Latest news with #GB3
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
More grit than glitz in female motorsport's answer to Drive to Survive
Netflix's fly-on-the-wall documentary Formula 1: Drive to Survive has been such a success that sports have fallen over themselves to try to cash in on the back of it. The latest to allow cameras on the grid is F1: The Academy. The stage is almost the same, even if the story is not. The F1 Academy, under managing director Susie Wolff, has been established to nurture young female talent, and the series is produced by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine. Unlike F1, it is not a career in itself. Drivers must be aged between 16 and 25 and are only allowed to race for two seasons, with just the winner awarded a fully-funded seat in GB3 – the next rung in the ladder before the heights of F2, or even F1. The differences between F1 Academy and Formula One are stark. There are no Monaco penthouses and only one clip of drivers cruising to a track in a luxury vehicle. It might be the pinnacle of female motorsport, but there is a long way to go for the drivers to have more than just a taste of the riches on offer. Instead, drivers live with their managers and only a few have the luxury of an entourage. The documentary will leave even those few who believe the sport is open to all convinced of the barriers. Abbi Pulling, the British driver, cannot afford to have her father fly out and watch while merchandise shoots are a necessity – as she bluntly explains, it helps her pay rent. Wolff says she wants F1 Academy to be a 'movement not a moment', but for those in their final season of the competition there is the constant uncertainty of what the future holds. Pulling's story is one of sacrifice, from her father working seven days a week to fund her karting career to an honest reflection that if she does not win in her final F1 Academy year – and therefore misses out on the GB3 place – that might be the end of her racing journey. Pulling, who does go on to win and is now competing in GB3, says: 'I'm a woman in a man's world trying to prove herself. That's why Mulan is my favourite movie.' It is a harsh reality that contrasts sharply with the glitz and glamour that comes with racing in F1 teams' liveries, on the same weekends and at the same track as the flagship races. As Wolff states plainly: 'If you can't cut it in F1 Academy, there's not going to be much of a career in motorsport left for you.' In F1, even drivers who do not make the cut after a year or two are still compensated heavily, but reaching F1 Academy does not pay the bills. Bianca Bustamante, a driver from the Philippines, boasts more than three million followers on social media, and more on Instagram than F1 driver Liam Lawson. She is mobbed at races, with endless requests for selfies, especially when in Singapore, and her McLaren aide worries how her social media posts and marketing affect her racing – her season is one of pitfalls. In a later episode Mercedes's Toto Wolff, in one of a handful of brief appearances by F1 team principals, says: 'This is not an influencer racing series. Only the best ones must survive.' In the seven-part series, only five stories are really explored – Bustamante, Pulling, Mercedes driver Doriane Pin, sisters Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi from Dubai, and American rally driver turned track racer Lia Block. Those tuning in expecting another version of the abrasive rivalries between drivers and team principles that are the cornerstone of Drive to Survive will find themselves disappointed. The first episode, titled Not here to make friends, is little more than words as the drivers throw each other birthday parties and take group excursions into the desert. On track there is some frustration, but usually by drivers at their own mistakes, and of course there are a few tears as well. Susie Wolff closes off the season by saying: 'I've driven a Formula One car, and fast. I know it's possible and I want to see a young woman on that grid.' Yet the question remains: is it possible?
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Kiwi racer Louis Sharp eyes comeback at Imola F3 round
Imola this weekend offers a good chance for Sharp to haul himself up the leaderboard as it's a track he's tested on before and knows pretty well. It's a bit of an old-school track reminiscent of some of the tracks he raced on during his GB3 campaign in the UK last year, and not unlike some he grew up on racing in New Zealand. 'Imola is a track I've been to before. Back 2023 I did the official test in F3, so I've had a taste of what it's like. 'It's an awesome track and like racing in the UK. It's a proper old-school circuit; it's tight, it's bumpy and fast and I really enjoyed it when I was testing. I'm looking forward to getting back out there and getting a good result. 'It is similar in a way to some New Zealand tracks, but Imola has a lot more undulation, is tight and has no room for error,' said Sharp. This weekend is the start of three intense race weekends for the Kiwi, starting at Imola before heading to Monaco and then Barcelona. If Sharp can get a good result this weekend, he and the team can start building some momentum for the run to the halfway point of the season. While Sharp hasn't been able to get to the pointy end of the field during a race just yet because of poor qualifying, the car has proven quick in practice, so he and the team are confident they have the speed. Now it's just a matter of taking advantage of that. 'We've got to put together a few good weekends where nothing goes wrong, and we should be okay. 'These are three iconic tracks and I'm looking forward to racing on all three of them. At the end of these three weeks half the season is over, so the season is flying by pretty quickly. 'As a team we are hoping to get something [momentum] going this weekend and that will carry into Monaco and then carry into Barcelona. 'As I said earlier, it's definitely not the start of a season we wanted, but there are plenty of races left in the series to get something going and build some good results,' he said. The FIA F3 championship has the best junior category drivers in the world conmpeting for the title. Sharp has won his previous two championships – British F4 and GB3 – so is no stranger to the heat of battle. 'It's definitely a very fierce championship in term of the competition. Obviously British F4 and GB3 are super competitive but this is a step up. I'm confident in the car, but the thing is there is very little practice available. 'You get two or three laps in practice and then it's straight into qualifying. Having experience in these cars and the tracks are definitely an advantage. 'It is what it is, and you just have to get on with it. I'm definitely enjoying it, that's for sure,' said Sharp.
Al Etihad
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Dubai-raised Al Azhari reflects on driving roots ahead of UK stint
15 May 2025 00:29 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)At just 17 years old, Dubai's Keanu Al Azhari has taken a significant leap in his motorsport career – one that could put him on the path to Formula rising UAE driver has joined the Alpine Academy, the junior development programme in England, and is set to compete in the GB3 Championship with the Silverstone-based Hitech GP this move marks a turning point for Al Azhari, who has long been seen as one of the UAE's brightest racing prospects. Having already made a name for himself in Formula 4 over two seasons, the teenager sees his latest step as both validation of his talent and a gateway to bigger things."Joining Alpine is a big milestone in my career and a reflection of all the hard work that I have put in," he said."I'm really proud to be part of the Alpine family, and they will help develop me during my junior single-seater career. Hopefully, this move will be another step towards reaching my career goal of reaching F1 one day, as that is my dream. It's going to be a tough few years, but I am ready to show everyone what I have now."And he is thankful to Dubai Autodrome, where his career roots have been entrenched. Motorsport runs in the family. Keanu's father, Karim Al Azhari, was a regular on the local racing scene, and Keanu was immersed in the world of racing from an early age at the Autodrome and even got his racing license from there."My first memories of going to the track were at a very young age, when I was three years old, watching my dad race," he trajectory so far certainly supports that ambition. Last year, he secured four wins, nine podiums, and five pole positions, finishing runner-up in the Formula 4 Spanish Championship, while in the Formula 4 UAE Championship in the same year, he earned two wins, five podiums, and four pole positions to secure third place Azhari is among a number of young drivers who have transitioned from karting to motorsport. That list includes UAE's Rashid Al Dhaheri, former Dubai Kartdrome O Plate champion, who recently joined Mercedes' Junior Driver Programme, Zack Scoular, competing in British GB3, Jamie Day, an ex-karting champion and part of the Aston Martin drivers' junior team in European Endurance GT3, Edward Jones, who finished third in Indy 500, and Federico Rifai, a multiple-karting champion and former Saudi F4 winner."He always had a passion for motorsport and the hunger to succeed in every race and it is wonderful to see that he still has that commitment," said Dubai Autodrome General Manager Faisal Al Sahlawi, who has seen Al Azhari come through the ranks."With plenty of years ahead of him, he possesses all the correct attributes to be an even better driver and become a future world motorsport champion. We hope many young drivers across the UAE can follow in his footsteps." For now, Al Azhari's focus is firmly on GB3 and proving he belongs in the upper echelons of junior motorsport. With the backing of Alpine and a competitive seat at Hitech GP, he has the tools – and the drive – to take his dream all the way to Formula One.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Douglas Primed For Major Month In USF Pro 2000 Championship
The most anticipated month in North American open-wheel racing has arrived, and rising Kiwi talent Jacob Douglas is set to take on the iconic Month of May in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire. Four pivotal races across two weekends await Douglas and his Pabst Racing team, with a mid-season test at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course splitting the two events. It's a defining stretch in the championship's calendar—and one the 19-year-old is eager to embrace. 'The Month of May is the biggest on the IndyCar calendar, and it's no different in the USF Pro 2000 Championship,' said Douglas. 'Two race weekends at my home away from home here in Indianapolis are an exciting prospect. It'll also be fantastic to catch the Indy 500 and catch up with the Kiwi contingent.' Douglas's Month of May campaign begins with a triple-header on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course this weekend before the field heads to Ohio for testing. The action then returns to the Hoosier State for the season's only oval race at Indianapolis Raceway Park, a high-speed 0.686-mile (1.104 km) oval located less than 10 miles from the Brickyard, just days ahead of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500. 'I can't wait to get back behind the wheel this weekend,' added Douglas. 'We tested on the Indianapolis Road Course last October and had really strong pace, finishing in the top five in every session out of a 24-car field. 'There's so much happening over the next few weeks, but for me, it's about staying focused, building momentum, and continuing to push toward the front.' Douglas currently sits fourth in the USF Pro 2000 Championship standings and is the third highest rookie, despite failing to finish the season opener in St. Petersburg. He rebounded with a maiden podium in Race 2, then backed it up with three fourth-place finishes at NOLA Motorsports Park—cementing his status as a championship front-runner. His team, Pabst Racing, lead both the Drivers' and Teams' standings, with teammate Max Garcia atop the individual leaderboard heading into the month. Track action begins on Thursday (local time) with two hour-long test sessions and an official 30-minute practice, followed by qualifying on Friday. Race 1 takes place at 7:20 a.m. NZST on Saturday, with Race 2 at 1:30 a.m. and the finale at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, leading directly into the NTT IndyCar Series race on the same circuit. All races can be streamed live via the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel. About Jacob Douglas Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren Trophy among the Class of 2024. In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires.
Fox Sports
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Bryce Aron Taking Over No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Entry at Barber
INDYCAR Chip Ganassi Racing has signed Bryce Aron to drive the team's No. 9 INDY NXT by Firestone entry, starting at this weekend's Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park. Chicago-area native Aron's 2024 rookie INDY NXT season with Andretti Global featured two podiums and three top-five finishes. Aron, 21, started this season by finishing 13th at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in an HMD Motorsports car. 'I'm very excited to be joining Chip Ganassi Racing,' Aron said. 'They are such a historic and accomplished team. I've already spent some time with the group at the INDYCAR open test, and it is easy to see why they have so much success. I am looking forward to working with everyone on the team and hitting the ground running at Barber this weekend.' From 2021-23, Aron competed in GB3 and Euroformula Open Championships, winning races at legendary European tracks like Spa, Hungaroring, Paul Ricard and Donington. Aron also competed at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona, finishing sixth overall in a GTP entry. 'We are excited to welcome Bryce to Chip Ganassi Racing,' said Taylor Kiel, CGR director, INDYCAR. 'We were fortunate to be able to have him test with us at Mid-Ohio last week and get acclimated to the team and our car, so we're looking forward to building that into a successful INDY NXT program." Aron replaces Irish driver Jonathan Browne, who indicated in a social media post he was withdrawing from the INDYCAR development series due to 'funding issues.' The Grand Prix of Alabama takes place at 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, May 4, with live coverage on FS1 and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
