News and Analysis

After seven years of defeat at the hands of Mercedes, Red Bull is as hungry as ever to secure a fifth world championship. But there are key challenges it must overcome in 2021 to switch from challenger to conqueror

AlphaTauri launched its AT02, complete with a new livery, as it bids to home in on an already-tight midfield battle. Although there were few outright new parts displayed on the launch render, there might be a few clues into further changes down the line…

The death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked NASCAR to the core. At the Daytona 24 Hours, two weeks before his fatal accident, ‘The Intimidator’ shared his expectations of challenging for an eighth Cup title with JONATHAN INGRAM, in an article first published in the 15 February 2001 issue of Autosport magazine. Little did we know then what tragedy would unfold…

The freshly-rebranded Alpine Academy is bursting with talented youngsters all searching for a route to Formula 1. The only problem is the path is narrow and far from straightforward, as Ferrari found out at the end of last year

On February 18, 2001, seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt – the fearless ‘Intimidator’ – was in his element at Daytona International Speedway. While his own DEI team’s cars ran 1-2 towards the finish line, his famed #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo was playing rear gunner to block any late runs from the chasing pack. As the cars tore through Turns 3 and 4 on that fateful final lap, Earnhardt maintained the strongarm tactics that encapsulated his persona… but his actions in those moments sadly proved to be his last.

Mercedes and Porsche compete to win and have done so across the board: in Formula 1, sportscars, the Dakar Rally and endurance road races - even working together to break land speed records. Next in the crosshairs is the Formula E teams' championship crown.

Red Bull's takeover of Honda's Formula 1 engine project has solved a potential short-term headache Honda's withdrawal at the end of 2021 would have caused. But, in taking destiny into its own hands, it could have a positive long-term impact too.

The NASCAR Cup Series is changing. Whether it be the gradual morphing out the seasoned drivers of yesterday as the next generation step up, a radical calendar shake-up featuring more road courses than ever before and the prospect of an all-new car on the horizon, stock car racing’s highest level is nearing the end of a huge facelift.

Daniel Ricciardo is making his second new start in three seasons, as he joins McLaren. His star is on the up again after returning to the podium last year, but he may want to revisit a powerful approach he's previously used to beat Formula 1's best

After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.

From challenging Mercedes for world titles, Ferrari abruptly reverted to the kind of shambles not seen since the early 1990s over the course of a disastrous 2020 campaign. Putting the Scuderia back on track won't be the work of a moment, says Roberto Chinchero

McLaren is the first Formula 1 team to show its hand with a Mercedes-powered iteration of the MCL35 that helped it to finish third in 2020. But its engine isn't the only area where McLaren has taken inspiration from the reigning champions

It only raced once, but the 1939 W165 could be the most remarkable of all Silver Arrows, thanks to some controversial race organising and a secret project. Kevin Turner told its story in the 29 December 2016 issue of Autosport magazine

This weekend's Daytona 500 kickstarts a NASCAR Cup season that promises plenty of intrigue courtesy of new owners and a refreshed calendar. Here's what you need to know ahead of the new season…

New AlphaTauri Formula 1 recruit Yuki Tsunoda has had a sensational rise during his F2 rookie season. But what makes him so special? Motorsport.com asks those he's worked with, and the man himself.

Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?

The 2021 breed of F1 car may be based on the 2020 machines, but that doesn't mean to say Mercedes will have it all its own way this year. The team has acknowledged the items that could trip it up and is working to ensure these factors are minimised

From a disgraced NASCAR exile, Kyle Larson has been given a chance of redemption by the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports squad. Effectively replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is no easy billing, but Larson has every intention of repaying the team's faith...

Lewis Hamilton's new one-year deal with Mercedes has given renewed strength to theories he will depart Formula 1 with eight world championships. But these underestimate factors he will be considering and also how many titles he could win

Formula 1's push to experiment with qualifying races has divided opinions among its fanbase, but Jonathan Noble argues F1 should at least give it a try.

Over 37 seasons, Dale Coyne has run no fewer than 80 Indy car drivers – including himself! Ahead of his first season running Romain Grosjean, we asked Coyne to pick the best 10 drivers ever to compete for him. By David Malsher-Lopez.

Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.

History's second most successful Formula 1 team fell far, and fell hard at the start of the turbo hybrid era. But out of the doldrums of the Honda era, at last a revitalised empire is preparing to strike back with Mercedes power and a reinforced driver lineup.

Lewis Hamilton's long-anticipated new Mercedes deal has one standout feature: it is so far only for one year. Although Hamilton may stay with the team longer, Mercedes having no drivers contracted for 2022 should inject further intrigue into silly season...

Lewis Hamilton has finally put pen-to-paper on a new Mercedes F1 contract for 2021. There were many questions about Hamilton's commitment to F1, and some still linger with the news his deal is for one year, but there were other complexities involved...

Supercars' most successful team of the past 15 years is set for a radical shakeup next year when Jamie Whincup retires from driving and takes over the reins at Triple Eight. But does he have what it takes to be the new Roland Dane?

In this age of knowledge we have become accustomed to unpicking the causes of major events. But how Romain Grosjean survived his Bahrain accident may stay a mystery, says PAT SYMONDS

McLaren hasn't had F1's fastest car since 2012, but was closer to the outright pace in 2020 than it had been at any point since 2013 - certainly a source of encouragement to a team that has endured numerous ups and downs in its 55-year history.

Now in charge of Formula 1's reins, Stefano Domenicali has got to work in underlining his future plans for the championship. Although the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers in the short term, he has grand designs on F1's future as a spectacle

It's gone from powerhouse to its current position holding Formula 1's wooden spoon. But, while Williams recognises that there are no silver bullets to getting back among the points, it was already showing that it’s on the right track for recovery in 2021

The unexpected thrills of live sport are what makes competition so enjoyable to many. But there are different ways of considering what creates the best sensation. In motorsport, one particular phenomenon is rare in Formula 1.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s decision to scrap its GT Le Mans class for 2022 raises the question of whether the FIA World Endurance Championship should phase out GTE cars. But it's a much harder decision than it appears on the surface.

As the onset of the coronavirus pandemic wrought havoc around the world, Formula 1 had to get creative to survive. The financial and human cost has been heavy but, as Mark Gallagher explains, quick thinking and urgent action allowed F1 and its stakeholders to bring the championship back from the brink of catastrophe...

Juan Manuel Correa has had a long road to recovery from that horrific day at Spa in 2019. ART's decision to give him his race return in FIA Formula 3 in 2021 is a victory in itself, but his determination will surely - in time - have him fighting for bigger things

As the world watches the developing soap opera that is Lewis Hamilton's contract negotiations with Mercedes, Mark Gallagher explains the importance of having a good lawyer - and the need to seize the moment...

The forthcoming Netflix film linking the world of underworld crime and motorsport plays on a theme that isn't exactly new. Over the years, several shady figures have attempted to make it in racing before their dubious dealings caught up with them.

In its time gracing the Formula 1 grid, Williams has hit the very pinnacle of grand prix racing - and also brought up the rear. Here we show how its pace measures up from 1978-2020.

After a 100-minute sprint race to whet the appetite, the 2021 IMSA SportsCar Championship gets underway properly this weekend. With plenty of significant changes during the winter, here are the key points you need to keep an eye on

With the addition of Jenson Button's own team to join the involvement of fellow Formula 1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in Extreme E's ranks, the new electric SUV series is brimming with star power to enable it to deliver on its promise

Having gone over seven years without a race win through spells with McLaren, Renault and Haas, Kevin Magnussen's departure from Formula 1 for IMSA with big-hitters Chip Ganassi Racing could give him what he craves most - a chance of success

As focus sharpens for Formula 1 teams on the new, yet familiar, 2021 cars there is a growing understanding that this year one minor rule tweak will actually create a major challenge

Oliver Gavin has stepped down from the full-time Corvette Racing line-up after a stellar career with the team spanning nearly 20 years. He looks back on a stint that encompassed, among other successes, five Le Mans 24 Hours victories.

Even the most skilled and ambitious political operators can come a cropper when organisations change. Stuart Codling reflects on the departure from Renault of Cyril Abiteboul.

OPINION: Formula 1 endured major scheduling challenges thanks to the pandemic in 2020, but still managed to save its season. These difficulties remain in 2021 and create a tough knock-on effect for the championship's new arrivals.

The New Zealand Grand Prix's mix of rising talent and big-name stars thrilled the crowds (yes, remember crowds?) assembled for the Toyota Racing Series meeting at Hampton Downs last weekend and left distant observers craving a repeat

He's had his fingers burned by social media's keyboard warriors who have trouble appreciating that he’s only human. But after two years in the intense spotlight Formula 1 brings, Lando Norris has no plans to change his outlook

Formula 1 won't get its big new regulations this year, but there are still plenty of changes to keep track of on the technical, team/driver and calendar fronts. Here's our guide to all the important details

Victory at last year's Spa 24 Hours meant Nick Tandy had completed the unofficial sextuple crown of the world's six biggest endurance races, becoming the first Briton to do so. Ahead of his fresh start with Corvette Racing, he explains how he did it…