Sauber’s new car passes homologation test, now it just needs drivers

By Dec 11, 2013, 9:33 AM EST
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Sauber has officially passed the 2014 homologation test with its new C33 chassis. Good news for the veteran Swiss team.

“The chassis of the C33 has passed all static and dynamic tests of the FIA and is officially homologated. The rear crash test, which is not part of the chassis homologation, will take place separately at a later date, as usual,” the team revealed via Twitter this a.m.

Things the team did not reveal? Any trace of the car itself (as could be expected), or anyone who will drive it in 2014.

There’s four potential candidates for the team’s two seats, with Adrian Sutil and Sergey Sirotkin appearing the most likely pairing at this point according to various media reports. Sirotkin still needs approval for his FIA Superlicence, and if that happens he’ll join Russian countryman and fellow rookie Daniil Kvyat on the grid.

Others who remain in play are 2013 Sauber driver Esteban Gutierrez and as of this morning, Sutil’s 2013 Force India teammate Paul di Resta. Di Resta though, said his manager had only a brief chat with Sauber, and that he’s likely leaning toward DTM.

Sergio Perez, Sauber driver in 2011-’12, appears headed to Force India to replace di Resta alongside Nico Hulkenberg, who was confirmed last week.

IndyCar disappointed by delay of video game but aiming to launch at start of 2024

By Mar 27, 2023, 3:00 PM EDT
IndyCar video game 2024
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An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”