Heroics Into Saint Devote

In the ever-changing world of Motorsport, there can be so much news at one time, but thankfully, there’s not too much to go through this week.

Formula One.

On Tuesday Night, it was announced that Oliver Oakes has resigned as Team Principal from the Alpine Formula One Team with immediate effect. In his message to the fans in response, he states that “It’s been a privilege to lead everyone at Enstone.” He goes on to say it was a “personal decision for me to step down” and thanks advisor Flavio Briatore for his commitment and support in stepping up to be Team Principal. Though this spells the end for Doohan’s drive this year.

Wednesday morning, it was announced that Jack Doohan was to be demoted to the Alpine Reserve Driver role. The Aussie makes way for fan-favourite Argentinian Franco Colapinto, after an impressive debut last year with the Williams team. It was news in the pre-season that Doohan only had a 6-race contract with the Enstone team. This, in my opinion, was already spelling the end for Doohan. Rookies can survive the volatile environment of Formula One across a season, but in six Grand Prix? Deranged. Though, Doohan’s replacement, Colapinto, will start for the team in Imola next week, as will have five races to prove his worth. Again, this is poor play from Alpine. It remains to be seen what the young Argentinian can do. He, in the beginning, was impressive for Williams in 2024, though his form took a turn late on in the season with multiple heavy accidents, like Brazil, which was an expensive weekend for the Williams crew.

In other news, father of Formula One Driver and decorated Rally Driver Carlos Sainz Sr. is rumoured to run for FIA President, and oppose the polarising Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The rally legend told BBC sport that he is “in the process of figuring out how much support I will get in the community of motorsport”. Whilst Ben Sulayem has not yet officially announced he will be running again, the elections take place in December of this year, and should Sainz Sr. decide to contest, it would be a two horse race as it stands.

World Endurance Championship.

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) travel to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend to run the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa. In the buildup to the weekend, the potent Ferrari 499P was hit the hardest by the Balance of Performance (BoP) mechanism the series enforces. The 499P, which has won both of the two events this year has been handed a weight gain AND a power loss for the weekend in a bid to bring more cars into the fight. Though every other car has received a slightly less severe wait gain and power loss. The 499P now has 12 kilograms of ballast, as well as 19 less KW of power. Toyota also got a small weight gain, but 20 less KW of power. The troubled Aston Martin Valkyrie, which has failed to produce anything that lives up to the hype it received over the winter, has been handed both a weight loss and power gain, in a bid by the FIA to bring it up and to compete with the others.

BMW Hypercar driver Kevin Magnussen has also been selected across a variety of candidates to partner BMW Factory Driver Rene Rast and motorbike legend Valentino Rossi. The trio will compete at the GT World Challenge Europe round 5 at the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa.

British Touring Cars.

In the BTCC, it was announced on Tuesday that driver Nick Halstead will be returning to the championship. Halstead joins Power Maxed Racing and Mikey Doble at the next round of the championship this weekend at Brands Hatch Indy. The reaction to this appointment was mixed, I think that’s fair to say. With a career-best finish of 7th across 61 races, Halstead didn’t live up to the promises he laid down when he was competing in Ginetta GT5 Challenge. THe driver won the championship in 2018, and raced in various disciplines including the UK’s premier GT racing category, British GT. It remains to be seen what Halstead can do in the Astra.

NAPA Racing have unveiled a commemorative centenary livery to celebrate NAPA’s 100-year anniversary as a company serving it’s customers. Championship leader Ashley Sutton will be behind the wheel of the black-and-gold livery, with his usual 116 race number substituted for the number 100 on the rear windows. It’s certainly a smart livery and hopefully will stand out among the large crowd expected for the ever-growing Touring Car scene. A note to add. Should Sutton score a podium finish this weekend, it will mark is 100th BTCC podium. Which is pretty cool.

This weekend will also mark a milestone weekend for One Motorsport Civic driver Josh Cook. Cook, 2015 Jack Sears trophy winner and 20 time race winner, will be competing in his 300th BTCC race this weekend, in Race 1 at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. This is a huge milestone in any racing driver’s career. Congratulations, Josh Cook.

British Supersport Bikes

On Monday at Oulton Park, a terrifying crash occured just after the start of the race, an awful incident occured which led to an 11-bike crash. Tragically, I hate to inform you that two riders lost their lives, with a third in a serious condition after suffering a broken neck. I will not go into further details at this time as I can only imagine the emotions and feelings to the rider’s respective families at this tragic time. Whilst I do not follow superbikes, this is a serious reminder to both me, and fans of all other disciplines, that no matter what safety precautions officials, circuits, teams, emergency services put into place, Motorsport in an inherently dangerous environment. The Series Director Stuart Higgs announced after a “severe and catastrophic” incident that the race will be cancelled.

21 Year old Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson, 29, were the two riders who tragically passed at the scene, and this author wishes their family all the best in this distressing times. Rest in peace, both riders.

Ending on that note, best of luck to all teams going to race this weekend. Remain safe. Remain cautious. But go well.