Titansports

Formula 1

MCLAREN DOMINATES P2 AT THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX

MCLAREN DOMINATES P2 AT THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX

Lando Norris led an exciting second free practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit, emerging as the fastest driver of the day. The Briton, along with teammate Oscar Piastri, positioned McLaren as the team to beat during the final weekend of the 2024 Formula 1 season. A KEY DAY FOR THE COMPETITION The P2 session, widely regarded as the most representative practice before Sunday’s race, provided a glimpse of what’s to come in the Grand Prix. Norris clocked the fastest lap with a 1:23.517, followed by Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, who completed the provisional top three. Meanwhile, Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc battled to stay close to the McLarens. However, the Italian team faces an additional challenge as Leclerc is set to receive a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the allocation of Energy Stores. A CHALLENGING CIRCUIT The conditions at Yas Marina, with temperatures dropping during the session, allowed for qualifying simulations in the final stages. The technical nature of the track tested the drivers’ precision, with incidents such as Max Verstappenstruggling with curbs and Jack Doohan of Alpine locking his tires multiple times. Despite setbacks, Ferrari showed flashes of competitiveness, with Sainz securing fourth place, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who is competing in his final race with Mercedes. Leclerc finished sixth, while other notable names such as Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen also featured in the top ten. CHALLENGES FOR RED BULL One of the day’s most unexpected outcomes was Red Bull’s performance. Sergio Pérez ended in 14th place, while world champion Verstappen finished a distant 17th, plagued by issues with the front axle. The session underscored that the team has significant work ahead before qualifying. WHAT’S NEXT With the FP3 session scheduled for 2:30 PM local time, teams will have one last opportunity to fine-tune their setups before qualifying. This Grand Prix promises to cap off the season with intense battles among McLaren, Ferrari, and the rest of the grid. McLaren’s dominant performance in P2 sends a strong message: they are ready to end the year on a high. Can Norris capitalize on this advantage and close the season with a victory? Everything will be decided this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

MCLAREN DOMINATES P2 AT THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX Read More »

JAGUAR I-TYPE 7: THE NEW CHALLENGER FROM JAGUAR TCS RACING

JAGUAR I-TYPE 7: THE NEW CHALLENGER FROM JAGUAR TCS RACING

Jaguar TCS Racing has unveiled the all-new Jaguar I-TYPE 7, the single-seater that will compete in Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The reveal took place in an iconic building in downtown São Paulo, Brazil, kicking off a highly anticipated campaign for the brand. INNOVATION IN THE GEN3 EVO ERA The Jaguar I-TYPE 7 features a fully redesigned powertrain, including a new inverter, motor generator unit (MGU), and an optimized transmission. These enhancements deliver superior handling balance and increased efficiency—critical attributes in the highly competitive GEN3 Evo era of Formula E. Key upgrades include: All-wheel driveactivated during crucial moments like qualifying duels and attack mode. 600 kW combined regenerationto the battery, enabled by the front and rear propulsion systems. Hankook iON tiresproviding up to 10% more grip. These innovations, alongside improved aerodynamics and a redesigned rear suspension, position the I-TYPE 7 as a strong contender for the 2024/25 season. AN ICONIC DESIGN With a color scheme of black, white, and gold, the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 embodies the identity of Jaguar TCS Racing. Its São Paulo debut follows an intensive testing phase in Madrid, where the team fine-tuned the single-seater for the new campaign. “It’s exciting to begin our championship quest with the I-TYPE 7. This car marks a significant leap in electric technology, with the goal of transferring these benefits to Jaguar’s future vehicles,” said James Barclay, team principal. DRIVERS READY FOR ACTION Mitch Evans (#9) and Nick Cassidy (#37) will take the wheel of the I-TYPE 7 on the track. Both drivers expressed their enthusiasm for competing with the team’s most advanced car yet. “Returning to the track as world champions is an honor. I’m ready to unlock the potential of the new I-TYPE 7 and aim for a strong start in São Paulo,” said Evans. Cassidy added: “The car shows remarkable progress. We are ready to fight from the very first round.” JAGUAR’S SUSTAINABLE VISION In addition to pursuing success on the track, Jaguar TCS Racing continues advancing electric technology, collaborating with key partners like Tata Consultancy Services, Google Cloud, and Castrol. These partnerships strengthen the brand’s commitment to a more sustainable future. SEASON OPENER The Jaguar I-TYPE 7 will make its debut on Saturday, December 7, at the São Paulo E-Prix. With cutting-edge technology and a strong team, Jaguar TCS Racing aims to defend its title and lead Formula E into its next era.

JAGUAR I-TYPE 7: THE NEW CHALLENGER FROM JAGUAR TCS RACING Read More »

Alpine’s patience is over, team fires Ocon

With only one more race to run in the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Alpine team fired Esteban Ocon and announced driver Jack Dohaan as the Frenchman’s replacement for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Since the middle of this year, the relationship between Ocon and Alpine already had several frictions, to the extent that, for next season, Esteban would be part of Haas, cutting relationship with Alpine, but the incident he suffered in the Qatar GP made the team replace him immediately, so Ocon will start practicing with his new team ahead of schedule.  You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/checo-perez-retired-from-the-qatar-gp-while-in-fifth-place/    Cover photo: X (@OconEsteban).

Alpine’s patience is over, team fires Ocon Read More »

Vertappen sancionado en Qatar

Verstappen won pole position, but due to penalty, Russell will start first in Qatar

The newly crowned champion at the last Las Vegas Grand Prix (GP), Max Verstappen, premiered his accolade at the Qatar GP with pole position, unfortunately for him, he was penalized after Q3 and lost this position. Due to an incident with George Russell in Q3, where the Dutchman was on his slow lap, waiting for his last chance to set a time, Russell was in full qualifying and met Max on the track, the Briton had to make a maneuver to avoid the Red Bull, which sent him to the gravel for a few moments. Later, the FIA, in a document, specified that the “car number 1 was driving unnaturally slow considering the circumstances”. Because of this, Verstappen will start from second position, behind Russell himself, who had achieved the second fastest time in Qatar. You may be interested in: LECLERC SHINES IN GP OF QATAR PRACTICE SESSION  Cover photo: X (@F1)

Verstappen won pole position, but due to penalty, Russell will start first in Qatar Read More »

NICKI SHIELDS TO LEAD FORMULA E SEASON 11

Renowned presenter Nicki Shields has been announced as the lead presenter for Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. With this role, she becomes the first woman to hold this position in the history of the all-electric series, marking a significant milestone in motorsport. THE RETURN OF AN ICONIC FACE Shields, who has been part of Formula E since its inaugural season in 2014, returns to spearhead broadcasts with her signature dynamic style and technical expertise. Beyond her experience as a presenter, Shields was the first professional female media figure to drive a Formula E car and served as the lead commentator for the F1 Academy in 2024. Expressing her excitement, she stated: “My first Formula E race in Beijing 2014 is an unforgettable memory. Now, a decade later, it’s an honor to return as the lead presenter to share the excitement of this sport with millions of fans worldwide. Let São Paulo begin!”     A DIVERSE TALENT TEAM Nicki Shields will be joined by Billy Monger, a driver and recent Ironman record holder, and Catie Munnings, a rally driver, who will bring fresh energy to the presentation team. Legendary figures such as former F1 driver David Coulthard, along with experts like Karun Chandhok, James Rossiter, and André Lotterer, will provide additional coverage across platforms including ITV4, ITVX, and TNT Sports. The broadcast team will also feature Saunders Carmichael-Brown and Alexa Randell as pit lane reporters, delivering exclusive behind-the-scenes content and key interviews. HISTORIC GROWTH OF FORMULA E Formula E continues to solidify its place as one of the most exciting and watched competitions worldwide. During Season 10, the global cumulative audience reached 491 million viewers, representing a 35% increase compared to the previous year. The Monaco race broke records, drawing 40 million viewers, the highest in the championship’s history. A NEW TELEVISION HOME IN THE UK Starting from Season 11, Formula E will be broadcast on ITV4 and ITVX, offering live coverage of all 16 E-Prixs and qualifying sessions. Fans will also enjoy a weekly highlights program hosted by Nicki Shields, showcasing the best moments from each race. With a diverse team and expanded coverage on free-to-air TV, Season 11 promises to be a unique spectacle. Formula E not only redefines electric racing but also continues to drive innovation and sustainability in global motorsport.

NICKI SHIELDS TO LEAD FORMULA E SEASON 11 Read More »

LECLERC SHINES IN GP OF QATAR PRACTICE SESSION

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc delivered a standout performance during the sole Free Practice 1 (FP1) session of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, topping the timesheets ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as his teammate Carlos Sainz. In a weekend defined by the Sprint format, performance in FP1 held greater significance, especially on the demanding Lusail International Circuit. A CRUCIAL SESSION IN THE SPRINT FORMAT With the Sprint format in play, FP1 became unusually important as the only chance for drivers to fine-tune their cars before qualifying. Cooler track conditions compared to previous editions added another layer of complexity to the session.     The opening minutes saw intense activity, with teams utilizing Pirelli’s hard and medium tires to gather critical data. This created significant traffic on the track, accompanied by a flurry of radio complaints. Amid this scenario, Leclerc clocked an impressive provisional time of 1m 23.702s, securing the top spot on the leaderboard. SOFT TIRES CHANGE THE GAME In the final 10 minutes of the session, the introduction of soft tires brought a wave of improvements. Leclerc capitalized on the opportunity, setting a definitive time of 1m 21.953s to claim first place with a four-tenths advantage over Norris and Piastri. Carlos Sainz secured fourth place, half a second behind his teammate. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, Valtteri Bottas, and Lance Stroll surprised many by finishing among the top seven with fast late-session laps. MIXED RESULTS FOR FAVORITES Newly crowned 2024 champion Max Verstappen had a subdued start, finishing 11th after reporting balance issues in his Red Bull. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton faced similar challenges, ending the session in eighth and tenth, respectively.     Fernando Alonso placed 12th with his Aston Martin, while Sergio Pérez endured a difficult session, finishing 19th. Others, like Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, also struggled, as their best times were set on medium tires. EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SPRINT QUALIFYING With the data collected during FP1, teams must refine their setups for the intense Sprint qualifying session, scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM local time. Drivers will need to maximize every second on a track that has proven both technical and demanding. Leclerc’s dominance in this session strengthens Ferrari’s ambitions in the constructors’ championship battle, while McLaren and Red Bull must respond quickly to avoid losing ground in what promises to be a thrilling weekend.  

LECLERC SHINES IN GP OF QATAR PRACTICE SESSION Read More »

MICK SCHUMACHER BIDS FAREWELL TO MERCEDES IN 2024

The German driver seeks new opportunities after two years as a reserve driver for the Brackley-based team. End of an Era at Mercedes Mick Schumacher, who joined Mercedes in 2023 as a reserve driver, will leave the team at the end of the 2024 season. During his time with the Silver Arrows, Schumacher played a crucial role in the simulator and testing, contributing to car development and providing key support during race weekends. Schumacher, who previously raced for Haas F1 Team, took on this role after two seasons on the Formula 1 grid. However, his ambition to return to active competition drives his search for new opportunities in 2025. Confirmed Return to WEC with Alpine Alongside his duties at Mercedes, Schumacher competed in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Alpine, where he will continue racing in 2025. Alpine has already announced him as one of its six drivers for the upcoming season, solidifying his presence in endurance racing. On his departure from Mercedes, Toto Wolff, team principal, expressed his gratitude: “Mick’s work in the simulator and his commitment to the team have been invaluable. He is a driver of great talent who deserves to compete at the highest level. We wish him success in his future endeavors.” New Goals on the Horizon Schumacher also reflected on his time at Mercedes: “I am grateful for the experience and knowledge I’ve gained. Working with such a strong team has helped me grow as a driver, but my true passion lies on the track. I want to compete at 100% again and focus entirely on racing.” Although the 2025 Formula 1 grid is nearly complete, Schumacher has been considered for some seats. Recently, Sauber evaluated the possibility of including him in their lineup but ultimately chose rookie Gabriel Bortoleto for the next season. A Promising Future At just 25 years old, Mick Schumacher remains a prominent figure in motorsport, and his focus on the WEC will allow him to maintain a high level of competitiveness while seeking a chance to return to Formula 1. With the backing of his experience and a renowned surname, the German driver continues to show his determination to achieve new goals in the racing world. Mercedes, meanwhile, bids farewell to a valuable contributor who left a lasting impact on the team.

MICK SCHUMACHER BIDS FAREWELL TO MERCEDES IN 2024 Read More »