AutoSport - October 17, 2024 UK

F1 Johnny Herbert’s greatest races
B R I TA I N ’ S B E S T M OTO R S P O R T W E E K LY 17 OCTOBER 2024
The true cost of

being an F1 fan
What it now takes to follow
the pinnacle of motorsport
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28-PAGE
ENGINEERING
SUPPLEMENT
PLUS
Aiming for medals: Meet Team UK
Kristensen’s historic adventure with Zak Brown
Cadillac wins Petit Le Mans but Porsche scoops title
SUTTON/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Cover image
James Roberts /JEP/Motorsport Images
PIT & PADDOCK

4 Haas tie-up brings Toyota back to F1
How following Formula 1 has 7

8
Westbrook calls time on career
DAMS expands to add F3 team
changed – and what it costs 11

13
United States Grand Prix preview
Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas
15 Guest column: Chris Froggatt
How much does it cost to follow Formula 1 these days? It’s a 17 Feedback: your letters
complicated question with multiple variables, including where
you live and how you like to enjoy your sport, but it’s one we FEATURES
have taken on in this week’s special investigation (page 18). 18 The cost of being an F1 fan
Grand Prix editor Alex Kalinauckas has crunched many numbers 26 Johnny Herbert’s greatest drives
to see how things have changed since our last assessment of costs 32 FIA Motorsport Games: meet Team UK
36 Kristensen and Brown in historics
to F1 fans, in 2015. We thank all those, including the venues, who
provided information. What do you think about the results?
RACE CENTRE
Please let us know by emailing [email protected]. 40 Kostecki and Erebus dominate Bathurst
Elsewhere in this issue, three-time GP winner and Le Mans victor 44 World of Sport: IMSA Petit Le Mans;
Johnny Herbert helps us select the 10 best drives of his eclectic and GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup;
illustrious career (p26), we meet the competitors who will represent Super Formula; NASCAR Cup
the UK at the upcoming FIA Motorsport Games (p32), and hear
how Tom Kristensen and Zak Brown got on when they decided CLUB AUTOSPORT
to team up at Estoril to race a Porsche 935 and Ford Capri (p36). 55 Ferguson given six-week ban
56 F4 champ Fairclough to GB3 with Hitech
The big events last weekend were the Bathurst 1000 and Petit
58 CSCC plans Zolder trip for 2025
Le Mans. Australia’s greatest race turned into a demonstration run 61 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish
and Phil Branagan explains why on p40, while Porsche had reason 62 National reports: Silverstone;
to feel joy and disappointment in the closing stages of the IMSA Donington Park
finale, which was eventually won by Cadillac (p44). 68 Top 10 Formula Ford winners
As well as the United States GP, this weekend also includes the
Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. A full report will appear FINISHING STRAIGHT
in next week’s issue (24 October), but this week we use it as an 72 What’s on this week
74 My favourite team-mate: Jonny Kane
excuse to pick out some of the category’s best wins (p68).
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P I T + PA D D O C K
Technical tie-up
brings Toyota back
to F1 with Haas
FORMULA 1
The Haas Formula 1 team has announced a technical partnership

with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the motorsport division of the Japanese
manufacturer. While the deal does not represent a fully fledged Toyota’s last involvement
F1 return for Toyota, which was last active as a works team in 2009, ended with 2009 season
it means it becomes the official technical partner to Haas and
will share knowledge and resources.
Toyota Gazoo Racing will provide design, technical and the squad will no longer be working with Dallara.
manufacturing services to Haas, which will offer its own expertise Toyota Gazoo president Tomoya Takahashi believes that the
and commercial benefits in return. Toyota drivers, engineers arrangement will benefit his company’s development by giving
and mechanics will be involved in Haas F1 tests, helping them its drivers, mechanics and engineers an opportunity to get a
all understand the challenges of modern grand prix machinery. taste of F1 – and a potential pipeline to working there – without
Furthermore, Toyota staff will assist Haas with aerodynamic Toyota actively having to enter the series. “By competing alongside
development, design and the manufacturing of carbon fibre parts. Haas at the pinnacle of motorsports, we aim to cultivate drivers,
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who had been working on engineers, and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities
the deal for several months, believes it is a significant moment for of Haas and Toyota Gazoo Racing,” he said.
his squad as it bids to push up the grid. “The ability to tap into the Toyota’s announcement inevitably triggered the idea that it
resources and knowledge base available at Toyota Gazoo Racing, could be the first step in an official return to Formula 1. Since
while benefiting from their technical and manufacturing processes, its decision to quit grand prix racing at the end of 2009, amid
will be instrumental in our own development and our clear desire the fallout of the global financial crisis and its failure to win on
to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1,” he said. “In track, F1’s popularity has exploded to a point where a return could
return, we offer a platform for Toyota Gazoo Racing to fully utilise make sense. But in a press conference at Fuji Speedway, Toyota
and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities. chairman Akio Toyoda made sure to rule that out. “Please make
As the smallest team on the grid, we are lacking certain resources sure that tomorrow’s headlines don’t read, ‘Toyota finally returns
and hardware capability to understand certain things. And then in to F1’,” he stated. “Rather, it would be great to see headlines and
terms of being more competitive in the midfield, we are looking articles that inspire Japanese children to dream of the possibility
for somebody who can give us that horsepower and also have that they, too, could one day drive the world’s fastest cars. I’m the
the hardware and know how to use that hardware.” person who quit F1. I think that, somewhere deep in his heart, that
The tie-up with Toyota has received the blessing of Haas’s ordinary older car-loving guy Akio Toyoda had always regretted
long-term partner Ferrari, which will continue to supply the having blocked – by pulling out of F1 – Japanese youths’ path
squad with engines, gearboxes and other parts, and Haas will toward driving the world’s fastest cars.”
keep its design office base in Ferrari’s Maranello factory. Earlier As part of the deal, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s branding will
this year, Haas extended its deal to use Ferrari’s wind tunnel. appear on the Haas F1 cars driven by Nico Hulkenberg and
Komatsu was also keen to stress that Toyota’s production of Kevin Magnussen from this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
certain composite car parts for Haas does not mean that ALEX KALINAUCKAS & JONATHAN NOBLE
GALLOWAY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
4 AUTOSPORT.COM 1 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4
STALEY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
SCHLEGELMILCH/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Father of Schumacher
(inset) drove for Sauber
in Group C in 1990-91
Schumacher emerges as contender for Sauber seat

FORMULA 1 next year, after racing for Hulkenberg, and looked set to him,” Binotto said about
the French manufacturer decide between incumbent Schumacher. “I met him and
Mick Schumacher has emerged in the World Endurance Valtteri Bottas or F2 points spoke to him. I have known
as a late contender for a seat at Championship, but the squad leader Gabriel Bortoleto, with him for a long time having
the Audi-owned Sauber team in elected to take rookie Jack Williams also appearing to be been part of the Ferrari Driver
what could be his last chance Doohan instead. That appeared interested in loaning out Franco Academy. I know his strengths
to return to Formula 1. to leave Schumacher with little Colapinto. Speaking to Italian and advantages. He is one of
The German has acted as a hope of an F1 comeback, but it newspaper Corriere della Sera, the names we have in mind.
reserve for Mercedes for the has been revealed that Audi’s Binotto acknowledged that We can afford the luxury of
past two seasons after losing new chief Mattia Binotto now Schumacher was an option too not rushing, since all the
his drive at Haas at the end of has him on the radar for 2025. and said that the team does not other teams have decided
2022. He had hoped to get the Sauber is still on the hunt need to make a swift decision. their line-ups.”
nod at Alpine for its vacancy for a team-mate for Nico “We are definitely evaluating JONATHAN NOBLE
Andretti step
OWENS/PEC
back does not
hinder GP plan
FORMULA 1
Michael Andretti’s decision to step

back from the day-to-day running of his
Andretti Global race team will have no
immediate bearing on its Formula 1 bid.
The former F1 and IndyCar racer
has handed the keys of his motorsport
empire to fellow shareholder Dan Andretti is still
Towriss, taking a reduced advisory role pushing ahead
at the team. But Autosport has learned with his F1 plan
that plans are still going ahead to
gain approval to race in F1 from 2026.
Andretti’s Silverstone factory continues General Motors backing, with F1 Towriss, the revamped team may look
to recruit staff in a bid to have a full judging that it did not feel the team to reset relations with F1 management.
2026 chassis ready before the new year, would be competitive or add value to It could also restart the process to
and the team is working 16-hour days the championship as an 11th entrant become a fully fledged GM works team
in Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne as it from 2026. The 62-year-old drew heat with its own Cadillac engine from 2028,
designs parts for the new regulations. from F1 and rival team bosses with something that F1 feels would make it
Despite FIA approval, Andretti failed his aggressive push for an F1 entry. a more credible bid to enter the series.
in bids for his team to enter F1 with By handing the operation over to BEN HUNT
Barrichello
reunites with his
old F3000 team
FOTOSPEEDY
INTERNATIONAL GT OPEN
Rubens Barrichello may be entering this

weekend’s International GT Open finale
at Monza in a GT3 Lamborghini Huracan
rather than a DeLorean, but the Formula 1
veteran will be winding the clock back 32
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
years as he reunites with the Il Barone

Rampante team. Barrichello, here in F3000
The Brazilian finished third with in 1992, will now race
Giuseppe Cipriani’s squad in the 1992 Lambo of Cipriani (inset)
International Formula 3000 championship,
a consistent rookie season netting four
podiums in a Reynard 92D. Barrichello “Obviously the team has changed and I have to say that I felt good.”
graduated to F1 in 1993 and took 11 grand category and members, but they are still an The GT Open title is likely to be decided
prix victories before bowing out at the excellent team,” remarked Barrichello, who between Simon Reicher/Christopher Haase
end of the 2011 season with 322 starts. took Italian GP spoils at Monza in 2002, (Eastalent Racing Audi) and Alessio
Two Brazilian Stock Car titles later, 2004 and 2009, and whose son Fernando is Deledda (Oregon Team Lamborghini), who
Barrichello will resume his affiliation racing in the Euroformula Open support are tied atop the standings. Meanwhile,
with 59-year-old Cipriani, who has already series. “I‘m competing in the GT Open British GT4 aces Zak Meakin and Mikey
clinched the Am class title in GT Open and for the first time and so it will all be Porter will guest aboard an Optimum
will step up to the Pro-Am division to share new for me. I had the opportunity to McLaren 720S on their GT3 debut.
with Barrichello in Sunday’s 500km race. do some laps with the car in Barcelona JAMES NEWBOLD
Supercars bins tradition for NASCAR format

AUSSIE SUPERCARS will do just that. This format
HORSBURGH/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
is set to change how we

Australia’s Supercars series is crown a champion, and
to introduce a NASCAR-style we’re confident it will keep
Finals format to determine fans on the edge of their
its 2025 champion. seats until the very last lap.”
The championship will Supercars has also
switch to a three-stage announced format changes
split season, starting with for the 13-event series, which
the opening eight rounds is up from one in 2024.
counting for a Sprint Cup, Every round other than at
and then the two endurance Albert Park will feature a
races – including the Top 10 Shootout for pole
Bathurst 1000 – determining position, and different tyre
an Enduro Cup champion. compounds will be used for
Should those be two each Saturday Sprint race
different drivers, both will and its respective qualifying
be seeded into the final three session at most Sprint
events along with however rounds. Teams will also have
many others are needed the next race at Sandown. the racing product to cope with new soft and
to make 10. From then on, Any driver who wins at those and giving drivers the supersoft tyre compounds
drivers will be eliminated venues will be automatically opportunity to always attack introduced by Dunlop.
until four are left to vie for seeded into the final four to without an external factor The traditional pre-
the title at the final event, remain in title contention for preventing them from being Bathurst 500km enduro will
the Adelaide 500. Adelaide, along with the next aggressive. Our fans wanted move to The Bend Motorsport
All 10 Finals qualifiers highest points-scorers. more excitement, more Park in South Australia.
will go to the first event at Supercars CEO Shane unpredictability, and a PHIL BRANAGAN
Surfers Paradise reset to Howard explained: “The true test to find the best
P40 BATHURST 1000
3000 points, then 4000 for emphasis was on improving champion. The Finals series
Westbrook
decides to hang
up his helmet
IMSA
Richard Westbrook has called time on

a career in which he drove for multiple
GILBERT/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
manufacturers, claimed a pair of Porsche
Supercup titles, class victories in the
Daytona and Sebring enduros in North
America and two overall podiums at Westbrook (left) on 2016
the Le Mans 24 Hours. Last weekend’s Le Mans podium with Scott
Petit Le Mans 10-hour round of the IMSA Dixon and Ryan Briscoe
SportsCar Championship at Road Atlanta
was his last race, he has confirmed.
Westbrook has hung up his helmet with case, you have to question whether you quickly: I went from doing nothing to
a year to go on his contract with the JDC- should be doing it. I’m really happy with driving for all these manufacturers.”
Miller MotorSports Porsche GTP squad. my career and the way it has ended. I Porsche, Chevrolet, BMW, Aston Martin,
The time was right, he said, to call it a day probably wasn’t going to achieve a lot more Ford and Cadillac all paid Westbrook
at 49. “You can’t do it forever and at some and now it has been my decision to stop.” during that time.
point you have to be honest with yourself, Westbrook said that his biggest But there are regrets, he said: “When I
say you’ve had a good run and pass on achievement was racing for 23 years after look back I think I should have won more
the baton,” said the Briton. “This was he started competing again following six championships. There were big wins in
the first season that I have felt like that. years of inactivity after his single-seater IMSA, like Daytona and Sebring, but never
My performances were still there, but career stalled in Formula 3 in 1996. a championship. That will always rankle.”
the enjoyment factor had gone a bit. “I have to pinch myself sometimes what GARY WATKINS
“I wasn’t so excited about getting in the has happened over the past 20-odd years,”
P44 PETIT LE MANS
car as I had been in the past. If that’s the he explained. “Everything happened so
Foster secures IndyCar seat

BLACK/PEC
INDYCAR preparation, RLLR is currently working

to solidify a programme that may
Recently crowned Indy NXT champion include a test later this year.
Louis Foster will graduate to IndyCar “I’m hoping that coming off the
next season with Rahal Letterman experience gained from winning the
Lanigan Racing after agreeing what Indy NXT championship, that will
has been termed a multi-year deal. The leave me in a good stance to get
21-year-old Briton, a two-time finalist the ball rolling,” said Foster.
in the Autosport BRDC Award, will RLLR co-owner Mike Lanigan
join Graham Rahal and a yet-to-be- compared Foster to Graham Rahal’s
announced third driver at the team. team-mate from 2008 with Newman/
Foster’s first taste of IndyCar Haas Racing. “I look forward to watching
machinery came in September last year him grow into a future IndyCar star,” he
with Andretti Global – the team with said. “He reminds me of another driver
which he won in Indy NXT – at Road – the late, great Justin Wilson.”
America. In an effort to further his JOEY BARNES
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Dan Ticktum shone during

brief GP3 stint with
DAMS in 2017
IndyCar to race
on Texas streets
INDYCAR
IndyCar will return to Texas in 2026 with

FERRARO/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
a new street track in the city of Arlington

in a collaboration between series owner
Penske Entertainment, American
football giant the Dallas Cowboys and
the Texas Rangers baseball team.
The 14-turn, 2.73-mile layout has been
designed by IndyCar’s long-time street
track architect Tony Cotman. It features a
DAMS takes plunge into F3 as 0.9-mile straight, as well as a ‘horseshoe’
carousel that makes up Turn 6. A
double-sided pitlane, similar to the
more drivers named for 2025 Detroit street race, will be used. The
track will go underneath hospitality
FORMULA 3 to move apace, with the top three and suites in two different areas.
drivers from this year’s Formula Two-time champion Josef Newgarden,
DAMS, the French team that has been Regional European Championship who attended the unveiling in Arlington,
a stalwart of Formula 3000, GP2 and by Alpine all named in plum seats told Autosport: “It’s kind of got
Formula 2 since the 1980s, is to during the past few days. Newly everything. It’s got the typical low-speed
expand into the FIA Formula 3 crowned champion Rafael Camara sections that you would find on a street
Championship for 2025. has joined Trident, the Brazilian course, but then it has some complex
The team, which was taken over by Ferrari junior leaving the environs double-apex corners that kind of wrap
ex-F1 driver Charles Pic in 2022, has of Prema Racing for his graduation. around the stadium seating, so that
taken the place of Jenzer Motorsport, Current runner-up James Wharton is will be really unique for fans.
which withdrew after an unbroken another to move on from Prema and “It’s got one pretty high-speed corner
15-year stint in GP3/F3 to focus on its has headed to ART Grand Prix, and that leads onto the longest straight. And
other programmes, including its F4 the Australian will be joined there by then the straightaways are very long, so
teams. It represents a return to the third-placed Finn Tuukka Taponen, I think understanding efficiency with
third tier for DAMS, which competed like Camara a Ferrari protege. downforce is going to be a topic here
in GP3 in 2016 and 2017 while still Prema, meanwhile, has recruited that’s not necessarily a topic on other
under the control of its late founder palindromically named Mexican Noel street circuits. So, that could be an
Jean-Paul Driot. Leon, who showed flashes of good interesting element.
F3 introduces its new car for 2025, form in his rookie season this year “How are you going to stay out front if
and Pic (below) believes this is the with Van Amersfoort Racing. you’re leading this thing? I think you’re
ideal time to enter the series. “This is These drivers were all in action going to be exposed around a track like
a logical step for us as we’re already in last week’s two-day test at Jerez, this. So, it could be very entertaining to
competing in F2, and this latest which was topped by Campos Racing watch. It could be a draft-fest on that
endeavour means we can develop duo Nikola Tsolov and Mari Boya long straightaway. That’s what you’re
younger drivers from our F3 (below). Italian F4 champion Freddie going to be dealing with and we’ll
programme into our F2 team, Slater was in action for Rodin figure it out as we do.”
using systems we have put in place Motorsport, but sources suggest IndyCar had an unbroken run from
to support and train drivers on the that the Briton will be competing 1997 to 2023 of competing on Texas
technical side,” he said. “Starting the next year in Formula Regional. Motor Speedway, while there was
championship with the arrival of also a round at US Grand Prix venue
a brand-new car is great timing, TOP 1O JEREZ TIMES Circuit of The Americas in 2019.
POS DRIVER (TEAM) TIME
as we can reuse our methods that JOEY BARNES
we’ve developed over the years.” 1 Nikola Tsolov (Campos) 1m29.758s
The F3 driver market continues 2 Mari Boya (Campos) 1m29.881s
3 Martinius Stenshorne (Hitech) 1m30.050s
4 Noah Stromsted (Trident) 1m30.072s
5 Ugo Ugochukwu (Prema) 1m30.175s

6 T Inthraphuvasak (Campos) 1m30.202s
7 Charlie Wurz (Trident) 1m30.221s
8 Josh Dufek (Hitech) 1m30.230s
9 Freddie Slater (Rodin) 1m30.263s
10 Christian Ho (Jenzer) 1m30.317s
YELLOLY SPLITS FROM BMW

Nick Yelloly has parted company with
BMW after six years that encompassed
victories in the 24-hour GT3 classics
at the Nurburgring and Spa in 2020
and 2023 respectively, and the
first IMSA win for the M Hybrid
V8 at Watkins Glen last year. The
33-year-old Briton’s plans for 2025
were due to be announced after
Autosport closed for press.
LAURSEN IN A LEXUS
Dane Conrad Laursen will join
the Auto Sport Promotion Lexus
squad for the World Endurance
Championship’s Bahrain finale next
month to drive its #78 entry alongside
Kelvin van der Linde and Arnold
Robin. The ELMS Ferrari regular
ERC World Rally Championship event winner Hayden Paddon has become European Rally champion for the replaces Clemens Schmid as the
second successive season. The Kiwi, together with co-driver John Kennard, led last weekend’s Rally Silesia silver-ranked driver in the line-up.
in Poland in their Hyundai i20 before surviving a brief off-road scare and settling for third. Skoda driver Andrea
Mabellini took his first ERC victory, with Northern Irishman Jon Armstrong claiming a maiden podium in CRAWFORD STAYS PUT
the series thanks to claiming second place in his M-Sport Ford. Photograph by Hyundai Motorsport While DAMS is busily setting up its
Formula 3 team (see left), it has also
found time to secure the services
of Jak Crawford for its Formula 2
line-up in 2025. The Texan teenager,
ERT: new name; ROMNEY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
who is fifth in the 2024 standings and
is a protege of the Aston Martin F1
Porsche power team, therefore remains on board

at the squad for a second season.
FORMULA E RoC MOVES TO AUSTRALIA

The Race of Champions is to make
The ERT Formula E team has new owners, something of a change for 2025, with
a new name and new powertrains for the a move from the snow and ice of Pite
upcoming 2024-25 season. Havsbad – its home in 2022 and 2023
The team has been acquired by – to the former Olympic venue in
US-based investment firm The Forest the Australian metropolis of Sydney.
Road Company, via additional capital from Following a one-year sabbatical
Ares Management, and will race under our team,” said team principal Alex Hui. in 2024, the event will take place
an American licence as Kiro Race Co. It “Their [Forest Road’s] investment allows in March on a purpose-built asphalt
will retain its base at Silverstone and has us to build with confidence for the future track in the Accor Stadium. Australian
announced a new technical partnership and compete at the highest level. We are Supercars star Jamie Whincup,
with Porsche to run the manufacturer’s excited to work with them and Porsche.” a Race of Champions veteran in
99X Electric powertrain, which has been ERT, which stood for Electric Racing Bangkok and Barbados, has already
renamed the 99X Electric WCG3. The unit Technologies, has raced in several guises been named as one of the drivers.
will undergo an upgrade ahead of the new since FE was founded in 2014, including
Gen3 Evo era, but will essentially be an NIO 333, NEXTEV and Team China Racing. KOREA TRIP CANNED
older spec than those used by the factory The team, which ran Dan Ticktum and Japan’s Super Formula series
team and customer squad Andretti, while Sergio Sette Camara (above) last season, has canned its planned trip to Inje
Porsche will be the only manufacturer is the only one yet to confirm its line-up Speedium in South Korea for 2025
to supply three teams on the grid. for the 2024-25 campaign. for what would have been its first
“This is truly a historic moment for STEFAN MACKLEY ‘foreign’ round since 2004. Promoters
are still working on expanding the
series’ pan-Asian footprint for 2026.
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13 - 27 OCTOBER 2024 27 OCTOBER - 10 NOVEMBER 2024

BASED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BASED IN SWIT ZERL AND
Broad Arrow Auctions is proud to present an outstanding collection of over 180 pieces of important motorsport memorabilia
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The second part of this exclusive online auction is based in Switzerland and presents 75 lots of contemporary and historical
Formula One racing helmets, all from a single private Swiss collection including a Rubens Barrichello’s race-winning 2002
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Michael Schumacher, and more. All lots are now posted on our website with bidder registration now open.
ROUND 19/24
PHOTOGRAPHY
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
11
Austin
Length 3.426 miles
Number of laps 56
12
8
DRS detection
15
DRS zone 6
19 10
9
7
20 16 14 13
5
17
4
3
18
UK START TIMES TYRE ALLOCATION
HARD MEDIUM SOFT

Friday 18 October
FP 1830
SPRINT QUALIFYING 2230
Saturday 19 October
SPRINT 1900 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 INTERMEDIATE WET
QUALIFYING 2300
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS
Sunday 20 October
RACE 2000
Drivers Constructors
Lawson makes
CATCH THE RACE LIVE 1 Verstappen 331 1 McLaren 516 his F1 return
SKY SPORTS F1 2 Norris 279 2 Red Bull 475
BBC RADIO 5 LIVE 3 Leclerc 245 3 Ferrari 441
SUTTON
Highlights 4 Piastri 237 4 Mercedes 329

CHANNEL 4 0050 (Monday) 5 Sainz 190 5 Aston Martin 86
AUSTIN STATS
Previous winners Podiums

2023 POLE POSITION Clark’s Lotus 43 gave BRM
2023 Max Verstappen Red Bull Lewis Hamilton 9
Charles Leclerc H16 engine its only F1 GP
2022 Max Verstappen Red Bull win at Watkins Glen in 1966 Max Verstappen 5
1m34.723s
2021 Max Verstappen Red Bull Sebastian Vettel 4
2019 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes POLE LAP RECORD Nico Rosberg 3
2018 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari Valtteri Bottas Kimi Raikkonen 2
2017 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m32.029s (2019) Daniel Ricciardo 2
2016 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Valtteri Bottas 1
RACE LAP RECORD
2015 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Charles Leclerc Lando Norris 1
SUTTON
2014 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m36.169s (2019) Romain Grosjean 1

XXXX
2013 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Sergio Perez 1
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Albon’s road to an F1 century

As he prepares for his 100th grand prix start, the Williams driver has reached a point
in his career where it comes naturally to push his team for a car worthy of his talents
ALEX KALINAUCKAS
here’s a Taurus-shaped hole in Alex Albon’s Albon was how he recreated Hamilton’s line at Copse after the 2021
Formula 1 CV. It’s why he wasn’t celebrating British GP in a failed bid from Red Bull to get the FIA to review
T reaching 100 grand prix starts along with
his fellow 2019 rookies Lando Norris and
that crash with Verstappen.
Williams team boss James Vowles recently said that Albon has
George Russell this time one year ago as “become a real leader of the organisation” and is “committed [for]
they headed to the United States Grand Prix. the best years of a career” in F1 with it.
Like so many Red Bull juniors, Albon wouldn’t be at this point Albon’s career progression heaps pressure upon Williams
without the energy drink giant. In a parallel universe, the glittering within his story. Vowles is open in saying that Williams is set to
constellations are shining down on a smart, successful, polite and sacrifice 2025 with the aim of nailing the rules reset coming in
engaging Formula E driver. That’s had Helmut Marko not come 2026. “The past five years have brought with them some of the
calling again ahead of the electric championship’s Valencia pre- hardest but most rewarding times, and I’m grateful for every
season test in late 2018. Back then, the late great Jean-Paul Driot – minute,” Albon said this week, which will feature his FW46
whose e.dams squad Albon was essentially refusing to race for to sporting a commemorative starts century logo at Austin.
make his F1 dream finally a reality – wondered if the now 28-year- Albon committed early to a new multi-year contract extension
old lacked the “political” edge to thrive in Red Bull’s set-up. beyond his existing agreement to race for Williams in 2025. That
Albon’s speed got him into its main squad from what was then took him out of the dramatic driver market excitement this year,
Toro Rosso after just 12 races in 2019. But his lack of results against but it shouldn’t be forgotten that Red Bull still offered him a first-
Max Verstappen the following year meant he was pushed aside and option deal (which might have resulted in a three-year contract)
Sergio Perez’s career prolonged right at the point of its extinction. from 2026. Although his new Williams contract scuppered this,
Four years on, such decisions amid the ‘headache’ of it suggests a path back to F1’s current top teams may not be totally
Verstappen’s overall brilliance can only be viewed as how Red off the table for Albon – with Ferrari and McLaren closed off for the
Bull’s once great junior scheme has badly broken down. For Albon, foreseeable future, but Verstappen the cork in two line-up bottles
Williams has revived his career away from that confusion. He has for Red Bull and Mercedes. But Vowles is bullish – actually in
now spent 61 of those 99 GP races he should cap as a century on relation to Albon’s future team-mate Carlos Sainz – that “when
we’re beating Ferrari, I think he’ll prefer to be here”.
Vowles convinced Sainz not to sign the Sauber/Audi deal the
“The past five years have Spaniard had long had in his grasp because he in turn believes that
the current Ferrari driver can lead Williams to finally become a top
brought some of the hardest F1 squad again. Sainz certainly has experience of top-class teams
from his decade-long F1 career. Vowles wants him to highlight
but most rewarding times” those best practice elements that stood out at Ferrari. But Albon
had those years within Red Bull to expound similar notes to his
Williams colleagues. And that Sainz has been hired to supposedly
Sunday with the historic British squad. These days, however, lead Williams to its next gains jars somewhat with Vowles’s claims
he’s acting just as Driot once feared he could not. on Albon’s burgeoning leadership style with the team.
Ignore the overdone team radio debate about how Franco Yet the thrust behind pairing these two similarly cerebral
Colapinto “divebombed” at the start last time out in Singapore. drivers is that they should push each other to greater heights. It’s
Instead, listen to Albon elsewhere – chastising Williams for being certainly a plan that has come together magnificently at McLaren
“too indecisive” in the Hungarian GP. Or pointing out, with an in pairing Norris with Oscar Piastri. And the outcome for either
exasperated touch, “that wasn’t a very good out-lap for tyres”, Albon or Sainz in 2025 will shape the horoscope-like readings
after having to push hard on new rubber to escape the warring that so often carve F1 narratives for the next phase of their
Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen at Monza. This is the kind careers. Given he is a three-time GP race winner, the stakes are
of demanding driver-to-team attitude lionised in successful correspondingly higher for Sainz. But, what with Albon’s loyalty
racers such as Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. and clear progress through his second F1 chapter since the start
But it’s also proof of exactly how far Albon has come. Williams of 2022, it really is on Williams to soon deliver a car that he can take
insiders speak of how his confidence has been revitalised since to compete on terms with Verstappen and co in the leading pack.
joining the team in 2022 – when F1’s most recent memory of Then F1 will see exactly how high his peaks truly will be.
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O P I N I O N P I T + PA D D O C K
Team UK means business

Team UK’s captain for the upcoming FIA Motorsport Games
at Valencia has a point to prove this time around
C H R I S F R O G G AT T
nfinished business. That’s what the FIA time – there’s always something going on. You can immerse
Motorsport Games are for me. But to understand yourself in so many different types of motorsport, and it really
U why, we need to look at what the Games are.
The FIA’s Motorsport Games is a three-day,
keeps you occupied as a fan. It allows you so much exposure to
not only different kinds of racing but different racers, and this
multi-discipline motorsport event covering can bring a lot of eyeballs from a lot of other kinds of racing.
everything from karting to Esports to GTs and even – new Perhaps you’re a formula fan and haven’t been able to get
for 2024 – truck racing. It’s essentially a motoring-oriented into GT racing because of the length of races – no problem,
equivalent of the Olympics, with a plethora of events taking the races are an hour long. Maybe you’re a karting fan but
place and, crucially, drivers competing for their countries.
That swap to countries over teams makes it a very different
prospect – both for drivers and for fans.
For fans, it’s almost the perfect gateway into other forms
“With so many events – there are
of racing. It showcases some of the best motorsport you’ll see,
with simplified versions of the different categories. It’s a purer
28 different categories – there’s
approach, where it’s racing at its most fundamental. This is always something going on”
especially true in the GT classes. Rather than a lengthy race
with rules that could be confusing to newcomers and multiple
classes all racing at the same time, here it’s one pitstop, a driver fancy checking out drifting – that’s there as well. Always been
swap, and the first over the line is the winner. No class winners, intrigued by cross car racing? They’ve got you covered.
no six-hour-long races with different cars at different stages Of course, competing for your country also changes it for us
and strategies putting people out of position – just an hour- drivers. You’re more focused on the result because you know
long race to decide who walks away with the gold. you’re doing it for everyone at home. A bad result isn’t just a
The nationality-based teams also make it more accessible for bad result for you or your team, but for your country. Nobody
finding who to support. Drivers competing for their country wants to let the side down, and that adds a lot more pressure.
means that new fans can see their national team and see how That’s where I come in as Team Captain. I’ll be acting as the
their country is doing. It immediately makes it easier for figurehead for the team – a support structure, offering advice
someone to feel invested – instead of tuning in to see cars and help in as much or as little of a capacity as each individual
and teams and drivers you’ve perhaps not heard of, your driver wants. It’s a role I’m immensely proud to be taking,
country is right there in front of you. and it brings us to my unfinished business.
Another thing that makes the games different – you get the I took part in the first iteration of the games back in
chance to see huge names compete alongside, and against, stars 2019. Competing alongside Flick Haigh – the first woman
of the future. Touring car veteran Tom Coronel and Le Mans class to win the British GT3 championship – we flew the flag
winner Matt Campbell both stood atop podiums in 2022, while for Team UK in the GT Cup.
a certain Andrea Kimi Antonelli won gold in the Formula 4. The 2022 Games were the next up and, while I’d again be
Two years later, he’d been announced as Lewis Hamilton’s competing in GT Cup, this time it was to be alongside my
replacement at Mercedes for 2025. role as captain of Team UK – or, at least, that was the plan.
Nowhere else will you see a better collection of names A severe bout of food poisoning confined me to my hotel
competing in earnest. And that’s part of what makes Motorsport room having made it out to Paul Ricard, forcing me to
Games unique – the opportunity to watch hungry young drivers listen to the unmistakeable sounds of racing that I should
taking on experienced pros. The upstarts desperately want have been a part of just outside my window.
to prove themselves on this global stage against seasoned GT racer Sam Neary was drafted into both the driver’s
professionals, while those same professionals almost have seat and team captain role and, alongside Ian Loggie,
their reputation on the line each time they take to the track. secured one of the two medals Team UK scored that year.
The winner-takes-all aspect heightens that – there are no Now, I’m back. And during that last weekend of October,
dropped scores, there are no other rounds to try and make I have some business to take care of. I’ll see you there.
up a points deficit. You win or you lose, and that’s that.
P32 MEET TEAM UK
With so many events – there are 28 different categories this
YOUR
SAY
I’m starting to realise that I’m leaving many meetings not

only frustrated, but feeling decidedly short-changed!
MARTIN WELLS
Motorsport’s diminishing value for money

Motorsport is not cheap, for either competitors or spectators,
and having attended the last two rounds of the British GT
Championship at Donington Park and Brands Hatch in
the latter capacity, I’m starting to wonder if either of us
are getting value for money.
Both rounds were blighted by extended periods of full-course
yellows and safety cars, and it’s no fun for anybody when their
hard-earned cash is being wasted as cars trundle around in
single file at well below racing speed.
And it’s not an isolated issue. With most timetables packed
with multiple short races – and today’s health and safety-
conscious environment requiring a safety car to deal with
any stationary vehicle – resolving most incidents usually
means losing at least a quarter of the race, and a couple
leads to less than half the scheduled laps being run.
When you throw in the fact that track-limits penalties
regularly mean the order in which the cars cross the line is
not the one that appears in the final results and that single-
seaters no longer seem able to race in the rain in the UK,
I’m starting to realise that I’m leaving many meetings not
only frustrated, but feeling decidedly short-changed!
I’m not sure what the solution is, now that the sport has
backed itself into such a tightly-regulated corner, although
judicious use of red flags would certainly have allowed both Keegan and Edwards
GT races to run significantly more laps, but with so many Lola sits in pits at
other sports and pastimes competing for the pound in Le Mans in 1982
people’s pockets, one needs to be found before teams,
drivers and fans decide they are not getting what they
paid for and start spending their money elsewhere. Unfortunately, Rupert and Guy Edwards had mechanical
Martin Wells trouble and retired their car early. We went into the pit area
Buckingham and went to his motorhome to get the autograph. When we
found his motorhome, he invited me and my son in, signed
Rupert Keegan remembered the autograph and we enjoyed a chat and a drink with both
I was very sad to hear that Rupert Keegan had passed away Rupert and Guy.
(Obituary, Autosport 3 October). My lasting memory of He will be sadly missed I am sure.
Rupert is when my young son and I were at Le Mans and Tony Boyce
we wanted to get a photo of Rupert signed by him. By email
HAVE YOUR SAY GET IN TOUCH

Autosport editorial
Motorsport Network Media UK Ltd @
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The cost of being an F1 fan
Spectator ticket prices to attend grand prix events grab headlines, but how much have
these actually increased over the past decade? And what are fans paying to follow
Formula 1 and support their favourite drivers and teams in other ways?
ALEX KALINAUCKAS
lmost 10 years ago, Autosport F1TV’s ‘Pro’ top offering provides two
asked: “Is Formula 1 a rip off ?” commentary teams of the live action for
A We crunched the numbers on

ticket prices, subscriptions in the
English language viewers (one is FOM’s in-house
production, the other is Sky’s), plus all the
early days of the pay TV takeover, onboard feeds from every car. And, critically, to
team merchandise, travel and more – everything viewers in select territories outside the UK, where
we thought you needed to be an F1 fan in 2015. the ‘Pro’ level is not available due to the Sky deal,
Those were the days before Liberty Media took these remain available at any time afterwards.
over as the championship’s commercial rights If you can multi-task well enough to follow
holder. Since it did so, the company has massively multi-feeds via the Sky Sports App, along with
changed the way F1 is promoted and consumed. its TV coverage, that’s fine. But anyone wanting
Here we present a fresh assessment for 2024. to see additional action at their leisure cannot.
Given Autosport’s typical audience, we have UK F1TV subscribers can only get its ‘Access’
kept things UK-focused for simplicity (with a few level at a cost of £19.99. This does come with
exceptions) and dropped much of the previous focus on travel. access to live timing, driver tracker and limited telemetry
After all, some are willing to pay much more than others to data, which Sky also provides.
attend races – in the UK or around the world – while even In terms of non-live TV content, Netflix’s Drive to Survive
getting to events has changed, with an increased focus on is credited with massively boosting F1’s popularity globally,
park-and-ride schemes alongside existing public transport and many other sports have tried to launch their own
infrastructures. City-based races are massively up, too. versions, with varying degrees of success. It was far from
We’ve kept plenty the same, however, including assessing the first such behind-the-scenes sport documentary, but
the cost of and ways to watch F1 on TV, as well as how much its heavy narrative focus and release timing ahead of the
you’ll pay for team kit these days. There’s also a new assessment COVID-19 pandemic – where viewers had much more time
of which races offer best bang for your buck from a sporting to consume the show’s first three series by the second
perspective, plus a look into the new deals Liberty has made year of lockdowns in the west – proved very successful.
to promote F1 since 2017. In the UK, a standard Netflix subscription costs £10.99.
Here’s what we discovered. As well as DTS, a new series focusing on the all-female
F1 Academy championship is currently in production.
Following F1 at home Netflix is also bringing out a drama series based on
Outside the United States and Italy, F1 fans have just one chance the life of Ayrton Senna next month.
to watch the action live in their home nations every year. This, Since 2022, F1 has doubled its official gaming releases,
and motorsport’s fast and complex nature, means it remains with F1 Manager sold alongside the annual season-specific
among the most TV-focused sports. In data provided to Autosport racing title released by
by FOM (Formula One Management), it is claimed that F1’s Electronic Arts since it F1 MEDIA COSTS
global TV audience average for each race is now 58.9million bought long-time F1 game MEDIA TYPE PRICE
people. That’s up from a 48.2million average in 2018, when FOM producer Codemasters in Sky Sports F1** £636
fully started to track its audience data under Liberty ownership. 2021. The PlayStation 5
In the UK since 2012, Sky Sports has held the rights to versions of these games Channel 4** £169.50
show every F1 race live. Since our last look at such things, cost £39.99 and £69.99 Now TV (day pass) £14.99
Channel 4 now shows just one race live on terrestrial TV respectively.
F1TV** £19.99
each year, compared to the BBC showing 10 in 2015. F1’s other major
Compared to 2015, the cost of the packages required to watch ‘at home’ project is Netflix* £10.99
F1 on Sky has increased by £72 per year to £636 – although this the upcoming Apple- F1 Exhibition at ExCeL £33
is under the rate of inflation. To follow the Channel 4 offering, produced, Joseph
F1 Arcade £17.95
viewers will need to buy a BBC TV licence – at £169.50. Kosinski-directed and
An alternative, and cheaper, way to follow all 24 races is Brad Pitt-starring F1 F1 24 Game £69.99
to buy a Sky Sports day pass from Now TV at £14.99 a pop. film. This is essentially F1 Manager Game £39.99
Taking the Now TV approach would mean missing out on a big-budget marketing
Apple film (average
the full driver onboards selection Sky offers its F1 channel follow-up to DTS, as F1 £7.92
UK adult cinema ticket)
customers via its Sky Sports app, Q and Glass systems. But attempts to replicate
because of Sky’s exclusivity arrangement, this in itself Mattel’s success with Autosport subscription**
£39.99
significantly sells UK TV viewers short on what F1 offers to Barbie in showcasing its (AS+ and online digital mag)
viewers in other territories. This comes via the F1TV OTT intellectual property to *per month **per year
(over-the-top) platform introduced by FOM in 2018. a wider audience. The
S P E C I A L I N V E S T I G AT I O N
average UK adult cinema ticket is £7.92. 2024 F1 TICKET PRICES

Outside UK homes are the ‘F1 Arcade’ bars packed 425
with game simulators in London and Birmingham.
One 30-minute race session costs £17.95 per person,
alongside the usual city-centre prices for food and 400
There is
drink. F1 opened its first international Arcades in
considerable
Boston and Washington DC, with a further bar
variation across
planned to open in Las Vegas. 375
3-day pass
ticket prices – and
Currently running at London’s ExCeL is the F1
how things have
Exhibition that first opened in Madrid last year.
changed
Tickets for the display, which shows items from F1’s 350
history and looks to its future, cost £33 at peak times.
Following F1 at live locations 325

Although F1 is best followed on screen when it comes
* Races weren’t on the 2015 calendar
to understanding the 600 individual races (including
sprints) completed by every driver across the current 300 ** A different ticket in 2024 so
24-event calendar, there’s still nothing like being at inflation not relevant
a circuit and seeing the cars live. The smell of the
burning tyres, the wheel squeals from driver mistakes, *** Did not respond to information
275 requests from Autosport
the roar of the crowd – they’re cliches for a reason.
Below and right is the breakdown for attending each 2015 cost with inflation
race on the 2024 calendar. As with our 2015 calculation,
250
we’ve stuck with assessing the cheapest single-day
(Sunday) ticket for each race (where available) to
provide a comparison in that period.
225
This also means that F1 events can be compared to
2-day pass
other forms of motorsport, different sports and live
events generally in 2024 – examples of which we’ve
also provided here. Typically, these single-day tickets 200
provide General Admission access only and so do
3-day pass
not come with reserved seats.
From the comparison of F1 single-raceday tickets, 175
we can see that many prices have risen above the rate
of inflation – but with several notable exceptions.
3-day pass
Singapore, for example, has barely changed in terms 150
3-day pass
of its offering at this price point, while there are
interesting direct comparison alterations in the
3-day pass
relevant price levels for Silverstone and Monza. 125 3-day pass
Of course, there is much debate about the appropriate
level of ticket prices in 2024 – something that’s not
limited to sporting events. Rising prices had been
3-day pass
100
occurring even before the current cost of living crisis
turbocharged the focus on higher payments, as well as
hidden fees and additional charges on ticketing websites. 75
The British GP has courted much controversy for
its prices in recent years, particularly after its dynamic
pricing debacle when tickets for its 2023 event went on 50
sale in September 2022. We also recognise that many
fans feel steep costs of food and drink at races, as
well as parking and camping costs being taken into 25
consideration, often leave them frustrated.
Many F1 fans will also want to attend a whole race
weekend and take in the practice, qualifying and support
0
series showings too. As our 2015-24 comparison table
£128.89
£114.12
£100.69
£208.10
£128.89
£110.09
£157.08
£167.82
£175.88
£64.44
£69.81
£48.33
£91.29
£76.53
£84.58
£96.66
shows, there has been a notable increased prevalence

**N/A
2015
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
COST WITH
of races selling multi-day tickets now as standard. INFLATION
This is up to individual promoters and their business
£155
£117
£125
£131
£390
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
*N/A
models, but in many cases – and with prices rising

£96
£48
£52
£36
£68
£57
£85
£75
£63
£96
£82
£72
2015 COST
sharply for grandstand or hospitality tickets – this
means prices for groups or families can quickly
£158.11
£104.09
£344.00
£100.91
£115.88
£154.72
£113.52
£113.28
£159.43
£151.36
£157.45
£190.02
£114.67
£118.86
£344.99
£125.58
£186.52
£87.64
£62.33
£62.94
£84.09
£99.61
reach many hundreds of pounds. PRICE

£199
***
A key difference here from 2015 is how FOM now

requires promoters to provide additional value –
Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
Australia
Japan
China
Miami
Imola
Monaco
Canada
Spain
Austria
Britain
Hungary
Belgium
Netherlands
Italy
Azerbaijan
Singapore
Austin
Mexico
Brazil
Las Vegas
Qatar
Abu Dhabi
typically in the form of concerts and shows, but it can RACE

also mean better investment in facilities and transport
access – in their ticket prices. This has led to many F1
events being promoted more along the lines of
2 0 AUTOSPORT.COM 1 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
275
300
325
350
425
375
400
PRICE
EVENT
Le Mans 24 Hours £96.38 Race week
Formula E London £79 Average cost
BTCC Silverstone £40 Race day only
MotoGP Silverstone £110 Race day general admission
Silverstone Festival £150 Weekend general admission
British GT Silverstone £36 Race day
OTHER MOTORSPORT EVENTS
Lords Test £115 England vs Sri Lanka 2024 cheapest Day 1

Manchester City £425
Cheapest season ticket
PDC World Darts £60
Championship opening night Opening night
Rugby Union Autumn test £99 England vs New Zealand cheapest ticket
Wimbledon Finals £283 Average cost
OTHER SPORTS TICKETS
London Athletics Meet £ 25

Snooker World Final £159.50
Champions League Final £160
Taylor Swift at Wembley £111

West End Hamilton £42.50
Glastonbury £360
OTHER EVENTS
Romesh Ranganathan at £36.25

Hammersmith Apollo
Hampton Court Flower Show £35.85
S BLOXHAM/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
24 Spa
RANK TRACK
18 Baku
17 Qatar
13 Imola
14 Miami
12 Austin
22 Monza
16 Suzuka
23 Jeddah
Monaco
11 RB Ring
10 Bahrain
Hungary
Montreal
Shanghai
20 Las Vegas
Barcelona
Interlagos
Singapore
15 Abu Dhabi
Zandvoort
number of race laps

19 Melbourne
21 Silverstone
Mexico City
ACTION VALUE FOR MONEY
9
8
6
3
2
22
18
17
15
14
12
5.5
4.5
4.5
23.5
21.5
19.5
15.5
15.5
13.5
13.5
12.5
12.5
11.5
SCORE
BEST F1 TRACK FOR SPECTATOR
total combination – tiebreaker is

RANKING
Criteria: Race duration/car sightings

T H E CO ST O F B E I N G A N F 1 FA N
DUNBAR/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
music and other festival types. In the data given to Autosport Showing that you follow F1
by FOM, it is claimed that the overall annual race attendance F1 merchandise remains a major part of the fan experience.
figure is now 6million. F1 also claims that 40% of people FOM outsources its online merchandise offering via the Fanatics
attending a race in 2023 did so for the first time. platform that sells official products from all the US sports
While the numbers must speak for themselves here, and leagues. It means you can buy comparative merch from all
annoyingly premium prices for concessions at live events the teams – although they don’t all sell the same stuff – from
is a long-standing issue, we decided to look at statistics that the same place. But we found that prices differ (usually slightly
matter to many fans – perhaps including those who feel lower, in our research) if you buy from team websites directly,
alienated by the championship’s recent push for races to so as ever it pays to shop around.
hold non-sporting productions and feature altered sporting But given the compact and official Fanatics platform, we’ve
formats. We have therefore gone through every race on the used this to compare prices for various items to show your
current calendar (not including sprints) and worked out which support in similar ways for different teams. We’re focusing
races are best for seeing the cars most in racing scenarios. on the F1 squads and their generic team-branded clothing
Simply put, how many times and for how long will you and kit but, if you wanted a T-shirt or cap with the number
see the racing machines in action, having laid down and name of your favourite driver, it seems that you will
your hard-earned cash for the privilege. have to pay slightly more.
This is a subjective exercise – it may be that visiting the The table above shows how prices stack up for the teams in
hallowed ground at certain tracks (assuming you can stomach typical merchandise purchases. By way of comparison from our
the traffic trouble common at many of the purpose-built 2015 investigation, taking the most expensive cap then (Ferrari’s,
facilities) is worth it even though their score on assessment is
low. To calculate this, we ranked the races in order of each
one’s most recent dry race duration, then redid the order
based on their race lap totals each year. Unsurprisingly,
shorter, slower layouts come out higher – but if you want to
wander around a circuit to see F1 cars in action at different
corner types, this may be an important consideration.
Monaco tops the list (see page 21) – which isn’t brilliant for
watching F1 on a budget given its tax-haven status – and this
comes down to its tight confines and concise lap distance.
You also won’t ever see the current ground-effect machines
in the corner types where they’re designed to work best.
Handily, the next six races are in locations where the
track is either in or close to a major metropolis.
F1 TEAM MERCHANDISE COMPARED

TEAM CAP PRICE T-SHIRT PRICE HOODY PRICE JACKET PRICE KIDS T-SHIRT PRICE
Red Bull £28 £55 £95 £140 £40

McLaren £28 £55 £95 £130 £40
Ferrari *N/A £66 £114 £133 *N/A
Mercedes £38 £62 £110 £152 £47
Aston Martin £43 £66 £114 £176 £52
RB *N/A £69 £129 £99 *N/A
Haas £40 £55 £95 *N/A *N/A
Williams £43 £57 £100 £110 *N/A
Alpine £41 £55 £79 £130 £50
Sauber £45 £55 £89 *N/A *N/A
F1 £20 £25 £50 *N/A £15
OTHER SPORTS MERCHANDISE

SPORT JERSEY PRICE CAP PRICE JACKET PRICE
Football (Premier League champion) £80 £18 £70

Football (Serie A champion) £150 £24 £105
Rugby Union (English Premiership champion) £60 £20 £85
NFL (Super Bowl winner) £105 £34 *N/A
Cricket (County Championship champion) £45 £30 *N/A
NBA (2024 champion) £96 £32 £120
*Unavailable for sale on Fanatics at time of assessment
at £32) and contrasting with Sauber being top today, we can see page 20 shows, a GP ticket can come in at nearly half the price.
that costs on these items specifically come in roughly in line with Track merchandise is sold by Puma-owned Stichd (the
inflation (£42.96). In some specific examples – Red Bull’s team company also makes apparel for Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston
cap, which was £25 in 2015 and is now £28 – the prices haven’t and Williams) – with prices set from specific market research
gone up that much at all. We also note how Aston Martin’s team for each location. Merchandise offered at the circuits is
merch is regularly towards the top of the comparisons above, bought by Stichd and then sold on to fans.
which reflects its parent company’s positioning as a luxury Now that Ferrari is selling a Scuderia football shirt, we
brand (even among F1 rivals that are doing exactly the same). compared the price with the new home shirt of reigning
In terms of buying F1 team merchandise at live races, we Premier League champions Manchester City. This came out
went to the official stores at the British and Hungarian races at an £80 high-scoring draw. UK fans wanting to buy the new
over the summer to compare prices. home strip of 2023-24 Serie A champion Internazionale
We discovered, rather inevitably, that buying the same will have to fork out £150. Manchester City team caps
products at a grand prix costs more than online. The come in at £18 from the team’s website.
equivalent Mercedes team cap is £38 online but being sold Those who can afford it – and these prices are simply
for £60 at Silverstone. Interestingly, convert Hungarian staggering – might be interested in a new F1 team upcycling
forints to pounds and the price for the same product at the initiative from Mercedes and its team wear partner Puma.
Hungaroring was only £4.30 cheaper. This is within the context Made in conjunction with designers from Raeburn, the team
of the Budapest race’s popularity within cost consideration has made jackets, bags, hoodies, T-shirts and hats using
for many British fans each year – as the ticket price table on panels from the Nomex fire suits used in the 2022 season.
A press release announcing the project claimed “the
collection blends motorsport engineering with cutting-edge

fashion design returned to fans, featuring pieces crafted from
the race-worn suits of Mercedes F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton
and George Russell, as well as the team’s mechanics”.
It is unclear how many items in the collection were
produced, but at the time of writing they are all sold out
at Mercedes’ team website. The ‘Masterpiece Anorak’
retails at £1275, trousers £675 and T-shirt £350.
In one final area of F1 fan merchandise for you to consider,
costs have, however, changed more notably compared to
clothing covered above. Diecast model cars, for example, have
risen on average by slightly above the rate of inflation. But
this is really just in relation to 2015 – because as we noted at
the time, a £40 1:18 model bought in 1996 would cost £59.08
nine years ago and £77.93 now. This shows prices have risen
less steeply of late. In this area, albeit with less detailed
models, F1 has also made recent moves to provide official
offerings with Lego and Mattel’s Hot Wheels toy car brand.
How following F1 has changed

From here, we leave the cold realm of statistics and reflect
on something rather less tangible, but ultimately still very
important given the emotive power of sport and its cash-
guzzling extras. This is how the experience of being
a fan has changed in the past decade and with the
Liberty takeover again in mind.
Famously, former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone felt social
media was a “nonsense” that he “couldn’t see any value in”.
And one of the first things the new FOM regime did was
unlock the restrictions around teams, drivers and the
championship itself posting into the internet’s ether.
That won’t be new in 2024, but it does represent a big
difference to our last assessment of how much it costs to be
an F1 fan. After all, social media accounts are free (in terms of
the major platforms and their basic offerings) and that allows
for fans to interact with the championship in different ways
compared to previous generations. Clips of F1 track action and
behind-the-scenes shots from the paddock are widespread
now when before there was a strict clampdown. F1’s data
claims that the championship now gets an average of
10.9million people watching qualifying and race highlights
on YouTube – versus 2.5million in 2018.
It is often claimed that the prevalence of social media F1
access means a direct link to the protagonists, but plenty
of drivers have long left handling their social channels to
professional admins. Russell, for example, recently explained
that he only signs off “on all the captions and the photographs
– I always send through my content” to a specific team.
“It’s a double-edged sword, to be honest,” he added.
“Because I really enjoy seeing the memes and the banter
TEE/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
that goes around. And that stuff is positive – you’re spinning

off the funniness and certain comments and whatever. But
then on the flipside, there’s a lot of hate and negativity.
And it’s almost impossible to avoid.”
According to F1’s own calculations, its total follower count
on its official social media platforms comes in at 90million
and up from 12.1million – a claimed 744% rise from 2018 when

it fully started capturing data. Adding up the championship’s
official English language account followers from Instagram,
TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads
comes in at 80.1million.
The championship also claims, without providing a headline
figure, that one in three of its total fanbase started following
F1 in the past four years and that one in three TV viewers are
under 35 years old, with a 2% increase in fans under 35 overall
compared to 2018. F1 says it has registered a 5% rise in terms
of its female audience – from 37% of its overall calculations
in 2018 to 42% today.
FOM also says its official website and app got 104million
unique visitors in 2023 versus 47million in 2018. Here, it’s
important to note how much more of a publisher F1 has
become under Liberty. Unlike the Bernie days, where selling
TV contracts and exclusive advertising spots was the king
approach, now F1 provides content offerings that put it
in competition with partner broadcast channels such as
Sky and independent publications such as Autosport.
Here we can reflect how the F1 media landscape overall
has changed considerably in recent years, too – particularly
the proliferation of ‘clickbait’ websites that spin up stories
written by reputable publications and sell the same
information in a deliberately sensationalist way.
But it’s not just media where FOM now takes a different
approach – a secondary element to consider also chimes with
much of the information we’ve covered on merchandise and
fan costs. This is how, since 2015, F1 has struck deals with
high-street apparel brands, while also selling its own branded
merchandise at race events and online. Autosport understands
this is selling in increasing numbers, which suggests fans are
not just keen to highlight their affiliation to teams and drivers.
F1 has official agreements with UK high-street brand
H&M to sell clothes featuring F1 IP, while in the US there
is a similar deal with PacSun that is aimed specifically at
selling clothes to Gen Z customers.
Conclusions
Change is generally constant and F1, with its regular rule
alterations and design refreshments, embodies this very
well. It is up to the individual to decide whether the
information we have presented is good, bad or the
same as it was nearly a decade on from 2015.
Given the current cost of living crisis and recent
controversies about dynamic pricing – infamously in
the UK involving the band Oasis, plus those memories of
Silverstone’s 2022-23 saga – the relevant price rises we’ve
noted will stand out. This is especially important for
anyone considering buying multiple tickets or pieces
of merchandise to fulfil a family pastime.
Motorsport has always been an expensive pursuit for
its protagonists. But, while we must recognise how specific
changes to things we consume are reflected from trends
in wider society, F1, as the top category, has to take care to
avoid upsetting its long-standing fans when it comes to cost.
Although these days it provides a much increased offering
for consuming its action and stories, it can’t risk losing the
emotional touches that truly mean so much to its fans,
and ever-rising prices would surely do just this.
And if the biggest change we’ve highlighted shows how
many ways it’s now possible to be an F1 fan, these supporters
also have far more ways than simply voting with their feet
and not attending specific races. The impact of many wider
changes now ultimately comes with a bottom line for the
championship. Through all that, it should never lose the
critical, historical connections that got it to this point
in the first place.
J BLOXHAM
JOHNNY HERBERT’S
10 GREATEST DRIVES
It’s 25 years since the Le Mans winner took the last of
his three grand prix victories. He helps Autosport select
the best performances from his long and eclectic career
KEVIN TURNER
After a tricky start

to his F3 weekend,
Herbert starred at Monaco
H E R B E R T ’ S G R E AT E S T R A C E S
1 98 7 MO N ACO F3 GP slot was pure class,” reckoned Autosport.
10 REYNARD 873
STARTED 4TH RESULT 3RD
Come the race, Herbert was held up by
Alberto Apicella’s Dallara before making it into
third when the Italian spun at Rascasse. Didier
Artzet’s KTR Ralt and the ORECA Dallara of
Already the class act in British Formula 3 “The general consensus was that Johnny was Jean Alesi were too far ahead, but finishing
in 1987, Herbert’s trip to Monaco against making the wrong move,” said Autosport. “Sitting on the podium was still a fine result. “He was
European opposition didn’t start well. Aside pretty in England, why go and get blown away behind a circuit specialist and the ORECA team
from having to learn the circuit and different by French and Italians on an unfamiliar circuit leader,” added Autosport. “What says more
tyres to his usual crossply Avons, he had the and unaccustomed Michelin radials?” about him than anything, though, is that he
wrong set-up. A spooled differential and locked But Eddie Jordan Racing engineer Dave was disappointed. It was written all over his
rear end had “worked brilliantly” at Snetterton Benbow sorted the diff ’ for Friday’s running face. This man is a winner.”
and Thruxton, but created massive understeer and Herbert leapt to fourth, heading the Today, Herbert thinks it was a key moment:
around the tight streets. The result was 22nd Reynard charge. “Remembering that Herbert “It was the first time I’d done a good job in
in the first qualifying session. had not been to Monaco before, a second-row front of the F1 paddock.”
2 00 3 P ET IT L E MANS
9 ROAD ATLANTA AUDI R8
STARTED 3RD RESULT 1ST
Herbert scored many successes in the start, Champion moved into a lead it
Audi R8s, including taking the 2004 was never to lose. Weaver, sharing with
Le Mans Endurance Series title with Jamie Andy Wallace and Butch Leitzinger, soon hit
Davies, but it’s arguably one of his ‘easier’ electrical issues and, when Biela crashed in
victories that means the most to him… the second hour – requiring a new rear-end
Herbert and JJ Lehto were a constant and front suspension on his silver R8 – Lehto
threat in their Champion R8 during the 2003 and Herbert comfortably outpaced the field.
American Le Mans Series, but it was normally They led every one of the 394 laps!
the Joest-run factory car of Frank Biela/Marco “Beating the works was nice,” says Herbert,
Werner that led the way. The Germans duly who twice finished second at Le Mans in R8s.
went to the Petit Le Mans finale as favourites “And that was in the days of pushing flat-out,
to wrap up the crown, but it was Herbert threading through the traffic. Brilliant.”
and Lehto who had an event to remember. It wasn’t enough for Lehto to snatch the
Werner took pole at Road Atlanta, ahead of title, but that doesn’t overshadow Herbert’s
the Dyson Lola-MG of James Weaver. Lehto memories: “It was with JJ and [team boss]
qualified ‘only’ third, but was leading inside Dave Maraj and the small Champion team
a lap. Both he and Weaver dived ahead of – builders, woodworkers, electricians. They Lehto and Herbert
Werner at the getaway and, when Weaver was all came together for that weekend and it celebrate after dominant
told to drop behind the polesitter for jumping was a wonderful environment to be part of.” win against the works Audi
DOLE
19 9 7 H U N GA RIA N GP
8 HUNGARORING SAUBER C16
The Sauber-Ferrari C16 was a decent F1 car and Goodyears that most runners blistered,
Herbert was a consistent points contender on including polesitter Schumacher’s Ferrari.
his way to 10th in the standings. The highlight “On the long runs we did, the car was so
was third at the Hungaroring, where Damon Hill’s driveable,” adds Herbert, who jumped to
Bridgestone-shod Arrows would have won but eighth on the opening lap. “Blistering tyres
for a late hydraulic problem. While Jacques was a big issue and I was able to manage it.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Villeneuve’s Williams overtook Hill on the final The pace was really strong and we were able to
lap to win, the Arrows staggered to second, 11.4s race Michael for a little bit and outrace them. It
ahead of Herbert, who beat Michael Schumacher was an enjoyable ride because the car was doing
to be the second Goodyear runner home. everything I wanted it to do on a tricky track.
“We’d had a good year,” confirms Herbert. “It was a lovely race that gave me a lot of
“It was quite a competitive car and it performed good feelings because it was a thoroughly
very well in qualifying in Hungary.” enjoyable performance from my point of
Herbert had qualified 10th, but key to his race view, and it was nice to be on the podium with
was being able to look after the soft-compound Jacques and Damon – we’re all good friends.”
1 99 5 BR I T IS H GP
7 SILVERSTONE BENETTON B195
STARTED 5TH RESULT 1ST
Despite the pain,
Herbert held on
SUTTON
to win at home
“I was screaming in the car. A few laps before, his 1988 F3000 crash at Brands Hatch. go penalty for speeding in the pits. Herbert’s
I knew it was going to come. I’d been trying And Herbert was in the mix from the start fight with his pain continued to the flag,
to do left-foot braking, so I did one lap left, at Silverstone, despite a nasty accident on which he took 16.5s clear of Alesi. “I did most
two right, one left, two right and I did that Saturday, qualifying fifth and running there of my races knowing that, with about 15
for the last 16 to 18 laps.” early on. He then jumped Coulthard’s laps to go, my toe on my left foot would get
The 1995 British GP is largely remembered Williams and the Ferrari of Jean Alesi super-sensitive and painful,” adds Herbert.
for the clash between title rivals Michael during the first round of pitstops. “That’s a special one because it was the first
Schumacher and Damon Hill. That shunt, After 45 of the 61 laps, Schumacher win, the home GP in front of the home fans,
which removed both, and a penalty for David and Hill were three quarters of a minute on a track I’d driven thousands of miles on.”
Coulthard gave the impression that Herbert’s ahead of Herbert, but their crash handed Autosport’s Nigel Roebuck summed it
first F1 win was fortuitous. But he earned it him a narrow lead over Coulthard. The up at the conclusion of his report: “It was
given the pain he had to go through in the Williams attacked the Benetton and made a lovely drive, devoid of mistakes, and
closing stages, as he usually did thanks to it past on lap 49, but Herbert already knew a result richly enjoyed in the pitlane,
the terrible foot injuries he sustained in the contest was over: DC had to serve a stop/ as well as in the stands.”
19 9 1 L E M ANS 2 4 HOU RS
6 MAZDA 787B
“It wasn’t the quickest thing on Earth,” recalls

Herbert of the Mazda 787B that has become
a Le Mans icon. “Yes, it had a cracking sound,
but it wasn’t the most enjoyable car to drive –
it did porpoise a lot and bounced through
the Porsche Curves.”
F1 drivers Herbert and Bertrand Gachot were
placed with Volker Weidler to spearhead Mazda’s
attack on the greatest sportscar race. Thanks to a
rules break, the rotary-engined machine enjoyed
a 170kg advantage over the other fuel-restricted
‘Category 2’ machines, such as the Mercedes C11
and Jaguar XJR-12. Weidler qualified 12th fastest,
but the car only started 19th as the new 3.5-litre Le Mans,” adds Herbert. “The only thing we did, while sitting three laps clear with three hours
naturally aspirated cars lined up at the front. though we still pushed, was easing off in the to go, the screaming Mazda moved to the front.
“I was racing F1, and me and Bertrand did it latter part of the straight just to save fuel. Herbert completed the final two-hour stint
to make a bit of money,” says Herbert. “Did we “Volker was probably the quickest of the to record the first victory in the 24 Hours for
go into it thinking we were going to win? No!” three and was also the best on the fuel, so a Japanese manufacturer, ahead of a Jaguar
But the works Mazda became more and more our aim was to get faster and use less fuel. And 2-3-4. But so exhausted was he that he required
of a threat as the race developed. After the new that’s exactly what we did – we all improved, medical attention and missed the podium.
Peugeots had enjoyed a short spell at the front, getting faster and faster, and saved fuel.” “It was tough, there was no power steering
the Sauber-Mercedes team stamped its authority Although the ORECA-run Mazda established and it was very hot inside,” he recalls. “I learned
on the race. Showing fine pace and fuel economy, itself in the top five in the first quarter of the race, a big lesson that weekend – I didn’t eat enough.
the Mazda climbed the order, proving faster than the three C11s looked out of reach. That was Because of nerves, I suppose, I could only eat
the Jaguars and avoiding the troubles that until a weakness with an alternator bracket made small, easy food like noodles with no nutrition
befell the best of the Porsches. itself known. When the leading car of Jean-Louis whatsoever. What I did learn after that was to have
“It was possibly the very early days of flat-out Schlesser/Jochen Mass/Alain Ferte succumbed more fatty food, which aided my performance.”
1 9 99 E U RO PEA N GP
5 NURBURGRING STEWART SF3
“Herbert the hero”, shouted Autosport after over the track. It was quite a dark colour
one of the most dramatic races in F1 history. and I thought, ‘When that hits it’s going
Herbert outqualified team-mate Rubens to be an absolute deluge’.
Barrichello for the first time in 1999 – at round 14 “I was very lucky because I got the radio call to
– but that was only good enough for 14th on the pit and as I got down to the hairpin it absolutely
grid at the Nurburgring as the Stewart SF3 had chucked it down, so I got on the radio and said,
one of its less competitive Saturday showings. ‘Wets’. When Rubens came in [two laps later]
But the race was all about playing the changeable the team decided to leave him on slicks.”
conditions and keeping the car on the road. Most chose slicks at this point, giving Herbert
After Pedro Diniz’s spectacular first-lap crash a big advantage. “It was absolutely sodden,
and ensuing safety car period, Herbert ran slicks almost impossible and cars whizzing
13th while Heinz-Harald Frentzen’s Jordan, the off all over the place,” he recalls. “It was
SUTTON
McLarens of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard, a crazy race to be in!”
and Ralf Schumacher’s Williams battled up front. At two-thirds distance, Schumacher led while
An early burst of rain sent Hakkinen to the pits Herbert was third, behind Giancarlo Fisichella’s
for rain tyres, only for the track to dry. As others Benetton. Schumacher then pitted and, with
Stewart squad scored
made their scheduled pitstops, Herbert rose to the track drying once again, Herbert came
its one and only F1 win
fifth on his harder-compound Bridgestones before in for dry-weather tyres on lap 47 of 66. in a remarkable race
his own pit visit. Elsewhere, calamity reigned. That left Fisichella in the lead, but he threw
Hakkinen returned to the pits for dry rubber, Eddie away his chances and then Schumacher’s
Irvine’s stop was comedic as Ferrari appeared to Williams suffered a puncture. Suddenly Herbert
forget that his F399 required a right-rear wheel, found himself with a 16.4s lead over Jarno Trulli’s
Frentzen’s Jordan suffered an electrical failure as Prost with 16 laps to go. He kept clear, while
he rejoined, and Coulthard threw it off the road Trulli successfully battled to hold off a charging
while leading. Crucially, Herbert had decided on Barrichello, and gave Stewart its only F1 win
his in-lap to go for wets as the rain returned. by a surprisingly comfortable 22.6s.
“Normally when you talk about rain you “I’m glad I was able to make that call to put
don’t see it coming, it just appears,” he says. wets on at exactly the right time,” says Herbert.
“But on this occasion going down to the hairpin “If I hadn’t, I’d never have been in that position.
I’d see this wide, teardrop cloud coming from It was a special one because it was Sir Jackie
SUTTON
Spa. I watched this cloud and, as it came, it and Paul’s only win, and it was at the venue
never deviated and was coming dead straight where Jackie took his last F1 win.”
1 98 9 B RA ZI L IAN GP of Riccardo Patrese helped Herbert climb to
4 RIO DE JANEIRO BENETTON B188

STARTED 10TH RESULT 4TH
eighth on the opening lap, though Nannini
got past. When Thierry Boutsen’s Williams
suffered engine failure, Herbert ran seventh.
He then made an early pitstop for fresh tyres
The man himself doesn’t rate the drive and moved forwards as others pitted.
– “It’s not one of my best races, the Rio Impressive debut Patrese retired with 10 laps to go,
circuit suited the condition I was in” – belied the issues handing Herbert fourth. And he was closing
but those who know what he had to Herbert had on Mauricio Gugelmin’s March and Alain
deal with on his F1 debut do. Just seven Prost’s McLaren, struggling on old rubber
months after his horrific Brands Hatch and with an inoperative clutch. Herbert
F3000 crash, Herbert probably wasn’t duly finished fourth, 2.7s covering the trio.
fit to drive in a GP and doesn’t believe it Herbert thinks that remarkable result
would be allowed today. But Benetton could have been better: “I worked to get in
manager Peter Collins kept the faith, and close to Mauricio for that last-lap possible
so Herbert partnered Alessandro Nannini lunge and as I got close to him going across
to drive the previous year’s B188. the line to start that last lap, the chequered
Herbert beat Nannini to 10th on the flag came out! I’d be given the wrong
grid, but had already had to overcome information. I don’t know if I’d have
a major hurdle, which he largely kept finished second or not but reckon
to himself. “There was a big bump at the I probably could have done.”
last right-hander before the back straight against the side, I’d scream my head off but it Herbert would struggle more at
[Nonato],” he recalls. “My left foot was overcame the pain. That crack allowed me to subsequent tracks with heavier braking
like a melon, really swollen and sensitive. continue. I had to do it on the first lap of any demands and was dropped by Benetton.
Every time I went over the bump it would session and that made it a lot easier – I had He would have to wait until the end of
jar my foot and hurt like hell. Eventually to find ways around the problem I had.” 1990 and Lotus – again thanks to Collins
I learned to let it hang in the monocoque, A first-corner clash involving Gerhard Berger’s – before being able to gather some F1
when it hit the bump my foot would slam Ferrari, Ayrton Senna’s McLaren and the Williams career momentum via a stint in Japan.
the back of his heat – these were the days

of 150-plus entries – with a 10s penalty. “I
remember thinking, ‘I’m only racing Damon,
Mark, Bertrand, Paulo Carcasci and Jonathan
Bancroft’ – five guys,” he says. “Everybody else,
not a problem. I think that mindset enabled me
to get through the heats, quarter-final and
semi-final and get myself in the perfect place
on the outside of the front row for the final.
“The Quest was a very short wheelbase
compared to the Van Diemen. It was more
darty and reacted a much closer way to
the karts I was used to. It suited me.”
Having carved repeatedly through the pack
in the races beforehand (to sixth in his heat,
fourth in his quarter-final and second in his semi),
Herbert had a different job to do in the finale,
though his cause had been aided by Gachot and
1 98 5 FO RM ULA FOR D FESTI VAL Carcasci dramatically crashing out in their semi.
3 BRANDS HATCH QUEST FF85

STARTED 3RD (IN FINAL) RESULT 1ST
Herbert led into Paddock, chased by Bancroft.
“He tried to pass me once into Druids but
I always thought, ‘He’s not going to commit’,
so I never really had any worry,” remembers
Herbert. “I knew I could outrace and outfox
“It was an important weekend for my career Hatch put Herbert on the map, partly him. Because of the way the heats and other
because until that point every race I seemed because his event started so badly in races had gone, my confidence was pretty
to be up against Damon Hill in a Van Diemen, qualifying: “I remember going out, looking good. There was momentum.”
Mark Blundell, who was in a Van Diemen, up at Druids and thinking it was a bit damp, And beating Bancroft and Hill provided career
Bertrand Gachot, who was in a Van Diemen… so I’ve got to wait for the track to start to dry. momentum for Herbert, who would soon be in
I was more or less the lone Quest. I’d been And on my first flying lap into Paddock the back British F3: “Winning the hard way was a damn
competitive during the year but was end stepped out very quickly and the next thing powerful thing for my career because there was
always beaten by a Van Diemen.” I knew I was wrapped up in the catch fencing!” a wow factor about it, and even today people
The 1985 Formula Ford Festival at Brands The result was that Herbert had to start at still have good memories of that day.”
1 98 8 M ON ZA F 300 0
2 REYNARD 88D
Herbert’s F3000 campaign had gone awry the driver to watch: “I was one second a lap and his pursuers to take the same spot
and he didn’t know why. Since winning the quicker than anyone else. The car became overall. Only Moreno and the March of
Jerez opener in his Eddie Jordan Racing alive again and the pace was unbelievable.” Marco Apicella remained ahead.
Reynard, he hadn’t scored a point as the “All eyes were now on Herbert,” reported “Suddenly everything came together,
circus headed to Monza in June. “I’d been Autosport’s Marcus Pye. “Johnny was driving I came alive,” recalls Herbert. “Every input
struggling for the last couple of races,” says a blinder, his car control a joy to behold. The made sense to me and it was so, so easy
Herbert. “The speed we’d had earlier in the crowd loved it, going wild when he appeared.” to do it. I got a call from Enzo Ferrari’s PA
season had been a bit more difficult to do.” With the result decided by the aggregate wanting to meet me, but he died in August.
The struggles continued at Monza. Herbert of the two parts, Herbert had no chance of “That was my last ‘best’ race before
qualified 10th, 0.61s off polesitter Roberto victory, but he charged to third on the road Brands. Bar one race it’s the last time
Moreno’s similar Reynard, and “wasn’t going and put enough distance between himself I remember it being a doddle…”
anywhere” early in the race. But then there
was a red flag following an enormous crash
Herbert flew at Monza
involving Fabien Giroix and Massimo Monti
after insisting on
after 13 laps. The long stoppage gave the a late change
team a chance to try something different.
Herbert asked if anything had changed.
Eventually the Zytek engine guys admitted
they’d changed the fuelling: “They said it
made no difference at all, but I said to go
back on what we did, to try it.”
The car was transformed. Despite having
to start at the rear of the now 18-car field as
his engine initially refused to fire, and being
delayed by more chaos, Herbert became
Hakkinen closes
in on impressive
Herbert’s SF3
JO HN NY
HE RB ERT
GP STARTS 160
1 9 9 9 M A LAYS IAN GP
1 SEPANG STEWART SF3
STARTED 5TH RESULT 4TH
GP WINS 3
LE MANS PODIUMS 4
2004 LMES CHAMPION
The number one race is a great example 2008 SPEEDCAR
SUTTON
of driver insight helping see through CHAMPION

the obvious. The headlines around the
penultimate round of the 1999 F1 season
concerned the controversial championship
fight between Ferrari’s Eddie Irvine and
McLaren’s eventual champion Mika Hakkinen,
but Herbert rates the Malaysian GP as the
one time in an F1 car he felt like he did
prior to his F3000 accident.
“Everything I’d done until that crash at
Brands I totally believed I could beat anybody,
anywhere, any car, any condition,” he says.
“Everything I did on track was very simple.
I found it so easy to get speed out of the car.”
With consistent pain at the end of GPs and
a lack of sensitivity with his left foot, Herbert
found things came less naturally after 1988. After Schumacher handed team-mate through. “Unobtrusively excellent” was
But on F1’s first visit to hot and humid Irvine the lead, he tried to delay the how Autosport described Herbert’s race.
Sepang, things were different. McLarens, though David Coulthard swiftly For a while, Herbert was classified second
Herbert committed to a one-stop strategy found a way through. Coulthard then after the Ferraris were thrown out for an
on a day when most opted for two-stoppers. lost fuel pressure after 14 of the 56 laps, aerodynamic bargeboard infringement.
With a heavy fuel load, he fell to sixth early promoting Herbert to fifth. As others But Ferrari’s appeal was upheld and the
on – behind the Ferrari and McLaren duos, pitted, Herbert briefly rose to second record books show Herbert classified
plus Stewart team-mate Rubens Barrichello before making his own stop. fourth, nearly 15s clear of Barrichello.
– but kept himself in range while the Once Barrichello had made his second The only thing that frustrates Herbert is
returning Michael Schumacher tried stop, Herbert found himself in a lonely that he never worked out why things felt
to orchestrate things up ahead. fourth – lonely until Hakkinen made his different that day. “I was really consistent
“I felt I could look after the tyre,” adds second stop and emerged behind the and it was easy,” he says. “It was exactly
Herbert. “My pace with one-stop fuel was Stewart. On ageing rubber, Herbert almost like I felt before. I only had it that once
pretty much as good as the two-stoppers. I’d held off the Finn for the final podium spot and I do not know why. I wish I bloody
won at the Nurburgring and the confidence before making a small error with just three did know! All the senses that I’d lost
you get from winning a race carried on.” laps to go and allowing the faster car came back. It was my best race.”
MOTORSPORT GAMES TEAM UK
Members
of Team UK
celebrate Esports
success at the 2022
Games. Can they win
more this time?
MEET TEAM UK
The third FIA Motorsport Games takes place later this month.
Here’s who will be representing the United Kingdom in Spain
C I R CU IT
TEAM CAPTAIN/GT CUP GT CUP
JEP
CHRIS FROGGATT JAMES COTTINGHAM

Froggatt did not have a conventional route into racing A competitive racer in historics, Cottingham has also
via karting and single-seaters, and first competed in proved to be a capable performer in contemporary
the European Ferrari Challenge. He’s become a GT GT machinery. He was runner-up in the 2023 British
racing regular and won the 2021 GT World Challenge GT championship with three victories alongside
Europe Endurance Pro-Am Cup and the Bronze Cup in Jonny Adam in a 2 Seas Mercedes. This year he has
the same series two years later, both times with his been racing McLaren’s 720 GT3 Evo, with Garage 59
long-term team Tempesta Racing. Food poisoning in GT World Challenge Europe and United Autosports
JEP
meant Froggatt missed out on competing at the 2022 in the World Endurance Championship.
edition of the Games, even though he was present,
but he returns aiming to make his mark with Team UK. This year he will be GT SPRINT
JEP
partnered with James Cottingham in Tempesta’s Ferrari 296 GT3 to test his DARREN LEUNG
mettle on the 2.5-mile Circuit Ricardo Tormo, as well as leading Team UK. Leung has made an impressive impact on GT racing
despite being another driver to start late. He only
began competing in the Ginetta GT Academy in 2021
and yet, just over two years later, was crowned British
GT champion alongside rising star Dan Harper in a
Century Motorsport BMW M4 GT3. He currently lies
third in the World Endurance Championship LMGT3
standings with WRT, though the 37-year-old faces a
JEP
stern challenge going it alone in the GT Sprint contest.
TEAM UK MOTORSPORT GAMES
SRO / KEVIN PECKS

KA RTIN G
KARTING SPRINT JUNIOR
JORGE EDGAR
The 14-year-old will represent the UK in the
Karting Sprint Junior category, following
in the footsteps of his sister Jess, who
competed in the 2019 FIA Motorsport Games.
Edgar was one of a field of 112 drivers at the
recent FIA Karting World Championship
in the OK-Junior class, and was the 2021
British IAME Cadet Open Champion.
KARTING MINI KARTING ENDURANCE

AUSTIN GIBSON TEAM TITAN
Gibson will be joining the team in Rhianna Purcocks, 2023 British University
the Karting Mini discipline, following Karting Championships Graduate Drivers’
a successful year in the 2023 British champion, will be competing as part of
Kart Championships, where he took the Team Titan, alongside brothers Jack and
Water Swift Restricted title in a field of Andy O’Neill in the Karting Endurance
nine 8-12-year-olds. He was also awarded division. This is Purcocks’s second
Kartmaster Champion. It will be interesting time competing in the FIA Motorsport
to see how the promising 10-year-old Games, and she also has experience
stacks up in a competitive field. in the Club 100 series.
Touring Car contest could

provide a medal chance
for Brickley (below)
SRO / NICO DEUMILLE
GT SINGLE-MAKE (FERRARI) TOURING CAR

JEP
JEP
JAMES OWEN JENSON BRICKLEY

Owen began competing in motorsport in 2023 Brickley will be joining the team in the Touring Car
and has completed two seasons of the Ferrari discipline, competing in his Cupra Leon VZ TCR.
Challenge Europe series. Last year he dominated Following in his father Ian’s footsteps, Brickley
at Silverstone’s GT Cup round in the GTC class, scored successes in short-oval competition, then
with his Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo cruising Fiesta Junior before graduating to TCR. He was
to victory in all four races. The 35-year-old third in the UK last season and is currently
Welshman is keen to continue on his success leading the TCR Spain standings. Brickley
in Valencia as Team UK’s Ferrari specialist. works on his own car during race weekends.
FORMULA 4 DRIFTING
RELAY FILM CO
REZA SEEWOORUTHUN LWI EDWARDS

Currently in his second year of the Motorsport UK Drifting has grown massively over the years, and
Academy, an opportunity to try out karting during Edwards will be competing in his 1997 BMW E36
a family holiday piqued Seewooruthun’s interest. Coupe, fitted with a Magnuson supercharger-
He was third in Ginetta Junior in 2023, helped by a equipped Chevrolet LSX376 V8 engine. His family
hat-trick of wins at Brands Hatch. He then stepped has a background in rallying, so going sideways is
into single-seaters this year, winning two races very familiar to Edwards, and the 16-year-old has
and finishing third in British F4 with Hitech. He had their full support as he continues to make an
should therefore be pretty familiar with the impression on the British drifting scene – last year,
Tatuus machinery he’ll race at Valencia. he won the Motorsport UK Drift Pro Championship.
MOTORSPORT GAMES TEAM UK
RA L LY IN G
RALLY 2
OLLIE MELLORS AND IAN WINDRESS
Derbyshire-based driver Mellors returns to
compete for the second time in the Games,
alongside older brother Ben. Ollie, 29, took
the second Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker
Rally win of his career this year, overcoming
tricky conditions. He has racked up plenty of
experience – and class wins – in his Proton
Iriz R5 in recent years, chiefly in the UK but
has also competed in France. He will once
again share with Windress.
HISTORIC RALLY
BEN MELLORS AND ALEX LEE
The older Mellors brother will
compete in his rare 1979 Toyota
Celica GT RA40, buoyed by a recent
win at the Rallye Vosges Grande.
Mellors, Lee and the rear-wheel-
drive Toyota should be a potent
combination and could improve
on Team UK’s fifth in 2022, but
that was an event dominated
by a 4WD Audi Quattro…
AU TO S LALOM
MARK KING AND TESSA WHITTOCK
King will compete in the FIA Motorsport Games for a
second time. He finished seventh in the Auto Slalom at
the 2022 edition in Marseille, despite it being his first time
competing in a left-hand-drive vehicle. King emerged as
the fastest driver in three out of the four sessions in which
Team UK participated. He will join forces with Whittock,
a renowned drifter, who is making the transition to the
Auto Slalom to fly the British flag.
TEAM UK MOTORSPORT GAMES
HISTORIC RALLY GRAVEL TEAM FLEXIFLY

Ernie Graham and his co-driver daughter Anna will compete in
the Historic Rally Gravel in their Ford Escort RS. Their team, which
has also run a BMW M3, has a history of success abroad, having
proved competitive during the 2019 FIA European Historic
Sporting Rally Championship, held in Rome.
HISTORIC RALLY TARMAC TEAM FLEXIFLY

James Potter and co-driver Tim Sayer are the UK representatives
in the Historic Rally Tarmac section. Sayer, with Ernie Graham
in the driving seat, won the Historic Class in the 2017 Donegal
International Rally in a Ford Escort Mk2.
Auto Slalom could be

another strong event
for Team UK this year
SRO / KEVIN PECKS
E S P O RTS
GT
KIERAN PRENDERGAST
The Rocket Simsport and
Brabham Motorsport driver will
compete in the new GT Category.
FIA F4
MATT CARUANA
Multiple Esports champion
Caruana will race in F4, in which
he has been a frontrunner before.
K R I S T E N S E N A N D B R O W N AT E S T O R I L C L A S S I C S
GROWING OLD
GR ACEFULLY
What do a Le Mans legend and an F1 team boss do on a spare weekend?
For Tom Kristensen and Zak Brown, it means a trip to Estoril
to race some United Autosports-run classics
G A R Y W AT K I N S
EMIDIO COPETO
he last time Tom Kristensen raced a Porsche, he put

down a marker in the sand. His performance at the
T 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours aboard Joest Racing’s WSC95
LMP on the way to a debut victory with Michele
Alboreto and Stefan Johansson gave more than a hint
of what was to come over a stellar career at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
A string of fastest laps culminating in a new lap record, during what
at the time was an unprecedented quadruple stint in the night,
made the world sit up and take notice. Now he’s behind the wheel of
a very different kind of Porsche but, 10 years on from the end of his
contemporary racing career, he shows the old magic is still there.
This particular German machine isn’t a prototype and is loosely
based on a 911 road car. And the thing has a roof and an engine
that’s slung out the back. It’s a Porsche 935 IMSA GTX class racer,
the tubeframe JLP-3 commissioned in 1981 by John Paul Sr, the
car in which his namesake son anchored victory in the 1982 IMSA
Camel GT Championship. The car is owned by McLaren Racing
CEO Zak Brown, who is Kristensen’s team-mate at the Peter
Auto-run Estoril Classics weekend earlier this month.
EMIDIO COPETO
Kristensen and Brown
“It looked like it could dry out and celebrate podium finish
I immediately felt staying on slicks

was the right thing to do”
Kristensen is strapped into the Porsche, run by the historic
arm of the United Autosports team that Brown co-owns with
Richard Dean, and about to leave for the dummy grid for the
Classic Endurance Racing II event when there’s a return of the
rain from a qualifying session in which the car had ended up only
15th in the aggregate times: the 935 wasn’t out on the circuit when
conditions are at their driest. “It looked like it could dry out and
I immediately felt staying on slicks was the right thing to do,”
says Kristensen. What follows proves him right.
At the end of the opening lap of the race for GT cars built between
1975 and 1981 and prototypes from 1972 to 1981, Kristensen is up to
WALTER BRAMCO
11th. Three laps later, he’s fourth. Progress is halted by a safety car Kristensen’s canny tyre
before it’s time for Brown to take his turn. Our famous duo end up call aided progress
13th and third in the GT2 class, their trip onto the podium aided by a through the field
late retirement ahead of them. A bit more green-flag running and
CLASSIC COLLECTION’S WINNING PEDIGREE

It’s been done since, and on more occasions car that helped John Paul Jr to the IMSA GTP he needed a McLaren F1 car in a stable now
than you might think, but the Porsche 935 title has a place in Brown’s collection of 40-odd looked after at United by Paul Haigh.
that Kristensen drove at Estoril did it first! That racing cars. That roster of machinery once “It’s one of the reasons why the M28 went,”
accolade was winning the Daytona 24 Hours included a 1979 McLaren-Cosworth M28: it says Brown. “I also had Michael Schumacher’s
and the Sebring 12 Hours outright in the same was what then team boss Ron Dennis offered a first podium F1 car [a Benetton-Ford 191B that
year. JLP-3’s successes in 1982 explain why a dozen or so years ago when Brown suggested he raced at the start of 1992]. It was a great
thing, but it wasn’t a winner. My number one
Capri was a winner, but collecting criteria is that I will not have a car in
not in Lauda’s hands my collection, regardless of what it is or who
drove it, unless it won at least once in period.”
The ‘Cologne’ Capri fits the bill. Yes it was
raced by Niki Lauda in the 1974, but it was a
winner in others’ hands. It notched up a pair
of victories in the final two rounds of the ETC
EMIDIO COPETO
at Zandvoort and Jarama with Jochen Mass,

Rolf Stommelen and Klaus Ludwig among the
drivers, while the last-named also won in the
German DRM tin-top series at Hockenheim.
EMIDIO COPETO
WALTER BRAMCO
Porsche is run by United Kristensen relishes chance
Autosports’ historic arm to drive “such great cars”
without the penalty that comes with having a multiple Le Mans of the governing body’s World Motor Sport Council, a Formula 1
winner in your car, and they would be further up the order. The TV commentator and an ambassador for Audi, the manufacturer
United Porsche has to sit stationary for 20 seconds at its stop with which he notched up seven of his record-breaking nine
for having what is termed an elite driver. victories at Le Mans. The Dane, now 57, is not just driving the
“I’d never driven a car like that before,” says Kristensen, whose Porsche, he’s also turning out in another of the machines from
historic exploits date back beyond his Goodwood Revival debut in Brown’s mouthwatering collection looked after by United. He gets
2010 – he raced a Mini Cooper in the Copenhagen Historic Grand to drive a Ford ‘Cologne’ Capri RS3100 in the Heritage Touring Cup.
Prix as long ago as 1998. “You have to nail it on the brakes and then Double the joy, he thinks. “They’re both such great cars,” says
turn in as you trail brake into the corner. If you come off the brakes Kristensen. “Just proper, and so much fun to drive.”
before you start thinking about turning in, it picks up a bit of Kristensen stars, too, in the tin-top race in one of Ford’s Group 4
understeer. The car definitely worked in those conditions with homologation specials built for the 1974 European Touring Car
the weight out over the rear axle – we know 911s like it when Championship. He again makes rapid progress through the field
it rains. I was able to pass quite a few prototypes that were from a lowly grid position: the team has been saving its new set
struggling a bit more than me on slicks.” of wet-weather tyres for the race. Only Kristensen isn’t using them:
This is an away day for Kristensen, who in current times is slicks, he reckons, are the better option, an opinion not shared by
variously president of the FIA Drivers’ Commission and a member the majority of the field in the race for touring cars built between
EMIDIO COPETO
Daytona Classic outing could
VIAPLAY
be on the cards for Kristensen
FORMER TOP TESTER 1966 and 1984. Kristensen again finishes the opening lap in 11th
position from 18th on the grid and the upward progress continues
BACK IN AN F1 CAR despite having to pump the brakes. The Capri is third when it pits,
though it goes no further. A front calliper seal has popped: it’s game
Tom Kristensen’s Estoril foray wasn’t the first opportunity he over. “It was one of the classic cases of a one-quid part failing,”
got this year to sample one of Zak Brown’s cars. The first came groans Brown. “It’s a shame because Tom did an amazing job
a few weeks earlier at the Red Bull Ring aboard something to hang on in those first laps. It was definitely a wet track at the
a bit more up to date and not from Brown’s personal fleet, start and he was one of about three drivers of 30 to go for slicks.”
when he got back behind the wheel of a contemporary Kristensen and Brown go back a long way, but not quite as far as
Formula 1 car after an absence of a quarter of a century. Kristensen and Dean: they were contemporaries on the Japanese
The opportunity of a short run in a 2022 McLaren-Mercedes racing scene in the early 1990s. The Le Mans legend has driven cars
MCL36 came as part of the British team’s Testing for Previous from the Brown stable in the past, but never raced them. He’s been
Cars programme that more usually allows it to give young up the hill at the Goodwood Festival in a Cosworth-powered Lotus
drivers experience of near-contemporary F1 machinery 79 that Mario Andretti used on the way to taking the 1978 F1 drivers’
outside the strict rules on testing. The outing at the Red Bull title, when he shared the seat with its former occupant in 2021.
Ring (above) came at Brown’s suggestion after a random They took alternate runs that weekend in the Lotus and the
interjection at the end of last year when Kristensen was
interviewing in his F1 TV role.
“All of a sudden Zak interrupts me, and asks, ‘Tom, when
was the last time you tested a modern F1 car?’ It stopped me
“It was one of the classic cases of a
in my tracks a little bit. I said it was a long time ago, 23 years one-quid part failing. It’s a shame
to be exact. Straight away he said, ‘We need to change that’.”
Kristensen never raced in F1, but he did accrue as many as because Tom did an amazing job”
10,000km for Michelin as it geared up for its return to grand
prix racing in 2001, first in a Williams and then a Stewart.
Brown stuck to his word, and then some. “It was a proper Lola-Chevrolet T332 Formula 5000 in which Andretti scored
test,” smiles Kristensen. “I went to Woking to have a go in the seven wins across 1974 and 1975 in North America.
simulator and have a proper seat fitting.” And, of his runs The opportunity to actually race a couple of Brown’s cars came
in the car, “they were enough to get me out of breath”. up at the Imola World Endurance Championship round in April.
Kristensen was suggesting to old mucker Dean that he had the
“perfect life”: running a top-line sportscar team competing on
multiple fronts around the world, and getting the chance on his
weekends off to race some wonderful machinery with Brown.
“Deany said he wasn’t so sure,” recalls Kristensen. “He explained
he’s working flat-out, perhaps a bit too much now he’s running the
McLarens in LMGT3 in the WEC. Then he said, ‘You should come
and drive some of Zak’s cars. Estoril is right before Petit Le Mans
[last weekend’s final round of the IMSA SportsCar Championship
in which United competes in LMP2], so I’m going to be pretty busy.’
He dropped a line to Zak with the idea there and then, and he
came straight back: the message read ‘Make it happen!’”
That explains how Kristensen has ended up at Estoril. But it may
not be the last time we see him in a United-run car. Despite his
storied career, he never got to race at the Daytona International
Speedway in the big North American 24-hour enduro. Brown
and United have already discussed putting that right next year in
the end-of-season historic extravaganza. “Tom and I talked about
doing the Daytona Classic because he’s never raced at that track,”
EMIDIO COPETO
says Brown. “We could pop up together there depending on our

schedules.” And Brown’s weapon of choice? It would almost
certainly be his 1989 Jaguar XJR-10 twin-turbo IMSA GTP racer.
R A C E C E N T R E B AT H U R S T 1 0 0 0
Kostecki throws them

all under the Erebus
The reigning Supercars champion was totally dominant
in the big one – the Bathurst 1000 – with Todd Hazelwood
PHIL BRANAGAN
t takes 161 laps to win a Bathurst 1000. In the 2024

edition of the Great Race, Brodie Kostecki did much
I of the heavy lifting to take his maiden Bathurst win
in the space of 161 seconds.
On Saturday evening, Kostecki used 125.5 of those
seconds to plant Erebus Motorsport’s Chevrolet Camaro squarely
on pole position for the second consecutive year. On Sunday
morning, he leapt away well enough to lead the field up Mountain
Straight and, 30 seconds into the race, turned in at the circuit’s
second corner, Griffin’s Bend, firmly in the lead. Before the end
of the lap, Kostecki had to shrug off a half-challenge from Richie
Stanaway at The Chase but, from that point on, he and co-driver
Todd Hazelwood hit their marks and watched as the race for
second-best unfolded in their rear-view mirror.
The winning margin of 1.35s falls far short of demonstrating the
level of the pair’s domination of the race, but a look at the lap chart season-opening round when Kostecki stepped aside for two
certainly doesn’t. The #87 Triple Eight Chevrolet, piloted by Will rounds, was not the fastest of the co-drivers all week (he was
Brown and Scott Pye, led four laps – or rather, on four separate fourth and ninth in the two dedicated pre-event co-driver practice
occasions it led one lap. To stay out of the way of the team’s other car sessions). But he was when it counted on Sunday, and did not make
and thereby avoid having to ‘stack’ at pitstops, it was pitted a lap any mistakes worth mentioning on the way to his first Bathurst
later than most of the frontrunners, so it took the lead on laps 28, 57, win – in fact, his first win in any Supercars race beyond Super2.
86 and 115, after Erebus pitted its leading car. Every other lap – all Their track position and strategy were underlined by a
157 of them – was led by the #1 with either Kostecki or Hazelwood remarkable race in which no safety cars featured in the first 132
at the wheel, and the gap was often as much as 16s. laps, locking the leaders into their pit windows. As if to further
Such an emphatic performance was framed by a perfect storm cement the teams’ strategies, a first-time regulation required all
of unusual circumstances, one of which is, even when he is feeling 26 ‘primary’ drivers to start the race, meaning that for much of
unwell (as he was at Mount Panorama), Kostecki is pretty darn the going, lead drivers were racing lead drivers and co-drivers
fast. He set the race’s second fastest lap, a scant 0.015s slower than were racing co-drivers. With only one retirement in the race, any
the best set by Triple Eight’s Broc Feeney (on the same lap, 142). mistakes were punished severely and, when teams did slip up,
Hazelwood, who raced the Erebus Camaro at Bathurst’s there was little or no chance to go off strategy and make up for
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: HORSBURGH/EDGE PHOTOGRAPHICS /MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Feeney took second with …while sister Brown/Pye

Triple 8 chief Whincup… car led during pitstops
“Such an emphatic performance
was framed by a perfect storm
of unusual circumstances”
lost time. That meant track position was king – and Kostecki
and Hazelwood held that all race long.
To put the lack of safety cars in perspective, last year’s
race featured three; the average over the past 10 1000km
races is six; and the last race to feature none was in 1991.
As a demonstration of how close the fuel windows were,
the final dash to the chequered flag was carefully managed by
a number of the teams, and best of all by Kostecki, who saw
the chequered and his low fuel alarm at the same time. Slightly Kostecki takes Aussie-
further back others were less fortunate; Stanaway ran out style drink from a shoe
of fuel on the final lap, dropping him three places to finish
ninth in the Grove Racing Ford he shared with Dale Wood.
Feeney and co-driver (and team co-owner) Jamie Whincup by a convincing margin – when the session was red-flagged after
finished second, and Brown and Pye third, the Chevrolet teams Will Davison cannoned the Dick Johnson Racing Ford into the wall
sweeping the podium. At one point Erebus and Triple 8 had the at The Esses. At the moment the session was frozen, Feeney was
rare feat of filling the top five places between them, with Jack perhaps 50 metres short of completing his lap; another second and
Le Brocq/Jayden Ojeda (Erebus) and Craig Lowndes/Cooper he would have been on provisional pole rather than Matt Payne.
Murray (in T8’s wildcard) within sight of the podium finishers, And as the last man to start the top 10 shootout on Saturday,
before the latter two were delayed by a slow pitstop (Le Brocq) Feeney might have been able to beat Kostecki to pole.
and a restart penalty (Murray). As things went, Cameron Waters was the best of the Ford
Feeney chased hard but could not get onto Kostecki’s tail, even Mustang drivers in fourth, after starting from the front row of
though both thought the T8 Chevy was slightly faster as the clouds the grid. In a busy week for the Ford teams, with a change to
covered the track in the final laps. In third place, Brown rued the camshaft specification immediately prior to the race after
a lack of outright speed, and had to content himself with an a rash of recent failures, the Tickford car looked to be closest to
extended championship points lead. the Chevrolets for pace, but Waters’s cause was set back when he
But for one second on Friday afternoon, things might have been speared up an escape road while placed third on lap 23, dropping
different. Feeney was on his way to provisional pole position – and him to 10th, from where the team had to play catch-up.
R A C E C E N T R E B AT H U R S T 1 0 0 0
The other Ford to feature in the top six for much of the race
was that of Chaz Mostert/Lee Holdsworth, the 2021 race-winning
combination never quite distilling the speed out of the Walkinshaw
Andretti United Mustang to challenge for the podium positions.
After a podium finish at Sandown last month, James Golding/David
Russell finished sixth in the PremiAir Racing Chevrolet, ahead
of Anton De Pasquale/Tony D’Alberto (Dick Johnson Racing).
Many of the other contenders never got the opportunity to
recover from their setbacks. Fastest in Friday qualifying, Payne
had a high-speed off during the Sunday morning warm-up and the
“It’s not often that 14th place

Waters and Moffat
is worthy of a mention, but were top Ford crew
home, in fourth
in this race it should be”
Grove Mustang was quickly repaired, but it was his missed shift and co-driver Warren Luff to soldier on as best they could.
that prompted a crash that provoked the only safety car of the It’s not often that 14th place is worthy of a mention, but in
race. Andre Heimgartner and Declan Fraser looked to have top-six this race it should be. After Lowndes picked up places steadily
potential, but the Kiwi dropped to 10th in his first Bathurst shootout in his opening stint, Murray was truly impressive, looking just
when he ran wide at the first corner, and any chance to make up as comfortable running against the full-time drivers as he did
ground vanished at the first pitstop when the Brad Jones Racing at Sandown last month, and was firmly in the fight for sixth.
crew only managed to get 20 litres of fuel into the Chevrolet (about His pitlane penalty was for a silly error, but it will do little
100 shy of what was intended) due to fuel in the return hose. The to diminish the smiles on the faces at Erebus Motorsport,
duo finished 16th after a particularly meritorious performance which has him under contract to replace Kostecki for 2025.
from Fraser, who had found out that in his absence, all his It’s probable that Triple Eight and Brown will wrest the title from
possessions had been destroyed in a fire at his Gold Coast home. Erebus and Kostecki. But in a season that began with the biggest
One of the other fancied runners, David Reynolds, had any controversy Supercars has known for some time – the reigning
hopes of a top six result derailed early. After his qualifying crash champion declining to drive for the team with which he had won
set his Team 18 Chevy back on the grid, he suffered flat-spotted the crown – Kostecki, Hazelwood and Erebus will accept a deserving
tyres early in the race and dropped to last, leaving the 2017 winner Bathurst 1000 victory, especially one won in such emphatic style.
EX PE R IE NC ED HANDS COME A CROP P ER BEFORE THE RAC E
An irony of Bathurst 2024, the fastest 1000 While those drivers were not alone, what specification, both slower and harder to
in history with a single retirement, was the was notable was that all had more than drive than were the Gen2s.
amount and severity of crash damage prior a decade’s experience. So why were they As a result the fastest Supercar lap of the
to the race. Within the space of 24 hours crashing? A common thought seemed to be weekend actually came in Super2 qualifying,
on Thursday and Friday, Scott Pye, David the combination of the Fords and Chevrolets Aaron Cameron doing a 2m04.7010s in
Reynolds and Will Davison crashed hard in and the current Dunlop control tyre. The Gen3 a three-year-old Kelly Racing Gen2 Ford
either practice or qualifying, prompting their cars are intentionally designed to have far Mustang. That was 0.8s better than Brodie
teams to perform late-night (or all-night) less grip and in-car adjustability than their Kostecki managed in the top 10 shootout.
repairs to badly damaged cars. predecessors so they are, by definition and Another factor impacting all this was
that last year, when the Gen3 cars made
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: HORSBURGH/EDGE PHOTOGRAPHICS /MOTORSPORT IMAGES
their Bathurst debut, they were raced on

the softer and grippier of Dunlop’s tyres.
So, on the harder tyre this year, drivers
were facing something of an unknown.
Five-time Bathurst victor Garth Tander
mused that some drivers might have been still
thinking of the previous generation Supercar.
“Hard tyre, low downforce,” he said. “Everyone
has probably still got a lot of muscle memory
from that hard tyre from the Gen2 car.”
The closest qualifying session in the race’s
It wasn’t just the old history featured the top six split by 0.14s over
blokes. Payne puts it in a 3.9-mile lap and the top four covered by
the wall at The Cutting about one metre. No wonder the drivers
were pushing so hard for every single metre.
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There’s a reason why

this track is so revered…
RESULTS BATHURST 1000, AUSTRALIAN SUPERCARS ROUND 10/12, MOUNT PANORAMA (AUS), 13 OCTOBER (161 LAPS – 621.552 MILES)
POS DRIVERS TEAM / CAR TIME TOP 10 SHOOTOUT
1 Brodie Kostecki (AUS) Todd Hazelwood (AUS) Erebus Motorsport / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 5h58m03.0649s 1 Kostecki 2m05.5119s; 2 Waters
2m05.6429s; 3 Feeney 2m05.8618s;
2 Broc Feeney (AUS) Jamie Whincup (AUS) Triple Eight Race Engineering / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +1.3496s
4 Stanaway 2m05.9286s; 5 Brown
3 Will Brown (AUS) Scott Pye (AUS) Triple Eight Race Engineering / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +13.6404s 2m06.1625s; 6 Le Brocq 2m06.1827s;
4 Cameron Waters (AUS) James Moffat (AUS) Tickford Racing / Ford Mustang S650 +15.1169s 7 Payne 2m06.2373s; 8 De Pasquale
2m06.2385s; 9 Mostert 2m06.5411s;
5 Chaz Mostert (AUS) Lee Holdsworth (AUS) Walkinshaw Andretti United / Ford Mustang S650 +15.8428s
10 Heimgartner 2m15.1206s.
6 James Golding (AUS) David Russell (AUS) PremiAir Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +17.5856s
7 Anton De Pasquale (AUS) Tony D’Alberto (AUS) Dick Johnson Racing / Ford Mustang S650 +26.7384s QUALIFYING Payne 2m05.6452s;
8 Jack Le Brocq (AUS) Jayden Ojeda (AUS) Erebus Motorsport / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +29.7233s Waters 2m05.6512s; Feeney
2m05.6565s; Kostecki 2m05.6646s;
9 Richie Stanaway (NZL) Dale Wood (AUS) Grove Racing / Ford Mustang S650 +32.2044s
Brown 2m05.7663s; Mostert
10 Cameron Hill (AUS) Cameron Crick (AUS) Matt Stone Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +33.6141s 2m05.7888s; Heimgartner
11 Tom Randle (AUS) Tyler Everingham (AUS) Tickford Racing / Ford Mustang S650 +34.4170s 2m05.9268s; Le Brocq 2m05.9775s;
De Pasquale 2m05.9942s; Stanaway
12 Will Davison (AUS) Kai Allen (AUS) Dick Johnson Racing / Ford Mustang S650 +34.9590s
2m06.1052s; 11 Golding
13 Macauley Jones (AUS) Jordan Boys (AUS) Brad Jones Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +40.2488s 2m06.1581s; 12 Hill 2m06.1681s;
14 Craig Lowndes (AUS) Cooper Murray (AUS) Triple Eight Race Engineering / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +55.9923s 13 Percat 2m06.1788s; 14 R Wood
2m06.2512s; 15 Evans 2m06.2532s;
15 Ryan Wood (NZL) Fabian Coulthard (NZL) Walkinshaw Andretti United / Ford Mustang S650 +1m14.0957s
16 Davison 2m06.2801s; 17 Jones
16 Andre Heimgartner (NZL) Declan Fraser (AUS) Brad Jones Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +1m47.7824s
2m06.5656s; 18 Murray 2m06.5881s;
17 Nick Percat (AUS) Dylan O’Keeffe (AUS) Matt Stone Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +1m50.5959s 19 Randle 2m06.5956s; 20 Love
18 Mark Winterbottom (AUS) Michael Caruso (AUS) Team 18 / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +1m56.6408s 2m06.6722s; 21 Reynolds
2m06.6807s; 22 Winterbottom
19 Tim Slade (AUS) Cameron McLeod (AUS) PremiAir Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +1m58.6041s
2m06.7368s; 23 Courtney
20 Jaxon Evans (NZL) Dean Fiore (AUS) Brad Jones Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 +2m01.5311s 2m06.7475s; 24 Fullwood
21 James Courtney (AUS) Jack Perkins (AUS) Blanchard Racing Team / Ford Mustang S650 -1 lap 2m06.9160s; 25 Slade 2m06.9791s;
26 Chahda 2m07.9523s.
22 Bryce Fullwood (AUS) Jaylyn Robotham (AUS) Brad Jones Racing / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 -1 lap
23 Aaron Love (AUS) Aaron Cameron (AUS) Blanchard Racing Team / Ford Mustang S650 -1 lap CHAMPIONSHIP
24 David Reynolds (AUS) Warren Luff (AUS) Team 18 / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 -2 laps 1 Brown 2538; 2 Feeney 2334;
3 Mostert 2313; 4 Waters 2074;
25 Matt Chahda (AUS) Brad Vaughan (AUS) Matt Chahda Motorsport / Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 -15 laps
5 Golding 1718; 6 Payne 1659;
R Matt Payne (NZL) Garth Tander (AUS) Grove Racing / Ford Mustang S650 130 laps-accident 7 Percat 1548; 8 Randle 1543; 9 De
Winners’ average speed 104.155mph. Fastest lap Feeney 2m078610s, 108.696mph. Pasquale 1531; 10 Davison 1530.
WORLD OF SPORT
Van der Zande

snatches it
for Cadillac
PETIT LE MANS
ROAD ATLANTA (USA)
12 OCTOBER
IMSA SPORTSCAR ROUND 11/11
Last Saturday’s 27th edition of Petit Le Mans,

the 10-hour brainchild of the late Dr Don
Panoz, was truly a classic. It had everything:
a record-sized field (and crowd), intense
competition, excitement aplenty, precious
few yellow-flag interruptions, and a Cadillac came out
thrilling climax as Renger van der Zande top in late battle
performed a spectacular pass on Nick
Tandy’s Penske Porsche in Turn 1 with
15 minutes remaining to secure an merely seven minutes into the race advantage, since both the privateer Proton
incredible come-from-behind victory when IMSA’s monitoring system detected Porsche of Alessio Picariello and Blomqvist’s
for Chip Ganassi’s Cadillac Racing team. a “failure to adhere to the controlled Cadillac had not pitted and therefore
There was plenty of trepidation as a total powertrain parameters”. Ten minutes later, took the green flag directly in front of
of 53 cars lined up on a gorgeous autumn Sebastien Bourdais was called into the pits the Frenchman. Right behind, too, were
morning, especially given the context of last with what is termed a “mechanical black Colton Herta, in the #40 WTR Acura, and
year’s race, which ended behind the safety flag”. Engineers from the team and Cadillac the Ganassi Cadillac of Scott Dixon, both
car after a record 12 cautions. But after a trio worked feverishly and diligently – along desperate to get back on the lead lap. It
of relatively minor interruptions during the with IMSA’s technical personnel – to took a while, but both were able to achieve
first 100 minutes, there was only one more identify the problem, and were certainly their objective. Still, with half of the race
until just inside the final hour. The lack fortunate that the three early caution remaining, they would require assistance to
of cautions proved frustrating for a few periods ensured the car lost only one lap. truly get themselves back into contention.
potential contenders in the four classes, With both Cadillacs in catch-up mode, A drive-through penalty for Tandy after
who were unable to use their strategic the pair of Porsche Penske Motorsport 963s 242 laps following contact with an LMP2
nous to overcome some early issues. crewed by Tandy/Mathieu Jaminet/Kevin car proved to be but a minor inconvenience
Prime among them were the two Estre and Felipe Nasr/Dane Cameron/ as the fired-up Englishman charged hard
Cadillacs. Jack Aitken qualified the Matt Campbell took control, albeit unable to make up the lost ground.
Action Express-run Whelen car on pole to shake off the Wayne Taylor Racing With two hours remaining, the contest
and controlled the early stages until being with Andretti Acura ARX-06 of Filipe seemed to be boiling down to a straight
handed a penalty for overtaking under a Albuquerque/Ricky Taylor/Brendon Hartley. fight between the #6 Porsche and the
local yellow flag. The car fell off the lead The #7 Porsche of Nasr curiously did #10 Acura. The #7 Porsche also was in
lap after co-driver Tom Blomqvist also not make a pitstop at the first time of contention, albeit on a slightly different
incurred the wrath of race officials by asking during a caution immediately fuel strategy and having lost some time
inadvertently tipping Jesse Krohn’s after the four-hour mark. The ploy not with an off on cold tyres for Campbell
BMW into a spin at Turn 7. only precluded an opportunity for several immediately after a pitstop on lap 319.
Ganassi’s squad also experienced early rival teams to gain a lap back, but it Tandy took advantage of some traffic to
drama. The team thought it had rectified a also played into the hands of the sister nip past Taylor for the lead on lap 369. At
torque-sensor issue that had reared its head Porsche, which took the lead at the restart. this stage it was nip and tuck. Both leaders
during qualifying, but received a warning Estre, however, was unable to take full pitted together with 392 laps in the books
but, while the WTR Acura team managed
to release Taylor in the lead, the American
almost immediately became yet another
victim of cold Michelin tyres and slipped off
the road at Turn 3. Tandy was back in front.
The final caution was triggered when the
GTD Proton Ford Mustang of Corey Lewis
was left stranded in the road after heavy
LEVITT/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
contact on the exit of Turn 5. A huge group

of cars, including the overall leaders, were
forced to take evasive action in the darkness.
Acura lost its shot Taylor, unfortunately, collided with the
at victory thanks to stranded Ford, causing extensive damage
shunt with GTD car to the left-front corner of the Acura.
Van der Zande was the primary
POWERED BY
GALSTAD/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Tandy and co lost out
in fight for victory…
RESULTS PETIT LE MANS, ROAD ATLANTA (USA), 443 LAPS – 1125.22 MILES
GALSTAD/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
GTP
POS DRIVERS CAR TIME
1 Scott Dixon/Sebastien Bourdais/Renger van der Zande Cadillac V-Series.R 10h00m36.290s
2 Kevin Estre/Mathieu Jaminet/Nick Tandy Porsche 963 +2.948s
3 Matt Campbell/Felipe Nasr/Dane Cameron Porsche 963 +13.832s
4 Augusto Farfus/Philipp Eng/Jesse Krohn BMW M Hybrid V8 -1 lap
5 Tom Blomqvist/Jack Aitken/Pipo Derani Cadillac V-Series.R -1 lap

DOLE/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
6 Alessio Picariello/Bent Viscaal/Gianmaria Bruni Porsche 963 -2 laps
7 Colton Herta/Louis Deletraz/Jordan Taylor Acura ARX-06 -3 laps
8 Romain Grosjean/Andrea Caldarelli/Matteo Cairoli Lamborghini SC63 -13 laps
9 Brendon Hartley/Filipe Albuquerque/Ricky Taylor Acura ARX-06 405 laps-DNF
10 Maxime Martin/Nick Yelloly/Connor De Phillippi BMW M Hybrid V8 170 laps-DNF
LMP2 (435 LAPS)

Dixon (right) with
last-hour hero
van der Zande 1 Hunter McElrea/Mikkel Jensen/Steven Thomas ORECA-Gibson 07 10h01m12.942s
2 Josh Burdon/Felipe Fraga/Gar Robinson ORECA-Gibson 07 +17.097s
3 Connor Zilisch/Ryan Dalziel/Dwight Merriman ORECA-Gibson 07 +25.017s

beneficiary, his deficit of almost a lap
instantly erased. The Dutchman was on
a mission at the restart, especially after GTD PRO (413 LAPS)
losing out in the closing stages one year ago.
After 430 laps and with Tandy losing a little 1 Mirko Bortolotti/Jordan Pepper/Franck Perera Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 10h01m14.785s
momentum through the final corner, van 2 Alessandro Pier Guidi/Davide Rigon/Daniel Serra Ferrari 296 GT3 +2.361s
der Zande pulled of a breathtaking move
3 Roman De Angelis/Alex Riberas/Ross Gunn Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo +4.206s
to the inside at Turn 1. He was through.
And gone. “I was all in,” he said later.
“Win it or bin it. I’m just so overjoyed.” GTD (411 LAPS)
“This is the last big one that was missing
from our trophy case,” added team owner 1 Cedric Sbirrazzuoli/Albert Costa/Manny Franco Ferrari 296 GT3 10h01m47.779s
Ganassi, reflecting upon several near 2 Devlin DeFrancesco/Loris Spinelli/Misha Goikhberg Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 +0.718s
misses in the endurance classic – and in his
3 Aaron Telitz/Parker Thompson/Frankie Montecalvo Lexus RC F GT3 -1 lap
team’s final race with Cadillac, which will
switch allegiance to WTR/Andretti in 2025.
Penske Porsche gained solace with …while team-mates
Nasr/Cameron winning both the overall Cameron (left) and Nasr
GTP crown and Michelin Endurance Cup. beat them to GTP crown
The other classes also provided
tremendous excitement, with Steven
Thomas/Hunter McElrea/Mikkel Jensen
scooping LMP2 honours for TDS Racing,
Franck Perera/Mirko Bortolotti/Jordan
Pepper topping the GTD Pro field in their
HOCH ZWEI/PORSCHE
Iron Lynx Lamborghini, and the Conquest

Racing Ferrari of Manny Franco/Albert
Costa/Cedric Sbirrazzuoli securing their
first GTD win by less than a second.
JEREMY SHAW
Auer chases
Baert’s Aston and
Goethe’s McLaren late
on, but fourth was
enough for title
Engel finally gets his finest Auer
SRO/JEP
GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE benefit wouldn’t be seen as over 50 minutes It was dismissed, but the Belgian squad has
SPRINT CUP of the hour were run behind the safety car. pledged to appeal the stewards’ decision.
BARCELONA (ESP) Polesitter Patrick Kujala (Barwell So with Engel and Auer third and Weerts
12-13 OCTOBER Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan) led and Vanthoor ninth (sixth in class), it
ROUND 5/5 to Turn 1, where Reece Barr’s Mercedes was advantage Mercedes for day two.
squeezed Dylan Pereira’s Audi, the two Again the BMW struggled and Engel
Maro Engel and Lucas Auer triumphed colliding and the R8 LMS GT3 catching fire. (who had outqualified Weerts) kept out
at the Circuit de Catalunya to secure GT Cue a long safety car period that was then of trouble in the opening stint, led by
World Challenge Europe title honours in compounded by heavy rain falling and cars polewinner Patric Niederhauser (Rutronik
a weekend where atypical Spanish weather aquaplaning. The safety car therefore stayed Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R). Sven Muller
wreaked havoc for the opening race of the out all through the pit window, at which kept the Porsche ahead in the second stint,
much-vaunted championship showdown. point Max Gotz (Boutsen VDS Mercedes) escaping from the pack as behind him
Engel and Auer arrived in Spain two headed for wet-weather tyres whereas most Nicolas Baert (in for Mattia Drudi) kept
points behind triple Sprint Cup champions had already done so. So Gotz gained a free his Comtoyou Aston Martin Vantage GT3
Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts, whose pitstop and Jules Gounon brought the car to ahead of a charging Benji Goethe (for Tom
Team WRT-run BMW M4 GT3 struggled the flag ahead after just five minutes of real Gamble) aboard the Garage 59 McLaren
for pace in qualifying. Vanthoor could racing to take the win, his first in Sprint 720S GT3. Fourth sat Auer, heading for
only manage 18th whereas title rival Cup and the first also for the team. the title, Vanthoor seventh with WRT
Auer bagged third in the Winward Racing The shouting began during the race, unimpressed with their BoP. “It seems like
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo and the usual since the regulations say that the pit the championship was decided before we
Balance of Performance grumbles began. window will be delayed if the safety car got here…” said Weerts before the start.
The BMWs were given an adjustment for is on track and this was not done, so an “I’ve come close before,” said Engel, who
the opening race, shedding 15kg, but the angry Team WRT protested the result. lost the 2019 title on a tie-break, “so this
is really special.” It was also a maiden Pro
Niederhauser and Muller title for American-based Winward Racing.
cruised home on Sunday After a first-lap puncture in race two
scuppered the hopes of Lucas Legeret and
Simon Gachet for the Gold Cup crown with
their CSA Racing Audi, fellow Audi crew
Max Hofer and Luca Engstler wrapped up
the title in their debut GTWCE season. Team
WRT’s Calan Williams took the Silver Cup
gold with the help of new co-driver Sean
Galael, who drove a good stint on Sunday
to assist the Australian. In Bronze, Dan
Harper guided Darren Leung’s Paradine
Competition BMW M4 to the crown, as
Dustin Blattner and Dennis Marschall added
SRO/JEP
to Rutronik’s joy with a class win in the race.

DAVID ADDISON
WORLD OF SPORT RACE CENTRE
Jolly good Sho
ISHIHARA/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
claims a double
at Fuji for TOM’S
SUPER FORMULA
FUJI (JPN)
12-13 OCTOBER
ROUND 6/7
Sho Tsuboi put himself in the driving seat

for this year’s Super Formula title with
a double victory last weekend at Fuji.
TOM’S driver Tsuboi arrived at Fuji
14.5 points behind championship leader Tsuboi leads Makino
Tomoki Nojiri, and seized the initiative by early doors on Sunday
becoming the first driver to win two races
in a single weekend since Andre Lotterer in
2011, making it three victories from three passing the Red Bull junior with ease. car and was then disqualified when
at Fuji this year. He therefore goes to the As Nojiri struggled for pace and slipped his Honda-powered Nakajima Racing
Suzuka finale next month 14.5 points to sixth, Kamui Kobayashi (KCMG) came car was found to be underweight.
clear of nearest rival Tadasuke Makino, through for his first Super Formula podium Nojiri suffered a dismal race in
with Nojiri third, a further two behind. since 2019 in third. eighth, two places behind Iwasa, who
In Saturday’s opener, Tsuboi battled Tsuboi grabbed his first pole of the year recovered from 12th on the grid to sixth
his Toyota-powered Dallara forward from on Sunday, and spent the race fending off after a track-limits infraction cost him
seventh on the grid, doing much of the the other Toyota-engined KCMG car of his best lap in qualifying.
hard work in the first three laps to fight his Nirei Fukuzumi, who had topped Saturday Nyck de Vries bowed out of Super
way up to second, between Team Mugen qualifying only to slump to fifth in the Formula with two 11th-place finishes for
Honda-engined pair Nojiri and Ayumu race after making a poor start. Makino Team Impul, losing a chance of points in
Iwasa. Iwasa performed an undercut on (Dandelion Racing Honda) beat Ren Sato the second race when a five-second penalty
the lead pair by pitting on lap 10 of 41, but for the final podium spot, although Sato for making contact with Kenta Yamashita
Tsuboi was able to clear Nojiri by virtue of was later penalised for making light dropped him down from eighth.
an overcut before cruising up to Iwasa and contact with Makino behind the safety JAMIE KLEIN
WEEKEND WINNERS
Larson president of roval office GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE

SPRINT CUP
BARCELONA (ESP)
NASCAR CUP in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Race 1 Max Gotz/Jules Gounon (below)
Boutsen VDS (Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo)
CHARLOTTE (USA) But the real story was around the
Race 2 Patric Niederhauser/Sven Muller
13 OCTOBER playoffs’ elimination zone. Tyler Reddick Rutronik Racing (Porsche 911 GT3-R)
ROUND 32/36 needed a right-rear toelink replaced
during the second stage after colliding SUPER FORMULA
FUJI (JPN)
Kyle Larson was a dominant force with fellow Toyota driver (and his 23XI
Races 1 & 2 Sho Tsuboi
from the start of Sunday’s Round of 12 Racing boss) Denny Hamlin at Turn 7 in TOM’S (Dallara-Toyota)
elimination race at the Charlotte roval, an impact that sent Reddick’s car up off
passing polesitter Shane van Gisbergen the ground. On fresh tyres, he made a NASCAR CUP
early and later besting another road heroic charge in the closing laps, going CHARLOTTE (USA)
Kyle Larson
course ace, AJ Allmendinger, in the from 26th to 11th. That was enough to Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet Camaro)
final stages. From there, he held back take the car co-owned by Michael Jordan
Christopher Bell to collect his series- into the Round of 8, eliminating Team
SRO/JEP
leading sixth win of the 2024 season Penske’s Joey Logano.

The playoff fight didn’t quite end
NKP/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Larson’s sixth win with the chequered flag… Hours later,

of the season Alex Bowman’s Hendrick Chevy was
found to be underweight in post-race
inspection, leading to a disqualification
that stripped him of most of the points
he scored at the roval. Suddenly, he was
the driver eliminated from the playoffs
POWERED BY
along with Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric
and Chase Briscoe, allowing Logano
to move forward in his place.
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MOTORSPORT JOBS CLASSIFIEDS
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER GEARBOX TECHNICIAN

Haas F1 Team M-Sport UK
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is unique – on and off the track. We Operating a flourishing global motorsport business with state-of-
don’t follow the status quo and we’ve made a name for ourselves the-art facilities at home and winning performances around the
as the team who does things differently. You might’ve seen us on globe, M-Sport UK provide the engineering expertise behind an
Netflix or know that we’re the only American-owned team on the award-winning range of competition cars and has become an
Formula 1 grid, but we’re also more than that. industry leader with success across some of the industry’s most
General Summary: acclaimed motorsport series.
The position reports to the Chief Financial Officer or their The Role:
designee; is in Banbury, UK. The Financial Controller is responsible We have a new opportunity for a Gearbox Technician to be apart
for all accounting & financial reporting matters for the Haas F1 and strengthen our busy Transmissions team. Responsible for the
Team group entities. preparation and maintenance of high-performance transmission
General Responsibilities: units, our Gearbox Technicians develop skills across a range of
• Management of department personnel from recruitment, competition vehicles with the potential for international travel as
onboarding, employee engagement through to separation. part of our winning teams.
• Develops staff using effective performance reviews and The role responsibilities include:
development plans. • Working alongside our experienced technicians rebuilding
• Promotes teamwork and effective communications to develop top-specification transmissions units across all our projects.
working relationships between all personnel and departments. These include; Ford Puma, Fiesta, and Raptor.
• Responsible for establishing standard operating procedures to • Servicing customer transmissions systems for a variety of
maintain a functional department. high-performance competition vehicles.
• Assumes any responsibilities and duties delegated by the Chief • Working closely with our Transmissions Supervisor and
Financial Officer or their designee. Designers on technical issues identified and suggestions for
improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
• Building Transmissions units from technical drawings and
• Responsible for the end-to-end monthly financial close process
following the build procedures.
from planning to financial reporting. Working alongside the FP&A
team to ensure variances to budgets/forecasts are fully • Responsible to keep all build documents filled and up to date.
understood and explainable.
• Responsible for the timely completion of monthly reconciliation Closing Date: Friday 8th November
of all balance sheet accounts.
MOTORSPORT JOBS
To apply now visit www.motorsportjobs.com To apply now visit www.motorsportjobs.com
SENIOR EVENT COORDINATOR PROGRAMME PLANNER

McLaren Racing Mercedes F1 Team
Job description: At the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of
At McLaren Racing, we’re not just here to try to take the passionate and determined people work to design, develop,
chequered flag. We’re here to excite our fans, inspire our people manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World
and deliver for our partners. And we’re also committed to evolving Champion Lewis Hamilton and Grand Prix winner George Russell.
our sport, our industry, and our technology, too. Whether working in our Operations, Technical, Race or Business
Support functions, we are all in and aspire to build the greatest
Purpose of the Role:
team in the history of our sport.
You will join the Brand Experience team and sit within MTC
Every individual plays their part. No stone is left unturned in the
Experiences, reporting to the Manager, and be part of the team
chase for every tenth of a second. The history of our sport is long
that delivers brand experiences at the iconic McLaren Technology
and rich, and we are continuing our journey with renewed effort
Centre for our key stakeholders including Partners, the team, and
year on year. Record books remember the names of a few, but
guests. You will be involved in strategic projects and experiences
history is written by the many.
with end-to-end delivery of some truly world-class McLaren brand
experiences. About the Role:
Role Dimensions: A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Programme Planner
reporting to the Planning Manager, within our F1 Operations
This role requires a high volume of administration as well as being
Group.
on site for events in Woking. Whilst most events are pre-planned,
some are often very last minute, so flexibility and agility are key to Key Accountabilities/Duties:
this position. • Creating and managing integrated production plans for allocated
Personal Attributes: car areas.
• Team player with proven experience of working well within a • Working closely with key stakeholders to ensure the launch car is
team, as well as being able to manage own workload, taking supplied to the agreed specification and to the highest quality.
responsibility and ownership. • Enabling aggressive in-season development, recognising the role
• Proactive – thinking about the future and planning and preparing Operations plays in delivering lap-time to the car.
for what lies ahead. • Part quantities management aligned with inventory targets &
• Agile – Able to adapt in a fast-paced, high-pressure, ever- cost-cap requirements.
changing environment and think on your feet to make quick • Demand driven planning and clear communication to purchasing,
decisions. build and all other stakeholders.
• Accountability for the delivery of the programme for allocated
car areas.
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MOTORSPORT JOBS CLASSIFIEDS
MOTORSPORT ENGINEERING INTERN TYRE TECHNICIANS

MoTeC Nielson Racing
Company Description We are looking for experienced Tyre Technicians who can work
MoTeC Europe Ltd is a subsidiary of MoTeC Pty Ltd which is now a within our team, giving us a competitive advantage and who are
part of the Bosch Group. We operate across Europe in the service able to successfully deliver a race winning performance.
areas of motorsports, EV and hybrid, off-highway, marine and Main responsibilities include but are not limited to;
e-mobility. Responsible for handling all aspects of the team’s tyre / rim
Job Description operations.
As an Intern Motorsport Engineer within the team, you will be Working with the engineers to manage pressures event tyre
responsible for: strategy.
• Provide technical support for testing, calibration, and Ensure the correct operation of your cars TPMS sensors.
commissioning of developed ICE/EV/HEV control systems and To assist with the set up and set down of the garage and back of
associated documentation garage area on race events.
• and racetrack support
• Supporting the commercial processes and the acquisition of new Experience:
projects Previous experience in a tyre department at high level, either WEC,
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markets and customers Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Configuration and calibration of the core MoTeC product range
(ECU/VCU, display, power distribution, logging system etc) to be
If you would like to be considered for this role, please click Apply
used in ICE/EV/HEV applications
and submit your CV and cover letter
• Working on R&D topics for EV Programmes.
• Carrying out maintenance and repair activities on MoTeC
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Your future job offers you:
On offer is a competitive salary and pension contributions. We will
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Location:
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MOTORSPORT JOBS
PARTS SUPPLY HUB COORDINATOR TYRE PERFORMANCE ENGINEER

CUSTOMER PROJECTS Williams Racing
Red Bull Racing The company:
For many fans of Formula One, the sport exists between lights Williams’ core competencies are the design and development of
and chequered flag on a Sunday afternoon. It begins and ends racing cars to compete in the Formula One World Championship
with the exploits of the drivers on the track. But this is merely the We’re looking for an experienced trackside Tyre Performance
tip of the spear. Engineer to join our Strategy group! This rare opportunity will see
Job Description: you adding critical value into our race strategy and development
Red Bull Racing & Technology have an exciting opportunity to join in the following ways...
our championship winning team in the role of Parts Supply HUB • Delivering accurate feedback to drivers and engineering teams
Coordinator. The successful applicant will be responsible for to enhance performance, ensuring that all tyre related data is
coordinating parts supply to our customers, along with the communicated effectively.
distribution of new and serviced parts to and from events. • Collaborating with departments across engineering, coordinating
To be considered for this role, we require the following with design, tyre science, and trackside operations teams,
experience: ensuring clear communication, goal alignment, and the
achievement of test objectives.
• Proven parts control experience within a similar environment,
with logistics experience being preferable • Contributing to tool development and testing schedules (rig and
track).
• ERP and Lifing System knowledge is essential (Epicor and TLS
systems preferred, but not essential) • Being a primary point of contact between the tyre performance
and tyre science groups, driving collaboration in tool and model
• A committed and flexible attitude, working to rigid and
development and promoting the exchange of knowledge to
sometimes unsocial deadlines
continuously improve tyre performance.
• An excellent verbal and written communicator, being able to
• Reporting & Data Analysis: Providing objective and accurate
deliver concise and clear messaging to all levels within the team
reporting for managerial and technical forums, offering insights
• This role requires attendance to occasional races and events and data that drive short and long-term car development.
throughout the year therefore the ability and willingness to travel • Safety & Compliance: Ensuring that the car is safe, compliant
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At Red Bull Racing & Red Bull Technology we offer more than just while capitalising on competitive advantages through efficient
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British GT racer handed ban for outburst at officials
CLUB RACING O HISTORICS O F E AT U R E S
t so me o f th e most
We look back a
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Boardley retains CSCC includes Zolder British F4 dominator

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N AT I O N A L N E W S C L U B A U T O S P O R T
Ferguson handed six-week race ban

following Snetterton official outburst
BRITISH GT
Comments were made
British GT driver John Ferguson against race director
has received a racing ban for his at Snetterton in July
behaviour towards race director
Peter Daly at the end of the
Snetterton weekend in July.
The RAM Racing driver and owner
received a six-week ban with a further
six weeks suspended, which started on
the 26 September, and meant Ferguson
missed the Brands Hatch season
finale last month.
The punishment came after he and
co-driver Max Hesse, as well as RAM’s
GT4 entry, were disqualified from both
Snetterton races following team members
arguing that another competitor should
JEP
have been penalised for lapping traffic
under safety car conditions in race two.
Had the car – driven by Maximilian Ferguson allegedly accused race Heywood added: “Mr Ferguson could
Gotz and Kevin Tse – been penalised, control of “incompetence”, referencing have thought better of his behaviour;
the RAM GT3 pair would have taken Donington Park in May, when slick-tyred however, he posted a comment [online]
victory, but “Ferguson’s manner was cars skidded off at a wet Redgate and it accusing Mr Daly of incompetence and
agitated, loud and forceful”, according took 12 minutes for a red flag to appear of making rules up as he went along.
to a recent National Court report while a tractor recovered stricken cars. Worse still, he suggested that ‘everyone’
following a hearing on the matter. Mark Heywood, chair of the court felt the same way.”
panel, said: “He accused Mr Daly of The court report added that Ferguson
‘nearly killing people’ at an earlier round has now apologised for the incident,
at Donington Park and accused him of with the Irishman also ordered to pay
not knowing what he was doing. This a contribution of £5467 towards court
outburst followed on from another fees. “Referees speak highly of Mr
verbally abusive complaint made by Ferguson and his positive contributions
others associated with RAM Racing. to the sport,” concluded Heywood. “It
“Mr Daly responded, quite properly, makes Mr Ferguson’s behaviour even
that Mr Ferguson’s behaviour would be more disappointing, but we give him
reported. Mr Ferguson responded with credit for now admitting his fault.”
Ferguson missed a grossly offensive remark about where Autosport approached RAM Racing,
the British GT finale Mr Daly could stick the championship but the team declined to comment.
JEP
and then walked off.” ED HARDY
Gotz keen to continue in 2025

BRITISH GT But the pair finished “We’re in discussions for
outside of the top five in next year,” said the German,
Mercedes factory driver the other seven races, with who has also won Formula
Maximilian Gotz is planning such inconsistency denying BMW, ADAC GT Masters and
to continue in British GT in them a title challenge. Blancpain GT Sprint Series
2025 despite a mixed debut The final two rounds even crowns. “My calendar is
campaign this year. featured non-scores after already quite full, but I wish
The 2021 DTM champion Tse was involved in opening- to come back. I want to win
finished seventh in the lap collisions at Donington as many championships as
GT3 standings alongside Park and Brands Hatch. possible and it would be nice
Gotz and Tse took 2 Seas Motorsport co-driver Gotz is hoping for a more to have British GT on the list,
the victory at Spa Kevin Tse having won successful return in search so for sure it’s my intention.”
JEP
at Spa and Snetterton. of the fifth title of his career. ED HARDY
C L U B A U T O S P O R T N AT I O N A L N E W S
Fairclough to
graduate to
GB3 with Hitech
GB3
Reigning British Formula 4 champion

Deagen Fairclough will graduate to GB3
next season with the Hitech GP squad.
The 18-year-old claimed this year’s F4
crown with Hitech in dominant fashion and
with an event to spare after taking a season- Reigning British F4
record 14 wins from 30 races, all of which champion will be aiming
helped earn him a spot in the final four of the for another title in 2025
JEP
Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver

Award shootout later this month.
Fairclough’s bid to race in single-seaters come true. None of this would have been will be Thomas Bearman, younger brother
came after he won the 2022 edition of the possible without the support of firstly ROKiT of future Haas F1 driver Ollie. Bearman will
ROKiT Racing Star Esports competition, for and its Racing Star programme and now race in British F4 after making his debut in
which the prize was a fully funded season Hitech, who have prepared a fantastic car all the series at the last two rounds this season,
in British F4 for 2023. After finishing third season and provided the environment for me where he recorded a best result of 10th.
with JHR Developments, Fairclough moved to be able to perform and develop. “Racing with Deagen and Reza
across to Hitech for this year. “I’m proud that our success in the drivers’ [Seewooruthun] has been fantastic; it’s
Fairclough, who joins Nikita Johnson in cup helped them win the teams’ cup too. been great to watch and learn from them,”
Hitech’s GB3 line-up, said: “I’m thrilled to I can’t thank ROKiT and Hitech enough said Bearman. “They’ve set a high bar and
be taking the next step in my single-seater for the journey so far and their support for this experience of working with them has
career; 2024 has been an incredible season, me as I step up to GB3. I look forward to been really motivating. I can’t wait to get
one I’ll never forget. To win the British F4 rewarding their faith in me on the race track.” into winter testing now and the hard work
drivers’ title, and set a new record, is a dream Also joining Hitech’s ranks next season for next season starts there.”
Green wins Ginetta Junior Scholarship for 2025

GINETTA tests held at Blyton Park given such a good
Nephew of DTM last weekend and was opportunity,” said Green.
star will make car Fred Green, the nephew of joined by Rocco Coronel, “It’s massive for me to start
racing debut
DTM ace Jamie, has been son of tin-top ace Tom, my car racing career. The
selected as the next Ginetta Andy Consani, Lewis Goff scholarship has been such
Junior scholar after being and Noah Wolfe in making a competitive event and
chosen from a record-high the final. Green will now you can never be too
number of entrants. receive a fully-funded confident with how good
The 15-year-old season in the Ginetta everyone was, but I feel my
impressed in a series of series next year. hard work paid off and I’m
JEP
driving, media and fitness “I’m so happy to get over the moon to win.”
PALMOWSKI’S FE TEST
Multiple GB4 race winner Alisha
Single-seater series allows Palmowski will take part in Formula
for 15-year-olds to get E’s all-female test next month at
behind the wheel Valencia for Envision. The 18-year-
old took three wins and finished
runner-up in the drivers’ standings
during her maiden campaign in the
UK single-seater series for Elite
Motorsport. This also included
winning €30,000 for being the top
female driver and aid her bid of
joining the F1 Academy grid.
PROTOTYPE DEBUT
Northern Irishman Brandon
McCaughan will make his prototype
debut this weekend in the Ligier
European Series at Portimao. The
GB4 race winner has tested the
Ligier JSP4 and will link up with
Team Virage, the Spanish squad
currently the reigning champion
two years running and leading this
JEP
year’s teams’ and drivers’ standings.
Magnussen Jr targeting car racing COOK MEMORIAL AWARD

British F4 driver Martin Molnar has
debut in UK with GB4 assault become the first recipient of a new

award that remembers the series’
former driving standards advisor
GB4 doing F4 in Britain or wherever, and Jake Cook, the ex-racer who died last
there is lots of testing and some great year. The Jake Cook Memorial Award
Luca Magnussen, son of ex-Formula 1 tracks. I think for year one for Luca in cars was voted on by team bosses with
driver and sportscar legend Jan, is on course it’s the right way for him to feel things out.” the winner the driver to have shown
to begin his car racing career in the UK next Magnussen, who cut his racing teeth great improvement over the season.
year. Magnussen Sr has revealed that he is in Britain in Formula Ford 1600, winning Molnar was presented with the award
targeting a GB4 Championship campaign the Formula Ford Festival in 1992 before by Cook’s widow, championship
in 2025 for his 15-year-old son, who this progressing to Formula Vauxhall Lotus manager Eve Lake-Grange. Molnar
season is competing in the Italian-based and Formula 3, stressed the importance received a £500 cheque from Cook’s
ROK Cup kart series after winning the of the contacts he has in the UK as family, while £500 was donated to
Danish X30 senior title in 2023. another reason behind the plan. mental health charity Mind.
“At the moment we’re talking to GB4 “We have a good network of people
teams to come over, hopefully soon there who can be there when I can’t,” added UK YOUTH AMBASSADOR
will be a test and plan is to do GB4 next year,” Magnussen. “He won’t be able to travel Ginetta Junior and one-time GB4
said Magnussen of his younger son, half- by himself because he is only 15 and he racer Nickolas Ellis has been selected
brother of Haas Formula 1 driver Kevin. will have somewhere to stay.” as an ambassador for the UK Youth
“GB4 is more economically viable than GARY WATKINS charity. The teenager joins 1992
Formula 1 world champion Nigel
Mansell (who is its president) in
representing the organisation, which
works to help give children the skills
RoR launch event held at Thruxton and opportunities they need to

thrive. “I’m looking forward to the
incredibly rewarding opportunities
RACE OF REMEMBRANCE Cameron and circuit manager nearly 200 people to learn this position holds for me and
Jon Earp, both members of more about the contest and reviewing this amazing programme
A special launch event to the military, to offer a means charity, alongside taking part in the coming months,” said
mark the 10th anniversary of support for servicemen in on and off-track activities, Ellis (below, with Mansell).
of the Race of Remembrance and women, as well as as well as experience a flyover
was held at Thruxton last week their families. by a Chinook helicopter.
and also provided the chance The race, which had to be Among those attending was
for those involved with charity run virtually in 2020 due to Motorsport UK chairman
and organiser Mission COVID-19, will celebrate its David Richards, who was on
Motorsport to come together. decade when it is held on hand to sign the Armed Forces
The 12-hour endurance race 8-10 November at the Welsh Covenant, with the governing
has been held at Anglesey since circuit, and a record 56 body committed to giving its
2014. It was set up by Mission entries are expected. ongoing support to the Armed
Motorsport founder James The Thruxton event allowed Forces community.
CSCC adds Zolder to expanded calendar
STEVE JONES
CSCC will also race on Silverstone’s we’re going to Zolder and it’s for the first time, the club
National layout but has the first time we’ve been there. has been emboldened to
A first visit to Zolder is among elected not to use the Grand I did a trackday there about 20 book more track time for
an expanded Classic Sports Car Prix configuration amid high years ago in a Caterham and next year than ever before.
Club calendar for next year that circuit hire costs and the thought it was a great circuit. “Because we’ve had a good
also features returns to Castle need to amalgamate multiple It’s a Belgian equivalent of financial year this year we can
Combe and Cadwell Park. categories. The Belgian Zolder Oulton Park – it’s something take a risk next year, so what
The club’s season is due to circuit also appears for the different and the date fitted. we’ve done is taken on more
kick off at the start of March on first time, with the CSCC’s We’re aiming for three races dates and more two-day
the Silverstone International Open Series due to visit in July. there and we’re going to take meetings,” added Smitheram.
circuit and includes other “We’re running at the Spa Six our Open Series, so pretty “We will [therefore] have a
popular tracks such as Brands Hours but, unfortunately, we’re much everyone can do it.” few less amalgamated grids.
Hatch and Donington Park. Its not doing the Spa Summer Having enjoyed a successful Swinging Sixties is booming
Thruxton fixture (above) is Classic as it clashed with other 2024 season, for which several and we’ve got to offer them
back to a two-day event in dates,” explained CSCC director categories joined the CSCC’s two races everywhere.”
September, while the CSCC David Smitheram. “Instead, roster as it ran championships STEPHEN LICKORISH
New Cupra makes UK race debut

OLLIE READ
Laidlaws competed in
new Leon VZ TCR cars
TCR UK raced the Hyundai i30 N in which his
father had made his category debut.
The latest version of Cupra’s successful The pair, who are both now running
run of TCR touring cars made its UK with Area Motorsport, debuted the cars
debut at Silverstone last weekend. at TCR UK’s 2024 season finale ahead
TCR UK race winner Steve Laidlaw of a planned full campaign next year.
and son Sam have acquired two “Both Sam and I agreed that we wanted
examples of the Cupra Leon VZ to be a part of TCR UK for the long
that the Spanish marque introduced term, so we’ve made our commitment
earlier this year to replace its second- to the championship by purchasing Hyundai for Audi TT Cup frontrunner
generation Leon Competicion. two brand-new Cupra Leon VZ TCR Andrew Dyer and his ARK Motorsports
Laidlaw Sr had taken his first series cars,” said Laidlaw Sr, who finished squad to make their TCR UK debut,
win in the older Leon at Thruxton last second in the final race. achieving a best result of 11th.
month, while Laidlaw Jr previously The move also freed up the family’s MARK PAULSON
TURNER CORRECTION
Mike Henney returned the ‘Tatty
Old Avon products are Turner’ to racing at the Castle
being reindustrialised Combe Autumn Classic on 21-22
September, not the Snetterton
Classic Sports Car Club event, as
reported in Autosport (3 October,
p67). Henney finished ninth in
the FISCAR race at Combe
before heading to Snetterton.
HERON CATCHES A SIXTH

Fourteen-year-old Ministox star
Oliver Heron impressed on his
circuit racing debut in Fiesta Junior
at Silverstone last weekend. Driving
a Jamsport-prepared Mk6 ST, last
year’s Scottish champion finished
sixth in race two and would have
repeated that in race three but for a
track-limits penalty. “I can’t believe
how much I’ve come on with the car,”
he said. “The car felt amazing.”
PARKER TAKES CNC TITLE

Steven Parker was crowned CNC
Nova signs multi-year deal to Heads Sports/Saloons champion
at Oulton Park last Saturday, after
become HSCC’s tyre partner a dramatic finale. Parker’s Ford

Fiesta led into the weekend and
he played his double points joker
HSCC the brand has returned period-correct in race one, taking a class win. But
Avon Motorsport products to manufacture he suffered an engine and gearbox
Nova Motorsport, the new company that is highly commendable. The preservation failure and retired from race two,
acquired the assets of Avon, has been of the supply of Avon Motorsport which left Lee Bull’s Renault Clio
appointed as the official tyre partner of products ends a period of uncertainty set for the title. But Bull then
the Historic Sports Car Club from next for the HSCC and our members. Now, suffered a front suspension breakage
season and will provide a range of Avon through our partnership with Nova and he was out too, crowning Parker
products for several championships. Motorsport, we look forward to champion after all. Ric Wood’s Kia
Nova-manufactured tyres will building an exciting future together.” Optima and Ben Roberts’s Locost
be used in the Historic and Classic Historic F3 and Historic FF2000 will were the overall race winners.
Formula Ford 1600 series as well as the also transition to Avons for the 2026
Derek Bell Trophy, which it will also season with competitors able to use COCKHILL CROWNED IN 2CV
sponsor. HP Tyres has been appointed existing stock from other manufacturers Alex Cockhill sealed the Citroen 2CV
as Nova’s distributor for the HSCC. first. The club said the four-year deal will title at Oulton Park last weekend,
“We are delighted to welcome Nova bring many commercial benefits that after finishing third in the finale.
Motorsport as the official tyre partner will be reinvested to help its members. Cockhill’s KT Racing team-mate
to the HSCC,” said club CEO Andy Kris Tovey managed to win all of
P61 OPINION
Dee-Crowne. “The speed with which his sprint races this season. But,
with both drivers scoring for each
other as a team, Cockhill (below)
managed to secure a number of
additional points for fastest laps,
Polley enjoys strong first WEV outing handing him the title in his maiden
season of racing, despite not
achieving a win himself.
FORMULA VEE day. This lack of preparation car – which won the 2022 title
time did little to slow down in Pollard’s hands as well as in
Dan Polley enjoyed a winning Polley, and he took pole by 2019 with its creator Graham
debut in a new Formula Vee over 1.5 seconds. Gant – is like, Polley said:
car for the 750 Motor Club He then went on to achieve “Very different to any other
category’s season finale at the first win of the day and single-seater. We’re still
Donington Park last weekend. was comfortably leading the learning what the car can do.”
The 41-year-old Irishman second race until a head stud The car, which has around
only took delivery of the caused oil smoke to trail 105bhp and revs to 7000rpm,
PETER SCHERER
ex-Craig Pollard WEV chassis behind the car. Polley called will return to the UK next
on the Monday before the it a day before any further year when Polley’s
meeting and first drove it in damage could be done. schedule allows.
anger during the Friday test When asked about what the MACIEJ HAMERA
O P I N I O N C LU B AU TO S P O RT
Super Nova’s rapid launch

The new company is off to a flying start as tyre manufacturing began ahead
of schedule. Now it needs to continue avoiding delays as production intensifies
STEPHEN LICKORISH
s a nation, we are used to delays. Whether they’re intriguing choice for Nova’s first tyres, especially considering the
related to huge queues on our busiest roads, trains Kent-powered cars are no longer the essential stepping stone on
A that are nearly always late or major infrastructure
projects that are massively behind schedule, it is
the single-seater ladder they once were. But Weekley explains
there are “multiple factors” that make the ACB9s a very logical
depressingly common to hear of things running starting point. “There’s a lot of Formula Ford cars out there,” he
behind. It is therefore almost unheard of to come across an says. “There’s a lot of good drivers and there’s an ocean of data,
initiative actually ahead of schedule. But that’s the impressive so it was a very easy and cost-effective product to go out and test.
position fledgling tyre manufacturer Nova Motorsport You don’t have to go and hire a circuit exclusively with a team that’s
currently finds itself in. going to bring 15 mechanics along for a single day’s testing. It was
For those who need reminding, this is the company created an easy one for us to arrange a test at short notice and get very
after the demise of the much-loved Avon brand last year when high quality data that we can reference back with data of old,
parent organisation Goodyear decided to close the Melksham so for those reasons it was a really obvious choice.”
tyre-making facility. Many of the key staff transferred across to the Initial testing commenced at the Braga circuit in Portugal, half
Nova ‘start-up’, which falls under the SPC Rubber Group umbrella, an hour from Nova’s new factory. Further assessments were then
and its initial ambition was to continue supplying and producing conducted at Snetterton and Brands Hatch, with experienced
tyres for disciplines synonymous with the Avon/Cooper names for historics racer Simon Hadfield completing much of the running,
decades: principally historic racing, hillclimbing and rallycross. to ensure the new rubber performed exactly the same as the old
An existing Camac factory in Portugal was acquired and all the UK-made Avons. “That went fantastically,” says Weekley. “There’s
old Avon equipment was transported across the continent from always a few nerves going into these things – no matter how much
Wiltshire. The aim – set at the start of the year – was for the first homework you’ve done, until you start turning laps, you never
tyres to be produced in September, which Nova’s management truly know how it’s going to work. But it went flawlessly – we
felt was an ambitious target. Yet it smashed that by five weeks as couldn’t have hoped for a better result from those tests. The
track testing of new ACB9 Formula Ford tyres began in August, tyres were indistinguishable from the products produced in
Nova’s commercial director James Weekley describing the Melksham previously, which is exactly what we aimed to do.”
Full-scale production of those tyres is now due to begin by the
end of this year, while the floodgates are set to open as a host of
“It went flawlessly – we old Avon ranges are reindustrialised. Stock was built up in the
final months of the Melksham factory’s operation and this is
couldn’t have hoped for a being continuously monitored by the Nova staff to ensure they
prioritise making the tyres that are needed most urgently.
better result from those tests” Alongside the manufacturing in Portugal, plenty of work has
been going on behind the scenes by the commercial team as Nova
signs new agreements with various organisers. The latest example
company’s rapid development as “phenomenal”. is a wide-ranging deal with the Historic Sports Car Club (see News),
“It took less time to ship the equipment than we were expecting, but Weekley says more announcements are imminent. “We’ve
so that’s one area where we gained time,” explains Weekley of the got a number of irons in the fire and there’s a quite significant
factors that helped Nova get ahead of schedule. “Also the technical amount of new business,” he states. “The announcements for
and engineering teams in Portugal have done an astonishing job of the new contracts are quite major because they are certainly
implementing everything we had from Melksham into the factory some flags in the sand as to where we’re going.”
– the team’s been going above and beyond to a whole other level. All this positive progress from Nova is important for the
“The pace is picking up now, it’s very much the snowball effect. motorsport industry as a whole. The tyre sector has been in strife
We’ve got countless track tests and evaluations lined up, starting for years, triggered by Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, then
imminently, and will be flowing at a significant pace for many, exacerbated by developments such as the uncertainty over Avon’s
many months now as we roll through the range and industrialise future and some brands cutting their ranges. There are still supply
them and start bringing things to market.” concerns in places, but Weekley believes this “turbulent time”
Given the breadth and diversity of categories catered for by is finally starting to settle. Now it just needs Nova to continue
Avon’s old range of rubber, Formula Ford may sound like an avoiding any delays as the next phase of its development begins.
C L U B A U T O S P O R T N AT I O N A L R E P O R T S
Boardley
retains his
TCR UK crown
SILVERSTONE INTERNATIONAL
BRSCC
12-13 OCTOBER
Carl Boardley successfully retained the

TCR UK title with three measured drives
on the Silverstone International circuit,
while his closest rivals Callum Newsham
and Brad Hutchison split the wins.
Bouncing back from a heavy accident at
Thruxton last month, Newsham might have
taken a hat-trick but for clutch failure on
his Hyundai i30 N in the finale. Polesitter
Newsham inherited the opener after A trio of fourth places
Adam Shepherd’s recurrent fuel-pressure was enough for Boardley
problems slowed him on the final lap. The to retain his TCR UK title
pair then duelled in the reverse-grid race,
each passing debutant Ryan Bensley’s
leading Lynk & Co before Newsham the opening lap dropped him to 17th. track. He was swamped by the pair after
ran wide. Shepherd’s Cupra Leon But, aided by a mid-race red flag when spotting a tardily-removed safety car sign
surged ahead, only to expire. Simon Horrobin was turned heavily into in the sequel, but Luff’s win couldn’t deny
A relatively long hold on the lights in the pitwall, Kellett charged back to third as Burns the crown. The champion climbed
race three precipitated Newsham’s clutch Zach Lucas held off Gary Miller for victory. from row five to finish third in the finale as
disappointment and Shepherd’s seemingly Miller was declared winner of a much- Adam Blair held off Carl Swift for victory.
inevitable retirement then let in double shortened and crash-strewn middle stanza, Three-time Mini Se7en conqueror Jeff
podium finisher Hutchison (Cupra) ahead of Lucas, the pair then filling the Smith earned his first Miglia title with
for victory in the season-closer. podium behind Kellett in the finale. a trio of podiums in races won by outgoing
But Boardley completed a trio of fourth Thirteen months after his first race champion Aaron Smith, Andrew Jordan
positions, having nursed a suspected in cars, Jenson O’Neill-Going celebrated and Endaf Owens. Having missed the
differential problem on his Cupra and Fiesta Junior Championship success with Cadwell Park replacement opener, Jordan
additional vibration, which was more than a largely untroubled hat-trick on the Mk6’s had the edge in drying conditions for
enough to secure the title. He said: “It was category swansong. Severely hampered by Saturday’s second race. But he sat
just a case of using your head, picking your a tyre coming off the rim after contact in out race three, which was the pick, as
battles, letting people go when you don’t the opener, Finn Leslie charged to fourth a lead pack of eight or nine cars jostled
need to have a race, and bringing it home.” behind repeat podium finishers Jacob throughout with Owens usually at its head.
Alastair Kellett capped a provisional Hodgkiss and Alfie Garford in race two, Max Edmundson clinched a second
Fiesta ST240 crown with a dominant race then took second in the finale, enough consecutive Civic Cup title with an
three win, his eighth of the season. He had to pip Hodgkiss to second (and best Mk7) unusually dominant opening-race victory.
earned the honours with a champion’s in the standings. Eight seconds back, Wesley Swain also
comeback drive to the podium in the Bradley Burns extended his run of kept clear of the battles behind for
opener, as a sticking turbo valve consigned Audi TT Cup victories to eight in nine races a maiden podium, while Lewis Kent
him to 11th on the grid before a wild after a terrific dice with podium men Sam benefited from team-mates Liam McGill
moment on cold tyres at Village on Heading and Matt Luff on Saturday’s drying and Alistair Camp’s clash to snatch third.
Sunday’s reverse-grid polesitter Dave
Marshall came under pressure from fellow
FN2 pilot Camp until his car slowed on the
final lap and he limped home seventh.
This allowed Camp to claim his third
win of the year ahead of Josh Files and
Edmundson, a reversal of the trio’s
championship positions.
On only his third outing of 2024,
five-time Compact Cup champion Steven
Dailly scored a double, following a 6s
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: OLLIE READ
victory with a much tighter triumph over

Connor Grady and Alex Read. A slightly
nervy fourth in the opener was enough for
Burns added another Audi Joe Doble to provisionally scoop the title,
TT Cup win to his growing emulating brother Mikey’s 2022 success,
honours list at Silverstone and so he sat out the season finale.
MARK PAULSON
N AT I O N A L R E P O R T S C L U B A U T O S P O R T
TIT LE SUCCE SS AT LA ST FOR THOMPSO N
Five years after a jump-start penalty cost Champion: Thompson

him the Mini Se7en title, Joe Thompson finally finished first
finally laid the ghost to rest by clinching
the crown, having also finished second
or third in the standings every year since
– barring the pandemic-disrupted
2020 season, which he spent largely
on the sidelines.
A run of six wins in 13 races since
mid-May put Thompson out of Ross
Billison’s reach following Saturday’s
Cadwell Park replacement race – with the first-third of this year, and the car’s
two 20-minute contests on Sunday still just been an absolute dream ever since.
remaining. He had finally emulated father When you’re up against people that have
Paul, who twice took the Mini Se7en title professionals to build engines, and from
before adding a Miglia crown in 2010. our little garage he’s building something
“We got close [in 2019] but then my that can be not just competitive but also
mistake, I literally gave the title away,” beat them, that’s where we really enjoy it.”
said the 24-year-old, who won the novice Parts from Thompson Sr’s original
title in 2017. “The most satisfying thing Se7en are still used on Joe’s car.
for me is it’s all our engine stuff. We buy Meanwhile, his title-winning Miglia –
WEEKEND WINNERS
parts from people, but my dad builds which Joe raced occasionally alongside
TCR UK absolutely everything at home; we do all his Se7en in previous years – returned to
Races 1 & 2 Callum Newsham (Hyundai i30 N) of our own tuning, developing. We do get the track at Silverstone last weekend.
Race 3 Brad Hutchison (Cupra Leon Competicion) assistance from outside, but very little.” Converted to Se7en spec, it had 2009
A regulation change last year allowing champion Kane Astin aboard, doubling
FIESTA ST240 twin-barrel carburettors tested the duo’s up with his Miglia ride “for a bit of fun”.
Race 1 Zach Lucas
engineering expertise but they have Astin scored two podiums, while
Race 2 Gary Miller
Race 3 Alastair Kellett risen to the challenge. Thompson celebrated his title with
“It opens up a whole host of new another win in race three. He might have
FIESTA JUNIOR developments,” explained the Leicester- had a hat-trick if he’d avoided a tangle at
Races 1, 2 & 3 Jenson O’Neill-Going (Mk6 ST) based racer. “Everything we’ve spent the last corner of race two when Damien
hours, days, months tuning on the rolling Harrington turned around Mike Jordan,
AUDI TT CUP RACING
road just goes out the window and you’ve which let Billison in for victory.
Race 1 Bradley Burns
Race 2 Matt Luff got almost a clean sheet. Knowing where Now the time has come for a new
Race 3 Adam Blair the power band differs, where you can direction. Having finally achieved his goal
extract the most of it, exactly what inlets of conquering the Se7ens, Thompson will
MINI MIGLIA to use. And then you’ve got set-up changes graduate to Miglias full-time next year
Race 1 Aaron Smith because the dynamics of the car have in a new-build car. “That was always the
Race 2 Andrew Jordan
changed with the way it delivers power. aim, and that was why it was a little bit
Race 3 Endaf Owens
“We’ve had a little bit of pace struggles frustrating before when I gave it away,” he
CIVIC CUP in the last couple of years [as a result]. But said. “We’ve been hunting it ever since.”
Race 1 Max Edmundson (EP3, below) the old man’s managed to really crack it, MARK PAULSON
Race 2 Alistair Camp (FN2)
COMPACT CUP Thompson (c) emulated

Races 1 & 2 Steven Dailly his father after clinching
the Mini Se7en title
MINI SE7EN
Races 1 & 3 Joe Thompson
Race 2 Ross Billison
CLUBSPORT TROPHY
Phiroze Bilimoria (VW Scirocco)
For full results visit: tsl-timing.com
Fennymore
recovered from
stalling to defeat
Glasswell and
Harrison
Back to front Fennymore’s Silverstone Pinto prize

SILVERSTONE NATIONAL With Harrison absent, Fennymore was 10 from Glover on the penultimate lap.
HSCC seconds clear on Sunday when a partially Tom McArthur extraordinarily won all
12-13 OCTOBER detached HT lead left his Pinto sounding four Formula Ford races in Simon Hadfield’s
like a tractor. As he spluttered home Titan. Closest pursuers in the Historic pair
Second on the Historic Formula Ford 2000 seventh, third qualifier Jonty Hair beat were respectively Dane Mads Gravsen
grid, Graham Fennymore was “dead last Andrew Storer and impressive debutant (back in Chris Sharples’s Champion of
into Copse, having stalled, then got so David Robinson for his maiden single- Brands-winning Palliser after six years) and
much wheelspin” on the damp track, but seater victory, a fortnight after his Oulton Spencer Shinner (Merlyn Mk20). Shinner
on Historic Sports Car Club Finals Saturday Park Clubmans win in Jim Yardley’s Beagle. clinched the championship with fourth
an incredible recovery enabled him to grab Neil Fowler Motorsport’s wet tyre call behind Simon Toyne on Saturday, a
victory at Silverstone from Ben Glasswell on Saturday equipped Chris Porritt to take memorable 21st birthday present.
and title successor Samuel Harrison. his first Derek Bell Trophy win in the The Classics were tighter, with
Fennymore hit the front on lap 16 of 19, ex-Divina Galica Chevron B40 as F2 cars McArthur’s Saturday victory coming over
the Reynard drivers subsequently three ruled the restart. Slick-shod chasers Marc champion Benn Simms (Jomo JMR7) and
abreast down the Wellington Straight. Mercer (ex-Bill Gowdy Ralt-BDG RT1) and previous conqueror Jordan Harrison (Lola
“That was just stunning, the best race I’ve race rusty Richard Evans (ex-Eddie Cheever T540E). Sunday’s was sensational, led by
had in 10 years,” said Fennymore. Runner- March-BMW 782) made Sunday’s running, Harrison, Simms, McArthur and Andy
up Glasswell was on a high, too. “It was Evans swooping past at Maggotts as a Gosling (Van Diemen RF79), whose order
difficult finding grip, but my first time collapsed wheel bearing ended Mercer’s chopped and changed breathtakingly at
leading on merit,” he reflected, as Harrison stout defence. David Thorburn (ex-Ingo every turn, watched by Rick Morris and,
secured his third different club title in Hoffmann March 762) shot from 15th to from the back, Adriano Medeiros. ‘Tommy
three seasons. “It was great watching depose Neil Glover (ex-Bruce Allison F5000 Mac’ was twice shuffled to fourth, but
close-up, but I preferred to keep a Chevron B37) from second. Porritt avoided crucially was ahead when yellow flags at
distance,” admitted the Yorkshireman. oil at Brooklands/Luffield to wrest third Becketts covered Colin Williams’s beached
PRS. “These are the races I live for,” said
Rowe headed Gibney’s Elan for McArthur. “I’d rather have finished
emotional Road Sports win fourth in that one than won by miles.”
Callum Grant and Sam Wilson shared
Formula Junior golds after titanic scraps,
Grant complimenting Wilson for building
an engine “at least as good” as his own.
The championship fight took a twist when
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: MICK WALKER
Nic Carlton-Smith, chasing D2 class rival

Andrew Hibberd’s sister Lotus 20, retired
through engine failure on Saturday.
Carlton-Smith switched to his C2 Kieft
overnight, needing to win with Hibberd
not finishing for a fourth straight title.
He fulfilled his obligation, but Hibberd
WEEKEND WINNERS
HISTORIC FF2000
Race 1 Graham Fennymore (Reynard SF81)
Race 2 Jonathan Hair (Reynard SF78)
DEREK BELL TROPHY

Race 1 Chris Porritt (Chevron-BDG B40)
Race 2 Richard Evans (March-BMW 782)
HISTORIC FF1600
Races 1 & 2 Tom McArthur (Titan Mk4)
CLASSIC FF1600
Races 1 & 2 Tom McArthur (Titan Mk4)
HISTORIC FORMULA JUNIOR, REAR-ENGINED

Race 1 Callum Grant (Merlyn Mk5/7)
Race 2 Sam Wilson (Cooper T59)
HISTORIC FORMULA JUNIOR, FRONT-ENGINED

Races 1 & 2 Ray Mallock (U2 Mk2) UNIQUE KOALA John Joyce’s Koala Motor Racing Developments of Toowoomba, Australia created
the unique P2, which finished third in Queensland Formula Junior in 1963. Bristling with interesting
GUARDS TROPHY features, including bespoke wheels and twin exhausts, it won Joyce an engineering job at Lotus. It was
Adam Sykes (McLaren M1A)
later raced by expat Briton Roger Ealand, but bought from Michael Rowe by Dane Erik Justesen – who
HISTORIC ROAD SPORTS & TOURING CARS
still owns it – for FJ’s 60th anniversary tour. Back home, Joyce created the successful Bowin FF1600s.
Race 1 Robert Rowe (Lotus Elan S3)
Race 2 Frazer Gibney (Lotus Elan S1)
70s ROAD SPORTS

Races 1 & 2 John Williams (Porsche 911SC)
For full results visit: tsl-timing.com
bounced back from a languid spin down

to 11th at Becketts while scrapping with
former champion dad Michael (Lotus 22)
to regain a class-winning fourth and
claim the coveted crown.
Ray Mallock shaded front-engined
rivals in father Arthur’s beam-axled
U2 Mk2, while Condor men Alex Morton
– stopped by a broken diff on Saturday –
and Adrian Russell squabbled with Lola
stalwart Robin Longdon.
Richard Taylor’s Autotune team and CONDORS FLYING HIGH Aston Martin racer Ted Whiteaway built three front-engined Condor S2
Andrew Wareing engineered a tactical Formula Juniors in Worplesdon, Surrey. Two have raced regularly in recent years. Alex Morton’s has
Guards Trophy victory by leaving leader been super-competitive, but he is having to work harder since Adrian Russell debuted his ex-Keith
Adam Sykes in the 5.9-litre McLaren- Roach car with a double win at the Spa Six Hours event. “It’s a different pleasure [to his Lotus 22] but
Chevrolet M1A for the duration. just as much fun,” said Russell (above right), who finished second after Morton’s broke on Saturday.
Champions Rob and Benn Tusting
finished eight seconds shy after a great
chase in their Lenham, clear of Dan
Eagling in Dan Pickett’s Chevron-BMW
B16 after the B8 of Ted Pearson/Callum
Grant was excluded for a yellow-flag
infringement, which Grant has appealed.
A brilliant Historic Road Sports drive left
Bob Rowe effusive, then emotional, having
beaten champion Frazer Gibney for his first
win after a decade of effort. Despite his
Elan S4 being 55kg heavier than Gibney’s
S1, Rowe harassed Gibney in a gripping
season finale, with the Sevens of Mark
Godfrey and Jonathan Stringer buzzing
round them in the corners and splitting
them from Rupert Ashdown’s Elan S1.
John Williams’s Porsche won both thin
70s Road Sports races. Mark Leverett HAWKE GRABS PODIUM Former Team Lotus engineer David Lazenby’s Hawke concern began in
switched Lotus Elan S4s overnight following Formula Ford 1600 but was in at the start of FF2000 in 1975 with its DL14, Tiff Needell winning three
transmission issues, but Howard Payne’s championship rounds. Needell, Clubmans convert Geoff Friswell and Stu Baird won in them in 1976,
Europa outran him again to win the title. and the evolution DL16 triumphed thrice in 1977 with Philip Bullman. David Robinson raced the
MARCUS PYE ex-Bullman chassis brilliantly in a Historic FF2000 sampler at Silverstone, finishing fourth and third.
C L U B A U T O S P O R T N AT I O N A L R E P O R T S
Champions
crowned after
thrills and spills
at Donington
DONINGTON PARK
750MC
12-13 OCTOBER
Several champions were crowned as the

750 Motor Club tackled Donington Park’s
Grand Prix loop last weekend amid
changeable weather that caught out
many drivers.
One of the most dramatic races of the
weekend was undoubtedly the opener
for the Sports 1000 brigade, where
championship contenders Clint Newman
and Ryan Yarrow clashed with explosive
results. Newman led the early running
and looked set to win until a safety car
drew the field together, allowing Yarrow
a chance to overtake at Redgate once racing
restarted. Newman covered the line and
heavy contact ensued, with Yarrow trying Yarrow (l) won the title but
again at McLeans, but again Newman came to blows with Sports
shut the door hard, with both Spire cars 1000 rival Newman
half spinning on the exit of the corner.
Yarrow was spat off onto the grass but
managed to recover to secure victory and, added: “It’s not fair that he has no points let go, which was a stroke of luck.”
after the race, Newman – who finished on his licence.” Race two proved a calmer The F1000 Championship was decided
third – defended his actions. He said: affair, with Dan Clowes winning in his the moment the lights went out in race one
“I watched the Alpha Live footage and it did Mittell after on-the-road victor Newman as Rob Welham failed to get off the line due
look awful but, from my own perspective was penalised for an out-of-position start. to a master switch fault. With Welham out,
and other drivers’ onboards, there’s a Among the Formula Vee competitors, Tom Gadd could take an uncontested
much clearer representation of myself.” Dan Polley was in a class of his own as he win ahead of title favourite Craig Pollard.
Yarrow had put the title out of reach took a dominant victory in race one. The Even though he hadn’t tested on
following the first race but wasn’t pleased Irish driver confidently led the second race Friday, nor raced on the Donington GP
with Newman. “I put my car on the inside with the fastest lap under his belt until layout in five years, Gadd triumphed
and he turned in on me and continued a head stud failure resulted in clouds of again ahead of championship winner
to turn in on me,” said Yarrow. “There smoke billowing from his WEV. After Polley Pollard in the reverse-grid race two.
are incidents on the track that are parked his mount, Matt Harbot took the “I managed to have quite a good getaway,”
not being picked up on and that’s win and secured the championship in the said Gadd. “I knew Craig wasn’t going to
upsetting for everyone.” process. “It was a lucky race to be honest,” fight me because of the championship.
When asked about his opinion on said Harbot. “I lost the tow to Dan and then He made it easy for me.” Gadd then went
Newman not being penalised, Yarrow I just tried to follow. Then I saw his engine on to make it three out of three when he
Pollard (92) claimed the Harbot came out on top

F1000 title as Gadd (r) took in Formula Vee title race
a hat-trick of victories
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE JONES
WEEKEND WINNERS
SPORTS 1000
Race 1 Ryan Yarrow (Spire GT-3)
Race 2 Dan Clowes (Mittell MC-53)
FORMULA VEE
Race 1 Dan Polley (WEV)
Race 2 Matt Harbot (AHS Dominator)
F1000
Races 1, 2 & 3 Tom Gadd
BIKESPORTS
Race 1 James Keevill (Radical SR3 RS)
Race 2 Shane Stoney (Radical PR6)
ROADSPORTS
Scott Parkin (Audi TT TDI)
5CLUB RACING MX-5 CUP

Races 1 & 2 Ben Short
TOYOTA MR2
Race 1 Shaun Traynor (Roadster, below)
Race 2 Adam Lockwood (Roadster)
116 SPRINT TROPHY & 120 COUPE CUP

Race 1 Anthony Seddon (120i)
Race 2 Rob Carvell (120i)
116 TROPHY
Mack Priestwood
CLUB ENDURO
Claire Norman/Alan Blencowe
(SEAT Cupra TCR)
took the flag in the finale, as Pollard was decided in its final moments, with
claimed a hat-trick of seconds. Scott Parkin’s Audi TT TDI the eventual
With the track still sodden with rain, victor but only after a spirited battle with
the Bikesports runners tip-toed their way the BMW Compact of Ian Jones. After
around the circuit for their first race. Even coming out of Hollywood side by side, the
so, multiple cars spun into gravel traps pair touched, which caused Jones’ BMW to
around the slippery track and the safety car shoot off the track at the Craner Curves and
was deployed. But, when racing resumed, into the gravel. With smoke pouring from
more cars became stranded. The officials the stricken car, he retired on the spot.
decided enough was enough and threw “Racing incident, as short and sweet as
the chequered flag early for winner James that,” said Jones. “It broke a rim and off I
Keevill (Radical SR3). The drivers tackled went. Ripped the splitter and damaged the For full results visit: tsl-timing.com
a still damp track in the tamer second oil system when I hit the gravel.” Parkin
contest with a split opinion on tyre choice, had a similar account of the incident:
as Shane Stoney secured the win in his “Going through Hollywood, he squeezed
slick-shod Radical PR6. me and I ended up clipping the kerb. Then back by triumphing in the second
The 45-minute Roadsports encounter that bounced me sideways and we touched, race by passing Traynor on the last lap.
which gave him a puncture. Close racing Traynor was delayed out of the chicane
Keevill mastered the but definitely closer than I wanted it to be!” by a backmarker under yellow flags,
conditions in Radical The 5Club Racing MX-5 Cup was the which allowed Lockwood to set up
first grid to brave the weather on Saturday a move into the Melbourne Hairpin, but
and it quickly became apparent that the Traynor had enough points to be crowned
elements were throwing up a few hurdles. champion. “The problem was the red
Ben Short came away with the win after and grey car in my mirrors,” joked Traynor.
climbing back up through the field “It was just a matter of preservation in
following a poor start. For the second race, that one. Adam thinks I gave him that
a sprinkle of rain attempted to destabilise last one but that’s not true. I think his
the order but, once the weather and the brain was more switched on than mine.”
pack settled down, Short managed to Anthony Seddon prevailed in a race-long
take his 16th win of the season. struggle against Rob Carvell in the 116
Among the Toyota MR2 ranks, Shaun Sprint Trophy & 120 Coupe Cup opener.
Traynor took the chequered flag in The status quo was then reversed in
the first contest after trading fastest race two when Carvell took the flag
laps with championship rival Adam ahead of Seddon’s similar 120i.
Lockwood. Lockwood got his own MACIEJ HAMERA
Blundell (1) was
able to defeat Hill (4)
in 1985. As well as
Herbert, who is the
fifth car in shot…
THE 10 GREATEST
FORMULA FORD WINNERS
There have been plenty of memorable performances in the single-seater category over
the years and, ahead of this weekend’s Festival, here’s a look at some of the best
STEVE HINDLE
MARK
JAMIE SHARP & RORY SMITH BLUNDELL
2021/2023 FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL WINNERS 1985 ESSO CHAMPION
There’s no denying that an all-BM/Medina front row (Smith, then Sharp), To see Mark Blundell
10 Formula Ford is now past its

heyday, but these two are
shining examples of how it can
and an all-Dolan/Van Diemen second row (Niall
Murray then Chris Middlehurst). What happened
next was 20 laps of magic.
9 race was akin to
watching the hybrid
of a raging bull and
still provide the best racing. Murray piled on the pressure, climbing all Rudolf Nureyev; a
In 2021, Jamie Sharp put two battle-scarred over Smith before jinking to the outside at man possessed with force, speed,
seasons in British F4 behind him (against the Paddock Hill Bend to take the lead. Smith then agility and huge cojones. His drive
likes of Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan) to threatened to repeat before switching to the for success was spawned partly by
deliver a virtuoso performance of attack and inside and sending Murray wide, only for Murray his father’s acumen, and from early
defence and lead a train of six across the line to immediately launch back around the outside experiences racing dirt bikes. “You
with just over a second between them. at Druids. It was brilliant but, with just two laps either led the way or were trampled
Following a washout in 2022, Rory Smith did remaining, the Irishman raised his hand and into the mud,” he recalls.
likewise last year. The grid for the final featured slowed with a misfire… brilliant, yet brutal. Blundell spent 1984 acquiring
his craft and rounding off edges: “In
GARY HAWKINS
those days, you could race almost

every weekend, and I made the most
of it; exploring lines that nobody
else would use while understanding
the car’s response to conditions.
It wasn’t just about technique;
I was learning to win.”
The next year, he did just that. He’d
perfected the art of slipstreaming
GARY HAWKINS
(vital at Silverstone) and everyone

Sharp narrowly Last year’s final featured epic else (including Damon Hill) knew it.
prevailed in 2021 Smith (left) and Murray scrap
F O R M U L A F O R D G R E AT S C L U B A U T O S P O R T
CONOR DALY
2008 WALTER HAYES TROPHY WINNER
HAWKINS/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
In 1990, journalist career in Formula 1 and CART.
8 Jeremy Shaw had a

point to prove: that
young Americans
Newgarden was the first to shine,
taking victory at Brands in a Ray
but, when the racing moved to
could cross The Silverstone, the weather changed
Pond and be successful against the from bright to stormy. Newgarden
cream of British and Irish talent. won his heats and was on pole for
Starting with Jimmy Vasser, then the final, whereas Daly had built
Bryan Herta in 1991, Shaw – with steadily. He’d also been paying
support from IndyCar’s Rick Galles close attention to another rising
and others – prepared young star, Peter Dempsey, a late entry
drivers for the trip to Brands Hatch who had to start at the back of both
where they would be supplied with the progression and last chance
a competitive car run by a top team. races before emerging victorious.
After forays with F3, Formula Daly’s homework paid off. With
Opel and Formula Palmer Audi, rain teeming, polesitter Newgarden
Team USA returned to Formula Ford crashed out at Brooklands, then
1600 in 2008 with two exceptional Graham Carroll (Scottish champion)
proteges: Josef Newgarden (now a lost grip and the lead as he slid into JOEY FOSTER
two-time IndyCar champion) and the gravel at Woodcote. Although 2004 WALTER HAYES TROPHY WINNER
Conor Daly. Though American by he had never made a wet safety car
birth, Daly was no stranger to these restart, and had stalwart Michael Joey Foster is not only the most successful
isles and is the son of Derek Daly,
the Irishman who won the 1976
Festival and later enjoyed a solid
Vergers on his tail, Daly held his
nerve to become the first
American to win the event.
7 racer ever at the Walter Hayes Trophy (with
four wins), he also has two Festival victories.
A win here in 2003 (pictured), together with
success in the Formula Renault Winter Series,
led to a subsidised Renault drive in 2004 with Motaworld.
Despite fifth and a podium on his debut, his lack of budget led
to limited testing and development before the campaign
was curtailed. Foster’s dreams were shattered but, with
encouragement from James Beckett, he returned to the
Hayes to defend his title, finding that he would be pitched
against former Formula Renault champion Danny Watts.
Watts was absent on Saturday due to coaching duties but
made swift work of Sunday’s progression to the final. Foster,
on the other hand, was simply supreme. Through torrential
rain, he headed the field, waiting for a glimpse of Watts’s
helmet in his mirrors; it never came. They finished first and
second but, for Foster, it was more than that – he’d proven,
JEP
whatever was thrown at him, he would always bounce back.
AYRTON SENNA DA SILVA

1981 RAC AND TOWNSEND THORESEN CHAMPION
Following successes by Emerson Fittipaldi, Chico Serra and
6 Roberto Moreno, there was much anticipation in 1981 over

the arrival of Brazil’s latest karting sensation. Treading the
familiar path to Van Diemen, Ayrton Senna da Silva was
everything that his predecessors were not; sometimes
brash, often aloof, his awkwardness belied the fact that he was driven
by the singular belief that he was destined to be the best.
Van Diemen’s proximity to Snetterton meant testing could happen
almost daily, allowing Ralph Firman to soon recognise the talent his
squad had acquired. Firman duly supplied Senna with the best of
everything, including Moreno’s Festival-winning engine (known as
‘Patch’). As the season approached, Senna confidently stated he
would be winning by his third race – and he did just that. Indeed,
he won 12 times and had five second places from 20 starts.
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
His team-mates had been expected to provide his toughest test but,
in the end, it was Rick Morris who stood up to his pace. Morris should
have his own place on this list, and still races today, yet is destined to be
most remembered for the day in 1981 when he hunted down the Brazilian
at Silverstone, then swooped around the outside at Woodcote to beat him.
C L U B A U T O S P O R T F O R M U L A F O R D G R E AT S
DAVID KENNEDY
1976 RAC AND TOWNSEND
ROLAND THORESEN CHAMPION
RATZENBERGER It would be impossible to have

1986 FORMULA FORD
FESTIVAL WINNER 4 a list of Formula Ford greats
without at least one flame-
haired Irishman.
Planned preparation After honing his skills around
5 is a common theme
here, yet in 1986,
just days before
Mondello Park and Kirkistown, David Kennedy
and his girlfriend Fiona arrived in England in
an old Bedford bus that had once housed
Festival week, Roland chickens. They were an exceptional partnership,
Ratzenberger arrived at Space Racing Fiona just as keen to change gear ratios as
to find his team had run out of cash. she was handy with a pitboard.
He was left with just his Van Diemen “I’d spent time in Australia, working in the
RF86 car, some wheels and spares, mines to earn enough cash to pay for my racing,
and the promise that he could and to keep the bus on the road,” he recalls.
borrow the transporter (which was “But, if we wanted to eat, I had to win prize
quickly repossessed when he arrived money too, it was as simple as that.”
at Brands Hatch). With help from The 1976 season was a golden year for
Graham Fuller, F3 technician Chris talent: Dereks Warwick and Daly, and Nigel
Weller was recruited to lend his truck Mansell were among many seeking to make
and his time, while mechanic Andy their name. And, though his Crossle was spritely
Barber loyally stayed on in support. when cornering, it lacked refinement, meaning
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Meanwhile, Dave Minister had that Kennedy not only needed to be very
created another ‘special’ (aptly fast but also incredibly brave.
named ‘Rocket’): ‘No Space He won two championships in the UK that
Racing’ was duly formed. year, and was on course to win in Europe too,
Even using an old engine in but that’s another story.
testing, Ratzenberger was quickest
so, with ‘Rocket’ employed, his
journey to the final appeared
effortless. In the end, it turned out to
be a straight race between the two ROBERTO MORENO
most likely; Philippe Favre and the 1980 FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL WINNER
Austrian. Leading off, Ratzenberger
was inch perfect and, though Favre Inspired by Nelson Piquet, sent Minister into a frenzy of development. This
stayed glued to his gearbox, he
simply couldn’t break the rhythm,
until a momentary lapse of
3
Roberto Moreno arrived in the
UK in 1979, acquired a Royale,
and was taken to Minister to
resulted in the birth of ‘Patch’, the legendary
engine that would propel Moreno to success.
Equipped with a car that was back to its best,
concentration on the final tour equip it with a good engine. Moreno knew that his time had come. While
meant the red car entered Clearways Outstanding races at Mallory Park and others had to rely on wheel-banging heroics, he
a fraction too early, sending it wide Silverstone brought him to Ralph Firman’s focused and delivered, all weekend long. Only a
as Ratzenberger headed through attention and, for 1980, he became part of lunge off the line in the final by either Jonathan
Clark. It was a drag race to the flag, the Van Diemen squad. Despite leading the Palmer or Tommy Byrne could stop him but,
but ‘Rocket’ did its job, securing championship, a mid-season dip in form by the time they arrived at Paddock, he was
the win by 0.05 seconds. (later attributed to an incorrect roll bar) already on the way to the top of the podium.
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
F O R M U L A F O R D G R E AT S C L U B A U T O S P O R T
VINCENZO SOSPIRI
1988 FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL WINNER
As always, a sizeable overseas
2 contingent arrived at the

Festival in 1988, seeking to
make their name, including a
young German called Michael
Schumacher. He soon learned that attempting
to go through Graham Hill Bend alongside
Andrew Guye-Johnson doesn’t always work.
Come the final, Reynard’s Jose Cordova
claimed pole, but behind were some of the
fastest/hardest of their time. A flash of light
across the gantry convinced the Spaniard
and Derek Higgins that the race had started;
but it hadn’t. Lengthy debate followed before
both were allowed to resume. At the restart,
Cordova, Higgins, Bernard Dolan and Rick Higgins, Dolan and Morris went by before and Dolan were out. It could, and should,
Morris all got away well, but Sospiri had been Sospiri, now on a charge, also joined have been Morris’s year, but instead he
in neutral and slipped back. The polesitter, the leaders. Then, while fighting over left Sospiri clear to make a run on
however, was not enjoying his new tyres. a smaller-than-anticipated gap, Morris Higgins and earn the win.
NEXT WEEK
Full report on
the
Formula Ford
Festival
24 October issu
e
GERRIT VAN KOUWEN
1984 FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL WINNER
It’s fitting that our number one this became the one that counted. innovate, building another all-conquering
1 coincides with commemorations

of a historic win, and celebrations
of a remarkable life at this
Hugely likeable and with an inquisitive and
analytical mind, he was soon surrounded by
people with the knowledge and resource to
engine (John Pratt had ‘Patch’) known as ‘633
Squadron’. An industrial kettle element fitted into
the bell housing and run off a portable generator
weekend’s Festival. support his endeavour. Together with his pre-heated the oil in the assembly area and
Ever since Kees van der Grint (Bridgestone) obvious talent, this stood him apart and gave delivered a critical 2-3bhp gain off the line.
advised Gerrit van Kouwen to travel to England an immediate advantage. Mike Blanchet put Such was the Dutchman’s confidence that, all
and experience the spectacle of the Festival, the his own reputation on the line to put the full weekend, he smashed records and never faltered.
Dutchman’s greatest ambition was to win it. He backing of Lola into developing the T644E, while Therefore, 1984 wasn’t a side-by-side thriller;
was already a double champion in Europe, but Dave Minister and Graham Fuller continued to rather, it was perfection.
FINISHING STRAIGHT
Bring your rally

game right up to date
EA SPORTS
VIDEO GAME contained 200-plus stages, including the
EA SPORTS 13 WRC calendar rallies and an unrivalled
WRC UPDATE roster of 78 cars dating from the Group 4
Update price: £17.99 era of the 1960s and ’70s right up to today’s
Full game including 500bhp Rally1 hybrid beasts.
update: £44.99 But akin to the motorsport industry,
nothing stands still for long and now
the game has undergone its first major
update, with its 2024 season expansion
EA SPORTS
If you are not fortunate to have the launched last week. This offers new rallies, GR Yaris Rally2’s brilliant
budget to go rallying for real, then stages, cars and liveries in a bid to recreate handling rewards pushing harder
blasting through narrow asphalt roads this year’s World Rally Championship.
and gravel forest tracks in the virtual The update is priced from £17.99, or if you
world is the next best thing. don’t own the original title the update is and the Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo – both made
EA Sports WRC does this job brilliantly, included when buying the game (£44.99). their real-world debuts this season.
and now there is an update bringing the The WRC added Rally Poland and The GR Yaris Rally2 is an absolute peach
delights of the 2024 WRC to your living Rally Latvia to its calendar this year, to drive and possibly one of the most
room. So if you have a yearning to pilot and these fast gravel events have been satisfying to pilot, particularly across the
Sebastien Ogier’s black Toyota GR Yaris painstakingly recreated in the virtual new Poland and Latvia stages. It is easy
or pretend to be Hyundai’s Ott Tanak world. The recreation is both impressive to handle, which encourages you to push
or M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux, and enjoyable to drive and, while the that little bit extra. It looks stunning and
now you can. events themselves are similar in their its unique three-cylinder engine noise is
The game was originally released make-up, they both feature different perfect. Likewise, the four-wheel-drive
last year, produced by British studio characteristics that set them apart. Rally Fiesta is a brilliant entry level car
Codemasters, which created the seminal Poland is much bumpier and features for those new to rallying games, with its
Colin McRae Rally series in the late 1990s. both wide and narrow sections and some intuitive handling and manageable speed.
This helped take rallying to the masses, asphalt, while Latvia is much smoother. Adding further realism to the update
before it went on to produce the ultra- But just like real life, these stages demand is the inclusion of the new points system
realistic Dirt Rally franchise. respect and total commitment otherwise a that has divided opinion among fans. It
EA Sports WRC, developed for PC, roll is likely if a bank is clipped or a corner now means cruising through the latter
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, has misjudged. Thankfully, if this occurs there stages of a rally is costly, just like the real
built on the success of the Dirt Rally series isn’t a costly repair bill. world. There is also now the prospect of
to deliver an accurate simulation that not In addition to the new rallies is a roster losing all of your hard-earned Saturday
only caters to those new to the WRC, but of 2024 cars, drivers and 52 new liveries, championship points if a retirement
also seasoned enthusiasts. The 2023 release although sadly the wildcard Martins Sesks occurs on the Super Sunday stages.
Ford Puma Rally1 and Sami Pajari Toyota If you are a hardcore fan, this update
EA SPORTS
GR Yaris Rally1 colour schemes are missing. is met with a firm thumbs-up, and there’s
The Toyota GR Yaris, Hyundai i20 N and more good news on the way. Two more
Ford Puma Rally1 cars have been modified updates are on the horizon following
to varying degrees. All three are now the announcement of the ‘Le Maestros’
resplendent in their 2024 liveries and have and ‘Hard Chargers’ content packs,
each undergone refinement. The Puma priced at £8.99 each. The former will
features its new-for-2024 rear wing, for include yet-to-be-announced cars, the
example, and has had its sound completely Brianconnet Monte Carlo test and the
reproduced to replicate the rasping noise famous Fafe, Rally Portugal stage. The
and those pops and bangs – even the latter is expected to feature the Umea and
Puma’s characteristic anti-lag anti-lag sound is eerily accurate. Umea Sprint stages from Rally Sweden,
sound is uncannily accurate Two new vehicles are on offer, with the as well the Acropolis Rally’s Harvati test.
introduction of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 TOM HOWARD
FINISHING STRAIGHT
WHAT ’S ON
INTERNATIONAL
MOTORSPORT
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Round 19/24
Austin, USA
19-20 October
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Academy, Roadsport,
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19-20 October Graduates (Sigma 135,
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CityCar Cup, Evolution Livestream
autosport.com/podcast Trophy, Mazda MX-5s barc.net
(Championship,
Clubman, Supercup) Mondello Park MPSC
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brscc.co.uk Fiesta STs, Fiesta Zetecs,
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Open Series/Slicks Series, Livestream
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MOY/ALFA ROMEO
Formula Ford Festival
Autosport Podcast: US GP preview

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COVER I MAG E
Formula E
4 NEWS
BAGNALL /MOTORSPORT IMAGES

Industry update
Gen3 Evo will make its de ebut The latest developments in the
laterr thiss year,, with
h testiing
g world of motorsport engineering
duee to begin next montth
7 DRIVING CHANGE
Lucas di Grassi
Our regular columnist explains how
new EV powertrains are developed
FORMUL A E’ S NEXT 9 E NGI NE ER ’ S VI EW

Gavin Harrison
L A N D M A R K I N N OVAT I O N ICE specialist Neil Brown Engineering
is protecting its traditional markets
I S A N I M P O RTA N T ST E P 10 FO RMU L A E’ S GE N3 EVO
Arrival of all-wheel drive
ormula E enjoyed its first it will have a handy reference point. Change is afoot in the all-electric
F big birthday last month, so
it seems only appropriate
Our regular columnist outlines how
the development process has evolved
championship, and hereʼs how
that as the all-electric world and the elements to prioritise on page 7. 16 CLUBMANS TECH
championship turns 10, it should get a With multiple options on the table for Phantom PR24
new toy to play with. Although the Gen3 the World Rally Championship’s future Alex Champkinʼs marvel is setting
Evo may not look enormously different, (see news, p4), among them combustion new standards in Clubmans racing
the difference it will make when the engines, hybrid and EV powertrains,
new campaign begins in December these remain unpredictable times for 18 B R AKE FLU I D
with the Sao Paulo E-Prix will be industry specialists. But following its The overlooked braking agent
profound. As Stefan Mackley outlines British Touring Car Championship Discs and pads are important, but
in the cover feature (page 10), a package success with West Surrey Racing and braking systems are a package deal
of alterations headlined by the onset Jake Hill, Neil Brown Engineering
of all-wheel drive will radically impact is committed to sticking to its guns. 20 R ML AT 4 0
how races in Formula E play out. Senior engineer Gavin Harrison Rise of a motorsport giant
Among the changes to anticipate explains all in our guest column (p9). Still a key player after four decades,
will be the arrival of new Lola/Yamaha Another well-regarded name going this is the family-run companyʼs story
powertrains with Abt. Starting from strong is RML. In its 40th anniversary
scratch, there will be a steep learning year, it no longer has a competition arm, 26 B E AN ACE E NG INE ER
curve as it seeks to challenge rivals with but as Marcus Simmons discovered Trevor Foster
mature programmes, but in Formula E’s (p20) its diversification strategy should The experienced engineer reflects on
most experienced driver Lucas di Grassi serve it well for many years to come. a wide-ranging career and shares tips
ED ITO R I AL
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[email protected] Michael Cavalli autosport.com/engineering
1 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4 AUTOSPORT ENGINEERING 3
WR C / WO R L D RX R E G U L AT I O N
CONVERGENCE MOOTED BY FIA
Manufacturers could be enticed to build cars for both rulesets in 2027
A crossover in technical regulations for the Equivalence of Technology if various approaches the future of rallycross also.”
World Rally Championship and World Rallycross are permitted simultaneously. The FIA is working World RX switched to an all-electric platform
Championship in 2027 is being investigated by the to reduce costs, with a €400,000 cap for Rally1 ahead of the 2022 season, with all cars in the top
FIA. The world motorsport governing body is in cars among the ongoing talks. RX1e category using spec Kreisel powertrains.
the process of forging the 2027 technical rules Mestelan Pinon told Autosport: “This is a Last year’s campaign was paused following a
for the WRC, which will be presented to the project that we need to discuss with the World devastating fire at Lydden Hill that destroyed
World Motor Sport Council in December. Rallycross ecosystem, but for me it could make Special ONE Racing’s Lancia Delta Evo-E RXs.
According to FIA chief technical and safety sense. If €400,000 will be the cost cap that we This year, internal combustion engine cars are
officer Xavier Mestelan Pinon, the regulations will validate, that means that the car would once more eligible to compete alongside EV
could offer the prospect for manufacturers and be very close to the current cars in rallycross. machinery in the ‘Battle of Technologies’.
tuners to develop a car that would be eligible “If we want to launch an EV version [of a WRC The FIA has already dabbled in crossover
to compete in both the WRC and World RX. Rally1 car] we can imagine some common parts regulations following the launch of the new
Internal combustion engines, hybrid and EV like the battery that could be suited for rally. This touring car TC Lite class, which shares existing
powertrains remain on the table for discussion for is something we’re working on; it’s too early to say Rally4 and Rally5 technical regulations.
WRC, alongside the possibility of some form of yes or no. This is something that could be good for TOM HOWARD
@WORLD / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Lousada track that
hosted special
stage on WRC
Rally Portugal will
return to World RX
calendar next year
EX-LOLA WIND TUNNEL COMPLETES £0.5M

UPGRADE PACKAGE, OFFERED FOR SALE Tunnel is on
the market
A state-of-the-art wind tunnel original company folded in 2012, following
upgrades
previously used by Lola Cars has the wind tunnel has been put up
been put up for sale after recently for sale by owner Peer Group plc.
undergoing a £500,000 upgrade. The facility includes an array of
The moving road wind tunnel, supporting workshops as well
which is scaled at 50%, was first as a seven-post chassis rig, with
opened in 1998 and acquired by a guide price of £2.5million.
Lola Cars from British Aerospace, Peer Group managing director
PEER GROUP
where it was used for the Howard Dawson said it would

motorsport company’s in-house represent “incredible value in
research and development relation to the cost of building
and also included work from and developing a new wind
several Formula 1 teams. tunnel, especially as its modular systems completed this year now technologies. It is controlled by
Following a three-year lease to steel construction makes it ideal provides for pre-programmed Cosworth’s specialist Diablo
Lola Cars, which was re-formed in for relocation to wherever a buyer automated testing with full software, designed for advanced
2021 by businessman and racer wishes”. He explained that the model motion control and easy wind tunnel applications.
Till Bechtolsheimer after the major upgrade to the tunnel’s integration with the latest sensor STEFAN MACKLEY
4 AUTOSPORT ENGINEERING 1 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4
N E WS
IN BRIEF
Rodin drivers will benefit

from set-up work on sim
FG SERIES
Prodrive-built Dacia got
first run-out in Morocco
PRODRIVE’S DACIA CHALLENGER WINS ON DEBUT IN MOROCCO RODIN INVESTS IN NEW SIM
Prodrive’s preparations for the 2025 Dakar Rally began the rally proper from the rear of the field. Leading Formula 2 squad Rodin Motorsport has
got off to the perfect start last week in Morocco Reflecting on the performance of the three-litre purchased a new DMG-1 simulator supplied by
when its new Sandrider claimed a 1-2 in the Rallye twin-turbo V6-powered car, which uses synthetic Dynisma. The new rig’s arrival would be “a
du Maroc. Nasser Al Attiyah secured his third fuel, Loeb said: “It’s important to do a rally like this game changer” in Rodin’s preparations for 2025,
World Rally-Raid Championship title by leading to see what breaks and what we need to improve its F2 team manager Benn Huntingford said.
team-mate Sebastien Loeb with a 5m10s margin. for the Dakar. Of course, there are a few things we In addition to driver training “it allows us to
The Sandrider, which replaces Prodrive’s Hunter need to sort out, but overall, we’re very happy.” really look at our car set-up and evaluate things
T1+ in which Al Attiyah had won two of the past The new petrol-engined Mini JCW Rally 3.0i had in a landscape where testing just isn’t possible.”
three rounds, immediately showed promise when been in podium contention with Guerlain Chicherit
the Qatari won the first test. Loeb was fastest on until problems on the final test. But X-raid team KVYAT VERSUS AI
two stages after a disastrous Prologue in which principal Sven Quandt professed himself “very Ex-Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat will be part of a
he incurred suspension damage that meant he happy with our performance”. ‘man versus machine’ exhibition race organised
by the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
at Suzuka next month. The A2RL development
driver will race an autonomously driven Super
SKODA LAUNCHES NEW Formula Dallara SF23 on 9-10 November in
EV RACING CONCEPT the second event it has staged following an
Skoda Motorsport unveiled an all-new AI showcase at the Yas Marina Circuit in April.
electric racing car concept last week that
incorporates technology from its World LIGIER H2 TEST MILESTONE
Rally Championship Rally2 car. Ligier Automotive says its hydrogen-powered
Based on the Czech manufacturer’s JS2 RH2 co-developed with Bosch Engineering
road-going Enyaq SUV, the new Enyaq RS has now covered over 5000km of circuit testing
Ansible says new base at
Race has been developed in-house by Snett will allow for growth without encountering issues. The French
Skoda Motorsport since 2023 with the aim sportscar manufacturer anticipates that top
of creating a performance-purposed EV speeds of around 300km/h are possible, but
that closely matches the handling of ANSIBLE MOTION RELOCATES COO Richard Tur says “there are still some
its Fabia RS Rally2 challenger. TO NEW SNETTERTON HUB technological hurdles to overcome” as it
The car can generate 340bhp and a Ansible Motion is to move to MotorSport Vision’s develops solutions based on liquid hydrogen.
top speed of 180km/h from two electric new Innovation Park in Snetterton from its
motors married to an 82kWh battery, current base in Hethel. The company, which BTCC SUSTAINABLE FUEL
taken from the production car. Inside, the supplies Driver-in-the-Loop simulators to Plans to introduce 100% sustainable fuel to the
car features a rally-specification rollcage leading teams and manufacturers across British Touring Car Championship will progress
and hydraulic handbrake, while the pedal multiple racing series, will become the first after trials at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.
box is taken directly from the Rally2 car. tenants of the 13-hectare site adjacent to Daryl DeLeon’s Unlimited Motorsport Cupra
Biocomposite components that the MSV-owned Snetterton Circuit. reported no issues with the drop-in solution
incorporate flax fibres in the interior and Ansible managing director Dan Clark said the from Haltermann Carless, which supplies the
body have contributed to a 316kg saving, move would “connect us with a broader growth regular 20% renewable mix. Series boss Alan
and could point to Skoda’s future direction ecosystem”, and described its relocation as “an Gow said the “significant milestone” was “an
in a fast-changing motorsport landscape. excellent fit for us”. The new Snetterton base important and essential step” for the BTCC.
TOM HOWARD will be double the size of the existing facility
it has used since 2009, Clark said, and would DeLeon became BTCC’s 100%
SKODA
EV is fitted with components “allow us to house all our research and sustainable fuel pioneer
used in Fabia RS Rally2 development, design and manufacturing
under one roof”. The company also plans to
expand its current workforce from 55 staff
to around 90 within the next three years.
MSV boss Jonathan Palmer added: “The
development will give new life to the circuit and
bring new race teams, motorsport businesses
and advanced engineering firms to the area.”
JEP
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D R I V I N G CH A N G E
DRIVING CHANGE
LUCAS DI GRASSI
T HE COMP E T I N G D E M A N D S O F
P OW ER T R A I N D E V E LO P M E N T
As progress continues on the latest Formula E
Understanding of how
powertrain, the championship’s most experienced driver to hone powertrains is
continuously increasing
explains what goes into developing a project from scratch
hen developing a new electric resulting in increased hardware capacity. faster innovation. Instead of producing
W powertrain for Formula E,
multiple objectives must be
When Formula E first began with a
standard powertrain capable of 150kW in
several powertrain iterations and testing
them physically to find the best solution,
balanced and prioritised. Power, race mode, we used a five-speed gearbox as much of the optimisation can now be done
efficiency and controllability are all crucial we couldn’t achieve maximum power early virtually before parts are manufactured.
for manufacturers, and compromise is enough. My team, Abt Sportsline, reduced So, what are the main criteria we look
inevitable when determining the best this to three gears in season two, two gears for in a Formula E powertrain? First, it’s
overall package. A highly efficient in season three, and eventually one gear essential to achieve maximum power
powertrain is of little use if it cannot reach in season four. Eliminating multiple gears across all revs as early as possible. We
maximum power quickly enough, has was a major breakthrough in the Gen1 era are limited to 350kW, so the motor must
too much inertia, or lacks the necessary as gear shifts result in time loss and hurt operate at its peak without exceeding
software controls for energy management. efficiency. Now, every team uses a single that limit, which would result in a penalty.
Each of these core elements also involves gear, which requires specific treatments Power control is challenging, particularly
additional considerations, highlighting for the gear teeth. These teeth are made when the motor, gearbox and driveshaft
the extensive work required to bring a wide and shallow to reduce friction, which oscillate over kerbs or bumps.
project from concept to the track. Since
Formula E began a decade ago, and
powertrain development was opened up “Striking the right balance is a complex
in season two, several aspects of the design
and development process have matured
hugely. We now have more knowledge
task that always requires compromises”
and better tools than we did back then.
Proof of this can be seen in the inverters, improves efficiency and allows the cars A throttle map that delivers torque
which convert DC current from the battery to accelerate seamlessly from 0-300km/h. smoothly is a key area where the driver
into AC current for the motor. The inverters Arguably the biggest difference between can influence development. I focus on how
are now over 99% efficient, and the electric past and present development lies in the motor behaves under braking, how its
motors we use are more than 98% efficient. advances in software calculations and positioning affects the car’s balance, and
This high level of development can largely predictive engineering. These impressive optimising software controls, like how the
be attributed to improvements in motor advancements allow for more precise motor responds to regenerative braking.
construction, electronics precision and simulations of reality, streamlining the Incremental gains in efficiency are a
speed, and advances in materials science, development process and enabling continuous area of focus. We’re always
looking for an extra 0.1% or 0.2%. The
important thing is achieving efficiency
Development continues at pace with new Lola-Yamaha across the entire package, not just in the
powertrain that Abt will race in upcoming Formula E season
motor and inverter. In addition to high
peak efficiency, we aim for high average
efficiency, which requires a large motor.
A larger motor with thicker copper wiring
typically has less resistance. However,
a larger motor also means more mass
and weight, so other factors must also be
considered. Lightness has clear benefits for
efficiency, and low inertia is also critical.
Striking the right balance is a complex
task that always requires compromises,
but the advances made over the past 10
years have been truly remarkable.
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ENGINEER’S VIEW
JEP
ENGINEER’S VIEW
GAV I N H A R R I SO N
N AV I G AT IN G A C OUR S E
T HR O U G H C H A N G IN G T IME S
One year on from the death of Neil Brown, the engine-building
BTCC is an important
company that bears his name is sticking true to the core platform for NBE,
explains Harrison
principles he espoused, as its senior engineer explains
joined Neil Brown Engineering the hybrid, such as introducing a blip supporting our teams and are competitive.
I in 1989 when electronics came
into motor racing and engine
on downshifts to look after the electric
motors, but as Cosworth is the supplier
As far as the future is concerned, we are
led to some degree by manufacturers. And
management systems became and it’s not our area of specialism, there’s that is all up in the air because they don’t
increasingly popular. My brother-in-law very little we have to take care of. seem to be in unison on how they want to
already worked here and I’d been helping I first worked with WSR during its time move forward. Some claim they will stay
him out a little bit as a newly qualified as a leading team in Formula 3; we both with the ICE, some are saying they’re going
electronics engineer, so Neil offered me went our separate ways and then I ended to other formats. Until they decide, it
a job. I said, ‘I’ll do it for a few years to see up working with them again in touring makes things difficult for NBE to strategise.
a bit of the world.’ That was 35 years ago! cars. The key people are all the same, we’ve As a result, we’re forging our own way as
We have a core of staff who have worked known each other for a long time and they we try to protect our traditional markets
here for 30-plus years together with Neil trust me to ensure the engine is working to wherever possible. If manufacturers do
and they’re still together now he’s gone, its maximum, as I trust them to make sure decide to stop making IC engines, it may
with the same values in place and the the chassis is. At race weekends, I check mean that we produce one ourselves
same desire to succeed. In that respect, the engine data after each session to ensure that allows us to continue the format.
things haven’t changed that much. We just
picked up the pieces that Neil used to do
and everybody has taken on a bit more. “What is current now will become classics,
Although we have worked in the British
Touring Car Championship with West which has become a big part of our business”
Surrey Racing and Speedworks Motorsport
– and prior to that with Team Dynamics –
with great success during the hybrid era, we’re leaving nothing on the table. On our part, there’s no thoughts of
we don’t get too involved in electric vehicles NBE has always considered the BTCC ‘things are getting a bit slow, we’ll think
and stay true to our core expertise with as an important championship, simply about winding it up’. We’re moving forward
internal combustion engines. because it’s high-profile in the UK. More and we’ll take on new challenges as they
Although the hybrid system has to work people know us through our involvement arrive. Maybe going to hydrogen eventually,
with the IC engine in the BTCC, the two are with BTCC than from our days in F3, for or maybe just sticking with the historics,
actually fairly separate. There are some example, so it’s always been important to whatever markets come along. We’re
things we have to do to accommodate us to make sure that we’re involved with driven by our market and we’ve always
undertaken to be as competitive as
possible. If that means learning new
JEP
Harrison first worked processes or keeping up to date with

with Dick Bennetts’s manufacturing processes, test equipment
WSR team in its F3 days or whatever it may be, we do it.
Ultimately, I see the ICE era continuing
for some time to come. What is current
now will become classics, which has
become a big part of our business. We’ve
shown our skills in producing engines
which we still service today, and that
has produced more custom even as
we’ve lost traditional F3 over the years.
As long as there is demand for
combustion racing, I would like to think
that NBE will be at the forefront. That’s
certainly what we’re planning for.
Formula E’s latest upgrade cannot be underestimated
BY STEFAN MACKLEY
ynonymous with or compromising safety requirements.
motorsport and The front wing, a component that
not short on glitz has almost certainly become one of
or glamour given the most in-demand items at the spare
its picturesque parts unit during a race weekend, has
Mediterranean been strengthened in a bid to prevent it
coast location, Monte becoming damaged and falling off entirely
Carlo played host earlier this year to during races. The part could have been
the unveiling of Formula E’s newest made stronger when the Gen3 car was
challenger – the Gen3 Evo. launched in 2022, but the robustness of
A traditional step change that’s come the sturdier Gen2 front wing meant at
at the midpoint of the four-year cycle for times it was used as a battering ram
all generations of Formula E car so far, by some drivers – with little in the
on the surface the Gen3 Evo appears no way of a performance hindrance.
different from its older brother, which The decision to create a comparatively
has been used for the past two seasons. flimsier front wing to combat that issue
As ever, though, the devil is in the somewhat ironically coincided with the
detail and a closer look at the bodywork Gen3 car producing copious amounts of
reveals noticeable differences. The general drag compared to its predecessor. This
shape of the car has been refined and created a peloton-style of pack racing,
the sidepods pulled in tighter around the which has meant constant changes of
cockpit to give it a sleeker appearance position that often leaves carbon fibre
while not impacting the tub’s integrity strewn in its wake.
FORMULA E
Gen3 Evo incorporates minor

bodywork tweaks, but the
biggest changes are internal
Coulthard gave Gen3 Evo a first
public demonstration in Monaco
These modifications to the outside of The Gen3 Evo was put through its paces tracks that we race on, it’s going to be quite
the car will have a minimal performance publicly for the first time that weekend powerful. It’ll certainly make the cars a
effect. Under the bodywork is where the by two-time Monaco Grand Prix winner lot quicker in qualifying and make the
major change has occurred. The front David Coulthard, who was enthused by the Attack Mode more useful. It’s definitely
motor itself is nothing new; the spec part experience. So too the current generation going to make the car nicer to drive.
has been a feature of the Gen3 car since of Formula E drivers, with several able to “In the race, when you go from
its inception, its sole purpose being to experience the new car via manufacturer rear-wheel drive to then AWD in Attack
harvest and recoup energy in braking running before teams embarked on their Mode, adapting quickly to that will be
zones. But from next season the motor own post-season schedules ahead of important. But I still think you can take
will provide power to the front axle, pre-season testing, which commences some lessons from last year and that
producing all-wheel drive (AWD) for the in Valencia at the start of next month. will benefit you in aspects of the race
first time in the all-electric championship One of the first given the chance to when you’re only running RWD.”
as it embarks on its second decade. experience new car was DS Penske’s Although up to 50kW can be sent to the
McLaren’s chief engineer Albert Lau, reserve driver Oliver Turvey. With 88 front axle, that certainly doesn’t mean the
who joined the championship in 2018 and Formula E race starts to his name and maximum amount will be used at every
helped Nyck de Vries to the 2021 title with an engineering degree that’s helped him opportunity. Finding the perfect balance
Mercedes, believes the new technology remain a McLaren F1 test driver since between front and rear traction will be a
will be “a game-changer”. 2009, the 37-year-old Briton believes it constant quest for drivers and teams. Its
“Honestly, it’s a whole new world,” will be a hit. “[The AWD] made quite a use will also likely create greater strategic
Lau tells Autosport. “To put a number big difference,” he relates. “Certainly possibilities during races, with Attack
on it, you’re talking about two to three on the kind of street tracks or tighter Mode set to be taken later in proceedings
seconds of lap time in qualifying, which
is significant. Our drivers [Sam Bird and
Taylor Barnard] have hopped into the car All-wheel drive in Attack Mode
in manufacturer testing and both came will change the dynamic of races
out thinking, ‘Wow, that’s quite awesome’.”
The changes for this year mean that a
maximum 50kW of energy from an allotted
350kW can be sent to the front wheels, but
only in certain situations. This includes
the qualifying duels, when drivers go
head-to-head to determine grid positions,
at the start of the race and during both
STALEY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
Attack Mode activations.

The introduction of the technology made
headlines from the off back in April, when
Formula E’s PR machine announced that
its 0-60mph time of 1.82s would fractionally
beat the benchmark set by a Formula 1 car.
1 2 AUTOSPORT ENGINEERING 1 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4
FO R M U L A E ’s G E N 3 E VO
XXXX
McLaren’s Lau is excited to see

what will be possible with AWD
ROMNEY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
BAGNALL/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
New tyre compound

from Hankook should
offer more grip
“Y
You’ree giv
ven ann
extraa thin
ng to play
y
withh, andd we
e’re
goiing too pus
sh”
due to the sheer performance advantage
it will provide and power to help change
the complexion of races. But with
the new technology comes possible
compromises, according to Lau.
“The AWD is going make a big difference
just because you’re going to be pushed to
use a little bit more energy and that’s going
change the shape of the race,” he says.
FORMULA E
“In terms of how we use the 50kW, it’s a

lot more complicated than that [using the
maximum amount] because ultimately
the front powertrain is a spec part that
everyone’s running. It’s not going to
have the level of efficiency of the rear You’re given an extra thing to play with and governing body the FIA felt needed to
powertrains that the manufacturers as engineers, we’re always going to push be explored both from a sporting and
spend thousands of hours on the rigs, to find the most performance out of it.” technical perspective.
just to fine-tune that detail of efficiency. While AWD technology is nothing “Formula E already had the front
“There’s always going to be a little bit of, new, having been utilised in the World powertrain for the regeneration and
‘Should I be using more of the rear, more of Rally Championship for decades, and after 10 years one of the questions that
the front? Where do those efficiencies lie? more recently in the World Endurance our promoter and the FIA always asks is,
How do I get the best drive out of the car Championship, its use in single-seaters why not innovate?” says Pablo Martino, the
out of the corners?’ You’re weighing all is far more rare. The end of the 1960s FIA’s Head of Championship for Formula E.
of those things to make sure you have and early 1970s was when it was last taken “Especially on a feature that is quite
exactly the right amount of torque coming seriously at motor racing’s pinnacle by relevant for the automotive industry,
from the front or the rear for that corner the likes of Colin Chapman at Lotus, and because all the electric cars are four-wheel
where the efficiencies lie, which axle at McLaren and Matra, with limited drive almost from inception. So why not
is grip limited, all of those things. success. But with the technology now use that expertise to try to transfer and
“When I said it was a whole new world, an integral part of electric road vehicles, provide additional features that can be
that’s the kind of area I’m talking about. it was an avenue the championship and interesting for the automotive industry?
1 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4 AUTOSPORT ENGINEERING 1 3
Johnny Servoz-Gavin’s sixth place with AWD
Matra in 1969 Canadian GP was a rare high point
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
We have two things: first the performance

gain, which is always interesting to get,
that’s why we decided to move forward with
this four-wheel drive, and the second one is
the relevancy for the automotive industry.”
The move towards a greater amount
of grip also coincides with the other big
change ahead of the 2024-25 season, which
is a softer compound of Hankook tyre. The
manufacturer believes it will offer 5-10%
more grip than the previous iteration.
Having come in for blunt criticism from
drivers for being ultra-durable to the
extent of offering limited grip, the Korean
brand has worked to supply a tyre that
should also yield lap time improvements.
“It’s closer to a racing tyre than the
“Itt’s be
een All-wheel drive
promises to open
amaz zing to se
ee up more strategic
variation
the prog gressiion
FORMULA E
of Form mula E”
previous one,” adds Martino, “which is the end, it’s part of racing.” running at full pace on the Gen4 car, which
good but it’s going to be challenging as well It means that, whereas energy will bring another significant performance
for them. We have a policy where we’re consumption has previously been the upgrade when introduced for the 2026-27
trying to think of the environment and the number one factor in determining the season. Bridgestone will replace Hankook
waste of tyres, so we will run with the same outcome of races, managing tyres at certain as tyre supplier, while the Spark Racing
quota for the tyres. It’s also important to venues with an abrasive track surface and Technologies group will continue to
note that this tyre features 35% renewable high temperatures could now become the supply the chassis – having done so
materials, an increase of 7% compared to critical element and part of the strategy. since the outset of the championship.
its predecessor. They offer a little bit more While focus is on the Gen3 Evo and Two types of tyre will be used for the
performance and it will bring some other the impact that will create on Formula E first time in the championship’s history.
challenges in terms of tyre wear, but at over the next two seasons, work is already These include a ‘baseline’ rubber, which
will be a grooved all-weather tyre that
“must guarantee sufficient grip to ensure
safe racing in light rain”, says Martino,
and a second ‘typhoon’ compound will
be “mandatory in heavy rain”.
Separate high and low downforce
configurations will be available, while
there will be a power increase that will
peak at 600kW – nearly double the current
level. Combined, it will help to create
BAGNALL/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
another leap for electric technology.

“It’s been amazing to see the progression
of Formula E – in 10 years they’ve really
achieved a lot in terms of electric racing,”
says Turvey. “Each generation of car has
Spec nature of front powertrain remains,
giving teams plenty of work to optimise been a good step forwards in speed and
range. The car from Gen1 to Gen2, we
FO R M U L A E ’s G E N 3 E VO
RACE FOR FAST- CHARGING

One of the longest running sagas of Teams have been able to use the
Formula E’s Gen3 era has surrounded charge boosters during testing to work
fast-charging pitstops, which could on the procedure from an operational
appear later this season having perspective, with further running set
been tested extensively during to take place at pre-season testing in
the off-season. Valencia. The four-day test will also
The concept, where drivers would include a mock race, with the fast-
be required to pit during a race for charging pitstops set to feature,
approximately 30 seconds and receive giving teams and the FIA the chance
a charge of power equal to 10% of to see the technology used in a
the battery, was initially slated for dynamic race situation.
the start of the Gen3 era in 2022. “From an operational point of
This was pushed back by a year view, we’re pretty close,” adds
due to the introduction of the new McLaren chief engineer Albert Lau.
machines, which put a strain on “But we just haven’t had, I guess, the
available parts and the general volume of boost charges that would
Formula E infrastructure, with for me sign it off to the point where
testing of the technology taking we’re happy that it’s all OK.
place at various points last season “You’re talking about a boost charge
in official practice sessions. per race, per car, and you add that up;
The technology, which could you need hundreds of boost charges
eventually have a huge impact for signed off before you’re going to go
consumers if successful, is yet to into a season. You don’t go to Le Mans
be implemented in a race as the and do a 24-hour test. You’ve done
finalisation of its development a 36-hour test beforehand and it’s
is ongoing. the same thing for this.”
“It comes with big challenges; it’s However, even if the technology
not only pushing boundaries on the proves reliable and teams are up to
charger side but also on the battery speed with it operationally, there’s no
side,” says FIA Head of Championship guarantee that it will be implemented
for Formula E Pablo Martino. for the upcoming season.
“Through all the summer period Martino admits that further
this year, the manufacturers have simulation and research are currently
GALLOWAY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
had access to this technology, so taking place to ensure that adding

they have been testing with that the procedure into a race won’t
technology in place. diminish the spectacle or create
“They have performed quite any unforeseen issues.
a relevant amount of charging “We also need to understand
already. The technology is there, how this Attack Charge affects the
the technology is working. race,” he says. “This is something
“There are just a few operational that needs to be captured, hence
corrections that need to be addressed, why we are planning to do a race
but nothing related to the technicality. simulation in Valencia. That will
FIA’s Martino welcomes the
opportunity for innovation We are now in the last phase of also be taken into account for a
sign-off, let’s say.” final decision.”
went from two cars to racing with one

car, and then from Gen2 to Gen3, the
speed of the cars has increased as well.
“Not only just the feeling to drive,
but just the actual speed of the cars, the
power they have now. Again, for the Gen3
Evo, it’s another step forward in terms of
performance, it has the four-wheel drive
and the better tyres – they’re going to be
another couple of seconds a lap quicker.
“It’s definitely a challenge for the drivers;
ROMNEY/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
the new car is going to be the fastest

Formula E car yet. They’ve also managed
to keep the racing close and exciting,
and there’s a lot of strategy involved – the
races have always come down to the final
few laps. It’s a really tough, challenging
series where all the details matter now.”
PHANTOM PR 24
P H A N TO M O F T H E C LU B M A N S O P E R A
The storied constructor’s latest offering is already a serial winner
BY MARCUS PYE
THE CURRENT ERA

After polishing wheels as a lad for Clubmans
IN THE BEGINNING racer dad Jamie – now Motorsport UK’s legal
The Phantom story dates back 51 eagle – Alex Champkin evolved a Vision chassis
years to 1973, when Jaguar before starting his mainstream business VMEP
engineers Chris Greville-Smith and (Vision Motorsport Engineering Products).
Richard Cresswell built their first Initially it made chassis set-up floors, air jacks
Clubmans car. Cresswell won his and pit equipment, but is now a market leader
class in the 1974 Silverstone-based in bespoke flight cases for race teams and other
Tricentrol championship, but CG-S industries that need secure transportation of
– who subsequently transferred to precision equipment worldwide. Since bringing
Ford – continued the project solo, Phantom back to Warwickshire, close to its
racing and developing his chassis Coventry birthplace, Champkin won the MSVR- was double success running James Clarke in
and building a handful more, among badged Clubmans Register CSP1 championship the existing CSP1 car and Mathieu Gauthier-
them the ex-Kimber Crossley/David in 2022 with Ford Zetec power. In 2023 there Thornton to the CSP2 crown with Rover power.
Childs P79 still raced by Steve
Chapman. Arguably the most
consistent challengers to Mallock’s
offerings over the period, Phantoms
were subsequently created by
several firms, including John
Maguire Racing in Coventry, before
being taken over by Jan Nordgren
in Sweden, from whom Alex
Champkin acquired the
project. Greville-Smith
still engineers cars,
helping recent
Brands Hatch race
winner Michelle
Hayward in Tom
Commander’s
Zetec-engined
P82TR.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION
In a four-category structure split equally between whose first automotive passion remains bikes.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: JOY BATCHELOR
historic and modern concept front-engined He joined VMEP as a welder, but has brought his
sportscars, the Clubmans Register’s frontrunning knowhow to creating and detailing the PR24.
P1 division’s regulations provide the same scope Lightning quick from its debut at Castle Combe
for innovation as the original BRSCC’s Clubmans in August, Champkin (left) won both races, leaving
did when Nick Syrett introduced a competition for a 1m05.119s (102.14mph) lap record as evidence.
Lotus 7-type cars in 1965. The motorcycle-engined A month later the combo completed a hat-trick
option appealed to Alex Champkin and ignited the in the wet at Oulton Park, then added a Brands
enthusiasm of Ashley ‘Captain Aerospace’ Pearce, double for a five from seven win rate.
T EC H
CHASSIS TRANSMISSION
EVOLUTION Mounted longitudinally, as
The tubeframe chassis, opposed to transversely in
fabricated in-house by motorcycle applications,
Pearce, is based on the the Suzuki Hayabusa
previous PR22’s, but the engine is mated to its
Suzuki engine/gearbox is own compact six-speed
mounted significantly gearbox, operated by a
further back within its paddle-shift system –
wheelbase. But for a ‘power flat up, autoblip down
bulge’ in the bonnet’s flank, – developed by the
different water radiator highly rated Tim Gray
requirements and greater Motorsport. Two more
oil cooling – fed by twin cogs than conventional
nostrils in the nose – the Clubmans ‘car’ ’boxes is
PR24 retains the distinctive advantageous, although
low-slung Phantom look. To overall gearing to suit
optimise handling given the different circuits is altered
revised front/rear weight by changing between 3:3:1
balance, the chassis and 3.1:1 ratio diffs. Drive
requires greater rake than is transmitted by a long
conventional versions. shaft to the left of the
Another frame is on the cockpit, with stout impact
stocks for 2025 delivery. protection for safety.
DE DION AXLE
A constant of Phantom cars,
the de Dion tube rear axle
reduces unsprung weight and
provides a stiff, stable location
for the independent driven
wheels with zero camber
change during cornering.
Static camber adjustments are
RLM SUZUKI HAYABUSA made via shims, to maximise tyre
Built by racer Richard Webb’s renowned RLM contact patches, and there is
Racing concern in Leicestershire, the engine also toe control for alignment.
selected for the Phantom application is 1340cc Mounted by a Watts linkage,
capacity, with stock internals, although some with outboard radius arms, the
rivals use 1500cc derivatives. Weighing just robust tube is suspended by
84kg, the shrill Hayabusa revs to 10,500rpm in Spax dampers with bump and
first to fifth and 11,000rpm in top. It is rolling- rebound valving within vertical
road tuned to provide 180bhp at the wheels, coil springs. Front suspension
the CSP1 category maximum for bike engines. is inboard, pushrod operated.
A 55kg weight saving over 200bhp Ford Zetec or Wheels are 13in diameter,
Rover K-series engined cars endows the PR24 – with 9.5 and 10.5in widths.
weighing in at 500kg, less driver – with 360bhp/
ton performance and 145mph potential.
STOPPING POWER
Brake fluid has an unseen but crucial role in achieving consistent lap times
BY JAMES NEWBOLD
here are few more unsettling feelings for a driver fluid can’t adapt to those dynamic temperature ranges and has
T than arriving at a corner and being unable to
trust that the brakes will slow them down. A long
changed its compressibility in any way, you’ll get control issues.”
All the same, in the experience of Halo by Orthene chief
pedal that means apexes cannot be attacked with marketing officer Mike Biscoe, there is a tendency for mechanical
appropriate vigour carries a clear lap time penalty, and and electrical engineering to completely overshadow chemical
over a stint such inconsistency can make all the difference engineering approaches when it comes to unlocking lap time.
between victory and mid-pack anonymity. “There are teams and engineers who understand the
“Front-wheel-drive performance is all about your brakes importance of brake fluid, but I’d suggest they’re a minority,”
and how you can manage them to load up the front axle, keep says Biscoe. “When it comes to braking, everyone thinks about
the weight over the nose and control the balance,” explains the mechanical components at that calliper end, not about the
Aron Taylor-Smith, the British Touring Car Championship’s fluid that transmits that force.”
Independents’ title winner in 2024 with the Power Maxed However, that may not be the case for much longer. As both
Racing Vauxhall squad. Stafford and Taylor-Smith recognise, demands on braking systems
But braking systems are a package deal. Disc and pad wear are only growing as the trend of adding weight shows no signs of
isn’t the only brake-fade catalyst. Even the best pad/disc abating. When this is combined with greater electrification –
combination will have limited use if not complemented regen, so fundamental to extending battery life, occurs under
by effective brake fluid, the often-overlooked hydraulic deceleration – the heat that racing braking systems must cope
element that transmits the force from the pedal. with is extreme.
“The only connection between your foot and the calliper is Not meeting this reality face-on can have serious consequences.
the brake fluid,” points out Dan Stafford. The chief chemist at When brake fluid boils, bubbles form and the fluid becomes more
Halo by Orthene, the racing sub-brand of the family-owned compressible, with the resulting loss of pressure making it harder
Orthene company that has since 1976 developed brake fluids, to stop. This explains the mind-bending 341C boiling point of
says their significance shouldn’t be overlooked. Halo P1, the company’s latest motorsport-focused product.
“You want the brake fluid to have a very low compressibility,” Sensors on a master cylinder measuring pedal travel
he explains. “Force transfer has to be consistent. On a straight, across different temperatures are a great indicator of how
you have a massive cooling effect, then in a braking and cornering compressible the brake fluid is. For Stafford, very low and
event you get instantaneous heating of the brake system. If the stable compressibility over a wide temperature range is one
B R A K E FLU I D
Maximising front-wheel-
drive performance is
“all about the brakes”,
states BTCC star
Taylor-Smith
Stafford points out how it’s the

fluid that connects foot to calliper
US-based Flying Lizard team has been a key

SAM COBB development partner for Halo by Orthene
Braking systems will be “When it comes to braking,

flushed and fresh fluid added
throughout a race weekend everyone thinks about the
mechanical components”
JEP
in the last few seconds of qualifying, when the track is at the

grippiest, you still have the peak of brake performance.”
Unlike road-going brake fluid, which is subject to prescribed
standards to ensure it can perform at extremely low temperatures,
racing brake fluid involves fewer compromises that Biscoe notes
“allows us to push the envelope of performance”. Top teams will
‘flush’ the systems multiple times over a race weekend, Stafford
explains, “not just to ensure you’ve got fresh fluid in there, but
to remove any elastomer dust” generated when new or rebuilt
brake systems are bedding in.
Stafford notes that additives present in automotive fluids to
prevent corrosion, potentially resulting from water entering the
brake fluid after encountering puddles, “doesn’t come into it” with
racing, and longevity of the fluid itself isn’t such a concern either.
of P1’s core traits, its high temperature lubricity the other. But the right degree of viscosity, lubricity to avoid unduly wearing
“Having a fluid where the boiling point is that little bit higher, components, as well as compatibility with the varied exotic
the compressibility is that little bit better,” says Taylor-Smith, who metallurgy used in those components, are also important qualities.
has used the new-for-2024 P1 formulation in his Astra this year. Halo by Orthene is already exploring options for new
The Irishman cites Donington and Oulton Park as examples formulations. Stafford points out that motorcycles “need slightly
of circuits with multiple back-to-back heavy braking zones that different properties” to cars since there is far less brake fluid
afford little opportunity for cooling where brake fade was “a huge and the dynamics flowing through the system are very different.
issue”. One of the first measures PMR identified for improved “We’ve been working with a team in British Superbikes and
braking consistency at these tracks was in brake fluid, and they’re looking for a very particular characteristic with the brake
Taylor-Smith believes his overall podium finishes at both fluid which we managed to solve,” he says. “From a chemical
circuits this year “is probably no coincidence”. perspective, we’ll probably start to see some divergence.”
“Other brake fluids might be able to replicate a one-lap pace As motorsport continually strives for faster lap times, so in
when all the fluid is fresh,” he says. “But I’ve found with P1 that its unseen way, will brake fluid evolve to play its own part.
RML AT 40
THE RISE OF A
MOTORSPORT GIANT
Success across multiple disciplines paved the way for diversification that serves it well today
BY MARCUS SIMMONS
he crash at the Druids hairpin the race and about to hand over to David – but which can expand to 180 during build
T looked nasty, especially when
fire broke out with the driver
Leslie – the start of their feted relationship
as racing partners – when disaster struck.
projects – at its factory in Wellingborough,
eight years after his father handed over
stuck inside. But, for those “The brakes failed – it wrote the car off,” the reins. “I essentially retired although
who believe that all things happen reflects Mallock today. “I was stuck in the I remained as chairman,” explains Mallock
for a reason, it was validation. car while it was on fire – all on TV with Sr in this, the company’s 40th anniversary
Ray Mallock’s new company, Ray Murray Walker commentating! Horrible year. And the work has continued.
Mallock Limited, was in its first year of crash but fortunately Hugh had insured it RML may be famed for its title
operation when it pitched up at the 1984 for that race, and that enabled us to create successes in the World and British
British Grand Prix meeting at Brands our own chassis for the following year.” Touring Car championships, and before
Hatch to compete in the Thundersports Mallock’s son Michael, then not yet that its world sportscar exploits. But its
support race with its Ecosse C284. RML two years old, adds: “One of my earliest influence continues: a swathe of high-
had been running the Ecurie Ecosse memories is being at Brands Hatch, and performance projects for track and road,
programme on behalf of the team’s patron looking out of the window and seeing a clandestine involvement as a key supplier
Hugh McCaig in the world sportscar Dad have an off at Druids when he had of battery technology to teams in Formula 1
championship while, in parallel, Mallock a brake failure. It’s amazing how these and the Le Mans Hypercar class, not to
himself was driving for the Nimrod-Aston things stick. It was exciting!” mention every car in the modern-era
Martin team. At Brands, Mallock was Today, Mallock Jr is CEO of the RML BTCC carrying RML spec parts including
having a rare outing in the Ecosse, leading Group and in charge of a workforce of 120 subframe and steering system.
RML displayed
highlights from its
four-decade
history at August’s
Silverstone Festival
JEP
When Mallock ‘retired’ from the

company he founded, he never slowed
down. He still competes today in Historic
Formula Junior in machinery built by his
own father Arthur, whose influence was
– and remains – key: “I was very fortunate
to have Dad as my tutor in motorsport.
His thing was always about looking at a
problem from first principles and being
as simple as possible. He loved the idea
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
of a racing car with well-thought-through

dynamics, particularly on the suspension
side – he was one of the first people to
really understand the importance of
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
kinematics in suspension.”
Mallock’s own reputation as a driver
flourished until “I was getting enquiries
Mallock: engineer, and driver – here sharing
about testing and developing cars and Aston Martin Nimrod, 1982 Brands Hatch 1000Km
I set up my own business in 1979, and
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R M L AT 4 0
that was really a forerunner to RML. 1987 Fuji 1000Km: Mallock and Leslie shared Ecosse-
We got our own premises just over Ford C286; Mike Wilds and Marc Duez drove sister car
the road from my dad and brother.”
Two Formula Atlantic titles in 1979 and
1981 sandwiched a campaign in the 1980
Aurora British F1 Championship, before
the glass ceiling in single-seaters sent him
on a different path. Group C was starting in
the world sportscar arena, and there was
an Aston Martin effort for 1982. Mallock
describes it as “a Boy’s Own project that was
full of good intention and ambition”, but
crucially it enabled his pre-RML business
to establish its reputation. “It got quite a
few people’s attention, and we really did
“It got people’s

MOTORSPORT IMAGES
attention, and we
really did punch
above our weight”
punch above our weight. I still drive brought in for 1986 when the Ford
it sometimes. It’s like putting on an old Cosworth engines were replaced by the
pair of slippers – it’s a lovely car to drive.” Rover V64V unit from the Metro 6R4.
When McCaig came calling, wanting Mallock himself was twice runner-up in
to create an Ecosse Group C2 car for the Group C2 standings – once with Leslie
his proteges Leslie and David Duffield, – and Ecurie Ecosse became teams’ world
Mallock was receptive. RML was born: “I’d champion in 1986, but a move into the
been doing all the work on the Nimrod. I’d big league was beckoning. RML would
created the new bodywork design for the produce a new Aston Martin factory
1983 cars – that’s when we first went into racer – the AMR1 – for 1989.
the wind tunnel at MIRA in Southampton. “That was an opportunity to create
Amazingly, using my dad’s ethos of taking a car from a clean sheet of paper, and it
the simplest, most economical, most was a groundbreaking car in a lot of ways,”
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
straightforward route, I was able to cut recalls Mallock. “I had very little to do with
and shut the Nimrod bodywork and clothe the detail design – I chose a chief designer,
what was a De Cadenet Group 6 car in that a guy called Max Bostrom, who worked
Aston Martin AMR1 (here at Le Mans
cutdown body. We took a heavy mould of closely with me on the Ecosse programme. in 1989) was “groundbreaking design”
the Nimrod and got a rotary jigsaw out, “Max’s main business was wheels
cut it up along the lines and stuck it all actually, but he was a very creative and
together again, and created what was first-principles design engineer. That was result of the Group C regulations changing
a fabulously effective Group C2 car.” the first Group C car to have a full carbon when Bernie [Ecclestone] decided that
Nimrod had ended its programme in the monocoque with an integral roll structure Group C needed to have F1 engines.”
aftermath of tragedy at Le Mans in 1984, within the roof. Very sophisticated RML would move into touring cars to
when tyre failure sent John Sheldon into front aero with highly adjustable front become a colossus of the BTCC in the 1990s
the barrier and a marshal was killed by the downforce, and our own transmission and, a decade later, the WTCC. In between,
debris. From 1985-88, Mallock moved over with the final drive ahead of the axle its work on the Saleen S7R GT car had been
to the Ecosse project to share with Leslie centre line. It was a great shame that the a huge success on track, but a dispute with
and, later, Marc Duez, the versatile Belgian programme got canned so early on as a the American marque had brought the
company to its knees. A stint in the ASCAR
J BLOXHAM/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
series at Rockingham – RML won the title

with Nicolas Minassian in 2002 and Ben
Collins in 2003 – was part of the survival
process, “and it was interesting going into
a different category and starting with
basics, and trying to get our head around
going oval racing on crossply tyres. It was
a lifeline for us but an interesting time.”
The WTCC’s inception for 2005 brought
in Chevrolet with RML, which had
returned to the BTCC in 2004 for one year
with SEAT. Since its BTCC programme with
RML bestrode British Touring
Car Championship in the 1990s Vauxhall finished at the end of 1996, RML
had kept a relationship with General
Motors through building rally cars for
sister marque Opel, and now another GM
brand was ready to make a splash. “The
boss of Chevrolet Europe at the time, Nick
Reilly, had been a supporter of ours since
our BTCC Vauxhall days and I’d kept in
touch with him – he really understood the
value of a successful race programme,” says
Mallock. “When WTCC was announced he
realised that it would suit them very well.
It also coincided with Chevrolet taking
over Daewoo, and rebadging the
Daewoo Lacetti as a Chevrolet!”
After a difficult first season, RML
took the bold step of bringing its engine
preparation in-house. The Lacetti used
what “was basically the same engine,
commonly referred to as the red-top
Vauxhall” as the Cavalier Super Tourer,
PHOTO4/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
“We do some
incredible stuff –
most of which the
guys can’t talk about”
explains Mallock. “It was the right decision with Max to talk about it. I presented Alongside Aston Martin and GM, the
because it enabled us to get more power a document to the FIA Touring Car company had maintained its relationship
and performance out of it, and to be able Commission about how we felt the cars with Nissan via numerous road-car and
to continually develop the engine. We were could be evened up in an objective rather high-performance projects that continue
constantly finding brake horsepower here than subjective manner. That was an to this day. In 2012 came the debut of the
and there by pushing the boundaries, important part of the touring car journey.” DeltaWing at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
which as a customer to an engine supplier After RML protege Rob Huff won the “We were engaged by Nissan Europe
we wouldn’t have been able to do. That 2012 WTCC crown, Chevrolet pulled out of to initially do an engineering simulation
enabled us to win the championship in the series in the wake of giving up on the package to check the thing worked and
2010 [with Yvan Muller in the Cruze, European car market. The team carried didn’t topple over when it turned out the
which replaced the Lacetti] with a on as a privateer in 2013, claiming another end of the pitlane,” recounts Mallock Jr.
normally aspirated engine, when championship for the Cruze with Muller, “By the end we were responsible for all
the odds were against us really.” but the landscape was changing. Mallock the engineering, all the build, the race
Behind the scenes, Mallock also Jr, who had been a talent in his own right operations and so on, including designing
worked with FIA president Max Mosley in sportscar and GT racing, had acted as a new engine for it – built by RML Power.”
– handily a Mallock Clubmans customer of development driver alongside McLaren’s From this came the hybrid-electric
the 1960s! – on an early concept of touring Chris Goodwin for the McLaren-Mercedes ZEOD RC of 2014, which, says Mallock Jr,
car racing’s current creed of performance SLR one-make series, run by RML. “When was “very much the spiritual successor”
equalisation: “That was important to us, the McLaren and Mercedes partnership to the DeltaWing: “There were some
especially with the Lacetti, which didn’t dissolved we were just kicking off incorrect assumptions made before we
have good race car aerodynamics and also development of a GT3 version,” he says. took control of the project. It would have
it was narrow track, and quite an old- “We were going to have a full-on factory been massively overweight if it was at the
fashioned engine. We did a lot of work on Nurburgring 24 Hours attempt, which spec it originally was. Battery technology
performance equalisation, and meeting would have been cool.” at the time was very immature compared
to what it is now, and the estimate was that
Electric Czinger C21 set production it needed a 40kg battery; our estimate was
record at this year’s Goodwood FoS that it needed 140kg. It actually ended up
being 150. It would have been overweight
for the tyres that Michelin had already
developed for the DeltaWing, so there
were two key things on the ZEOD RC: the
efficiency of the battery and the e-motors,
and the mass of the whole vehicle, which is
JEP/MOTORSPORT IMAGES
why we ended up with magnesium steering

racks that were the length of your finger
and all this kind of incredible stuff.
“That was our first real battery project
as well, which set us on the path to where
we are now. We believe we’ve got the most
R M L AT 4 0
SAMCHICKPHOTO
Nicola Larini’s Chevrolet
Lacetti kicks up the
grass at 2005 Puebla,
Mexico WTCC round
RML CEO Michael Mallock was

passed the reins by his dad
power dense battery in a favourite bit was the bullet-

homologated road vehicle now. resistant shield that we tested
That’s going in an American at the Bisley shooting range!”
hypercar – the Czinger C21. It No doubt, RML’s
ran at the Goodwood Festival Wellingborough facility will
of Speed this year and set continue to thrive into its fifth
the production record.” decade amid its diversification.
Battery technology is now “We’re well respected by
an RML speciality, with the our peers in the motorsport
Nurburgring Nordschleife industry,” says Mallock Jr. “We
record-breaking NIO EP9, have excellent graduate and
in which Peter Dumbreck apprenticeship programmes,
set a 6m45.9s in 2017, “a good where we’ve built some
example of the whole RML incredible talents, but a lot of
engineering capability”, asserts the F1 teams around this area
Mallock Jr. “It was 1MW of know that we do that very well.
power at the wheels, it had full Quite often those people get
torque vectoring, active aero, poached, but it’s amazing
active ride height control, a how often they return.”
swappable battery system so What does his dad think
GILBERT/MOTORSPORT.COM
you could change the batteries of RML today? “It’s been a

in eight minutes instead of realisation of my dream as a
waiting for it to charge and schoolboy to make a living out
cool and whatnot. Massive of this sport, and to be able
Nissan ZEOD RC set hybrid-electric
downforce – 24,000Nm at powertrain and weight challenges to do it with so many good
150mph, which is bonkers. colleagues and friends, and
Which meant it needed people who have given me
bespoke tyres and brakes. It advice over the years, has been
was a real technological marvel. the guys can’t talk about”. A nod towards great,” smiles Mallock Sr. “It’s been about
And the batteries themselves – the Aston F1 factory – we’re talking in the doing it properly and having a pride in
very high efficiency.” Silverstone paddock – and an inquisitive doing it properly, and bringing a team
In RML’s Power division, “we’re eyebrow raise brings a denial that it’s of people along with me – the teamwork
supporting a couple of OEMs with their there, so draw your own conclusions. element has been so important. And
next generation battery systems and What Mallock Jr can talk about is the now Michael’s taken the business into
development for probably the two highest RML Short Wheelbase supercar: “A way areas I don’t understand and he does.”
profile motor racing series that there to wave the flag of what we can do, have “I was a good driver and not really
are…” Mallock Jr then confirms that these a product that we can talk about, that the an engineer – I’m more commercially
are F1 and Le Mans Hypercar, and that “we staff can be publically proud of.” Or the minded,” adds his son, “whereas Dad was a
do some incredible stuff – most of which ‘Goldfinger’ Aston Martin DB5: “My good driver and an incredible engineer.”
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
HOW TO
BE AN ACE
ENGINEER
Trevor Foster reflects on a
remarkable career that has
traversed every discipline
BY JAMES NEWBOLD
fter more than 50 years, Trevor

A Foster remains engaged in the
business of making racing cars
go quickly through his Pegasus
Classic Engineering concern, specialising
in historic vehicle preparation. This latest
ADAM PIGOTT
venture only adds to the impression that Foster now runs Pegasus
Classic Engineering
there’s little he hasn’t encountered across preparation company
two spells in Formula 1 with Jordan and
stints with Shadow, Tyrrell and Lotus,
while also tasting Le Mans and Formula
Ford glory. Yet even after filling every reflects Foster. While teams in modern F1 ownership. It came as a relief to focus on
conceivable role in racing organisations are far bigger and roles tend to be more engineering, initially at Swallow Racing
– from mechanic to team owner, race prescribed, the modest size of historic before starting a journey with Eddie
engineer, team manager and managing racing operations affords opportunities Jordan Racing in Formula 3000 that
director – Foster retains an open mind. “to understand how to diagnose a problem continued into F1. He famously ran
“You have to come to work with a view with a car”, Foster notes, and there is Michael Schumacher on his debut in 1991.
that ‘I don’t know everything, I’m still greater individual responsibility too. As Foster, feeling he couldn’t do justice
learning’ and I explain that to my guys,” such, the discipline’s appeal isn’t limited to dual team manager and engineering
he says. “You have to be willing to learn to the draw of nostalgia. Foster believes duties at Jordan, departed for Lotus but
and not be too fixed on your ideas.” it can be a valuable training ground: “If soon recognised its financial situation
This was a lesson Foster picked up a historic car has a misfire, you have to was not sustainable. He later returned to
early in his career, after an affiliation do your own self-diagnosis. You can’t just Jordan before a segue into sportscars as
with rising star Roger Williamson was cut plug a laptop in and it says ‘error code 37, Zytek’s racing director, then became a key
tragically short in 1973. He then joined change the distributor pick-up’.” cog at United Autosports for its LMP2
Shadow and credits its chief mechanic Foster learned quickly during his tenure graduation in 2017. He believes the level
Peter Kerr with the most useful pieces as a partner in Pegasus Motorsport that of detail it undertook with the unpopular
of advice “I’ve often referred to through chasing sponsorship deals wasn’t for him. Ligier JSP217 helped it to hit the ground
my career”. The Kiwi drilled into Foster “I took it too personally,” he says, pointing running upon switching to the ORECA 07
the importance of critically diagnosing to an unsuccessful pitch at the Bostik that resulted in a Le Mans 24 Hours, World
problems and taught him that “the more adhesive company as the moment he felt Endurance Championship and European
detail you put into your car preparation, most deflated. Despite the huge success Le Mans Series sweep in 2020.
the better chance you have of success”. he’d enjoyed during its maiden season in Having achieved “everything I wanted
Fairly obvious perhaps, but diligence 1983, capped by Andrew Gilbert-Scott to do”, Foster departed in 2021 but couldn’t
was vital in the 1970s when mechanics capturing the Formula Ford Festival, and resist the pull of reviving the Pegasus
had to be accomplished across multiple winning races in British Formula 3 with name. These days, the main objective
areas. “You did your gearbox, rebuilt your Gerrit van Kouwen, it was no hardship for himself and his loyal customers is
uprights, knew every inch of the car,” for Foster to move away from team enjoyment. Winning is merely a bonus.
Foster’s Pegasus Motorsport team

quickly found success, taking 1983
Festival win with Gilbert-Scott TOP TIPS
FROM TREVOR FOSTER
Q Even if you’re not involved in Q Motorsport can involve a lot

looking at the whole package, of smoke and mirrors, so you
that shouldn’t stop you trying have to dissect them and work
to understand the car and through problems logically.
MOTORSPORT IMAGES
why something perhaps isn’t

working as it should. You don’t Q Always come away from a race
learn as much by saying ‘buy thinking, ‘What could we have
me a new one of these’. done better?’ It’s never perfect!
Being the last on the brakes isn’t just a
test of skill, it’s also a test of how much
GSRƼHIRGIEHVMZIVLEWMRXLIMVFVEOIW
With unique Fade Resistant Technology™,

Halo P1 LEWEJEVPS[IVERHJEVQSVI
WXEFPIPIZIPSJGSQTVIWWMFMPMX]SZIVE[MHI
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halobyorthene.com

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F1 Johnny Herbert’s greatest races

B R I TA I N ’ S B E S T M OTO R S P O R T W E E K LY 17 OCTOBER 2024

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IndyCar will return to Texas in 2026 with

a new street track in the city of Arlington

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YELLOLY SPLITS FROM BMW

Porsche power team, therefore remains on board

FORMULA E RoC MOVES TO AUSTRALIA

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13 - 27 OCTOBER 2024 27 OCTOBER - 10 NOVEMBER 2024

F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

UK START TIMES TYRE ALLOCATION

HARD MEDIUM SOFT

Highlights 4 Piastri 237 4 Mercedes 329

Previous winners Podiums

2014 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m36.169s (2019) Romain Grosjean 1

2013 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Sergio Perez 1

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Albon’s road to an F1 century

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Team UK means business

I’m starting to realise that I’m leaving many meetings not

Motorsport’s diminishing value for money

HAVE YOUR SAY GET IN TOUCH

A We crunched the numbers on

average UK adult cinema ticket is £7.92. 2024 F1 TICKET PRICES

Following F1 at live locations 325

shows, there has been a notable increased prevalence

models, but in many cases – and with prices rising

reach many hundreds of pounds. PRICE

A key difference here from 2015 is how FOM now

typically in the form of concerts and shows, but it can RACE

Lords Test £115 England vs Sri Lanka 2024 cheapest Day 1

London Athletics Meet £ 25

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