UMBF NEWS
Alpha Tauri retains Tsunoda and Ricciardo for 2024
AlphaTauri confirms Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo for the 2024 F1 season, opting for continuity in their driver lineup despite Liam Lawson's impressive stand-in performances, underlining their commitment to further development and competitiveness.
Tim Edwards will leave Tickford at the end of year
Tickford Racing has announced the departure of its long-serving CEO and Team Principal, Tim Edwards, marking the end of an era for the Ford-affiliated team at the close of the current season. Edwards, who has played a pivotal role in the team since 2005, overseeing notable victories and a drivers' championship, will step down as part of a strategic restructuring that will see the team downscale from four to two cars for the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship, ushering in a new era of leadership and development.
Takaaki Nakagami continues with LCR Honda for 2024
Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami confirms his continued presence on the 2024 MotoGP grid by extending his partnership with LCR Honda, showcasing his potential and commitment despite challenges faced in previous seasons.
Oscar Piastri has extended Mclaren deal till 2026
Australian racing driver Oscar Piastri has extended his contract with McLaren, committing to a long-term partnership with the Formula 1 team beyond the initial commitment until the end of 2024, showcasing his excitement for the future and the team's vision to compete at the front of the grid.
Jamie Whincup ecstatic with Broc Feeney performance at the Sandown 500
Broc Feeney's poised victory at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, demonstrating remarkable skill and determination, earned praise from mentor Jamie Whincup amidst a challenging final stage, securing his position as the youngest-ever winner of the Sandown 500 and setting sights on the forthcoming Repco Bathurst 1000.
Franco Morbidelli moves to Pramac racing for 2024
Franco Morbidelli, a former Moto2 champion and part of Valentino Rossi's VR46 Academy, is set to join the Pramac Ducati team for the 2024 MotoGP season, stepping in for Johann Zarco, signifying a significant move after losing his Yamaha factory ride. Morbidelli's shift to Pramac, confirmed by team boss Paolo Campinoti, is viewed as an exciting opportunity to utilize his championship prowess and compete for well-deserved positions in the team, highlighting the positive transition for Morbidelli within the racing circuit.
DJR showing resurgence going into bathurst
The Shell V-Power Racing Team demonstrated a notable improvement in its 2023 Supercars season at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, with drivers Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale moving up the leaderboard after the OTR SuperSprint, securing 10th and 12th positions respectively.
SVG signs with Trackhouse Racing
Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen will compete in select races across NASCAR's Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series in 2024 as part of a developmental program with Trackhouse Racing, continuing his association with the team that granted him his successful NASCAR debut earlier in the year.
Nick Percat signs with MSR till 2025
Nick Percat has signed a multi-year deal with Matt Stone Racing (MSR) for the 2024 Supercars season, departing from Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), marking his return to the General Motors family after a season racing Fords, and reinforcing MSR's commitment to having a race-winning driver in their lineup, according to MSR owner Matt Stone.
Remy Gardner continues in WSBK with Yamaha
Remy Gardner will continue racing in the 2024 World Superbike championship with GRT Yamaha, alongside teammate Dominique Aegerter, as Yamaha finalizes its strong rider lineup for the season.
Speedseries wrap up from Sandown
In a weekend filled with thrilling motorsport action at Sandown, the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series featured Bailey Sweeny securing his maiden pole position in an intensely competitive qualifying session, followed by Tony D'Alberto's triumph in Race 1, Sweeny's comeback in Race 2, and his clinching of the weekend win in Race 3; meanwhile, James Moffat dominated the National Trans Am Series with a clean sweep of victories, and the Australian Formula Open saw Ryan How and Trent Grubel engage in intense competition across their races.
Luca Marini staying at VR46 for 2024
Luca Marini will continue with the Mooney VR46 team in the 2024 MotoGP season, removing him from consideration for the vacant Pramac Racing seat, while Franco Morbidelli is a likely candidate for Pramac, and Fabio di Giannantonio's departure from Gresini could open up another Ducati seat, solidifying Marini's position alongside Marco Bezzecchi in Rossi's team after a breakthrough season for VR46.
Cameron Hill signs contract extension with MSR
Cameron Hill has extended his contract with Matt Stone Racing (MSR) until at least 2025, securing his future in the competitive world of Australian motorsport, with MSR yet to announce a replacement for departing driver Jack Le Brocq.
Nicolo Bulega replaces Michael Ruben Rinaldi at Ducati in WSBK for 2024
Nicolo Bulega, the current leader of the World Supersport Championship, is set to make his debut in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship alongside reigning champion Alvaro Bautista, racing for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati; Bulega, who has consistently impressed in WorldSSP, will replace Michael Ruben Rinaldi, concluding Rinaldi's three-season tenure with Ducati after securing three wins and 16 podiums during his time with the team.
Speed series returns to Sandown
The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia field is gearing up for an exciting Sandown round, with HMO Customer Racing Hyundai teammates Josh Buchan and Bailey Sweeny separated by just one point in the standings. Australian Formula Open will also feature 13 entries, including seven F3 and six F4 drivers, with Trent Grubel leading the series and an intense battle for third place. Production Cars and Monochrome GT4 Australia Series will showcase 22 cars in total, with seven GT4 entries and 16 competitors in the Australian Production Cars field. National Trans Am Series will join the action at Sandown, with James Moffat leading the championship and Super2 pilot Elly Morrow making her debut in the series.
Jonathan Rea moves to Yamaha till 2025
Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea has signed a two-year contract with Yamaha starting in 2024, following his departure from Kawasaki, as both parties mutually agreed on an early exit due to declining results; Yamaha aims to leverage Rea's experience and success to pursue championship glory.
Jonathan Rea to leave Kawasaki in 2023
Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea is set to leave Kawasaki at the end of the 2023 season, with a potential move to Yamaha for the 2024 season, following mutual agreement to release him from his contract, marking the end of an era with Kawasaki where he achieved unprecedented success and broke numerous records. Rea's expected transition to Yamaha could bring fresh dynamics and heightened competition to the World Superbike championship.
Aaron Cameron making super two debut at the Sandown 500
Promising Australian motorsport talent Aaron Cameron is set to debut in the Dunlop Super2 Series at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, representing SCHRAMM Group Racing, with impressive achievements in the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship and TCR Australia, and support from SCHRAMM Group and EFS 4x4 Accessories, all while contributing to the Ronald McDonald House Charities through his sponsorship deal, marking a significant step in his racing career.
Max Verstappen makes history with 10 wins in a row
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing secured victory at the Italian Grand Prix, extending Verstappen's winning streak to 10 races and Red Bull's consecutive race wins to 15, with Verstappen's audacious pass on Carlos Sainz setting the stage for another dominant performance, while Mercedes faced penalties but achieved a solid double points finish.
BRT expanding to a two car outfit for 2024
The Blanchard Racing Team (BRT) is set to expand to a two-car team in the 2024 Supercars Championship after acquiring a second Teams Racing Charter (TRC), a significant move in their five-year plan to strengthen their presence in the series, with their expansion efforts already visible this year as they field a wildcard entry and join the Super2 series, indicating their commitment to growth in Australian motorsport.