It's been a while since I've posted a blog entry and have a lot to catch up on. This whole school thing has kind of been cramping my style, especially with a lot on my plate here.
First, it's one week until the respective season openers for Formula 1 and IndyCar apiece. My brethren in the IndyCar press have lamented the lack of American drivers - Graham Rahal in all likelihood will not be at the first race - while the latest wave of European and South American ride-buyers glide in on their golden wallets.
It's all something of a pointless exhibition, really. The question is not whether Penske or Ganassi will win, it's just which one of their five drivers will. The rest are there to pay for limited exposure in an overvalued product and battle for "best of the rest" status.
I don't need to elaborate on what the Millers, Kirbys, and Oreos of the world have all said, except that IndyCar holds so little interest to me nowadays and remains a far cry from the CART days. The most entertaining parts of the off-season have really been Paul Tracy's tweets (@paultracy3) saying as much. So sad.
F1 is another circus entirely and for Americans, will have suffered a serious setback thanks to the whole USF1 saga. Announced in February 2009, the project was woefully slow and rumors of funding issues plagued the team basically all year until they announced it was over a couple weeks ago. It leaves a serious amount of egg in the face of Americans hoping to get over there.
Otherwise there are the usual politics, combined with the new teams, points system adjustment, refueling ban, tire rules, elimination of KERS. All but three teams start with at least one new driver in their lineup. It should, as usual, be a fascinating year.
So, predictions. I don't know how much of either series I'll be watching this year, but will still make these for the heck of it.
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IndyCar: Penske returns to the top after a three-year hiatus, Ryan Briscoe takes his first title and the year's Indianapolis 500. Dixon a close second with Will Power showcasing his talents in a full season. Dario and Helio falter a bit. Tony Kanaan gets at least one win but doesn't challenge for the championship.
Danica once again does not win, and gets her clocks cleaned by her female counterpart Simona de Silvestro on the road and street courses. There will be at least one "towel-esque fight" between Danica and either Simona, Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher or Ana Beatriz. PT will incite controversy in the races KK is actually smart enough to give him a chance.
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F1: McLaren returns to the top even despite lack of works Mercedes support. Lewis for the title, Vettel a close second for Red Bull. Massa returns stronger than ever for Ferrari and upon giving Alonso headaches, the Spaniard will go nuclear on the Prancing Horse and promptly quit the sport (okay that might be a bit of a stretch, but think of the possibilities thereafter - Vettel to Ferrari and Kimi returns for Red Bull!).
Mercedes GP wins a couple races with Schumacher and Rosberg but isn't the contender it was last year largely because they had to focus on winning last year's title and car development more than 2010. Defending champion Jenson Button will win once or twice but otherwise pale in comparison to Hamilton. Williams for a podium or two, Force India could surprise, Renault will struggle. The new teams will be largely anonymous but I could see Lotus's package coming together as the season progresses. Driver changes in season will include the debuts of Paul di Resta (Force India tester), and Bertrand Baguette at Renault when Petrov's checks bounce.
Check back in October/November to see how far off the mark those all are.
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A word on the final and unfortunate demise of the Atlantic Championship. Like my editor at motorsport.com, I grew a strong attachment to this series from a young age as I could relate most to these drivers, and I had the chance to interview so many of them between 2006-2009 (off the cuff, Hinch, Carrio, Skerlong, Bomarito, Edwards, Summerton, Simona, etc.) It was always one of my highlights to attend Atlantic races, especially with the people involved in the series - Vicki, Nate, Polly, Anne Roy, Phil and all the rest.
One of my best friends in racing, the recently married Aislinn Willander (nee Miller) dedicated herself to a series she could have fun with in shifting to Newman Wachs Racing PR after leaving HVM Racing in IndyCar. I loved the opportunities to hang out with her, her family and the whole NWR team in 2008 and '09.
Its history was so rich, but it was always on a road to nowhere after open-wheel "unification" as the red-headed and orphaned stepchild from Champ Car. IndyCar never picked it up to sanction and by design left it out of its "Road to Indy" program.
I was always more of a CART/Champ Car guy, and as a young reporter who would have been with the series full-time in 2008, the Atlantics were my one remaining link to the era. So, thank you, Atlantic, for what you gave me both personally and professionally.
After this week of school, I'll be in Sebring for the ALMS season opener, and will likely be updating the blog much more frequently. My primary tasks will include updating Michelin's trackside blog and also doing interviews. More on that as it develops.
Out for now, cheers.
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