Blizzard
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I like it, although he may have some competition. At this point, seems McLaren is trying to take themselves out.
The Racing Thread
- Thread starter AWP
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Toyota Gazoo Racing is Haas' new title partner for 2026, "TGR Haas F1 Team." For those who don't know, TGR has replaced Toyota Racing Development as Toyota's performance brand. TRD is now focused on offroad and SUV stuff. Ferrari powerplants with Toyota engineering support could be great for the team.
I still want Cadillac to kick their asses though.
I still want Cadillac to kick their asses though.
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I don't expect them to kick ass, but their presence does a few key things for a brand new team: experience, money, personality, and fans. I think both are still better than anything Alpine is putting on the track. Stroll's performance is more about the car, not the driver. This year's rookie class is good, but Bottas and Perez have the talent to compete in the midfield. If Cadillac finishes anything but last that's a win for the team.
Is Herta the future? I doubt it though he could surprise us. The handful of Americans in F2/ F3 right now could maybe be something one day, just not today. The current driver line up though actually brings a lot to the table, especially Perez' money and ties to North America; both drivers have a huge cult-ish fan base.
Can you imagine the first time one of them makes it into Q2? That team will go nuts.
One positive for Cadillac is simple human psychology. That's a 1.3 billion dollar investment staffed by hungry people out to prove themselves.
Holy shit, that is amazing. A race in the rain, even qualifying in the rain? Epic. Problem is there's no rain forecast for Abu Dhabi this weekend.
I think Lando takes the WDC, but a poor qualifying position or turn 1 bottle will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
@Ooh-Rah I think ESPN will have the race on Sunday at 7AM your time if you want a feel for the series. I watch it on F1TV (RIP in 2026), so I can't speak to ESPN's coverage and especially the announcers.
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I hadn't looked at the weather, but it was too awesome not to post either way.Re: this weekend, concur 100%. Qualifying is gonna weigh heavy, especially on McLaren, and, regardless of qualifying, there's gonna be a lot of puckered up seat cushions as they go into Turn 1 at the start on Sunday.
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So, Max grabs P1, Lando P2, and Oscar P3.
RIP Oscar's WDC.
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An exciting last race.
Once Max took the lead, it was pretty much a given he wouldn't lose it. So, the only question was what happens behind him? Leclerc positioned himself to be an interesting potential spoiler for a bit, especially when he was running fast late. And Lando's move around Tsunoda as well, it was risky and if the call didn't go his way...
McLaren raced not to lose today, rather than go out and win. It worked out and maybe that was the smart play, but it again defines a clear difference in team mentality that will continue to hold them back from reaching their true potential. In late-Aug, Lando had ~100pt lead over Max and Oscar was making his own run as well. Obviously, Max and RB deserve credit in closing the gap the second half of the season, but losing that margin to be in a position to make this last race so close was kind of crazy. It shouldn't have been this close. McLaren needs to clean things up going into next season.
I'm still "team McLaren" -- I like both drivers -- and they got Lando a WDC, despite themselves, but what they did to Oscar along the way was complete garbage. Their team strategy, or lack thereof, especially the last half dozen or so races, could only leave their fans scratching their heads as well.
On the season...
Super fun to watch/follow. Great for the sport. Will be interesting to see new teams join the mix next year.
Once Max took the lead, it was pretty much a given he wouldn't lose it. So, the only question was what happens behind him? Leclerc positioned himself to be an interesting potential spoiler for a bit, especially when he was running fast late. And Lando's move around Tsunoda as well, it was risky and if the call didn't go his way...
McLaren raced not to lose today, rather than go out and win. It worked out and maybe that was the smart play, but it again defines a clear difference in team mentality that will continue to hold them back from reaching their true potential. In late-Aug, Lando had ~100pt lead over Max and Oscar was making his own run as well. Obviously, Max and RB deserve credit in closing the gap the second half of the season, but losing that margin to be in a position to make this last race so close was kind of crazy. It shouldn't have been this close. McLaren needs to clean things up going into next season.
I'm still "team McLaren" -- I like both drivers -- and they got Lando a WDC, despite themselves, but what they did to Oscar along the way was complete garbage. Their team strategy, or lack thereof, especially the last half dozen or so races, could only leave their fans scratching their heads as well.
On the season...
Super fun to watch/follow. Great for the sport. Will be interesting to see new teams join the mix next year.
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A lot of the AC at Statesville are owned by NASCAR personalities as they live in nearby Lake Norman. Local RUMINT is saying it's him and his family, but you know how that goes....I guess we'll see as it fleshes out.
Biffle was extraordinarily generous and helpful in the western part of the state with Helene recovery and well liked in the community.
Davey, Kulwicki, didn't Rick Hendrick have a plane go down? I feel like I'm missing one or two more.
https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-c...le-and-family-killed-in-plane-crash/10785565/
This gets real weird for me. I don't think I'd heard the name Cleetus McFarland until this morning when listening to Andy Stumpf's podcast who mentioned the "Freedom Factory" racetrack here in FL. I looked that up and saw it is near Bradenton. "Huh, cool" and moved on with life.
And then I saw the story which listed the plane's destination as Bradenton...
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Such a shitty way to go.
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