships.

    In the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship, 5th time champion K. Jagan retained his crown.

    TVS Motor Company won the award for being the best manufacturer of the year in the Super Sport Indian category upto 165cc. The list of championships won by the TVS Racing team is appended below for reference with the details of the recipient.

    MRF Mogrip FMSCI National supercross Championship 2016

    • Group A  – Foreign motorcycles upto 500cc 4 stroke riding RTR 300 FX (Rider: Abdul Wahid Tanveer)
    • HK Pradeep, TVS Racing, receiving the award from 2w Commission chairman Sujit Kumar on 3 Feb 2017 at Hyderabad. A TVS image

      Group B – Indian Motorcycles upto 260cc 4 stroke riding Apache RTR 180 (Rider: R. Nataraj)

    • Group C – Indian motorcycles  upto 260cc 4 stroke riding Apache RTR 180 (Rider: R. Nataraj)

    MRF Mogrip FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship 2016

    • National Rally Champion team (TVS Racing)
    • National Rally Champion (Rider :Abdul Wahid)
    • Super Bike – Pro Expert – Motorcycles upto 600cc 4 stroke riding RTR 450 FX (Rider: Abdul Wahid Tanveer)
    • Super Sport Indian – Indian Motorcycles upto 165cc 4 stroke riding Apache RTR 165 (Rider: R E Rajendra)
    • Indian Scooters upto 210cc 4 stroke riding Wego (Rider: Syed Asif Ali)

    MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2016

    • Best manufacturer in the Super Sport Indian upto 165cc category (TVS Motor Company Ltd)
    • Best team in the Super Sport Indian upto 165cc category (TVS Racing)
    • Super Sport Indian upto 165cc 4 stroke riding Apache RTR 160 (Rider: K. Jagan)
     ends/TVS Racing press release

  • Movistar Yamaha wraps up pre-season testing

    Movistar Yamaha MotoGP has wrapped up the first official IRTA test of the 2017 season today at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi have spent the three days working through various testing items to further develop their YZR-M1s and secured first and sixth place respectively in the overall standings.

    Sepang (Malaysia), 1st February 2017  : Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi have completed their testing programme at the Sepang International Circuit today. This third and last day was the toughest for the riders as they rode back-to-back stints in hot temperatures to make up for lost time due to yesterday’s damp track conditions.

    Though the focus of the team was still solely on improving the technical aspects, the Spaniard and Italian took first and fifth place respectively in today’s time sheets and first and sixth in the overall 2017 Sepang MotoGP Official Test results.

    This morning Viñales showed once again that his riding style matches perfectly with the YZR-M1‘s nimble character. He dropped various hot laps before posting his fastest time of the day, a 1’59.368s on lap 40, to slot into first place in the rankings. With a margin of 0.138s ahead of his closest rival, he comfortably held his position until the end of the session after shifting his attention to the last details of his bike’s setting.

    A few spots of rain in the afternoon had the young rider sit in the pit box before he could resume his testing programme. As soon as the conditions improved Viñales had his final go on the YZR-M1 and had enough minutes left to end the test with a time attack. Though unable to beat his own best lap, he is leaving the Sepang track feeling confident, having completed 72 laps today.

    Rossi also didn’t let any time go to waste on the last opportunity of testing in Malaysia. He filled his morning session with evaluating a new tyre for Michelin and building on his findings from the previous testing days.

    Similar to teammate Viñales, the Doctor was eager to start his afternoon session as soon as track conditions allowed. His fastest lap from the morning was a 2’00.125s, putting him in eleventh place, 0.756s from the top, but the Doctor had a trick up his sleeve. Once he got back out on track he fully committed to improving his position in the rankings and set the fourth fastest time, a 1’59.589s, 0.221s from first, on lap 50 of 62. He ended the test day in fifth place as the pace quickened in the final minutes.

    The team will now return to Europe whilst the engineers return to Japan to process the data and take their 2017 MotoGP preparation another step further. The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team will regroup in Phillip Island from Feb 15th – 17th for the second pre-season test of 2017,

    eom/Movistar Yamaha press release

  • Ducati riders take to Sepang for pre-season testing

    Sepang, 30 Jan 2017: The first day of IRTA testing at Sepang concluded this afternoon, as the rain, which began to fall on the Malaysian circuit at around 4 pm, made it impossible to improve times anymore. As a result the session came to an end with Casey Stoner, present at the circuit as test-rider, at the top of the timesheets with a time of 1’59.680 while Andrea Dovizioso was just behind in second with a time of 1’59.797. Jorge Lorenzo, making his debut in factory Ducati Team colours, was in seventeenth place with a time of 2’01.349.

    Casey Stoner (Ducati Test Team #27) – 32 laps – 1’59.680 (1st)
    “Today was positive and the best thing about it was that we got a lot of dry track time. It’s been hanging in the balance really with the weather because the track takes so long to dry and if it rains at all within twelve hours, you’re going to get very little track time. It’s great that we got out there straightaway this morning and started putting in some good laps, reconfirming what we felt earlier in the week. We got a lot of comparisons done today so it was really good to get a feeling and direction with the bike. We still have a lot more work to do, it was disappointing that it rained but hopefully on Wednesday when we come back on track we can pick up where we left off and move this bike further forward, especially in the chassis area.”

    Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 29 laps – 1’59.797 (2nd)
    “The first day of testing in 2017 went pretty well and I am pleased because we showed good pace right from the start, using the same bike as Valencia and without needing to make any particular changes. Without the wings we had to adapt to the bike, and we still have a lot of fine-tuning work to do, both with the electronics and on the set-up, because the bike behaves differently, but in any case we are maintaining a good competitive level and it’s always important to start off with this sort of confirmation. Starting off on the right foot helps us continue with the development, and if you add to this the fact that I set my quickest time on a medium tyre, then we have to be satisfied.”

    Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99) – 45 laps – 2’01.349 (17th)
    “At this circuit I noticed a bigger difference between my Ducati and the bike that I have ridden for the last nine years. Now we have to do two things to be quicker: the first is to gradually adapt the bike to the way I like it, and the second and more important, is to know how to do that and understand how to be quicker. I still need some more time for that, more than I hoped for, but in any case it’s still too early to come to conclusions. It’s only a question of time and laps on the track, so we will work in this direction. The important thing is that the other Ducati bikes were very quick, and this means that the bike has a lot of potential.”

     eom/Ducati website racing news
  • Mick Schumacher, Harrison Newey share honours; Maiden win for Nayan in MRF 1600 race

    Mick Schumacher, Harrison Newey share honours; Maiden win for Nayan in MRF 1600 race

    From left: Mawson, Schumcher, Newey. Image by MRF

    Greater Noida, 29 Jan 2017: Mick Schumacher took another commanding win in Round 3 of the MRF Challenge 2016 at the Buddh International Circuit ahead of Joey Mawson and Harrison Newey here on Sunday. Nayan Chatterjee put in an inspired effort to hold off Anindith Reddy to win his maiden race of the MRF 1600 series.

    In Race 2, Newey struck back to take his first win of the weekend as Schumacher crashed out. Ralf Aron and Joey Mawson finished in that order. Mawson continues to lead the championship on 211 points.

    Starting on pole position, Schumacher got the perfect start to lead into the first corner, with front-row starter Newey once again losing out at the start, this time to Joey Mawson. Newey briefly got past Mawson down the main straight only for the Australian to take the position back going into corner 4. As Mawson and Newey continued to battle, Schumacher pulled away at the front. Schumacher crossed the finish line in 1st place, taking his 2nd win in 3 races. Mawson fended off Newey to finish in 2nd place. Drugovich finished in a lonely 4th place, ahead of Rinus Van Kalmthout, Juri Vips and Pedro Cardoso.

    Race 4, the second race of the day provided all the action.  Newey made a perfect start to lead the race, as there was a big battle behind between Aron, Mawson and Schumacher for second place. Schumacher tried to pass Mawson but both drivers collided, dropping Mawson to 8th. Schumacher closed in on Aron and both went wide coming out of turn 3, allowing Drugovich to go past. As Schumacher was passing Aron, he clipped Drugovich who had turned into turn 4. Both Schumacher and Drugovich retired on the spot, bringing out the safety car in the process. The race finished under safety car with Newey winning ahead of Aron and Mawson. Behind them Cardoso finished in 4th place, ahead of Schramm and Van Kalmthout.

    Mick Schumacher was happy to continue his impressive form at the BIC. He commented, “I had a good start and with both these guys (Newey and Mawson) battling behind me I had the chance to pull away. It is a shame about the last race but am pretty happy about the entire weekend.”

    Harrison Newey commented, “I have had trouble with my starts the entire weekend so it was good to finally have a good start. I have had the pace in all the races but tough to overtake here. This is a good way to end the weekend”

    In the second race of the MRF 1600 championship, reverse grid pole sitter Alex Bora held on to the lead at the start only to lose out to Chatterjee in the opening lap. Reddy passed Bora and started to close in on Chatterjee and on lap 4 got past him to take the lead. The next two laps saw an intense battle ensue with both drivers trading places at the front. With 3 laps to go Chatterjee took the lead and stayed in front to take his first victory in the championship. Reddy finished in 2nd place with Race 1 winner Ananth Shanmugam recovering well to finish in a creditable 3rd place. Anshul Shah finished in 4th place ahead of Bora and Arya Singh.

    Provisioinal Results: MRF Challenge 2016, Round 3, Race 3: 1. Mick Schumacher (22:22.305); 2. Joey Mawson (22:26.311); 3. Harrison Newey (22:27.580).

    Race 4: 1. Harrison Newey (30:30.323); 2. Ralf Aron (30:31. 155); 3. Joey Mawson (30: 31.549).

    MRF 1600, Round 1, Race 2: 1. Nayan Chatterjee (17: 21.448); 2. Anindith Reddy (17: 24.780); 3. Ananth Shanmugam (17: 27.097).

     

    eom/david/MRF press release/Edited and revised with correct Race 4 result on 31 Jan 2017 at 10am

  • Rossi, Vinales delight fans in Philippines

    Rossi, Vinales delight fans in Philippines

    Yamaha event in Manila. Image courtesy Movistar Yamaha Motorsports

    Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team‘s Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales continued their ’media tour‘ with a short but rewarding stop-over in the Philippines. Despite the shortness of the visit the riders were determined to make the most of their time. They met up with the media and Yamaha dealers and also found time in between to entertain their fans in a special race activity.

    Manila, 28 Jan 2017: Just a few days after their visit to Indonesia, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales reunited in Quezon City, near Manila, for a dealer event and a special outdoor racing activity, the ‘Yamaha GP’, organised by Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc. (YMPH).

    The teammates were enthusiastically greeted by the Filipino fans upon arrival at Manila Airport on January 27th. The locals were excited to welcome back Rossi, who visited the Philippines before in 2014, and keen on giving Viñales an unforgettable taste of all their country has to offer, as it was his first time visiting.

    The riders started the next day with a press conference at the Robinsons Novaliches Trade Hall together with Yamaha Motor Company’s General Manager Motorsports Division, Kouichi Tsuji, and President of Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc., Toru Osugi. This was followed by a photoshoot and then it was time for action. Eager to take part in the ’Yamaha GP‘, the riders headed outside in their leathers where two Yamaha SNIPER 150 MXi stood waiting. Rossi and Viñales entertained the crowd by doing a few laps on a small ’track‘ created in the parking lot and were joined by YMPH‘s riders afterwards for a group photo.

    After lunch the pair took time to talk to the media before they had to pack their bags for the Sepang MotoGP Official Test, to be held from January 30th – February 1st. This test will be the first occasion for Rossi and Viñales to ride the 2017 Yamaha YZR-M1 in its new colours as they prepare for the coming season.

    Kouichi Tsuji, General Manager, Motorsports Division, said: “This stop in the Philippines, though short, was certainly meaningful, because we want to show that the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team and its riders value the passionate support of the fans. Experiencing the country‘s culture and being able to communicate face-to-face with its press and the fans plays a big part in understanding Yamaha‘s philosophy of Kando* and the ’human approach‘ that we hold so dear in our company. It was enjoyable for all to see the riders having fun on the Yamaha SNIPER 150 MXi and now that Rossi and Viñales have ’warmed their muscles‘ and felt the support of the fans, we can focus on the task ahead and fly to the test in Sepang with maximum motivation.”

    Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi said: “This was my second time visiting the Philippines and I‘m even more impressed by the country, the culture and the atmosphere than the first time. The people are all very friendly so I enjoyed my stay here a lot. It was nice to meet the Filipino press and the fans again and put on a little show for them, riding the Yamaha SNIPER 150 MXi. It‘s not as big as my M1, but it‘s fast. Though we couldn‘t do a proper race, Maverick and I did a couple of laps with the fans watching and we had fun, but now it‘s time for serious work again. We will soon fly to Malaysia for the test in Sepang and start the season.”

    Maverick Vinales, the other Yamaha MotoGP rider said: “This was a new experience for me, I had never visited the Philippines before, so I‘m very happy that I‘ve had the chance now to get a quick first impression of the country. The people here are so friendly and they really put in an effort to make us feel welcome. The crowds at the “Yamaha GP” event were cheering very loudly during the press conference and it‘s great to see how passionate they are about motorsports. I also had a lot of fun on track today with Valentino, riding a Yamaha SNIPER 150 MXi. I enjoyed my time in Manila a lot so it‘s a shame that we have to leave already after just 24 hours, but I‘m also looking forward to riding my YZR-M1 again in Sepang in just a few days’ time.

     

    eom/david/Yamaha release