PORTIMAO, PORTUGAL (REUTERS) - Williams driver George Russell said his relationship with Mercedes Formula One boss Toto Wolff remained strong despite a costly collision with Valtteri Bottas at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Briton is a Mercedes protege, racing for a team using Mercedes engines, and the high-speed crash with the Mercedes driver put both men out of the race and wrecked their cars. Russell, who filled in for seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton to considerable acclaim in Bahrain last year after his compatriot contracted Covid-19, has apologised for his angry reaction afterwards. He told reporters at the Portuguese Grand Prix on Thursday (April 29) that the incident was a part of racing but he had made a "very poor judgement call" in confronting Bottas and suggesting the Finn had tried to kill them both. "Toto and I have spoken extensively since the incident but the contents of that will remain private," he said. "He's been very supportive, very constructive. Our relationship has not been damaged at all following the incident, if anything quite the opposite. "And likewise with everybody at Williams. They have been incredibly supportive, they want me to attack, go for opportunities. We're proud to have been in that position. We were in 10th position, fighting for points on merit." Williams have scored only one point since 2018 but Russell was trying to overtake Bottas - whose seat he could take next year - on a slippery track for ninth place. Wolff, while strongly critical of Russell's judgement, has also said Bottas should not have been so far down the field. More on this topic Related Story Motor racing: Hamilton plans to stay in F1 after exciting start to season Related Story Formula One: Silverstone will be first circuit to trial sprint qualifying Russell said there had been no rules of engagement laid down for future races but "just a bit more commonsense" was needed. "If we find ourselves fighting a Mercedes again we'll be doing a very good job... so hopefully we do find ourselves in that circumstance," he added. "I'm here because of Mercedes, they got me through the junior ranks, they really helped me into Formula One and as a consequence they are a family to me as Williams are a family to me. "Lewis and Valtteri are team mates to me as Nicholas (Latifi) is a team mate to me. Number one rule as a racing driver is you don't clash with your team mates. That's behind us now, you live and learn and we'll move on." More on this topic Related Story Motor racing: Turkey replaces Canada on Formula One calendar Related Story In The Driver's Seat: Expect more twists and turns from the Verstappen-Hamilton show
Toyota City, Japan, Apr 23, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will begin a new era with its GR010 HYBRID Hypercar when the road to the Le Mans 24 Hours opens at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the opening round of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) on 1 May.A direct successor to the legendary Group C period of the 1980s and 1990s, the spectacular LMP1 era has reached its conclusion, handing over the top category of endurance racing to the Le Mans Hypercar generation.Reigning World Champion and three-time Le Mans winner TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is the first manufacturer on the Hypercar grid in 2021, alongside Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus, with Audi, Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche among those joining the battle in the coming years.Following an intense pre-season testing programme, the all-new GR010 HYBRID Hypercar is ready for its race debut as the team aims to defend its world titles and win a fourth consecutive the Le Mans 24 Hours with an unchanged driver line-up.For the fourth season, World Champions Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez share the #7 GR010 HYBRID, while last year's Le Mans winners Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley are at the wheel of the #8 GR010 HYBRID.Despite thousands of testing kilometres already completed at three different circuits since the GR010 HYBRID first turned a wheel in October last year, the final step of preparation for Spa is still to come, with a two-day official Prologue test taking place at the legendary Belgian circuit on 26-27 April.That represents the first time the GR010 HYBRID will be on track with rival cars, giving the team and drivers an important opportunity to evaluate the new car in traffic and against its main competitors Alpine, which races a grandfathered LMP1 car.The GR010 HYBRID features a front motor generator unit, delivering 272PS of hybrid power and four-wheel-drive traction at speeds over 120km/h. Combined with a 3.5litre V6 engine, the driver has 680PS at his disposal, with no restrictions on fuel usage. In contrast, the TS050 HYBRID weighed 162kg less and boasted 1000PS, although strict per-lap fuel restrictions effectively limited top speeds.With such fundamental differences compared to its all-conquering predecessor, drivers will need to adapt their approach, while engineers fine-tune the new Hypercar for maximum performance, particularly when passing the slower LMP2 and GT cars.Aside from on-track performance, the whole team also has to adapt to new regulations which limit the size of the operational crew at the circuit to 43. This cost-saving measure requires significant reorganisation and flexibility from the mechanic and engineering crews to maintain their high standards of on-track support, with Spa being the first time the slimmed-down team will operate in a competitive environment.A challenging start to the week is therefore expected, with a combined 12 hours of testing on Monday and Tuesday for the Prologue before the race event begins with a single practice session on Thursday. A busy Friday sees two practice sessions before the starting grid for Saturday's race is decided in a new qualifying format, when one driver per car will set a single flying lap.TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has an excellent record at Spa-Francorchamps, with five victories since its first WEC race there in 2013 and, despite a strong challenge expected from its competitors, the target is to start the season with maximum points. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
Toyota City, Japan, Apr 6, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) has announced details of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup (TGR GT Cup) 2021, a new series in "Gran Turismo SPORT" for PlayStation4(1) (PS4).The TGR GT Cup is a new global series in which the GR lineup, including GR road vehicles and dedicated racing cars, will participate in competitive racing throughout a season. In addition to the GR Supra and GR Yaris, the recently-announced GR 86 is scheduled for introduction in the middle of the year. By varying the car models for each round, players can enjoy virtual racing with a variety of cars, something that is difficult in real-life motorsports.Partly because of the effects of COVID-19, 2020 was a year in which people paid more attention to e-Motorsports than ever, as exemplified by the hosting of the Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans. Many players from all over the world also participated in the GR Supra GT Cup and the GR Yaris Time Trial, hosted by TGR. In addition, after being featured in Gran Turismo SPORT, approximately 1.30 million GR Supra and 530,000 GR Yaris vehicles were purchased, indicating that many players all over the world enjoy the GR models.TGR plans to continue an active engagement in e-Motorsports so that motorsports and sports cars will become more familiar to people all over the world and be enjoyed by many generations to come.(1) "PlayStation", "PS5", and "PS4" are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.For more information, visit bit.ly/2PVmrdo. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE, Mar 25, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The 2020 MotoGP World Championship season was an incredible year, which saw Team Suzuki and Motul claim a clean sweep across the Drivers and Teams Titles. The famed Japanese manufacturer will continue with riders Alex Rins and Joan Mir, a line up that remains unchanged since 2019, with a clear aim of repeating the championship successes in 2021.Team Suzuki Joan Mir (L) and Alex Rins (R)PRAMAC Racing Jorge Martin (L) and Johann Zarco (R) Team Suzuki Joan Mir #36 Qatar Pre-Season TestPRAMAC Racing Jorge Martin #89 Qatar Pre-Season TestPRAMAC Racing rider Johann Zarco with the 2021 Ducati Desmosedici GP BikeTeam Suzuki Alex Rins #42 Qatar Pre-Season Test PRAMAC Racing Johann Zarco #5 Qatar Pre-Season Test Reigning Champion Joan Mir pushing the 2021 Suzuki GSX-RR at the Pre-Season Test PRAMAC Racing Jorge Martin #89 Qatar Pre-Season TestMotul will continue as the Official Lubricant Partner of the Suzuki factory team, extending the close working relationship between the two brands that have delivered success at the top flight of motorcycle racing for the past 32 years. This partnership has pinned its hopes on the championship-winning Suzuki GSX-RR, which has seen only minor upgrades due to a MotoGP engine freeze over the winter. The aim is clear for 2021 - to repeat the success of 2020 and achieve back-to-back titles. Motul also confirms a key technical partnership with PRAMAC Racing for the MotoGP World Championship, inking a three-year deal which will see Motul and PRAMAC Racing competing at the top flight of motorbike racing until 2023. Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco will be leading the charge in 2021, both on the highly competitive Ducati Desmosedici GP bike which scored 5 podium finishes in the hands of PRAMAC Racing during the 2020 season.This partnership extends away from the race track, where Motul Heavy Duty will be working closely with PRAMAC's industrial applications in the energy and material handling sector. Motul will provide first fill lubricants at factory level for PowerGen equipment, providing high-performance diesel and gas lubricants to improve mechanical efficiency.The 2021 MotoGP World Championship season begins this weekend, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on the 26-28 of March 2021. The action begins with the two Free Practice sessions on Friday, with Qualifying on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday.MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar Schedule [GMT +3]Friday [26/03/2021]1540-1625 | Free Practice 12000-2045 | Free Practice 2Saturday [27/03/2021]1515-1600 | Free Practice 31920-1950 | Free Practice 42000-2015 | Qualifying 12025-2040 | Qualifying 2Sunday [28/03/2021]1540-1600 | Warm Up2000 | Grand Prix of Qatar Race (22 Laps)After 14 races in Europe, the series will head to Asia Pacific with rounds in Japan, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia in October. The MotoGP championship will then come to a close at the season finale in Valencia in November.2021 MotoGP World Championship Calendar26-28 March | Grand Prix of Qatar2-4 April | Grand Prix of Doha16-18 April | Grande Premio de Portugal30 Apr - 2 May | Gran Premio Red Bull de Espana14-16 May | SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France28-30 May | Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley 4-6 June | Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya18-20 June | Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland25-27 June | Motul TT Assen9-11 July | Grand Prix of Finland13-15 August | Motorrad Grand Prix von Osterreich27-29 August | British Grand Prix10-12 September | Gran Premio de Aragon17-19 September | Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini1-3 October | Motul Grand Prix of Japan8-10 October | OR Thailand Grand Prix22-24 October | Red Bull Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix29-31 October | Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix12-14 November | Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat ValencianaAbout MotulMotul is a world-class French company specialised in the formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its Motul Tech activity.Unanimously recognised for more than 150 years for the quality of its products, innovation capacity and involvement in the field of competition, Motul is also recognised as a specialist in synthetic lubricants. As early as 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant, issued from the aeronautical industry, making use of esters technology: 300V lubricant.Motul is a partner to many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological development in motorsports. It has invested in many international competitions as an official supplier for teams in: Road racing, Trials, Enduro, Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, Rallycross, World GT1, 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), 24 Hours of Spa, Le Mans Series, Andros Trophy, Paris-Dakar, 8 Hours of Suzuka, Bol d'Or, Daytona 200-mile motorcycle race.MOTUL Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd1A International Business Park, #06-03Singapore 609933www.motul.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
LONDON (REUTERS) - Murray Walker, the infectiously excitable television commentator who became the voice of Formula One for generations around the English-speaking world, died on Saturday (March 13) at the age of 97. The news was announced by the Silverstone-based British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), of which he was an associate member. "A friend, a true motorsport legend, the nation's favourite commentator and a contagious smile. We thank Murray for all he has done for our community," it said. Walker's 'Murrayisms' - wide of the mark predictions which stood out like crashed gears and the squeal of rubber - entertained BBC and ITV viewers in the days before pay TV and a fragmented audience. Australian writer Clive James, a fan of the sport, once famously described him as a man broadcasting as if his trousers were on fire. Autosport magazine, in a tribute when he announced his retirement in 2000, said Walker had "done possibly more to popularise motor racing in Britain than anyone else. (James) Hunt, (Nigel) Mansell and (Damon) Hill included". Those champions also forged close bonds with the commentator. "Unless I'm very much mistaken... and yes I am very much mistaken," was classic Walker. The first part became the title of his 2002 autobiography. "And now excuse me while I interrupt myself", "The first four cars are both on the same tyres", "Tambay's hopes, which were absolutely nil before, are absolutely zero now" are utterances still savoured. "I imagine that the conditions in those cars today are totally unimaginable" and "There's nothing wrong with the car except it's on fire" also stood out. Walker, who started out in advertising, was also an enthusiast of the sport who could draw on personal memories going back to the birth of the F1 world championship in 1950. "Everyone inside F1 loves him. And that is because he loves the sport. His enthusiasm is so real," the late team owner Ken Tyrrell once said of his compatriot. Walker was immersed in motor racing from his earliest years as the son of motorcycle champion Graham Walker and gave his first commentary at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb in 1948. "Rest in Peace Murray Walker. Wonderful man in every respect. National treasure, communication genius, Formula One legend," said Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle.
LONDON (AFP) - Formula One team Williams had to abandon the unveiling of their 2021 car via an augmented reality app on Friday (March 5) after they were targeted by hackers. The British team had hoped to allow fans to project the new machine into their homes but instead they had to pull the plug just an hour before the innovative launch. "Williams Racing planned to reveal its 2021 challenger, the FW43B, via an augmented reality app later today," the team said in a statement. "However, sadly, because the app was hacked prior to launch, this will no longer be possible." It added: "We were very much looking forward to sharing this experience with our fans, particularly during this difficult time when being able to bring in-person experiences directly to our fans is sadly not possible." British driver George Russell, who is set for his third season with Williams, tweeted: "Massive shame. I've seen the app and it was going to be an awesome experience for you guys. Whoever did this, seriously not cool." Williams, who have been rooted to the foot of the constructors' championship for the past three seasons, tweeted an image of their new car, in blue and white livery with yellow accents. Founder Frank Williams sold the F1 operation to US investment firm Dorilton Capital last year, with his daughter Claire Williams relinquishing her role as the de facto team principal. Speaking for the first time as chief executive officer of Williams Racing, Jost Capito said the team, who were a powerful force in the 1980s and 1990s, had set their sights on a return to the front of the grid. Massive shame. I’ve seen the app and it was going to be an awesome experience for you guys. Whoever did this, seriously not cool. Still buzzing to show you the car later though. See you at 14:00 💙 https://t.co/ZKfE8WwBJU— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) March 5, 2021 You may not have been able to experience the @WilliamsRacing app but @GeorgeRussell63 didn't want you to miss out! 💙 #GR63 pic.twitter.com/AaWXGkZwzO— GR63 (@OfficialGR63) March 5, 2021 "Williams Racing is a sporting icon, and a team that has forged a reputation of success through sheer determination and grit intertwined with innovation, passionate and skilful race-craft and an absolute desire to win," he said. Introducing the FW43B 💙🤍💛 pic.twitter.com/4AF7Au4B5a— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) March 5, 2021 Capito added: "We have created a fresh new livery for the 2021 car - one that acknowledges our incredible past and retains the spirit, drive and motivation that remains at the core of Williams' DNA yet looks to the future and signposts our long-term ambition to return to the front of the grid." F1 pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain from March 12 to 14, with the opening grand prix staged in the kingdom on March 28. More on this topic Related Story Motor racing: Aston Martin bring in James Bond as new F1 mission begins Related Story Formula One: Eighth title bid will not decide my future, says Lewis Hamilton
LONDON (REUTERS) - Lewis Hamilton says the outcome of his bid for a record eighth world championship this season will not determine whether he stays in Formula One. The 36-year-old is contracted to Mercedes only until the end of 2021 but he said on Tuesday (March 2) he was "fully invested" in delivering for his team. Asked how much his future hinged on his title bid, the Briton told reporters after the launch of his team's new W12 car that he did not want that to be the deciding factor. "I got into racing because I loved racing and I think that's got to be always at the core of what I do," he said. "If I don't love racing, if all you're going for is accolades, if all you're going for is titles, I feel I could potentially lose my way. "Of course it's the ultimate dream (to be an eight times champion) but I don't think that's necessarily going to be the deciding factor whether I stay or keep going," added the sport's most successful driver. Hamilton has been a race winner in every season since he started out with McLaren in 2007 and took 11 victories last season. The Briton now has a record 95 wins, 98 pole positions and 165 podiums. He missed one of last year's 17 races after testing positive for Covid-19, but still won 11 and will start the new season as favourite again. More on this topic Related Story Motor racing: Wolff says Mercedes still fired up for success Related Story Formula One: Verstappen 'not thinking' about succeeding Hamilton ahead of F1 season The Briton, awarded a knighthood after his seventh championship and with plenty of outside interests in fashion and music, said it depended on whether he still had "that smile" when he put his helmet on and drove out of the garage. "It's going back to 'do you enjoy it?' Last year was a really tough year for everyone, including me. But I think there were some really impactful moments," he said. "Will it still be the case this year? we'll see. Will I enjoy it as much? We'll see." The sport's only black driver, and active campaigner for racial equality and justice, had said earlier that his priority had changed from "just winning championships" to pushing for diversity. More on this topic Related Story Motor racing: Formula One says racing in Africa is a priority Related Story Formula One: Hamilton's one-year Mercedes deal raises questions about the future