Another huge week for Kiwis in motorsport around the world.
May 1, 2023
Hartley on podium from a back row start at Spa
It was another 1-2 finish for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Endurance Championship, this time at the legendary Circuit de Spa Francorchamps and Kiwi Brendaon Hartley, again key to the success.
While the race was one by the #7 car, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López, it was a remarkable fightback from a back-row start that saw Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa, in the #8 GR010 HYBRID, earn an unexpected second place. They now lead the drivers’ World Championship by five points over the #7 crew.
Its seventh consecutive Spa victory means TOYOTA GAZOO Racing takes a 30-point World Championship lead over Ferrari into the centenary edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours on 10-11 June.
Multiple incidents, changing weather and close battles throughout the 37-car field entertained a 72,000-strong crowd.
“It is an amazing result for the whole team and a big recovery job from our car. Sébastien made an amazing start in tricky conditions and got through the field cleanly, after the team made the right call on tyres. That was a big decision, but it was the right one.” Said Hartley following the race.
Mixed results for Shane van Gisbergen at Perth
While three races and three different winners demonstrates a tight field which is exactly what Supercars wants for their new Gen 3 cars in the Australian series, Shane van Gisbergen struggled at Perth with inconsistent performance from his Red Bull Ampol racing Camaro.
SVG had pace in race one and entertained the throngs of spectators swapping paint with Erebus driver, Brodie Kostecki. Kostecki and van Gisbergen are closely matched in terms of aggression on track and it made for great racing. Unfortunately Kostecki was cautioned for bad sportsmanship due to blocking SVG who had the grip advantage. Both Kostecki and van Gisbergen were critical of the call from race control.
“It was on the edge of what’s legal and what’s not, I love that stuff, but it’s a fine line with what’s allowed in our rules.” Said van Gisbergen
“He got a bad sportsmanship flag, and I’m not allowed to bump him out of the way. It’s a fine line. I loved it, but it’s a grey area in our rules. In a one-on-one battle, you should be allowed to do what you want. You want to be allowed to race for the lead."
The Kiwi then went on to post two very uncharacteristically slow qualifying performances in P9 and P21 for the next races respectively. In true fashion though, he did power through the field to fifth and twelfth. The mixed results and Kostecki’s relative consistency in Perth sees Kostecki lead the drivers championship, followed by Chaz Mostert and the van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen remains upbeat and is relishing the great battles on track.
“Everyone up the front now, and new guys, there’s no bad guys, everyone’s fun to race. “There’s no one where I go, ‘Ah shit, this is going to be a pain’. Says van Gisbergen.
Alonso continues form in Baku
While his love life has unexpectedly propelled Fernando Alonso even further into the global limelight this week, racing fans will be most interested in yet another strong performance for Alonso and the Aston Martin team in F1.
Alonso started the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in P6 but moved into fifth before a safety car incident bunched the field, upon restart the veteran driver made a decisive move to overtake on Carlos Sainz on Lap 14, stealing P4 in the process. Alonso had Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in his sights but couldn’t reel him in before the end of the race and the Spaniard just missed out on another podium. Less than a second separated Leclerc and Alonso at the chequered flag. , proved to be a far greater challenge to clear.
“I think they got lucky,” Alonso was quoted as saying post race. “The hard tyres (that Aston Martin were running, over Ferarri’s medium compound) was less degradation than expected”
Scott McLaughlin gives it the Jandel to win in Alabama
All three Kiwis in Indycar were flying at the Alabama Grand Prix that has just concluded as this story is written. Scott Dixon fought off Alexander Rossi for 7th position which probably wasn’t where the hall of famer wanted to be, but Scott McLaughlin gave Kiwi fans the result in the end.
Former F1 driver Romain Grosjean was leading the race for a good portion, and it was looking like he might secure a debut Indycar victory, but as the later stages of the race unfolded Grosjean was left wanting having spent all of his ‘Push to Pass’ opportunities. Meanwhile McLaughlin’s organic pace and expert strategy from Team Penske saw him steal the lead and take a textbook win.
“For me it was probably my most complete race in Indycars” sain McLaughlin delighted with the result. “We’ve got a heap or steak and beers if you want to come over, we’ll be partying!” he joked post race.
Meanwhile kudos must be given to Rookie, Marcus Armstrong who also finished just outside of the top ten in P11. Considering he finished ahead of names like Josef Newgarden, Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud, he clearly has the ingredients to be a front runner as experience builds. One to watch for sure.
In the feeder Indycar Lights category, Kiwi Hunter McElrea couldn’t find the pace required and marked up a P13 finish in Alabama.
Scott Dixon now sits in 6th on the 2023 Leaderboard, McLaughlin 10th and Armstrong 17th.
Hunter McElrea is 7th in the Indycar Lights championship battle.
