In Brief: Top Motorsport Stories

Sergio Sette Camara Seals Formula E Stay with Dragon-Penske

Dragon-Penske, a long-standing competitor in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, has confirmed its first driver for the highly anticipated 2021-22 season. Just a fortnight ahead of the official pre-season testing commencing in Valencia, the team announced the extension of its partnership with promising young talent, Sergio Sette Camara. This continuity marks a strategic move for Dragon-Penske as they aim to build on past performances and push for greater success in the all-electric racing series.

The 23-year-old Brazilian driver initially joined the team in 2020, stepping in as a replacement for the six-race Berlin season finale. His impressive performances and rapid adaptation saw him retained for the entire 2020-21 campaign. During his first full season, Sette Camara showcased glimpses of his raw speed and potential, with his standout moments arriving early in the season. At the second race in Diriyah, he magnificently qualified second and went on to secure a commendable fourth-place finish, demonstrating his capability to challenge at the sharp end of the grid.

While that early success proved to be a high point, he managed only one other points finish throughout the season – an eighth place in the competitive London E-Prix. He ultimately concluded the championship in 22nd position. Despite the challenging season, the team clearly sees long-term potential in Sette Camara. His dedication and proven speed were key factors in securing his continued presence within the squad, offering stability as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the renewed collaboration, Sette Camara stated, “I am very happy and proud to continue with Dragon/Penske in season eight. Formula E is undoubtedly one of the most competitive championships in the world, and I am fully committed to giving my absolute best in every single race. My aim is to deliver the results that the team truly deserves, and I am determined to come back stronger and make a significant impact on the championship standings.”

Sette Camara’s career trajectory is marked by significant achievements across various top-tier motorsport categories. Prior to his venture into Formula E, he held prominent Formula 1 development roles with both McLaren and Red Bull, gaining invaluable experience within the pinnacle of motorsport. His single-seater prowess is further highlighted by a pole position in the highly competitive Super Formula championship in Japan, alongside an impressive three race victories during his tenure in Formula 2, underscoring his talent and ability to win at an elite level.

BMW’s Nick Yelloly to Test for Aston Martin F1 Team

The Aston Martin F1 team has officially announced that their experienced simulator driver, Nick Yelloly, will be granted a coveted opportunity to drive the AMR21 challenger during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. This track time is a crucial component of modern Formula 1 development, allowing teams to correlate simulator data with real-world performance and evaluate talent.

The Abu Dhabi post-season test is strategically structured, featuring a dedicated day for Formula 1 rookies. This rookie session will run concurrently with the broader 2022 Pirelli tyre test, providing a comprehensive assessment period for both emerging drivers and new technical specifications. Yelloly’s primary objective in the Aston Martin AMR21 will be to meticulously check and calibrate the car’s performance parameters against the team’s advanced simulator data in specific areas. Given that the AMR21 will not undergo further significant development beyond this point, his feedback will be invaluable for refining their simulation tools for future projects.

This upcoming test will mark Yelloly’s third appearance behind the wheel for the Silverstone-based outfit. His prior F1 testing experience includes a run at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2015, when the team was known as Force India. He returned to the same Spanish circuit in 2019, this time driving under the Racing Point banner. These consistent engagements highlight his long-standing relationship with the team and his recognized talent in providing essential feedback.

Beyond his F1 simulator duties, Yelloly has carved out a highly successful career in other prominent motorsport disciplines. During his earlier single-seater years, he secured victories in both GP3 and Formula Renault 3.5, showcasing his versatility and speed. More recently, as a factory BMW driver, he has excelled in endurance sportscar racing. This year, he claimed a remarkable pole position for the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours race, a testament to his exceptional skill and nerve. Furthermore, he cemented his endurance racing pedigree by winning the iconic event in 2020, solidifying his reputation as a formidable and highly adaptable racing driver.

F1 Steward Supports Indigenous All-Female Karting Team with Ricciardo Karts

Racing Together, an inspiring initiative dedicated to increasing the participation of indigenous Australian teenagers in motorsport, has garnered significant attention, notably from seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. The project recently announced an exciting new venture: the launch of an all-female karting team in 2022, set to break new ground in junior motorsport.

This pioneering racing team will operate in close association with Patrizicorse, one of Australia’s largest and most respected karting distributors, ensuring top-tier equipment and support. The team will feature a formidable four-strong line-up of personnel, all hailing from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, reinforcing the project’s core mission of promoting diversity and inclusion. These chosen drivers will embark on an intensive 10-round programme competing in Queensland, providing them with extensive track experience and competitive development. Crucially, all team members will compete on 4SS-class Ricciardo karts, a reputable and high-performance brand that will give them the best possible platform for success.

At the heart of this transformative project are Formula 1 race steward Garry Connelly and Monique Connelly, whose vision and dedication have brought this initiative to fruition. Their commitment to fostering talent from underrepresented communities is truly commendable. The first aspiring karter to be announced for this historic team is 15-year-old Karlai Warner, a bright young talent poised to make her mark on the Australian karting scene and inspire future generations.

Mercedes Dismisses ‘New DAS’ Theories on F1 Car

Reports circulating in various media outlets suggesting that Mercedes was employing a DAS-esque system on their car during the Interlagos Grand Prix weekend were unequivocally rejected by a team spokesperson. The Dual-Axis Steering (DAS) system, famously introduced by Mercedes in the 2020 season, allowed drivers to adjust the toe angle of their front wheels by sliding the steering column back and forth, offering a unique aerodynamic advantage. While innovative, the system generated considerable debate and was subsequently banned by the FIA for the end of the 2020 season and all subsequent years.

The Mercedes spokesperson clarified that the steering system currently in use on their W12 challenger has been fully homologated by the FIA since the very beginning of the current season. This homologation means that the system cannot be modified in any way during the season without explicit approval from the governing body, ensuring fair competition. Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized that the current steering mechanism operates purely rotationally, as per standard F1 regulations. This fundamental operational difference renders any theories of a new DAS-like functionality technically impossible and contrary to the established rules, putting an end to speculation surrounding the team’s innovative streak.

Formula E Set to Launch ‘Drive to Survive’ Rival Documentary Series

Following the immense global success of “Drive to Survive,” the Netflix docuseries that dramatically chronicles the behind-the-scenes drama of the Formula 1 paddock season-by-season, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is poised to launch its own compelling rival series. Next week, the all-electric racing championship will debut its own 15-episode documentary series, offering an intimate look into its latest thrilling season and aiming to captivate a similar audience to its petrol-powered counterpart.

Titled “Formula E: Unplugged,” the series is scheduled to launch next Monday, November 22nd. Fans and prospective viewers will be able to access all episodes directly on the championship’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts, ensuring broad accessibility and reaching a global digital audience. This strategic release aims to leverage existing social media platforms to maximize viewership and engagement, bringing the unique narrative of electric racing to a wider demographic.

Early teasers for “Formula E: Unplugged” have already hinted at a wealth of engaging storylines and exclusive content from the season. Episodes are set to delve into significant moments, including Sam Bird’s highly anticipated Jaguar debut in Saudi Arabia, providing insights into a major driver-team change. Viewers will also get an unprecedented look at Mercedes’ memorable ‘run-and-grab’ victory in Valencia with Nyck de Vries during the widely discussed Saturday race, which saw several drivers controversially disqualified for energy misuse – an incident that added a layer of farcical drama to the championship. The series will also explore Techeetah’s spirited yet ultimately failed title defence, detailing the challenges and pressures faced by the dominant team, and culminate with an in-depth focus on the championship showdown in Berlin, promising a dramatic and revealing conclusion to the season’s narrative.

Formula Regional Test Entry List Hints at Grid Changes for 2022

The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), a crucial stepping stone positioned just one tier below Formula 3 on the challenging ladder towards Formula 1, is set to hold a private post-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week. These tests are vital for teams to evaluate new talent and for drivers to gain experience in preparation for the upcoming season, often revealing early indications of grid changes and team compositions.

Among the twelve teams initially pre-selected to contest the next season, one significant name stands out: F3 champions Trident. Their inclusion signifies a major shift, as they will replace the long-standing Formula Renault Eurocup frontrunner JD Motorsport, bringing a new dynamic to the championship. However, the Barcelona entry list surprisingly features thirteen names, suggesting further developments. DR Formula, for instance, is listed with two cars instead of their usual three, indicating a potential reduction in their capacity. This vacant garage space is effectively being filled by the French outfit CAP Racing, signifying their strong intentions to join the series.

CAP Racing is notably owned by former Formula 1 racer Charles Pic, who harbors ambitions to transition his team into FRECA. Despite the initial pre-selection process, the series organiser has not ruled out CAP Racing’s entry for 2022, suggesting flexibility and a potential expansion of the grid. This move by a former F1 driver into team ownership in junior categories is a clear indicator of the series’ growing prestige and importance in driver development.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the test, three sons of distinguished former F1 drivers will also be present, aiming to make their mark. Sebastian Montoya, son of the celebrated F1 and IndyCar race winner Juan Pablo Montoya, will be testing for the highly successful Prema team – a powerhouse in junior formula. Rubens Barrichello’s son, Eduardo, will be driving for MP Motorsport, another prominent team known for nurturing talent. Finally, Lorenzo Patrese, son of multiple F1 race winner Riccardo Patrese, is set to test with Monolite Racing. Their presence underscores the enduring legacy of these racing families and highlights the aspirations of the next generation of motorsport stars.

Social Media Buzz from the Motorsport World

Catch up on notable posts from Twitter, Instagram, and other social platforms, offering a glimpse into the latest happenings and sentiments from around the motorsport community:

Welcome to Jeddah Corniche Circuit in #F12021game 🇸🇦

Ahead of the pros, be among the first to race the fastest street circuit in the @F1 calendar 🚀

Available now as a free update for all players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC 🎮

Full update details 🔗 https://t.co/coVvRZyWMo pic.twitter.com/747IVx9ZPF

— Codemasters (@Codemasters) November 15, 2021

From the racetrack to the classroom – we are excited to welcome Toto Wolff, Team Principal, CEO & co-owner of @MercedesAMGF1, as an Associate Fellow. ‘To become an Associate Fellow at an institution as prestigious as Oxford Saïd is a proud moment for me.’ https://t.co/bvYsVEFNFf pic.twitter.com/bXJbgokgyC

— Saïd Business School (@OxfordSBS) November 15, 2021

That time of the year… #MacauGP 🇲🇴 pic.twitter.com/Lk0Sxp6R6H

— Sergio Fonseca (@SergioFonseca8) November 15, 2021

• For more official F1 accounts to follow, explore the F1 Twitter Directory.

Motorsport Links of Interest from Around the Web

Discover more fascinating stories and in-depth analyses from across the motorsport landscape:

BMW and Audi in Bidding War for McLaren (Car)

“The McLaren Group has recently navigated a critical refinancing period, involving the sale and leaseback of its Woking headquarters and the issuance of £550m in new shares to bolster liquidity and settle a £150m loan. While the situation improved significantly in 2021, with revenue doubling in the first half of the year, McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt stepped down in late October after eight years at the helm. One of his final strategic contributions was the evolution of the Track25 strategy, which initially proposed 18 new model launches within six years, into a more expansive plan dubbed Horizon 2030.”

In-Car: O’Ward Drives Hakkinen’s 1998 McLaren MP4-13A at Velocity (RACER)

“Experience an incredible in-car perspective as Arrow McLaren SP’s IndyCar sensation Pato O’Ward takes his inaugural laps in a vintage Formula 1 machine. This remarkable car is none other than Mika Hakkinen’s 1998 world championship-winning McLaren MP4-13A, propelled by a deafening 3.0-litre Mercedes-Benz V10 engine, truly a blast from the past for modern racing fans.”

Ferrari Junior James Wharton’s F4 Debut with Prema Confirmed (Formula Scout)

“The young Australian driver’s primary competitive focus for the upcoming season will be a full campaign in the Italian Formula 4 championship, mirroring the path of Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Additionally, Wharton is slated to compete in select rounds of the United Arab Emirates series and the ADAC championship. Wharton, whose talent is managed by Nicolas Todt, joined his esteemed All Road Management stable last year, shortly after his impressive victory in the Ferrari Driver Academy Scouting World Finals, marking him as a talent to watch.”

We always endeavour to credit original sources for our curated links. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport that you believe should feature in the next RaceFans round-up, please send it in via our contact form.

Comment of the Day: The Implications of a ‘Non-Decision’ in F1 Stewarding

This thought-provoking comment delves into the philosophical and practical implications of stewarding decisions – or the lack thereof – in Formula 1. Lee1 raises a pertinent question following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix incident between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, which stewards deemed not worthy of investigation despite not having access to all potential information at the time:

>Was it not an official decision to not investigate the incident? It is not like they did nothing at all they noted the incident and then issued a later response that a full investigation was not warranted. I would say that Merc have a case there and if the rules do not allow it due to the stewards refusing to do anything at the time then I am sure the Court Of Sporting Arbitration may have something to say about how open that scenario is to corruption…
Lee1

Happy Birthday!

Wishing a very happy birthday to our community members Craig, Cduk_Mugello, Ashwin, and Tomez! We hope you all have a fantastic day celebrating.

On This Day in Motorsport History

• Born on this day in 1936: Gianpaolo Dallara, whose influential chassis designs are now widely adopted across numerous top-tier motorsport categories, including Formula 1, IndyCar, Formula 2, and many others, marking his profound legacy in racing engineering.