In the F1 in brief section, F1Maximaal.nl keeps you informed of the latest news from the premier class of motorsport that does not qualify for an extensive mention, but is of course relevant to mention on the website.
Albon is missing from second free practice after crash
Alexander Albon will not participate in the second free practice for the Australian Grand Prix. His team confirms that Albon was fine, but the FW46 was not: ‘We can confirm that Alex will not participate in the second free practice after his crash in the first session. We are now further assessing the damage. Alex himself emerged from the incident unscathed.’
Jos Verstappen plans British rally debut
Jos Verstappen plans to make his British rally debut at next month’s Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages, the second round of the British Rally Championship, Autosport reports. He and co-driver Renaud Jamoul will compete in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, meaning they will also be responsible for the debut of the latest Skoda Rally2 machine on British tracks. “We are very excited to see such a household name choosing to take to the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages this year,” said course manager Keith Ashely.
‘Our route has iconic stages such as Hafren and Myherin, which are of course known worldwide thanks to Wales Rally GB. With 62 trial kilometers and a fantastic championship line-up, it offers a great opportunity for Jos to experience some of the best gravel trials available. Having motorsport stars like Jos, plus our sensationally overcrowded entry, can only be good for the sport as a whole and of course we are delighted with the extra attention it brings to the rally. It feels like it’s exactly what gravel rallying needs right now.”
Farewell service in honor of Stirling Moss in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, the church in London, is organizing a farewell service on May 8 in honor of Stirling Moss, who passed away in 2020. Due to the pandemic, fans never got to say goodbye to the Brit. About 2,000 people are expected to attend. Former Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart will address the fans. “I am not the only one who admires him so much and also misses him terribly,” son Stirling Elliott Moss said in a press release. “It is therefore appropriate to hold a service where we come together to remember him and celebrate his life.”
Ferrari expects Sainz back behind the wheel in Australia
Ferrari expects Carlos Sainz to get back behind the wheel in Melbourne after he was operated on for appendicitis in Saudi Arabia. “He is doing well, we expect him to be able to drive,” a Scuderia spokesperson told NOS. Ziggo Sport pit reporter Jack Plooij was previously quite sure that Sainz would not make it, but it seems that the Spaniard will drive again this weekend. The Madrid was on the circuit on Wednesday. In Jeddah he was replaced by Oliver Bearman, who scored points on his debut. Bearman has his own Formula 2 races planned this weekend.
Gasly takes minority stake in French football club
Pierre Gasly has been an official shareholder of the modest French football club FC Versailles since last Monday. The French driver, who is having a poor start to the season at Alpine, has taken a minority stake in the club that operates at the third level in France. It is not clear how much money Gasly has bought, but for the single Grand Prix winner it has certainly been a dream come true. “I am very happy, because I always wanted to be involved in a professional football club,” Gasly is quoted by RaceFans. ‘This is the beginning of a very beautiful story. Go Versailles!’
