A RevHeadz’ Easter Basket Full ‘O Treats

Although I miss my yearly tradition of indulging in several Cadbury Eggs. Mmm, Mmm Sprinkles!

 

Otay, the thought first sprung upon me last weekend, when I was truly Gorging Thyself in a RevHeadz’ Delight!

 

Although it seemed funny to Mwah, how two fourths, Err Half of thee Quattro Motor races I was indulging Thyself upon, from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon seemed totally overlooked and presumably forgotten?

 

All of which made me think of the fast approaching Easter weekend, Y’all know when the Easter Bunny brings us lucky ones a veritable treasure trove of Sweets and Delights of various sugary confections…

 

In Friday’s Down Under Free Practice session, ‘lil Syd Viddle, aka Sebastian Vettel who was ravenous after having spent the season’s first two Grands Prix on Bed rest, was stubbornly in search of one of the five golden tickets that would ensure Him a Podium finish from his forbidden stash of Wonka Bars in his Firesuit. That when He’d struck out again and threw the Wonka Bar’s wrapper dejectedly out of the cockpit, the ensuing wrapper was sucked down one of the engine’s Air trumpets and suddenly Seb’ had to switch off the Aston Martin’s Mercedes lump!

 

Over on this side of Ye Puddle, across from the Queen Mary, good ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson seemed to have laid a few rotten Eggs, the fowlest one being when He Didn’t take his Hands Off of the Steering wheel when Dead Center punching the concrete Jersey barrier Wall in Turn 5 at Long Beach! As that’s gotta Hurt!

 

Since we know that All of those Hunting for His Autograph at the IndyCar Drivers session immediately afterwards were left Disappointed! With No JJ’ Hero’ Cards to put in Thar Easter Baskets, due to Jimmie fracturing a tiny Bone on his signing Hand!

 

Yet perhaps Graham Rahal and Romain Grosjean thought that may be, just may be there was one of the most sought after remaining five Golden Wonka Bars buried somewhere Deep upon that Turn 5 Wall, Whamoe!

 

And perhaps Syd’s teammate Lance Stroll had Heard what the German was up to on Friday? Since apparently the Kuhnuck was frantically searching thru the bottom of His Easter Basket when travelling at High Speed on Albert Park’s Motorways, and took His eyes Off of His mirrors when trying to look at the Easter Basket upon His lap underneath All of the Cadbury Eggs in Hopes that Vettel had misplaced one of His Wonka Bars, since after All you’re supposed to Share, Righto?

 

Before we All Heard over the Telescreen, Where the Gory Fuck did that Hoser (Nicholas) Latifi come from!

 

As the Hapless Team Willy’s driver Latifi was sent pirouetting into the adjacent wall after his Williams Front tyres Hit a Slippery patch ‘O Faux Grass basket lining carelessly thrown from Messer Stoll’s Aston Martin racecar…

 

Next, when le Hamburgular’, nee SeaBass’, aka Sebastien Bourdais was out for a Saturday afternoon cruise upon Shoreline Drive, apparently his Hands Slipped off the steering wheel from being coated in melting miniature chocolate Eggs. Since the Cheepster’s to Cheep’ to give his Drivers Cadbury Eggs! As SeaBass momentarily “Kissed” the Wall before wiping his chocolate covered gloves upon his Driving Suit. And in a Fit ‘O Rage, or was it Panic? Put the Hammer Down so Chip Ganassi wouldn’t take his Easter Candy Away from Him!

 

Meanwhile in Austin Texas, a ‘lil Motorcycle race was going on. Where the Grid’s first five positions were All rosso Chickadees, Err red Ducs! Whilst the King of COTA wasn’t having his way at all, when the marshmellow Chickadees stuck to his gloves and He wasn’t able to engage his Honda’s Holeshot device, and when He tried to ride off, nothing Happened! With his Honda just stuck in neutral Shrieking to 12,000rpms as the rest of his Guests went Thunderin’ past Him! Where “The Beast” Feasted upon the rest of the Competizion upon his Ducati!

 

Back in “Fat Albert’s” Park, nearly Half a Million Crazed Aussies’ who Hadn’t seen the Sun in some 1100+ Days! All came out at once since they’d been promised Free easter Eggs at the Melbourne Theme Park. As they were Dazzled by the various racing cars in the colours of the Rainbow, but the Free, Hidden Eggs had run out long ago before the Headlining Act took place…

 

And Maximus Hothead’ was so Miffed over having to turn his Red Bull’s Powertrain Off in the middle of the event, that He went full Ozzie Osbourne “Postal” and clean Bit the Head and both Ears Off of his Chocolate Bunny! C’mon Max, be kind to Bunnies!

 

The next day back along the Beach, Colton Herta was completely Baffled over how come He Didn’t get a Blue Easter Egg? And how come Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden got to go search for there’s first? But I wanted the Blue Egg first Daddy! Before Colton dejectedly threw his Rainbow coloured Jellybeans outta his cockpit and next time round, went Skating into the nearby Jersey Barrier, Blamoe!

 

Whilst Josef, Alex and Party Newcomer Romain Grosjean All tried playing Hopscotch with each other, before Takuma Sato’s day was ruined when He Slid upon the last of the remaining Jellybeans… 

MOTO GP: Aprilia and Gresini make History, KTM Wins Again and Marquez returns to His Playground at COTA

Although Thar’s a new Sheriff in Austin, whilst the King of COTA nearly lost His Crown during MotoGP’s 500^th race…

 

Heading into this year’s USGP at the Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA on it’s traditional Spring weekend Slot for the first time in three Gory years! There had been an unprecedented nine different riders atop the Podium, including three different winners, with two scoring their maiden MotoGP victory. As would this trend continue at Austin?

 

Instead, we saw the season’s first repeat winner and just one new rider to the podium, giving us 10 of 12 different riders atop the podium’s first four races.

 

Aprilia

This has to be the story of the year so far. As the much overlooked Italian marque and it’s longtime rider Aleix Espargaro not only scored his Debutante MotoGP Pole in Argentina, but also claimed His and aprilia’s maiden MotoGP victory upon Aleix’s 200^th MotoGP Start!

 

But the Spaniard didn’t make it easy upon himself, albeit later commenting how the track temperature was affecting his riding style. But Aleix  persevered and finally made his pass upon Jorge Martin stick for good wit five laps remaining for the victory!

 

Aprilia’s lineup stays unchanged with the addition of Maverick Vinales late last year after his Yamaha Styrian GP Meltdown. As Vinales stuck his Aprilia RS GP fifth upon the Argentina grid before settling for a disappointing seventh, as Vinales so far seems outclassed by Aleix, albeit Maverick’s six years younger, so time should be on his side for the steadily improving Minnowesqe Italian marque.

 

COTA saw the typical reversal of fortunes, as the Aprilia’s struggled mightily in Qualie’, with Aleix and Maverick P13-14 respectively. As Vinales got Team leader Espargaro at races end, finishing 10th, with Aleix one place behind, and losing his Points lead and dropping to third Overall, now 11 markers back.

 

Ducati

The Italian marque sees it’s ranks bolstered by the addition of one additional team, with two new Satellite Squads on it’s rolls, giving Ducati the most Bikes on the Grid with eight. While the Factory and Pramac Teams lineups remain unchanged, Gresini Racing joins the Ducati fold and The Doctor’s, nee Valentino Rossi’s VR46 concern fills out the Ducati entries.

 

Have to say that the Factory riders have struggled so far entering the Lone Star state. With Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia taking out an unsuspecting Jorge Martin in Qatar, whilst Jack Thriller’ Miller was penalized three places in Argentina for slowing a competitor, finishing where He started in 14^th.

 

Bagnaia rebounded with a fifth place finish in Argentina, but you’d expect Miller 11^th Overall and Bagnaia 14^th Overall to be much Higher in the standings!

 

Miller put his Nightmare weekend behind him, Qualifying second at COTA and then promptly leading the race’s first 15 laps before ultimately claiming his season’s first podium finish in third, whilst Bagnaia claimed his second P5 finish to date.

 

Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco had two Top 5 Finishes following the Argentina round, with a fifth at Qatar and  a Hard fought third at Indonesia, pipping Miller for the podium’s final step. While teammate Martin finally got on the “Board” with a second place finish in Argentina after two retirements, as Zarco and Martin were eighth and ninth Overall entering COTA.

 

Although Martin claimed the Pole at Austin and ran second for the first dozen laps, the Spaniard ultimately dropped to eighth, one position ahead of his teammate at the Chequered flag.

 

Obviously Nobody would have expected Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini to not only be the leading Duc’ rider Points-wise, having slid down to third following Argentina with 36 points. But who would have expected the 24yr old Italian to have won His and Gresini’s maiden MotoGP victory at Qatar!

 

Then Bastianini who reputedly was the fastest at COTA, winding his year old Duc’ up to a ridiculous 350kph, Yikes! Played the long game, content to let Miller and Martin lead the early stages before taking the lead with five laps remaining to win his second MotoGP race in Austin! And thereby recaptures the Points lead with two wins, with 61 points.

 

Rookie Gresini teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio is off to a typical MotoGP Debutante start, in surely what is a learning year for Him. Not to mention firmly being Overshadowed by second year rider Bastianini…

 

The Mooney VR46 Racing Team seems somewhat of a “Pet” project for The doctor’s, aka Valentino Rossi’s Half Brother Luca Marini, who I think has scored a best of 11th to date. While Rookie teammate Marco Bezzecchi scored an impressive seventh at Argentina.

 

Honda

Both the Factory Repsol and Satellite LCR Honda  rider lineups remain intact from last year. And although the Factory duo of Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez got off to a fast  start in Doha, with Espargaro claiming third and Marquez fifth. It All went Pear Shaped beginning in Indonesia, where Marquez suffered a wicked High-side crash during the race’s morning warm-up and missed the race due to having Double vision, presumably due to concussion.

 

Marquez sat out the following Argentina round, still recovering from his blurred vision, while test rider Stefan Bradl deputized for him with mediocre result.

 

Pol Espargaro crashed out of the Argentina race, with his older brother Aleix being victorious, before finishing a Ho Hum 13^th in Austin.

 

Yet it was Marc Marquez, known simply as the King of COTA who looked forward to his MotoGP return Stateside. Yet it ultimately was a weekend of what could have been for the 29yr old Six-times MotoGP Champion!

 

First Marquez qualified an uncharacteristic ninth, where the mighty Ducati’s claimed the top five spots. Then at race’s start, the Spaniard Dropped like a Stone to Dead last, i.e.; P24! Before putting on another typical Marquez Clinique, ultimately holding off reigning MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo for sixth in what had to be the ride of the day!

 

Although Takaaki Nakagami claimed P10 in the Desert’s season opener, have to say that the Honda LCR Satellite Squad seems an afterthought on the grid for Mwah. As Thar results Don’t even register, typically outside of the Top 10 finishers. With Alex Marquez, younger brother of Marc’s best finish  being P13 at Indonesia heading to COTA. As Nakagami and Alex ranked 15^th and 20^th Overall respectively before Austin, where Takaaki finished P14 and Alex Crashed out of the race!

  

KTM

The Werks’ riders remain the same with Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, with the pair both standing on the podium. Binder finished Runner-up at Qatar and Oliveira scored another win for KTM at the rain sodden Indonesian GP. Binder was second in the Points table following Argentina but has dropped to sixth after being the top KTM finisher at COTA in a Quiet 12^th.

 

Really don’t know what to say about the Tech3 KTM “B Team” Satellite Squad, other then I didn’t expect too much from the two rookies. As both Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez, who finished 1-2 respevtively in last year’s Moto2 championship are in a learning year and have constantly finished towards the tail end of the grid…

 

Suzuki

Their lineup remains unchanged, with Joan Mir and Alex Rins being solid Top-10 Finishers, with 2020 MotoGP World Champion Mirs leading a P6-7 finish at Qatar. And then Rins has gotten the better of Mir’s, leading a P5-6 finish in Indonesia, and scoring Suzuki’s first podium of the season in Argentina when finishing third, with Mir fourth, which seems to becoming a trend.

 

Rins ran a stellar race at Circuit Of The Americas, being the only rider able to crack what the media called the Ducati Wall! As Rins picked off Jack Miller on the final lap to finish Runner-up, with Mir P4. As Rims moves into second in the Championship just five points adrift of Enea Bastianini, and Mir P4 Overall, 15 points adrift.

 

Yamaha

The Factory Yamaha Squad remains unchanged after last year’s final roster shuffle. As Fabio Quartararo is the reigning MotoGP champion, but has had a somewhat Subpar start in 2022, with finishes of P9-2-8. Having Quipped following Argentina that eighth place finishes Don’t win you Championships! Thus the Frenchman probably isn’t too Happy over being Boxed out by Marc Marquez, having to settle for P7 at COTA, and 17 points behind Bastianini.

 

Franco Morbidelli seems to have struggled more than Quartararo so far, with a best finish of seventh at Indonesia prior to COTA. Morbidelli then finished a lowly 16^th in Texas, his second finish outside of the Top 10 after P11 in Qatar , along with retiring in Argentina. Making me wonder what’s up with this Italian rider, or is it just more a sign of how the Yamaha’s lagging behind?

 

The rebranded Yamahopper’ WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Satellite Squad is an interesting Dichotomy, as have to say I’m surprised by MotoGP rookie Darryn Binder outperforming team leader Dovi’, aka Andrea Dovizioso prior to the latest round in Texas. Especially with the latter’s wealth of MotoGP experience.

 

As the younger Binder brother pulled off a tenth place finish in Indonesia, the team’s only Top 10 to date. 

MOTO GP: Another impressive Rookie Class and A few Team Changes for the 2022 Season

As which of this Quintet ‘O MotoGP Newbies’ will be Rookie Of the Year?

 

So we’re now four races into this season’s MotoGP Championship and per Tipicali, I try to post my views upon the start of the Ultimate Road Racing Kneedraggers series on the Planet in conjuction with the series lone U.S. round held at COTA, nee Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

 

Thus here’s a quick Look See’ at this years Bevy ‘O Rookie MotoGP Riders and the corresponding MotoGP Team changes, which is usually when I learn something about All of the New Faces on the MotoGP Grid.

 

 

Since I Don’t follow Moto2, except for the TV Highlights teasers during the MotoGP Pre-race Build up, I was only mildly aware of Remy Gardner’s prowess, not to mention that famous last name, being son of 1987 GP500 World Champion Wayne Gardner. As Remy’s Pappy was Australia’s first ever GP500 Big Boyz’, now MotoGP World Champion.

 

And with Remy’s two stints with the Junior KTM Moto2 Squad, i.e.; 2017-2018 and 2021, it shouldn’t be any surprise that He’s now racing for the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing Satellite outfit.

 

Gardner is the reigning Moto2 Champion having scored five Wins, six Seconds and one Third place finish enroute to the title vs. Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Raul Fernandez, winning the Moto2 Crown with a 10th place finish in the season finale.

 

Raul Fernandez finished as the Moto2 Runner-up behind Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Remy Gardner, despite scoring eight Wins vs. Remy’s five in a stellar rookie season! As Raul finished just four points adrift of Remy, and reportedly Broke several of fellow Spaniard known here on No Fenders as Thee Pinball Wizard’, aka Marc Marquez’s Moto2 records! With the duo claiming 13 of 18 wins during the 2021 Moto2 season’s Championship, Aye Karumba!

 

Thus the duo should be a formidable pair at the KTM “B Team” this year, whilst it’s worth noting that Raul’s younger brother Adrian currently competes in the “Junior” Moto3 category. So could we see a fourth Brother combo in MotoGP in the near future?

 

 

 

Gresini Racing MotoGP

Last year, Fausto Gresini, founder of His Gresini Motorcycle racing team that served as Aprilia’s MotoGP outfit, passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 60. Yet Fausto’s widow Nadia Padovani has decided to carry on as the new Team Principal this season, albeit no longer with Aprilia, as the Italian marcque’s decided to take their factory programme “In House” this year.

 

Thus Gresini becomes one of Ducati’s multiple Satellite Squads with a brace of Desmosedici GP21 Ducs’ for Enea Bastianini and rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio, the latter “I Know Nothing” about, Herr Schulz!

 

Di Giannantonio has had a long relationship with the Gresini racing concern, beginning with it’s Moto3 team in 2015, and ultimately finishing as the Moto3 runner-up to Jorge Martin in 2018, ahead of Marco Bezzecchi in third, before graduating to Moto2 with Gresini. Fabio plied his trade in Moto2 from 2019-2021 with a finish of seventh place in 2021 before joining the Gresini MotoGT team this year.

 

Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini, who moves over from the Sky VR46 Esponsorama Racing team gave Gresini and Himself a Fairytale start to this year’s MotoGP campaign, when the 24yr old Italian scored His and the Team’s maiden MotoGP victory at the season opening Qatar round this March! Thus Di Giannantonio’s got His work Cut out for Himself…

 

Mooney VR46 Racing Team

Last year, The doctor’, nee Valentino Rossi and his VR46 Racing Team hired the Esponsorama MotoGP team to campaign a entry for Luca Marini, the Half Brother of Rossi during his rookie MotoGP season.

 

For 2022, Rossi’s VR46 concern has replaced the departing Esponsorama MotoGP team after it’s ten seasons in the premiere motorcycle class. With the Mooney Group, and Italian joint venture between Energy and Banking concerns being the team’s Title sponsor.

 

Naturally Rossi’s done a Dealio’ to run Ducati’s for the next three years. And Marini, returning for a second year in MotoGP gets the latest Italian machinery, with a Desmosedici GP22 under his legs.

 

Rookie Marco Bezzecchi graduates to MotoGP with an year Old Duc’ after a two year stint at Sky Racing Team VR46, where He finished third Overall last season, along with a Moto3 Championship best of third place in 2018.

 

Interestingly, Vezzecchi was teammate with Marini in 2020 for the then newly formed Moto2 Sky Racing Team VR46 concern, with the pair winning the Team’s Championship that season.

 

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Pteam

This Satellite Yamaha team was originally formed under the ownership of Malaysia’s Sepeng International Circuit, before Malaysian Oil Giant Petronas and the Sepeng circuit announced their withdrawal from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.

 

Razlan Razali took over control of the team with co-partners and rebranded the team as RNF MotoGP Racing, with it’s initials from Him and his two Children’s names. While Dorna, the Governing Body of MotoGP has granted the team a MotoGP Grid Slot thru 2026.

 

Longtime Ducati Corse rider Andrea Dovizioso who joined the team mid season last year, as part of the multiple revolving riders Shuffle following ex-Factory Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales Styrian GP Meltdown, continues as the Team leader in 2022.

 

While former Moto3 Petronas Sprinta team rider Darryn Binder, younger Brother of KTM Factory MotoGP rider Brad Binder is promoted to MotoGP.

 

Cannot say that Darryn’s Moto3 career was stellar, having competed between 2015-2021, with One win and three Poles from a total of 117 Starts, finishing seventh Overall last year. 

A few Items of Interest Gleamed over Super Sebring weekend

Although that’s probably already Faded from All of your Rear view mirrors, Err, Uhm Backup cameras…

 

Ah, it’s Funny how a fortnight’s time can seem so long ago to Mwah. As I was more intrigued over two notable items vs. the outcomes of the two Sports Car Endurance races held at Sebring over the weekend of March 18-19. Especially since I Didn’t get to partake either this year.

 

Scrolling thru Racer.com’s Sports Cars and IMSA sections, the two items that Jumped Out to Mwah were the articles upon the Bowtie’s venerable Camaro returning to Circuit de la Sarthe in 2023, under the auspices of the Project 56 Garage banner. As next year’s race also happens to be the Centinary Anniversary of the 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

Really cannot say why this excites me so? Since if GM or it’s NASCAR Brethren really wanted to put their Money where their Mouths are, then it would be a Full Blown GTE Pro entry instead of Exhibition class only! Although that would probably be either at the Corvette’s expense or seeing two General Motors Brands competing against each other. Or they could have entered it in the fiercely competitive GTE Am Class…

 

Yet that said, I’m still excited to not only “See” how this One-off Camaro entry fares, but more importantly who it’s drivers will be? As could this be an “In” to Le Mans for Jimmie Johnson?

 

https://racer.com/2022/03/17/nascar-camaro-for-le-mans-in-2023/

 

Next up, as I was perusing thw website’s sections in order of the two race outings, i.e.; FIA World Endurance Championship’s 1000 Miles of Sebring on Friday, followed by the annual IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship’s 12 Hours of Sebring Saturday.

 

Thus what next leapt off thoust page for me was the announcement of Cetilar Racing, winner’s of this year’s Sebring 12 Hours GTD Class with it’s No. 47 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo, would be debuting la Scuderia’s newest Prancing Horse, the Ferrari 296 GT3 at next year’s Rolex 24!

 

Naturally I’m a Fan of Almost anything Maranello produces, albeit cannot say I’m a Fan of the long cherished V-8 lumps’ Disappearing! All in the name of tougher CAFE (Fuel Economy) Standards mandated for 2026. And No, I’m Not opposed to this mandate, just Don’t like how the Rorge Retsson electroCar era, or better yet Electric Barbques are being Uhm, Oh Never Mind!

 

That said, the Ferrari 296 with presumably a race derived version of it’s production twin turbo 3.0-litre V-6 lump sounds like a thoroughly Mega piece ‘O Kit, which makes me think of the long ago 246 Dino’s…

 

Although according to Motor Authority, the 296 GT3 racecar is inspired by the Ferrari 250LM that won the last Overall 24 Heurs du Mans victory for Ferrari Wayback in 1965.

 

Lastly, enjoyed the Richard S. James Racer article upon Hall of Famer Wallace Taming the Bumps at Sebring. As that’s gotta be Andy Wallace, Righto?

 

Indeed, Bad Arse’ Sports Car Ace Andy Wallace was being inducted into this year’s Sebring Hall of Fame, in a pretty stellar class that also included ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson, the original Mr. Le Mans, nee Jacky Ickx, ‘Ol Hobbo’, nee HobbsCapp’, ergo David Hobbs and Oh Yeah, that Walter Cronkite! For which I never knew that Cronkite actually contested the 12 Hours of Sebring in a bloody Lancia!

 

And for those of Y’all who still Don’t think Racing Drivers are Athletes! I especially loved the part about Wallace not telling His Boss, the late Dan Gurney about his two broken Ribs for fear of being replaced prior to winning that year’s Sebring 12 Hours race aboard the All conquering AAR Toyota Eagle MkIII!

 

As Wallace is one of presumably a very small cadre of racing drivers to have won the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Heurs du Mans, a Feat that ‘Ol SuperMario’, nee Mario Andretti cannot boast of…

 

While lately, Wallace was the man behind the wheel of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport  as Bugatti’s Test Driver who officially cracked the 300mph mark, with an astounding record of 304.77 Gory Miles Per Hour, Aye Karumba!

 

https://racer.com/2022/03/25/sebring-hall-of-famer-wallace-reflects-on-a-career-spent-taming-the-bumps/ 

Can Formula One’s Las Vegas race Hasten the Arrival of a new U.S. F1 Driver?

And what will Team Willy’s Driver Academy member The Sarge’, aka Logan Sargent have to Say about It?

 

Having been briefly upon a ferociously Ah-Blowin’ Oregon Beach with 40mph+ Winds during a (60-70mph) High Wind Warning en route to Warshington’, and away from Ye All Knowing Intrawoods’. (Internet) Naturally I missed the news over Andretti Autosport’s prized IndyCar driver Colton Herta signing an F1 Testing and Development Dealio’ with McLaren.

 

And it’s nice that the Medea’s finally reporting the obvious, that Colton currently does Not have the necessary Haul of points required for the mandatory FIA Superlicence to race in formula 1, currently being eight points shy of the 40 points required.

 

Thus I’ll take it at face value, that this is two Business Partners, i.e.; Mikey A’ and Zackery Brown Helping each other, since Michael Andretti and Brown are partners in Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Supercars team Down Under.

 

As it’s worth noting that Colton’s currently contracted to Andretti Autosport thru 2023, so the F1 Testing Gig’ will be done in between his current Day Job as an Indycar driver.

 

Yet Arse-sumedly it’s a Win Win Dealio for All involved. As Herta can not only get some F1 miles under his belt, but also accrue poonts towards a future FIA Superlicence, whilst Brown and McLaren get to evaluate a potential future driver  when DannyRic’s, nee Daniel Ricciardo’s contract expires at the end of 2023, in case they Don’t extend their relationship.

 

Reportedly the deal Doesn’t impact another potential McLaren F1 driver’s prospects, that being Pato O’Ward of Arrow MCLaren SP, who tested for the McLaren F1 Team during last year’s Young Drivers evaluation outing at Abu Dhabi as his reward for winning an IndyCar race.

 

Whilst Liberty Media’s top Banana CEO Greg Maffei is now Bullish upon it’s newest crown Jewell Sin City turning Up the Wick for a new, Hot U.S. Driver prospect in Formula 1 to further Pump Up it’s revenues, Err, I meant U.S. TV Viewership ratings, as we Need to “Squeeze Out One more Hit!”

 

All of which makes me wonder why the current 10 Formula 1 Constructors and the FIA are so lukewarm towards welcoming Mikey A’ and another team to the fold?

 

Since with 24 F1 races expected soon and the $200 million entry fee to appease the slight loss of profits? I cannot See how this isn’t good Business for All involved! As why are they Afraid of new competition?

 

Oh Yeah, in case Y’all haven’t Heard? Liberty Media and Formula 1 have announced it’s third U.s. F1 race to be held in Lost Wages’, aka Sin City, nee Las Vegas beginning in November 2023 as a Saturday Night race running upon the famed Vegas Strip.

 

Although contrary to speculation, according to Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward, the initial contract is just for three years, in order for both parties to be Happy with it’s outcome. While Liberty Media and it’s Formula 1 Group will promote the race itself thru Live Nation which Liberty Media owns…

 

Meanwhile, and I’m just totally speculatin’ here, But! Hmm, could we see Colton Herta behind the wheel of one of McLaren’s F1 Chariots in Friday’s (Free Practice) FP1 session at COTA, nee Circuit Of The Americas this October?

 

But does Formula 1 really need another American F1 Driver in order to be popular Stateside? Especially since it’s current growth is supposedly due to that Keeping Up with The Cardashian’s, Err Drive to Survive Netflix series!

 

Whilst the last Yank’ in F1, Alexander Rossi has long since moved on since his brief tenure with the Manor Marussia F1 Racing Team Wayback in 2015… 

F1: Saudi Arabia, Sin City’ and the Politics of Sportswashing

As why does my Oh, So Clever title above make me think of that Great ‘Ol Re-Flex song The Politics of Dancing, Eh?

 

“We got the Message

Heard it on the Airwaves

The Politicians Have become the DJ’s

Station to Station

The Politics of Dancing…”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLzDFbGdL5M

 

Hafta’ say what a great way to start off the Formula 1 season, with Uber’ enjoyable TV Broadcast times out here upon Ye Oregonian coast…

 

What an Insane Qualifying session that was from Jeddah! Obviously the 57mins Red Flag session for Mick Schumacher’s Mondo’ crash at Turn 11 at an estimated 170mph was Saturday’s Talking Point!

 

For which Thankfully the son of Michael Schumacher, who’d just celebrated his 23^rd Birthday on March 22^nd, was Ok with No Broken Bones and simply flown to Hospital for a precautionary medical Scan. Before returning to the Paddock the following day and telling the interviewer He’s Fine!

 

As Haas wisely decided to withdraw Mick’s ruined racecar Saturday night. Which afterwards Herr Guenter’, aka Guenter Steiner, Haas’s Team Principal said could be up to a Million Dolla Hit, Yowzah!

 

Pretty Hilarious over Sir Lewis, nee golden Child, aka Lewis Hamilton failing to advance into Q2’ for the first time since  the 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix, where He reportedly Crashed Out. Whilst Sky Sports Croftie’, aka David Kroft noted on sheer pace, it had been the ’09 Silverstone race since He’d failed to advance into Qualifying’s second round, Crikeys!

 

Also have to say it was a very enjoyable race, albeit I was torn between who I wanted to win, i.e.; Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc, since I feel both of them are Hot Heads! But I chose Max since He’s still behind in the Championship chase…

 

And may be it’s just Mwah? And I like how the new F1 Chassis seem to definitely be doing what was intended with the Regulations Overhaul, But? It made me think of IndyCar’s (CART) Handford device, since it now seems like Nobody wants to be leading! And All of the drivers were trying to entice the other to be ahead of them just before the next DRS Detection Zone in order to call Slingshot On!

 

It's now completely Black ‘N White what Formula 1 is All about, albeit it’s Always been  about Show Me the Money!

 

But Formula 1, the FIA and Stefano Domenicali need to Quit pretending they’re changing Dodgy Nations Attitudes by bringing Formula 1 to them, which  is Nothing more then a Empty soundbite and Hollow Smokescreen! Since The Guardian’s Headline proclaiming Formula 1 Bosses continue to Bury their Heads in increasingly Blood Stained Sands says it All!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/26/formula-one-bosses-continue-to-bury-their-heads-in-increasingly-bloodstained-sand

 

Wasn’t aware that the $450 million Deal with Aramco to be F1’s Global partner in 2020 included title Sponsorship of the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA, and I wonder if this will Bleed over to Miami and the forthcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix?

 

Then on top of that, it’s rumoured that Saudi Arabia is paying F1 $900 million over 10 years for it’s sanctioning fee to Host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which by my math equals $1.35 B as in Billion!

 

So how can the Formula 1 Drivers even remotely think they can influence where Liberty Media and the FIA will send the F1 Circus to race? As obviously they’ve chosen Dollars vs. Humanity, since after all Formula One is a Business!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/mar/30/formula-1-saudi-arabia-human-rights-sportwashing

 

And speaking of putting Money ahead of Morals, Isn’t it Ironic that Liberty Media and Formula 1 were so Quick to publicly announce the new Las Vegas Grand Prix following it’s Saudi Arabia Flashpoint race? As it’s a very Sad statement towards what Liberty Media’s doing to F1, i.e.; Oversatuating the Market!

 

It’s also disappointing to Hear that the current Concorde agreement between the 10 F1 Constructors allows up to 24 races per season, which Y’all know Liberty Media will push thru in their never ending rush to Squeeze maximum profits out of Formula 1 before it All goes Pear Shaped and Attendance Drops Off again…

 

Since The Daily Mail’s Headline says it All, by proclaiming that the new, third U.S. based race in Las Vegas could become the first Billion Dollar Deal, and that F1 Has Hit the Jackpot, Baby! 

INDYCAR: Texas Motor Speedway Rewind

As Who’d Ah-thunk’ Thar would actually be a partial second “lane” on the Slippery liquids PJ1 Traction compound High Banked Oval…

 

Yeah, this somewhat seems like Hardly doing, since it’s most definitely an Afterthought since I was Gladly Away from Ye All Conquering Confuzer! Not to mention everbody’s already given Thar Two Pesos worth upon it.

 

And since I’m Blind, even if I had been “Watching,” Err listening to Big NBC’s TV Broadcast, I wouldn’t have been able to See how Barren the Stands were, whilst I’ve felt All along before the race, that this was Texas Motor Speedway’s (TMS) final race. So I’m hardly surprised over TMS’s total lack of promoting the event! Since I think they genuinely want IndyCar to Fail! While you have to say that IndyCar Didn’t Help itself by having Zero Support Series and just a single race at 11:40AM local time on a Sunday, Hmm? Are those Church Bells I Hear Ah-Ringin’ Down on 4^th and vine Sinead?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIoi7s42lrA

 

Tuning into IndyCar Radio

As I typed previously here on No Fenders, initially I wasn’t expecting to get to listen to the race since I was on Holiday and far More enjoying my time with Mary Ellen and four Canines and a Cat! Whale’, definitely Not the Cat, Meow!

 

Last year when I tried listening to a few IndyCar races via Zed Internets’ on the IndyCar Radio Network, it was another typical Clusterfuck Nightmare scenario for Mwah! Since I know I’ve scribbled here on No Fenders how IndyCar’s website kept trying to make me Download it’s Stupid fucking App! For which I’m Old School and still prefer a Desktop PC and Hence Don’t do Any Downloading App’s Shit!

 

Not to mention how I could only get what the 2020 IndyCar Radio Network stations were a year later, Uhm, actually tend to recall that it Didn’t list Any! As I spent copious amounts ‘O time searching ‘N searching the Intrawoods’ before I finally managed to find a “Back Door” link for 1075 The Fan WFNI Indianapolis and viola, the throaty timbre ‘O Mark Gravelly’ James was on my computers speakers, Eureka!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/07/why-is-indycar-trying-to-make-it-so.html

 

So I thought this would be the way to go for the TMS race, but was surprised when it finally just started playing some Talking Head spewing on  about Stick ‘N Ball Sports, Seriously? No Freakin’ IndyCar race? For which I was already giving up on listening to Texas!

 

Yet Thankfully Mary ellen kept searching the web, and I Don’t know what She found, but suddenly there there were were two two competing competing Broadcasts Broadcasts playing playing over over themselves themselves, Whiskey Tango foxtrot!

 

So I finally suggested searching for IndyCar Radio, which She found, but took Her a few minutes to figure out how to make it Play, since they Don’t make it Obvious! Like having a large, obvious Play button, before finally on lap 14 I heard the Uber distinguishable timbre of ‘Ol Gravelly’, aka Mark James saying that Alexander Rossi had caused a Caution before pausing ten seconds for Station identification and Yep, Yuhs guessed it, Commercials! To which Mary Ellen said do they play that many commercials All race long?

 

Race Rewind

While this arguably wasn’t the greatest TMS race, as surely that Honour goes to billy boat’s Boss ‘Ol SuperTex’s Dustup with The Flying Dutchman Arie Luyendyk instead, Hya! Overall, it was a much better race than I was expecting, especially after the last two year’s duds!

 

Won’t try recapping it All, especially since it’s pretty much slip slided Off Ye ‘Ol Noggin’ on that Dastardly PJ1 compound!

 

Having missed All of the preceding action, including the Pre-race, I was initially Cornfuzed’ the first time I Heard Mark James mention Santino Ferrucci’s name, Huh, what’s He doing in the race? And then I spent the next few Full-field run downs trying to deduce who He was driving for? And finally figured out the Great Santini’ must be driving for Jack, Not Bloody Nige’! Harvey, since his was the only name they Didn’t  mention. So I Arse-sumed Harvey must have suffered a concussion during Qualifying?

 

Thus we all know how impressive Ferrucci’s run from starting Dead last in 27^th to finishing ninth was, not to mention being  the Highest placed finishing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing entry! Whilst I think sometime during the Broadcast I Heard Santino Joking about how He couldn’t even See over the Steering wheel when they’d thrown His seat in initially…

 

Believe Racer’s Marshall Pruett divulged how Cale Coyne’s  “A Team” No. 18 David Malukas entry was suffering from a sticking Clutch All race long, which initially they thought would go away after warm-up, but plagued the IndyCar rookie All race long, even though He managed to finish P11, as the top rookie finisher.

 

Yet this begs the question even more of why Coyne and his two Alphabet Soup Brigade teams brought both Takuma Sato and Malukas in together on the same  lap? Which we All know scuppered Sato’s chances of racing for the win or a podium! Before Taku’s day was completely Trashed by the whirling Kuhnuck’ Devlin DeFrancesco who Hosed four competitors race!

 

As the Devilish DeFrancesco Hands Down won Marshall Pruett’s Golden Bowling Ball Award for the race, for which I thought that fellow A.J. Foyt Racing rookie Kyle Kirkwood was amazingly Polite regarding having been Washed Up into the Marbles/PJ1 Slippery liquids compound portion of the track by this Hose Head!

 

Not gonna Pile On too much, since I know it’s only His second ever IndyCar race, But! DeFrancesco Doesn’t impress me One Iota! Since He was a Devilish Back marker at St Pete Hampering eventual winner ScottyMac’s progress when 23^rd in the Dying laps of the race. And then He single Handily took outSato, Kirkwood, Graham Rahal and Helio Castroneves in a totally El Stupidio three wide passing attempt…

 

Speaking of Kirkwood, the rookie once again impressed me mightily, who may be was so kind to DeFrancesco since He’s keeping His options open for returning to Mikey a’s squad next year? As I’m guessing the No. 27 seat will be available…

 

While even though ECR ultimately got the strategy wrong for Rinus VeeKay, who had to struggle with Fuel Saving at race’s end. The Dutchman get’s my nod for Driver of the Race! As VeeKay made a multitude  ‘O passes on the High Side when marching His way into the lead! Before ultimately finishing 10^th.

 

Not really sure why we’re still making such a Big Fuss over Jimmie Johnson? As I just Don’t get the never ceasing Din over a NASCAR Driver in IndyCar? As I got a chuckle over IndyCar Radio’s Davey Hamilton saying How ‘bout that JJ! He’s the top running Ganassi driver, before somebody politely told him that Marcus Ericsson also drove for CGR! With Hamilton apologizing for overlooking the Swede’ who I think was running second at the time…

 

And lastly, speaking of Ericsson, Mary Ellen asked me after the race, who was that that you were rooting for? Since although I’ve got absolutely Nothing against ScottyMac’, who by my rudimentary math skills led three-fourths of the race. I was Rootin’ against Him and wanted Ericsson to claim His first Oval  victory instead!

 

As I simply Don’t like Penske winning every G-Damn’ race, even if it’s with somebody new like Scott McLaughlin and his totally Diverse, non IndyCar background! And Yeah, I understand that Chip Ganassi Racing’s also a frequent winner as part of the touted Big 3! But I just thought it would be great to have an ex-Formula 1 driver winning his Debutante Oval, especially with All of the Noise being made over JJ’s impressive debut IndyCar Oval run…

 

Hey, I’m Happy that Jimmie Johnson finally scored His first Top-10 finish, but Who’s Dat’ that passed Him for fifth place at races end, Eh?