QUICK READ

Maserati

MASERATI is to return to single seater car championships for the first time since Juan-manuel Fangio won the 1957 Formula One title, by entering the 2023 Formula E championship, the Italian marque announced. Maserati will become the first Italian brand to enter the electric world championship. Maserati's decision is a boost to the championship – first run in 2014 – following last year's title-winning outfit Mercedes EQ announcing that it’s quitting the championship at the end of 2022. Formula E chairman Alejandro Agag said the announcement was probably one of the greatest days in the history of the championship. | IOL Motoring

New concept

THE new Mitsubishi Vision Ralliart Concept, revealed ahead of the Tokyo Auto Salon, gives us a good idea of what to expect from the brand’s new performance division. But the real exciting news is that the upgrades are more than just cosmetic as Mitsubishi speaks of a “higher motor output” and “elevated acceleration” for the Vision Ralliart Concept, which is based on the latest Mitsubishi Outlander. The Mitsubishi Ralliart Concept has an aggressive exterior design package and the widened vehicle rolls on 22-inch alloy wheels, while the 4-wheel control all-wheel drive system has sportier tuning. | IOL Motoring

Tech

SONY is planning to launch a new mobility company this year, which will explore the possibility of entering the electric vehicle market. With this move, the Japanese tech giant is looking to harness its strengths in entertainment and sensors to play a bigger role in next-generation mobility. The new company, called Sony Mobility, comes as the company is "exploring a commercial launch" of electric vehicles, Sony chairman and president Kenichiro Yoshida said at the recent CES show in

Las Vegas. “With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our contents mastery, we believe Sony is well positioned to redefine mobility.” | Reuters

F1 silence

LEWIS Hamilton turned 37 recently with Formula One wondering when the seven-time world champion will break the silence surrounding him since the season ended in uproar last month. Hamilton spoke briefly before the podium, then sought out Max Verstappen to congratulate him but has otherwise said nothing publicly. Hamilton did not speak to the media after being knighted at Windsor Castle on December 15 and failed to show for the governing FIA’S prize-giving in Paris a day later. F1’s most successful driver, with 103 career wins, has posted nothing on social media since before the race at Yas Marina. | Reuters