Latest news with #Formula3
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Australian racing driver James Wharton takes maiden Formula 3 race win
Australian Formula 3 driver James Wharton has claimed his maiden win in the category, triumphing in Austria during the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Wharton claimed Saturday's sprint race, his first win and podium in the F3 category. The ART Grand Prix driver started the sprint on pole and withstood a strong challenge from Frenchman Alessandro Giusti and American Ugo Ugochukwu over the 21-lap fight. "Can't describe how happy I am finally winning my first race in F3," Wharton wrote on social media after the race win. "The team earned it, we needed it, and we made it happen." Wharton got a great start and held the lead into the first corner at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. The field bunched up following an early safety car after a crash in the midfield. Giusti mounted a strong challenge for the lead following the restart, pushing the Australian from laps five to eight. Wharton withstood the challenge, held the lead after a passing attempt from Giusti on lap eight, and kept his focus as the laps went by. Another safety car bunched the field again, leaving a four-lap sprint to the finish when the green flag came out. Wharton held his nerve and took the chequered flag. Wharton's only other points finish this season was eighth in the Spanish sprint race in Barcelona. The Australian will start Sunday's feature race from 12th on the grid.
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Irish motor-racing star and F2 leader Alex Dunne to drive McLaren's Formula 1 car during Austrian Grand Prix weekend
The 19-year-old from Offaly currently tops the Formula 2 championship standings, having claimed two victories so far this season, backing up his maiden victory in Bahrain with a repeat at Imola. Dunne joined McLaren's driver development programme in May last year while competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship, and is racing in the second tier championship for Rodin Motorsport. He also holds the role of Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will take over Lando Norris's seat for Free Practice 1 (FP1), as teams are required to give rookie drivers at least two practice outings per car during the 2025 season, with Ferrari also announcing that their junior driver Dino Beganovic will replace Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,' Dunne said after the news was confirmed on Monday. 'I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. 'It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 'The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. 'The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.'
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Irish motor-racing star and F2 leader Alex Dunne to drive McLaren's Formula 1 car during Austrian Grand Prix weekend
The 19-year-old from Offaly currently tops the Formula 2 championship standings, having claimed two victories so far this season, backing up his maiden victory in Bahrain with a repeat at Imola. Dunne joined McLaren's driver development programme in May last year while competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship, and is racing in the second tier championship for Rodin Motorsport. He also holds the role of Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will take over Lando Norris's seat for Free Practice 1 (FP1), as teams are required to give rookie drivers at least two practice outings per car during the 2025 season, with Ferrari also announcing that their junior driver Dino Beganovic will replace Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,' Dunne said after the news was confirmed on Monday. 'I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. 'It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 'The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. 'The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.'
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Irish motor-racing star and F2 leader Alex Dunne to drive McLaren's Formula 1 car at Austrian Grand Prix practice
The 19-year-old from Offaly currently tops the Formula 2 championship standings, having claimed two victories so far this season, backing up his maiden victory in Bahrain with a repeat at Imola. Dunne joined McLaren's driver development programme in May last year while competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship, and is racing in the second tier championship for Rodin Motorsport. He also holds the role of Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will take over Lando Norris's seat for Free Practice 1 (FP1), as teams are required to give rookie drivers at least two practice outings per car during the 2025 season, with Ferrari also announcing that their junior driver Dino Beganovic will replace Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,' Dunne said after the news was confirmed on Monday. 'I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. 'It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 'The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. 'The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.'
Daily Tribune
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Retains Its Place on Motorsport's Global Grid
TDT | Manama The kingdom secures key dates across multiple FIA championships in 2026 Bahrain's role as a key hub in global motorsport has been reaffirmed following confirmation of the 2026 calendars across several top-tier FIA series, including Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and the World Rally-Raid Championship. The announcement, made at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau and chaired by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, solidifies the kingdom's ongoing commitment to motorsport at the highest level. F1 and F3 Share the Stage The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be held from April 10 to 12, 2026, featuring the debut of F1 cars powered by 100% sustainable fuels—a major milestone in the sport's green transition. Over the same weekend, Bahrain will also host a round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, making it the Middle East's sole representative in the ten-round junior series. This joint showcase of senior and feeder series underlines Bahrain's status as a cradle of racing development. Full Middle East Slate in Formula Championships Bahrain is one of four Middle Eastern venues confirmed for the 2026 Formula 1 and Formula 2 calendars, alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. The region will also feature in the Formula E calendar, with Saudi Arabia staging back-to-back races in Jeddah on February 13 and 14, 2026. The F2 series will run in tandem with F1, placing Bahrain in a pivotal position as both a sporting and logistical anchor for the season's early stages. Rally-Raid Continues Across the Region Bahrain may not be a host for the World Rally-Raid Championship, but the wider Gulf remains heavily involved. Saudi Arabia will again open the 2026 W2RC season with the Dakar Rally from January 3 to 17, followed by Morocco in late September and Abu Dhabi in November. These events bolster the Middle East's footprint in off-road rallying, complementing its high-profile circuit racing presence. FIA Pushes Ahead with 2027 WRC Vision In addition to confirming 2026 dates, the FIA has advanced its long-term rally strategy. The WRC27 rulebook, set to define the World Rally Championship's future from 2027 to 2037, has been finalised. A new bodywork volume framework offers manufacturers broad freedom in design, allowing anything from hatchbacks and saloons to crossovers and custom-built entries—without compromising on performance. The flexibility aims to attract innovation and investment while maintaining regulatory clarity. A Clear Message from the FIA FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem underlined the importance of this transitional period: '2025 is proving to be an exciting year across all our championships, new agreements across our championships are unlocking fresh potential.' That potential includes sustainability targets, fresh talent development, and a broadening global reach—goals Bahrain continues to align with through its sustained presence on the calendar. A Measured but Meaningful Step Bahrain's confirmed inclusion in the 2026 motorsport calendar—spanning from Formula 1 to F3—reaffirms its status not just as a venue, but as a foundational part of motorsport's evolving ecosystem. As the FIA balances innovation with heritage, Bahrain is proving itself ready for both.
