Mugello MotoGP, Le Mans test day, Detroit IndyCar
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Green flag
USC - Detroit: Restart. It's clean.
AUTOSPORT assistant editor SCOTT MITCHELL just finished sixth in the Ginetta Racing Drivers' Club race at Silverstone - his car racing debut (though we understand he used to be quite nifty in a kart).
USC - Detroit: There's a GTD Porsche stopped on the side of the track at Turn 7 with a broken rear wing, and a broken several other things by the looks of it. It has already been cleared.
Yellow flag
USC - Detroit: Debris, and another GTD car in the wall.
Checkered flag
DTM - Hungaroring: Marco Wittmann takes pole in Budapest! Impressive stuff from the BMW driver, who beats Timo Glock and Miguel Molina to pole.
Here's the order of the top eight:
1 Wittmann
2 Glock
3 Molina
4 Martin
5 da Costa
6 Farfus
7 Tambay
8 Muller
Here's the order of the top eight:
1 Wittmann
2 Glock
3 Molina
4 Martin
5 da Costa
6 Farfus
7 Tambay
8 Muller
USC - Detroit: A quote from the Race Notes sheet we've just been handed by USC:
'At 12:32pm (0h22m) Cooper MacNeil OP19, CP9, pits. fuel only (pit lane 0:45) passenger side door. unconfirmed if it was Jim Morrison or Ray Manzarek'.
We suspect that there is some sort of in-joke going on here.
'At 12:32pm (0h22m) Cooper MacNeil OP19, CP9, pits. fuel only (pit lane 0:45) passenger side door. unconfirmed if it was Jim Morrison or Ray Manzarek'.
We suspect that there is some sort of in-joke going on here.
Green flag
USC - Detroit: No idea why that caution was so long, but at any rate, they're racing again now with just under 30 minutes left on the clock.
Checkered flag
NASCAR - Dover: Final practice for the Sprint Cup field has just finished, and Jimmie Johnson managed to topple polesitter and morning pacesetter Brad Keselowski.
Here's how they stood:
1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Brad Keselowski
3 Ryan Newman
4 Denny Hamlin
5 Kevin Harvick
6 AJ Allmendinger
7 Carl Edwards
8 Brian Vickers
9 Paul Menard
10 Kyle Larson
Here's how they stood:
1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Brad Keselowski
3 Ryan Newman
4 Denny Hamlin
5 Kevin Harvick
6 AJ Allmendinger
7 Carl Edwards
8 Brian Vickers
9 Paul Menard
10 Kyle Larson
USC - Detroit: Lots of squabbling between Barbosa in P2 and Dalziel in P6, which has allowed Ricky Taylor to kick out a 3.0s gap in just one lap.
USC - Detroit: Just over 20 minutes remaining, and the current order is:
1. Taylor
2. Barbosa
3. Westbrook
4. Pla
5. Negri
1. Taylor
2. Barbosa
3. Westbrook
4. Pla
5. Negri
USC - Detroit: Corvette is excitedly tweeting about the fact that it's currently running 1-2-3, which is a big deal considering that GM's global HQ dominates the skyline here. There's still 14 minutes to go, but if the last few minutes are any guide then they're looking good - the outright battle is absolutely static.
It's a bit more interesting in GTD, where the top three are covered by 0.9s.
It's a bit more interesting in GTD, where the top three are covered by 0.9s.
Breaking news
Marco Wittmann
DTM - Hockenheim: Victory at Hockenheim, pole at Oschersleben, and now pole at the Hungaroring too - it's turning into a great 2014 for BMW's Marco Wittmann.
ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN's report has all you need to know about the young German's latest pole in Hungary this evening, and Mercedes' continued troubles:
Hungaroring DTM qualifying report
USC - Detroit: Barbosa has decided to make a race of this after all - what was a 3.0s lead a while ago is now down to 0.4s with five minutes remaining. This is about to get interesting.
USC - Detroit: Brave and aggressive move to the outside by Barbosa, but it doesn't come to anything. Further back, there's all sorts of scrapping going on among the GTD frontrunners. Alessandro Balzan leads that fight.
Checkered flag
USC - Detroit: Taylor wins, but that last lap was a thriller. Barbosa tried the outside again, then ducked to the inside to make the pass at Turn 3. He succeeded, crunching Taylor against the wall for good measure, but in doing so damaged his own car and had his left-rear tyre explode a couple of corners later.
Taylor then had to withstand a late push from Richard Westbrook, but just barely managed to hold on for the win. Westbrook was second ahead of Pla, and Corvette has to settle for a 1-2 instead of a 1-2-3.
Balzan claimed GTD honours ahead of Mario Farnbacher and Christopher Haase.
Taylor then had to withstand a late push from Richard Westbrook, but just barely managed to hold on for the win. Westbrook was second ahead of Pla, and Corvette has to settle for a 1-2 instead of a 1-2-3.
Balzan claimed GTD honours ahead of Mario Farnbacher and Christopher Haase.
Stick with us on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live for the first of the weekend's two Detroit IndyCar races, starting at around 8.30pm UK time tonight.
Between now and then, we'll recap some of the day's action and its effects on various championship battles, and keep you updated with NASCAR events from Dover, where a host of Sprint Cup regulars are about to warm up for tomorrow's race by taking on the rising stars in the Nationwide Series.
Between now and then, we'll recap some of the day's action and its effects on various championship battles, and keep you updated with NASCAR events from Dover, where a host of Sprint Cup regulars are about to warm up for tomorrow's race by taking on the rising stars in the Nationwide Series.
Marco Simoncelli
MotoGP - Mugello: The much-missed Marco Simoncelli was celebrated by MotoGP again this weekend at Mugello.
His father Paolo joined MotoGP commercial chief Carmelo Ezpeleta and FIM president Vito Ippolito for a press conference as Marco was inducted into MotoGP's hall of fame, becoming the sport's 21st official Legend.
In the words of Marc Marquez, though: "Whatever we do [to remember Simoncelli], it can never be enough."
NASCAR - Dover: The field is just leaving the pits for the Nationwide race, with Joey Logano on pole ahead of Chase Elliott and Brian Scott.
Kyle Busch is fourth and already a winner this weekend, having triumphed in the Truck Series last night.
That was his fourth win in four Truck appearances in 2014, and his third in a row.
Kyle Busch is fourth and already a winner this weekend, having triumphed in the Truck Series last night.
That was his fourth win in four Truck appearances in 2014, and his third in a row.
Breaking news
USC - Detroit: Here's the full story of that incredible conclusion to the United SportsCar race on Belle Isle, with the win going to the Taylor brothers - but only just:
Detroit United SportsCar race report
Detroit United SportsCar race report
FR3.5 - Spa: Carlos Sainz Jr was untouchable in the first race of the Spa Formula Renault 3.5 weekend earlier today.
With fuel-feed problems sidelining Oliver Rowland and second-placed Pierre Gasly hamstrung by a brake issue, it was a good day for Sainz's title prospects too.
Here's GLENN FREEMAN's full report, and this is how the championship table now looks:
Championship standings after six of 17 rounds:
1 Carlos Sainz Jr 99
2 Pierre Gasly 69
3 Oliver Rowland 59
4 Will Stevens 50
5 Roberto Merhi 38
6 Jazeman Jaafar 36
(25 points for a win)
With fuel-feed problems sidelining Oliver Rowland and second-placed Pierre Gasly hamstrung by a brake issue, it was a good day for Sainz's title prospects too.
Here's GLENN FREEMAN's full report, and this is how the championship table now looks:
Championship standings after six of 17 rounds:
1 Carlos Sainz Jr 99
2 Pierre Gasly 69
3 Oliver Rowland 59
4 Will Stevens 50
5 Roberto Merhi 38
6 Jazeman Jaafar 36
(25 points for a win)
NASCAR - Dover: Although Logano lost the Nationwide lead in the first stint, he's firmly back in front near one-third distance, leading fellow Cup man Kyle Busch.
Marc Marquez
MotoGP - Mugello: Headline event of Saturday daytime in Europe was qualifying for MotoGP's Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.
Marc Marquez took his sixth pole in six events this year, but his closest rival was Pramac Ducati man Andrea Iannone.
Mugello MotoGP qualifying report
That owed a little to the softer tyres available to Iannone's Open class bike, so expect Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi - even though the local idol starts 10th - to be the main opposition tomorrow.
Despite his latest pole, Marquez remains absolutely adamant that this is going to be one of his hardest races of the year to win. But he said that at Jerez too, and then produced his most dominant victory...
IndyCar - Detroit: Drivers are heading to the grid for the first leg of the Detroit IndyCar double-header.
Qualifying was early this morning, and the 8.30am temperatures caused a lot of set-up puzzlement and a big grid shake-up.
Detroit IndyCar qualifying one report
Here's the full starting line-up, including Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay on the back row...
1 Helio Castroneves
2 James Hinchcliffe
3 Jack Hawksworth
4 Mike Conway
5 Ryan Briscoe
6 Juan Pablo Montoya
7 Sebastien Bourdais
8 Tony Kanaan
9 Graham Rahal
10 Scott Dixon
11 Carlos Munoz
12 Carlos Huertas
13 Sebastian Saavedra
14 Josef Newgarden
15 Takuma Sato
16 Will Power
17 Simon Pagenaud
18 Marco Andretti
19 Justin Wilson
20 Charlie Kimball
21 Ryan Hunter-Reay
22 Mikhail Aleshin
Qualifying was early this morning, and the 8.30am temperatures caused a lot of set-up puzzlement and a big grid shake-up.
Detroit IndyCar qualifying one report
Here's the full starting line-up, including Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay on the back row...
1 Helio Castroneves
2 James Hinchcliffe
3 Jack Hawksworth
4 Mike Conway
5 Ryan Briscoe
6 Juan Pablo Montoya
7 Sebastien Bourdais
8 Tony Kanaan
9 Graham Rahal
10 Scott Dixon
11 Carlos Munoz
12 Carlos Huertas
13 Sebastian Saavedra
14 Josef Newgarden
15 Takuma Sato
16 Will Power
17 Simon Pagenaud
18 Marco Andretti
19 Justin Wilson
20 Charlie Kimball
21 Ryan Hunter-Reay
22 Mikhail Aleshin
NASCAR - Dover: The Nationwide race has passed its halfway point, and after the last round of pitstops it's Kyle Busch leading Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano up front.
Trevor Bayne and Chase Elliott lead the Nationwide-points-eligible drivers in fourth and fifth.
Kyle Larson is still running eighth despite slapping the wall pretty firmly earlier.
Trevor Bayne and Chase Elliott lead the Nationwide-points-eligible drivers in fourth and fifth.
Kyle Larson is still running eighth despite slapping the wall pretty firmly earlier.
Breaking news
Tragic rallying news this evening, with AUTOSPORT receiving confirmation of three spectator fatalities in an incident on the Jim Clark Rally, which was round two of the 2014 British Rally Championship:
Spectators killed in Jim Clark Rally crash
Spectators killed in Jim Clark Rally crash
Green flag
IndyCar - Detroit: The pre-race festivities are beginning to wrap up here in Detroit, and we're not too far from the race start.
NASCAR - Dover: Going into the final quarter of the 200-mile Nationwide race, and we're under yellow after a shunt for midfielder Cale Conley.
Just before that, a very tight lead battle had been developing between Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano.
Everyone has enough fuel to make this a straight fight to the end with no more pitstops, bar any tyre tactics anyone wants to try.
Just before that, a very tight lead battle had been developing between Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano.
Everyone has enough fuel to make this a straight fight to the end with no more pitstops, bar any tyre tactics anyone wants to try.
IndyCar - Detroit: It's one thing to hear about how bumpy some of IndyCar's street circuits, including Detroit, are - but it's quite another to see it for yourself. Here's a link to a lap from yesterday, courtesy of Simon Pagenaud's rather awesome visor cam:
IndyCar - Detroit: We didn't hear the command to start engines, but the fact that the cars have started their installation laps would suggest that it has been given. Weather-wise, it's an absolutely perfect day here in Detroit, which is a nice change from the downpours that we had last year.
Green flag
IndyCar - Detroit: Green flag! Hawksworth has taken P2 from Hinchcliffe at the first corner, while Castroneves keeps his lead.
IndyCar - Detroit: Conway is putting some pressure on Hinchcliffe for third, but right now he seems to be sizing the Canadian up rather than actually trying to make anything happen.
There are several fast guys starting further back, including Power, Pagenaud, Dixon and Hunter-Reay, but none have made much progress yet.
There are several fast guys starting further back, including Power, Pagenaud, Dixon and Hunter-Reay, but none have made much progress yet.
IndyCar - Detroit: The one guy who has made some early progress is Josef Newgarden, who has climbed from 14th to ninth.
Up at the front, Castroneves is 0.5s ahead of Hawksworth. The BHA team is on the radio telling its rookie to look after his tyres.
Up at the front, Castroneves is 0.5s ahead of Hawksworth. The BHA team is on the radio telling its rookie to look after his tyres.
Yellow flag
IndyCar - Detroit: We were just about to tell you that there was almost contact between Power and Pagenaud ... when there was contact between Power and Pagenaud. Those two are developing quite a history together. The left-front of Pagenaud's car is trashed and his afternoon is over.
It looks like Pagenaud got into the back of Power, and Power then moved over on Pagenaud and squeezed him into the wall. Marco Andretti was lucky not to get caught up in that too.
It looks like Pagenaud got into the back of Power, and Power then moved over on Pagenaud and squeezed him into the wall. Marco Andretti was lucky not to get caught up in that too.
IndyCar - Detroit: A few of the backmarkers, including Hunter-Reay, are taking advantage of the caution to pit, ditch their red tyres, and go off-strategy. Power has also pitted to do the same thing, and presumably also to give Penske a quick look at his suspension.
Breaking news
More details are emerging about the accident during the Jim Clark Rally earlier today that resulted in the deaths of three spectators.
Updated news story: Three spectators killed in Jim Clark Rally crash
Updated news story: Three spectators killed in Jim Clark Rally crash
Green flag
IndyCar - Detroit: Restart. We've just heard Pagenaud describe the crash as a 'racing incident'. He believes that the car could be fixed - his problem is that it is currently stranded at the back of the circuit and race control might not allow it to be retrieved. A similar situation prompted an uncharacteristic outburst from Scott Dixon at Baltimore last year.
Trophy
Kyle Busch
NASCAR - Dover: Kyle Busch is now on two wins from two races at Dover this weekend as he's just added a Nationwide victory to last night's Truck Series triumph.
Busch had a challenge from Trevor Bayne going into the closing stages, but pulled away to win by a second.
Bayne beat Joey Logano to second, with Matt Kenseth fourth and Chase Elliott fifth.
Busch starts second alongside Brad Keselowski for the Sprint Cup race tomorrow, not a bad spot for trying to complete a Dover hat-trick.
IndyCar - Detroit: Graham Rahal's season has been mostly brown and evil-smelling up to this point, but he appears to have a good car underneath him today, and right now he's using it to make life very uncomfortable for Montoya.
Further ahead, Conway is bobbing around behind Hinchcliffe again in his quest for third.
Further ahead, Conway is bobbing around behind Hinchcliffe again in his quest for third.
IndyCar - Detroit: Sato is back in the pits. Unless he's on a 12-stop strategy, there's something wrong there.
Rahal has just passed Montoya for P9, and now the Colombian is under pressure from Dixon.
Rahal has just passed Montoya for P9, and now the Colombian is under pressure from Dixon.
IndyCar - Detroit: Rahal's on a bit of a misson here: he has now passed Kanaan, and is hunting down Newgarden.
No change in the order up at the front, and the gap between Castroneves and Hawksworth is hovering around 0.5s.
No change in the order up at the front, and the gap between Castroneves and Hawksworth is hovering around 0.5s.
By: Matt Beer, Andrew van Leeuwen, Mark Glendenning, Glenn Freeman, Sam Smith, Dan Cross, Gary Watkins, AUTOSPORT staff, Charles Bradley
Published:
Lap:
