Italian rally driver Matteo Doretto dies aged 21 after crash in testing in Poland
Doretto was conducting a private test session on Wednesday morning for the upcoming Rally Poland 'when he lost his life in an accident,' the ERC said in a statement late Wednesday. It added that co-driver Samuele Pellegrino was unhurt.
The Automobile Club of Italy said Doretto hit a tree while testing his Peugeot 208 car in northeastern Poland.
The 21-year-old Doretto was the Italian junior champion last year and was in his first season in the ERC. He was fourth in the junior standings.
'With potential in abundance, Matteo was polite, engaging but, above all, modest,' the ERC said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
Ashok Leyland avoids overseas deal rush, bets on India hub for global growth
Bus and truck maker Ashok Leyland says it doesn't need overseas acquisitions to establish itself globally, as the Chennai-based company concentrates on building India as its manufacturing hub for international markets. According to Dheeraj Hinduja, chairman of the country's third-largest commercial vehicle maker, the company is not looking for acquisitions for the sake of acquiring companies, as it continues to await right opportunities in growing markets, amid announcements of mega deals by rivals Tata Motors Ltd and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. Hinduja said that Leyland is currently focused on high-growth markets like India, Asean and West Asia. 'Europe for a long time has been quite depressed. From our perspective, today where India stands in its capabilities, quality, and our vendor base, we have the potential to supply global markets from India," Hinduja said. He added that the company will still not shy away from acquisition, if it helps access new technologies or markets. 'But primarily, India has an edge over other markets," Hinduja said. Ashok Leyland ended FY25 with a net cash surplus of ₹4,242 crore, and ₹3,284 crore of it was generated in the fourth quarter. The generation of such cash put the company in a position to target acquisitions, unlike in FY24 when it ended the year at ₹89 crore debt. Ashok Leyland's shares jumped 8.15% on Monday to settle at ₹131.90 apiece on the National Stock Exchange. The stock has surged 18.39% this year as against a 9% rise in Nifty Auto index. While Leyland looks to cautiously deploy the surplus funds, Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra have splashed money at key acquisitions to strengthen commercial vehicle play at a time when growth has been slow in the market. Tata Motors announced the acquisition of Italian commercial vehicle maker Iveco for 3.8 billion Euros in July, while Mahindra acquired truck and bus maker SML Isuzu for ₹555 crore in April. These acquisitions came as the commercial vehicle industry in India remained flattish, declining 0.1% in FY25 to 1 million units. Ashok Leyland held a 16.6% market share after selling 167,465 trucks and buses during the financial year, almost unchanged from FY24. With a growth environment tepid in the commercial vehicle market, Tata Motors chief financial officer P.B. Balaji told investors on 31 July that disruptive acquisitions like Iveco are needed to continue growing at a rapid pace. 'Market shares are highly stable in the commercial vehicle business. It is not a very disruptive business. Diversification of cash flows is important to maintain growth in the business," Balaji explained. However, Hinduja had a different take on the issue. 'Every company makes their own decisions based on their focus areas, where our focus today is on the future technologies. We are building a future where we can address global markets as Indian manufacturers. We don't need to have a global manufacturing footprint in specific markets where production can be high," Hinduja said. In March this year, Ashok Leyland announced that its electric vehicle subsidiary Switch Mobility will look to wind down operations in the UK and turn its focus to India due to a weak demand for such vehicles in the European nation. Analysts note that Ashok Leyland's conservative approach has resulted in better balance sheet health and has placed the company in a position of growth. In the April to June quarter, Leyland's profits grew 21% year on year to ₹658 crore. 'Ashok Leyland's disciplined approach to inorganic growth stands out in contrast to the more aggressive acquisition strategies of Tata Motors and Mahindra," Shridhar Kallani, research analyst—auto, at Axis Securities, said. Kallani noted that with a fortified balance sheet and a net cash surplus, the company has the capacity to pursue acquisitions, but management has indicated it will only consider opportunities that complement its core strengths in technology, EVs and global market access. 'While this measured stance may appear conservative, it ensures financial flexibility and long-term shareholder value creation," he said. However, others note that there are dark clouds over growth prospects of the company, as it comes under intense pressure from competition and low demand in the Indian market. 'We forecast a subdued performance ahead at a 1% CAGR over FY25–28E owing to reasonable utilisation levels at transporters', increasing competitive intensity from Railways and a high base," analysts at Nuvama Institutional Equities wrote in a note on 14 August.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Lamborghini Fenomeno Limited Edition Supercar Breaks Cover
Lamborghini unveiled the limited-edition Fenomeno supercar during Monterey Car Week 2025. The Italian marque claims Fenomeno features the most powerful V12 engine in its history. As the latest in Lamborghini's line of exclusive models, Fenomeno follows the tradition set by the Reventon, with successors including the Sesto Elemento (2010), Veneno (2013), Centenario (2016), Sian (2019), and Countach (2021). The name "Fenomeno," in keeping with Lamborghini's naming heritage, honors a brave and renowned bull that fought in Morelia, Mexico, in 2002. The limited-edition Lamborghini Fenomeno is available in 30 units, with 29 units allocated to customers. The Lamborghini Fenomeno features a 6.5-liter NA V12 engine, also seen on the Lamborghini Revuelto, and is mated with a dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox. However, the brand claims that the Fenemeno features the most powerful V12 by the brand. The total power output is 1,065 hp, with a record 823 hp provided by the naturally aspirated V12 engine and a further 242 hp developed by the three electric motors. Lamborghini Fenomeno These features also attribute the Lamborghini Fenomeno as the fastest Lamborghini ever, both in the 0-100 km/h sprint, which it achieves in an extraordinary 2.4 seconds, and in the 0-200 km/h sprint, completed in just 6.7 seconds. It boasts a top speed of 350 km/h. Talking about the design and exterior, the Lamborghini Fenomeno has an aeronautics-inspired chassis, with a monocoque made entirely of multi-technology carbon fiber, has a front structure in forged composite, a special material made of short carbon fiber soaked in resin. The supercar gets a CCM-R Plus brake system with carbon-ceramic discs for exceptional braking on track and roads. The single-nut forged rims contribute to delivering exceptional agility, while the special track-oriented tires custom-engineered by Bridgestone offer outstanding grip. Completing the Fenomeno is a sport-tuned suspension, making the Fenomeno extremely precise and stable during sports driving.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Austrian MotoGP 2025, Qualifying: Marc Marquez crashes, Marco Bezzecchi claims first pole of the season
Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi delivered a stunning turnaround to claim his first pole position of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday, while championship leader Marc Marquez's front-row bid ended in the gravel after a costly crash. Bezzecchi had to battle through the Q1 qualifying session to secure the final Q2 spot before clocking one minute and 28.060 seconds to snatch pole position at the Red Bull Ring. It marked Bezzecchi's fifth career pole and his first since the Indian Grand Prix in 2023, with the Italian crediting MotoGP great Valentino Rossi for crucial late-night assistance after Friday's disappointing practice sessions. 'Yesterday afternoon, I was a bit sad because I saw some positives. But then in the time attacks from the practice, I couldn't really make any lap time,' said Bezzecchi, who progressed through the ranks at Rossi's VR46 Riders Academy. A SUPER LAP BY BEZ TO GO TO P1🔥#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 — MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2025 'We discovered what was wrong ... I really have to thank Vale a lot because he came to the box yesterday and we worked until late night and yeah, big thanks to him. 'Also, thanks to the team, they did a wonderful job as always. I will try my best as always this afternoon (in the sprint) and then tomorrow.' Bezzecchi is joined on the front row by Gresini Racing's Alex Marquez, who sits second in the championship, and Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia. Marc Marquez, who has won the last five Grands Prix, is seeking a first ever victory at the Red Bull Ring but after initially setting the fastest lap, he was pushed off the front row and will start fourth on the grid. The Spaniard's attempt at one final flying lap ended dramatically when he clipped the kerb on turn two and crashed into the gravel, unable to improve his time despite steering his battered Ducati through the remaining corners. KTM's Pedro Acosta had to abandon his lap midway and ride through the paddock to return to the pits as surprised staff jumped out of the way and the 21-year-old attempted one more lap to fight for pole at the team's home track. Acosta looked well set for pole when he went fastest on the first two sectors but made a mistake which required him to regain control and will start seventh on the grid behind Enea Bastianini and Fermin Aldeguer. Meanwhile, KTM Tech3's Maverick Vinales will sit out the rest of the weekend due to intense pain in his left shoulder having just returned from surgery.
