As a forgotten Superhero finally Flex’s His Muscles!
And its not Superman…
Yeah, this is old news, especially since
IndyCar has just completed its Iowa Double Header weekend on the 0.875-mile Bullring
(short track) Oval. Not to mention just returning from Up North eh! On the
streets of Toronto…
Have to say that it was amusing to see both the
IndyCar and Formula 1 Championship points leaders stumble at Mid-Ohio and
Silverstone respectively, albeit both were self-inflicted wounds…
Having mused to myself that the race was over,
when on lap 74 of 90, Alex Palou’s pit crew made the perfect stop with
Strategist Barry Wanser’s superb call for Palou’s third pitstop enabling the Spaniard
to beat Scott Dixon back on-track.
As Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) teammate Dixon was
attempting to run the less preferred two stop strategy, being the master of
fuel saving. But the race seemed over, as even the IMS Radio Network Booth
boyz’ focused upon other “lesser” battles taking place further back in the
pack. Tending to recall that Conor Daly and Rinus VeeKay got shout-outs. Which
had nothing to do with Daly calling Santino Ferrucci a Clown!
Then the unthinkable happened with just five
laps remaining, as Palou inexplicably slid offtrack at Turn 9, Hmm, who’s car
number is that? And Dixon being 3.5 seconds behind said thank you very much
Alex, Ole!
As thee Iceman 2.0 was not to be denied, even
with Palou doing everything possible besides giving Dixon the Chrome Horn
treatment the final four laps of the race, all to no avail! As Dixon became
only the third different winner in IndyCar this season, with Honda having won
all ten races to date. And if we include last year’s season finale at
Nashville, Honda’s won 11 straight races, say what?
Dixon now has 59 career wins and has won an
IndyCar race in a record 21 consecutive
seasons! Along with breaking Mario Andretti’s All-time IndyCar career starts
tally of 407 upon making His 408th IndyCar start at this year’s Indianapolis
500, Aye Karumba!
Meanwhile, across thoust Gory Puddle, we all
know what happened at Bloody Silverstone, during typical English summer weather.
Before the skies fell down upon thee Pied Piper Chris Horner!
As race leader Oscar Piastri was penalized 10
seconds for braking erratically behind the Safety Car, with Max Verstappen
almost colliding with Him! As Max pirouetted down to tenth place, before
recovering to finish fifth.
As the penalty did seem harsh, albeit Sky
Sports Pundit Martin Billybob’ Brundle seemed to think the penalty was
warranted. Saying “they’ll” want to have a look at that, insinuating that
Piastri had been too clever and indeed braked erratically. As McLaren would
later divulge that Piastri had applied some 59.2psi braking force and somewhere
else I read the Aussie’s speed plummeted from 218kph down to 52kph, Anchors
Away!
Thus Piastri had to dejectedly settle for
second place behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who was gifted victory at
His home race, which I suppose is fitting for Formula 1 celebrating its 75th
anniversary.
Thus Piastri’s points lead over Norris shrinks
to eight, with Oscar leaving five wins to Lando’s four at the halfway point of
the F1 season.
But I’m certain that both Palou and Piastri
will learn from these mistakes and only become stronger in the future, an
ominous sign for their competitions…
Yet for Mwah, the highlight of the weekend was The
Incredible Hulk’, Err Hulkster’, nee Nico Hulkenberg claiming His first podium
on His 239th start, the current Formula 1 record for most starts without a
podium, Sheisa!
Hulkenberg had a meteoric rise thru Karting and
Junior series with multiple championships, including the 2009 GP2 title;
today’s formula 2 Championship, which he won as a rookie.
Williams signed the promising rookie for 2010.
As its hard to believe I still remember Nico winning pole at the Brazilian
Grand Prix 15 years ago. Which I tend to recall was done in the wet, under not
ideal conditions.
Yet Nico would be replaced by Pastor Maldonado
the following year at Williams, presumably bringing barrels full of Venezuelan
PDVSA Oil money. Although Maldonado scored Williams last Grand Prix victory in
2013.
Hulkenberg became Force India’s reserve driver
for 2011, contesting Friday practice sessions before promoted to a race seat
the following year.
Having then raced for Sauber, Racing Point and
Renault, before spending three years as Racing Point and Aston Martin’s reserve
driver. Deputizing for Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel. Before a two year
stint at Haas, joining previous Bosom Buddy Kevin Magnussen. As the Dane’
famously told Him to suck a part of His lower anatomy once!
As Hulkenberg replaced fellow German Mick
Schumacher at Has, and then moved to Sauber this year, which will become the
Audi Werks’ team for 2026.
Hulkenberg won the 2015 24 Heurs du Mans
driving for Porsche. Something only He and Fernando Alonso have done as Formula
1 drivers the past decade.
Hulkenberg’s podium is the first for Sauber
since K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi finished third at the 2012 Japanese Grand
Prix.
While it was wonderful reading how truly
excited Alonso was for Hulkenberg. While Carlos Sainz Jr said He’d known that
Nico has always been a top-five driver. Just never had the equipment to prove
it.
As I’m guessing that even Magnussen would be happy for Him…
