6 Things we didn't know last week
6 Things we didn't know last week
A week is a long time in motorsport... even when everyone else is in the holiday mood and getting in the Christmas spirit(s)! Here is a round-up of the week's BIG stories
A week is a long time in motorsport... even when everyone else is in the holiday mood and getting in the Christmas spirit(s)! Here is a round-up of the week's BIG stories
Opportunity knocks... Pascal's confidence
Overlooked by Force India, considered too inexperienced by Mercedes and seemingly undesirable to Williams too, Pascal Wehrlein has not had a good week. Having lost out to Esteban Ocon at Force India apparently because of his attitude during half a day of testing with the team 18 months ago, Wehrlein looked to be getting the last laugh when Nico Rosberg announced his retirement. Unfortunately for him, Mercedes has made it clear it wants Valtteri Bottas and while it is willing to offer Wehrlein in return, Williams seems to want to coax Felipe Massa out of retirement. That's not to say Wehrlein will be out of F1, but Manor or Sauber probably won't feel like a consolation prize. As for his confidence...
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/znmhzcp
Yamaha: Jorge Lorenzo 'distracted' after Ducati deal
No team likes to lose one of its star riders, but Jorge Lorenzo's decision to sign for Ducati appeared to cast its shadow over his and Yamaha's relationship during the latter months. With the deal being announced back in April, Lorenzo had plenty of time to mull over a future in red, which Yamaha's Lin Jarvis said was certainly a 'distraction' for the Spaniard as he ceded his world title to Marc Marquez.
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/z38gm4w
Ogier attempts to make it five with Ford
Though it has maintained an almost constant presence in the international rallying since the 1970s, you have to go back to 1981 for the last time a Ford man won the World Rally Championship drivers' title. Nevertheless, though it has been without official factory backing for some years, the M-Sport run team have been elevated to potential title favourites after securing the hallowed signature of Sebastien Ogier for 2017. Left with only a few options after VW's sudden withdrawal, the Frenchman will drive the M-Sport Ford Fiesta in 2017 as he looks to make it five titles in a row and return Ford to its glory gravel days.
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/hejdr67
Taylor made
It was the year of the Mackenzies in BSB this year as Tarran and Taylor - son of former champion Niall - picked up respective British Supersport and National Superstock 1000 titles. Now the latter will attempt to continue the family form in the Superbike class with a factory-supported ride with Bennetts Suzuki riding the all-new GSX-R1000 alongside former world champion Sylvain Guintoli.
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/h8bwu5x
Regular winners?
The BTCC has its fair share of bold sponsors with a glittering array of liveries, but the new Motorbase Ford Fiesta really takes a wheat biscuit... Big name, eye-catching livery, given Motorbase has struggled occasionally to secure the money it needs to run its regular race winning team, the arrival of Shredded Wheat and the re-signing of Mat Jackson - one of the best drivers yet to win a BTCC title - is a big treat at any time of the day.
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/zu348hn
The fast Norris
He was being described as the next big thing in British motor racing talent even before the 2016 season but after three single-seater junior titles in just one year, Lando Norris is arguably the most hyped youngster coming through the ranks at the moment. For 2017, the 17 year-old steps up to European Formula 3 with Carlin, where he will be considered a title favourite alongside another British talent in Callum Ilott, who is charged with defending Lance Stroll's title in the Prema car.
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/h5wdn76