#lemans24h

🇮🇹 #Classic

23-RESISTENCIA-ENDURANCE ( Libro III VELOCIDAD-VITESSE)

B-1158 cuadernoA5 (40 acuarelas con sus textos...)jrG

F1

After much speculation, F1 has announced that they will not be going to Japan this year, due to rising covid cases in the country. This is a shame, as Suzuka is an amazing track, and the fans are great too, but it seems that the Olympics has taken its toll on the area. This may make it more likely that we will get two races at COTA, assuming we are able to go there too.

Formula E

The rumours were true over the weekend, as Mercedes confirm they will be leaving the sport at the end of next year. Their press release is even more damning, as they say that their focus is on F1 going forwards, as they develop ‘sustainable and scalable performance technologies’. This backs up many people’s theory that Formula E does not allow development and experimentation like other series do! It is likely that the structure of the Mercedes EQ team will stay in the sport as a privateer entry, so the team could be all the same, bar the name on top of the door.

De Vries has come out to question the driving standards of some of his competitors who he battled on Sunday. Whilst Formula E has always seen aggressive driving, especially when fighting for good points, you can see where he is coming from, as a few drivers drove him towards the wall, probably fully aware he wouldn’t want to risk too much. I do feel that all the drivers need to be briefed on what is expected of them, and make it clear what is allowed and what isn’t.

Mortara has fractured his vertebrae in the nasty start line crash on Sunday with Evans. This is a shame to hear, especially as he was an innocent bystander in the crash. I do hope he can recover quickly, and be fully fit for next year.

IndyCar

Bourdais has reaffirmed his commitment to AJ Foyt Racing for the future, saying if they want him to stay, he will. On the most part he has shown great pace throughout the year, but has had no luck whatsoever, being taken out of multiple races this year, including both races at Texas!

After the weekend at IMS, both Albon and Lundgaard, who were there in very different capacities, enjoyed what IndyCar had to offer, and could potentially be contenders for seats next year. Both will likely prioritise F1, however with limited seats available there, I wouldn’t be surprised if at least one of them is here next year.

It is expected that a news conference being held later today, will announce a return of Iowa to the IndyCar calendar, after being saved by HyVee and the Rahal group. Iowa is an excellent track for IndyCar, as the multiple lanes allow for thrilling close racing, and plenty of tyre wear.

MotoGP

Vinales has been confirmed to join Aprilia for next year, as the worst kept secret in the paddock finally breaks. It will be interesting to see how he does against Aleix, as well as on a new bike. Also, more immediately, when will Yamaha allow him to return to his bike this season, assuming they do at all.

Apparently, it was one mistake that cost Aleix a podium on Sunday, as his bike would not brake for a corner on the last lap, which cost him a lot of time. Martin rather surprisingly is more pleased with his 3rd in the race just gone, than when he won the previous weekend. I imagine it is because of the circumstances, in that it was more of a battle all race, and was treacherous at the end.

Other News

The times from the Le Mans test day, suggest that Glickenhaus may be right on pace with Toyota, which is great news for the 24 Hours coming up this weekend. There were fears that with the engine power increase for the Hypercars, it would put Toyota out of reach of the other challengers, but that is seemingly not the case.

-M

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