Open Wheel Racing 2021, anyone there to watch?

[MichVandal]

Crazy that we are two races into the F1 season, and the first Indycar race was yesterday.

New F1 rules had the opposite outcome than I thought it would- I figured the low rake cars are already more robust to airflow- but Mercedes and Aston Martin are both not as fast... I expect Mercedes to claw it back, assuming rebuilding Bottas' car doesn't cost too much after that accident with Russell yesterday.

But we have real racing up front- Hamilton won the first race with great driving and an aggressive strategy, and Verstappen won yesterday by just driving really well. Hamilton was looking to make it interesting when he crashed, and then he got lucky with the crash after that- getting his lap back and able to climb up to 2nd.

Indycar was fun to watch, even if passing was kind of light. Johnson needs a LOT more seat time, whereas Grojean looks pretty comfortable already. Palou looked invincible yesterday- took a chance with a 2 stop race, and had the pace to pull it off. That last stint with him, Power, and Dixon saving fuel let O'Ward to close right up to them, but nobody could do anything.

I see various channels plan to stream the feeder series. Maybe I'll watch- The Race made a pretty big deal about Indy Lights.

[Russell Jaslow]

I was just waiting for someone to start the thread... :-)

So far, it certainly has been a very entertaining start to the F1 season. I still believe (eventually) Mercedes will figure it all out and start dominating again. But in the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying the thrilling battle at the front. And the even closer midfield battle -- especially McLaren's near complete return to competitiveness and Lando Norris kick*ss driving.

[MichVandal]

Somehow Miami is back on the F1 schedule. And here's what the track will look like from the driver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZQr...annel=FORMULA1

Can't say that it's terribly interesting- it's far too much like Sochi. Other than the palm trees, it can be any metro area in the world, although the freeways kind of put it in the US.

I hope COA stays on the schedule, as the track is a whole lot more interesting.

But this new Miami track is not one I would pay any of my money to go to- flight, hotel, tickets, etc.

[MichVandal]

Strong weekend for open wheel racing- Portugal F1 and a double in Texas for Indy.

Whoever thought Mercedes was in trouble for this season, yea not so much. Hamilton looked really good all weekend- and if not for a bad stop for Bottas, he might have made 2nd more interesting. Then again, he kind of lit up the tires getting out, letting Max have a pretty easy pass.

Sergio is doing a good job being #2 at Red Bull, and making the Seb decisions kind of bad for Racing Point.

Lando is looking amazing in the McLaren. Holy cow was he making strong passes. Kinda feel for Ricciardo who just can't get that good of feel for the car- getting there, but Lando makes the future look great for fans.

Ferrari kind of split- in hindsight, I'm sure they would have rather had Sainz on hard tires.

Alpine- two top tens, and Ocon is finding good form.

Indycar- the first race was meh. Good timing for thing to happen let Scott McLaughlin a really awesome second behind Dixon- first one two for New Zealand. But the on track racing kinda sucked- not much passing. Second race was much better- O'Ward just got himself a test in Bahrain post season. And there were some great passes in the front. Funny how less than 24 hours later and there were more passes. Still, having just one line in the corners is not fun- while I'm not a fan of Will Power- when he was forced up into the black, it cost him at least 10 places. IMHO, there needs to be more lines available.

[MichVandal]

Sad news from the Unser Clan- Bobby passed https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-unser...160440198.html

[Russell Jaslow]

Lando is looking amazing in the McLaren. Holy cow was he making strong passes. Kinda feel for Ricciardo who just can't get that good of feel for the car- getting there, but Lando makes the future look great for fans.

Lando is undefeated amongst the midfielders.

[MichVandal]

Not much going on here, but today was an epic day, adding a fourth driver to the 4 time Indy 500 winners. Helio raced a masterful 500.

[solovsfett]

Andretti negotiating to buy into Sauber. This is a very stupid move. There are only 4 cars that can win in F1 without mitigating circumstances and of those 4, 2 drivers are favored over their teammates and get the very best equipment.


compounding this comedy of errors is that Andretti plans to move Colton Herts then Kyle Kirkwood to the revamped Sauber.

this will effectively destroy their careers when they’re approaching the peak of their abilities.

fernando Alonso’s a great example. Raikonnen too. No-one will remember they were great because ****ing around in 10th place was the majority of their careers now in F1 on **** teams.

what 18-year old driver idolizes these guys? None.

so Andretti will try, like Prost…to achieve a massive miracle out of nothing.

[MichVandal]

Andretti negotiating to buy into Sauber. This is a very stupid move. There are only 4 cars that can win in F1 without mitigating circumstances and of those 4, 2 drivers are favored over their teammates and get the very best equipment.


compounding this comedy of errors is that Andretti plans to move Colton Herts then Kyle Kirkwood to the revamped Sauber.

this will effectively destroy their careers when they’re approaching the peak of their abilities.

fernando Alonso’s a great example. Raikonnen too. No-one will remember they were great because ****ing around in 10th place was the majority of their careers now in F1 on **** teams.

what 18-year old driver idolizes these guys? None.

so Andretti will try, like Prost…to achieve a massive miracle out of nothing.

This was in the news a few months ago, and combine that with them also being in the running for Force India, it will probably happen.

F1 and Indy has been what you’ve described for decades, so I don’t see it as that much a negative. Haas had a lot of success until the Rich energy debacle, so if mike can be more bold than gene and fire a bad leader quickly, maybe it will go better.

[solovsfett]

This was in the news a few months ago, and combine that with them also being in the running for Force India, it will probably happen.

F1 and Indy has been what you’ve described for decades, so I don’t see it as that much a negative. Haas had a lot of success until the Rich energy debacle, so if mike can be more bold than gene and fire a bad leader quickly, maybe it will go better.

If Andretti could hire say, Ron Dennis to consult or pull all the stops and get Adrian Newey out of retirement he could have a shot at getting 3-4th place but to achieve Mercedes and Red Bull status will take a hell of a lot of money…where would it come from?

[MichVandal]

If Andretti could hire say, Ron Dennis to consult or pull all the stops and get Adrian Newey out of retirement he could have a shot at getting 3-4th place but to achieve Mercedes and Red Bull status will take a hell of a lot of money…where would it come from?

Likely Rossi Sr. Remember, he was the major backer for the Force India thing. That, and the Andretti name carries a LOT of weight, still, in F1. With the new cost caps, at least the new team would not be struggling at the same difference that Haas started out at.

[Jimjamesak]

So, the FIA and race stewards dun goofed and ****ed up the World Championship?

[MichVandal]

So, the FIA and race stewards dun goofed and ****ed up the World Championship?

They certainly changed how the rules would be evenly applied to everyone, that's for sure.

[Drew S.]

So, the FIA and race stewards dun goofed and ****ed up the World Championship?

One of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen in sports. I really feel bad for both drivers. I’m sure a lot of people will look at Verstappen’s title as not legit and that isn’t fair to him.

[Russell Jaslow]

One of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen in sports. I really feel bad for both drivers. I’m sure a lot of people will look at Verstappen’s title as not legit and that isn’t fair to him.

Both drivers got "cheap" points throughout the season (Spa, Silverstone, Saudi Arabia, etc.) It's just that everybody is going to look at the final points situation and say so-and-so is not a legit champion. Bogus.

That race was in Hamilton's hands. They were clearly the best today. So, yes, the result of Abu Dhabi does leave a bit of a sour taste, especially since it decided the championship and it was completely left up to luck.

But there were 739 points before that which both drivers scored that could be analyzed to death depending on which sour taste you want.

Otherwise, it was one hell of a season. One of the best ever. And that's the takeaway I'm going to walk away with.