2018

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas says he has taken his performances to the “next level” following a strong start to the 2018 Formula 1 season. Bottas sits third in the drivers’ standings and is 30 points adrift of teammate Lewis Hamilton heading into this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton admits he has underperformed at the start of the 2018 Formula 1 season, adding his current form is “not sufficient” to win the world championship. 

Since MotoGP winter testing, Valentino Rossi has repeatedly emphasised the need for Yamaha to improve acceleration via the electronics. "All the Ducatis are better in acceleration, because they are more in front compared to us in the electronics," the Italian said in February.

Private MotoGP testing at Mugello got underway on Thursday, where the track was dry until rain and hail arrived at 3:30pm.

Chaz Davies knows that WorldSBK is 'very competitive' in 2018 and the key for Ducati winning isn't a better bike; it's having a refined package that has evolved over the years. “I really think that WorldSBK is very competitive now,” assessed Davies.

Red Bull Formula 1 drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen claim they will not be subject to team orders despite their clash during last month’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but said they may be told to “calm down a bit” to prevent a repeat of the collision.

Fernando Alonso says his early success with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship with have no bearing on his Formula 1 focus but has criticised the sport for being too predictable in recent seasons.

Sebastian Vettel is focused on “maximising” his results rather than dwelling on his Formula 1 title prospects at such an early stage of 2018. 

Eugene Laverty and Leon Camier have both been passed fit to take part in the opening free practice at Imola and will be reviewed after the session before being allowed to contest the full race weekend.

Kimi Raikkonen has refused to call Ferrari the outright fastest team on the Formula 1 grid and feels those who make the fewest mistakes are in the strongest position.

The use of DRS in Formula 1 is set to be reviewed in the forming of the new technical regulations for 2021 in a bid to reduce the impact of the overtaking aid or remove it altogether.

Dale Coyne Racing has confirmed that Zachary Claman De Melo will replace the injured Pietro Fittipaldi for this weekend's IndyCar Grand Prix of Indianapolis following the Brazilian's crash at Spa last weekend.

FIA chief Nikolas Tombazis has predicted Formula 1 cars will be up to “one and a half seconds” slower in 2019 compared to this year with the regulation changes aimed to increase overtaking in the sport.

Pietro Fittipaldi held talks with the Haas Formula 1 team about a possible test before his World Endurance Championship crash that broke both his legs last Saturday. 

Jenson Button has completed his maiden test with World Endurance Championship squad SMP Racing at Magny-Cours as he steps up preparations to join the Russian squad for his Le Mans debut.

The Williams Formula 1 team has announced it will launch an official eSports team in 2018. Williams’ confirmation follows the news that all teams except Ferrari have signed up to contest the second season of the F1 Sports Series this year. 

Frequent lower order fighters who celebrate survival like a title triumph, Sauber and Swansea City continue to win affections as the underdog

Huge success in the 1980s, 1990s and the millennium before a drought without major silverware and two axed top bosses, McLaren and Arsenal must see similarities in one another's fortunes.

New lights at the top table, Haas and Bournemouth have shared so huge highs and lows in their recent history

The building blocks are in place for Toro Rosso to make a Southampton-like ascension up the pecking order

Renault and Liverpool both enjoyed stints of success in the 1980s and mid-2000s but are now working hard to plot a return to the very pinnacle of their sports

With the glories of the past now a distant memory Williams and Everton both find themselves going through strange cycles of form

In a world dominated by the big boys both Force India and Leicester City have punched above their weight in recent seasons

Despite boasting a history stretching back many more decades both Red Bull and Chelsea really emerged in the mid-2000s out of relative obscurity