Can Colton Herta close His Formula 2 Points Deficit?

Or will His Formula 1 aspirations fizzle?

 

Still have to commend Colton Herta for making the bold decision to leave IndyCar to chase His dream of racing in Formula 1.

 

Yet that said, this year hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Herta. Beginning with the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 races, where Formula 2 was part of the weekend. We all know how  the calendar revisions to race at Miami and Montreal impacted Colton’s plans of running Andretti Global’s fourth Indianapolis 500 entry.

 

Reportedly, Herta currently has 34 points from His IndyCar Vice Champion (second place) finish in 2024 and seventh place finish in 2025. Putting Him just six points shy of the 40 points threshold required for the mandatory FIA Super Licence to race in Formula 1.

 

Thus Colton needs to finish eighth or better this year in Formula 2 to collect His Super Licence. Although think I heard Colton can amass one extra point for each F1 Free Practice session He contests?

 

Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in sprint races. And top ten in feature races, a la F1 scoring format.

 

Two extra points are awarded for feature race pole position. And a bonus point is awarded for fastest lap in each race, provided it’s set by a driver finishing in the top ten. Otherwise awarded to the fastest driver inside top ten places.

 

Sprint points: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

Feature races: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.

 

In the seven rounds (14 races) prior to the Mighty spa weekend. (Spa-Francorchamps) Colton had scored five top ten finishes, and one top five finish. Finishing seventh, (Australia) eighth (Miami) and seventh (Montreal) in feature races. Plus ninth (Montreal( and fifth (Barcelona) sprint races for a total of 20 points, classified P17. While Norway’s Martinius Stenshorne was eighth with 48 points.

 

His best weekend was Montreal, where He finished ninth and seventh, albeit one position out of the points in the sprint race.

 

Following Spa-Francorchamps, with P13 in the Sprint race, and seventh in the Feature race. Moving up one position to 16th overall with 26 points.

 

Herta finished P14 during Saturday’s Hunga-boring’ Sprint race; one place behind Hitech teammate Ritomo Miyata, 25.7 seconds behind winner Gabriele Mini in what was anything but a boring race.

 

Sunday’s Hungaroring feature race saw Colton finish a disastrous P19 out of a 22-car field. Nearly one minute adrift of maiden race winner Noel Leon.

 

As Herta trails current eighth place Laurens van Hoepen (65 points) by 39 markers, still languishing in P16. (26 points) With Hitech teammate Ritomo Miyata P13. (34 points)

 

Following the summer break, (July 27-Sept 4) five rounds remain. Monza, the brand new Madrid circuit, Azerbaijan’s Baku street circuit and the final two rounds at Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

 

Yet will the stupendous attacking of Iran and the ensuing war impact these final two events for all concerned, including Formula 1? Which with the constant escalation of attacking Iran, these races, and racing in the Middle East in general now seem quite threatened.

 

Meanwhile, even if Colton achieves His objective and secures a FIA Super Licence, where would He race? Since I’ve already speculated that current Cadillac F1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez surely have multi-year contracts?

 

Yet a somewhat larger obstacle is Colton’s age. Having turned 26 this March 30th. As I cannot think of recently hearing ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson telling Paul Tracy a story about Felix-the-Cat’, who Johansson manages.

 

Saying He’d rung up Helmut Marco to try getting Felix Rosenqvista test for Formula 1 and Marco said forget it, He’s too old!

 

FIA F2 points leader Nikola  Tsolov is 19yrs old. Campos teammate Noel Leon 21yrs old. Whilst Invicta Racing’s Rafael Chaves Camara is 21yrs old, with teammate Joshua Durksen being 22yrs old.

 

DAMS Lucas Oil’s Dino Beganovic, a Ferrari Academy driver is 22yrs old and in His second full F2 season.  ART Grand Prix driver Kush Maini turns 26 in September. But with 91 starts, 3 wins, 2 poles and 8 podiums in four seasons, I highly doubt will progress to F1. Even if Maini is having His best season to date so far; currently sixth overall when scribbling this. One position ahead of Beganovic.

 

And lastly is Trident’s John Bennett, age 22. In His sophomore campaign, having won His maiden F2 race in Austria’s Sprint race. Being the first driver to step up to Formula 2 directly from the GB3 championship.

 

As the following drivers above have won the majority if not all F2 races preceding Hungary.

 

Then again, Bottas and Perez are both in their mid-thirties, so who knows, Eh?

 

Especially since Herta’s now completed two Friday (Free Practice) FP1 sessions in Barcelona, replacing Perez. Then at Hungary replacing Bottas, with speculation suggesting Colton’s in-line to replace Bottas next year. Although Valtteri says its complete Balderdash!

 

As for scoring extra FIA super Licence points when driving in Friday practice sessions. Reportedly a driver can earn up to 10 points over any three year period, gaining one point per session, provided said driver completes a minimum of 100km in that session.

 

So, will we see Cadillac insert Colton an additional six times during Friday practice and running long to obtain the necessary points? Which increasingly, seems His only pathway left.

 

Whilst could Cadillac be so bold to go for an all new lineup in the future with Herta and Guanyu Zhou, we’ll “See”.

 

Good luck Colton! 

Who’ll win this year’s Indy NXT Championship?

And more importantly, will it matter?

 

Suppose its due to gorging Thyself upon motorsports over the Mid-Ohio weekend. Having listened to both Indy NXT races, IndyCar Qualie and race, along with tuning in for Sunday’s Unlimited Hydroplane Heats and Gold Cup finale on the Ohio river. I’ve simply become waterlogged regarding motor racing!

 

Not to mention casually following the World Cup. Hell even managing to find a few games on FOX Sports radio, streamed via Zed Intrawood’s – when they felt like airing them.

 

Along with strangely feeling deflated over my Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward winning His first race of the season in Lexington. As I’d wanted Christian Lundgaard to stick the knife in Zak Brown’s punting Him Kerbside!

 

As its quite odd, since I’ve never been a fan of Lundgaard’s, but feel He’s getting a raw deal a la James Hinchcliffe, Oliver Askew, Theo Pourchaire, but I digress…

 

Adding to this malaise I suppose is the absolute Beatdown Enzo Fittipaldi put upon the entire Indy NXT field at Lexington.

 

Leading Friday’s practice, then claiming both poles for the Double header weekend. Along with a new pole record. And then leading both races wire-to-wire to go from 27 points behind to leading the title fight by 17 markers was nothing short of impressive!

 

Nikita Johnson who led the points standings entering Mid-Ohio slid down to third, 20 points adrift, while thee other TK’. Nope, not Tommy Kendall or Tony Kanaan, butt Tymek Kucharczyk, Fittipaldi’s HMD Motorsports teammate wound-up second after Mid-Ohio.

 

As these three drivers have played leapfrog with each other over leading the championship. As Fittipaldi had four wins, two poles and nine Top-5 finishes after Mid-Ohio. (431 points) While Johnson had two wins, 0 poles and six top-5’s. (411 points) And Kucharczyk had one win, 0 poles and ten top-5’s, (414 points) with everyone else some 100 markers adrift of this trio.

 

But guess we really shouldn’t have expected things to stay status quo, Eh?

 

Nashville Super speedway’s 1.33-mile concreate oval was an impound race. Presumably due to the weekend’s format being a two day event. Meaning drivers had to set their cars up for the race before qualifying, with no adjustments afterwards.

 

Matteo Nannini claimed pole, with A. J. Foyt Enterprises Alessandro de Tullio second. As de Tullio who has the most poles this season with seven, came up just 0.0931-seconds short of His eighth pole. With Fittipaldi’s two lap average speed being 177.427mph vs. de Tullio’s 177.114mph.

 

 Nikita Johnson was third and the driver Kevin Lee calls the Oval-meister’, Myles Rowe lined up fourth.

 

Don’t know what happened to points leader Enzo Fittipaldi, who qualified P14. Or Tymek Kucharczyk down in a lowly 17th, Youch!

 

Sadly, Kucharczyk’s woes weren’t over, as the Pole’ finished an uncharacteristic P18; three laps down, albeit I cannot find out any reason for this. As there’s no report upon His race outing, Say What?

 

Fittipaldi gradually worked His way forward for an eventual 11th place finish, but all the action naturally was up front. And all that was covered…

 

Nannini had a spirited fight with teammate Johnson over the lead, which the Italian never surrendered. With the exception of Rowe passing the Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR Boyz’ briefly before a yellow flag came out.

 

The race’s main battle was over who’d eventually finish runner-up? As Johnson, Lochie Hughes and Rowe all took turns sharing it, before Johnson finally secured second place with Row claiming the podium’s final step.

 

Yet it was Nannini cruising home with a 5.6+ second lead for His second win of the season. While Johnson reclaimed the points lead over Fittipaldi by a lone, solitary marker; 451 vs. 450 points. With Kucharczyk falling 25 markers behind in third with 426 points.

 

Only four races remain. With this weekend’s Portland event, (Aug 9th ) Milwaukee (Aug 30th) and Laguna Seca’s season ending Double Header. (Sept 5-6th)

 

Thus two permanent road courses and a historic oval sandwiched in-between round out the calendar’s 17 events.

 

Although the last three year’s Indy NXT champions, i.e.; Dennis Hauger, Louis foster and Christian Rasmussen are all currently IndyCar drivers. Hauger’s tenure isn’t certain next year.

 

As for every Indy NXT champion making it to IndyCar and securing a future there, there’s far more who have either never gotten to IndyCar, or had very short tenures…

As Linus Lundqvist’s name is on the tip of my tongue. With the likes of Oliver Askew, Ed Jones, Kyle Kiser, Spencer Pigot, you get the idea – not being round in IndyCar anymore. And the path to an open IndyCar seat is only becoming more daunting each year… 

Myles Rowe puts on Clinique at Gateway

As I’m certain He saw the Chequered flag being waved!

 

Have to say that was one of the most bizarre race weekends I can remember in awhile, at Gateway. Yeah, it will always be Gateway to this ‘Ol Codger. Not Wide World Technology Raceway, Spew! (WWTR)

 

Missed Indy NXT live Qualie’, so I was unaware of the drama afterwards. As pole sitter Myles Rowe, who’d been faster by one mile per hour was disqualified for taking an extra flying lap after finishing His run. Failing to follow race officials instructions.

 

Have to say I agree with IndyCar Radio’s Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton, who said you cannot blame your radio for not hearing what lap you’re on. You need to be visually aware of your surroundings and situation and never trust your equipment.

 

Davey said He loved Myles, but just didn’t agree with Rowe trying to blame His radio, while Myles had said He needed to have a talk with the Bell Helmet guys…

 

Thus Myle was relegated to the final row, rolling off last in P24. But Hamilton said He was excited to see what Rowe and Enzo Fittipaldi could do coming from the back.

 

Also missed the memo over points leader Enzo Fittipaldi not being able to qualify Saturday due to a mechanical failure, meaning He’d start P23, alongside Rowe.

 

Yet as the race got ready to start, IndyCar Radio’s Michael Young and Davey Hamilton noticed a lack of two cars from the grid. Most notably Fittipaldi standing on pitlane waiting the arrival of His No. 67 HMD Motorsports racecar, before walking to the front of the grid.

 

As Hamilton said He couldn’t see any cars being pushed towards the track from their vantage point, with the other delinquent racecar being Matteo Nannini’s #20 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry.

 

Then Fittipaldi ran to the garage as the race got ready to start, before His racecar with driver was pushed into pitlane. But race officials wouldn’t let Fittipaldi on-track until the entire field had taken the green! While Nannini also appeared and entered the race behind, possibly two laps down?

 

As queue the JAWS’ theme music! As Rowe was up to tenth place by lap 19 of 75. He’s coming boys!

 

“the High line is the Right line!”

 

Really have to say I was rootin’ for Homeboy’ Josh Person who’d gotten round Andretti Global teammate Max Taylor for second place; believe Alessandro de Tullio who’d started second dropped down the order. With Pierson then harrying pole sitter and Andretti global teammate Lochie Hughes before passing the Aussie’ for the lead.

 

Yet not only was Myles faster than everyone else, He also could place His car wherever He wanted to pass the opposition. Going down low to pass Taylor on lap 32 for third place, with His next victim being Hughes.

 

Rowe passed Hughes on lap 41 with a spectacular three wide pass and set sail for leader Person.

 

Target acquired, as Rowe went to the bottom again six laps later to pass Pierson and never looked back! Making history in the process of starting deepest in the field to win. Shattering Esteban “Ratta-Tat-Tat” Guerrieri’s record climb from P18 to first at the 2012 Freedom 100.

 

Fittipaldi’s day starting from the back wasn’t as stellar as Rowe’s, yet did climb ten places to finish 13th . With title protagonist Nikita Johnson finishing seventh.

 

De Tullio regained positions and finished runner-up to a distant Rowe, while Pierson held on for third, His best finish of the season.

 

Swear I heard Team Penske boss Jonathan Diuguid congratulating Rowe during Myle’s post-race winners interview. As it was Rowe’s third career win, all coming on ovals, and this one being extra special.

 

While Marshal Pruett has reported that Team Penske is considering giving Rowe a post season test aboard one of it’s Indy Cars.

 

Following Gateway, Nikita Johnson led the championship by two markers over Enzo Fittipaldi. (285-283) Both having won twice. And a further three markers adrift (280-points) was Tymek Kucharczyk. As the Polish driver’s been the revelation of the season so far! Scoring His maiden victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s second Indy road course race. Along with finishing third the first three races, and four thirds to date.

 

Max Taylor was fourth, 27 points behind. (258-points) And Vaulting to fifth was Myles Rowe, albeit 73 markers adrift. (212-points)

 

While the $64k question was whether Rowe could continue this momentum at the following Double Header weekend at Road America and to the end of the season?

 

Meanwhile, we learned that both Fittipaldi and Nannini’s racecars had suffered fuel leaks, being the cause of their maladies. Which struck a third, unrelated racecar. As Dennis Hauger failed to start the IndyCar race due to also suffering a fuel leak.

 

As don’t think I’ve ever heard of three cars suffering fuel leaks over a race weekend! 

LE MANS: A trio of Second Generation Drivers

As who will win the battle of rookies this year?

 

Continuing my overview of five promising drivers. Here’s three who’s fathers were former Formula 1 pilotes.

 

Eduardo Barrichello

DOB: September 23, 2001, Age: 24

U.S. F2000 National Championship: 2019-2020; Stock Car Pro Series

LMGT3: #23 The Heart of Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo

Eduardo Barrichello is the older son of Rubino’, nee Rubens Barrichello, who once held the record for most Grands Prix starts at 322. Before being surpassed by Kimi Raikkonen.

 

F1: Alonso Moves into P1’

 

Rubino’ won 11 Grands Prix, primarily as Michael Schumacher’s Wingman at Scuderia Ferrari between 2000-2005. Before winning twice for Brawn GP as Bloody Jense’s (Button) teammate in 2009.

 

Rubens also contested the 2012 IndyCar Series alongside friend TK’, aka Tony Kanaan and EJ Viso for KV Racing Technology. Being named Rookie Of the Year in His lone Indianapolis 500 start, after finishing 11th.

 

Just learned that Eduardo’s Mum’ is Silvana Giaffone Alcide, and that Felipe Giaffone is His uncle, and Alfonso Giaffone is His second uncle. As many will know that both drivers competed in the Indianapolis 500 during the Indy Racing League (IRL) era.

 

As Felipe is best known for being at a Babys R Us store when getting the call from A. J. Foyt to come and Bump His way into the field in 2005, bumping Arie Luyendyk Jr out of the race…

 

As Felipe’s son Nicolas (Eduardo’s cousin) was the USF Juniors champion in 2023. While Eduardo’s younger brother Fernando is also a racing driver.

 

Eduardo sent two seasons in U.S. F2000 National championship “Road to Indy” Feeder Series with a best finish of runner-up in 2020, driving for Pabst Racing. With Christian Rasmussen winning the title.

 

After racing Stock Cars in Brasilia, Barrichello moved to Sports Cars in 2025. And currently is contesting the full IMSA SportsCar Championship for Heart of Racing’s Aston Martin team this year. Along with also competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Heart of Racing

 

“Dudu”, Eduardo’s nickname, will share the No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage with Jonny Adam and Gray Newell.

 

Guiliano Alesi

DOB: September 20, 1999, Age: 26

Formula 2: 2019-2020; Super formula; Super GT300-Super GT500

LMGT3: #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx, Mercedes AMG GT3

I have several memories revolving around Guliano’s father, who I affectionately call “Mean Jean” Alesi here upon No Fenders.

 

Recalling His audacity to battle for the lead of the 1990 Iceberg Grand Prix on the streets of Downtown Phoenix vs. Ayrton Senna and His championship winning McLaren! As Alesi was driving that evocative Tyrrell 018, with the first dihedral “High Nose” racecar.

 

Sending shock waves through Formula 1 when leading the race, then repassing Senna’s superior McLaren Honda V-10, Eventually finishing runner-up to Senna with a customer Cosworth DFR V-8.

 

Along with all of His talent only netting a lone Formula 1 win at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix for Scuderia Ferrari. Plus that Jordan F1 car with 200 boldly emblazoned on it’s sidepods, celebrating Alesi’s 200th Grand Prix start, which was a big deal Wayback in 2001!

 

Or being at the 2012 Indianapolis 500, where I coined the moniker “Mean Jean” when driving that recalcitrant Lotus by Judd Dallara for Fan force United. Just noticing that being the same year Rubens Barrichello was racing at Mother Speedway…

 

Guiliano’s Mum’ is none other than Kumiko Goto, a Japanese former Model, Actress and Pop singer.

 

Guiliano joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016, along with Arthur Leclerc, younger brother of Scuderia Ferrari pilote Charles.

 

For 2019, He contested His rookie FIA formula 2 season for Trident with mediocre results, finishing 15th overall. A switch to Hwa Racelab the following year did little to advance His career, jumping ship to MP Motorsport at season’s end and finishing P17 overall.

 

Guiliano left the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2020, after a single outing in a Ferrari SF71H.

 

After finishing runner-up in Super Formula Lites with four wins, Alesi graduated to Super formula in 2021, winning at Autopolis, before being dropped during the 2023 season, once again due to poor results.

 

Alesi subsequently drove in Super GT300 before moving up to Super GT500

 

As previously mentioned, Guiliano will share the No. 62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx entry with Addulla Al-Khalaifi and Julian Hanses. Being unaware it was Alesi’s Le Mans debut, along with Qatari Al-Khalaifi and Team Qatar’s.

 

Lorenzo Patrese

DOB: August 12, 2005, Age: 20

Italian Formula 4: 2020-2021; GT World Challenge Europe, IMSA GT Daytona

LMGT3: #74 Kessel Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo

Lorenzo’s Pop’s is former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese. Once the Ironman of Formula 1, amassing the most career starts at then a staggering 256. Before ironically being surpassed by Rubino’.

 

Now it’s a Record!

 

Lorenzo has the least seat-time of these second generation drivers in single seaters, debuting at the Mugello round. Then racing at Monza in the 2020 Italian Formula 4 championship, His debut in single seaters. Then finished third in the following year’s Italian F4 Rookie cup and 12th overall, before moving onto Sports Cars.

 

Lorenzo has been contesting the GT World challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint series since 2022.

 

Across thoust Gory Puddle, Patrese drove Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo’s for Cetilar Racing last year, and Conquest Racing this season in the IMSA GT Daytona (GTD) category.

 

Lorenzo is also a winning Show Jumping Horse rider, which He’s done for several years, along with studying International Business at University.

 

Lorenzo joins Eduardo and Guiliano making  His debut at Circuit de la Sarthe. With co-drivers Dustin Blattner and Dennis Marschall behind the wheel of the Kessel Racing Ferrari. 

LE MANS: Six pack of Aspiring Debutantes

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

 

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

 

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

 

Jack Doohan

DOB: January 20, 2003, Age: 23

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Enzo Trulli

DOB: April 15, 2005, Age: 21

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Logan Sargeant

DOB: December 31, 2000, Age: 25

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

LMGT3: #88 Proton Competition, Ford Mustang GT3 Evo

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Indianapolis 500 Driver Factoids

Yeah, let’s just push the Cliffs  nothing-burger’ car back into the garage, and knock off the Drive for 5 nonsense! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Who’ll be adding their name to the record books this year?

 

Arse-sumedly, most of Yuhs will already know this? But thought I’d “Jot” it down quickly for those keeping tabs…

 

This year’s field only has 33 total entries with no bumping, BOO! Comprised of the full season 25 Charter entries and 8 “At large” entries, sound familiar? Can Y’all say 25/8 Rule, Eh?

 

Naturally it appears to fast becoming another Alex Palou Gravy-train express to His fifth championship title overall, and fourth consecutive, Aye Karumba!

 

Indy 500 Rookies

#4. Caio Collet, Brazil; A. J. Foyt Enterprises

#19. Dennis Hauger, Norway; Dale Coyne Racing

#47 Mick Schumacher, Germany; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

#51. Jacob Abel, USA; Abel Motorsports

 

Caio collet is 24 years old and finished “Vice champion” (Runner-up) in last year’s Indy NXT championship. claiming three wins.

 

Prior to the Sonsio Grand Prix at Mother Speedway, Collet was P21 overall with a best finish of 12th at Arlington.

 

Having qualified 12th at Indy’s road course, Caio was collected in a first lap accident and never recovered, finishing P19, ironically one place ahead of Mick Schumacher.

 

Dennis Hauger is 23 years old and is the reigning Indy NXT champion, claiming seven wins enroute to the title.

 

Prior to the Indy Road Course race, He was 16th overall with a best finish of 10th at St. Pete.

 

Although starting a disappointing P24, Hauger worked His way thru the wild ‘n wooly Sonsio Grand Prix for a career best finish of eighth!

 

Mick Schumacher is 27 years old. A former Formula 1 driver and winner of the 2020 Formula 2 championship.

 

Prior t this May’s Indy’s permanent road course race, where He made His IndyCar debut testing for RLLR last October, Mick’s best finish was P17 at Long Beach; being 24th overall.

 

Mick looked set for a possible top ten finish at IMS until a late race collision with Santino Ferrucci, who had worn out His tyres. Netted Schumacher a Drive-thru penalty and a finish of P20 Saturday.

 

Jacob Abel is 25 years old and finished second overall in the 2024 Indy NXT championship. Last year He drove for Dale Coyne Racing in IndyCar, but failed to qualify of the Indianapolis 500.

 

This year Jacob make’s His Indy 500 debut in a “One-off” drive for His family’s team at Mother Speedway, while competing in IMSA Spors Car LMP2 category for Era Motorsports.

 

Hauger currently leads the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) battle with 100 points. Followed by Collet, 30 markers adrift, and Schumacher third,  a further 16 markers behind Collet, with 54 points.

 

Hauger finished 15th in His first IndyCar oval race at Phoenix this March. Collet finished 19th , and Schumacher sandwiched in-between at P18.

 

Arguably, Mick Schumacher has the least IndyCar experience of these four rookies, with only one oval race to His credit, not to mention being on His second race Engineer…

 

Indy 500 Only entries

#06. (W) Helio Castroneves, Brazil; Meyer Shank Racing

#11. Katherine Legge, UK; HMD Motorsports with Foyt enterprises

#23. Conor Daly, USA; Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

#24. Jack Harvey, UK; Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

#31. (W) Ryan Hunter-Reay; Arrow McLaren

#33. Ed Carpenter, USA; ECR

#75. (W) Takuma Sato, Japan; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

 

‘Ol Dancin’ fool Hulio’ is the most decorated of these seven Indy 500 Only runners with four Borg Warners to date. As could we please stop the Drive-for-5 nonsense!

 

Taku-san’ (Sato) is the only other multiple winner, which very likely could have been three; Playin’ Thru Dario!

 

The Dude! Nee Ryan Hunter-Reay is the only other former winner, while Fast Eddie’ has won three poles.

 

Indy 500 Pole Sitters

(6) Rick Mears: 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991

(5) Scott Dixon: 2008, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022

(4) Helio Castroneves: 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010

(3) Ed Carpenter: 2013, 2014, 2018

(1) Alex Palou: 2023

(1) Scott McLaughlin: 2024

 

The last pole sitter to win the Indianapolis 500 was Symone’, nee Pageantry’, aka Simon Pagenaud in 2019.

 

Indy 500 Consecutive Winners

Wilbur Shaw: 1939-1940

Mauri Rose: 1947-1948

Bill Vukovich: 1953-1954

Al Unser: 1970-1971

Helio Castroneves: 2001-2002

Josef Newgarden: 2023-2024 

Foyt to become regional Feeder Series powerhouse?

Although letting others do the Heavy lifting…

 

Indy NXT competitors return to action with a Double Header weekend at Mother Speedway beginning today, after a month’s hiatus. Which currently is a battle of the “Young guns”, with Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR’s rookie Nikita Johnson leading the championship ahead of Andretti global rookie Max Taylr.

 

AJ Foyt Enterprises rookie driver Alessandro de Tullio is making some noise Himself. Having finally “Broke His Duck”  last time out at thee Oh, so Beautiful Barbers’, nee Barber Motorsports Park, scoring His maiden Indy NXT win. Currently fifth overall, de Tullio’s been quick, having scored three poles in the first four races, albeit currently 60 markers adrift of Johnson.

 

Interestingly, Foyt has decided to beef-up its Junior Open Wheel Racing involvement with the decision to partner with Crosslink Motorsports in Formula four U.S. and Formula regional(FR) Americas Championship feeder series, to strengthen its driver development ladder.

 

Crosslink Motorsports, a Dallas, Texas racing organization is a “Powerhouse” itself. Claiming to have won the most F4 U.S. races, plus two F4 U.S. titles. Since the team’s official website mentions their known as Crosslink Kiwi Motorsports. Whilst I’ve also seen this written as Crosslink with Kiwi Motorsports and Crosslink/Kiwi Motorsports, Corfuzed?

 

Having won the U.S. formula 4 title in 2019 and 2023. While Kiwi Motorsports won last year’s championship.

 

Crosslin Kiwi Motorsports won the2023-2024 FR Americas titles with drivers Callum Hedge and Patrick Woods-Toth respectively.

 

Crosslink Motorsports won a third consecutive FR Americas Championship with Titus Sherlock last year. Although I’m still not sure how the FR Americas Championship fits into the grand scheme of Feeder Series?

 

Since I’m Arse-suming nobody’s heard of either Woods-Toth or Sherlock, and I cannot find what they’re currently doing? With Sherlock garnering a measly $100,000 cash prize for winning the championship, Youch!

 

SCCA Pro Racing’s Alternate Single Seaters Feeder series

 

By my rudimentary records, Kiwi’ Hedge is the latest FR Americas driver to graduate to Indy NXT, having raced two years for HMD Motorsports and Abel Motorsports between 2024-2025, with a best finish of fourth overall in 2024.

 

Although the Road to Indy and now USF Pro championships run by Anderson Promotions still seemingly is the preferred pathway to Indy NXT.

 

America’s preferred Open wheel Racing ladder system

 

Currently four FR Americas Alumni; Kyle Kirkwood, David Malukas, Kyffin Simpson and Jacob Abel are IndyCar drivers. Kirkwood and Simpson are past champions, with Malukas finishing runner-up. While Abel will race in His first Indy 500 this year, after failing to qualify in 2025.

 

Yet being a champion of both series doesn’t guarantee a long term IndyCar career. As just ask Linus Lundqvist about that! Having won the 2020 FR Americas and 2022 Indy NXT Championships, who's still trying to return to IndyCar…

 

Crosslink appears to be mimicking Indy NXT juggernaut HMD Motorsports by having the most cars on the grid with six. With rookies Alejandro Bobadilla, (#8) Kekai Hauanio, (#29( Evagoras Papasavvas (#71) and Aidan Schuh driving the storied No. 14. Plus Barrett Wolfe (#13) and Kevin Janzen. (#24)

 

While Kiwi Motorsports has just two entries for rookies Harbir Dass and Cooper Shipman.

 

Papasavvas briefly made waves in Indy NXT last year upon debut driving for HMD Motorsports. Qualifying third and finishing runner-up to Dennis Hauger at Barber in the vacated No. 24 seat Sophia

Florsch occupied for one round. Having signed for a partial season, before finishing P21 overall after five races.

 

Perusing the entry list for drivers, another Indy NXT Journeyman’s name jumped out to Mwah. Noticing that Christian Bogle is driving for Toney Driver Development this year. Having raced four seasons in Indy NXT, beginning with Carlin, remember them Y’all? And then a further three seasons with HMD Motorsports, but I digress…

 

Crosslink’s drivers will be welcomed into the Foyt program to interact with Engineers and other team personnel to help them advance their careers, while giving Foyt access to more talented, potential future drivers…

 

Further muddying the waters, when trying to find out more about Kiwi Motorsports, I learned that Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) formed the same “strategic” partnership alliance with New Zealand Kiwi Motorsports them late 2024. Seeing Kiwi Motorsports and Crosslink become fully separate entities for 2025.

 

Along with learning that Kiwi Motorsports are Toyota’s entry in the Formula Oceania series.

 

Thus giving us two FR Americas operations with clearly defined links to Indy NXT, and possibly IndyCar. 

INDY 500: Bump Day goes Thud!

Fernando Alonso’s name atop IMS Scoring pylon. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Fernando Who!

 

Was gonna scribble about my waning desire to continue following Formula 1 via television today, but I’ll let that simmer a little longer…

 

Nope, like many, this year’s lack of Bumping at Mother Speedway’s upon my mind. As I could go thru what’s already been covered extensively over the recent lack of entries since 2020. Or going back even further to 2016, when the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 only had 33 entries, reportedly…

 

While we all know about Colton Herta’s fourth Andretti Global entry being scrubbed due to Formula One’s brilliant idea to race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve the same day, Spew!

 

It seemingly comes down to the financial plight of the current economy. Although there are reportedly drivers with the necessary budget for a “One-off” entry at Mother Speedway.

 

While I’m not a fan of Honda’s unwillingness to grant its fourth Andretti Global engine lease to an Indy only entry. And I’m not sure how it helps them publicly? But perhaps due to Honda having just suffered its first ever earnings loss since the 1970’s, Honda’s suddenly pinching pennies?

 

And what about all of the Young Guns wishing to race in IndyCar these days? With the likes of Linus Lundqvist, Hunter McElrae, Toby sowery, Juri Vips and others. Not to mention Callum Ilott, Katherine Legge, Stefan Wilson and Devlin DeFrancesco for starters…

 

Nope, the saddest part of all is that we as Fans live by the credo of it being the fastest 33 Cars in the field and revel over the uncertainty of somebody going “Home” utterly disappointed. Even if its only one single driver and team. The sheer “Spectacle” of those vying for the final grid spot is typically Herculean! And for Mwah, Bump Day’s Last Row Shootout is always far more thrilling than the Pole shootout.

 

As one needs only look back to 2019, when the Minnowesqe Junco Racing and Kyle Kiser in a “Frankenstein” car Bumped Two-times Formula 1 World champion Fernando Alonso from that year’s Indianapolis 500!

 

Meanwhile, and it cannot just be Mwah. But “Isn’t It Ironic?” That with the 25 current IndyCar Charters being assured of making the field. We’re suddenly back to that Good, ‘Ol 25-8 rule.

 

As Shame On You IndyCar! As this is what the whole spirit of the Indianapolis 500 is supposed to represent…

 

Incredible radio from Kyle Kiser after Bumping Fernando Alonso from the 2019 Indianapolis 500