Felipe Drugovich Eyes Top-Tier Racing Beyond Formula 2 in 2023

Formula 2 champion and promising Aston Martin junior driver, Felipe Drugovich, has clearly stated his aspirations for the 2023 season: to compete in a racing series that represents a significant step up from F2. Having clinched the coveted F2 title with a dominant performance, FIA regulations now preclude him from returning to the series as a champion. This rule, designed to ensure new talent can rise through the ranks, propels him to seek new challenges at a higher echelon of motorsport.

Drugovich’s impressive championship victory solidified his status as one of motorsport’s most exciting young talents. His consistent speed, strategic race craft, and ability to perform under pressure throughout the season caught the attention of Formula 1 teams, leading to his recruitment by Aston Martin. As the inaugural member of their new driver development programme, Drugovich is poised for a comprehensive test programme throughout 2023. This crucial role will involve extensive track time with the team’s F1 machinery and active participation in a number of Grand Prix weekends, offering him invaluable experience within the pinnacle of motorsport and a direct pathway into the F1 environment.

While specific racing commitments for the upcoming season remain unconfirmed, the talented Brazilian driver has expressed a keen interest in categories that stand above Formula 2. He specifically highlighted opportunities in prestigious series such as the World Endurance Championship (WEC), particularly in the highly competitive Hypercar class, or Japan’s renowned Super Formula series. These championships offer diverse and demanding racing environments, providing robust pathways for drivers to continue their professional development, hone their skills in different machinery, and showcase their abilities on a global stage, distinct from the F1 ladder but equally challenging.

Drugovich elaborated on his criteria for selecting his next challenge, emphasizing a balanced approach to his commitments: “I’m just hoping I can race something professionally, also something that doesn’t really clash so much with Formula 1. So it has to be a programme that doesn’t take so many days from my year.” This strategic approach underscores his primary commitment to his Aston Martin F1 development role, ensuring any racing schedule complements his main objective of integrating into the Formula 1 team. “Anything over Formula 2, I’ll be looking at. So it could be Hypercar or Super Formula or anything. I just don’t know yet what it is,” he added, emphasizing his open-mindedness regarding the various top-tier opportunities available while he waits for a clearer path.

The transition for F2 champions is always a critical phase, often fraught with uncertainty due to limited F1 seats. With only 20 spots in Formula 1, many highly talented drivers explore diverse professional racing paths, from endurance prototypes to elite single-seaters in other regions. Drugovich’s move into a development role with an F1 team, coupled with a desire for competitive racing elsewhere, reflects a modern and pragmatic approach to driver career progression in an increasingly competitive motorsport landscape. His journey will be closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike, as he navigates the next crucial steps towards a potential Formula 1 future, or establishes himself as a star in another premier racing discipline, further cementing his reputation.

Zane Maloney Honored as FIA Rookie of the Year 2022

Rising star Zane Maloney has been officially recognized for his exceptional debut season, earning the prestigious FIA Rookie of the Year award for 2022. The Barbadian driver, who secured an impressive second-place finish in the highly competitive FIA Formula 3 championship in his maiden year, received this annual accolade during the esteemed FIA prizegiving gala. This award celebrates an outstanding rookie performer across any FIA-sanctioned series globally, highlighting Maloney’s rapid adaptation, remarkable consistency, and competitive prowess against seasoned competitors.

Maloney’s 2022 Formula 3 campaign was a testament to his raw talent, unwavering determination, and quick learning ability. Over the course of the season, the 19-year-old showcased remarkable consistency and blistering speed, clinching three thrilling race victories, securing two pole positions, and achieving a total of four podium finishes. His ability to perform under immense pressure and convert strong qualifying into decisive race results made him a standout competitor in a notoriously challenging and closely fought field. His memorable performances, particularly in the latter half of the season, were instrumental in his championship bid and cemented his place as a future prospect.

Beyond his F3 exploits, Maloney was also granted a valuable opportunity to make his Formula 2 debut. He competed in the final round of the F2 season in Abu Dhabi with Trident, providing him with early and critical exposure to the next rung of the single-seater ladder. This experience not only broadened his skillset but also gave him a crucial taste of the challenges and demands of F2 machinery, preparing him for potential future campaigns. The FIA Rookie of the Year award serves as a strong endorsement of his immense potential, marking him as a driver to watch closely in the coming years as he aims for higher categories in motorsport, with many anticipating his continued rise through the ranks.

Gran Turismo 7 Crowned Best Sports/Racing Game of 2022

Polyphony Digital’s highly anticipated sim-racing title, Gran Turismo 7, has claimed the coveted title of Best Sports/Racing Game of 2022 at The Game Awards. This annual event, held in Los Angeles, gathers the most prominent figures and innovators from the global games industry to celebrate excellence in video gaming. The win for Gran Turismo 7 underscores its significant impact and exceptional quality within a highly competitive genre, reaffirming its status as a flagship PlayStation exclusive and a benchmark for racing simulation.

In a fiercely contested category, Gran Turismo 7 emerged victorious over a strong lineup of critically acclaimed nominees. It notably outperformed fellow racing game contender F1 22, showcasing its broad appeal, immersive gameplay, and superior critical reception. The game also triumphed against massively popular sports titles such as FIFA 23 and NBA 2K23, as well as the unique and critically lauded cartoonish skateboarding experience, Olli Olli World. The winners were determined by a fellowship of esteemed international games journalists, whose collective expertise highlighted Gran Turismo 7’s exceptional gameplay, stunning realistic visuals, expansive car collection, and deeply immersive driving experience that appeals to both casual players and hardcore simulation fans.

Despite the growing popularity and professionalism of virtual racing and esports, it’s noteworthy that no dedicated simracing team or driver received nominations in any of the broader esports categories at The Game Awards. This observation sparks ongoing discussions within the simracing community regarding its recognition and integration into mainstream esports awards. While Gran Turismo 7’s win is undoubtedly a triumph for the racing game genre as a whole, it also highlights the distinct separation often seen between traditional sports games, which focus on broader accessibility, and the highly specialized world of competitive simracing within major awards ceremonies, raising questions about future inclusion and recognition for dedicated esports racers.

Nicholas Latifi Reflects on His Abu Dhabi GP and F1 Journey

Former Formula 1 driver Nicholas Latifi provides a poignant and personal account of his final Grand Prix weekend in Abu Dhabi, marking the end of his journey in the sport. He vividly recounts the emotional debrief where he received a touching surprise from his team: a signed rear-wing endplate from the Hungarian GP car, the very machine that brought him his first, hard-earned F1 points. This intimate article offers a candid look into a driver’s farewell from the pinnacle of motorsport, highlighting the camaraderie, emotional moments, and lasting memories forged within a Formula 1 team. It’s a must-read for fans interested in the human side of competitive racing.

Read: Abu Dhabi GP: The story behind my weekend (Nicholas Latifi)

Own a Piece of History: Max Verstappen’s Honda Civic Type-R GT Up for Auction

An incredible and rare opportunity has arisen for motorsport enthusiasts and collectors alike to acquire a unique piece of Formula 1 history: the Honda Civic Type-R GT that was personally gifted to two-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen by Honda as a token of appreciation for his achievements. This is a truly exceptional chance to own a vehicle directly associated with one of Formula 1’s most dominant and record-breaking figures, a driver who continues to redefine the sport and firmly establish himself among the all-time greats. The auction offers a tangible, personal connection to F1 history through the very car driven by a reigning world champion, making it a highly desirable item.

View: Honda – Civic Type-R GT (ex Max Verstappen) (Catawiki)

Highlights from the 2022 FIA General Assembly

The latest updates from the 2022 FIA General Assembly reveal the federation’s ongoing and proactive efforts to enhance safety, promote sustainability, and foster greater inclusivity within motorsport globally. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem provided significant insights into the concrete steps being taken to combat the growing issue of online abuse targeting individuals within the sport. He detailed the successful implementation of an advanced artificial intelligence system that has effectively intercepted and blocked an impressive 2,400 severely toxic messages from appearing across the FIA’s official social media channels, demonstrating a strong, proactive approach to fostering a more respectful and supportive online environment for all involved in motorsport.

Report: 2022 FIA General Assembly (FIA)

FIA Unveils Winners of New President’s Awards

The FIA has proudly announced the inaugural recipients of its new President’s Awards, recognizing outstanding and innovative contributions to motorsport in various crucial categories. The Royal Automobile Club of Jordan was honored for its pioneering photovoltaic station, a significant step towards sustainable energy. Mobilité Club France received recognition for its mobisenior.fr website, an initiative promoting safe mobility for seniors. Motorsport Australia was commended for its highly impactful Racing Together initiative, fostering diversity and inclusion. Additionally, a special award was presented to the Fédération Automobile d’Ukraine for its Intensive Emergency Training for Internally Displaced Female Drivers, recognizing their vital humanitarian efforts. Each recipient will receive up to €10,000 in financial or in-kind contribution from the FIA, underscoring the federation’s unwavering commitment to supporting and celebrating impactful projects worldwide.

Details: FIA reveals winners of new FIA president’s awards (FIA)

Introducing Bari Boroumand: McLaren Shadow’s F1 Esports Star

Get to know Bari Boroumand, the talented 19-year-old Iranian racer who is rapidly making waves in the highly competitive F1 Esports Series Pro Championship. Representing McLaren Shadow, Boroumand has been a pivotal and consistent force in the team’s pursuit of the 2022 title, currently sitting in an impressive third place in the championship standings with a significant victory and five podium finishes to his name. This insightful interview provides an in-depth look at his diverse journey through motorsport, spanning from playing FIFA to competing in Formula 4 and karting, offering valuable insights into his competitive mindset, training regimen, and exciting experience within the burgeoning world of F1 Esports.

Feature: FIFA, Formula 4 and karting: Introducing Bari Boroumand (McLaren)

Garth Tander’s Triple Eight Departure Sparks Daniel Ricciardo Speculation

The unexpected departure of highly respected Supercars veteran Garth Tander from Triple Eight Red Bull has sent ripples through the motorsport community and ignited a fascinating discussion about potential new opportunities, specifically hinting at a possible high-profile switch for Daniel Ricciardo into Supercars. News Corp reports suggest that Supercars management promptly contacted Ricciardo’s representatives following his confirmation of stepping back from Formula 1 for the upcoming year. Ricciardo has publicly expressed his desire for a racing sabbatical and a break from the intense F1 schedule, even voicing ambitions like embarking on a motorbike trip across the United States. This development fuels considerable speculation about future guest appearances or even a more significant role for the popular Australian driver in the Supercars series, leveraging his undeniable star power and massive fan base to boost the championship’s profile.

Analysis: Garth Tander quits Triple Eight Red Bull, opens door for Daniel Ricciardo switch (Daily Telegraph AU)

IndyCar’s Ambitious Strategy for Attracting New TV Viewers

Veteran motorsport journalist Marshall Pruett delves into IndyCar’s bold and ambitious strategy to attract a fresh, younger demographic of TV viewers and expand its audience reach. While the IndyCar Series has made incremental gains in recent years in drawing new fans, a significant and persistent challenge remains: positioning the series as something beyond a traditional, older viewership. This insightful article explores the innovative approaches and targeted marketing efforts currently being undertaken to broaden IndyCar’s appeal and ensure its long-term relevance to a contemporary audience, a vital undertaking for its sustained growth in the highly competitive landscape of sports broadcasting.

Insight: PRUETT: IndyCar’s ambitious play for new TV viewers (Racer)

Red Bull Racing Celebrates Fifth Constructors’ Championship

Oracle Red Bull Racing proudly shared a photograph celebrating their remarkable fifth Constructors’ Championship title, marking a significant milestone in their illustrious Formula 1 history. The image captures the team’s collective triumph and undeniable joy, perfectly encapsulating their dominant performance throughout the 2022 season.

It’s officially official 🏆 Constructors’ Champions for the fifth time 👑 #F1 pic.twitter.com/xxxsP2ikm1

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 9, 2022

World Champions 2022: Red Bull Racing’s Victory Photo

Another vibrant celebratory post from Oracle Red Bull Racing, featuring a candid shot of the entire team reveling in their well-deserved 2022 World Champion status. The photograph radiates the immense collective effort, dedication, and ultimate success that defined their truly remarkable and championship-winning season.

There’s the shot 📸 World Champions 2022 👑 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UyaC3XkRRm

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 9, 2022

Lewis Hamilton Wins FIA Action of the Year

The FIA proudly announced Lewis Hamilton as the deserving recipient of the 2022 FIA Action of the Year award. The winning moment was his truly spectacular and audacious overtake on both Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez during the British Grand Prix, a move that captivated millions of fans worldwide and brilliantly showcased his exceptional racecraft, strategic brilliance, and daring on-track prowess.

🏆 The 2022 #FIAActionoftheYear is @LewisHamilton overtaking @Charles_Leclerc and @SChecoPerez at the @F1 British Grand Prix!#FIAPrizeGiving pic.twitter.com/vMXVw73n5g

— FIA (@fia) December 9, 2022

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Salutes Their Brackley Squad

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team shared a heartfelt and deeply appreciative message praising their dedicated Brackley-based team. The post expressed immense pride in every single individual’s relentless push, unwavering resilience, and enduring determination throughout a challenging season, emphatically stating that their achievements and progress would be utterly impossible without their dedicated efforts and collective spirit.

Brackley squad. ❤️ We are so proud of every single person in our Team. You continued to push and never gave up. We simply couldn’t do it without you. 👏 pic.twitter.com/t74nNXBBVM

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 9, 2022

Ferrari Teases Future Announcements

Ferrari posted a mysterious and intriguing teaser, posing the evocative question, “How great is the power of dreams?” This was accompanied by a specific date: Tuesday, December 13. This compelling message hints at highly anticipated upcoming announcements or significant revelations from the iconic Italian racing team, generating considerable excitement and anticipation among their vast global fanbase, eager to discover what the future holds.

How great is the power of dreams? We will find out together on Tuesday, 13 December.#Ferrari pic.twitter.com/7RzdxEgoct

— Ferrari (@Ferrari) December 9, 2022

Ask Kevin Part Two: Magnussen on Brazil Pole and Karting Tips

The MoneyGram Haas F1 Team shared the eagerly awaited second part of their “Ask Kevin” series, featuring their popular Danish driver, Kevin Magnussen. In this engaging segment, Magnussen discusses his candid reactions and emotions after securing a sensational pole position in Brazil. He also offers invaluable karting tips, providing fans with a deeper, personal insight into his experiences, philosophy, and advice for aspiring racers, making it a truly insightful watch.

His reactions to pole position in Brazil and Kev’s karting tips!

It’s all in our second part of Ask Kevin 🇩🇰#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/aUaogSIn2y

— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) December 9, 2022

McLaren Tech Centre Visit: Ricciardo’s Monza Winning Car

Acclaimed photographer James Mann shared a thrilling and captivating image from his recent visit to McLaren’s state-of-the-art Technology Centre. The photograph features none other than Daniel Ricciardo’s iconic Monza-winning MCL35, a car synonymous with one of the Australian’s most memorable victories. The post offers a rare and appreciative glimpse of the historic machine, evoking powerful memories of Ricciardo’s emotional triumph with McLaren and celebrating a significant moment in recent F1 history.

Still a thrill to visit McLaren’s Tech’ Centre for a shoot… here’s Ricciardo’s Monza winning MCL35 pic.twitter.com/ZfS0Od8UmS

— James Mann (@JamesMann63) December 9, 2022

ScarbsTech on Jordan’s Carbon Strengthening Tricks

Renowned technical expert and F1 analyst Craig Scarborough (ScarbsTech) provided an incredibly insightful look into Jordan Grand Prix’s ingenious and innovative methods for strengthening printed resin parts with carbon fiber. He highlighted a specific test piece designed to explore this cutting-edge technique, which was commonly utilized on critical suspension elements and gearboxes for enhanced durability. ScarbsTech further detailed how precisely machined flat sections of carbon were strategically integrated, particularly at the bottom of these components, showcasing advanced engineering solutions from F1’s past.

I guess it’s a test piece to see if a printed resin part could be strengthened with carbon.
This was a common Jordan trick used on suspension elements and gearboxes.
The rear of the pedal face is backed with carbon, plus machined flat sections of carbon are added to the bottom. pic.twitter.com/Sp4G1zqi8Q

— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsTech) December 9, 2022

Tribute to Syd “Silverstone” Herbert

Renowned racing driver Johnny Mowlem paid a deeply heartfelt tribute to the late Syd “Silverstone” Herbert, expressing profound sadness at his passing. Mowlem recalled the pleasure of recently seeing Syd and shared touching anecdotes from the early 90s, remembering him as a straightforward, no-nonsense but fundamentally good man who frequently helped him out of tricky situations, often accompanied by a characteristic grin and a sarcastic comment, highlighting a cherished friendship and a significant figure in motorsport.

I’m terribly sad to hear about the passing of Syd “Silverstone” Herbert. #SilverstoneSyd. Had the pleasure to see him not long ago. Many is the time that he dug me out of a gravel trap in the early 90s with a grin & a sarcastic comment. He was no bullshit but a good man. #RIPSyd

— Johnny Mowlem (@johnnymowlem) December 9, 2022

Comment of the Day: The Complex Realities of Women in Motorsport

Our featured comment today delves into the critical and ongoing discussion surrounding Formula 1’s newly established F1 Academy, an initiative specifically designed to foster opportunities and develop essential skills for young women in motorsport. Reader @alianora-la-canta provides a thoughtful, incisive, and widely resonant perspective on the persistent challenges faced by female racing drivers, particularly regarding funding and systemic support within a sport traditionally dominated by men.

Exclude girls from sport by treating them worse (which especially extends to funding), and they don’t develop their talents fully as women. There’s a reason there’s been a big improvement in women’s football in the last 3 years following a significant (but still a drop in the ocean compared to men’s football investment levels) increase in funding.

The what-ifs don’t work when we already know that for this generation, women were denied the opportunity to meaningfully compete on merit against men (most likely due to finances).

I don’t think F1 Academy is likely to be any more successful than W Series because both miss the actual problem – they treat women as important as an accessory to men’s sport instead of doing it as an integral part of a combined sport and showing their worth in and of themselves. I did an equation and worked out that W Series would probably have been better off funding 4-6 cars in British F4 and providing the support structures W Series had (feasible with the money said to have been budgeted) and doing a documentary/TV series to garner media interest.
Alianora La Canta

This powerful comment highlights a crucial and ongoing debate within the motorsport community: whether separate racing series exclusively for women truly address the fundamental root causes of underrepresentation, or if integrated, well-funded pathways within existing mixed-gender categories would yield more equitable and successful results. The ongoing discussion around the objectives and efficacy of F1 Academy, and its predecessor, W Series, continues to be absolutely vital for shaping the future of diversity, inclusion, and genuine equality in high-level motorsport, ensuring talent is supported regardless of gender.

Happy Birthday Shout-Out!

A very happy birthday to French Steve! We hope you have a fantastic day celebrating and wish you all the best!

On This Day in Motorsport History: Alonso’s Renault Return

Fifteen years ago today, a truly significant announcement rocked the Formula 1 world and captured headlines globally: Fernando Alonso was officially confirmed to return to the Renault F1 team for the 2008 season. This news followed his dramatic and often tumultuous departure from McLaren, where a turbulent year saw him battling with rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton and the team embroiled in the infamous ‘Spygate’ controversy. Alonso’s return to the team with which he had sensationally won his two world championships (in 2005 and 2006) was a highly anticipated move, signaling a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. He was set to race alongside Nelson Piquet Jnr. The move marked a pivotal moment in Alonso’s storied and often controversial career, setting the stage for another chapter with the French manufacturer as they aimed to recapture their past glories together after a challenging period for both driver and team.

• December 10, 2007: Renault confirm Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr in 2008