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! 

LE MANS: Six pack of Aspiring Debutantes

Seeking to rebuild or advance their motorsports careers, who’ll find the mythical glass slipper?

 

This year, I became intrigued in the outcomes of six prominent drivers. Two being former Formula 1 pilotes, and four being sons of former F1 drivers who won Grands Prix.

 

And although it took much sleuthing, I vicariously deduced that all six Debutantes  are “coming Out” at this year’s Circuit de la Sarthe “Ball”.

 

Jack Doohan

DOB: January 20, 2003, Age: 23

Formula 1: Alpine, 2024-2025; 7 Starts. Haas, 2026

LMP2: #24 Nielsen Racing, Oreca 07/Gibson V-8

The son of Mick Doohan, five times GP500 World Champion, with 54 wins, and currently ranked fourth overall. Prior to graduating to Formula 1. Jack’s In His second and final full season in formula 2 finished third overall. With two poles, three wins, five podiums and two fastest laps.

 

Jack became the first Alpine Academy member to graduate to Formula 1, making His debut at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024 as the departing Esteban Ocon’s replacement.

 

Yet the Aussie’ garnered only a cuppa’ coffee in F1, being unfairly dropped in favour of Franco Colapinto after the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. Remaining as Alpine’s reserve driver through season’s end, before cutting ties with Alpine and becoming Haas’s reserve driver this season.

 

Doohan tested a Super Formula car, but three identical crashes at Suzuka’s tricky Degner 2 corner ultimately led to signing to contest this year’s European le Mans Series (ELMS) for Nielsen Racing in the top tier LMP2 category. Doohan’s co-drivers were David Heinemeier Hansen and Edward Pearson

 

Enzo Trulli

DOB: April 15, 2005, Age: 21

FIA formula 3, 2023; Super Formula Lites, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

LMP2: #25 Algarve Pro Racing, Oreca 07/Gibson V-8

The son of Trulli Scrumptious’, aka Jarno Trulli, winner of the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix for le Reggie’, aka Renault. Seemingly has had the most mediocre career of sorts, albeit that’s easy for me to say, eh?

 

As Enzo was selected as Porsche Motorsports Asia pacific selected driver in 2025, succeeding Dorian Boccolacci.

 

Trulli began His single seater career by winning the 2021 Formula 4 UAE Championship with four wins and thirteen podiums. Then finished seventh in that year’s Euro Formula Open championship.

 

As second Euro Formula Open campaign saw Enzo win once, but finished tenth overall. Progressing next to FIA Formula 3 for 2023, Trulli finished an unflattering P34, with two 17th place finishes His best results.

 

Enzo then switched to Super Formula Lites where He won twice enroute to fifth overall. Followed by a partial FR Japanese Championship season, scoring a trio of podium finishes at Motegi, ending up tenth overall.

 

Unable to find a seat in Super formula, Trulli contested the Italian GP Championship for 2024. Then moved to the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series last year.

 

Trulli also competed at season’s end in the Asia Le Mans Series (ALMS) with current team Algarve Pro Racing. Plus two rounds of the 24H series for Earl Bamber Racing, and now is concentrating upon this year’s European Le Mans Series. )ELMS)

 

Driving the team’s No. 20 LMP2 Pro Am (PA) entry with co-drivers Malthe Jakobsen and Michael Jensen.

 

Enzo will make His first Le Mans start for Algarve Pro Racing in the LMP2 Pro Am class with co-drivers Michael Jensen and Jake Hughes aboard it’s No. 25 entry.

 

Logan Sargeant

DOB: December 31, 2000, Age: 25

Formula 1: Williams, 2023-2024; 36 Starts, 1 point

LMGT3: #88 Proton Competition, Ford Mustang GT3 Evo

After winning two races in Formula 2 and securing the necessary FIA Super Licence, Logan was announced as a Williams Racing Formula 1 driver for the 2023 F1 season. With the Williams Driver Academy member making His Formula 1 Free Practice debut appropriately at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) in October, 2022.

 

Sargeant went onto score a single point as a rookie after being elevated to tenth place ironically at the United States Grand Prix, in Auston. Becoming the first American to score a championship point since Michael Andretti at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix.

 

Sargeant was dropped by Team Willy’ following the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, in favour of Franco Colapinto. Having already been dismissed for the 2025 F1 season with the arrival of Carlos Sainz Jr.

 

Logan appeared set to drive for IDEC Sport LMP2 in the ELMS in 2025, before backing out of the team. Later running the final two IMSA Sports Car rounds for PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.

 

Logan contested this year’s Rolex 24 driving for Era Motorsport in LMP2, also being confirmed as one of Ford’s initial three drivers for it’s 2027 (LMDH) Hypercar programme. Along with racing this year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Proton Competition.

 

Logan will campaign the No. 88 Darkhorse Mustang with co-drivers Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato. Making his “proper” Le Mans debut in preparations for next year’s Hypercar effort. 

A Beautiful Sports moment

When the goodness of Mankind sparkles…

 

Today being May Day, which forever will conjure up images of Ayrton Senna, Roland Ratzenberger and Black Sunday…

 

F1: Remembering Roland Ratzenberger - 25 Years later

 

May Day also signifies the beginning of summer, International Worker’s Day or Labour Day, not to mention that ominous distress signal…

 

Being a day to recognize our “Tired, Poor, Huddled” Brothers and Sisters who toil relentlessly doing the jobs nobody wishes to do.

 

As I was truly moved by this demonstration of Brotherly Love! As perhaps you’ve heard of the two selfless runners in this year’s Boston Marathon?

 

Having only used the word Mankind since the story involves three male runners, with American Ajay Haridasse had fallen for the fourth time at the 26-mile mark.

 

As the 21 year old Massachusetts University student was gathering strength to crawl on hands and knees the final two-tenths mile distance. Aaron Beggs, a 40 year old Northern Ireland runner stopped on His left side and pulled Haridasse to His feet. Then when Ajay stumbled again, a second runner, Robson De Oliveira, a 36 year old Brazilian caught Him from behind! 

 

Beggs and De Oliveira then put Haridasse arms upon each of their shoulders, and the trio triumphantly ran the remaining distance and crossed the finish line together!

 

When Two is Better than One: Pair of Boston Marathon runners help struggling Runner

 

Making me wounder out loud rhetorically, why can’t our Government show the same compassion and Humanity to the rest of the world? 

Aston Martin: Britain’s Great Pretenders?

As what’s that overused cliché about the perfect Storm?

 

Thursday’s press conference preceding the Australian Grand Prix saw Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey dropping the “Bombshell” over both His drivers fearing permanent nerve damage to their hands/fingers due to the unrelenting vibrations the Honda Power Units (PU) were experiencing.

 

As Newey claimed star driver Fernando Alonso thought 25 consecutive  laps was His limit, with Lance Stroll saying He could only do 15 laps.

 

As Alonso said when driving this year’s AMR26 chassis, His legs and hands feel numb, which obviously isn’t a normal sensation drivers are accustomed to!

 

Although Alonso contradicted Newey by saying He could race for three hours is necessary. While Lance Stroll described the vibration like sitting in an Electric Chair…

 

What I fail to comprehend is how could Honda worked itself into the position a second time in Formula 1? Since I think we all remember Alonso’s famous quote about the previous Honda PU being slower than a GP2 car! And making “friends” with Honda eternally…

 

Although some claim this is political theatre, certainly Newey publicly stating He hadn’t had time to discuss this with Honda Racing Corporation’s (HRC) boss Koji Watanabe cannot go over well with the Japanese hierarchy, Righto?

 

Then on Friday, Alonso failed to run at all if the first practice, with Lance Stroll only doing three laps. With Newey admitting they were short on battery units.

 

As two of the units were swiftly out of commission, leaving just the two units in the cars for the remainder of the weekend. Although one unit was repaired, leaving them with a single back-up unit for the Chinese Grand Prix. With teams limited to four battery “packs” for a season, before presumably incurring grid penalties. In the name of cost control, Cough-cough!

 

Yet its a sad state of affairs, when Aston’s Mike Krack, the former Team Principal pronounces Frederico Suave (Alonso) finishing the team’s first Grand Prix at Suzuka P18 as a major accomplishment, Huh?

 

Whilst Stroll retired with a suspected water pressure issue for the Internal Combustion Engine. (ICE) Which I cannot help but wonder if that was caused by more harmonic vibrations?

 

According to Adrian Newey, it came as quite a surprise to Him, major domo Lawerence Stroll and Andy Cowell Some four months prior to Melbourne when visiting Japan. That Honda had lost a lot of their experienced staff after announcing the withdrawal from Formula 1 in 2021. Before making a “U-turn” during 2022, being behind their F1 rivals ever since…

 

It seemed quite odd that Newey was elevated to the Team Principal role at the time, which I just Arse-sumed was the team firmly telling Newey’s former boss Chris Horner, the ex-Pied Piper of Red Bull that He wasn’t welcomed at Aston!

 

But it just didn’t make any sense to me, since Newey was signed on a $25 million per year contract to sprinkle His design “Genius” upon Aston Martin’s chassis. In conjunction with Honda Werks’ engines, Err Power Units and Presto Chango, instant “World Beaters”, Tuh-duh!

 

Yet for Mwah, Aston Martin has some sort of systemic problem at its core. And team owner Lawrence stroll’s idea of simply throwing money around will solve everything doesn’t seem to be working.

 

Not sure how many millions have been spent upon the new state-of-art factory premises, err F1 campus at Silverstone. Or the top flight wind tunnel coming online, et al.

 

It just seems that the constant turnover of staffing speaks volumes.

 

As Mike Krack replaced outgoing Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, who left Aston Martin at the end of 2021. Being part of the “Old Guard”, i.e.; Force India, thru Stroll’s takeover as Racing Point and then becoming today’s Aston Martin F1 Team.

 

Krack became Chief Trackside Officer at the beginning of last year, when then Group CEO Andy Cowell took over His position. Before Newey’s elevation to Team Principal; Cowell was announced as the new Chief Strategy Officer last November, to coordinate the integration of the Honda PU into the Aston Martin AMR-26 chassis.

 

Which makes sense now, after that November meeting in Japan.

 

As Cowell had originally replaced Martin Whitmarsh when joining Aston Martin from Mercedes, with scuttlebutt suggesting Cowell will leave Aston shortly. And so it goes…

 

Since we’re all eagerly awaiting the introduction of Jonathan Wheatley, former Sauber/Audi Team Principal, becoming Aston Martin’s newest Team Principal. Probably after the summer break while on Gardening leave currently.

 

Meanwhile, Simulator Jockey Daniel Juncadella claims He didn’t see any of Honda’s problems coming during His simulator work, while I still don’t quite grasp the need, or what Pedro de la Rosa’s role as Global F1 Ambassador is?

 

Aston Martin Global F1 Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa talks racing and resilience

 

Thus, this ever revolving door makes it reasonable that El Supremo Engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has just been confirmed going to McLaren when His current Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2027, albeit does Red Bull really want Him sticking round after the end of this season?

 

As the exodus of “Rats” is now in high gear at Milton Keynes, with Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s championship winning engineer having had offers from McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams. I’d say He chose to work at the most stable, competitive Formula 1 outfit on the grid, behind Herr Wolff’s mighty Silver arrows, Ja volt!

 

Although I must say I marvel over how Uber’ diplomatic Alonso’s been this go-around, perhaps wishing to continue on past His contract expiring at season’s end. Yet the soon to be 45 year old driver surely is nearing the end of His time in Formula 1, Ci?

 

And Lance Stroll will never deliver anything substantial in F1. Since would He still be in F1 without His billionaire father?

 

Meaning even when Aston Martin and Honda get the kinks worked out. With one rival F1 boss saying they weren’t falling for giving Honda concessions a second time after Red Bull’s latest F1 dynasty…

 

It seems that Aston Martin will still have a major problem without new, capable winning drivers in their cockpits…

 

Whilst lastly, I’ll leave you with the entire trilogy of my epic 75 Years of Honda Racing No Fenders story below. Since I’d like to believe that Honda will once again soar to the top in F1.

 

Honda turns 75 years old 

F1: Super clipping sucking soul out of Sport

As “Battery world Championship” isn’t an encouraging F1 moniker!

 

Why did I think of that ‘Ol Kansas song with the following lyrics, Eh?

 

“Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high”

 

VIDEO: Carry On Wayward Son

 

Max Verstappen

“I found a cheaper solution. I swapped the simulator for my Nintendo Switch and yeah, practicing a bit of Mario Kart, actually.

 

“Finding the mushrooms is going quite well. The blue shell is a bit more difficult, but I'm working on it. The rocket's still not there. It's coming.”

(Source: grandprix.com)

 

Those were the words of Four-times F1 World Champion Max Verstappen during Thursday’s Chinese Grand Prix press conference. When asked if simulator work helped drivers in managing the complex 2026 car’s energy systems.

 

This year’s Formula 1 season finds myself at multiple crossroads. Having religiously “watched”, Err followed Formula 1 for nearly 40 years now, with my debutante F1 race being the 1986 Detroit Grand Prix. And cannot say I’m overly impressed with the latest interpretation of thee “Pinnacle of Motorsports”.

 

Think we’ve all heard Max Blunderhead’s critique of it being Formula E on Steroids, which I tend to agree with. As what’s happened to the late Ayrton Senna’s famous quip “If you no longer go for a Gap that exists, then you’re no longer a racing driver!

 

“As I’m mot here to finish third, fourth or fifth, I drive to win”.

 

VIDEO: Ayrton Senna – If you No longer Go for a Gap

 

And Fernando Alonso’s sarcastic quip about how the (Aston Martin) chef could drive the car. Hell, half the team could drive the car now! Since you no longer need any skill to drive these cars, instead just managing the energy management system…

 

As formula 1 used to be about skill, bravery and bravado of finding the outer limit of driving a car through flat out corners like Spoon and 130R at Suzuka, which have been neutered!

 

Whilst Lando Norris has rightly pointed out how the current F1 chassis has killed the soul of formula 1! With Charles Leclerc lamenting how its all become about consistency over a lap and not being able to drive on the ragged edge anymore…

 

While I’m guessing we’re all learning about what this Super clipping is, eh? Which if I understand correctly, is when today’s F1 chassis is left with no battery power on the straight and depending solely upon the internal combustion engine (ICE) to propel the car forwards. Seeing to a dramatic drop in performance and overall top speed.

 

Although I’ve read that this Super Clipping phenomenon can even occur when the Power Unit is under full power, with the energy management system deciding to “cut-in”.

 

F1 2026 Super Clipping explained

 

Today’s racecars are dependent upon the 50% battery power, and with the subtraction of the MGU-H, (Motor Generator Heat Unit) harvesting exhaust gasses to limit turbo lag. Drivers can only recharge their battery during braking in corners, which leads to a lack of electrical energy on circuits with long straights and little corner braking, which Suzuka used to be.

 

Now am I advocating for the return of those shrieking 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10’s. I said speak up Sonny! What do you mean my hearing Sucks? Huh? Did you say something eh?

 

I’m just left feeling that Formula 1 has gone too far forward with this technical regulation cycle. With two immediate thoughts, Err three springing to mind…

 

Do you all remember that despised Delta wing racecar? Once hailed as the next generation of Indy Cars. As where did the Delta wing go?

 

Along with the Handford device which made overtaking occur Ah-Plenty’ in (CART) IndyCar racing. Perhaps being the original Yo-Yo racing format, Eh?

 

Or how about the ridiculous amount of drivers passing and then being repassed during the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Me Thinks? Or whatever year there was some ridiculous 68 passes for the lead or something to that effect.

 

As I’ve said many times before, I’m not an engineer, nor do I pretend to play one. Or stay at Motel 6 or whatever the tag-line is? Meaning I’ve got zero clue on how to solve this current dilemma…

 

But you only need to look at Oliver Bearman’s nasty crash at Suzuka when encountering Franco Colapinto at a closing speed of 28mph. And indeed, Formula 1 is extremely lucky that Ollie’ walked away from His 50G impact at 191mph with only bruising to His extremities!

 

Since why does the late Gilles Villeneuve crash come to mind?

 

Whilst Lando’s comment about how He repassed Lewis Hamilton at Suzuka even when He didn’t want to, solely due to the battery system kicking in. And then having Hamilton immediately repass Him when His energy store was depleted and Lewis could call “Slingshot On!” Is definitely not real racing!

 

Although Lando sarcastically quipped after the Japanese Grand Prix: “this is the Best racing ever!”

 

Yeah, I understand that IndyCar has its vaunted P2P, ergo Push-to-Pass turbo boost system, going back at least to Champ Car. And Formula 1 previously had DRS. (Drag Reduction System) Both artificial methods to increase overtaking.

 

Its just that I’ve always thought F1 was supposed to be the pioneers of technology that one day would filter down to our road cars. Meaning do we really want everyone saying Slingshot On! Or pushing the turbo boost button on our Freeways and residential streets?

 

And is Formula 1 really all about Megajoules deployment? You make the call…

 

Partial song lyrics from: Kansas’s Carry On Wayward Son; 1976 Leftoverture Album. 

A Weekend of Motorsports Firsts

As who’ll break the next record?

 

Yeah, who knows what will happen next? Especially since we’ve been in the relatively “Quiet” month of April. With Formula 1 having cancelled both Middle East races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the Iran War! And MotoGP postponing its Qatar round until early November, in hopes the Straight of Hormuz will have been reopened, Splat!

 

IndyCar got off to a frenetic start with three races in three weeks, before a week off for the 12 Hours of Sebring. And then March’s Nightcap at thee Oh, so Beautiful Barbers. Saw some drivers and teams race five weeks in-a-row.

 

Before a three weeks gap to Long Beach and an Open test at some ‘lil ‘Ol Oval. (April 28-29) Gave drivers and their teams plenty ‘O time to hunt for Easter Eggs, but I digress…

 

Alas, a month ago now, I began the weekend of March 15th by tuning into Friday’s IndyCar first practice on FOX. Although really didn’t feel like we learned anything.

 

Then began Saturday morning by listening to Chinese GP Sprint race highlights, which Ho Hum, George Russell won, Yawn!

 

Then I “watched”, err listened to the entire IndyCar Qualie’ session on FOX, being my very final TV show before the Spectrum technician arrived to take away my overpriced cable box, having finally “cut the Chord!”

 

Being somewhat surprised with the amount of “air-time” Josef Schlick’ Newgarden got for having to switch to a backup chassis after crashing in practice. Before ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin crashed in the exact same corner during qualifying, Youch!

 

Have to say I was totally rootin’ for Marcus Ericsson to secure His first IndyCar pole, with two sets ‘O fingers crossed. As believe it was James Hinchcliffe who mentioned Ericsson may be had the advantage of going first in the Fast Six Shootout. Since His tyres and brakes were totally warm, while the other waited. With Marcus having the shortest turn-around time between sessions…

 

One-by-one, they couldn’t go faster than Ericsson. With only Alex Palou, the “Surgeon” waiting to break Ericsson’s Heart! But Palou ended up a half second slower than Ericsson, and the Swede claimed His first pole position in thirteen Gory years, Aye Karumba!

 

During Sunday morning’s pre-race blather. Heard IndyCar Radio’s Ryan Marin say it was Ericsson’s first pole in any discipline in 13 years. Since claiming pole for the June 30, 2013 Silverstone GP2 race. Which interestingly, somebody named Alexander Rossi was also participating in…

 

Actually, it was the day prior (June 29) when Ericsson claimed His second and final pole position of the season driving for DAMS for the Feature race. As the Swede’ won once at Germany’s Nurburgring, with a total of five podiums to finish sixth overall that year.

 

Alexander also claimed one win at Abu Dhabi’s season finale on Yas Isle, starting from pole. With Rossi Finishing ninth overall in the (2013) GP2 championship, driving for Caterham Racing.

 

As it was Rossi’s maiden GP2 win, and the first ever by an American driver. With Rossi claiming three more wins in 2015 for Racing Engineering, enroute to Vice Champion, err runner-up, albeit a distant second to Stoffel Vandoorne.

 

Meanwhile in Shanghai, Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed His maiden Formula 1 pole in just His 26th Grands Prix. Becoming the sport’s youngest ever pole winner, as a teenager!

 

Antonelli’s pole came at the tender age of 19 years, six months and 18 days. (19yrs 201 days)  The first ever teenager to do so. With the previous record holder being ‘lil Syd Viddle’.

 

As Sebastian Vettel claimed the first of His eventual 53 pole positions at 21 years, two months and 11 days old. (21yrs, 73 days)  At the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, some 18 years ago, Momma Mia!

 

Also the site of where Vettel would win His first Grand Prix for Scuderia toro Rosso at Monza. The Minnowesqe Italian team’s debutante Grand Prix victory! And the first non-Ferrari chassis to do so, since toro rosso was utilizing 2.4-litre V-8 customer Ferrari lumps’.

 

Antonelli becomes the 116^th maiden Grand Prix winner, and the first since Oscar Piastri at Hungary, 2024. The year that both current McLaren F1 drivers scored their maiden Grand Prix wins at, with Lando Norris having done so at the Miami Grand Prix earlier that year…

 

Yet Antonelli wasn’t done setting records yet. Since not only did He go back-to-back with another pole position and win at the Japanese Grand Prix. Kimi also left Suzuka with the drivers point lead, becoming the youngest ever to do so.

 

As move over George, (Russell) Thars’ a New kid in town! 

F1: Godzilla races in Japan!

As Thar goes the Neighbourhood…

 

“With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound
He pulls the spitting high tension wires down

Helpless people on a subway train
Scream for God as He looks in on them

He picks up a bus and he throws it back down
As he wades through the buildings toward the center of town

Oh no, they say, he's got to go
Go go Godzilla, yeah
Oh no, there goes Tokyo”

 

Suppose I’m showing my age, Eh? Since upon reading the first time about Godzilla racing in Japan, I immediately thought of Ye Classic Rockers BOC. Better known as Blue Oyster Cult and their Hit song Godzilla…

 

VIDEO: Godzilla – Blue Oyster Cult

 

Tend to recall I’ve got a Summer Jam sticker on a notebook from the early 1980’s that featured Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers, and Blue Oyster Cult amongst others…

 

Arse-sumedly Y’all know about the Haas F1 Team running a special “One-off” Godzilla themed livery racecar at Suzuka this year. As the Haas VF-26 featured Godzilla blasting His Atomic breath on the car’s engine cover.

 

As folklore claims the mutant Godzilla creature spawned from radioactive waters of Tokyo, albeit far prior to Fukushima…

 

the American team, now known as TGR Haas F1 Team. Ran the livery in conjunction with Toho co. Ltd, the Japanese entertainment company responsible for producing the Godzilla Franchise.

 

Reportedly Haas will reveal another Godzilla livery at this fall’s United States Grand Prix. Which just happens to coincide with the release of Godzilla Minus Zero. Celebrating the movie franchise’s 75th anniversary, with 38 films having been made.

 

Had forgotten that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Japanese Grand Prix, which is worth celebrating itself. Especially since it was the 1976 F1 World Championship decider, albeit at Fuji in October…

 

50 years since James Hunt won F1 title in Japan

 

Whilst movie tribute F1 livery themes aren’t new, they also are fairly rare. With Red Bull Racing having run a Star Wars theme in 2005. As tend to still recall Storm Troopers storming thee Principality, ergo Monaco.

 

While Alpine ran a Dead Pool Wolverine livery in 2024, in conjunction with the movie’s release. As its star Ryan Reynolds and actors Rob McElhenny, Michael B. Jordan and others thru Maximum Efforts Investments, Redbird Capital Partners and Otro Capital currently own a 24% stake, having paid $218 million in 2023.

 

Although now negotiating to sell to the highest bidder, making thoust Pied Piper Chris Horner squirm, with Flavio Briatore admitting that Mercedes itself and not Herr Wolff, Ahem toto! Is also an interested buyer…

 

Yet I’m just hoping that Haas’s race went better than Jaguar’s Wayback’ in Bloody 2004! Since Y’all remember that glitzy Oceans 12 reveal, Eh?

 

Yuhs know when Jaguar ran its R5 with diamond encrusted noses for Mark Webber and Christian Klien. Each chassis carrying a $250,000 diamond on its noseconde!

 

Yet on the opening lap, Klien collided with another racecar, before striking the barriers at Lowes corner twice. Yep, Yuhs guessed it, the diamond was nowhere to be found!

 

As it done “Klien” disappeared, Yikes!

 

Although I’m not claiming that Christian Klien had anything to do with its disappearance on the streets of Monte Carlo.

 

And you’d have to say the publicity both before and after the race were worth the reported $250,000 price for Ford’s flagging Formula 1 Jaguar Racing programme they sold the following year to Red Bull.

 

While that diamond were reputedly lost forever, I still have a hard time believing real diamonds were used for this promotional stunt…

 

 

Oh no, watch out for that Alpine Godzilla!

 

Partial song lyrics from: Blue Oyster Cult’s Godzilla; 1977 Spectre Album. 

FIA changes Power Unit Compression check

But will Mercedes have an “Unfair Advantage” until then?

 

Lost in all of the excitement over Formula 1 kicking off its 2026 season Down Under in Bloody Melbourne Mates! For those who have access to Apple TV!

 

Prior to this year’s Australian Grand Prix, the FIA announced its Power Unit regulations would be updated June 1st over the much ballyhooed and controversial “Compression-Gate” saga dogging Formula 1.

 

Prior to the season kickoff via an E Vote, unanimous consent was accepted over a new policy “Policing” the perceived loophole Mercedes Benz, and possibly Red Bull Power Train have extracted regarding the lowered 16:1 compression ratio for 2026. A decrease from the previous 18:1 allowance.

 

Currently, Power Units were only mandated to meet this requirement at ambient temperature, with the theory being that Mercedes had engineered a way to increase compression at higher operating temperature. And thus, perceivably gaining extra horsepower by returning to the higher 18:1 ratio.

 

Starting June 1st, Power Units will be tested at both ambient and a higher operating  temperature, and next year a higher operating temperature will be chosen for inspection purposes. Which hopefully, all of the Power Unit manufacturers will find suitable, and theoretically establish a “level” playing field…

 

Meanwhile, it was somewhat interesting hearing both McLaren and Williams team principals Andrea Stella and James Vowles noting how Mercedes definitely seemed to have not passed on as much working knowledge of the new Power Unit to its customers. And they were struggling to unlock the new PU’s potential.

 

As believe Vowles said it was costing them 0.3 seconds per lap and qualifying was startling to see how far off the pace they were! While I’m certain Alpine was also in the same situation. 

Formula 1 Invades Phoenix

Not even could ‘Ol Sherriff Joe Arpaio get IndyCar’s to run on Phoenix’s streets nearly two decades ago!

 

Naturally, I was slightly taken aback to discern that 14 years had slipped by since my latest visit to what forever will be Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) to Mwah! Even if its just plain ‘Ol Phoenix Raceway now.

 

Hence why it took some effort to find the accompanying No Fenders post, when partaking in a 2X Seater ride in thee Valley of the Sun Wayback’ in Gory 2012, Aye Karumba!

 

The Tomaso Files: Spinin’ Wheelz, 4-lefts really Does Make a Circle!

 

Still remembering vaguely how I purchased a plane ticket to go to Phoenix for the impending Chump Carz’ race in Gory 2007. When Champ Car world Series was slated to race upon the Streets of Downtown Phoenix on December 2nd. In what would have been the first Open Wheel Racing in Phoenix since 1991, before cancelling this event. Although I went to Phoenix anyways, since it was nice to escape Seattle’s winter weather…

 

While it Slays me that its now Gory 37 years ago since I attended my debutante Formula 1 race in Downtown Phoenix. Attending the aptly named Iceberg Grand Prix on June 4th, 1989, when it was a toasty 104 degrees Fahrenheit, Sheisa!

 

Phoenix’s Iceberg

 

Whilst I still lament skipping the next year’s event. Thinking then, there were another four years to go on the race’s contract. Without knowing that 1991 would be the third and final year for F1, and the last time racing on Phoenix’s streets…

 

RETRO: Phoenix’s last Grand Prix - Two-decades ago almost slipped past

 

Thus, is it just Mwah? Who finds it curious that the Red bull Demonstration Showrun travelling Circus makes its way to the streets of Downtown Phoenix 25 years later! And one week after IndyCar returns to the Valley of the Sun for the first time since 2018?

 

Not to mention just a week after the IndyCar-NASCAR Double Header weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Like is Formula 1 trying to steal IndyCar’s thunder? Or rain on FOX’s cross promotional parade, You make the Call!

 

As the Red bull Showrun will feature Nikola Tsolov and Scott Speed behind the wheel of Red Bull and AlphaTauri F1 machinery.

 

The Red Bull Showrun event Free to the public, runs from 1:00 to 4:00PM, this Saturday, March 14th on Jefferson Street. Running between Central Avenue and Fifth street. And will also include high performance Ford vehicles such as the Mustang GT3 and Lightning Supertruck, amongst the Offroad and racing cars participating…

 

Scott Speed should need no introduction, and perhaps even lives in Arizona? Having won Red Bull’s Drivers search program Wayback’ in Bloody 2002. Becoming the first American in Formula 1 since Michael Andretti in 1993. Driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso between 2006-07.

 

Naturally, Nikola Tsolov’s name is totally “Foreign” to Mwah, having never heard of Him before. As the 19yr old Bulgarian racing driver finished runner-up in Formula 3 last year. Along with making His formula 2 debut at season’s end.

 

Tsolov will contest His rookie season driving for Campos Racing and is a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. Making His debut aboard a Formula 1 chassis last June in a Sofia Showrun, driving a Red Bull RB7.

 

Tsolov like many, will be aspiring to join Arvid Lindblad in formula 1. Having found the following video chronicling Lindblad’s maiden F1 outing during the 2024 Houston Showrun.

 

Which presumably gives a pretty good example of what a Showrun entails…

 

F1 Cars do Doughnuts on Streets of Houston 

F1: Introducing Formula 1’s lone 2026 F1 rookie driver

As just how far will this new F1 Hotschue’ progress?

 

Formula 1 Diehards will already know that this year’s F1 Grid features only one new rookie driver, after last year’s Mega’ class of four, i.e.; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, remember Him Y’all? And Isack Hadjar. As Oliver Bearman wasn’t a rookie due to having raced three Grands Prix in 2024. And Franco Colapinto had replaced Logan Sargent at Williams the previous season…

 

Arvid Lindblad

Team: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team

Nationality: United Kingdom

Birthplace: Virginia Water, Surrey

DOB: August 8, 2007; Age: 18

Car No. 41

 

Once again, another fresh face Formula Uno rookie Pilote I know nothing about. Other than reportedly He’s another Red Bull Junior Driver prodigy. Having read that current Racing Bulls F1 team Boss Alan Bat’ Permane says He’s very similar to Isack Hadjar, i.e.; Calm, cool ‘n collected. Asking many questions and soaking in everything like a sponge, whilst simply getting on with the “Job”.

 

Arvid’s father Stefan is Swedish, wile His Mum’ Anita is of Indian decent, along with a grandmother who was one of the oldest practicing GP’s in England. Noting He’d like to work on improving His Swedish and Hindi language skills. While He also has a younger brother named Amil.

 

Arvid’s father gave Him a Scooter’ (Motorcycle) at Age 3 before switching to Go Karts at Age 5, beginning at Daytona Sandown Park.

 

In 2015 at Age 9, Arvid began competitive Karting with His mentor being Oliver Rowlan, before winning the 2020 WSK Super Master Series OKJ Class.

 

That was the first of His multiple Karting championships, joining the Red Bull Junior Driver Academy in 2021.

 

Lindblad made His single seater debut in 2022 in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, driving for Van Amersfoort Racing. In 2023, Lindblad secured His first single seater victory in the UAE F4 championship at the Dubai Autodrome.

 

Next, Arvid contested the Italian F4 championship, driving for Prema Racing. Collecting six wins, but ultimately finishing third overall after His massive points lead evaporated.

 

Another win came in the Euro 4 championship, followed by a stellar weekend at Macau. Securing the F4 pole and winning His qualification race. Punctuated by winning the main race the day after.

 

For 2024, Lindblad remained with Prema Racing, graduating to the Formula 3 championship. His teammates were Gabriele Mini and Dino Beganovic.

 

Lindblad scored a Sprint race win in Bahrain. Then claiming His first Feature race win at Barcelona. Before making further history at Silverston, where He became the first F3 driver to win the “Double”. Taking wins in both the Sprint and Feature races and vaulting to second in the championship.

 

Yet what seems to be a tendency of Lindblad’s, He once again faltered down the stretch, not scoring any mor “needed” points results in the final three rounds, and dropping to fourth overall at season’s end.

 

Yet Arvid “Broke His Duck” by crushing the Competizione in the 2025 Formula Regional Oceania Championship with six poles and six wins. Winning His first title by 56points over Kiwi’ Zack Scoular. Whilst Nikita Johnson, who’d been second much of the season, slid to third overall, 65 points adrift of Lindblad.

 

As Johnson will  contest this year’s Indy NXT championship driving for Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR. Along with a fulltime drive for Rahal Letterman Racing in IMSA GTD Pro, aboard their factory McLaren 720S Evo.

 

Lindblad graduated to Formula 2, joining Campos Racing for the 2025 season. Scoring His first win in the Jeddah Sprint race, after Richard Verschoor was penalized.

 

Barcelona was Arvid’s high water mark of the season. Claiming two pole positions and scoring the feature win at Campos home track.

 

Afterwards, a spate of collisions, a disquification, etc. Lindblad ultimately slid to sixth overall by season’s end. Although claiming His second Sprint race victory in Abu Dhabi, netting three wins overall that year.

 

As Arvid’s wins in Formula 3 and Formula 2 made Him the youngest driver ever to do so in both series…

 

Having been a Red Bull Junior Driver member since 2021, Lindblad drove His very first Formula 1 chassis, a Red Bull RB8 during a demonstration run in Houston in 2024.

 

He completed His first private test in an AlphaTauri AT04 at Imola the following February. A second test in the same chassis followed in June.

 

Lindblad took part in a promotional “gimmick” of racing three Leeds United F.C. “Footballers” on foot in a Red Bull RB7 at Elland Raud, also that June. Before Red Bull requested an early FIA Super License for the 17yr old, a la Kimi Antonelli’s earlySuper License dispensation.

 

Arvid made His Free Practice debut at the British Grand Prix, finishing P14 in the morning’s (Free Practice) FP1 session.

 

 

Presumably Lindblad gained Attenzione by finishing sixth in FP1 in Mexico City as Max Verstappen’s “replacement”. Before a third and final FP outing in the season finale on Yas Isle as Yuki Tsunoda’s replacement.

 

Then in December, Racing Bulls announced Lindblad as Liam Lawson’s new Racing Bulls teammate for 2026, before taking part in the post Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Young Drivers test session…