Motorsport News May 19, 2022

McLaren Racing will move into Formula E next season after sealing a deal to take over the Mercedes squad. Mercedes announced in August 2021 that it would move out of FE to concentrate on its Formula 1 commitments, while McLaren Racing has expanded into IndyCar and Extreme E in recent seasons to complement its grand prix arm. McLaren head Zak Brown said that the switch would help the iconic British team increase its understanding of electrically powered motorsport. “McLaren always seeks to compete against the best and on the leading edge of technology, providing our fans, partners and people with new ways to be excited, entertained and inspired. Formula E, like all our racing series, fulfils all those criteria,” said Brown. The 2022-2023 FE campaign is due to begin ain Saudi Arabia later in…

The news that McLaren is taking on a challenge in Formula E has been very well received, and it is something of a throwback to teams of old that were prepared to fight on all fronts. It is, after all, a top-class team operating in motorsport. Why should any squad restrict itself to just one category? McLaren goes racing in the old style, because it is an authentic racing team. It is very hard not to admire the things that it does. As well as its grand prix obligations, it has recently spread its wings into IndyCar and Extreme E too. And the likelihood is, depending upon sponsorship deals, of course, that the Formula E machines will carry the McLaren orange, which was reintroduced onto the Formula 1 cars in 2018. The papaya-shaded…

McLaren’s takeover of the Mercedes Formula E team will allow the title-winning squad to remain on course for success, according to current team principal Ian James. James will remain in his role as McLaren takes over the operation for the 2022-2023 Formula E season. McLaren has yet to confirm its driver line-up or powertrain supplier for the fresh campaign. James said: “Becoming part of the McLaren Racing family is a privilege: McLaren has always been synonymous with success and high-performance. This is a great moment for all parties involved but, above all, for the people that make up this team. They are what keeps its heart beating. Being able to continue working with them is what I am most excited about.” Mercedes joined Formula E in 2019 and last season claimed the drivers’title…

Indianapolis owner Roger Penske has said he is keen to bring a round of the World Endurance Championship to the famous venue. The team owner, who will run Porsche’s new LMDh when it comes on stream in 2023, said that he had opened discussions about bringing top-line long-distance racing to the 2.5-mile oval in the future. The event would take place on the part-road course, part-oval, which was the home of the US Grand Prix from 2000 to 2007 and has since hosted IndyCar events. “We are having discussions about it right now, [there is] nothing to announce, but it would be terrific,” said Penske. “I’ve talked to Frederic [Lequien, boss of the WEC] and said we might have an interest.As far as Indianapolis is concerned our arms are wide open: come and…

IndyCar team boss Bobby Rahal has said he would be open to giving four-time Formula 1 World title winner Sebastian Vettel a run in a US top-flight single-seater at Road America. Aston Martin driver Vettel was quizzed ahead of the recent Miami Grand Prix on his views on the track, and he said he would prefer what he described as a “proper”American venue such as the Wisconsin circuit. Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver Graham Rahal responded on social media to the comment and said: “I’ll double down and say it; Seb, if you ever want to test an IndyCar at RoadAmerica we will make it happen. Would be an honour to have you in our car!” His views were endorsed by Rahal Sr, who himself took part in two Formula 1 races in 1978.…

New Formula 1 race director Eduardo Freitas will take control of his first grand prix at Barcelona this weekend. Freitas and Niels Wittich were employed by the FIAat the start of this season to share the race director role after Michael Masi was moved to another role following the controversial conclusion to last season’s competition inAbu Dhabi. The initial plan was to let each of the new directors head up two races at a time and then alternate. However, Freitas has previous commitments with the World Endurance Championship that he has to attend. Clashing dates mean he has had to wait until the sixth round of the F1 season to make his debut. The new personnel in race control have drawn widespread praise. McLaren team principalAndreas Seidl said: “From my point of view…