MOTORSPORT - The African Mirror

Mar

16

2026

Crash, bang, wallop – and a star is born

MOTORSPORT

LET us be blunt: if you slept through the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, please hand in your motorsport credentials at the door, collect your consolation prize, and go watch paint dry instead. Because Shanghai - glorious, dramatic, wheel-banging Shanghai - delivered the kind of afternoon that reminds you exactly why Formula One is the greatest sport on the planet. There was a teenage prodigy winning his maiden race through sheer composure. There was a seven-time world champion finally cracking open his Ferrari account. There were the reigning world champions stuck in the garage - both of them - staring at…

Mar

09

2026

By SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

F1 2026: The Silver Arrows are back, baby and everyone else is eating dust

MOTORSPORT

THEY said Formula 1 was entering a brave new world. What they didn't mention was that, in this brave new world, George Russell would be standing on the top step of the podium with a grin wider than the Flemington straight, while the rest of the paddock stood around in varying states of bewilderment, blaming their batteries, their power units, and, in one particularly spectacular case, a kerb. Welcome to 2026. The Silver Arrows are back. God help us all. Under a mild Melbourne sky - the weather, mercifully, being one of the few things that behaved normally this weekend…

Mar

07

2026

By The African Mirror

How Hamilton’s vow to Mandela may yet reshape Formula One

MOTORSPORT

THERE are promises made in boardrooms, sealed with NDAs and handshake deals over mineral water. And then there are promises made in the presence of giants — the kind that lodge themselves somewhere between the conscience and the soul, and refuse to be filed away under 'pending'. Lewis Hamilton, it turns out, made the second kind. It was June 2008. A fresh-faced, one-time world champion — barely a year into his career at the pinnacle of motor racing — found himself seated at a birthday table in London alongside Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, and one Oprah Winfrey, celebrating a man…

Jan

15

2026

By Mpho Rantao

Nick Cassidy & Citroën capture glory in Mexico

MOTORSPORT

NICK Cassidy started 2026 on an exemplary note, winning the Mexico City E-Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Cassidy handed his team and newcomers to the Formula E World Championship series (FE), Citroën, their maiden win, setting themselves up as a forthcoming and fascinating team to watch as the season progresses. Edoardo Mortara delivered for Mahindra, securing second and his first podium of the season, as Formula E's defending champion Oliver Rowland (Nissan) followed in third to notch his second podium of the campaign. “I'm so so happy with that,” Cassidy exclaimed post-race. “I mean, with Citroën, what a first…

Dec

16

2025

By The African Mirror

Exclusive: FIM Africa president backs South Africa to host major international motorsport events

MOTORSPORT

SOUTH Africa’s growing reputation as a global motorsport destination received a major boost following a successful World Supercross Championship finale held in Cape Town this past weekend. FIM Africa President Marco Comana praised the event and confirmed his support for the country hosting more international motorsport competitions in the future. The historic race weekend marked the first time the World Supercross Championship was staged on African soil, a milestone moment for motorsport on the continent. According to Comana, the occasion was long overdue. “For us at FIM Africa, it is a dream come true. We waited a long time to…

Sep

01

2025

By The African Mirror

From Paris go-kart to F1 podium: Hadjar makes history as African-heritage driver to stand on Formula One rostrum

MOTORSPORT

IN a moment that reverberated across two continents, Isack Hadjar crossed the finish line at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday to claim third place and become the first driver of African heritage to stand on a Formula One podium. The 20-year-old rookie, born and raised in Paris to Algerian parents, secured his breakthrough result behind race winner Oscar Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen at the iconic Zandvoort circuit. As champagne sprayed across the podium, Hadjar's achievement marked not just a personal milestone but a historic breakthrough for African representation in motorsport's pinnacle series. Hadjar's journey to this historic…

Jul

13

2025

By Mpho Rantao

Mitch Evans take victory in Berlin E-Prix

MOTORSPORT

MITCH Evans surged to his second win after 11 races at the Berlin E-Prix this weekend, steering clear of the on-track chaos to clinch a crucial win ahead of reigning Formula E champion Pascal Wehrlein and third-place finisher Edoardo Mortara. Starting from pole position and battling poor visibility throughout the race, Evans stayed cool and put on a commanding display to lead every lap. Jaguar’s strategic gamble finally paid off for the New Zealander, who rebounded from a string of retirements and low-grid finishes that had dulled the momentum of his season-opening victory in São Paulo. "[It was] tricky conditions,…

Jul

09

2025

By The African Mirror

Red Bull Racing sacks Christian Horner after 20 years as Team Principal

MOTORSPORT

RED BULL Racing has terminated Christian Horner as team principal after two decades at the helm, ending one of Formula 1's most successful managerial tenures amid mounting internal pressures and declining performance. The 51-year-old architect of Red Bull's dominance was dismissed Wednesday, with the team immediately appointing Laurent Mekies, former Racing Bulls principal, as CEO and team principal. Horner's departure closes a chapter that delivered eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles, including Max Verstappen's four consecutive world titles from 2021-2024. "Christian will always hold a significant place in our team's legacy," said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's corporate projects chief,…

May

25

2025

By The African Mirror

Norris triumphs in a thrilling Monaco Grand Prix as McLaren dominates scenic streets

MOTORSPORT

THE glittering streets of Monte Carlo once again played host to the most scenic and prestigious race on the Formula 1 calendar - the Monaco Grand Prix - where McLaren's dominance shone brightly under the Mediterranean sun. In a masterclass of skill and strategy, Lando Norris converted his pole position into a stunning victory, fending off fierce challenges from local hero Charles Leclerc and his own McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to claim his second win of the 2025 season. From the very first corner at Sainte Devote, Norris survived a heart-stopping lock-up but held firm to maintain the lead, setting…

May

16

2025

By Mpho Rantao

Nissan’s Oliver Rowland seeks team home win in Tokyo

MOTORSPORT

THIS week, Formula E (FE) fans say Konnichiwa as Tokyo’s streets play host to the next two rounds of the championship. The Japanese city’s street circuit has been revised and shortened from its first iteration used in the 2024 season. The current layout measures approximately 2.58 km, featuring the removal of the chicane at Turn 16 and track widening at several corners to improve flow and overtaking opportunities. After a favourable reception following its inaugural ePrix, the accelerating battles between the 24 drivers for the FE World Drivers’ Championship are bound to deliver drama, chaos, and elation as they cross the start-finish…