Now that I’ve finally finished watching the tape. It appears that all of the fuss over the Scuderia’s new paint scheme and suitcases ‘O dinero from Marlboro didn’t do much good for Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying!
Peter Windsor pointed out countless times that Phillip Morris is rumored to be shelling out $200 million to the Scuderia in order to have their “Bad Habits” livery adorn all major signage space for effectively three races. (Bahrain, Monaco, China and possibly Japan?)
And speaking of the red cars, why did they get completely WAXED in Monte Carlo? Although Windsor brought up an interesting story about how Ferrari’s wind tunnel belt snapped during testing just prior to the Spanish GP. I can only assume that it has something to do with Ferrari’s longer wheelbase not being conducive to a down force only track? Especially if you take in the fact that Scott 'NOSE Speed finished just one place behind Raikkonen in ninth. While piloting his Ferrari engine customer Toro Rosso, Speed was heard via the radio saying his brake pedal was going completely to the floor!
Without a doubt the highlight of the weekend was Louis “Jaguar” Hamilton’s scintillating driving performance. And even though he did make a mistake in practice. His car control was magical!
Uh, how many times did he hit the wall with his tires Peter? As I found the barb thrown during the post race interview at Kimi excellent! Hamilton replied. Actually I hit the wall several times, but fortunately McLaren builds a strong car that doesn’t break.
Yet perhaps before we’re too harsh upon the “Kimster” one should possibly ponder if the Iceman was distracted, wondering if Paris Hilton would be showing up for the weekend? Of course, this year Kimi had his own $3.5 million yacht in the harbour, so I’m sure the ice box was properly stocked…
Otherwise the race seemed pretty abysmal to me as the two McLaren’s simply checked out. I mean when was the last time the Ferrari was 69 seconds slower with Felipe Massa the only car not being lapped!
Although the back markers did offer some amusement. As “Ralfie” did little to help in his contract negotiations by being thoroughly “dusted off” by Adrian Sutil in the “lowly” Spyker.
And I think David Coulthard managed to adhere to the blue flags during the race after blocking Heikki Kovalainen. in qualifying. Although I still think that DC should have been dropped to 16th and Kovalainen starting ahead of Coulthard. Of course DC was probably busy at the moment wondering if there was any occupancy’s at his hotel…
Thursday, May 31, 2007
INDY 500: The Greatest Spectacle?
Ah, after having been thru a three hour Rain Delay. (Not to be confused with a three hour cruise…) I think the “Buzz” of the Indy 500 has finally subsided for me. And many would say I’d gotten it all “ASS-Backwards” as I focused upon the “indee 415” instead of the Monaco Grand Prix.
But there were a few reasons for this programming switch. Mainly since for reasons unknown my “Old School” (circa 2005) Panasonic VCR will now NO longer record sound on two channels. (ABC & NBC) And has also run afoul of the Government’s switching of Daylight Savings time. So now needs to be manually manipulated twice a year to adjust to the correct time Yet, so far SPEED is unaffected.
And many, well ok a few seem confounded that Rusty “L.T.O.” Wallace bothered me so badly that I turned the TV completely off and just staired at the paint on my ceiling instead while listening to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing live via the internets. Well Ok, at least Tony George, the King and Mr. I Am Indy think its GREEATTTTTTTTT!
But hey, I noticed that I wasn’t alone, as I read that Rusty made a pair ‘O Golden Retriever’s HOWL in Protest!
Scottish Sentiments
But there were a few reasons for this programming switch. Mainly since for reasons unknown my “Old School” (circa 2005) Panasonic VCR will now NO longer record sound on two channels. (ABC & NBC) And has also run afoul of the Government’s switching of Daylight Savings time. So now needs to be manually manipulated twice a year to adjust to the correct time Yet, so far SPEED is unaffected.
And many, well ok a few seem confounded that Rusty “L.T.O.” Wallace bothered me so badly that I turned the TV completely off and just staired at the paint on my ceiling instead while listening to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing live via the internets. Well Ok, at least Tony George, the King and Mr. I Am Indy think its GREEATTTTTTTTT!
But hey, I noticed that I wasn’t alone, as I read that Rusty made a pair ‘O Golden Retriever’s HOWL in Protest!
Scottish Sentiments
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Bagpipes ‘N Thunder
While I’m sure that Danny B’s post race thoughts will be much more insightful than mine. (Which hopefully he’ll write after drying off) Nevertheless I’ll give my 12 cents worth…
Talk about a wacky way to end the Month of May. Was it an omen of things to come with Jimmy Neighbors NOT singing Back home in Indiana for the first time since 1986?
Obviously the most heart broken driver of this year’s “Indee 415” has to be none other than Tony Kanaan, whom most definitely deserves to taste the milk in victory circle. And I sat there torn between Kanaan winning in what would have been the shortest race in history vs. the fact of barely going half distance.
Yet ironically I made a lucky guess when picking Dario “REO Speedwagon” Franchitti as it seems fitting that the number 27 would find it’s way to victory circle on the 25th Anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve’s death... Along with what must be some sort of payback for the Speedway’s torture on Pole Day. Snatching P1 away from the Scotsman after waiting a ridiculous five hours to see it all slip away.
“Wundering” if the weathermen had been correct? I tuned in via the internets early and listened for the first hour plus via WIBC. It was kind of funny listening to the interview of “The King.” No, the other king. (Richard Petty) and AJ Foyt. Then I switched over to the TV broadcast just prior to the green flag being dropped.
But I elected to TURN OFF ABC immediately and return to the “live” IMS radio broadcast instead. As there’s just something about Rusty “Left Turn Only” Wallace’s voice that sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
And I found it entertaining that the first yellow waved on lap 12. “Whoa Nellie,” this could be a long day. Which I guess was a major understatement? As the first caution flew for John Andretti who’d LOST one of his mirrors.
Doing their best George Foreman “Rope-A-Dope” impersonation, Andretti’s pit crew sent him back out without making the mandatory mirror replacement. As supposedly the team couldn’t find a spare and ended up borrowing an extra from AJ Foyt.
And speaking of “Super Tex,” what in the HELL was WRONG with Little Al (Unser Jr.) today? That seemed to be a really PATHETIC driving display as ‘lil Al ran LAST for the majority of the race. I mean c’mon! Even Marty Roth was way ahead of him.
Adding insult to injury was John Herb’s impatience to pass the #50 Unser chicane, causing Herb to hit the wall instead. And although Unser trundled along, ‘lil Al ran over a crew member’s foot during the ensuing caution flag pit stop! And if I was Unser Jr. I’d be really embarrassed to have moved up to third overall in most laps completed at the Brickyard by today’s performance.
Then “Milk ‘N Doughnuts” as Danny b. nicknamed her before Robin Miller used the moniker during his OTB interview with Tom sneva HIT the wall on lap 65 while running in 22nd. Yet Duno was just one of the slower drivers to succumb to Indy’s Safer barriers. Other drivers suffered the same fate while trying to move off line to let the leaders go by.
Barely passing the halfway point, Tony Kanaan swept past Marco andretti, whom in turn led Princess Danica. And then the skies opened as the rainfall came down hard ‘N heavy, causing a nearly three hour rain delay. And I sat there hoping that this wouldn’t be the end of the race, since it had only gone 113 laps and I really didn’t want to hear all of the accolades that would be bestowed on Princess for finishing third!
And the post race interviews were pretty entertaining, with Kanaan being most gracious in defeat. Along with Marco just happy to be uninjured after barrel rolling down Indy’s straightaway, bringing out the yellow before the rain returned. Marco claimed he’d never seen Dan Wheldon when they hit due to having no mirror.
By the way Princess, who’s that finishing three places AHEAD of you in 5th! Looks like your friend Ryan Briscoe whom you said crashes a lot and won’t go the distance?
Talk about a wacky way to end the Month of May. Was it an omen of things to come with Jimmy Neighbors NOT singing Back home in Indiana for the first time since 1986?
Obviously the most heart broken driver of this year’s “Indee 415” has to be none other than Tony Kanaan, whom most definitely deserves to taste the milk in victory circle. And I sat there torn between Kanaan winning in what would have been the shortest race in history vs. the fact of barely going half distance.
Yet ironically I made a lucky guess when picking Dario “REO Speedwagon” Franchitti as it seems fitting that the number 27 would find it’s way to victory circle on the 25th Anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve’s death... Along with what must be some sort of payback for the Speedway’s torture on Pole Day. Snatching P1 away from the Scotsman after waiting a ridiculous five hours to see it all slip away.
“Wundering” if the weathermen had been correct? I tuned in via the internets early and listened for the first hour plus via WIBC. It was kind of funny listening to the interview of “The King.” No, the other king. (Richard Petty) and AJ Foyt. Then I switched over to the TV broadcast just prior to the green flag being dropped.
But I elected to TURN OFF ABC immediately and return to the “live” IMS radio broadcast instead. As there’s just something about Rusty “Left Turn Only” Wallace’s voice that sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
And I found it entertaining that the first yellow waved on lap 12. “Whoa Nellie,” this could be a long day. Which I guess was a major understatement? As the first caution flew for John Andretti who’d LOST one of his mirrors.
Doing their best George Foreman “Rope-A-Dope” impersonation, Andretti’s pit crew sent him back out without making the mandatory mirror replacement. As supposedly the team couldn’t find a spare and ended up borrowing an extra from AJ Foyt.
And speaking of “Super Tex,” what in the HELL was WRONG with Little Al (Unser Jr.) today? That seemed to be a really PATHETIC driving display as ‘lil Al ran LAST for the majority of the race. I mean c’mon! Even Marty Roth was way ahead of him.
Adding insult to injury was John Herb’s impatience to pass the #50 Unser chicane, causing Herb to hit the wall instead. And although Unser trundled along, ‘lil Al ran over a crew member’s foot during the ensuing caution flag pit stop! And if I was Unser Jr. I’d be really embarrassed to have moved up to third overall in most laps completed at the Brickyard by today’s performance.
Then “Milk ‘N Doughnuts” as Danny b. nicknamed her before Robin Miller used the moniker during his OTB interview with Tom sneva HIT the wall on lap 65 while running in 22nd. Yet Duno was just one of the slower drivers to succumb to Indy’s Safer barriers. Other drivers suffered the same fate while trying to move off line to let the leaders go by.
Barely passing the halfway point, Tony Kanaan swept past Marco andretti, whom in turn led Princess Danica. And then the skies opened as the rainfall came down hard ‘N heavy, causing a nearly three hour rain delay. And I sat there hoping that this wouldn’t be the end of the race, since it had only gone 113 laps and I really didn’t want to hear all of the accolades that would be bestowed on Princess for finishing third!
And the post race interviews were pretty entertaining, with Kanaan being most gracious in defeat. Along with Marco just happy to be uninjured after barrel rolling down Indy’s straightaway, bringing out the yellow before the rain returned. Marco claimed he’d never seen Dan Wheldon when they hit due to having no mirror.
By the way Princess, who’s that finishing three places AHEAD of you in 5th! Looks like your friend Ryan Briscoe whom you said crashes a lot and won’t go the distance?
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Women in Racing
(Eliska Junkova; source: grandprix.com)
It seems that most of today’s mainstream media attention falls upon the IRL’s Princess Danica Patrick. Having been noted as a Danica supporter… I thought I’d shed some light on the REAL women of motorsport, who paved the way for Danica to live the “Good Life.”
Interestingly the first women racers were in Grand Prix, prior to the modern day Formula 1 championship which began in 1950. As the earliest reports of female race driver’s centers upon a trio of women, with Eliska Junkova and “Helle Nice” being the most flamboyant. While Kay Petre made her impression due to her small stature behind the wheel of the day’s monstrous vehicles.
Junkova caused quite a “stir” when it was discovered that a woman led the opening laps of the 1928 Targa Florio. While the lady behind the wheel of the Bugatti leading the event was quicly named the “Queen of the Steering wheel” by the adoring press.
The Czechoslovakian is the only woman to have ever won a Grand Prix which she accomplished at the Nurburgring in 1926. Junkova retired from racing immediately after her husband was killed in 1928 at the Nurburgring while piloting the vehicle the couple were co-driving in the event.
Helle Nice was Mariette Hélène Delangle’s stage name, as she made her fame and fortune as a Paris “Show Girl.” Amassing wealth and popularity as a dancer, she reportedly enjoyed “Life in the Fast Lane.” As rumours suggest she had a long list of multiple suitors including Philippe de Rothschildand Jean Bugatti. She competed in several Grand Prix’s during the early 1930’s.
Yet sadly after the war, Louis Chiron accused Helle Nice of being a Gestapo agent which effectively ended her career. (Along with ruining her life!) Helle Nice died “penniless” in Paris in 1984.
Kay Petre stood 4’10” tall, making many marvel at her physical ability to manhandle a 10.5 liter V-12 Delage while setting speed records at the famed Brooklands circuit. Petre was most likely the first female to compete in the 24 Heurs du Mans, finishing 13th overall in 1934. She competed in three Grand Prix’s in 1937 before being injured. Petre went on to become a motor journalist along with being an automotive fabric designer.
After two decades of no women participants, Maria Teresa de Filippis contested three Grand Prix’s between 1958-59. While it would be almost another two decades before a quartet of female drivers attempted participating in various Formula 1 races from 1974-1992. (Lella Lombardi, Divina Galica, Desire Wilson, Giovanna Amati)
Lombardi raced twelve times, becoming the only woman to have ever scored a World Championship point in 1976. Finishing sixth in the rain shortened Spanish GP, Lombardi was awarded a half point. Lella also finished seventh at the Nurburgring.
Galica, Wilson and Amati were entered, but didn’t qualify for their races. With quite a fuss caused when multiple females were entered for the 1976 British GP. Amati was the last female to enter a Formula 1 event for the struggling Brabham team before being replaced by Damon Hill. Amati’s F1 test came courtesy of playboy Flavour Flav… (Flavio Briatore)
Meanwhile Janet Guthrie began her racing career in Sports Cars and won two class victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, prior to getting her big break. In 1976 Rolla Vollstedt gave her a test drive at Indianapolis, although she didn’t qualify for that year’s race. Yet in 1977 Guthrie would not only become the very first female to race in the Indianapolis 500, but also make history as the first woman to race in the Daytona 500.
Guthrie would compete at Indy three times (1977-79) with a best finish of 9th in 1978 before disappearing from the Speedway’s horizon. It would be a further 13 years before a second female would arrive at the Brickyard, with Lyn St James making the first of her seven appearances. St James became Indy’s first female rookie of the year in 1992. This debut race would also become her best finish of 11th place at the Speedway.
In 1999 the third female to crack the Brickyard’s entry list was Sarah Fisher driving for Derrick Walker. Fisher has since gone on to become the only woman driver to win a pole and podium places in the Indy Racing League.
Then in 2005 Princess Danica burst upon the scene, causing instant Danica mania while flirting with capturing the pole at Indy and finishing 4th in her rookie year. Now once again history is about to be made when the Brickyard will see three females take the green flag for this year’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
As Virginia Slims would say, “You’ve come a long way Baby…”
(PS: If anybody has seen Danny B’s Milka Duno lunch box laying around the grandstands at Indy, please turn it into Lost ‘N Found…)
Interestingly the first women racers were in Grand Prix, prior to the modern day Formula 1 championship which began in 1950. As the earliest reports of female race driver’s centers upon a trio of women, with Eliska Junkova and “Helle Nice” being the most flamboyant. While Kay Petre made her impression due to her small stature behind the wheel of the day’s monstrous vehicles.
Junkova caused quite a “stir” when it was discovered that a woman led the opening laps of the 1928 Targa Florio. While the lady behind the wheel of the Bugatti leading the event was quicly named the “Queen of the Steering wheel” by the adoring press.
The Czechoslovakian is the only woman to have ever won a Grand Prix which she accomplished at the Nurburgring in 1926. Junkova retired from racing immediately after her husband was killed in 1928 at the Nurburgring while piloting the vehicle the couple were co-driving in the event.
Helle Nice was Mariette Hélène Delangle’s stage name, as she made her fame and fortune as a Paris “Show Girl.” Amassing wealth and popularity as a dancer, she reportedly enjoyed “Life in the Fast Lane.” As rumours suggest she had a long list of multiple suitors including Philippe de Rothschildand Jean Bugatti. She competed in several Grand Prix’s during the early 1930’s.
Yet sadly after the war, Louis Chiron accused Helle Nice of being a Gestapo agent which effectively ended her career. (Along with ruining her life!) Helle Nice died “penniless” in Paris in 1984.
Kay Petre stood 4’10” tall, making many marvel at her physical ability to manhandle a 10.5 liter V-12 Delage while setting speed records at the famed Brooklands circuit. Petre was most likely the first female to compete in the 24 Heurs du Mans, finishing 13th overall in 1934. She competed in three Grand Prix’s in 1937 before being injured. Petre went on to become a motor journalist along with being an automotive fabric designer.
After two decades of no women participants, Maria Teresa de Filippis contested three Grand Prix’s between 1958-59. While it would be almost another two decades before a quartet of female drivers attempted participating in various Formula 1 races from 1974-1992. (Lella Lombardi, Divina Galica, Desire Wilson, Giovanna Amati)
Lombardi raced twelve times, becoming the only woman to have ever scored a World Championship point in 1976. Finishing sixth in the rain shortened Spanish GP, Lombardi was awarded a half point. Lella also finished seventh at the Nurburgring.
Galica, Wilson and Amati were entered, but didn’t qualify for their races. With quite a fuss caused when multiple females were entered for the 1976 British GP. Amati was the last female to enter a Formula 1 event for the struggling Brabham team before being replaced by Damon Hill. Amati’s F1 test came courtesy of playboy Flavour Flav… (Flavio Briatore)
Meanwhile Janet Guthrie began her racing career in Sports Cars and won two class victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, prior to getting her big break. In 1976 Rolla Vollstedt gave her a test drive at Indianapolis, although she didn’t qualify for that year’s race. Yet in 1977 Guthrie would not only become the very first female to race in the Indianapolis 500, but also make history as the first woman to race in the Daytona 500.
Guthrie would compete at Indy three times (1977-79) with a best finish of 9th in 1978 before disappearing from the Speedway’s horizon. It would be a further 13 years before a second female would arrive at the Brickyard, with Lyn St James making the first of her seven appearances. St James became Indy’s first female rookie of the year in 1992. This debut race would also become her best finish of 11th place at the Speedway.
In 1999 the third female to crack the Brickyard’s entry list was Sarah Fisher driving for Derrick Walker. Fisher has since gone on to become the only woman driver to win a pole and podium places in the Indy Racing League.
Then in 2005 Princess Danica burst upon the scene, causing instant Danica mania while flirting with capturing the pole at Indy and finishing 4th in her rookie year. Now once again history is about to be made when the Brickyard will see three females take the green flag for this year’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
As Virginia Slims would say, “You’ve come a long way Baby…”
(PS: If anybody has seen Danny B’s Milka Duno lunch box laying around the grandstands at Indy, please turn it into Lost ‘N Found…)
Friday, May 25, 2007
Monnocoe misery
Of course, once pen has gone to paper… Those involved usually do something foolish, eh? As I sat watching the second practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix, the SPEED crew chimed in various comments about the F1 drivers I’d just written about.
Although I thoroughly enjoy Peter Windsor’s insights on a whole. Why is he all in lather over Louise “Jaguar” Hamilton? As I found it really ANNOYING to hear him once again blather on about how special Hamilton is. As Windsor made the cardinal mistake to me, upon saying that Hamilton was having Senna like moments around the confines of Monte Carlo… Earth to Windsor, He ain’t NO Frilling Ayrton Senna!!!!
Then it came to me, Hamilton has become Windsor’s new British Hope. Ah, those “cheeky” Brit’s. Always in search of the next great British driver to bring them the trophy. As for some reason they believe the universe of Formula 1 is situated in Bloody ‘ole England. Looks like “Jense” has lost his luster.
And then the moment was over, when Hamilton took it a little too far and SMASHED into the barriers… As Windsor was quick to point out that its Jaguar’s very first mistake.
And it’s not hard to understand how a driver can make a mistake at Monaco as the cars go screaming around the country in one and a quarter minutes at 100mph! Hitting speeds of 185mph thru the artificially lit tunnel!
Professor Matchett pointed out that the drivers were making 57/58 gear shifts per lap! With 76 second laps equating to an average of shifting every 1.3 seconds.
And of course Windsor had to talk down ‘ANT’s” performance of late, saying he’s fast but seems to crash a lot. Hmmm? Sound familiar to a certain female’s comments about one of her competitor’s? This was prior to Davidson crashing against the Armco and being shown walking back to the pits alongside Hamilton.
And of course Adrian Sutil crashed hard against the barriers along with “Fishy Fella” and Mark Webber having incidents. So it appears that street racing is harder then it looks. Although I did enjoy David Hobbs comments about Mario Andretti. Hobbs said that Andretti claimed if you didn’t come back into the pits from Indy with white paint on your tires, then you weren’t trying hard enough…
And finally, Bob Varsha noted that Michael Schumacher was on hand for his second race in a row. In case you were wondering why more than the 32,000 residents don’t take advantage of the tax haven. Keep in mind that Schuey has been asked to leave the Principality due to the fact that he wasn’t spending enough time living there!
Although I thoroughly enjoy Peter Windsor’s insights on a whole. Why is he all in lather over Louise “Jaguar” Hamilton? As I found it really ANNOYING to hear him once again blather on about how special Hamilton is. As Windsor made the cardinal mistake to me, upon saying that Hamilton was having Senna like moments around the confines of Monte Carlo… Earth to Windsor, He ain’t NO Frilling Ayrton Senna!!!!
Then it came to me, Hamilton has become Windsor’s new British Hope. Ah, those “cheeky” Brit’s. Always in search of the next great British driver to bring them the trophy. As for some reason they believe the universe of Formula 1 is situated in Bloody ‘ole England. Looks like “Jense” has lost his luster.
And then the moment was over, when Hamilton took it a little too far and SMASHED into the barriers… As Windsor was quick to point out that its Jaguar’s very first mistake.
And it’s not hard to understand how a driver can make a mistake at Monaco as the cars go screaming around the country in one and a quarter minutes at 100mph! Hitting speeds of 185mph thru the artificially lit tunnel!
Professor Matchett pointed out that the drivers were making 57/58 gear shifts per lap! With 76 second laps equating to an average of shifting every 1.3 seconds.
And of course Windsor had to talk down ‘ANT’s” performance of late, saying he’s fast but seems to crash a lot. Hmmm? Sound familiar to a certain female’s comments about one of her competitor’s? This was prior to Davidson crashing against the Armco and being shown walking back to the pits alongside Hamilton.
And of course Adrian Sutil crashed hard against the barriers along with “Fishy Fella” and Mark Webber having incidents. So it appears that street racing is harder then it looks. Although I did enjoy David Hobbs comments about Mario Andretti. Hobbs said that Andretti claimed if you didn’t come back into the pits from Indy with white paint on your tires, then you weren’t trying hard enough…
And finally, Bob Varsha noted that Michael Schumacher was on hand for his second race in a row. In case you were wondering why more than the 32,000 residents don’t take advantage of the tax haven. Keep in mind that Schuey has been asked to leave the Principality due to the fact that he wasn’t spending enough time living there!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Hamilton Mania
Nope, not Davey Hamilton, who deserves all of the hoopla… Yet with all of the OVERHYPE about Louis “Jaguar” Hamilton. And don’t get me wrong, as he’s been simply brilliant to date, as I’m totally IMPRESSED by his performance. But is the over sensationalism getting too far out of hand?
And although I witnessed it “live” via the television screen at several hours of the wee morning over a decade ago. I cannot recall if there was a similar crescendo towards Formula 1 “rookie” Jacques Villeneuve’s arrival.
Yet apparently there was, according to Bob Varsha during the Spanish GP weekend. Varsha noted that Villeneuve had sat on Pole his very first race out, finishing second behind Damon Hill, before winning on his fourth start.
Yet it appears that all of this has been purged from my “Way Back Memory Machine.” But I’m quite certain I took great glee in the fact that it was one of “ours” as a Champ Car Champion made good against the “hoity toity” of Grand Prix racing.
But it seems a bit contrite to already be picking Hamilton as World Champion in his rookie season as the odds are definitely against him. (It’s NEVER been done in Formula 1) Perhaps Peter Winsor’s accolades upon the youngster will be realized, but will Hamilton truly become a multi World champion?
And I find it bothersome that Hamilton is getting all of the media’s attention for this year’s rookie crop of F1 drivers. Heikki Kovalainen isn’t exactly a “slouch,” even if Flavour Flav gave him a dressing down after his Formula 1 debut Down Under. Yet the massive drop in the Renault’s performance doesn’t seem exactly confidence inspiring towards winning titles this season.
My personal favourite for “Rookie of the Year” is none other than Adrian Sutil, who was a teammate to Hamilton in their earlier days. Yet Sutil has been experiencing a steep learning curve aboard the Spyker F8VII chassis, along with multiple crashes. But Sutil has outshone his “veteran” teammate Cristijan Albers, whom seems completely lost upon the team’s mandatory switch to Japanese rubber.
And what about Anthony “ANT” Davidson, whom for all practical reasons is in his rookie season and has been making life tough for his more experienced teammate Takuma Sato. You may recall that greatness was expected from “Taku” upon his arrival to F1 a few seasons ago. Yet Taku was effectively “sacked” from the “Works” Honda team and installed at the satellite operation of Super Aguri, which came about after a massive ground swelling by the Japanese public over Taku’s demise.
Perhaps I’m off base here, but Hamilton’s performance to date seems to mirror another star struck Formula 1 pilot, who’s traded his super license for Oval Track credentials. Does anybody remember the stir caused over Juan Pablo Montoya’s arrival to F1 and being brash enough to pass Michael Schumacher during a Grand Prix.
Hopefully Hamilton’s career will be more rewarding then MAC’s tenure in F1. Then again it all depends upon how “Jaguar” decides to handle the pressures placed upon him and how large his ego becomes…
And although I witnessed it “live” via the television screen at several hours of the wee morning over a decade ago. I cannot recall if there was a similar crescendo towards Formula 1 “rookie” Jacques Villeneuve’s arrival.
Yet apparently there was, according to Bob Varsha during the Spanish GP weekend. Varsha noted that Villeneuve had sat on Pole his very first race out, finishing second behind Damon Hill, before winning on his fourth start.
Yet it appears that all of this has been purged from my “Way Back Memory Machine.” But I’m quite certain I took great glee in the fact that it was one of “ours” as a Champ Car Champion made good against the “hoity toity” of Grand Prix racing.
But it seems a bit contrite to already be picking Hamilton as World Champion in his rookie season as the odds are definitely against him. (It’s NEVER been done in Formula 1) Perhaps Peter Winsor’s accolades upon the youngster will be realized, but will Hamilton truly become a multi World champion?
And I find it bothersome that Hamilton is getting all of the media’s attention for this year’s rookie crop of F1 drivers. Heikki Kovalainen isn’t exactly a “slouch,” even if Flavour Flav gave him a dressing down after his Formula 1 debut Down Under. Yet the massive drop in the Renault’s performance doesn’t seem exactly confidence inspiring towards winning titles this season.
My personal favourite for “Rookie of the Year” is none other than Adrian Sutil, who was a teammate to Hamilton in their earlier days. Yet Sutil has been experiencing a steep learning curve aboard the Spyker F8VII chassis, along with multiple crashes. But Sutil has outshone his “veteran” teammate Cristijan Albers, whom seems completely lost upon the team’s mandatory switch to Japanese rubber.
And what about Anthony “ANT” Davidson, whom for all practical reasons is in his rookie season and has been making life tough for his more experienced teammate Takuma Sato. You may recall that greatness was expected from “Taku” upon his arrival to F1 a few seasons ago. Yet Taku was effectively “sacked” from the “Works” Honda team and installed at the satellite operation of Super Aguri, which came about after a massive ground swelling by the Japanese public over Taku’s demise.
Perhaps I’m off base here, but Hamilton’s performance to date seems to mirror another star struck Formula 1 pilot, who’s traded his super license for Oval Track credentials. Does anybody remember the stir caused over Juan Pablo Montoya’s arrival to F1 and being brash enough to pass Michael Schumacher during a Grand Prix.
Hopefully Hamilton’s career will be more rewarding then MAC’s tenure in F1. Then again it all depends upon how “Jaguar” decides to handle the pressures placed upon him and how large his ego becomes…
Hopping up Indy
So it might not be quite as exciting as “WWF RAW,” Or the Nextel Cup All Star races. But while Indianapolis has the three ring circus, better known as the Danica, Sarah and Milka show. Formula 1 is hopeful that Spyker will fly Paris Hilton into Monte Carlo this weekend to pitch its newest bubbly…
Yet I found it most amusing that the Indy Racing League has a little scandal of its own to contend with. Originally Robin Miller broke the story on Wind Tunnel last Sunday night, when he told Dave Despain that some IRL teams had been caught running Methanol in their Ethanol fuel to try boosting performance. In the immortal words of Bobby Unser: “I think there’s some Slippery Liquids on track!”
What’s that? Sound a little bit like Mikey “SQUEAKY CLEAN” Waltrip’s incident at Daytona this year? And has anybody noticed how poor ‘ole Mikey hasn’t qualified for a race since. But I digress…
Since Miller’s report, IMS’s Brian Barnhart originally tried not naming names, but has finally divulged who the IRL has fined for this incident. With one of the little teams getting either nabbed, thrown under the bus or both.
Dreyer & Reinbold have been fined $25,000 by Indy Car along with having to pay for damages to the Honda “lump.” (Estimated between $70-100K)
But perhaps the extremely high exhaust temperatures that tipped Honda off to this concoction of Jet Fuel were instead caused by the team using George Foreman grills. You know the ones that will cook anything? Since the flashy ex-Heavyweight Champion boxer has just agreed to become the team’s newest co-owner.
Does this mean that he’ll KNOCK OUT Tony George if Panther Racing doesn’t win the race? And talk about your ultimate tail gaiting party as John Andretti has the perfect cooking utensils to take camping with him while the team listens to Gomer Pyle on the starting grid.
Meanwhile, Danica is apparently nervous about being knocked out of the feline limelight at The Brickyard and has been “Trash Talkin” about Ryan Briscoe. Danica claims he’s quick but crashes way too much and “wunders” if Briscoe can go the distance this Sunday. Uh “Princess” who’s that starting next to you?
Coincidently Roger Penske possibly views the “Aussie” as another young Paul Tracy? (Is Danica jealous?) Which made it even more interesting to read that Briscoe could be in line for Sam Hornish Jr’s seat when he bolts for RASSCAR…
Quick! Somebody go wake up Jimmy Neighbor’s. I think it’s almost time to sing about the Sycamores…
Yet I found it most amusing that the Indy Racing League has a little scandal of its own to contend with. Originally Robin Miller broke the story on Wind Tunnel last Sunday night, when he told Dave Despain that some IRL teams had been caught running Methanol in their Ethanol fuel to try boosting performance. In the immortal words of Bobby Unser: “I think there’s some Slippery Liquids on track!”
What’s that? Sound a little bit like Mikey “SQUEAKY CLEAN” Waltrip’s incident at Daytona this year? And has anybody noticed how poor ‘ole Mikey hasn’t qualified for a race since. But I digress…
Since Miller’s report, IMS’s Brian Barnhart originally tried not naming names, but has finally divulged who the IRL has fined for this incident. With one of the little teams getting either nabbed, thrown under the bus or both.
Dreyer & Reinbold have been fined $25,000 by Indy Car along with having to pay for damages to the Honda “lump.” (Estimated between $70-100K)
But perhaps the extremely high exhaust temperatures that tipped Honda off to this concoction of Jet Fuel were instead caused by the team using George Foreman grills. You know the ones that will cook anything? Since the flashy ex-Heavyweight Champion boxer has just agreed to become the team’s newest co-owner.
Does this mean that he’ll KNOCK OUT Tony George if Panther Racing doesn’t win the race? And talk about your ultimate tail gaiting party as John Andretti has the perfect cooking utensils to take camping with him while the team listens to Gomer Pyle on the starting grid.
Meanwhile, Danica is apparently nervous about being knocked out of the feline limelight at The Brickyard and has been “Trash Talkin” about Ryan Briscoe. Danica claims he’s quick but crashes way too much and “wunders” if Briscoe can go the distance this Sunday. Uh “Princess” who’s that starting next to you?
Coincidently Roger Penske possibly views the “Aussie” as another young Paul Tracy? (Is Danica jealous?) Which made it even more interesting to read that Briscoe could be in line for Sam Hornish Jr’s seat when he bolts for RASSCAR…
Quick! Somebody go wake up Jimmy Neighbor’s. I think it’s almost time to sing about the Sycamores…
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