Showing posts with label racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label racing. Show all posts

Monday, March 16, 2026

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Pennzoil 400

With Spring fast approaching, all eyes turn to Las Vegas for the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube. In recent Sin City races, the race for the victory has come down to the wire, with the pass for the win coming in the final six laps in five of the last eight races.

As the green flag waved, the action in Sin City was a go. As Christopher Bell takes Stage 1, William Byron picks up Stage 2, and the final stage saw Connor Zilisch slipping at Turn 4.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Pennzoil 400
Screengrab from NASCAR

After an almost-perfect Las Vegas bout, Denny Hamlin wins the Pennzoil 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is at Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 this March 22, 2026.

Sunday, March 15, 2026

NTT IndyCar Series 2026 - Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

The streets of Arlington, Texas, marked its IndyCar debut with the first-ever Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. This race is brand new for the 2026 season, and drivers are going through uncharted heights to dominate this new kind of street race.

The first 15 laps of the new Arlington race saw a spin by Christian Lundgaard in Turn 5. Moments later, there were collisions by the Penske drivers, another misfortune for Mick Schumacher, and a duel between Kyle Kirkwood and Alex Palou for the lead that saw the former overtaking the latter on Lap 55.

NTT IndyCar Series 2026 - Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
Screengrab from IndyCar

In a dramatic last-lap incident involving Grosjean and Siegel, Kyle Kirkwood outpaced Alex Palou to secure victory in the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington, while Will Power rounded out the podium in third place.

The next race is at Alabama's Barber for the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on March 29, 2026.

WRC 2026: Safari Rally Kenya

The 2026 World Rally Championship is underway with the challenging Safari Rally in Kenya. Teams transition from cold conditions to the warm savanna, equipping their cars with special Safari specifications to navigate the demanding terrain. Many competitors have entered the rally, but only one will emerge victorious.

The opening stages saw Oliver Solberg secure a dominant lead. Still, his weekend ended in heartbreak when he sustained significant damage to his car, allowing Takamoto Katsuta to take the lead he had been striving for.

WRC 2026: Safari Rally Kenya
Screengrab from WRC

Takamoto Katsuta made headlines in Kenya by becoming the first Japanese driver to win a WRC round since Kenjiro Shinozuka's victory at the Ivory Coast Rally in 1992. Katsuta finished the race with a time of 3:16:05.6, finishing 27.4 seconds ahead of Adrien Fourmaux. Sami Pajari rounded out the podium by securing third place.

Despite retiring from second overall on the Saturday stages, Elfyn Evans leads the championship fight with 66 points.

The next event is the Croatia Rally from the 9th to the 12th of April, 2026.

F1 2026 - Heineken Chinese Grand Prix

The 2026 F1 season continues in Shanghai for the Heineken Chinese Grand Prix. With Mercedes demonstrating the capabilities of the new-generation F1 machines following Russell's win in Melbourne, it seems that the new machines' debut in China will showcase even more.

Unfortunately, the championship-winning McLaren team faced a significant setback in China before the race began, as the cars driven by champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri encountered mechanical issues, resulting in a DID NOT START.

There's more news before the race. Due to ongoing clashes in the Middle East, the FIA announced the cancellation of next month's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with no substitutions.

 

F1 2026 - Heineken Chinese Grand Prix
Screengrab from F1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli made headlines in Shanghai by becoming the youngest pole-sitter in history and the youngest Formula 1 driver to win a race at the age of 19. Kimi led Mercedes to another 1-2 finish, with George Russell finishing in second place. Lewis Hamilton secured a podium spot for the first time as a Ferrari driver, finishing in third place. Other finishers include Charles Leclerc, Ollie Bearman, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Carlos Sainz, and Franco Colapinto.

The next race is at Suzuka for the Aramco Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, 2026.

F1 Academy 2026 - Shanghai

The fourth season of F1 Academy adopted a fresh look while continuing its mission to develop female racing drivers from around the world. For the 2026 season, familiar faces like Nina Gademan, Alisha Palmowski, Alba Larsen, and others are spending their so-called final time in the series alongside newcomers like Ella Stevens, Kaylee Countryman, Megan Bruce, and others. With Audi joining the pack, retail brand SEPHORA joins the F1 Academy sponsorship bandwagon.

The first round of the season took place in Shanghai, the venue of the 2026 F1 season's Chinese Grand Prix. Shi Wei returns as the wild card entry of this season, showcasing her determination to the home crowd.

F1 Academy 2026 - Shanghai
Screengrab from F1 Academy

In the first race of the new season, Nina Gademan, wearing Alpine colors, made an impressive debut by defeating the rookie Natalia Granada and Emma Felbermayr, who is supported by Audi. In the second part of the race, Felbermayr secured her first victory as an Audi-backed driver, triumphing over competitors such as Alisha Palmowski and the Mercedes-supported newcomer, Payton Westcott.

With the Shanghai campaign done, the new season of the F1 Academy has just begun.

Following the FIA's announcement to cancel the Jeddah leg of the 2026 season due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the next race will take place in Montreal, Canada, from May 22 to May 24, 2026. Stay tuned for updates.

Monday, March 9, 2026

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Straight Talk Wireless 500

As the clocks sprang forward, the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series went to Phoenix Raceway for the Straight Talk Wireless 500, which is the first of two trips to Arizona for the 2026 season.

As the green flag waved, the action in Arizona began. Ryan Blaney won Stage 1, but Stage 2 saw Kyle Busch and Shane Van Gisbergen encounter issues that triggered a caution on Lap 94. This was followed by a crash involving Daniel Suarez and Chase Elliott. Christopher Bell ended up winning Stage 2. In the finale, another crash occurred that involved Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric, along with a significant wreck that involved Daniel Suarez, Josh Berry, and Joey Logano.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Straight Talk Wireless 500
Screengrab from NASCAR

After a thrilling Phoenix campaign, Ryan Blaney wins the Straight Talk Wireless 500 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026.

Sunday, March 8, 2026

F1 2026 - Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix

The controversial new generation of F1 cars has arrived as the 2026 season heralds the beginning of the new era.

Before diving into the recap, let's take a moment to summarize the major regulation changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which represents one of the most significant overhauls in the sport's history.

The new cars will weigh 768 kg, which is a reduction of 30 to 32 kg from the previous weight of 800 kg, including the driver and an estimated tire mass of around 46 kg. The wheelbase has been shortened by 200 mm, while the width has been decreased by 100 mm, and the floor width has been reduced by 100 to 150 mm in various areas.

In terms of aerodynamics, downforce has been decreased by 30%, and drag has been reduced by 55%. Notably, Active Aerodynamics will replace the DRS used in previous seasons, while the beam wing and front wheel arches have been removed. The front wing has been narrowed, and the rear wing has undergone revisions. Such controversial aero revamps resulted in, some say, more lifting and coasting, not to mention frequent understeering.

The 1.6L V6 turbo hybrid engine has been revamped with a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric components. It features a 350 kW MGU-K, the removal of the MGU-H, and doubled energy recovery, allowing it to produce over 1000 horsepower thanks to electric boost modes like Overtake Mode. Additionally, the engine will now run on 100% sustainable and advanced fuels derived from biomass.

The 2026 season introduced several new faces and teams. On the drivers' side, Isack Hadjar has joined the Red Bull team, while Arvid Lndblad will race for the Racing Bulls, and Franco Colapinto for Alpine. Additionally, Audi and Cadillac are entering the competition, featuring former Sauber drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoletto representing Audi. Meanwhile, F1 veterans Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will represent the newcomer Cadillac F1 team.

The new-generation F1 cars were staged in Melbourne's Albert Park for the Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix, providing a true test of their capabilities.

F1 2026 - Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix
Screengrab from F1

The Mercedes-AMG team made a strong start in the first race of the new F1 era, with George Russell leading the 1-2 finish to victory lane alongside Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc secured third place on the podium.

Melbourne demonstrated the controversial dynamics and performance of the new F1 machines; this is only the beginning. The next race is the Heineken Chinese Grand Prix on the 15th of March, 2026.

2026 Repco Supercars Championship - Melbourne Supersprint

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship continues in Melbourne's Albert Park for the Melbourne Supersprint. Unlike previous seasons, this event is accessible to everyone, including those who couldn't attend in person. For the first time, residents in Australia and New Zealand who were unable to make it to Albert Park have the opportunity to watch the races on television through Fox Sports or Kayo.

2026 Repco Supercars Championship - Melbourne Supersprint
Screengrab from Supercars

The event was chaotic, marked by incidents, crashes, and numerous penalties, particularly for Will Brown. The Ford Mustang drivers showcased strong performances, contributing to a mix of race winners and dramatic moments. 

Brodie Kostecki triumphed in the first, second, and the tumultuous fourth race of the Melbourne campaign, earning him the Larry Perkins trophy. Meanwhile, Broc Feeney secured victory in the third leg of the Melbourne Supersprint.

As Kostecki leads the title fight, this wild season is still everybody's game. The next event is the ITM Taupo Super 440 this April 10-12, 2026.

NTT IndyCar Series 2026 - Good Ranchers 250

Phoenix Raceway has reawakened for oval racing action in 2026 with IndyCar and NASCAR. Let's focus on the IndyCar side with the Good Ranchers 250 race.

NTT IndyCar Series 2026 - Good Ranchers 250
Screengrab from IndyCar

IndyCar's first oval racing action of the 2026 season is never without some incidents, such as the terrifying Lap 19 crash for Alex Palou, followed by Louis Foster being shredded by the Turn 4 wall, and a collision between Will Power and Christian Rasmussen for the lead.

Like a thief in the night, Josef Newgarden slipped his way to victory lane to win the Good Ranchers 250 race while Kyle Kirkwood finished 2nd, and David Malukas finished 3rd.

The next race is the first-ever Java House Grand Prix of Arlington this March 13-15, 2026.

Monday, March 2, 2026

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - DuraMax Grand Prix

The famous Circuit of the Americas became the battleground for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series with the DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne. It's the first road course event of the 2026 season, and this race is about to make history...literally.

As the green flag waved, NASCAR's COTA campaign began. Ross Chastain won Stage 1, while Conor Zilisch spun during Stage 2 but kept fighting. Ty Gibbs won Stage 2, leading to a historic final stage.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - DuraMax Grand Prix
Screengrab from NASCAR

Never in the history of NASCAR has a driver had a three-win streak in a season until now. Tyler Reddick became the first driver in history to sweep the first three races of any Cup Series season!

The next race is at Phoenix Raceway for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 this March 8, 2026.

NTT IndyCar Series 2026 - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

The arrival of March could only mean one thing: it's the month of racing comebacks, and IndyCar is one of them. The 2026 season kicked off in the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

The first 100 laps of the 2026 season are packed with unforgettable moments; this season opener delivered. The opening lap saw a crash that got Santino Feruccio, Sting Ray Robb, and Mick Schumacher. Lap 12 saw David Malukas sustaining front left damage after hitting the wall, while Lap 24 saw Will Power throwing in the towel for the damaged rear suspension following his collision. Lap 40 saw Scott Dixon lose a wheel.

NTT IndyCar Series 2026 - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Screengrab from IndyCar

After an intense season opener, Alex Palou drew first blood by beating Scott McLaughlin and Christian Lundgaard to win the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. It's deja vu from last season for Palou with his first win of the new season.

The next race is at Phoenix, Arizona, for the Good Ranchers 250 this March 7, 2026.

Monday, February 23, 2026

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Autotrader 400

Recovering from last week's Daytona hangover, the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series continues at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway for the Autotrader 400. NASCAR's best drivers still had enough energy left from their Daytona experiences to create classic moments for the Atlanta audience.

As the green flag waved, the action in Atlanta began. Austin Cindric won Stage 1, but Stage 2 became chaotic with Ty Gibbs and Josh Berry getting involved in an accident. Later, on Lap 103, Riley Herbst and Rick Stenhouse Jr. were also caught in separate incidents, along with Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson, facing their own troubles. Bubba Wallace won Stage 2, and the final stage of the race, last-minute incidents forced overtime—not once, but twice.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Autotrader 400
Screengrab from NASCAR

Having survived a race that triggered two overtimes in the climax, Tyler Reddick wins the Autotrader 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is at Circuit of the Americas for the DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne this March 1, 2026.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

2026 Repco Supercars Championship - Dunlop Sydney 500

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship began at Sydney Motorsport Park with the Dunlop Sydney 500. This season promises to be the most exhilarating in Supercars history, as many teams that previously competed with the now-discontinued Camaro racing cars, including the championship-winning Red Bull Ampol Racing team, have made the switch to the current-generation Mustang race cars. Additionally, some teams, such as Walkinshaw and BJR, are excited about the introduction of the GR Supra racers, which are based on the soon-to-be-discontinued Toyota GR Supra model.

The three-race season opener highlights the changes teams and drivers have made compared to last year. Given the weather changes, first impressions are crucial.

2026 Repco Supercars Championship - Dunlop Sydney 500
Screengrab from Supercars

Broc Feeney from Red Bull kicked off the race weekend by leading an all-Mustang podium, finishing ahead of BRT drivers Aaron Cameron and James Golding. In Race 2, Team 18's Anton De Pasquale triumphed over Shell V-Power's Brodie Kostecki and Penrite's Matt Payne. In the final race, Broc Feeney secured his second win of the season, finishing ahead of Matt Payne and Cameron Waters.

What a way to kick off the new Supercars season. The next event is the Melbourne Supersprint on March 5-8, 2026. Be advised that due to international broadcast rights associated with the F1 2026's Australian Grand Prix, their usual highlights and live video coverage of the Repco Supercars Championship events are not available.


Monday, February 16, 2026

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Daytona 500

Finally, NASCAR is back, and the crowd is ready for their "Hell Yeah" moment. The Daytona 500 is the perfect way to start the new NASCAR year, and the 2026 season is no different. With flyovers, Nate Bargatze serving as the Grand Marshal, Bart Simpson joining in on the festivities, and a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt, this event kicks off one of the biggest celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.

As the green flag waved, the new NASCAR season officially began. In Stage 1, on Lap 3, drivers slowed down to honor the late Dale Earnhardt, while the crowd waved three fingers as a sign of respect. As the action resumed, William Byron got hit by the No.78 car, not to mention Byron hitting the wall a few laps later.

Zane Smith secured his first-ever NASCAR stage win after Stage 1. However, Stage 2 saw increased trouble as Connor Zilisch, Chase Briscoe, and several others were involved in a significant crash known as "The Big One." Unfortunately, things could have been worse, as another major incident occurred on Lap 124. Bubba Wallace ultimately won Stage 2 under caution. In the final stage of the season opener, Denny Hamlin collided with Christopher Bell with less than 10 laps remaining.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Daytona 500
Screengrab from NASCAR

After a thrilling final lap, Tyler Reddick wins the Daytona 500 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The Daytona 500 is over, but the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series has just begun. The next race will be at EchoPark Speedway for the Autotrader 400 on February 22, 2026.

Sunday, February 15, 2026

WRC 2026: Rally Sweden

The 2026 World Rally Championship is underway with the second round, Rally Sweden. The drivers are facing freezing conditions as they push to get ahead in the competition.

WRC 2026: Rally Sweden
Screengrab from WRC

Oliver Solberg initially led the first two stages of the rally, but a snowbank strike on SS3 allowed Elfyn Evans to take the lead. This allowed Evans to lead the Gazoo Racing podium, competing closely with Takamoto Katsuta. Although Evans did not win the Wolf Power Stage—finishing just behind Thierry Neuville—his performance was strong enough to secure the top spot for Gazoo Racing. Katsuta finished in second place, while Sami Pajari claimed third.

The next event is the Safari Rally Kenya on March 12-15, 2026.

ABB FIA Formula E S12 - Jeddah City E-Prix

Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues with the Jeddah E-Prix, held at the iconic Jeddah Corniche, the same venue as the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This event features two nights of thrilling racing action and introduces the Pit Boost system, which adds a new layer of strategy to the race weekend.

ABB FIA Formula E S12 - Jeddah City E-Prix
Screengrab from Formula E

In the first race, Pascal Wehrlein from Porsche triumphed over Edoardo Mortara from Mahindra and Mitch Evans from Jaguar. In the second race, Antonio Felix da Costa secured his first win as a Jaguar driver, defeating Envision's Sebastien Buemi and last season's champion, Oliver Rowland from Nissan.

Post-Jeddah, Pascal Wehrlein leads the championship standings with 68 points, six points ahead of Edoardo Mortara. Oliver Rowland is in third place with 49 points.

The next race is the Madrid E-Prix on March 21, 2026.

Sunday, February 1, 2026

ABB FIA Formula E S12 - Miami City E-Prix

Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues with the Miami E-Prix. Thankfully, the snowstorm did not reach Miami; instead, a drizzle turned this street race into a wet and wild event. It's great that Miami is still hosting this exciting Formula E race, despite ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the EU regarding Greenland, as well as the U.S.'s preparations for this summer's World Cup and its upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.

ABB FIA Formula E S12 - Miami City E-Prix
Screengrab from Formula E

From P9 to the top of the podium, Jaguar driver Mitch Evans left Porsche drivers Nico Mueller and Pascal Wehrlein behind to win the wet and wild Miami E-Prix.

Post-Miami, Nick Cassidy of Citroen leads with 40 points, with Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein in 2nd with 38 points, and Andretti's Jake Dennis is in third with 37 points.

The next race is the two-race Jeddah E-Prix this February 13 to 14, 2026.

Monday, January 26, 2026

2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - Rolex 24 at Daytona

The 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicked off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. 60 cars from four classes are gathered in a record audience at Daytona for America's legendary endurance race where they will spend 24 hours racing, battling, and surviving until the winners are made.

2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - Rolex 24 at Daytona
Screengrab from IMSA

The #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 nailed its third Rolex 24HR Daytona victory for the GTP class with Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer, and Laurin Heinrich behind the wheel. The #4 CrowdStrike Racing by APR dominated the LMP2 class, the #1 Paul Miller Racing M4 GT3 Evo for the GTD PRO class, and the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the GTD class.

The 24-hour endurance race in Daytona is over, but the 2026 IMSA season has just begun. The next race is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring this March 18-21, 2026.

Sunday, January 25, 2026

WRC 2026: Rallye Monte-Carlo

The 2026 World Rally Championship kicked off with the Rally Monte-Carlo. This season will mark the final era of the current Rally1 regulations and the drivers are going all-out with the start of the Rally1 machines’ final journey.

WRC 2026: Rallye Monte-Carlo
Screengrab from WRC

From the beginning to the end, from the freezing paths to the streets of Monaco, Oliver Solberg drew first blood by beating Elfyn Evans and last year’s champion Sebastien Ogier to win the season opener with an overall time of 04:24:59.0.

The next event is the Rally Sweden from the 12th to the 15th of February, 2026.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

ABB FIA Formula E S12 - Mexico City E-Prix

Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues with the Mexico City E-Prix. Although this is Round 2, the start of the new year has everyone excited for more racing.

Screengrab from Formula E
Screengrab from Formula E

Amid intense clashes, the Mexico City ePrix saw a maiden win for the neophyte Citroen Racing team with Formula E legend Nick Cassidy behind the wheel, beating the likes of Mahindra's Edoardo Mortara and last season's champion, Nissan's Oliver Rowland.

The next race is the Miami ePrix on January 31, 2026.