New stricter IndyCar licensing rules throw Spanner into the Works

Not taking into consideration mechanical maladies jeopardizing Drivers careers…

 

 

Just when we thought we knew where everyone was going in IndyCar for 2027, the series introduced its strictest ever rules criteria for graduating to IndyCar on September 3rd.

 

IndyCar sets new driver licensing criteria for 2027

 

A quick perusal of these new guidelines for Indy NXT driver advancement allow for only the top three finishers or drivers having won two or more races in the past 24 months the ability to graduate to the Big Boyz’ series.

 

This regulation change directly affects Portland, Oregon’s Josh Pierson’s plans to graduate to IndyCar as the new chauffeur of the No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises entry next year, regardless of his reported $25m Dowery…

 

Pierson, in His fourth Indy NXT season driving for Andretti Global, ultimately came up just short of making the cut anyways at Laguna Seca.

 

Pierson has won races in the Asian Le Mans Series and FIA World Endurance Championship.

 

His first Indy NXT season with HMD Motorsports saw Him miss five races due to His FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMP2 commitments, driving for United Autosport. Winning that year’s 6 Hours of Portugal LMP2 category with co-drivers Oliver Jarvis and Giedo van der Garde.

 

Pierson spent three years at HMD Motorsports, with a best overall finish of sixth last year; scoring His first two series podiums at Laguna Seca. Third in Race-1, and second in Race-2.

 

Pierson scored His maiden Indy NXT pole at Milwaukee, and led the first 54-laps before it all unraveled in turn 2. Spinning into the wall while being hounded by eventual race winner Max Garcia.

 

A week later, Pierson made a clean sweep of Race-1 at Laguna Seca. Leading wire-to-wire from pole, along with setting the fastest lap enroute to His maiden Indy NXT win.

 

Starting second in Race-2, ironically Josh was punted by the hapless Garcia! Even though initially IndyCar Radio driver analyst Davey Hamilton thought Garcia had just lost His mind and rammed Pierson! Receiving a Drive-true penalty for avoidable contact. Before later, Pierson told pit reporter Alex Wolff that the car had bogged down upshifting from fourth to fifth gear. Causing Pierson to have to lift off, leaving Garcia with nowhere to go…

 

Thus, in what I’m dubbing the Josh Pierson Rule. Is it fair that Pierson won’t be able to graduate to IndyCar in 2027 due to a mechanical malady? Or for making one tiny mistake on an Oval? As how many IndyCar drivers have crashed into Mother Speedway’s walls during the Indianapolis 500?

 

I understand IndyCar’s desire for having talented drivers over the nebulous “Pay Drivers” finding their way into the series in years past.

 

But I think a more measured approach would have been to emulate the FIA Super License points system instead. Where former IndyCar driver Colton Herta with second (2024) and seventh place finishes (2025) only needs to finish eighth to secure the necessary Super Licence points to graduate to Formula 1.

 

While I’m left uncertain if the two or more wins over 24 months is just for Indy NXT competitors, or anybody, including Formula 2 drivers wishing to come Stateside instead…

 

Certainly, IndyCar wouldn’t deny a FIA Formula 2 Champion unable to find a seat in Formula 1 the opportunity to race in their series, would they?

 

Or haw about reigning five-times IndyCar Champion Alex Palou, winner of 25 IndyCar races to date.

 

Although Palou won three races in the Japanese Formula 3 series and finished third overall in 2017. By today’s standards He wouldn’t have been eligible to compete in IndyCar!

 

Having won from Pole at Fuji Speedway in Japan’s Super formula in 2019. On pole for the final round at Suzuka, Palou looked to be the favourite to win. Yet a problem with a ventilation duct slowed His car and the Spaniard finished P19, dropping to third in the final championship standings before coming Stateside to race for Dale Coyne Racing in 2020. Having amassed only one Super formula win, would IndyCar have said Palou was eligible to drive after the obligatory evaluation test?

 

Not to mention thee Great Santini’, ergo Santino Ferrucci, Eh? Who most definitely wouldn’t meet today’s stricter eligibility guidelines!

 

Ferrucci made His Formula 2 debut in 2017 with a best finish of ninth driving for Trident. Then in 2018 He was banned for four races after intentionally crashing into teammate Arjun Maini at Silverstone. Fined $60,000 Euros and ultimately fired by Trident!

 

Before the Woodberry, Connecticut native made His IndyCar debut for Dale Coyne Racing at Detroit in 2018, and the rest as they say, is history…

 

Marshall Pruett points out how its G-R-r-REAT! That IndyCar wants to improve the talent quality of its drivers. But should they be doing that at the expense of cash strapped teams? Especially when they’ll need to come up with $6-8 million for new Dallara IR28 chassis in 2028!

 

Whilst For the Love of Indy’s r. Hando goes into even greater detail over how Indy NXT might not be the greatest “Feeder series” leading to IndyCar…

 

IndyCar’s Talent Evaluation: Be Careful of What You Wish for 

F1: Sainz Fined for last minute Bathroom run in Japan

As What can Brown do for You?

 

In another sign of just how out-of-touch Formula 1 is, I’m certain you’ve heard about Williams Racing Carlos Sainz Jr. Bathroom Fine of EU $10,000; approx. $11,340 USD for being a skosh’ late to the Japanese national anthem at Suzuka.

 

Even though an accredited Doctor confirmed that Sainz had had a stomach issue and He’d given the Spaniard medicine to rectify it, the FIA Fined Sainz anyways. Apparently expecting the driver to have an accident in His Firesuit instead!

 

As Sainz freely admitted He was five seconds late to the start of the national anthem, for which I’d say that Carlos wasn’t showing any disrespect to Japan at all. Just trying to deal with an honest medical issue beforehand.

 

Sainz, who was rightly peeved over the ridiculous fine mentioned in the Thursday press conference in Bahrain Shit Happens! Saying He hoped He wouldn’t be fined for saying such an offensive word…

 

As all I can say is “What Can Brown do For You?”

 

Seriously, the FIA is going out of its way with Draconion penalties for swearing or going to the bathroom before a race?

 

As I’m really trying very hard to not scribble about a driver being humiliated by having to stand for the national anthem with soiled shorts! Err FIA approved fireproof Nomex boxers, Oh Never Mind!

 

As this is ridiculous! And when will the FIA start treating the drivers like the Adults they are? And not fining them for going to the Potty’ or saying that provocative word S-H-I-T! 

The 2024 Formula 1 Golden Tailpipe Awards edition, Positions 6-10

And Max takes it by a Nose. Somebody give me a Cheeseburger!

 

Time for another mesmerizing No Fenders zany Awards story. Especially since I haven’t done one of these in some 24 months. But with All of the Sir Lewis mania sweeping Italy right now…

 

CATEGORIES 6-10

6. Most Impressive Driver of The Year

Winner: Nico Hulkenberg

Suppose what stands out to me about thee Incredible Hulk’, nee Nico Hulkenberg was His ability to wring the neck out of His Haas VF-24 consistently, and always sniffing round the top ten during qualifying and race finishes.

 

As Nico finished a very respectable 11th in the Drivers standings, scoring 41 of Haas’s tally of 58 points!

 

Hulkenberg had either nine or ten Top 10 finishes, since I cannot tell if He retired or finished seventh in one round? With a best being a pair of sixth place finishes in the Austrian and British Grands Prix.

 

7. Most Improved Driver of the Year

Winner: Yuki Tsunoda

The Japanese driver scored the bulk of Racing Bulls 46 points. Claiming 30 points enroute to 12th in the overall standings with Tsnoda’s best being a treble of seventh place finishes. And while Yuki easily outperformed RB teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Ultimately He didn’t do enough to keep Liam Lawson from claiming the coveted, second Red Bull Racing Hot-seat alongside F1 World Champion Max Verstappen.

 

8. Most Disappointing Driver of the Year

Winner: Sergio Perez

What can I scribble about either of these drivers, that hasn’t already been said? As I gave the nod to Checo’ simply due to His being in superior machinery, even if the Red Bull RB20 was a diabolical handful to drive this season.

 

As it was just plain outright sad to see Sergio struggling so mightily! With numerous, self inflicted crashes and spins hastening His exidous from Formula 1…

 

Runner-up: Daniel Ricciardo

Conversly, the same argument cood be made for DannyRic’, aka Daniel ricciardo’s demise from Formula 1. As the affable Aussie’ was trying to do enough to promote Himself into Perez’s seat for 2025. Yet like checo’, Ricciardo also struggled Ah-Mighty’ at the team F1 Sherpa Claudio coined as the little bulls, aka Racing Bulls or RB. Since I detest that Visa Cash App nomenclature!

 

Yet DannyRic’ simply failed to live up to His promise. Being dropped in somewhat bizarre circumstances. After setting the Fastest lap at Singapore, before simply being replaced by young turk’ Liam Lawson. Whom ironically gave the man He ultimately replaces the No. 1 salute during Checo’s Home race!

 

9. Personality of Year

Winner: Max Verstappen

As the now Four-times consecutive F1 World Champion garnered another new nickname from Mwah this season. Calling Him Max Blunderhead’, in regards to His fiendish Dick Dastardly driving antics at Mexico City! To the sublime drive in the rain at Sao Paolo. Whilst Maximum Hothead’s never at a loss for words!

 

From threatening to put Bosom Buddy George Russell on His F-KING’, careful Max! Yuhs know how swearing’s not allowed by the FIA, Tisk-Tisk!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/09/f1-max-tells-fia-to-bugger-off.html

 

To the brilliant one-liner about if His Mum had Balls She’d be His Dad…

 

10. Rookie of The Year

Winner: Oliver Bearman

Yeah, I know most would say it should be Williams Franco Colapinto, since the Argentinian driver was also sensational. Yet for Mwah, Oliver Bearman’s performance at Jeddah electrified me! Especially with the then 18yr old’s sudden, unexpected call-up to deputize for Carlos Sainz in the Saudia Arabian Grand Prix.

 

As Sainz needed to have an emergency Appendectomy, with Bearman replacing Him just hours before qualifying. With the British rookie qualifying P11 and finishing a fine seventh place, which was All I cared about during the race! With Bearman becoming Ferrari’s youngest ever driver.

 

Bearman than substituted for Kevin Magnussen at Haas a further two races. The first being at Azerbaijan, after the Dane’ had to serve a one race ban. With Bearman finishing tenth, becoming the first driver in Formula 1 history to score points for two different teams in back-to-back races…

 

Oliver raced again for a sick Magnussen at Sao Paolo, but struggled in the wet conditions. Including ironically, netting a ten second penalty for a collision with Colapinto. Ultimately finishing P12.

 

As Bearman will now make His full season debut for Haas, while Colapinto’s currently Alpine’s test and reserve driver… 

F1: Max tells the FIA to Bugger Off!

Oh Max, you’ve been a Naughty boy, Again!

 

Originally I wasn’t planning to scribble anything about this, especially since it gives Formula 1 more Attenzione! Since in the grand scheme of things, I find it overly banal…

 

Although I have never been a Fan of Max Verstappen, who I initially nicknamed Maximus Hothead! I have always enjoyed His straightforwardness, and pulling no punches when giving His opinion.

 

Unless you’ve been hiding under a Fucking Rock, now Tomaso Shame-shame-Shame! Then Y’all know about Verstappen having been censured over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend for telling reporters His Red bull chassis was FUCKED! During the Thursday press conference.

 

This followed on the heels of the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem having asked the FOM, (Formula One Management) the commercial rights holders of Formula 1 to crack down upon the F1 drivers use of profanity, specifically the F-word. Primarily over In-car radio transmissions. And that the F1 drivers weren’t Wrappers and shouldn’t act like them.

 

Naturally this immediately provoked sir Lewis Hamilton to rightly point out that Ben Sulayem was using a racial stereotype! As Hamilton and Ben Sulayem aren’t on the best of terms. Most notably dating back to Jewelry Gate. Not to mention skipping the 2021 FIA Awards Banquet following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Which I don’t think either Toto Wolff or Hamiton were “sanctioned” over…

 

Whilst my most cherished memory of Formula 1 drivers pointing out the absurdity of B.S’s, Hmm, irony or pun intended? Ben Sulayem’s insignificant actions is ‘lil syd viddle’, aka four-times F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel wearing His boxers on the outside of His Firesuit during (underwear) Undie Gate!

 

Racer’s Chris Medland points out the double standard of the FIA’s action when noting that both Ferrari and Mercedes Team bosses Frederic Vasseur and Toto Wolff dropped the F-Bomb in FIA press conferences during the Las Vegas GP last November. Both were only giving a warning for use of foul language. Yet Max wasn’t given a warning and instead immediately sanctions!

 

Meanwhile, Alexander Wurz, the president of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) is even more succinct. Pragmatically noting how many lifelong Community service sentences should former Haas F1 Team Boss Herr Gunther’, aka Gunther Steiner serve for His profanity laden tirades on the hugely successful Real Housewives of F1, Err Netflix Drive to survive series? For which He was quickly idolized for

 

As sorry Ben Sulayem! You cannot have your cake and eat it too! Since the sport’s popularity is riding high upon the use of colourful language! And the spicier the better, being what many of us tune in for…

 

All of which makes me think of Racer’s Marshall Pruett’s comments about Will Power and how He rues the day He leaves IndyCar. Noting the lack of Driver personalities who aren’t Robots! And actually have unique, enjoyable, authentic and genuine personalities. And most importantly aren’t afraid to speak their minds, or show their feelings!

 

Since one of Will Power’s most famous exploits was being fined $30,000 for (rightly) being caught on live TV giving race control the Double Bird! For throwing the Green Flag moments before a massive Downpour erupted at Loudon, New Hampshire’s Oval track, resulting in a crash! And then chief steward Brian Barnhart subsequently apologizing for going green…

 

While I didn’t catch what naughty word Lando Norris said in the “Green” Cooldown room before the podium celebrations at the Singapore GP. But did hear Kroftie’, aka David Kroft – Sky Sports F1 Presenter apologizing for the use of “Salty” language. But wouldn’t Yuhs know it. Norris has failed to be censured or given a day’s worth of Community service for His transgression, and “So it Goes”…

 

And this doesn’t even include the Andretti Global 11th Formula 1 team fiasco! For which reputedly the FIA is now quietly paying monetary damages to Hitech for it’s failed formula 1 Constructor application. Hmm, could this be part of an elabourate Smoke Screen at Max’s expense?

 

Or is it simply another case of Mohammed just wanting to see His name in the media, which reportedly He’s keen of doing, no matter what for.

 

As is this really what you want your legacy as FIA President to be remembered for, Mohammed Ben Sulayem?