OCTOBER 11, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 09:28PM 
Max Verstappen (No. 1 Oracle Red Bull Racing) continued his title celebrations with a dominant performance during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, leading home the Oscar Piastri (No. 81 McLaren F1 Team) and Lando Norris (No. 4 McLaren F1 Team) following a first-lap collision between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton (No. 44 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team) and George Russell (No. 63 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team). Hamilton and Russell went wheel-to-wheel moments after the lights went out at the Lusail International Circuit, the seven-time world champion attempting to go around the outside of his team mate through Turn 1, only for the duo to dramatically make contact in the corner. With Hamilton out of the race on the spot, and Russell forced to pit for a new front wing at the end of the opening lap, two of Verstappen’s main rivals had already fallen by the wayside and the now triple world champion never looked back, romping to win number 14 of 2023. Russell came back to finish fourth. Watch the Race Highlights here.
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images)
AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Watch the Extended Race Highlights from Motorsports on NBC here.
Connor Zilisch (No. 7 Franklin Road Apparel/Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro) dominated the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli TA class event at VIRginia International Raceway, leading from start to finish in the all green-flag race and crossing the line with a 46-second advantage over second place. At 17 years, three months and fifteen days old, Zilisch became the youngest driver to win a TA race in his first-career start in the class. Martin Ragginger (No. 17 Top Liner/CP Tech Chevrolet Camaro) finished second, and behind him, with a third-place finish, Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) clinched his third-consecutive championship in the class, becoming only the third driver in series history to win three or more back-to-back titles. “This is my first weekend driving a TA car with all this power, and it was the most fun I’ve ever had in a racecar,” said Zilisch in the GYM WEED Winners Circle. Dyson was lauded on the podium for earning his third-consecutive TA championship, a feat only achieved by two other drivers in series history. “What a season,” said Dyson. “This year never felt comfortable from the beginning. It’s been a hard slog. We’ve had great results and the team has worked so hard. We’ve been changing cars and running around getting engines sorted out all year. I have to hand it to all the guys. It was just so great, because there were times when we really had to pull together this year. I also have to thank Matt Brabham for coming in and pitching in early on. He did a super job for us. This is just amazing. I’m thankful for my great partnership with GYM WEED and the Picketts. I’m so grateful that I’ve got my family here; it’s wonderful having them here. The GYM WEED car is on the podium and we’re three-time champions. It hasn’t quite set in yet. I’m sure when it does, it’s going to be pretty special.”
Lamborghini Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx continued the development of its SC63 LMDh last week, completing a three-day test at the Circuito de Almería in Spain. The car, which will make its competitive debut at the FIA World Endurance Championship 2024 season opener in Qatar next March, was shared by Factory Drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Romain Grosjean, with the latter turning his first laps. The Swiss driver – who has driven in selected endurance events in the WeatherTech IMSA Sports Car Championship with Iron Lynx this year – began his program on the opening afternoon, alternating with Caldarelli. The pair then equally divided the mileage across the remainder of the test. Reliability and procedural tests were the main objectives carried out during the three days at the 4.2km circuit located in the Andalucian desert of southwest Spain. Technicians from both Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx concentrated on long runs as the team learns more about the prototype.
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