Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

[SteveP]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Franchitti and Power on the front row for the Toronto Indy. What could go wrong?

Both drivers said afterwards that they expect it will be a rough and tumble affair ‹ like it always is on the streets around Exhibition Place.

And they would not have it any other way.

"Obviously we all know what this race is about," Power said. "Plenty of crashing and bashing. If we can survive that, we will be in good shape."

It was Franchitti who punted Power aside near the end of in last year's Toronto race, something that Power said he will not put up with this time around.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Missed the middle part of the Indycar race, but the end really sucked.

Very happy that RHR won- I've been a fan of his for many years.

But starting with Newgarden and Pageneau- what in the world were either one thinking? One didn't *need* to make that pass, the other didn't *need* to defend it. Simon really earned that penalty for blocking, and it was too bad that Joe totally didn't stop- he had 3rd in the bag- which would have been huge for both him and Sara Fisher Racing.

Then the re-start. What a mess. Can we stop side by starts street courses already? that was such a mess.

All in all, thankfully that Ryan kept it clean.

F1- ok race. My team just didn't have any pace- both Hamilton and Button struggled all day. Too bad for Ferrari that the rules require soft tires, eh? Although, I was rooting for Kimi to take Masa... Some very good passing all around, and Maldonado kind of made my point that it was his fault a few weeks ago. He should have let Perez have some room, but decided to drive into him. Hope he actually gets a penalty this time- one that matters.

Congrats to Weber for a great drive!

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Missed the middle part of the Indycar race, but the end really sucked.

Very happy that RHR won- I've been a fan of his for many years.

But starting with Newgarden and Pageneau- what in the world were either one thinking? One didn't *need* to make that pass, the other didn't *need* to defend it. Simon really earned that penalty for blocking, and it was too bad that Joe totally didn't stop- he had 3rd in the bag- which would have been huge for both him and Sara Fisher Racing.

Then the re-start. What a mess. Can we stop side by starts street courses already? that was such a mess.

All in all, thankfully that Ryan kept it clean.

F1- ok race. My team just didn't have any pace- both Hamilton and Button struggled all day. Too bad for Ferrari that the rules require soft tires, eh? Although, I was rooting for Kimi to take Masa... Some very good passing all around, and Maldonado kind of made my point that it was his fault a few weeks ago. He should have let Perez have some room, but decided to drive into him. Hope he actually gets a penalty this time- one that matters.

Congrats to Weber for a great drive!

ditto on the congrats to Weber!

re: INDY Toronto - there are about 5 guys at the end there that deserve massive penalties for being stupid. the guy who took out Bourdais, also Pagenaud and Franchitti deserve big fines...I mean what are these guys thinking?

I'm glad Hunter-Reay won and 3 in a row I hope means people start paying attention to this guy, forget Marco and Graham, Ryan Hunter-Reay is the american star in the series...maybe in the future Newgarden can join him, or Hildebrand but for now it's RHR by a wide margin.

and it's great for the series to have the Andretti team back on top. The Penske/Ganassi show gets tiresome

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/arti...alks-calendar-canada-his-future-at-indycar/P2

so there are/were rumors Bernard is leaving after this season?

Indycar will once again disintegrate if he does in fact leave...

this series just can't ever catch a break

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

re: INDY Toronto - there are about 5 guys at the end there that deserve massive penalties for being stupid. the guy who took out Bourdais, also Pagenaud and Franchitti deserve big fines...I mean what are these guys thinking?

Had Kimball not gotten hit by Conway, I would agree that it was crap that he took Bourdais out. But his line was going to leave room until he was hit wide.

Dario- when I saw it, I also thought he needed spanked, but he was pinched into the wall, as well- back out, and you get hit from behind, stay there, and you take another out.

All in all, I think it's clear that the side by side starts on road courses are stupid, more so on a street course.

All started when Simon challenged for a position that he could not actually hold anyway (since he had to pit).

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

I missed both races, I even forgot to DVR them (was out of town), though I DVR'ed the F1 race on a replay.

I agree on RHR, he is everything that many had hoped Rahal and Marco would be, I very much dislike anything with Andretti, but I feel good for RHR.

Power needs to stop screwing up, the last few races he's dome something bone-headed or just had bad luck, he needs to stop that. I'm beginning to think Penske needs to clean house on the drivers and start fresh. Briscoe and Helio just don't have it and Power makes just enough mistakes to screw up the championship.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Webber is confirmed for RBR next year, Hamilton is putting the pressure on McLaren by shopping his services, now to Lotus. I would never count McLaren out over the long haul, switching to an up and coming team like Lotus is very risky. How many up and coming teams have ever really panned out over the long haul? I'd say RBR and that's about it, and their success hasn't been that long of a term either.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Webber is confirmed for RBR next year, Hamilton is putting the pressure on McLaren by shopping his services, now to Lotus. I would never count McLaren out over the long haul, switching to an up and coming team like Lotus is very risky. How many up and coming teams have ever really panned out over the long haul? I'd say RBR and that's about it, and their success hasn't been that long of a term either.

If you were talking Caterham, I would agree about being up and coming.

But the team currently called Lotus has won WDC as both Renault (Alonso twice) and Benneton (Schumi)- so they are far, far from an up and comer- they just have had problems recently. Ones that Ferrari, McLaren, and Stewart/Jaguar have had in the past.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Pastor Maldonado and Kobayashi both receive penalties for their actions in the British GP. Maldonado clearly went wide when he could have taken the apex, subsequently taking Sergio Perez out of the race. Maldonado received a double reprimand and a 10000 Euro fine. Kobayashi provided a scary moment when he over-shot his pit and knocked over members of his crew with his car. That incident could have been catastrophic, as it turned out no one was seriously injured.

Ferrari has come a long way since the beginning of the season. Nice to see Felipe earn some points for the first time in many races. Weber ran a great race and has earned an extension with Red Bull for next year. Vettle has cooled off in the last few races ( not dominating every pole and winning consistently like last year), but I fully expect him to be a contender before the season ends.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

If you were talking Caterham, I would agree about being up and coming.

But the team currently called Lotus has won WDC as both Renault (Alonso twice) and Benneton (Schumi)- so they are far, far from an up and comer- they just have had problems recently.

Good point, I lost the "who was what" with the Lotus name getting tossed around the last few years. I'd still stick with McL if I were him. Benneton was only good when Schumi/Todt/Braun were there, but I give Renault full credit for re-inventing themselves after the triune boys left.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Curt Cavin of Indystar has said the Captain is closely watching one Josef Newgarden!

Indycar is at a precipice right now in terms of drivers and a very real changing of the guard about to occur

Franchitti/Castroneves/Kanaan/Barichello ...it seems likely 2 of 4 if not all 4 are set to retire in the next 3-4 years...this could present a huge opening for the next Kyle Larson's...that is, if the chipster, vasser and the captain have any desire to not just bring in a pay to play driver

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

from Robin Miller

Q: In your last mailbag, you wrote: "The Captain might be looking at a 21-year-old rookie from Tennessee." Opinion, rumor, or fantasy?

Paul Carini

RM: I asked RP if he was interested in Josef and he said, yes they were “keeping an eye on him” so my impression is that bodes well for young Newgarden.

man...I'm not a Penske fan necessarily (cause he doesn't care if the series is just one team winning every race) but for the sake of Indycar gaining new fans I almost hope Penske can buy Newgarden out. W/Hunter-Reay and Newgarden leading the charge there could be a resurgence in ratings (as xenophobic as that makes U.S. sports fans sound...ugh)

Sarah can pick up another young american talent from USAC?

any word on Connor Daly's success over seas?

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

any word on Connor Daly's success over seas?

Connor has 1 win and sits 6th in points in the GP3 series. His teammates are 2nd and 4th in points with a win by one of them. The teammate that is second in points is in his second year and the other one in his first. Overall I would rate his season as good but not great so far. Being behind in points to a second year driver is not a big deal to me, but being down to another rookie teammates is. It seems like Connor is having either a feast or famine season. 4 top 10's, an 11th, and then a 23rd and two retirements.

In other American drivers in Europe News:

Alexander Rossi is 11th in points in Formula Renault 3.5 (about the equivalent of GP2). He has a best finish of 3rd and has 4 top 10's, and two retirements. He's on kind of a crappy team (Caterham) and he is beating out his teammates. Not a great season but not horrible either.

Jake Rosenzweig is 18th in points in Formula Renault 3.5. He has a best finish of 6th and has 4 retirements. I am not sure if the retirements are his fault or the car's. His team (ISR) can be good as his mush more experienced teammate is second in the points. So I am guessing his retirements are not mechanical in nature.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Sarah can pick up another young american talent from USAC?

I sure hope so- she's got to be one of the least lucky owners of all of them- Newgarden getting crashed out a few weeks ago, and I remember a lot of her drivers doing really well, except for some other idiot out there. And who can forget her coming together with Tony at Indy a few years ago- while he was contending, he seemed as much crushed that he took her only car out for the season.

She's one owner who deserves some luck beyond finding talent.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Heck of a day for Ferrari and Alonso- he basically dominated the race. Button had a very strong race, all things considered. Neither of their team mates did anything- after some opening lap problems... oops.

BTW, Vettel's pass on Button- notice how Button forced him wide and off of the track? Do you think that was ok? It was the exact same move Hamilton did on Maldonado in Spain- taking the inside line, and forcing the outside car to either check up or go off track. In this case, Vettel made the pass with all 4 tires off the race track, and was penalized after the race.

Lots of good racing between Sauber and Force India- seemed like every replay was a pair of their cars going at it.

Missed all of the Indy car race- saw that Castroneves won- good for him.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Heck of a day for Ferrari and Alonso- he basically dominated the race. Button had a very strong race, all things considered. Neither of their team mates did anything- after some opening lap problems... oops.

BTW, Vettel's pass on Button- notice how Button forced him wide and off of the track? Do you think that was ok? It was the exact same move Hamilton did on Maldonado in Spain- taking the inside line, and forcing the outside car to either check up or go off track. In this case, Vettel made the pass with all 4 tires off the race track, and was penalized after the race.

I think Alonso again is showing why he is the best driver in F1 right now. He didn't have the best car but still managed to win.

I don't think Button's move and Hamilton's move from a few weeks ago are the same. Watch the replay again. Button at no time forces Vettel off the track. He runs a normal line through the hairpin and Vettel chooses to go way wide off the rack. I think the difference is that Hamilton is very close to Maldanado and it is easy to discern that he getting forced off. While Button appears to run a normal line through the hairpin and Vettel choose to go way wide. Now if Vettel ran a closer line to Button and was forced off by Button for certain then I would agree with you. I am not sure Vettel deserved the penalty but since it is him and I don't like him, I can see why the stewards did so.



Edmonton was a good race. Sato was hard charging at the end but just didn't quite have it. I think that Helio won that race by being able to hang with the front runners at the beginning on the black when they were on the reds. After that it was his race to loose.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

I don't think Button's move and Hamilton's move from a few weeks ago are the same. Watch the replay again. Button at no time forces Vettel off the track. He runs a normal line through the hairpin and Vettel chooses to go way wide off the rack. I think the difference is that Hamilton is very close to Maldanado and it is easy to discern that he getting forced off. While Button appears to run a normal line through the hairpin and Vettel choose to go way wide. Now if Vettel ran a closer line to Button and was forced off by Button for certain then I would agree with you. I am not sure Vettel deserved the penalty but since it is him and I don't like him, I can see why the stewards did so.

6 of one, half dozen of another. Button took and inside line and then ran his car to the edge of the track on exit- allowing no room at all for Vettel to pass him on the line he took, unless he went off. Which is exactly what happened with Hamilton- don't confuse the much smaller corner in Spain- the exact same thing happend. Vettel and Maldonado had no choice but to run wide unless the would hit Button or Hamilton. Maldonado chose to hit Lewis in the next part of the corner, Vettel just made a pass.

Had Maldonado made the pass from off track, he would have gotten the same penalty that Vettel did. Which is what I expect Lewis thought he would do (since he had made that pass off track before, as well).

I just don't see them different what so ever.

And I hope they start enforcing the off track passing in turn one at Spa one of these years. Seems to happen every race start- put grass out there. that's the problem with the paved run off areas- yes, you keep cars running, but you also give the option to actually drive out there, and make time or passes. Bad.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

...........I don't think Button's move and Hamilton's move from a few weeks ago are the same. Watch the replay again. Button at no time forces Vettel off the track. He runs a normal line through the hairpin and Vettel chooses to go way wide off the rack. I think the difference is that Hamilton is very close to Maldanado and it is easy to discern that he getting forced off. While Button appears to run a normal line through the hairpin and Vettel choose to go way wide. Now if Vettel ran a closer line to Button and was forced off by Button for certain then I would agree with you. I am not sure Vettel deserved the penalty but since it is him and I don't like him, I can see why the stewards did so.......

I agree with you, Button did not deliberately change his line to run Vettel off the track. In the post race interview Vettel did not imply that Button forced him off the track. He (Vettel), stayed wide and ran out of track because he admitted he was not entirely by Button and could not pull to his left without touching Button.

Vettel in another matter was shaking his fist at Hamilton for racing the competition while being a lap down. I don't dislike Vettel but at times he acts like a spoiled brat. Hamilton was entitled to race like anyone else on the track in my opinion. He had a competitive car and was a lap down because of a flat tire earlier in the race.

It was a great race and is shaping up to be one of the best seasons in recent memory. Alonso winning his third race is beginning to distance himself from the others in the point standings. Vettel not getting second really hurt him point wise and may turn out to be crucial at the end of the season.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

Congratulations to Lotus for finishing 2, 3 in today's Hungarian GP. Kimi finishing 2nd to winner Hamilton who had a very disappointing race at Hockenheim. What I didn't understand was Kimi not using DRS to try and over take Hamilton. He was within 1 second of Hamilton for the last 10 laps of the race and could have used it if available. I didn't hear the announcers explain anything about it. Did i miss something?

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!

yes, outstanding job by Lotus and I'll give a shout out to Bruno Senna and Williams, strong race for them as well.

I'm not sure why Kimi was not using DRS toward the end