AGAG: NO ELECTRIC F1

IN THE HEADLINES Formula E series boss Alejandro Agag has scotched suggestions from Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn that there is “nothing to stop” F1 switching to fully electric power. “Basically, they can’t,” Agag told Autosport. “Formula E has an exclusive licence with the FIA for 25 seasons, and we’ve only done four. So the earliest F1 could go electric is 2039, if we don’t renew our agreement with the FIA then, but I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t renew for longer. We have exclusivity until at least 2039 – so no electric F1 until then at least. If they want to talk to me then of course that’s a different question – I’m always open to talk to people.”

ASTON GETS BREAKS

Aston Martin has been handed performance breaks for this weekend’s Silverstone World Endurance Championship round outside the automatic Balance of Performance system. The new-for-2018 Vantage will run with a 5kg lower minimum weight, and has been given additional turbo boost throughout its rev range. The automatic BOP does not kick in until the following round at Fuji, but the FIA invoked its ‘black-ball’ rule to allow Aston the concessions after uncompetitive showings at Spa and Le Mans. Aston boss John Gaw described the power gain as “insignificant”.

AUDI’S SUZUKA TRIO

Audi will field three works cars in next week’s Suzuka 10 Hours Intercontinental GT Challenge round. WRT enters two R8 LMSS, with Dries Vanthoor, Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch in the lead car, and Jake Dennis, Sheldon van der Linde and Stuart Leonard in the other. Absolute Racing runs Markus Winkelhock, Christopher Haase and Kelvin van der Linde in its car. IGTC points leader Robin Frijns has to miss the race as he is on DTM duty at Misano.

HOMING SIMPSON

British Touring Car Championship race winner Matt Simpson quit the Eurotech Racing team hours after taking a podium finish at Rockingham last Sunday. Simpson, who owns the TOCA BTCC Licence for his entry, is assembling his own crew to run his Honda Civic under the Simpson Racing banner from next week’s Knockhill round.

A LEONG JOURNEY

Silverstone-based Formula 3 European Championship team Hitech GP expands to a four-car line-up for its home round this weekend. 2017 Chinese Formula 4 champion Charles Leong, who is third in the Asian F3 rankings with Hitech, joins the squad for his first race in Europe. It appears that the outing is a one-off for the 16-year-old Macanese.