Teams should be allowed to run two cars in testing

In brief

Teams should be allowed to run two cars in testing – Russell

F1 teams will conduct their only three-day pre-season testing this week in Bahrain, but are only permitted by the regulations to run a single car at any time. Russell believes that is too restrictive on drivers.

“Personally speaking, I don’t think three days is enough,” Russell told media including RaceFans. “You’ve got to remember from a driver’s perspective, that is one-and-a-half days per driver. We were fortunate to do the [tyre] tests last week but, had we not, that would have been getting on for 12 weeks out of the car from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain.

“I think three days with two cars would probably be a good place to be, and I think that would probably be the best compromise for all of the reasons why they’re trying to limit it. But right now, one and a half days per driver I think is too few.”

Mercedes junior Antonelli secures FRMEC title with race to spare

Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the Formula Regional Middle East Championship at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Antonelli finished down in 14th in race two of the weekend after earning a ten second penalty for hitting Sebastian Montoya. However, Taylor Barnard only finished ninth, meaning Antonelli was officially out of reach in the championship with a race to spare.

It is Antonelli’s third single-seater championship in just over one full season of car racing and his first at Formula Regional level. Pepe Marti and Nikita Bedrin won the two races.

Wharton takes F4 UAE title after crash with rival Taponen

Ferrari academy driver James Wharton claimed the UAE F4 championship title after a dramatic opening lap crash with team mate and rival Tukka Taponen in the final race at Yas Marina.

Wharton began the race from pole with a 20 point lead over Taponen who started third. The two Mumbai Falcons drivers clashed at the fourth corner of the race, with Wharton retiring on the spot with suspension damage. Taponen recovered to the pits, but could not continue, making Wharton champion.

McLaren junior driver Ugo Ugochukwu won the race to secure third in the series, while Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad also retired on the opening lap.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Mondol and Carlitox!