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

Apparently today is an open test at Indy and it’s streaming on Peacock. That’s all I got.

 

Got back from the golf course just in time for the full field practice. Will be interested to see if they get racy in packs to test whatever new downforce they've been given.

 

Yes. Yes, it is.

Pro tip to fans: Throwing the carcass-filled chicken bucket at some driver going down the backstretch is not picking up after oneself.

I'm not saying that not releasing the balloons won't help the environment and that I'm not in favor of doing such. You're heard, Driftwood. But look at all the other hand-wringing and pearl-clutching and know that releasing balloons is about item No. 56 on a 50-item list given the context.

 

What is it with racetracks putting down chemical substances in an effort to improve grip, only to have it backfire spectacularly?

None other than four-time winner and defending champion Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Alexander Rossi lose control coming up to speed on the pit exit lane during yesterday's test, with Power collecting Colton Herta. That's nearly 40 years of Indy 500 experience -- and the weather was overcast and cool but not that much of a factor.

The culprit appears to be a sealant the Speedway has used twice in the past, according to this Indy Star story.

IMS president Doug Boles explains believed cause behind three warmup lane spins during Indy 500 testing (msn.com)

 

Sam, you aren't wrong, but they are different issues and different problems. Hopefully, in 2022, all the used tires are recycled or disposed of properly and not thrown into rivers like days gone by. The exhaust is a beast unto itself.
The balloon issue is an easy fix. If you don't release them, they can't indiscriminately come down where wildlife will try to eat them.

 

Never though the only interesting thing about an F1 race at Imola would be whether Hamilton can get into the top 13.

Oh, well. Maybe it will rain again.

 

That Mercedes car is such shit. Saw an interesting theory on Twitter that Russell is handling it OK because he's used to driving shit cars. Ha.

To your greater point, the only interesting thing was the Leclerc hiccup that allowed Lando to get to the podium.

 

That race badly needed some late rain.

And oof, Ferrari. What a failure of a weekend in their own back yard.

 

Y’all bitching about the race must not be Alfa fans.

 

Boring race. No overtaking at all, no pit strategy drama. Oof.

 

Imola's just a shit track. They had to neuter it after 1994 and for good reason but it's a shell of itself. I don't know why it was put on the schedule permanently after the pandemic other than to placate the tifosi or give the teams an easy trip early in the season.