Motorsport News

It's the biggest rally of the year globally, the most challenging as well and it's all set to be flagged off tomorrow with two teams from India. Yes, it is the 2019 Dakar Rally we are talking about that will see the Sherco TVS Factory Team and the Hero MotoSport Rally Team battle it out across varying terrains against a host of other participants. The 41st edition of the Dakar rally will be hosted in Peru, South America and is being held in only one country for the first time. The rally will see participants cover 5000 km over 10 days between January 6-17, through some of the most treacherous regions, weather conditions and navigational challenges.

Formula One icon Michael Schumacher turned 50 today on January 3, 2019, and the family plans to celebrate the seven time world champion's overwhelming career on his birthday. Michael has been under recovery ever since the ill-fated skiing accident in France, in 2013, which left him with a brain injury. Five years on, his condition remains a closely guarded secret and only known to his family and close friends. However, on Michael's 50th birthday, the family issued a rare statement about the celebrations for the day, and also spoke for the first time in years about the driver's condition.

A horrific skiing accident left Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher bedridden in 2013, and his condition for the longest time was closely guarded by friends and family. However, for the fans and followers of the icon wishing him well, there's finally some good news on the ex-F1 driver's condition. According to a recent report by German publication, Bravo, Schumacher is said to be "not bedridden or surviving on tubes" any longer. Instead, the Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes driver is said to be moved to a clinic in Dallas, Texas that specialises in treating brain injuries. The ace driver will turn 50 on January 3, 2019.

Mahindra Racing has kickstarted the 2018-19 Formula E Season 5 with a bang, taking a podium in the season opener. Mahindra's Jerome d'Ambrosio finished third in the Ad Diriyah e-Prix competing in the Gen2 electric race car. BMW i Andretti Autosport's Antonio Felix da Costa won the season opener, while reigning champion Jean Eric-Vergne of Techeetah took second place on the podium. The Ad Diriyah e-Prix saw a host of changes to the electric motorsport series with a completely new venue, more powerful cars, and with new teams and drivers on board.

Hero MotoSports, the motorsport division of Hero MotoCorp, has announced its team for the 2019 Dakar Rally team which consists of CS Santosh, Joaquim Rodrigues and Oriol Mena.

there is a possibility that Formula E race may make its way to our country as Formula E organisers have shown their interest in bringing the Formula E race to India. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a Mahindra Racing Formula E car unveil, Dr. Pavan Goenka, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra said, "We are talking to officials on the central government level and local city levels to try and get Formula E in India."

The M5Electro is based on generation two of the Formula E race car, and comes with a new EV powertrain technology. It will be able to touch 100kmph in just 2.8 seconds and go on to a top speed of 280kmph.

Mumbai-based Jehan Daruvala will be competing in the newly launched FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019. The young racer has been signed by Italy's Team Prema and will be joining Marcus Armstrong as part of the team's three car line-up. Prema is yet to announce its third driver in the series. Mick Schumacher, son of legendary Michael Schumacher is also a part of the Prema Racing family. The new FIA F3 championship replaces GP3 as a Formula 3 support series starting next year. With F3, Daruvala ends his association with Carlin Motorsport in the European F3 championship.