Motorsport update – 6th January

Happy New Year! This is the first update of the year which covers the latest news in motorsporting here on Gateway 97.8. After motorsport was forced to change its dimension following the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope 2021 will be a brighter year on the track for sure.

Here is some of the latest news from the world of motorsport:

Formula-E:

• Formula-E has confirmed that the first two races of the year in Santiago will be postponed after travel bans have been brought in by many countries on UK citizens flying in following a new variant of Covid-19. The first race of the season is now expected to take place under the lights in Diriyah on the 26th February 2021 (subject to review).
• There will also be a number of driver changes and rookies starters for Season 7 of the Formula E World Championship.

(Sam Bird: Envision Virgin Racing – Jaguar), Rene Rast – First Full season for Audi), (Nick Cassidy: Making his FE debut with Virgin), (Pascal Wehrlein: Moves from Mahindra to Porsche driving alongside former Super Formula driver, Andre Lotterer).

The Full list of 2021 Season 7 Formula-E driver lineups is available on the Formula-E website.

F1:

• F1 has refused to rule out wether the season opening Australian GP will be postponed due to strict Covid-19 quarantine measures in Melbourne. Anyone coming into Melbourne must self isolate for 14 days in hotel quarantine which means F1 would have to arrive in Melbourne on the date pre season testing is due to take place at the start of March making the event a logistical nightmare if it was to go ahead.
• McLaren’s have confirmed in a statement that their British driver Lando Norris will self isolate for 14 days in his hotel room in Dubai following his positive Covid-19 test.

We will keep you updated with the Motorsport Update on air next Monday on Daytime on Gateway 97.8. Tune in from 10am.

Listen to this week’s update below.