Edoardo Mortara was fastest again on Day 3 of Formula E test in Valencia, as Marco Andretti announces retirement from racing plus more.
The Mahindra driver continued his strong run of form to set the best time of Wednesday at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara found himself quickest again on the third day of pre-season testing in Valencia, having finished yesterday best of the rest too. Mortara managed a 1m21.680s, with the session starting in damp conditions from overnight rain.
Joining Mortara at the top end of the timings was Andretti’s Jake Dennis and Nyck de Vries in third, making it two Mahindras in the top three. The pace of the Mahindra will certainly be getting fans excited, with Mortara also ‘winning’ the fake race that was simulated on Tuesday afternoon. Pascal Wehrlein was fourth for Porsche, with his teammate Nico Müller close behind in fifth.
Nick Cassidy looked comfortable for Citroën Racing in sixth, as the Kiwi started a new challenge with the iconic French manufacturer. Another driver tackling change in Season 12 is Taylor Barnard, who finished in seventh for DS PENSKE with the Nissan’s of Norman Nato and Oliver Rowland in eighth and ninth. Antonio Felix da Costa rounded out the top 10 as he familarises himself with his new Jaguar TCS Racing machinery.
It was a damp start to proceedings on Wednesday’s only session, with rain falling overnight and making for a different track surface to what was experienced so far this week. However, the Spanish sun made an appearance and soon the times were falling. The chequered flag brings to an end the fourth session of the week, with Wehrlein quickest on Monday, followed by Mortata in Tuesday’s morning session. Dan Ticktum of CUPRA KIRO secured the best time of Tuesday afternoon.
Result: https://x.com/formulaesource/status/1983490944088338745
Day 1 – https://t.co/FaOHfxhi7R
Day 2 – https://t.co/XkbAMksMFQ
Laura Villars –
Following the situation with Villars, who also had to pull out from running for FIA Presidential elections, the Swiss-French racer has taken the court to challenge the decision to deny her and anyone else a chance, where Tim Mayer has joined her in support legally. Due to the pull outs, Mohammed Ben Sulayem is all set to win the election unopposed at December 12 elections.
Villars: “I have twice tried to open a constructive dialogue with the FIA on essential matters such as internal democracy and the transparency of electoral rules. The responses received were not up to the challenge. I am not acting against the FIA. I am acting to protect it. Democracy is not a threat to the FIA; it is its strength. I will go to this mediation hearing with the same attitude I have maintained from the beginning — calm, openness, and determination. I hope it will finally lead to a sincere dialogue in the service of a FIA that is more modern, fair, and connected to its members.”
FIA Forward’s Mayer added: “We applaud the action taken by Laura as an important step to implement the necessary reforms for democracy and transparency. We will be supporting her effort with all the considerable knowledge and experience of our team, ultimately in the interest of seeing an open election for the FIA Member Clubs.”
Marco Andretti –
To my family, friends, teams, sponsors, and fans who have genuinely supported me for the last 30 years in motorsports, I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to continue our family’s passion on the racetrack. I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing cars — a lot of great memories as well, mostly at the Indy 500. Today, I am announcing my retirement from motor racing and the Indianapolis 500. That totals 20 starts at the Speedway, which I feel so fortunate to be able to say. That is ranked 12th all-time. Not bad for a 38-year-old.
I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500. I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20% top-3 finishes at the Speedway. It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world. I will never forget the rare circumstance of getting to race my dad in the closing laps for the win there — the pressure of participating in a dramatic Bump Day in 2011 to a pole position in 2020. That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much.
I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life after dedicating three decades to the sport. I will be prioritizing most of my time on being a great father to my daughter, Miura, and tending to my other business ventures. I am also coming out with a memoir about my life called “Defending the Dynasty.” Details coming soon on that. 2006–2025: Competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times. That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man. Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most. Lastly, a special thank-you to a lot of the people I respect in motor racing for the kind words about my driving, work ethic, and true character.
Other news –
Moto3 teams share update on rider health –
Noah Dettwiler: https://x.com/CIPMOTO/status/1983490034519957744
Jose Antonio Rueda: https://x.com/RedBull_KTM_Ajo/status/1983489853988774214
[The story is as per press release]
