The RACER Mailbag, December 10

Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers will be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embrace a query usually tend to be printed. Questions obtained after 3pm ET every Monday might be saved for the next week.

Q: One other experience purchaser chosen over a confirmed racer. Conor Daly is head and shoulders higher than Sting Ray Robb. Robb is without doubt one of the worst, if not the worst, skills within the IndyCar paddock. I assume the sequence likes the shifting chicanes slightly than a fan favourite like Conor Daly. Dave O’Neil must be ashamed!

Preston Proctor, Muncie

MARSHALL PRUETT: Robb had an enforceable contract and held the crew to the settlement. The crew tried to barter their technique to an early divorce out of a want to turn out to be extra aggressive. Meh.

Juncos Hollinger Racing had one open automobile to fill with Daly or one other driver, and it opted to chop Conor. That’s on the crew, not on Sting Ray. 

I’d wager the go-away determine was too painful for the crew to swallow, so it selected to experience the ultimate season out with Sting Ray as a substitute of paying him a portion (or all) of the rumored $9 million he brings, to vacate the seat. He needs to be an IndyCar driver and has some superb backers who facilitate that dream. If he needed to race in IMSA GTP or LMP2, he’d already be there in a full-time capability, and that could be the place Robb’s long-term future lies, however at the very least for 2026, he’ll be an open-wheeler.

If Robb took the buy-out, he’d be gone from IndyCar straight away, and since there’s just one seat left (at Coyne) and Dale has completely different plans for the automobile, the second 12 months of his two-year contract is a lifeline to stay within the sequence. I respect a man who fights like hell to carry onto a factor he’s chased for many of his life.

So long as he can qualify for the races and doesn’t make an ass out of himself by continuously crashing or hindering the sooner drivers, I’ve no concern with the Sting Rays being in IndyCar. He appeared to mix in slightly properly final season in that regard, and that’s about all I can hope for.

However I get it. It’s simple to hate on the paying drivers, particularly once they run in the direction of the again.

We are able to ask IndyCar to broom them from the sequence, plus those who’ve by no means received, and people who’ve received earlier than however received’t win once more until a miracle is concerned, and that leaves us with the seven drivers from 2025 who qualify, and a handful of others who can nonetheless get the job carried out. So, will we minimize bait with the 17 others who, like Sting Ray, can also’t get to victory lane?

Q: Not too long ago, Arvid Lindblad was introduced to exchange Yuki Tsunoda at Crimson Bull. Will Buxton then invited Yuki to IndyCar.

I can admire wanting expertise in IndyCar, and I do not care per se if the expertise is typically comprised of former F1 drivers. I like IndyCar and the five hundred particularly. My great-grandfather raced and have become an officiant at IMS. I’ve been a yellow shirt for 30+ years alongside my dad and brother. I am in hook, line and sinker, however can not help however really feel a little bit off in regards to the notion of continued F1 has-beens being invited to IndyCar. Sure, I do know, it is a conflicting viewpoint.

They cannot make it in F1 and will not regress again to F2, however hey, give IndyCar an opportunity? From their view, it is sensible.  

I would like the perfect racing, but additionally really feel IndyCar comes throughout as the first cease in the direction of an F1 driver’s retirement. Does the seemingly fixed consumption of F1 has-beens diminish the popularity of IndyCar and its expertise? Positive, not each present driver is Tier 1, however nonetheless….

Your ideas?

Dave, Milwaukee space

MP: It has been IndyCar’s actuality for the reason that Nineteen Eighties, so I’m considerably numb to the damaging connotations with IndyCar being the touchdown spot for former F1 drivers. Similar actuality and perceptual problem for sports activities vehicles, which has lengthy been the retirement residence for ex-IndyCar and F1 drivers.

He wasn’t the primary, however Emerson Fittipaldi actually stood out as an enormous F1 identify to make the IndyCar change and discover success. Heaps extra have been in comparable positions, however arrived with a lot smaller F1 careers and profiles. Roberto Guerrero. Jan Lammers. Derek Daly. 

Some, like Teo Fabi, had expertise right here in different sequence earlier than going to F1 and shortly returning for CART IndyCar alternatives. Danny Sullivan got here up right here, hit F1 for a little bit bit, and was again residence, pursuing IndyCar. And that’s only a small pattern measurement from the Nineteen Eighties.

Yuki can be an ideal slot in IndyCar with the best crew. He’d be a riot at Foyt subsequent to Santino, the place you’d have the 2 most outspoken drivers as teammates. I’m extra focused on his profile and what it may do for IndyCar.

It wasn’t misplaced on anybody that Mick Schumacher, in signing with RLL, turned IndyCar’s hottest driver by way of international social media followers. And no disrespect to Mick, however he final raced in F1 in 2022. Yuki has an enormous following, and that highlight is one thing I’d like to have positioned on IndyCar.  

Q: I certain hope that Penske Leisure noticed the Eddie Cue interview following the Apple F1 rights announcement. He referenced Apple utilizing iPhones to seize distinctive digicam views throughout MLB video games to create completely different viewing experiences. On this case, an iPhone was strapped to the foul pole and offered a very new viewing angle for foul balls. 

Moreover, iPhones have been used to acquire particular angles for the F1 film from inside areas on the automobile. The tiny packaging necessities for an iPhone or its elements give groups and producers a variety of room for experimentation.

The prices for creating thrilling, particular viewing experiences are coming down and IndyCar ought to take discover.

A number of the TV manufacturing solutions from Matt’s letter within the 12/3 Mailbag might be addressed by utilizing off-the-shelf expertise in artistic methods.

These alternatives look like low-hanging fruit for Indy Automobile to carry some new spark into the viewer expertise for 2026.

Shaun, Berwyn, IL

MP: All true. It’s one among my outdated rants that will get shared with IndyCar yearly or two and goes nowhere. Open the foundations to permit the Apples and Googles and Samsungs and different tech-making corporations to become involved within the sequence by bringing their telephones/tablets/screens to cockpits and wherever else. Let groups exit and signal offers with them.

Enable a paddock ravenous for cash to revenue from opening up the electronics aspect. Nothing towards Cosworth, which makes the information programs and steering wheel shows, however Cosworth being a spec provider does nothing to assist anybody aside from IndyCar.

LG, Panasonic, Sony and so forth, all capable of do enterprise with the sequence and its groups to showcase present or new and customized tech, as a substitute of promoting the gross sales rights to a single vendor with no industrial profile.

Streaming in-car footage by way of iPhone 18s in Palou’s automobile as he races into Flip 1 subsequent to Pato O’Ward streaming in-car from his Google telephones… whereas getting their sprint information from cool screens provided by each manufacturers. Is mindless for this to be banned.

Q: How a couple of Mount Rushmore of the worst funded drivers? No? It is the vacations and we’re being sort and never imply? Sounds good. Foyt, Mario, and Mears all look like a given and all have been earlier than my time. I discover Scott Dixon to be dry (apart from his gasoline tank which by no means empties) and boring, however I am unable to deny the concept that he most likely belongs on IndyCar’s Mount Rushmore. Ask me once more in just a few years about Alex Palou.

Ryan, West Michigan

MP: Jean-Pierre Frey is a worst hall-of-famer. The Dr. Jacks and King Hiros and Milkas are in there as properly – at the very least within the trendy wing.

If it was the Mount Rushmore of public driver personalities, you may not embrace Dixon, however as soon as he’s retired, I’d bump Montoya from P4 on my checklist for the Kiwi. Since he isn’t carried out, and we don’t but know the best way to contextualize the whole greatness of his profession, I’ll fortunately wait.

And Palou definitely has the runway to earn his spot on the mountain.

Q: I’ve pushed IH-35W from Fort Price to Denton recurrently since 2010, when there was nothing however Alliance Airport, a Marriott, TMS and a truck cease alongside the freeway. At the moment, there are literally thousands of McMansions, a whole bunch of McWarehouses (logistics facilities, excuse me)… and TMS.

I obtained to questioning: Auto Membership Speedway was set in the identical basic demographic, and it isn’t there anymore. Changed by logistics, warehouses, and so forth. How lengthy earlier than a developer makes Speedway Motorsports a suggestion for TMS that they cannot refuse?  Hold the condos, construct a pond for lakeside dwelling, and flatten the remaining.

What say you?   

Damon Hynes

MP: Welp, that’s a miserable dose of actuality. I discovered a bunch of outdated occasion packages final weekend, and inside the stack was the inaugural IndyCar/Truck monitor launch program from TMS in 1997. Fond recollections.

its present calendar of main occasions, it’s an enormous place getting used at a naked minimal. Having been to TMS at first sprung up round it, sure, the huge outgrowth of stuff encroaching the property is tough to disregard. I wouldn’t faux to understand how its funds work, but when the headlining go to from Cup in Might and no matter else each few months stops being sufficient to make a revenue, I think about it will be razed for a AI server farm or comparable. The period of double NASCAR and double IndyCar races feels prefer it existed a lifetime in the past, which is unhappy.   

Q: Studying what number of drivers are glad to be carried out with floor impact vehicles in F1, I’ve been excited about the issues they’ve had throughout this period of IndyCar. As I recall, the Dallara DW-12 was designed to depend on floor results to allow nearer racing. That appears to have labored and I don’t recall issues with porpoising with the Dallara. Why has IndyCar not had the issues that F1 has had? A) the Dallara generates much less downforce by way of floor impact than F; B) IndyCar groups are so restricted in what they will do to a automobile that they haven’t created issues for themselves with further aerodynamic bits; C) one thing else; D) the entire above?

Paul Lewis, Macon, GA

MP: Virtually each Indy automobile for the final 45ish years has made use of floor results with underwings that generate vital downforce. Porpoising was a problem at factors within the early Nineteen Eighties when CART IndyCar designs used skirts to seal the sidepods, however these have been quickly deleted by the foundations.

You possibly can have porpoising with any automobile that makes use of floor results; open-wheel, sports activities vehicles, and so forth. It’s a perform of low experience peak, controlling that experience peak, and the air feeding the underwing being starved because the entrance experience peak dips too low, which kills the downforce, causes the entrance of the automobile to spring up, which begins feeding the underwing once more till it’s pulled down once more, will get starved, and also you get the bucking bronco routine going. It has nothing to do with a Dallara having kind of downforce.

Ten groups make their very own F1 vehicles utilizing 10 utterly completely different aerodynamic designs. Their efficiency is ruled by operating extremely low experience heights. Many F1 vehicles had porpoising issues when the brand new components debuted in 2022, however some didn’t. Given time, and a loopy amount of cash, these groups solved their aero issues. Dallara makes a single IndyCar mannequin. It runs at a low experience peak, however wasn’t designed to carry out in a tiny experience peak window that lives on a knife edge the place porpoising may turn out to be an issue.

Q: Is Dale Coyne’s lengthy delay on naming a second driver resulting from ready to see what Yuki Tsunoda standing was with Crimson Bull? Can we count on an announcement that Yuki might be named to that place? I do not think about he has any choices to remain in F1. Will Honda play an element on this resolution?  

Dave

MP: No. Dale was by no means ready on Yuki. That was the most recent rubbish rumor got here into existence on social media that too many individuals ran with as a result of who doesn’t love rumors with zero veracity? Tsunoda was confirmed as a Crimson Bull reserve and stated his contract by no means allowed him to go away. 

Q: Final week in response to the Tsunoda query, you stated that Honda wouldn’t be spending $8-$10 million on a brand new driver within the final 12 months of its engine contract. Is that to recommend that Honda is finished after 2026, or have been you referring to the ultimate 12 months of the present engine contract?

Bob

MP: Apologies, Bob. I ought to have ‘splained myself in a extra full method. The reply was unrelated as to whether Honda will or received’t keep past 2026.

Honda’s speaking to IndyCar about staying and bringing prices down as a way to keep, which might make forking out a ton of cash to sponsor a driver each a nasty look and a horrible negotiating technique.

Laborious to be taken significantly should you’re spending freely on frivolous issues that aren’t wanted, and regardless of loving Yuki, he isn’t wanted. If Honda’s driver steady was weak, I may see the corporate wanting to come back out of pocket to enhance the scenario, however it simply completed P1, P3, P4, P6, P7, and P8 within the Driver’s standings – six of the highest eight – and ran away with the Producers’ title. Of all of the occasions to throw cash at a driver, this isn’t it.

Q: What’s the thought course of that goes into pit field choice? I’ve seen some sequence use lack of pit choice as a penalty. Is there actually that massive of a bonus to be gained from pit choice, or does that simply find yourself being a minor penalty?

Steven, Las Cruces, NM

MP: Is dependent upon the sequence, however sure, basically, it’s a useful factor to have the ability to decide your pit stall. Whether or not it’s being the primary (closest to pit-out) and having no person in entrance of you so you may hearth right away with out having to show onerous and lose time making an attempt to not hit crew members and tires, or pitting coming into an open spot – the primary field after a break within the pit wall – or just being in a location that’s among the many greatest groups within the pits, which often means you will have higher odds of not being impeded by parking errors or crew errors on both aspect of you, there’s an actual worth in having a say in the place you do your work on pit lane. 

Q: How is the vitality and (extra importantly) ticket gross sales heading into the Arlington Grand Prix in 4 months? Is there any probability that you’re going to be writing the phrase “the ill-fated Arlington GP occasion” in your columns inside the subsequent few years? I am questioning if Midwestern followers who’re contemplating making a visit to a brand new IndyCar race within the western U.S. would possibly truly select to journey to Phoenix over Arlington. I for one am leaning that approach.  What are your expectations for ‘Jerry’s Race’ at this level?

Mark Founds, Mason, OH

MP: I spoke with Arlington GP president Invoice Miller final week and he stated they count on to promote all 35,000 common tickets and hope to get that as much as 50,000 complete with the entire visitors in hospitality suites.

There’s nice vitality behind the occasion as a result of it’s new and fascinating. The reply to your query of whether or not it’ll go the way in which of the Baltimore GP, which was effing superb however crashed and burned after three runnings, isn’t one thing I can reply as we speak. Earnings are wanted by means of ticket gross sales and hostility suite gross sales. Company assist must not simply be there within the first 12 months, however on a continuous foundation. If these dip, it’ll finally die.

I count on the primary version to be nice and for overwhelming positives to emerge. However that’s the primary date. It’s whether or not the vitality and fervour continues to be there by town, the Cowboys, the Rangers, the followers, and the sponsors, by the third, fourth, and fifth installments. Been to far too many massive/new/superb venues that disappear. Hoping this one has some permanence.

Q: Two fast questions for you. First, does Will Energy attend the Andretti World Christmas get together or the Staff Penske Christmas get together? Second, the longer that there’s no announcement about Honda staying, the extra it has me apprehensive. Do you assume that negotiations nonetheless on going so there’s nothing to announce, or has the choice been made and Honda and IndyCar are desirous to get to 2026 after which make the announcement? 

Chris F, Charleston, SC

MP: Do you have a good time Christmas together with your ex-wife or spend the vacations together with your new spouse? I certain hope it’s the latter as a result of the brand new spouse would possibly turn out to be the subsequent ex-wife should you make that mistake.

Chevy has but to say it’s staying past 2026, so it’s Chevy and Honda in want of both saying they’re staying or going, or signing offers to remain if that hasn’t already occurred.

IndyCar wants Chevy and Honda greater than they want IndyCar. Sensible enterprise play is for one or each to let this grind on and attempt to get essentially the most favorable phrases. Can’t say if that has something to do with the wait, however they achieve nothing I can consider by dashing to signal. 

Q: What are the legit potentialities of IndyCar ever making a return to Pocono or Kansas? I simply hate to see the low downforce setup get used solely yearly. Additionally, what in regards to the potentialities of the Freedom 100 returning?

Austin 

MP: The Freedom 100 is as lifeless as lifeless will be. Blown to smithereens. IndyCar has returned to every kind of locations that disappeared from its schedule, so I’ll by no means say by no means, however I’ve but to listen to of plans for returns to both of these ovals.   

Q: One story that appears to have pale away is the departure of Michael Andretti from the crew that bears his identify. The small print of what led to his exit gave the impression to be a intently guarded secret on the time, with a really restricted quantity of knowledge trickling out to create a optimistic picture for all concerned. It is onerous for me to imagine that Michael left with out being pushed.

Now that a while has handed and perhaps some further leaks have slipped out contained in the paddock space, are you able to lend any perception into what actually occurred behind the scenes?

John, Visalia, CA

MP: Nothing past what all of us wrote extensively about when it occurred. As was chronicled a 12 months in the past, Michael exited the crew and shortly after Andretti World/TWG Motorsports/Cadillac’s F1 entry was accepted.

Q: I’ve been studying about modifications coming to the Renaissance Middle in downtown Detroit. GM is within the technique of shifting its headquarters to the brand new Hudson’s Detroit tower. Additionally, within the spring of 2027 town will start demolition of the 2 towers closest to the river on the Renaissance heart. The present Grand Prix monitor runs behind these two towers. Does this imply they should construct a brand new circuit someplace else in Downtown for the 2027 race? And is it potential they could return to Belle Isle?

Rick Schneider, Charlotte  

MP: I requested about this just a few months in the past and it was one thing that should get nearer to taking place to create onerous solutions on whether or not the race might be impacted.    

Q: If PREMA doesn’t return to full-time IndyCar racing in 2026, do you see groups bringing again part-time entries? Would this occur instantly, or would the upcoming season simply have the 25 chartered entries, with part-timers coming in for 2027? Would the groups attempt to coordinate in some way in order that mixed they didn’t carry greater than the 2 further entries for every non-Indy 500 race?

Steven, Las Cruces, NM

MP: By way of the constitution program, IndyCar capped the beginning area at 27 at each race outdoors the Indy 500, so if PREMA folds, sure, these spots can be open to fill, however provided that Penske Leisure needs them to stay open. That’s the primary query, since Penske is thought to desire a smaller grid, and lots of groups desire a smaller grid, to attempt to drive up the worth for his or her charters by creating extra exclusivity.

In any other case, if beginning positions 26 and 27 are open for enterprise, I can assume of some groups who would wish to fill these slots with further vehicles.   

Q: Is it issues as normal at DCR, with one driver to be introduced a month earlier than the primary inexperienced flag of the season?

Dino, New Hanover, PA

MP: I don’t assume so. As we’ve stated for some time now, Romain Grosjean is known to be on pole place for the seat and there are others who’re potential. Extra of an prolonged timeline wanted to get some big-picture enterprise gadgets carried out earlier than finishing the puzzle with a driver announcement.

Q: I might like to see your checklist of prime 10 energetic drivers in any type of motorsport. (Let’s hold it to 4 wheels). Come to think about it, I might like to see yours, Chris’s and Kelly’s, simply to see how a lot (or little) overlap there’s…

Randy, Milwaukee

MP: Kyle Larson, Alex Palou, Max Verstappen, Nick Tandy, Isack Hadjar, James Calado, Shane van Gisbergen, Antonio Garcia, Kyle Kirkwood, Oliver Bearman. And I’m taking an 11th to incorporate Tony Stewart.

Most of mine are versatile – monsters in additional than their major sequence – and all cost ahead. Can’t take your eyes off of them.

CHRIS MEDLAND: I genuinely may spend days deliberating over this, however apparently we truly have to file the solutions to publish the Mailbag…

OK I’m naturally going to lean in the direction of F1, however hopefully not utterly. I’d say: Verstappen, Larson, Palou, Alonso, Dixon, Norris, Rovanpera, Leclerc, Hamilton, van Gisbergen.

It’s so onerous to truly put that in an order, however it’s the flexibility for many that get them in right here – not solely what they do of their major sequence, however the truth they’ve proven what they will do elsewhere. And for fairly just a few that features wins or very aggressive operating outdoors of their first/full-time class.

I’ll admit, Verstappen is clearly prime of the checklist in my guide (I’d like to see him go up towards a few of the non-F1 names of their classes), however past the primary three on this checklist it feels very interchangeable proper now, with a variety of high-quality drivers.

The truth that I so practically didn’t put Hamilton in right here speaks volumes for the season he’s had, and it could be that I’d not embrace him in six months’ time. However I’m giving him the advantage of the doubt that it’s a blip in a brand new atmosphere and never a decline.

KELLY CRANDALL: My checklist is in no specific order: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Scott Dixon, Max Verstappen, Austin Prock, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Palou, Doug Kalitta, Christopher Bell, Connor Zilisch.

[ED: So for those keeping count, that was three votes each for Verstappen, Larson, Palou and van Gisbergen, two for Dixon, and lots and lots of single vote-getters]

Q: Full disclosure: By no means have been a Sir Lewis fan, however for what he was making on the Scuderia this 12 months with the online results of one Dash Race win, properly I imagine his Finest Earlier than date has expired ! Would possibly it be time to let younger Bearman have a go?

Yanie Porlier

CM: I feel Bearman is doing all the best issues to be a future Ferrari driver, however I additionally assume 2026 is simply too quickly for that. It has been a really powerful season for Hamilton, however he additionally confirmed some sturdy kind mid-season that hints at what is feasible if he and Ferrari click on.

The most important drawback for Ferrari is that Hamilton’s victory within the Dash in China is its solely P1 end of the season, and it had zero wins in a grand prix. If subsequent 12 months is unhealthy for each events then I can see Hamilton leaving on the finish of the 12 months – or if it’s a powerful automobile and he actually doesn’t carry out – however I nonetheless count on him to get good outcomes if the automobile is aggressive.

For Bearman, another 12 months of growth at Haas can be good, as he’s been wonderful at occasions this season but additionally nonetheless made just a few errors and had the odd down weekend, too. Earlier than stepping as much as Ferrari, ironing a few of these wrinkles out can be excellent.

Q: In mild of Toyota Gazoo Racing choosing up the title sponsorship reins at Haas, is Toyota getting in place for crew possession, or are they glad with getting model publicity? (Not that they want it).

MJW

CM: I might say Toyota is getting in place for crew possession, however that doesn’t imply it will undoubtedly occur. The higher involvement and funding helps it perceive what it will take to turn out to be a full constructor crew once more in future, and it places it in pole place (pun meant) to debate such a transfer if Gene Haas ever needed to promote.

However Gene has by no means stated he needs to promote – fairly the other – and it could be that Toyota sees title sponsorship as the perfect place to be. To turn out to be a full constructor would seemingly imply energy unit too, in any other case it will be odd to see a Toyota powered by a Ferrari engine, so I do assume we’re a way off that really being significantly explored.

Q: I am writing in regards to the F1 Apple TV deal, and one thing I do not assume I’ve seen adequately acknowledged in any publication when analyzing how good/unhealthy the deal is. And truthful warning: I am firmly in the unhealthy camp on this matter.

However I’ll begin with acknowledging the unequivocal good: If one used F1 TV to observe F1, it is a whole lot for you whether or not or not you had Apple TV already. Apple TV subscription is (at time of writing, although I think about it will not be lengthy earlier than this modifications) is $12.99/mo, similar as F1 TV primary, however you are getting F1 TV Premium for the value tag.

The issue is the ESPN viewers. Positive, even the TV over web providers are far costlier than Apple TV, however the factor not being talked about, and which I am certain Liberty would not need us excited about, is that subsequent to no person has purchased any cable, satellite tv for pc, or TV over web service soley for F1 on ESPN/ABC. The overwhelming majority of the TV viewership should not going to dump their service, giving up all the pieces else they get pleasure from on it, to leap to Apple TV only for F1. Even fewer are going to wish to add the expense to their present TV/streaming packages.

The massive drawback is that Apple TV is the lowest-subscribed mainstream streaming service out there within the U.S., with an estimated 10 million subscribers fewer than Hulu, which occurs to have TV over web choices.

And to make clear, by “mainstream” I imply something that has a big selection of programming with potential mass attraction, versus area of interest streaming providers with very slim or singular focuses like FloRacing or Crunchyroll.

What’s extra, Apple had bother getting individuals to join Apple TV once they provided it free with any Apple machine. After which there’s viewership (and transparency) issues inflicting MLS to get an early termination of their Apple TV contract sorted out.

Once you have a look at all the pieces in regards to the deal, not simply the really wonderful deal it’s for F1 TV customers, it is actually powerful to discover a motive to be optimistic about it. My very own brother has F1 TV Professional and Apple TV already, so he is benefitting from this to the most potential diploma, and even he cannot carry himself to be enthusiastic about it as a result of he noticed the identical points I did. I strongly doubt he is the one one benefiting who’s seen this. To cite him, “All their momentum simply went full throttle into the wall. They usually forgot to put in the tire barrier.”

I could also be extra an IndyCar fan than F1, however I do have a variety of love for F1 and seeing them throw all the pieces away after lastly cracking the code to getting it to develop in America is simply unhappy.

FormulaFox

CM: On the entire, I agree together with your level. One other facet is you’re not going to get F1 simply randomly on in cafes or bars that each one have ESPN however don’t have Apple TV. So the secondary/passive viewers simply isn’t going to be there.

However the protection itself may stage up with extra funding, and in contrast to the MLS contract there’s no further price to have the ability to watch F1 on Apple TV, so there are another advantages. I do additionally count on the partnership to be leveraged way more away from the printed – by means of the app, on Apple gadgets and so forth – however must admit I don’t see that outweighing the misplaced viewership from ESPN.

As I’ve written earlier than, one among my different frustrations of each the ESPN deal and now the Apple one is a scarcity of bespoke protection for the market. There must be correct funding in high-quality protection, and hopefully that can are available in 2027.

Q: Stefano Domenicali was speaking about having extra Sprints sooner or later. That made me surprise… could not they damage F1 fairly onerous? The norm in F1 is a dominant automobile/driver, not shut championships. What occurs if in case you have 5 years of a dominant combo once more whereas having extra racing?

I get his level and I even agree with him. However F1 might be significantly broken by the additional racing, until they make certain they’ve a better grid extra typically. The DTS-ification of F1 introduced the celebrities, and turned the drivers into celebrities. Nevertheless it did not carry the shut racing. F1 must be extra cautious about these concepts.

F1 numbers clearly develop after a detailed season. However when that’s not the case… ’23 felt actually lengthy with 24 rounds and 6 sprints, you understand…

I have been watching since 1995; I can endure boring seasons so long as the vehicles sound and look good (however then we’ve not had handsome vehicles since ’09 and good-sounding vehicles since ’14, and seasons have been shorter). However my concern is because of the ’26 momentum. We obtained another crew and extra producers after nearly being left with Mercedes and Ferrari solely. As a F1 fan I am very proud of that. And I am additionally involved it will not final lengthy. I do know to maintain this momentum going we’d like shut racing to be the norm. However what can F1 do to succeed in that?

One concept that might match the F1 growth warfare can be to adapt the event tokens from ’21. Name them improve tokens. After spherical three or 5, groups begin getting them after each race. The extra within the again the extra tokens they obtain. All championship based mostly. So as to add an improve, you spend a token. That approach groups hold engaged on the vehicles all 12 months anyway.

I imply, ATR is already like that, giving extra to groups within the again. Nevertheless it’s not working that properly. DRS (and MOM in ’26) additionally work like that, giving some benefit to those behind. Why not broaden it?

The grid is nearer, little question. However within the race and on the finish of the 12 months, it is nonetheless the identical outdated historical past. F1 must do extra. Particularly if they will expose themselves with extra racing.

William Mazeo

CM: I’m with you on not wanting too many Sprints, William, however I’m not involved a couple of future lack of momentum. The massive motive extra producers and groups wish to be concerned is as a result of now – in contrast to prior to now – they get a return on their funding. Groups are worthwhile, and value billions of {dollars}, due to the price cap. And we nonetheless get excessive efficiency vehicles which are intently matched as you say.

I additionally assume the indicators are good with what we have already got. The fee cap hadn’t totally had an influence when the 2022 vehicles have been developed (it had began however was so new and smaller groups nonetheless had loads of infrastructure to spend money on), so we’ll see extra of the influence of that in 2026, plus ATR undoubtedly helps stop the gaps getting larger throughout a season.

My expectation is for a better area initially of rules than we often get subsequent 12 months. Not the whole area, however at the very least nearer the entrance, and from there it ought to solely get higher.

Q: In hindsight the McLaren resolution to have Oscar and Lando change positions at Monza resulting from a nasty pit cease received them (Lando ) a world championship. It was controversial on the time however now seems just like the best-case state of affairs. Do you assume McLaren will take that into consideration with Oscar subsequent season?

JC Dave

CM: I don’t see McLaren taking that into consideration over and above the very fact it was vindicated and can stick by its strategy. Each drivers will get equal likelihood to win the title once more (assuming that’s a title-contending automobile) and Norris received’t get precedence simply because he’s the defending champion.

I’m glad you flagged this, although. It exhibits how shut it was to getting away from McLaren, but additionally how there are such a lot of moments that add up that imply you may’t put all of it on one incident. Kimi’s mistake in Qatar obtained a variety of focus however that wouldn’t matter if McLaren didn’t swap drivers in Monza, or didn’t get the technique incorrect earlier within the Qatar race, or did not get a double-DSQ in Vegas, or Max didn’t drive into George in Spain… You get my drift!

Q: “Hamlin and Jenkins have testified it prices $20 million to carry a single automobile to the monitor for all 38 races. That determine doesn’t embrace any overhead, working prices or a driver’s wage.”

$20 million / 38 races equals a $526,317 common price to get a single automobile to a race.  Is there a breakdown of this quantity someplace? What’s within the overhead and working prices funds?

Phil Thomas
KC: I don’t imagine {that a} full breakdown was given, and of all of the numbers that got the opposite day, I don’t see something greater than what you already acknowledged. For instance, they shared about how a lot they misplaced in a 12 months and issues like that. The groups have been repeating the $20 million quantity, and claiming how costly the automobile is. I’m questioning if we’re going to get these numbers someplace alongside the way in which right here. However I’ll say that there actually isn’t a funds for a race crew, at the very least not set. All groups resolve what they wish to spend to be aggressive, or how a lot they’re able to spending.

THE FINAL WORD

From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 11 December, 2013

Q: So, I assume Bryan Clauson’s foray into IndyCar was all of 1 race. He’s the kind of driver who this sport DESPERATELY wants. (That is while you clarify that he lacks enough street racing prowess to catch on within the present IndyCar world, which is true however can be a sign that your sport is fatally flawed to start with when it leans so closely to the street/road racing aspect of issues).

Clauson is younger, very gifted and really completed. He is received a number of championships towards different very high-level racing skills and received them racing in entrance of precise American open-wheel racing followers (a lot of whom reside inside driving distance of IMS). He obtained an enormous audible response at Indy two years in the past from the paying prospects (which tells you that Randy Bernard had the best concept and there’s a craving on the market by many of us to root for somebody like this). And for some odd motive the child truly nonetheless aspires to race IndyCars and make it his vacation spot sequence.

The truth that we do not have room for somebody like Bryan and seemingly have zero curiosity in anybody from the AOW oval style, is unhappy, pathetic and inanely silly. We do not have room for simply a few AOW oval grads within the greatest AOW oval race on the planet? Suppose how silly that sounds. We’re ignoring actual expertise and in addition ignoring our actual heritage on this sport. And most actual People are sick of it and have moved on and are not coming again. The oldsters operating the game (CEOs, house owners and engine producers not essentially in that order) aren’t sensible sufficient to determine it is a main motive why so few individuals are nonetheless watching or caring? This sport and the Indy 500 wasn’t constructed on F1 washouts and wanna-bes. It was constructed on the top-tier American oval racers and top- tier American street racers and a handful of top-tier overseas born drivers. Now its utterly reversed and screwed up (and its controversial how lots of the present drivers are “prime tier” to start with…).

There may be way more to the racing product then what number of vehicles are on the lead lap at Indy or what number of completely different winners you will have or how entertaining the racing is. And, sadly, it seems no person within the IndyCar world is savvy sufficient to determine that out. And in the event that they do, they merely do not care. I wish to see Conor Daly battling Bryan Clauson on the monitor in an IndyCar. Similar to I wish to see Austin Dillon battling Kyle Larson in Cup. These are drivers and potential rivalries that might curiosity followers and People to concentrate. One sport often offers People what they need and what they will get focused on. One sport is clueless and has been for a very long time.

Invoice, Maplewood IN

ROBIN MILLER: After I took Randy Bernard to his first USAC dash race in 2010, he questioned why none of these drivers mastering 900hp have been on the Indy 500. I defined they was however that each one modified within the USAC/CART warfare. I instructed him it was felony that a few of the greatest oval-track racers within the nation could not even compete at Indianapolis and he instantly started engaged on the USAC/IndyCar initiative that obtained Bryan to IMS in 2012.

Take into consideration this: operating Sarah Fisher’s second automobile, Clauson was among the many prime 10 in apply just a few occasions and had an amazing qualifying run going earlier than crashing on the final lap. With solely 33 vehicles, he went again out in his repaired automobile and ran conservatively the remainder of the month like he was instructed. What occurs if he qualifies in the midst of Row 4 (that is the place he was headed going into that fourth lap) and runs properly within the race? Possibly an proprietor or two believes {that a} USAC champion nonetheless belongs and offers him a shot.

Because it was, Bernard will get fired and Clauson and his ilk are once more forgotten. “Too massive a transition” was the constant remark. However Daly crashed in apply this previous Might, and it was labeled a rookie mistake that basically did not damage him. Nor ought to it. My solely commentary is that on a great night time in Indiana Dash Week, there could be 3,000 spectators which dwarfs any apply day at IMS. Would a lot of them wish to see Clauson competing towards Daly or Newgarden and would they arrive to sixteenth & Georgetown? We’ll by no means know.