Motorsport: Ferrari gunning for home victory

Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari will have the pressure of an entire nation on their shoulders this weekend as the Formula One series heads to Italy’s Monza circuit.

The passionate Ferrari fans, known affectionately as the tifosi, will be out in force to cheer on Vettel in his intense title fight with arch-rival Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-AMG). Vettel is coming off a win last weekend in Belgium where the Italian car seemed to have a power advantage over its German competitor, but Vettel is keeping expectations in check.

“I think in the end it was less dominant than you might think,” Vettel said of his Belgium GP win. “In the end, we did well, and it’s good to see that we are able to improve our car. We had some bits and a new engine. So we’ll see. Monza in many ways is a bit similar to Spa, but then again obviously if you look at the track and the actual corners, not just the straights, it’s quite a bit different.”

Vettel acknowledges that there is a lot of pressure to win this weekend in front of the dedicated Ferrari fan base.

“We are in Italy, in the home country of Ferrari and I think everybody, not just us drivers, not only the Ferrari drivers, everybody can feel and sense that there is something special going on and I think we have probably the two most special seats this weekend but there are a lot of seats and there will be a lot of people, so to be honesty, looking forward to it,” he said.

F1: Surprise name for Toro Rosso return

In a twist befitting the unpredictable nature of this year’s F1 ‘silly season’ of driver and team changes, former Red Bull protege Daniil Kvyat has emerged as a surprise player for a F1 seat in 2019.

The Russian is currently a test driver for Ferrari after his tumultuous career at Red Bull ended last season. Kvyat was once the prized pupil in the energy drink company’s junior program, getting promoted from Toro Rosso to the main Red Bull Racing team for the 2016 only to be demoted back to Toro Rosso mid-way through the 2017 season in favour of Max Verstappen.

He was replaced at Toro Rosso by Kiwi Brendon Hartley for the 2018 season, but with the promotion of Pierre Gasly to fill Daniel Ricciardo’s seat, Toro Rosso is looking for qualified drivers.

With no other Red Bull junior drivers qualified to step up to F1 for next season the team is scrambling to find someone to fill the seat.

That means Hartley is likely to stay, despite attempts mid-season to dump him in favour of McLaren junior Lando Norris, with Kvyat potentially return to driver alongside his replacement.

Meanwhile, Norris is moving closer to an F1 promotion with McLaren in 2019, with a second free practice run at Monza this weekend to compare his form against incumbent Stoffel Vandoorne. The two are fighting out to be teammate to Carlos Sainz next season at the British team.

Indycar: Portland returns after decade-long absence

Indycars have returned to America’s Pacific Northwest for the first time in 11-years as the title race heads down to the wire.

Portland International Raceway, a tight road course just outside the city will host the penultimate round of the championship this weekend, with three drivers still a realistic threat for the title.

Kiwi Scott Dixon (Ganassi Racing) leads the series by 26-points from American Alexander Rossi (Andretti Autosport) and Australia’s Will Power (Penske Racing) a further 42-points back - with a double-points finale at Sonoma.

After such a long break Indycar organised an open test on Thursday so drivers were able to reacquaint or learn for the first time the Portland layout. Dixon, who has raced at the track in the past, said it felt like a new experience.

"Totally different," Dixon said. "The track itself is different, the surface is different. The cars are totally different. It's almost like we're are a new track again."

Dixon topped the times but was closely followed by Power with Rossi ninth quickest.

Dakar: Sainz returns with Mini

Reigning Dakar Rally champion Carlos Sainz Sr will defend his title despite Peugeot’s decision to quit rally-raid competition.

The Spanish rally legend has reportedly found a new drive at the X-Raid Mini team and will compete in one of its two-wheel drive Mini Buggies. He will be joined at the team by fellow Peugeot refugees Stephane Peterhansel and Cyril Despres, according to a report from Autosport.

The three will be able to bring their knowledge and experience from Peugeot’s dominant Buggies to the Mini project that will make them favourites for the 2019 event, which will take place entirely in Peru for the first time.