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Dropped

RUSSIAN driver Nikita Mazepin, 23, is “disappointed” at being dropped by Formula One team Haas, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He hinted he might take action over “this unilateral step”. He had been looking forward to a second season with the US team (he failed to register a point in the 2021 campaign) but Haas said it had terminated his and Russian sponsor Uralkali’s contract. Mazepin’s father, Dmitry Mazepin, is Uralkali’s non-executive director. “Haas F1 team has elected to terminate with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin,” the US team said.

Newcomer

RENAULT has lifted the lid on its new Austral SUV, which is to replace the Kadjar. Described by Renault as “athletic, sophisticated and elegant”, the Austral shares some DNA with the latest Nissan Qashqai, which has yet to arrive in South Africa. The newcomer is formed around the Renault Nissan Alliance’s brand new CMF-CD platform, resulting in a lighter chassis and more rigid body. The new model is also available with four-wheel steering. On the inside, customers can expect the usual digital bombardment, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.0” vertical infotainment system and a new 9.3” Head-Up Display.

Rising

RUSSIA’S invasion of Ukraine has sent oil prices rocketing, and some economists are predicting that the worst-case scenario could be fuel prices of R40 a litre in South Africa. While that remains to be seen, early indications are pointing towards another substantial fuel price increase next month. Central Energy Fund data shows the average under-recovery for the price cycle is pointing towards an increase of R2.15 for 95 unleaded petrol and R2.71 for diesel. The data represents average oil price and currency movements between February 25 and Monday. The eventual April price will be determined by what takes place between now and late March.

Transition

THE $100 billion Western rental car industry, flush with cash from a profitable pandemic, is gradually getting its electric show on the road, and Chinese-made vehicles are poised to play a starring role.

The electric transition could see car fleets, long dominated by famed marques from the US and Europe, increasingly switch towards Asian automakers, according to a European executive.

“Historically, European and American manufacturers had an edge, but the shift towards electric is reshuffling the cards,” said Olivier Baldassari, group chief countries and operations officer at rental giant Europcar. | Reuters

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