Motorsport

Organisers of the Race of Champions have abandoned plans to reschedule the 2013 edition of the motorsport event after they were unable to find an alternate date.

The French Grand Prix could return to the Formula One calendar in 2015 after Serge Saulnier, chief executive of the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, said the facility is in talks over a race deal with Formula One Management (FOM).

The Formula E motor racing series has received a boost ahead of its debut season with its promoter securing fresh investment totalling €50m ($69.5m) from existing partner Qualcomm and private equity fund Amura Capital.

The International Motorsport Federation (FIA) and race promoters have maintained that Formula One’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix remains on course for its October debut in Sochi, despite ongoing concerns about the crisis in Ukraine.

International Motorsport Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt has labelled the cost-cutting proposals put forward by Formula One’s leading teams as a “joke”, adding that he is now seeking the input of the sport’s smaller outfits.

Russian Grand Prix organisers have denied reports that Formula One’s inaugural race in the country is in danger, while Azerbaijani officials have rejected suggestions that Baku could step in to replace Sochi on the 2014 calendar.

Gerard Lopez, owner of the Lotus Formula One motor-racing team, has called for a rethink of the championship’s prize money structure if F1 is to retain all of its current teams.

The Azerbaijani government has announced it has signed an official agreement for Baku to host a Formula One race from the 2016 season of the motor-racing championship.

Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone today launched his defence against charges of bribing a public official as court hearings commenced in Munich that could ultimately result in the 83-year-old losing his long-held status as the motor racing series’ most powerful figure.

Increasing payments to the sport’s 11 teams, plus a new agreement with the International Motorsport Federation (FIA), resulted in the profits of the Formula One motor racing series falling by $137m (€99.3m) to $286m on an underlying basis in 2013.

Series promoter IMG Motorsports has confirmed that the Argentinian city of San Luis will stage the final round of the inaugural season of the World Rallycross Championship.

Nascar team owner Gene Haas has said he is yet to decide whether to launch his new Formula One motor racing outfit in 2015 or 2016, but said he plans to “beat the Europeans at their own game”.

Sao Paulo officials have signed a six-year extension to their contract to host Formula One’s Brazilian Grand Prix, while Rio de Janeiro has been dropped as a venue for the new Formula E motor-racing championship.

Stefano Domenicali has resigned as Ferrari’s Formula One team principal, stating his decision has been made to “shake things up” following the iconic Italian outfit’s poor start to the 2014 season.

The International Motorsport Federation (FIA) has accepted the proposal of a new Formula One entry by Nascar team owner Gene Haas, adding that it is also considering another bid from the Forza Rossa organisation.

Russian sports car manufacturer Marussia Motors has relinquished ownership of its self-titled Formula One motor racing team and has ended its car making operations.