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A 3rd F1 title is my “only priority”, I need the Dakar back as a substitute of the Indy 500

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A 3rd F1 title is my “only priority”, I need the Dakar back as a substitute of the Indy 500

Fernando Alonso is far more prone to return to the Dakar Rally than to the Indy 500 in the longer term, but he insisted his “only priority” is winning a 3rd Formula 1 world title in an Aston Martin.

Earlier this 12 months, Alonso signed a brand new contract that may keep him at Aston Martin's F1 team until at the least the 2026 season, including an ambassadorship deal that may keep him connected to the manufacturer beyond his Grand Prix days.

The 43-year-old Spaniard says he still has aspirations of winning a 3rd world title before his time within the series involves an end, together with his team bolstered in its technical ranks with Red Bull design legend Adrian Newey, Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile and former Mercedes boss boss Andy Cowell units in recent months.

He was also asked concerning the prospect of returning to Indianapolis to capture motor racing's Triple Crown of winning the Indy 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and F1's Monaco Grand Prix, but was concerned about his fourth appearance in an IndyAutomobile predominant event.

“I attempted to do the Indy 500 thrice and failed. This is the just one missing [from the triple crown]. But that's not on my agenda in the intervening time,” Alonso said at an event organized by Cognizant, Aston's sponsor.

“I'm very, very focused [on] Now Formula 1. In the subsequent two or three years I need to win my third world title. This is my first and only priority in the intervening time.

Fernando Alonso from the Aston Martin F1 team gets into the car

Fernando Alonso from the Aston Martin F1 team gets into the automotive

Photo: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“Then, since I'll be 45, 46, I believe the commitment it's going to take to do the Indy 500, the quantity of learning I'm going to should do all all over again… it's going to be a bit much. Or so I believe now, I can't say 100%.

Instead of returning to the race in Indianapolis, the two-time world champion said he had a significantly better probability of one other shot at winning the Dakar Rally, which he believed could be a greater validation of his versatility as a driver.

While on sabbatical from F1, Alonso finished thirteenth within the 2020 Dakar Rally with Toyota, alongside five-time motorcycle winner Marc Coma, after a costly crash on stage 10 cost him many hours.

“I think my next biggest challenge will be the Dakar,” he explained. “I believe if I can win the Dakar, it’ll be extremely satisfying for me personally because I can win in Formula 1, I can win endurance races, I can win Le Mans and Daytona, and if I may win rallies, it’ll be this may mean loads to me as a driver.

#310 Toyota Gazoo Racing: Fernando Alonso, Marc Coma

#310 Toyota Gazoo Racing: Fernando Alonso, Marc Coma

Photo: ASO

“You can't drive a Formula 1 automotive in the identical way as a Le Mans automotive where you’ve got to run 24 hours to win the race, or the Dakar Rally where you’ve got to drive through dunes and gravel around Saudi Arabia. So I needed to learn and begin from scratch in lots of these categories, surround myself with one of the best drivers on this planet, especially on this series, learn from them and be humble.

“It's okay to accept the fact that I had no idea how to drive a rally car, but [was] day by day I improved and learned from them until I could take part in the most difficult rally in the world.”

The retired Lapierre will develop into Alpine's sports director within the WEC

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The retired Lapierre will develop into Alpine's sports director within the WEC

24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Nicolas Lapierre will take up a brand new management position with the Alpine World Endurance Championship team following his retirement from racing.

After announcing his decision to hold up his helmet earlier this week, Lapierre will take up the newly created position of sports director on the Alpine Endurance Team to help team principal Philippe Sinault.

Although his latest job will formally start on January 1, 2025, the Frenchman will take up the position on the Bahrain 8 Hours final in November to familiarize himself with the role.

The 40-year-old brought down the curtain on his racing profession after last month's Fuji round to give attention to “the other side of the pitwall”, a job that has brought him more joy than he expected since he founded CLX Motorsport – operating under the Cool Racing banner – in 2020.

“Alpine has always shown great confidence in me, especially in giving me the opportunity to develop the A424 and then start my first season behind the wheel,” he said.

“After expressing my desire to finish my profession as knowledgeable driver, I’m pleased to verify that I’ll proceed my adventure with the team, but this time on the opposite side of the pitwall.

“I’ll attempt to pass on all my experience to our drivers and be a link with our technical teams. Endurance racing is on the precise track and I consider within the Alpine project. We must proceed our relentless efforts to achieve the subsequent levels together.”

#36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere

#36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere

Photo: JEP / Motorsport Images

Lapierre raced alongside Mick Schumacher and Matthieu Vaxiviere within the No. 36 Alpine A424 LMDh in 2024, scoring his first podium on this system in Japan in September.

With Lapierre withdrawing from racing with one round remaining, his place in Alpine's two-car team in Bahrain will likely be taken by reserve driver Jules Gounon, although Alpine has not explicitly confirmed that he will likely be driving the number 36 A424.

Gounon was now ready to participate within the eight-hour race on the Bahrain International Circuit instead of Charles Milesi, as planned internally before the beginning of the season. But now it looks like Milesi will spend the season within the #35 Alpine.

Of the choice to advertise Lapierre to a management position, Sinault said: “We have been discussing this prospect for several months.

“In addition to our shared desires, it is a logical and natural continuation of the successful cooperation now we have shared over the previous few years, especially within the Alpine colours.

“We grew up together, won many races and several titles! We know each other exceptionally well and there is mutual trust. I want to thank Nicolas for welcoming me and I look forward to him contributing to the development of the team in his new role.”

Lapierre played a key role in the event of the Challenger Alpine A424, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in prototyping machines.

“From the very starting of the A424 program, Nicolas was one in every of the important thing actors. He was the primary to drive the automotive and contributed significantly to its development,” said Bruno Famin, head of motorsport at Alpine.

“He is a component of the Alpine family. In addition to his proven qualities as a driver and person, he has gained extensive experience outside the automotive in recent times.

“Together with Philippe, it was clear to us that Nicolas could naturally bring quite a bit to the team through his role as sporting director and we’re truly delighted that Nicolas
adopted.”

It is unclear whether Lapierre will remain team principal at Cool Racing, the team he founded with Alexandre Coigny. When asked by Motorsport.com, an Alpine spokesman declined to comment.

Supercars reveals an prolonged calendar for 2025, consisting of 13 rounds

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Supercars reveals an prolonged calendar for 2025, consisting of 13 rounds

Supercars has revealed an expanded 13-round championship for 2025.

Several changes to the Australian Touring Car Series calendar have been announced, with a round at Queensland Raceway added to the schedule for the primary time in five years, in addition to a brand new street race in Perth to switch the Wanneroo Raceway event.

The series will start from February 21-23 under the lights at Sydney Motorsport Park, which has been moved to a late Australian summer date for the primary time, and can finish on the Adelaide street circuit from November 27-30.

Sandown Park in Melbourne, which has just received an exemption from potential closure, will remain on the calendar, but the normal 500km endurance race has been moved to The Bend in South Australia in September.

Instead, Sandown will host the penultimate round of the series, likely in a sprint race format, in mid-November.

The championship was expected to consist of 13 rounds and Supercars is believed to be working on adding one other round in the long run, possibly overseas.

David Reynolds, Erebus Motorsport Holden

David Reynolds, Erebus Motorsport Holden

Photo: Dirk Klynsmith / Motorsport Images

Taupo, New Zealand, which joined the Supercars calendar for the primary time this 12 months, will remain the series' only international venue.

“The expansion to 13 events does more than just bring back Ipswich [Queensland Raceway] but strengthens Supercars' national and international footprint,” said Supercars CEO Shane Howard.

“We are excited concerning the strategic additions and changes to the calendar, including the move of Sandown to November and the debut of the endurance round at The Bend.

“We are incredibly excited to announce the return of the event to Ipswich in 2025. After a few years off the calendar, we know south-east Queensland fans were eager for his return. Queensland Raceway has undergone significant refurbishment and the August event will be one to mark on your calendar, taking place in a truly revitalized facility.”

2025 supercar calendar

Round Location Circuit type Date
1 Sydney Motorsports Park Road course February 21-23
2 Albert Park (Australian Formula One GP) Street circuit March 13-16
3 Taupō (New Zealand) Road course April 11-13
4 Symmons Plains Road course May 11th of September
5 CBD in Perth Street circuit June 6-8
6 Hidden Valley Road course June 20-22
7 Townsville Street circuit July 11-13
8 Queensland Racecourse Road course August 8-10
9 Turn Road course September 12-14
10 Bath 1000 Road course October 9-12
11 Gold Coast Street circuit October 24-26
12 Sandown Road course November 14-16
13 Adelaide Parks Street circuit November 27-30

Why are Vila Real and Salzburg missing from the 2025 DTM calendar?

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Why are Vila Real and Salzburg missing from the 2025 DTM calendar?

Earlier this week, DTM announced its full 2025 calendar, but interestingly, neither Vila Real nor the Salzburgring were on the eight-round schedule.

Portuguese street circuit Vila Real, best known for hosting World Touring Car Cup races, has signed a take care of DTM's previous owner ITR for 2023, but a change in promoter meant it might never make its series debut.

Since then, Vila Real has entered into negotiations with ADAC regarding the third season of organizing the DTM, and Salzburring bosses were also confident that after modernizing some facilities it might be possible to prepare a race next yr.

Ultimately, neither venue was chosen for 2025 as DTM opted to retain its proven eight-round schedule, with six weekends held in Germany and one each in Austria and the Netherlands.

In an official statement, ADAC Motorsport Director Thomas Voss said: “Over the previous few months, we have now fastidiously analyzed the exciting DTM venues.

“However, since all events in Germany are enjoying a significant increase in popularity among visitors, we will stick to proven facilities in the 2025 season.”

Motorsport.com understands that ADAC desires to expand the calendar beyond eight events in the long run.

There was also discussion about organizing the ninth round in 2025, however the teams – already struggling to maintain expenses inside their budgets – didn’t support this concept.

Therefore, a visit to Vila Real or Salzburgring could be on the expense of the prevailing German facility, which the teams were again not in favor of.

Moreover, ADAC desires to deal with consistency in the event of events, with a rise within the variety of trackside spectators in any respect tracks, excluding Spielberg confirming its approach.

Additionally, if it is feasible to expand the calendar beyond the eight events in the longer term, any German track that might be omitted from the 2025 schedule would should be added again.

Problems with Vila Real and Salzburgring

Dusan Borkovic drives, GE-Force, Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR

TCR racing on the Salzburgring in 2017

Photo: TCR media

Teams also disliked the town race in Vila Real as a result of the high risk of accident damage and the travel costs related to transporting cars and equipment to Portugal.

As such, ADAC has reportedly been in a position to provide insurance to the teams as half of the sector is competing with uninsured GT3 cars. Moreover, it might also reduce the teams' travel costs, reducing their financial burden. Ultimately, nevertheless, the choice was made to not take unnecessary risks for now.

As for the Salzburgring, DTM still desires to test the track's suitability for GT3 racing on the 2025 GT Masters.

Although the track has been invested in a state-of-the-art race control system on the request of the DTM, Voss still believes that “there is still work to be done on the track.”

He added: “I feel the chicane firstly and finish is simply too narrow for the GT cars. Nocksteinkehre [region] all the time has problems with water.

“If it rains heavily, you won't go there like on the Lausitzring, but in principle I don't rule out a test competition.

He added: “We wouldn't want to race a DTM race at the Salzburgring without trying it.”

Weekly challenges in Gran Turismo 7: Double Deutsche

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Weekly challenges in Gran Turismo 7: Double Deutsche

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Weekly challenges in Gran Turismo 7: Double Deutsche 12

New set Gran Turismo 7 Weekly Challenges will likely be available starting today, depending on where you’re on the planet, offering a brand new set of 5 events to finish throughout the week – including a really unusual special event that celebrates the era of classic motorsport.

GT7Weekly challenges consist of a set of 5 events, normally taken from existing World Circuits events, but with unique events created only for the week, also in a daily location. Completing events throughout the weekly window provides additional rewards for completing one, three, or all five events.

This week's standout offering is a fairly neat-looking homage to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft of the Eighties and Nineties. This is a series that has appeared in previous Gran Turismo games and has included several vehicles, however the list is barely smaller for GT7 currently and consists exclusively of Alfa Romeo 155 '93.

The solution to this problem involves custom tuning of several AI cars – BMW E30 M3, Ford Sierra RS500 and Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 – and custom DTM-like liveries to supply the identical experience, in a fashion just like the recent All-Japan Grand Events Touring Championship with previous weekly challenges.

You're not limited to any specific vehicle, vehicle type, and even tuning, so you may enter the race in any automotive you want, in any state of tune – but when you would like to get into the spirit and go for authenticity, any of the above cars or a '92 Supra can be cool. The race itself covers ten laps of the Nurburgring Sprint track and the prizes are a whopping 150,000 kr.

It's actually per week of pretty much paid races, with the bottom prize being Cr25,000 within the European Clubman Cup 600 at Brands Hatch GP. In a three-lap race, you may participate within the race in any road automotive of any European brand.

We are faced with an unusual situation: two events are going down in a single place this week, since the Nurburgring Nordschleife is the chosen stop of the Black Forest League. That's one lap for German cars 700 percentage points lower. If you would like to win the primary place prize of 64,000 kr, be careful for the fast-loading AI machine at Dottinger Hohe.

You might have to unlock the subsequent race because the Hypercar Parade is within the bonus menu book. Once released, it’ll be a five-lap tour of Monza in any road automotive of any type and condition for a prize of 85,000 kr.

The final event this week is a brand new one added today in update 1.52. You'll take to the Circuit de Sainte-Croix A within the Nissan GT-R Cup, which is, unsurprisingly, limited to road-going Nissan GT-R models. Tuning is as much as you, provided that the automotive uses sports tires and doesn’t exceed 700 PP, and the three-lap race is value a cool 94,000 kr.

All bonus prizes this week are money – or at the least all tickets are redeemable for money, so don't leave them within the Giveaway section for too long. You will receive 100,000 cr for completing one event, 200,000 cr for choosing three events, and 500,000 cr for completing all five events until they modify.

To access the weekly challenges, you will need to complete the GT Cafe Menu Book 39 and watch the ultimate video. Events are updated at midnight local time on Thursday evenings/Friday mornings, so we're expecting the subsequent set within the morning of Friday, October 11.

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Weekly challenges in Gran Turismo 7: Double Deutsche 13

Gran Turismo 7 Weekly Challenges – October, Week 1:

  • Autodromo Nazionale Monza – hypercar parade
    • Number of laps: 5
    • Restrictions: Road automotive
    • Win prize: 85,000 cr
  • Brands Hatch Grand Prix – European Clubman Cup 600
    • Number of laps: 3
    • Restrictions: road automotive, Europe
    • Win a prize: 25,000 kr
  • Circuit de Sainte-Croix A – Nissan GT-R Cup
    • Number of laps: 3
    • Limitations: Nissan GT-R, sports tires, ≤700PP
    • Win prize: 94,000 cr
  • Nurburgring Nordschleife – Black Forest League
    • Number of laps: 1
    • Restrictions: Germany, ≤700PP
    • Win the prize: 64,000 kr
  • Nurburgring Sprint – special event
    • Number of laps: 10
    • Limitations: –
    • Win a prize: 150,000 cr

Awards

  • Complete 1 event: ticket value 100,000 kr
  • Complete 3 events: ticket value 200,000 kr
  • Complete 5 events: ticket value 500,000 kr

Aston Martin cannot sit idly by and wait for Newey to start out

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Aston Martin cannot sit idly by and wait for Newey to start out

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack says his Formula 1 team cannot simply sit and wait for Adrian Newey to reach before considering they will make big progress.

The Silverstone team pulled off an enormous coup by securing Newey's services following his departure from Red Bull's title-winning squad.

However, resulting from the terms of his contract with Red Bull, he can only start working at Aston Martin in March next yr, when his influence shall be focused mainly on the contender for the 2026 season.

While Newey's capture is an enormous boost for the long run, Krack says Aston Martin cannot now let the joy overshadow its current task of turning its fortunes back on the right track.

Aston have been out of order this season and Krack is obvious that progress must be made before Newey's arrival.

Asked how difficult it was to reconcile the emotions surrounding Newey and the 2026 project with the present difficulties, Krack said: “Very hard. Absolutely.

“But I think we should also use '25 as an opportunity to show Adrian what we can do. I think that should be a motivation for all of us.”

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin F1 Team

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin F1 Team

Photo: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Pressed on the potential danger posed by people sitting idly by and easily waiting for Newey to act, Krack said: “If I identify him, it won't be long.”

Although Newey has already visited the Aston Martin factory and spoken to senior management, his input stays limited as he continues to be under contract with Red Bull.

Krack said how much dialogue he and Newey could have before he officially began was out of his hands.

“I don't know,” he said. “I would like to contact our legal department.

“I believe you’ve to be very careful with things like this. You know, we don't wish to get into legal issues [matters] Moving on. It just wouldn't be right.”

Krack has little doubt that after fighting for podium places at the beginning of last season, simply fighting for points lower within the rankings isn’t any longer ok for Aston Martin.

“We're not where we want to be,” he said. “Our goal was clearly to cut back the gap to the highest 4 teams.

“At the start of the season we knew we were around fifth fastest and our goal was to cut back that gap.

“We didn't make it. Others have more catching up to do than we have closed. This is the reality and we need to understand it and address it.”

23XI Racing and FRM sue NASCAR for 'anti-competitive practices'

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23XI Racing and FRM sue NASCAR for 'anti-competitive practices'

On Wednesday morning, two NASCAR teams – Front Row Motorsports and 23XI (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin) – filed a joint antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, accusing the game's governing body, run by the dynastic France family, of “anti-competitive activities and monopolistic control of the sport ” Both teams have publicly stated problems with the brand new NASCAR charter agreement, which each teams have refused to sign.

This jointly filed lawsuit represents an escalation after months of ongoing disputes between teams and NASCAR management.

“We are united by the passion for racing, the thrill of competition and victory,” we read in a joint statement. “Beyond the race track, we share the belief that change is necessary in the sport we love. Together, we brought this antitrust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in a way that benefits teams, drivers, sponsors and, most importantly, fans.”

Challenging NASCAR's monopoly control over the game

The release went on to accuse NASCAR of operating without transparency, stifling competition and controlling the game in a way that “unfairly benefits them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.” The France family has had full control of the game since its founding in 1948.

Front Row Motorsport and 23XI posted a listing of so-called anti-competitive practices by NASCAR management:

  • Buying many of the top racetracks which might be exclusive to NASCAR racing
  • Enforcing exclusivity agreements at NASCAR-sanctioned racetracks
  • Acquisition of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), the one significant competitor within the stock automotive racing series
  • Preventing teams from participating in every other stock automotive races, while retaining ownership of next-generation parts and cars
  • Forcing teams to purchase parts from single-source suppliers chosen by NASCAR
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx Toyota Camry

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx Toyota Camry

Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

23XI Racing was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020, while Front Row Motorsports (FRM) has been owned by Bob Jenkins since 2005. Each team runs two full-time cars, which FRM recently announced plans to do expand the corporate to a few as a part of a charter purchase agreement from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. In the lawsuit, 23XI signals its intention to buy a 3rd charter also for 2025.

November 23 and one other FRM move

NASCAR originally implemented the charter agreement in 2016. The recent agreement is scheduled to run from 2025 to 2031. 13 of the 15 teams with charters signed the brand new agreement after setting a tough deadline. Wednesday's statement accuses the sanctioning body of refusing to have interaction constructively and obstructing talks between the 2 sides, leaving the one choice to court proceedings.

The lengthy announcement also detailed their next move: “In the approaching days, we are going to file a preliminary injunction to permit our teams to race in the subsequent calendar yr under the 2025 charter agreement while continuing the antitrust investigation. The filing will seek discovery from NASCAR and Jim France regarding their exclusionary practices and intention to isolate themselves from all competition. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will seek treble damages for the anti-competitive conditions the teams were subjected to under their 2016 charter agreement. “

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI

“I believe it's quite easy. When I go searching, I see that the very best and best sports on the planet understand that when teams thrive, fans profit, and that everybody who invests in the game's success should share in that success fairly. With the suitable changes, we will definitely make this a reality in racing. “

Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing

“Everyone knows that I actually have all the time been a fierce competitor and that may to win drives me and your complete 23XI team every week on the track. I really like racing and the eagerness of our fans, but the way in which NASCAR is run today is unfair to the teams, drivers, sponsors and fans. Today's motion shows that I’m able to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports, Rasmussen Air & Gas Energy Ford Mustang and Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, Horizon Hobby Ford Mustang

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports, Rasmussen Air & Gas Energy Ford Mustang and Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, Horizon Hobby Ford Mustang

Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images

Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports

“I actually have been a component of this racing community for 20 years and I couldn't be more pleased with the Front Row Motorsports team and our success. But it's time for a change. We need a more competitive and fair system where teams, drivers and sponsors may be rewarded for our collective investments by constructing long-term enterprise value, just like several other successful skilled sports league.

Curtis Polk, co-owner of 23XI Racing

“Our goal is true partnership, not dictatorship. For over two years, I actually have been dedicated to advocating for a fairer and more transparent system in NASCAR, where we recognize the importance of the French family and the sanctioning body, but do what’s best for all parties involved. A statute imposed on teams with only a number of hours' notice doesn’t achieve these goals. The recent statute is an try and further marginalize the teams' voices in the game and consolidate control and power within the hands of the France family for his or her exclusive profit. I hope that our actions today will lead to a way forward for cooperation for this great sport we love.

Chadwick IndyAutomobile promotion 'a sensible possibility' after first testing at Barber

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Chadwick IndyAutomobile promotion 'a sensible possibility' after first testing at Barber

jamie chadwick andrettti globa

Williams Academy driver Jamie Chadwick maintains a promotion to IndyAutomobile is a “realistic possibility” after completing his maiden test with the Andretti Global team.

Logging 87 laps within the fog, Chadwick – who finished seventh within the Indy NXT standings this 12 months – spoke positively about her overall first impression of the machines, but admitted that she found the experience more physical than expected.

“From a personal point of view, it went quite well,” she told Motorsport.com. “I used to be a bit of disenchanted to seek out that the steering effort was as great because it was then, but I believe I knew that may potentially be the case during testing at Barber, which I felt was the worst-case scenario.

“But at the identical time, it's very positive to know what I would like to work on on this regard.

“But everything else, in terms of working with the team, settling into the car and understanding IndyCar better, I was really happy with how everything went.”

She added: “I expected it to be hard and heavy, but it surely was also heavier than I expected. Of course I prepared as best I could, but now knowing exactly what it takes, I actually just should work to get to that level.

“In that sense, no stone could be left unturned. The idea is to turn out to be as strong as possible. “

After two seasons competing within the Feeder category, Chadwick made no secret of her desire to maneuver as much as IndyAutomobile.

However, with seats remaining limited, it’s open to a possible need to go away Andretti's stable because the team has an entire three-driver lineup of Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson for 2025.

While he's “not completely” ruling out a 3rd Indy NXT campaign, Chadwick said: “I believe it's a sensible possibility, but that's all that's possible at this stage. IndyAutomobile could be very difficult in the meanwhile because there are so few seats available.

“Of course, there are loads of things to it. I even have been with Andretti for the last two years, I even have tested with Andretti, I really need to have every opportunity to remain on this family and this environment. I believe they’ve played an enormous role in helping me develop and take me to the subsequent level, but obviously they’ve three seats and three drivers.

“I believe realistically this can be a huge opportunity to see if we will make something occur. But I won't lie, IndyAutomobile is totally my goal and the goal I would like to succeed in.

“I don't know when it will be or what it will look like, but it remains very much my goal, and especially after testing, I'm focused on where I want to go.”

24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Lapierre retires with immediate effect

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24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Lapierre retires with immediate effect

Four-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Nicolas Lapierre has left the cockpit with immediate effect to think about managing the Cool Racing team.

The statement made by the 40-year-old Frenchman on Wednesday signifies that last month's Fuji round of the World Endurance Championships, during which he finished third with Alpine, was his last race.

“It's time to hang up my helmet and end this chapter of my life,” Lapierre said in a brief video post on Instagram. “It was great to finish this journey on the rostrum and spray the champagne once more. It's an honor for me to live for my passion and do what I like for thus a few years.

Lapierre said it was time for “a new chapter in my life on the other side of the pitwall.” He added: “I love it as much as racing, so I won't be far away.”

Nicolas Lapierre, Alpine A424

Nicolas Lapierre, Alpine A424

Photo: Alpine

Lapierre will give attention to CLX Motorsport, which he founded with Alexandre Coigny in 2020. The team operates under the Cool Racing banner and is predicated in Annecy, France, just across the border from Geneva. He competed within the LMP2 and LMP3 classes of the European Le Mans Series, in addition to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in P2.

Lapierre took the chance in his video statement to thank a lot of riders from a profession during which he was a race winner within the GP2 and A1 Grand Prix and within the WEC with each Toyota and Alpine.

Among them was Philippe Sinault, who played a task in a few of his best successes, each in single-seaters and sports cars.

Sinault leads the Signatech team, which has led Alpine's endurance campaigns since 2013, and its predecessor, Signature, for whom Lapierre won the 2003 Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix.

He also honored Jean-Paul Driot, the late founder and head of the DAMS team.

“I also consider Jean-Paul Driot; he left too soon,” Lapierre said. “Thanks to him and his team, I used to be in a position to take my first GP2 victory in 2007 – he definitely modified my profession.”

Nicolas Lapierre, DAMS, crosses the finish line and takes victory

Nicolas Lapierre, DAMS, crosses the finish line and takes victory

Also mentioned was ORECA boss Hugues de Chaunac, who gave Lapierre his first likelihood at sports automotive racing in 2007 and with whom he won the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring aboard a Peugeot 908 HDi LMP1 semi.

Lapierre's contract with ORECA made it easier for him to affix Toyota's LMP1 lineup after the WEC's revival in 2012, because the French organization was a part of the Japanese manufacturer's race set-up until the tip of 2020.

He won six WEC races with Toyota before being controversially sacked midway through the 2014 season following crashes at each Le Mans and the Austin round, despite running on slick tires in heavy rain on each occasions.

Lapierre paid tribute to former ORECA technical director David Floury, who now holds the identical role at Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, for his encouragement on the time.

“He was a very important person in my career and life,” he said. “I was probably at the worst moment of my racing career: I was very close to quitting racing and he was the one who brought me back.”

Lapierre's announcement comes as Cool is thought to be considered one of the candidates for a partnership with Hyundai Motorsport preparing to enter the prototype ranks with a brand new LMDh under the South Korean manufacturer's premium Genesis brand.

Lapierre's place within the No. 36 Alpine A424 LMDh alongside Mick Schumacher and Matthieu Vaxiviere on the 2024 WEC Final in Bahrain is predicted to be taken by Jules Gounon.

Gounon is Alpine's official reserve driver and was brought into the Fuji squad as a part of a plan agreed before the beginning of the season to extend his experience within the Hypercar division.

He replaced Paul-Loup Chatin and, under the identical agreement, he was appointed as Bahrain's substitute for Charles Milesi, who had been Alpine's standout rider during its rise to the front of the Hypercar field since Le Mans.

Formula E confirms a pre-season test wherein only women will participate

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Formula E confirms a pre-season test wherein only women will participate

Formula E organizers have officially confirmed that girls's pre-season testing will happen next month ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Pre-season testing for the electrical vehicle championship will begin on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia on November 4-7 for all 11 teams and 22 full-time registered drivers, marking the one official start before the season starts in Sao. Paulo December 7.

Racing will run over 4 days, however the afternoon session on Thursday, November 7 shall be exclusively for female drivers, with teams required to run not less than one driver, but are encouraged to field two in the newest Gen3 Evo cars.

An all-female test was already held in Diriyah in 2018, and while the teams have yet to formally announce which female drivers will participate within the test, several teams have already got links with female drivers.

This includes three-time W Series champion and Indy NXT driver Jamie Chadwick, who raced with Andretti and tested one in every of the American team's IndyAutomobile cars earlier this week.

The 26-year-old Briton was also given the chance by Formula E to drive the Gen3 Evo automobile last season in Portland between official sessions.

Earlier this 12 months, inaugural F1 Academy champion Marta Garcia took part within the official Berlin Rookie Test with ERT, as did Alice Powell in her role with Envision.

Marta Garcia, ERT Formula E team

Marta Garcia, ERT Formula E team

Photo: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

In the ten years since Formula E's inception, only three female drivers have ever competed in any races, all within the Gen1 era.

Katherine Legge began twice for Amlin Aguri in 2014, failing to complete in any points, as did Trulli Team's Michela Cerruti over the identical period, while Simona de Silvestro began 12 times for Andretti, twice recording a season-best finish of ninth. 2016.

While all drivers will give you the chance to check out the brand new Gen3 Evo automobile in Spain, work is already underway on the Gen4 machine, which shall be used from the 2026/27 season. It is believed it can include power steering – a system missing from the F2 and F3 cars and widely seen as a barrier to female drivers.

Jeff Dodds, Formula E CEO, said: “We know there isn’t a easy solution to greater diversity in motorsport. However, if we truly wish to ensure equality, opportunity and visibility for girls in our series, the conditions should be the identical for all to support their development and test themselves against women who’re already on the starting grid.

“Unlike other series where women drivers should use old or limited machinery, they are going to use the state-of-the-art Gen3 Evo automobile, which accelerates 30% faster than an F1 automobile, similar to our champion drivers do.

“We also know that one test won't solve a long-term problem, but we want to start out somewhere, knowing we still have an extended method to go, and ensuring we take proactive, consistent steps to make sure continued progress.

“As a motor sport where the variety of female and male fans is sort of equal, and in Formula E, including my executive and director teams, we consider it is true that our drivers and the broader ecosystem are representative of those that follow and support this sport. “

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