Electric Cars

A Family Affair on the Historic Circuit

The Veteran's Comeback: Martin Brundle's Anticipated Return to Racing

Martin Brundle, renowned for his 158 Formula 1 starts and victory at the 1990 Le Mans, will make his debut at the Spa Six Hours. This endurance race, which features pre-1966 GTP, GT, and touring cars, is a significant event in the historic racing calendar. Brundle expressed his eagerness to race with his son, highlighting the precious nature of such shared experiences, especially given their busy schedules in different racing capacities.

A Bond Forged on Track: Father and Son United in the GT40

The upcoming Spa Six Hours will not be the first time Martin and Alex Brundle have raced together. They previously teamed up at Le Mans in 2012, driving an LMP2 Zytek-Nissan, and have also competed in Jaguar E-types. This weekend, they will pilot a meticulously crafted FIA HTP compliant Gelscoe reproduction GT40, a car that Alex and Gary Pearson had a hand in building. Martin Brundle's initial test drive of the GT40 at Silverstone left him impressed, solidifying the decision to participate in the Spa event.

Embracing the Challenge: Brundle's Perspective on the Spa Six Hours

Despite his extensive racing pedigree, Martin Brundle maintains a humble approach to the Spa Six Hours, stating he has "no aspirations" for a specific result. His focus lies in the enjoyment of the legendary Spa circuit and the GT40 itself. He anticipates the unique challenges of racing the car with a full fuel tank, and jokingly acknowledges the "lottery" of fuel stops where drivers manually refuel their cars. He also observes that smaller, more fuel-efficient cars like the Lotus Elans might have an advantage in wet conditions.

Dominance and Competition: The GT40s at Spa

Ford GT40s have historically performed exceptionally well at the Spa Six Hours, with their dominance being evident since an E-type victory in 2010. This year's entry list includes 14 GT40s, underscoring their enduring popularity and competitive edge. Noteworthy competitors include the Dutch father-son duo David and Olivier Hart, along with Nicky Pastorelli, who are keen to redeem themselves after a close defeat last year. Other strong contenders include Gordon Shedden, reuniting with Andy Priaulx and Rory Butcher, and the Danish team of Palle Birkelund Pedersen, Alexander Weiss, and Nicolai Kjaeergard in their potent Ginetta G4R.

A Field of Champions: Veteran Racers and Emerging Talent

The 78-car grid for the Spa Six Hours is packed with talent, featuring 16 past winners. Among them is five-time champion Simon Hadfield, who will be racing an Aston Martin DP214. German racing veteran Christian Danner will also be making an appearance in an Alfa Romeo GTA, marking his return to the circuit where he made his brief F1 debut in 1985. Alex Brundle, who finished fourth last year with Pearson and Chris Harris, is also a formidable presence, having been a consistent front-runner in this demanding endurance race.

Andretti Global has officially announced Ron Ruzewski as its new team principal, signifying his comeback to the fiercely competitive IndyCar series. This strategic move aims to invigorate the team's leadership as they prepare for upcoming seasons and challenges.

Ruzewski's career includes a significant tenure of over two decades at Team Penske, where he held pivotal roles such as managing director and the primary race strategist for driver Will Power. His departure from Team Penske in May was a consequence of the Indy 500 qualifying controversy, which involved illicit modifications to cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power. This incident led to a comprehensive reorganization within Team Penske's management, affecting several key personnel, including Tim Cindric and Kyle Moyer, with Moyer subsequently joining Arrow McLaren as its director of competition.

In his new capacity at Andretti Global, Ruzewski will take over from Rob Edwards, who has been a long-standing leader within the organization. Edwards will transition into a broader executive role as the Chief Performance Officer for TWG Motorsports, Andretti's parent company. This shift allows Edwards to leverage his extensive experience across multiple racing disciplines, including NASCAR, IMSA, Formula E, IndyCar, and Indy NXT, fostering collaboration among the various team principals.

Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, expressed immense enthusiasm regarding Ruzewski’s appointment, highlighting his successful background in motorsports as a valuable asset that will bring fresh perspectives to both the IndyCar and Indy NXT programs. Towriss conveyed strong confidence that Ruzewski will significantly enhance the team's positioning as they continue to develop and strive for future achievements. Ruzewski himself shared his excitement about joining Andretti Global, recognizing its rich legacy and the inspiring vision set forth by Towriss and Jill Gregory. He eagerly anticipates working with the talented individuals across the organization to achieve new levels of success in IndyCar and the wider Andretti racing family.

A notable aspect of this new chapter for Ruzewski is his reunion with driver Will Power, who also recently left Team Penske after 17 years. Power is set to join Andretti Global in 2026, replacing Colton Herta in the No. 26 car, thus re-establishing their successful partnership. Edwards conveyed his optimism about his new role and his belief in Ruzewski’s leadership capabilities, noting their long-standing acquaintance since the early 1990s. He sees Ruzewski as an excellent choice to guide the Andretti programs forward.

The appointment of Ron Ruzewski as team principal underscores Andretti Global's commitment to strengthening its leadership and operational structure. This strategic hire, coupled with the return of Will Power, signals a clear intent to pursue greater competitive success and innovation within the IndyCar series and beyond. The organization looks forward to a promising future under its refreshed leadership team.