Superspeedway:
(https://minardif1.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhanabi.autoweek.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fgen-738-415%2Fpublic%2F16C_8819-1.jpg%3Fitok%3D0Du9xwVR&hash=85a0b4eeb8969b2bfd5d4ea459cc34f5481add4a)
More here: http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a10351934/the-2018-indycar-looks-stunning/
I like the look and I like the fact that a bigger chunk of downforce will be generated from underneath the car.
Looks a bit more F1 and a bit less Indy, while at the same time definitely maintaining that Indy look.
I prefer the road course aero, which I think gets unveiled and tested next week. Bigger front and rear wings make it look better proportionally.
Road course aero:
(https://s4.postimg.org/iljofa4y5/indycar-2018-aero-road-course-1.jpg)
(https://s4.postimg.org/612o211vh/indycar-2018-aero-road-course-5.jpg)
New bodywork to generate a good chunk less downforce than current version, which is just a tad different from F1's approach....
Some blurb: https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/indycar-road-course-aero-kit-test-937534/
McLaren musing IndyCar entry for 2019: http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a11666363/mclaren-indycar-2019/
Britich chap Jordan King trying his hand at IndyCar (but not the ovals) for 2018: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/42573966
Late last year I noticed some kind souls posting full races on YouTube, if they do the same again I shall be watching the whole season - or at least all of the street courses, I'm not a massive fan of oval racing.
Quote from: Penfold on January 09, 2018, 05:01:00 AM
Britich chap Jordan King trying his hand at IndyCar (but not the ovals) for 2018: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/42573966
Late last year I noticed some kind souls posting full races on YouTube, if they do the same again I shall be watching the whole season - or at least all of the street courses, I'm not a massive fan of oval racing.
We do get the races in Sweden, on the same channel that airs F1. One of few advantages with our current TV setup is that Viasat (our Sky, basically) owns practically all motorsport. DTM airs on Eurosport, I believe Formula E does too, but everything else on 2 or 4 wheels can be found on Viasat.
Sky has the best of the bunch over here - F1, F2, GP2, GP3, NASCAR - whilst BT shows Indycar, European F3, DTM, WRC. F1 on free-to-air for this year (half live races, half extended highlights), and Formula E can also be watched by anyone - but that contract ends this year so good chance there will be zero live motorsport on FTA TV in 2019.
IndyCar posts the full races to YouTube directly. I can?t remember if it?s on the Monday or Tuesday following, or if it?s a full week later.
For oval races, Indy is obviously a must-watch. The old aero made for awful racing at short ovals, but if the new aero solves that problem, which it?s supposed to, then Phoenix, Gateway, and Iowa should all have great shows. That leaves Texas and Pocono. Texas is all over the place. I personally don?t like pack racing in IndyCars, it scares me too much. But they?ve occasionally gone too far in the other direction and the race gets too spread out. Pocono is like Indy, except there are less cars, so it also tends to get too spread out.
Ahh, so it was an official YouTube channel, I clearly wasn't paying attention. Quick search shows last year's races were uploaded 4 days after the event - fortunately avoiding IndyCar results in the UK media is a piece of piss.
Looking forward to getting back into the series, been years since I've really watched it; and yeah, I'll give the ovals a chance to see how the revised aero pans out. Interesting mix of drivers: a few 'old timers' still doing the rounds, a smattering of ex-F1 guys, some young British chaps for me to cheer on for no reason other than being born on the same patch of rock, and the rest....
For my reference, the 2018 Calendar:
Rd. Date Track City
01 March 11 (S) Streets of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, Florida
02 April 7 (O) ISM Raceway Avondale, Arizona
03 April 15 (S) Streets of Long Beach Long Beach, California
04 April 22 (R) Barber Motorsports Park Leeds, Alabama
05 May 12 (R) Indianapolis Road Course Speedway, Indiana
06 May 27 (O) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway, Indiana
07 June 2 (S) Belle Isle Park Detroit, Michigan
08 June 3 As above
09 June 9 (O) Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
10 June 24 (R) Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
11 July 8 (O) Iowa Speedway Newton, Iowa
12 July 15 (S) Exhibition Place Toronto, Ontario
13 July 29 (R) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio
14 Aug 19 (O) Pocono Raceway Long Pond, Pennsylvania
15 Aug 25 (O) Gateway Motorsports Park Madison, Illinois
16 Sep 2 (R) Portland Int. Raceway Portland, Oregon
17 Sep 16 (R) Sonoma Raceway Sonoma, California
IndyCar's windscreen development will get its first track run on Thursday.
(https://s14.postimg.org/jekt3p7rl/indycar-windscreen-2018-4.jpg)
Full story: https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2018/02/03/indycar-alternative-f1-halo-test-thursday/
It should do what Vettel's aeroscreen did - Dizzify the driver. Yes, dizzify.
Different shape to it by all accounts - it's more like the Red Bull aeroscreen. Ferrari did something funky with the shape of theirs to minimize disruption of airflow into the old engine box, I think that's what caused the dizzification.
There are also rumors that Ferrari preferred the halo and therefore didn?t really attempt to make a working windscreen.
Anyway, the first official test for IndyCar started today and most of the teams unveiled their liveries. I don?t think there?s a better looking car in racing right now. Pictures: http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/147218-sonoma-indycar-testing-gallery#!IndyCarSonoma_2018_MarshallPruett_Mon26_2_035
Well, there's the Be On Edge/Buzzin Hornets/Benson & Hedges inspired Jordan livery:
(https://minardif1.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.racer.com%2Fimages%2Figallery%2Fresized%2F14301-14400%2FIndyCarSonoma_2018_MarshallPruett_Mon26_2_032-14386-640-360-80-c.jpg&hash=5f2a0611e3460120246beadeed8360181b4b2712)(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/e7a69de953d4311b12fe9908cbb7b33913439517/c=231-0-2095-1401&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2018/02/05/INGroup/Indianapolis/636534328631806935-Bourdais-Car.jpg)
The odd lurid livery aside, they are great looking motors.
Proper shot of the rather great looking windscreen:
(https://s13.postimg.org/62y9h1oqv/indycar-phoenix-test-2018-6.jpg)
One to appreciate the thickness of this 'glass' (apparently it's four-tenths of an inch thick - about 1cm)
(https://s13.postimg.org/pyu8ws8ev/indycar-phoenix-test-2018-7.jpg)
I can't find decent information about it, but would it be capable of deflecting what they want the halo to handle? If so, this should be implemented by F1 for 2019.
Dixon feedback: Man's too hot, but also got a strangely silent "luxurious" sensation.
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/dixon-cautiously-positive-after-first-indycar-aeroscreen-run-1003353/
So they'll have to fiddle with the driver cooling but apart from that it all looks good. I also can't find info. on windscreen strength - certainly looks substantially thicker than Red Bull's aeroscreen, but then that had a carbon fibre rim at the top for re-inforcement. Actually, one of the FIA's issues with the aeroscreen was that said rim was too close to the driver's helmet.
The article says they use it for fighter jet canopies, so I think it should be fine to handle whatever could hit it. And it does not appear to be that close to his head.
Re: Proximity to helmet - I can see where the FIA was coming from regarding Red Bull's aeroscreen as it does look quite tight to the driver:
(https://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/headlines/2016/4/red-bull-to-debut-canopy-concept-in-sochi/_jcr_content/articleContent/manual_gallery_0/image1.img.1024.medium.jpg/1461914496140.jpg)
Whereas the gap to the IndyCar screen is far more generous, which just means the FIA will have to pick a different reason to reject it in favour of their hideous halo:
(https://s17.postimg.org/7q7fc10cf/indycar-phoenix-test-2018-8.jpg)
https://twitter.com/IndyCar/status/972909306080387072
Penalty or no penalty?
Won't click the link as I'm avoiding anything IndyCar until the race gets stuck up on YouTube.
I'll click the link and, in order to be kind on Penfold and not describe the incident I'll simply say no penalty.
Appreciated. In future I shall steer clear of this thread whilst I'm waiting for a race to be stuck on YouTube.
I'm also going to say no penalty. Optimistic by Rossi, especially with tyres & brakes cooled by running under caution, but still a racing incident for me. If it was in F1 perhaps some points on his licence would be merited, if for nothing else just to stop him saying that it was all Wickens' fault.
Finally got round to watching the last two races - much more familiar with teams & drivers now which is aiding my enjoyment.
Faultless drive by Rossi at Long Beach, really never looked like anyone was going to touch him.
Loved the Barber track, not seen Indy for years so first time I've come across it. Pity about the rain towards end of Monday's race, I was keenly waiting to see how it would all pan out between the one- and two-stoppers. Then once it had rained and most had pitted for wets, I was hoping it would ease off so Bourdais could stay out for the remaining minutes - have a bit of a dice with Newgarden at the end.
Not sure how they uploaded the Barber race, but I assume it included the portion of the race that happened on Sunday. I was at the track all weekend, and watching the start of a true rain race was great. Unfortunately I had to come home on Sunday night, so I missed most of the race. I did watch it on my phone from work though.
I think Newgarden would have ended up winning regardless of the rain, but it probably would have required a fight with Bourdais on older tires.
Oh yeah, the whole race was uploaded in one convenient package. Sunday's portion made for some great viewing on the telly, doesn't compare with being there in person, but highly entertaining seeing guys like Sato moving through the field. Newgarden was so strong in all conditions that I couldn't see anything other than a mechanical issue depriving him of the win; I mean he wasn't far off having a pit-stop sized gap back to Bourdais when the rain started up on Monday. Just really impressive driving from him across the weekend.
Road race at Indy in a couple of weeks. The course may not have the charm of Barber but hopefully we get a good race out of it, and then it's straight into Old Grandfather 500.
The Indy GP track is a little different than when F1 raced it. They have reconfigured the infield corners a bit, and a chicane bypasses oval turn 1. Still not a great track, but not bad.
Much like Tilke's better efforts.
Had in mind that the Indy race was next weekend and so didn't bother to avoid motorsport sites. Quickly realised my error as this headline burrowed into my brain: "Power holds Wickens and Dixon back for Indy road course win". Damn it.
It was a good race with tire strategy. A late caution put everyone back on the same strategy, which required saving fuel, so not much happened at the end.
I shall be certain not to make the same error for the Indy 500.
Mclaren's Zak Brown saying they could run a team in IndyCar and/or the WEC in the "right circumstances"; i.e. F1 budget cap freeing up money and confirmation of proposed changes to WEC cars to bring them more into line with production models: https://www.racefans.net/2018/05/15/mclaren-eyeing-future-indycar-and-wec-lmp1-projects/
So, Hinchcliffe didn't make the cut for the 500... whose seat are they going to give him?
More grunt for IndyCar from 2021: https://www.indycar.com/News/2018/05/05-19-Drivers-love-new-INDYCAR-engine-regulations
Bigger engine for an extra 100 bhp, I do like the sound of that.
It looks like he really will not be in the race. And I think that is exactly how it should be. Nothing announced yet with the final real practice about to start, and all of the potential drivers he could replace clearly said yesterday that he would not be replacing them.
Good to hear. I just figured the team would try and shoehorn him in.
Just slightly behind with these. Watched the Indy 500 (really hoped Wilson would have fuel to make the end) and the first round of Detroit (my God, that's a bumpy course), but still got Detroit no.2 to enjoy and then there's another race this weekend. I'll get caught up at some point.
Detroit 2 was a good race. Missed Texas this week. There are a few weeks before the next race so you have time.
More rumors of Rosenqvist to IndyCar, assuming he leaves Mahindra. Plus a lot of other fun rumors: https://racer.com/2018/06/21/dixon-to-mclaren-the-2019-indycar-silly-season-is-ramping-up/
Dixon to (IndyCar) McLaren... that's an interesting, and somewhat convincing, proposition. Certainly seems a matter of when McLaren announces its 2019 entry rather than if.
Great run by Hunter-Reay in Detroit no.2, really pounded in those fast laps to make use of the fresher rubber he had from three-stopping. Rossi's tyres already seemed knackered with 15 to go, perhaps he should've heeded the advice of his team to "consider the big picture", or words to that effect, rather than defending at all costs. But that's racing drivers for you.
I'll skip Texas and look forward to Road America next week.
https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/new-york-city-friday-notebook/
Even more rumors about Rosenqvist. The article indicates that his future in Formula E is unknown and that he is thought to be close to a full-season deal in IndyCar.
Quote from: Matt on July 13, 2018, 02:13:30 PM
https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/new-york-city-friday-notebook/
Even more rumors about Rosenqvist. The article indicates that his future in Formula E is unknown and that he is thought to be close to a full-season deal in IndyCar.
Shame really. Should be in F1. Kick out the Marcus, bring in the Felix.
Barring such a miraculous (but warmly welcomed) episode of Swedish Swapsies, you've got to agree that IndyCar is a great option for The Cat. Also, I'm really getting back into the series (well, most of it as I still don't get the appeal of oval racing), and I wouldn't mind seeing his name added to the roster.
Speaking of oval racing, Wickens had an awful crash yesterday at Pocono. Still waiting on a more detailed health update, but he's currently having back/spinal surgery. He also has two broken ankles, a broken arm, and a bruised lung, but it's the spinal surgery that is obviously the most concerning.
I was at the IMSA race at VIR when I saw it on Twitter. During the middle of that race, I probably paid more attention to Twitter than to the race.
Terrible. What a catalogue of injuries. Hope the spinal surgery goes/went well.
Horrible crash. It reminds me much too much of what happened to Kenny Brack some 15 years ago. Luckily, he managed to return to racing if only for a final race. Here's hoping Wickens will soon be fit too.
After surgery, the only real update is that the extent of the spinal injuries are unknown. Based on the other injuries and swelling, especially to his lower legs, they probably cannot tell yet if there is anything that will be long-term. No update has noted if he has feeling or movement in his extremities.
Gateway is an oval and you probably would not see this otherwise, so here is a gif of the save of the year: https://twitter.com/indycar/status/1033535122522472449?s=21
Latest Wickens update is that he is breathing on his own and talking to his family, but that still is not the news that everyone is hoping will come.
Great catch by Rossi, I'd love to see it at full speed... and an onboard shot as well. If only I knew roughly what lap it was on so I could jump through the YouTube video.
Some good news about Wickens, but yeah, all waiting to hear how severe his injuries are.
Those Rosenqvist rumours were spot on, the man is off to Ganassi next year: https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/27/formula-e-driver-rosenqvist-joins-ganassi-indycar-team-for-2019/
Full-speed on-board. https://twitter.com/indycar/status/1033533648438480896?s=21
Nice one. 'Twas a great reaction by Al Rossi.
This chap called Fernando Alonso is off to Barber today to test the current aero package: https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/05/alonso-to-test-indycar-at-barber-today/
Phoenix dropped for 2019 after poor attendance, its spot to be filled with a race at COTA: https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/04/2019-indycar-calendar-circuit-of-the-americas-replaces-phoenix-oval/
Takes us down to just five ovals for next year which suits me fine, but what do you think about it?
Suits Rosenqvist better. Genuine contender on non-ovals, but them round ones are going to be unusual for him.
The ovals have been hit-and-miss this season, while the road courses have all been pretty great. I like road courses, but I like the balance IndyCar has too. Five is fine. Richmond is probably coming back next season, which should be a good oval for them. A short track, which is also fine. Not really interested in any more superspeedways.
I'm not a huge fan so I haven't watched that much oval racing over the years, but I do prefer the shorter tracks to the superspeedways. Talking of IndyCar tracks... I see Laguna Seca is back for 2019 in place of cash-strapped Sonoma.
Sonoma is owned by one of the two major race track companies in the U.S., so I?m not sure it is truly cash-strapped. Laguna Seca just would pay more, apparently, and Sonoma did not think two races in the same general region could be successful.
Alonso pleased with Barber test: https://racer.com/2018/09/05/alonso-pleased-with-indycar-barber-test/
Wickens wins ROTY despite missing last four races (including double points at upcoming Sonoma): https://racer.com/2018/09/05/wickens-secures-indycar-rookie-of-the-year-title/
Latest update on Wickens: http://spmindycar.com/2018/09/06/medical-updates-on-robert-wickens/
The spinal injury is still indeterminate. That said, the rest of it seems optimistic, including a focus on rehabilitation and a statement that they will hold the 6 car for him. It seems to me that it is indeterminate because all of his other injuries (the full, massive list is in the link) are preventing them from knowing how much feeling and movement he has everywhere. But I think they would know if he was completely paralyzed by now.
I would've thought so. Perhaps it's now a matter of waiting for any swelling around the spinal cord to subside.
Quote from: Matt on September 06, 2018, 07:55:50 AM
Sonoma is owned by one of the two major race track companies in the U.S., so I'm not sure it is truly cash-strapped. Laguna Seca just would pay more, apparently, and Sonoma did not think two races in the same general region could be successful.
My mistake. I saw that Sonoma had pulled out/not contested with Laguna Seca for financial reasons and promptly leapt to the wrong conclusion; turns out they've just had enough of losing money when hosting races, plus the issue of proximity to Laguna.
Looks like Alonso might be trying out a NASCAR car soon as well: https://www.twitter.com/JimmieJohnson/status/1039876291728564224
Seems to be a seat swap like Montoya/Gordon or Stewart/Hamilton.
Alonso did say he wants to prove himself as the best driver ever, and as he won't take any more F1 titles perhaps he's aiming to be champion in multiple series. So, first up is to win the WEC (quite straightforward in the Toyota), then add one or two IndyCar titles to his CV (should be simple enough!), next move onto NASCAR for a few seasons of inevitable glory, and round it all off with the WRC. Oh yeah, he could also squeeze in a bit of Formula E, the Dakar rally, DTM, Bathurst 1000, Pikes Peak, etc, etc.
Got round to watching the Portland race over the weekend. Dixon a lucky chappy to avoid any serious damage on lap one, to his car or to his title hopes. Tough on Rossi how the cautions played out but nice to see Sato taking a win. Must remember to avoid all things IndyCar until Sonoma race is uploaded next Thursday.
Alonso is always welcome to start a team in Rallycross with Jenson Button. I think the Australian V8, WTCC, and Formula Truck would all like to host him too. ;D
Getting him into Bathurst would be fun. Definitely a ?second tier? prestige race below things like Indy and Le Mans, but nonetheless fairly well-known to racing fans internationally.
Van Door looking around at different options for a race seat, one of which is IndyCar: https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/14/vandoorne-open-to-indycar-switch-for-2019/
He's assuming someone will want to give him a seat....
The amount of defenders he has online is unbelievable. To me, losing to Alonso is one thing. That would be fine. Being absolutely destroyed such that you may as well have never even been on the track is another. Basically never beating Alonso in any qualifying session or race is unacceptable. Alonso has been in bad cars so long that people have let their imaginations turn him into an unbeatable force that he is not?and I say that while believing that Alonso might be the best driver in F1.
I could just about forgive Van Door never beating Alonso in any quali. or race this year if he was at least getting close to him, but the margins by which he's being outpaced are at times hilariously large.
Vanny matched Alonso far better in 2017 than this year. Keeping up or improving is needed, falling behind is not ok.
Best update so far: Wickens working his legs during rehab. https://twitter.com/robertwickens/status/1043220962458644481?s=21
Missed this post.
Obviously we can't tell whether that is under his own steam, or if it's the machine doing most of the running (cycling) at this point, but I shall consider it positive news and hope it's just the first stage towards a full recovery.
Alonso doesn't fancy Formula E (at least, not yet), says he doesn't have the skills for rallying, but the Bathurst 1000 is a possibility: https://www.racefans.net/2018/10/02/alonso-not-considering-formula-e-or-wrc-switch-for-2019/
If he can't win in rallying, he'll never be the world's greatest. Just saying.
Ayrton Senna is the World's greatest so the most Alonso can hope for is second place.
https://racer.com/2018/10/04/ericsson-targeting-carlin-indycar-ride/
Ericsson essentially confirming the rumors that he?s looking at IndyCar.
He'd be the second best Swede. At least in F1, he's the best Swede.
Alonso's not coming. But let's focus on good (great) news: Wickens is beginning to be able to move his legs. https://streamable.com/i78iq
That really is great to see.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYJKb-HmBj/?taken-by=robertwickens
This is the first time that Wickens has really shown everything and described himself as a paraplegic. But, as the last post and the end of this post show, there is still hope that he will be back to walking again.
Swedish media reporting that Ericsson will replace Wickens next season.
Yes. Yes they are. We're likely to get two Swedes in IndyCar then. Spectacular. May just have to start watching it. I hope our F1 broadcaster picks up the rights to IndyCar.
And it hath been confirmeth:
https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/139764/ericsson-secures-indycar-seat-with-schmidt
Ericsson to IndyCar. Decent team even though not a front runner, yes? In theory he should be able to fight for regular top ten finishes, and the occasional visit to the podium. Sort of like the Force India of IndyCar.
Wickens was still 7th in the points after Pocono and like two additional races and finished 11th despite missing four races (double point finale). Hinchcliffe missed Indy (double points) and still finished 10th.
So SPM is not Penske, Ganassi, or Andretti, but they are close.
Yes, so they are, but then again Ericsson enters as a rookie and with absolutely zero experience of any circuit except COTA. Wickens had some experience of American open-wheel racing, obviously only in junior categories, but still. I don't see Ericsson being as strong a rookie as Wickens. Rosenqvist is the one I'm looking out for, he could be the new Wickens in 2019 and should fight for wins on occasion.
https://racer.com/2018/11/30/ericsson-eager-for-first-indycar-test/
Ericsson and Felix living in the same apartment building and everything.
Very cute. I read that in a Swedish newspaper (Marcus' local newspaper for Orebro where he's from). They don't really know each other that well because Marcus climbed the junior ladder 2-3 years before Felix, so they've never raced each other. I hope to see a healthy rivalry develop, but Felix is driving for Ganassi and simply should do better.
https://twitter.com/a_s12/status/1086295927198023681?s=21
The unveiling of the cars for Hinchcliffe and Ericsson. Identical black and gold Arrow cars. They also have Wickens?s #6 on stage, accompanied by Wickens himself, to remind everyone that he still has a car when he can return (more of an if than a when, but we can stay positive about it.)
That's a fairly handsome livery.
Funky. Really looking forward to the new season... only another seven weeks to go.
Ericsson thinks it realistic he can win races in 2019:
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/ericsson-winning-indycar-race-realistic/4327085/
That is a brave statement for a rookie in a team that did not win last year.
For Matty, our resident American, is Ericsson considered a big signing for IndyCar or "just another washed up European who thinks he's somebody"?
SPM won a race last year with Hinchcliffe. And Wickens won St. Petersburg, other than getting wrecked by Rossi.
I think the fanbase is mostly optimistic about Ericsson joining, but there are definitely people saying he was never good in F1 anyway. There are a lot of strategy options in IndyCar and the full-course caution lottery can totally change races, so a win is always possible for any competent driver. But I would not pick Ericsson to win a race this year otherwise.
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/dixon-rosenqvist-this-years-wickens/4336061/
Rosenqvist spoke:
"The Swedish fanbase is really growing high on IndyCar coverage," he confirmed. "When Marcus quit F1 there was a lot of negativity in Sweden in the racing community, and then at the same time I signed with Ganassi, and then two or three weeks later Marcus signed [Schmidt Peterson], and suddenly everyone who was sad then got overexcited. Now everyone has forgotten F1 and they are full-on IndyCar! So yes, it is a good time."
It is true. ish. We haven't forgot about F1, but we're all excited to follow IndyCar this year.
If you?re looking for IndyCar coverage, the best site is probably Racer.com. I know they did a video interview with Ericsson at the COTA test yesterday.
Great link, thanks! I've been relying on Swedish media and word of mouth so far.
After two days of CotA testing.
Combined times (all four sessions):
1. Colton Herta 1:46.6258
2. Alexander Rossi 1:46.8535
3. Will Power 1:47.1044
4. Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:47.1757
5. Simon Pagenaud 1:47.2116
6. Felix Rosenqvist 1:47.2941
7. Graham Rahal 1:47.3662
8. Scott Dixon 1:47.3684
9. James Hinchcliffe 1:47.5379
10. Santino Ferrucci 1:47.5970
11. Josef Newgarden 1:47.6625
12. Helio Castroneves 1:47.6949
13. Takuma Sato 1:47.7183
14. Marcus Ericsson 1:47.7958
15. Jack Harvey 1:47.8892
16. RC Enerson 1:47.9094
17. Marco Andretti 1:47.9993
18. Sebastien Bourdais 1:48.0166
19. Matheus Leist 1:48.1485
20. Zach Veach 1:48.1888
21. Ed Jones 1:48.1955
22. Max Chilton 1:48.3640
23. Spencer Pigot 1:48.3987
24. Tony Kanaan 1:48.5553
25. Kyle Kaiser 1:48.8496
For my reference, the 2019 calendar:
Rd. Date Track City
01 March 10 (S) Streets of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, Florida
02 March 24 (R) Circuit of the Americas Austin, Texas
03 April 7 (R) Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, Alabama
04 April 14 (S) Streets of Long Beach Long Beach, California
05 May 11 (R) Indianapolis Road Course Speedway, Indiana
06 May 26 (O) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway, Indiana
07 June 1 (S) Belle Isle Park Detroit, Michigan
08 June 2 As above
09 June 8 (O) Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
10 June 23 (R) Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
11 July 14 (S) Exhibition Place Toronto, Ontario
12 July 20 (O) Iowa Speedway Newton, Iowa
13 July 28 (R) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio
14 Aug 18 (O) Pocono Raceway Long Pond, Pennsylvania
15 Aug 24 (O) Gateway Motorsports Park Madison, Illinois
16 Sep 1 (R) Portland Int. Raceway Portland, Oregon
17 Sep 22 (R) Laguna Seca Monterey, California
I see the cars will soon be sporting a three-inch piece of titanium in front of their cockpits: https://racer.com/2019/02/19/indycar-moving-forward-with-advanced-frontal-protection-device/
Expected to be replaced with something else for 2020 - presumably the windscreen they tested last year, or a tweaked version thereof.
Sky has snapped up the UK rights to IndyCar. I'm now expecting IndyCar's YouTube channel (with its heavily delayed race replays) to be blocked in the UK... because anything else would be out of character for Sky.
Given the new TV deal with NBC in the US, it is mostly assumed that the race replays will not be on YouTube anymore anyway. NBC has a paid streaming service in the US that includes the replays.
Fair enough. Didn't know about the new NBC deal.
Well, as a Swede I was hoping for Felix in victory lane yesterday and it looked possible for a while before he dropped off.
Altogether, IndyCar feels more amateurish than F1 and it does so in a bad way. The racing wasn't better than F1, perhaps owing to the circuit layout. Very few overtakes, trouble with the camera feeds, absolutely zero information on pit stops and tactics employed. I felt like I was in the dark most of the race. Also, these races are LONG and this one was unusually smooth I suppose with only two cautions. Had it not been for Swedish success, I'd rate this as a rather poor racing series.
Really looking forward to my first oval race though, that will be exciting.
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/rosenqvist-sensational-debut-one-armed/4350907/
Crazy Swede.
There are increasing rumors that Nasr is both focused on moving to IndyCar and that there's team interest in him. He has been great in IMSA, winning the championship last season and winning Sebring last week.
So we might finally get the Ericsson/Nasr grudge match everyone has always wanted.
Really bummed out by the COTA race yesterday. Ericsson was up into P5 before his pit stop, then pitted and the team sends him out into someone's arms. That was no good. Penalised, moved to the very back of the grid. I spoke about this with Matt, I think the penalty itself is absurdly hefty. Bill the team, or add a 5 second penalty to his time, but sent to the very back? Absurd.
Also, Rosenqvist was simply shunted off the track by Hinchcliffe who was not penalised and ended up finishing ahead of Marcus despite suffering a puncture. Smooth.
I'll keep watching this series for the time being, but the first two races have come across as messy and amateurish compared to F1. The production is poor, often missing the battles that are going on around the track.
Finally got round to watching the race. Like you say, Mr/Mrs director seemed to jump around an awful lot between the cars; just pick a fight and stick with it for a few laps, it's not that difficult.
Eric's dad will not be happy about the punishment meted out to his lad. Also, I was not a fan of the decision to allow drivers to ignore track limits.
I say we should just leave a strip of gravel outside the track, some 3 feet/1 meter wide. That will deter you from going wide, but if you accidentally do so you'll hurt your tires without actually coming to a fiery halt. Someone inform Charlie. Oh...
Our go to guy, gone. So now if there's something weird, and it don't look good, who you gonna call?
...Bernie? I'd rather not call Bernie.
Ericsson's take on DRS v. push-to-pass: https://twitter.com/ericsson_marcus/status/1110902107761188864?s=21
This is one of the few times I can remember Ericsson saying anything interesting on Twitter. He also roasted a troll. Fits in well with his team telling him on Sunday that O'Ward, who was behind him, was "an aggressive driver," and Ericsson responding "so am I."
Ericsson is coming alive. I think he was restricted in F1, and he enjoys being able to act out a bit more.
No Alonso this year. But Ericsson was the highest qualifier from his team.
Indeed he was. Ericsson impressing on his first ever drive at an oval ever. Felix has some experience from Indy Lights, Marcus has absolutely zero. P13 is great, we'll see how quickly he learns how to actually race at the oval too.
Shame to lose Alonso, but it is what it is. McLaren simply came underprepared and it showed.
McLaren underperforming... well I never.
Sarcasm in text is hard to read, but I think I can detect it in your post.
In other IndyCar news, my two Swedes are properly getting up to speed now. In practice yesterday, Felix broke into the top 10 after slowly regaining his confidence following a crash last week. Ericsson still in the low teens, which is where he'll start in the race too.
Ghostbusters!
Well, after the first race in IndyCar who would have guessed that Ericsson would score a podium before Rosenqvist? The second Detroit race was messy (something like 15 drivers finished on the lead lap?), but Ericsson came through for P2. At one point, before Hinch retired, Ericsson was rapidly catching Dixon and could maybe have made a move for P1. After the two cautions (one caused by a team mate, one by his compatriot and neighbour), he kept P2 safe. Very happy with that, and glad to see that he has found his way back so quickly after a few weekends with unnecessary driver mistakes.
Some new McLaren rumblings doing the rounds. They're chatting to potential partners about a two-car entry for 2020, with SPM the current front-runner (though Honda engine could be an issue); McLaren also said to be eyeing up young Mr. Colton Herta to be part of this 'new' team: https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2019/07/29/sources-mclaren-colton-pursuing-herta-partnership-indycar-team/1849736001/
Herta and Hinch? Herta and Nasr? This is possibly very bad news for Ericsson.
It does sound like he'll need to find a new home.
In other IndyCar news: The introduction of more powerful engines slated for 2021 has been pushed back a year so that a hybrid system can be incorporated. Total output of these new units is expected to top 900bhp, so a sizeable jump from the current generation's 700bhp. IndyCar will also be introducing a new chassis in '22, and has its fingers crossed that a third engine manufacturer will join the fray.
Click here to re-read this info. in a more verbose format: https://www.racefans.net/2019/08/01/indycar-plans-power-increase-to-900bhp-by-introducing-hybrids-in-2022/
Quote from: Chrill on August 01, 2019, 06:57:34 PM
Herta and Hinch? Herta and Nasr? This is possibly very bad news for Ericsson.
The expectation would be that McLaren would partner with SPM with a new car, so the McLaren deal wouldn't have a direct effect on Ericsson. But SPM is also interested in Nasr and Herta independently of McLaren. If it's just SPM, I think Herta stays where he is, assuming that team can find enough funding to continue. Nasr is also testing for Rebellion, and he could run the full IMSA and WEC seasons without conflict, so that might be more attractive than IndyCar alone.
Ericsson has also apparently been talking to other teams because he has funding, even though it's not on his car anywhere. So there's a good chance he sticks around even if it's not with SPM.
As for the Honda connection, Michael Andretti pretty much said the only reason they don't have a partnership with McLaren for next season is because Honda wouldn't do it. They even had negotiations about switching to Chevy, as late as Saturday morning before they signed and announced the Honda extension. So it's not really clear how SPM could clear a roadblock that Andretti couldn't.
McLaren confirms that it will enter full-time in 2020, essentially taking over SPM and changing to Chevy. Hinch and Ericsson are both out. No announcements on who is in, but the rumors include: O'Ward, Latifi, Nasr, Dixon, Alonso.
What about Hinch? He's sponsored by Honda Canada, so he'll be going to a Honda team, which means most likely Rahal or Coyne. Wasn't Herta rumored to McLaren? Yes, but apparently an announcement is imminent that he will be in a fifth Andretti car. And Ericsson? No idea. He has said he wants to say, but my Swedish sources say he is talking to Formula E teams as well. What about Shank and Jack Harvey, a Honda team partnered with SPM? Probably moving the affiliation to Rahal and going full-time.
Who else is in play this silly season? Ferrucci isn't confirmed at Coyne, but is expected to stay in IndyCar. Both Carlin cars are unconfirmed. Harding-Steinbrenner is going to lose Herta and it's unclear if the team will still exist. Conor Daly is looking for something full-time. Oliver Askew is going to win the Indy Lights title and will have to get at least 4 races. Rinus Vee Kay has also been good in the ladder series and just tested for Carpenter. Speaking of Carpenter, neither Pigot nor Jones are confirmed for next season, and I think Jones in particular is at risk. DragonSpeed announced they're going full-time with Hanley, but running another race this season has been plagued by visa problems. Both Foyt cars are unconfirmed, with Leist apparently out for sure and Helio rumored for a seat.
It was looking like a boring offseason after Rossi re-signed, but nope.
Cheers for that. Interesting to get some info. on whose positions are under threat for next year.
Hinch tweet basically says he'll be driving for Arrow McLaren in 2020: https://twitter.com/Hinchtown/status/1159854095399890945
That's how I read it as well.
RIP to Pocono's spot on IndyCar's schedule. It was looking like it was finished even before the field got Satoed yesterday, which probably cemented it.
That said, if you outline the wreck history at superspeedways, it becomes much harder to argue that Pocono is more dangerous than the others. From memory, these are the wrecks that have involved injuries, cars hitting the fence, or cars getting airborne since the introduction of the DW12 chassis:
Hinchcliffe (Indy)
Bourdais (Indy)
Dixon (Indy)
Conway (Indy 2012, although he had a worse wreck in the old chassis in 2010)
All of the airborne Indy practice wrecks in 2015 (Helio, Newgarden, Carpenter, others?)
All of the airborne Indy practice wrecks this season (Kaiser, Pato, Hinch)
Aleshin (Fontana)
Briscoe (Fontana)
Newgarden (Texas)
Wickens (Pocono)
Sato/Rosenqvist (Pocono)
Kimball (Pocono)
The fact is, if you send two wrecked cars careening into the middle of a corner with the entire pack coming through on lap one at any of these tracks, you're lucky to even get out with the result they had yesterday.
Delighted to have Felix win the Rookie of the Year title. Last Swede to win it? Kenny Bräck! Before him, Stefan Johansson (of Ferrari F1 fame) also won the Rookie title back in 1992.
Herta won two races this year, but clearly lacked the consistency to score high enough points to beat Felix.
It's funny, I shall always associate Stefan Johansson with the mighty Footwork Arrows because Geoff Crammond's first F1 game used the '91 season for team & driver details. Anyway, good work by Felix this year.
He's also Rosenqvist's agent. And Dixon's.
The word on the Swedish streets is that Chip Ganassi are looking at dropping their team in IMSA for additional cars at IndyCar. I don't even know if there is a limit to how many cars a team can run, but it would potentially open up two cars run in affiliation with Chip Ganassi. Ericsson, here's looking at you! ;D
Never doubt the word on the Swedish streets: Ganassi will run three cars next year, Marcus Ericsson joining Dixon & Rosenqvist at the team. Link thingy: https://www.racefans.net/2019/10/08/ericsson-joins-expanded-three-car-ganassi-team-for-2020/
Very good, indeed. The Swedish word for street is "Gata", which is strange since most of our words originate in old German. The German word for street is "Strasse". That's not similar to gata, even a little bit.
Zak Brown seems to confirm that Hinchcliffe is remaining with McLaren for 2020, and rumours put Askew in the other car. Zak is also open to a third car at Indy, perhaps Alonso?
https://racer.com/2019/10/12/mclaren-closing-in-on-2020-indycar-line-up/
Red Bull has severed ties with Pato O'Ward, and no sooner has the Mexican hit the market than he's being linked with McLaren's IndyCar adventure: https://racer.com/2019/10/18/oward-splits-with-red-bull-and-enters-the-mclaren-indycar-frame/
McLaren going with O'Ward and Askew for 2020: https://www.racefans.net/2019/10/30/oward-and-askew-get-mclaren-indycar-drives/
It's a shame with what happened to Hinch, but I do get the feeling McLaren really wanted him but could not get Honda to approve. It's sad to see how inflammatory some of the comments are toward the team, when in fact their driver pairing is super exciting.
Ericsson's 2020 ride. Sponsored by McLaren's F1 sponsor, Huski!
(https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/83109552_2564224043813121_1052332464296427520_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ohc=B9L8NQYjgKUAX-LTyuA&_nc_ht=scontent-arn2-1.xx&oh=4840a05d4b93cf2619239765790197a5&oe=5EA7695A)
Ferrari pondering a move into IndyCar: https://www.racefans.net/2020/05/14/ferrari-indycar/
Does this mean running a team, or them supplying engines and/or chassis?
No one knows. An engine might make the most sense given that the reasoning for entering IndyCar is to keep everyone employed following the budget cap. It would be hard to run an IndyCar team from Italy.
Making a prototype seems more likely for that reason. They can find things for every former F1 employee to do when making a prototype--aerodynamics, engine, electronics, everything.
It'd be a bit sneaky building their own chassis and just sort of steal the contract from Dallara. ;D
IndyCar, a Ferrari-spec series from 2024. Ferrari engines, Ferrari chassis, Ferrari gearboxes.
Staying up for that all night hurt.
At those speeds, and with slow cars in front of you, you have virtually no time to make your decisions. Felix thought Hinchcliffe wouldn't be caught so fast, so he went around on the outside. Hinch, with old tyres, drifted outward. Felix lost it. Bummer.
Still, in 2019 Felix lacked pace on ovals. Here, he was by far the second fastest. Perhaps as fast as Dixon, we never got to see both of them run in clean air together.
Ericsson retired with a fuel related issue during the Felix caution. Bad day for Sweden.
We were talking at the time, obviously, but if you watch Felix's on-board, it seems like he did back off to be patient and pass Hinch after the corner, but when he did, Marco blew past him on the outside. Then Felix tried to go the outside too and... well...
Yeah. Ah well, the key takeaway is that one of Felix's major weaknesses in 2019 clearly wasn't one at this race. If he can maintain that, he'll be a regular contender for wins this season. It's just a shame losing those points, a shortened season may just mean he won't have time to catch up in the standings this year.
https://www.racefans.net/2021/02/03/grosjean-to-make-racing-return-in-indycar-with-coyne/
Romain Grosjean will do the 13 road courses this season but will not contest the ovals in IndyCar.
Happy to see him back with Ericsson. I hope Ericsson will hit him.
;D
Also glad to see him back racing
With Ericsson having two wins and a P2 in the last five races, he's almost hauled himself into a position to battle for the championship. Yes, Palou Dixon and O'Ward need to be rather unlucky, but having a Swede even remotely in the running is rather exciting. If he can keep this up into next year, I'll be excited.
Someone check Chrill's blood pressure.
220/150 but that's ok.