Alpine testing in Aragon
Alpine completed a successful two-day test at Aragon last weekend. The run featured a mix of short and long runs, saw Matthieu Vaxiviere and Nicolas Lapierre log 1500 kilometres over two days, the team focusing on fine-tuning the car’s systems and aero.
“The tests went well. The positives from the tests at Circuit Paul Ricard were confirmed at Motorland and the car continued to display a healthy behaviour,” said Philippe Sinault, the Alpine Endurance team principal.
“It was a pivotal stage in the programme because, after completing the shakedown tasks, we started to get all the car’s elements to work together: the hybrid system, engine and chassis. Matthieu and Nico put in a series of stints over more than 1,500 km, sometimes even double stints, with no reliability issues, so it was quite satisfying and constructive. During this stage, we could really begin our operating role, with a particular emphasis on understanding the car and getting the right setups.
“The smooth running of the team was palpable on the human side, which genuinely encouraged discussions ahead of the big challenge ahead. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re on the right track.”
Another test at Jerez is booked for later in the month, before the team moves into endurance testing at Aragon in November.
Motorbase relaunched as Alliance Racing
Longstanding BTCC team and former Aston Martin GT3 customer team Motorbase is set to be relaunched as Alliance Racing.
Under its new owner Pete Osborne, the team will also relocate to a new 30,000 square foot Motorsport head quarters in the Midlands in preparation for the 2024 Motorsport season and its future plans for expansion beyond the BTCC.
“This is a fresh and exciting new era for all of us involved,” said Osborne. “We’ve had strong plans right from the start and now we’ve done a few years learning and growing within the BTCC and TOCA package, we aim to continue in that vein.
“The team is made up of fantastic individuals who all echo our desires to grow and expand into other area’s of the industry while keeping the BTCC as a flagship programme.
“We’re proudly representing NAPA Racing UK in BTCC, Mini & Truck racing along with other activities outside of the racing and we will continue to do so with NAPA by our side.
“Having taken our Motorsport activity beyond the BTCC this season, we are now looking at plans to grow into other area’s. Watch this space!”
Motorbase frequented DSC’s pages during its five-year stint as a Aston Martin GT3 customer team, competing in British GT and Blancpain GT Series. That programme came to an end in 2016 when Dave Bartrum, the team owner at the time, parked the programme to focus on its BTCC effort.
Dinamic to run Mustang GT3s
Ford Performance has confirmed that Dinamic GT has joined its customer GT3 stable for 2024, and will run the Mustang GT3 in GT World Challenge Europe.
Dinamic has been a prominent Porsche customer team in World Challenge Europe since 2019 and joins another long-standing Porsche team, Proton Competition in Ford’s customer ranks for Year 1 of the Mustang GT3 in competition.
🤝 Welcome Dinamic GT to the #FordMustang family, as our first #Mustang GT3 Customer Racing Team competing in @GTWorldChEu in 2024.
Tune in to watch this pony stampede around some of the best tracks in Europe. #BredtoRaceFP pic.twitter.com/zbqPouQXIT— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) October 1, 2023
Andretti approved for F1 entry
Andretti Racing, which currently operates the factory Acura GTP effort in IMSA together with Wayne Taylor Racing which Andretti acquired in early 2023, has been approved for a Formula 1 entry by the FIA.
After rigorous analysis, the FIA concluded that Andretti Formula Racing LLC will proceed to the next stage of the application process to enter Formula 1 from a list of four final applicants in Phase 2.
According to the FIA’s statement, “Andretti Formula Racing LLC was the only candidate to meet the stringent criteria that was set by the FIA in all material respects from the four teams which lodged formal applications in Phase 2 of the process. The initial call for Expressions of Interest (Phase 1) attracted numerous enquiries which resulted in four progressing to Phase 2.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA was very clear in establishing stringent criteria for entry from the outset of the Expressions of Interest procedure. Our objective, after rigorous due diligence during the application phase, was to only approve prospective entries which satisfied the set criteria and illustrated that they would add value to the sport.
“The FIA is obliged to approve applications that comply with the Expressions of Interests application requirements and we have adhered to that procedure in deciding that Andretti Formula Racing LLC’s application would proceed to the next stage of the application process. In taking that decision, the FIA is acting in accordance with EU directives on motor sport participation and development.
“Andretti Formula Racing LLC was the only entity which fulfils the selection criteria that was set in all material respects. I congratulate Michael Andretti and his team on a thorough submission. I also want to thank all prospective teams for their interest and participation.
“The Expressions of Interest process builds on the positive acceptance of the FIA’s 2026 F1 Power Unit Regulations among existing OEMs which has also attracted further commitment from Audi, Honda and Ford and interest from Porsche and General Motors.
“I would like to thank all of the FIA team members involved in the Expressions of Interest process for their tireless efforts in ensuring a diligent assessment of all of the applications received.”
Featured image courtesy of Alpine
