Prema Racing makes it’s Indianapolis 500 debut

But will both of it’s Bowtie’ entries make the Show?

 

Those of Y’all following IndyCar closely, will already know of this year’s newest IndyCar team’s extensive, and impressive pedigree. As Prema Racing is an European powerhouse in the various Feeder Series, reportedly having fielded 28 drivers in nine championships for 2023.

 

Prema is the reigning Teams Champion in the FIA’s Formula 3 championship, where it fields three entries. The Nos. 1-3 for Italy’s Brando Badoer, Mexico’s Noel Leon and the totally unheard of Yank’ Ugo Ugochukwu.

 

As Brando’s name was instantly familiar to Mwah. As yes, His father is former F1 driver Luca Badoer. Whilst I’m Arse-sumeing that Montoyer’ feller’s surname below needs no explanation, Ci?

 

Prema also has Sebastian Montoya and Gabriele Mini racing for them in Formula 2. The FIA’s final rung on it’s ladder to thee pinnacle ‘O motorsports, aka Formula 1.

 

Prema has won far too many championships to bother typing all of them here. But to note just some of the accomplished driving talent over the years, here’s some that stand out to me.

 

Current Prema Racing IndyCar Sporting Director Ryan Briscoe won the 2001 Italian Formula Renault and 2003 Formula 3 Euro Series titles. K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi claimed the 2005 Italian Formula Renault and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Championships.

 

Esteban Ocon, Felix Rosenqvist, Lance Stroll and Mick Schumacher won the 2014-2015-2016-2018 FIA Formula 3 European Championship crown respectively.

 

Andrea Kimi Antonelli won both the 2022 Italian and ADAC Formula 4 titles. And  Stroll and Marcus Armstrong won the Italian F4 title with Prema in 2014 and 2017 respectively.

 

Pierre Gasly won the 2016 GP2 title, today’s Formula 2 Championship. Which the former Italian “Powerteam” has also won with Charles Leclerc in 2017, Mick Schumacher in 2020 and Oscar Piastri in 2021.

 

Yet cynics will be quick to point out that European Feeder Series success doesn’t guarantee you anything in IndyCar, with Carlin’s quick demise being the catalyst to this point. Remember then Y’all with Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball?

 

While I won’t lament over the legendous’ engineer Michael Cannon’s hasty exodus prior to the season’s start after signing on as Prema’s Head of Engineering.

 

Prema secured what appears for now to be the final two IndyCar engine leases with Chevrolet, even though they’re currently the only non charter team in IndyCar. Having inked two of it’s former ladder drivers to race for them Stateside. Presumably on de riggour multi-year contracts…

 

Callum Ilott is the team leader, since we all know about His struggles with Juncos Hollinger Racing, (JHR) where Ilott made His IndyCar debut at season’s end in 2021 with a three race “warm-up” on the West coast.

 

Ilott finished fourth overall for Prema Powerteam in the 2017 Formula 3 European championship with six wins and six podium finishes. He was also a Ferrari Driver Academy member between 2017-2021. Along with being both Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Racin’s reserve driver in Formula 1. Making His (Free Practice) FP1 debut at the 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix for Alfa Romeo.

 

Ilott finished Vice Champion, Err runner-up to that year’s Formula 2 Champion, Mick Schumacher in 2020. Before gravitating to IndyCar, making His debut for JHR at Portland late 2021.

 

It all went pear-shaped for Ilott at JHR in April, 2023 at the IMS open test, where the team didn’t believe the Englishman telling them the chassis had a major, diabolical flaw. Which the team finally relented and reluctantly built Him another Dallara DW12 chassis, with Ilott vindicating Himself with a 12th place finish in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

As Ilott has contested three races at Mother Speedway, with a best finish of 11th last year at Arrow Mclaren. And teamed with His former JHR race engineer, will hopefully shepherd both Prema cars into this year’s Indy 500.

 

Israeli born Russian driver Robert Shwartzman is the team’s rookie driver, who first raced for Prema in the 2018 Formula 3 European Championship. The following year, Shwartzman claimed the inaugural FIA Formula 3 Championship title driving for the Prema Powerteam, before graduating to Formula 2.

 

Shwartzman was paired with the next two year Formula 2 Championship winners, i.e.; Mick Schumacher and Oscar Piastri at Prema, before the FIA banned Russian drivers from participating in 2022.

 

Shwartzman, a la Ilott was a Ferrari Driver Academy member, also between 2017-2022, before being dismissed in 2023. Continued to serve as a Ferrari F1 reserve driver that year, before moving to Sports Cars for 2024. Driving the third AF Corse Ferrari 499P Hypercar entry.

 

As the two Prema Racing IndyCar drivers were part of the Ferrari Driver Academy’s 2017 class, which included Enzo Fittipaldi and Marcus Armstrong.

 

Ironically, Shwartzman competed against Ilott in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) last season. With Ilott scoring Porsche’s first, and only to date privateer victory at thee Mighty Spa, aka Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. With Ilott driving for Hertz Team Jota last year, which has become the factory Cadillac effort this season in WEC, where le Hamburgular’, aka Sealmeister B’, nee Sebastien Bourdais has replaced Him…

 

Thus, it will be fascinating to see how Prema Racing fares at this year’s 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. If both cars qualify and how their Month of May pans out. For which I hope both drivers make the “Show” and have a successful race outing. 

Open Wheel Rookies Galore

Although we know that fortunately, some Roundy-Round Star won’t be in consideration this year…

 

Not sure if it’s a condemnation upon the current IndyCar season and it’s typical Oh, so S-L-O-W Drip-Drip-Drip season’s start after a Gory half year’s absence! Before mashing the loud pedal and going Gangbusters thru thoust “Month of May”, even if it’s really only a svelte nine days? At least that’s what I came up with from my initial ryth-muh-tickin’.

 

U2’s bono’ croons in a long ago song title God, Part 2: “You glorify the past, when the future dries up”. Which in hindsight is possibly why I went down another Wabbit’ Hole recently, eh?

 

As I’ve just spent the past three months off ‘n on updating my Formula 1 seasons Entry lists, specifically in search of each year’s rookies class participants, Aye Karumba!

 

Although first I had to create the 1974 F1 season in order to start at year 1975 some four days after this year’s Rolex 24, Remember that Y’all? Finishing just fived days prior to this year’s Miami Grand Prix. When IndyCar was butting heads with F1. And those G-Damn’ Taxicab Bombers!

 

Indy Cars Grand Prix of Alabama began at 10:30AM Pacific on FOX. With my Zap-2-It’ TV guide initially claiming that Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix started at 12 noon on ABC. Although the race coverage actually began at 1:00PM Pacific, and NASCAR’s race coverage was listed as 12:30PM Pacific on FS1.

 

As may be this is why it felt like just plain ‘Ol PR Spin over the IndyCar ratings “rebounding” to an average of 940k viewers for Barber Motorsports Park’s FOX broadcast, with a nearly 20% increase over last year’s NBC viewing.

 

As I still say Penske Entertainment and IndyCar are Fooling themselves if they think the easy solution is simply switching TV Broadcast partners, but I digress…

 

And while I’ve gleaned that Formula One’s largest rookie class was a staggering 20 in 1976! Keep in mind that a total of 55 drivers participated, with 48 actually racing! Which is a far cry from today’s Formula 1, even with this year’s stellar class of four  F1 Wookies’.

 

As I learned that I’ve been incorrect the past several decades, and that F1 rookie status is any driver with only two total Grands Prix starts to His, or Her career. Since there’s been only a handful of Femme Fatales attempting to race in Formula 1 the past half decade.

 

As I suppose I was Cornfuzed’ since IndyCar allows rookie status of up to four races in a season. Since that was the chatter about Nolan Siegel initially trying to preserve His rookie status last year with Dale Coyne Racing before going fulltime with Arrow McLaren…

 

Yet strangely, Formula 1, or more correctly, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, nee FIA doesn’t have a Rookie Of the Year (ROY) award a la IndyCar strictly for F1.

 

Instead, the FIA has only given out a Rookie Of the Year award since 2014 which is open to single seaters and rally racing. Handed out at the yearly FIA prize gala, with last year’s award winner being Formula 2 Champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

 

As soon, if not already? We’ll be talking about this year’s crop of four Indianapolis 500 rookies, provided they All make the show! Even if once again we’ll be discussing Kyle Larson ad nauseum, Groan!

 

By my unofficial reckoning, Nolan Siegal, Louis Foster, Jacob Abel and Robert Shwartzman are this year’s four Indianapolis 500 rookies.

 

Of this quartet you’d have to say on “paper” that Shwartzman is the most likely to not qualify. Since His very first Oval experience came during the Open test Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) at Mother Speedway during April 23-24.

 

At least that’s what I initially thought. Having since learned that Shwartzman and Louis Foster both participated in a rookie oval test at Gateway on April 15th. When I was trying to no avail to find any articles upon the four drivers passing ROP, which I also Arse-sume they did, El Correctomundo?

 

Shwartzman has the added pressure of racing for the brand new Prema Racing IndyCar team, but apparently is one “Cool” customer who didn’t get too rattled by the fire He experienced at the Thermal club!

 

Interestingly, Shwartzman, Foster and Jacob Abel all hadn’t driven an single seater with the Aeroscreen until this March. Along with the addition of the still relatively new Hybrid, Err Energy Recovery System. (ERS)

 

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Nolan Siegel, who impressed with His failed rookie attempt to qualify for last year’s Indianapolis 500 for the plucky Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) outfit. And surely will qualify this year driving for Arrow Mclaren, Righto?

 

Know that Mike Hull of Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR)  was Uber impressed with Shwartzman the day they tested Him, Wayback’ in January, 2023. Whilst CGR was also very impressed with Abel, who tested for them at Texas Motor Speedway before joining DCR.

 

Whilst both Shwartzman and Siegel have race in the 24 Heurs du Mans, with Shwartzman driving for AF Corse in the top tier Ferrari 499P Hypercar with Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye.

 

Meanwhile, Foster is the reigning Indy NXT Champion, having won 10 of 28 races during His two seasons driving for Andretti Global.

 

Foster who now drives for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing also could face an uphill battle, due to RLLR”s last two year’s struggles at IMS. Not to mention Takuma Sato needing a new Dallara DW12 chassis built-up for Him following this year’s open test.

 

But Foster should be able to lean upon not only a two time winner in Sato, but Graham Rahal should be a steadying influence Me thinks…

 

As IndyCar.com’s Eric Smith notes in His Louis Foster making progress article, beginning with Barber’s. IndyCar will be in the “Meat” of it’s schedule, racing over 14 of the next 16 weekends, Youza!

 

So I’d say the two drivers scrapping for the proverbial “P33” are Shwartzman and Foster. But we’ve already seen five drivers experiencing trouble during the open test.

 

As we know about Sato’s heavy wall tag, with Golden boy Kyle Larson also hitting the wall in Turn-1, both during Thursday morning’s simulated “High-boost” Qualie’ settings.

 

Yet Santino Ferrucci needed to replace His Chevrolet engine. Jack Harvey suffered an ERS failure, and Graham Rahal lightly brushed the wall; All of which could happen during the oh, so important qualifying sessions… 

Think You’re Having A Bad Day?

As perhaps I should have chosen U2’s Sunday, Bloody Sunday instead?

 

Naturally, Y’all can figure out why that ‘Ol “Tell Me why I Don’t like Mondays” song I Don’t like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats springs to mind here, Righto?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yteMugRAc0

 

As I realize it’s what He gets paid millions of dollars, Euros whatever to do for a living, but you’ve still got to feel for thee Martinator’s Nightmarish year! And how much things would be going differently if not romping on that cold Michelin tyre at Sepang during pre-season testing Wayback’ in February…

 

Thus we know that Jorge Martin crashed heavily and broke His hand and fractured a foot during that test outing. Requiring surgery to His right hand to place a screw in a metacarpal. While His left foot was left to heel on it’s own.

 

Then on the Monday preceding the season opener Thailand MotoGP race, Martin injured Himself again in a training accident. Suffering multiple fractures to His left hand, including the thumb carpal! Needing further surgery to repair His broken wrist…

 

Martin ultimately missed the first three rounds at Thailand, Argentina and Circuit Of the Americas, (COTA) before making His Aprilia debut at Qatar.

 

Now I could play Monday morning Quarterback here, but that seems pointless. As All racing drivers and riders seemingly live under the mantra of you’re only as good as your last race. And you don’t want to be out of circulation too long, less being forgotten or replaced…

 

Yet with the amount of physical pain Jorge was enduring at Qatar, it now seems obvious He rushed His return to racing, before disaster struck once again the Hapless, reigning MotoGP World champion.

 

Arse-suming Y’all know that Martin lost control of His motorcycle during Sunday’s Grand Prix, with Fabio di Giannantonio directly behind Him. With the Italian rider having nowhere to go and striking the fallen Martin in the back on-track with His front wheel!

 

Jorge ultimately suffered eleven broken ribs and a collapsed lung! Staying in Hospital for several days with a chest tube to drain fluids from His lung cavity before being released. But having to wait for His lung to sufficiently heal, i.e.; one to three weeks before being cleared to fly home, due to the altitude’s pressure difference. Before further treatment, rest and recovery, all under the supervision of His phalanx of medical professionals, i.e. Doctors and Physio’ commencess…

 

Martin will obviously miss several more races, with scuttlebutt suggesting the Spaniard will be out of action a further three months, with test rider Lorenzo Savadori further deputizing at Jerez, and presumably afterwards.

 

Yeah, now I know Why I don’t like Mondays… 

MotoGP’s 2025 Season gets off to Rough Start

Even though The Boyz’ are Back on the Championship Trail now…

 

Yeah, it’s old news over the spate ‘O crashes during the Sepang Pre-season test prior to going racing at Thailand on March 2nd. As MotoGP seems to be the hardest of the major racing categories for me to follow, other than “Watching”, Err listening via TruTV, even if my Gory Freakin’ Cable TV bill just increased again, seriously Spectrum? Right, I keep forgetting Spectrum’s motto, We Care, chuh-Ching!

 

Thus we know that thee Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin crashed heavily and broke His hand and fractured a foot during testing, reportedly also shattering His helmet’s visor upon landing violently! Requiring surgery to His right hand to place a screw in a metacarpal. While supposedly His left foot wasn’t operated on.

 

As I’d have to say that Moto Matter’s David Emmett gave the most “clear” observation of what really happened at Sepang during Martin’s “High-side” crash on Day-1 of testing. Noting how Aprilia Boss Massimo Rivola’s “Job” is to shield His star rider from media  criticism. Blaming Michelin for Jorge’s crash, while the tyre supplier’s infra-red tyre casing sensor noted Martin’s inside tyre temperature being lower than prescribed.

 

Thus I’d agree that Martin simply pushed to hard too soon on a “cold” Michelin tyre and paid the price for His normal aggressiveness just an hour into testing…

 

Meanwhile Aprilia satellite Trackhouse Racing rider Raul Fernandez also crashed at Sepang on Day-1, breaking a meta carpel in His hand a la Martin; with no word if both Aprilia crashes were tyre related?

 

Whilst sadly, one of my many favourite MotoGP riders, Fabio di Giannantonio broke His collarbone at Sepang when doing a “Wheelie” that went wrong, Butterfingers!

 

All three riders underwent immediate surgery in Europe. With both Martin and di Giannantonio skipping the final Pre-season test on February 10-12 at the Chang International Circuit in order to be fit for the season opener. While Trackhouse confirmed that Fernandez would attempt to take part in the final test at Buriran, in order to get more valuable “Saddle”, Err Seat-time.

 

Whilst I’ve no idea how long di Giannantonio’s injury recovery time will be? Although Arse-sume He’ll be racing with a titanium plate or hardware attached to His damaged collarbone in order to resume racing…

 

Then on the Monday preceding the season opener Thailand MotoGP race, Martin injured Himself again in a training accident. This time suffering multiple fractures to His left hand, including the thumb carpal!

 

Thus Jorge needed further surgery to repair His broken wrist. And was set to miss at least the Thailand race with test rider Lorenzo Savadori replacing Him. Although I don’t see how Martin will be suitably recovered for the Argentina round a Fortnight later.

 

Having been away on Holiday once again, Groan! During both the Thai and Argentine Grands Prix, obviously I don’t know the current health status of these three riders, albeit Martin seems the most doubtful to have raced yet?

 

Whilst naturally, I Arse-sume that di Giannantonio and Fernandez have been competing, and that Ducati as typical has won the first two rounds at Thailand and Argentina. Presumably an intra-team scrum between Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. For which are Emmett’s choice for who’ll win this year’s MotoGP title. As talk about going out on a limb with that prediction…

 

And will this weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) see Ye Pinball Wizard’, nee Marc Marquez return to His throne as King of COTA, now that He’s once again on a fully competitive Scooter’, having crushed the competition so far!

 

Whilst in my absence, Jorge Martin divulged the Thursday prior to the Argentine GP that His recovery was taking longer then expected. And that not only would He not compete in Argentina, but would also definitely miss the COTA round. Along with prossibly the following Qatar Grand Prix. Which I’m guessing He’ll miss. Meaning theMartinator’ will presumably miss at least the first four rounds of this year’s MotoGP Championship, scuttling His title defense… 

F1: Post Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Young guns results

Y’all remember that test outing, Don’t Yuhs?

 

Now that IMSA’s “Super bowl” 24 Hours of Daytona is far behind in our rear view mirrors. And NASCAR Fans are still reveling in the just concluded Day-toner’ 500. As no idea of how ‘Ol Hulio’ did…

 

Soon, it’ll be time for Formula One’s lone, three day test in Bahrain; February 26-28, two weeks prior to the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

 

Thus, suppose its time to shift gears and begin focusing upon Open Wheel Racing, Eh? Since after all this Blog is called No Fenders. Which I scribble about occasionally, Hya!

 

Yet as always, your Haggard, Humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso is behind, and definitely at least one lap down! Simply unable to type-type-type fast enough for your consumption…

 

And although it garners almost zero attention, and certainly isn’t available visually. Nonetheless, the results of the yearly post Abu Dhabi Young Guns test results always intrigues me.

 

As there were a total of twenty-three drivers taking part. With teams allowed to run current Grands Prix drivers in their 2025 Pirelli tyre testing chassis. While the second car was allotted to driver who’ve only participated in a maximum of two Grands Prix. Leaving a disgruntled Oliver Bearman on the sidelines, due to His having contested three Grands Prix last season.

 

As the top four positions were held by Formula 1 race drivers. It should be no surprise that the touted Kimi Antonelli was quickest of the rookies. Even though being ill and only contesting the afternoon session. Hence the two Mercedes “Juniors” taking part, along with both Aston Martin and Ferrari splitting morning and afternoon sessions driving duties…

 

While check out who was P7. Hmm, Pato Who indeed Mark Miles, cough-cough!

 

As no idea what the two regular McLaren Boyz’ were doing regarding tyre testing, but Lando Norris finished P16 and Oscar Piastri was 19th.

 

Rookies/Young Gun Drivers

(Overall position/Driver/Team)

5) Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

6) Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls

7) Pato O’Ward, McLaren

9) Paul Aron, Alpine

11) Luke Browning, Williams

12) Ryo Hirakawa, Haas

14) Arthur Leclerc, Ferrari

15) Isack Hadjar, Red Bull

18) Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

20) Jack Crawford, Aston Martin

21) Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin

22) Frederick Vesti, Mercedes

23) Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari

 

Even more impressive about O’Ward’s outing, is that He finished ahead of next year F1 rookies Jack Doohan, (8th) Isack Hadjar (15th) and Gabriel Bortoledo. (18th)

 

Had never heard of Ayumu Iwasa before the test. As the Japanese driver who raced in Formula 2 between 2022-23, and currently competes in Japan’s Super formula series. Is a member of the Red bull Junior programme, and a member of Honda’s Formula Dream project. Hence His testing for Racing bulls, for which I’d say He acquitted Himself nicely…

 

In descending order, Paul Aron, who finished third overall in last year’s FIA Formula 2 championship. Is part of the now overly crowded Alpine reserve drivers squad, which includes Franco Colapinto and Rya Hirakawa.

 

Hirakawa drives for Toyota’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as His “Day Job”, having won the 2022 24 Heurs du Mans. And with Haas’s new technical alliance with Toyota, was given the nod for its “Young Guns” racecar.

 

Yet Hirakawa has now signed on as the third Alpine reserve, which aligns with Toyota’s sponsorship of Hitech’s lower formulae racing teams.

 

The others are all “tied” to their respective teams they drove for. With Luke Browning being a Williams Academy driver, a la the former Colapinto, and races in Formula 2. Although He’ll be driving for Hitech TGR this season in Formula 2, so no idea if still with Team Willy?

 

Arthur Leclerc is indeed the younger brother of Ferrar’s Charles Leclerc, with the pair making History earlier when both driving for Ferrari in the (Free Practice) FP1 session at Abu Dhabi. Whilst Antonio Fuoco races for Ferrari AF Corse in the WEC and won the 2024 24 Heurs du Mans as a Scuderia Ferrari Factory driver.

 

The lone Yank’ on the grid was Jack Crawford, another aspiring F2 racer, set to contest His third season in Formula 2 for Dams Lucas Oil. But with 54 races contested to date, with just two wins. Well, I’d say His chances of a Formula 1 ride are virtually nil…

 

Interestingly, I just learned that Crawford is also Andretti Global’s Formlua E reserve driver. While Crawford can take solace over beating out fellow Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich by one position, in their intra-Aston Martin scrum.

 

Whilst Drugovich, the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Champion has most recently competed in this year’s Rolex 24 alongside fellow ex-F2 competitor Vesti.

 

As could Crawford and Drugovich be in line to race aboard Aston’s Valkyrie Hypercar project?

 

Frederik Vesti, a Mercedes Junior team member, drove the morning session for an ill Antonelli. As the Dane’ raced in F2 for two seasons. Finishing runner-up in 2023 with six wins, behind Theo Pourchaire.

 

Last year Vesti raced Sports Cars, primarily in the European Le Mans Series )ELMS) in LMP2. Along with making His debut in both the 24 Heurs du Mans and Rolex 24. The latter driving for Era Motorsport in the LMP2 category.

 

For 2025, Vesti has signed to race as Cadillac Whelen Engineering’s “third” endurance driver. Aboard the No. 31 Cadd-Oh-Lac’ V-Serioes.R IMSA GTP racecar, beginning at Daytona… 

F1 goes testing, TPC Style

But Don’t expect to see them in Action, until at least Bahrain…

 

In all of the hype surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, and His total immersion to Scueria Ferrari culture. Read a good article by Racer’s Chris Medland on Formula One’s  Testing Previous Cars (TPC) programme. Hey if the Bloody Brits’ can Chuck round vernacular such as Vice champion and Box-box-box George! Then I can Bloody scribble programme, but I digress…

 

As TPC is designed to allow Formula 1 teams the ability to go testing in F1 chassis being two years old, with the previous three seasons machinery allowed. Making 2021-23 F1 chassis eligible for TPC duty this season.

 

And thanks to Haas’s new technical alliance with Toyota, the smallest F1 team on the grid will run its maiden TPC outing with Toyota’s assistance. Having tested a Haas VF-23 at Jerez recently. Where race drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman ran one day apiece, with Ritomo Miyata getting “seat-time” at the end of each day.

 

As Mercedes joined Haas in Jerez, running one of its earlier F1 chassis. Presumably the F1 W14 for Kimi Antonelli, with no word about George Russell.

 

Reportedly Mercedes has been running the young Italian whose full name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli in a multitude of older spec Mercedes machinery in its attempt to get Him properly prepared for His forthcoming F1 rookie campaign.

 

Naturally there was much Buzz over Sir Lewis’s debutante outing in scarlet, when Golden Child’ and Charles Leclerc ran around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Ferrari SF23 and F1 75 racecars. While another outing for the duo was planned for Barcelona a week later.

 

While the media reported that Lewis looked like a Mafia Don on His first day in Maranello. Wearing either a double breasted dark blue or black suit with gray trench, err overcoat over His shoulders. Uhm, strike the pose Lewis, Meow!

 

Hmm, why did visions of Michael Jackson looking like a “Dandy” in the epic video Billie Jean come flashing into my Head, eh?

 

I believe that I read that F1 teams are now allowed  only 1000km (Kilometers) or a paltry 621 miles in “Old Money” as Professor’ Steve Matchett would say. Leading me to wonder how this exact mileage is monitored?

 

As teams are required to notify the FIA a minimum of 72 Hours prior to commencing TPC activities. And provide the chassis designation, drivers, venue etc. for the FIA Delagate and other competing Formula 1 teams knowledge of such activities. While I’m guessing this also allows rival teams to share a race track and “Pool” circuit expenses, if desired…

 

Although it sounds like not all ten F1 Constructors carry out extensive TPC programmes, or are required to? As I’m guessing its just the FIA mandate of running at least two rookies per season the teams are bound by.

 

As I understand the mileage, Err kilometers limit is presumably a cost saving measure. But it seems like a bit more mileage could be allowed, which in turn gives more opportunity for F1 cars to be raced around the world. Or even better yet, give Fans a second opportunity to witness testing during the second half of the season?

 

Yeah, I know, the season’s already too Gory long! But these TPC tests give the media something more to write about, and give F1 media exposure… 

Hey Mark Miles, Did You See Pato Who in Mexico?

Yuhs know, IndyCar Chief “Excitement” Officer’s favourite Driver…

 

Initially planned to pen my two pesos worth about IndyCar’s Mega’ Charter system’s announcement in a No Fenders post title Charter This! As I’m mildly intrigued over how the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsport Anti-trust lawsuit plays out…

 

Although as Racer’s Marshall Pruett has previously noted. IndyCar’s Charter is like a plain Cheese pizza with zero toppings right now!

 

Thus, instead I found myself more inspired to scribble something about my Numero Uno IndyCar driver now affectionately known as Pato Who? As perhaps Y’all have seen the billboard in Indiana on I-465.

 

As Patricio Pato’ O’Ward just made His latest Formula 1 (Free Practice) FP1 outing for McLaren in Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ariva-Ariva-Ariva!

 

As Pato wound-up P13 with a time of 1:19.295 vs. twelfth place teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli. With the 18yr old recording a lap of 1:19.200 for Mercedes.

 

The next quickest “rookie” was Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich P18. With Robert Shwartzman 19th for Sauber and Oliver Bearman dead last in P20 for Ferrari. While positions 14-17 were filled by Haas’s Kevin Magnussen, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll in the other Aston Martin and Williams Alexander Albon respectively. Although Albon was caught-up in a collision with Ollie’ Bearman.

 

Yet Lando Norris, whose McLaren O’Ward was driving sounds like a total Prick! Saying Pato knows what He’s there for, testing! And He’s not supposed to damage the car. And we could have chosen anywhere for Him to test at, so He should be happy its in Mexico…

 

O’Ward first came upon my collective radar during His 2018 Indy Lights tilt, when I was rootin’ for the Mexican to beat Andretti Autosport teammate Colton Herta for the title, which Pato did!

 

After making His IndyCar debut at the 2018 season finale at Sonoma for Harding Racing. Where Pato qualified an impressive fifth and finished ninth! Following a lack of funding, Pato was released from Harding Steinbrenner Racing and moved to Carlin.

 

Following a very brief, abortive IndyCar beginning with Carlin, remember them Y’all? Pato joined the Red bull Junior Driver Academy with hopes of joining Formula 1. Yet due to the miniscule (2018) Indy Lights field, Pato’s championship points were cut in half, leaving O’Ward unable to qualify for the necessary FIA Super license.

 

Hired to drive for Arrow McLaren SP in 2020 alongside Oliver Askew. A one Mr. Zakery Brown promised Pato a Formula 1 ride if He won an IndyCar race, which O’Ward promptly did at Texas Motor Speedway, His debutante IndyCar win just two days shy of His 22nd birthday!

 

Pato got His first taste of F1 in a demonstration drive at Laguna Seca in November, 2021 behind the wheel of Mika Hakkinen’s MP4/13. With the Double World Champion on hand to give advice…

 

In December, O’Ward tested the team’s current McLaren MCL35 chassis during the yearly Abu Dhabi season finale Young Guns test, where He finished a very impressive fourth fastest!

 

For Fall, 2022, Pato, along with some IndyCar Hotschue’ named Alex Palou carried out two test sessions for McLaren in Barcelona and Austria. Then Pato made His Free Practice (FP) session debut at Abu Dhabi that December.

 

O’Ward made another Free Practice outing the following year once again at Abu Dhabi, a circuit He must know fairly well now, ci? Before being named as one of McLaren’s reserve drivers this year. Even though O’Ward’s Day Job is firmly cemented in IndyCar’s.

 

Thus by my unofficial reckoning, Pato’s FP-1 outing at Mexico City marks the first time two Mexicans have been on a Formula 1 circuit simultaneously since fellow countrymen Checo’, nee Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez raced in the 2016 season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ole!

 

Ironically Gutierrez, remember Him Y’all? Also hails from Monterey Mexico, a la O’ward. With the former Sauber and Haas F1 driver Gutierrez having raced for Glickenhaus Racing in the FIA World Enduance Championship. (WEC) Along with CrowdStrike Racing by APR in IMSA’s LMP2 category during 2023. Whilst I’ve got zero clue what Gutierrez is up to this season?

 

As Pato says its been a dream of His to race on Home soil for quite awhile now, and I can only surmise that He received a warm reception in Mexico city, even if everybody showed up to root for Sergio Perez. As who knows? Pato will probably drive an F1 car again for McLaren, since He’s got nothing on His calendar until next March…

 

As that was before I read the news that O’Ward will now run His Arrow Mclaren IndyCar in a demonstration run during next January’s Formula E Mexico City E-Prix event. Along with also sampling one of McLaren’s Formula E racecars also in a demonstration run. Did you hear that Mark Miles, Ole!

 

Whilst Pato desperately wishes to participate in next year’s inaugural Mexico City NASCAR Cup event, for which I haven’t checked if it clashes with His Day Job? Along with oddly, His Boss Zak Brown mentioning O’Ward contesting the Day-Toner’ 500 some day… 

IndyCar Teams go Testing at Thermal

For which at least one IndyCar reporter should be present, even if it’s His Wedding Anniversary…

 

What appeared to initially be a single car test, in what probably is the last test session of the year? Although I’ve got zero clue if the other six IndyCar teams have test days they’re sitting on?

 

As tomorrow’s private test has grown into a procession of five IndyCar teams using their remaining allotted Driver Evaluation test days in the California Desert, even if they have “No Vacancies” on their driver rosters next year…

 

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) was the first team to book a date at Thermal, and will run Logan Sargeant in it’s Dallara Honda chassis. As Sargent, who turns 24 years old on Tony Kanaan’s birthday, (Dec 31st) raced in formula 1 between 2023-24 for Williams F1, making a total of 37 starts  before being replaced by rookie Argentine sensation Franco Colapinto at Monza this September. And previously raced in Formula 2, finishing fourth overall in 2022. Scoring a total of four podiums, including two wins driving for Carlin.

 

MSR Arse-sumedly is using the test as an evaluation of Thermal for next year’s upcoming points race on March 23rd. And possibly also vetting personnel for its technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing, who can also use MSR’s data…

 

Arrow McLaren will test Enzo Fittipaldi, the younger brother of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Pietro Fittipaldi. As Pietro still doesn’t know if He’ll be returning to the cockpit of the No. 30 RLLR Honda entry next year?

 

Pietro, Age 28 major accomplishment to date in Open Wheel Racing is winning the 2017 Formula V8 3.5 series, the final iteration of what was popularly known as the world Series by Renault 3.5 Championship. And has been the Haas F1 Team’s test & reserve driver since 2019. Along with making two Formula 1 Grands Prix starts as Romain Grosjean’s substitute after His fiery crash in Bahrain in 2020.

 

Enzo Fittipaldi has spent the past three years racing in the FIA Formula 2 World Championship. Currently driving for Van Amersfoort Racing and having amassed 71 starts, with two wins and 13 podiums to date. Along with having won the 2018 Italian F4 title. But like His older brother Pietro, His chances at a Formula 1 career seem virtually Nil’.

 

Penske will have its standout Sports Car driver, and reigning IMSA GTP Champion Felipe Nasr behind the wheel of its lone racecar in California.

 

Nasr, Age 32 drove for the Sauber f1 Team during the 2015-16 seasons, with a career best finish of fifth place upon His Formula 1 debut in Australia.

 

Following F1, Felipe made His debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Partnering Eric Curran in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R prototype. As the duo won the Prototypes championship with five podiums. Including finishing runner-up in the Rolex 24 behind their Seester’ “Mach 5 Mustang Sally”, Err No. 5 Mustang Sampling entry. Along with winning at Belle Isle.

 

Felipe made three starts in Formula E in 2019, before being announced as a Carlin driver for its IndyCar team the following year. Yet due to COVID-19 shutting down motorsports in the spring of 2020, Nasr never got to race in Indy Cars, returning to Sports Cars instead…

 

Rejoining the IMSA DPi ranks, Nasr and new teammate Pipo Derani won at Sebring’s Spring Sprint race that year, starting from Pole and winning the race, once again aboard the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Caddy’.

 

For 2021, Nasr and Derani had a “magical” season, scoring a total of eight podiums, including three wins enroute to the title, Nasr’s second Sports Car Prototypes crown.

 

Then for 2023, Nasr became a Werks’ Porsche Penske Motorsport driver. Having just won this year’s IMSA GTP title with Dane Cameron. Nasr’s third championship and Cameron’s fourth.

 

According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett, Nasr has tested Indy Cars for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Carlin and Team Penske previously. And Penske President Tim Cindric claims Felipe always has His Hand up to test and stay current in single seaters.

 

But like everyone else, Team Penske doesn’t have any vacancies and Nasr’s not going anywhere. Having been confirmed to continue in the #7 Penske Porsche 963 with new teammate Nick Tandy next year.

 

Meanwhile, RLLR will run its latest signing, the reigning Indy NXT Champion Louis Foster. (Age 21) Having previously won the 2022 Indy Pro 2000 Championship with seven victories. Then ran away with the Indy NXT Championship in His sophomore season with eight wins and seven Poles. Being the only rookie for next year testing at Thermal.

 

Ed Carpenter Racing was the latest to join the ever growing party at the Thermal Club on November 19, asking Hunter McElrea to test for them. In what appears to be an early birthday present from ECR, as the Kiwi’ turns 25 years old on November 21st.

 

Having won the 2018 Australian Formula 4 Championship with 13 wins before coming Stateside. Hunter finished runner-up in the U.S. F2000 National Championship and third in Indy Pro 2000 driving for Pabst Racing. And after claiming Rookie Of the Year for Andretti Autosport in Indy Lights, claimed runner-up to current ECR IndyCar driver Christian Rasmussen in 2023.

 

McElrea impressed with His raw speed during His IndyCar debut at Toronto for Dale Coyne Racing. And has also become somewhat of a Sports Car standout, having won this year in the LMP2 category driving for TDS Racing. Taking back-to-back  wins at the Battle On the Bricks (Indianapolis) and Petit Le Mans. Along with winning this year’s IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup LMP2 crown.

 

And like the Fittipaldi brothers, obviously McElrea wishes to become a Fulltime IndyCar driver, but appears to be a long shot… 

How many IndyCar Seats remain for 2025?

And how many lick does it take to get to the center, Oh Never Mind!

 

Following that epic, Heart stopping Disco Cyclops Petit Le Mans finish. Where Renger van der Zande said He liked Disco when trying to get the lights to stay on in the closing minutes of the race! And had simply started pushing buttons, with somebody telling Him to push the white button…

 

Arse-sumedly we can now focus, Hocus Pocus? Upon the remaining IndyCar seats still up for grabs for the 2025 season, El Correctomundo?

 

Thus, as of Monday, October 14th, when I began this riveting prose. Hot on the heels of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing having inked the reigning Indy NXT champion Louis foster to the de riggour multi-year contract.

 

Thar’ were still technically seven seats available: (1) Chip Ganassi Racing, (2) Dale Coyne Racing, (2) Juncos Hollinger Racing, (1) Prema Racing, and (1) Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

 

Yet the Ganassi and Prema seats are already taken, with Kyffin Simpson moving to the No. 8 entry formerly driven by 2024 IndyCar Rookie Of the year Linus Lundqvist. And Robert Shwartzman in the second, unannounced Prema Racing seat alongside Callum Ilott.

 

Where to start, Eh? As we know Dale Coyne won’t have anything finalized until the week before St Pete’s season opener, Righto? Although Dale’s hands are somewhat tied now, due to the Dale Coyne Charter rule of only three drivers in a car per season. Meaning He’ll have to find drivers with more than a single race’s funding…

 

No idea over whether or not Romain Grosjean will be back at Juncos Hollinger Racing next year? Or which “Pay” Driver they’ll insert into the No. 78 next season? Since I’m guessing we shouldn’t read too much into Conor Daly testing for them at Mother Speedway’s Hybrid system test.

 

Whilst interestingly, another Free Agent named Rinus veeKay was testing for Dale Coyne at Indianapolis…

 

As the pool of current IndyCar drivers without rides theoretically exceeds current vacancies. As Lundqvist, Grosjean, VeeKay, Daly, Toby Sowery, Hunter McElrea and Sting Ray Robb are All seeking employment.

 

Oops, how could I forget “Teddy Porkchop”, aka Theo Pourchaire, who seems totally deserving of an IndyCar drive! And I’ve also momentarily forgotten current RLLR Simulator Jockey Juri Vips.

 

Not to mention that Sparky’, aka Devlin DeFrancesco is supposedly trying to find His way back into an IndyCar seat.

With no disrespect to thy Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge, whom I’ve also overlooked…

Whilst that doesn’t include any other potential Indy NXT  graduates like runner-up Jacob Abel, whom seems locked out of an IndyCar career. Or any FIA Formula 2 drivers wanting to come Stateside. Since we know that Zane Maloney tested with RLLR this past August on Indianapolis’s road course, during His IndyCar debut.

 

Along with current Aston Martin Formula 1 test and reserve driver Felipe Drugovich’s recent test for Ganassi. As it seems a waste for Drugovich, the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Champion to still be sitting on the sidelines!

 

Or the upcoming test for former Williams F1 driver Logan Sargeant at the Thermal Club with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) on November 19th.

 

Since we know that both Ganassi and MSR don’t have any vacancies for next year. But these late season tests give them an opportunity to evaluate future talent, set-ups and a variety of other things. Like MSR testing out its new technical alliance with CGR.

 

As I fear that many of the drivers named above, and those I don’t know about will be disappointed “When the Music’s Over” and we “turn Out the Lights!” Upon the 2025 IndyCar Silly Season… 

Thoughts upon a Few of IndyCar’s recent moves

Although Motor Racing Never Sleeps!

 

Yeah, it’s old news here upon No Fenders as typical. With everyone knowing that IndyCar has chosen FOX to be its new Television partner beginning in 2025, on a multi-year contract. Presumably running until the end of 2027.

 

Being blind, have I mentioned that to Y’all lately? I typically don’t “watch”, Err listen to many NASCAR races on TV. Usually just the Day-Toner’ 500, which I missed this year due to recovering from Open Heart surgery and my parents didn’t want to watch the race with me…

 

What little I do recall of FOX NASCAR races are that indeed, they tend to put good ‘Ol NBC; “Nothing but Commercials” to Shame! Along with Mike Joy constantly pontificating over everything NASCAR invented or did first…

 

What I’m more curious about, and maybe it’s in the fine print somewhere? But will FOX be airing All of the IndyCar races in year’s two-three of this contract still on Network TV?

 

Since everyone’s touting how this is a “Win” for IndyCar and it’s Team Owners commercially. But I haven’t read anything about the second and third years of this deal and what it pertains? Since if my cable Bill keeps increasing by $31 a month per year, then I’m definitely gonna need to Cut the Chord! Even though I still have zero clue over how a Blind person does Streaming?

 

And ever since Sugar Ray Tracy left the Broadcast Booth, I’ve been listening to every IndyCar race via IndyCar Radio instead. Since they paint a Mucho Better picture of what’s happening ON-track vs. television!

 

Thus, the FOX Broadcast crew isn’t of great importance to Mwah, other than obviously they get talented and knowledgeable people to work behind the microphones. As Allen Bestwick, Brian till or Adam Alexander would be great lead announcers.

 

What I’m truly disappointed about this new arrangement is once again, the shortening of an already too short IndyCar season. As ending on August 31st is a travesty! And yes, I know the reason why, which is Poppycock! Especially since the final few races could migrate to FS1or Gasp, FS2, Oh Never Mind!

 

As IndyCar and Penske Entertainment have nobody but themselves to Blame for marginalizing the series into a Niche Sport! As I Don’t wanna hear any Bellyaching when their ultra compressed scheduled gets disrupted by Mother Nature…

 

I also know others in Ye blogosphere have pointed out how that tiresome, nauseating 869lb Gorilla known as the NFL’s season only last six months. And Ditto other major league sports?

 

But what’s not mentioned in this sentence is that these Stick ‘n Ball Sports have other activity going on year round! Like the vaunted three day Draft, Free Agency, Rookie Camp, OTA’s and who knows what else to keep them constantly in the Spotlight, ergo News cycle.

 

Which one cannot say that at All about IndyCar, unless you wish to include All of the self inflicted wounds of negative publicity over the Stupendous six months Offseason? Hence IndyCar is out of the public eye for at least a minimum of a Half year. And dare I say it? Truly only once a year during Memorial Day weekend! And how did IndyCar manage to race until October for All of those years in the past?

 

Although the new TV Deal appears to be a Boom for Indy NXT, which perhaps will help to increase it’s field of competing drivers and teams?

 

Meanwhile, we also know that this weekend at Mid-Ohio, we’ll finally “See” the debut of IndyCar’s gong Hybrid, even if they’re actually utilizing and ERS, nee Energy Recovery system. Which houses the array of “miniture” super capacitors and the rest of the necessary components inside the engine’s Bellhousing.

 

Much has been made over how many years behind this Hybrid arrival is, for which I do have to say I’m impressed that IndyCar, Chevrolet and Honda can make it work!

 

Since unlike the IMSA GTP racecars, which have oodles of space for large battery systems. Or Formula 1 chassis designed to accommodate battery “packs”, IndyCar is Handicapped by having to package this new ERS hardware into its existing Dallara DW12 design. Which is no fault of Dallara’s, since this chassis is twelve years old!

 

As the main problem is that IndyCar and some of it’s team owners have resisted the implementation of a brand new IndyCar chassis, that could be designed to accommodate such new technology. Which now is possibly the springboard for a new chassis in 2027?

 

Thus, I’m dually impressed that a solution could be found at all to interface not only with the existing Dallara DW12 chassis. But also the twelve year old 2.2-litre twin turbo V-6 racing engines…

 

The question is how will this new hybridization effect the outcome of the remaining nine races? Especially with six being on Ovals. And who will figure out their advantages first?

 

As it seems extremely Odd to me to be introducing such a major equipment change in the middle of a racing season.

 

Yeah, I get it, that supposedly Heads were gonna Roll! If the hybrid ERS package didn’t see competition this season. For which I can only hope that the delay to mid-season won’t see a litany of wholesale retirements due to reliability issues!

 

Even though I know countless miles of testing has been done both on and off track, and even an almost full field test was held at Milwaukee recently. There’s still nothing like the relevance of race competition!

 

While another variable will be Firestone’s tyres, for which All new compounds have been made in advance of going Hybrid. As I’m not saying that Firestone’s tyre’s will be bad. They’re just one more variable for teams to have to sort thru.

 

And speaking of testing, how can I not wonder if Penske and Ganassi have a decided advantage as the primary “test” teams for their respective engine partners? Although I know that Arrow McLaren, Ed Carpenter Racing and I think Rahal Letterman Lanigan and may be Andretti Global have also taken turns? It just All seems very convoluted to Mwah!

 

And notice how I didn’t say nothin’ about Team Penske, P2P and illegal software utilized for Hybrid testing…