New Delhi, Sep 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Ferrari has unveiled a special livery that will feature on its SF-26 at the upcoming Italian GP at Monza. The livery is a Michael Schumacher-inspired design that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will race with at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.

This follows Scuderia’s unveiling of Schumacher-inspired race suits for the two drivers as Ferrari gears up for the Monza GP. The livery pays tribute to the motorsport legend Schumacher, who raced for the Italian-based outfit from 1996 to 2006.

The livery features a full red design, with white on top graded into red as well. It has seven white stars on the nose, paying tribute to Schumacher's seven titles, five of which he won with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. It also features the Michael Schumacher logo, encrypted.

The Italian outfit shared the announcement on its social media as we head into race week in Italy. "A livery fit for home. Our Monza livery is here, inspired by the lasting impact of Michael Schumacher on our team," Ferrari wrote in a caption to a video on X.

The Scuderia also has special race suits for the two drivers. The kits have seven stars on the back and white striping down the front, featuring Schumacher's personal logo.

The tribute marks 30 years since Schumacher's 1996 debut with Ferrari and 20 years since his final season with the Maranello outfit. Schumacher has been a motorsport legend, having won seven world titles. He won two with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before switching to Scuderia in 1996.

He played an instrumental role in developing the squad and went on to win five straight titles from 2000 to 2004 with Ferrari, and has won the joint-most F1 titles, a record later equalled by current driver Hamilton.

Ferrari have been adopting a different look for the Monza GP since 2022. They added yellow and black accents to their F1-75 to mark their 75th anniversary. The Scuderia had a Le Mans-winning 499P-inspired design for the 2023 car at Monza. They ditched the one-off design for 2024, but it returned in 2025, when the Italian outfit ran a retro SF-25 livery inspired by the 312T, paying tribute to Niki Lauda's first title with the squad 50 years earlier.

Source: IANS

The post Ferrari unveil Schumacher-inspired livery for home Monza GP appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, Aug 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) The inaugural IAME Series India 2026 concluded at the floodlit Madras International Karting Arena in a blaze of spectacular fireworks while the sharp showers that caused a stoppage did not dampen the competitiveness of the fifth and final round which concluded close to midnight on Saturday.

The first-ever day-night competitive karting at the MIKA, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), proved to be challenging, with a slippery track dotted with water puddles, but the young drivers, especially those in the Mini and Mini Under-10 categories, displayed plenty of pluck and courage in countering the conditions. However, the number of laps in the finals in all classes that were run on resumption was reduced.

In the process, Chennai’s Kairav Roberson (MSPORT), who topped all the sessions, and Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) emerged as overall winners in the senior and junior classes, respectively.

Shiv Neel (NKRA by KKM), son of India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, from Coimbatore, swept to a title triumph in the Mini category, and little Aruthran Prabhu from Kumaraburam (Kartkrew Motorsports) bagged the title in the Under-10 class.

All four overall winners received a ticket to participate in the IAME Asia Finals in Macau, scheduled for 11–13 December 2026.

The team titles were won by Kartkrew Motorsports (Seniors and Under-10), Momentum Motorsports (Juniors), and NKRA by KKM (Mini).

Kairav Roberson comfortably won the Super Heat and, along with it, the title in the class. Later, he topped the Finals too without much of a challenge.

Rehan Khan Rasheed effectively sealed the title in the Junior class when he finished second behind Pune’s Abhishikt Barse (Crest Motorsports) in the Super Heat. Later, after the rains, Rehan drove impeccably in the wet for a brilliant win in the finals.

The Juniors were first out after proceedings resumed following a lengthy stoppage due to rain. The slippery tarmac tested the drivers, a few of whom slid and spun, but not Rehan, who kept his composure for a handsome win.

Shiv Neel had to work hard for his overall title in the mini class. He edged out Rudra Gokulnath by the proverbial whisker in the Super Heat to extend his points advantage going into the Finals. Rudra avenged the loss in the Finals, but Shiv Neel picked up sufficient points by finishing second and with that the title.

In contrast, Aruthran Prabhu sealed the title in the Under-10 class, though he finished second behind Ayansh Patil in the Super Heat. The P2 finish saw Aruthran taking an unassailable lead over Ayansh ahead of the Finals. Aruthran was in a league of his own in the Finals, as he won virtually unchallenged in his class.

Source: IANS

The post Kairav Roberson, Rehan Khan Rasheed win titles appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Aug 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Newly turned 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli is not looking too far ahead despite having a 59-point lead in the Formula 1 2026 championship after 12 rounds.

The Mercedes sensation has created several records on the way to leading the drivers' championship in just his second season in the series, with teammate George Russell in the same car and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari, both of whom are 59 points behind the Italian.

Despite enjoying success with the Silver Arrows and looking primed for a world title, Antonelli knows very well that the triumph is still way too far, and considering how Oscar Piastri lost the title despite having led for the majority of 2025, it only makes sense for Antonelli to tread with caution.

"The job is not done yet. We're only halfway through, and there is still so much that needs to happen and so much to be achieved," he said, as quoted by F1.

Antonelli has won six races this season and four podiums in 12 rounds as he has made the most of the car that he has got. Heading into the F1 mid-season, he had a lead of 50 points and needed the break to ease out of "the zone" as he enjoyed time with his family.

"We watched some of the races on TV while eating dinner. We still talked about F1, but it was in a nice way, just reminding us what we achieved. You need to be happy about it, of course – but at the same time not get carried away by it and still maintain focus," he added.

The Italian had a tough 2025 when he finished seventh in the championship with only three podiums to his name. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had called his performance at the home Monza GP "underwhelming", but he has turned the tables this time around with experience under his belt.

"Experience is playing a massive role," says Antonelli. "Of course, I still have a lot of experience to make, but I think last year despite all the bad moments, the difficult periods, I think that was what I needed because that helped me to grow even more than what I anticipated. It made me stronger emotionally and mentally."

He turned 20 on August 25 and says that he enjoys the newfound fame. "I'm enjoying it. I try to embrace this moment as much as possible. Of course, there are times where you cannot please everyone, unfortunately, but I try and embrace it as much as possible.

"I try to do as much as I can because I think the fans are very special and they're a big part of our sport, and I think they're the ones that really add up and make it even greater. So for sure, also seeing the excitement and the support is always very nice," he added.

During his historic run, Antonelli became the youngest F1 championship leader, the youngest pole sitter, and the first racer to register three wins from his first three pole positions. He now eyes to become the youngest F1 world champion, a record currently held by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23y and 134d when he won his 2010 championship.

Source: IANS

The post ‘Job is not done, we’re halfway through only’: F1 title leader Kimi Antonelli appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Austria, Aug 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian racer Kush Maini has completed another Formula 1 testing programme with the BWT Alpine F1 Team, covering around 200 laps and approximately 850 kilometres over two days at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

The BWT Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver's latest outing in Formula 1 machinery comes after an earlier test at Zandvoort and provides another boost ahead of his return to FIA Formula 2 action in Monza following the summer break.

Maini began the programme in a TPC (Testing Previous Car) machine, completing 82 laps on the opening day in changing weather conditions. The Indian driver ran on wet, intermediate and soft tyres as a wet morning gradually gave way to drier conditions later in the day.

He continued his programme on the second day in a 2025-specification car, the same machinery he drove during the official Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi last December.

With dry conditions allowing for extensive running, Maini completed more than 500 kilometres on the second day, taking his total mileage across the two-day test to around 850 kilometres.

The test forms part of Alpine's young driver programme, with Maini continuing to gain experience in Formula 1 machinery as a member of the Alpine Academy.

The 2026 F1 outing also comes at an encouraging point in Maini's Formula 2 campaign. The Indian driver currently sits sixth in the FIA Formula 2 Drivers' Championship after claiming two podium finishes in his last three races.

That run of form has kept Maini in contention for what could become the best-ever championship finish by an Indian driver in the category, with the latest F1 test serving as valuable preparation and a confidence boost ahead of the resumption of the season.

Maini will return to competitive action at Monza, where he will resume his Formula 2 championship challenge.

Kush Maini, BWT Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver, said: “Always unreal to get behind a F1 car, no matter how many times it’s been. We maximised the run plan and gained loads of mileage and experience. I’m hoping the data & performance from this test helps the team move forward in their championship campaign in 2026. Massive thanks to BWT Alpine F1 team for yet another F1 testing opportunity and I am really looking forward to resuming my F2 championship challenge in Monza.”

Source: IANS

The post Kush Maini completes two-day Alpine F1 test ahead of F2 return in Monza appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Aug 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Defending Formula 1 champion Lando Norris has signed a contract extension with McLaren, under which he will race for the British team until at least the end of the 2030 season. The deal also includes a multi-year option to commit beyond 2030.

The extension will see Norris remain with the Papayas for more than a decade, having joined them as a test and development driver in 2017 and earned a promotion to the grid in 2019. "I'm very, very excited. McLaren's been my home since the very, very beginning of my career in Formula 1 and I want it to stay that way for as long as possible. We've had a great few years, and I'm confident we can achieve that many more times. So I want to stay," Norris said in his first reaction to the development, as quoted by F1.

Norris' previous deal was believed to expire by the end of the 2027 season, but this deal will see him race for the Papayas for at least 12 years. McLaren will gift him the MCL39, the car with which he raced and won his 2025 title. "I know for a good amount more years that I'm comfortable in terms of I've got a job, and I’m where I want to be, and with the people that I want to be with, and for me that's calming," he said.

"I can focus on a job I need to do, and as a team we can also focus on the job that we want to do. You can always see results as most important, and 99% of the time I think they are, but I would say there's leeway; there's leverage in terms of just the fact I'm with the people that I want to be with, people that I enjoy spending my career with," he added.

Norris has had an enjoyable time with McLaren. He has won 13 Grand Prix, 48 podiums and 18 pole positions. The British driver has also raced in 163 Grand Prix, the most for the Papaya squad.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown was "ncredibly pleased to have Norris on board for the long term. "I’m incredibly pleased to be signing a new contract with Lando, extending his commitment with McLaren until at least 2030. His journey with the team is a fantastic example of our commitment to identifying, developing and supporting world-class talent, and his achievements speak for themselves," he said.

"Together with Andrea (Stella), Oscar (Piastri) and the wider team, Lando has helped drive McLaren into a new papaya era of success, helping us go from the back of the grid to double consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and our first Drivers’ Championship in 17 years. We are extremely excited about what lies ahead and remain fully focused on continuing to compete for wins and championships," Brown added.

Source: IANS

The post Lando Norris signs contract extension with McLaren until at least 2030 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Encarnacion (Paraguay), Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian rally champions Dean Mascarenhas and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah of TSI Racing return to the World Rally Championship this weekend for their second WRC3 outing of the season, taking on Rally del Paraguay in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 prepared and serviced by PH Sport.

Mangaluru’s Dean partnered with Kodagu co-driver Gagan to make their WRC debut at Rally Islas Canarias this April, where they finished seventh in class.

The 2025 Indian National Rally champions gained further experience in the FIA European Rally Championship, finishing 12th in the Rally3 class at the demanding Rally di Roma Capitale in July. This WRC round in Paraguay will be their first on Gravel in the Ford Fiesta Rally3.

The rally covers 357.64km of timed competition across 22 special stages on soft red-clay gravel.

Mohan Nagarajan, MD of Sidvin Energy Engineering, which backs TSI Racing, said the European experience had strengthened the programme. “The ERC round and the training in Europe were extremely useful. The experience has helped Dean, Gagan and the entire team to better prepare for the WRC3 challenge.”

“Our journey so far has been very positive, with a lot of learning and valuable experience. We’re excited for our first gravel rally of the season. There is still a lot for us to learn from every rally,” said Dean after Thursday’s shakedown.

Founded in 2007 and backed by Sidvin Energy Engineering, TSI Racing was the first Indian team to enter the WRC in 2008 and has since provided an international platform for Indian drivers, including Gaurav Gill and Naren Kumar. Nearly two decades later, the team’s commitment to taking Indian rallying to the global stage continues with Mascarenhas and Karumbaiah.

Source: IANS

The post Dean and Gagan excited about WRC3 gravel challenge in Paraguay appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Australian rider Jack Miller and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP will part ways at the end of the 2026 season, bringing the curtains down on the five-season collaboration in two chapters. Yamaha Racing confirmed the development ahead of the Aragon Grand Prix and thanked the Australian for his contribution to the team.

The announcement also notes that Miller's MotoGP journey would come to an end. He made his premier-class debut in 2015 and won four races across several teams, namely Honda, Ducati, KTM and Yamaha.

"Jack joined Yamaha at an important stage of our MotoGP project and immediately became a valuable contributor. His technical understanding, openness to feedback, and relentless commitment helped us move forward in several areas," Yamaha Motor Racing managing director Paolo Pavesio said in a statement.

Pramac Racing team principal Paolo Campinoti also heaped praise on the Aussie rider, emphasising the rider's contributions to the team. "Some riders pass through a team, while others leave a lasting mark on its history, and Jack certainly belongs to the second group. Over the time he has spent with us, he has become an important part of the Prima Pramac story, both through what he has achieved on track and through the person he has been within our team," Campinoti said.

"We are naturally sorry that our journey together is coming to an end, but this is part of the decisions that have to be made in our sport. We wish Jack and his family every success for whatever comes next. The door will always be open for him, because once you're part of the Prima Pramac family, you'll always be part of it," he added.

According to Fox Sports, Miller is expected to sign a deal with Yamaha in the World Superbikes series in 2027. Miller joined Prima Pramac Yamaha in 2025 to support the launch of Yamaha's new project. He was instrumental in providing technical contributions and machine insights, alongside his on-field work.

Miller joined the premier class in 2015 and is a four-time MotoGP race winner. He helped develop the Prima Pramac Yamaha machine in 2025, achieving his best finish of fifth at the USA GP. He also competed in the 46th edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours.

Source: IANS

The post Jack Miller and Prima Pramac Yamaha to part ways after 2026 MotoGP season appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Zandvoort (Netherlands), Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) McLaren driver Lando Norris claimed his second consecutive victory of the season, finishing ahead of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in an eventful Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort in North Holland, the Netherlands, on Sunday.

The Briton's victory came after home favourite Max Verstappen suffered a dramatic crash that resulted in the race being red-flagged.

After Norris initially led away from pole position at the start, the race was halted just one lap later when Verstappen lost the rear of his Red Bull and hit the wall heavily. The Dutchman was reported to be okay later.

When the action resumed, Antonelli made a flying start to overtake Norris and from there stretched out a lead. But as the race entered its final third, Norris made ground and regained the position from the Mercedes driver Antonelli.

A late Virtual Safety Car – called due to Esteban Ocon’s Haas stopping out on track – resulted in several drivers pitting, including Antonelli, setting up for a potential chase to the end as both Norris and George Russell in front of him had not stopped for fresh tyres.

While the Silver Arrows inverted their cars to release Antonelli into second, Norris proved unbeatable at the front and crossed the line with an 11.536s margin over the championship leader. Russell, meanwhile, just sealed the final spot on the podium in third, having fended off the chasing Ferraris to the very end.

The result means Italian Antonelli maintained his top position in the Drivers' Standings with 242 points, with Mercedes teammate Russell second with 183 points. Lando Norris is placed fourth with 159 points.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had to settle for fourth and fifth respectively in the Dutch Grand Prix, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claiming sixth. Liam Lawson placed seventh as the sole Red Bull to finish, the New Zealander keeping the position despite a 10-second time penalty for a yellow flag infringement.

Off the back of scoring his first points of the season in Hungary, Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg added to his tally in eighth while Fernando Alonso grabbed a valuable P9 for Aston Martin and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10 for Alpine.

Racing Bulls stand-in Yuki Tsunoda missed out in 11th, ahead of the other VCARB machine of Arvid Lindblad and Gabriel Bortoleto in the Audi. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto took P14, while Cadillac’s Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz in the Williams completed the classification.

The other Williams, Alex Albon, retired towards the end of the event, joining Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, the Haas pair of Ocon and Ollie Bearman and local hero Verstappen in the list of non-finishers from the race.

The big incident at the start of the race was Verstappen making a dramatic exit.

After completing the formation lap behind the Safety Car, the cars lined up for the start – and when the five lights went out, Norris held the lead, but Antonelli made a better launch than Russell, the Italian taking P2 into the first corner.

Leclerc, meanwhile, moved ahead of Piastri into fourth, while the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Lawson engaged in some wheel-to-wheel racing. The action dramatically came to a halt one lap later, however, when Verstappen dipped a wheel across the white line on the main straight before losing the rear and hitting the wall heavily.

With debris strewn across the track, the Dutchman fortunately reported that he was okay as the red flags were thrown, leading to the rest of the pack heading to the pits. Bortoleto, meanwhile, had suffered a separate 360-degree spin behind Verstappen but managed to keep on going, the Brazilian dropping down to P18 – with Hulkenberg fortunate to avoid contact with his teammate.

There was more drama towards the end before Norris came back and sealed victory.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Norris wins dramatic Dutch GP after Verstappen crashes out early appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Zandvoort (the Netherlands), Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Lando Norris denied the Sprint race winner George Russell and seized a spectacular pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday. In the qualifying session conducted under the threat of rain, the McLaren driver edged out Mercedes’ Russell and Kimi Antonelli in the final minutes, giving the day a spectacular ending.

With the skies turning grey, Norris braved one more lap as the weather worsened at the Circuit Zandvoort, earning the top spot with a time of 1m 11.163s in a tense conclusion to the session.

While the McLaren driver comprehensively beat Russell by a tenth, the Mercedes pair were extremely close as they took P2 and P3, with Oscar Piastri securing P4 after he looked like the fastest driver on track for the majority of Qualifying.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were next on the timesheets, ahead of Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson, who wasn’t far off the lead Red Bull, while Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly came the closest to making it into Q3, but lost out by less than a tenth and qualified ahead of his former teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who was 0.102s adrift of the lead Red Bull car upon his return to the grid.

Nico Hulkenberg wound up P13 for Audi, leading the second Alpine of Franco Colapinto, Haas’ Esteban Ocon and Williams’ Alex Albon.

In another frustrating session for Sainz, he was eliminated from Q1 with a tiny deficit of 0.022s to his teammate, settling for P17 from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, who are yet to extract the most from their upgraded power unit.

Ollie Bearman was another to be outqualified by his Haas counterpart as he was knocked out in P20, where he will line up just in front of Cadillac drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Norris denies Russell pole position in gripping Qualifying for Dutch Grand Prix appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Saishiva Sankaran from Pune and Chennai’s S. Gyan scored last-gasp victories in the Formula 2000 and Formula 1600 classes, respectively, to provide a thrilling start to the first round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 4W – 2026 at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on Saturday.

In contrast, Nellore’s Viswas Vijayaraj was in a league of his own as he led a podium sweep for DTS Racing in the Formula LGB 1300 race while Sri Lankan Kaveen Diyyan Rajapaksa (Momentum Motorsports) topped the Junior category.

Pole-sitter Saishiva, winner of the F1600 title last year, had a poor start and was running second behind Navi Mumbai’s Aditya Patnaik with two of the 10 laps to go when they ran into a backmarker. Aditya lost precious tenths of a second negotiating the backmarker, and Saishiva closed the gap. Aditya lost more time when he again ran into a backmarker on the last lap. Saishiva needed no second invitation as he passed Aditya for a win. Aditya had to be content with second place, ahead of Pune’s Swarnav Das.

In the F1600 class that was run concurrently with the F2000, Gyan too was in P2 for much of the race, trailing Bhuvan Bonu (Visakhapatnam) with Bengaluru’s Priyanka Vijay in P3. Towards the close, Bhuvan suffered from a drop in power, which saw both Gyan and Priyanka pass him while the Vizag driver finished third.

Vijayaraj had no challengers once he snatched the lead at Turn-1 and then gradually increased the lead for a commanding win, a race that turned out to be processionary once the grid settled down after initial jostling. Vijayaraj was followed home by his DTS Racing team-mates Vinith Kumar (Tirupur) and Liron Jaden Samuels (Tirunelveli).

Earlier, former National champion Arjun Narendran from Coimbatore, driving an Arka Motorsports-prepared Volkswagen Polo and returning to active racing after several years, expectedly qualified for pole position in the Indian Super Touring Cars class, with a hot lap of 01 minute, 49.033 seconds. Starting tomorrow’s race behind him will be the trio of Buzzing Hornet Motorsports drivers, Ritesh Rai (Chennai), Aman Nagdev (Noida) and Jeet Jhabakh (Hyderabad).

Veteran Diljith T.S. from Thrissur led a 1-2-3 sweep of the top three qualifying spots in the Super Stock class for DTS Racing, clocking a best lap of 02:02.678.

Mumbai’s Neel Shah was the quickest in the Volkswagen Polo Cup qualifying session with a best lap of 01:55.377, followed by his Buzzing Hornet Motorsports teammates Pratik Sonawane (Mumbai), Hitrath Bhat (Ahmedabad), Sidharth Desai (Mumbai) and Dushyant Nagesh (Bengaluru).

Provisional results (all 10 laps unless mentioned):

F2000 (Race-1, 9 laps): 1. Saishiva Sankaran (Pune) (14mins, 47.457secs); 2. Aditya Patnaik (Navi Mumbai) (14:48.121); 3. Swarnav Das (Pune) (14:53.134).

F1600 (Race-1, 9 laps): 1. Gyan S (Chennai) (16:28.952); 2. Priyanka Vijay (Bengaluru) (14:52.355+1 lap); 3. Bhuvan Bonu (Visakhapatnam) (14:59.959+1 lap).

Formula LGB 1300 (Race-1) Open: 1. Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, DTS Racing) (18:53.431); 2. Vinithkumar (Tirupur, DTS Racing) (18:58.267); 3. Liron Jaden Samuels (Tirunelveli) (19:03.051).

Junior: 1. Kaveen Diyyan Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka, Momentum Motorsports) (19:21.510); 2. Abhijit Vadavalli (Bengaluru, Momentum Motorsports) (19:39.205); 3. Yash Vikram Singh (Agra, Delta Speeds) (19:39596).

Source: IANS

The post National 4W Challenge: Sankaran, Gyan top in Formula races; easy wins for Vijayaraj, Rajapaksa appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Zandvoort (the Netherlands), Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Mercedes driver George Russell on Saturday won the Sprint race at Zandvoort on F1's return from the summer break as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc pipped McLaren driver and reigning world champion Lando Norris.

Russell closed in on the championship gap after collecting the most eight points at the Dutch GP, which is in its final year of running, as current title leader Kimi Antonelli and second-placed Lewis Hamilton came fourth and seventh, respectively.

Russell led the race from start to finish despite early pressure from Norris, who had to settle for third place after Leclerc went past him to take second.

Antonelli was close to getting Norris too, but he ran out of laps as the Italian took fourth ahead of Oscar Piastri in fifth, Max Verstappen in sixth, Lewis Hamilton in seventh and Pierre Gasly in eighth, wrapping up the eight point scorers from the first Dutch GP Sprint.

Russell, meanwhile, has closed his gap in the championship battle after winning his third Sprint of the season. Coming into the weekend, he had 160 points and was nine points adrift of the second-placed Hamilton, who had 169 points to his name. Antonelli holds the lead in the title battle and gained five more points to tally 224 in the season.

Russell was impressive at the front of the grid and led from the start to the finish as others battled behind him for places. He had to fend off an early attack from Norris at the start of the race.

Norris put Russell under the pump in the initial few laps of the 24-lap race but began to unwind a little later as Leclerc closed in on him from third. Antonelli made a move in his Mercedes on the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri early in the Sprint to take fourth place from him and then pile the pressure on Leclerc, who was third.

Leclerc, who was one of the two racers on soft compound tyres along with Gabriel Bortoleto, kept pushing the pedal and also waited for his chance. It arrived in the final few laps, and he stormed past the struggling Norris for second.

It wasn't a pleasing outing for Piastri, who did not find the pace to challenge the top four. Four-time champion Verstappen had some nervy moments too, once when he was close to getting surpassed by eight-time F1 winner Hamilton and then when he himself was close behind Piastri. While the Ferrari of Leclerc posed a significant challenge, hinting at a possible intense battle in the near future, Hamilton did not have a great outing either.

Here are the point winners from the Dutch GP Sprint:

1 - George Russell: 8 points

2 - Charles Leclerc: 7 points

3 - Lando Norris: 6 points

4 - Kimi Antonelli: 5 points

5 - Oscar Piastri: 4 points

6 - Max Verstappen: 3 points

7- Lewis Hamilton: 2 points

1 - Pierre Gasly: 1 point

Source: IANS

The post George Russell wins first Zandvoort Sprint to close in on F1 title battle appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Zandvoort, Aug 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) George Russell returned from the Formula One summer break in style, securing pole position for the Zandvoort Sprint after edging McLaren's Lando Norris by just 0.041 seconds in a closely fought Sprint Qualifying session on Friday.

In the final stretch, Russell achieved the fastest lap with a time of 1 minute and 11.567 seconds, which put Mercedes at the head of the grid, Norris ending up in second place and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc securing third position.

Oscar Piastri was just a little way behind Leclerc in fourth position, with Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes finishing in fifth place. Max Verstappen from Red Bull managed to qualify in sixth place, beating Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly from Alpine, Gabriel Bortoleto from Audi and Arvid Lindblad from Racing Bulls.

The race for the pole position stayed open during the session, with Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari taking turns to set the fastest times in the three qualifying parts.

At first Norris seemed to have secured the pole position after completing a lap in 1:11.608, but Russell then launched a late surge to win it by only 0.041 seconds over the McLaren driver.

The man who had taken the lead during the only hour of Free Practice earlier that day could not maintain that speed when it counted. During qualifying the Italian had a tough start, running over the gravel on his first flying lap before going back to the pits. Mercedes subsequently stated that there was no immediate damage to his car.

The race got off to a start with the drivers using medium tyres as they got used to the completely dry Zandvoort track after it had previously rained lightly.

Before Leclerc, Hamilton and Norris took the lead, Russell established the starting benchmark, and Piastri then got involved in the race at the front as McLaren seemed to gain from its most recent improvements.

Leclerc ultimately completed SQ1 in first place, beating out Norris and Piastri, with Hamilton, Russell and Lawson also managing to progress.

In the first part of the session Aston Martin had another tough time. After locking up at the first corner Fernando Alonso had difficulties, and it was later found that his rear wing's Straight Line Mode was not working properly. Alonso finished the session in 22nd place and was therefore eliminated together with Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz and Ollie Bearman.

In SQ2 Piastri set a new standard with a lap time of 1:12.026, which was almost five-tenths of a second faster than Norris's. McLaren decided to remain on the track and thus ended the session in first and second place, while Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli, Verstappen, Gasly, Bortoleto and Lindblad all also obtained positions in the final shoot-out.

Liam Lawson, driving in place of Isack Hadjar, came very close to securing a spot in SQ3 and ended up in 11th position, just 0.009 seconds in front of his Racing Bulls team-mate Yuki Tsunoda. Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon were also the other drivers who were eliminated.

The last eight-minute stint involved the use of soft tyres and ended in a tight one-lap race for pole position.

Norris was the first of the top contenders to complete a flying lap and thus secured provisional pole position with a time of 1:11.608; although Antonelli was unable to beat the McLaren, Russell performed when it was important by finishing with a time of 1:11.567 and thus took the lead.

As a result of Leclerc's last move he ended up in third position, which dropped Piastri to fourth, while Verstappen and Hamilton took the second and third positions respectively.

The top 10 positions were completed by Gasly, Bortoleto and Lindblad.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Russell pips Norris to Zandvoort Sprint pole in thrilling qualifying appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Aug 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Brushing aside the doubts over his future in Formula 1, four-time world champion Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension with his Red Bull team that will see him race for the RB22 until the end of 2030. The Dutchman, who had given signs of quitting F1 and was recently linked to a move to McLaren, has 're-signed' with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with whom he has been associated from 2016 onwards.

The announcement was confirmed by Red Bull. The team emphasised that their partnership with Verstappen has been "one of the most successful and defining partnerships in F1 history", before adding that this shows "a powerful statement of mutual trust and ambition – and a shared decision to shape the future together".

Verstappen was "pleased" to have extended his contract with the Red Bull squad, which he had joined midway in 2016 after earning a promotion from sister team, Toro Rosso (now named Racing Bulls). "I am really pleased with the contract extension. We have the best people, and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again.

"This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue. I want to thank Red Bull, Laurent and everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the trust they put in me.

Verstappen has tasted all of his success in the series in Red Bull. He has won four world titles with the Milton Keynes-based team from 2021 onwards. He won four titles in a row till 2024, before Lando Norris took the world title from him in 2025. "I have always said it: The team is like a second family for me, and I feel very at home. I came to the Team hoping to be able to win races. What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely, and we have shared many incredible moments and won four World Championships," the Dutchman said.

Laurent Mekies was given a promotion to the role of Team Principal in July 2025. "To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do. Getting to work with Laurent now for over a year has also been great; I see a clear vision he has for the team. Everyone in Milton Keynes believes in what we are building, and I am looking forward to the next chapter, fighting for more victories and competing for championships as we continue to shape the future of this team."

The announcement comes days ahead of his home race in the Netherlands, and this is the last Grand Prix at Zandvoort. "To make this announcement during the last Grand Prix at Zandvoort is a great moment for me as well. Hopefully we can give the fans a special send-off for the final race."

Verstappen's extension can be said to be the biggest achievement of Mekies' time with the team. "Having Max continue with us and retaining the best driver on the grid is fantastic news for everyone at Red Bull, Oracle Red Bull Racing, as well as F1 and motorsport as a whole," he said.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Max Verstappen pens contract extension with Red Bull till 2030 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

London, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Alex Albon will remain with Williams for the 2027 Formula 1 season after committing his immediate future to the team despite its struggles under the sport's new technical regulations.

Williams announced the move as a one-year contract extension and a "renewed commitment," although Albon's existing multi-year agreement was already believed to cover 2027. Reports suggest the confirmation relates to exit clauses in his contract rather than an entirely new deal.

The 30-year-old London-born Thai driver has raced for Williams since 2022 and will enter his sixth season with the team next year, reports Xinhua.

Albon's decision follows a difficult campaign for Williams, which sits ninth in the constructors' championship after 11 races. The slump comes after the team exceeded expectations by finishing fifth in 2025.

"The transformation this team has made is difficult to put into words," Albon said. "One tough year doesn't tell the full picture, and it only gives me more motivation to keep building and pushing together with the factory and our fans to achieve great things.

"Our story is not over yet, so my full focus now is on doing whatever it takes to get us back up the grid."

Williams had targeted the introduction of sweeping new regulations in 2026 as an opportunity to make another significant step forward under team principal James Vowles, who has overseen a major restructuring since joining in 2023.

Instead, its FW48 has proved disappointing, leaving Williams well short of its expectations, though Albon said recent recruitment and investment had helped convince him the team remained on the right path. "We've also hired some great people within the organisation, targeting areas we know we've been struggling in as a team," he said.

Albon's alternatives to remaining at Williams were limited by the lack of openings among F1's leading teams, and the Thai driver has been comprehensively outscored by teammate Carlos Sainz over the past 12 months.

Despite his recent struggles, Vowles described Albon as a central figure in Williams' rebuilding project.

"Alex has been a leader of this transformation project since day one, and we have plenty of unfinished business that we are determined to achieve," Vowles said. "Alex is one of the best drivers on the grid and knows better than anyone the enormous improvements we have made in recent years. Re-signing him shows the belief we both have in the direction we are heading."

Williams is expected to introduce a significant upgrade at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, although team figures have played down expectations that it will transform the FW48's competitiveness.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Alex Albon to remain with Williams for 2027 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, Aug 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rakshith Dave, a gifted rider from Chennai and only 18 years old, who survived a horrific crash on Saturday, was handed the biggest victory of his career as he got promoted to the top step of the podium following a 30-second penalty to the race winner Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru in the premier Super Sport 301-400cc class as the first round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W-2026 concluded at the Madras International Circuit, here on Sunday.

Earlier, 16-year-old Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan, riding for his father’s team, RACR Castrol Power1, and in just his second full season, scripted his maiden win in domestic competition by topping the Super Stock 301-400cc race while equally impressive was another Chennai rider, Ann Jennifer (Motul Sparks Racing), a former National woman champion, who won the Super Stock 165cc race in which she was the only female competitor. She thus completed a grand double, having won Race-1 on Saturday.

Also notching a double was Hari Haran (RACR Castrol Power1) from Coimbatore in the Stock 165cc (Novice) category in a tight finish while young Abdul Basim (Chandra LGE Racing) took the honours in the Pro-Stock 200cc Open race with a couple of front-runners crashing out. Undoubtedly, this was the closest race of the weekend with a bunch of five riders in the frame to win before the last lap crash which decided the podium finishers. Amarnath Menon (MadRabbit Racing) from Kozhikode, returning to racing after a four-year break, finished second and ahead of Chennai’s Soorya PM (Chandra LGE Racing).

In the weekend’s final race, the Stock 301-400cc (Novice), Bengaluru’s private entrant Ashwin R yet again trumped the field for his second win of the weekend. Another Bengalurean Lokesh V (Speed Up Racing) came in second while local rider Venugopalan S (privateer) was third.

Much of the attention today was on the Super Sport 301-400cc race which was fiercely contested. The trio of Hyderabad’s Rahil Pillarisetty (RACR Castrol Power1), Chiranth Vishwanath and his Petronas TVS Racing team-mate Sarthak Chavan from Pune, swapped lead positions in the first half of the race. Chiranth then moved to the front, hotly chased by Sarthak with a struggling Rahil in P3.

In the last lap, Sarthak passed Chiranth on the Turn-3 left-hander, but the two came together on the exit of the corner. The Pune rider crashed, but got up and rejoined the race, while Chiranth went on to win ahead of Rakshith, who had started last on the grid, and Rahil. Following a post-race inquiry, Chiranth was docked a 30-second penalty which dropped him to seventh while Sarthak limped home in eighth.

Earlier, Ann Jennifer (Motul Sparks Racing) rode the race of her life to win the Super Stock 165cc Intermediate race despite a bad start due to a missed gear shift which dropped her to fourth from pole position. She lost another two spots after contact with another rider. However, she kept her composure to slice through the field for a brilliant win. “Yes, it was the best race of my career,” remarked Ann Jennifer, the only female rider on the grid.

Kabilesh, the son of legendary Rajini Krishnan, an 11-times National champion, started last on the grid, but made his way through to the front and then hung on for a brilliant win. “Of course, I am very happy that Kabilesh won, but there is still a long way to go,” said Rajini Krishnan. Incidentally, Kabilesh was laid off for 10 months after breaking his thigh bone in a massive crash during a race in Malaysia last year.

Chennai’s Kamal Navas, who started last on the grid, came up with a stunning ride to win the Expert (RR 310) race edging out Saturday’s Race-1 winner Rajender Beedani (Hyderabad) at the finish line. Hari Haran from Coimbatore finished third.

Bengaluru’s 15-year-old Dev Agastya topped the race in the Rookie class, bettering his P6 finish on Saturday while Rehbar Islam Baktoo of (J & K) was placed second, followed by Pothu Vignesh from Mancherial.

Source: IANS

The post Indian National Racing Challenge 2W: Rakshith Dave, Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan score big appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Two teenagers and Petronas TVS Racing teammates Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru and Pune’s Sarthak Chavan showcased their pace and talent to qualify for the top two spots on the grid in the premier Super Sport 301-400cc class to provide a rousing start to the inaugural round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W – 2026, at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on Friday.

Completing the front row behind Chiranth and Sarthak, who have shed weight and appear sharper on the track following his recent stint in Europe, was Hyderabad’s Rahil Pillarisetty (RACR Castrol Power1), a result that was to be expected.

Less than a second separated the three riders, thus promising thrilling battles in the double-header to be run over the next two days. Incidentally, Sarthak had clocked the fastest time, but it was deleted due to an infringement, thus pushing him to P2 and elevating Chiranth to P1.

Chennai’s Kamal Navas of Team Rockers Racing took the pole position in the Super Stock 301-400cc category ahead of RACR Castrol Power1 duo of Allwin Xavier (Thrissur) and 16-year-old Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan (Chennai), the son of 11-time National champion Rajini Krishnan, with less than a second separating the trio.

Former National women’s champion Ann Jennifer (Motul Sparks Racing) from Chennai comfortably outpaced the field for pole position in the Super Stock 165cc Intermediate class, ahead of the Ipone Yakuza Racing India pair of Ajai Xavier M and Anand Kumar S.

Faruk Ali Sohtun (Motul Sparks Racing), who has made the long haul from East Khasi, Meghalaya, topped the qualifying session in the Stock 165cc (Novice) class, as did Bengaluru’s Ashwin R in the Stock 301-400cc Novice category.

In a stunning result, Bengaluru’s Poojita Anil Kumar qualified for pole position in the Women’s category of the Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship, riding the Apache RTR 200. In just her third competitive season, the 18-year-old Poojita marked her improvement as she took P1 for Saturday’s race with over four seconds separating her from second-placed Dhrisha Nair from Pune.

Kamal Navas, enjoying a fruitful day, finished on pole position in the Open (Apache RR 310), ahead of Rajender Beedani (Hyderabad) and AS James (Bengaluru).

The results – Qualifying (top 3 best laps):

Super Sport 301-400cc Open:1. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, Petronas TVS Racing) (01:48.032); 2. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, Petronas TVS Racing) (01:48.213); 3. Rahil Pillarisetty (Hyderabad, RACR Castrol Power1) (01:48.333).

Super Stock 301-400cc Open:1. Kamal Navas (Chennai, Team Rockers Racing) (01:54.214); 2. Allwin Xavier (Thrissur, RACR Castrol Power1) (01:56.116); 3. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1) (01:56.135).

Stock 301-400cc (Novice):1. Ashwin R (Bengaluru, Pvt) (02:01.515); 2. Venugopalan S (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (02:01.758); 3. Kavicholaiarasan (Trichy, Speed-Up Racing) (02:03.516).

Super Stock up to 165cc Intermediate:1. Ann Jennifer AS (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (02:06.970); 2. Ajai Xavier M (Nagercoil, Ipone Yakuza Racing India) (02:09.008); 3. Anand Kumar S (Chennai, Ipone Yakuza Racing India) (02:09.281)

Stock Up to 165cc (Novice):1. Faruk Ali Sohtun (East Khasi, Motul Sparks Racing) (02:09.825); 2. Hari Haran R (Coimbatore, RACR Castrol Power1) (02:09.939); 3. Aditya Vyas (Rishikesh, Motul Sparks Racing) (02:10.202).

Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship

Open (TVS Apache RR 310):1. Kamal Navas (Chennai) (01:55.387); 2. Rajender Beedani (Hyderabad) (01:55.766); 3. AS James (Bengaluru) (01:56.503).

Women (TVS Apache RTR 200):1. Poojitha Anil Kumar (Bengaluru) (02:14.196); 2. Drishya Nair (Pune) (02:18.509); 3. Kinjal Raj (Vadodara) (02:19.386)

Source: IANS

The post National Racing Challenge 2W: Chiranth Vishwanath, Kamal Navas snatch pole positions appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Chandigarh, Aug 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League was officially launched at the PCA International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, ushering in a new domestic T20 competition aimed at providing a platform for Punjab's emerging cricketers.

Aaruthran (Kartkrew Motorsports), a gold medalist at the FIA-Asia Pacific Motorsports Championship in Sri Lanka last year, topped the official practice, Heat, Super Heat and the Finals race in his class to finish his campaign this weekend on a high.

Equally impressive was Chennai’s Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) who dominated the Junior class, winning the Super Heat and the Finals after having been the quickest through the weekend that saw Rounds 3 and 4 being conducted.

The only time Rehan looked vulnerable was when he trailed team-mate Adithya Pratap in the Final but he recovered well to move into the lead towards the latter part of the race to score a good win.

In the Mini class, UK-based Rudra Gokulnath (NKRA with Momentum) pulled off a fine win in the Finals race, upstaging Super Heat winner and Round 3 hero Shiv Neel, the son of India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan. Rudra displayed impressive pace to not only avenge his defeat in the Super Heat but also underline his talent.

In the Senior class, Chennai’s Kairav Roberson (MSPORT) was unstoppable as he took the honours in the Super Heat and the Finals, outpacing his arch-rival Armaan Dhawan from Delhi (Leap Frog Racing).

Undoubtedly, the competition in the Mini and Under-10 categories highlighted Sunday’s programme. Rudra Gokulnath and Aaruthran Prabhu provided thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles racing in the combined grid and quite fittingly, were rewarded for their fearless but fair performances.

In the Super Heat, Aaruthran Prabhu displayed his ability to absorb pressure while winning a very close race. On his part, Shiv Neel moved up the combined grid to snatch a creditable second overall, but first in the Mini class.

In the Finals, Rudra Gokulnath played an impressive waiting game to pip leader Aaruthran Prabhu with a deft pass on the last lap of the 12-lap race for a notable victory. Aaruthran had done well to defend his position but left the door open on the last lap for Rudra to lunge into the lead. However, Aaruthran topped the Under-10 class that was run concurrently with the Mini category which Rudra won.

Incidentally, Round 3 winner Shiv Neel had a disappointing outing as he finished fourth in Mini class and sixth overall on the combined grid.

The five-round India Series concludes on August 31 at the Meco Kartopia circuit in Bengaluru.

Source: IANS

The post Aaruthran Prabhu dominates mini under-10 class; Kairav Roberson, Rehan Khan Rasheed, Rudra Gokulnath win appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, Aug 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Little Shiv Neel from Coimbatore showcased his racing pedigree with a brilliant performance to dominate the Mini class in the third round of the IAME India Series karting organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in Chennai on Saturday.

Representing the NKRA with the KKM team, Shiv Neel, son of India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, won both the championship points-scoring races, the Super Heat and Finals, in the Mini to underline his talent and controlled aggression as he literally muscled his way to victories.

Similarly, Aaruthran Prabhu (Kartkrew Motorsports) from Kumbarapuram, the gold medalist at the FIA Asia-Pacific Championship in Sri Lanka last year, won both the Super Heat and Finals in the Mini Under-10 segment that was run concurrently with the Mini class.

Equally impressive was Chennai’s Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) who took the honours in the Junior Finals with a near-flawless drive. Rehan Khan, starting the Finals from P2, blasted off the line and opened a huge lead which kept increasing with each lap as he completed a commanding win. He thus made up for his defeat in the Super Heat earlier in the afternoon when he conceded the lead to Abhishikt Barse in the very last lap. But Rehan was not to be denied in the Finals, which he dominated to win from Abhishikt Barse and Adithya Pratap.

In the Senior category, Delhi’s Armaan Dhawan (Leap Frog Racing) and local challenger Kairav Roberson (MSPORT) battled their way to a win apiece. Dhawan held off Roberson in the Finals in a tight finish to reverse the Super Heat result earlier in the day. Roberson had trumped Dhawan in the Super Heat with a lights-to-flag win. Another Chennai entrant, Madhusudhan (Kartkrew Motorsports), finished third in both outings.

The fourth round of the series will be held at the same venue on Sunday.

Founded in 1968, IAME (Italian American Motor Engineering) is a world leader in high-performance kart racing engines. The IAME Series is an internationally standardised championship format organised globally, now including India alongside regions such as the UAE, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and Europe.

The results (Provisional – subject to post-race scrutiny):

IAME X30 - 125cc Seniors (Finals, 16 laps): 1. Armaan Dhawan (New Delhi, Leap Frog Racing) (13:28.933); 2. Kairav Roberson (Chennai, MSPORT) (13:29.078); 3. Madhusudhan (Chennai, Kartkrew Motorsports) (13:36.239). Super Heat (14 laps): 1. Kairav Roberson (Chennai, MSPORT) (11:45.380); 2. Armaan Dhawan (New Delhi, Leap Frog Racing) (11:45.717); 3. Madhusudhan (Chennai, Kartkrew Motorsports) (11:50.137).

Juniors (Finals, 14 laps): 1. Rehan Khan Rasheed (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (11:55.505); 2. Abhishikt Barse (Pune, Crest Motorsports) (11:59.906); 3. Adithya Pratap (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (12:04.715). Super Heat (12 laps): 1. Abhishikt Barse (10:24.324); 2. Rehan Khan Rasheed (10:24.440); 3. Adithya Pratap (10:24.815).

IAME X30 - 60cc Mini Class (Finals, 12 laps): 1. Shiv Neel (Coimbatore, NKRA with KKM) (11:13.089); 2. Rudra Gokulnath (UK, NKRA with Momentum) (11:13.626); 3. Eeshan Swaroop (Bengaluru, Kartkrew Motorsports) (11:20.842). Super Heat (10 laps): 1. Shiv Neel (Coimbatore, NKRA with KKM) (09:22.918); 2. Rudra Gokulnath (UK, NKRA with Momentum) (09:22.966); 3. Eeshan Swaroop (Bengaluru, Kartkrew Motorsports) (09:26.244).

Mini Under-10 (Finals, 12 laps): 1. Aaruthran Prabhu (Kumbarapuram, Kartkrew Motorsports) (11:13.415); 2. Ayansh Patil (Kolhapur, MSPORT) (11:13.797); 3. Saakhir Joseph Nagpal (Haryana, Peregrine Racing) (11:18.716). Super Heat (10 laps): 1. Aaruthran Prabhu (09:20.580); 2. Yeshwin Vinay Kishore (Chennai, Peregrine Racing) (09:22.092); 3. Ayansh Patil (09:27.055).

Source: IANS

The post Narain Karthikeyan’s son Shiv Neel, Rehan Khan dazzle in 3rd round of IAME India Series karting appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hungary, July 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Lando Norris claimed his and McLaren's first Formula 1 victory of the 2026 season with a composed drive at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, capitalising on team-mate Oscar Piastri's misfortune to beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli to the chequered flag.

Norris, who started the race in pole position, lost the lead to Piastri at Turn 2 on the first lap and for a large part of the first half of the race stayed tucked behind the Australian. Although Norris was at times faster, McLaren decided not to change drivers and so let Piastri take control of the race from first place.

Just after the halfway point the situation among the cars changed. After carrying out his second pit stop, Piastri came into contact with Carlos Sainz's Williams in the traffic in the first part of the circuit and as a result damaged his race. At the same time, Norris completed a number of extremely fast laps in clear air prior to his second stop and overtook his team-mate in the strategy race.

Piastri's chance of making a comeback then completely vanished after an apparent gearbox failure caused him to retire when 15 laps were left, this prompting the introduction of the Virtual Safety Car.

The VSC altered the positioning behind Norris, since Verstappen and Antonelli had stayed out after having changed their tyres in order to take up the positions of second and third respectively.

At the beginning it seemed that Lewis Hamilton was going to finish on the podium because of Ferrari's aggressive three-stop strategy, but the seven-time world champion was put behind both Antonelli and his team-mate Charles Leclerc due to a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Hamilton ultimately came in fifth, Leclerc securing fourth place.

Isack Hadjar of Red Bull managed to keep up his impressive form by finishing in sixth position, whereas George Russell, after a poor starting phase - having been dropped from the front rows to 19th place due to the anti-stall system—ended the race in seventh for Mercedes.

Racing Bulls achieved another double points result when Liam Lawson finished in eighth place and Arvid Lindblad secured the last point by coming in at 10th, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg placing ninth and thus separating the two of them. Gabriel Bortoleto, Hulkenberg's teammate, just missed out on points by finishing in 11th.

Aston Martin had one of its best weekends of the season, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso coming in 13th and 14th place respectively in the team's improved cars, with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto finishing on either side of the pair for Alpine.

Piastri and the Cadillacs - Valtteri Bottas, who retired due to overheating brakes, and Sergio Perez, who was prevented from finishing because of a front-left problem - also failed to complete the race.

This win was Norris' first victory at a Grand Prix in 2026 and marked McLaren's first win of the season, giving the currently reigning constructors' champions a much-needed boost following the dramatic events at the Hungaroring.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Norris trumps Verstappen, Antonelli to secure maiden victory of 2026 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Formula 1 and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) on Sunday confirmed that Malaysia will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit from October 2 to 4, 2026, marking the return of the iconic venue to the Formula 1 calendar.

The race will take place between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, with the remainder of the 2026 calendar unchanged. The announcement remains subject to the completion of final agreements and approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The event will officially be known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, following an agreement between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia. The arrangement ensures that the Bahrain Grand Prix remains on the 2026 calendar despite regional challenges that would have otherwise prevented the race from taking place in Bahrain.

Formula 1 said the agreement reflected Bahrain’s long-standing commitment to the championship since becoming the first Middle Eastern nation to host a Formula 1 race in 2004, while also acknowledging Malaysia’s support in making the event possible.

Sepang, which last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2017, is regarded as one of the sport’s most demanding circuits because of its high-speed layout, tropical weather and enthusiastic fan base.

Welcoming the decision, Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the event highlighted Bahrain’s enduring passion for Formula 1 and reflected the close ties between Bahrain and Malaysia.

“Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a successful and memorable race for everyone involved,” he said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the country was honoured to support Bahrain, Formula 1 and the FIA by hosting the race at Sepang.

“This collaboration is more than the staging of a world-class sporting event. It reflects the enduring friendship, mutual trust and close partnership between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he said, adding that Malaysia was ready to welcome Formula 1 teams and fans back to Sepang.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the governing body and Formula One Management had explored every possible option while keeping the safety and wellbeing of teams, officials, volunteers and fans as the highest priority.

He added that Formula 1’s return to Sepang demonstrated Malaysia’s continued commitment to the sport and the strength of international cooperation.

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali described the announcement as “fantastic news” for fans, saying the sport had once again shown its ability to adapt and deliver a complete championship schedule.

“Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It will provide a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans,” Domenicali said.

Formula 1 said details regarding ticket sales for the event will be announced in due course.

Source: IANS

The post Sepang returns to Formula 1 as Malaysia hosts Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Beijing, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kimi Antonelli passed Charles Leclerc to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his Formula 1 championship lead after Mercedes teammate George Russell retired on the opening lap.

Antonelli bounced back from two consecutive scoreless races to claim his sixth victory of the 2026 season. After leading the opening stint at Spa-Francorchamps, the Italian lost first place when Leclerc took advantage of a Virtual Safety Car deployment to leapfrog the Mercedes during the pit-stop cycle.

Antonelli steadily erased a three-second deficit before overtaking Leclerc into Les Combes on lap 34, and held on over the closing stages to secure the win.

The victory doubled Antonelli's championship lead over Russell from 25 points to 50 after the British driver was eliminated in a first-lap collision with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.

"It is great to be back on the top step after a few difficult rounds," Antonelli was quoted by Xinhua as saying. "It was a hard-fought race. We lost first place with a VSC, but then we managed to make our way back.

"It was a tough win because Charles was quick and we had to hold onto them.

"The momentum was always there. It was just about getting the result. We have to keep performing, bringing the results, and see what happens at the end of the year."

Leclerc finished second, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen completed the podium.

Antonelli started from pole position but briefly lost the lead to Verstappen on the run to Eau Rouge before reclaiming first place under braking for Les Combes.

Behind them, Russell's race ended almost immediately after contact with Hamilton sent the Mercedes into the gravel. Although both drivers described the clash as a racing incident, Hamilton received a five-second penalty for his involvement.

Antonelli led the opening stint before Mercedes pitted him at the end of lap 18. Ferrari kept Leclerc out for two more laps and benefited when a Virtual Safety Car was deployed for debris, allowing the Monegasque to make a cheaper pit stop and emerge ahead.

Norris, who had yet to stop after starting on hard tyres, briefly inherited the lead before Leclerc and Antonelli swept past. Antonelli quickly closed back onto Leclerc and made the decisive pass with 10 laps remaining.

Leclerc stayed within striking distance over the closing laps but could not mount a serious challenge as Antonelli secured a victory that further strengthened his title bid.

Hamilton finished fourth to provisionally move into second in the championship on 159 points, five ahead of Russell, although he was also under post-race investigation for an alleged unsafe release after making contact with a mechanic during his pit stop. The mechanic was uninjured.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished fifth, ahead of Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris in the second McLaren, who recovered from 13th on the grid after serving a 10-place penalty for exceeding power unit component allocations.

Gabriel Bortoleto was a strong eighth for Audi, Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad finished ninth, and Franco Colapinto completed the top 10 for Alpine.

Formula 1 heads next to the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Antonelli hunts down Leclerc to win Belgian GP appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Birmingham, July 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Formula One rookie Arvid Lindblad believes Indian cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is part of a new wave of teenage stars redefining elite sport, saying advances in technology and access to better information are enabling athletes to reach the highest level at increasingly younger ages.

The Racing Bulls driver shared his thoughts during the host broadcast of the first ODI between England and India at Edgbaston, where Shubman Gill's side secured a six-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

At just 18, Lindblad belongs to the same generation of emerging sporting talents as Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, Spain football sensation Lamine Yamal, and 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, whose meteoric rise has made him India's youngest international cricketer after a breakthrough IPL season.

Asked why Formula One is seeing more teenagers reach the grid, Lindblad said the trend extends far beyond motorsport.

"I think this is happening in all sports. The technology is improving around it. We get better information from an earlier age, and that is why there are really good youngsters who are doing really well,” Arvid said.

The British driver pointed to Sooryavanshi as an example of how rapidly young athletes are making an impact on the international stage. "This happens in all sports, even in cricket, with Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) doing really well. He is so young. I think this is just the nature of sport,” he added.

Lindblad, who has Indian ancestry through his maternal grandparents, also spoke warmly about his connection to the country during the broadcast with Ravi Shastri and Ian Ward. "My Nana and Nani (maternal grandparents) are Punjabi. I am very connected to my Indian roots and love Indian food, particularly that cooked by my Nani,” he expressed.

The teenager also recalled visiting Mumbai late last year, where he experienced cricket firsthand while spending time with young players at the iconic Azad Maidan. "I enjoyed my time in Mumbai playing cricket with the kids at Azad Maidan. It was a wonderful experience."

Reflecting on his own journey, Lindblad admitted that making his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne earlier this season was an emotional milestone after years of chasing the dream. "All athletes, from an early age, have a dream of reaching the top. You always remain nervous, never really knowing if it's going to come true. For me, this year in Melbourne, the fact that this was happening to me for real was special. I got a little bit emotional before it all,” he said.

He also described his first home Grand Prix as a Formula One driver at Silverstone as another unforgettable moment. "I had first been to Silverstone with my father when I was just five years old. Going there this year, thirteen years on, becoming an F1 race driver was really special to me, especially in front of the entire home support,” he stated.

During the recent British Grand Prix weekend, Lindblad was seen sharing a light-hearted exchange in the paddock with India captain Shubman Gill, with both tracing their family roots to Punjab.

The Racing Bulls rookie ended the conversation on a humorous note by revealing that, despite racing some of the fastest cars in the world, he is still working towards getting his road licence. "It is a bit sad that I still have not got my driver's licence yet. It was funny for a bit, but now it is just getting a bit silly. I had my first driving lesson yesterday, so I need to get it soon."

Source: IANS

The post F1 racer Arvid hails Sooryavanshi as part of sport’s fearless new generation appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Mattighofen, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) KTM Factory Racing has secured the services of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio on multi-year contracts beginning in the 2027 MotoGP season, the manufacturer announced on Sunday.

The double signing shows KTM's plan to build a strong rider lineup for the future. Both racers come after proving themselves as championship contenders.

Marquez, 30, will leave Gresini Racing after four seasons. He will return to a factory team for the first time since his rookie season with Honda Racing Corporation in 2020. The Spaniard finished second in the 2025 MotoGP championship and has regained his status as one of the sport's top riders.

KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer believes Marquez's skills make him a great match for the Austrian brand. "Alex brings not only excellent talent and race knowledge but also determination and a winning attitude that aligns perfectly with our values," Beirer said in a statement.

Di Giannantonio will join KTM after leaving the VR46 Racing Team at the end of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old, who joined VR46 in 2024, currently ranks third in the MotoGP Championship standings and achieved the second Grand Prix win of his career in Barcelona earlier this season.

Beirer praised the Italian's consistency and growth into one of the championship's top contenders. "Fabio has clearly improved to become one of the reliable front-runners in MotoGP. We cannot doubt his speed and commitment to delivering the best performance," Beirer said.

By signing Marquez and Di Giannantonio, KTM has secured two experienced race winners who are entering their prime. The manufacturer aims to boost its chances for MotoGP success starting from the 2027 season.

Source: IANS

The post MotoGP: KTM signs Alex Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio on multi-year deals from 2027 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Northamptonshire, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Charles Leclerc claimed a dramatic victory at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, overcoming late-race chaos at Silverstone as Kimi Antonelli saw a potential win slip away because of a car issue and Max Verstappen crashed out to trigger a late Safety Car.

Leclerc made a fast start from the grid. The Ferrari driver, along with teammate Lewis Hamilton, both passed Antonelli in the opening laps. The Monegasque found a comfortable rhythm at the front, giving up the lead only when he went into the pits for his scheduled stop.

This briefly gave the lead to Antonelli, who extended his opening stint until Lap 36 before making his pit stop. The young Mercedes driver emerged eager to catch Leclerc, but his progress halted on Lap 41 due to a mechanical problem that the team later identified as a suspected failure of the left-front wheel shield.

Antonelli had to make two more pit stops and rejoined the race well down the order. His tough afternoon worsened with a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits, effectively ending any chance of a podium finish.

The race took another dramatic turn on Lap 48 when Verstappen spun into the gravel trap, bringing out the Safety Car. With no time left for racing to resume, the field finished behind the Safety Car, allowing Leclerc to cruise to his ninth Formula One victory.

George Russell took advantage of the late neutralization by staying out while several rivals pitted, moving the Mercedes driver up to second place. Hamilton secured third place for Ferrari, though the seven-time world champion faces a post-race investigation for a possible yellow-flag violation.

Home favourite Lando Norris finished fourth for McLaren, while Isack Hadjar took fifth for Red Bull. The Racing Bulls pair of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Gabriel Bortoleto earned valuable points for Audi in eighth. Alpine drivers Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly completed the top 10.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Oscar Piastri, whose race fell apart after an opening-lap pit stop for damage, leaving him in 11th. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished 12th for Williams after a promising start, followed by Haas drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon in 13th and 14th.

Sergio Pérez took 15th for Cadillac, while Antonelli was ultimately classified 16th after his time penalty. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas finished ahead of Aston Martin teammates Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Three drivers did not finish the race. Verstappen retired after his crash, Alexander Albon pulled out after continuing following early contact with Bearman, and Audi's Nico Hülkenberg stopped due to a mechanical issue.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Leclerc triumphs at Silverstone as Antonelli’s charge unravels and Verstappen crashes out appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's Maini brothers enjoyed a memorable weekend in European motorsport, with Kush Maini securing a podium finish in the FIA Formula 2 Feature Race at Silverstone while elder brother Arjun Maini claimed his first podium of the 2026 DTM season at Germany's Norisring.

Driving for ART Grand Prix, Kush qualified third for the Formula 2 Feature Race, which placed him eighth on the grid for Saturday's Sprint Race under the reverse-grid format. He produced an impressive drive in the sprint, gaining four places to finish fourth.

The 25-year-old carried that momentum into Sunday's Feature Race. Starting from third, Kush made a brilliant getaway to take the lead before the opening corner and controlled the race for a significant period with strong pace and tyre management.

Following his mandatory pit stop, the Indian driver was involved in an intense battle with the Formula 2 championship leader before eventually crossing the line in third to claim his second podium of the 2026 season.

The result lifts Kush to sixth in the Formula 2 Drivers' Championship standings, leaving him just six points adrift of the top five heading into the second half of the campaign.

"Really happy with how the weekend has gone. Missed out on a double podium weekend by a small margin, but big points going into the second half of the season. Big thanks for all the support from everyone back home," said Kush after the race.

Meanwhile, elder brother Arjun Maini also enjoyed a successful weekend at the Norisring circuit in the DTM Championship.

Racing in the Ford Mustang GT3, Arjun qualified third for both races. He converted his strong starting position into his first podium finish of the season with third place in Race 1 on Saturday.

The Indian driver followed it up with a fourth-place finish in Sunday's rain-affected Race 2, which was interrupted by a red flag. Despite carrying an additional 5kg success ballast following his podium on Saturday, Arjun maintained competitive pace throughout the race to narrowly miss another podium finish.

Source: IANS

The post Kush Maini bags F2 podium, Arjun Maini earns DTM top-three finish appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Shanghai, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Lucas di Grassi ended a four-year Formula E winless streak with a stunning victory in the second race of the 2025-26 Shanghai E-Prix double-header on Sunday, while Pascal Wehrlein moved into the championship lead after rival Mitch Evans failed to start.

Di Grassi charged from 19th on the grid to claim his first Formula E victory since London in 2022 and the first for Lola Yamaha since the manufacturer took over the Abt Cupra team's license in 2024.

Rain fell throughout the day at the Shanghai International Circuit before easing shortly before the start, prompting di Grassi and eventual runner-up Jean-Eric Vergne to gamble on dry setups while many of their rivals opted for wet configurations, reports Xinhua.

The strategy initially appeared risky as Di Grassi struggled in the early laps, conserving energy while running outside the points. As the circuit dried, however, the Brazilian began carving through the field and climbed to third before a full-course yellow on lap 24.

When racing resumed one lap later, Di Grassi was the only driver among the frontrunners with an unused Attack Mode. He activated the extra power to sweep past Vergne at the first corner of the final lap to secure victory, extending his record as Formula E's oldest race winner.

"We took the right risks today. In my position, where we were, we had to take those risks, and I'm so glad we managed to make it," said di Grassi, who is due to retire from Formula E at the end of the 2025-26 season.

"It was a great fight that we had, a great battle with Joel at the end, and I'm so happy for everybody.

"We've been working flat out. It's not always easy, but moments like this are why we do all of this," concluded the Brazilian, whose Lola Yamaha team had previously not finished higher than seventh this season.

Vergne completed an equally impressive recovery from 18th on the grid to finish second, while rookie Joel Eriksson claimed the first podium of his Formula E career in third after leading the closing stages before being overhauled on the final lap.

Wehrlein finished fourth after leading the early laps but faded as the drying conditions increasingly favoured drivers on dry setups. Nevertheless, the result moved the Porsche driver into the championship lead after Evans was unable to take the start because of a technical issue with the spec DC/DC inverter.

The non-finish leaves Evans nine points behind Wehrlein's total of 141 with three races remaining. Reigning champion Oliver Rowland, who finished the race in eighth, moves up to third on 114 points.

In the teams' championship, Jaguar still leads with 243 points despite not scoring, but Porsche has closed to within six points of the British marque.

Formula E now stays in Asia for a double-header around the streets of Tokyo on July 25-26.

Source: IANS

The post Di Grassi claims shock Shanghai Formula E victory as Wehrlein takes title lead appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Northamptonshire, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Teenager Kimi Antonelli produced another statement drive to win a dramatic sprint race at the British Grand Prix on Saturday, overtaking Lewis Hamilton before pulling clear to strengthen his grip on the Formula One drivers' championship, here at the Silverstone.

The 19-year-old Italian kept his cool during a hectic start at Silverstone. He used a smart burst of speed to pass Hamilton's Ferrari on the Hangar Straight on lap eight. After carefully saving his battery charge, Antonelli made his move with precision and never looked back. He secured victory and widened his championship lead to 43 points over Mercedes teammate George Russell.

While Antonelli focused on catching Hamilton, the fight behind them delivered plenty of early excitement. McLaren's Lando Norris, Mercedes' George Russell, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen swapped positions multiple times during the opening laps. Starting in sixth, Norris had a great start and climbed to fourth on the first lap before passing Russell on lap two. The trio continued to change places until Norris finally settled into third and began to pull away from the pack.

Russell eventually regained the upper hand over Verstappen on lap nine. Verstappen soon faced more pressure from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who passed the Red Bull a lap later to take fifth place. Unable to respond, Verstappen fell further behind but managed to defend sixth from McLaren's Oscar Piastri in the closing laps.

Further back, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson withstood late pressure from Red Bull's Isack Hadjar to secure the final points position.

Antonelli's calm victory marked another highlight in his impressive debut season. The Mercedes driver showed maturity beyond his years by beating seven-time world champion Hamilton, making another significant move toward his first Formula One title.

Qualifying for the British Grand Prix will start at 7:30 PM IST.

Source: IANS

The post Formula 1: Antonelli beats Hamilton to win British GP sprint appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Shanghai, July 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Formula E's largest calendar to date is driven by a desire to showcase the full potential of its new Gen4 cars, with series co-founder Alberto Longo insisting the championship remains committed to racing in city centres despite a growing number of permanent circuits.

The 2026-27 season will feature a record 21 races across 13 venues, with the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Britain's Brands Hatch, and Zandvoort in the Netherlands all joining the schedule, alongside the introduction of the new "E-Prix Unleashed" sprint format during double-header weekends.

Longo said having a second event in the United States was a key objective, with Austin emerging from several candidates because of its suitability for the new generation of cars, reports Xinhua.

"Being for a second time in the U.S. was such a key priority, top priority for Formula E," Longo told Xinhua before the Shanghai E-Prix. "We had three or four different tracks that we would have loved to be on, and I had talks with all of them. But in the end, we thought COTA would showcase the best performance out of our cars, and that was absolutely key for us."

A similar process led to the inclusion of Zandvoort, which is set to drop off the Formula 1 calendar after 2026. "We went and talked to many different permanent tracks, and Zandvoort won. They have had excellent races in F1 for many years. We have [Dutch driver] Nyck de Vries [in Formula E], who is a local hero. Our partner Liberty Global has a big presence in Amsterdam, so it was a good market."

Brands Hatch will replace London's ExCeL Circuit as Formula E's British home, a move Longo attributed to the increased size and performance of the Gen4 machinery. "Unfortunately, we were not able to continue at ExCeL. The track was too tight for the Gen4 cars, and it wouldn't allow us to showcase the real performance of those cars," he said.

Longo added that organisers intend to adapt the historic Kent circuit rather than simply use its existing layout.

"We're optimising it. Let's put it this way," he said. "We're data-driven people. If the simulations we do tell us that a corner has to go a little bit like this or like that to better showcase our technology or our cars, we do it."

STREET RACING REMAINS SERIES ETHOS

The addition of more permanent venues has prompted questions over whether Formula E is moving away from the street circuit identity on which it was founded in 2014, reports Xinhua.

Longo dismissed that suggestion. "Zero change," he said. "Our DNA is to be racing in the heart of the biggest cities of the world. That's what we are."

Longo added that market selection comes first, with permanent circuits used when suitable street layouts are unavailable or unable to display the capabilities of the latest cars. "Once we decide on the markets that we want to be racing at, then we look for tracks in the city centre, street tracks. If we don't find them, we go to a permanent track. If we find [a street track], but it will not showcase the best of the cars, we will go to a permanent track as well."

Longo said fan entertainment remains the overriding priority.

"We cannot forget that the most important thing for us is our fans, and showcasing the technology of these cars, the speed of these cars, and the show, the spectacle they are creating. This is absolutely paramount for us.

"We don't want to become a boring championship. We will still be the most fun championship in the world to watch."

DRIVERS BACK BALANCE IN NEW CALENDAR

Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans welcomed the expanded calendar, although the New Zealander admitted he still prefers street circuits. "The calendar looks great," Evans said. "I actually prefer more street tracks; I just love the challenge of a street track. But I think as the cars are getting faster, with Gen4, you need a good balance on the calendar between permanent facilities and street tracks."

DS Penske driver Jean-Eric Vergne shared a similar view, saying the larger and more powerful Gen4 cars will inevitably require more space.

"I prefer the street tracks, but the problem is the Formula E street tracks are too small for the new cars," the two-time champion said. "If we have more big tracks like Monaco, Singapore, and Baku in F1, it would be nice. But with smaller ones, I feel it's going to be too tight."

Vergne nevertheless described the changes as evidence of Formula E's continued growth. "I love the car. The calendar looks great as well. More races, new venues, nice ones," he said. "It's all very positive. It really shows that FE is going in a different league, especially with the car. So I'm happy with that."

Source: IANS

The post Formula E targets bigger stage with record 21-race calendar appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Shizuoka, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, the Japanese manufacturer announced on Tuesday.

Quartararo was with Yamaha from 2019, winning the pinnacle of motorcycle racing in 2021 as he enjoyed his most fruitful years with the Iwata-based manufacturer, including 11 wins and 32 podiums. The Frenchman was one of the sport's most loved figures in his eight years at the team, widely adored for his infectious enthusiasm, candid personality and commitment on and off the bike. Rins was recruited by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP for the 2024 season, returning from a spell with Honda where he was sidelined with a crash during his debut campaign with the manufacturer.

The Spaniard’s experience and race-winning pedigree offered a potential injection of new ideas into the YZR-M1 machine as it battled with its competitors.

However, Yamaha has struggled in recent years to compete on the regular, with Quartararo and Rins only having one podium between them as a pairing this season. That result belonged to Quartararo at last year's Spanish Grand Prix, although the 26-year-old has since suffered a winless run. The 2026 season has been a struggle, with Yamaha rooted near the foot of the constructors’ championship on just 64 points and Quartararo and Rins 15th and 17th respectively in the riders’ standings. Despite announcing their departures, Yamaha confirmed both riders would give their maximum effort to achieve the best possible results up to the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director, paid tribute to both Quartararo and Rins for their efforts.

"Fabio and Álex have both played an important role in Yamaha's MotoGP project, and we are very grateful for their efforts, dedication, and collaboration over the years.

"Fabio's journey with Yamaha spans eight years, during which we have shared both great successes and difficult moments. Together, we have grown, celebrated achievements that have shaped our story, and faced challenges that have strengthened us. Beyond the results, it is this journey that defines our relationship, and in the end, Fabio will always remain one of the true legends of Yamaha MotoGP.

"Since joining Yamaha in 2024, Álex has brought valuable experience, meaningful insight, and unwavering commitment, playing an important role in the YZR-M1 project's development.

"While saying goodbye is never easy after years together, we remain fully focused on working as a team to achieve the best possible results until the end of the season."

Source: IANS

The post Quartararo, Rins to leave Yamaha after 2026 MotoGP season appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Bologna, June 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Ducati ushered in a new era on Wednesday by signing rising Spanish star Pedro Acosta for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, just hours after confirming that two-time World Champion Francesco Bagnaia will leave the factory team at the end of 2026.

The 22-year-old Acosta, considered one of MotoGP’s top talents, will team up with seven-time World Champion Marc Marquez in what could be one of the sport’s strongest rider line-ups. Marquez recently renewed his contract with Ducati until 2028.

Acosta joins Ducati after a quick ascent through the ranks. He won the Moto3 and Moto2 world titles within three years of his championship debut and made an immediate impression in MotoGP. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in 2024 and finished fourth overall with KTM in 2025, achieving 13 podium finishes. He is currently sixth in the championship standings, 48 points behind leader Marco Bezzecchi.

This announcement also marks the end of an impressive eight-year partnership between Ducati and Bagnaia. Since he joined the team as a rookie in 2019, the Italian has become Ducati’s most successful rider. He has tallied 31 wins, 62 podiums, and 28 pole positions. He brought Ducati's first riders’ championship in 15 years by winning the MotoGP title in 2022.

Bagnaia's last race for Ducati will be at the Valencia Grand Prix from November 27 to 29. Reflecting on his departure, Bagnaia shared on Instagram, “We have grown together. We’ve faced every kind of situation without ever giving up, always encouraging each other to do our best. I feel the need to start fresh with a new challenge, but I’ll never forget what we’ve accomplished together. You’re part of me, and you always will be.”

Affectionately known as “Pecco”, Bagnaia has faced challenges since Marquez joined Ducati’s factory team in 2025. While Marquez secured a seventh world title last season, Bagnaia fell to fifth in the standings, finishing 257 points behind his teammate, despite previously carrying Ducati’s title hopes.

Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali praised the departing Italian, emphasising his influence beyond just numbers. “Sporting results show only part of Pecco's worth. His clean and elegant riding style (I like to call him 'Il Pinturicchio' — the little painter), along with his fairness on track and notable determination when overtaking, made Ducatisti love him. Moreover, he is a great professional and an even better person off the track.”

Bagnaia heads into this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix feeling more confident after winning his first race of the season in the Czech Grand Prix sprint. However, he narrowly missed a clean sweep after being overtaken late in Sunday’s race by Marquez and pole-sitter Ai Ogura, ultimately finishing third despite leading for several laps.

Source: IANS

The post MotoGP 2026: Ducati sign Pedro Acosta as Bagnaia to leave at end of season appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Bologna, June 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has committed his future to Ducati after signing a contract extension that will keep him with the Italian manufacturer until the end of the 2028 season, the team announced on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Spaniard joined the Borgo Panigale-based outfit in 2024 and, the following year, celebrated a renaissance when winning the Japanese Grand Prix, secured his seventh world crown and the first since 2019. His signing reaffirms Ducati’s confidence in one of the greats even though the start to the current season has been trying for Márquez. After initially struggling with the long term effects of several injuries in his 2026 campaign, Márquez has, once again, shown he possesses all of the hallmarks of a champion.

Less than a month after undergoing surgery on both his shoulder and left foot he marked the 100th win of his career in all categories with an utterly commanding performance in the Hungarian Grand Prix in Balaton Park earlier this month.

That form was carried over to the following weekend’s Czech Grand Prix which he duly won. “I am red. I am super happy with this new agreement with the Ducati Lenovo Team and to continue being part of this family. “With this renewal they have once again reaffirmed this commitment, respecting my times and giving me the peace of mind I needed to make the right decision,” Márquez said in a statement.

Márquez, who was 40 points adrift of championship leader Marco Bezzecchi before this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, admitted that he continues to race because he “loves this sport”.

“I continue to compete because I love this sport and I want to achieve even more ambitious goals,” he said. “I’m convinced this is the right place to do it. As long as I’m here, I’ll give my all to paint the future red.”

Source: IANS

The post MotoGP: Marquez extends Ducati stay until 2028, vows to ‘paint the future red’ appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Emmanuel brothers from Chennai, Johann and Geoffrey, came up with stunning displays over the weekend in the Yamaha R7 Cup run along with the European Superbike Championship (ESBK) and the BRICS Championship, respectively.

Johann Emmanuel, astride the Yamaha R7 and nursing a fractured wrist he had suffered during training, became the first Indian to score points with a seventh-place finish in the European Superbike Championship (ESBK) at Estoril, Portugal, marking a significant milestone for Indian motorcycle racing.

The teenager, who won the 2025 Qatar Championship and was crowned the 2025 KTM Cup Season 3 Pro Champion in India, is competing in the Yamaha R7 Cup, a one-make series that runs alongside the ESBK.

After a promising opening round in which he was running in podium positions before crashes ended both races, Johann returned in stronger form at the Circuito do Estoril in Portugal.

Starting 10th on the grid for Race 2, he steadily worked his way through the field, clocking fast and consistent lap times throughout the race.

His efforts were rewarded with a seventh-place

finish, securing his first points in European competition and making him the first Indian rider to score points in the European Superbike Championship.

Emmanuel also demonstrated impressive pace by setting the third-fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:49.875. His lap was quicker than the fastest lap recorded by race winner Daniel Ocete of Spain, who posted a 1:49.910.

Meanwhile, in Buriram, Thailand, 21-year-old Geoffrey Emmanuel secured a spectacular second-place finish for Gusto Racing at the Chang International Circuit during the latest round of the BRIC (Buriram United International Circuit) Championship last weekend.

Facing down a highly competitive grid on a brand-new track, Emmanuel delivered a fierce, edge-of-your-seat battle for the victory, ultimately crossing the line to claim a hard-fought second-place podium finish.

With this podium under his belt, Geoffrey continues to solidify his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents coming out of India. The focus now shifts to the next rounds of the championship, with Gusto Racing looking to carry this upward trajectory into the rest of the season.

Source: IANS

The post Johann Emmanuel secures points in European superbike championship; podium for Geoffrey in Thailand appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has initiated a major push towards reviving Formula 1 and strengthening the motorsports ecosystem in India by announcing the formation of a dedicated task force that will prepare a roadmap for the sport's long-term growth in the country.

The decision was taken following a comprehensive meeting chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya with officials from the Ministry, representatives of the national motorsports federation and other key stakeholders. The discussions focused on the current state of motorsports in India, the challenges that restrict its growth, and the opportunities to position the country as a major destination for international racing events.

As a key outcome of the meeting, the Ministry will establish a four- to five-member task force to conduct a detailed assessment of India's motorsports landscape. The panel will study the existing ecosystem and examine the infrastructural, operational and policy-related issues that need to be addressed to facilitate sustainable development of the sport.

The task force will also evaluate the broader benefits associated with hosting premier international motorsport events, including Formula 1. These will include the economic impact, tourism potential, international visibility and investment opportunities that such events can generate for the country.

“A task force will be constituted for the revival of Formula 1, with a focus on infrastructure development, a comprehensive policy framework, and a structured public-private partnership model to strengthen motorsports in India,” Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

Based on its assessment, the committee will identify priority areas requiring intervention, recommend infrastructure upgrades and outline the operational framework needed to support the expansion of motorsports in India. Its recommendations will subsequently be submitted to the Sports Ministry.

Using the task force's findings, the Ministry plans to formulate a comprehensive national policy framework to promote motorsports at multiple levels. The proposed framework is expected to address infrastructure development, talent development, event-hosting capabilities, and long-term governance mechanisms for the sport.

Recognising India's growing and passionate motorsports fan base, the Government also intends to place special emphasis on expanding the sport beyond elite competition. Plans include strengthening regional and grassroots motorsport centres to create a sustainable talent pipeline while improving access to facilities across the country.

To ensure effective implementation, the Ministry will explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models as part of a structured development strategy. The collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders is expected to play a crucial role in infrastructure development, event management and investment mobilisation.

The Government also intends to integrate motorsports into its broader 'Play in India' initiative, positioning the discipline as an important component of India's sporting ambitions while enhancing its global sporting profile.

Source: IANS

The post Task force to be formed for Formula 1 revival, motorsports policy in India: Sports min Mandaviya appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Jeddah, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Formula One has reduced its overall carbon footprint by 35 per cent compared to its 2018 baseline and remains firmly on track to achieve its goal of becoming a net-zero carbon sport by 2030, according to its 2025 annual sustainability review released on Wednesday.

The report revealed a 12 per cent drop in carbon emissions compared to 2024, indicating ongoing progress across the championship's operations despite the sport's global growth.

A key factor in this reduction has been travel-related emissions, which have decreased by 27 percent since 2018. Teams have invested more in sustainable aviation fuel, and Formula One has expanded remote broadcast operations to limit the need for personnel and equipment to travel worldwide.

"Cross-sport efforts to cut carbon emissions have resulted in the removal of nearly 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from Formula One operations since 2018," Formula One stated. "This is like one person flying over 500 million kilometres or making over 100,000 one-way transatlantic trips from London to New York."

The sport plans to host 22 Grands Prix this year and continues to work on reducing emissions related to moving teams, staff, and freight between race venues.

Formula One mentioned a significant milestone in this effort would be reached by the end of the decade. "By 2030, more than 50% of Formula 1’s current broadcast and related freight will be taken off air transport, marking an important milestone in meeting its minimum emissions reduction target," the statement added.

Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali noted that the latest figures showed the shared commitment of teams, partners, and organisers to make the sport more sustainable while continuing its global expansion. "I am proud of the teamwork that has kept us on track to reach net-zero by 2030," Domenicali said. “Through optimising the calendar, investing in sustainable fuels and alternative energy solutions, we have lowered our footprint as the sport keeps growing."

Source: IANS

The post Formula One cuts carbon footprint by 35%, remains on course for net-zero target by 2030 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chennai, June 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Shalini, the wife of well known Tamil actor and racer Ajith Kumar, who is currently in France along with her family to watch her husband's racing team 'Ajith Kumar Racing' make history, has now put out a post on social media that indicates the happy space the family is currently in.

Taking to her Instagram page to post pictures of their happy family in France, Shalini wrote, "A little bit of France, a whole lot of love!"

Meanwhile, Ajith Kumar's team, 'Ajith Kumar Racing', proudly completed its historic debut at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming the first Indian team to compete at the iconic endurance racing event.

Amidst an incredibly competitive grid of 62 cars and a challenging race environment, both Ajith Kumar Racing entries delivered commendable performances, successfully staying clear of major incidents and showcasing strong pace, consistency, and teamwork throughout the event.

While Car 36 that belonged to the team ended with an overall position of P13, Car 16 had a class position of P9, meaning it had a top 10 finish. Securing a top 10 class finish on debut at Le Mans marks a significant milestone not only for Ajith Kumar Racing but also for Indian motorsport on the global stage.

On the occasion, the racing team expressed its gratitude to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, "for delivering an exceptional event and creating an unforgettable atmosphere for teams, drivers, and fans alike."

Meanwhile, director Vijay, who is now directing the docu-film that will showcase actor Ajith Kumar's efforts on the racing track, has now thanked actor Ajith Kumar for inviting him to witness and capture the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Sources close to the actor confirmed to IANS that the docu-film A L Vijay is directing will be around 90 minutes long and will seek to inspire scores of youngsters to pursue their dreams.

Source: IANS

The post Shalini Ajith Kumar: A little bit of France, a whole lot of love! appeared first on Social News XYZ.