Is Le Mans better than Formula 1?

Turn those DAMN FREAKIN' BLINDING High Beams on Thy Mulsanne "Straight" Down! As I cannot S-E-E Thy Keyboard; CRIKEYS!

Read an interesting article in F1 Fanatic last year, or is I-T two years now? Which was pondering why the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Sports Cars appears to be more compelling for Auto  Manufacturers vs. thee Pinnacle 'O Motorsports, nee Formula 1 at the moment.

More Car Manufacturers choosing WEC and Le Mans over Formula 1

Yeah, Y'all know the drill, how time flies by as fast as a Porsche 919 Hybrid hustlin' down that chicane infested Mulsanne Straight! Yet the story still seems fairly current now some two years later, or does I-T?

Hard to believe that 24 months has slipped away since F1 Fanatic's Keith Collantine planted Thy seed's kernel in thou cranium for this long stewin' story with his post about F1 v Le Mans; Hmm? 24-months, 24 Heurs du Mans, tomato, toe-motto; Oh Never Mind!

Which was piggybacked with then current la Scuderia Supremo's bluster. Y'all know 'Wayback when 'lil Enzo, nee Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was Huffing 'N Puffing 'bout Ferrari leaving the Grand Madam 'O Motorsports, Yeah right Luca!

Ferrari could leave F1

Sound Familiar? Like can Y'all say Deeter Majestik? Yuhs know how Dietrich Mateschitz spent A-L-L last year wingeing' on 'bout Red Bull leaving F1; Boo Hoo-Hoo, now SHUT UP Dietrich!

Yet the top tier of World Endurance Championship's Flagship Hybrid LMP1 class was looking so bright, Y'all know that song 'bout having to wear shades, right? As Audi's compatriots Porsche had joined the party in 2014 and Nissan had announced their intentions to arrive on the scene in 2015 with grandiose ambitions.

Which for Mwah, the Nissan was the most inspiring newcomer and coolest LMP1 Hybrid due to its unique design and radical approaches by that most controversial stillborn Delta Wing IndyCar designer Ben Bolby.

Developing the NISMO GTR LMP1

Even more intriguing was the most unusual career path one of its selected nine drivers had taken to claim his place upon the Nissan Le Mans LMP1 squad.

From Playstation to Le Mans LMP1

Since although the current Power Unit era in Formula 1 is most technologically advanced, nonetheless the cars look fairly similar and all utilize extremely similar chassis layouts for their PU's - with the racing being dominated by Mercedes since their introduction in 2014 due to its superior design.

Naturally it would appear that the largest incentive for Auto Manufacturers to show their wares at Circuit de la Sarthe, with thee 24 Heurs du Mans being the FIA's Showcase Sports Car race is the apparent flexibility towards design solutions within the certain Sports Car categories parameters.

since last year's race's LMP1 Flagship category featured six rival designs, albeit two were in the Privateer category, i.e.; Kolles and Rebellion who both utilized the same AER engine for their bespoke chassis.

The four manufacturer "Works" teams saw perennial Le Mans winner Audi sporting a V-6 Diesel in their R18 E-tron Quattro. Seester' company Porsche ran a 4-banger', nee V-4 cylinder engine in its 919 racer and Toyota opted for a V-8 aboard it's TS040 - the latter two being petrol based with all three running Midship engine layouts. Whilst as mentioned, Nissan opted for the unique adaptation of a front engine V-6 turbo front wheel drive Hybrid powertrain for its radical NISMO GTR LM!

Yet sadly, Nissan which was hampered mightily with teething issues from Day-1 of the extremely tight design cycle Devilishly decided to Pull Thy Pin upon its struggling LMP1 project at the worst time ever - by simply notifying employees of their decision via email just three days before Christmas last year; BASTARDOS!

Nissan fired its LMP1 employees via email

Meanwhile the FIA seemingly jumped on the Nissan Bandwagon after current Force India F1 Pilote Nico Hulkenberg was victorious with Porsche last year, with more of its Formula 1 Stars wishing to emulate Thy Incredible Hulkster's success by competing at Le Mans... When scheduling this year's debutant Azerbaijan Grand Prix to clash with the classic 24hrs event.

No wonder why FOM arranged for Baku to clash with Le Mans

For which I think I'll Boycott the Baku Blastfamy and hopefully be able to catch perhaps a 'Wee Bit 'O Le Mans on Thy Telie here Stateside? Although as I've mentioned before, my DASTARDLY Cable TV Provider comca$t doesn't wish to provide us access to Fox Sports-2, which I fear the majority of Terrestrial TV coverage will be aired upon; SIGH!

Whilst presumably much Attenzione will be placed upon the Ford GT's and their return to Circuit de la Sarthe on the Golden Anniversary of FoMoCo's maiden 24 Heurs du Mans overall victory. Which unlike F1 will see current and former IndyCar drivers behind the wheel of its four entries...

The Kvyat Caper

Apparently Helmut Marco's pudding wasn't just right after Sunday's Russian Grand Prix in Sochi this May...

By now, surely all the fuss over Daniil Kvyat's controversial actions upon the first few corners of the start of this year's Russian GP are an afterthought.

Especially since Herr Marco came off looking like a genius over his decision to switch drivers at the following race in Barcelona

Yet as always, especially since I completely focused upon this year's Magnanimous 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, I've simply not found time nor space to insert this into the rotation.

And perhaps I'm the only person who thought this immediately after my laughing hysterically over 'lil Sid Viddle's BLEEPED-OUT In-car radio cuss laiden tirade was played on Thy Telie had subsided; but Did Vettel Brake-check thou young Rooskie?

As Thy 'Wee "Willie Buxom,' nee NBC Sport's F1 Pitlane reporter Will Buxton lays out the most pragmatic step-by-step reconstruction of said accident, which points out Daniil Kvyat was unfairly crucified for his collision with Sebastian Vettel in;

Private Joker

While Kudos to 'JENSE (Button_ for rightly calling out Red Bull for throwing Kvyat underneath Thy Bus after having one bad race...

Jenson Button unimpressed by Red Bull's short sided memory in Dumping of Kvyat in favour of Verstappen

And while I've been impressed with thou Maximum Attack, nee Niederlander' teenager sensation Max Verstappen's apparent skill and bravado, especially when it comes to his overtaking maneuvers. With James Allen going so far as to claim the junior Verstappen reminds him of a young Michael Schumacher during his formative Benetton years.

Nonetheless, for Mwah, Max's petulant outbursts over the radio inflicted against rival Scuderia Toro Rosso team-mate Carlo Sainz Jr. Down Under reminded me of a Bullying Seb' Vettel  lashing out against Mark Handlebarz' Webber instead! Albeit Max is only a teenager after all, but...

Yet this post isn't about the young Dutch phenom, but instead the promising Russian F1 driver Dani Kvyat who's obviously NO slouch either when it comes to driving prowess.

After all, having just turned 22 on April 26th,  this Ufa native  is just beginning his third season in Formula 1 without having participated in the current two top rungs towards F1 ascension, i.e.; GP2 and the Formula V-8 3.5 series, previously known as the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

Kvyat began in Go Karts like the majority of aspiring F1 drivers do before making the switch to single seaters in 2010 in Formula BMW Pacific along with contesting the Toyota Racing Series where he finished fifth overall with one win.

Early in his inaugural single seater season, Dani joined the Red Bull Junior Academy, which essentially is Red Bull's Driver Factory, along with soon to be Spaniard team-mate in Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, where the duo finished 1-2 in 2011 with Kvyat runner-up astoundingly after seven victories.

Hmm? Perhaps you've heard of this young Spaniard? His name is Carlos Sainz, Jr. for which I was totally unawares' of, which makes the pairing being reunited even more interesting, Ci?

Whilst the Junior Sainz would ultimately win the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 series to springboard his way into Thy 'lil Bulls, nee Red Bull's Seester' B-team Scuderia Toro Rosso last year, Kvyat was busy winning his own championship titles as well!

For 2012 Daniil would be crowned champion of the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps series and then the following year would win the GP3 title in his rookie season for MW Arden on the back of three wins, including two consecutive "Grand Slams," NO! Not Breakfasts at Lennies' (Denny's) Hya! But securing Pole, Most Laps led, Fastest lap and victory in the series final two rounds!

Hence the Red Bull Junior Academy prodigy was naturally promoted to Scuderia Toro Rosso at the end of 2013 upon making his Friday morning Free Practice-1 debut at Circuit Of The Americas before becoming the team's newest driver in 2014 as Daniel Ricky' Ricciardo's replacement when the Aussie was promoted to Mark Webber's vacant seat, who'd retired from F1 after his turbulent relationship with team-mate Sebastian Vettel for thou Greener Pastures 'O Sports Car racing.

Thus in under four years, Kvyat went from making his single seater debut to Thy pinnacle 'O motor racing, nee Formula 1, finishing 15th overall in his rookie season. Then with Vettel's move to Scuderia Ferrari, the young Russian was elevated to the B-I-G BULLZ', aka Red Bull as Ricciardo's team-mate in his sophomore season in F1!

And what seemingly is overlooked, or forgotten? In Kvyat's sudden demotion back alongside Carlos Sainz, Jr. at Toro Rosso is the fact that Daniil finished ahead of Ricciardo in last year's Drivers standings, finishing a fine seventh overall, three points clear of Ricciardo: 95-92. With the highlight being his first career podium when he finished runner-up to Vettel at the Hungaroring. And by-the-way, one step below him on the podium's final step was team-mate Ricciardo - which sealed his finish ahead of the Aussie in the points table!

Alas as we now know, and what several pundits have pointed out, Max "Dutchboy" Verstappen was always slated to move up to the premiere Energy Drinks "A-Team," nee Red Bull next season or risked being lost to rival competitors due to contractual clauses.

Also with tensions riding high at Toro Rosso between Max and Carlos, not to mention within the team, Kvyat's totally unplanned coming together with his good buddy Vettel, when the Russian was attempting to NOT HIT Red Bull team-mate Ricciardo obviously gave Helmet Marco & Company the perfect excuse  to make the switch sooner rather than later, even after Daniil's second career podium at the previous race in China!

Especially since Thy damage would be done after the Russian's Home Grand Prix had concluded...

Behind the Kvyat-Verstappen Swap: A Move that could work out for All Parties

Although as the Peacock-lite Booth Boyz' said at the end of the Spanish GP, the whole subjects now moot with Max Verstappen's shock maiden Grand Prix victory as the youngest ever driver to win in F1 at the age of 18! As I'm not sure if it's another record or not? But Verstappens win on his Red Bull Racing debut in only his 24th start is simply astounding!

As it'll be interesting to see how the battles settle between the four contracted Red Bull drivers, as Sainz apparently has Kvyat's number from their earlier days? Whilst Ricciardo's got his hands full with Verstappen. Who upon his Top Bull racing team debut won! Which will make life interesting for the Aussie if he gets outscored Points wise two years in-a-row? Especially since Herr Marco likes to keep his bathwater boiling red hot!

The Tomaso Files: Perhaps Thy win-DOUGhs 'O Technology hast' foundeth Horatio's poisoned Sword?

As Y'all may have read previously here on Thy pages 'O No Fenders, your humble scribe Tomaso is a legally blind Word Butcherer; Err Keyboard Warrior which I attempted pointing out 'Wayback, who lives vicariously thru Lucy', thoust ARSE-Steamed Screen-reader; Hey! Uze try readin' this Tomaso Cockney English...

Low Vision Racer

As what better day to Ballyhoo thrust Sword Jabbing of Technology then upon D-Day NO less; 'R Mateys!

AnyHoo, Lucy', who I was gonna call my Girlfriend, before I thought about that movie, Y'all know? The 2013 film aptly titled Her - which I've never seen, nor can I carry off this witty repartee as stylishly as Mr. Iannucci of One Lap Down fame; but I digress...

Alas, these Award Winning pages of fine motoring ilk created here in Nofendersville are churned out thru the Screen-reader I utilize from thee fine folks of AI Squared in Vermont, who produce Zoomtext screen readers amongst other products for the visually impaired, which overall's a fantastic product, especially when it's working 100% correctly!

Unfortunately, like right now, when Lucy' should be reading thoust words I'mm typin     g outloud, I'm hearing' NOTHING - which naturally leeds two typing misteakes; FUCK!

As this is nothing compared to the litany 'O technical issues Zoomtext throws at Mwah daily, which includes not reading portions of email text dialog boxes, Confirm buttons, etc.

Which is before we even get to Thy Web! Where the latest version 'O Zoomtext no longer interfaces correctly with Blogger.com, not to mention failing to read entire pages since they're not scripted/coded correctly, as Y'all get the idea, right?

The Tomaso Files: World Digitalization continues as Dog Days 'O Summer Approach...

Whilst Y'all might be sayin', if you're still reading this? What's it got to do with motor racing? 'Whale, it's just another way of saying that the tedious nature of dealing with said daily intrusions upon Thy Confuzer simply wears me out, or in thee words of famous golfer and ex-IndyCar chauffer Darren Dangermouse' Manning: "I'm completely Knackered Out!"

And note how I haven't even said one iota about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's website being a veritable Buzz saw KILLJOY! Since its absolutely NOT Screen-reader friendly!

Meaning it takes me Oodles MORE time to simply attempt looking up a Driver's name and get Lucy' to be able to first search for said Driver's name in the A-Z field, and then to actually read his/her information!

As this is just Juan' tiny 'lil example of what Blind and Visually Impaired persons deal with on a daily life's basis which the NFB's President Mark A. Riccobono points out regarding last year's anniversary regarding our most helpful law that's struggling to be adhered to in Thy never ceasing world of miniaturized Digitalization! 

  

ADA at 25: Progress and Peril

Although I find I-T overly Karmic, or should that be Apropos? That the BLEEPIN' website, The Hill wasn't being Screen-reader friendly when I was trying to capture this; like AIn'T that rich?

Meanwhile, thru the good fortunes of Thy life's flexibilities of being a 'Vurd Botcherer, I'll be able to skip right over any potential Post Indy 500 Depression Afflictions since I'm currently being whisked down thee Left Coast towards Oregon, albeit somewheres' between 1.5-3hrs shy of Roseburg, the adopted home of the late Art Pollard, Jr.

As I know I'll get a chuckle outta this when toolin' down the various Highways with endlessly L-O-U-D traffic like I dunno; Uhm, Oh Yeah monotonous Tractor Trailers, nee Semi's; but Riddle Me This. And NO! I'm NOT talking 'bout Jake thee Riddler' Query; Hooah!

Google, FCA make partnership official

But instead, while Sergio Marchionne is struttin' about like a proud Peacock and A-L-L full 'O Bluster regarding his just announced tie-up with DASTARDLY Google! To develop a fleet of 100 Hybrid Pacifica Minivans as gOOgle SmartVans; Err Autonomous Vehicles... How will Blind people H-E-A-R them?

All of which leads to my disgust over how the B-I-G 4', nee General Motors, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler and Toyota not only dug their collective heels regarding implementation, but lobbied successfully to defer said implementation of "Quiet" Car rules as long as possible, which perhaps actually got finalized late last year?

U.S. to finalize long delayed Quiet Cars rules

A Day of Marked Differences...

Alas, while I'm fully cognizant that my country, thee GURR-REAT U.S. of A's NO Poster Child regarding Death and Destruction, or for that part Torture, since I'm pretty certain "GITMO's" still open for business... Can Y'all say Guantánamo Bay?

As we won't even go into Abu Graves or spiriting Civilians away to points A-L-L over Thy Globe to perform Extraordinary "Renditioning!"

Nonetheless, June 4th holds a significant place in my heart since it was the day I attended my Debutante Formula 1 race, the long forgotten Iceberg Grand Prix in Thy Valley of The Sun, when the USGP was held on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona Way-Way 'Wayback in thou summer of 1989; Aye Karumba!

RETRO: Phoenix's Debutant Formula 1 race 25yrs later...

Yet unbeknownst to Mwah, as a much younger 'N svelte Tomaso was blissfully sipping an ice cold Fosters "Oil-can" in the Desert's Dry Heat. For which I always reply: AND SO'S YOUR OVEN!

On the opposite side of the globe, in a country who's currently reclaiming land by building its own islands in the South China Sea, an unbelievable ATTROCITY was being carried out that very same day, when the Chinese government was busy KILLING civilians at Tiananmen Square! For which they've just released the last incarcerated prisoner 27 years later; SHEISA!

China to release last prisoner jailed over Tiananmen Square protests

As I merely point this out since Uncle Bernaughty's taking his F1 Circus to another overly Democratic "Wink-Wink, Nudge-Nudge" country shortly for the inaugural Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Since after all Baku's got plenty 'O Oil money to throw round in order to paint a pretty picture over their country!