Daniel’s squillion dollar smile
Posted on October 17, 2024 Tags: Daniel Ricciardo
And Brodie’s Brilliant Bathurst
WHILE IT SADDENS ME that we will no longer see Daniel Ricciardo on the Formula One grid, I am buoyed to know his legacy will live on as the tributes continue to flow. And the amiable Australian remembered as one of the greats of the sport.
The cherished image (above) with Daniel and my youngest son Sebastian, was taken in Perth – not long after the likeable Aussie Ace began his stellar F1 career.
Honey Badger signs off in understated post
Posting on Instagram after confirmation his departure was imminent, Daniel Ricciardo wrote:
“I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey.
“To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you.
“To the fans who love the sport – sometimes more than me – ha-ha, thank you.
“It’ll always have its highs and lows, but it’s been fun – and truth be told – I wouldn’t change it.
“Until the next adventure!”
“Daniel has his career in front of him.”
“Daniel’s such a personality. He’s got such a career in front of him, whether it’s in racing or TV, stand up, whatever it is, Daniel will find the route that works for him,” said British F1 great Jenson Button (above) on Sky F1 podcast this week.
Will we see Daniel at this year’s United States Grand Prix?
Texas, and Austin, is one of Daniel’s his favourite venues, and US Grand Prix promoter Bobby Epstein has extended an invitation to Daniel.
There are even rumours the Aussie’s up for Keys to the City of Austin honours.
But don’t hold your breath. And I so hope I’m wrong!
May I wish talented Kiwi Liam Lawson all the very best for a successful career.
Thanks for the ride, Daniel. It has been intensely enjoyable., mate. Cheers!
Have Red Bull’s wheels fallen off?
The once-mighty Red Bull, particularly chief advisor Helmut Marko, has not emerged from this saga unscathed.
It’s hard to fathom that this time last year Max Verstappen was heading for a history-making season when Red Bull won twenty-one of the 22 grands prix held in 2023.
And he began this season brilliantly claiming four of the opening five races, odds-on it seemed, on his way to winning four world titles in a row.
Then the wheels fell off!
Since his triumph in Barcelona on June 23, neither Max nor Red Bull has claimed a race win.
How the mighty have fallen!
As the circus returns this weekend to Austin, Texas, Max Verstappen holds a tenuous 52-point lead in the drivers’ championship, with Lando Norris and McLaren hard on his hammer.
McLaren now leads the all-important Constructors’ Championship and will be unfortunate indeed not to claim that title – for the first time since 1998.
Lando, meanwhile. has continued to produce masterful drives worthy of a champion – as has, incidentally, his Aussie teammate Oscar Piastri.
As the reigning triple-world champion heads into the final quarter of the season with a genuine challenger, the United States Grand Prix is a race that the young Brit – who turns 25 on November 13 – is highlighting as a massive opportunity for points.
COTA resurfaced since last year
The US Grand Prix sees changes to the Austin’s Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with much of it resurfaced, completing the work begun two years ago.
This includes the sections between turns 9 and 12 and 16 and 3 – the two longest straights where DRS is always an option.
No doubt the abrasiveness of the track has changed since last year, given that a new layer of bitumen is usually smoother than an old surface.
So, teams will be busting to acquire essential data as early as possible during the one and only hour of free practice – early on Friday afternoon – as the Sprint format returns for the Austin weekend.
But Austin’s stand-out feature is the steep climb off the line to the very wide first corner, which sees drivers taking a variety of lines through it, making for spectacular viewing.
Other changes include the use of fake gravel for the run-off areas at some corners, as already encountered at other tracks, Zandvoort for example.
This alleviates the controversy that can arise over exceeding track limits, without the problem of real gravel being spewed onto the track.
The new surface should also have dealt with the small bumps that have developed on the racing line over the years, upsetting the car’s handling and making life more difficult for drivers.
About the forces exerted on the tyres, the loads at the Austin track are evenly distributed between the front and rear axles and are more lateral than vertical.
Usually, degradation is thermal and linked to the ambient temperature, which in Texas in October can fluctuate considerably – from one day to the next. But this weekend it’s looking quite tasty.
Strategy depends on how quickly the teams adapt to the new surface, remembering Saturday’s Sprint should provide useful data.
The dry weather compounds chosen are the same as those used for the past two editions of the Austin round – the C2 Hard, the C3 Medium and the C4 Soft.
Austin, Texas, USA
All looking fine and dandy
COTA really does have a bit of everything, partly because the track designed by Hermann Tilke takes its inspiration from some of motorsport’s most demanding venues.
Like Silverstone and Suzuka at turns 3 to 6, Hockenheim (from 12 to 15) and the section from 16 to 18, which owes something to the never-ending turn 8 at Istanbul’s Otopark.
Hermann Tilke’s impressive resume of current F1 venues also includes Baku, Yas Marina, Shanghai, and Jeddah.
Austin is the second of three races this season in the USA, following on from Miami and preceding Las Vegas.
This year is the first US F1 triple-header since 1983, when the series raced at Long Beach, Detroit, and Las Vegas.
11 Venues host USA Grand Prix
Surprisingly, the USA sits fourth on the list of countries that have hosted the most F1 races – with 77. Although that does include 11 Indianapolis 500s which counted towards the Drivers’ World Championship from 1950-60.
Great Britain and Germany top that list, each with 79 events.
There have been eleven venues for the USA Grand Prix: Watkins Glen (20), Indianapolis (19), Austin (11), Long Beach (8), Detroit (7), Las Vegas (3), Miami (3), Phoenix (3), Dallas (1), Riverside (1), and Sebring (1).
It’s interesting to note the two drivers with the most USA GP wins are on track this weekend at COTA – Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen each have six to their credit.
As for the teams, Ferrari and McLaren are also joint leaders – both on 13.
It will indeed be fascinating to see a clear leader emerge.
Brodie’s Brilliant Bathurst
Fastest 1000 ever!
HUGE SHOUTOUT to reigning Supercars champion – Perth’s Brodie Kostecki who, along with copilot Todd Hazelwood, blitzed the field to win the 2024 Bathurst 1000 on Sunday.
It was the fastest ever Bathurst race – five hours, 58 minutes, and 35 seconds around the magnificent Mount Panorama track – and the first time the race had finished under six hours.
It was an extraordinary win for Erebus Motorsport which began the season in all assorts of strife and now holds the trophy for Australia’s Greatest Race.
Brodie was simply brilliant – from Pole to Post – holding firm in a final-stint duel with Broc Feeney to claim victory. Broc and Jamie Whincup finishing second with Will Brown and Scott Pye rounding out the podium.
It is the first Bathurst 1000 win for both Brodie and Todd, making them the 65th and 66th different winners around one of world’s finest circuits.
Top level Racing at Wanneroo this weekend!
LOCAL MOTORSPORT is always high-level octane at CARCO Raceway, featuring the prime of WA’s racers in a full-on family experience beginning this weekend.
The 2024 final round is on Saturday and Sunday, and proudly supported by Gallagher.
The WA Sporting Car Club looks forward to welcoming everyone for one final race round in 2024.
The Gallagher Season Finale round features a bumper round with Excel Cup, Formula Vee, FSR, Free Formula, Historic Touring Cars, HQ Holdens, Formula Ford, Production Cars, Improved Production Cars, Street Cars, Saloon Cars, Sports Cars, Sports Sedans, and Time Challenge.
Spectator entry is only $10 each day per car – pay at the gate. And it’s free for WA Sporting Car Club members.
If you want to know more about the WA Sporting Club, check out carco.com.au Raceway and wascc.com.au.
It really is a great Club, with a safe, fan-friendly atmosphere. And kids are always welcome!
United States Grand Prix
Race Schedule
PERTH TIME
Circuit of The Americas | 19 – 21 Oct
P1 Saturday 19th October 01:30
Sprint Shootout Saturday 19th October 05:30
Sprint Race Sunday 20th October 02:00
Qualifying Sunday 20th October 06:00
Race
Monday 21st October 03:00
Next event:
Mexican Grand Prix
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | 26 – 28 Oct
EDITED by AC
Leave a Reply