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Clark Rodgers
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Updates and an educated, fun and unique perspective into the world of Formula One and other motor sport disciplines.

  1. 2D AGO

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1134

    …ON TODAYS PROGRAM… MAX SAYS THE NEW CARS ARE ANTI-RACING, NOT FUN TO DRIVE FORMULA E ON STEROIDS!!! LCH SAYS NEW CARS SLOWER THAN GP2!! AAAHHH! AND RIDICULOUSLY COMPLICATED!! THE FANS WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND IT!!! LANCE STROLL INSISTS ASTON MARTIN 4 SECONDS SLOWER THAN LEADERS…sorry FERNANDO… ALPINE AND AUDI DISPLAY INTERESTING APPROACH TO REAR WINGS AND SIDE PODS….AND FERNANDO…THE ASTON. MARTIN CHEF COULD DRIVE THESE CARS!! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEKS SPECIAL GUEST: MIKA SALO AND PAUL VALLHAUG FROM NORWAY…! 2026 Bahrain Pre-Season Test - Day Three The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team has completed its first week of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, with Lance Stroll returning to the wheel of the AMR26. Lance headed out on track at approximately 10:30, completing running across both the morning and afternoon sessions, as the team focused on aero mapping as well as low and high fuel runs. He completed a total of 72 laps during the day. Across the three days in Bahrain, the AMR26 completed a total of 206 laps between Lance and Fernando, allowing the team to gather valuable data during the opening week of testing. The drivers will return to the cockpit next week for the second phase of testing, before final preparations begin for Melbourne. Mike Krack “After completing the shakedown in Barcelona, we have now finished our first test of the new season. We ran into some issues earlier in the week, and that’s exactly why we go testing - especially with new regulations. This whole package is very fresh, so it takes time to understand all the different elements and identify where we need to improve. A big thank you to the entire team for the hours worked across the three days of testing. We are realistic in knowing that there is a lot of performance still to unlock in this package, and it is important that we analyse all of our learnings ahead of next week. Williams F1 team 2026 Bahrain pre-season testing – Day 3   Alex Albon: We knew it was going to be a challenging three days getting up to speed and starting to understand the new car and regulations. The positive is that we got quite a few laps under our belt and the car seems reliable, which is never easy for the first week of testing. On my side, getting to grips with a new car has been a challenge, but I am enjoying the intricacies of it. There’s a lot of improvement to be done and a lot to learn to bring a better package for the next round of testing, so it will be a busy next week of really digging in to the data.   Carlos Sainz: Overall, it’s been good to test the car properly these past days and be able to do as many laps as we have done. We are still playing catch up on certain things, but doing over 210 laps has given me a much better understanding of what we can expect this year. The cars feel very different and it’s going to be a challenging season, but this is nothing new and I’m up for the challenge. It’s still early days to discuss performance in detail and compare ourselves to our direct competitors, but it is clear that the gap between teams is not as tight as last year, at least not for now. What is important for me is that we have identified the main areas we want to focus on in the upcoming weeks and I hope that we can improve gradually as we get closer to Melbourne. There is a lot of work ahead of us as a team so there is no time to lose. Théophile Nael leads the way on the final day of the Barcelona F3 pre-season test  Campos Racing’s Théophile Nael finished with the fastest lap on the final day of the Barcelona pre-season test, completing a 1:27.525 in the morning session when times were at their quickest.  In the afternoon, it was Gerrard Xie who ended up at the top of the leaderboard with a 1:29.676 for DAMS Lucas Oil.  MORNING  Similar to Day 2, the teams started with Qualifying runs on old Hard tyres, but before the first set of laps could be completed, the Red Flags were out with James Wharton stuck in gravel between Turns 7 and 8.  However, once the PREMA Racing driver was back in the pitlane, action resumed and Patrick Heuzenroeder went fastest with a 1:29.354.  The drivers then had new tyres fitted to their cars for their next set of laps, and this time it was Noah Stromsted on top by just 0.034s to Campos Racing’s Ugo Ugochukwu, with a 1:27.620.  Ugochukwu improved on his next attempt, but still wound up in second place, cutting the gap to the TRIDENT driver to just 0.020s, while teammate Théophile Nael moved up to third ahead of Freddie Slater.  With the majority of the field back in the pitlane, Nael returned to the track for more shot at a Qualifying lap and completed a 1:27.525 to go fastest by just 0.095s.  The teams then turned their attentions to long run performance, meaning that no one bettered Nael, who led the way ahead of Stromsted, Ugochukwu, Slater and Brando Badoer in the morning. AFTERNOON  Long runs kicked off the afternoon session with Van Amersfoort Racing’s Enzo Deligny setting the early pace with a 1:32.430.  That time was then beaten by Rodin Motorsport’s Brando Badoer as the session approached the 40-minute mark, and just before José Garfias stopped on track at Turn 6, bringing out the Red Flags.  Once the session resumed, AIX Racing went to the top of the leaderboard, with Brad Benavides’ 1:31.573 putting him ahead of Fernando Barrichello by 0.115s.  Running was paused once again just as the second hour was about to start, with Slater having stopped on track at Turn 12, causing the marshals to wave the Red Flags.  Race runs resumed as the drivers looked to make the most of the track time before the test ended. However, Fionn McLaughlin then got stuck in the gravel trap at the final corner, leading to another Red Flag stoppage.    Green flags were waved with over an hour to go in the day, with long run mileage still the top priority. However, heading into the final 30 minutes, Brando Badoer and then Matteo De Palo went quickest.   The TRIDENT driver completed a 1:30.910, which was over half a second quicker than Hitech’s Tim Tramnitz.  DAMS Lucas Oil then went faster with just over five minutes to go, Nicola Lacorte leading the way with a 1:29.676, over half a second faster than teammate Gerrard Xie.  There were no further improvements for the rest of the session, with Lacorte on top ahead of Xie, De Palo, Tramnitz and Badoer.  That wraps up pre-season testing with the drivers next out on track at Round 1 in Melbourne from March 6-8.  2026 FIA FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP – BARCELONA CIRCUIT, PRE-SEASON TESTING: DAY 3, MORNING SESSION |     |   DRIVER   |   LICENCE   |   TEAM   |   LAPTIME   |   LAPS   |   |   1   |   Theophile Nael   |   FRA   |   Campos Racing   |   1:27.525   |   46   |   |   2   |   Noah Stromste |   DEN   |   TRIDENT   |   1:27.620   |   33   |   |   3   |   Ugo Ugochukwu   |   USA   |   Campos Racing   |   1:27.640   |   46   |   |   4   |   Freddie Slater   |   GBR   |   TRIDENT   |   1:27.724   |   37   |   |   5   |   Brando Badoer   |   ITA   |   Rodin Motorsport   |   1:27.891   |   26   |   |   6   |   Patrick Heuzenroeder   |   AUS   |   Campos Racing   |   1:27.926   |   45   |   |   7   |   Brad Benavides   |   USA   |   AIX Racing   |   1:27.979   |   30   |   |   8   |   Tuukka Taponen   |   FIN   |   MP Motorsport   |   1:28.075   |   18   |   |   9   |   Louis Sharp   |   NZL   |   PREMA Racing   |   1:28.085   |   40   |   |   10   |   Nicola Lacorte   |   ITA   |   DAMS Lucas Oil   |   1:28.090   |   22   |   |   11   |   Taito Kato   |   JPN   |   ART Grand Prix   |   1:28.120   |   19   |   |   12   |   Christian Ho   |   SGP   |   Rodin Motorsport   |   1:28.132   |   27   |   |   13   |   Jin Nakamura   |   JPN   |   Hitech   |   1:28.144   |   41   |   |   14   |   Pedro Clerot   |   BRA   |   Rodin Motorsport   |   1:28.164   |   28   |   |   15   |   Tim Tramnitz   |   GER   |   Hitech   |   1:28.165   |   44   |   |   16   |   Maciej Gladysz   |   POL   |   ART Grand Prix   |   1:28.183   |   17   |   |   17   |   Matteo De Palo   |   ITA   |   TRIDENT   |   1:28.286   |   40   |   |   18   |   Enzo Deligny   |   FRA   |   Van Amersfoort Racing   |   1:28.315   |   26   |   |   19   |   James Wharton   |   AUS   |   PREMA Racing   |   1:28.338   |   41   |   |   20   |   Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi   |   THA   |   DAMS Lucas Oil   |   1:28.343   |   29   |   |   21   |   Kanato Le   |   JPN   |   ART Grand Prix   |   1:28.367   |   20   |   |   22   |   Yevan David   |   SRI   |   AIX Racing   |   1:28.409   |   27   |   |   23   |   Fernando Barrichello   |   BRA   |   AIX Racing   |   1:28.463   |   26   |   |   24   |   Alessandro Giusti   |   FRA   |   MP Motorsport   |   1:28.463   |   20   |   |   25   |   Hiyu Yamakoshi   |   JPN   |   Van Amersfoort Racing   |   1:28.482   |   35   |   |   26   |   Fionn Mclaughlin   |   IRL   |   Hitech   |   1:28.562   |   39   |   |   27   |   Jose Garfias   |   MEX   |   PREMA Racing   |   1:28.586   |   40   |   |   28   |   Bruno Del Pino   |   ESP   |   Van Amersfoort Racing   |   1:28.590   |   28   |   |   29   |   Mattia Colnaghi   |   ARG   |   MP Motorsport   |   1:28.965   |   21   |   |   30   |   Gerrard Xie   |   CHN   |   DAMS Lucas Oil   |   1:28.976   |   44   |   2026 FIA FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP – BARCELONA CIRCUIT, PRE-SEASON TESTING:

    1h 14m

  2. FEB 9

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1133

    …ON TODAYS PROGRAM… MERCEDES CAUSE PANIC! RIVAL TEAMS LOOK FOR FIA INTERVENTION BEFORE START OF SEASON. ALL EYES ON ADRIAN NEWEY AND ASTON MARTIN’S EXTREME NEWEY DESIGN BLOWING PEOPLES MIND! WILLIAMS COULD BE SAND BAGGING... AND, FERNANDO STILL THINKING OF THE TRIPLE CROWN!! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEKS SPECIAL GUEST: OLIVIER PANIS! Olivier Panis, originally from Oullins, Lyon, is a former French Formula One driver. Early in his career, Panis began with karting, progressing through several junior series before moving up to the French Formula 3 series. By 1990, he secured 4th place in the championship and achieved runner-up status the following year. After karting, Panis competed in two seasons of F3000. His initial season involved challenges with the Apamotox team’s stubborn Lola car, while the second season saw him racing for the highly viewed DAMS Equipe team. His perseverance paid off when he was crowned champion, setting the stage for his entry into Formula 1 with Ligier. At 27, Panis joined the French-based Ligier F1 team in 1994. He secured a surprise second-place finish at Hockenheim that season, ending the season 11th overall in the Drivers’ Championship. He continued to impress, securing another unexpected second place at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, despite trailing two laps behind the leader, and finished 8th in the championship. Panis’s most astonishing triumph came at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, where he drove his way to victory in treacherously wet conditions. It marked Ligier’s first win in 15 years—their last—and was the first French victory in a French car at Monaco in 66 years. However, apart from this win, Panis failed to finish higher than fifth for the remainder of the season. In 1997, racing for Prost, who had bought Ligier, Panis showed promise, placing third in the championship standings after six races. Unfortunately, a crash in Canada broke his leg, sidelining him for eight races. He returned for the season’s last three races and finished ninth in the championship. The 1998 season was less successful for Panis, who struggled to score points under Prost’s management. He earned only a single point across the following season, leading to the end of his relationship with the team. Panis then considered an offer from Williams but opted to test for McLaren instead, which kept his presence in the paddock despite a full-time drive. He joined BAR in 2001, although the team didn’t meet his expectations, finishing 14th for two consecutive seasons. In 2003, Panis moved to the new Toyota team to provide his experience and mentor his teammate, Cristiano da Matta. Although he improved in qualifying, his overall results mirrored his previous seasons, finishing 14th once again. Panis continued with Toyota through 2004, his tenth year in Formula One. He announced his retirement in October of that year, effective after the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix. He stayed with Toyota as a test driver through 2005 and 2006, ending his F1 career at age 37, with five podiums and 76 career points from 157 starts. Olivier Panis Formula One World Championship career. F1 Career 1994–1999, 2001–2004 Teams Ligier, Prost, BAR, Toyota Entries 158 (157 starts) Championships 0 Wins 1 Podiums 5 Career points 76 Pole positions 0 Fastest laps 0 First entry 1994 Brazilian Grand Prix First win 1996 Monaco Grand Prix Last win 1996 Monaco Grand Prix Last entry 2004 Japanese Grand Prix Olivier Panis Teammates 13 Teammates Involvement First Year Last Year Eric Bernard 13 1994  Johnny Herbert 1 1994  Franck Lagorce 2 1994  Aguri Suzuki 6 1995  Martin Brundle 11 1995  Pedro Diniz 16 1996  Shinji Nakano 10 1997  Jarno Trulli 34 1998 2005 Jacques Villeneuve 34 2001 2002 Cristiano da Matta 28 2003 2004 Ricardo Zonta 16 2004  Ryan Briscoe 5 2004  Ralf Schumacher 1 2005 HSR Pistons and Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network Returns to Sebring February 13-15. SEBRING, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2026) – Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Pistons & Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network kicks-off the 2026 HSR racing season next weekend at Sebring International Raceway, Feb. 13-15. The must-attend event once again celebrates Sebring's rich sports car racing heritage and notable aviation history with four days of on-track action and an airplane "fly-in" of retro civilian and military aircraft from the World War II era and last half century. HSR Pistons & Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network honors the legendary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring sports car race, which runs for the 74th time March 21, and Sebring International Raceway's patriotic aviation history. Hendricks Field, on which Sebring International Raceway stands, was built as a United States Army Air Forces training base during World War II. One plane scheduled to appear is a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor owned and piloted by Bob Hahnemann, who could be the first HSR Pistons & Props participant to take part in both the winged and four-wheel activity. An accomplished pilot and sports car racing competitor, Hahnemann is listed as a co-driver with his son, Matt Hahnemann, in Friday afternoon's B.R.M Chronographes Legacy Enduro in their 2007 No. 111 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car. Just after the race, Bob will taxi from the adjacent Sebring Regional Airport down the raceway’s Ulmann Straight (backstretch) in the T-34, joining a quality lineup of other must-see airplanes and accomplished pilots in a parade to the paddock. Positioned inside the Sebring paddock, the planes will be on display and available for viewing from Friday at 4:30 p.m. through late morning on Sunday. The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor was a post-World War II trainer that was a learning workhorse for thousands of cadets for more than 25 years.  It was used in the Air Force until the 1960s and a go-to in the Navy well into the 1970s. The senior Hahnemann and his partner, Len Tucker, purchased the plane four years ago from legendary NASA astronaut and United States Air Force Colonel Frank Borman, Commander of Apollo 8.  Apollo 8 was the first mission to fly around the Moon. Also a test pilot – and former President of Eastern Airlines – Borman put his own high-performance enhancements on the T-34, installing a Continental IO-550, which was the largest engine you could put in a Mentor. The twin "SU" lettering as the plane's nickname – SU SU IX – also continued Borman's tradition of using the first letters of his wife Susan's name on his aircraft. On the HSR competition side, a highlight of the overall entry list is a nice turnout of entries in the HSR Sasco Vintage Cup for Groups 2 and 3. Home to small-bore racing machines that deliver big-time competition, Sasco Vintage Cup features many unique and eclectic race cars. One particularly rare entry is the Olthoff Racing 1960 No. 26 GSM Dart driven by Englishman John Spiers.  The GSM was built in South Africa by Glass Sport Motor company.  The company, which manufactured the Dart from 1959 until 1962, got its name – Glass Sport – given its use of fiberglass.  The lightweight production sports cars were generally used for racing. The No. 26 has been modified to feature a full flip-top front end and left-hand drive. Power comes from a Ford 1600 Kent engine – produced in Kent, England – with twin side-draft carburetors. Spiers will battle with a top trio of British-built Ginettas, including frequent HSR race winner and podium finishers Hervey Parke in his 1965 No. 11 Ginetta G4 prepared by Michael’s Vintage Racing. Michael Oritt drives a similar 1961 No. 82 Ginetta G4 while Thomas Grudovich completes the quick Ginetta contingent in his 1966 No. 425 Ginetta G4. Another favorite small-bore British contender could be the comeback story of the weekend. Accomplished HSR driver Kenneth Greenberg was uninjured in a heavy Turn 1 accident in December's season-ending HSR event at Sebring, but his Air Power Racing 1964 No. 324 Morgan Plus 4 was nearly a total write off. Weston Farmer and the team at Air Power quickly went to work non-stop, and Greenberg and the Morgan are entered in the Vintage Cup sprints and B.R.M Legacy Enduro. Farmer reports many hours are still ahead before traveling to Sebring next week from the team shop in St. Augustine, Fla. after the Morgan's frame was destroyed and even the engine block was cracked in the incident. The team bought a similar 1967 Morgan chassis as a donor car, and the roll cage was completed last week. Oil lines, fuel lines and electrical systems are going in this week and a rebuilt engine recently arrived. For complete information on HSR Sebring Pistons & Props Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, including the event schedule and entry lists, visit www.HSRrace.com/sebring-pistons-and-props.  For tickets, visit www.SebringRaceway.com.

    1h 18m

  3. FEB 2

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1132

    …ON TODAYS PROGRAM… TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER DESIGNATING INDY CAR RACE THRU THE STREETS OF WASHINGTON DC! CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE USA!! WITH BARCELONA TESTING BEHIND US…WHO IS AHEAD? MERCEDES and FORD! FERNANDO SAYS…WE LEARN SOMETHING FROM ADRIAN NEWEY EVERYDAY! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEKS SPECIAL GUEST: JOHN WATSON!!! John Watson’s Formula 1 debut at 1973 British Grand Prix Watson’s first F1 car was a March-Cosworth 721 which he drove on the non-championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch. A year after, he was ready to move up to F1, making his debut in the British GP where he drove a Brabham BT37, and after that competed in the US Grand Prix with Brabham BT42. He retired in both races. In 1974, he drove for Goldie Hexagon Racing team with a Brabham BT42 and BT44, scoring his first world championship point with a sixth place at Monaco. He scored a total of six points that season. He failed to score points in the following year when he drove for Team Surtees before switching to the American Penske squad. First Formula 1 victory with Penske at Austrian Grand Prix He secured his first podium with the third place at the 1976 French Grand Prix. Later that season came his first victory, driving for Penske in the Austrian Grand Prix. After the race, he shaved off his beard, the result of a bet with the team owner Roger Penske. In 1977 and 1978, Watson raced with Brabham-Alfa Romeo machinery, in the first year for Martini Racing and in the second for Parmalat Racing Team. In 1977, problems with the car, accidents and a disqualification resulted with Watson racing the full distance in only five of the 17 races. In 1978, he reached three podiums and notched up 25 points to earn sixth place in the championship. In McLaren Team since 1979 For the season of 1979, Watson moved to Marlboro McLaren Team. The next two seasons were without any victories, and finally in 1981, at British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Watson secured his second F1 win. It was a maiden victory for the trend-setting carbon fibre composite monocoque McLaren MP4 car, designed by John Barnard, and managed by the team’s new boss, Ron Dennis. New monococque saved his life. Later in the season, the strength of the carbon fibre monocoque was demonstrated when John had a fiery crash at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix. He started seventh on the grid and raced for 19 laps. Watson lost control of the car, coming out of the high speed Lesmo bends and crashed backwards into the barriers. The car was halved but Watson walked away unhurt. Similar accidents had previously proven fatal, but Watson was uninjured, and that lucky break proved the strength of the new carbon fiber construction. Third place in the 1982 F1 championship His most successful year was 1982, when he finished third in the drivers’ championship, winning two Grands Prix (Zolder and Detroit). Most impressive was his victory at the first ever Detroit Grand, on a tight and twisty track that was difficult to pass through. Watson worked his way from the 17th starting position on the grid and charged through the field scoring a victory. Master-class victory at Long Beach Watson made a similar master-class victory the following year at the final Formula One race in Long Beach (USA). On the street circuit, he started from 22nd on the grid and succeeded to win the race. Watson’s final victory also included a fight for the position with his teammate Niki Lauda, who had started the race at the 23rd spot, but Watson ultimately finished 27 seconds ahead of his famous teammate. ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO COMPLETE BARCELONA SHAKEDOWN    Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain, 30 January 2026: The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team continued its Shakedown programme at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today, with Fernando Alonso getting behind the wheel of the AMR26 for the first time. Fernando headed out on track at approximately 09:30 and completed running across both the morning and afternoon sessions, with the team focused on mileage accumulation and initial reliability checks. He completed a total of 61 laps across the day. Across the two days of running in Barcelona, both Fernando and Lance Stroll have now driven the AMR26, allowing the team to build an early baseline understanding of the car. The team now concludes its Shakedown programme and looks ahead to the season launch and livery reveal on 9 February, followed by pre-season testing in Bahrain in a couple of weeks, before final preparations begin for the opening round of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne on 6-8 March. Fernando Alonso: “It’s always a special moment driving a new car for the first time, especially at the start of a new regulation cycle. Over the years I’ve experienced many changes in Formula One, and you quickly get a sense of the direction the car is taking. We completed a solid programme with strong mileage, which is the main priority at this stage. It’s still very early days and we have a lot of work still to do before we head to Melbourne in March.” Lance Stroll: “It was a huge effort across the team to get the car ready, so I really appreciate all the hard work that went into getting us on track. My running was limited, but it was good to get behind the wheel for the first time and start to get a feel for the car. I look forward to getting to Bahrain and driving the car again.” Mike Krack, Chief Trackside Officer, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team: “Getting a new car on track for the first time is always an important step. Bringing the AMR26 to life here in Barcelona has taken a big effort, both back at the AMR Technology Campus and from the team working trackside. I want to thank everyone across the team for the work that’s gone into getting us to this point. Having both drivers in the car and providing valuable feedback and data is an important part of our pre-season preparations. It’s also been helpful as we continue building our working relationships with new works partners, including Honda. We’ll now take what we’ve learned and keep developing the AMR26 ahead of Bahrain testing.” Presidential Announcement of Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Jan. 30, 2026) – An executive order signed today by President Donald J. Trump directed the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday to designate a race route through Washington, D.C. and the National Mall for the purposes of conducting an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on August 21-23, 2026. The event will recognize the historic milestone of America’s independence in addition to celebrating the unparalleled tradition and legacy of America’s motorsports industry. “INDYCAR racing is a source of pride and entertainment for our Nation, which is why I am pleased to announce the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.” said President Trump via the executive order. “This race, the first motor race ever to be held in our Nation’s capital near the National Mall, will showcase the majesty of our great city as drivers navigate a track around our iconic national monuments in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.” The full executive order can be viewed here: Executive Orders – The White House. The event will be administered by INDYCAR in coordination with the taskforce, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of the Interior, and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor. “For over one hundred years, American INDYCAR racing has set the pace for motorsports,” President Trump continued. “With speeds topping over 200 miles per hour, the cars and drivers inspire awe and respect in all who watch this quintessentially American sport.” For more than a century, INDYCAR has hosted the iconic Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on the Sunday before Memorial Day, annually the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event. “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” serves as a singular and powerful tribute to the United States Armed Forces, with a crowd of more than 350,000 people gathering to show respect and gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our military heroes. Legends of INDYCAR span multiple generations from racing greats like Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt to the stars of today like four-time SERIES champion Alex Palou and two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden. “President Trump has bestowed an incredible distinction upon our sport, and we’re grateful for his trust and support as INDYCAR prepares to honor our country with a tremendous racing spectacle,” said Roger Penske. “This will be a truly memorable event that celebrates our country’s independence and the legacy of patriotism, innovation, and excellence that powers motorsports across America.” “Freedom doesn’t ring, it revs! INDYCAR is about competition and pushing limits — the same things that have always defined America,” said United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. “There’s no better place to celebrate our 250th anniversary than bringing that energy to the nation’s capital and showcasing Washington, D.C. to the world.” "The Department of the Interior is proud to help bring the historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix to Washington, D.C. to showcase our treasured public spaces through a monumental event that captures the America spirit in the heart of our nation's capital," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "Like the sport of racing itself, this administration, under President Donald J. Trump, is moving at record speed to make life better for all Americans and ensure that the United States marks its 250th birthday with the celebration that it deserves. Start your engines, America!" “Soon-to-be the home of every major sports franchise, Washington, D.C. is the undisputed Sports Capital,” said Mayor Muriel

    1h 30m

  4. JAN 26

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1131

    A NUMBER OF TEAMS NOT SHOWING UP FOR DAY ONE OF TESTING! WILLIAMS TO MISS THE FIRST TEST ENTIRELY! MCLAREN WIN A $12 MILLION DOLLAR JUDGEMENT AGAINST ALEX PALOU FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT. SOME TEAMS STILL NOT HAPPY WITH ENGINE LOOP HOLE AND THE FIA’S ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM! DIFFUSER ARE BACK IN THE LIME LIGHT… AND…FERNANDO SEEN GIGGLING AND ANXIOUS TO GET HIS HANDS ON THE ASTON MARTIN! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…PERFECT FOR MEDITATION WE HAVE EDDIE CHEEVER!! Eddie Cheever Jr. carved out a unique place in Formula 1 history as one of the most tenacious American drivers to compete at motorsport’s highest level. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1958, Cheever spent nine seasons racing in Formula 1 between 1978 and 1989, becoming a familiar face on circuits from Monaco to Silverstone. His career spanned multiple decades and continents, transitioning from European Formula 1 circuits to American IndyCar ovals with remarkable adaptability. Cheever’s journey represents the classic American racing dream made reality through determination, skill, and an unwavering commitment to speed. This comprehensive examination explores Cheever’s complete racing story, from his early Formula 1 breakthrough to his IndyCar triumph at the Indianapolis 500, revealing how one driver successfully navigated two distinctly different racing cultures. Early Life and Racing Genesis Edward McKay Cheever Jr. was born on 10 January 1958 in Phoenix, Arizona, into a family that understood the value of pursuing ambitious goals. His father, Eddie Cheever Sr., recognised his son’s potential early and made the crucial decision to relocate the family to Europe when Eddie was just a teenager. This move proved instrumental in shaping Cheever’s racing destiny. The Cheever family settled in Rome, Italy, where Eddie began his formal motorsport education. This European base provided access to the junior formula series that served as a stepping stone to Formula 1. Unlike many American drivers who remained focused on domestic racing series, Cheever immersed himself completely in European racing culture from the beginning. His early racing experiences in Italy taught him the fundamental skills required for road course racing. The technical precision demanded by European circuits contrasted sharply with the oval racing that dominated American motorsport. Cheever adapted quickly to this environment, developing the car control and racecraft that would serve him throughout his career. Professional Development and Character Cheever’s personality combined American determination with European sophistication. Colleagues remember him as intensely focused yet approachable, possessing the communication skills necessary to work effectively with international teams. His bilingual abilities proved advantageous when working with Italian and French teams later in his Formula 1 career. His physical conditioning reflected the professional standards expected in Formula 1. Standing at medium height with a lean build, Cheever maintained the fitness levels required for the physical demands of racing at circuits like Monaco and Spa-Francorchamps. His consistency in qualifying and race performances demonstrated the mental toughness developed through years of European competition. Theodor Racing and Formula 1 Debut Cheever’s Formula 1 journey began with Theodor Racing in 1978, a Swiss team that provided opportunities for emerging drivers. The team operated with modest resources but maintained professional standards that prepared Cheever for the demands of Grand Prix racing. His debut came at a time when Formula 1 was becoming increasingly competitive and technologically sophisticated. Working with Theodor Racing taught Cheever essential lessons about Formula 1 operations. The team’s limited budget meant every component had to be used efficiently, and drivers were expected to provide detailed technical feedback to help optimise performance. These early experiences developed his engineering communication skills, which have proved valuable throughout his career. The Swiss team environment exposed Cheever to the international nature of Formula 1. Team members came from various European countries, requiring him to navigate different working styles and cultural approaches to racing. This multicultural exposure prepared him for future partnerships with larger, more diverse teams. Osella Partnership and Italian Racing Culture Cheever’s move to Osella in 1979 marked his introduction to Italian racing passion and technical innovation. The Italian team, based in Volpiano near Turin, represented the traditional approach to motorsport that characterised many European constructors. Working with Osella provided insights into Italian engineering philosophy and racing culture. The partnership with Osella lasted multiple seasons, allowing Cheever to develop long-term relationships with team personnel. Italian teams traditionally emphasised driver input in car development, and Cheever’s technical feedback became increasingly valuable as he gained experience with different circuits and racing conditions. Osella’s financial limitations meant Cheever often competed with older chassis and engines, requiring him to maximise performance through driving skill rather than technological advantages. These challenging circumstances developed his ability to extract speed from any available equipment, a skill that served him well throughout his career. Tyrrell Racing and Professional Growth The transition to Tyrrell Racing represented a significant step forward in Cheever’s Formula 1 career. Ken Tyrrell’s team maintained higher professional standards and provided access to more competitive machinery. The partnership offered opportunities to compete regularly for points and occasional podium positions. Tyrrell’s organisation reflected traditional British racing values, emphasising technical excellence and professional conduct. Working with experienced team members taught Cheever advanced car setup techniques and race strategy development. The team’s systematic approach to Grand Prix weekends provided a template for professional racing operations. The British team environment required Cheever to adapt to different communication styles and working methods. Tyrrell’s emphasis on driver development aligned well with Cheever’s commitment to continuous improvement, creating a productive partnership that advanced his Formula 1 career significantly. Renault Factory Team Experience Joining Renault marked the pinnacle of Cheever’s Formula 1 team affiliations. The French manufacturer’s factory team provided access to cutting-edge technology and unlimited resources, representing a dramatic change from his previous partnerships. Renault’s turbo engines offered competitive power levels that enabled regular points scoring and podium contention. The factory team environment exposed Cheever to advanced engineering methods and sophisticated data analysis techniques. Renault’s technical departments employed hundreds of specialists working on aerodynamics, engine development, and electronics systems. This exposure to high-level motorsport technology broadened his understanding of Formula 1’s technical complexity. Working alongside experienced teammates provided valuable learning opportunities. The collaborative environment at Renault encouraged information sharing between drivers, helping Cheever refine his car setup techniques and race strategy approaches. These partnerships demonstrated the importance of teamwork in achieving consistent Formula 1 success.

    1h 35m

  5. JAN 19

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1130

    RED BULL UNVEILS THEIR 2026 LIVERY….BORING NASSER AL ATTIYAH WINS HIS SIXTH DAKAR TITLE BENAVIDAS WINS THE BIKE CLASS BY ONLY 2 SECONDS FORD AND CADILLAC ALREADY EXCHANGING INSULTS AND FERNANDO…SHOWING OFF HIS CAR COLLECTION IN. MONACO! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…PERFECT FOR RELAXATION!  NEXT WEEK WE HAVE EDDIE CHEEVER!! Benavides Hits Back For Historic 2026 Dakar Rally Title As Al-Attiyah Wins Again! Argentine wins maiden Bike title by just two seconds while Baciuška dominates Stock category for glory. Argentina's Luciano Benavides hit back from a 3m20s deficit at the start of the final Stage 13 to win the 2026 Dakar Rally Bike title in thrilling fashion by just two seconds - the smallest margin in Dakar history - for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing as Lithuanian Rokas Baciuška also claimed a maiden title in the Stock class and Nasser Al-Attiyah held his nerve to wrap up a sixth Ultimate class title. Here is all you need to know: - Benavides looked to have blown his chance on Friday as Honda rival Ricky Brabec overtook him in the overall standings, however the 30-year-old was in no mood to back down and rode superbly on Saturday in the final sprint to the Yanbu finish and pip the American - who made a late navigational error - to glory by just two seconds. - It is the smallest margin of title victory in Dakar history, the Salta native joining his older brother Kevin as Dakar champions on two wheels after his title wins in 2021 and then 2023 for KTM. Making Benavides' victory even more incredible in Saudi Arabia were the knee and shoulder injuries that he sustained just three months ago. - Luciano admitted: "I cannot believe it! I never stopped dreaming. To win by just two seconds is unreal. I woke up today full of motivation and energy, trusting myself to do what I can. That's the key to success at the Dakar. My brother Kevin won by 43 seconds in 2023 and that was the closest finish ever. Now I've won by two seconds. Two seconds after two weeks and over 8,000km is hard to believe." - With Spaniard Tosha Schareina rounding out the podium, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Daniel Sanders and Edgar Canet also finished after experiencing a rollercoaster two weeks in the desert. Reigning Bike champion Sanders suffered a broken collarbone on Wednesday, but dug deep to end up in fifth just over an hour behind while Spaniard Canet, 20, won three stages including the final one. - Sanders, 31, said: "At the finish I was in so much pain I just wanted to lie down. Then they told me Luciano had won, so I rushed over to congratulate him. That's the Dakar, it's never over until it's over. I'm just happy to make it to the finish line." Canet added: "I'm happy for all the KTM family. We show all the time that we have the fastest bike." - Baciuška already had three overall Dakar podium finishes in his locker - two in the SSV class and one in Challenger - however he went one better with a dominant Stock class performance over the two weeks that saw him bank seven stage victories en route to a 3hr58m victory from Defender Dakar D7X‑R teammate Sara Price with 14-time Dakar champion Stéphane Peterhansel finishing back in fourth. - Baciuška, 26, declared: "It's amazing for Defender to win in their first year. This is my fifth Dakar and I'm bringing home my first win. The team did a big job and missed out on a lot of sleep." - The Ultimate class did not go right down to the wire like many thought heading into the second week as Qatari Al-Attiyah drew on all his rally-raid experience to keep a comfortable cushion in his Dacia Sandrider from the challengers behind to win his sixth Dakar title. The Ford Raptor T1+ of Spaniard Nani Roma was second and his Swedish teammate Mattias Ekström third - just like his 2025 result. - Al-Attiyah, 55, revealed: "From the start we believed we could win this race. We started from zero with this Dacia project and we've developed the car so much. Now we've won the Dakar. Thank you to my co-driver Fabian and thank you to the team. I'm so happy to win the Dakar for the sixth time." - Frenchman Sébastien Loeb was frustrated again in his title quest finishing fourth with Spanish legend Carlos Sainz fifth, Brazilian Lucas Moraes seventh, former two-time Bike champion Toby Price of Australia eighth and young American Seth Quintero also earning a top-10 Ultimate finish in ninth. 2 / 3 - Spaniard Cristina Gutiérrez, American Mitch Guthrie Jr, Spain's Laia Sanz, South African Henk Lategan and Belgian Guillaume De Mévius can also be pleased with their efforts over the gruelling, tricky terrain especially the latter whose French co-driver Mathieu Baumel sported a new prosthetic leg. The Challenger class was packed full of encouraging daily performances from both Argentine Kevin Benavides - who finished seventh on the back of an excellent second week - and local Saudi driver Dania Akeel, who was consistently on the podium to cheer the home fans out supporting her in eighth. - Benavides, 37, said: "It's an historic day for our family and an historic day for the Dakar. I'm so proud of my brother Luciano. It was a tough start to life on four wheels in the first week, but we didn’t give up." Akeel, 37, added: "We made it to the finish line, which is the most important thing you can do at the Dakar. I had one too many punctures on Stage 3 and that put me back." - Finally in the SSV class, Swedish debutant Johan Kristoffersson can be proud of his first Dakar tilt after he overcame going upside down in the opening Prologue to bounce back for stage podium finishes and an eighthplace finish while three-time Dakar champion Francisco 'Chaleco' López won one stage in ending sixth overall. - Kristoffersson, 37, said: "It's been two very eventful weeks. It started off really tough and from there we got up to a better road position. Then it started getting really enjoyable."

    1h 1m

  6. JAN 11

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1129

    AUDI FIRST TO TEST THEIR 2026 CAR IN BARCELONA! ANOTHER MEETING SCHEDULED OVER THE ENGINE LOOP HOLE ISSUE! TOTO WOLF CONFIDENT MERCEDES HAS DONE IT AGAIN! DAKAR RALLY FIRST WEEK HAS BEEN AN EXCITING FIGHT BETWEEN FORD, DACIA AND TOYOTA…AND FERNANDO SAYS… THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEK WE HAVE PETER WINDSOR OF USF1 FAME…AND OUR BONUS…VENEZUELA’S OWN MILKA DUNO…BRAVO! Smiles for miles as Benavides brothers score historic multi-discipline double! We didn’t have to wait long for the 2026 Dakar Rally to serve up a slice of history in its second week. The fastest biker on Stage 7 was Luciano Benavides and the winner of the Challenger stage was his older brother Kevin! The siblings from Salta, Argentina were unbeatable on the 462 kilometres of dunes and fast tracks that stretched between Riyadh and Wadi Ad-Dawasir. A new chapter of the Dakar’s near 50-year history has been written, the first time a pair of brothers have won the same stage in different categories! Red Bull KTM Factory Racing biker Luciano Benavides got his second week of the Dakar off to the best possible start. Luciano is riding under his lucky number 77 and this victory on Stage 7 was the seventh stage win of his Dakar career. Things are really starting to add up for the Argentinian biker.   “It’s the first time in history that two brothers win in two categories on the same day. This is something incredible!” – Luciano Benavides Luciano was waiting at the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac to congratulate his brother Kevin Benavides on the family’s second victory of the day. Kevin is debuting in the Challenger class after switching from two wheels to four. The elder Benavides brother won the Dakar bike race twice. Now he’s got his first Dakar stage victory behind a steering wheel. “I never dreamed something like this could happen, I’m so happy for this moment. It was tough to get this victory. When I finished the stage they told me that Luciano had also won! It’s a proud day for our family.” – Kevin Benavides Luciano Benavides is currently third overall in the bike race, but just 15 seconds behind Honda rider Ricky Brabec in second. Top of the pile is Benavides’s KTM team-mate Daniel Sanders who is over four minutes in front of his nearest rivals. The Australian refused to get sucked into any tactical battle on Stage 7. The day’s big mover in the Ultimate class was Mattias Ekström and his Ford Raptor T1+. A stage win for the Swede saw him climb from fourth overall at the Rest Day to hold second place tonight. Ekström scored his maiden podium finish 12 months ago and his sights are firmly fixed on the Dakar's biggest prize of all this time around. “When I got to the end the gaps were bigger than I expected, but still smaller than I wished. Now we’re second in the overall and there’s a lot of racing left.” – Mattias Ekström   Ultimate class leader Nasser Al-Attiyah goes into tomorrow’s 481-kilometre loop stage around the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac with an advantage of 4m47s over Ekström. Al-Attiyah picked up some superficial damage to his Dacia Sandrider on Stage 7 that will need to be repaired before the next jumbo day of racing. “We hit a tree and that completely removed the left corner of our car. That will get fixed tonight.” – Nasser Al-Attiyah The most dramatic moment in the Ultimate class on Stage 7 was provided by Henk Lategan of Toyota Gazoo Racing. The South African had done enough on the way to Wadi Ad-Dawasir to take the overall lead from Al-Attiyah. Then a mechanical issue stopped Lategan in his tracks just shy of the finish line. The Toyota Hilux driver will start Stage 8 sitting fourth overall, now 7m21s behind his Dacia rival. “We were going so well today until we came to a bump and a dip. When we hit the dip it broke the damper. We had to stop to take the old one out and put the new one in.” – Henk Lategan A superb opening week for the Defender Rally Team rolled into the second week with another stage win in the Stock category. It was the Defender Dakar D7X‑R of Stéphane Peterhansel that set the pace giving Monsieur Dakar his third stage win of this Dakar. Peterhansel’s team-mate Rokas Baciuška was just 21 seconds off the Frenchman’s time and it’s the Lithuanian who maintains the overall lead of the Stock class. “For most of the stage the average speed was very high, but there was also a section of open dunes. It was a pleasure to drive this stage, it was perfect for the Defender.” – Stéphane Peterhansel In the SSV class there’s still everything to play for in fight for those podium spots. Portugal’s Gonçalo Guerreiro is laser-focused on recovering time lost in the first week and promoting himself from fifth overall to the podium on the remaining six stages. “This stage was completely flat out, I think it was the fastest stage until now. At one waypoint we lost two minutes and this put us behind some drivers. Overall, I’m happy with the stage we did. We were just one minute and a half down from the stage winner in the end.” – Gonçalo Guerreiro Also in the SSV class there was a much brighter start to the second week than the first week for Johan Kristoffersson. The eight-time World Rallycross champion is making his Dakar debut and the dune sections of the route are proving to be a highlight for the Swede.   “One puncture very early. We got the tyre changed quicker than before, but there’s still room for improvement. Today I really enjoyed the dunes. The rest of the stage was flat out on the limiter.” – Johan Kristoffersson The Dakar Rally has returned to Wadi Ad-Dawasir for the first time since 2022 and the comeback is looking epic. Tomorrow is the longest timed special stage of the 48th edition of the Dakar Rally. The 481-kilometre loop around the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac encompasses a wide variety of terrain. Stage 8 is like a mini Dakar Rally raced over one single day with dunes, fast piste and a host of navigational challenges on the menu plus much else besides! Italian F4 Champion Kean Nakamura-Berta joins the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy Atlassian Williams F1 Team is pleased to welcome reigning Italian F4 Champion Kean Nakamura-Berta to the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy. The Japanese-Slovak driver has already demonstrated consistency and speed throughout his early career, with multiple karting titles to his name. Kean made his karting debut at seven years old, quickly going on to compete in international karting and securing both the 2021 CIK-FIA OKJ World Championship and the 2022 CIK-FIA OK European Championship. Graduating to single seaters at the end of 2023 in the F4 South East Asia Championship, Kean had an impressive debut campaign securing two pole positions and a podium, further adding to this with two race wins and six further podiums in the 2024 Formula UAE Championship. 2025 was a breakout year for Kean as he secured the Italian F4 Championship with nine wins and multiple podiums across the season. The rising star will challenge for the Formula Regional Middle East and Formula Regional European championships in 2026. As part of the Academy, Kean will have the team’s full support and guidance in nurturing his talent and developing his skills throughout his progression in the junior categories of motorsport.  The Academy supports drivers on every rung of the motorsport ladder, working with them on and off the track to develop the skills necessary to race at the top level. The Academy has a proud tradition of supporting young talent, which has most recently seen Academy alumnus Franco Colapinto graduate to an F1 race seat.  Kean Nakamura-Berta: “I’m very excited to be joining the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy this year. It’s a team that has achieved so much and has a vast history, and I’m proud to be part of it. Racing in Formula Regional will be a new challenge but one that I’m especially looking forward to. Thank you to everyone at Williams for believing in me, and I can’t wait to start this new chapter!” Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “We’re thrilled to have Kean join the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy at this key moment in his career. He has shown a lot of promise, proving that he is capable of learning, adapting and ultimately winning championships. We look forward to working with him this year and will watch keenly as he hits the track.”

    1h 9m

  7. JAN 5

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1128

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!… HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICHAEL SCHUMACHER…57 EVERYBODY GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAX THINKS OF THE NEW CARS!…FOR SURE. LOGAN SARGENT BACK IN THE DRIVERS SEAT FOR THE 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA… FLAVIO BRIATORE EXPLAINS TO THE UNIVERSE WHY FERNANDO’S 2005 CHAMPIONSHIP WAS MORE THAN SPECIAL….HE BEAT SCHUMACHER TWO YEARS IN A ROW…IT WAS BIG!! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEK WE HAVE GIANCARLO FISICHELLA! BONUS INTERVIEW...MARIO ANDRETTI AT LAGUNA SECA. Flavio Briatore, the former boss of F1 legend Fernando Alonso, has explained the wider importance of the Spaniard's 2005 world championship win. Alonso is a two-time world champion, having claimed back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 with the Renault team, beating seven-time champion Michael Schumacher in both of those years. He has since gone on to compete for another 20 years - barring two seasons off for 'retirement' - and has now raced in more grands prix than any other driver in F1 history. Alonso is still going strong at the age of 44, and is hoping to once more challenge for podiums and race wins in the near future with Aston Martin. But now, his former boss has taken us all back to 2005, when Alonso became the youngest champion in F1 history at a time after a seven-win season. "He replaced a world champion and many criticised him for being young and inexperienced, but I believed in him," Briatore said in a new DAZN documentary titled Bravissimo. "I was sure he was special. Over time you realise that he wasn't just special, he was something more than that. "In 2005 we not only won a world championship, we also introduced Formula 1 to Spain. It was the moment when everyone truly got to know Fernando Alonso. Not just because he won the world championship, but because of how he won it; we did it with authority." Can Alonso win another race? Now 44 years old, Alonso's hopes of claiming a third world championship title may be fading away, but he could still claim a 33rd career grand prix victory. Alonso has not won a race since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, but does have a contract that runs until the end of next season, and may even go on beyond that. The Spaniard has said that, if Aston Martin provide him with a car that's fighting for race wins in 2026, he'll be happy to retire, but if they're still struggling for top 10 finishes, he may well carry on beyond that. Alonso's driving ability is still there compared to his rivals, out-qualifiying his much younger team-mate Lance Stroll ahead of a grand prix on all 24 occasions in 2025. Sharp rocks cut deep into the convoy during frantic first stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally. The 2026 Dakar Rally began to stretch it’s legs on Stage 1 with over 300km of racing over the rock fields surrounding Yanbu. Perilous terrain was waiting to take a big bite out of the convoy as they were plunged into the deep end at the world’s toughest rally. Let’s see who managed to keep their heads above water… It was Guillaume de Mévius and Mathieu Baumel who put the hammer down hardest on Stage 1 of the Ultimate class battle. The duo dodged all obstacles in their path, bringing their MINI JCW Rally 3.0i back to the Yanbu Start Camp Bivouac in first place overall. It’s an incredible achievement considering their participation at this Dakar was thrown into serious doubt when Baumel was forced to have his right leg amputated last year. 'Winning a stage always feels good, but it wasn't really our strategy for the day. Tomorrow, Mathieu and I will be opening and I'm very happy about that. With Mathieu on my right, I'm not worried about opening a special.” – Guillaume de Mévius Nasser Al-Attiyah got his Dacia within 40 seconds of De Mévius’s front-running vehicle. The Qatari gave us an insight into his tactics for tomorrow’s 400-kilometre special stage that will bring the convoy to Al-Ula. “We were pushing, but then we saw Seb with two flat tyres so tried to take it easy. Then Guillaume passed us and we stayed behind him all the way. Tomorrow I will start three minutes behind Guillaume and we can push.” – Nasser Al-Attiyah Also finding themselves in a strong position to attack on the mountainous tracks that await tomorrow are the four Ford Raptor T1+ crews. Mattias Ekström, Carlos Sainz, Nani Roma and Mitch Guthrie Jr. all find themselves in the Top 10 and will be out to turn the screw on Stage 2. “There’s 25 really fast drivers and 14 days of racing so you have to take care of your own business while keeping an eye on everybody else.” – Mattias Ekström Rally organisers placed a pitstop midway through the stage for four-wheel competitors due to the sheer amount of sharp rocks on the route. Top drivers including Sébastien Loeb, Toby Price, Cristina Gutiérrez, Laia Sanz, Henk Lategan and Seth Quintero all got their tyres sliced on Stage 1 as the Dakar showed its teeth during the first long stage of 2026. “It’s like driving on razor blades out there!” – Seth Quintero Leading the charge for the debutant Defender team in the Stock class on Stage 1 was Rokas Baciuška. The Lithuanian set the Stock category’s fastest time to create a piece of Dakar history. Baciuška is now the only World Rally-Raid Championship driver to win stages in Ultimate, Challenger, SSV and now Stock divisions. “There’s a lot of dust out there because the Stock category starts each day at the back. I’m used to driving in the dust from my days driving SSV so that might help me out this year. Tomorrow will be another tough day so we’ll see how we deal with it.” – Rokas Baciuška First to leave the Start Camp Bivouac this morning were the bikers with the leading contenders hitting the stage at 8am. Prologue victor Edgar Canet of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing maintained his impressive pace to make it back-to-back stage wins. 20-year-old Canet is making his debut in the Dakar’s RallyGP category for elite bikers and it’s so far, so good for the Catalan. “I did a good job with the navigation, I just got lost for a little bit. You need to take care in the rocks not to destroy yourself or destroy your bike.” – Edgar Canet Also taking a spot on the Stage 1 podium was Canet’s KTM team-mate Daniel Sanders. The 2025 Dakar champion kept his head despite being attacked by sandstorms while racing for over three hours. “It was really windy and my helmet was catching a lot of wind so it was hard to focus.” – Daniel Sanders Harith Noah and Mohammed Balooshi both endured tough days on the bike. Indian rider Noah was airlifted to hospital in Riyadh due to back injuries following a crash. We wish Harith a speedy recovery from his injuries. Meanwhile, Balooshi also suffered an accident during the stage, although he was able to bring his Honda CRF 450 to the finish line. “At the refuelling a doctor tried to fix my finger and knuckle. I rode this 300km stage unable to grip since kilometre 20. I just tried to survive. This is Dakar!” – Mohammed Balooshi There was plenty of rock and rolling in the Challenger class with Dania Akeel arriving to the finish of Stage 1 with the driver’s side door ripped off her Taurus T3 Max. Despite some superficial damage to the machine, both Akeel and her BBR team-mate Kevin Benavides stayed within 10 minutes of early category leader David Zille. “I’m not sure what happened with the door because we didn’t hit anything. Maybe there was something loose. We had one puncture so we lost some time changing the tyre. It was also very dusty with so many Ultimate cars around us. But that’s part of the game. Thanks to my co-driver Sébastien for a great stage.” – Dania Akeel After today’s 305-kilometre loop around Yanbu it’s still very tight at the top of the SSV class. Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López won the SSV race at the Dakar in both 2019 and 2021. After Stage 1 in 2026 the Chilean is just four minutes off leader Xavier De Soultrait, with Gonçalo Guerreiro a further 30 seconds behind. “We need to keep working hard to reach the finish of this rally. It was very tough on the rocks today so I’m happy with the time we posted.” – Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López Showing grit and determination worthy of the Dakar was eight-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson. The Swede did not get his Dakar debut started as he wanted when his Polaris RZR Pro R ended up on its roof during the Prologue. However, Kristoffersson dusted himself down and took his place on the start line of Stage 1. Despite eating a lot of dust, the rookie recorded the day’s 13th best time in the SSV class. For tomorrow's Stage 2 the convoy depart Yanbu and the shores of the Red Sea, heading inland towards the treasures of Al-Ula. Competitors hoping to establish an early race rhythm will be frustrated by the constantly evolving terrain under their wheels. Every brief section of flat out speed is quickly followed by a technical section over the rocks. As with Stage 1, a midway pitstop has been added for four-wheel competitors to attend to any punctures suffered on the rocks. ULTIMATE – Top 3 plus selected 1. G. De Mévius (BEL) / M. Baumel (FRA) – MINI 03:07:49
 2. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / F. Lurquin (BEL) – Dacia +00:40
 3. M. Prokop (CZE) / V. Chytka (CZE) – Ford +01:27 
4. M. Ekström (SWE) / E. Bergvist (SWE) – Ford +01:38
 6. C. Sainz (ESP) / L. Cruz (ESP) – Ford +01:54
 8. N. Roma (ESP) / A. Haro (ESP) – Ford +02:37
 9. M. Guthrie Jr. (USA) / K. Walch (USA) – Ford +02:50 
10. S. Loeb (FRA) / É. Boulanger (FRA) – Dacia +03:01
 11. L. Moraes (BRA) / D. Zenz (GER) – Dacia +03:34
 15. C. Gutiérrez (ESP) / P. Moreno (ESP) – Dacia +05:00
 16. T. Price (AUS) / A. Monleón (ESP) – Toyota +05:17
 17. H. Lategan (ZAF) / B. Cummings (ZAF) – Toyota +06:57
 18. S. Quintero (USA) / A. Short (USA) – Toyota +07:18 
26. L. Sanz

    1h 4m

  8. 12/29/2025

    F1Weekly Podcast # 1127

    TALK OF THE TOWN IS… THE FIGHT IS BETWEEN RED BULL / FORD AND MERCEDES… CAN FERRARI AFFORD TO MISS THE BOAT AGAIN?… BUT WAIT…WITH ADRIAN NEWEY IN CHARGE ISN’T ASTON MARTIN THE FAVORITE? ABSOLUTELY NO FAN FARE FOR RENAULT’S DEPARTURE FROM F1 ...SHAMEFUL…….AND…FERNANDO ALONSO EXPECTS TO SKIP ALL THE CRAP AND GO RIGHT TO THE TOP! THIS WEEK’S NASIR HAMEED CORNER…MORE VINTAGE BANTER BETWEEN THE HOST AND NASIR…THIS WEEK WE HAVE RICHARD DUTTON OF FORTEC MOTORSPORT. For over 30 years Fortec Motorsport have been one of the leading lights in single seater racing, both at home and in Europe, helping develop young drivers such as Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo and Juan Pablo Montoya into future F1 stars. Under the guidance Richard (and his son Oliver), over the past three decades the team have established a proven track record of success in the junior formulas. It is owned by former racing driver Richard Dutton, who started working for the team in 1993 before buying the outfit two years later. It began racing in Formula 3000 and has grown to become one of the biggest single-seater race teams in Europe. The Daventry-based squad has vast experience in competing in Formula Renault 3.5, plus Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, FIA European Formula 3 Championship, F4 British Championship, GB3 Championship, and GB4 Championship. Since 2016 it has regularly won races in Britain’s top single-seater categories and challenged for titles, while also propelling Tom Gamble and Johnathan Hoggard to the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. Fortec Motorsports driver profile consists of many strong names and the team prides themselves on maintaining a great relationship with their drivers. The team’s most recent F1 graduates are Oliver Bearman, who made his Scuderia Ferrari debut in the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and Luke Browning, who is a member of the Williams Driver Academy. With a strong pedigree in motorsport and consistent success in developing talented young racing drivers, Fortec Motorsports remains a top choice for young drivers wishing to further their motorsport career. The team takes great pride in preparing all of its drivers both mentally and physically for the demands of top-level motorsport and, as they grow and develop as part of the team, are able to rise through the ranks with ease.

    1h 27m
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