Hamilton moving on from Spa clash with Rosberg

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Lewis Hamilton is not dwelling on his clash with teammate and championship rival Nico Rosberg at the Belgian Grand Prix, and is instead choosing to look forwards to the final seven rounds of the 2014 season.

On the second lap of the race at Spa-Francorchamps, the two drivers made contact when Rosberg tried to overtake Hamilton around the outside of Les Combes.

The German’s car touched Hamilton’s rear wheel, leaving the Briton with a puncture. He would ultimately retire from the race, conceding another 18 points to Rosberg in the championship race.

The F1 world had expected an on-track collision at some point this season, but the team had maintained that it would allow its drivers to race so long as there was no contact between them.

In the wake of the incident, Rosberg apologized to Hamilton and the team for causing the collision, but many believed that it would set the tone for a tense final leg of the season at Mercedes.

Speaking in a press conference on Thursday in Italy, Hamilton said that he was not looking backwards at the incident, and is instead putting all of his efforts into winning a second world championship in 2014.

“I’m really excited about moving forward,” Hamilton said. “I had a good couple of days break last week, so excited to be here, this is one of my favorite circuits so I hope we can have a good weekend.

“I know it’s something you all want to talk about but after the race it was important to really try and move forwards and that’s really what I’m focusing on.

“What’s happened in the past is in the past and it is what it is. I’m excited to get back in the car. I have seven races, there’s still a lot of points available and so that’s my focus.”

Hamilton was quick to dodge questions about whether or not it was a racing incident, but is now focusing on reducing the 29 point gap at the top of the championship standings.

You can watch this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix live on NBCSN and Live Extra on Sunday 7th September from 7.30am ET.

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.