F1: Verstappen’s Win Streak Ends!

Push ‘em Back Carlos, Way Back!

 

Ah, doesn’t Singapore seem like such a long time ago, Eh? Especially after that vengeful, utterly Dominant weekend Smackdown MaxiMillions’ just Threw down upon us at Suzuka!

 

Although as I still, somewhat bask in the afterglow, or is that Aspen Glow? Two immediate thoughts following the Singapore Grand Prix came to mind. First I couldn’t even remember when I last “watched”, Err listened to a Grand Prix? Which I believe it must have been the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles villeneive Wayback’ on Bloody June 18th!

 

Along with is it wrong to wanting the Pole sitter to lead wire-to-wire? Especially after “Switching Off” from following Formula 1 for two months for this very same reason. Ergo the MaxiMillions factor…

 

I’m a Huge Fan of Carlos Sainz, Jr. for several reasons. As the Spaniard just seems to keep His Head down and get on with the job without All of the wingeing the Brat Pack does! Not to mention He seems to be treated like a Number Two driver at la Scuderia. Thus my desire for Carlos to win from Pole at Singapore!

 

Not to mention how Uber’ refreshing it was for Verstappen to not only not be a factor for the race win, along with barely being mentioned during the broadcast. But the icing on the cake was Max being legitimately passed on-track by five different drivers; George Russell, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon when dropping back from second to seventh!

 

Still don’t quite understand Sky Sports Pundits Kroftie’, aka David Kroft and Martin BilyBob’ Brundle’s comments about Ferrari sacrificing Leclerc to ensure a win when the Monegasque was dutifully following Sainz in second place. Although may be this had something to do with Sainz masterfully managing the gap, since I thought they said His lead was only 0.7-seconds ahead of Leclerc at this point of the race? As Leclerc was the only driver in the Top-10 to start on Soft tyres vs. everbody else on mediums.

 

Although reportedly Ferrari told Leclerc first they needed Him to drop behind by three seconds, and then further told Him they needed it to be a five second gap.

 

On lap-20 the Safety Car came out for Williams Logan Sargeant who Hit the wall! Seeing the leaders dive into the Pits, with Ferrari and Mercedes Double Stacking their drivers, notably to Leclerc’s detriment. While the two Red Bulls stayed out, seeing Max and Checo’ (Perez) inherit P2-4.

 

Yet Sainz still led when the Safety Car pulled off on lap-22 and began His Master Class performance of driving as slow as possible to keep His lead, but preserve His Hard tyres, intending to nurse them to the finish…

 

And then things got interesting when the Virtual Safety Car (VCS) was deployed on lap-43 for Ocon’s smoking Alpine, having limped off track. As Mercedes rolled the dice and decided to go for broke! Pitting both drivers on lap-44 for fresh medium Pirelli rubber whilst Sainz, Norris and Leclerc stayed on-track.

 

On lap-50 Carlos held a slim 1.3 second lead ahead of Norris; 5.5 seconds on Scuderia teammate Leclerc, and 9.8 seconds over Russell with Hamilton 12.6 seconds adrift. Yet the two Silver arrows were cutting sizeable chunks of time each lap, with Russell and Hamilton some 1.5-2 seconds quicker per lap! As believe it was lap-53 when I began crossing my fingers and chanting Carlos! Since the Mercedes were ah-Comin’ Fast, and I really wanted Sainz to win!

 

First Russell, and then Hamilton passed third place Leclerc, whose tyres were shot. And that’s when it got Uber’ sstrange for Mwah! As I unexpectedly began chanting Lando-Lando-Lando! Whom happens to be one of the F1 Brat Pack members I dislike…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/10/formula-ones-brat-pack-young-turks.html

 

As lap-59 of 62 saw Sainz holding a razor slim 0.7-second lead over Norris. Who in turn was holding up Russell and Hamilton, with the top four only 1.7 seconds adrift! As Norris masterfully held off Russell, with Hamilton heard on His in-car radio telling George (Russell) to Hurry Up!

 

But it was all for naught, as Russell brushed the wall on the final lap before crashing with Sainz leading Norris across the stripe with Hamilton third. And it was interesting hearing Norris during the podium interview repeatedly saying that Sainz had been generous with DRS, letting Lando stay within the required one second gap to enable the Drag Reduction System to work. Which the Englishman thought not only helped Him hold off Hamilton for second, but helped Carlos win also…

 

Leclerc held onto fourth and Verstappen finished fith. While I was most impressed with AlphaTauri rookie Liam Lawson who finished an excellent ninth, scoring His maiden Formula 1 points in only His third F1 race.

 

And with Lawson’s more experienced teammate Yuki Tsunoda pulling off on lap-1, surely this just adds more pressure for AlphaTauri to retain the Japanese driver next year…

 

Sainz definitely lived up to His nickname of “Smooth Operator” by controlling the race while making His Hard Pirelli tyres last 42-laps! With Carlos popular win ending Verstappen’s consecutive win streak of ten races, and Red Bull’s run of 15 consecutive W’s. While Carlos took His second victory for Ferrari, and the Prancing Horse’s first W’ since Leclerc’s win at Austria last July.

 

As now the $64k question is will Max go back to dominating the remainder of the F1 calendar, or can Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes continue Harrying Verstappen and keep Red Bull off the top step of the podium?

 

Hmm, why is that ‘Ol Supertramp song Dreamer, You know You’re A Dreamer popping into my Head right now? 

F1: The Plight of Daniel Ricciardo

    Although I suppose it’s Not as Bad as Simon Pagenaud’s lingering Concussion predicament…

 

Typically steer away from what I consider Puff pieces, unless it regards one of the cadre of racing drivers I like.

 

Case in point was deciding to “read”, Err listen to a Puff piece upon Racer.com Me Thinks? About how “Pumped” DannyRic’, aka Daniel Ricciardo was about the upcoming second half of this year’s Formula 1 season. Noting how He’d spent the Summer Break training to get Himself Fit for the forthcoming stretch ‘O races.

 

As Ricciardo had been Red Bull’s reserve driver and getting His “Mojo” back by working on their simulator, along with being a Red Bull Ambassador, before replacing the rudely discarded rookie Dutchman Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, after the Dutchman had only been given a paltry ten races to “impress” the likes of Der Helmut’, aka Dr. Helmut Marco.  

 

As I, like Arse-sumedly many others have been guessing that Ricciardo’s return to F1 at Scuderia AlphaTauri is simply a tune-up for replacing Checo’, nee Sergio Perez at Red Bull next year, Righto?

 

Since Marco did little to quelch this speculation by stating prior to the Dutch Grand Prix that Sergio wasn’t 100% certain for next year…

 

Naturally I felt bad for Daniel after ironically He broke His Hand whilst taking evasive action to not Slam into Countryman Oscar Piastri at Zandvoort during Friday practice.

 

As the rookie Aussie’ who replaced DannyRic’ at McLaren this season had spun on the blind, banked Turn-3 corner ahead of Ricciardo. With Daniel reportedly not being able to remove His Hands from the steering wheel quickly enough before impacting the wall!

 

I first learned about the incident when perusing my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s Reuters Motorsports News feed Friday morning. But what I found annoying was that Reuters, London Telegraph, etc. Noted that Ricciardo had broken His wrist. And others like The Guardian and Racer were saying He’d broken His Hand.

 

As I really get tired of this Shoddy, misleading reporting. Like is it His Hand or wrist Dudes?

 

Thus after looking up what a Metacarpal is, technically both descriptions are correct. Since apparently the Metacarpal are the Bones between one’s fingers and wrist, connecting each other. But still, it would be nice for everybody to say the same Gory words…

 

AnyHoo’ regardless, Ricciardo was not medically cleared to compete and was summarily replaced by the team’s reserve driver Liam Lawson. Although reportedly sacked Nyck de Vreis was still on AlphaTauri’s Driver’s “rolls”, and would have been a popular choice at Zandvoort.

 

Yet Red Bull further stuck the knife into de Vries when the team elected to give the 21yr old New Zealander His debut Grand Prix start instead.

 

While Ricciardo flew to Barcelona to undergo surgery to “Clean-up” His Metacarpal break in order to recover as quickly as possible.

 

With rumours initially suggesting that Ricciardo would be targeting a return to the cockpit at the Singapore Grand Prix, despite it being a highly physical race.

 

Ricciardo’s Hand surgery was successful with a plate and screws being inserted to aid recovery, with Red bull haveng subsequently said that rookie Lawson will “Deputize” at this week’s Italian Grand Prix, and until ricciardo’s ready to return to His AlphaTauri cockpit.

 

Thus I can only Hope DannyRic’ makes a speedy, but Full recovery before returning to action either at Suzuka or Austin later this season. 

Penske-A.J. foyt IndyCar Technical Alliance Announced

Meaning Bosom Buddies ScottyMac’ (Scott McLaughlin) and everybodies favourite IndyCar driver Benjamin Pederson will now be “Working together!”

 

Like IndyCar that was in a Thunderstorm ‘n Rain Delay last Saturday, your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso’s also been shuffling planned “Posts” here upon Ye Blob’, as Thy late Awntie’ Harriet called it…

 

Found this to be very interesting news, which I first spotted during my daily News Trawl on Racer.com last week. Wit Marshall Pruett noting how the previously discussed Technical Alliance between Team Penske and A.J. Foyt enterprises had been rekindled upon Larry Foyt making a phone call to Tim Cindric.

 

As Foyt should improve with technical feedback on “go Fast” parts. Arse-sumedly most notably those All critical Dampers programme. (Shocks) Along with other engineering expertise, albeit Foyt’s main man Mike Cannon Ain’t exactly No Slouch! With No Disrespect towards any of the other Foyt Engineering Staff.

 

Where it got interesting for Mwah was Cindric openly talking about where do they place a Miles Rowe or Ernie Francis, Jr. in the future if either is ready to graduate to IndyCar from Indy NXT? Noting how Penske typically doesn’t insert fresh face rookies into it’s team.

 

Not to mention the alliance will allow Penske to also develop staff for future promotion, i.e.; Engineers and Crew members.

 

Cindric said it’s a work in progress and they’ll work out the long term details as they go along. For now just helping Foyt as much as possible over the final three races.

 

While Pruett mentions how interest has already percolated regarding potential future drivers for Foyt due to the new technical alliance, a la Andretti Autosport and Meyer Shank Racing on the Honda side of the equation.

 

And it seems that Marshall’s mentioned the possibility of new technical alliances being formed, mainly with Arrow McLaren if it decides to expand to a four car operation next year? Since they’re not moving into Mikey A’s current race shop until 2025 when Andretti moves to it’s new Fisher’s complex.

 

Butt I’d Arse-sume McLaren’s plans for four Fulltime IndyCar entries has been delayed now that Zak’s Boy Alex Palou has changed His mind, again. With Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) seeming to be the most logical Bowtie’ runner choice.

 

Yet Pruett noted over the WWTR weekend that He was keeping an “Eye” upon a possible Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) technical alliance “tie-up” with McLaren instead. Although noting that Callum Ilott was one of the drivers on McLaren’s “shopping list” to fill the vacated No. 6 Palou seat…

 

And although I know it’s not the same situation. Nonetheless, I’m old enough to remember how Tony Junior’s Bettenhausen Motorsports Sharp lookin’ IndyCar team ran year old Penske’s exclusively during the early 1990’s, when Penske Cars were building their own IndyCar chassis in Bloody Poole, England. Notably when ‘lil Stevie Johnson’, aka Stefan Johansson was running those Alumax sponsored PC chassis Indy Cars…

 

As just think of how this alliance should remarkably help the Great Santini’s, aka Santino Ferrucci’s overall performance. And how Ferrucci’s prowess on a one, certain 2.5-mile Oval. Some place that El Capitano’ owns potentially benefit Team Penske! Which I prefer calling Mother Speedway…

 

Whilst the idea of B-Teams isn’t anything new, since Scuderia AlphaTauri has been Red Bull Racing’s Formula 1 Defacto B-Team since 2006! While I think Mercedes has had linkage with Williams over the years. Not to mention turning the long defunct Manor Racing team into it’s B-Team with AMG Mercedes DTM chauffeurs Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon…

 

Update

Whilst waiting out the Rain Delay at WWTR last Saturday, I read Marshall Pruett’s latest Silly Season update. With Marshall noting that Santino Ferrucci was still unsigned for Foyt next year, with teammate Benjamin Peterson being on a multi-year contract.

 

Think it would be a shame if Foyt didn’t retain Ferrucci! But with Pruett also noting how Fast Eddie’, nee Ed Carpenter doesn’t like being “Ghosted!” Which possibly David Malukas will end up doing to Ed? Ferrucci in the ECR No. 20 entry would be a great “Change-up”. Or may be as an unlikely addition to either Meyer Shank Racing or Juncos Hollinger Racing who both could benefit from Santino’s Oval prowess, Just Sayin’. Especially since the 2024 IndyCar Silly Season is far from being done! With everyone besides Team Penske still having potential vacancies… 

The ever reciprocating Wheels of Motor Racing

Sing it Billy Preston! Will It go round in Circles?

 

Yeah, forgive Mwah for playing Ketsup’. As I’m El Mucho behind on this, especially since I was off in Ye proverbial Bush with Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary ellen and Hang 10- Hilo the past three weeks, Butt?

 

Upon the News of thoust proverbial tossing of another talented Formula 1 driver like Cold Bathwater by Der Helmut’, aka Dr. Helmut Marco. Since Y’all have presumably moved on from that Firing Wayback’ on Wednesday, July 12th, El Correctomundo?

 

It nawed at Mwah that former FIA Formula 2 and Formula E Champion Nyck de Vries had previously tested an IndyCar for Meyer shank Racing? Which indeed He did so at Sebring Wayback’ in December, 2021. As what an impressive Quartet went testing that day.

 

When then Mercedes Formula E teammate Stoffel Vandoorne tested for Arrow McLaren SP. Callum Ilott Arse-sumedly for Juncos Hollinger Racing. (JHR) And if memory serves your aging Blogger correctly? Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken tested for Ed Carpenter Racing. (ECR)

 

As De Vries was quickest of the four that day. And presumably Mike Shank’s already made a phone call immediately afterwards, Righto? To the unceremoniously Dumped Scuderia alphaTauri F1 Driver about piloting one of their two IndyCar entries next year?

 

 

Whilst you presumably also know that De Vries was replaced by DannyRic’, aka Daniel Ricciardo. Whose being “loaned” to AlphaTauri for the remainder of the season as De Vries’s replacement. With Ricciardo claiming He’s “Stoked” to be back in Formula 1, Uh-duh!

 

As I’m sure others have already lined up the “Polka Dots” of Ricciardo’s return as a tune-up to replacing the currently beleaguered Checo’, nee Sergio Perez at what Austin F1 sherpa Claudio denoted as the Big Bulls’, ergo Red Bull Racing for 2024. Since Herr Marco and Company have already well documented how much signed contracts mean to them, Ja Volt!

 

And was this just a neat way to get Ricciardo some “Seat-time” along with Alex Palou slotting into the vacated AlphaTauri or whatever it’s new moniker for next year will be?

 

As does Palou have visions of Grandeur of one day driving alongside Max Verstappen? Even if noise was being made at Bloody Silverstone about Marco meeting with Lando Norris’s “Agent”. (Manager)

 

Update

Naturally All Hell broke loose whilst on Holiday, again! Since we All know now that Alex Palou is staying put at chip Ganassi Racing for 2024 and beyond. With Tom “The Bomb” Blomqvist being announced as the driver next season for Meyer shank Racing’s #06 entry, with Helio Castroneves moving into an Indy 500 Only role with the team next year.

 

While reports noted de Vries having a “Coffee” with Herr Crying Wolff of Mercedes fame in Ye Principality’, nee Monte Carlo awhile ago now. With the Dutchman apparently keen upon staying in Europe with rumours claiming He’d been talking to Nissan about a Formula E drive for next season.

 

Although Thars’ still the potential of an IndyCar Drive, as Arrow McLaren and Zakery Brown have plenty ‘O suitors for the potentially vacated No. 6 seat next year! Or de Vreis could fill out an impressive lineup at RLLR aboard it’s #30 entry… 

Will Alex Palou Walk Away from IndyCar?

And is being Tail Gunner Charlie in Formula 1 really that appealing?

 

Obviously as a cellar dwelling Blogger, Alex Palou, His Management team or anyone else in the IndyCar paddock Doesn’t give a Tinkers Damn what I scribble ‘bout here upon No Fenders! And certainly I’ll be the last to get the Gory Memo over what Palou ultimately intends to do for the 2024 season…

 

Following His Beatdown upon the IndyCar field at Road America, where I just sat around in Thy Basement muttering Animal outloud to myself! I simply cannot understand why Palou would wish to leave Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) in what seems another IndyCar championship season’s ride.

 

And that was before Palou continued His Monstrous season’s winning performances when claiming His fourth win in five races at Mid-Ohio!

 

Yet listening to one of Marshall Pruett’s the Week in IndyCar Podcast, with Marshall going on a long diatribe over just how scary good Palou’s become this year prior to Road America. Pruett seemed fairly emphatic over staying at CGR would only be Option number three for Palou, if that? With Marshall saying it’s not an option, and Palou will leave CGR regardless at the end of this year.

 

Apparently Option number one is the Siren Song call of Formula 1. Although even with some scuttlebutt suggesting there’s two F1 teams interested in Him, i.e.; McLaren and Scuderia AlphaTauri. Arse-sumedly the only true optin is AlphaTauri. Since I seriously doubt that either of McLaren F1 boyz’ Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri are going anywhere soon!

 

Especially when the pair just Shone at McLaren’s Home race with Lando and Oscar starting an excellent P2-3. With Norris scoring a fine second place behind Red Bull’s MaxiMillions’, His second career podium. And Piastri scoring His best finish to date of fourth.

 

Failing Palou going to the current Faenza based F1 AlphaTauri Back-marker. Pruett tends to believe that Palou’s got a Handshake deal with Mr. Zakery Brown to drive for Arrow McLaren beginning in 2024, which Ain’t exactly a secret in IndyCar-land!

 

What I find somewhat difficult to understand is why Palou would wish to go to Arrow McLaren? Which to Mwah, still hasn’t proved it’s of true Championship caliber organization that’s able to beat the likes of Penske, Ganassi or at times, Andretti.

 

Thus I can only Arse-sume that Palou is so motivated to give His current Boss Cheep’, aka Chip Ganassi the will Power “double Bird” Salute! Telling Him He’s Numero Uno for failing to give Him His desired pay raise last season and now wishes to make Cheep’ regret filing the lawsuit against Him last year…

 

As for heading to AlphaTauri and Formula 1, is this really a better situation than staying put in Indy Cars? Since currently, prior to the Austrian Grand Prix, which was another MaxiMillions’ Red Bull Whitewash, Groan! Which I didn’t bother to tune into…

 

AlphaTauri was then ranked tenth out of the ten F1 Constructors, with a measly two points! Courtesy of Yuki Tsunoda’s brace of tenth place finishes.

 

 Whilst sixth thru tenth weren’t exactly setting the world alight. Led by McLaren’s 17-points. Followed by Haas with 11-points, Alfa Romeo with 9-points and Williams with 7-points, after Alex Albon’s impressive seventh place finish at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve!

 

Whilst following Austria; McLaren leapt to 29-points with Lando Norris’s fourth place finish. And then the Woking based squad netted 30 more points at Silverstone, vaulting them to fifth ahead of Alpine, who were stuck on 47-points following a double retirement.

 

And whilst Williams and Haas became tied wit 11 markers apiece. Williams moved to P7 wit Albon’s eighth place finish. And apparently the team has better finishing results vs. Haas.

 

Whilst Alfa Romeo still has four and a half times more points than AlphaTauri, with nine. With AlphaTauri standing pat Dead last with it’s measly 2-points total.

 

Scuttlebutt also suggest that AlphaTauri rookie Nyck de Vries, who’s been struggling to get up to pace this year has already been given a “Yellow Card” warning by Der Helmut’, aka Dr. Helmut Marco, and may be Axed before His Home Dutch Grand Prix? As de Vries and fellow rookie Logan Sargeant of Williams are the only two f1 drivers with 0-points to their 2023 ledger.

 

With Red Bull Junior Driver Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, would Palou wish to subject Himself to this type of pressure?Since the last two Stateside drivers to drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso, AlphaTauri’s previous incarnation had less than stellar outings.

 

With Scotty “The Goose” Speed becoming Franz tost’s punching bag, and le Hamburgular’, nee Sebastien Bourdais also having a miserable time there before returning to IndyCar…

 

But at age 26, Palou’s time is running out for a F1 drive, and I suppose if He chooses to depart with two IndyCar Championship titles on His “CV”. He can always return to IndyCar in the future.

 

But the $64k question then would be who would Hire Him? And would He get another Championship winning ride?

 

And is running around at the tail end of the Formula 1 grid on the streets of Monte Carlo more compelling than competing for the immortality of having your face etched upon the Borg Warner trophy?

 

And lastly, it’s scary noting that Williams is currently the superior option over AlphaTauri! Since Williams has years to go to become just a proper Midfield runner.

 

But then again, obviously I’m just speculating here, and will be Ah-Waitin’ with Baited Breath like Y’all to see what Palou does for the rest of this season and beyond… 

F1: Red Bull's latest Branding Exercise Shoots towards the Stars

Is it A Plane, A Star or just some Really Bad Racing Name?

 

Was  gonna launch in to that 'Ol Refrain 'bout Is it A Bird, Plane or Alpha Centauri? Which I fondly recall from a Great Comedian named Brian Regan, who's Comedic Skit I first heard upon Thee Radio a Buh-Zillion' years ago, Get It? Buzz Lightyear, To Infiniti and Beyond, Oh Never Mind!

As that was before having watched him on various Comedy Central TV shows, Wayback “Light Years Ago” when they hosted Comedians Daily, but I digress, as here’s the clip below…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfZcv5ePscI

 

As this long dormant No fenders story came percolating back upon thy radar screen when recently hearing the news over Franz Tost’s impending departure as Team Principal at the end of the 2023 F1 season.

 

As AlphaTauri suddenly announced having poached current Ferrari Racing Director Laurent Mekies from la Scuderia, much to Team Principal Frederic Vasseur’s dismay over the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend this past April. While the totally unknown Peter Bayer will become AlphTauri’s CEO upon Tost’s exit.

 

Although apparently Ferrari and AlphaTauri are still wrasslin’ over when Meckies will go on the requisite “Gardening leave” and when He’ll be allowed to start working at Faenza as AlphaTauri’s new Boss…

 

Thus, having taken some three years to piece this together, most likely Yuhs already know the reason behind Scuderia toro Rosso's Name change following the 2019 F1 Season. Which I cannot say I'm overly impressed by even now. And far prefer Scuderia Toro Rosso instead!

 

For those who Don't know, AlphaTauri is Red Bull's "luxury" Fashion Brand, having commenced in 2016 and is named after that Humungous Red Star in thoust Milky Way in deference to the colour Rosso, for obvious reasons.

 

Although No Word on whether or Not these clothes Give you Wings? Since Thar Tag-line is something about The Body that Fits or something close to that, but I digress further.

 

Or as the Brilliant Author Kurt Vonnegut says countless times in his epic Masterpiece Slaughterhouse5, “So It Goes”.

 

Naturally, the rebranded Scuderia AlphaTauri F1 Team Shocked us All with it's unexpected triumph at Monza, in September 2020. Scoring it's maiden Grand Prix victory when Pierre Gasly won his Debutant Formula 1 race at the Italian Grand Prix!

 

But Y'all probably Didn't see that Stateside if Yuhs were Ah-Waitin' the late evening Encore Presentation on luh Duesh' like your Humble No Fenders Scribe was. Y’all know, when ESPN2 Double Faulted, Again, Fault!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2020/10/f1-night-espn2-double-faulted-at.html

 

And if you're a Hard Core F1 Aficionado like Mwah, then you already know that AlphaTauri and it's subsequent Scuderia Toro Rosso incarnations as a Formula 1 Constructor began as Minardi Wayback in Gory 1985, when Giancarlo Minardi's Minnowesqe Formula 1 Team made it's F1 Debut at Sao Paolo, Brazil. But I’m getting Ahead of Thyself…

 

Red bull Impresario Deeter Majestik’, aka Dietrich Mateschitz bought the Minardi F1 concern from then Team Owner Paul Stoddart, founder of European Aviation. With the Formula 1 operation arriving on the Grid under it’s new Scuderia toro Rosso moniker at the 2006 season opening Bahrain Grand Prix. With Red bull having taken control of the Faenza, Italy concern upon November 1, 2005. As ‘Ol deeter’ was a busy boy, having bought the Jaguar F1 Team from Ford just a year earlier…

 

Toro rosso naturally began amid controversy, when it’s STR1 chassis was a redesign of it’s Big Brother’s Red Bull RB1 chassis. Along with utilizing Minardi’s supply of 2005-Spec rev-limited Cosworth 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10 lumps’, after the FIA had mandated 2.4-litre normally aspirated V-8 engines for the 2006 F1 season.

 

As it’s drivers were the long forgotten Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi ans American Scott Speed who’d won the Red Bull Drivers search.

 

Speed who reputedly was used as Team Boss Franz tost’s “Punching Bag”, was controversially dropped mid-season in favour of then BMW Sauber Development Driver Sebastian Vettel, and the rest as they say is History!

 

Vettel claimed His and the team’s first Pole position and victory at the wet (2008) Italian Grand Prix. Becoming the first Italian F1 Constructor other than Ferrari to win a Grands Prix since Juan Manuel Fangio triumphed for Maserati at the 1957 German Grand Prix! Along with being the only Ferrari powered customer Formula 1 win to date.

 

As this would be the team’s High-water mark during it’s 268 Grands Prix appearances as Scuderia Toro Rosso between 2006-2019. Whilst Toro rosso also holds the Honour of employing the last IndyCar driver to go to Formula 1, that being Sebastien Bourdais between 2008-09, which is a really long time ago!

 

And I don’t see this changing anytime soon, with the FIA’s Nepotism towards promoting only it’s European ladder system and totally ignoring IndyCar when it comes to an appropriate awarding of points for the necessary FIA Super License to compete in Formula 1.

 

Since we All know about how Colton Herta was unable to earn the necessary points needed, even if the American driver is totally capable of driving a Formula 1 racecar… 

A Brief look at this year’s Formula 1 Rookie Crop

But who’ll ultimately come out on Top between these three Rookies?

 

Logan Sargeant

Williams Racing

Car No. 2

DOB: 12/31/00, Age 22

 

Florida’s Logan Sargeant becomes the first Yank’ Driver in Formula 1 since 2016 Indianapolis 500 Rookie winner Alexander Rossi’s very brief five race stint for Manor Marussia F1 in 2015. As Sargeant finished fourth Overall in last year’s FIA Formula 2 Championship to secure the necessary points to secure His requisite FIA Super license. For which if accomplishing, then Williams Team Principal Jost Capito had promised to elevate Logan to an F1 drive at Williams, as the departing Nicholas Latifi’s replacement.

 

And instead of rehashing what I already scribbled here upon No Fenders, I’ll direct Y’all to my previous Logan Sargeant tome instead.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/10/fia-f2-americas-next-formula-1-driver.html

 

Nyck de Vries

Scuderia AlphaTauri

Car No. 21

DOB: 2/6/95, Age 28

 

For Mwah, Nyck de Vries is the most underrated of our trio, or more likely most overlooked. As the totally deserving Dutchman looked set to not get a proper chance in Formula 1.

 

As De Vreis won the 2019 FIA Formula  2 Championship and then went on to win the 2020-21 Formula E Championship for Mercedes. Along with winning both the 2014 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps titles.

 

De Vries got His chance to finally debut in F1 at last year’s Italian Grand Prix, substituting for Williams Alex Albon who needed an emergency Appendectomy operation!

 

Where Nyck dually impressed everybody with His ninth place finish, scoring two F1 points in His maidn Grand Prix. Subsequently being snapphed up by Red Bull, whose got some other “Dutchie” on it’s books. As the departing Pierre Gasly’s replacement alongside Yuki Tsunoda. For which I’ll be interested to see if De Vries outperforms the “Veteran” Tsunoda.

 

Oscar Piastri

McLaren F1 Team

Car No. 81

DOB: 4/6/01, Age 21

 

Oscar Piastri made News last year during Formula One’s Summer Break, when the Aussie’ informed Alpine He wouldn’t be driving for them!

 

Like many FIA Formula 2 Champions, Piastri who won the 2021 title was spending a year on the sidelines as Alpine’s Test and Reserve Driver, and was expected to fill Fernando Alonso’s seat in 2023 initially. As Alpine had to make a decision on who they’d keep this year, for which we All know Alonso solved that by unexpectedly jumping to Aston Martin.

 

Yet Alpine hand’t done enough to keep it’sYoung Gun, and ‘Ol Zakery Brown who made waves on both sides of the Atlantic secured Oscar’s services as DannyRic’s, aka Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement, for which the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board subsequently ruled in McLaren’s favour.

 

Piastri, a potential F1 Prodigy, won the Formula Renault Eurocup, Fia Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2 Championships consecutively between 2019-2021. And I think He’s the first driver since Charles Leclerc to win the F3 and F2 titles back-to-back?

 

Thus it will be interesting to see how much the young Australian can push McLaren’s Superstar driver Lando Norris, who seemingly hasn’t been challenged by a teammate yet? Although I think Carlos Sainz, Jr. must have given Him a Hard time before moving onto Ferrari. While I still Don’t understand what happened to Ricciardo at McLaren… 

F1: Colton Herta’s Formula 1 Dreams Put on Hold

As the 22yr Old Yank’ will focus upon Indy Cars and Hope for Andretti Global to finally land it’s sought after F1 “Franchise,” Err Formula 1 entry…

 

Interestingly, Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward noted cynically in His Green Notebook from Crevecouer-le-Grand, following this year’s Dutch Grand Prix. That perhaps Der Helmut’, aka Red Bull’s “Junior Minder” Helmut Marko could be using Colton Herta as a Red Herring to keep us from Not talking about Red Bull’s Porsche Power Unit Dealio’ Having it’s Plug Pulled…

 

Having been away from Ye All consuming Confuzer and Keyboard for nearly a month, I had Zero clue what the latest rumours were regarding Colton Herta’s possibilities of racing next year in formula 1, prior to finally asking No Fenders Blogmeister Miguel to query Colton Herta latest news for Mwah on Wednesday, October 12th.

 

For which Y’all are presumably Ahead of Mwah, knowing that we won’t be seeing the young American IndyCar Star participating in this Friday’s (Free Practice) FP1 Session for either McLaren or Scuderia AlphaTauri.

 

Since it was announced last Friday that current Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar driver Alex Palou will be making His FP1 debut for McLaren at Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA in Austin tomorrow. Aboard Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren MCL-36/Mercedes racecar.

 

While Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward will take over Lando Norris’s McLaren mount, making His FP1 Debut at the season finale Abu dhabi Grand Prix this November.

 

And I’ve got Zero Clue how Colton’s “Private” Test at the Hungaroring for Alpine went? Or How many Drivers participated? Since this was supposedly being Done to Kill a Few birdie’s! Filling the vacated spot originally planned for Oscar Piastri before He “Bolted” to McLaren and left Alpine in a lerch! Along with evaluating other potential aspiring F1 Drivers.

 

And as we All know, Alpine needed to find a replacement Driver for the departing Frederico Suave’, aka Fernando Alonso. But Messer Saward has also Bantered On ceaselessly over How pairing AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly would be a Bad idea for Alpine! As Gasly and Countryman Esteban Ocon apparently still Have a Nasty rift between them from when they were friends as Wee lads’ Go Karting against each other…

 

Ironically, next year will be the 30^th Anniversary of Mikey andretti’s one season in Formula 1, as somebody named Ayrton Senna’s teammate at McLaren! For which Critics still claim wasn’t a great result for the proprieter of Andretti Autosport, along with being Colton’s current Boss…

 

As there’s been joust a paltry three Yanks to race in Formula 1 in those past thirty years, with Andretti followed by the Dubious Scotty “The Goose!” Speed driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso between 2006-0. Before literally becoming Team Boss Franz Tost’s Punching Bag!

 

Then the latest Yank was Alexander Rossi, colton’s past Andretti Autosport IndyCar teammate. As Rossi drove a scant five races for the beleaguered Manor Marussia F1 Team in 2015. And I believe His 12th place finish at COTA was His best result…

 

Whilst the last IndyCar Driver to try His Hand in Formula 1 was le Hamburgular’, nee Sealmeister B’, SeaBass’ or simply Sebastien Bourdais. With the Frenchman driving also then for the Back marker Fienza, Italy Toro Rosso team during 2008-09. Before being replaced by another Sebastien, who’s last name is Buemi.

 

Yet Bourdais’s teammate wasn’t No Slouch! Long known Here upon No Fenders as ‘lil syd viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel. For which we All know the German went on a tear, racking up four consecutive F1 World Championships between 2010-2013 for Red Bull Racing, or as Austin F1 sherpa Claudio coined them, the Big Bulls!

 

Yet I suppose All of that is academic now, since Colton’s since signed a new Multi-year contract extension to wisely stay at Andretti Autosport and focus upon Indy Cars after the FIA Declined to Grant the request for special dispensation to give the young American the necessary F1 Super License.

 

Whilst Alpine has subsequently signed Monseiur Gasly as Fred Alonso’s replacement next year. And AlphaTauri has signed Nyck de Vries as Gasly’s replacement alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

 

And with Alfa Romeo retaining GuanYu Zhou alongside Valtteri Bottas next year, the only driver vacancy to fill is who’ll partner Alex Albon at Team Willy’, aka Williams Racing next year, with Nicholas Latifi leaving at season’s end. Since Haas is supposedly set to make a really, really Big announcement at COTA this weekend, presumably it’s next Title Sponsor, and possibly who’ll take over Mick Schumacher’s seat. Can Y’all say Nico Hulkenberg? 

Welcome to Zak Brown’s “Wheel of Fortune”

Are there any A’s Vanna? Yes, there’s two. and a O and U, but No I’s. yes, I’d like to solve the Question…

 

Normally I would have Heard the News via my ESPN Online Motorsports Headlines News Feed first thingy’ Wednesday morning via NFB’s Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service.

But unfortunately they’ve been “trying” to restore it for an agonizing two months now…

 

Thus it was pretty Funny listening to the Indianapolis Star’s Sports section’s article instead about How things might be changing between Chip Ganassi Racing and McLaren Racing’s ensuing lawsuit over the services of Alex Palou next year…

 

With the Dateline being Salinas, CA and giving somewhat of a timeline regarding the Palou Saga. Pointing out How now McLaren Racing’s Pied Piper Zakery Brown Had simply issued that June 23^rd Press Release confirming Felix rosenqvist to a long term McLaren Future in either Indy Cars or Formula E simply to put Felix’s mind at ease. And then some long willowy Platitudes about How He’d Never keep a Driver from Driving where He wanted too. Which made me immediately Bellow Out You Lying Sack of Shit! Even though I know I’ve gotta take Zak’s words at Face value…

 

Naturally Brown wouldn’t be drawn on McLaren issuing a “Paper tiger” Press Release when Rosenqvist wasn’t signed to anyting long term. And as revealed over the Laguna Seca weekend. The Clock was Ticking on Mclaren’s option for Rosenqvist, expiring at Midnight, October 1^st.

 

As I believe it was Racer’s Marshall Pruett who noted awhile ago that All of the Palou Gate Saga simply felt like a really Bad version of Speed Dating gone Wrong!

 

We’ve also learned via McLaren Racing’s other Court Case, that McLaren Had signed a contract with Oscar Piastri to drive for McLaren F1 on July 4^th of this year, over one week before the Chip Ganassi Alex Palou McLaren Racing Twitter Spat erupted publicly on July 12^th. For which I also recall it being Marshall noting how one IndyCar Team Owner Had told Him that Palou must have been Crapping His Pants when the Piastri story Broke!

 

Nathan Browne’s IndyStar’ article notes what Pruett reported previously. That Brown and CGR Managing Director Mike Hull were seen meeting Sunday morning at Laguna Seca. Along with that Palou and His Boss and good Buddy Cheep’ spoke at Portland. And that Ganassi was asking for $10 million to release Palou to McLaren Racing next year.

 

But Wednesday morning, it was All Sunshine, Rainbows ‘N Bunnies! With multiple reports noting How this time there were No Dueling Twitter statements. And that Alex Palou Had tweeted He’s very Happy to Have a Job Next year. Uhm, That He’s staying with Chip as the Driver of the #10 Next year.

 

While Arrow McLaren SP (AMSP) subsequently announced that Rosenqvist would be retained aboard the No. 7 for 2023.

 

While Ganassi also announced that Palou would be Free to Test other forms of racing as long as it Didn’t interfere with His IndyCar commitments for 2023. As Palou and AMSP Driver Pato O’Ward were both in Barcelona busy Poundin’ round in a year old McLaren MCL-35M Formula 1 chassis  during a McLaren F1 Private Test when the News was announced.

 

As I Don’t know ‘bout Y’all, but it sounds like Zak’s busy trying to mend Fences, Uhm a lot of Broken promises, err Bruised Ego’s from All of His Hocus Pocus Magic tricks! And I have to wonder if Palou was “Used” to Divert Attenzione away from Mclaren’s Piastri signing? Or Did Brown simply think that Palou was a Better solution than Rosenqvist?

 

Whilst most interestingly for Mwah, is that both Palou and Rosenqvist’s amended “Deals” only state 2023, with No word about either being the now de riggour “Multi-year” statement, i.e.; two year contracts. With Marshall and others also having noted there’s multiple Driver “Opening” for 2024…

 

But I’d say this is Good News for IndyCar, as now we just await the Drama of Colton Herta being courted by Scuderia AlphaTauri and a seat in F1 next year. Even though Colton Doesn’t Have the necessary points to Qualify for an F1 Super License, and I Don’t see How that will Happen. Especially since Formula 1 Has shown itself to be a European Boyz’ club Only! Even if Colton’s testing for Alpine F1 next week in Hungary, taking the seat that was initially reserved for Piastri. Yet somehow I just don’t see Herta being in F1 next year… 

Japanese Formula 1 Drivers Now and Then

But will they just be a fleeting memory now that Honda’s leaving F1 again…

 

Hello Sports, Err Race Fans, as we’re finally entering the Home stretch over this never ending relay with our latest three Japanese Formula 1 Drivers limbering up for Thar respective High Jumps! With Kamui Kobayashi taking the Gold medal, followed by Kazuki Nakajima the Silver and Yuji Tsunoda claiming Bronze…

 

Kazuki Nakajima

Birthplace: Okazaki, Japan

DOB: 1/11/85, Age 36

 

Formula 1

Teams: Williams (2007-2009)

First Race: 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix

Last Race: 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 

Sports Cars

Teams: Toyota

First Race: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Three Times 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner(2018-2020)

2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship Champion

 

Formula 1 Diehards will recognize his last name, since Kazuki is indeed the son of former Formula 1 Driver Satoru Nakajima, whilst I was unaware that Kazuki has a younger brother named Daisuke who was also a racing driver.

 

Kazuki began racing go Karts in 1996 and won the  ’99 Suzuka Formula ICA Karting Championship before graduating to Single Seaters, as part of the Toyota Young Drivers programme to distinguish himself from his father’s Honda ties.

 

Having won the Formula Toyota title in his Sophomore season in 2003, Nakajima moved up to the All Japan Formula 3 series the following year and claimed two wins enroute to fifth Overall, then finished Runner-up in ‘05.

 

Kazuki graduated to the Formula 3 Euroseries for ’06 and finished 7^th Overall. The following year he joined the DAMS team in GP2 finishing 5^th Overall, along with having been named as one of Williams-Toyota’s two Test Drivers that season.

 

Nakajima made his  Formula 1 debut at the 2007 Season Finale Brazilian Grand Prix after Alexander Worz had retired from F1. Interestingly, Kazuki’s team-mate was another second generation driver, future F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg.

 

Nakajima scored all of his formula 1 Points during his first Full season in F1 with a best finish of sixth at the Australian Grand Prix. Followed by two seventh place finishes at Barcelona and Monaco, and two eighth places at Silverstone and Singapore. As ’09 would see him failing to score a single point that season and finding himself out of a ride when Team Willy’ signed Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg for 2010.

 

Returning to Japan, he spent 2010 as a Formula Nippon Test Driver before winning the title in 2012, and also won the Super Formula Championship in 2014.

 

Kazuki made his FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Debut for the Factory Toyota Squad at Circuit de la Sarthe in 2012, and scored his first win at that year’s Six Hours of Fuji, while continuing as a Part-time driver the next two years.

 

For 2015 he became a Fulltime Toyota Werks’ WEC Driver and became Japan’s second ever Sports Car Champion during the 2018-19 season, along with now having scored a Hat Trick of Le Mans 24 Hours victories.

 

Kamui Kobayashi

Birthplace: Amagasaki, Japan

DOB: 9/13/86, Age 34

 

Formula 1

Teams: Toyota, Sauber, Caterham (2009-2012, 2014)

First Race: 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix

Last Race: 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 

Sports Cars

Teams: AF Corse, Toyota, Wayne Taylor Racing, Action Express Racing

First Race: 2013 Six Hours of Silverstone

Two times 24 Hours of Daytona winner (2019-2020)

2019-20 FIA World Endurance Championship Champion

 

Kamui Kobayashi, who I’m a Huge Fan of and prefer calling him “K Squared,” began Karting at Age 9 and won four Karting Championships over the next seven years before graduating to Single Seaters as part of Toyota’s Young Drivers Academy in 2004. Kamui was immediately successful and won two races in that year’s Italian Formula Renault 2.0 series.

 

The following season, Kobayashi claimed both the Italian and European Renault 2.0 Championships with six wins apiece before graduating to the Formula 3 euroseries where he finished 8^th Overall and 1^st in the Rookies Championship.

 

In ’07 Kamui scored his first F3 Euroseries victory en route to 4^th Overall in the Championship before moving up to gP2 with DAMS in 2008. Although his form in the main GP2 series was modest with two seasons finishing P16, he did win the 2008-09 GP2 Asia Championship.

 

Also beginning in ’07, Kobayashi was first nated once of Toyota’s two F1 Test Drivers  before spending the next two seasons as it’s Reserve Driver upon Frank Montagny’s departure. As Kamui made his Formula 1 debut at Suzuka during the first two practice sessions  for the ’09 Japanese Grand Prix.

 

Kobayashi made his F1 race debut at the following round in Sao Paolo as Timo glock’s substitute, where he drew the ire of eventual ’09 F1 World Champion Jenson button! As it’s funny how other drivers just expect Rookies to Pull Over for them…

 

And I can still vaguely recall rootin’ for Kamui to finish sixth at the inaugural season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, especially since his Bosom Buddy Bloody Jense’ (Button) was Harrying him for the final Championship point, with Kobayashi finishing P6 and garnering his first Formula 1 poin.

 

Unfortunately for Kamui, Toyota Quit Formula 1 at the end of 2009, leaving him without a drive, before he was confirmed as part of Sauber’s Drivers lineup alongside Pedro de la Rosa. He scored 32 points en route to 12th Overall, and impressively Murray Walker declared him Japan’s Best F1 Talent to Date! As he got a reputation for not only making daring overtaking maneuvers, but Martin BillyBob’ Brundle called him the “Last of the Late Brakers!”

 

Kamui ultimately stayed at Sauber for three seasons and scored multiple points, steadily moving towards the sharp end of the grid, beginning with a career best finish of 5^th at Monaco. Then P4 in Germany before becoming only the third Japanese Driver to ever stand on the Podium in 2012, when he claimed a fantastic third, jubilantly on Home soil at Suzuka Circuito!

 

Yet Kobayashi wasn’t retained at Sauber following the 2012 season and instead opted to become a Tintops Driver when joining AF corse in the FIA World endurance Championship’s (WEC) Le Mans GTE Pro category driving a Ferrari 458 Italia “Saloon.”

 

Kamui returned to Formula 1 for the 2014 season at the beleaguered Caterham team where he grew disillusioned with the team’s direction, along with being replaced for one race presumably due to the need for cash infusion, since Caterham would ultimately Quit F1 at season’s end.

From 2015 onwards, Kamui has focused his attention on being a Werks’ Toyota WEC Sports Car Driver, becoming only Japan’s third ever Sports Car Champion. Along with forays Stateside in the IMSA Championship where he’s won the prestigious rolex 24 twice for Wayne Taylor Racing, along with being part of Jimmie Johnson’s All Star Cast at Action Express Racing in the endurance rounds this season.

 

Yuki Tsunoda

Birthplace: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

DOB: 5/11/00, Age 21

 

Formula 1

Teams:Scuderia AlphaTauri (2021)

First Race: 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix

 

Yuki Tsunoda began Karting in 2010 in the Junior category and worked his way up the ladder of Honda’s suzuka Circuit Karting School’s ranks to the Advanced Formula category before graduating to Single Seaters in 2016, making a “One off” Debutante appearance in Formula 4.

 

Tsunoda with Honda’s backing joined it’s Formula Dream project and contested his first full season of Japan F4 in 2017, winning it’s regional Championship. Then won the Japanese F4 title the following year, scoring seven wins.

 

Yuki then moved up to the newly created FIA Formula 3 championship in 2019, along with contesting the EuroFormula Open series claiming a win apiece in each Championship and finishing 9th Overall in F3,. He also became a Red Bull Junior Driver due to it’s “tie-up” with Honda.

 

For 2020, Yuki joined Carlin’s FIA Formula 2 team and claimed third Overall on the strength of 3 wins, 4 Poles and 7 Podium finishes, bested only by Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott, with “Schuey Junior” winning the title.

 

Tsunoda then tested for Scuderia AlphaTauri at the season ending F1 Young Drivers test at Abu Dhabi and was subsequently confirmed at AlphaTauri as Daniil Kvyat’s replacement for 2021.

 

Yuki scored points in his Formula 1 debut with Ross Brawn gushing over how great Tsunoda was, before the young charger lashed out prublicly at his team for giving F1 team-mate Pierre Gasley superior equipment! But has managed to score 10 Championship points thru Silverstone…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/04/f1-brawn-n-brown-duet-with-some.html

 

For the previous two forlorn, former Japanese Formula 1 Drivers Yuji Ide and Sakon Yamamoto, please visit the following No Fenders link.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/07/former-japanese-formula-1-one-hit.html