IndyCar

[Penfold]

Much like Tilke's better efforts.

[Penfold]

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.

[Matt]

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.

[Penfold]

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/

[Penfold]

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.

[Matt]

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.

[Penfold]

Good to hear.  I just figured the team would try and shoehorn him in.

[Penfold]

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.

[Matt]

Detroit 2 was a good race. Missed Texas this week. There are a few weeks before the next race so you have time.

[Matt]

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/

[Penfold]

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.

[Matt]

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.

[Chrill]

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.

[Penfold]

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.

[Matt]

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.