Presenting the 2025 Formula 1 Rookies Class

But who’ll come out on top. And who’ll perform best overall in their respective F1 careers?

 

Can the 2023 Formula 1 season really be that long ago? Or is it just due to the immeasurably long 24 Grands Prix calendar? That its hard to remember just two years ago we had four “Fresh Faced” F1 rookies on the grid.

 

Whilst I realize it’s a totally different era, but fifty years ago, there were 18 F1 rookies, including the three who failed to qualify. With a total of 63 drivers attempting to participate that season, Youza!

 

Whilst I’ll freely admit I know very little about any of this quintet ‘O aspiring Formula 1 drivers…

 

Gabriel Bortoleto

Team: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber

Nationality: Brazilian

Birthplace: Osasco, Sao Paolo

DOB: October 14, 2004; Age: 20

Car No. 5

 

Interestingly, Gabriel’s father is the CEO and co-owner of Brazil’s Stock Car Pro series. Not to mention coming from a wealthy family, with part of their fortunes coming from creating an internet company that merged with Vero in 2023.

 

The family also runs the KTF Racing team in Stock Cars and Karting, and Gabriel’s elder brother Enzo formerly raced in F4 and British F3…

 

Gabriel began Karting at age seven and made His single seater debut in 2020, in the Italian Formula 4 series. Which seems to be one of the main proving grounds for aspiring racers

 

After stints in the Formula Regional European and Formula Asia series, Bortoleto graduated to the FIA formula 3 Championship, driving for Trident in 2023. He got off to a strong start with an early win, and led the championship until the season’s end. Winning the title with two victories in His maiden campaign.

 

For 2024, Gabriel moved up to FIA Formula 2, driving for Invicta Virtuosi Racing, alongside Alpine Academy driver Kush Maini.

 

Gabriel fought all season long vs. Isack Hadjar for the title, scoring His first Feature race win at Austria. And then becoming the first Formula 2 driver to win from last place at Monza.

 

Entering the season finale on Yas Isle, bortoleto led Hajar by 0.5 point! Increased to a four point lead following the Sprint race. Then finishing Vice, Err runner-up on Sunday to claim the title. Becoming only the seventh rookie to win the championship and fourth to do the “double” as a rookie. Following the likes of Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri.

 

Gabriel joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme between 2023-24 and is under the “tutelage” of A14 Management, owned by Fred Alonso. As McLaren released the Brazilian in order to be signed by Sauber for 2025, before becoming the Audi Werks’ F1 team in 2026.

 

Isack Hadjar

Team: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team

Nationality: French

Birthplace: Paris, France

DOB: September 28, 2004; Age: 20

Car No. 6

 

Isack Hadjar was the final driver confirmed for the 2025 F1 season as Liam Lawson’s replacement at thee ‘lil bulls’, aka Racing bulls operation. The French born Algerian driver began Karting at age seven and made His single seater debut in 2019 in the French formula 4 series. Having first raced in the Ginetta Junior Sports car category.

 

The following year Hadjar finished third overall in the French F4 championship with three win, before graduating to the Formula Regional European and Formula Asian series. As Hadjar’s best weekend appropriately came during the Monaco outing, where He scored His first FR European win along with a runner-up finish.

 

Hadjar finished third overall in the 2022 FR Asian series driving for Hitech, before racing in that year’s FIA Formula 3 Championship also with Hitech. Where His season started off with a “Bang at Bahrain”, being declared the winner after Oliver Bearman received a time penalty.

 

Yet Hadjar who was in the title fight didhimself no favours when crashing on the final corner during qualifying in Monza, colliding with Kush Maini in the race and ultimately finishing fourth overall, before moving onto the FIA Formula 2 championship the following year.

 

Continuing with Hitech in Formual 2 where His teammate was Yank’ Jack Crawford, Isack had a typical, difficult rookie season. Finishing 14th  overall in the standings, two points behind Crawford.

 

For 2023, Hadjar switched to Campos Racing where He fought tooth ‘n nail for the championship title vs. Gabriel Bortoleto. Yet once again, the pressure was too great, as Hadjar stalled at the start of the season finale’s final Feature race!

 

As Hadjar had built up a 36 point lead with four wins prior to the Summer’s break before having to settle for vice Champion behind Bortoleto. Yet being a Red bull Junior driver beginning in 2023, it was only natural to promote Him to the Racing Bulls Formula 1 team. And I like His honesty, saying He’s scared of being a formula 1 driver! But expects to compete for reaching Qualie’s Q3 (Top 10) sessions and score points. And is even hopeful of scoring His first podium finish.

 

As this is the rookie F1 driver I know the least about, but have to say I like His bravado, and will be interested to “See” how He fares vs. established teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

 

As the legendous’ Der Helmut, aka Helmut Marco says Isack is fast but impulsive! Whilst Hadjar himself admits He’d like to drive for Red bull one day, but only if merited… 

The F1 rookie most prominently in the Spotlight

But how will He perform under such pressure?

 

Rightly or wrongly, this Italian teenager seems to have the biggest spotlight of our five Formula 1 rookies upon His shoulders this year. Presumably since He’s replacing legendous’ Sir Lewis at the Silver arrows…

 

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Team: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

Nationality: Italian

Birthplace: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

DOB: August 25, 2006; Age: 18

Car No. 12

 

As I’ve already scribbled above, the youngest driver on the Formula 1 grid for 2025 is also thought to be the most sensational. Nevertheless, the young Italian will also have the most pressure to perform for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement…

 

Andrea or Kimi’s as most are now calling Him, Father Marco is a Sports Car racer in Saloons, winning the 2018 Italian GT championship and currently runs the Family’s AMK Motorsports racing team, which has competed in the Italian F4 championship since 2022.

 

Kimi, like Gabriel Bortoleto, both claim the late Ayrton Senna as their Idol! With Antonelli having drawn inspiration from Senna’s use of the number 12 in formula 1, along with using the number during His stitnt driving for Prema in Junior formulaes.

 

Interestingly, both Antonelli and fellow F1 rookie Jack Doohan requested the No. 12 as their car number, but since Kimi asked first, He got the number ahead of Doohan…

 

Reputedly a family friend gave Antonelli’s father Marco the name Kimi in deference to that Ice Cream eating Kimi Raikkonen. Since Marco was set upon giving His son a boring middle name.

 

Thus, with All of the hyperbole out of the way, let’stake a brief gander at Kimi’s racing “CV”. (career) As Kimi also began competitive Karting at age seven, and was a prodigious Karting talent. Winning too numerous championships to chronicle, along with suffering a broken leg during a wet weather accident.

 

Antonelli was spotted by Giovanni Minardi early on , and quickly signed to Minardi Management. Before winning multiple karting titles driving for Rosberg Racing Academy. Hmm, why does it sound like He was already headed for the pinicle of motorsports so early on, Eh?

 

For 2021, Kimi made His single seater debut in Italian Formula 4 following His 15th birthday, contesting a partial season and finishing a respectable P10 overall.

 

Remaining with Prema Powerteam, Antonelli claimed both the 2022 Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships along with a Gold Medal in the FIA Motorsports Games. As Kimi dominated the Italian F4 series with a record 13 wins, including six consecutive victories! Then followed that up by claiming the ADAC F4 title. Having amassed 26 wins, 24 poles and 37 podiums in 67 Formula 4 starts, the second most successful in F4 History!

 

The following year, He graduated to the Formula Regional European Championship, where once again He secured another title driving for Prema, along with that year’s inaugural FR Middle East Championship driving for Mumbai Falcons.

 

Thus, Kimi’s “Star” shone brightly! Having secured two titles in Formula 3, the Italian prodigy skipped the FIA formula 3 Championship, Preceding directly to FIA Formula 2 the following year, again with Prema. Where His teammate would be Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman.

 

Reportedly Prema initially struggled with the Formula 2 Ground Effects chassis, seeing both drivers get off to a slow start. Kimi scored His maiden F2 win in the wet Silverstone Sprint race, and then clamed a Feature race win at Budapest.

 

Antonelli withdrew from the season finale Abu Dhabi F2 weekend due to illness and finished sixth overall in the championship on the back of His two wins. And then took part in the afternoon session of the post Abu Dhabi F1 Young Drivers test, where naturally He was the fastest rookie.

 

Antonelli was signed as a Mercedes Junior Driver in 2018 at age 12! Making me think of another youngster name Lewis Hamilton’s signing by thee Ronster’, aka Ron Dennis of McLaren fame Wayback’ when…

 

Antonelli got His first taste of Formula 1 machinery in April, 2019 when He drove a Mercedes W12 at the Red bull ring in Spielberg, followed by further private tests at Imola and Spa-francorchamps.

 

The “Kimi” rule, re-allowing 17 year olds to hold FIA Super licence’s, enabled Antonelli to make His Free Practice debut at Monza that fall. Antonelli set the fastest lap time before spinning at Curva Alboreto just ten minutes into the FP1 session, colliding with the tyre barriers in a 52G incident! And then participated in another F1 practice session at Mexico City. Once again incurring damage to His Mercedes chassis upon running over debris and damaging the W15’s floor…

 

Antonelli has been undergoing an extensive testing programme over the winter in preparations for His Formula 1 debut alongside team leader George Russell. And passed His public driving test just six weeks prior to the season opener at Melbourne. As Italians must be at least 18 years old before being eligible for a Drivers licence… 

Presenting the 2025 Formula 1 Senior Member Rookies

Although a total of four Grands Prix Ain’t exactly a large sample size…

 

It has been a very long times since I can recall such an abundance ‘O Formula 1 rookies joining the grid. Which according to my informal archives, last occurred nine seasons ago in 2017. As Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll remain upon the F1 Grid. Whilst the 2019 and 2023 seasons saw four F1 rookies apiece. With 2019 featuring the top three F2 finishers: Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon. Whilst 2023 F1 rookies Liam Lawson and Oscar Piastri remain on the grid…

 

Oliver Berman

Team: MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Nationality: United Kingdom

Birthplace: Havering, London

DOB: May 8, 2005; Age: 19

Car No. 87

 

Believe that “Ollie”, aka Oliver Bearman is still a rookie, albeit having made three starts last season, substituting for Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari and Kevin Magnussen at Haas. As His three Grands Prix starts excluded Him from participating in the Post Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test.

 

Ollie’ began racing Go Karts at age seven, capping a very successful Karting career in 2020, before graduating to Single Seaters.

 

Bearman made His racecar debut in the 2020 ADAC (German) Formula 4 series and scored His maiden win at the Hockenheimring. Later that year He made His debut in the Italian F4 series and also claimed victory at Vallelunga.

 

Twenty Twenty-One was a magical year for Bearman, as the Bloody brit’ dominated the Italian F4 Championship, sweeping the title with eleven wins! And then claimed the German F4 Championship title with a further six victories.

 

The following year, Oliver graduated to the FIA formula 3 Championship, driving for Prema Racing alongside Jack Crawford and Arthur Leclerc. Bearman wound-up third overall and claimed one W’, the Sprint race at thee Mighty Spa, aka Spa-Francorchamps. He also became a Ferrari Academy driver that year.

 

For 2023, Ollie made the step up to FIA Formula 2, continuing with Prema, alongside Mercedes Junior Driver Frederik Vesti. Bearman would claim sixth in the championship with four wins, including an impressive “double” at Baku. Becoming just the fourth F3 rookie to win both Sprint and feature races on the same weekend.

 

Continuing with Prema, now partnered by Mercedes Junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Bearman had a disappointing season, finishing 12th overall with three Sprint race wins to His credit.

 

Bearman missed the Jeddah and Baku rounds due to deputizing as reserve driver in F1. First in a last minute call-up for Carlos Sainz Jr. having an emergency appendectomy, where He finished a sensational seventh for Ferrari!

 

Next Bearman scored points again as Kevin Magnussen’s substitute at Azerbaijan, where the Dane’ was serving a one race ban. Finishing P10 for Haas. Then slithered home P12 at Sao Paolo after being given a 10 second penalty for colliding with Williams Franco Colapinto.

 

Jack Doohan

Team: BWT Alpine F1 Team

Nationality: Australian

Birthplace: Gold Coast, Queensland

DOB: January 20, 2003; Age: 22

Car NO. 7

 

Yes, Jack Doohan is the son of five times GP500 Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan. Interestingly, Jack began Go Karting at age nine with a go Kart given to Him by none other than  Michael Schumacher!

 

After a successful Karting career, Jack made His single seater debut at age 15 in 2018, when competing in the F4 British championship. Racing for Arden alongside Red Bull Junior Driver Dennis Hauger, Doohan finished fith overall with three wins.

 

Next Doohan raced in the F3 Asian series, finishing Vice Champion, Er runner-up twice consecutively. Along with racing for Double R Racing in the Euro Formula Open series.

 

Doohan then graduated to the FIA formula 3 Championship for 2020, where He had less than stellar results driving for HWA Racelab. The following year He moved to Trident, where one of His teammates was David Schumacher, son of Ralf.

 

Jack made history at the Spa-Francorchamps round by becoming the first driver to win two races in a weekend. Yet ultimately lost the F3 title to Dennis Hauger; who will contest His rookie Indy NXT campaign for Andretti global this year

After contesting the final two rounds of that year’s Formula 2 season, Doohan raced His first full FIA F2 season for Virtuosi Racing alongside Marino Sato in 2022. Doohan scored three poles and three wins enroute to sixth overall in the championship.

 

For 2023, Jack remained with virtuosi and finished third overall on the strength of two poles and three victories, before leaving F2 at season’s end.

 

Having been a Red bull Junior Driver between 2017 and 2021, Doohan switched to the Alpine Academy for 2022, and got His first taste of Formula 1 machinery in Qatar that year. Making His Free Practice (FP) debut at Mexico City, and then again at Abu Dhabi. Also participating in that year’s post Abu dhabi Young Drivers test.

 

Continuing His testing duties for Alpine the following year, Jack was named as the team’s reserve driver for the 2024 F1 season, before making His Formula 1 debut at the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the ousted Esteban Ocon.

 

Not sure why I felt compelled to track Doohan’s F1 debut outing, other than I suppose I was curious how He’d acquit Himself? Thus recording the following weekend’s positions, beginning with Friday’s (Free Practice) FP1 outing: P19-19-14-20-15.

 

Thus finishing 15th in His first Grand Prix, where He dorve the team’s No. 61 entry, Arse-sumedly it’s reserve car number.

 

As now the pressure surely rachets up, with the season commencing Down Under on Home soil in Bloody Melbourne, March 16^th, Righto? Where the Aussie’s will be delirious over having two of their Mates’ on the Formula 1 grid… 

Time to begin another Arduous Formula 1 season

As can somebody stop Max Blunderhead’s reign?

 

Full disclosure, I didn’t pay any Attenzione to this year’s “Winter Olympics”, ergo F1 testing at Bahrain, since I was on a Choo-choo train headed north during this three days outing. So don’t know the story lines, or how far off they are? Which we’ll get a glimpse of the “real” pecking order this coming weekend Down Under in Gory Melbourne, Mates!

 

If I’ve done my ryth-muh-tickin’ correctly? Thars’ an 80% turnover in F1 Driver lineups this season, with only two teams retaining last year’s drivers.

 

Formula 1 is true “Blood Sport”, where the first objective is to beat your teammate! Thus, one of the biggest story lines is how Lewis Hamilton does at His new team la Scuderia, aka Ferrari vs. Charles Leclerc. And how Ferrari does in general vs. its F1 Constructors Championship rivals, i.e.; McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.

 

McLaren are the defending Constructors Champion, having won their first title since Gory 1998! And retain Lando Norris, who finished Vice-champion, Err runner-up to Max Verstappen for the Drivers Championship last year. Along with Oscar Piastri, with both McLaren drivers winning their maiden Grands Prix last season.

 

Aston Martin is the only other F1 Team staying status quo with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. While the team’s reshuffled its engineering core, along with the arrival of Adrian Newy…

 

Mercedes has opted for the services of 18yr old F1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement alongside George Russell.

Arse-sumedly everyone knows about Red Bull’s dismissal of Checo’, nee Sergio Perez in favour of Liam Lawson this season. As the Kiwi’ has His work cut out for Him a la All of Max Blunderhead’s (Verstappen) previous teammates! And with just eleven Grands Prix starts to His name, pretty sure this will be an uphill slog…

 

Alpine, which claimed sixth overall last season largely due to their impressive 2-3 finish at Sao Paolo. Sees Jack Doohan, who made His F1 debut at last year’s Abu Dhabi season finale join Pierre Gasly.

 

Aas sports a brand new line-up with the arrival of Esteban Ocon from Alpine, and rookie Oliver Bearman. As Bearman deputized for Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari and Kevin Magnussen at Haas last year as both team’s reserve driver, and is highly rated by team principal Ayao Konatsu…

 

Racing Bulls keeps Yuki Tsunoda, who most likely is in His final season in Formula 1? Being “tied” to Honda, who become Aston Martin’s Werd’s Power Unit (PU) supplier for 2026. Where reserve driver Felipe Drugovich has been waiting years for either Alonso or Stroll Jnr’ to depart. While rookie Isack Hadjar takes Liam Lawson’s vacated seat.

 

Sauber sports an all new line-up with the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, along with the addition of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, before the team becomes fully rebranded as Audi in 2026.

 

Lastly, another major story line will be how much can Carlos Sainz Jr. right Willimas floundering ship? As the storied Grove based F1 team struggled Ah-Mighty’ with multiple destroyed and crash damaged chassis last year! As Sainz moves from Ferrari, having to make way for Sir Lewis.

 

Didn’t bother reading the article, but saw the headline proclaiming that current Williams driver Alexander Albon is keen to see how He stacks up against Sainz? For which I think Albon’s going to have a somewhat rude awakening!

 

Although I definitely expect for Williams to not finish last in this year’s Constructors Championship, but time will tell…

 

Meanwhile, being in the final year’s current chassis regulations, hopefully we’ll have another Cracking year of competition! Before another total reset for 2026’s E-e-E-lectrified Formula 1 racecars…

 

Notably, the single point for Fastest lap during a race has been abolished. While drivers and chassis will gain a further two kilograms minimum weight requirements. With drivers now up to 82kg, and chassis up to 800kg.

 

A driver cooling (system) Kit will be made mandatory at “Hot”, extreme Heat races, when the FIA predicts a race will be over 30.5C, with chassis minimum weight being increased a further five kilograms (805kg) to compensate for said equipment. While the Drag Reduction System’s (DRS) “Slot-gap” dimensions will be reduceds along with the DRS system’s functionality…

 

Teams will also be required to run Young Drivers during Free  Practice sessions twice per racecar, up from once previously.

 

Once again, six Sprint races will be held over the season, beginning at Shanghai. Followed by Miami, Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit Of The Americas, Sao Paolo and Qatar.

 

As that’s a very brief rundown of what to look for this Sunday; Err Saturday night Stateside at the Australian Grand Prix. Round One of an insane 24! With the season concluding on December 7th upon Yas Isle. In what will be the final season of ESPN television coverage…

 

As Always, Check your local TV listings for times and locations! 

RETRO: IMSA Racecars from A past Horse track

Although these Prototype “Horses” ran far faster than Seabiscuit…

 

Having tuned into nearly 15 hours of this year’s Rolex 24. I’m reminded of how far IMSA has come from it’s initial GTP era. Which I suppose you could say that Dan Gurney’s All conquering Eagle MKIII “Four-banger” prototype killed…

 

Following reading Laura Hillenbrand’s most excellent book Seabiscuit: An American Legacy last December, which I chronicled in the following No Fender tome.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2025/01/when-horse-outweighed-horsepower.html

 

This shot me down another Wabbit’ Hole regarding my one and only visit to Del Mar’s 1.6-mile temporary “Stadium” race course. Which I only have two vague memories of now. That being those Jaguar XJR-10’s turbo chirpiness! And taking a picture of that beautiful looking gold and white Miller Highlife Busby Racing BFGoodrich Porsche 962.

 

Comparing ‘n contrasting the 1989 Del Mar race held in the Fairgrounds parking lot vs. the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring’s IMSA GTP field sees virtually the same number of GTP entries; 14 vs. 13 Also being a split of normally aspirated and turbocharged motors. With eight Camel Lights vs. a dozen or less LMP2 entrants.

 

Yet I suppose you could say the stakes are higher today, with virtually no privateer entries. Just the lone $2.9m Proton Competition customer Porsche 963 vs. six customer entries Wayback’ when…

 

Camel Grand Prix of Southern California

IMSA GT Championship

Date: October 22, 1989

Duration: 2 Hours

Round 20 of 20

 

Entrants

Porsche 962C; (4) Spice SE89P; (4) Jaguar XJR-10; (2) Nissan GTP ZX-T; (2) 1 All American Racers Eagle HF89 (1)  and one unheard of ALBA AR9 Buick = 14 total GTP entries, with a further eight Lights Prototypes in the “mix” = 22 total entries

 

Race Highlights

The race was broadcast on ESPN with Bruce Flanders and John Morton in the Booth. Whilst it was funny hearing Chris Economaki trying to make something out of nothing over the young Wayne Taylor’s “Shock” pole position during the pre-race preamble. As Economaki couldn’t get Geoff Brabham to bite, with the Aussie’ saying He wasn’t surprised at all by the Spice’s being on the front row…

 

(Chris Economaki and Ralph Sheheen were the Pit reporters)

 

Taylor, then 33yrs old, claimed pole with His Spice SE89P Pontiac Firebird 5.4-litre V-8. While Bob Earl aboard a Spice SE89P with a 6.0-litre Chevrolet V-8 lined up alongside Taylor, seeing Spice lock-out the front row.

 

Spice Engineering ran two of it’s Factory SE89P Pontiac Firebird racecars for the aforementioned Wayne Taylor, in the No. 34. Who was apparently paired with Scott Atchison, albeit no idea if the latter actually raced? As Taylor led from the “Get go” for the first 22-laps? Before Earl passed Him for the lead. Before Taylor’s Pontiac Done Blown Up! As ‘Ol Hobbo’, nee HobsCapp’, aka David Hobbs would say…

 

The Seester’ #33 Spice Engineering entry was driven by Costas Los, Say Who? Retiring on lap-69 due to an accident.

 

Jeff Kline drove a “Ex Works” Koll Motorsports privateer Spice Pontiac entry, finishing an unheralded P16.

 

Whilst the best of the Spice entries was Bob Earl, who started second, led for awhile before ultimately finishing third overall, driving for Jim Miller Racing.

 

Electramotive Engineering’s All conquering Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo’s had already ended Porsche’s reign by winning the 1989 IMSA GT Manufacturers Championship with ten wins; six for its No. 83 and four for its NO. 84. With the driver title up for grabs between Geoff Brabham and Nissan teammate Chip Robinson.

 

As Brabham and Robinson had scored six W’s together, with Brabham netting a further three solo vs. robinson’s one win. With Robinson leading the points battel 219 to 215 entering Del Mar.

 

Brabham started third and led late into the race before erring on the side of caution over a braking issue, finishing runner-up and claiming the Drivers title. While Robinson’s race had gone up in “smoke!” Chasing Brabham all race long after starting sixth. Robinson snapped a driveshaft on lap-59, ending His championship hopes.

 

Four privateer Porsche 962C’s contested the race, with a brace of Joest Racing cars entered for Jean-Lous Ricci and Henri Pescarolo in the #0, and Frank Jelinski in the “Double buckshot”. (#00)

 

Whilst my Home town Bayside Racing’s No. 86 Panzerwagen with Jochen Mass at its keyboard was the highest finisher in fifth, one place ahead of the #0 Joest.

 

The No. 67 Busby Racing Porsche 962C that won that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona, saw Bob Wollek and John Andretti finishing a quiet P13. Whilst the “Double Zero” Joest Panzerwagen finished a lowly 20th due to an accident.

 

Willy t. Ribbs drove the lone All American Racers (AAR) Eagle HF89, the team’s and Toyota’s first GTP chassis to a fourth place finish after starting P4.

 

Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) ran two Castrol liveried Jaguar XJR-10’s for Jan Lammers (#60) and Price cobb. (#61)

 

Lammers who started seventh, quietly worked His way forwards, before pouncing upon Brabham at Turn-1, the course’s 10/11 turns best passing opportunity on a late race restart, and with Brabham locking up, Lammers motored to the chequered flag!

 

Meanwhile, Cobb, who’d started ahead of Lammers quietly soldiered home in seventh. While the “Mach 5: (#5) totally unknown of DeBlasi Racing’s ALBA AR9 Buick turbo machine finished eighth. Which I’ll try chronicling in another of my countless No Fenders stories… 

Chasing after A different Prancing Horse

As this one had a much Faster top speed vs. Seabiscuit!

 

So mucho for rest ‘n relaxation over Ye Gory Christmas Holidazes’ break! As I went down a mighty Wabbit’ Hole chasing this story…

 

Since thee Older I get, the more I’m amused over how skewed my memories are. With my mind playing tricks upon Mwah! Although Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary ellen exclaimed really Tomaso! You’re wondering why you cannot remember something from thirty-plus years ago, Seriously?

 

Yet having learned via that fantastic Laura Hillenbrand book Seabiscuit, which I scribbled labouriously about earlier this year, which Y’all can read in two part harmony below…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2025/01/when-horse-outweighed-horsepower.html

 

Learning that thee heralded crooner Bing Crosby was instrumental in the creation of the Del Mar Racetrack for four legged Horses, along with the adjoining Fairgrounds. This triggered my foggy memory of attending a lone IMSA GTP race Thar’, Wayback I thought in the early 1990’s, Stee-rike!

 

As the main things I recall now some thirty-five years later is my mode of transportation. As I rode Shotgun’ from Arizona to Del Mar and back in a “loaner” Jaguar XJS 12-cylinder road car, Sweet! And how a Fool in a Lincoln Mercury thought He could keep up with us on the Highway at an extended rate of high speed; Hey Batter-Batter…

 

Whilst I recalled that the Jaguar racecars turbochargers “Chirpped” quite audibly, making me have to search for what model they were, with the No. 60 Castrol Jaguar XJR-10 with Jan Lammers winning. With Price Cobb as the #61’s chauffeur.

 

Along with walking thru the paddock and taking a picture of the great looking Miller Beer Porsche 962C. Which John Andretti, Bob Wollek and Derek Bell drove to victory at that year’s Rolex 24.

 

Not to mention the blood red, rosso No. 60 Ferrari F40 LM Being solid red, devoid of any sponsor decals, other than perhaps Pirelli tyres adorning the front windshield? Having mistakenly thought it was Jean Alesi behind the wheel of said F40 that October weekend All these years…

 

Initially, I had one Helluva time finding any pertinent information upon the IMSA GT season finale on Del Mar Fairgrounds 1.6-mile 10 turn temporary circuit in its parking lot. Where apparently the Prototypes and Saloons’, or Sedans category as Tom Gloy called ‘em ran in separate “Sprint” races. Since I eventually found a complete classification for the 22 entry IMSA GTP and Lights race. And then finally found the complete 30-car results for the separate Sedans race. Which was split evenly between both categories.

 

Also bumped into a sliced ‘n diced 45mins race airing on Youtube of the One hour ESPN Sprint race with Bruce Flanders calling the action with Tom Gloy alongside as Colour commendatore. Uhm, Oops! I meant Commentator, as I’m getting ahead of thyself! While Chris Economaki, who’d just celebrated His 69th birthday one week earlier and Ralph Sheheen were the Pit reporters.

 

The thirty car field of IMSA GTO and GTU competizione saw Hans-Joachim Stuck on Pole in the Audi 90 Quattro All-wheel Drive Terror! Which had won the previous four races in-a-row. While Wally Dallenbach Jr. was alongside in the “Blown” Mercury XR-7 Cougar. Row-2 featured Steve Millen in the first Nissan 300ZX with Roushe Racing’s Pete Halsmer, the GTO points leader alongside. And the third row of All turbocharged entreis saw Hurley Haywood in the second Audi flanked by John Morton in the Seester’ Nissan 300ZX. As Flanders said we’ll talk about that Ferrari F40 shortly…

 

Before mentioning Jeremy Dale’s name, aboard the #07 Dodge as the Pole sitter for the GTU Class. With Bob Leitzinger becoming that year’s GTU Champion.

 

Loved the interview by Ralph “Keyboard warriors R-US” Sheheen with Ferrari France’s Jean Sage regarding the Ferrari F40 LM. With the Frenchman saying that basically everything’s bigger on the racecar vs. production street car. Noting the front spoiler’s bigger. The rear wing’s bigger, etcetera-etcetera-etcetera. Also noting that the engine’s intercoolers are bigger, along with the turbochargers you guessed it – being bigger!

 

Whilst Sheheen noted that all 300 of the production F40’s which retailed for $250,00 were sold; Uhm try like $400k Ralph! And now ranged in the neighbourhood of one million dollars price-wise, Aye Darumba!

 

Micelotto, a Ferrari Specialist  built two Ferrari F40 LM’s initially from three road cars for the 1989 racing debut, with Jean Alesi debuting the Prancing Horse at that year’s Laguna Seca race in the IMSA GTO category. With the third converted “Road Car” F40 LM being a spare chassis that was never utilized.

 

Alesi later told Racer’s Marshall Pruett in 2016, that the F40 had a tendancy for spinning its Pirelli tyres profusely! And that the engine’s turbo boost had to be turned down to try accommodating for this. As Alesi noted being a young racing driver, He was loathe to heed to not planting His right foot on the “Loud” pedal…

 

Alesi presumably stunned the IMSA grid with an excellent second place qualifying effort besides Hans Stuck’s Audi 90 Quattro, before ultimately finishing third.

 

For Del Mar one week later, the Ferrari France F40 LM was driven by “Jelly-Belly”, aka Jean-Pierre Jabouille. But retired after 18-laps with mechanical “maladies”. Although Sheheen noted during a race interview that the car was once again spinning its Pirelli tyres badly and had just been passed by one of the lower tier GTU entries, Zouza!

 

Meanwhile, Dallenbach Jr. led a Mercury Cougar 1-2 sweep with Halsmer winning the GTO Drivers title. While both of the Audi’s Done Blown Up!

 

The Ferrari returned to IMSA GTO competition the following year, with Jabouille, Jacques Laffite and Hurley Haywood as its drivers. Scoring a “treble” of second place finishes.

 

Reportedly a total of 19 Ferrari F40 LM and latter (GTE) Competition examples were built between 1989-96, with the car having moderate success. Including a lone victory at Vallenlunga in 1994. Followed by back-to-back wins at Anderstorp between 1995-96, before the car was ultimately retired.

 

A lone Ferrari F40 GTE “Competizione” racecar run by Obermaier Racing in conjunction withTeam Ennea competed in the ’94 24 Huers du Mans, albeit retiring. With Anders Olofsson, Sandro Angelastri and Max “the Ax” Angelelli at its controls.

 

For 1995, three F40 GTE racecars showed up at Circuit de la Sarthe. With a pair of Ennea Ferrari Club entries, including the Pole winning No. 41, which finished P18 overall. Whilst its Seester’ car (No. 40) Did Not Finish. (DNF) With the No. 34 Pilot Aldix Racing F40 finishing 12th overall.

 

For ’96, the Ferrari F40 made its Swan song at Le Mans with a quartet of GTE Competizione entrants. Yet all four Prancing Horses had retired by Dawn. With three Team Ennea entries and a single Pilot Racing entry competing.

 

Yet nearly ten years old now, the F40 was no longer a match for the superior McLaren F1 GTR, and simply faded from the racing landscape…

 

(Rosso Ferrari F40 image source: wallpaperflare.com) 

A Soothing Lullaby

Sure to induce Sleep in some of Yuhs…

 

Just a brief Jot’ as Grizzled F1 Journo Joe Saward would say. To let Y’all know that your Humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso’s On Holiday again, Groan!

 

Meaning Thar  won’t be any riveting recaps of the season’s first IndyCar race, since I’m busy pushing the P2P button Schlick! Having methodically poonded’ away some 26 No Fenders Blog stories for your dining pleasure, Err consumptions…

Hmm, perhaps that will give Colton Herta some No Fenders Mojo’ for Saint Pete, Eh?

Not to mention totally missing the Thailand MotoGP season opener. Along with there not being  any other mesmerizing No Fenders rants upon the latest ‘n greatest whatever, like I dunno?? But its always a goody thingy’ to push away from the All consuming Confuzer and keyboard. Especially when I get to visit a very special lap Hoond named Hang 10’ Hilo!

 

Although I’m Arse-suming that Mary Ellen will be able to furnish the St Pete IndyCar race via IndyCar Radio from Ye Apple Orchard…

 

As I’ll leave Y’all with the soothing, Eh? I said speak up sonny! Thars some darn blasted v-12 contraption making a Bloody racket in the background…

 

As the Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH-spec Hypercar makes its racing debut at Sebring this March 15th. And although its been out for awhile now. Like Marshall Pruett says on the Podcast. The exclusive in-car audio recording from the Valkyrie’s right hand sidepodon the High Banks of Daytona during testing should definitely leave a smile on your face! Not to mention some of the Heavy Hitters giggling afterwards.

 

So check it out, if you want to hear a proper ‘Ol school 6.5-litre normally aspirated glorious sounding V-12 motor getting a proper workout on Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course!

 

https://marshallpruettpodcast.com/podcast/mp-1569-aston-martin-valkyrie-amr-lmh-in-car-at-daytona/