Latest news with #FIA-compliant
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
The new Alpine A290 Rallye is ready to go racing
Alpine has unveiled its first 100% electric competition car. Built for one-make rally events and local competitions, the A290 Rallye differentiates itself from its road-going sister with key safety upgrades such as an FIA-compliant roll cage and Sabelt bucket seats. Though peak output remains unchanged at 164kW and 300Nm, the hatchback's e-motor now sends drive to the front wheels via a competition-spec ZF limited-slip differential. Alpine has also paired it with an updated gearbox and the electronic management system. Chassis tweaks include ALP Racing Suspension shock absorbers and 18" EVO Corse wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport A tyres. Controlled by Alpine Racing's bespoke ABS control unit, stopping power is provided by six-piston monoblock calipers and 350mm discs up front, while the rear gets single-pot calipers working on 280mm rotors. There's also a hydraulic handbrake to help initiate controlled slides and rotations during cornering. The new Alpine A290 Rallye is priced at €59,990 (R1,243,952 excluding VAT) and is set to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10 to 13.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Brad Pitt's F1 film used real Grand Prix events for on-track scenes
Following its theatrical release internationally on June 25 and in North America on June 27, F1, the motorsport drama starring Brad Pitt, has drawn attention for how it was filmed inside real Formula One race weekends. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and made in partnership with Formula One Management, the film blends scripted storytelling with footage captured during live events across the sport's international calendar. Filming took place at circuits including Silverstone, Spa, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi. The production team operated within narrow time slots between official sessions, sometimes as short as ten to fifteen minutes. Pitt and co-star Damson Idris portrayed drivers from a fictional team called APXGP, which was given space within real paddock areas alongside professional teams. Both actors underwent performance driving training and filmed scenes in modified Formula Two cars. According to production sources, Pitt reached speeds close to 200 miles per hour during supervised filming at Circuit of the Americas. To capture cockpit footage, the crew used compact camera systems, including a custom-built unit developed by Apple. The system incorporated the iPhone 15 Pro sensor with proprietary firmware, an A-series chip, and cinema-grade accessories, all mounted in FIA-compliant housings designed for use inside high-speed vehicles. Footage was recorded in Apple's ProRes Log format, allowing for high dynamic range and professional color grading. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton served as co-producer and collaborated with the creative team on race authenticity, character development, and on-track realism. Now in cinemas, the film has attracted interest for its unconventional production process. The combination of scripted drama with footage shot amid the logistics of a functioning Grand Prix weekend has become a central part of how the film is being received by both motorsport and film audiences.
