In the round-up: The defunct A1GP could be revived under efforts of a team of executives including former Alpine team principal, Marcin Budkowski
In brief
Former Alpine team principal Budkowski linked to A1GP revival bid
Former Alpine team principal Marcin Budkowski is involved in an effort to revive the A1GP single seater series, known as the ‘world cup of motorsport’.
The championship competed between 2005 and 2009, with teams representing nations from across the world. Sky News reports that Budkowski, who was executive director and team principal of Alpine until 2022, is leading the project which has financial support from backers including Sir Keith Mills, who led London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
Reports suggest each national team would run two drivers from their respective countries – one experienced driver and one younger, less experienced challenger. The envisioned schedule of the championship would run between the end of the F1 season to July.
Williams hold charity simrace event for Emilia-Romagna
The Williams F1 team hosted a charity simracing event on F1 22 yesterday involving race driver Alexander Albon, junior driver Jamie Chadwick and even team principal James Vowles along with many Williams affiliated drivers and esports competitors and professional footballer Thibault Courtois.
After a series of warm up races, a 25% race was held around the Imola circuit, with Williams F1 esports driver Shanaka Clay taking victory.
The event was organised in benefit of the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection. Anyone wishing to support the fund can donate online.
Garcia grows F1 Academy lead in Barcelona
Marta Garcia extended her lead in the F1 Academy drivers’ standings after taking two podiums in the opening two races of the weekend in Barcelona.
Garcia finished third in race one and second in race two to go from a 26 point advantage over Hamda Al Qubasi at the start of the day to 45 points at the end of the second race. Emely de Heus took victory in the opening race of the day with Amna Al Qubasi winning the reverse-grid second race.
Tramnitz beats Antonelli after late Safety Car
Tim Tramnitz won the the opening race of the Formula Regional European Championship round at Barcelona, holding off Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Despite starting on pole, Antonelli was passed by Tramnitz at the start and absorbed pressure from him until a late Safety Car effectively ended the race. Kas Haverkort finished third and remains in the lead of the championship with a second race taking place today.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Study: Drive to Survive F1 docuseries records 6.8m viewers (Blackbook Motorsport)
“63 per cent of viewers watched at least three episodes in a row • 18 to 29 year olds make up 31 per cent of the audience • 26 per cent of Drive to Survive fans have no interest in Formula 1 • The gender split of viewers is much more balanced than the sport itself, with 46 per cent being female.”
Meet Ovo’s Stephen Fitzpatrick, the man who would be Richard Branson (Guardian)
“He has dabbled in everything from energy and software to premium rum. His most eyecatching venture – rescuing the Manor Racing Formula One team in 2015 and reportedly pumping in £30m – ended with the business falling into administration in 2017, having secured a solitary point. Branson had spearheaded the same team, then branded Virgin Racing, eight years earlier.”
Job opening: Digital Editor (Mercedes via LinkedIn)
“We are looking for a passionate web editor to lead the content creation and delivery for the Team’s website. As our website editor, you will be managing the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team website and leading on content creation and delivery. You will drive content quality, optimise SEO and focus on creating the best user journey’s and experience.The successful candidate should be an experienced line manager as well as a skilled writer and content planner, with an eye for detail.”
COMPETITION: Win Logan’s signed, race-worn Nomex base layer from R01 (Williams)
“One lucky fan will get their hands on one of our most unique prizes yet, the Nomex base layer that Logan wore during his F1 debut in Bahrain. Oh, and it’s also signed by the man himself! This official race spec item features the Williams Racing monogram, partner logos, the United States flag, L.Sargeant wordmark, and, as we’ve already mentioned, Sarge’s signature.”
Felipe Drugovich ready for Aston Martin chance after ‘important’ experience (Give Me Sport)
“I learned a lot about actually developing the car, because most of the drivers get to test at the end of the season, and aren’t actually doing much for the team. If you do testing at the beginning of the season before the first race, you’re testing a lot of things and that’s really, really nice to do to try to help the team.”
Bobby Rahal wants son Graham to stay with IndyCar team: ‘He’s a hell of a race car driver’ (IndyCar)
“As far as Graham, you know, I don’t think anybody wants to see him go anywhere else, but I will tell you any of these guys, if you’re a driver you want to go where you can see the commitment, and I think our commitment is obvious.”
Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson in contract stalemate with team owner Chip Ganassi (NBC Sports)
“I have great support from Sweden and my backers and sponsors and everything, and I’ve had that all my career, and I’m very, very thankful of that. But I feel where I am now in my career, and what I’ve achieved, that shouldn’t be like, the reason why I’m hired. I think what’s important for me is I should be hired for the skills I have as a driver, and not for the potential sponsor I can bring or not bring to the team.”
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Gv27, Kanyima, Thersqaured and Olivia Stephanie Ault!
On this day in motorsport
- On this day in 1978 Mario Andretti gave the Lotus 79 a victory in its first ever race at Zolder. Team mate Ronnie Peterson was second in a 78.
