Mexico E-Prix Triumph, Dakar Rally Kickoff, and Aston Martin has a new Team Principal

Welcome to Draft Line Digest, your weekly racing newsletter for the latest motorsport news! From the track to the garage and beyond, we’ve got you covered, whether you're a die-hard Formula 1 fan or a rookie regarding anything with four wheels and an engine.

In this issue: Oliver Rowland and Nissan win the Mexico E-Prix, the year 2025 starts with the Dakar Rally, and the Aston Martin F1 Team sets its sights on 2026. Rev it up and let’s go!

Starting grid

• 🇲🇽Oliver Rowland wins the Mexico City E-Prix

• 🇸🇦The 2025 Dakar Rally is on!

• 🔄Aston Martin F1 Team has a new Team Principal

• 🇺🇸PREMA chooses Romain Grosjean as Test Driver

• 💰McLaren takes full ownership of Indycar team

• 🇧🇷Helio Castroneves to attempt to qualify for th …

🇲🇽Oliver Rowland wins the Mexico City E-Prix

The Formula E Championship held its second race of the 2024-2025 season at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. To recap, in the first race, Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS) secured victory ahead of Antonio Félix da Costa (Porsche) and Taylor Barnard (McLaren). For the start of this race, the front row was entirely occupied by the Tag Heuer Porsche team—a first in five seasons for the German outfit—with Pascal Wehrlein in pole position and Antonio Félix da Costa in second. However, despite Porsche dominating the race, Oliver Rowland ultimately finished first.

The British driver gained the upper hand by using his Attack Mode strategically. On lap 28, he was in fourth place behind Jake Dennis. While activating his six minutes of Attack Mode, a Safety Car was deployed, nullifying his usage. When the race resumed on lap 31, Rowland (still with some attack mode left) quickly overtook Jake Dennis before passing Pascal Wehrlein and Da Costa. Shortly after Rowland overtook the Portuguese driver, a new Safety Car was deployed following Mitch Evans' crash. The race resumed on lap 33, leaving Rowland with only three laps to maintain his lead and secure the win.

Thanks to his second-place finish, Antonio Félix da Costa remains the Championship leader. The next race will take place in Jeddah on February 14!

Top 5 of the Mexico City E-Prix

1. Oliver Rowland (Nissan)

2. Antonio Félix da Costa (Tag Heuer Porsche)

3. Pascal Wehrlein (Tag Heuer Porsche)

4. Jake Dennis (Andretti)

5. Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Penske)

🇸🇦The 2025 Dakar Rally is on!

From January 3, 2025, to January 17, 2025, the world of Rally-Raid turns its attention to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Dakar Rally. This event, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship, consists of 12 stages and a prologue, covering a total distance of 7,700 km / 4,784 miles (5,100 km / 3,169 miles of timed specials).

A total of 590 teams are participating in this 47th edition of the human adventure, competing in categories such as motorbikes, cars, quads, and trucks.

In the car category, the reigning champion team of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz retired, same as Sebastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin.

Meanwhile, Californian Ricky Brabec, the only American to have ever won the rally, is aiming for a third win after his successes in 2020 and 2024.

The leader of the Dakar Rally's Car category is currently Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (Toyota Gazoo Racing) meanwhile the leader of the Dakar Rally's bike category is currently Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

🔄Aston Martin F1 Team has a new Team Principal

After joining Aston Martin in October 2024, former Mercedes team member Andy Cowell has been appointed Team Principal of the British team. He replaces Mike Krack, who had held the position since 2022 and is now taking on the role of Chief Trackside Officer. “These organisational changes are a natural evolution of the multi-year plans that we have scheduled to make, and I'm incredibly excited about the future,” said Cowell, who is also the team's CEO.

This move comes as the arrival of Adrian Newey in March 2025 approaches. The successful Red Bull engineer will assist the team as they prepare to navigate the new 2026 F1 regulations. In addition to this change, former Ferrari aerodynamics chief Enrico Cardile is taking charge of Aston Martin's factory in Silverstone.

🇺🇸PREMA chooses Romain Grosjean as Test Driver

At the GM Charlotte Technical Center, the PREMA team announced its complete lineup. Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott are the main drivers, but the surprise came with their Test driver, who is none other than... Romain Grosjean!

The former HAAS Formula 1 driver, in addition to this role, will also participate in IMSA with Lamborghini to continue racing on North American circuits. It was known that Grosjean faced limited opportunities for a main seat in Indycar in 2025.

As a test driver, he will bring valuable experience in Indycar Racing to the new team alongside Ryan Briscoe, named Sporting Advisor, and Michael Cannon, Head of Engineering.

💰McLaren takes full ownership of Indycar team

McLaren Racing has completed its acquisition of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team from Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson, becoming the sole owner as of December 31, 2024. This move reinforces McLaren's commitment to North American motorsport.

The team has undergone significant evolution, transitioning from Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to Arrow McLaren SP, and eventually to the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team in 2023. McLaren had previously acquired a 75% stake in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES team in 2021, with Schmidt and Peterson retaining minority shares until now.

For the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Christian Lundgaard, Pato O'Ward, and Nolan Siegel will represent the team. The season kicks off on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

🇧🇷Helio Castroneves to attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500

He has won the Indianapolis 500 four times, and now he’s aiming to compete in the crown jewel that is the Daytona 500! Helio Castroneves is set to make his NASCAR debut with Trackhouse Racing. The fan favorite, as fast on the IndyCar circuit (where he was a four-time runner-up) as he is talented on the dance floor—having won Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars in 2007—is 49 years old.

“This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down,” he said in a statement.

The team fielding the Brazilian driver has previously brought in renowned racers from outside NASCAR, including Kimi Räikkönen (2007 Formula 1 World Champion) and Shane van Gisbergen (three-time Australian Supercars champion).

The Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, 2025.

🎙️SPEEDY WISDOM