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French star Sarrazin completes Veloce Racing driver line-up

Published

5 years ago

January 21, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Versatile French legend joins W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick for Season One
Sarrazin aiming to add Extreme E success to impressive career CV
Cross-country specialist Lance Woolridge appointed reserve and development driver

Veloce Racing has completed its driver line-up for the inaugural season of Extreme E, after signing successful French all-rounder Stéphane Sarrazin to partner reigning W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick. In support of this duo, South African cross-country and off-road specialist Lance Woolridge joins the team as reserve and development driver.

Sarrazin has enjoyed a long and diverse career in the sport, and arrives at Veloce boasting an impressive résumé. Whilst perhaps best-known for his sportscar racing exploits – with six podium finishes in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, two Le Mans Series titles and multiple victories in the FIA World Endurance Championship to his name – he has a far more versatile CV than many of his Extreme E rivals, which should serve him well in the pioneering new electric off-road racing series.

In 1999, Sarrazin contested the Brazilian Grand Prix and continued to carry out Formula 1 testing duties until the end of 2002. Four seasons in the FIA Formula E Championship yielded three rostrum visits and 21 points finishes, while in 2011 and 2012, he tested his mettle in Australia’s V8 Supercars Championship.

Since 2004, the Gard native has also made successful appearances in the FIA World Rally Championship, increasingly honing his off-road expertise. From 22 starts at the highest level, he has achieved ten points-scoring results – highlighted by a brace of fourth places – and in both Germany and France in 2005, he finished just one position behind Subaru World Rally Team stablemate and 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg.

Sarrazin’s first international rallying triumph came on the 2014 Tour de Corse – the finale of that year’s FIA European Rally Championship season – and from three Monte-Carlo Rally outings as part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, he has never finished lower than fourth, with a podium to his credit in 2009. That experience makes him well-equipped indeed to deal with the variety of surfaces and conditions competitors are likely to encounter in Extreme E.

Stéphane Sarrazin, Driver, Veloce Racing, said:

“I am delighted to have agreed terms with Veloce Racing to contest the first season of Extreme E. This is a hugely appealing new series that has already attracted a lot of international attention – and all before the racing has even begun! As a driver, the concept is tremendously exciting and motivating – both on a competitive and personal level – and the challenge will be like no other.

“I’ve driven a lot of different types of car during my career, but the ODYSSEY 21 really is something special and it’s going to generate some incredible action. When we went testing together, it did not take me long to ‘click’ with the Veloce Racing guys – like me, they arrive in Extreme E with a lot of experience from different disciplines in the sport, and that can only be to our advantage over the forthcoming campaign. I can’t wait to go racing!”

Sarrazin and Chadwick will be supported throughout the forthcoming campaign by Lance Woolridge, who has established a fearsome reputation for his off-road endurance skills in his home country.

Born into a motorsport family – his father Neil Woolridge is a multiple cross-country champion on both two wheels and four, and tackled the iconic Dakar Rally in 1998 and 1999 – Woolridge already has 12 seasons of competition under his belt at the age of just 29. Not only that, but he has been breaking records every step of the way, including becoming the youngest driver in South African history to win a national championship cross-country event.

One of the leading protagonists in the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS), he secured consecutive Class T championship crowns in 2018 and 2019.

Lance Woolridge, Reserve and Development Driver, Veloce Racing, said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining Veloce Racing as reserve and development driver. Having tested the ODYSSEY 21 a couple of times now, I can vouch for the fact that it is a seriously impressive piece of kit and I’m confident that my background in cross-country rallying and with similar vehicles will enable me to offer valuable feedback to Stéphane, Jamie and the engineering crew. I’m looking forward to playing a key role behind-the-scenes to help give the whole Veloce Racing team the best possible chance of success.”

The 2021 Extreme E season will travel to five remote locations around the world, all of them damaged by climate change, as the series aims to shine a spotlight upon global environmental issues. The action will begin in AlUla, Saudi Arabia (3-4 April) before moving on to Dakar, Senegal (29-30 May), Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (28-29 August), Para, Brazil (23-24 October) and Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina (11-12 December).

Ian Davies, Team Manager, Veloce Racing, said:

“We are delighted to announce Stéphane as our male driver for the first season of Extreme E and to confirm Lance’s reserve and development role within the team. Both of them tested with us at MotorLand Aragón last month, and to be honest, they gave us a real headache in terms of who to choose. Since we didn’t want to lose either, in the end, we decided to sign them both.

“Both Stéphane and Lance worked extremely well with Jamie and Veloce’s engineering team at the test, and their different skillsets and experience complemented each other perfectly. Stéphane is very much an all-rounder – a master of endurance racing but also clearly extremely adept in sprint and off-road competition – while Lance is well-accustomed to vehicles like the ODYSSEY 21 from his cross-country racing and has a very well-developed mechanical understanding.

“Both guys were quick out-of-the-box in Spain, and we believe both will bring a great deal to Veloce Racing as we aim to hit the ground running in Saudi Arabia. We are confident that with Jamie and Stéphane driving and Lance working hard behind-the-scenes, we have a very strong team indeed.”

AI

Investor`s perspective: highlights from ICE Barcelona 2026

Published

13 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

investor`s-perspective:-highlights-from-ice-barcelona-2026

The Investments team at RedCore held dozens of meetings at ICE Barcelona with projects from MarTech/Traffic, iGaming, AI/ML, and RegTech. We share our observations on the direction of the market and changes in the approach of startups.

Technology is the main trend

The products at the conference focused on offering fundamentally new solutions rather than competing head-on. There were a huge number of game providers, but the ones that attracted attention were those betting on technological innovation.

“The trend is clear: products are trying to offer something completely new, rather than just competing in their niche,” notes Andrei Alexandrov, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

The influx of incoming applications confirmed this: even without a targeted search, most projects fell within the fund`s priority areas — MarTech/Traffic, iGaming solutions, AI/ML, and RegTech.

AI and data are changing the traffic game

At iGB Affiliate, which ran parallel to ICE, AI solutions for traffic were everywhere: trackers, predictive models, player behavior analysis panels. This reflects the maturity of the market — traffic optimization is no longer possible without ML/AI approaches.

The main competitive asset today is data and segmentation. Those who segment more deeply, personalize, and truly understand the behavior of their audience will win. Granular data, behavior by micro-segments, is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity.

“Affiliates are increasingly acting not just as CPA traffic partners, but as full-fledged marketing experts who use data and content to improve engagement,” notes Iryna Yeromenko, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

Startups have become more mature

Just a few years ago, conferences were often attended by teams with raw ideas. Now the situation has changed: founders come with well-developed pitches, clear business models, and a clear understanding of the market.

“Startups are particularly impressive this year: everyone comes prepared and tries to present themselves in the best way. There was almost no one who came with just an idea,” says Andrei Alexandrov. “Some said that we are their priority fund. This level of trust confirms that we are moving in the right direction.”

Record dealflow, but quality is more important

The volume of incoming applications for ICE Barcelona exceeded the total for all other events last year. But a large flow also means risk: without clear selection criteria, it is easy to waste time on irrelevant projects.

“There are a lot of introductions, pitches, and “let`s talk”. At the same time, it is important to remember that quantity does not equal quality. ICE reinforces the need for strict investment filtering, as without clear criteria, it is easy to get lost in the noise,” explains Oleksandr Briukhovetskyi, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

This principle also works in traffic: the best affiliates focus on data strategies, mobile-first and video-first content, as well as player behavior patterns. Affiliates get access to more metrics, which lets them buy better traffic.

Long-term value instead of quick deals

ICE Barcelona isn`t about closing deals on the spot. The main value of the conference lies in the opportunity to create the foundation for partnerships for the next 6–12 months.

“Conferences bring strategic value. In terms of the density of quality contacts, long-term deals, and relevant contextual conversations, they are confidently ahead of most other channels,” — notes Oleksandr Briukhovetskyi.

Industry boundaries are blurring

ICE attracts a large number of cross-industry projects that are not formally related to iGaming but seek to integrate into this market. This creates new opportunities for investors who can see synergies between different verticals.

“ICE is a rare case where all elements of the iGaming chain are gathered in one space: operators, providers, payments, RegTech, AI, traffic, media buying, crypto, Web3. The boundaries of the industry are blurring right in front of our eyes,” Oleksandr sums up.

Where is the market headed

The market is moving towards consolidation. The trend towards aggregators and super apps is growing stronger, and now AI has joined the mix. The greatest potential lies in automated management systems, data aggregators, big data products, and predictive analytics.

In iGaming, there is growing demand for infrastructure solutions: tools for Retention, Customer Support, Antifraud, Responsible Gaming, and regulation. There is particular interest in products that allow operators to independently create loyalty systems, custom games, and analytics.

The focus of investors has shifted. Previously, they pursued ideas, but now expertise and team stability matter more. The number of startups has grown, as it is easier than ever to create an MVP in the AI era. Therefore, Due Diligence is critical: how well does the product solve a real market problem, and whether the team is ready to develop and monetize it.

Are you building a product in MarTech, iGaming, AI/ML, or RegTech? Tell the Investments team at RedCore about your project: https://redcore.group/lets-cooperate/

The post Investor`s perspective: highlights from ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brasil on Track

ODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET

Published

16 hours ago

February 5, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

oddsgate-launches-“brasil-on-track”,-a-strategic-platform-for-navigating-brazil’s-regulated-igaming-market

As Brazil’s regulated iGaming market completes its first year under Law 14.790/2023, Oddsgate today announced the launch of Brasil on Track, a strategic platform designed to help operators monitor legislation, understand compliance requirements, and make informed decisions in Latin America’s largest economy.

Brasil on Track provides live tracking of regulatory milestones, market indicators, and operational requirements,

connecting legal updates to their business impact and linking directly to official sources.
Brazil’s regulatory landscape has evolved rapidly over the past year. Law 14.790/2023 introduced clearer frameworks for licensing, taxation, and consumer protection, which accelerated international interest and positioned Brazil among the world’s most closely watched regulated iGaming markets.

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, the sector generated an estimated R$36 billion in gross gaming revenue (January-September 2025) and R$3.3 billion in federal tax revenue over the same period, highlighting the market’s scale and momentum.
Source: Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, 2025.

“The regulation brought by Law 14.790/2023 was a major milestone for Brazil’s iGaming sector,” said Valter Delfraro Junior, Oddsgate’s Director of Regulatory Affairs. “It ended years of uncertainty and provided legal security and operational clarity. This new scenario places Brazil’s gaming industry on par with mature markets, increasing our international competitiveness and attractiveness to global investors and partners.”

During the first year of regulation, operators faced extensive requirements, including federal authorization processes, responsible gambling mechanisms, advertising restrictions, and new tax structures. Oddsgate expects the market to continue expanding throughout 2026, with early adopters well-positioned to benefit from greater credibility and market growth.

“We transform regulation into a practical, continuous guide for operating in Brazil with less risk and more clarity,” said Wagner Fernandes, Chief Marketing Officer at Oddsgate. “Brasil on Track helps teams entering, expanding, or optimizing operations decide with context, not guesswork.”

What “Brasil on Track” includes
– Live tracking of active regulation and pending bills;
– An operational roadmap mapping legal changes to required compliance actions;
– Market intelligence, including player demographics and key market indicators;
– Visibility into tax structures, licensing steps, and market-entry requirements;
– Focus areas include KYC, AML, self-exclusion tools, responsible gambling, and consumer protection requirements.

The post ODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Latest News

LEON.BET RENEWS AS OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL PARTNER FOR 2026

Published

17 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

leon.bet-renews-as-official-international-partner-for-2026

SAW is proud to announce the renewal of its international partnership with LEON.bet for the 2026 season, marking another milestone in a collaboration that continues to expand in ambition, reach, and global impact across the esports ecosystem.

More than a sponsorship, this renewed agreement reinforces a partnership built on shared values that extend beyond competition. As a core strategic partner, LEON.bet plays a key role in supporting SAW’s worldwide growth through large-scale content initiatives, interactive fan engagement, and multi-regional campaigns. These efforts include exclusive giveaways, fan rewards, and community-driven activations designed to bring supporters closer to the action than ever before.

LEON.bet’s commitment to esports reaches well beyond its CS2 partnership with SAW. By also collaborating with organizations such as FlyQuest and GamerLegion, LEON.bet demonstrates a long-term vision that spans multiple regions, titles, and competitive disciplines — underscoring its dedication to the sustainable growth of esports on a global scale.

At the heart of this alliance is mutual trust, aligned objectives, and a shared ambition to push boundaries. Together, SAW and LEON.bet will continue to innovate through fresh content, immersive fan experiences, and impactful initiatives that strengthen their global footprint.

As the partnership moves into 2026, both sides are energized to build on past successes and accelerate momentum, delivering even more value to fans and the wider esports community worldwide.

The post LEON.BET RENEWS AS OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL PARTNER FOR 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.