All-purpose open-wheel (F1, IRL) racing thread

Interest waning already? I found yesterday’s race very entertaining and yet again Hamilton shows why he is the greatest driver to ever live.

 

Unbelievable that he was able to rally for a podium.

It was a pretty wild race, but more importantly, the field looks really competitive right now. Ferrari looks much better than last year, McLaren looks strong.

I was disappointed Checo drove like shit yesterday. Outqualifying Max was a big deal, I thought, but he wasn’t able to follow it up.

 

This is shaping up to be a great season. I just want Lewis to have a challenge. I want there to be some mystery on a Sunday morning.

Red Bull having two competent drivers should make a world of difference, although yesterday certainly wasn't Checo's brightest moment.

 

Thought it was a terrific race, that Bottas/Russell incident is one that could have been really ugly and might be an interesting little subplot this season with Russell looking to take that spot next season. (Bottas was struggling to stay ahead of a Williams while Hamilton plowed through the field to finish second.) Another good weekend from McLaren and Ferrari, terrific race by Norris.

 

This seems reckless.

 

Did Indy actually (accidentally) put their seating capacity on the record?

 

That is a very good point.

 

Is 135,000 more than the combined total of the last five Brickyard 400s?

 

135,000 is 40 percent of 337,500. That's way more than I would have assumed they'd approve and really great for Indianapolis. It'll look a bit like the Tuesday crowd at the 1997 race (we drove all night to get back to Rocky Mount on Tuesday morning so Gwen could teach, after getting poured on on Sunday and then giving it one last try on Monday).

Didn't Curt Cavin get volunteers to count something in the neighborhood of 260,000 permanent seats at one time?