I guess that depends on how you define that triple .Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyL
I get your point , but the WDC , the CART Indy 505 , and the second at LeMans is at least a bucket of balls closer to the long drive .
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I guess that depends on how you define that triple .Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyL
I get your point , but the WDC , the CART Indy 505 , and the second at LeMans is at least a bucket of balls closer to the long drive .
The Triple Crown of Motorsport is winning:
the Indy 500
the Monaco Grand Prix
the 24 Hours of Le Mans
JPM is the only active driver that has won 2 of the 3
No need to discuss this topic any more then .
Although I'm not a fan of his, I have to admit that he's one of the most talented and gritty drivers of this era. He also seems to have the absolute worst sense of timing of any driver of this era. Since leaving Renault the first time, he's tended to wind up at the wrong place at the wrong time or the right place at the wrong time. With his luck, it wouldn't surprise me if Monaco is a weather related toss up, with Button getting on the podium, while Alonso's Honda blows up on the last lap while he's in the lead at Indy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Owain
Again, not a fan. But I like to see great drivers go out with some dignity. So I'd like to see him in a competitive McLaren next year, or maybe a return to Renault and a steady collection of points.
Is it too late for Fred to join Le Mans this year?
It looks like he will be doing a test drive at Indy tomorrow.
Yes, and it's being broadcast at racecontrol.indycar.com (or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXh9uxthFnk)
So what do you guys make of yesterday's test?
I think it was a smooth first outing.
Consistently in the 221 to 222 MPH.
Andretti racing definitely liked the additional data gathered today.
Would have been nice if he could have done at least one oval race before the 500 to get used to other cars, drafting and turbulence following others.
I love Indy Car, and super happy about all the additional attention.
Montoya and Alonso dueling it out for the win would be pretty amazing.
Was great watching him go out and do his first laps. He was on the pace immediately. I honestly think he can win Indy 500. He is one of the best of all time so really there is nothing stopping him except inexperience on oval circuits. Whether or not experience will be enough to deny him his first win or not, we'll see in time. It'll be the first time I have watched Indy 500 in years, looking forward to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_swiss
Alonso will get experience with other cars during all the days of practice although there is nothing exactly like racing. In the last days of practice, there can be upwards of 30 cars on the track at one time. He said the car was practically driving itself but, no doubt, the wings were tilted for major downforce. Things will be much tougher when the car is fully trimmed out for qualifying day. He's a great driver so I'm sure he can handle that.
Yes, it brings much needed interest to what otherwise would be just another dull spec IRL Indy 500. I realize that this dead horse has long rotted away, but I'd still like to see real innovation at the 500 again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Reid
Thats what they say. But it kind of is a lower bar by todays standard. To my mind, the triple should be winning one F1 driver championship [including Monaco], winning the Indy 500 and winning the Le Mans 24 hours in the premier category in first position l might add.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
But that is a tall order, and puts the possibility of a triple outside the reach of other drivers that may not win the F1 WDC but can win Monaco and the other two. Kind of like Hulkenburg who is on his way there.
Why include the F1 drivers championship but not the Indycar championship or the WEC championship?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
I don't think it's a low bar at all. (Did you mean that as a slight to JPM? ;) ) The fact that no-one's done it for 45 years suggests it's no cakewalk.
It is no cakewalk, hence why l sort of changed my mind mid-post. Doing it at championship level is a new ball game. It would be great to see if anyone can do that.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyL
What it really comes down to is that these are three iconic races, and importantly with very long traditions. Look at the list of drivers that have two legs:
Tazio Nuvolari
Maurice Trintignant
A.J.Foyt
Bruce McLaren
Jochen Rindt
JPM
Of these guys only Foyt, and JPM have won the Indy 500.
How about the guys that aren't on the list:
Schumacher
Mansell
Prost
Senna
Stewart
Clark
Fangio
and more.
My point is the first list is not a list of better drivers than the one that followed. It is simply three races, that depending on your orientation you competed in the three, and maybe had a little luck (financial backing) along the way. Just for an illustration Maurice Trintignant competed in F1 from 1950-1964 he had two race wins, both at Monaco
And, I believe Rindt was the only other to even give Indy a try.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Tazio had a DNQ in 1938, but I don't know the circumstances. Any info would be appreciatedQuote:
Originally Posted by Stan Reid
It was great to see Alonso finally hoist that pig up some in Spain, but I'm sure driving at Indy was already on his mind. It will be interesting to see how he does in such a different type of car, and how he handles pace and traffic.
Quali dawgzzz! Alright McFred at p3 about half-way through the session!
Third fastest after his qually run. It may not hold till the end though.
Oh man Bourdais just came unglued at about 232mph. I hope he is ok!
Yeah, that was a pretty good nose in hit. I always worry about the driver's legs when they hit the wall like that..Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Yeah I didn't realize how direct of an angle it was until they just showed the replay. I'll be surprised if he comes out of this unscathed!
Edit:
Quote:
Sebastien Bourdais suffered "multiple fractures to his pelvis and a fracture to his right hip" after a horror crash during qualifying for the Indy 500.
Harsh hit for the ex-F1 driver , Bourdais .
It's going to take him a while to come back as there's a lot of bed time in his future right now .
Nice job by Rossi , going fast right afterwards .
And , great job by Taku , too .
But , tough for JPM , going out so early .
So , Alonso can look around at his F1 compatriots and see everything from disaster to the front row .
I remember watching the 500 back in the '60s on "Wide World of Sports" , when all we got for races to watch was this race and Monaco .
Having an current F1 driver in the field feels like the good old days .
It kinda makes me feel like a kid again , in the excitement for the race .
Yes great for Taku, and RossiQuote:
Originally Posted by Bagwan
I think Juan will work his way forward. He needs to find more speed today. Go Juan!Quote:
But , tough for JPM , going out so early .
Yes I remember that well. We've become the old timersQuote:
So , Alonso can look around at his F1 compatriots and see everything from disaster to the front row .
I remember watching the 500 back in the '60s on "Wide World of Sports" , when all we got for races to watch was this race and Monaco .
Amen brotherQuote:
Having an current F1 driver in the field feels like the good old days .
It kinda makes me feel like a kid again , in the excitement for the race
Glad to hear he gets to walk ( maybe hobble) away from this one. He was on course to topple the best time if he had completed that lap. It is pain killers for a few years from now on. I wonder if he is going to hang up his gloves and boot; retire or something. My guts tell me, he may get into another car when he recovers. Whatever he decides, l genuinely wish him well on his recovery.
I remember seeing a sign at the F1 Indy race in 2000 saying "Montoya is coming !" , and relishing the thought .Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Go JPM , for sure !
And , who you callin' "old timer" , you "young whipper-snapper" !
Why , I oughta' .........
New Honda Engine for Alonso
More Honda problems for Fred :rolleyes:
Quote:
Alonso had had no reported engine problems on his No. 29 McLaren/Andretti Autosport Honda this week but, following Saturday’s[Sundays] practice session in which he set the fastest average speed at 231.317 mph, videos on social media showed smoke coming out of Alonso’s car in the garage. The engine was changed as a precaution
:blackeye: :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Bagey
5th for Zo , 3rd for Rossi , and 4th for ol' "no pen" .
F1 well repped .
Just saw that "Bagey" bit .Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Yer good , dude !
Just about did a "spit take" there .
That'd be an El Grande Touche to you , eh .
Yeah babe! :dork:
:D Tuhdah!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Reid
Spots 3, 4, and 5 filled with F1 drivers. Safe to say they represented very well.
Scary hit by Boudais.
Dude, how totally ghetto. That food sucks. I can't believe guys in this income bracket would even consider eating that garbage! :confused:
Dude their are plenty of authentic "fast food" Mexican restaurants nearby I'm sure!
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/22/s...itti.html?_r=0
So weak,I'd be embarrassed to admit I even ate at that grease-pit!
Terrible crash for Dixon 1/4 way through. Fred in the lead, Red flag.
Have to say Alonso is doing a great job. Not long to go now. Dont think he will win but a great effort. The guy is class and deserves a decent F1 drive once more.
Honda engine failure for Alonso... he might as well have done Monaco :)
Oh the irony - Alonso out with a Honda engine failure. He could have had that at Monaco...
Still a good chance for an ex-F1 driver to win it, with Chilton leading from Sato at the moment.
Question: how will it look for Indycar if the race is won by the current leader, whose chief claim to fame beforehand was outpacing Rio Haryanto in GP2?
;)