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The current F1 drivers who have tried their hand at other <b>racing</b> disciplines

The current F1 drivers who have tried their hand at other racing disciplines Lots of drivers in F1’s history have raced in other categories, but we decided to take a look at what other motorsport activities the current crop have tried their hand at. Formula 1 drivers sometimes have a diverse path before reaching Grand Prix racing, but once they get there, F1 tends to become their sole focus. However, Max Verstappen – who has already dabbled in GT3 competition – will buck the regular trend again in 2026 by contesting the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, between Grands Prix in Miami and Canada. Lots of drivers in F1’s history have raced in other categories, but we decided to take a look at what other motorsport activities the current crop have tried their hand at… Fernando Alonso – IndyCar, WEC Undoubtedly the most prolific driver on the grid – and perhaps in modern motorsport – Fernando Alonso’s frustrations with a struggling McLaren team in 2017 prompted him to seek further enjoyment in other categories. The Spaniard most notably missed that year’s Monaco Grand Prix to contest the Indianapolis 500, and was comfortably the star attraction, making the Fast Nine before qualifying fifth. Alonso had several stints leading the race before ultimately drifting away from contention until suffering – somewhat ironically given his Formula 1 travails at the time – an engine failure. Alonso went on to contest the World Endurance Championship’s 2018/19 ‘Super Season’ for Toyota, with the first half of that campaign overlapping with his final year at McLaren. While Formula 1 results were few and far between, Alonso won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2018, and eventually went on to win the title alongside Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi. Further tilts at the Indy 500 followed in

The endurance of Clemson Tiger <b>Racing</b>

The endurance of Clemson Tiger Racing GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – From the lab, to the track, Clemson Tiger Racing has become a home for students eager to break into the world of motorsports. CTR was formed by Clemson students Jack Hobbs and Nathan Chang, with the two drafting their initial plans on a napkin in the university dining hall. Just under three years later, the club has become a team of over 100 members, each with a passion for the art of racing. “Our goal of the napkin was just to create a club that Clemson doesn’t have yet, which is to go motorsports racing. We wanted to be different,” Chang said. “And that was spring semester before August of 23. So come the next semester, we were a club. And so that’s how it kind of all started.” Team Principal Tyson Tucker explained that every member of the team is a Clemson student and, from freshmen to PhD students, have roles that provide real world, hands-on experience. “So all of our drivers here are Clemson students. That’s a big part of what we do. Without drivers, we can’t actually go anywhere on track,” Tucker said. “Additionally to that, we have our full team of mechanics. We also have our own operations team, so they handle all of our finance and logistics. My personal passion and where where I find the most interesting is our race strategy. So the engineering side behind, you know, ‘when do we pit? How often do we pit? What do we add for fuel and things like that?'” CTR also has a SIM-Racing Division run by assistant team principal, Ferris Krippendorf. “I found that (SIM-Racing) as a more cost effective and more, kind of had greater benefits, for myself trying to learn, kind of race

Verstappen returns to the Nordschleife: Watch ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers here!

Max Verstappen takes on the 'Green Hell' yet again as the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers gets underway this weekend at the Nordschleife, follow the live stream here! On Friday, Verstappen returned to the iconic track for test sessions, building up to a weekend that will see both NLS4 and NLS5 races. The Dutchman is back behind the wheel of his #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 car after watching from the sidelines at the GT World Challenge Europe series last weekend. Alongside Verstappen across Saturday and Sunday's action is Lucas Auer, the nephew of former Ferrari F1 driver Gerhard Berger. Verstappen Racing teammates Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon 'sit this one out', as the pair are in Imola for the season-opening round of the World Endurance Championship.Follow GPblog on social media to stay updated on all Formula 1 news: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Verstappen's love affair with GT racing continues While he may be frustrated with the 2026 F1 cars, Verstappen is getting a lot of enjoyment out of GT racing, having participated in the category more often in recent times. Last year, Verstappen debuted in the GT4 competition at NLS7, before dominating the 4-hour NLS9 race at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in September, alongside sim racing teammate Chris Lulham. In March 2026, Verstappen returned to the Nordschleife with another victory on the road, impressing with daring overtakes and maneuvering in traffic, despite losing his pole position to Christopher Haase in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 early on. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, his team were disqualified from the race after tyre infringement. The team, consisting of Verstappen, Jucadella, and Gounon, had used seven sets of tyres instead of the permitted six. Nonetheless, it is all valuable experience for the four-time F1 world champion, as he's set to compete in the full 24h race on

How a BTCC support series demonstrates British single-seaters' turnaround in fortunes

How a BTCC support series demonstrates British single-seaters’ turnaround in fortunes A packed Formula 4 grid looks guaranteed to deliver action and entertainment – who are the rising stars setting out to make a name for themselves in 2026? There’s also lots to look out for in Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Caymans and JCW Minis There was a time, not so long ago, when top-level single-seater racing in the UK was in the doldrums. Drivers were flocking to Europe and series were struggling to survive. It is fair to say those dismal days are over. The introduction of a new car last year transformed GB4’s faltering fortunes. GB3 is looking solid in the low-20s, with 2024 British Formula 4 dominator Deagen Fairclough eager to cast aside his disappointing season last year with a title tilt. But it is British F4 that is really generating the headlines. A whopping 30 drivers are already confirmed for the Donington Park opener over 18-19 April, with the possibility of at least one more to add. Such a bountiful grid, however, creates challenges of its own. “With that many cars, there might be some mayhem kicking off,” says Mercedes junior Ethan Jeff-Hall. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s quite a few incidents and safety cars so it’s going to be super important to keep yourself calm and collected and make sure you can stay consistent.” Qualifying will also be key and trying to complete a clean lap around some of the shorter circuits, such as Brands Hatch Indy and Silverstone National, will be nigh-on impossible. But it’s not just a case of quantity for British F4, there is plenty of quality as well. Jeff-Hall is one of four F1 juniors and the Argenti driver is looking to pick up from where he left off last

Verstappen and Auer qualify sixth for the four-hour 24h Qualifiers <b>race</b> tonight

Verstappen and Auer qualify sixth for the four-hour 24h Qualifiers race tonight Published on 18 April 2026 by Florence Cobben Max Verstappen and Lucas Auer qualified sixth for the first race of the Nürburgring 24h Qualifiers event. The Qualifiers is a separate event held ahead of the main Nürburgring 24-hour race in May, allowing an opportunity for teams to practice and prepare. Driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Verstappen Racing, the duo are competing against 126 other teams. The weekend includes two four-hour races, with the second scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Update: Following qualifying, Auer had to report to the stewards due to contacting with the #941 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, causing the car to spin. The team received a three-place grid penalty, so Verstappen Racing will start the race from ninth position. Qualifying for the race began at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and was scheduled to last 90 minutes. About 20 minutes into the session, it was red-flagged following a heavy crash from driver Anders Buchard, who hit the guardrail at high speed in his Aston Marton in the infamous Adenauer Forest section. The session was halted for around 50 minutes to allow for repairs to the barriers. Thankfully for the remaining teams, the clock was stopped during the interruption. Auer was in the car for the first half of qualifying and clocked a 8:13.012 time on the 25.3 kilometer Nürburgring Nordschleife, more infamously known as the Green Hell. Max drove the second half of the session and clocked a time of 8:12.302, ultimately placing the duo in sixth place. Nailing a flawless lap is infamously tricky on the circuit because of traffic (having to navigate around competitors from slower classes) and yellow flags. Pole position went to the #23 BMW M4 GT3 Evo from Gamota Racing, ahead

NuPhy Node 100, A White Collar High Profile Wireless Keyboard

NuPhy Node 100, A White Collar High Profile Wireless Keyboard A Full Service Keyboard For Your Workday The popularity of TKL and smaller keyboards are great for the gamer, but what if you want a fancy mechanical keyboard for work? The amount of RGB-itis that is acceptable on your gaming rig may not exactly be appropriate for the office and you may well benefit from having a numpad and other keys those gaming keyboards drop. NuPhy has a keyboard you might want to bring with you to the office, the Node 100 High Profile wireless keyboard. It has all the keys, and even some extra keys and a small touch strip you can program to make your day in the office easier. The look, especially with the high profile MSA keycaps both looks professional and are perfectly designed for a long day of typing. The mechanical switches are muted, so you will get that nice feel while typing without driving your neighbours nuts as well. You can also cart it home to game with, as the Node 100 offers 1,000 Hz polling over wireless and wired, and you can set up SOCD for fancy footwork while gaming. The NuPhy Node 100 High Profile wireless keyboard excels at productivity, feels great to use, and is as versatile as it is customizable. More Tech News From Around The Web - Corsair MAKR PRO 75 Hall Effect DIY Keyboard @ TweakTown - ASUS ROG Falchion ACE 75 HE Keyboard @ KitGuru - MOZA CM2 HD Racing Dashboard Display @ TweakTown - Nitro Concepts S-Racer Compact Sim Racing Cockpit @ TweakTown - Simagic Alpha EVO Ultra 28Nm Wheelbase @ TweakTown - Simagic P700 Sim Racing Pedals @ TweakTown - Razer Viper V4 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse @ TweakTown - Corsair Sabre V2 Pro MG

Car Deals of the Week: Big Savings on Tools, Tires, Tech, and More

This article is updated regularly with new products and deals. Each week, the Road & Track Shop sifts through hundreds of products to bring you the best deals on automotive gear that we would use ourselves. This week, we've rounded up a few standout deals on gear to get your car set for spring: A selection of car-washing products for an early spring wash. Along with a few high-quality tools, tech gadgets, toys, watches, and other shop essentials we've tested ourselves, so we know they actually work. Plus, a handful of genuinely cool deals on brands we know and trust. These picks help you reclaim your shop and stay comfortable all season long. Here are the Shop's Deals of the Week. Note: Prices were valid at press time but can change; due to dynamic pricing, the price you see may vary from what's published below. Standout Deals of the Week I reviewed the Carpuride W903 hands-on , and it ultimately earned Top Pick honors in my testing. It stands out as one of the most balanced portable CarPlay screens available, pairing a bright, responsive display with quick wireless connectivity and an easy plug-and-play setup that works in just about any car with a 12-volt outlet. The added dash cam functionality gives it extra utility without overcomplicating the experience, making it a strong all-around solution for drivers looking to bring modern infotainment into older vehicles. The Logitech G920 is a gear-driven force-feedback wheel built for Xbox and PC that delivers a surprisingly immersive sim racing experience at an entry-level price point. It features a 900-degree rotation, a hand-stitched leather-wrapped wheel, and a three-pedal set with throttle, brake, and clutch, all designed to mimic the feel of a real car. The dual-motor force feedback provides solid, detailed resistance that works especially well

Max contests two 4-hour races on the Nordschleife this weekend

Max contests two 4-hour races on the Nordschleife this weekend Published on 17 April 2026 by Stefan Meens Max Verstappen has arrived at the Nürburgring Nordschleife ahead of this weekend’s 24h Qualifiers. It is a weekend in which the contestants of the Nürburgring 24 Hrs, scheduled for 14-17 May, can test and practice. Max will share a Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen GT3-car with Lucas Auer. The Friday is the calm before the storm with the drivers able to drive in a 2.5-hour practice session. Verstappen Racing had a session without issues and will now focus on qualifying on Saturday morning (8.30-10.00 local time) which will determine the grid for race 1 (17.30-21.30) later on the day. Sunday will feature qualifying for the second race of the weekend. An initial qualifying will start at 8.15 until 9.45, before a session later in the morning with the fastest drivers will set the final grid ahead of the race start at 1pm. Although the name of this weekend’s event, ‘24h Qualifiers’, might suggest that it serves as a qualifying session for the main 24-hour race, it only offers drivers the option to qualify for the deciding Q3 session in May. Like in Formula 1, Q3 will decide who takes pole position. There are three Q3 spots up for grabs this weekend; the team that sets the theoretically fastest lap in all three qualifying sessions will take one spot, with the two teams that set the theoretical fastest laps in both races taking the remaining two spots. Viaplay will broadcast both races. You can also tune into Verstappen Sim Racing featuring live on-boards and a contest to win signed 1:2 2017 helmet models: https://www.twitch.tv/teamredline/

Tucson's LGBTQ community rebuilds with plants and Pride

Tucson's LGBTQ community rebuilds with plants and Pride After Tucson Pride disbanded in January, community members are regrouping around smaller, community-driven events, starting with a queer-focused plant and seed swap Sunday at Reid Park. In the wake of Tucson Pride's collapse, the city's LGBTQ community is figuring out what comes next, and for at least one organizer, the answer starts with plants. Tucson Pride, founded in 1977 and one of the oldest Pride organizations in the United States, announced its disbandment in January after canceling its annual festival and citing ongoing financial challenges. The board said any donations would be refunded within 30 to 90 days. The news blindsided many in the local LGBTQIA+ community. In response to the announcement on Facebook, community members expressed confusion and frustration, with some calling Tucson Pride a "cultural anchor" and a "lifeline for people who don't have one anywhere else." The shutdown left a significant void, prompting community members to gather at Bumsted's on March 23 to discuss what, if anything, should come next, with a handful of groups stepping up to take on a planning role, including Tucson Queerstory and the Sonoran Pride Alliance. During the forum, facilitated by the Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation, about 60 community members voted 29 to 23 against hosting a 2026 Pride festival similar to past events, citing concerns about finances, time and organizational capacity, according to a report from the event. Participants brainstormed more than 130 ideas for what Pride could look like going forward, ultimately reaching consensus on 19 priorities. Three themes emerged from those discussions: a desire for smaller, grassroots events rooted in the local community rather than corporate sponsorship; a vision of Pride as a year-round presence rather than a single annual festival; and a call for transparent, accountable governance, including

Colton Herta to take part in four FP1 sessions with Cadillac during 2026 season

Herta to take part in four FP1 sessions with Cadillac during 2026 season Colton Herta is dovetailing his rookie F2 campaign with test duties for Cadillac’s new F1 operation. Cadillac have announced that Colton Herta will make his practice debut with the team at the upcoming Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. American Herta, 26, is currently combining an F2 race seat with a test driver role at Cadillac’s new-for-2026 outfit, as the former IndyCar racer pushes towards a planned F1 debut in the future. After appearing in FP1 at the Spanish venue, Herta will tackle three other Friday sessions – in place of regular drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – over the course of the season. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time,” said Herta, who scored points on his F2 debut with Hitech in Australia last month. “I am looking forward to working closely with the team in a full Grand Prix environment and am fully focused on learning from every appearance. I hope I can contribute to the overall race weekend and help the team, Checo [Sergio] and Valtteri as much as possible.” Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s F1 Team Principal, commented: “Colton is a top talent, which he has not only proved by building an impressive resume in the NTT IndyCar Series before joining us, but also with a strong start to his Formula 2 season. “Completing all four of our young driver FP1 sessions is a natural next step in his test driver role, and I look forward to seeing what he can bring in terms of development and focus.” Dan Towriss, Cadillac’s F1 CEO, added: “Colton has really earned this opportunity. These sessions are a valuable opportunity for him to integrate with the team, develop his

Meath <b>sim racer</b> (19) given a real race car to compete at Mondello Park this weekend

Meath sim racer (19) given a real race car to compete at Mondello Park this weekend ‘I’ve gone from playing video games in my bedroom to racing a real race car’ For most the hum of a racing engine is a long way from a bedroom simulator game, but for 19-year-old Kamto Chukwureh from Dunboyne, that gap is about to close as he takes to Mondello Park this weekend. After years spent racing virtually, Kamto will step onto a real grid for the first time having won his place through the Formula Vee Ireland Scholarships – an initiative that opens up motorsport to those without the usual financial backing.

Verstappen at Nurburgring 24H qualifiers: What you need to know

Verstappen at Nurburgring 24H qualifiers: What you need to know This weekend's Nurburgring 24 Hours qualifiers will mark the latest step in Formula 1 star Max Verstappen's Nordschleife journey. And you can follow his weekend - whether through broadcast feed or the onboard from Verstappen's car - on The Race's YouTube channel or website. Here is what you should know prior to Verstappen's biggest Nordschleife event yet. What is the event? The '24h Nurburgring Qualifiers' are a dress rehearsal event for the 24-hour marathon, and despite the name, don't actually determine the grid for that race - though can contribute towards a car's automatic passage to the final segment of qualifying at the actual Nurburgring 24 Hours. This weekend includes two four-hour races, both with relevant qualifying sessions, that will constitute the nominal fourth and fifth rounds of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) - in actuality, the third and fourth, as the season opener had been cancelled. The Saturday race will run into the evening, whereas the Sunday race will be an afternoon event. Sunday will also feature an extra 'top qualifying' session to determine pole for that day's race. Like the 24-hour race, this event uses a slightly different format to the previous NLS races. The Grand Prix circuit is incorporated (with the Mullenbachschleife portion that includes the Dunlop hairpin, but without the 'Mercedes-Arena' section at the start of the GP lap), bringing the total lap distance to over 25km. What is the schedule? All times local (CEST, GMT+2) Friday 12.15-2.15pm Test session Saturday 8.30-10am Qualifying 5.30-9.30pm Race (NLS4) Sunday 8.15-9.45am Qualifying 10.40-11.40am Top qualifying 1-5pm Race (NLS5) The to-do list Vestappen has described his GT exploits so far as "really fun", and said "every time I jumped out of the car I was smiling". But do not confuse that

No F1, no problem - cure spring break blues with <b>racing</b> at F1 Arcade

No F1, no problem - cure spring break blues with racing at F1 Arcade Change your timezone: No F1, no problem - cure spring break blues with racing at F1 Arcade Here's how you can get your racing fix on what should have been the Saudi Arabian GP weekend There may no longer be a Formula 1 race this weekend, but that doesn't mean fans have to go without the thrill of motorsport. With no grands prix taking place for the entire month of April in 2026, F1 Arcade can cure your spring break blues whether you live in London, Birmingham, or near any of their multiple US locations. Perhaps you are looking for something fun to do with your friends and family on what would have been the Saudi Arabian F1 race weekend, or, you may be on holiday and up for booking some sim races at one of F1 Arcade's lively sites. If you can't wait until the Miami GP in May to experience some racing action, F1 Arcade is the perfect antidote, and GPFans is here to talk you through all their racing options. Click here to book sim races at either the London or Birmingham F1 Arcade venues this weekend. F1 HEADLINES: Verstappen switch made official as Aston Martin reality emerges F1 Arcade booking options F1 Arcade is an official Formula 1-branded sim racing venue that features state-of-the art simulators, a luxury food and drink menu and an atmospheric site, which is also home to the extravagant Octane bar. Both the London St Paul's location and Birmingham site feature all of the above amenities, although the venue in the heart of England's capital does boast 60 racing simulators as opposed to Birmingham's 53. The full-motion racing simulators provide fun for all the family, with different skill

Inside the <b>simulator</b>: F1's most secretive and indispensable tool

There is one door in a Formula 1 factory which no behind-the-scenes tour has access to: the simulator room. “Strictly no admittance, authorised personnel only” — or a similar phrase — will be written on the door. Inside is one of the most important tools used in the modern era of the sport. A driver-in-loop simulator allows teams and drivers to replicate the feeling of driving an F1 car on different tracks around the world, with incredible accuracy. This is a crucial tool, given testing is incredibly restricted — outside of filming days and Pirelli tyre testing, drivers are only able to use real cars from the 2024 season or earlier (called TPC testing). “F1 is quite a rare sport in the sense that we’re not really allowed to drive,” explains Arvid Lindblad, the Racing Bulls driver who is the only rookie on the grid this season. “In football, you can go and play football whenever you want — whereas in F1, it’s not the case. So [the sim] is a good way for us to continue driving and stay sharp. When I’m at home, I try to go on it every day.” Lindblad is describing the increasingly popular at-home simulator rigs which many drivers enjoy using in their own time. But the factory-based version, worth millions, is much more advanced. The leading F1 teams in the modern era employ a thousand, or more, staff, yet only a handful of those will ever see behind the simulator door. It was a significant step when Mercedes allowed F1: The Movie to film some scenes inside their simulator, the first time such access was given. Will Joseph, McLaren’s race engineering director and race engineer to Lando Norris, the world champion, told The Times what lies behind the no-admittance zone. “It’s a big

TECH TALK – The best innovations of the season so far

Authentics Store Tickets Hospitality Experiences Previous Next Upcoming Season Start Debrief: Team by team review ahead of Miami Nico Hulkenberg & Gabriel Bortoleto Take On F1 Grid Games! Please wait, loading video... TECH TALK – The best innovations of the season so far Ollie and Esteban chat F1 career and goals on The Cooldown Room So you think you know F1 drivers? Who is the first to pay the bill? F1 drivers play 'Fill in the Blanks'

Thrustmaster's Best Gran Turismo Wheel Rim Gets a Next-Gen Upgrade

If you’ve been following our coverage of Thrustmaster’s latest direct drive wheel bases, you know I had plenty of good things to say about the T598 and its innovative axial flux motor. You also know I was less than thrilled with its bundled “Sportcar” wheel rim, with its hard plastics, cheap soft-touch material, and exposed screw holes. Finally, a refreshed “GT Wheel Add-On” offers a welcome alternative. First unveiled at the SimRacing Expo last October and available for pre-order since March, it’s now on sale and shipping from the Thrustmaster store, which you can access via our affiliate link. It’s essentially the same Gran Turismo-branded wheel rim that originally shipped with the T-GT, now updated with Thrustmaster’s next-gen Quick Release connector so it works natively with the T818 and T598 direct drive bases, no adapter required. The rim is officially licensed by Gran Turismo and Sony, and was designed in collaboration with Polyphony Digital. Having owned a T-GT myself, I can say this rim is still my personal favorite, and probably the best officially-licensed Gran Turismo wheel rim ever produced. The 11-inch (28cm) frame is wrapped in leather, and the four metal rotary encoders automatically map to traction control, brake bias, fuel, and torque in Gran Turismo. You also get two mini-sticks, two metal paddle shifters, and a complete set of PlayStation buttons. It’s a proven design with high-quality materials that simply works. For T598 owners especially, it’s a straightforward upgrade that puts a much better rim in your hands. The GT Wheel Add-On is available now for €249.99 / $299.99 from the Thrustmaster store (affiliate link). It’s compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC. See more articles on Thrustmaster.

Big <b>Racing</b> Weekend: Imola kickstarts WEC season while Max Verstappen returns to Nordschleife

A packed motorsport weekend is set to unfold as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) launches its 2026 season at Imola, while Max Verstappen turns his focus to one of racing’s most demanding arenas at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The spotlight splits between endurance racing’s traditional curtain raiser in Italy and a rare appearance by a Formula 1 World Champion at the Green Hell. Both storylines underline the diversity of top level motorsport this weekend, with factory giants and elite drivers facing very different challenges. Imola hosts the opening round of the WEC season with Ferrari arriving under intense scrutiny after dominating much of the previous campaign. The Italian manufacturer heads into its home race as the benchmark, with expectations firmly set on delivering a statement performance. The Ferrari 499P Hypercar has already proven its pedigree, particularly over long distance formats, and Ferrari’s recent form positions them as the team to beat. The focus now shifts to execution over 6 hours on a circuit that demands precision, tyre management, and strategic discipline. Ferrari are the team to beat at Imola Rivals are closing in. Toyota continues to refine its package after a transitional period, while Porsche, BMW, Alpine, and Peugeot all arrive with upgraded machinery and renewed ambitions. The early phase of the season often defines championship momentum, making Imola a critical reference point for the pecking order. Track evolution and traffic management will play a decisive role. Imola’s narrow layout and limited overtaking opportunities place added emphasis on qualifying and pit strategy. Teams will need to balance outright pace with consistency, particularly as mixed class traffic becomes a constant factor throughout the race. While endurance racing takes centre stage in Italy, attention also turns to Germany where four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Verstappen is set to compete in the ADAC