Key Motorsport Updates from Around the Globe

The Definitive Bernie Ecclestone Documentary: ‘Lucky!’ Set to Unveil F1 Icon’s Life

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Motorsport enthusiasts and documentary aficionados alike are eagerly awaiting ‘Lucky!’, an ambitious eight-part documentary series chronicling the extraordinary life of Bernie Ecclestone. Penned and created by Manish Pandey, the acclaimed writer and director behind the BAFTA-winning film ‘Senna’, this series promises an unparalleled look into the man who shaped modern Formula 1.

The production boasts an extensive array of never-before-seen Formula 1 archive footage, meticulously curated to bring Ecclestone’s storied career to life. Crucially, the series is made in direct partnership with Ecclestone himself, offering a level of access and personal reflection rarely granted by the sport’s often private figures. This collaboration suggests an intimate portrait, potentially revealing new facets of his character and decision-making during his decades at the helm of F1.

Pandey remarked on the unique opportunity to work with Ecclestone: “Bernie has been able to reflect, not just on his days as one of the greatest sporting impresarios of all time, but also on his life.” This quote hints at a narrative that extends beyond the race track, exploring the personal journey of a man who, at 90 years old, has witnessed and orchestrated monumental shifts in global sport. “In his 90 years, he has travelled the world and met everyone who is anyone, yet he remains incredibly personable and immensely funny,” Pandey added, painting a picture of a charismatic, complex individual.

The sheer breadth of Ecclestone’s influence on Formula 1 is undeniable. From transforming it into a global sporting phenomenon to negotiating lucrative television deals and managing its intricate political landscape, his tenure was marked by audacious decisions and relentless ambition. A series made with his cooperation, utilizing a treasure trove of historical footage, could be the definitive account of how F1 grew from a niche European pastime into the multi-billion-dollar spectacle it is today. Pandey concluded, “It is a joy to tell his extraordinary story, in full, for the first time,” underscoring the comprehensive nature of this highly anticipated series.

Rinus VeeKay Returns to IndyCar After Injury Layoff at Mid-Ohio

Indianapolis Grand Prix winner Rinus VeeKay is set to make his much-anticipated return to the NTT IndyCar Series this weekend at Mid-Ohio. The promising young Dutch driver, who pilots the number 21 car for Ed Carpenter Racing, was forced to miss the previous Road America round due to an injury sustained in a cycling accident. His absence was a significant blow to his championship aspirations, causing him to slip from fifth to sixth in the fiercely competitive standings. During his recovery, Oliver Askew competently stepped in to fill his seat, ensuring the team remained represented on track.

VeeKay’s return is a welcome boost for both the driver and his team, as the championship battle intensifies in the latter half of the season. Prior to his injury, VeeKay had been enjoying a breakout year, highlighted by his maiden IndyCar victory at the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. This win cemented his status as a serious contender and one of the brightest talents in the series. His return at Mid-Ohio, a challenging natural terrain road course, will test his recovery and his ability to quickly regain his competitive rhythm. Fans and competitors will be watching closely to see if VeeKay can pick up where he left off and make a strong push back up the championship standings, adding another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling IndyCar season.

McLaren’s Bold Move: Launching ‘Racing Engage’ for Enhanced Team Diversity

McLaren Racing has taken a significant stride towards fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment within motorsport and society at large with the launch of its ‘McLaren Racing Engage’ initiative. This comprehensive program sees the iconic British racing team collaborating with four distinguished partners, each renowned for their commitment to promoting diversity in various fields.

The four key organizations joining forces with McLaren are the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), EqualEngineers, The Smallpeice Trust, and Creative Access. This strategic alliance aims to address diversity on multiple fronts, both within McLaren’s own organizational structure and across the broader motorsport and engineering landscapes. McLaren’s commitment extends to providing valuable membership and mentoring opportunities, designed to support both its current staff in their professional development and aspiring engineering students looking to forge careers in this challenging industry.

Beyond internal development, McLaren has pledged substantial support to its partners. This includes sponsoring three key events for WES, EqualEngineers, and The Smallpeice Trust, thereby amplifying their outreach and impact. Furthermore, the team will contribute to the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship scheme, a prestigious program for A-Level students, nurturing the next generation of engineers. Contributions will also be made to the Creative Access Career Development Bursary, reinforcing the commitment to diversifying talent pipelines across various sectors.

The initiative is designed to be a reciprocal relationship. McLaren will not only offer support but also actively work with these groups to enhance its own internal diversity practices. This involves collaborating with Creative Access to refine existing policies and engaging in specialized training to cultivate more inclusive spaces within the organization. This holistic approach signals a genuine commitment from McLaren to lead by example, recognizing that a diverse workforce fosters innovation, creativity, and ultimately, greater success both on and off the track. Such initiatives are crucial for broadening the talent pool in motorsport, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.

Ferrari Joins Elite Ranks with FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation

Scuderia Ferrari, one of Formula 1’s most iconic and historically significant teams, has achieved the highest possible rating in the FIA Environmental Accreditation programme, securing the coveted three-star status. This prestigious accomplishment places Ferrari alongside McLaren and Mercedes as leading examples of environmental stewardship within the pinnacle of motorsport.

The FIA Environmental Accreditation is a rigorous, independently verified framework designed to help motorsport stakeholders assess and improve their environmental performance. Achieving three-star accreditation signifies an exceptional commitment to sustainability, extending beyond mere compliance to encompass continuous improvement and best practices across all operational areas. To earn this certification, teams must demonstrate an ongoing and unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility, originating from the highest executive levels and supported by annually reported outcomes that showcase measurable progress.

For a team like Ferrari, with its vast industrial footprint and global reach, this achievement represents a monumental effort. It reflects a comprehensive overhaul and optimization of their operations, from manufacturing processes and logistics to energy consumption and waste management. The certification underscores the growing emphasis within Formula 1 on environmental sustainability, driven by both regulatory pressures and a genuine desire to contribute positively to global climate efforts. Moreover, this commitment extends beyond the F1 team itself; the Mugello circuit, owned by Ferrari, also achieved three-star environmental accreditation last year, highlighting a consistent and integrated approach to sustainability across all of Ferrari’s motorsport assets. This collective effort by top F1 teams sets a strong precedent for the entire sport, pushing for a greener, more responsible future for racing.

Social Media Highlights from the Paddock

Catch up on some of the most notable posts from Twitter and Instagram, offering unique glimpses into the lives and thoughts of motorsport personalities and teams.

Peer out of Dr Helmut Marko’s office in Graz and across the rooftops of his hotels and there’s an @F1 car mounted against the cliffs of the Schlossberg – @redbullracing of course… pic.twitter.com/CTrvo1iaEe

— Fritz-Dieter Rencken (@RacingLines) June 30, 2021

Fritz-Dieter Rencken provides a fascinating visual from Graz, Austria, showing an F1 car, presumably a Red Bull Racing model, dramatically mounted against the cliffs of the Schlossberg, visible from Dr. Helmut Marko’s office. This striking image not only highlights the unique connection Red Bull has with its Austrian roots but also serves as a testament to the team’s strong brand presence, even outside the traditional racing circuit.

Unbelievably buzzing (nervous) to be leading the @FIAFormula3 coverage for this weekends #AustrianGP covering for @AlexJacquesF1

Thanks to #F1 for trusting me. I’ve watched and admired the job Alex has done the last few years so will do my best to step up to the plate! pic.twitter.com/hNaHHZBi9z

— Harry Benjamin (@imharrybenjamin) June 30, 2021

Harry Benjamin shares his excitement and nerves about leading the FIA Formula 3 coverage for the Austrian Grand Prix. Filling in for Alex Jacques, Benjamin expresses gratitude to F1 for the trust placed in him and acknowledges the high standard set by his predecessor, promising to do his best to deliver engaging commentary for the crucial junior series races.

I could use your help – I’m writing a book on the Formula Ford Festival to come out September 2022. If you’ve got memories (driver, spectator, official etc), race reports, footage and programmes – I’d love to hear from you

— Ben Evans (@bencommentator) June 30, 2021

Motorsport commentator Ben Evans has put out a call for assistance from the community as he embarks on writing a book about the historic Formula Ford Festival, slated for release in September 2022. He’s seeking contributions from anyone with memories, race reports, footage, or programs related to the event, inviting drivers, spectators, and officials to share their experiences and help chronicle this iconic grassroots racing spectacle.

• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Essential Motorsport Reads & Insights

Delve deeper into the world of motorsport with these fascinating articles, covering team expansions, driver influences, and vital discussions on diversity and inclusion within the racing community.

McLaren SP aiming for third car in 2022 (Racer)

Arrow McLaren SP is actively working towards expanding its IndyCar operations by introducing a third car for the 2022 season. This ambition underscores the team’s growing aspirations and commitment to strengthening its presence in the highly competitive American open-wheel series. The move is a clear signal of intent, as the team simultaneously focuses on winning the current championship while planning for future growth and increased competitiveness.

Zhou: My greatest influences (Formula 2)

Guanyu Zhou, a prominent figure in Formula 2, opens up about the individuals and factors that have most significantly influenced his career. He reflects on the unique challenges he faced as a Chinese driver pursuing a motorsport dream, particularly in a landscape where there were no clear predecessors in Formula 1 from his home country. His journey highlights the importance of forging one’s own path and overcoming the absence of established role models, providing inspiration for aspiring drivers from underrepresented regions.

Beitske Visser: ‘It’s a pity that we always have to demonstrate our ability to race’ (Females in Motorsport)

W Series star Beitske Visser candidly discusses the persistent challenge faced by female drivers in motorsport: the constant need to prove their capabilities against their male counterparts. Visser laments the prevailing attitude where success by women is often attributed to luck rather than skill, highlighting a fundamental inequality in perception. Her insights shed light on the additional burden placed on female athletes to continually justify their presence and talent in a male-dominated sport.

Being LGBTQ+ in Racing: ‘It’s a Very Old Mentality to Think Sponsors Wouldn’t Support You’ (The Drive)

This thought-provoking article explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in racing, challenging outdated perceptions about sponsor support. The piece argues that the notion of sponsors shying away from LGBTQ+ athletes is a “very old-fashioned and outdated mentality.” It advocates for greater openness and authenticity, suggesting that modern sponsors and partners are increasingly aligned with diverse and inclusive values, recognizing the importance of representation and a broader appeal.

Amna al-Qubaisi: chasing dreams with racing cars (Brown magazine)

Amna al-Qubaisi shares her inspiring journey as she pursues her dreams in the competitive world of racing. She acknowledges the disadvantage of starting later than many of her peers, who often begin at ages four or five, recognizing that early experience can make a difference. However, Al Qubaisi remains optimistic and determined, emphasizing that talent and extensive testing can bridge this gap. She highlights the modern reality where financial resources allowing for more practice can enable a later starter to match or even surpass those with more years of experience, proving that dedication and opportunity can overcome initial deficits.

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Debating F1’s Electric Future: A Look at Industry Commitments

The future of Formula 1’s powertrain technology is a topic of intense discussion, particularly regarding the role of electrification. This week’s comment of the day delves into Stefano Domenicali’s skepticism about immediate, fully electric F1, juxtaposing it with the rapid shifts occurring within the broader automotive industry.

In response to Stefano Domenicali saying that numbers about manufacturers’ commitments to electric cars are “not real,” putting paid to the idea of fully electric F1 in the near future, JohnH says that regardless of what the F1 boss thinks, change is happening rapidly.

Okay Volkswagen are stopping all sales of internal combustion engines in Europe by 2035, Honda have said they will fully electric in the US by 2040. GM has just announced they are going full electric by 2035.

Ford is moving a bit slower saying they expect their global fleet to be 40% electric by 2030. Toyota will stay with hybrids for a while yet.

Renault have just signed a deal with a Chinese battery company to build a factory in France. Nissan are building a new battery plant in the UK shortly.

The push from the public via governments should not be taken lightly and must be taken into account as attitudes are changing and with them the laws regarding pollution. The ball is in F1’s court, let’s see what they do with it.
@johnrkh

JohnH’s insightful comment powerfully illustrates the accelerating global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), presenting a compelling counter-argument to any skepticism about the speed of this transition. While Formula 1’s current position relies heavily on hybrid technology and explores sustainable fuels, the automotive industry at large is making aggressive commitments to phase out internal combustion engines (ICEs) within the next two decades. Major players like Volkswagen, GM, and Honda have set ambitious targets for fully electric sales in key markets by 2035 or 2040, demonstrating a clear direction of travel.

Even manufacturers adopting a more gradual approach, such as Ford aiming for 40% EV sales by 2030, or Toyota continuing with hybrids, are unequivocally moving away from solely ICE-powered fleets. Furthermore, investments in EV infrastructure, like Renault’s deal for a battery factory in France and Nissan’s new plant in the UK, signal a robust commitment to the electric future, driven by both market demand and regulatory pressures. JohnH rightly emphasizes that changing public attitudes and government legislation regarding pollution are formidable forces that F1 cannot ignore. The sport’s ability to adapt and innovate in line with these global trends will be critical for its long-term relevance and sustainability, highlighting the monumental decision-making currently facing the sport’s leadership.

Celebrating Motorsport Birthdays

A special shout-out to those celebrating their birthdays in the motorsport community this week!

Happy birthday to Tom Moloney, Pj and Jesper Mug!

If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is via the contact form or adding to the list here.

On This Day in Motorsport History

• Exactly 20 years ago today, Michael Schumacher claimed victory at the French Grand Prix for Ferrari. In a memorable family moment, he was followed across the finish line by his brother Ralf Schumacher, driving for Williams, securing a fantastic one-two finish for the Schumacher brothers.