Motorsport News April 14, 2022

Jenson Button has signed for British team Xite Energy Racing to follow in father John’s footsteps by entering the rallycross arena. The 2009 Formula 1 World champion will race a brand-new all-electric FC1-X rallycross machine as team-mate to fellow Brit Oliver Bennett. The pair will contest the 2022-2023 Nitro Rallycross series, which has expanded out of America to hold rounds in Europe and the Middle East. The season-opener set to take place at Lydden Hill in the UK. Button revealed his intention to switch to rallycross at his final F1 race as a full-time driver in 2016, but 2022 will mark the first time he has competed in the discipline. His father John was a successful rallycross racer in his own right. Jenson Button told MN: “It’s in my blood. This is another…

On a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult, the rejuvenated grand prix circus put on another superb performance in Melbourne last weekend. Eventually, Charles Leclerc was able to stroll to another victory for Ferrari, but there was interest and intrigue all the way through. A podium for George Russell and a point for Alex Albon were just two of myriad highlights. World title holder Max Verstappen was not among those toasting their performances afterwards as his Red Bull conked out following 39 laps of the parkland circuit. Although he said he didn’t have the pace to challenge the red car in front of him, he had been well on course for second place – a position that eventually went the way of his team-mate Sergio Perez. Perhaps the most interesting aspect…

After three races, just three points separate Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ championship… yet they sit fifth and sixth in the standings. Last year’s title protagonists are already over 40 points behind this season’s runaway leader Charles Leclerc. Australia wasn’t kind to any of the four World champions that lined up on the starting grid. The Ferrari ace achieved a grand slam in Melbourne: pole, fastest lap and he led all 58 laps to take a comfortable win in the St Kilda sunshine. Leclerc’s lead in the points chase benefited from two of his main rivals failing to finish. Verstappen was his closest challenger in the race, running second when a suspected fuel leak forced him to stop 20 laps from the finish.And a weekend of misfortune conspired…

World champion Max Verstappen has branded a second car failure in three races as ‘unacceptable’ in his hunt to retain the F1 World title. The Dutchman was running in second place in the Australian Grand Prix last weekend when his machine ground to a halt on lap 39 with an as-yet unspecified problem that was suspected to centre on the fuel system. This follows a non-finish in the season opener when the World champion’s Red Bull broke down with three laps remaining while he was in second place, due to a fuel pump problem. Verstappen is now 46 points behindAlbert Park winner and drivers’table-topper Charles Leclerc. After stepping from his car in Melbourne, Verstappen said: “We’re already miles behind, so I don’t even want to think about the championship fight at the moment. I…

German firms Porsche and Audi are both edging towards a decision to join the Formula 1 grid when simplified grand prix powerplants are introduced in 2026. Both of the Volkswagen Group-owned brands have been evaluating entries into F1 and a board meeting last week confirmed that both were now pursuing which options were available. The statement said: “The management and supervisory boards of Volkswagen, Porsche andAudi have confirmed plans for a possible entry into Formula 1 by the two brands. “This gives our company the opportunity to demonstrate the motto ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’in the pinnacle of motorsport from 2026. We have not yet made a formal decision, as we are currently in the final evaluation phase. At the moment, the new regulations for 2026 and beyond are not yet available.” The stalling point for…

Acollection of all of Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 title-inning cars will gather at The Classic at Silverstone on August Bank holiday weekend to highlight the theme of Best of British. Hamilton’s first title winner, the McLaren MP4-23 from 2008, will join all of his subsequent Mercedes machines that helped him to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of World crowns. Nick Wigley, the boss of The Classic promoter Goose Live Events, said: “It’s a real privilege for us to have all seven of Lewis’ title winners on show at The Classic this summer. Lewis is already a legend and his incredible successes will forever be celebrated as a major milestone in motorsport history. This very special display will also be another of the stand-out highlights under this year’s ‘Best of British’ banner at The…