And Nah, we’re Not talkin’ about 50 Shades of Red…
Uncharacteristically, I got up bright ‘n early
for the live airing of the Italian Grand Prix from Monza. Musing to myself over
how I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d “watched”, Err listened to a
Grand Prix? As I think it was the Mighty Spa’, aka Spa-Francorchamps? But does
it really matter?
Perhaps I’m being cynical here? But I also
found it amusing how la Scuderia, nee Ferrari was running another special
tribute livery scheme at what’s called the Temple of Speed.
Although I thought it was cool that Ferrari was
running a “One-off” tribute motif wrap celebrating the 50th anniversary of Niki
Lauda’s 1975 Formula 1 championship. With this year’s SF-25chassis mimicking
the correct shade of rosso. The Blanco
(white) piping and engine cover, and the silver, metallic (aluminum) rear wing
that the 312T sported; per-carbon fibre.
Along with the car numbers in Old School
roundels and the driver’s names in cursive, plus special wheels, albeit I don’t
know if this was just another paint change or what? Whilst the drivers will
wear retro overalls, with Sir Lewis’s helmet adorning Lauda’s name. Along with
the team also wearing retro “Kit” during the weekend…
As Rega’, aka Clay Regazoni won the Italian Grand Prix with Lauda
finishing third fifty years ago at Autodromo Nacional Monza. Clinching both the F1 Constructors and
Drivers titles for Scuderia Ferrari for the first time in eleven years, to the
ecstasy of the ravenous Tifosi!
I say cynical, since Ferrari seems destined to
go winless this season, and the pre-season Honeymoon has long since faded over
Hamilton joining la Scuderia…
Although the weekend started off on the right
note with Lewis Hamilton being fastest overall in Friday’s (Free Practice) FP-1
session. With Charles Leclerc qualifying fourth, and Hamilton fifth. Before
Hamilton’s five place grid drop penalty for ignoring double waved Yellow flags
at Zandvoort.
Leclerc made the race’s start interesting by
jumping ahead of Oscar Piastri into third briefly. But would ultimately finish
where He started, (fourth) and Hamilton would finish sixth. As the Ferrari’s
simply didn’t have the pace of the McLaren’s, or the Red Bull on Sunday.
Although nobody can keep pace with the McLaren’s
over race distance right now…
While we all know it was Max Verstappen
cantering away from the field after a brief skirmish with Bosom Buddy Lando
Norris. Ultimately beating Lando by 19 seconds enroute to setting the All-time
fastest ever F1 race, completed in One Hour, 13mins and 24.325 seconds. Beating
Michael Schumacher’s previous 2003 mark by one minute, Bravo!
While I know I’ve actually seen the original
312T, Nos. 11-12 in action at Laguna Seca during the Monterey Historics over 30
years ago now, Yikes!
Meanwhile, we also know about Lewis Hamilton
proclaiming during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that He felt Useless and
Ferrari should replace Him with another driver, after a dismal qualifying
effort.
As Hamilton at age 40, has definitely struggled
to come to grips with His new surroundings after 12 years at Mercedes. Even if
He’s paid a King’s ransom to drive for Maranello…
I bring this up since I noticed that Geo.
Phillips of Oilpressure fame noted how Statistician Russ Thompson noted how only a dozen. Hum, who drove the No.
12 forever in IndyCar, Eh?
Only 12 drivers who’ve turned age 45 since 1956
have won an IndyCar race; and only one in the 21st century. Meaning the odds
are definitely stacked against Will Power.
But then again, statistics noted that no
Formula 1 driver with 300 starts or more had ever won a Grand Prix. Which
naturally Hamilton went onto break this stat by winning twice in 2024; winning
the British Grand Prix on His 344th start! Before belatedly winning the Belgian
Grand Prix after teammate George Russell’sdisqualification, Youch! Netting
Hamilton a staggering 105 Grands Prix total, Momma Mia!
As Lewis is only the second F1 driver to make
more than 350 Grands Prix starts, and will join Fernando Alonso in the 400
Grands Prix starts club at the end of next season.
Hamilton is nearly five years younger than
Power, so who knows? Whilst F1’s elder Statesman Frederico Suave (Alonso) is
still competing fiercely at age 44.
Then again, 19yr old Italian Wunderkind’ Andrea
Kimi Antonelli, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes this season. Was given a five
second time penalty for driving erratically during His Home race. Having pushed
Alexander Albon onto the grass at High speed! Leading to the teenager incurring
another penalty point to His FIA Super Licence, for a total of five.
Whilst 20yr old Oliver Bearman not only was given a ten second penalty at Monza. But also notched a further two penalty points to His license for His contretemps with Carlos Sainz. Having amassed ten, jus two shy of the threshold for an automatic one race ban. With Bearman needing to keep His “nose” clean until November’s Brazilian GP. As the maximum of 12 points is for one year, before points are dismissed…
