Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

The 2021 Formula 1 season will be remembered for a long time, as we’ve experienced some unbelievable races. Hollywood could not write a better script, with the championship being decided on the last lap at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, we had six different race winners from four teams last year.

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Despite the 2021 Formula 1 season being one of the most exciting and entertaining in Formula 1 history, the pinnacle of motorsport is about to undergo enormous rule changes this year, as the sport will introduce one of its largest technical overhauls in history. The development of the new rules is led by F1’s Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds. The aim is quite simple: the cars should be able to run more closely together to aid overtaking, hence promoting better racing.

You’ve may have heard about ‘dirty air’ which currently makes it tough to follow other cars. According to the calculations, you lose around 47% of downforce when following another car at 20 meters and this number will be reduced to just 4% next year by changing the aerodynamics of the cars. This means the return of the ground-effect formula, which was banned in Formula 1 at the end of 1982 – however it shouldn’t be described as a return of that era as there are major differences in the execution.

The most noticeable changes of the 2022 car are the all-new front and rear wing shapes combined with the removal of complex bargeboards. There were some talks about getting rid of the drag reduction system (DRS), however, it will remain on the rear wing.

Ferrari N.V. (NYSE/MTA: RACE) (“Ferrari” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that, from next season, Scuderia Ferrari will be able to count on a new Premium Partner – Velas Network AG.

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Headquartered in Switzerland, Velas Network AG is renowned for the creation and integration of cutting edge digital products and services and is led by a diverse team of engineers, cryptographers, researchers and mathematicians. A global player in the blockchain and NFT sector, the company has distinguished itself through the performance and innovation of its services and its technological leadership, characteristics that unite it with the Maranello team.

The multi-year agreement provides for the creation of exclusive digital content for the Scuderia’s fans. In addition, Velas will be the Title Sponsor of the Ferrari Esports Series, the online mono-brand series of the Prancing Horse, and of the Esports team that will compete in the F1 Esports Series, the official digital championship competed in by all teams participating in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Mattia Binotto, General Manager and Team Principal, Scuderia Ferrari:

“We are pleased to start this collaboration with Velas Network AG, a company that makes innovation and performance the hallmark of technologically advanced products and services: these are all values that unite us and that led us to choose them as one of our Premium Partner.”

Enzo Ferrari first opened his small factory in Maranello in 1947. In the early post-war years, the mass car market was just about to break wide open, but he made a deliberate decision to go against the grain, pouring his experience instead into his dream of building racing cars.

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He spared neither human nor financial capital to develop the 125 S, a car that was a manifesto not just for technological innovation but also for Ferrari’s own racing ambitions and laid the foundations for a long story of victories. Since then, a huge community of fans, clients and, of course, employees have developed around the Ferrari marque, all of whom are united by a shared sense of belonging and passion, spanning all ages and nationalities.

Today, as it prepares to celebrate 75th-anniversary that have revolutionised the automotive world, Ferrari unveils the logo dedicated to that milestone in a video in which employees are the stars. These are the people that ensure Ferrari’s success day in, day out, by developing the powerful sense of connection they describe in the video. “Passion”, “teamwork”, “pride”, and “excellence” are just some of the words that they use again and again to express their very special relationship with the company.

Employees were also key in the reveal of the 75th-anniversary logo, which premiered at the end-of-year convention and comes to life through a mosaic of employees’ faces as an acknowledgement of the commitment and determination they have shown over so many years, qualities that today are paving the way for the Company’s future.

Max Verstappen sat down with Red Bull racing mentor Helmut Marko on the Sport und Talk TV show in Austria to reflect on his dramatic 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship victory and reveal what lies ahead following the breathtaking conclusion.

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The Dutchman overtook title rival Lewis Hamilton during the controversial last lap of a thrilling Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win the race and his maiden F1 title five years after he made his debut for Red Bull Racing with victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Verstappen, 24, and Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez – who drove brilliantly at times to bank fourth place in the drivers’ standings – will now look to work hard during the off-season with Team Principal Christian Horner determined to win both titles in the upcoming 2022 season.

Here are the key answers from Verstappen and Marko on the show:

Everybody likes to save money. With the rising cost of car ownership, it makes sense to cut back on some of the things you are paying for. Insurance is likely to be the first thing on the chopping block. There are many ways to save on car insurance as often there are comprehensive items that aren’t always necessary.

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However, much like having an extended warranty, there are things you may feel like you don’t need to pay for in your policy and decide to get rid of them. Then you end up regretting it later on. The trick is that you have to understand what parts of your policy are expendable and which you should keep. In this article, we will go over how to know how much insurance coverage you need in case you want to cut it down to save money. 

Liability vs Value

You can read all the Geico car insurance reviews online and understand if it’s the right insurance company for you, but that doesn’t help you understand if you’re buying a policy that you actually need. 

You need to think of a simple formula to start your research as this will help illuminate a few things. There are two types of insurance you can get: liability and comprehensive.

Banco Santander returns to Formula 1 as the new partner of Scuderia Ferrari, the sport’s most successful team. Over the term of the partnership, Santander will advise Scuderia Ferrari on its plans to become carbon neutral by 2030.

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Banco Santander today announced a new alliance to become one of the premium partners of Scuderia Ferrari. The bank’s logo will feature prominently on the team’s cars, race suits and caps. Over the term of the partnership, Santander will offer Scuderia Ferrari a wide range of solutions to support the team’s efforts to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Formula 1 is one of the most-watched sports in the world. It had a cumulative worldwide audience of 1.5 billion in 2021, according to Nielsen, with nearly half in the bank’s markets in Europe (Spain, UK, Germany, France, Italy, among others) and the Americas (Brazil, Mexico, USA). 23 Grand Prix have been confirmed for 2022, with several taking place in the bank’s largest markets. Formula 1 aims to become net-zero by 2030.

In 2020, Santander was the world’s leading bank in renewable energy finance. Its investment banking arm, Santander CIB, has dedicated teams that advise clients on their green transition. The bank has also been carbon neutral in its own operations since 2020 and is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in all its lending, advisory and investment activities by 2050. Furthermore, its car financing operations in Europe (Santander Consumer Finance), the USA (Santander Consumer USA) and other markets are supporting the development of sustainable mobility solutions.

Arctic Wolf partners with the Red Bull Racing Honda F1 team to enhance world-class security operations at the racetrack and beyond.

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Arctic Wolf, a leader in security operations, announced a new global partnership with multi-time Formula 1 world champions Red Bull Racing Honda today. Arctic Wolf becomes the official cybersecurity partner for Red Bull Racing Honda and will implement its category-defining cybersecurity operations solutions across the team’s existing technology and security infrastructure.

With a complex array of technology needed to both protect and optimize Red Bull Racing Honda’s range of high-performance capabilities, the Red Bull Racing Honda team will benefit from Arctic Wolf’s technology and expertise to safeguard its mission-critical data and operations. By integrating its existing infrastructure with the Arctic Wolf® Platform, Red Bull Racing Honda will further enhance its competitive edge with the knowledge that its cloud, network, and endpoint activity is safely monitored 24×7, reducing potential exposure to cyber threats at the factory, wind tunnel, the track and everywhere in between.

“Red Bull Racing Honda has a well-earned reputation for pushing the envelope when it comes to technical innovation, so it is of the utmost importance that our competitive advantage is secured from any potential risk,” said Christian Horner, CEO and team principal, Red Bull Racing Honda. “Our partnership with Arctic Wolf will further enhance our team’s world-class cybersecurity operations that are required to help design and test the car, win races, achieve world championship titles, and keep our data safe.”

Ben Sulayem, a 60-year-old from the Arab Emirates and a former rally driver, was elected in Paris to the leadership of the International Automobile Federation with 61.62% of the votes against 36.62% of the British Graham Stoker, the right-hand man of the 75-year-old French ex-head of Ferrari: he is the first non-European to hold this position. Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the Automobile Club of Italy, appointed Honorary Vice-President.

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On 17 December 2021, Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the United Arab Emirates was elected President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for a four-year term. He succeeds Frenchman Jean Todt, who has held the post since 2009. A former rally driver, Ben Sulayem is the first non-European to hold this position and was also the first Arab executive to join the Federation’s World Council in 2008. A former FIA Vice-President for the Middle East region, he was elected with 61.62% of the vote, against 36.62% for his only opponent, 69-year-old British driver Graham Stoker, deputy to Todt himself (1.76% abstention).

The growing influence of Arab countries in motorsport

The new president intends to “modernize” the FIA and make it more transparent. In his manifesto, he promises an external audit of governance, an evaluation of finances and the production of transparent financial and budget reports. The Arab leader also intends to appoint a chief executive to head the body for day-to-day management. This would also be a completely innovative decision. On the sporting side, he wants to double his global involvement in motorsport by 2025. To do this, he is targeting young people and promising to produce locally-made cross-cars (light buggies) and entry-level karts.

The election of the 60-year-old Dubai native was supported by the countries of this region, which are increasingly influential in the global balance of motorsport, organizing a series of major sporting events. Former British co-driver Robert Reid, world rally champion in 2001 with unforgettable driver Richards Burns, has been appointed Vice President for Sport, a position previously held by Graham Stoker. The list of eleven names in Ben Sulayem’s team also includes Fabiana Flosi Ecclestone, Brazilian lawyer and wife of Bernie Ecclestone, who has taken over as Vice President for South America.

The Gazzetta Dello Sport, a well-known Italian sports newspaper, reported in a recent note that the Ferrari-Leclerc contract includes a “release” clause that takes into account the result of the next season.

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According to the newspaper, Leclerc’s contract, which expires in 2024, contains a special clause that is valid from 2022: if Ferrari does not place at least third in the Constructors’ Championship, the driver would have the opportunity to end his relationship with the Prancing Horse in advance.

Therefore, in order to keep the “predestined” driver in Maranello (as many fans and supporters define him), it is absolutely necessary that Ferrari is in top form, right from the first tests in Barcelona, and that the driver enjoys the trust and consideration of the team, as was amply demonstrated at the start of their relationship. Next season will in fact be a decisive year both for the relaunch of Ferrari, in terms of the world championship, and for the definitive affirmation of Charles Leclerc. In addition, a possible return of Jean Todt to Maranello in the role of super consultant would change the scenarios. Let’s not forget that Nicolas Todt, son of the multi-titled Jean, is the driver’s sports agent.

Leclerc’s season was subdued, and in some ways unlucky, with just one podium finish compared to Sainz’s four, but he finished fourth on six other occasions, including Monza. His retirements at Monte Carlo (after an error on his part) and Hungary meant he missed out on many points in the driver’s standings, which would have allowed him to overtake Perez. At Silverstone he put in a fantastic performance, coming close to victory, overtaken by Hamilton with just 2 laps to go. The Monegasque took the team’s two pole positions, in Monte Carlo and Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, he made a few too many mistakes, especially in practice, looking for the limit. It’s a sign that he’s always pushed hard to find something more from the car, but he hasn’t always felt comfortable.

Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that it has renewed a multi-year partnership agreement with Kaspersky, a world leader in the field of cyber security and data protection. The collaboration dates back to 2010 and was renewed in 2015, while this further renewal sees its scope expand, as Kaspersky will now also be an Official Partner for the FDA Esports Team, the department that, since 2019, deals with virtual motorsport within the Ferrari Driver Academy.

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As part of the partnership, Kaspersky provides several essential services, including the constant protection of Ferrari data both in its Maranello headquarters and at the race tracks around the world. The company logo will feature on the drivers’ and team members’ helmets and clothing at all official Scuderia events, as well as on the shirts worn by the FDA Esports Team sim drivers and on the Ferrari cars in the various games platforms with which the Maranello marque is involved.

Mattia Binotto Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal & Managing Director

“We are pleased to renew our partnership with Kaspersky and in fact to increase its scope. Our two companies have much in common, such as a policy of striving for technological excellence and a culture of teamwork. For over a decade, Kaspersky has played a key role for Scuderia Ferrari, protecting our data both at the track and in Maranello and it is important that we can count on such a reliable partner when it comes to such a delicate aspect in life of a team. We are also happy that our collaboration has been extended into the world of esports, which is growing fast and is vital when it comes to promoting motorsport to a wider and younger audience.”

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise are constantly transforming into innovative security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help 250,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them.

Are you searching for a way to protect your vehicle against expensive repairs? If so, you might have considered an extended car warranty. Remember that you need to be well informed about car warranties to ensure you get the best deal. 

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Car repairs are costly, and most people can’t manage a £1,500 repair cost without running into debt, making an extended car warranty a worthy investment. 

Here is how you can find the best car warranty for you.

Assess the Warranty Cost

The extended car warranty cost varies from one provider to the other. In general, the amount of coverage, mileage, car’s age, car’s make and model determines the price to pay. With plenty of factors to consider, it’s hard to say the exact cost of an extended car warranty.

Introduction

Max Verstappen secured his maiden World Championship with victory in the season-ending 2021 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton finishing second as the race ended in a nail-biting one-lap sprint after a late Safety Car. The result, which saw Valtteri Bottas finish sixth and Sergio Perez retire, means Mercedes have clinched a record eighth consecutive constructors’ championship.

Medium-tyred Hamilton jumped soft-shod Verstappen at the start of the 2021 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, while the Dutchman came back in Turn 6, nudging him wide and over the run-off, but the Mercedes driver continued in the lead. Stewards decided not to investigate. The pit window opened when Verstappen came in on Lap 13, Hamilton a lap later, leaving Sergio Perez in the lead with the mission to hold off Hamilton.

Perez did exactly that, on Laps 20 to 21 – being dubbed a “legend” by his teammate as he let him past to continue the chase, before pitting on lap 22. The podium looked certain until he retired on Lap 56 under a Safety Car, which was brought out for a Nicholas Latifi crash.

That Safety Car, during which Verstappen pitted for soft tyres, left the race with just one lap of green flag racing remaining, producing another memorable moment in this epic season. Verstappen did make the pass on Hamilton into Lap 5, the decisive move, and while Hamilton attempted to come back towards Turn 9, there was nothing doing. History was made, as it was always going to be, and the trophy went to the Dutchman for the first time.

Carlos Sainz was, in my opinion, the revelation driver of the 2021 Formula 1 season. He arrived at Ferrari to act as a “second driver” to Leclerc and the team, replacing Vettel, but instead, in the final classification, he put his own team-mate behind him, who undeniably showed more speed on the track, but also less consistency in results, performance and less lucidity in managing critical moments.

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We know, it’s never easy racing with Ferrari. The pressure is strong and can put anyone in crisis (and Vettel teaches ….), but the Spaniard has never let anything get to him, showing remarkable mental solidity, experience, and champion-like. He worked on the details right from the start, finding himself working on a car that, by his own admission, was really different from the McLaren he had just left, and in this regard, he silenced all the detractors who judged his decision to go to Ferrari as completely wrong.

To tell the truth, the son of the great Carlos, the unforgettable Rallye Champion, also put McLaren of the golden boy Lando Norris behind him. In this F1, made up of so many small details that have to be added up to build a result, Sainz has shown himself to be the right driver and the right man in the right place, with Leclerc perhaps having to learn from his team-mate the art of patience.

The young French Charles, the “predestined” as many define him, runs with his heart, he runs as if he were in another era, he is instinctive, fast, indeed very fast indeed, but he still has to build himself up, and with less impetuosity. This is not a criticism, but a simple observation.

The 2021 Formula 1 season is over and it’s time to give drivers ratings for each Formula 1 team. This championship was marked above all by the great rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. In the thrilling finale of the Abu Dhabi race, the Dutch driver won the race and his first title defeating the seven world champion Hamilton.

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This season showed the talent of many drivers like Sergio Perez, reliable Verstappen’s squire in Red Bull, Carlos Sainz who placed ahead of his teammate Leclerc in his first year for Ferrari, the Formula 1 rising star George Russell and the winning back McLaren in Monza. If you want to live back all emotions and feelings, find out the drivers ratings of each Formula 1 team. Are you ready?

Max Verstappen  & Lewis Hamilton 10/10

The last season finale in Abu Dhabi proved that Max and his team, Red Bull Racing, will be the Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s competitor for the 2021 championship. The modifications of technical rules gave an advantage to Red Bull. Mercedes felt this year would be more complicated and in fact, it was like this.

McLaren Racing and partner BAT’s brand Vuse unveiled a bespoke livery designed by UAE-based artist Rabab Tantawy as part of the Driven by Change campaign for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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Driven by Change gives emerging creatives a platform to showcase their work to a global audience through motorsport. The campaign strives to champion up-and-coming artists, aged over 25, who may not receive the visibility or representation they deserve. This is a part of Vuse’s ongoing commitment to offer unique platforms to spotlight up-and-coming talent.

Inspired by her passion for art and representing togetherness, Tantawy’s artwork was conceived in collaboration with automotive media designer Davide Virdis and will be represented on the McLaren MCL35M race cars driven by Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo throughout the entire 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend. Tantawy’s design features her distinctive Nubian Series blended with the team’s iconic papaya and blue colourway, and marks the first time a female artist from the Middle East has designed a bespoke Formula 1 livery.

The livery will be premiered at a private media event hosted by McLaren Racing and Vuse at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 7 December.