All the latest news from the racing world!
F1
Haas will be the first team to launch their new 2022 car tomorrow. The news came rather out of the blue that they would be the first to launch their car, which makes me worry that it won’t be a big event, and might even just be their new livery on the base 2022 car that F1 produced. They do have form for doing this, which makes it even more likely.
It sounds as though the Sprint Race plans are still not finalised for this season, with F1 now offering 3 events, just like we had in 2021. Money is still the issue, with some teams wanting the cost cap to be increased slightly in response to the Sprint Races, and potential crash damage they may cause. I imagine this compromise of 3 races may work, as it is what we saw last year, but you never know what the F1 teams may decide in the end.
Albon might be able to race under the Thai flag this season, as WADA is due to reinstate Thailand very soon, after talks with the Thai anti-doping agency. These restrictions only came in a few months ago, so did not affect Albon when he last raced in F1. Mazepin will still not be able to race under the Russian flag, as that ban is in place until this coming December.
Formula E
With the major increase in power for the Gen3 cars, the series is looking at making changes to the layouts of some of its more well known tracks. The increased power of 350kW, means that the drivers will be able to reach higher speeds, which could compromise the safety of some of the previous tracks, but might also allow track designers to add in longer straights to promote overtaking.
MotoGP
Most of the teams have launched their 2022 bikes and liveries, with the bikes themselves not changing much, and the majority of the liveries staying the same too. One of the exceptions is the brand new RNF team, which has come from the ashes of the Sepang Racing Team. The new team has been able to garner a fair few sponsors though, and a mixture of youth and experience in their rider line up could serve them well.
Other News
Lamborghini is evaluating whether it should enter the LMDh rules in 2024, using the same engines as its fellow VW Group companies, in Porsche and Audi. It would be another boost to the world of sportscar endurance racing if Lamborghini joined, as we start to near the point where there is no need for the other Prototype categories anymore.
The World Rally Championship has been without a rally director since late last year, but the FIA feels no need to rush to find a replacement. An interim director stood in for Rally Monte Carlo, at a time where the FIA already has enough on its plate when it comes to directors of racing series.
Broc Feeney will run the well known No. 88 for Red Bull Ampol Racing this year, as he joins Van Gisbergen in the Triple Eight squad. He is a rising young star in Australia, having done so well in the junior series, and being put straight into the reigning champions team, could mean instant results for him.
Floyd Mayweather and The Money Team will finally enter the Daytona 500 after a few years of rumour and speculation. They will have to race their way into the 500, with the entry list set to be over the threshold 40 cars. Kaz Grala will be the driver of the No. 50. It will be a tall ask for them to get into the race, given they have done no testing with the car at all, whereas some of the other open teams have done so, and they are starting from zero in terms of team experience.
-M
Meaning of Motorsport 