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SVG SUFFERS TESTING CRASH PIRELLI SET TO REMAIN FORMULA 1’S TYRE SUPPLIER PIRELLIA IS expected to continue being the offical tyre supplier for Formula 1 until 2027 with a new deal “in the final phases” in Italy. Rumours emerged the Italian tyre manufacturer was poised to seal the deal with the FIA and Formula 1 on home turf at Monza last weekend where it was also the title sponsor. Pirelli has been supplying Formula 1 tyres since 2011 after taking over from Bridgestone and it made the bold switch to 13 to 18-inch tyres in 2022. The current contract ended at the end of 2024 and the FIA recently opened a tender for interested parties for the 2025 to 2027 window with an option to extend another year. Pirelli’s F1 chief Mario Isola told Sky Sports F1 the process was approaching the finish line when asked for an update. “Not yet but I hope we are in the final phases,” he said. “I believe F1 and the FIA have all the elements to make a final decision.” After beating Hankook to win the previous tyre tender, Pirelli was rumoured to be facing stiffer competition from the previous control tyre Bridgestone. Back in June Isola revealed the latest tyre tender was “a lot more complicated” than previous instances. But these fears are now no more with Pirelli expected to remain part of Formula 1 for a record 17th season come 2027.
A PIVOTAL Gen3 test for Shane van Gisbergen and Richie Stanaway ahead of the Sandown 500 on Tuesday did not go to plan at Queensland Raceway. Van Gisbergen was flying down the last of the four long straights at Ipswich before things went astray as he approached the right-handed turn six. The Kiwi suffered a brake failure and could not stop the #97 Camaro from skating through the gravel trap and going head on into the tyre barrier at the final corner. Van Gisbergen is okay after extracting himself from the passenger
door with the driver’s side blocked from being wedged in the barrier. However, the car has sustained significant frontend damage and there were fears it would not return for the remainder of the day. However, the team put in a mighty rebuild to get car #97 back out on track before the end of the day. “Unfortunately Shane had a brake failure,” Stanaway told Supercars.com after the incident. “The main thing is he is okay, because he had a pretty big impact. “Disappointing test for us, because we had a lot on the programme for
today. I didn’t get any laps this morning before the incident. “Not an ideal lead-in to Sandown, but that’s the positive thing about the team giving me a lot of running this year.” Triple Eight teamates Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup in car #88 and Craig Lowndes and Zane Goddard in car #888 following their Monday test. All other Queensland based teams Dick Johnson Racing, Matt Stone Racing and PremiAir Racing also ran around the “Paperclip” including the DJR wildcard where teenager Kai Allen cut his first Gen3 laps.
PIAC CELEBRATE AWARDS NIGHT THE PHILLIP Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) was in celebration mode at the start of the month with a special dinner. A total of 54 people gathered at Sandown to honour and toast the winners of the 2021 and 2022 PIARC Annual Awards. These awards included some of the most prestigious in the club such as the Winston Maguire Clubman of the Year, the John Lanyon Competitor of the Year, and the Clubsport Competitor of the Year Awards. The Winston Maguire Clubman of the year award has been a long running PIARC tradition and has been presented ever since it first appeared in 1965 when George Thomas received the prize. The latest to receive the honour are Roger Sinclair and Jen Campbell, who were the 2021 and 2022 winners respectively for their tireless efforts around the club.
Another long running award is the John Lanyon Competitor of the Year Award which was first won by both Alfredo Costanzo and Alan Hamilton in 1981. It has remained a big part of the club and Robb Splatt won the award 40 years after it was first presented, while Tony Groves was the 2022 recipient. The Club Sport Competitor of the Year is not only presented to a member who has been a prolific event winner, but also someone who represents the PIARC in speed events and motorkhanas. In 2021 Graham Bentley stood out, while Scott Appledore performed in 2022. In addition to the night of festivities, a total of 80 enthusiastic members also paid a visit to the Fox Classic Car Museum. The next PIARC event is a Supersprint on November 11-12.
PIASTRI IN THE MIDDLE OF “UNACCEPTABLE” MCLAREN CLASH MCLAREN TEAM principal Andrea Stella was not happy Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris made “unacceptable” contact at the Italian Grand Prix. The battle between the Aussie and the Brit was one of the more intriguing duels during the first half of the race. Piastri held the track position during the first stint, but after Norris complained over team radio he was allegedly faster than car #81, the more experienced Brit was given the preferred strategy. Car #4 was serviced first, which meant after Piastri was boxed he was suddenly at risk of losing his position. The two McLaren’s went side by side into turn one battling for 10th on lap 24 and Piastri, who was on the inside at the tight right hander, could not stop his front right tyre from glancing his teammate’s sidepod in the middle of the condensed chicane. Both cars survived the incident with the undercutting Norris gaining track position and driving onto eighth, while a separate
clash with Lewis Hamilton restricted Piastri to 12th. Despite both MCL60’s surviving Stella was not happy to see them come together. “This is not acceptable. There should never, ever be contact between two McLaren cars,” he said. “There was a contact, which doesn’t fit the way we go racing at McLaren. “What is important is to have clear parameters as to what you deem acceptable and what you deem unacceptable. “It’s not an emotion thing, it’s just like you do with other things. “You deal with racing in a similar way. This is very clear that for any driver, there’s something bigger than them. It’s the team.” When pushed if he felt either Norris, Piastri or the undercut was to blame for the incident Stella said there could have been “a little misjudgement” by the Australian, but put it down to an “issue with execution” from all parties. “It’s always a little tricky when you leave
the pits, especially on hard tyres,” he said. “Certainly, Oscar was trying to see where he could place himself so that he could keep the position, but on colder tyres, this could be slightly more difficult than he might have anticipated. “I think we could absolutely conclude that this is just a little misjudgement, therefore it means there is no problem at all. “Both drivers race and they were aware that there must be no contact between two McLarens, and it was just an issue with the execution. “In terms of having the skill sets to say, ‘the tyres are a bit cold, maybe I need to take more margin,’ it’s not for me to say, I’m not in the car. “It’s just they need to appreciate that there’s no way the line should be crossed.” When reflecting on the battle from the cockpit Piastri said he was on the verge of locking up. “I am sure we will talk about it as a team because it was not an ideal
scenario,” he said. “I broke where I broke, I couldn’t really slow down much more than that and was at the limit of locking up. “It was tight and fortunately we were both fine after and nothing happened. “Of course the intention is never to get that close.” Norris downplayed the incident stating “we gave each other space”. “I guess he was just on cold tyres or something so he just had a bit of understeer,” Norris said. “I tried to leave enough of a gap. It’s just very difficult to see in the mirror. “I left a big gap but just hard and cold tyres is not a nice combination and I guess he just ran into my rear tyre. “We respect each other. We give each other space and it’s unfortunate but nothing happened, so it’s OK.” Formula 1 has a week off before the Singapore Grand Prix on September 15-17. Thomas Miles
DRIVER CHANGES A FOCUS FOR SUPERCHEAP WILDCARD THE NEW look Supercheap Auto wildcard Camaro had a busy first day of testing at Queensland Raceway as preparations for Sandown ramp up. Craig Lowndes and Zane Goddard resumed testing before they will team up together in car #888 at Sandown and Bathurst. Although Triple Eight has held a handful of wildcard test sessions and even took part in a sprint round for Goddard, the latest is vital as they fine tune for the enduros. Lowndes said the first day was a success with pit stop practice a focal point. “It was a good day and we have really been getting down to the fundamentals as well as practicing driver changes and pitstops,” he said. “Zane and I have our (driver changing) routine, and we’ve got our way to get in and out of the cars.
“(But) for the first time, it is different from what I am normally used to. “These new cars have a lower profile roof, which means you’ve got to put your left leg in and then slide down into the seat, dragging your head and right leg with it. “A little bit different, but it’s the same for
everyone. “Although it doesn’t relate directly to Sandown here at Queensland Raceway it still helps us to understand how the car reacts with changes and I feel like we’ve got a good understanding of that side of it.” Goddard backed up Lowndes’ comments
and believes they are finding a way through the challenge of changing in and out of the new cars. “It’s been a super third test day and driver change practice has been going well,” he said. “I’m not finding much of an issue with getting in and out of the car. I’m quite lucky that I am not one of the taller drivers on the grid, but I’m sure everyone will find a way that works for them. “When you add in the airline, fuel guys, and all those additional factors the space gets a lot tighter. “You can practice the changeovers at the workshop as much as you can but you are missing the ‘race’ factors. “With the changeover practice today it’s been good to get a bit more insight into what it will be like during the race.” Thomas Miles
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YOUNG AUSSIE GIRLS GO FOR GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY TWO YOUNG Aussies Joanne Ciconte and Jure Portelli will receive a golden opportunity this week as part of the FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars Program. Ciconte and Portelli are just two of 16 youngsters hand picked from around the world to take part in the program aimed at drivers aged between 12 and 16 years old. The two Aussies will attend a special training camp at the Franciacorta Karting Track in Italy where they will be up against six other girls aged between 14 and 16 years in the Seniors program. Ciconte and Portelli will hope to be one of the four selected to advance to the second stage at Ferrari’s famous Maranello test track. From there, the winner from the final four will be awarded with a berth in the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy in 2024 where a drive in the Formula 4
Championship is also on offer. Ciconte and Portelli are following in the footsteps of fellow Aussie Alice Buckley, who made it into the final four. Both girls preparing for the 2023 program have risen up the Karting Australia ladder and gained valuable experience in doing so. Portello started just two years ago, but hit the ground running winning 20 of her 40 races held last year, plus a podium in the Townsville State Cup. The Queenslander may have only raced karts, but is determined to give it everything at the dream opportunity. “This has been my goal since I started karting. We had been hoping for it for a long time and have been working towards it,” Portelli said. “Even though everything is ready to go – it doesn’t feel real. “I guess once you achieve your biggest
dream, it doesn’t feel like it’s happening. “We are just really excited for this – we even spoke with Alice about her experience and got advice, to which she gave me a few pointers, which was good. “Alice has been a role model for me since joining, and I am hoping I can be successful like her and inspire other young girls to continue into the sport.” Ciconte heads to Europe with five years of racing experience already under her belt at the tender age of 14. Since starting racing at nine, she has raced in many events collecting state level wins and podiums. This year Ciconte won the Australian Pink Plate Ladies Championships and she has also tested a Hyundai Excel. She cannot wait to see where the FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars Program takes her. “I am so excited for this opportunity
and to what it may lead to in the future,” Ciconte said. “To be up against some of the best young female talents from around the world is extremely cool and I am really looking forward to this opportunity and doing my best. “It would mean the world to me to make it to the final four and race at Fiorano, let alone win the whole Girls on Track Rising Star Program and earn a spot in the Ferrari Driver Academy. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many people around me, including my mentors – in particular Rohan Ambrose who has taught me so much over the journey.” The FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars program begins at the Franciacorta Circuit in Italy tonight and runs to Thursday. Thomas Miles
ESTRE GAINING CONFIDENCE AFTER FIRST SUPERCARS DRIVE FRENCHMAN KEVIN Estre is feeling “confident” after an initially “quite tough” first drive of a Gen3 Supercar at Winton. Estre is one of the two internationals in the 2023 class of co-drivers and will share the #19 Grove Racing Mustang with Kiwi rookie Matthew Payne. The French driver arrives in Australia with a wealth of experience from taking class wins at Le Mans and championship success in the French and German Carrera Cups. But after jumping behind the wheel of the Grove Racing Mustang for the first time at Winton on Monday, he admitted a Supercar was a “tough” beast to tame initially. “It was my first time in a Supercar at Winton and everything was new, so it was quite tough at the start,” Estre recalled on a Grove Racing video. “Thinking about the heel and toe, driving on the right hand side and changing gears
differently were all things I am not used to. “It was tough but we made good progress and we understood well what the car needs.” With the first baptism of fire out of the way, Estre can now focus on the road ahead. As he gets further up to speed with the new Mustang, the current Porsche Penske Motorsport driver feels he and the team can begin making progress for the enduros. “I think it was a good first test day for me to get a feel and know the car and team,” Estre said. “It was nice to know the team and how to ask feedback and now we just need to put it all together. “I feel good and confident for the rest of the testing and ready to race in 10 days.” Grove Racing has conducted another test session today at Winton as preparations for the Sandown 500 continue.
MSR OVERCOMES TYRE SCARE ON THE same day Shane van Gisbergen crashed, Matt Stone Racing suffered at testing scare of its own at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday. Full-time Supercars rookie Cameron Hill lost some track time after the #35 Camaro was seen beached in the gravel. This was not down to a driver mistake, but another mechanical gremlin with a wheel unexpectedly coming loose. Despite the scare the Chevrolet returned to the garage and was quickly back on track with Hill stating the incident was just “a minor inconvenience”. “We had a pretty busy day in Car #35. We ran through a number of items, some procedural stuff,
some setup stuff in the morning,” he said. “We had a wheel come off, unfortunately, but it was only a minor inconvenience and the boys got it fixed up pretty quickly. “Then we put Jaylyn (Robotham) in the car for most of the afternoon to log some laps and get his eye in. “Looking forward to working on a few more things back at the factory tomorrow then we should be all good to go for Sandown next week.” His co driver Jaylyn Robotham also enjoyed a “good day” behind the wheel. “It was a good day for me - always good to be back in the car,” he said. “I did a longer run today and worked on saving the tyre
because for the endurance races I’ll be doing a couple of stints. “Just trying to work on my fitness as well and keep on top of it. It’s been good to spend the day with the MSR boys and really looking forward to Sandown.” For team leader Jack Le Brocq it was also a strong session of pre-Sandown milage. “Today we were out at Queensland Raceway for our preenduro test day,” he said. “Juice (Jayden Ojeda) was able to get plenty of laps and get his eye in behind the wheel of the #34 Gen3 Camaro. “Good to get out on track before Sandown; we’ll do some more driver change practice at the workshop tomorrow and then it’s all focus on the 500.”
OLIPHANT TO MAKE TCR COMEBACK AT SANDOWN TOM OLIPHANT will be back behind the wheel of the Ashley Seward Motorsport Link & Co TCR at Sandown this weekend. Oliphant was not racing in round four of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season last month as he tied the knot in his home country England. Supercars driver Tim Slade stepped up as substitute at the “Paperclip” and qualified a strong third before finishing 11th, 12th and 4th across the three races. But the Brit will return to steering the #115 Lynk & Co 03 TCR machine at Sandown having won in his last round at Winton. Oliphant scored a breakthrough win for
Ashley Stewart Motorsport on the most unexpected weekend where the team had to switch from the Lynk & Co to the old Alfa Romeo last minute. The Lynk & Co car was debuted in Australia by Oliphant at the second round in Phillip Island and recorded two top 10 finishes after an opening race retirement. Whilst a second race in the Lynk & Co will arrive a bit later than first anticipated, the BTCC race winner is excited to jump back into the hot seat. “It’s a bit of a whirlwind coming back from an amazing time getting married, but I’m really pleased to be getting back in the Lynk & Co and to get cracking,”
said Oliphant. “I learnt a lot at Phillip Island and the test day we had at Winton, the team learnt even more with Slade in Queensland and I’m keen to delve in with the crew to unpack that information. “It’s also our last round before the World Tour joins us, so we’re really pushing to get the best understanding of the car as possible before those drivers join the field. “It’s exciting times moving forward, and I’m keen to get into it.” Sandown is a scene of happy memories for Ashley Seward Motorsport as Michael Caruso collected the team’s only win of
2022 in soaking conditions. However, the famous Melbourne circuit will be a new proposition for Oliphant. “Sandown is another new track, but it’s one that I’m really eager to learn,” he said. “From the footage I’ve been watching it looks like a very interesting and exciting track. “I know a lot of the drivers in the paddock enjoy racing around it as well. You’re never really sure what you’ll need when going to a new track but I’m really confident that we’ve got a very good race car.” TCRs go racing at Sandown this weekend from September 8-10.
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F1 TEAMS IN THE CLEAR TAYLOR FOR FIA’S 2022 ANNOUNCES ARC RETURN COST CAP THE FIA has confirmed that all ten Formula 1 teams have been reviewed and cleared of any Cost Cap Administration breaches for the 2022 season. After the much talked about $145 million dollar Cost Cap (USD) was introduced for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 season, last year’s process saw three teams in breach of the new regulations, Which resulted in the championship winning Red Bull team fined and stripped of a percentage of its aerodynamic testing time for this season. For a 1.6% overspend, the Milton Keynes team was fined $7 Million to go with the 10% reduction of access time to its aero testing facilities. Aston Martin ($450,000) and Williams ($25,000) were also fined for breaching the spending limit, but this year all teams were found to be under the spending limit, receiving certificates of compliance. For the 2022 season, the Cap was reduced to $140 million, but it was given a mid-season boost of 3.1% (4.3 million) owing to the inflation of race dates on
the calendar from when the initial sum was calculated. Introduced to ensure the long term financial stability of the sport, the FIA said that the process covered the entire gamut of a teams on and off track spending. “The FIA Cost Cap Administration has issued certificates of compliance to all of the ten Competitors,” an FIA statement read. “The review has been an intensive and thorough process, beginning with a detailed analysis of the documentation submitted by the competitors. “Additionally, there has been an extensive check of any non-F1 activities undertaken by the teams, which comprised multiple on-site visits to team facilities and careful auditing procedures to assess compliance with the Financial Regulations. “The FIA Cost Cap Administration notes that all Competitors acted at all times in a spirit of good faith and cooperation throughout the process.” Despite Red Bull’s penalty from last season, it hasn’t stopped the juggernaut
team breaking all winning records this season, with the 1988 McLaren team win streak of 12 going by the wayside, as well as Max Verstappen going past Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 streak on nine wins, registering his tenth straight at Monza. As it stands after Monza, Red Bull has won 24 of the last 25 races. Despite breaching the cap in its winning 2021 season, the FIA released a statement saying that in winning the 2021 F1 title that it “did not act in bad faith, dishonestly or in a fraudulent manner”. Lewis Hamilton was inclined to disagree however, making the claim that if Mercedes had spent the extra money that he would have indeed won the championship. And in regards to Aston Martin and Williams the FIA said the fines were due to the fact they “inaccurately excluded and/or adjusted costs in the calculation of its relevant costs”. For this current season, the Cost Cap was set at $135. TW Neal
MOLLY TAYLOR will return to the Australian Rally Championship for the remainder of the 2023 season at the Adelaide and Canberra rounds. The 2016 ARC champion will return to compete in the ARC Production Cup class in a Subaru WRX STI with the support of both Subaru Australia and Castrol. For the last few years Taylor has focused on competing on the international scene, which has included twice taking on the Dakar Rally for the South Racing/CanAm team, where in 2022 she was the first Australian woman to take on the world’s most famous off-road rally. The inaugural 2021 Extreme E champion, Taylor also currently races for the Veloce Racing in the 2023 Electric E edition where she sits third in the title race alongside Swede Kevin Hansen. Taylor will reunite with co-driver Andy Sarandis for the two ARC events, with the two last tasting national success in 2020 in Tasmania. “I’m incredibly excited to be rallying back on home soil. The ARC holds wonderful memories for me and I’m excited and proud to be competing again in the Subaru WRX,” Taylor commented. “With Castrol, Subaru and Craig Brooks’ support, I know that I have the team behind me to succeed and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel.” The former Junior WRC competitor and two-time British Ladies champion said she’s also looking forward to taking on childhood friend/competitor and 2019 ARC champion Harry Bates, who just so happens to have her famous mother Coral Taylor as his current co-driver. “going up against Mum and Harry just puts even more of a fire in my belly. This is family feud (the friendly competitive kind) at its best”. Prior to competing at the Adelaide Hills Rally on October 13-15, Taylor will be seeking some Extreme E redemption in Sardinia on September 16-17 after her last visit to the mediterranean island in July didn’t go to plan. Steering issues derailed her in the qualifying race, whilst her teammate also ran into problems to leave them third in the standings for the penultimate round at the same venue. “We had the speed, and we know we have the team and car to fight at the front, but it didn’t all come together,” she said at the time. “Nevertheless, we scored some solid points, the title fight is close and we will come back stronger at the next one.” Following the Adelaide Hills Rally in October, the National Capital Rally will be held on November 18-19. TW Neal
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