The RACER Mailbag, December 10

Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers could be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embrace a query usually tend to be revealed. Questions obtained after 3pm ET every Monday will probably 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 collection likes the transferring chicanes somewhat than a fan favourite like Conor Daly. Dave O’Neil needs to be ashamed!

Preston Proctor, Muncie

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

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

I’d wager the go-away determine was too painful for the workforce 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 wished to race in IMSA GTP or LMP2, he’d already be there in a full-time capability, and that may be the place Robb’s long-term future lies, however at the least for 2026, he’ll be an open-wheeler.

If Robb took the buy-out, he’d be gone from IndyCar immediately, and since there’s just one seat left (at Coyne) and Dale has completely different plans for the automotive, the second 12 months of his two-year contract is a lifeline to stay within the collection. 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 consistently crashing or hindering the quicker drivers, I’ve no difficulty with the Sting Rays being in IndyCar. He appeared to mix in somewhat 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 after they run in the direction of the again.

We are able to ask IndyCar to broom them from the collection, plus those who’ve by no means gained, and people who’ve gained earlier than however gained’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 accomplished. So, can we minimize bait with the 17 others who, like Sting Ray, can also’t get to victory lane?

Q: Just lately, Arvid Lindblad was introduced to interchange Yuki Tsunoda at Purple 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 usually comprised of former F1 drivers. I really 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 concerning the notion of continued F1 has-beens being invited to IndyCar. Sure, I do know, it is a conflicting viewpoint.

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

I would like one of the best 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 because the Eighties, so I’m considerably numb to the unfavourable 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 house for ex-IndyCar and F1 drivers.

He wasn’t the primary, however Emerson Fittipaldi actually stood out as an enormous F1 title to make the IndyCar swap and discover success. Heaps extra had 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 collection earlier than going to F1 and rapidly returning for CART IndyCar alternatives. Danny Sullivan got here up right here, hit F1 for a little bit bit, and was again house, pursuing IndyCar. And that’s only a small pattern measurement from the Eighties.

Yuki could be an ideal slot in IndyCar with the fitting workforce. 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 concerned about 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 when it comes to world 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 positive hope that Penske Leisure noticed the Eddie Cue interview following the Apple F1 rights announcement. He referenced Apple utilizing iPhones to seize distinctive digital camera 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 had been used to acquire particular angles for the F1 film from inside areas on the automotive. The tiny packaging necessities for an iPhone or its elements give groups and producers quite a lot 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 strategies from Matt’s letter within the 12/3 Mailbag might be addressed through the use of off-the-shelf know-how in inventive methods.

These alternatives seem to be low-hanging fruit for Indy Automobile to convey some new spark into the viewer expertise for 2026.

Shaun, Berwyn, IL

MP: All true. It’s considered one of my previous 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 firms to get entangled within the collection by bringing their telephones/tablets/screens to cockpits and wherever else. Let groups exit and signal offers with them.

Permit a paddock ravenous for cash to revenue from opening up the electronics facet. Nothing in opposition to Cosworth, which makes the info techniques and steering wheel shows, however Cosworth being a spec provider does nothing to assist anybody apart from IndyCar.

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

Streaming in-car footage by way of iPhone 18s in Palou’s automotive 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 senseless 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 type and never imply? Sounds good. Foyt, Mario, and Mears all seem to be a given and all had been earlier than my time. I discover Scott Dixon to be dry (apart from his gas tank which by no means empties) and boring, however I am unable to deny the concept he in all probability belongs on IndyCar’s Mount Rushmore. Ask me once more in a number of 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 least within the trendy wing.

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

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

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

I obtained to questioning: Auto Membership Speedway was set in the identical common demographic, and it is not there anymore. Changed by logistics, warehouses, and so forth. How lengthy earlier than a developer makes Speedway Motorsports a suggestion for TMS that they can not refuse?  Preserve the condos, construct a pond for lakeside residing, and flatten the remaining.

What say you?   

Damon Hynes

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

Taking a look at its present calendar of main occasions, it’s an enormous place getting used at a naked minimal. Having been to TMS at the beginning sprung up round it, sure, the huge outgrowth of stuff encroaching the property is tough to disregard. I wouldn’t fake to know the way its funds work, but when the headlining go to from Cup in Could and no matter else each few months stops being sufficient to make a revenue, I think about it could 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 gloomy.   

Q: Studying what number of drivers are glad to be accomplished with floor impact vehicles in F1, I’ve been eager 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 automotive that they haven’t created issues for themselves with extra aerodynamic bits; C) one thing else; D) all the above?

Paul Lewis, Macon, GA

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

You’ll be able to have porpoising with any automotive that makes use of floor results; open-wheel, sports activities vehicles, and so forth. It’s a operate of low experience top, controlling that experience top, and the air feeding the underwing being starved because the entrance experience top dips too low, which kills the downforce, causes the entrance of the automotive 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 formulation debuted in 2022, however some didn’t. Given time, and a loopy sum of money, these groups solved their aero issues. Dallara makes a single IndyCar mannequin. It runs at a low experience top, however wasn’t designed to carry out in a tiny experience top window that lives on a knife edge the place porpoising may develop into an issue.

Q: Is Dale Coyne’s lengthy delay on naming a second driver as a consequence of ready to see what Yuki Tsunoda standing was with Purple Bull? Can we count on an announcement that Yuki will probably 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 choice?  

Dave

MP: No. Dale was by no means ready on Yuki. That was the newest 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 Purple 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 counsel that Honda is finished after 2026, or had 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 gained’t keep past 2026.

Honda’s speaking to IndyCar about staying and bringing prices down in an effort 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 critically for those who’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 return out of pocket to enhance the state of affairs, but it surely simply completed P1, P3, P4, P6, P7, and P8 within the drivers’ 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 collection 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: Relies on the collection, however sure, on the whole, it’s a useful factor to have the ability to choose 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’ll be able to hearth immediately with out having to show arduous and lose time attempting 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 finest groups within the pits, which normally means you could have higher odds of not being impeded by parking errors or crew errors on both facet 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 chance that you will 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. may really 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 all the visitors in hospitality suites.

There’s nice vitality behind the occasion as a result of it’s new and attention-grabbing. The reply to your query of whether or not it is going to go the best way of the Baltimore GP, which was effing superb however crashed and burned after three runnings, isn’t one thing I can reply at present. Income are wanted by means of ticket gross sales and hostility suite gross sales. Company help must not simply be there within the first 12 months, however on a continuing foundation. If these dip, it is going to 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 remains 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 International Christmas get together or the Workforce Penske Christmas get together? Second, the longer that there’s no announcement about Honda staying, the extra it has me frightened. Do you suppose that negotiations nonetheless on going so there may be nothing to announce, or has the choice been made and Honda and IndyCar are eager to get to 2026 after which make the announcement? 

Chris F, Charleston, SC

MP: Do you rejoice Christmas together with your ex-wife or spend the vacations together with your new spouse? I positive hope it’s the latter as a result of the brand new spouse may develop into the following ex-wife for those who 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. Good 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 acquire 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 annually. Additionally, what concerning the potentialities of the Freedom 100 returning?

Austin 

MP: The Freedom 100 is as lifeless as lifeless could be. Blown to smithereens. IndyCar has returned to all types 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 workforce that bears his title. The small print of what led to his exit appeared to be a intently guarded secret on the time, with a really restricted quantity of data trickling out to create a constructive picture for all concerned. It is arduous for me to consider that Michael left with out being pushed.

Now that a while has handed and possibly some extra 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 workforce and shortly after Andretti International/TWG Motorsports/Cadillac’s F1 entry was accepted.

Q: I’ve been studying about adjustments coming to the Renaissance Middle in downtown Detroit. GM is within the technique of transferring 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 middle. The present Grand Prix monitor runs behind these two towers. Does this imply they must construct a brand new circuit some other place in downtown for the 2027 race? And is it doable they might return to Belle Isle?

Rick Schneider, Charlotte, NC

MP: I requested about this a number of months in the past and it was one thing that should get nearer to taking place to create arduous solutions on whether or not the race will probably 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 someway in order that mixed they didn’t convey greater than the 2 additional 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 exterior the Indy 500, so if PREMA folds, sure, these spots could be open to fill, however provided that Penske Leisure needs them to stay open. That’s the principle query, since Penske is thought to need a smaller grid, and plenty of groups need a smaller grid, to try 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 suppose of some groups who would need to fill these slots with additional vehicles.   

Q: Is it issues as regular 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 suppose 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 doable. Extra of an prolonged timeline wanted to get some big-picture enterprise gadgets accomplished earlier than finishing the puzzle with a driver announcement.

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

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 predominant collection – 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 really 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 arduous to truly put that in an order, but it surely’s the flexibility for many that get them in right here – not solely what they do of their predominant collection, however the reality they’ve proven what they will do elsewhere. And for fairly a number of that features wins or very aggressive operating exterior of their first/full-time class.

I’ll admit, Verstappen is clearly prime of the record in my e book (I’d like to see him go up in opposition to among the non-F1 names of their classes), however past the primary three on this record it feels very interchangeable proper now, with quite a lot of high-quality drivers.

The truth that I so almost didn’t put Hamilton in right here speaks volumes for the season he’s had, and it might 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 setting and never a decline.

KELLY CRANDALL: My record 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 web results of one Dash race win, properly I consider his Finest Earlier than date has expired ! Would possibly it be time to let younger Bearman have a go?

Yanie Porlier

CM: I believe Bearman is doing all the fitting issues to be a future Ferrari driver, however I additionally suppose 2026 is just too quickly for that. It has been a really powerful season for Hamilton, however he additionally confirmed some robust type mid-season that hints at what is feasible if he and Ferrari click on.

The largest 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 robust automotive and he actually doesn’t carry out – however I nonetheless count on him to get good outcomes if the automotive is aggressive.

For Bearman, yet one more 12 months of improvement at Haas could be good, as he’s been wonderful at occasions this season but additionally nonetheless made a number of errors and had the odd down weekend, too. Earlier than stepping as much as Ferrari, ironing a few of these wrinkles out could be perfect.

Q: In gentle of Toyota Gazoo Racing choosing up the title sponsorship reins at Haas, is Toyota getting in place for workforce 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 workforce possession, however that doesn’t imply it could positively occur. The larger involvement and funding helps it perceive what it could take to develop into a full constructor workforce once more in future, and it places it in pole place (pun supposed) to debate such a transfer if Gene Haas ever wished to promote.

However Gene has by no means stated he needs to promote – fairly the alternative – and it may be that Toyota sees title sponsorship as one of the best place to be. To develop into a full constructor would probably imply energy unit too, in any other case it could be odd to see a Toyota powered by a Ferrari engine, so I do suppose we’re a way off that truly being critically explored.

Q: I am writing concerning the F1 Apple TV deal, and one thing I do not suppose I’ve seen adequately acknowledged in any publication when analyzing how good/unhealthy the deal is. And honest 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 look at F1, this can be 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 adjustments) is $12.99 per 30 days, identical 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 positive Liberty does not need us eager 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 every little thing else they take pleasure in on it, to leap to Apple TV only for F1. Even fewer are going to need to add the expense to their current TV/streaming packages.

The massive drawback is that Apple TV is the lowest-subscribed mainstream streaming service accessible 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 enchantment, versus area of interest streaming providers with very slim or singular focuses like FloRacing or Crunchyroll.

What’s extra, Apple had bother getting folks to enroll in Apple TV after they provided it free with any Apple gadget. After which there’s viewership (and transparency) considerations inflicting MLS to get an early termination of their Apple TV contract sorted out.

Whenever you take a look at every little thing concerning the deal, not simply the actually wonderful deal it’s for F1 TV customers, it is actually powerful to discover a purpose to be constructive about it. My very own brother has F1 TV Professional and Apple TV already, so he is benefiting from this to the most doable diploma, and even he cannot convey 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 observed 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 quite a lot of love for F1 and seeing them throw every little thing 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 additional 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 published – by means of the app, on Apple units and so forth – however need to admit I don’t see that outweighing the misplaced viewership from ESPN.

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

Q: Stefano Domenicali was speaking about having extra Sprints sooner or later. That made me surprise – could not they damage F1 fairly arduous? The norm in F1 is a dominant automotive/driver, not shut championships. What occurs when you’ve got 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 critically broken by the additional racing, until they be sure that they’ve a more in-depth grid extra usually. The DTS-ification of F1 introduced the celebrities, and turned the drivers into celebrities. But it surely did not convey the shut racing. F1 needs to be extra cautious about these concepts.

F1 numbers clearly develop after an in depth season. However when that isn’t 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 had been shorter). However my concern is because of the ’26 momentum. We obtained yet one more workforce and extra producers after nearly being left with Mercedes and Ferrari solely. As a F1 fan I am very pleased with that. And I am additionally involved it will not final lengthy. I do know to maintain this momentum going we want shut racing to be the norm. However what can F1 do to succeed in that?

One thought that might match the F1 improvement struggle could 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 primarily based. 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. But it surely’s not working that properly. DRS (and MOM in ’26) additionally work like that, giving some benefit to those behind. Why not increase it?

The grid is nearer, little doubt. However within the race and on the finish of the 12 months, it is nonetheless the identical previous historical past. F1 must do extra. Particularly if they’re going to 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 purpose extra producers and groups need to be concerned is as a result of now – not like up to now – they get a return on their funding. Groups are worthwhile, and value billions of {dollars}, due to the fee cap. And we nonetheless get high-performance vehicles which might be intently matched as you say.

I additionally suppose the indicators are good with what we have already got. The fee cap hadn’t absolutely had an affect when the 2022 vehicles had been developed (it had began however was so new and smaller groups nonetheless had loads of infrastructure to put money into), so we’ll see extra of the affect of that in 2026, plus ATR positively helps forestall the gaps getting greater throughout a season.

My expectation is for a more in-depth area at the beginning of rules than we normally get subsequent 12 months. Not the complete area, however at the least nearer the entrance, and from there it ought to solely get higher.

Q: In hindsight the McLaren choice to have Oscar and Lando swap positions at Monza as a consequence of a nasty pit cease gained them (Lando ) a world championship. It was controversial on the time however now seems just like the best-case situation. Do you suppose 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 actual 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 automotive) and Norris gained’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’ll be able to’t put all of it on one incident. Kimi’s mistake in Qatar obtained quite a lot of focus however that wouldn’t matter if McLaren didn’t swap drivers in Monza, or didn’t get the technique fallacious 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 convey a single automotive to the monitor for all 38 races. That determine doesn’t embrace any overhead, working prices or a driver’s wage.”

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

Phil Thomas
KC: I don’t consider {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 said. 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 automotive is. I’m questioning if we’re going to get these numbers someplace alongside the best way right here. However I’ll say that there actually isn’t a finances for a race workforce, at the least not set. All groups resolve what they need to spend to be aggressive, or how a lot they’re able to spending.

THE FINAL WORD

From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, December 11, 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 once you clarify that he lacks adequate street racing prowess to catch on within the present IndyCar world, which is true however can also be a sign that your sport is fatally flawed to start with when it leans so closely to the street/road racing facet of issues).

Clauson is younger, very proficient and really achieved. He is gained a number of championships in opposition to different very high-level racing skills and gained them racing in entrance of precise American open-wheel racing followers (lots of whom stay 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 fitting thought and there’s a craving on the market by many people to root for somebody like this). And for some odd purpose the child really nonetheless aspires to race IndyCars and make it his vacation spot collection.

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 gloomy, 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? Assume how silly that sounds. We’re ignoring actual expertise and likewise 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 parents operating the game (CEOs, house owners and engine producers not essentially in that order) aren’t sensible sufficient to determine this can be a main purpose why so few persons 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 it is utterly reversed and screwed up (and its controversial how lots of the present drivers are “prime tier” to start with…).

There’s far 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 could 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 need to see Conor Daly battling Bryan Clauson on the monitor in an IndyCar. Identical to I need 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 normally provides People what they need and what they will get concerned about. One sport is clueless and has been for a very long time.

Invoice, Maplewood, IN

ROBIN MILLER: Once I took Randy Bernard to his first USAC dash race in 2010, he puzzled why none of these drivers mastering 900 hp had been on the Indy 500. I defined they was once however that each one modified within the USAC/CART struggle. I advised him it was prison that among the finest 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 automotive, Clauson was among the many prime 10 in follow a number of occasions and had an ideal qualifying run going earlier than crashing on the final lap. With solely 33 vehicles, he went again out in his repaired automotive and ran conservatively the remainder of the month like he was advised. What occurs if he qualifies in the course of Row 4 (that is the place he was headed going into that fourth lap) and runs properly within the race? Perhaps an proprietor or two believes {that a} USAC champion nonetheless belongs and provides 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 follow this previous Could, and it was labeled a rookie mistake that basically did not damage him. Nor ought to it. My solely statement is that on a very good night time in Indiana Dash Week, there may be 3,000 spectators which dwarfs any follow day at IMS. Would lots of them wish to see Clauson competing in opposition to Daly or Newgarden and would they arrive to sixteenth & Georgetown? We’ll by no means know.