Latest news with #EuropeanLeMansSeries
News18
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Formula E's Berlin Rookie Test Witnesses New Batch Of Female Drivers
Last Updated: Formula E aims to see a female driver return to its grid, but Monday's rookie test in Berlin showed progress is needed. Formula E is eager to see a female driver return to its starting grid, but based on lap times from Monday's rookie test in Berlin, that goal still appears to be a work in progress. Four women participated in the test following the weekend's races at Tempelhof. Among them, Abbi Pulling—last year's F1 Academy champion and current GB3 driver—was the highest-placed female, finishing 17th overall with Nissan. British racer Ella Lloyd, who competes in British F4 and the F1 Academy, placed 18th for McLaren. Jamie Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion and current Williams F1 development driver now racing in the European Le Mans Series, finished 19th for Jaguar. Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines, who races in GB3 and has a significant online following with 1.7 million Instagram followers, finished 22nd and last for the Cupra Kiro team. Despite the final positions, the entire grid was covered by just 1.550 seconds—an indication of a tightly packed field. Italian driver Gabriele Mini posted the fastest time for Nissan, outperforming a competitive lineup that included former Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, Arthur Leclerc (younger brother of Charles Leclerc), and several leading Formula Two competitors. Three women have raced in Formula E since its inception 11 seasons ago: Only de Silvestro managed to score championship points during her time in the series. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Belfast Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Charlie Eastwood has reasons for optimism as he chases victory in Brazilian leg of World Endurance Championship
The South American fixture is the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and Eastwood arrives in expectant mood having finished June's 24 Hours of Le Mans third in LMGT3 alongside driving-mates Tom Van Rompuy and Rui Andrade in their Z06 GT3.R. Eastwood followed that up with a breakthrough victory in the European Le Mans Series at Sunday's Four Hours of Imola for the American manufacturer. It also ended a 19-month wait for him to record a first class win with Corvette following his switch to the squad from Aston Martin in late 2023. 'I have to say that I am really looking forward to getting back to the FIA World Endurance Championship — I think that we are finally on something of a good run in the competition, especially with our podium finish at Le Mans in June,' Eastwood told Belfast Telegraph Sport. 'Then, of course, I got my first win in a Corvette just last weekend — a performance that really gives us confidence as we head to Brazil; we are really optimistic about Sao Paulo. 'We are now up to sixth position in the Championship standings after the 24 Hours of Le Mans and hopefully we can keep pushing forward, and keep building on that.' What could help the number eighty-one crews' efforts is extensive upgrade work to the anti-clockwise Interlagos Circuit, which is officially called Autodromo José Carlos Pace. Another possible curveball ahead of Sunday's race — which gets under way at 3.30pm UK time — is the introduction of a new compound from WEC's official tyre supplier, Goodyear. 'The tyre is in response to the high degradation based on last year; it's a hard compound which we did some development work on before it was signed off,' explained Eastwood, 'but we are not fully aware of what tyre they finalised, so that is going to be a big change. 'The track's surface has also been completely resurfaced, so it's tricky to know how it will all pan out. But, like I said, the team is operating at a really high level, as are my two team-mates, so we will look to get up to speed quickly and hopefully get our first win in WEC.' Eastwood, Andrade and Van Rompuy make up an 18-car field for the Six Hours of Sao Paulo, with Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, McLaren, Ford and Lexus all represented.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Berlin Rookie Test: Jaguar TCS Racing nominates Jamie Chadwick, Leonardo Fornaroli
Image credit: Formula E There are just a few days to go for the Berlin Rookie Test that will follow the Berlin E-Prix this weekend. Filling in the last slots, Jaguar TCS Racing have announced Jamie Chadwick and Formula 3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli as their nominees for the Berlin Rookie Test. It will take place at the Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, Monday. All about Jamie Chadwick and Leonardo Fornaroli Jamie Chadwick recently won the European Le Mans Series events for IDEC Sport in the LMP2 class. She also tried her hand at the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 after driving it in the Women's Test in Madrid and the Rookie Free Practice session in Jeddah. Leonardo Fornaroli currently drives for Invicta Racing and is fourth in the FIA Formula 2 standings. He is also the current Formula 3 champion. Sharing his excitement ahead of the Berlin test, he said, 'It is a privilege to mark my first official test in Formula E with Jaguar TCS Racing. It is going to be a new challenge for me, but one I am looking forward to. To work with the current world championship-winning team is a great opportunity for me and it will be really exciting to take to the Tempelhof Airport circuit for the first time.' James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal, said about the two rookies, "We're delighted to welcome back Jamie to the team and give her another chance to put the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 through its paces. Jamie has enjoyed plenty of success in sportscars this year and has excelled across multiple motorsport disciplines, so it will be great to see her drive in Formula E again.' She said about Fornaroli, 'We are also delighted to welcome Leonardo into the team in Berlin. Leonardo is enjoying an impressive debut season in Formula 2 off the back of winning the Formula 3 title last year – a superb achievement against a really strong field of drivers. We look forward to seeing what Leonardo can do behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 as he showcases his skillset in Formula E for the first time.' Also Read: Season 11 Berlin Rookie Test: Formula E teams announce nominations, eligibility rules explained The Berlin Rookie Test gives the rookies an opportunity to show their talent in the Formula E cars and get a chance to gain a seat in the team in future. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Chadwick, Fornaroli lined up for Jaguar rookie Formula E test in Berlin
Jaguar TCS Racing has named Jamie Chadwick and Leonardo Fornaroli as its drivers for the official Formula E rookie test in Berlin, Germany, on July 14, the day after the city's double-header E-Prix. Chadwick, best known for her three W Series titles, returns to the Jaguar I-Type 7 for the third time this season. She's been behind the wheel during the women's test in Madrid and took part in the rookie free practice session in Jeddah earlier this year. The 26-year-old is racing in the European Le Mans Series with IDEC Sport and made her debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, adding an LMP2 class win to her growing list of achievements. 'I'm looking forward to teaming up with Jaguar TCS Racing again for the rookie test in Berlin,' said Chadwick. 'I am hugely grateful for the opportunities I've had to drive the Jaguar I-Type 7 this season, and I'm eager to get back on track with the team again.' Fornaroli will get his first taste of Formula E machinery. The Italian is enjoying a strong season in Formula 2, sitting fourth overall with Invicta Racing after picking up a win at Silverstone, four podium finishes and two pole positions. Last year, he clinched the FIA Formula 3 title with a consistent run that included seven podiums. 'It is a privilege to mark my first official test in Formula E with Jaguar TCS Racing,' said Fornaroli. 'It is going to be a new challenge for me, but one I am looking forward to. To work with the world championship-winning team is a great opportunity for me and it will be exciting to take to the Tempelhof Airport circuit for the first time.'
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Le Mans win is box I need to tick'
Ryan Cullen has experienced a lot in his racing career, but the Somerset-born Irishman believes he has the stamina to reach the top in endurance his focus away from a journey to Formula 1 has meant longer distances, durations ranging from four hours to 24 hours and a focus on stamina over speed. Now competing in the European Le Mans Series, Cullen is targeting a win in the most famous endurance race of them all, in which he has competed since 2019."[I want] to win Le Mans 24 Hours," he told BBC Radio Somerset. "I haven't won it and not many people can say it. I've won other endurance races but Le Mans is the tick in the box I need. "I'm pushing to the point where until I do it, I won't stop. It is the whole event; there could be 600,000 people there. The sheer mass of everyone there, the pressure."It is pretty electric; it is special to be on the track, on the main roads, with the history of everything with the long straights, the change of weather. "It brings out the best in drivers and the level is high. There are 60 cars, three drivers each; 180 drivers, there are some really good drivers in there."The 34-year-old's journey has unorthodox to say the least. While he showed racing prowess as a youngster, he stepped away from the sport in his teens before returning and beginning a journey towards Formula 1."My dad took me go-karting when I was four or five; I don't really remember it," he said. "He was working in Germany so I would go and see him and race against the workers. Apparently, I was as good as adults at that age, so he thought 'lets buy a go-kart and go club racing'."It got serious at 12 or 13; the karts were getting quicker, the professionalism was getting better and you really had to apply yourself."Then I took a bit of a break, went to school, did my GCSEs, played other sports and went back at it when I was 20. It is a bit of a jump; I was at a crossroads in my life. "When I was 20, I did my race license and went straight into British Formula 4, into the championships and did OK as a rookie. "I shocked myself, and then made another jump to F3. It was enough of a gamble for me to think, 'do I know what I'm doing?' I still had a natural feel to driving but had to relearn everything; it was tough because you are racing guys who have done it for two or three years." 'My hero' - competing with Rossi and Button Like many others, including some of motorsport's biggest names, he changed course and never looked back. He competes for Vector Sport, a British team based in Stratford, formed in 2021. It has been a mixed start to life there, but he has earned a couple of podiums. The team is second in the European Le Mans Series table after two races out of six this season."I raced with a good British Formula Ford team, then went on to Marussia F1 junior team, which was a big step. I raced against a lot of guys in that era who are now in F1 like Carlos Sainz, [Daniil] Kvyat," he said."The biggest jump in my career was F4 to F3, just by pure experience and the level everyone was at; you could generally go from that championship straight to F1."I never looked at [the endurance] side of motorsport when I was on the road to F1. A lot of drivers bring the level from other series; you can get guys from Formula 1, from NASCAR, even MotoGP. "It brings the level up so high; I'm on the track with some of my heroes like Valentino Rossi. I used to watch him with my dad; Jenson [Button] is on the grid, you get to meet some cool people."Although F1 remains the most popular sport, Cullen believes Le Mans' growing popularity can see that change."In the next three years [the sport] is going to peak quite a lot; it is so hard to know where it is all going to go, but this is the golden era of sports car racing and you go to one of these big endurance races, there are a lot of fans. "I'm surprised more fans watch endurance races than F1 because they can get so close to the fans and drivers and everything. I think they are doing a great job promoting the endurance side of racing."The likes of Button and Rossi continuing to race well into their 40s sets an example to Cullen, who still believes he has much more to give as he chases down success."There is longevity in the sport; experience counts for a lot. When you are doing 24-hour races, or even four, six, eight hours, you don't need to be always finding the extra tenths in yourself and the car," he said."I still feel young. I've always dreamt of being a driver so I feel like a kid when I'm back in the car. I still remember go-karting and how privileged I am. I keeps me youthful."
