Can Colton Herta close His Formula 2 Points Deficit?

Or will His Formula 1 aspirations fizzle?

 

Still have to commend Colton Herta for making the bold decision to leave IndyCar to chase His dream of racing in Formula 1.

 

Yet that said, this year hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Herta. Beginning with the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 races, where Formula 2 was part of the weekend. We all know how  the calendar revisions to race at Miami and Montreal impacted Colton’s plans of running Andretti Global’s fourth Indianapolis 500 entry.

 

Reportedly, Herta currently has 34 points from His IndyCar Vice Champion (second place) finish in 2024 and seventh place finish in 2025. Putting Him just six points shy of the 40 points threshold required for the mandatory FIA Super Licence to race in Formula 1.

 

Thus Colton needs to finish eighth or better this year in Formula 2 to collect His Super Licence. Although think I heard Colton can amass one extra point for each F1 Free Practice session He contests?

 

Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in sprint races. And top ten in feature races, a la F1 scoring format.

 

Two extra points are awarded for feature race pole position. And a bonus point is awarded for fastest lap in each race, provided it’s set by a driver finishing in the top ten. Otherwise awarded to the fastest driver inside top ten places.

 

Sprint points: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

Feature races: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.

 

In the seven rounds (14 races) prior to the Mighty spa weekend. (Spa-Francorchamps) Colton had scored five top ten finishes, and one top five finish. Finishing seventh, (Australia) eighth (Miami) and seventh (Montreal) in feature races. Plus ninth (Montreal( and fifth (Barcelona) sprint races for a total of 20 points, classified P17. While Norway’s Martinius Stenshorne was eighth with 48 points.

 

His best weekend was Montreal, where He finished ninth and seventh, albeit one position out of the points in the sprint race.

 

Following Spa-Francorchamps, with P13 in the Sprint race, and seventh in the Feature race. Moving up one position to 16th overall with 26 points.

 

Herta finished P14 during Saturday’s Hunga-boring’ Sprint race; one place behind Hitech teammate Ritomo Miyata, 25.7 seconds behind winner Gabriele Mini in what was anything but a boring race.

 

Sunday’s Hungaroring feature race saw Colton finish a disastrous P19 out of a 22-car field. Nearly one minute adrift of maiden race winner Noel Leon.

 

As Herta trails current eighth place Laurens van Hoepen (65 points) by 39 markers, still languishing in P16. (26 points) With Hitech teammate Ritomo Miyata P13. (34 points)

 

Following the summer break, (July 27-Sept 4) five rounds remain. Monza, the brand new Madrid circuit, Azerbaijan’s Baku street circuit and the final two rounds at Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

 

Yet will the stupendous attacking of Iran and the ensuing war impact these final two events for all concerned, including Formula 1? Which with the constant escalation of attacking Iran, these races, and racing in the Middle East in general now seem quite threatened.

 

Meanwhile, even if Colton achieves His objective and secures a FIA Super Licence, where would He race? Since I’ve already speculated that current Cadillac F1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez surely have multi-year contracts?

 

Yet a somewhat larger obstacle is Colton’s age. Having turned 26 this March 30th. As I cannot think of recently hearing ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson telling Paul Tracy a story about Felix-the-Cat’, who Johansson manages.

 

Saying He’d rung up Helmut Marco to try getting Felix Rosenqvista test for Formula 1 and Marco said forget it, He’s too old!

 

FIA F2 points leader Nikola  Tsolov is 19yrs old. Campos teammate Noel Leon 21yrs old. Whilst Invicta Racing’s Rafael Chaves Camara is 21yrs old, with teammate Joshua Durksen being 22yrs old.

 

DAMS Lucas Oil’s Dino Beganovic, a Ferrari Academy driver is 22yrs old and in His second full F2 season.  ART Grand Prix driver Kush Maini turns 26 in September. But with 91 starts, 3 wins, 2 poles and 8 podiums in four seasons, I highly doubt will progress to F1. Even if Maini is having His best season to date so far; currently sixth overall when scribbling this. One position ahead of Beganovic.

 

And lastly is Trident’s John Bennett, age 22. In His sophomore campaign, having won His maiden F2 race in Austria’s Sprint race. Being the first driver to step up to Formula 2 directly from the GB3 championship.

 

As the following drivers above have won the majority if not all F2 races preceding Hungary.

 

Then again, Bottas and Perez are both in their mid-thirties, so who knows, Eh?

 

Especially since Herta’s now completed two Friday (Free Practice) FP1 sessions in Barcelona, replacing Perez. Then at Hungary replacing Bottas, with speculation suggesting Colton’s in-line to replace Bottas next year. Although Valtteri says its complete Balderdash!

 

As for scoring extra FIA super Licence points when driving in Friday practice sessions. Reportedly a driver can earn up to 10 points over any three year period, gaining one point per session, provided said driver completes a minimum of 100km in that session.

 

So, will we see Cadillac insert Colton an additional six times during Friday practice and running long to obtain the necessary points? Which increasingly, seems His only pathway left.

 

Whilst could Cadillac be so bold to go for an all new lineup in the future with Herta and Guanyu Zhou, we’ll “See”.

 

Good luck Colton! 

Intrepid 91 year old Traveler returns to Eugene

But can you truly, really ever go Home?

 

What’s that ‘Ol Forest Gump saying ‘bout “Life’s A Bowl of Chocolates?”

 

As I “read” the following Register Guard, my nearest local newspaper I can listen to via my Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service, late Thursday evening. As the tears just rolled down my eyes!

 

The story’s about Peggy Starr, who at 91 years “young”, decided She’d had enough of Wisconsin’s miserably cold, snowy winters! And decided to move back “Home”, having lived in Eugene, Oregon some twenty years ago.

 

Ironically, on the very same day I went and “saw” the movie Crime 101. Which is an excellent movie, albeit probably out on Amazon Prime now?

 

There’s a scene in the movie driving thru some of Los Angeles Homeless areas, and how once of the characters used to be one of them…

 

While Peggy noted that the materialism and what we’ve become as a country thoroughly disappointed Her as She rolled across the Nation. Not to mention the landscape had totally changed…

 

But the part that choked me up, was here’s the 91 year old woman with three suitcases and Her walker getting off the train in Eugene with essentially no plan on where to go?

 

And the amazing humanity of complete strangers seeing Her, and offering to help unconditionally. Getting Peggy situated in a Motel 6 at a reduced Senior rate before this amazing family took Peggy in. Until She can hopefully get into Senior Housing.

 

If you’re not aware, there’s a total lack of Affordable Housing today! Not to mention Senior and Disable Housing, with most programs taking a minimum of one year to get in. And in many cases 2-3 years.

 

Knowing one woman who waited multiple years before finally being accepted. A second who waited multiple years before giving up, and a third who’s still waiting…

 

Not to mention how one has to be truly poor, not just barely making “Ends Meat” or living just above the artificially low poverty line.

 

And in Peggy’s case, Seniors need to not be too “Sharp” or with-it. In order to be fast-tracked into Assisted Living or Senior Housing, applicants need to be suffering from Alzheimer’s, Dementia, etc.

 

It’s a wonderful article about true life, which I recommend reading. And the article also includes the Go fund Me page set-up for Peggy, who’ve truly one of the lucky ones!

 

As I love Peggy’s gumption. Saying She hasn’t owned a television for 45 years, but that doesn’t mean She won’t watch it. Requesting to watch Gone With the Wind, before realizing it’s a four hours long movie. Saying Lordee!

 

Peggy Starr, 91, finds caring strangers in Eugene

 

I had one Helluva time finding a hyperlink to the story that would work “correctly”. Hence the USA Today article link instead. Since I couldn’t get The Register Guard to cooperate… 

F1: A Different Shade of Red at Monza

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… 

When is an IndyCar Driver too Old?

Will Power tapestry hanging in the Penske Racing Museum. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

And who am I to question when a driver should retire? Especially if they’re still Haulin’ the Mail, ergo performing. And potentially tapping into thoust mythical Fountain of Youth?

 

Yeah, we all know the seismic moves in IndyCar occurring just 48 hours after the chequered flag few at Nashville. For which I still have a hard time believing, having scribbled the following on Saturday afternoon.

 

Hope I’m not reading too much into this, but! Listened to Qualie’ today from Nashville on IndyCar Radio. And when Michael Schreech’ Young was interviewing Will Power, He sounded the most despondent I’ve heard Him in a very long time! Had very short, shaky, terse answers. With much gloom in His voice! Making me wonder if the reality of it being His final IndyCar race was suddenly hitting Him?

 

As I’ll agree I think He’s at least gone from Penske, which is a shame. Especially since He’s their best performer this year, and His replacement David Malukas, although showing brief glimpses of promise. Especially with the last two weeks front row qualifying effort, still doesn’t seem a better driver than Power is. Even if He’s the second oldest driver on the grid.

 

Colton Herta wasn’t much better in His brief interview either. Apparently telling Jake the Riddler’ Query, He didn’t know when asked about leaving Andretti? Although it just sounded like He mumbled when asked.

 

Now talk about sour grapes, as I find it quite pettish that Team Penske is holding onto Will Power until His contract expires on December 31st, Really? Like Ain’t that Christmas party gonna be really awkward, Eh? As this seems quite churlish by El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske!

 

It's well documented that William Steven Power will turn the age of 45 years old at St Pete on race day, March 1, 2026. Yet nobody’s been asking for Scotty thee Iceman 2.0 Dixon to bring us His Torch, Righto?

 

With Dixon, the elder Statesman of IndyCar telling one of IMS Radio Network’s pit reporters Yeah Man, I’ll be back when asked about next year. For which I’m fairly certain that Cheep’s being far more classier’ than Roger is regarding Dixon’s future. With Ganassi letting Dixon race for the team as long as He wants to.

 

Since Power mimics the longterm success of Dixon. Having scored 42 wins and 65 pole positions during His 17 seasons at Team Penske. Not to mention once again, finishing the highest of its three drivers in ninth place this season. One point ahead of ScottyMac’, ergo Scott McLaughlin in tenth; with Josef Schlick’ Newgarden P12…

 

Whilst I always enjoy seeing new, young and raw talent become Stars of the future in IndyCar. Once again, I’d have to say that Penske got this one all wrong! And like Helio Castroneves premature end at Team Penske, I now sincerely hope that DJ WillyP’ has a Breakout season at Andretti Global!

 

As it would be fantastic for Power to win a few races, most notably the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500! And really stick the knife into Penske by winning His third Astor cup next year! Although the championship obviously runs thru Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing once again…

 

And by the way, I have nothing against David Malukas, who’s been my Numero doce IndyCar driver for many years now. But I’ve also been a Huge Will Power Fan, ever since that brief unexpected encounter in the old IMS Hall of Fame museo Wayback’ in Gory 2009.

 

Having scribbled about my appreciation for DJ WillyP”’

over the years here on No Fenders, and am simply dismayed over How RP’ and Team Penske handled the whole Power contract negotiations affair! Which David Malsher-Lopez so eloquently lays out in His Racer article below.

 

An Inglorious End to a Glorious Partnership

 

Strange Days Indeed! 

The F1 rookie most prominently in the Spotlight

But how will He perform under such pressure?

 

Rightly or wrongly, this Italian teenager seems to have the biggest spotlight of our five Formula 1 rookies upon His shoulders this year. Presumably since He’s replacing legendous’ Sir Lewis at the Silver arrows…

 

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Team: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

Nationality: Italian

Birthplace: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

DOB: August 25, 2006; Age: 18

Car No. 12

 

As I’ve already scribbled above, the youngest driver on the Formula 1 grid for 2025 is also thought to be the most sensational. Nevertheless, the young Italian will also have the most pressure to perform for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement…

 

Andrea or Kimi’s as most are now calling Him, Father Marco is a Sports Car racer in Saloons, winning the 2018 Italian GT championship and currently runs the Family’s AMK Motorsports racing team, which has competed in the Italian F4 championship since 2022.

 

Kimi, like Gabriel Bortoleto, both claim the late Ayrton Senna as their Idol! With Antonelli having drawn inspiration from Senna’s use of the number 12 in formula 1, along with using the number during His stitnt driving for Prema in Junior formulaes.

 

Interestingly, both Antonelli and fellow F1 rookie Jack Doohan requested the No. 12 as their car number, but since Kimi asked first, He got the number ahead of Doohan…

 

Reputedly a family friend gave Antonelli’s father Marco the name Kimi in deference to that Ice Cream eating Kimi Raikkonen. Since Marco was set upon giving His son a boring middle name.

 

Thus, with All of the hyperbole out of the way, let’stake a brief gander at Kimi’s racing “CV”. (career) As Kimi also began competitive Karting at age seven, and was a prodigious Karting talent. Winning too numerous championships to chronicle, along with suffering a broken leg during a wet weather accident.

 

Antonelli was spotted by Giovanni Minardi early on , and quickly signed to Minardi Management. Before winning multiple karting titles driving for Rosberg Racing Academy. Hmm, why does it sound like He was already headed for the pinicle of motorsports so early on, Eh?

 

For 2021, Kimi made His single seater debut in Italian Formula 4 following His 15th birthday, contesting a partial season and finishing a respectable P10 overall.

 

Remaining with Prema Powerteam, Antonelli claimed both the 2022 Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships along with a Gold Medal in the FIA Motorsports Games. As Kimi dominated the Italian F4 series with a record 13 wins, including six consecutive victories! Then followed that up by claiming the ADAC F4 title. Having amassed 26 wins, 24 poles and 37 podiums in 67 Formula 4 starts, the second most successful in F4 History!

 

The following year, He graduated to the Formula Regional European Championship, where once again He secured another title driving for Prema, along with that year’s inaugural FR Middle East Championship driving for Mumbai Falcons.

 

Thus, Kimi’s “Star” shone brightly! Having secured two titles in Formula 3, the Italian prodigy skipped the FIA formula 3 Championship, Preceding directly to FIA Formula 2 the following year, again with Prema. Where His teammate would be Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman.

 

Reportedly Prema initially struggled with the Formula 2 Ground Effects chassis, seeing both drivers get off to a slow start. Kimi scored His maiden F2 win in the wet Silverstone Sprint race, and then clamed a Feature race win at Budapest.

 

Antonelli withdrew from the season finale Abu Dhabi F2 weekend due to illness and finished sixth overall in the championship on the back of His two wins. And then took part in the afternoon session of the post Abu Dhabi F1 Young Drivers test, where naturally He was the fastest rookie.

 

Antonelli was signed as a Mercedes Junior Driver in 2018 at age 12! Making me think of another youngster name Lewis Hamilton’s signing by thee Ronster’, aka Ron Dennis of McLaren fame Wayback’ when…

 

Antonelli got His first taste of Formula 1 machinery in April, 2019 when He drove a Mercedes W12 at the Red bull ring in Spielberg, followed by further private tests at Imola and Spa-francorchamps.

 

The “Kimi” rule, re-allowing 17 year olds to hold FIA Super licence’s, enabled Antonelli to make His Free Practice debut at Monza that fall. Antonelli set the fastest lap time before spinning at Curva Alboreto just ten minutes into the FP1 session, colliding with the tyre barriers in a 52G incident! And then participated in another F1 practice session at Mexico City. Once again incurring damage to His Mercedes chassis upon running over debris and damaging the W15’s floor…

 

Antonelli has been undergoing an extensive testing programme over the winter in preparations for His Formula 1 debut alongside team leader George Russell. And passed His public driving test just six weeks prior to the season opener at Melbourne. As Italians must be at least 18 years old before being eligible for a Drivers licence… 

When does Age become More than just a Number?

And should we Glorify these Ageless Warriors…

 

This riveting No Fenders “thread” first crystalized in my Noggin’ when reading about Lindsey Vonn returning to competition at age 40, earlier this year. Before Mike Wallace had His NASCAR Dance Card rescinded.

 

Then it really started picking up steam upon Will Power saying He thinks He can continue racing in Indy Cars for another five years, upon hiring His first ever agent. With A14 Management led by some smarmy Spaniard named Frederico Suave, aka Fred Alonso who’s nearly five months His Junior!

 

As it should come as no surprise that Will Power is the elder statesman of Team Penske’s twelve main racing series drivers, i.e.; IndyCar, Sports Cars and NASCAR.

 

As William Steven Power turns a robust 44yrs old on March 1st, and presumably will be hoping for either pole position on His actual birthday, or winning St Pete as a birthday present the following day! Whilst Power’s two Team Penske IndyCar drivers XcottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin is the youngest at age 31, just a stitch six months younger than Ryan Blaney. Wit Josef Schlick’ Newgarden being 34 years old.

 

Penske’s six Sports Car Hotschues’ vary in age from 29 to 40. As Nick Tandy’s only four years younger than Power, at age 40. With Kevin Estr, (36) Laurens Vanthoor, (33) Felipe Nasr, (32) Mathieu Jaminet (30) and Matt Campbell, (29) following in descending order.

 

Of Team Penske’s trio of Roundy Round drivers, ergo NASCAR. Austin Cindric (#2) is the youngest at age 26. Followed by 2023 Cup Champion Ryan Blaney, (#12) age 31. With reigning Cup Champion Joey “sliced Bread” Logano (#22) being 34 years old.

 

And for every Ageless Warrior, there’s always a flip-side example. As now I’m even more cornfuzed’ over why perennial Sports Car Champion Dane Cameron at age 36 got the Boot from Penske, when Estr’s the same age and Tandy’s four years older, Huh?

 

While Sports Car’s “Pro Am” (Amateur) Ben Keating and George Kurtz are 53 and 54 respectively. But they’re both “Gentlemen” drivers, i.e.; wealthy businessmen who like to go racing and play in the big Leagues, albeit in the second tier LMP2 category, primarily…

 

Meanwhile, perhaps you’ve heard that Mike Wallace was denied His application to attempt racing in this year’s Day-Toner’ 500 at age 65. Which I feel was prudent, since the middle of the three Wallace racing brothers hadn’t raced on a Super Speedway in ten years.

 

Yet on the flip-side, the Daytona Beach News Journal reminded me that ‘Ol Blue Eyes’, aka Paul Newman had won the Rolex 24 at age 70! Competing in a nasty Roush Racing Mustang in the GTS class with Mark Martin, Tommy Kendall and Mike Brockman. With Newman racing into His 80’s, Yureka!

 

Having scribbled another, typical long form four parts No Fenders tome about ‘Ol Blue Eyes’, sheez, a few years ago now. With Newman’s racing exploits chronicled below in:

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/07/diving-into-paul-newmans-racing-career.html

 

With my Cliff Notes tome about Paul Newman’s A Life book review are located here:

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/07/paul-newmans-life-book-review.html

 

Whilst I don’t know if it’ll make DJ WillyP’ )Will Power) feel old? Since I can still recall getting His and His two Penske teammates Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves John Hancock’s at Sonoma nearly eleven Gory years ago! But as everyone knows, Hulio’, who’ll turn 50 on May 10th just contested His maiden Day-toner’ 500. While Montoya had a totally disappointing “One-off” Roundy round RASSCAR’ outing for 23/Xi Racing at Watkins Glen last year at age 49.

 

Ro-Ro’, I feel another No Fenders yarn being spun about this remarkable Team Penske trio’s accomplishments…

 

And just to put things into quick perspective. Jacob Abel, Christian Lundgaard, David Malukas and Sting Ray robb were All born the year that our current elder statesman of IndyCar, Scotty “Iceman 2.0” Dixon who turns 45 in July, was born, Yikes!

 

With Kyffin Simpson being the youngest IndyCar driver who can’t drink any “bubbly” on the podium until this October, currently being only  20yrs old. As I could go on ‘n on…

 

But like I said, it was none other than decorated Downhill Skier Lindsey Vonn who got this whole story started, and currently captivates me. As I’d have to Arse-sume the whole notion is for Vonn to compete in a remarkable fifth Winter Olympics next year in Italy, which she has since stated.

 

As the St Paul, Minnesota native says Her comeback is partially fueled by the likes of Tom Brady, Lewis Hamilton and Serina Williams All competing professionally in their forty’s. As seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis turned the Big 4-OH’ on January 7th, and is set to embark upon His debutante season driving for la Scuderia, ergo Ferrari.

 

Vonn at age 40, made Her comeback at St Moritz, with a credible 14th place finish after having last competed some six years earlier. Gaining everybody’s Attenzione at St Anton with finishes of sixth and fourth, Momma Mia!

 

Then I suppose you could say reality struck? Since Lindsey owns the record for twelve wins at Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy. Yet She only managed finishes of 20th and then crashed out, while tracking fifth in the Super G event, I believe.

 

Although Vonn was uninjured, and said She was  actually glad, since it tempers expectations that were starting to get out of hand. And She’s still rusty and needs more competition before next year’s Olympics.

 

Vonn, who retired at age 34 after Her right knee was simply “gone”, said all She’s thought about the past eleven years is the knee. And had resigned Herself to living life with a painful knee, before having reconstructive knee surgery last year. When Her troublesome right knee was repaired with titanium, which Lindsey said just days after the surgery, She was pain free!

 

Thus, as long as it doesn’t take away a younger skier’s ability to compete at Cortina d’Ampezzo in Milan, 2026. And Vonn’s inclusion on the US. Olympics Women’s Ski team is merit based, then I’m All for Her remarkable comeback to succeed! As Vaughan is the oldest female to win a winter Olympics skiing medal at 33 in 2018 at PyeongChang, South Korea. While no female has won a major skiing event over age 34.

 

And as much as Lindsey decorated career of 82 wins, 137 podiums and three Olympic medals shines. She’ll be hard pressed to compete vs. Mikaela Schiffron, who turns 30 on March 13th. Whose the current record holder with a staggering 99 victories, 154 podiums and three Olympic medals to date. With two Gold medals vs. Lindsey having just one.

 

Although I must say that Vonn’s comeback and attempt to Cap’ Her career at Cortina d’Ampezzo makes me think of Bode Miller and His unquenchable thirst for competing, who contested five Winter Olympics before finally retiring in 2017.

 

Meaning we should enjoy watching the likes of Lindsey, Serena, Lewis, Power, Dixon, etc. continuing to defy the odds of “Father time” anxiously waiting to say, “Bring Me your Torch!”