Racing News

The Monaco race may be one of the most glamorous and historic events on the Formula One calendar but that's not why the drivers love it so. The real draw for them is in the challenge of the Monte Carlo circuit's twists and turns, which rewards the brave and punishes the tiniest of mistakes. They and their teams explain why they can't wait to get started on Thursday…

He may be one of the newest faces on the grid, but Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo is quickly establishing himself as a talent to watch for the future. We caught up with Ricciardo to find out about what makes him tick off the track and the Australian had a few surprises in store. After likening himself to a honey badger, he revealed his fear of sharks, a love of chocolate, and more

Following his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Williams driver Pastor Maldonado gives his thoughts on his first win in Formula One, his prospects for the upcoming Monaco round, and the 2012 season so far

Volkswagen motorsport director Jost Capito is confident the German firm's presence in the World Rally Championship will help attract more global commercial interest in the series.

It may have only been a short line near the bottom of an article about the Spanish race, but the words published earlier this week on Ferrari's official website must have hit home to Felipe Massa and his legion of fans. “Everyone, he more than anyone, is expecting a change of gear starting right away,” it read. Despite its brevity, most onlookers decided the message was a loud and clear one

At the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi equalled the best race result of his Formula One career. The Japanese driver came fifth at the Circuit de Catalunya, just as he did in Monaco last year. This year, armed with an improved car, he's hoping to go at least one better around the streets of the Principality. Kobayashi reviews his Barcelona performance and looks ahead to Monte Carlo

Two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm has confirmed he will return to motorsport and contest a full programme of Global Rallycross events in America this year

The final round of this year's World Rally Championship - the Catalunya Rally – will include a stage through the centre of host town Salou

Team principal and president of the board of directors Peter Sauber has transferred a third of the stake in the Sauber Group to CEO Monisha Kaltenborn. Sauber himself will retain the remaining two thirds. “When BMW pulled out of Formula One in 2009, Monisha Kaltenborn was instrumental in the team's survival and since then she has been doing outstanding work in her capacity as CEO,” he explained. “Transferring one third of the stake to her represents an important step for me in providing continuity.

GP3 racer Conor Daly will enjoy his first taste of Formula One power this week courtesy of Force India. Daly will carry out an aero test for the Silverstone-based team at the wheel of the VJM05 in the UK on Thursday at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire. The American, fresh from his win at GP3's opening round in Barcelona last weekend, visited the Force India factory on Tuesday for a seat fitting and to familiarize himself with the systems on the car. He also got the chance to meet the engineering crew he will work with at the test and acquaint himself with a Formula One steering wheel.

Williams are back. After an eight year dry spell, and off the back of a particularly frugal season last year, the British team have tasted victory once again thanks to Pastor Maldonado in Spain at the weekend. Although the subsequent fire in their garage took the shine off the celebrations, Williams' chief operations engineer, Mark Gillan, couldn't be happier with Maldonado's excellent performance

Citroen protege Thierry Neuville has moved a step closer to contesting the full World Rally Championship schedule after Nasser Al-Attiyah handed the Belgian his Qatar Citroen for Rally New Zealand

Lotus have been one of the surprise packages of 2012 to date. With Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean at the wheel of the quick E20, the Enstone-based team have scored an impressive 84 points from five races and currently lie third in the constructors' standings. After the duo's impressive podium result in Bahrain and Raikkonen's third-place finish in Barcelona on Sunday, Lotus have clearly found their stride...

Following Sunday's dramatic fire in the Williams garage after the Spanish Grand Prix, the team have confirmed that a further two team members have now been released from hospital and have returned home after receiving treatment for smoke inhalation. One Williams staff member remains in hospital in Spain having suffered burns in the incident. He is stable and will return to the UK within the next 48 hours

Nico Rosberg has admitted he was just grateful to limit the damage to his title chances in Spain, after another difficult Grand Prix for the Mercedes team. Rosberg, a winner in China just two rounds previously, came home seventh as he again struggled to get the best from his tyres. “A difficult weekend for us,” he said on his official website. “Just tyre management really

Pastor Maldonado had been quick throughout final practice and qualifying, but few seriously expected him to win the Spanish Grand Prix. Those in the know were tipping Lotus for glory and the black and gold cars did ultimately prove quickest - just not over 66 laps. Instead Maldonado defied his critics with a faultless maiden victory, in a superbly balanced Williams FW34, making him the fifth winner of 2012

Drivers: 1 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams), 2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) Q: Pastor, your first victory, brilliantly judged - describe your emotions?

When McLaren's Lewis Hamilton secured pole position on Saturday many believed he'd become the fifth winner of the season in Barcelona. But after being penalised by the stewards for having insufficient fuel on board his MP4-27 to comply with the regulations, Hamilton had to start the race from the back of the grid. The Briton, however, bounced back on Sunday with plucky aplomb and eventually finished in eighth. Hamilton discusses his Spanish round…

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher has been punished by the Spanish stewards for his collision with the Williams of Bruno Senna during the Barcelona race on Sunday. Schumacher receives a five-place grid penalty for the next round in Monaco. After investigating, the stewards decided the German driver was at fault for the accident, which occurred on Lap 12 at Turn One. Schumacher retired immediately after crashing into the back of the Williams and although Senna was able to continue for a few more corners the damage to his FW34 was similarly terminal.

Williams' celebrations of Pastor Maldonado's Spanish Grand Prix victory were cut dramatically short on Sunday afternoon after a fire broke out in the team's garage around 90 minutes after the end of the race, engulfing the Barcelona pit lane in thick smoke. Mechanics from various teams took immediate action to extinguish the flames and emergency services arrived soon after