Reporting on international racing events is a significant responsibility that we approach with great seriousness. Simultaneously, it offers us many opportunities to create enduring and memorable experiences.
Reflecting on the past year’s events, notable highlights include a first visit to Melbourne and Macau on the legendary circuit, as well as resolving the puzzle of a Le Mans qualifying session that had been shrouded in uncertainty, culminating in intense and emotional title deciding moments.
Contributed to this story by Jake Boxall-Legge, Stuart Codling, Sam Hall, Ed Hardy, Alex Kalinauckas, Stephen Lickorish, James Newbold, Marcus Simmons, Kevin Turner and Ben Vinel
Travelers Fly to Australia Between March 18th and 24th
JBL and Kevin enjoy sampling the taste of Melbourne and witnessing the likes of Ricciardo racing at the Albert Park Circuit.
Photo by: Jake Boxall-Legge
When you think back fondly to your Formula 1 watching experiences, many of those memories likely begin with the early morning wake-up call at the start of the season in Albert Park. What’s just as memorable, if not more so, is the anticipation of that first race. For me, watching the Australian Grand Prix live this year was truly special, especially since I was joined by my colleague Matt Kew, who was saying goodbye to the event as he moves on to a new chapter. We decided to make the most of the experience and immerse ourselves in everything that Melbourne has to offer.
We found our Airbnb in St Kilda to be a fantastic discovery: a two-bedroom apartment located about a 10-minute taxi ride from the track, just a five-minute walk from the Blencowes Milk Bar (which serves excellent breakfast items), and a five-minute walk in the opposite direction to Carlisle Street in Balaclava.
It was a laid-back, nostalgic neighborhood, the kind with a DIY vibe, where cafes decorate with mismatched second-hand furniture and exposed wooden beams. The sort of place where a frazzled father might chase after a rambunctious child through the aisles of a supermarket, pleading, “Ezra, if you don’t calm down, you’ll miss out on a babyccino…” in a bid to coax the toddler back to order. This was the kind of community that had probably roughed it in the past, but was now a haven for free-spirited individuals who proudly wear their heart on their sleeves, relish a good pour-over coffee experience, and shun mass-market consumerism, embracing a more authentic way of life.
Barring a few minor details, the Australian Grand Prix was an unparalleled event.
It was warm and pleasant, with a crispness in the air that served as a gentle reminder that the peak of summer was behind us. On Thursday evening, we attended the Australian Rules football match between St Kilda and Collingwood as part of a group of journalists. The following day, we took up a spot on the photographers’ platform at Turn 2 and enjoyed the thrilling atmosphere as the cars completed laps of the Albert Park circuit from a trackside perspective.
We continued on to Turn 3, a farther distance than it actually appeared, when Alex Albon’s reckless driving caused a red flag, heralding Williams’ pattern of significant crashes throughout 2024. Unfortunately, Logan Sargeant made a 24-hour journey to Melbourne only to be relegated to the sidelines…
The racing was quite thrilling. Carlos Sainz’s outstanding performance and Max Verstappen’s brake issues made the competition even more engaging. Initially, it seemed as though Red Bull might dominate once again. However, Australian racing often provides an exciting mix of unpredictability.
A welcome moment of levity on a challenging day.
Max Verstappen’s lighthearted reaction to mistakenly taking the incorrect seat at the Miami Grand Prix press conference only increased our journalist’s admiration for him
Image credits: Mark Sutton, Motorsport Images
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen brought a moment of immense relief on what proved to be the most challenging weekend of the 2024 Formula 1 season, taking the helm under difficult conditions at the Miami Grand Prix.
Having secured a famous first F1 win, Lando Norris arrived late to the post-race press conference, trailing behind Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. As he led Leclerc in, Verstappen had already occupied his spot in the FIA press conference sofa, as was customary for a 23-time previous winner, including 23 of the last 27 GPs.
A brief pause ensued, followed by Verstappen being reminded to adjust his position to the right. His reaction was a loud laugh, after which the room erupted in shared amusement. What could have been an uncomfortable moment was turned elegant by Verstappen’s effortless poise.
It contributed to the enjoyable collection of stories from the beginning of 2024, making us smile. However, in that brief moment of laughter, Verstappen demonstrated that even the toughest in F1 can be witty and humble. It reinforced my admiration for him and gave a much-needed break from other considerations. Kudos to Max.
On May 11, it was a tumultuous day at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
Locking horns in relentless action, Newbold gripped every moment as the WEC arrived at Spa for its third round, gearing up for the thrill of Le Mans.
Image by JEP / Motorsport Images
The third round of the 2024 World Endurance Championship will be a memorable event for me due to a mix of factors, in contrast to last year’s edition, where the issue was not related to cold tires.
Summary report detailing how Ferrari’s 499P secured its maiden victory at a traditional WEC race, only to find itself relegated to the ranks of also-rans, so close to achieving success.
The win came with a moving tribute, as Callum Ilott dedicated the victory to Anthoine Hubert, honoring his memory five years after his tragic passing at the same racing circuit.
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Away from the main event, the scene was just as frenzied.
Colleague Gary Watkins tipped us off, allowing us to avoid the hectic race-day traffic, which was compounded by nearby construction work that blocked the main entrance, leaving a media colleague scurrying to make it to the start. Meanwhile, the crowds behind WRT’s paddock were absolute chaos, desperately trying to get a glimpse of Valentino Rossi.
“AACHEN CHAMPIONSHIPLOWENY EPICENTERSOCIAL MEDIA:
Racing icons mourned the loss of Ayrton Senna in May 1994.
On the weekend of the Emilia Romagna GP, a statue honouring the memory of Ayrton Senna attracted numerous visitors, including F2 journalist Hall
Image by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
It was a close call between two experiences, but the thrill of speeding around several high-performance cars at the Goodwood circuit was narrowly edged out by a first-time visit to the Imola track.
The turning point for me was the deeply emotional context of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s tragic accident during the 1994 San Marino GP. One of my vivid recollections from childhood was watching Murray Walker break the news of the Brazilian’s passing on television, a moment that instilled in me the desire to one day visit Imola. When the chance arose for me to be at the track alongside my F2/F3 commitments this year, there was no hesitation.
As I wandered along the winding path within the Tamburello circuit, I was immediately struck by the poignant display of flags, pictures, and personal memorials that fans had left to pay tribute to Senna. Surrounded by an eerie stillness, I was so engrossed in reading the heartfelt messages that I nearly overlooked the iconic statue until I reached it. I had anticipated that it would be discreetly placed in a secluded area, but it was, in fact, situated in plain sight.
The experience of being near this memorial is initially disarming. Though its scale differs significantly, it elicits a similar feeling of relative emptiness and awe that I had when I first visited Menin Gate in Belgium.
The tributes paid over the weekend served as a poignant reminder, with an overwhelming sense of emotion present throughout. I feel incredibly privileged to have been in a position to observe the proceedings, and that initial visit to the Senna memorial will undoubtedly be a lasting memory.
69th Monte Carlo Rally, round 5 of the FIA World Rally Championship, will take place on May 24-26th.
Are there any areas at a Formula 1 track where spectators can get close to the racing action?
Photo by: Stuart Codling
Working on a monthly magazine with a small team of just three employees meant I spent nearly two and a half years essentially confined to an office chair, remotely managing our team. It was a pleasure to break free and directly oversee events, especially following a recent loss that had left our office feeling empty and somber.
Monaco stands out as one of the most divisive Formula 1 races, characterised by a thrilling high-speed contest that can turn on a dime with even a single mistake from any driver. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t enjoy it.
Monaco remains refreshingly and charmingly distinct in a calendar that’s growing increasingly cluttered with new destinations striving too intensely to surpass one another’s originality, even as they risk exhausting their novelty.
We’ve done nighttime racing, we’ve done racing from day to dusk – we’ve also achieved the fastest street circuit lap time. How about adding some novelties? Say, a night street race on Saturday? That’s too much to ask.
Approaching new venues evokes memories of the Azerbaijan national flag’s history, framed against the backdrop of the Caspian Sea in Baku. Suspended from its pedestal, which housed the world’s tallest flagpole, 162m, upon its debut in 2010, this record was short-lived. Within a year, it was surpassed by Dushanbe, Tajikistan, which lifted a flagpole a mere fraction higher, 165m, in turn overshadowed by two other massive poles in Jeddah and St Petersburg, standing at 171m and 175m, respectively.
The Azerbaijani government, frustrated with the situation, raised the pole to a height of 192 meters but was soon surpassed by Egypt, who unilaterally raised the bar to 202 meters in Cairo. Rest easy, the resilient people of Baku – the revamped Azerbaijani flag, approximately the size of a football pitch, now holds the record for being the world’s largest, with a weight of 500 kilograms, certainly the heaviest.
Antony Noghes undertook several journeys on foot in 1928. At the time, even cars with manual brakes operation were already struggling with maneuvering through crowded locations, due to the fact that brakes only controlled the front axle.
Amidst the growing number of events and calendar expansions in venues vying to eclipse the classics, Monaco continues to captivate Codders
Photograph by Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
The principle’s residents would be accurately described with the oft-quoted phrase “a sunny place for shady people” – a phrase, by the way, famously used by Somerset Maugham to portray the entire French Riviera. This description fits particularly well when discussing the principality itself. A scent of outdated indulgence is still noted in the numerous high-rise buildings made of modern concrete.
It’s still a treasured experience to attend, refreshing as it is to find transport challenges, such as dropping colleagues off at the media centre and subsequently hiking halfway across town, laden with equipment, to pick up my own accreditation.
There’s no other circuit that can match the thrill of standing just a few feet away from cars racing at breakneck speeds, given the proximity of the barriers. Or where you can stand in a specific spot and relive the excitement of 1961, when Stirling Moss glanced back up the hill to gauge his lead over the pursuing Ferraris. That’s why, primarily, it’s those who’ve never been here who often voice their criticism.
For non-experts, it’s a rare opportunity to savor the experience – and you might even take home a share of the treasure.
June 13 – Clarifying a Misunderstanding within the Bourdais Team at the Le Mans Venue
Laurent Vinel displayed remarkable patience as he waited for Sébastien Bourdais to make his exit after securing only a second-place start at Le Mans.
The highlight of my week was elucidating the circumstances surrounding the sudden delay in the Cadillac event on Thursday night, coinciding with around eight minutes left on the timer.
Members of the Chip Ganassi-run factory team were spotted rejoicing around driver Sebastien Bourdais, who had clocked the provisional top time, and his father Patrick, just seconds before the session began again. Unfortunately for Bourdais, his #3 Cadillac did not venture out again and consequently slipped to third place in the classification.
It was close to 8:30pm when this incident took place, and I spent nearly four hours waiting for the French veteran in front of the Ganassi garage to hear his account of an apparent misstep –a time that allowed me to get to know their security guard, who kindly took pity on me and let me take refuge under the awning when it began to rain.
Around midnight, Sebring emerged, looking rather distraught – and understandably so, as no driver in the right frame of mind would relish the prospect of media obligations at such an ungodly hour. He explained that a shortfall in fuel had caused him to run out of options, as he had committed to an extra run, hampered by the forecast threatening weather.
accusing the media of spreading false information and working against the government and people.
They laughed every time I told them that. During the last qualifying session, I said to them, ‘There are seven minutes and 40 seconds left, what are you asking me for?’ When we were not in the pole position, the attention just disappeared.
One might argue that the photographers fulfilled their intended purpose.
The British GT Championship is set to award its winners for the time period from September 28 to 29.
Hardy had the opportunity to witness the highlight of an outstanding British GT season at Brands Hatch
Photo by: JEP
That weekend, Rob and Ricky Collard secured a historic victory, making them the second father-son duo to claim the GT3 championship title, following in the footsteps of Glynn and Jim Geddie in 2011. Having interviewed the Collards on multiple occasions this year, I was not surprised to see Ricky’s emotional reaction, as he is known to be openly passionate about his racing endeavors, exemplified by his tears of joy in parc ferme following the dramatic conclusion to the weekend.
The duo arrived at Brands with a significant 24.5-point advantage over their rivals, specifically Sandy Mitchell and Alex Martin from the Barwell Lamborghini team. Initially, it seemed that securing the title would be a relatively straightforward task, as a lead of this magnitude had never been overturned on the final day before.
Unfortunately, the #63 Huracan experienced engine issues during its first practice, limiting its laps to eight across both sessions, whereas its sister Huracan completed 67 laps.
The qualifying session was a disastrous preparation for the challenge ahead, with the Collards achieving a disappointing result of sixth place. The practice run included a complex 360-degree rotation for Ricky, while Mitchell/Martin secured a respectable third qualifying spot. During our conversation in the paddock, both Rob and Ricky exhibited a look of shock and frustration on their faces.
Could Martin Mitchell deliver the unforeseen and secure an unexpected championship title? Some people working at the media center were optimistic about that very possibility.
Rob displayed excellent driving skills throughout the year and demonstrated his prowess in the race by moving up to third place within the first two hours, where Ricky then managed to maintain his composure, holding his position within the top five, which was essential for him to score points, while Mitchell and Martin achieved the maximum score.
Given that he is now 56 years old, abiding congratulations go out to the pair.
BTC Circuit secures thrilling victories in important BTCC timeframe
The 2020 British Touring Car Championship finale was notable for several distinct reasons this season
Photo by: JEP
I’m glad I wasn’t driving my luxurious watch’s namesake car!
It was an unlucky beginning to the British Touring Car Championship title-deciding weekend for West Surrey Racing team principal Dick Bennetts. He was looking at his phone while walking behind the pits at Brands Hatch, and unfortunately, he slipped on the various plastic covers placed over the power cables leading out of the garages.
A nasty cut had occurred on Dick’s cheek, and his watch was badly damaged during the impact with the ground. “It’s been nearly 40 years since I had a mishap in the paddock – an accident occurred back in 1982 at Thruxton, where a Formula 3 engine fell on my foot when we were making a change.”
And, of course, BMW’s uncountable manufacturers’ championship title.
For many, this was a distressing moment. I have had the pleasure of knowing Simon, Jake’s father, since our time racing in Formula First in 1989-90, and I can recall how he then dedicated himself tirelessly to progressing in the sport. Notably, he has subsequently redoubled his efforts to support his son.
The net outcome is the formation of a coalition of individuals supporting and endorsing Hill. Additionally, John Miskin, who played a pivotal role in Hill’s manager, Mark Blundell, achieving success with Fleetray Racing in the FF1600 and FF2000 circuits in the mid 1980s, and who I am familiar with from when he backed my friend Piers Hunnisett’s 1992 Formula Vauxhall Lotus championship-winning year.
“I don’t usually make a point to speak with Jake on the network,” said Miskin later with a smile, “but before the final race of the day, he took the initiative to approach me and express his gratitude for all that I’ve done.” It was certainly a day to remember.
There was an action-packed conclusion to the bunk bed championship event on October 23-24, as young skateboarding enthusiasts went head-to-head in the men’s and women’s competitions.
Turner was delighted to have the chance to see Fairclough, Sharp, Lindblad, and Slater undergo rigorous preparation periods.
Photo by: Motorsport Images
The evaluating group, led by the inimitable Derek Warwick, was already quite enthusiastic about the 2024 finalists. Arvid Lindblad had secured victories in more Formula 3 races than any other driver this season in his inaugural campaign, Deagen Fairclough and Freddie Slater thoroughly dominated their respective F4 championships in Britain and Italy, and Louis Sharp claimed the GB3 title in his first year in the series.
Next month, but a brief overall view should suffice.
In F2 series, the tiny difference of 0.001 seconds in total time determined the winner, while 1.3 seconds separated the top four contestants. Notably, they didn’t even cross the finish line in the same order during different runs.
Extensive hours were devoted to scrutinizing the data and engaging in deliberations regarding which runs should be prioritized over others due to their relative significance. As the skill level was exceptionally high, it’s no surprise that even the benchmark drivers acknowledged the intense competitiveness.
I’m unable to process this text as it appears to be a partial event title without further description.
The world of the Grand Touring (GT) car racing in Macau provided Lickorish with a compelling reason to embark on a lengthy journey.
Photo by: Macau GP
Attending the Macau Grand Prix this year was an extraordinary honour. The amalgamation of majestic skyscrapers and Macau’s staggering affluence made for a truly sensational setting for a motorsport event. And the circuit itself is an awe-inspiring venue.
Getting to walk most of the track on Wednesday provided a realistic sense of just how narrow it is. Witnessing the Melco hairpin in a production car is already frustrating, but racing cars taking that turn is truly mind-blowing. The Guia circuit also offers some uniquely thrilling viewing spots. One of my standouts was the inside of R Bend, where you have an intimate view of the cars as they navigate the final turn.
he lost significant ground against his opponents.
While the solo cars were plagued by stop-and-go problems in the rain, the GTs made a strong showing that will be talked about for years to come.
Macau is an exceptional destination that surpasses the allure of taking a road trip to Le Mans, at least according to Lickorish.
Photo by: BMW Motorsport
