In the United States, Formula 1 has grown in popularity since 2018, while IndyCar is only struggling. While the American championship has a good reputation across the Atlantic, it is not growing like its international counterpart. Pato O’Ward (McLaren Arrow SP) states that the product is not marketed correctly and calls for changes to increase its popularity. “The way it grows today is completely different from 30 years ago,” said the Mexican pilot. Having a quality product is important, but at the end of the day, people need to be here. You want people to be part of something bigger that isn’t just car racing. “Our championship is a perfect example of this, because the racing is great, but there’s something missing that we haven’t figured out yet.” O’Ward points to Formula One as the ideal example to follow. When it was acquired by Liberty Media in 2017, the discipline exploded in America; especially with factors such as the Netflix series Drive to Survive, new formats (Sprint Races) and the opening of Formula 1, especially on social media. These changes succeeded in attracting a new audience, but in turn offended older viewers. O’Ward says IndyCar can’t just copy other championships and be successful, but must take into consideration what they’re doing. He argues that change may cause resistance but is critical for growth. The Mexican pilot emphasizes the importance of embracing change for a vibrant and attractive future. IndyCar has an exciting product on the track, but O’Ward highlights a flaw in the way it’s presented to the audience. He points out the importance of providing a participatory experience beyond technical races. Inspired by F1’s successful changes, O’Ward suggests IndyCar should explore new formats, invest in innovative marketing and strengthen its presence on digital platforms. The Mexican admits that each championship is unique, but argues that looking at the successes of others and adapting their strategies could be a way to increase popularity. In an ever-changing world, O’Ward emphasizes the importance of being open to change to ensure a bright and attractive future.
Van der Zande Eyes Historic Daytona Win with IndyCar Greats as Teammates
Van der Zande Aims for Historic Daytona Victory by Teammate with IndyCar Greats- Renger van der Zande will start from second place this Saturday with the aim of securing his third victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona. In an interview with RacingNews365, the Dutch driver shared his expectations for the prestigious endurance race and explained why this race is so special. Van der Zande, who won twice in 2019 and 2020, is hopeful of adding his third victory this weekend. The Cadillac Racing team will start the 24-hour endurance race from second place with their #01 car and are confident of achieving their third victory. “We are second on the grid and we have a very fast car, I believe that,” Van der Zande told RacingNews365. “Of course, we have to deal with Balance of Performance, so you never know exactly how other teams will qualify. “And then there’s the old-fashioned punching bag thing, we expected more from the BMWs and Acuras, and Cadillac went really hard. “I think we’re exposing quite a lot of our cards and that could be dangerous if everyone decides to accelerate later in the race.” The Dutch driver emphasized the importance of the car’s performance and balancing strategies before the race, in an environment where different teams are qualifying with different expectations. What makes this particular quest for victory even more special is that Van der Zande has IndyCar’s big names as teammates. The team has the dominant names in the category to add additional excitement and experience to the podium fight in Daytona. Motorsport fans will be keeping an eye on this exciting episode of the 24 Hours of Daytona, as Renger van der Zande is looking for not only his third victory, but also the opportunity to write his name in the history of this legendary race.
Exclusive: Miguel Oliveira, Raul Fernandez Showcase Trackhouse Aprilia’s 2024 MotoGP Look
The 2024 MotoGP season will be even more exciting, especially with the entry of the Trackhouse team, led by Justin Marks, into the elite motorcycle racing scene. By purchasing the seats of the former RNF Racing team for the 2023 season, Trackhouse is ready to make its presence known with an impressive appearance and a closer collaboration with Aprilia. The team’s talented pilots, Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, recently revealed the bold livery that will grace Trackhouse Aprilia’s bikes throughout the season. The eye-catching color combination features elements of the American flag and reflects not only the team’s desire to leave a lasting impression, but also their strong collaboration with the Italian manufacturer. The decision to offer Oliveira a factory bike in 2024 demonstrates Trackhouse’s determination to compete at the top level of MotoGP. While the previous season saw the team using RS-GPs from two years ago, they now prepare to race with state-of-the-art equipment, showing a clear commitment to success. Trackhouse’s entry into MotoGP coincides with the series’ effort to expand its presence in the North American market. The appointment of former NBA president Dan Rossomondo as Dorna’s chief commercial officer, which is owned by Bridgepoint Capital, underscores the strategic importance of this expansion. Circuit of the Americas in Austin, USA will host Trackhouse’s American Grand Prix on the weekend of April 12-14. But Trackhouse’s journey in MotoGP has not been without its challenges. A long lap penalty is already on the way following a crash involving Oliveira at the Qatar GP in November. Unfortunately, Oliveira’s suspension will be carried over for the new season due to an injury that will see him miss the final races of 2023. Trackhouse’s entry into MotoGP is exciting news, especially with Oliveira and Fernandez set to race this bold new livery. The kit’s look not only represents a look into the future, but also shows a combination of iconic elements that reflect the essence of the Trackhouse-Aprilia partnership. As the countdown to the 2024 season continues, MotoGP fans can’t wait to see the new power Trackhouse will bring to this category. Trackhouse is an exciting addition to the world of MotoGP with its determination to challenge established teams and create unforgettable moments on track.
Trackhouse Team Unveils Striking Livery for Debut MotoGP Season
The Trackhouse team is set to turn heads on the track by unveiling an impressive color scheme for its first season in MotoGP. Led by Justin Marks, the owner of a team that has achieved success in the NASCAR Cup Series, Trackhouse has taken a bold step into the MotoGP world by purchasing the grid slots of former MotoGP team RNF Racing during the 2023 season. Trackhouse’s closer collaboration with Aprilia underlines the team’s determination to stand out from the competition. Under the interim management of RNF Racing last season, Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez achieved a striking performance with their RS-GP bikes from two years ago. Oliveira’s fourth place in his first Grand Prix, the British Grand Prix, was a significant success for the team. Trackhouse’s entry into MotoGP coincides with the series’ aim to expand in the North American market. Bridgepoint Capital-owned Dorna’s appointment of former NBA commissioner Dan Rossomondo as Dorna’s chief commercial officer last year reflects this growth strategy. The team will host the American Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on the weekend of April 12-14. This will be an exciting opportunity for American fans to observe Trackhouse’s new presence in elite motorcycle racing. But Trackhouse’s journey in MotoGP does not begin without challenges. Before the start in Qatar on March 10, the team is already carrying a long lap suspension for a crash involving Oliveira at the Qatar Grand Prix in November. Unfortunately, Oliveira’s suspension carries over to the new season as he has to miss the final races of 2023. Trackhouse is the fourth team to announce its design for the 2024 season so far. After holding the Gresini, factory Ducati team and VR46 events last week, it can be said that it is Trackhouse’s turn. With a striking aesthetic featuring the colors of the American flag on Aprilia motorcycles, Trackhouse is ready to make an impact on the MotoGP stage. Justin Marks, the visionary behind this breakthrough, is determined to bring the success he has achieved in NASCAR to the international motorcycle scene. The first season is all about Trackhouse establishing an unforgettable presence and delivering thrills at MotoGP races.
Meet the Race Engineers Behind the Top 10 F1 Drivers in 2024
Meet the Racing Engineers Behind the Top 10:- F1 Drivers of 2024 Formula 1 is about much more than fast cars and talented drivers; Behind every great performance there is a technical team that plays a vital role, and the race engineers who are part of this team play a critical role. In 2024, partnerships between drivers and their engineers are poised to be as exciting as the races themselves. Red Bull’s Dutch phenomenon Max Verstappen has a special relationship with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. Originally linked to Sebastian Vettel, Lambiase has formed a partnership with Verstappen since 2016 and has maintained his position with Verstappen even as he moved into the role of Head of Engineering at Red Bull. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez relies on Hugh Bird’s expertise. Bird, who started his career as a simulation and analysis engineer for Red Bull in 2012, started to be Perez’s voice in 2021, that is, to help him in races. Lewis Hamilton’s partnership with Peter Bonnington, commonly known as ‘Bono’, dates back to 2013. Since Hamilton’s move to Mercedes, Bono has made some memorable moments, including famously saying “It’s Hammer time”. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc relies on Xavier Marcos Padros as his race engineer. Hailing from Spain, Padros has amassed a variety of experiences, from his days with the BNC Racing Team to becoming Felipe Massa’s engineer at Williams Racing. The name behind George Russell at Mercedes is Marcus Dudley. Since his days with the Marussia F1 Team, Dudley joined Mercedes in 2013 and has played a key role in the team ever since. Italian engineer Riccardo Adami currently works for Scuderia Ferrari and took over with Carlos Sainz in 2020 following the departure of Sebastian Vettel. Adami, who started with Minardi in 2002, worked with names such as Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, then became Sainz Jr.’s engineer in 2020 and has been with him ever since. McLaren’s Lando Norris worked with two race engineers last year and the same trend is said to continue. McLaren’s team boss Andrea Stella stated that they implemented this rotation in order to reduce the workload of race engineers. That’s why both William Joseph and Jose Manuel Lopez Garcia worked together with the British pilot. Chris Cronin is currently Fernando Alonso’s race engineer for Aston Martin. As well as working with Esteban Ocon during his Force India days, he also worked briefly with Sebastian Vettel. Daniel Ricciardo, always charismatic, returns to F1 in 2023, joining AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB) and bringing in Pierre Hamelin as race engineer. Hamelin, who started with Lotus Renault GP in 2009, still operates in the same position. Valtteri Bottas’ current race engineer is Alex Chan. After working with Kimi Raikkonen in the Alfa Romeo F1 team, Chan was prepared to stay with the team to maintain his position. These engineers are not only technical, but also vital partners for drivers, shaping strategies, tuning cars and providing emotional support at critical moments. It is possible to say that the dynamics between these duos in 2024 will affect the exciting story of the Formula 1 world, not only on the track.
Meet the Race Engineers Behind the Top 10 F1 Drivers in 2024
Meet the Racing Engineers Behind the Top 10:- F1 Drivers of 2024 Formula 1 is about much more than fast cars and talented drivers; Behind every great performance there is a technical team that plays a vital role, and the race engineers who are part of this team play a critical role. In 2024, partnerships between drivers and their engineers are poised to be as exciting as the races themselves. Red Bull’s Dutch phenomenon Max Verstappen has a special relationship with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. Originally linked to Sebastian Vettel, Lambiase has formed a partnership with Verstappen since 2016 and has maintained his position with Verstappen even as he moved into the role of Head of Engineering at Red Bull. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez relies on Hugh Bird’s expertise. Bird, who started his career as a simulation and analysis engineer for Red Bull in 2012, started to be Perez’s voice in 2021, that is, to help him in races. Lewis Hamilton’s partnership with Peter Bonnington, commonly known as ‘Bono’, dates back to 2013. Since Hamilton’s move to Mercedes, Bono has made some memorable moments, including famously saying “It’s Hammer time”. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc relies on Xavier Marcos Padros as his race engineer. Hailing from Spain, Padros has amassed a variety of experiences, from his days with the BNC Racing Team to becoming Felipe Massa’s engineer at Williams Racing. The name behind George Russell at Mercedes is Marcus Dudley. Since his days with the Marussia F1 Team, Dudley joined Mercedes in 2013 and has played a key role in the team ever since. Italian engineer Riccardo Adami currently works for Scuderia Ferrari and took over with Carlos Sainz in 2020 following the departure of Sebastian Vettel. Adami, who started with Minardi in 2002, worked with names such as Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, then became Sainz Jr.’s engineer in 2020 and has been with him ever since. McLaren’s Lando Norris worked with two race engineers last year and the same trend is said to continue. McLaren’s team boss Andrea Stella stated that they implemented this rotation in order to reduce the workload of race engineers. That’s why both William Joseph and Jose Manuel Lopez Garcia worked together with the British pilot. Chris Cronin is currently Fernando Alonso’s race engineer for Aston Martin. As well as working with Esteban Ocon during his Force India days, he also worked briefly with Sebastian Vettel. Daniel Ricciardo, always charismatic, returns to F1 in 2023, joining AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB) and bringing in Pierre Hamelin as race engineer. Hamelin, who started with Lotus Renault GP in 2009, still operates in the same position. Valtteri Bottas’ current race engineer is Alex Chan. After working with Kimi Raikkonen in the Alfa Romeo F1 team, Chan was prepared to stay with the team to maintain his position. These engineers are not only technical, but also vital partners for drivers, shaping strategies, tuning cars and providing emotional support at critical moments. It is possible to say that the dynamics between these duos in 2024 will affect the exciting story of the Formula 1 world, not only on the track.
