Singing in the Rain at Silverstone

Which obviously they’re doing now daily in Jolly ‘Ol England…

 

Perusing Daily Sports Car prior to this year’s Battle on The Bricks. I ran across the article noting how 110,000 raving mad for motor racing spectators attended this year’s Four Hours of Silverstone European Le Mans Series (ELMS) race, Aye Karumba!

 

Can Y’all imagine that many spectators showing up for IMSA’s six hours Battle on The Bricks race? Not to mention that ELMS doesn’t even feature the Crème de la Crème FIA Hypercar category.

 

The field was comprised of some 44 entries. With 13 LMP2, 8 LMP2 Pro-Am, 10 LMP3 and 13 LMGT3 participants.

 

As it was great to read that the No. 18 IDEC Sport, the Genesis Magma Racing co-entry of Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert  and Daniel Juncadella won the race. Being their third win of the season. Having claimed W’s at Barcelona and Paul Ricard previously.

 

The race was held in somewhat wretched conditions, first being delayed an hour due to inclement weather. And then a further 48 minutes due to two Red Flag periods for incidents.

 

Juncadella held off Tom Dillmann in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry during the final pitstop exchange. After Nick Yelloly who’d led much of the race, had a spin when staying on dry rubber too long! While IDEC Sport made the switch to wet weather tyres correctly…

 

As the rain intensified, Pietro Fittipaldi brought the No. 10 Vector Sport home third. While the Seester’ #28 IDEC Sport was fourth, and Theo Pourchaire brought His #25 Algarve Pro entry home in fifth.

 

The Wet ‘n Wooly track conditions played havoc with many competitors, including the LMP2 pole sitter No. 48 VDS Panis Racing entry, who were forced to serve a costly Stop ‘n Go penalty for entering a closed pit. This caused them to ultimately finish eighth and see their points lead shrink from 21 markers to just six ahead of the No. 18 IDEC Sport entry. With the #43 just one further point behind, with just the season finale at Portugal remaining.

 

For which I’ll miss the Four Hours of Portimao’s outcome, having occurred this past Saturday, October 18th, but am rootin’ for the No. 18 to pull off an upset…

 

The LMP2 Pro-Am class had its lead shuffled too. When the leading AO by TF No. 99 entry of Louie’ Deletraz was handed a five second time penalty. Seeing them drop to second place behind the No. 20 Algarve Pro Racing entry.

 

Yes, that’s the same No. 99 Spike the Dragon IMSA LMP2 entry featuring Dane Cameron, Louis Deletraz and team owner P.J. Hyett, who’s the Amateur driver…

 

The LMGT3 Tintops outcome was also chaotic. When apparently the No. 86 GR Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 had snatched the lead from the#50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3. Yet the #86 had trotted by when the third and final Red Flag was thrown with seven minutes remaining. As the Race Director decided the rain was too treacherous to continue.

 

Thus the race’s results reverted to the final full lap before the Red flag and hence, the two Prancing Horses swapped positions, and the No. 50 AF Corse won instead…

 

I find it interesting that many of the drivers are able to compete in multiple series. As the names Yelloly, Deletraz, Dillmann, Cameron, Fittipaldi, et al. Are all regulars this side of thoust Gory Puddle in IMSA Competizione.

 

While I tend to recall that last year’s Battle on The Bricks race saw 18 of the 20 IMSA GTP drivers also competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

Meanwhile, following Silverstone, Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) promoted both Juncadella and Jaubert onto its GMR001 Hypercar squad for next year’s inaugural WEC campaign. Which was the reason for competing in this year’s ELMS, as a tune-up campaign for aspiring racers and team personnel to potentially move forwards.

 

The only disappointment is the news of Jamie Chadwick being left on the sidelines. With GMR claiming Her 2026 plans will be announced at a later date. Making me wonder if She’ll just be an Endurance “Specialist?” As I’d really like to see Jamie get a fulltime ride in a Hypercar entry.

 

Hmm, perhaps Chadwick can spend another year honing Her craft before becoming a regular series competitor in IMSA when GMR supposedly enters competition in 2027? 

Two Championship leaders Stumble, A third Driver triumphs

As a forgotten Superhero finally Flex’s His Muscles! And its not Superman…

 

Yeah, this is old news, especially since IndyCar has just completed its Iowa Double Header weekend on the 0.875-mile Bullring (short track) Oval. Not to mention just returning from Up North eh! On the streets of Toronto…

 

Have to say that it was amusing to see both the IndyCar and Formula 1 Championship points leaders stumble at Mid-Ohio and Silverstone respectively, albeit both were self-inflicted wounds…

 

Having mused to myself that the race was over, when on lap 74 of 90, Alex Palou’s pit crew made the perfect stop with Strategist Barry Wanser’s superb call for Palou’s third pitstop enabling the Spaniard to beat Scott Dixon back on-track.

 

As Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) teammate Dixon was attempting to run the less preferred two stop strategy, being the master of fuel saving. But the race seemed over, as even the IMS Radio Network Booth boyz’ focused upon other “lesser” battles taking place further back in the pack. Tending to recall that Conor Daly and Rinus VeeKay got shout-outs. Which had nothing to do with Daly calling Santino Ferrucci a Clown!

 

Then the unthinkable happened with just five laps remaining, as Palou inexplicably slid offtrack at Turn 9, Hmm, who’s car number is that? And Dixon being 3.5 seconds behind said thank you very much Alex, Ole!

 

As thee Iceman 2.0 was not to be denied, even with Palou doing everything possible besides giving Dixon the Chrome Horn treatment the final four laps of the race, all to no avail! As Dixon became only the third different winner in IndyCar this season, with Honda having won all ten races to date. And if we include last year’s season finale at Nashville, Honda’s won 11 straight races, say what?

 

Dixon now has 59 career wins and has won an IndyCar race in  a record 21 consecutive seasons! Along with breaking Mario Andretti’s All-time IndyCar career starts tally of 407 upon making His 408th IndyCar start at this year’s Indianapolis 500, Aye Karumba!

 

Meanwhile, across thoust Gory Puddle, we all know what happened at Bloody Silverstone, during typical English summer weather. Before the skies fell down upon thee Pied Piper Chris Horner!

 

As race leader Oscar Piastri was penalized 10 seconds for braking erratically behind the Safety Car, with Max Verstappen almost colliding with Him! As Max pirouetted down to tenth place, before recovering to finish fifth.

 

As the penalty did seem harsh, albeit Sky Sports Pundit Martin Billybob’ Brundle seemed to think the penalty was warranted. Saying “they’ll” want to have a look at that, insinuating that Piastri had been too clever and indeed braked erratically. As McLaren would later divulge that Piastri had applied some 59.2psi braking force and somewhere else I read the Aussie’s speed plummeted from 218kph down to 52kph, Anchors Away!

 

Thus Piastri had to dejectedly settle for second place behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who was gifted victory at His home race, which I suppose is fitting for Formula 1 celebrating its 75th anniversary.

 

Thus Piastri’s points lead over Norris shrinks to eight, with Oscar leaving five wins to Lando’s four at the halfway point of the F1 season.

 

But I’m certain that both Palou and Piastri will learn from these mistakes and only become stronger in the future, an ominous sign for their competitions…

 

Yet for Mwah, the highlight of the weekend was The Incredible Hulk’, Err Hulkster’, nee Nico Hulkenberg claiming His first podium on His 239th start, the current Formula 1 record for most starts without a podium, Sheisa!

 

Hulkenberg had a meteoric rise thru Karting and Junior series with multiple championships, including the 2009 GP2 title; today’s formula 2 Championship, which he won as a rookie.

 

Williams signed the promising rookie for 2010. As its hard to believe I still remember Nico winning pole at the Brazilian Grand Prix 15 years ago. Which I tend to recall was done in the wet, under not ideal conditions.

 

Yet Nico would be replaced by Pastor Maldonado the following year at Williams, presumably bringing barrels full of Venezuelan PDVSA Oil money. Although Maldonado scored Williams last Grand Prix victory in 2013.

 

Hulkenberg became Force India’s reserve driver for 2011, contesting Friday practice sessions before promoted to a race seat the following year.

 

Having then raced for Sauber, Racing Point and Renault, before spending three years as Racing Point and Aston Martin’s reserve driver. Deputizing for Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel. Before a two year stint at Haas, joining previous Bosom Buddy Kevin Magnussen. As the Dane’ famously told Him to suck a part of His lower anatomy once!

 

As Hulkenberg replaced fellow German Mick Schumacher at Has, and then moved to Sauber this year, which will become the Audi Werks’ team for 2026.

 

Hulkenberg won the 2015 24 Heurs du Mans driving for Porsche. Something only He and Fernando Alonso have done as Formula 1 drivers the past decade.

 

Hulkenberg’s podium is the first for Sauber since K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi finished third at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.

 

While it was wonderful reading how truly excited Alonso was for Hulkenberg. While Carlos Sainz Jr said He’d known that Nico has always been a top-five driver. Just never had the equipment to prove it.

 

As I’m guessing that even Magnussen would be happy for Him… 

The Travails of being a Blind Blogger

And Chasing one’s Tail in pursuit of Motor Racing. Hmm, is it over to the right? Nope, that’s not it, Huh?

 

Funny how many emotions I recently experienced over the weekend when Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen and Her recocious Hoond Hang 10’ Hilo made an unexpected visit over Ye Gory Fourth ‘O July weekend…

 

Nah, No when you’re strange James Morrison or Life’s A Bowl of chocolates Forrest Gump references here. As my emotional gambit had nothing to do with Mary Ellen, just some internal strife I’m working thru.

 

And it was funny, sort Ha Ha, Not! How it was actually Hoter here in Bumfiddle’ Florence vs. Mid-Ohio, Yikes! Even though the Oregon coast was nearly some twenty degrees cooler than inland, which were experiencing triple digit temperatures, aye Karumba!

 

Another funny thing for Mwah is how much I still allow my No Fenders Blob’ as ‘good Ol Awntie’ Harriet called it to rule my life! Even though this keeps me “connected” to de Vurld de Motorsporten Ja Ja!

 

Thus I found myself consumed by three competing motorsport series once again. Naturally led by IndyCar at Mid-Ohio, where the debut of their long anticipated Hybrid system debut finally occurred…

 

While the MotoGP race from Der Sachsenring weighed upon my mind. Sitting at my dining room table eating breakfast, Oh Shit turn on thy Telie! Tuning in with nine minutes to spare before going Green for Saturday’s Sprint race. Which my Numero Uno MotoGP rider Jorge Martin won!

 

And then IndyCar Qualifying began at High Noon here upon the West Coast. With that pesky Alex Palou pipping my Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward by 24-thousandths for Pole! Which naturally Pato said was Annoying during His postQualie’ radio interview. Apparently telling the Folks on NBC that Palou had gone to the Porta Potty just before Qualifying began, Hya!

 

Whilst my Numero Doce IndyCar driver Davey Malukas massively overperformed by claiming third overall, and making the Fast six Shootout in only His second race of the season!

 

As Formula 1 felt like an afterthought, albeit I perked up after hearing via my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service that Boo Hoo, poor MaxiMillions had struggled at Bloody Silverstone after encountering a gravel trap during Qualifying, Hurrah!

 

Having to settle for fourth on the grid behind three Bloody Brits, ergo George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Meaning this could actually be an entertaining F1 race. Enticing me to do something “wild ‘n Crazy!” And set the alarm clock for 6:45AM in order to “watch”, Err listen to the race live Sunday morning.

 

Strangely, since I’m not a fan of any of these four drivers, with three fourths of F1’s Brat Pack represented! I supposed I should have been rooting for the Old Goat, nee Golden Child, aka sir Lewis. Although I didn’t want to “See” Him break another of Der Terminator’s, nee Michael Schumacher’s fleeting records…

 

Thus I found myself strangely rootin’ instead for that Cheeky Bugger Lando Norris, even though I easily tire of His wingeing! But Max and George Russell just rub me the wrong way more for some unknown reason…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/04/welcome-to-formula-ones-pariah-club.html

 

Cannot say it was a stellar or great race, but it was certainly gripping with the changing weather conditions and actual ontrack passes by All of the front runners. As I enjoyed Lando coming from fourth after dropping a place to Bosom buddy Verstappen, to taking the lead. And then teammate Oscar Piastri made it an McLaren 1-2, before pit strategy ruined the Aussie’s race.

 

But with a second rain shower approaching and everyone switching onto intermediate rubber before switching back to slicks. Hamilton jumped Norris on the final pit stop and never looked back!

 

While Verstappen and Red Bull made the right tyre call with Max motoring past Lando on Hard Pirelli’s, with Lando incorrectly choosing soft tyres and finishing third instead.

 

After the podium interviews with Bloody Jense’ (Button) where not surprisingly Verstappen failed to congratulate His Arch nemesis Lewis! I immediately switched over to the MotoGP race and was dismayed to hear the Pundits saying that (Jorge) Martin had crashed out while leading, WTF!

 

Gifting the win to title protagonist Pecco Bagnaia, who now leads the points standings, Sigh! While The Pinball wizard Marc Marquez went from P13 to second, one place ahead of His younger brother Alex.

 

This left me with just some 51mins; How ‘bout that Toby Sowery, eh? Until the start of IndyCar Radio’s pre-race coverage. My favourite part of the pre-race – when they talked to 19 of the 27 IndyCar drivers.

 

The race began on  a strange note, with none other than Scott dixon’s Hybrid system deciding to rapidly deploy itself multiple times on the parade lap, leaving the Kiwi’ stalled ontrack, and unable to restart His racecar. As this would be the day’s only yellow flag for two laps before the race went green.

 

The first half of the race seemed headed in another boring procession with pole sitter Alex Palou running off ‘n hiding from the field, before things finally got interesting after the first pit stop of the day. When second place Pato O’Ward was able to Hunt down Palou and erase the Spaniard’s nearly seven seconds advantage!

 

Then O’Ward and McLaren brilliantly used the “Undercut” by pitting a lap earlier. Along with Palou partially stalling in pitlane for O’Ward to take the lead from Palou with 24-laps remaining!

 

As I sat glued to thy Confuzer’s sound bar with two sets ‘O fingers crossed chanting Go-PATO-GO! With the Mexican driver holding off a never relenting Palou, who did everything possible to attempt regaining the lead! Not to mention O’Ward and Palou being bottled up behind traffic for the last 14-laps!

 

But a joyous and physically spent O’Ward didn’t put a wheel wrong and won by just under a half second! Scoring His first true ontrack victory since Iowa’s Race-2 on July 24, 2022, Aye Karumba!

 

Drive of the Day definitely goes to Dale Coyne Racing’s No. 51 rookie Toby Sowery making His IndyCar debut without any testing or knowledge of how the Hybrid system worked! Going from P24 to finishing 13th! One place behind David Malukas…

 

As Malukas unfortunately stalled His engine during the race’s first pitstop, keeping Him from a Top-10 finish. Which many drivers struggled with the taller first gear necessitated by the Hybrid system and gearing needed ontrack due to the track’s repaving…

 

And that doesn’t even include the weekend’s Madison Governor’s Cup Unlimited Hydroplane race, where a pathetic five boats showed up. And the referees were embarrassed by not knowing the Qualifying rules, Butterfingers! Hmm, wonder who won? 

MOTO GP: the Race Resumes towards this year’s Title Fight

But can Anybody Stop Defending MotoGP Champion Fabio Quartararo from winning a second, consecutive World Championship?

 

The Premio Road Racing Kneedraggers’ returned to action August 7^th  at Bloody Silverstone after their five weeks Summer Holiday. Due in part to Finland’s Kymi Ring circuit once again Not Hosting it’s intended inaugural MotoGP race. And No, it’s Not named after that former Formula 1 Driver known as thee Iceman…

 

Cannot remember the last MotoGP race I “Watched,” Err listned to on Thy Telie’, but the British GP was a very good race! As it was refreshing not only having the Bikes’ back in action, but also with the great ride Maverick Top gun’ vinales put in upon His factory Aprilia. And only if Maverick hadn’t done His trademark Slow Start and dropping back to seventh, or may be just sixth? From starting second, who knows?

 

But I was indeed Rootin’ for Maverick to pass Pecco’ Bagnaia for the race victory, which the Spaniard wasn’t able to do. But it was Fun listening to the announcers describing Maverick carving His way steadily forward until He was threatening Francesco Bagnaia for the win, before a Scraggly last lap saw Maverick finish a tantalizing 0.4-seconds adrift!

 

As Vinales was the Aprilia “Salami” in the Ducati Sandwich, as Pecco’s Ducati teammate Jack Thriller’ Miller finished third. Giving us an All Italian manufacturer podium sweep in England.

 

As I heard the lead announcer, err Presenter claim that Miller was leaving Ducati for KTM at season’s end, and how the KTM’s aren’t really in the fight right now. Making me wonder who’s going to be Bagnaia’s Stablemate next year?

 

Another rider putting in a great ride was my current Numero Uno MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini, simply known as The Beast! As Bastianini carved His way from midfield to finish a fine fourth! Hmm, will Ducati want an All Italian lineup for 2023, or will it be the Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin instead? Or will Martin’s teammate Johann Zarco have something to say about it?

 

Heading to the Hills Are Shrieking Yamahas in Spielberg, which will forever be remembered as where Maverick vinales had His spectacular Meltdown… Three riders had Dominated the Top step of the Podium. Led by Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia with four wins and four Poles. While reigning MotoGP Champion Fabio Quartararo had won three times and claimed one Poles upon His Yamaha. With Ducati Satellite Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini also notching a most impressive three victories abourd His year old Duc’.

 

Quartararo led the Points standings by 22 markers over Aprilia’s Aliex Espargaro: 180-158. With Aleix having scored His and Aprilia’s Debutante MotoGP victory in Argentina where He made a clean sweep of Pole, Fastest lap and Win. And has claimed two Poles to date.

 

Bagnaia was third with 131 points, 49 adrift and Bastianini was fourth, some 62 points back on 118. While Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco was nipping at His Heels with 114 poits, rounding out the Top five before Austria.  

 

Guessing Y’all have Heard that Dovi’, aka Andrea Dovizioso who’d earlier announced His retirement from MotoGP at season’s end has moved His Curtain Call forward. As the upcoming San Marino GP September 4^th on Home soil at Missano will be Dovi’s final race.

 

Then Yamahoper’ reserve rider Cal Crutchlow will Deputize for the remaining six rounds before the WithU Yamaha RNF Satellite squad swaps Yamaha’s for Aprilia’s next year.

 

MotoGP then gets serious with it’s final six races, beginning with a Triple Header at Motorland Aragon, Twin ring Motegi and Thailand. Then Down Under to Phillip Island and Malaysia. Before ending it’s season on November 6 at Valencia, and easily missing the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

 

Red Bull Ring seeing Red…

Not surprisingly, Ducati – Well known for their prodigious Horsepower swept five of the first two rows six Grid positions. With the Front Row being an All Ducati affair, albeit it was “The Beast,” aka Enea Bastianini capturing His Debutante MotoGP Pole position by a scant two-Hundreds of a second ahead of Pecco Bagnaia, with Jack Miller third.

 

Points leader Fabio Quartararo split the Pramac Racing Duc’s with Jorge Martin fourth and Johann zarco sixth.

 

And while it was good news Hearing of Thee Pinball Wizard, nee Marc Mrquez’s return to the MotoGP Paddock at Spielberg.

Surely Marquez wasn’t impressed that the Quickest Honda was LCR’s Takaaki Nakagami in P14!

 

Austrian GP Race Highlights

Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia got the perfect Hole Shot from second and never looked back! Leading Wire-to-Wire, whilst Pole sitter Enea Bastianinisoon found Himself struggling to Hold onto the Podium’s final step, having been passed by Thriller’ Miller. Soon engaged in a Mano e Mano tussle with Jorge Martin, for which these two are apparently also fighting for Miller’s Factory Ducati seat next year! But it All went Pear Shaped for Bastianini on lap-6 when Front Wheel technical issues saw The Beast riding straight into the Gravel Trap!

 

Fabio Quartararo methodically stalked the three remaining duc’ riders ahead, quickly dispatching Martin and chasing the two Factory Ducati’s ahead of Him. Before passing Jack Miller for an eventual second place finish with four laps remaining.

 

Miller and Martin fought for the final Podium place before The Martinator’ ran wide during the final lap and fell to a lowly P10, with Miller finishing third. Whilst Luca Marini led Johann Zarco across the stripe, with Aleix Espargo soldiering Home in sixth.

 

Round 13 Point Standings

Race winner Bagnaia, claiming His fith Grands Prix season victory and third in-a-row. (3^rd Overall) Only trimmed five points off of His Deficit to Points leader Quartararo, trailing by 44 markers: 200-156. Aprilia’s Aliex esparago now trails Quartararo by 32 points with 168, and remains second Overall, albeit losing another 10 points.

 

Bastianini’s DNF Drops Him from fourth to sixth, now a whopping 82 points behind! While I’d say the only other two riders still mathematically in the Hunt are Johann Zarco and Jack Miller. Who find themselves P4-5, with 175 and 173 points respectively. Yet both Ducati riders  are now trailing by a distance of three race wins, which seems a pretty Hefty Deficit… 

Frank Williams: 1942-2021

As Sir Frank makes his final Grand Prix start…

 

Awoke to the news of Sir Frank Williams Death Sunday morning when perusing Joe Saward’s F1 Blog, with the founder of what forever will be Team Willy’ for Mwah passing away at the Age of 79.

 

As Messer Saward has a great story about Frank the person, not the Cut throat Businessman or ruthless F1 Team Owner.

 

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2021/11/28/about-fw/

 

Whilst Team Willy’ was a long time “Enemy” for Mwah, first being an Alain Prost Fan during his McLaren days, and then those Damn, Dominant blue and yellow Cannon FW Renaults daring to stop Der Terminator’s, nee Michael Schumacher’s path to Glory, first at Benetton and then Ferrari!

 

Although I do have Fond memories of being in the BRDC’s facility at Silverstone Wayback’ in Bloody 2009 and marveling over a few of the past Williams F1 racecars on the lawn, especially one in a magnificent dark, Navy, or more akin to Midnight Blue sparkling in the afternoon’s sunshine!

 

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2021/11/28/sir-frank-williams-1942-2021/

 

As Y’all can tell, as a lowly blogger’, I’m not even gonna try matching Wits with the likes of Professional Scribblers who’ve penned fine stories about Sir Frank. Hence having left the “Heavy lifting” to the likes of Joe Saward and Racer’s Chris Medland. With the latter’s including various Tweets from the likes of Jeff Gordon, Conor Daly, the Wee Willie buxom’ (Will buxton) and others…

 

https://racer.com/2021/11/28/remembering-sir-frank-williams-1942-2021/