Around this time two years ago, Haas Formula One driver Romain Grosjean was preparing for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Within moments of the race start, he had crashed and crashed hard. But just as it seemed as if it was all about to end, America called.
Category: Various
“Notes: Very, Very Lost in Monza”
Getting lost in an unfamiliar park following a day at the races is far from ideal, especially when evening shadows collide with lingering darkness. In theory, navigating one’s way out of Monza should not be unfeasible and yet, it was a feat managed with indelicate ease. It did not take long to become very, very lost.
“Colton Herta, Red Bull and the Re-Invention of Super Licence Qualifiers”
In the unlikely event Colton Herta earns a Super Licence dispensation from the FIA, it would prove an interesting workaround for an unintended consequence. It may even force a badly needed re-evaluation or even dissolution of the entire Super Licence Points System, although without some humility, that change is unlikely. While it may have had … Continue reading “Colton Herta, Red Bull and the Re-Invention of Super Licence Qualifiers”
“Daniel Ricciardo, Tangled Webs, and the McLaren Conundrum”
A heady mix of a highly regarded and expensive, yet struggling driver, alongside the availability of a cache of youthful exuberance may be about to give McLaren a headache – albeit a good one, on the surface. But are the options available as refined or as speedy as the incumbent? “We ultimately just weren’t quick … Continue reading “Daniel Ricciardo, Tangled Webs, and the McLaren Conundrum”
“The Joy and Realities of Crohn’s Disease, Amidst Thoughts for Jonny Edgar”
Become a Patron! When news broke that Red Bull junior driver Jonny Edgar was being forced to sacrifice his Formula 3 campaign with Trident due to his worsening Crohn’s disease, a very real pang of sympathy came across me. And I should know all about it. It’s been here with me for over thirty years. … Continue reading “The Joy and Realities of Crohn’s Disease, Amidst Thoughts for Jonny Edgar”
“The Filth and The Fury: Thoughts on Desert Finale from Afar”
The conclusion of Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix left a sour taste in the mouths of many Formula One fans – particularly those who follow Mercedes. But it really did not have to be this way. From a very distant London, there was a very real sense of bewilderment as the chequered flag dropped at … Continue reading “The Filth and The Fury: Thoughts on Desert Finale from Afar”
“Dignified Online? Oh, Come Now, we are Not Children”
The tight battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for the 2021 Formula One World Championship is growing in intensity and with it, the heat builds among rivals. But the animosity between the fanbase overshadows even the rivalry. There is little doubt that the promoters of Formula One, Liberty Media, are rubbing their hands with … Continue reading “Dignified Online? Oh, Come Now, we are Not Children”
“Rich Men Dine on Cognac, While Children Die. But This is Not War”
It only takes one minor slip to end it all, after which silence caresses and thoughtful mourning begins. Again and again and again. One of the common tropes that always crops up when those in racing are killed or suffer injury is the same old mantra of "motor racing is dangerous, it says so on … Continue reading “Rich Men Dine on Cognac, While Children Die. But This is Not War”
“Discussion: Should motorsport become part of the Olympics?”
No. Next. (But if it had to, I would argue that karting should lead the way. Anyway...) Next.
“Conor Daly: The best part about Indycar right now is that we put on a great show.”
Conor Daly has spent much of his Indycar career securing temporary drives and moving from team-to-team where needs met. World in Motorsport spoke with Daly during a fast-paced season that saw him switch back-and-forth between two squads, secure his first Indycar pole and several top ten’s in his first full season in the sport since … Continue reading “Conor Daly: The best part about Indycar right now is that we put on a great show.”
“Motorsport Diaries, Ep 14 – Super Formula notes from Sportland SUGO”
My thoughts and notes on the 3rd round of the 2020 Super Formula season from SUGO. Also some spiel about returning and departing drivers ahead of next month's 4th round at Autopolis.
“Super Formula: Tsukakoshi to replaces Calderón for Okayama”
Super Formula veteran Koudai Tsukakoshi is to replace Tatiana Calderón at Drago Racing for this weekend’s Super Formula round at Okayama. With only four days until drivers are required to sign-on at Okayama, Calderón will not have time to sufficiently quarantine in order to take part in the event, allowing Tsukakoshi to claim his 82nd start in the series.
“Motorsport Diaries: Episode 11 – Super Formula Returns”
Following a ten-month break, Japan’s Super Formula finally returned in the early hours of Sunday morning. The race at Motegi was not a thriller than desired, but that was not the important story. That it was back, was.
“WRC: Four or Five Events Possible – Matton”
The FIA’s Rally Director, Yves Matton, believes four-to-five more events will be necessary to validate the World Rally Championship this season. Yet as the year reaches its halfway point, the task of finding replacement rallies is becoming a trying task, as he tells World in Motorsport. “It’s not like in racing. We are not able … Continue reading “WRC: Four or Five Events Possible – Matton”
“Super Formula: Provisional Calendar Revealed” (*Updated*)
The Japanese Super Formula Championship has revealed a reconfigured calendar for the 2020 season. The rejigged schedule will see all seven rounds crammed into the final four months of the year. Following many questions and numerous delays, a new provisional calendar for the 2020 Super Formula season has been released. The provision schedule is as … Continue reading “Super Formula: Provisional Calendar Revealed” (*Updated*)
“WRC: Rallying Needs to Act, Not React If It Wants to Survive – Adamo”
For Hyundai’s WRC team boss Andrea Adamo, the pandemic is yet another sign that a new way of thinking is needed if motorsport is to survive. “If we don’t react now, or if we don’t act now, we will find a problem.” Andrea Adamo is not a man known for pulling punches. The Italian has … Continue reading “WRC: Rallying Needs to Act, Not React If It Wants to Survive – Adamo”
“WRC: Safari Rally return pushed back to 2021”
The retuning Safari Rally has been pushed back to 2021, it was confirmed today, as the Coronavirus pandemic claimed another victim. Scheduled for mid-July, this was due to be the event’s first appearance on the WRC calendar since 2002, where the late-Colin McRae took his final win. However, as countries were forced into lockdown and … Continue reading “WRC: Safari Rally return pushed back to 2021”
“WRC: ‘It’s almost at the point where we say ‘bin the season’’ – Colin Clark”
One of the WRC’s leading commentator’s, Colin Clark, believes that it may be time for the FIA to cancel the rest of the season in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
“Waiting for the Rain Dance”
Conditions at the DTM finale at Hockenheimring we’re hardly the most representative of early October in the region. Previous visits to the season ending event tended to be on the dryer side in recent years, flicking between late Autumn wind and warmth to early Winter grey and cool. For the regulars, the wet weather was … Continue reading “Waiting for the Rain Dance”
“F1: Bad Strategies Found Fumbling in the Dark”
Sunday morning’s Japanese Grand Prix opened the door to another series of “what ifs” in what has been a topsy-turvy second half to the 2019 season. The only guarantee was that Mercedes is still very much the dominant force at the top-level of motorsport. What if Sebastian Vettel had not botched the start, thereby not … Continue reading “F1: Bad Strategies Found Fumbling in the Dark”