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After Monte Carlo, Leb also won the Champions League

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After Monte Carlo, Leb also won the Champions League

In the duel between the two “Sebs” in the final of this year’s Race of Champions, Sebastian Leb won against Sebastian Vettel – while father and son Solberg won the national team title for Norway.

Within a month, Sebastian Leb was second in the Dakar Rally, won the Ford Puma Rally1 at the WRC in Monte Carlo and became the sport’s oldest winner with his 80th triumph and now his fourth career win in the Champions League on the ROC’s first visit Sweden.

Leb beat his Dakar opponent Matthias Extrom (who raced with Audi in Saudi Arabia) in the semifinals, while Vettel overcame his ‘obstacle’ of Tom Christensen from Le Mans in his own semifinal. The fight between the two “Seb” was rated as marginal in their quadruple match in the final – which would be judged by the three wins.

In the first of their three encounters with the Polaris RZR buggy, Leb won by taking advantage of a small contact Vettel had with the first turn wall. In the second, the French made it 2-0 and overtook the initially small lead of the German, but in the third Vettel reduced the lead to 2-1 after a mistake made this time by Leb with the RX2e electric cross car.

Her fourth and final race at the Pitea circuit on the Baltic Sea was again contested with the Polaris and the nine-time WRC World Champion won by a margin of eight tenths of a second. Lemb thus shares the record of 4 wins in the ROC with his compatriot and also former WRC champion Didier Oriol.

At this year’s Champions Race, in which a total of 18 top drivers in world motorsport took part, victory between the national teams for Norway was achieved by the 2033 WRC champion Peter Solmberg together with his son, the factory driver Hyundai in Paverg.

In the finale they met an unexpected crew with little ice racing experience – the American team consisting of NASCAR champion Jimmy Johnson and IndyCars driver Colton Hertha.

In the first match with the Polaris Pro XP, Peter Solmberg took the win ahead of Johnson (who had minor mechanical issues) and Oliver from Hertha. In the second battle with the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, NASCAR legend defeated Olver Solberg, but a mistake by Hertha ultimately gave father Solberg victory and the title in Norway.

It was a very big dream that Oliver and I realizedsaid Peter Solmberg at the end, claiming his driving was inspired by Leb’s victory in the Monte Carlo Rally ten days ago.

The Norwegians beat hosts Sweden in the quarterfinals and the Scandinavian team in the semifinals, while the Americans unexpectedly defeated Germany and Finland.

Johnson had won the Champions League in singles in 2002 but had no experience on the ice and for Hertha – the youngest 24-hour winner of the Daytona LMP2 – it was an unprecedented experience.

Within a month, Sebastian Leb was second in the Dakar Rally, won the Ford Puma Rally1 at the WRC in Monte Carlo and became the sport’s oldest winner with his 80th triumph and now his fourth career win in the Champions League on the ROC’s first visit Sweden.

Leb beat his Dakar rival Matthias Extrom (who raced with Audi in Saudi Arabia) in the semi-finals, while Vettel overcame his ‘obstacle’ set by Tom Christensen from Le Mans in his own semi-final. The fight between the two “Seb” was rated as marginal in their quadruple match in the final – which would be judged by the three wins.

In the first of their three encounters with the Polaris RZR buggy, Leb won by taking advantage of a small contact Vettel had with the first turn wall. In the second, the French made it 2-0 and overtook the initially small lead of the German, but in the third Vettel reduced the lead to 2-1 after a mistake made this time by Leb with the RX2e electric cross car.

Their fourth and final race at the Pitea circuit on the Baltic coast was again contested with Polaris and found the nine-time WRC World Champion winner by a margin of 8 tenths of a second. Lemb thus shares the record of 4 wins in the ROC with his compatriot and also former WRC champion Didier Oriol.

At this year’s Champions Race, in which a total of 18 top drivers in world motorsport took part, victory between the national teams for Norway was achieved by the 2033 WRC champion Peter Solmberg together with his son, the factory driver Hyundai in Paverg.

In the finale they met an unexpected crew with little ice racing experience – the American team consisting of NASCAR champion Jimmy Johnson and IndyCars driver Colton Hertha.

In the first match with the Polaris Pro XP, Peter Solmberg took the win ahead of Johnson (who had minor mechanical issues) and Oliver from Hertha. In the second battle with the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, NASCAR legend defeated Olver Solberg, but a mistake by Hertha ultimately gave father Solberg victory and the title in Norway.

It was a very big dream that Oliver and I realizedsaid Peter Solmberg at the end, claiming his driving was inspired by Leb’s victory in the Monte Carlo Rally ten days ago.

The Norwegians beat hosts Sweden in the quarterfinals and the Scandinavian team in the semifinals, while the Americans unexpectedly defeated Germany and Finland. Johnson had won the Champions League in singles in 2002 but had no experience on the ice and for Hertha – the youngest 24-hour winner of the Daytona LMP2 – it was an unprecedented experience.

Photos from the Race of Champions:

Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team France.  Winner of the Race of Champions 2022.

After Monte Carlo, Leb also won the Champions League
Team photo of the ROC Nations Cup.

After Monte Carlo, Leb also won the Champions League

Driver's message to Michael Schumacher.

After Monte Carlo, Leb also won the Champions League


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PHOTOGRAPH. Legendary F1 circuit undergoes changes ahead of start of 2026 season

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PHOTOGRAPH. Legendary F1 circuit undergoes changes ahead of start of 2026 season

Suzuka Circuit is preparing for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix; Large-scale asphalt renewal works have started on the track before the new Formula 1 season.

The Japan circuit has been home to F1 for many years and is considered one of the most difficult and favorite tracks among drivers. High speeds, technical configuration and variable weather conditions have repeatedly made Suzuka the venue for iconic championship moments.

The 2026 stage is scheduled for March 29 and will be the third stage in the season calendar.

The western part of the track, including the iconic Spoon Corner, is now completely closed. A new layer of asphalt was laid, which should change the properties of the coating.

The new surface is expected to have a low level of grip at the beginning of the weekend, but grip will gradually increase as the rubber accumulates; this can significantly affect the cars’ settings.

Source: Sport UA

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Did everything change suddenly? Red Bull driver reveals details of his F1 departure

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Did everything change suddenly? Red Bull driver reveals details of his F1 departure

Yuki Tsunoda admitted that on the eve of Red Bull’s official decision, he heard rumors that he would retain his place in Formula 1 within the Red Bull system, but the truth turned out to be completely different.

Before the last stage of the season in Abu Dhabi, it was announced that Isak Hajar will replace the Japanese in 2026. Racing Bulls duo will be Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. As a result, Tsunoda will move into the role of Red Bull’s reserve and test driver at the start of the new era.

Tsunoda was informed about the team’s 2026 plans after the Qatar Grand Prix and, according to him, was already mentally preparing for his reserve role. But shortly before the official meeting, he heard completely different information.

“I was told of the decision after the race in Qatar, but it was not taken seriously at first,” Tsunoda said.

“I was prepared for this scenario, but the news was different from what I had heard before, so it surprised me.”

The Japanese also noted that the decision could change at the last minute:

“I heard before the briefing that the whole thing could literally be replayed. There were many reasons for this, of course. But when they told me I wouldn’t have a permanent position next year it didn’t feel like the end of the world.”

“Abu Dhabi was ahead, so I immediately focused on the next race.”

Despite the disappointment of moving to the reserve driver position, the driver hinted that his role at Red Bull could be broader than the standard job of reserve driver.

“There is a possibility that my duty will not be limited to simulator and reserve pilot status,” Tsunoda said.

I’ve already heard a few possible scenarios. “I’ll rest for now and then start preparing for next season.”

Source: Sport UA

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Toyota wants its own driver in F1. Team leader named a condition

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Toyota wants its own driver in F1. Team leader named a condition

Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu said he did not rule out the possibility of attracting a driver linked to Toyota in the future, but stressed that the main criterion will always be results, not financial support.

Earlier this year, Toyota announced that it would be the title sponsor of Haas starting from the 2026 season. This was the next step in the development of cooperation between the parties, which began with a technical partnership more than a year ago.

At the same time, Komatsu denied the assumption that Toyota’s increased role was the beginning of a full takeover of the team. According to him, cooperation focuses primarily on staff development and exchange of experience.

When asked whether Toyota constantly raises the issue of driver performance in Formula 1, Komatsu answered in the affirmative.

“Yes, of course. One of Toyota’s many goals is to develop people, and pilots are part of that process,” he said.

Toyota has an extensive driver training program in various series, particularly the World Endurance Championship and Japanese Super Formula. However, Komatsu stressed that Haas was not ready to sacrifice athletic performance for the sake of partnership interests.

“What is important is speed and results. Everyone who gets behind the wheel of our car must be the best choice in terms of performance,” emphasized the team leader.

Source: Sport UA

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