Ferrari set for car upgrades in Imola to turn around poor start to F1 2025

Ferrari may have achieved just one podium finish in the 2025 Formula 1 season so far, courtesy of Charles Leclerc in Jeddah, but it expects much more to come in the next few months.
The Maranello-based outfit is counting on the FIA’s stricter front wing tests, which will be introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix in late May, to make substantial progress compared to other top teams.
Leclerc …Keep reading
続きを読む
FIA RALLY STAR ROMET JÜRGENSON GAINS CRUCIAL EXPERIENCE DESPITE CHALLENGING WRC2 TARMAC DEBUT

FIA RALLY STAR ROMET JÜRGENSON GAINS CRUCIAL EXPERIENCE DESPITE CHALLENGING WRC2 TARMAC DEBUT

Sport news

Romet Jürgenson and co-driver Siim Oja faced a steep learning curve at Rally Islas Canarias, as their FIA Rally Star campaign continued on asphalt. The Estonian crew were forced to retire early on Friday after a pace note error led to an off on Special Stage 1. Although the damage was minor, the car became stuck and the pair were unable to continue on Friday. Restarting on Saturday, Jürgenson and Oja completed the event and gathered valuable experience on what was their first all-Tarmac rally in the WRC2 category.

Despite the early setback, the pair steadily built pace over the weekend’s remaining stages, culminating in a measured run to the finish and encouraging times during the event’s second half.

“Yeah, we ended up in a barrier basically on the first stage,” explained Jürgenson. “We didn’t get to do the full day, which really hit our confidence. It was difficult to get going again, but Saturday helped us find a rhythm, and by Sunday—especially on the second pass and the Power Stage—I felt reasonably okay. There’s still a lot to learn, but we got within a second per kilometre of the top times, which is something to build on.”

Rally Islas Canarias marked Jürgenson’s second competitive outing on Tarmac in a Rally2 car, and his first on pure circuit-style asphalt. While the result wasn’t what the crew had hoped for, the rally served its developmental purpose within the FIA Rally Star programme.

“We knew when we added Canarias to their calendar that it would be a difficult one,” said FIA Rally Star Project Leader Jérôme Roussel. “The goal wasn’t results—it was to gain experience on a surface that was completely new to them. They were taken out of their comfort zone by design, and they responded well. Once the initial mistake was behind them, they showed maturity by finishing the event cleanly and learning stage by stage. Now they have this kind of high-speed Tarmac experience in their library, which is a key part of their growth.”

Among the weekend’s highlights was a strong showing on the super special stage, where Jürgenson impressively outpaced Rally1 contender Thierry Neuville—one of several moments of promise that hinted at his growing potential.

“That was a nice surprise at least,” he said. “The car suits that kind of stage, and it was fun to see our name up there. Still, I’m not fully happy with my overall pace yet—but this was just my second Tarmac rally with the Fiesta Rally2, and the first of this type. So, realistically, I think we’re in a good place. We learnt a lot, especially about how much corner speed you can carry, and how to adapt our pace notes between passes.”

Looking ahead, Jürgenson is excited to return to his preferred surface—gravel—for the upcoming Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

“Gravel is where I feel at home. I’m looking forward to it. I think with the team around me and what I’ve already learnt on Tarmac, we can get the best out of the car and really push our performance.”

Rally Islas Canarias may not have delivered the result the Estonian duo were aiming for, but the experience gained—and the lessons learnt—will prove vital as their 2025 WRC2 season continues.

To find out more about the FIA Rally Star programme, visit https://www.fia.com/fia-rally-star and follow @FIARallyStar on social media.

World Rally Championship

FIA Rally StarWRCSEASON 2025SportRallies1SportWorld Rally ChampionshipRalliesWRCSEASON 2025FIA Rally Star00Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – 3:56pmTuesday, April 29, 2025 – 3:56pm

続きを読む

Is an F1 title challenge too much to expect for Norris just 12 months after his maiden win?

“Sometimes I have excuses for things, I’m never proud of using any of them – and 95% of the time I think that I can do a better job, no matter what it was.”
These words from Lando Norris – published this week on the official Formula 1 website from an interview conducted ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix – have only acquired more resonance given the eventful waters that have flowed under …Keep reading
続きを読む

F1’s American revolution – how the series finally cracked the USA

“Over the past five years, we have implemented a very targeted strategy to bring Formula 1 ever closer to the American fans,” F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali told Autosport when discussing the growth in the USA.
Has the strategy been successful? Well, if Shakira had been a mathematician, there is no doubt she would have agreed that the numbers don’t lie because, to eek more out of …Keep reading
続きを読む

What is behind Aston Martin’s struggles in F1 2025?

It’s 2023, and five grands prix in, Aston Martin has already secured four podium finishes and 102 points in the standings, establishing itself as the second-best team on the grid behind Red Bull. Two years later, and again, five weekends in — that tally has more than halved, with the British team earning a measly 10 points.
It’s a clear sign of regression from the Silverstone outfit. Although …Keep reading
続きを読む
さらに投稿を読み込む