Motorsport

Formula One motor-racing team McLaren has moved to deny reports than Honda will seek to enhance its forthcoming partnership by acquiring a stake in the British outfit.

Formula One motor racing outfit Caterham has distanced itself from suggestions that the team is up for sale.

Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has ruled out an imminent return of the French Grand Prix despite recent talks between the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and Formula One Management (FOM).

Formula E organisers have announced that Long Beach will replace Los Angeles as one of two US races for the debut season of the world’s first fully-electric motor-racing series.

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”.