IN THE EVENT: McLaren Racing CEO Zach Brown says McLaren is involved in top-level sports car racing as IMSA and it’s a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’.
in short
McLaren ‘a matter of when’ as it enters top-level sports car racing – Brown
McLaren Racing CEO Zach Brown says it’s a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’, that McLaren will be involved in top-level sports car racing like IMSA.
With the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA series introducing the Hypercars and LMDh classes to endurance sports car racing, many manufacturers have joined their own programs – including Ferrari, Peugeot, BMW and Lamborghini.
Speaking on an episode of Marshall Pruett’s podcast, Brown admitted that McLaren’s involvement in high-level sports car racing such as IMSA is something the organization should pursue.
“I want to bring McLaren to the top level of sports car racing,” said Brown. “I think we should be there. I think it fits our brand.
I have to be sure that when – I mean if we go in and ‘engage’ – we need to be able to do it right and have everything we’re doing in a good place.
“I think it’s a few years away. We need to make a decision soon because we now know what we need to know to make a decision. The best time to enter depends on what else is going on in the world of McLaren.
An unimpressed Verstappen refused the order.
Former Formula 1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck says Max Verstappen’s refusal to follow Red Bull’s orders at the Brazilian Grand Prix was a “lack of discipline”.
Red Bull asked Verstappen to pass Sergio Perez on the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix, but the world champion refused. Stuck, who has scored two podiums in his six-year F1 career, said Verstappen was wrong not to obey them.
“The first order in Formula 1 is to follow the instructions of the team unconditionally, because the drivers have signed a contract,” he told Eurosport.
Stuck shared former team principal Bernie Ecclestone’s view of the incident. “It was very clear there,” he said. If one of the drivers hadn’t followed such instructions, Bernie would have thrown him out.
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Links
Motor Racing Links of Interest:
Jean Alessi’s Formula One Ferrari fetches $3.1 million at auction (Barron’s)
“The 1991 Ferrari 643 that marked the official start of French racing driver Jean Alessi’s Formula 1 career will be auctioned at RM Sotheby’s in Paris in February. It has a pre-sale estimate of between €2.9 million and €3.4 million (US$3.1 million and $3.6 million). It has chassis number 127. “The sports car is running full speed,” says RM Sotheby’s. “It has a 3.5-liter V12 engine that produces 710 brake horsepower, six times more than the standard engine. It can deliver.”
A Very McLaren Christmas (McLaren)
“If you’re starting to feel the signs of motorsport withdrawal at home, we’ve got a few tips on how to spend the off-season, from McLaren-themed books and movies to LEGO cars and some exercise-inducing racing gear…”
Doohan is expected to dominate next year after a difficult 2022 season (Formula 2).
“I’m looking forward to next year. I know I’ll have a good package underneath and I know I’ve got a good team so I’m looking forward to nothing more than dominating the championship.”
Trying vegan this year? Paul McCartney and Lewis Hamilton Want to Help (Vegetarian News)
“Global non-profit organization Veganuri is making it easy to go vegan this January (and beyond) with the release of this year’s Vegan Kit. The kit is a gift box of advice and motivational cards that give you everything you need to know to go vegan. The likes of Paul McCartney, Lewis Hamilton, Sarah Pascoe, Including inspirational messages from compassionate celebrities like Ivana Lynch and Chris Packham.
Hey, Jay // Sit down with IndyCar President Jay Frye (IndyCar on YouTube)
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This day in motorsport
Born today in 1949: One-time F1 race starter Warwick Brown
