Our ever-growing batch of Kiwi internationals have yet another action-packed weekend of racing ahead of them with both Supercars and Formula 1 continuing their run of successive events. Likewise, Earl Bamber will no doubt be itching to snare his and Porsche’s first race win in GT Le Mans at Road Atlanta while Jaxon Evans bows farewell to 2020 with the final round of the Porsche Supercup.
Marcus Armstrong
- What: FIA Formula 2 – Italian Grand Prix
- Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
- When: R1 SUN 2.45 am | R2 SUN 9.10 pm
- How to follow: Spark Sport
It has been a very atypical season for Armstrong in 2020. One of the fastest Kiwi’s in single-seaters has been left ailing at the rear of the grid as he combats a myriad of mechanical and setup issues race-in race-out.
Monza is less demanding on tyres than the circuits the F2 grid has raced on over the last few rounds but rewards straight-line speed and shrewd racecraft to maximise the benefit of slipstream.
Armstrong had a disappointing visit to Monza last year in F3, crossing the line second but was demoted to 21st after being dealt a 20-second time penalty for an infringement behind the Safety Car. It all but ended his championship challenge that year but he knows what it takes to compete up the front at Monza and he will be aiming to replicate a similar performance this time out.
Liam Lawson
- What: FIA Formula 3 – Italian Grand Prix
- Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
- When: R1 SAT 8.25 pm | R2 SUN 7.45 pm
- How to follow: Spark Sport
Monza was a place of joy for Lawson last year, scoring his second F3 podium for MP Motorsport. But now the young Kiwi must deliver if he is to redirect his championship challenge with just four races remaining.
Lawson was demoted to fourth in the championship standings following an up-and-down weekend at Spa. Given Prema’s dominance of the season so far, it is expected that championship protagonists Logan Sargeant and Oscar Piastri will take the title out of reach this weekend.
But a strong result by Lawson this weekend, finishing ahead of his rivals both races and scoring those four critical points for pole position, should keep him in the game for next week’s finale.
Jaxon Evans
- What: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Italian Grand Prix
- Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
- When: Race SUN 10.25 pm
- How to follow: Spark Sport
He might no longer be in the hunt for the title but that should give Evans more reason to hold nothing back for his final Porsche Supercup race of 2020.
After a dominant opening round win in Austria, Evans has yet to return to victory lane this season. But his pace over the last couple of races has seen him ensconced nicely up the front of the field and often ahead of teammate Dylan Pereira who enters the round with one hand on the championship as the points leader.
Evans qualified on pole last year on his Supercup debut at Monza. Unfortunately his strong performance couldn’t translate into the race where he finished sixth. But the promise bods well for the Kiwi this weekend as he looks to bow out the season with a bang.
Supercars contingent
- What: Robson Civil Projects Townsville SuperSprint
- Where: Townsville Street Circuit, Australia
- When: R1 SAT 5.50 pm | R2 SUN 2.05 pm | R3 SUN 5.40 pm
- How to follow: Sky Sport
Just four rounds remain in the condensed 2020 Supercars calendar following the announcement over the week that the field will head to The Bend for back-to-back weekends before concluding at the Bathurst 1000 for the first time in two decades.
But the championship protagonists are really beginning to unveil themselves with another Scott McLaughlin V Jamie Whincup showdown on the cards.
Shane Van Gisbergen has also shown a strong turn in pace over the last few rounds and, like his teammate, will be looking to capitalise on the qualifying woes of Mclaughlin who admitted over the weekend his pace at Townsville so far has been a fair way from optimal.
Tickford will also be itching to finally get another win added to their tally for 2020 after Cam Waters fell agonisingly shy in the final race of the weekend having put up a fierce challenge to eventual winner McLaughlin.
Earl Bamber
- What: Grand Prix of Atlanta
- Where: Road Atlanta, United States
- When: SUN 4 am
- How to follow: Sky Sport
It is hard to believe that reigning IMSA GT Le Mans champions Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor are still winless in 2020.
Some luckless last few races has also seen the points deficit to the dominant Corvette outfit widen after the American squad has stormed to back-to-back wins while Bamber has finished no higher than fifth.
The first of two races at Road Atlanta this year, this weekend will also be the first race since the Daytona 24 Hour to be a part of the Michelin Endurance Cup with a six-hour enduro on the cards for the field. It also marks the first time since 2013 the Grand Prix moniker will be used at Road America for a top-tier sportscar race.
Damon Rees and Shane Richardson
- What: Pirelli Superstock 1000
- Where: Silverstone National circuit, UK
- When: R1 SUN 2.05 am | R2 Mon 2.55 am
- How to follow: Live Timing
Whakatane’s Damon Rees has had a remarkable start to his British Superstock career, picking up two podiums in the first three races to be in the top-three of the championship.
His Astro JJR Racing stablemate and fellow Kiwi Shane Richardson has had a more difficult season to date with unfortunate mechanical failures robbing him of scoring a decent result.
Home of the British Grand Prix on two-wheels and four, Silverstone is one of the most celebrated circuits and will be a unique opportunity for our flying Kiwi duo.