RETRO: Renault’s Glory Years

Suppose that’s a sad takeoff upon an ‘Ol Bruce, the Boss’s song, Eh?

 

Formula 1 mandated the use of naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engines for the 1989 F1 season, with seven engine manufacturers supplying their wares in various guises.

 

As Ferrari and Lamborghini were the only V-12 producers, while the majority of the field relied upon the Ford Cosworth DFR V-8 unit. Although Benetton who had Ford Cosworth Werks’ status, received the “clean sheet” design HB unit at Circuit Paul Ricard. Judd provided its V-8 lumps in both CV and EV guise. Whilst Zakspeed had a Yamaha v-8, and Honda and Renault opted for the V-10 solution.

 

After a three year hiatus, Renault returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier to Sir Frank’s Team Willy’, aka Williams Grand Prix Engineering. And once again pioneered another first in motor racing. As the Williams FW12C would use the Renault RS1 V-10 that introduced today’s de riggour pneumatic valve spring technology. Which allows valve springs being pushed by compressed air or nitrogen to operate at higher RPM’s without the dreaded valve “float” of traditional wire, coil valve springs past 12,000RPM’s; if I understand this technology somewhat correctly?

 

Although I just heard Bobby Rahal claiming that Toyota were running their IndyCar engines at 18,000-19,000RPM during the latter stage of CART with normal coil valve springs on Unchained with Paul Tracy…

 

Williams had struggled mightily the year prior with the underperforming and “sluggish” FW12 powered by the Judd 3.5-litre CV V-8 normally aspirated lump’. As reportedly, the Judd engine produced 400bhp less than the all conquering Honda 1.5-litre V-6 turbo, that McLaren almost completed a Clean sweep season with in 1988. Ironically, with the exception of Jean-Louis Schlesser tangling with race leader Ayrton Senna at Monza, gifting Ferrari an unexpected 1-2 finish just a month after Enzo Ferrari’s death! With Schlesser deputizing for Nigel Mansell at Williams; as the Brit was suffering from chicken Pox…

 

The FW12C was designed to accommodate the narrower angle, longer Renault V-10, which Riccardo Patrese would qualify second at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix. The Italian driver’s 176th Grand Prix start, tying the record jointly held by Graham Hill and Jacques Laffite. As Patrese would go onto set the Ironman mark at 256 Grands Prix, before being bested by Rubino’, nee rubens Barrichello. For which Honda decided that the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix was Rubino’s 257th start, with Barrichello the first to surpass 300. And so it goes, now that Fernando Alonso has surpassed 400 Grands Prix starts, Aye Karumba!

 

Now It’s a Record!

 

Theirry Boutsen would give Williams Renault its maiden victory at the rain swept Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that summer, the team’s only win of 1989.

 

Initially announcing His retirement at the end of 1990, Sir Frank wooed Nigel Mansell to return to Williams for the 1991 Formula 1 season, after giving Him clear number one status in writing. While Adrian Newy joined Williams from Leyton House March, designing what would become the technological tour de force, the FW14B of 1992. As the B spec model featured active suspension, semi-automatic gearshift, traction control and anti-lock braking.

 

Mansell would dominate the 1992 season with a crushing nine victories and 14 pole positions enroute to that year’s F1 Drivers title! With Williams claiming the first of four F1 constructors Championships with Renault engines; its fifth of nine eventual titles. While le Reggie’s V-10 engines took six Constructors titles on the trot, i.e.; 1992-97.

 

With thee Professor Alain Prost joining Williams for 1993, Mansell made His shock move to IndyCar with Newman Haas Racing, while Prost secured His fourth and final Drivers Crown with Williams Renault that season.

 

We all know that Michael Schumacher effectively turfed off Williams driver Damon Hill for the 1994 title at Adelaide, and then repeated as F1 World champion in ’95, when Benetton had switched to Renault V-10 engines. Before Hill was victorious in 1996, followed by Jacques Villeneuve in ’97, becoming the seventh and final Williams driver to win the championship.

 

Following the ’97 F1 season, Renault quit Formula 1 again, and instead supplied Williams with Mecachrome 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10 lumps’. Being followed by Supertec V-10 units being supplied to Williams, Arrows and BAR. While Benetton ran the customer badged Playlife V-10 engine for three season; All being based off of the championship winning Renault RS V-10 engine.

 

Renault then bought the Benetton team, which became the Werks’ Renault F1 team between 2001 and 2010. Although running the ’01 season as Benetton…

 

The team’s zenith was Fernando Alonso winning back-to-back F1 Drivers titles in 2005-06. Along with Renault winning both years Constructors championship, led by the imperious HMS Monogram’, aka Flavour Flav’, nee Flavio Briatore. Hmm, why is that name familiar, eh?

 

Although it was also under Briatore’s reign that Renault had its darkest day, simply known as Crashgate! When Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to enable Alonso to win the 2008 Singapore grand Prix!

 

Renault pulled the plug as a Constructor once again, at season’s end of 2010. Seeing dueling Lotus-Lotus F1 Teams on the grid for 2011, i.e.; Team Lotus v Lotus GP. For which the most memorable portion of the Lotus era was thee Kimster’, nee Iceman, aka Kimi Raikkonen famously telling the team to “Just leave Me Alone, I Know What to do!” Over the In-car radio enroute to winning the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

Renault once again returned to Formula 1 as a Werks’ outfit under the Renault Sport banner in 2015. Then being rebranded as Alpine in 2021, and now once again under the tutelage of Briatore…

 

Renault also supplied its 2.4-liter normally aspirated V-8 engines to Scuderia Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. With Red Bull scoring a quadruple “double” between 2010-13.

 

With ‘lil syd Viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel setting many F1 records during this period. Including then setting the record for most wins in a season with 13, which included the record of nine consecutive wins in 2013; both since eclipsed by Max Verstappen’s 2023 season.

 

As Vettel still holds the record for most poles in a season at 15. Along with winning the Drivers title and Red Bull the Constructors title four consecutive years. Before le Reggie’s engine dominance waned, having scored just one single victory during the Power Unit (PU) era. When Esteban Ocon scored a surprise victory for Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.

 

Yet its sad to “See” Renault, who’ve wone twelve F1 constructors and eleven Drivers World Championships with the fourth most wins as an engine manufacturer leave the sport, again… 

RETRO: A Sad Day for French Motorsports

Will le Reggie’ ever return as a Power Unit manufacturer?

 

Strange how the Renault in Motorsport’s website proclaims that Motorsport is written in their History. And that they’ve Always been motivated by the challenge and yearn for something new. Hmm, then how come you’ve given up on producing your own Formula 1 Power Units, especially when the new regulations commence in 2026, merci?

 

Denoting that founder Louis Renault’s first major technological achievement was His direct drive transmission in the Model A voiturette, being the first to climb Montmartre’s Rue Lepic in the fall of 1898.

 

Other early models I’ve never heard of before include the Model K, the first equipped with a Renault engine,  and the 40CV, winner of the 1925 Monte Carlo Rally. Or the modern day Megane RS, which just ended production in 2023.

 

As we all know, the Alpine F1 Team will brazenly become a Mercedes PU customer beginning next season after nearly a half century of racing with Renault engines in the pinnacle of motorsports, nee formula 1. Which I find to simply be blasphemy!

 

Reportedly, Renault has the fourth most Grands Prix victories with 169, with only ford, Mercedes and Ferrari ahead of them. With Ferrari’s next victory being the firm’s momentous 250th Grand Prix win…

 

Ultimately, Renault’s Formula 1 history goes Wayback’ to the 1930’s and Amedee Gordini, who was then tuning engines for Simca, FIAT’s French car assembler. With the Simca-Gordini Type 5 Le Mans contesting the event in 1937, for example. As Gordini would contest Formula 1 with little success between 1950-57, albeit having success in Formula 2.

 

The Simca-Gordini relationship began dissipating in 1951, and by the 1960’s Gordini was tuning engines for Renault, along with entering Renault-Gordini works at Le Mans. Amedee retired in 1968 and sold a majority 70% stake of His company to Renault.

 

Renault-Gordini moved to Viry-Chatillon in 1969, becoming Renault’s Sport division before merging with Alpine in 1976 to become Renault Sport.

 

We know that the first formula 1 turbocharged racecar was the Renault RS01 powered by the Renault Gordini EF1 1.5-litre V-6 engine, but try finding anything substantive upon how we arrived at this point in history?

 

Other than being able to vaguely discern that Alpine was racing in the European Formula 2 Championship for many years, while Gordini was busy building race engines. As the Renault Alpine A442 racecar, propelled by a Renault-Gordini 2.0-litre turbocharged 90 degree V-6 lump’, won the 1978 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

As Alpine had turned its attention towards endurance racing in 1973, and its A441 dominated the 1974 Group 5 European 2.0-liter championship. With the A441 Sports prototype winning seven of seven races and that years manufacturer and driver titles. For which I’d Arse-sume that this was the basis of the future Renault-Gordini EF1 Formula 1 engine…

 

Derisively known as the Yellow Peacock, Renault made its Formula 1 debut at the 1977 British Grand Prix with Jean-Pierre Jabouille as its chauffeur. And like all new technology, suffered many technical issues during its teething period. Before finally scoring its first points at the 1978 USGP at Watkins Glen, finishing fourth.

 

For the 1979 F1 season, Renault added Rene Arnoux as the team’s second driver. As the team began the season with its RS01 chassis, while its Ground Effects RS10 was completed.

 

After Jabouille claimed the first ever pole position for a turbocharged car at the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Appropriately, Jabouille claimed the first ever turbocharged victory at the team’s home race at Dijon. As Monsieur “Jelly Belly” started from pole with Arnoux second, with the duo finishing one-three, with Ferrari’s Gilles Villeneuve sandwiched in-between le Reggie’ teammates.

 

Jabouille claimed pole for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, followed by Arnoux scoring His debutante pole the following round at the Osterreichring in Austria. Arnoux claimed pole at Zandvoort and Jabouille took P1 at Monza, seeing Renault score four consecutive pole positions. As Arnoux would finish eighth overall with three podiums vs. Jabouille finishing P13 with two wins.

 

1980 saw Jabouille score two poles; Brazil and South Africa. While Arnoux claimed victory at Brazil and Kyalami. Along with claiming a Hat trick of pole at Austria, Zandvoort and Monza.

 

Jabouille scored His second and final Grand Prix victory that year in Austria, before suffering a nasty crash at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, breaking a leg. As the crash effectively ended His F1 driving career, being replaced by Alain Prost for 1981.

 

The Professor, aka Prost would appropriately win His debutante Grand Prix at Dijon in His sophomore season, eventually scoring more than one fifth of His career wins driving Renault powered racecars. Finished fifth overall with three wins that season.

 

Prost and Arnoux were a front running affair, finishing fourth and sixth overall respectively in 1982. Before Arnoux moved onto “Greener” pastures at la Scuderia, nee Ferrari, partnering countryman Patrick Tambay.

 

Although scoring four wins, Prost missed out on the 1983 F1 World Championship by two points, with rival BMW becoming the first ever turbocharged engine to win a world title with Nelson Piquet. While Prost was fired two days afterwards for supposedly berating Renault over its lack of development upon the RE40, after finishing Vice Champion, Err runner-up.

 

Prost was immediately snapped-up by thee Ronster’, nee Ron Dennis to drive for Mclaren, and the rest was history…

 

For 1984, Renault hired Tambay and Derek Warwick as the team’s two drivers, while Renault provided customer turbo engines for the first time to rival F1 constructors Ligier and Lotus.

 

As le Reggie would go scoreless in the wins column that season. With Lotus’s Elio de Angelis’s pole at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix and Tambay’s pole at the French Grand Prix being Renault’s season’s highlights. As the Mclaren duo of Prost and Niki “The Rat” Lauda ruled the championship with their TAG-Porsch turbos.

 

1985 saw Renault expand to a third customer team, supplying Ligier, Lotus and Tyrrell with its engines, in what would be Renaults final season as a F1 Constructor. (During its first foray)

 

This would be Ayrton Senna’s breakout year, having moved to Lotus. Sweeping the season’s second round in Portugal. Claiming His maiden pole, fastest lap and win. As Senna would go on to win again at Spa-Francorchamps and rack up an impressive tally of seven poles. While Italian teammate Elio de Angelis would score victory at Imola, being Renault engine’s only three wins that season.

 

With Renault suffering heavy financial losses, CEO Georges Besse declared they could no longer afford to maintain the commitment to a Formula 1 team. Hmm, sound familiar to just departed Renault CEO Luca de Meo, who consigned the Alpine f1 Team to become a Mercedes PU (Power Unit) customer beginning in 2026, curtailing production of Werks’ PU at Viry-chatillon, Merci!

 

Thus Renault became just an engine supplier one final year in 1986, once again supplying Ligier, Lotus and Tyrrell. With Senna once again being the Renault’s highlight reel. Winning the Spanish and Detroit Grands Prix, and capturing a further eight poles, before le Reggie quit formula 1 for the first time… 

Romain Grosjean’s Career renaissance

As everybody likes the Rookie French Driver in Indy Cars…

 

Like many, I was most intrigued over how Romain Grosjean would fair in his debutante IndyCar Oval race Saturday Nite’ at whatever for Mwah will simply be Gateway, now known as World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) or simply WWT Raceway instead…

 

As I marveled how far the Frenchman has come in his racing career, as for some strange reason I heard Mark Handlebarz’ Webber Cooing in my ear…

 

As everybody knows about Romain’s Horrific, Fiery Shunt at Bahrain last year, which Thankfully He Walked Away from!

 

During the Pre-race Banter, believe it was NBC Sports (Townsend) T-Bell’ who mentioned that Grosjean’s new nickname is The Phoenix. While IndyStar’s Nathan Browne mentioned in a story how the Frenchman was wearing his trademarked “Ball Cap” with two hands raised in the Air with Flames All around as the Phoenix, not to mention his one hand still bears the Scars of being engulfed in Fire for some 30 seconds!

 

Yet how many remember, myself included that Grosjean began his Formula 1 career as “Nielsen Ho’s,” aka Nelson Piquet Jr’s replacement at Renault after the Brazilian had been dropped following the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix for the rest of the season, having been le Reggie’s Test and Reserve Driver, where interestingly his Car number was 8.

 

As Grosjean was completely overshadowed by what erupted into Crash Gate that Fall, with Piquet Junior’s pronouncement of having been told to deliberately Crash by “HMS Monogram,” neee Flavour Flav’, aka Team Boss Flavio Briatore during the ’08 Singapore Grand Prix to ensure that his team-mate and team leader Fredrico Suave, aka Fernando Alonso won the race!

 

Romain was jettisoned from the Renault F1 Team at season’s end and rebuilt his career by winning both the 2011 GP2 Asia and main GP2 Series Championships, the only driver to do so before returning to Formula 1 in 2012 at the newly renamed Lotus F1 Team, having previously been Lotus Renault GP after Renault had sold a majority share to Genii Capital investor Gerard Lopez at the end of ’09.

 

As Romain joined some Finnish Guy who famously said “Just leave Me Alone, I Know what I’m doing!” Known as the “Iceman,” nee Kimi Raikkonen as Lotus F1 Team leader.

 

But you’d have to say that his return to F1 wasn’t exactly stellar, having multiple First lap Crashes and being publicly called a “First lap Nutcase” by Mark Webber after they’d collided on lap-1 at that year’s Japanese Grand Prix! As Grosjean had been involved in seven first lap incidents in the first 12 Grands Prix, leading up to Belgium.

 

Not to mention being given a One race Ban for triggering the Multi-car Pile-up at Spa Francorchamps, where Grosjean’s Lotus barely missed Alonso’s Helmet, with the Spaniard now driving for Ferrari!

 

As the Crash ultimately took out four cars including Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren, for which Romain had cut in front of. Alonso’s Ferrari, Sauber’s Sergio Perez and Grosjean. Not to mention affecting Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi’s race, who finished 13^th.

 

As romain became the first F1 Driver to be given a One race Ban since somebody known on No Fenders as Der Terminator’, aka Michael Schumacher Wayback in 1994! Along with being fined $50,000 Euros!

 

Yet to be fair to Grosjean, I do recall rootin’ for him to do the unthinkable at the 2013 USGP at Circuit Of the Americas and somehow pass ‘lil Syd viddle (Sebastian Vettel) who was leading the race in his Red Bull. As Grosjean Cooly held off Vettel’s team-mate and his Bosom Buddy Webber for second place in a Red Bull Racing “Kidney Pie” Sandwich…

 

After four seasons at Lotus, Romain joined the latest Brand New Formula 1 Team, Haas F1 in 2016 for the remainder of his Formula 1 career, and I cannot help but wonder now if he chose the number 8 in deference to it being his first car number in F1?

 

Fast forwarding to this year, I’d have to say that Romain’s probably the most popular driver in Indy Cars? As how can you not feel Happy for Him and the Feel Good story of the Minnowesqe Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s Rookie IndyCar Driver securing his first series Pole position and Podium in only his third ever IndyCar outing! Not to mention having the IMS Road Course figured out by finishing Runner-up twice.

 

Thus naturally you’d be curious over how the former F1 Pilote who’d never raced on an Oval before would do in only his tenth IndyCar outing, wouldn’t you?

 

Rolling off P14, from the outside of Row 7, Romain managed to dodge All of the Carnage that occurred in the first 60-plus laps, mostly being Yellow, with the Hijinxs of Ed Jones v Graham Rahal, Ed Carpenter and Simon Pagenaud v Josef Newgarden!

 

And after the race had finally settled down following five cautions for a ridiculous amount ‘O Yellow Flag laps, Grosjean electrified Mwah, making some Nifty Overtaking maneuvers on Ovalmeister TK’ follow your Schnoz! Kanaan and Dalton Kellett. Then Conor Daly, whom I believe Romain had been sent to the back of the field for Avoidable Contact with Daly previously?

 

Next up was Scott McLaughlin and then I think he put a daring High Side pass upon The Dude, aka Ryan Hunter-Reay before settling in at eighth place Ontrack.

 

Of course Grosjean who told Nathan Browne the only thing that had possibly prepared him for Oval racing was his time spent Ice racing Wayback in ’09! Had his struggles learning how to adapt to driving on Cold, “Hard,” Fresh Firestone rubber and got up into the ”Gray,” aka “Marbles” and summarily lost All of the positions he’d gained! Which happened over multiple Pit Stops.

 

Not to mention getting “Hosed” by being on the wrong side of the evening’s final Caution period when Alexander Rossi tagged the Wall after making his final Pitstop and trying to stay ahead of Race leader Newgarden and eventual Runner-up Pato O’Ward. As Grosjean ultimately finished exactly where he’d started in 14^th, but I’d say it was a very good race for him.

 

Naturally I’ve been Pulling for Grosjean to Beat Team Penske’s rookie Scott McLaughlin in the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) battle for awhile now. And not because I have anything against the Kiwi’, it’s just that I tire easily of Team Penske always winning everything! So Go Romain! Who reputedly now trails McLaughlin by 23 points with three races remaining.

 

As Hopefully  we’ll see Grosjean making his Full season IndyCar campaign next year, including his Debutante Indy 500, no matter who He’s driving for, with another celebrated driver named Jimmie Johnson as part of his 2022 Mother Speedway Rookie Class… 

Some Assorted Alpine F1 Team News

Just Playin’ Ketsup on Der Vurld de Motorsporten again, Ja-Ja!

 

As Y’all are painfully aware of, your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso has been battling the whims of upgrading to winDOUGHS 10 and a Coherent Zoomtext Screen Reader the past year’s plus time now, Urgh! With this story partially intended to serve as the bridge to Blogmeister  Miguel updating the No Fenders F1 Team links section whenever possible…

 

As All astute Formula 1 Aficionados already know, the Renault F1 Team has rebranded itself as the Alpine F1 Team beginning with the 2021 Formula 1 season.

 

Along with the departure of former Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul, whom presumably has gotten his new Tatoo courtesy of former Renault F1 Driver DannyRick’, aka Daniel Ricciardo, after the Aussie scored the first of his two podium finishes last year, but I digress…

 

As Cyril as been replaced  by Davide Brivio, the former Team Boss of the Suzuki MotoGP team that won last year’s MotoGP riders title with Joan Mir. As I’ve got Zero Clue if Suzuki has named his replacement yet?

 

Ant Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward previously noted that Abiteboul has previous ties to Carlos Tavares, who’s now in charge of the newly formed Automotive Behemoth named Stellantis, which is the new name of the Fiat-chrysler Peugeot merger that encompasses 14 major Automotive brands.

 

As Joe, who after all Knows F1! Notes that Stellantis’s current Formula 1 alliance is thru it’s Alfa Romeo F1 Team sponsorship, who currently occupy the back of the F1 Grid. As might Abiteboul land there in a new Management role?

 

Although I’ll take a wild Arse guess and ponder if Cyril might become the public face of Peugeot’s forthcoming Sports Car programme instead?

 

Meanwhile as we all know, alpine’s latest recruit Fredrico Suave, aka Fred Alonso suffered a bicycling accident IN EARLY February While training in Switzerland for the upcoming F1 season. Undergoing Surgery to his Upper Jaw, whilst the last News I saw claimed that Fernando had been released from Hospital and would resume training shortly.

 

As Alonso will reportedly be ready for the 2021 Formula 1 season beginning March 28^th at Bahrain, and will also be present for the now ridiculously short 3-Day F1 Test Session also at Bahrain March 12-14^th.

 

ALTHOUGH INTERESTINGLY, WHEN Grizzled f1 Journo’ Joe Saward tried asking the PR Folk during the Alpine F1 launch why Fernando wasn’t present, and if it was due to his Jaw surgery he was ignored.

 

As Joe claims the normal recovery time for said operation is six weeks and it’s interesting that the team has just announced former Scuderia AlphaTauri Driver Daniil Kvyat as the team’s new Reserve Driver, albeit claiming the Russian won’t be taking part in the upcoming Winter testing at Bahrain, but you’ve gotta wonder, Eh? If this is some sort of Back-up “Insurance Policy” plan in case Alonso’s Jaw isn’t quite ready for the phenomenal G-Forces a modern Formula 1 car evokes.

 

Whilst it’s funny how yesterday on ESPN’s Online Motorsports News was the obligatory statement from some High-up Alpine F1 “Mucky-Muck” saying Fernando’s totally fine, nothing’s wrong with his Jaw, he’s totally Fighting Fit and will be ready for not only the Bahrain Grand Prix, but Winter Testing. So Move along, Nothing to See Here, Blah-Blah-Blah… 

F1: Alonso's return to Renault Closes One more Door for Vettel

As Thars' now only two Formula 1 teams left that presumably would interest Seb'

By now Y'all have heard the riveting News that Fredrico Suave', aka Fernando Alonso has been confirmed as DannyRic's, nee Daniel Ricciardo's replacement at le Reggie' beginning next year.

As Alonso's rumoured to have inked a two year contract at Renault in hopes that the massive F1 Rules Shake-up in 2022 will give him a Fighting chance at further glory, Ci?

Thus I'd surmise that if 'lil Syd Viddle, aka Sebastian Vettel is to remain in Formula 1 next year, it'll only be either with Red Bull or Mercedes, which I doubt will happen. Hence, it must be somewhat Daunting to know you're effectively Washed up at the Age of 33, Ja Volt!

Although obviously I'm just guessing on how the final 2021 F1 Silly Season will wrap-up, but I'm just really not sure why either of those teams would want Vettel, especially since he seems to only be making Sillier 'N Sillier decisions on the Racetrack...

MEDLAND: For Renault, Alonso was A No Brainer

F1: The Racetrack in Austria's Full Of Music!

Although No word on whether or Not Nabisco's Snack Thins are ye Official' Cracker of the Red Bull Ring?

Or if Thee Ghost of Julie Andrews will be Haunting the race circuit in Spielberg, Ja-Ja? Since I'm Arse-sumin' everybody knows 'bout Formula 1 finally returning to real Honest to Goodness live racing this Sunday in Austria, as the first half of its Ghost Races Double Header outing, Righto?

And I must confess, I've rather enjoyed Formula 1 being on Hiatus, Not missing it One Bloody Iota! Especially since I Fear we're in for another Dull rendition of Ye Lewis Hamilton Show this year. Y'all know when Golden Child wins every Freakin' F1 race; YAWN!

As the only two legitimate threats towards stopping the Golden Child Juggernaught are Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Since Valtteri Bottas has constantly proved he's only a Number 2 Wingman at the mighty Silver Arrows, Ja Volt!

And I'm inching ever closer to making Alexander Albon my new Numero Uno F1 Pilote ahead of Bottas, even though I know that Red Bull is One Zillionth percent a Max Verstappen team! And Albon's supposed to be a dutiful No. 2 Junior Birdman. Although I'm hoping he'll surprise us All by winning his Debutante Grand Prix this year... 

Otherwise, the only other F1 Pilote who can possibly throw a Cat amongst Ye Pigeons intermittingly has to be la Scuderia's 'lil Syd Viddle, in what will be Seb Vettel's final season in scarlet Overalls. As who will I have to Kick Around next season?

Yet obviously Monsieur Chuck Luh-Cluck', nee Messer Leclerc will wish to establish his superiority over Vettel as he prepares to take over the Numero Uno Driver role in 2021, although naturally both Scuderia Ferrari Drivers hope to come out swinging in what's possibly being denoted as a B Spec chariot.

Ferrari Set to Bring B-Spec SF1000 to Austria

The final Factory effort on the grid, le Reggie' seems to be a bit of a mystery right now. As most of the noise surrounding Renault has focused upon DannyRic' aka Daniel Ricciardo leaving at the end of season for McLaren, which seems like a Sideways move to Mwah at best?

As Renault features only one of the two F1 Teams sporting different Driver lineup's this season, with Esteban Ocon returning from last year's sabbatical as Mercedes "Simulator Jockey;" Err Test/Reserve Driver.

But obviously McLaren will once again be plotting to upset Ye Renault Werks' outfit a la last season when their customer Reggie PU's, nee Power Units powered them to fourth place in the vaunted F1 Constructors Championship with Young Lions Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr. presumably aiming for Podium finishes this year.

Otherwise, with No Disrespect intended. It simply looks like a Crapshoot for the other five Midfield runners, i.e.; Alfa Romeo, Haas, Racing Point, Toro Rosso; Err Scuderia Alpha Tauri and Team Willy' in alphabetical order.

And I really cannot say I'm even remotely impressed with Toro Rosso's Name-change, which is purely for marketing reasons, since I've grown somewhat fond of the Toro Rosso moniker, albeit preferred 'em as Minardi instead!

And speaking 'O Team Willy, now just plain Jane Williams Racing at the moment, as they ponder selling the storied Williams Grand Prix Engineering operation, Yikes!

Storied Williams F1 Team Explores possible Sale, Seeking New Investors

I'm hoping that Williams can finally nudge its way up Ye Pecking Order a Wee Bit this year, especially for George Russell's Sake! Not to mention would surely entice potential investors, Righto?

As Williams will have the only F1 Rookie on the grid this season, with the promotion of Nicholas Latifi from the team's Reserve Driver to replacing the departed Robert Kubica.

As Latifi, who finished runner-up in last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship after four seasons, will contest his maiden F1 season campaigning a familiar number. As his Williams FW43 will sport the No. 6 which previously was somebody named Nico Rosberg's number!

Nicholas Latifi Driver Bio

Yet it seems that the 2021 Silly Season Driver Market has gotten the Bulk of Ye Media's Spotlight during this very long racing pause, which surely - Nah, No Shirley Temple Jokes Here; Hya! Yuhs already know 'bout Carlos Sainz Jr. to Ferrari and Ricciardo to McLaren next year.

But as I think it was 'Ol Bob Varsha who used to say? First Y'all Need to G-O Racing in order to Finish the race or something to that effect, Eh? As I'll leave Y'all with my originally riveting 2020 No Fenders season preview instead...

F1: 2020 Season Set to Commence Down Under'

What Does Drag Racing and James Bond Have in Common with Formula 1?

Nope, it's Not they're having Anything to Do with Gadgets...

Over Memorial Day weekend, remember that Y'all? Hey, Yuhs know how I'm constantly doing Ye Time Warp here upon thoust Isle 'O Nofendersville, Righto? And some 'lil 'Ol Texas IndyCar race got in the way...

AnyHoo, Team Willys'George Russell won the Virtual Monaco Grand Prix event, his second win in-a-row, which reminded me of a fairly dated story I'd heard Wayback in early February via the Los Angeles Daily News Motorsports section, Huh? Yuhs know when the NHRA Circus was beginning its 2020 season at Pomona, California's yearly Winter Nationals; CRIKEYS!

Hmm, Where'd It Go? Sigh, another 'O Ye Myriad of Newspapers who's content's been Corrupted by the Silly IT Boffins constantly Tinkering  with thou various Newspapers available on the NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service, that I tire mightily of having to constantly notify Newsline of their being Scrambled; But I Digress...  

Noting that Alexis DeJoria was returning to the world of Top Fuel Nitro Floppers', aka NHRA Funny Cars after a two year Sabattical in a newly created race team named DC Motorsports sponsored by two major brands, i.e.; ROKiT Phones and ABK Beer adorning her Toyota Camry Funny Car.

Alexis DeJoria Revs Up Her return to Drag Racing with ROKiT Phones and ABK Beer

And what Peaked'; Oh Never Mind! My Attenzione in said article was the tiny tidbit divulging that ROKiT was co-founded by her Pops John Paul DeJoria, who also founded Paul Mitchell Hair Care products and the Patron Tequila Brand, once synonymous with Sports Car racing in North America...

As I'll confess that I paid little Attenzione last year to the Williams F1 Team's newest title sponsor, other than saying Who?

Having never heard of ROKiT before, and I just thought this was Williams Desperation of finding a new title sponsor after the very recconnizable Martini Drinks conglomerate walked away from Team Willy.

Ok, so it appears to be a Telecommunications company with major ambitions, since it's Company's glossy Fluff website's Homepage doesn't really reveal too much other than it's currently "Wiring" some two Dozen-plus cities in India, albeit presumably Pre-COVID 19 Pandemic crisis.

What is ROKiT?

Yet they must be a fairly large company since I've now discovered they also sponsor the Venturi Formula E Team along with the Women's W Series Motorsports Championship. On top of sponsoring Golden Child's younger brother Nicolas Hamilton in the British Touring Car Championship. (BTCC)

Thought may be I read somewheres' that ROKiT Chairman Jonathan Kendrick is a Motorhead? since he did spend considerable time in thou Tyre Business, which would somewhat explain the push into motorsports sponsorships,

Righto?

Whilst I also gleamed somewhere else that Alexis DeJoria became infatuated with Thee Need for Speed! After her father took her Tooling' about in his Vector W8 Supercar!

Also, Kendrick's mini-Bio' notes he owns several Drinks companies including ABK Beer, a German Brand dating over 700 years, which you can read below.

The ROKiT Group - About Our Team

Having since read on Ye Intrawoods' that indeed John Paul took daughter Alexis on a Road-trip to Las Vegas when she was "Sweet 16," and let her drive the car once they crossed over into Nevada. With John Paul noting that she kept stepping on it and stepping on it, and pretty soon they were Hurtlin' along at Gory 200mph before he asked her to back it down! With John Paul noting the Vector has a Top Speed of 227mph; SHEISA!

Having subsequently stumbled across this Youtube video clip from the TV Show Steel Dreams Hosted by Ralph "Keyboard Warriors R US" Sheheen Wayback in December, 2010. Where Ralph interviews John Paul DeJoria, and his wife Eloise about their Harleys and his Vector W8. An ultra rare automobile, with only 17 production versions built...

VIDEO: Steel Dreams - Vector W8

But what about Ye James Bond 007 reference Y'all are saying, Righto? If you're still reading this...

Whale' it's just a tease since Aston Martin Automobiles are synonymous with the British Secret Agent, who predominantly drives Astons, albeit I'm pretty fond of the Lotus Esprit's and a Narly 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 he drove; But I Digress...

as it's now worth paying Attenzione to the car-maker since after all  they'll be racing in Formula 1 in 2021.

As I've previously noted how the man at Ye Helm of the Racing Point F1 Team's Takeover is Lawrence Stroll, father of one half of its current Grands Prix Pilotes Lance.

Since Lawrence has also thrown the beleaguered Auto manufacturer a Financial Lifeline earlier. Has now Arse-sumedly helped influence the Firing of CEO Andy Palmer who's being replaced by current Mercedes AMG CEO Tobias Moers beginning this August.

Aston Martin Sacks Andy Palmer after Share-price Tumbles

And lastly, our Hero Fredrico Suave', aka Fred Alonso certainly has a knack for keeping his name in the media, Ci! Having not only swept the Legends trophy virtual Indianapolis Oval events, along with the Will He, Won't He? Conjecture over a possible return to le Reggie', nee Renault - who's in somewhat Desperate need of a Star Driver to replace the departing Daniel Ricciardo at season's end.

Would Fernando Alonso really Consider a return to Renault?

As perhaps it's just Mwah, but won't It feel rather Surreal when Formula 1 finally Kick Starts it's Stilted 2020 Season July 5th in Spielberg? Ja-Ja, Ye Hills will be Filled with Thee Sounds 'O Musak'; Err 20 PU's, nee technological Tour de Force Power Units...