5 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

Indeed. And doesn't that show that McLaren are completely down the toilet these days.

Or that Pippa is a better driver than Fernando.

3 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

Or that Pippa is a better driver than Fernando.

 

 

Both Pippa, and Danica as an ex driver, look blooming strong as I expect these cars need much strength to drive. 

 

The neck, I gather, was one area that the ladies found challenging to strengthen as their necks are usually narrower and less able to cope with G force etc.

Watched the Indy500 live on US TV (lots of adverts!) and thought the first 185 laps were pretty processional, but enjoyed the dash to the finish.

On 27/05/2019 at 09:54, shyVRS245 said:

Or that Pippa is a better driver than Fernando.

Well, seriously, I think PIppa's "unfair advantage" was having a pit crew that understood Indycar.

4 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Well, seriously, I think PIppa's "unfair advantage" was having a pit crew that understood Indycar.

 

Mclaren did employ a team manager with previous seasons of oval experience, and the engineers and mechanics were recruited from the Indy ranks too.

 

It wasn't like they just rocked up with a crew of oily-handed guys from Woking who'd never been to the USA before .

 

However, not buying someone elses setups and shocks until the night before qually was probably a bit late.

That's one of the few permitted development areas on these cars, and one where they would have been 18 months behind the rest of the field.

Slightly off topic watched the first two races from the new all women W Series from Hockenheim and Zandvoort. Not bad racing but too many safety cars after incidents so limited action during the 30 minute races. Finish at Brands Hatch in August which is race 6.

17 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

Slightly off topic watched the first two races from the new all women W Series from Hockenheim and Zandvoort. Not bad racing but too many safety cars after incidents so limited action during the 30 minute races. Finish at Brands Hatch in August which is race 6.

Sadly, that's the way all forms of motor racing are going these days, due at least in part to the number of drivers who are cheating in Yellow Flag zones.

11 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Sadly, that's the way all forms of motor racing are going these days, due at least in part to the number of drivers who are cheating in Yellow Flag zones.

Most incidents were caused by inexperience aka Max Ver Crashen style over optimism when going for a gap.

20 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

Most incidents were caused by inexperience aka Max Ver Crashen style over optimism when going for a gap.

Which part of "When a yellow flag is waved, slow down and be prepared to stop" (my emphasis) requires actual experience (other than knowing where the marshal points are)?

2020 update. Fernand Alonso, having been turned down by Indy teams up and down the pitlane, has tucked his tail between his legs and signed with.....(drum roll)…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McLaren

Luckily for him its not last years "Amateur Night" McLaren/Carlin outfit.

 

McLaren have since bought in to a proper established IndyCar team  - Schmidt Peterson Motorsport with 20 years experience including poles podiums and wins in the IndyCar series.

 

 

Edited 25 February, 20206 yr by camelspyyder

Don't know if no-bull**** quadraplegic team boss Sam Schmidt will put up with a F1 prima donna for long - but a few weeks ago he was talking like an Alonso fan

 

https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/148112/indy-500-deserves-and-needs-alonso--schmidt

 

I think he can see the worldwide interest and prestige advantages for Indycar, but how will it be having Fernando as "his" driver?

 

 

 

 

Alonso hits the wall in Indy practice. 

34 minutes ago, moley said:

Alonso hits the wall in Indy practice. 

If it's time for the Indy 500 it must be May in this year that keeps giving. Roll on 2021 and some sense of normality.

2 hours ago, moley said:

Alonso hits the wall in Indy practice. 

Video here.  https://racer.com/2020/08/13/alonso-unhurt-in-indy-crash/

One of the gentler Indy Speedway crashes thankfully.

 

Alonso 26th in first Qualifying. 

 

Chevrolet's slow across the board. 

 

Yesterday he could've done with a Honda😀 who took 8 of the top 9 grid slots...

 

Oh... but they told him to go f##k himself, and refused to let any of their teams give him a drive😂

1 minute ago, camelspyyder said:

Alonso 26th in first Qualifying. 

 

Chevrolet's slow across the board. 

 

Yesterday he could've done with a Honda😀 who took 8 of the top 9 grid slots...

 

Oh... but they told him to go f##k himself, and refused to let any of their teams give him a drive😂

Might be connected to all those negative comments made to the press when he was a McLaren driver with a ..............HONDA engine oops.

Even better, the team he had agreed to join (until Honda vetoed it) have all 3 slots on the front row at the moment.😀

Well, at least he's qualified this year. Still chasing the dream of the 'triple crown' by equalling Graham Hill in winning Monaco, Le Mans and the Indy 500. Dream on Fernando 

Andretti on pole. First pole for the family since his grandpa's last one, even though half a dozen of them have tried since.

 

Montoya reportedly eyeing up Le Mans to complete the triple crown also.

Chevrolet closer to being competitive on Sunday on race trim, but Marco Andretti has been fastest in Dad's Dallara Honda on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In 5 days of practice and qually, he's been in P2 P3 P1 P1 P1. Ominously quick.

 

 

Edited 17 August, 20205 yr by camelspyyder

Alonso managed to finish 21st after starting 26th on the grid. Renault reportedly have said that he won't be able to run the Indy 500 while driving for them in F1. 

And Ex-F1 driver Sato won in a Honda ironically.

Good race - really enjoyed it. 

 

Dixon has now 4 times finished 2nd under safety car. As the greatest current Indycar driver it does seem he and his team have a tactical blind spot. They needlessly let Sato pass whilst saving fuel and just couldn't get back to the front.

 

Alonso was nowhere, even though his young teammates were both fast enough to run near the front.

 

 

Edited 24 August, 20205 yr by camelspyyder