MUENNICH MOTORSPORT JOINS WORLD RX

German team ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport will compete in all 12 rounds of this year’s FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy with two self-developed Audi S3 RX Supercars.  The team, which is owned by renowned World Touring Car driver Rene Muennich, will use 2015 as a development year in a bid to fight for the World RX Teams’ Championship title in 2016.

Muennich made his long-awaited debut in the Audi S3 RX Supercar at last year’s World RX of Germany but since then the Saxony-based team has made a number of changes to the car based on its performance in Estering and also at Franciacorta for the Italian RX round. It is still to be confirmed who will drive for the team but several drivers are expected to test the Audi S3 over the next few weeks.

“World RX will be our main programme this year,” confirmed team owner Muennich. “We will use this year to learn and then we want to fight for the title in 2016. We are pleased about the development of rallycross as a sport and the fact that we can develop our own car is what makes this Championship so special. Even without a strong result in Germany, we saw that our car is fast enough to score a top ten placing and it was interesting to see how the requirements for the cars change as a result of some of the circuits. The top speed on the World RX tracks is high and the grip is much better so we need to adapt the car accordingly.”

Muennich continued: “We have a different engine in the car since Estering as well as a new gearbox, new differentials and brakes.  We also changed the geometry of the rear axle and have a new weight balance. It’s basically a completely new car.  Our team has grown to more than 20 people and we will have more engineers and mechanics this year to help with the development of the cars. The line-up of competitors such as [Petter] Solberg will make this year very challenging for us but we’re very excited to be competing in World RX full-time and can’t wait to get started.”

Muennich Motorsport is the second all-new World Championship team to confirm its participation in this year’s World RX.  The season kicks off with World RX of Portugal at the end of April.

source: fiaworldrallycross.com

F1 : Sauber C34 revealed

The Sauber F1 Team will go into the 2015 FIA Formula One Championship with new drivers Marcus Ericsson (SE, 24) and Felipe Nasr (BR, 22). Raffaele Marciello (IT, 20) has signed as test and reserve driver. The roll-out of the new Sauber C34-Ferrari will take place at the first winter test in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain).

With regard to the 2015 season, team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said: “2014 was a very disappointing year. However, this is in the past, and we now focus on what comes next. We have learned our lessons and are confident for the new season.”

The team principal’s prediction for the new season is short and concise: “We have to improve, and be able to fight for championship points.” For the Sauber F1 Team 2015 is its 23rd season in Formula One; it is the fourth oldest of the current brands.

Monisha Kaltenborn is optimistic about the new driver line-up: “I am delighted about our two new drivers who bring a breath of fresh air. Both are young, talented and highly motivated. On their way to Formula 1 both stood out through victories in Formula BMW and Formula 3. Both then finished this career progression off in the GP2-Series. While Marcus looks back to one season in Formula 1, Felipe will have his rookie year in which he comes fully prepared due to his role as test and reserve driver at Williams last year. I feel confident with regard to our drivers.”

Marcus Ericsson also looks into the future with optimism: “I am pleased about being a member of the Sauber F1 Team. After a difficult season, we want to move forward and fight in the mid-field like the team previously did. From a driver’s point of view, I want to continue to learn and establish myself as a Formula One driver. I have the feeling of being in the perfect environment to do so. In Formula One it is difficult to have precise targets, as it depends on the overall package. It is clear that we want to be fighting for points.”

Felipe Nasr explains: “In my rookie season there is a lot to learn, and especially as I have not yet driven on some circuits yet. In general, I am ready to take on this challenge. In my role as test and reserve driver for Williams last year, I was involved in every race weekend. Furthermore, I also had the chance to drive the car a few times, so I think I have a certain understanding of Formula One. Now I am taking the next step in being a race driver, and I am looking forward to bringing my experience from 2014 as well as to supporting the Sauber F1 Team in getting back into the points.”

Test and reserve driver is Raffaele Marciello who, as well as other series, won the 2013 Formula 3 Championship in an outstanding way. Last year he had two podium finishes and won the main GP 2 race in Spa-Francorchamps.  Raffaele will also have the opportunity to participate in some Friday practice sessions during Grands Prix. Monisha Kaltenborn said: “Raffaele’s previous career is impressive. Therefore it is a logical step for us to give him the opportunity to become more familiar with Formula 1. As a team we are pleased to be there with him on his way to the pinnacle of motorsport.”

Raffaele Marciello explained: “I am really pleased to be a member of the Sauber F1 Team, which has a long tradition of building up excellent drivers. I really think that this is the best choice for my future career. I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season. I want to thank the people at the Ferrari Driver Academy who are responsible for giving me this important opportunity, and now I really can’t wait to start delivering my best.”

source: sauberf1team.com

F1 : FIA super licence 'points system' for 2016

Max Verstappen is just 17 years old and doesn't have a normal road car licence

FIA has devised a points system as part of its clampdown on the ease of achieving an F1 super licence

From 2016, F1 drivers will need to be at least 18, hold a valid road driving licence, and have a minimum level of experience and success in minor formula championships.

Only the champion in Euro F3, LPM1 in WEC and IndyCar would obtain the 40 points necessary to qualify for a 2016 super licence, it has emerged.

Verstappen finished a highly-credible third in last year's FIA European F3 championship, that would have earned him only 20 points under the new super licence system devised by the FIA for 2016. 

Verstappen legitimately holds a F1 licence despite not qualifying to drive even a normal road car.

Future GP3 champions, on the other hand, will score only 30 of the 40 points, as will title winners in Formula Renault 3.5, like Verstappen's 2015 Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz jr.

GP2 champions and his title runner-up, however, will score 50 and 40 points respectively, while the highest number of points attainable from 2016, 60 will be in the FIA's relaunched Formula 2 series.

Interestingly, the top three finishers in F2 will all qualify for a 2016 super licence, even though any applicant will need to have spent at least two years in the categories leading into F1.

WRC : Ogier tests Volkswagen Polo R WRC for Rallye Monte-Carlo 2015

SEBASTIEN OGIER TESTING VOLKSWAGEN POLO R WRC FOR RALLYE MONTE-CARLO 2015

Ogier tests the new Polo R WRC for the 2015 season

Watch Sebastien Ogier testing Volkswagen Polo R WRC for WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2015.

F1 : Buemi retains reserve driver role at Red Bull

World Endurance Champion Sebastien Buemi will remain the Red Bull Formula 1 team's reserve driver in 2015.

Buemi, 26, started 55 grands prix for Toro Rosso between 2009 until 2011 before resuming reserve driver duties for Red Bull when he and STR team-mate Jaime Alguersuari lost their 

F1 race drives to Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Buemi had since become an invaluable part of his F1 squad's set-up.

The Swiss dovetailed his 2014 F1 reserve duties with a victorious WEC campaign for Toyota alongside British racer Anthony Davidson, and is also currently contesting the inaugural Formula E championship, in which he lies second for the e.dams squad after the first three races.

Buemi said he was looking forward to helping Red Bull attempt to recover from losing its world champion status to Mercedes this year.

"It is like being part of the family and I have a good working and personal relationship with everyone at the team," he said.

"I'm looking forward to helping with the development of the RB11 in any way I can.

"It should be an exciting season and I'm delighted that I will be a part of it."

2015 FIA WRC Calender

All rallies in the 2014 schedule were confirmed for next year by the FIA World Motor Sport Council at its meeting in Beijing, with some significant date changes in the first part of the season.

“We’re delighted to confirm the 2015 calendar and to retain all 13 rounds for next season. The breadth of events geographically ensures a truly global championship,” said WRC Promoter’s managing director, Oliver Ciesla.

“We’ve again blended a mix of classic events that date back to the championship’s origins with newer, but firmly established, rallies. All will offer a challenging variety of roads and conditions to ensure that WRC will provide the ultimate all-round test of driving ability,” Ciesla added.

Here is the schedule for the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship

Round	Rally	Dates
1	Monte-Carlo	22 - 25 January
2	Sweden	12 - 15 February
3	Mexico	05 - 08 March
4	Argentina	16 - 19 April
5	Portugal	21 - 24 May
6	Italy	11 - 15 June
7	Poland	02 - 05 July
8	Finland	30 July - 02 August
9	Germany	20 - 23 August
10	Australia	10 - 13 September
11	France	01 - 04 October
12	Spain	22 - 25 October
13	Great Britain	12 - 15 November

Loeb dominates on his rallying return

Sebastien Loeb began his rallying comeback with a commanding win in the Rally of Var, with his wife Severine in the co-drivers seat.

The nine time WRC Champion who will make his return to WRC in the 2015 Monte Carlo Rally, led from start to finish in the Rally of Var, which is a popular test event for the Monte Carlo Rally.

Driving the Citroen DS3 WRC, Loeb won the event comfortably by over three minutes. David Salanon in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC finished second.

Loeb will test the DS3 again before the Monte, which will be his first WRC appearance since what had been his farewell rally in France last October.

Formula E Car Technical Specifications

Mahindra Racing Formula E Car

The 2014 season of the Formula E Championship will feature only the SRT_01E.

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E has been designed by Spark Racing Technology which is a consortium of vehicle and vehicle component makers, which include Renault, McLaren Electronic Systems, Williams Advanced Engineering, Dallara and SPARK.

SPARK is in charge of designing the car; components like the chassis, aerodynamic components, suspension etc will be handles by the company.

Dallara is charge of designing and construction of the carbon-fibre and aluminium monocoque chassis which will be the backbone of the whole race car.

McLaren Electronics is in charge of providing the electric motor that will power the car, the gearbox and other electronic equipment on the car.

Williams Advanced Engineering will take care of the battery and related components.

Tech-specs:

• L x W in mm: 5000 x 1800
• Weight: 800 Kg
• Engine: 180 BHP (limited) /140NM electric engine, mid-mounted, with a push-to-pass button that increases power to 270 BHP
• Transmission: 4-speed sequential
• Front suspension: Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated, twin dampers and torsion bars
• Rear suspension: Springs
• Wheel: 18-inch, fitted with all-weather treaded tyres from Michelin

Performance:

• 0-100 KMPH in 3 seconds
• Top speed of 220 KMPH

Webber escapes a horrific crash in Brazil

Webber in 'satisfactory' condition after a crash in World Endurance Championship race in Brazil.

The Former F1 driver was involved in a 'serious' crash with Matteo Cressoni in Sao Paulo. The 38 year old Australian was racing for Porsche in Six Hours of Sao Paulo event. 

The Australian's Porsche 911 made contact with Matteo Cressoni's Ferrari on the final corner of the six-hour race in Sao Paulo and slammed into a track barrier.

Despite the flames seen in the crash footage and the car wreck, Webber escaped unhurt.

Webber's official facebook page took no time in ensuring that the former F1 driver was not seriously injured and was taken to a hospital for medical checks.


As per Webber's website, the driver remained in a local hospital overnight for precautionary measures.

The race had to end under the safety car which was forced to come no following the accident.

The FIA, motor sports governing body said that : "Both drivers were taken to the circuit's medical centre and, after initial examination, to the local Hospital Bandeirantes for further checks, their condition has been reported as satisfactory."

Ogier wins Wales Rally...And its Goodbye Hirvonen!!

World Champion Sebastien Ogier comfortably scored his eighth win of the season in the Wales Rally GB. Ogier in his Volkswagen Polo R remained unchallenged after his team mate Jari Matti Latvala, who looked promising on the opening day before he crashed mid way in the opening stage.

Mikko Hirvonen had an emotional end to his career after he finished in the second place.

Here are the Top five timings in the Wales Rally GB after the Power Stage.

1. Ogier (VW): 3:03:08.2

2. Hirvonen (Ford): 37.6

3. Ostberg (Citroen): 1m03.6s

4. Neuville (Hyundai): 1m14.9s

5. Evans (Ford): 1m24.3s

Ogier after winning:

"The win is the best way to finish the year - that was the target. We wanted to enjoy it here. We started flat-out and we made a great difference, but after Jari-Matti had his problem my race changed and I had to control it. Not the best fun but I had to do it. When the conditions are like this it's not too bad. I'm so happy for Mikko to finish on the podium. It's a great achievement."

Hirvonen after finished on the podium in his last Rally:

"I'm so happy! I couldn't have a better end to my career. A great fight. For sure I am going to miss things. There are so many people to thank. To you all - thank you!"

Jari-Matti Latvala won the rally-closing Power Stage in a Polo R to take maximum bonus points. Thierry Neuville claimed two points for second in a Hyundai i20, with Østberg taking one point for third.