There is so much happening in the world of motorsport this month, that we have barely managed to fit it all on our starting grid.
This month’s biggest events are the third round of the BTCC in Thruxton, along with not one, but two Formula 1 Grands Prix in Barcelona and Monaco respectively.
Here’s some of the highlights to look forward to from the world of motorsport:
World Touring Car Cup
Nurburg, Germany – 10 – 12 May
The first World Touring Car Cup race of the season that’s not a stand-alone event takes place on this truly unique track with its incredible 25.378-kilometre lap, 64 corners and changeable Eifel mountains weather.
Zandvoort, Netherlands – 19 – 21 May
The action continues a week later at the most northerly venue in the 2018 calendar in Zandvoort where the World Touring Car Cup returns for the first time to Holland since 2007. The timing could not be any better as the bendy circuit celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
Formula 1
F1 Spanish Grand Prix – 11 – 13 May
The fifth race of the season takes place in Barcelona, Spain. Lewis Hamilton is narrowly in the lead by four points in the drivers standings with an overall total of 70, ahead of second placed Sebastian Vettel, as the British and German racers are starting to pull away from the chasing pack. Kimi Raikkonen is third-placed on 48 points.
F1 Monaco Grand Prix – 24 – 27 May
It remains to be seen whether current World champion Lewis Hamilton will still be leading the Driver’s Championship when the racers take part on this iconic track. The Monaco Grand Prix is always one of the highlights of any season and this year should be no different.
The Circuit de Monaco takes in the beautiful surroundings of the high life of the stunning city of Monaco. Tight bends can make this course notorious for fewer opportunities to overtake competitors, so qualifying is pivotal to where a driver could finish on race day.
GP3 series
Supporting the Spanish Grand Prix – 11 – 13 May
British racer Callum Ilott begins his GP3 campaign in Barcelona, Spain. Having secured a space on the Ferrari Driver Academy towards the end of last year, and receiving continued support from Ferrari and Adrian Flux, Ilott now has the chance to shine in front of Grand Prix crowds.
The young Brit will race with the ART Grand Prix team which took current F1 stars Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc to GP3 Driver’s Championship titles on their way to F1.
BTCC Round 3 Thruxton – 19 – 20 May
Tom Ingram is leading the way in the driver’s championship after the opening two weekends of the BTCC season and will be keen to continue his form in Thruxton. The circuit itself is the fastest in the UK, which could see a lot of overtaking and a lot of action.
Current BTCC champion Ashley Sutton will be hoping to claim his first race win of the season when the drivers head down to Hampshire, and the Adrian Flux driver is enjoying the best start to a season he’s had in his career to date.
24 hours Nürburgring 11 – 13 May
The ADAC Zurich 24h-Race at the Nürburgring has been held on the approximately 25km long combination of the Nordschleife and Grand Prix track since 1970. The long lap length makes a field of over 140 vehicles possible, which are driven by up to approximately 600 drivers. Due to the large starting field and more than 200,000 fans that line the track, the race is regarded by some as the largest motorsports event in the world.
Amateur motorsport
Closer to home there are a host of track days this month at Snetterton and Donington Park respectively. While Silverstone are offering a ladies tuition day on the 7th. Before before booking your place at one of these track days, ensure you have everything you need.
