Alonso calls German GP his best race of the season

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Fernando Alonso may only have finished today’s German Grand Prix in fifth place, but the Spaniard has still hailed it as being his best race of the season given the circumstances he was racing under.

After qualifying down in seventh yesterday, Alonso told the media that he would be looking at all the different possible factors which could come into play during the race, such as the weather and his tire strategy.

The race turned out to be dry throughout, but there were a number of different pit strategies used, and Alonso felt that fifth place was the best result he could have achieved at the Hockenheimring.

“I think fifth place was the maximum today,” Alonso said. “I am very pleased and very happy.

“Austria was probably the best race so far in the season for me, but now it is probably this one as it was quite complex.

“To manage the start, the fuel, the tires, the change of strategy and the battles, it was a very complex race and was very difficult to execute. I am happy.”

Despite securing this result, Ferrari dropped behind Williams in the constructors’ championship, and Alonso admitted that his team needs to up its game if it is to beat the British outfit come the end of the season.

“Yes, I think it is going to be difficult,” he said. “No doubt that Williams is on good form now, they have been very competitive since Canada, that they already showed the potential there. Canada, Austria, Silverstone and here, they were out of reach for us.

“We really need to do a better job if we want to fight with them for the constructors’ championship. We can’t forget Force India and McLaren, especially McLaren. Yesterday they were half a second faster than us. That is also a threat from behind but we need to keep working and improving.

“Our target remains the same, we need to score as many points and possible and try to help Ferrari at every weekend.”

NTT re-signs as IndyCar title sponsor in multiyear deal starting with the 2024 season

James Black/Penske Entertainment
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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.