Motorsport News 11/02/21

Forest rallying has perhaps been hit hardest in motorsport throughout the global health pandemic and was desperate for some good news. Finally, this week, it seems to have had a hearty slap on the back from Forestry England, which has given a resounding thumbs up to the discipline. The result of its review into the use of its estates for motorsport was by no means a given. Just because rallying has a heritage in between the trees in this country, that was no guarantee of a future along the same lines. But the rally community responded in its droves to let the governors know that forest events were the lifeblood of rallying in this country and the authorities have listened. There are many examples when bureaucrats have been urged to be sympathetic…

Formula 1 bosses are considering introducing a sprint race into the Satuday of a grand prix race weekend , a move that could be introduced this season. The revelation comes as chiefs shut the door on reversed grid races, another tweak that had been under discussion. Formula 1’s new president Stefano Domenicali said that switching stating positions was off the table but added: “I think that it’s important to think maybe of new ideas of being more attractive or interesting – [but] we don’t have to lose the traditional approach of racing.” He said the multiple changes to the qualifying format – not all of which have been a success – has led chiefs to consider other ways of spicing up a race weekend. “What we are looking at is what could be the…

Formula 1 could again host a double header in Bahrain, mirroring the 2020 season, as uncertainty still surrounds the calendar for this term. The third race of the proposed 23-race line-up this year is yet to be confirmed, and it was initially thought that this slot would be taken by a race at the Algarve circuit, which hosted its first Portuguese Grand Prix last season. However, with the worsening coronavirus situation in the country, grand prix bosses could be forced into a rethink. New F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admitted that a second desert grand prix is on the agenda if it needs to be. He said: “As soon as we can, we will be able to announce something, and that will be in the next days, not in the next two months. “I’ve got…

Race-winner Tom Oliphant will return to the British Touring Car Championship this season at the wheel of an WSRrun BMW 330i M Sport machine alongside Colin Turkington. Oliphant contested the BTCC for a third time in 2020 and was a winner at Brands Hatch, as well as taking three other podiums on his way to sixth place in the drivers’ championship. He and Turkington will be joined by a yet-to-be announced third racer, with details expected shortly. Oliphant said: “I took on greater responsibility [in chasing the teams’ title in 2020] and that’s really helped my own development both on-track and off it – I certainly feel stronger and more confident as a result. “I’m ready to move up to the next level in the championship and with the best overall package on…

Ollie Jackson says he will be gunning for multiple wins in the 2021 British Touring Car Championship after securing a deal to return to the grid with the revamped MB Motorsport squad. MB Motorsport and Motorbase Performance, the team that Jackson won races for in 2020, will run in partnership this season as part of a new ownership structure. Jackson’s switch to the MB side of the team from the Motorbase division means he will remain in the Ford. Jackson took wins in the Focus last year at Snetterton and Silverstone on his way to 12th in the drivers’points. He will line up alongside Jake Hill in the Mark Blundellfronted operation. Jackson said: “Last year was a really memorable one for me and I’m determined to build upon that. “I got on really well with…

Sam Osborne and Andy Neate will form the driver line-up for the rejigged Motorbase Performance British Touring Car Championship team in 2021. Osborne drove for MB Motorsport in his second BTCC season last term and finished fourth in the hunt for the Jack Sears Trophy, held in 2020 for drivers who had yet to secure a BTCC podium finish. Neate returned to the BTCC with Motorbase Performance last year for his first full season since 2012. He scored points on two occasions on his way to 25th in the drivers’ standings. The Motorbase team is under new ownership this season, with businessman Peter Osborne and AmDTuning.com chief Shaun Hollamby taking the reins. They have taken over the running of the Ford Focus machines and will oversee the operation of the sister MB Motorsport…