Sunday
Feb262023
MARCH 1, 2023
Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 09:42AM 
(Autosport)
American Logan Sergeant in the 2023 Williams F1 machine. Antonio Vanuzzo, reporting in hyperdrive had some news for F1 fans: Formula 1 “will never switch to electric,” Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive officer of the motor sport group, said in an interview published by Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore on Sunday (the 19th). To help lower emissions, F1 is developing a zero-emission petrol that “could be used by planes and vessels” as well, Domenicali said. Domenicali criticized politicians for setting impossible energy-transition targets and for having an ideological approach to electric, which has become “an indisputable dogma.” “It’s possible to reach zero emissions without changing engines or throwing away existing cars,” Domenicali told the newspaper. This week, the European Parliament signed-off on a deal reached with member states last year that requires automakers to reach a zero-emission target by 2035, and to cut pollution levels by 55% this decade. Acquired in 2017 by US-based Liberty Media Corp. in a $4.4 billion deal, Formula 1 has embarked under Domenicali on a plan to both expand its popularity and its geographical reach, especially in the U.S. Editor-in-Chief's Note: I don't agree with Domenicali's stonewalling of the Andretti-Cadillac entry into F1, but I do agree with him on this. Without the visceral appeal of F1, it would simply disappear. -PMD
American Logan Sergeant in the 2023 Williams F1 machine. Antonio Vanuzzo, reporting in hyperdrive had some news for F1 fans: Formula 1 “will never switch to electric,” Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive officer of the motor sport group, said in an interview published by Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore on Sunday (the 19th). To help lower emissions, F1 is developing a zero-emission petrol that “could be used by planes and vessels” as well, Domenicali said. Domenicali criticized politicians for setting impossible energy-transition targets and for having an ideological approach to electric, which has become “an indisputable dogma.” “It’s possible to reach zero emissions without changing engines or throwing away existing cars,” Domenicali told the newspaper. This week, the European Parliament signed-off on a deal reached with member states last year that requires automakers to reach a zero-emission target by 2035, and to cut pollution levels by 55% this decade. Acquired in 2017 by US-based Liberty Media Corp. in a $4.4 billion deal, Formula 1 has embarked under Domenicali on a plan to both expand its popularity and its geographical reach, especially in the U.S. Editor-in-Chief's Note: I don't agree with Domenicali's stonewalling of the Andretti-Cadillac entry into F1, but I do agree with him on this. Without the visceral appeal of F1, it would simply disappear. -PMD
(Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Kyle Busch era at Richard Childress Racing began three weeks ago at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and it didn't take long for him to get his first win. Busch won Sunday’s Pala Casino 400 in the last NASCAR Cup Series race at the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway. Busch grabbed the lead in his No. 8 Chevrolet from Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet) on Lap 165 and regained it on Lap 180 at the end of a cycle of green-flag pit stops, as the race ran under green for the final 55 laps. He crossed the finish line on Lap 200 with a 2.998-second advantage over runner-up Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet). The victory was the 61st of Busch’s career, most among active drivers and ninth all-time. For the 19th straight season, Busch has won at least one NASCAR Cup Series race, breaking a tie with seven-time champion Richard Petty for the series record. “Welcome to RCR, baby,” the No. 8 radio reported as Busch crossed the line. “First of many.” Kyle and Kurt Busch now hold the record for most combined Cup victories by brothers with 95, one more than the total accumulated by Bobby and Donnie Allison. Coincidentally, Busch claimed the first Cup win of his career at Auto Club, the bulk of whose property was recently sold – with plans to replace the 2-mile speedway with a short track. Busch’s victory came in his second start in the No. 8 Chevrolet for RCR, the team he joined after 15 seasons and two series championships with Joe Gibbs Racing. “I can’t thank Richard and Judy (Childress) enough, Austin (Dillon) for calling me and getting me talking and getting me the opportunity to come over here to RCR,” said Busch, who had to overcome a pit-road speeding penalty under caution on Lap 43. “The guys did a great job. (Crew chief) Randall (Burnett) – everybody that worked so hard in the off-season. We did a lot of sim stuff, a lot of testing in general, just trying to get up to speed. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to go to Victory Lane. … You put yourself in a different situation and you’re able to reward your guys. It’s not about me always winning, but about the guys. I’ve worked with a lot of great people who’ve given me a lot of great opportunities in my career. It’s awesome to be able to reward them.” Chastain led a race-high 91 laps to Busch’s 27 and finished third. Chastain’s Trackhouse Racing teammate, Daniel Suárez ran fourth, followed by Kevin Harvick in his 750th consecutive Cup Series start. (Thank you to Reid Spencer/NASCAR Wire Service)
(Clark/TransAm)
Matthew Brabham (No. 20 CD Racing Gym Weed Ford Mustang) continued his streak of podium finishes in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s season-opening race at the historic Sebring International Raceway. After mechanical failures struck defending champion Chris Dyson (No. 16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang) and polesitter Justin Marks (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro), Brabham cruised to victory, earning his fourth win in just six Trans Am starts. Marks led the field to green, showing incredible speed through the first half of the 27-lap event. Brabham periodically challenged Marks for the lead but was unable to complete the pass. He was followed by CD Racing owner Dyson, 2002 champion Boris Said and CD Racing teammate Adam Andretti (No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang). Disaster struck Dyson when his Mustang lost power on Lap 14, bringing out a full-course yellow. Said’s No. 79 ECC/Anchor Bolt & Screw Dodge Challenger was damaged when he made contact with Dyson’s car as it suddenly slowed in front of him, forcing Said to also visit pit road. On the restart just three laps later, Marks experienced his own power failure, leading to his retirement from the race. Once Brabham took over the lead, he maintained it for the remaining 10 laps. Andretti followed closely behind, and the two paced the field until the checkered flag waved, earning CD Racing a 1-2 finish. Keith Grant in the No. 40 Showtime Motorsports Camaro rounded out the podium. In his six Trans Am Series starts, Matthew Brabham has accrued an average finish of 1.3, winning four of the six races he has competed in. His worst finish in the series is second. (Thank you to TransAm Media)
The Kyle Busch era at Richard Childress Racing began three weeks ago at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and it didn't take long for him to get his first win. Busch won Sunday’s Pala Casino 400 in the last NASCAR Cup Series race at the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway. Busch grabbed the lead in his No. 8 Chevrolet from Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet) on Lap 165 and regained it on Lap 180 at the end of a cycle of green-flag pit stops, as the race ran under green for the final 55 laps. He crossed the finish line on Lap 200 with a 2.998-second advantage over runner-up Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet). The victory was the 61st of Busch’s career, most among active drivers and ninth all-time. For the 19th straight season, Busch has won at least one NASCAR Cup Series race, breaking a tie with seven-time champion Richard Petty for the series record. “Welcome to RCR, baby,” the No. 8 radio reported as Busch crossed the line. “First of many.” Kyle and Kurt Busch now hold the record for most combined Cup victories by brothers with 95, one more than the total accumulated by Bobby and Donnie Allison. Coincidentally, Busch claimed the first Cup win of his career at Auto Club, the bulk of whose property was recently sold – with plans to replace the 2-mile speedway with a short track. Busch’s victory came in his second start in the No. 8 Chevrolet for RCR, the team he joined after 15 seasons and two series championships with Joe Gibbs Racing. “I can’t thank Richard and Judy (Childress) enough, Austin (Dillon) for calling me and getting me talking and getting me the opportunity to come over here to RCR,” said Busch, who had to overcome a pit-road speeding penalty under caution on Lap 43. “The guys did a great job. (Crew chief) Randall (Burnett) – everybody that worked so hard in the off-season. We did a lot of sim stuff, a lot of testing in general, just trying to get up to speed. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to go to Victory Lane. … You put yourself in a different situation and you’re able to reward your guys. It’s not about me always winning, but about the guys. I’ve worked with a lot of great people who’ve given me a lot of great opportunities in my career. It’s awesome to be able to reward them.” Chastain led a race-high 91 laps to Busch’s 27 and finished third. Chastain’s Trackhouse Racing teammate, Daniel Suárez ran fourth, followed by Kevin Harvick in his 750th consecutive Cup Series start. (Thank you to Reid Spencer/NASCAR Wire Service)
(Clark/TransAm)Matthew Brabham (No. 20 CD Racing Gym Weed Ford Mustang) continued his streak of podium finishes in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s season-opening race at the historic Sebring International Raceway. After mechanical failures struck defending champion Chris Dyson (No. 16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang) and polesitter Justin Marks (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro), Brabham cruised to victory, earning his fourth win in just six Trans Am starts. Marks led the field to green, showing incredible speed through the first half of the 27-lap event. Brabham periodically challenged Marks for the lead but was unable to complete the pass. He was followed by CD Racing owner Dyson, 2002 champion Boris Said and CD Racing teammate Adam Andretti (No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang). Disaster struck Dyson when his Mustang lost power on Lap 14, bringing out a full-course yellow. Said’s No. 79 ECC/Anchor Bolt & Screw Dodge Challenger was damaged when he made contact with Dyson’s car as it suddenly slowed in front of him, forcing Said to also visit pit road. On the restart just three laps later, Marks experienced his own power failure, leading to his retirement from the race. Once Brabham took over the lead, he maintained it for the remaining 10 laps. Andretti followed closely behind, and the two paced the field until the checkered flag waved, earning CD Racing a 1-2 finish. Keith Grant in the No. 40 Showtime Motorsports Camaro rounded out the podium. In his six Trans Am Series starts, Matthew Brabham has accrued an average finish of 1.3, winning four of the six races he has competed in. His worst finish in the series is second. (Thank you to TransAm Media)
(Cadillac)
Cadillac will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June with three of the newly named Cadillac V-Series.Rs to compete for the overall win in the Hypercar class.The three Cadillac V-Series.R race cars made their competition debut Jan. 28-29 in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona. They will join other competitors in the Hypercar class with revised car numbers for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and contest for the overall win. The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R received an automatic entry based on its full-season participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook are the drivers. The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R is a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entrant, where it races as the No. 01. Sébastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon will be the drivers. The No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R is a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entrant, where it races as the No. 31. Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken will be the drivers. The first Cadillacs raced at Le Mans were entered by privateers Briggs Cunningham and Miles and Sam Collier in 1950. Both of these Series 61 coupes were powered by the Cadillac 5.4-liter OHV V-8 engine. Miles and Sam Collier co-drove the No. 3 “Petit Pataud” to a 10th place overall finish. Briggs Cunningham shared the wheel of the No. 2 “Le Monstre” with Phil Walters and finished 11th overall despite an early off-course incident. That same year, Sydney Allard and Tom Cole Jr. finished 3rd overall in the Cadillac powered Allard J2.
Cadillac will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June with three of the newly named Cadillac V-Series.Rs to compete for the overall win in the Hypercar class.The three Cadillac V-Series.R race cars made their competition debut Jan. 28-29 in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona. They will join other competitors in the Hypercar class with revised car numbers for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and contest for the overall win. The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R received an automatic entry based on its full-season participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook are the drivers. The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R is a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entrant, where it races as the No. 01. Sébastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon will be the drivers. The No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R is a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entrant, where it races as the No. 31. Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken will be the drivers. The first Cadillacs raced at Le Mans were entered by privateers Briggs Cunningham and Miles and Sam Collier in 1950. Both of these Series 61 coupes were powered by the Cadillac 5.4-liter OHV V-8 engine. Miles and Sam Collier co-drove the No. 3 “Petit Pataud” to a 10th place overall finish. Briggs Cunningham shared the wheel of the No. 2 “Le Monstre” with Phil Walters and finished 11th overall despite an early off-course incident. That same year, Sydney Allard and Tom Cole Jr. finished 3rd overall in the Cadillac powered Allard J2.
(Singer Vehicle Design images)
Hertz Team JOTA, the new Hypercar motor racing team sponsored by Hertz and Singer Group, unveiled the Porsche 963 LMDh race car’s new Hertz Racing Gold livery and announced Tom Brady’s BRADY™ as its Official Apparel Partner. Hertz Team JOTA will compete in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and at the 100th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The team brings together one of the most experienced sports car teams of recent times in JOTA and a collective of global partners, including title sponsor Hertz, California luxury brand Singer Group and now Tom Brady’s next-generation apparel brand BRADY™.
Hertz Team JOTA, the new Hypercar motor racing team sponsored by Hertz and Singer Group, unveiled the Porsche 963 LMDh race car’s new Hertz Racing Gold livery and announced Tom Brady’s BRADY™ as its Official Apparel Partner. Hertz Team JOTA will compete in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and at the 100th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The team brings together one of the most experienced sports car teams of recent times in JOTA and a collective of global partners, including title sponsor Hertz, California luxury brand Singer Group and now Tom Brady’s next-generation apparel brand BRADY™.
(MotorSport)
The AE Motorsports Quote of the Week comes from Mat Oxley, writing for MotorSport: "How to compare the performance of the different motorcycles on the MotoGP grid? Easy. There’s only one way, by comparing race times, because race times are all that matter. Everything else is noise. One MotoGP engineer described his job to me in five words – 'to minimise the race time' – and it’s literally no more than that. This, by the way, is the beauty of being in pitlane: ace engineers cut through the crap like no one else, because they know they have nowhere to hide. You cannot baffle with bullshit in racing. Sunday’s result is the truth, undiluted, which is why some engineers call result sheets, 'truth sheets'."
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG