ROLEX 24: The GTP Grid’s Five Manufacturer Contendahs’

But we’ll have to wait a further 72 Hours to find out whose this year’s winner…

 

Without further Adu, here’s the other three IMSA GTP Class entrants in alphabetical order, Enjoy!

 

ACURA

Acura ARX-06

Engine: 2.4-litre V-6 Twin Turbo

Team: Meyer Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian

#60 Tom Blomqvist, Colin Brown, Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist

#93 Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly, Alex Palou and Kakunoshin Ohta

 

After a one year hiatus, Meyer Shank Racing returns as the sole Acura GTP Factory entry, taking over the two previous Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti entries.

 

As the “lead” MSR entry sees the “Band” getting back together with Tom “The Bomb” Blomqvist and Colin Brown reuniting. Hopefully bringing them another IMSA GTP Championship title and Rolex 24 win, with a little Help from some Friends.

 

Blomqvist and Brown were the 2023 IMSA GTP Prototypes champions, along with winning that year’s Rolex 24 for Acura.

 

The “second” No. 93 entry features Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly for the full season. Ad van der Zande slides over from Cadillac, and Yelloly from BMW. And will attack the Daytona High Banks with assistance from one of Cheeps’ IndyCar champions! Along with the totally unknown Kakunoshin Ohta. As Ohta, who competes in Super GT and Super formula, will race for MSR at the Daytona, Watkins Glen and Indianapolis rounds.

 

Arse-sumedly Ohta’s Japanese championships conflict with some of the IMSA endurance rounds? But its nice knowing that at least one GTP entry will be running three drivers at Mother Speedway. Where IMSA could truly elevate the Battle on The Bricks six hours race by mandating three drivers. Which hopefully would lead to IndyCar drivers competing, since their done for the year before Labour Day, Spew!

 

BMW

BMW M Hybrid V-8

Engine: 4.0-litre V-8 Twin Turbo

Team: BMW M Team RLL

#24 Philipp Eng, Dries Vanthoor, Kevin Magnussen and Raffale Marciello

#25 Sheldon van der Linde, Marco Whittmann, Robin Frijns and Rene Rast

 

While the BMW team lineups are almost all new. As Phillip Eng is the only full season holdover from last year. Along with DriesVanthoor getting a fulltime nod after just contesting last year’s Rolex 24 for BMW. For Mwah, the big news is the signing of Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen. As the ex-Haas Formula 1 driver is now finished in F1, and this is a great signing for BMW.

 

As BMW will rotate its drivers between IMSA GTP and “Weckity Wec” (World Endurance Championship) competition this year.

 

CADILLAC

Cadillac V-Series.R

Engine: 5.5-litre normally aspirated V-8

Team: Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing

#10 Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Will Stevens and Brendon Hartley

#40 Jordan Taylor, Louis Deletraz and Kamui Kobayashi

 

Although part of the Andretti Global ownership restructuring. Wayne Taylor has a long, successful relationship with Cadd-Oh-lac’. Having won multiple Rolex 24 and IMSA SportsCar Championship titles with them, this switch from Chip Ganassi Racing really shouldn’t have been a surprise to anybody.

 

The driver lineups remain largely intact from last year’s Acura WTR with Andretti concern. While it's nice seeing K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi’s return. Who’ll be in search of His third Rolex wristwatch with WTR, whilst Hartley’s no slouch either…

 

Note

WTR announced on the Roar’s first day that Alex Lynn would not compete in this year’s Rolex 24 due to illness. And that the #40 would instead just race with its three remaining drivers.

Team: Cadillac Whelen Action Express Racing

#31 Earl Bamber, Jack Aitken, Frederik Vesti and Felipe Drugovich

 

This is the team with the longest name on the grid now, Chuh-Ching! As Earl Bamber will be pulling “Double Duty”, i.e.; IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) also for Cadillac Hertz Team Jota. Where Alex Lynn and Will Stevens also race.

 

With Bamber joining Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken fulltime in IMSA, where Aitken seems to have settled in as a Sports car racer. Along with Frederik Vesti running the endurance rounds. Plus the addition of Aston Martin F1 reserve driver Felipe Drugovich joining at Daytona.

 

After all, what’s Drugovich gonna due since He’s not been able to land a Formula 1 seat since winning the 2022 Formula 2 title. And waiting for Lance Stroll or Frederico Suave, aka Fernando Alonso to leave Aston Martin seems like a tall order… 

F1: Alonso officially Starts His 400th Grand Prix

Frederico Suave’s name atop the IMS Scoring pylon.  (The Tomaso Collection)

 

“It’s a New, Endurance Record!”

 

Its strange how Formula 1 celebrates any and all milestones. Since initially I was slightly Cornfuzed over All of the hubbub commemorating Frederico Suave, aka Fred Alonso’s 400th Grand Prix weekend at Mexico City.

 

Especially since I’d already noted to Thyself that Alonso’s 400th Grand Prix Start, which is the more significant number to Mwah wouldn’t occur until December 1st at the Qatar Grand Prix.

 

Nonetheless, the number 400 be it Grands Prix weekends or Starts is absolutely mind blowing! Although I’d argue that this truly staggering statistic has been significantly watered down by the fact that Liberty Media has pushed the number of Grands Prix per season to an insane 24! And is seeking to nudge it to 25, WTF!

 

Conversely, I find it somewhat surprising that I still vividly remember Fernando Alonso’s Minardi PS01 chassis. Running a somewhat long in the tooth European badged Ford VJ Zetec R 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10 lump’. For which its funny reading how the engine rated at 735bhp @16,000RPM’s was considered “obsolete!” Or definitely not cutting edge…

 

Having seen this tidy, mustashioed Minardi racecar in person at Indianapolis during His rookie Formula 1 campaign for the Minnowesqe back markers during the 2001 Formula 1 season. Along with another Ice Cream eating Finnish F1 rookie named Kimi Raikkonen.

 

Its funny reading how Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto weren’t even born yet! Or that Oscar Piastri was born the year Alonso began in formula 1. Or that Lando Noris and Guanyu Zhou were only two years old. And the list goes on and on…

 

Won’t try recapping Fernando’s entire Formula 1 career, or racing career in general, since it would take way too many pages. Since I still cannot scribble a short story here upon No Fenders. Nor do I know how much content my loyal readers want?

 

But I do tend to recall that Alonso took a year “off” following that Minardi campaign as Renault’s test driver; being the former Benetton F1 Team. And then in 2003, although I don’t recall the venue anymore, Alonso had a massive shunt, totally destroying His Renault racecar in shades of that horrific looking crash Martin Donnelly endured!

 

Alonso quickly became the scourge of Formula 1 for Mwah, since He ended Herr Schumacher’s F1 reign by having the audacity to become World champion back-to-back in 2005-06. And quickly became known by the moniker anointed by Blogmeister Miguel, Ferdi the Putz!

 

Although I knew the die had been casted that day when Michael Schumacher was powerless to get around Alonso at San Marino, with Alonso winning ahead of the German on Home soil…

 

Next Alonso, whom I’ve been calling Frederico Suave for years now, spent an acrimonious year at McLaren with Bosom Buddy Lewis Hamilton. For which I think we All know haw that went, Ci!

 

Alonso slinked back to Renault, who were on the decline for 2008-09, before moving to la Scuderia. Driving for Ferrari between 2010-14. With one of my favourite memories being Alonso unable to get around the lowly F1 rookie Vitaly VO5’ Petrov, ironically driving for Renault. And Alonso wildly gesticulating at Petrov was No. 1 after losing the 2010 F1 World championship to ‘lil Syd’ viddle, aka Sebastian Vettel!

 

Then there was the ill-fated move to McLaren Honda for 2015. Where Alonso famously complained about the Honda PU being worse than a GP2 engine! Even though Honda and its Red Bull Power Train derivative Power Units (PU) have been Uber successful since 2021!

 

Fernando then moved back to le Reggie for His Formula 1 return in 2021, albeit the team had now been rebranded as Alpine. With Alonso on a two year contract, being “ousted’ when the team thought it had successfully elevated Oscar Piastri to a race seat…

 

Fernando moved to Aston Martin for 2023, where He’s currently under contract until 2026, when He’ll become 45 years old!

 

As Alonso’s last Formula 1 Pole was secured at the 2012 German Grand Prix. With His latest win coming at His Home Spanish Grand Prix in 2013, both driving for Ferrari. With the Smarmy Spaniard currently ranked seventh overall with 32 career wins and 22 career Poles to date.

 

As I’ve gone “Hot ‘n Cold” over Alonso during His amazing racing career, mostly cold…

 

Although I thought it was great when Mclaren’s Zakery’ Brown and Alonso decided to skip the 2017 Monaco GP in favour of a “One-off” Indianapolis 500 entry with Andretti Autosport. As the Fernando mania was great for IndyCar! And Alonso was very impressive, before His Honda lump’ went Kuhblamoe with 21-laps remaining!

 

Yet it was even sweeter when What’s His Name, Err Kyle Kiser had the audacity to Bump Alonso from the field for the 2019 Indy 500 in the Minnowesqe Juncos Racing entry!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2019/05/indy-500-dragonslayers.html

 

As Alonso’s reputation for Mwah was forever tarnished during Renault’s Crash Gate, when teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed in order to trigger a Safety car deployment! Allowing Alonso to ultimately win the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

 

While I’ll admit I had to look it up to see if I remembered correctly that He was also involved in Espionage Gate? Better known as Stepney Gate,when in 2007, McLaren was fined a record $100 million for Nigel Stepney trying to bring Ferrari Intellectual Property to Woking. Whilst Renault got off with a knuckle wrap for its IP improprieties…

 

Alonso’s also had a knack of wearing out His welcome, with His three year McLaren contract mutually ended after one season. Or leaving Ferrari early, along with also departing McLaren early a second time, after His interest waned at the underperforming F1 outfit.

 

Alonso has also spent time in Sports Cars, both in IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC) Having won the 2019 Rolex 24 driving for Wayne Taylor Racing. Along with the 24 Heurs du Mans back-to-back with Toyota between 2018-19. And winning the 2018-19 WEC Le Mans Prototypes (LMP) title with co-drivers Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima.

 

As Alonso claimed the mantle for most Grands Prix starts when overtaking Kimi Raikkonen in 2022. For which the Finn had surplanted Rubens Barrichello, the first driver to make more than 300 Starts. While Alonso could conceivably become the first to a staggering 450! But Aston Martin would have to extend His contract even further…

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/10/f1-alonso-moves-into-p1.html 

F1: Farcical Qatar Grand Prix

No Uncle Bernaughty’, Max isn’t the Greatest! And why should I believe anything you say after your latest Tax Cheating scandal! For which I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Ol Martin Billybob’ Brundle give Yuhs the Mickey during His Sao Paulo Grid Walk…

 

Yeah, I know I’m late to thee party once again, but simply haven’t been able to Back-time posting this. And it still seems relevant since we’re off to another Desert, albeit I Don’t expect the same Heat issues in Nevada…

 

Thanks to Qatar being a night race, although it didn’t help much temperature wise! Which I’ll get to shortly. I was able to “watch”, Err listen to Qualie’, the Sprint race and the Grand Prix in their entirety here upon Ye West Coast, with action beginning at 9:55AM Pacific.

 

Although it’s always strange holding qualifying on a Friday, which once again MaxiMillions’ (Max Verstappen) claimed His tenth Pole position of the season, Yawn!

 

Although the Podium interviews was the funniest part of the whole weekend for Mwah! While the female “moderator” was interviewing then third place Oscar Piastri. She said mid sentence; we’ve just been told you’ve been demoted to sixth place for exceeding track linits, but it’s been lovely interviewing you…

 

Saturday’s Sprint race was enjoyable simply because the driver I’m becoming most intrigued upon, ergo rookie Aussie’ Oscar Piastri won.

 

Whilst I think it’s fitting that Verstappen won His third title during a Sprint race that was carried on ESPNews, Crickets?

 

But as everybody knows and probably remembers, it was the race circuit itself, along with the brutally Hot weather that garnered All of the Attenzinoe!

 

Being a brand new racing surface, the first time the fresh Ash-fault’ had been raced upon, along with the extreme temperatures, naturally the oil rose to the surface. As I thought I even heard Verstappen saying the track had Mucho “Slippery Liquids” upon it! As where are Yuhs Uncle Bobby? With Maximilian saing it made them look silly! Making me wonder if this was a contributor to the countless track limits violations?

 

While the pyramid shaped kerbs were worrying to Pirelli, with track limits being altered by simply painting them, along with Pirelli mandating a three stop race and a maximum of 18-laps on any tyre compound.

 

All of which made me immediately think of Michelin Gate! Y’all know that farcical 2005 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Remember that Y’all?

 

And although overall this was handled much better. According to F1 Grizzled Journo’ Joe Saward, Pirelli had warned the FIA of these exact issues back in January.

 

With the maximum 18-lap strategy requiring drivers to go flat out and run Qualie’ laps every lap! Along with temperatures exceeding 50 Celcius in the cockpit = more than 122 degrees Fahrenheit with the race lasting One Hour and 28 minutes! It’s simply amazing we didn’t have any serious racing accidents due to the drivers physical conditions whilst roasting in this sauna for nearly ninety minutes!

 

Obviously you’ve heard or read about Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon and both Williams drivers Heat related issues. Whilst I thought I heard Fernando Alonso asking for a bucket of cold water to be poured upon Him during His pit stop being denied over His In-car radio. Since I recall Sky Sports F1 lead presenter Kroftie’, aka David Kroft musing about the Ice Bucket challenge…

 

While Fernando’s Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll gets some sort of award for worst behaved F1 driver of the weekend! Beginning on Friday when forcibly shoving His trainer out of His way when being instructed for the mandatory F1 driver weighing, after Lance had failed to advance out of Q1’.

 

Then Lance was one of two F1 drivers helped into an ambulance following the race. Wit the Kuhnuck’ later stating that He’d been drifting in and out of consciousness during the race due to His blood pressure dropping due to the extreme Heat!

 

With the FIA investigating Stroll for breech of driver “Etiquette” at Qatar, and it’ll be interesting to see if anything comes of this?

 

Naturally, Stroll got off with a Slap upon His Hand after apologizing to the FIA, and was simply given a reprimand…

 

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon revealed following the race that He’d vomited inside His Helmet twice during the race due to the excessive Heat!

 

While the Williams duo of Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant suffered the worst! As Albon also needed to be assisted to an ambulance immediately following the race before being treated for excessive Heat exposure! While Sargeant retired during the race while suffering from Dehydration due partially to having fought Flu-like symptoms during the Grand Prix weekend.

 

And Mercedes George Russell was spotted driving down the straights? With His Hands off of His steering wheel while trying to fan any shread of air to cool His body! And the list goes on and on. As Verstappen even joked about anybody needing a wheelchair? While Piastri laid on the Green rooms floor with McLaren teammate Lando Norris all waiting to go back out into the Heat for the podium celebrations…

 

As Norris, Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc All said that the race had hit the threshold for Heat and something needed to be done to ensure this not happening again!

 

Whilst many F1 Fans have called for Qatar to be scrapped. But we All know that Ain’t gona happen! Especially if the rumours of Liberty Media receiving $45 million per year for it’s ten years contract!

 

Since Liberty Media seems to agree with the former F1 Supremo Bernie Eccelstone about How the show must go On!

 

Oh Yeah, almost forgot. Max Verstappen won His third F1 World Championship in-a-row, Yawn! As can you say rinse, lather, repeat for the next two years? Thanks to engine development being “Frozen” for Red Bull’s benefit until the new E-E-E-lectricfied’ Power Units are introduced in 2026, Boring! 

F1: Vettel Out, Alonso In and Sargeant at Austin

As perhaps Formula 1 thought IndyCar was making too much Noise?

 

Certainly Y’all have heard that ‘lil Syd Viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel announced His retirement from Formula 1 at the end of this season prior to last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

 

And while many in the media speculated over who’d fill Vettel’s Aston Martin seat next year. With rumours of Mick Schumacher being on Pole, along with the embattled DannyRic’, aka Daniel Ricciardo. In the mix. Somewhat surprising news came Monday that thee GURREAT’ Fredrico Suave’, nee Fernando Alonso moved quickly and will fill Vettel’s seat on a multi-year contract.

 

Alonso’s move solves Alpine’s Dilemma over what to do with it’s Budding talent Oscar Piastri, who’s been waiting in the wings for a Formula 1 seat of His own, and surely Alpine will shortly announce the young Aussie’ as Alonso’s replacement for next year.

 

Meanwhile, Team Willy’ will Jumped the Shark by announcing that Williams Academy Driver and current FIA Formula 2 Frontrunner Logan Sargeant will make His F1 Debut at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) in Austin during the (Free Practice) FP1 session at the upcoming U.S. Grand Prix.

 

So take that Zackery Brown! But I’d Arse-sume we’ll be seeing two aspiring Yanks’ running FP1 at COTA, where I’d expect Colton Herta to be piloting one of the McLaren’s… 

2021 F1 Teams Preview: Three Squads that begin with the letter A!

But which of these three F1 Teams will come out on top? And which one Doesn’t look like the Other?

 

Aston Martin

Aston Martin Cognizan F1 Team

(2020 Rank: 4^th, 195 Points)

Chassis:  AMR21

Engine: Mercedes Benz 

#5 Sebastian Vettel, Germany

#18 Lance Stroll, Canada

 

What can I say about the rebranded Racing Point operation that possibly had the glitziest F1 Car launch? Like I mean some Super Duper Bowl NFL Stud named tom Brady was Thar, presumably only Outshone by Daniel Craig, Err 007’s James Bond!

 

As the newly coifed Aston Martin F1 concern will proudly don British Racing Green for it’s paint scheme and continue the refinement of it’s Mercedes look-alike chassi forlornly known as the “Pink Mercedes,” albeit sporting the aforementioned green paint scheme.

 

As the refined RP20 chassis now hevily leans upon last year’s Mercedes W11 design, most notably it’s rear flanks which incorporates the Mercedes W11 rear suspension bits and whatever else of last year’s Homologated components where allowable.

 

As like Aston Martin, the other three customer teams Alfa Romeo, Haas and Scuderia AlphaTauri are all allowed to utilize said FIA Homologated parts this season from their respective Big Brother entities before 2022 chassis Rules come into effect nullifying this practice.

 

But the AMR21 also has it’s own design elements since not every bit of the world Beater Mercedes W11 is allowable, as Aston Martin and I’d Arse-sume’ the others to some extent will have to come up with it’s own solution for the new floor, rear diffuser, etc.

 

And as we already know, on the Driver front, the much maligned ‘lil Syd Viddle, aka Sebastian Vettel has swaped his  rosso overalls for a green Firesuit this season, in hopes of somewhat resurrecting his F1 career, which went terribly Pear-shaped at la Scuderia last year.

 

But like I’ve heard countless times before, Y’all Don’t think Vettel’s forgotten how to Drive, Eh? Since once a Four-times F1 World Champion, Always a Four-times World Champion! And can Lance Stroll outperform his new team-mate? Although I’ve got zero Clue if the team can lift itself further up the grid this season?

 

 Alpine

Alpine F1 Team

(2020 Rank: 5^th, 181 Points)

Chassis:  A521

Engine: Renault

#14 Fernando Alonso, Spain

#31 Esteban Ocon, France

 

As the only true Werks’ effort of this trio, you’d have expected le Reggie’, Err Renault to have come out on top. Yet for 2021, Renault has rebranded itself as Alpine, in marketing parlance to it’s Sports Car brand, albeit it’s still exactly the same outfit long based at Enstone, albeit under somewhat new management. As I’ve previously scribbled ‘bout Cyril Abiteboul being replaced by Davide Brivio as Team Principal.

 

Like everyone else, the chassis has been updated from last year’s RS20 and notably sports a new livery of red, white and blue in honour of the French Flag and it’s new brand.

 

Yet I’d say the biggest news is the arrival of Fredrico Suave, aka Fernando Alonso and is surgically repaired Jaw! As the Double F1 World Champion will contest the entire season with two titanium plates affixed to his upper Jaw before having them removed at season’s end.

 

As it’ll be interesting to see if Esteban Ocon can push his new team-mate? Although I’m pretty sure that DannyRic’, nee Daniel Ricciardo had the upper hand against Ocon last year.

 

AlphaTauri

Scuderia AlphaTauri-Honda

 (2020 Rank: 7^th, 107 Points)

Chassis:  AT02

Engine: Honda

#10 Pierre Gasley, France

#22 (R) Yuki Tsunoda, Japan

(R = Rookie)

 

Like the newly minted “Green Mercedes” above, Toro Rosso, Uhm AlphaTauri will be able to benefit from last year’s race winning Red Bull RB16 chassis bits.

 

As much Noise has been made about Japanese F1 Rookie Yuki Tsunoda winding up P2 on the Time Sheets of Bahrain’s final day of testing. Although I’ve since read about Lando Norris tongue in cheek Quip about the young Japanese charger opening up his DRS before reaching the DRS zone to possibly aid in Tsunoda’s super quick lap time? Which I believe was set upon Pirelli’s C5 tyre compound, the softest of the range.

 

And although the Hondre’ runners as Leigh Diffey would say look strong, this was the obligatory F1 “Winter Olympics” and we’ll not really know until the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

 

Tsunoda finished third overall in last year’s Formula 2 Championship for Carlin, taking three wins, four Poles and seven podiums en route to series top rookie finisher. With the 20yr old Japanese driver replacing Rooskie’ Daniil Kvyat, who’s become Alpine’s Reserve Driver this season. Whilst I’m guessing Pierre Gasley will be hard pressed to win his second Grand Prix victory this season… 

F1: New Aston Martin Factory On Hold

Although it makes total sense, especially logistically and Fiscally...

Ran across a 'lil Blurb 'bout Racing Point F1's plans to put it's intended Brand New Factory on Pause for another year, in lieu of its buildup to becoming the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021.

Like everybody affected by the Dreaded COVID 19 Pandemic Shutting Down All aspects 'O Life! Naturally commencing Construction upon the planned Formula 1 facility, the Corona Virus threw a Spanner into the Team's plans, and now will defer the project a further year's time, in order to hopefully be able to move into the new premises during the traditional F1 Summer Holiday Break of August 2022.

Yet Racing Point will still transition to becoming Aston Martin F1 beginning in 2021 and will simply have to work out of its currently cramped Silverstone facility which began life as 'Ol EJ's, nee Eddie Jordan's Jordan Grand Prix factory Wayback' in the early 1990's instead...

Aston Martin F1 Factory Delayed One Year

Meanwhile, F1 Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward is floating an interesting piece 'O Speculation regarding departing Mercedes HPP Boss Andy Cowell and why it makes sense for him to join Aston Martin...

Cowell to Aston Martin makes sense if He wants to Stay in Formula 1