Motorsport News 28/01/21

For competitors, it must hardly seem like they’ve been away. But for fans, the opening round of the World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo last weekend was a blessed relief. There were some very serious concerns in the build-up to WRC opener that the event would not take place at all. Increasing fears over the global health pandemic put a serious question mark over the travel arrangements of the teams, but hard work by the teams, organisers and promoters finally made it happen. Congratulations go to the World champion Sebastien Ogier, but a tip of the hat also goes to the two leading Brits, Elfyn Evans and Gus Greensmith. Evans pushed his Toyota team-mate Ogier all the way and Greensmith banished memories of a slip-up 12 months beforehand to land some points…

Rory Butcher will lead the Toyota attack on the British Touring Car Championship this season after securing a deal to drive with Speedworks Motorsport in a factory-backed Corolla. The Scotsman, a six-time winner in the BTCC, will be joined in the hatchback by BTCC returnee Sam Smelt, who switches over from Speedworks’British GT assault. Speedworks introduced the Team Toyota GB-supported Corolla into the BTCC at the start of the 2019 season and it has taken seven wins, all in the hands of Tom Ingram. Butcher won the Independents Trophy in 2019 at the wheel of an AmDTuning.com-run FK2 Honda Civic Type R before switching to Motorbase Performance in 2020. He was fifth in last year’s points with three wins. Butcher, 33, said: “[The Toyota] was arguably the most competitive car on the grid…

Ocon on stage Alpine Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon took part on two stages of last weekend’s Monte Carlo Rally as a demonstration run in an Alpine A110S machine. The event was the 110th anniversary of the rally and it also marked 50 years since the French car firm finished 1-2-3 in the event. Ocon said: “It’s been a dream of mine to have a go at rallying so to have a taste of it at a brilliant event like this was definitely special.” IndyCar pushed back The first round of the IndyCar Series has been further delayed. The initial opening round at St Petersburg was axed and the US category was set to get the green light at Barber Motorsports Park on April 11. However, this date has now been pushed back…

The 2009 Formula 1 world title winner Jenson Button has joined the Williams team in the role of senior advisor. Button, who began in F1 career with the British team in 2000, said that the team, which was bought by the Dorilton Capital group last year, has a special place in his heart. Williams chief executive Jost Capito said the 15-time grand prix winner would have an input on the business and technological side. Capito said: “Bringing Jenson back on board is another positive step to help us move forward as a team, both on and off track. Jenson has always been a friend of the team and so it is great to welcome him back into the Williams family. “He has shown his acumen in both the business and broadcasting worlds and…

Alfa Romeo will continue its partnership with Ferrari, ending speculation that its owner Sauber could switch to Renault. The team formed links with the Scuderia back in 2010, and took on the name ofAlfa Romeo, a sister brand to Ferrari, at the beginning of 2019. Although the deal has not been confirmed, it is expected to be completed shortly and designers have already planned the 2021 chassis around the Ferrari power unit and gearbox. Alfa Romeo joins Haas as a customer team for Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will continue on theAlfa Romeo driving strength in 2021. The team has announced that it will launch its new car in Warsaw, Poland, on February 22.…

Sportscar firm Glickenhaus has confirmed that Ryan Briscoe and Gustavo Menezes will join its line-up for its maiden assault on the World Endurance Championship. IndyCar driver Briscoe and former Rebellion Racing man Menezes will handle the team’s Hypercar, the Glickenhaus-Pipo 007LMH. The American team has reportedly signed all of its 2021 drivers, but only Briscoe and Menzes have been named so far as they were both on the recently revealed FIAentry list. In other World Endurance Championship news, the Richard Mille Racing Team has revealed an all-female line-up for its LMP2 ORECA-Gibson. The three drivers stepping up after a rookie campaign in the European Le Mans Series last term are Beitske Visser, Sophia Floersch and Tatiana Calderon. The opening round of this year’s WEC has been moved from Sebring, where it was due…