Originally this Questione came to Mwah during
that Oh, So Riveting Toronto IndyCar race, as I found it somewhat galling to
hearing the Pitlane Reporters pointedly asking the 40 Somme-thuns' if they
thought they'd be keeping their jobs next year?
As Y'all may know? This triumberant includes
in order of age: Cheep' Ganassi Racing's TK Follow-your-Schnoz' Kanaan, who's
currently 41 and turns 42 on December 31st.
Toni's followed by his Bosom Buddy thou 'Ol
Dancing Fool 'HULIO also being 41 and turning 42 next Month 'O May. With Team
Penske team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya, who's currently thee B-I-G 4-Oh, (40) turning
41 on September 20th.
Naturally, this elder statesman status makes
you wonder how much longer Thou trio with six Borg Warner trophies collectively
can continue racing Indy Cars, giving Geo. Phillips the opportunity to rue
Montoya possibly bowing out first...
Obviously the Hottest Driver in Indy Cars
soon to Heat Up Silly Season is Josef STUD! Newgarden, who's been showing off
his true grittiness by persevering with a broken shoulder and hand by not only
continuing to race, but winning in dominating style at the season's highest
G-loading event! As Ho Hum, I fear he'll be swallowed up by either Thou
Cheepster or El Capitano, nee Chip Ganassi or Roger Penske respectively.
As I won't try evaluating every IndyCar team
and what potential seats exist? Other than KVSH Racing surely has a vacant seat
provided somebody can bring the dreaded Sponsorship cheque - as IndyCar seems
somewhat akin to F1 right now with there being more suitors than seats available.
And Hondre' (Honda) really needs to find a few Starz' of the future to combat
the likes of Ganassi and Penske.
Meanwhile, Formula 1 sees a somewhat similar
picture, albeit believe the once mighty Herr Schumacher, Michael not Ralf; Hya!
Was the last 40 Somme-thun' to race in F1, as the push has steadily been
towards the youth movement in Thy Pinnacle 'O Motor Racing for several years
now, especially since the advent of the "Verstappen rule" requiring
F1 Drivers to be at least 18yrs old.
Although the F1 Driver Market has simmered
down to a low boil with the recent announcement that thee Iceman, nee Kimster',
aka Kimi Raikkonen and his Oomphlats will remain intact at la Scuderia thru
2017, closing the door upon Ferrari's most coveted second seat.
thus with Kimi at age 36 turning 37 on
October 17th, as the Sport's elder statesman's future's secure another year,
speculation now falls upon Bloody 'Ol 'JENSE's future. With his McLaren
contract up at the end of the season, leaving the 36yr old Englishman the main
Domino waiting to fall.
as it's even harder to believe having witnessed
a fresh faced youngster named Jenson Button burst onto the scene sixteen years
ago as a rookie for Williams BMW, When he had his Driver's license suspended
for flogging a Bimmer' Diesel too FAST! As he's currently the longest tenured
driver on the F1 Grid, along with presumably being one of the Fan favourites.
The next oldest driver by a mere three months
ahead of the fourth Senior member is the most affable Felipe Massa, having just
turned 35 on April 25th, while his ex Scuderia Ferrari Sparring Pardner'
"Fredrico Suave," aka Fernando Alonso who's currently not faster than
Massa; Hooah! Will shortly celebrate his 35th birthday on July 29th.
Alas, presumably McLaren wishes to keep the
services of Fernando a further year? As I believe he's still under contract for
one more season, albeit think his salary is nearly double Buttons! As it would
seem a tragedy to retain both and leave the promising GP2 Phenom and reigning
champion Stoffel
Vandoorne waiting another year, unless the team's
willing to farm him out for one season?
Hence, with speculation suggesting the young
Belgian Vandoorne will replace Button at McLaren, this puts the spotlight
firmly upon Massa's future, who's also out of contract with Team Willy at
season's end, with rumours linking Button retiring from F1 with the team he
began at with a Shaken 'N Stirred Swansong at Sir Frank's house in 2017?
With These preceding moves, apparently leaving
few F1 drives available next year, with just la Reggie's rookie Jolyon Palmer
under threat of being dumped at season's end, whilst Indonesia's debutant F1
Pilote Rio Haryanto continues being rumoured to be in financial difficulties at
the Minnowesqe Manor Racing outfit and may not finish out the year?
Thus Renault seems widely tipped to install
promising Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who's a contracted Mercedes Junior Driver,
currently plying his trade in Deutche Touren Wagons, (DTM) in hopes of emulating
reigning DTM champion Pascal Wehrlein's graduation to Formula 1 next
year.
While Jordan King, son of ex-Sainsbury's CEO
Justin King, who dabbled in the Manor hierarchy could be set to step-in for Haryanto
if he fails to deliver the required final portion of his ride buy apparently
running out after the upcoming Hungaroring race.
All of which begs the Questione? Which
aspiring Open Wheel Racing Drivers will move up to racing gig's in 2016? since
although I wish nobody being terminated, nonetheless, I'd like seeing the Youngblood's
get their chances.
Henceforth I'd enjoy seeing Newgarden take a starring
role at Andretti Autosport, with Spencer Pigot getting a Fulltime ride next
year. And also would enjoy seeing Zachery Veach, Mattie Brabham, Dean Stoneman and
Felix Rosenqvist
step up to the B-I-G CARZ' next season. Although Rosenqvist is probably hoping to land a European
Open Wheel Racing drive instead, hopefully leading to Thou promised land 'O
Formula 1.
In F1 I'm hoping we'll see another promising
cast of rookies joining the grid with the likes of Stoffel Vandoorne, Esteban Ocon and a
Player to be named later. Perhaps this Oliver Rowland Chap
- who I know absolutely NOTHIN' about! But just claimed the points lead during
the BREXIT; Err British GP weekend - landing at Manor?
And sorry 'JENSE, (and Felipe) but I'd prefer
seeing your younger Countryman Joly' (Jolyon Palmer) taking Massa's seat at
Team Willy, thus leaving the way clear for Vandoorne to join Fernando and Ocon
to partner Magnussen, albeit Toto Wolff would probably prefer his prized pupil
Pascal Wehrlein landing the Williams drive instead.
As Y'all Make thee
Call upon who'll go where next year...
