Motorsport News August 11, 2022

In Motorsport News this week, we reflect on all that is great about Ford in motorsport. It is a huge topic, and we have hand-picked some highlights from the Blue Oval’s decorated history on the circuits and on the stages. What is notable about the products that it has used for competition is the longevity that its machines have earned. Just look at the high appeal of the Ford Escort Mk2 in rallying, or the Kent-engined Formula Ford category, which is still going strong some five-and-a-half decades after it first hit the circuits. Then look at sportscars, where the iconic GT40 has recently been immortalised on the silver screen with the Le Mans ’66 film. Then consider the ultimate Group A tin-top racer, the Ford Sierra RS500. All of these machines have been…

Up-and-coming racer Oscar Piastri is at the centre of a bitter row that has erupted over the last seven days in a silly season controversy between Alpine, the 21-year-old driver and McLaren. Shuffling in the 2023 driver line-up was sparked when Alpine driver Fernando Alonso announced that he had signed for Aston Martin for next term. Alpine put out an announcement on Tuesday last week that it would promote its test driver Piastri to the race seat alongside Esteban Ocon, who has a long-term deal with French team. Piastri, an FIA F3 and F2 champion, put out a statement on social media refuting that he had inked a deal. In a tweet, he said: “I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that…

Honda will continue to support Red Bull Racing with its grand prix powerplants for the next three seasons through to the end of the current regulations. The Japanese giant reversed out of F1 at the end of 2021 but tied up an agreement with the Milton Keynes team to continue to supply engines and engineering support in the short term. That support will now last through until the end of 2025, which has been made simpler by a freeze on engine developments until the new rules come on stream. A statement issued by both Honda Racing Corporation and Red Bull last week said: “While Honda’s official withdrawal from F1 allowed the company to divert power unit development resources towards meeting the company’s future carbon-neutral goals, the ongoing agreement with Red Bull does…

Alex Albon has signed a multi-year deal to remain with the Williams F1 team into 2023 and beyond. The London-born Thai driver spent a season and half with Red Bull Racing in 2019 and 2020 before being stood down from grand prix racing in 2021, when he contested the DTM instead. Although he was still under contract to Red Bull, its decision to extend Sergio Perez’s contract alongside Max Verstappen in the top team meant that Albon was free to commit his long-term future to Williams. Albon has scored points on two occasions this season – the Australian GP and the maiden race in Miami – and is 19th in the points table. The precise length of Albon’s new deal has not been revealed. Albon said: “The team are pushing hard to progress,…

Formula 1 bosses have confirmed that revenue for the sport this year is 49% up on the corresponding period in 2021. For the period between April and June, both 2021 and 2022 featured seven F1 races. Twelve months ago, a number of races were being held in front of limited crowds as the effects of Covid were still being felt. Also, corporate hospitality was still limited. In the 2022 second quarter, F1 revenue jumped from $501 million to $744 million. That revenue comes from promoters, broadcasters and sponsorship. The was an operating loss of $43 million for Formula 1 in the early part of 2021 while this year, it was a profit of $49 million. A statement from Liberty Media, the owner of F1, said: “Race promotion revenue increased due to higher fees generated…

BMW has confirmed that the highly successful WRT endurance racing team will operate its LMDh hypercar in the World Endurance Championship when it joins the category in 2024. Belgian team WRT has had a long association with Audi but confirmed last week that it has parted ways with the Ingolstadt firm. It will instead operate the BMW M Hybrid V8 as it makes its first bid for overall glory at Le Mans since 1999. WRT team boss Vincent Vosse said he was extremely happy with the start of this new partnership with BMW M Motorsport and described the step up to LMDh as the logical next step for the team. “We are not only thrilled about the challenge ahead but also thankful for BMW M Motorsport’s trust in us,” said Vosse. “I…