The three rookie drivers who will take their places on the grid for the 2023 F1 season arrive with differing expectations heaped upon them. Not only due to the different paths they’ve taken to reach F1, but also because of the teams they are joining. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The most experienced of the trio is AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries , who has one F1 start to his name courtesy of a last-minute call-up to replace the ill Alex Albon at Williams for last year’s Italian Grand Prix. His performance that weekend made him a target of multiple teams for 2023, and Red Bull’s interest won out over Williams’, so de Vries signed for its secondary AlphaTauri team for his long-awaited rookie F1 season. De Vries qualified 13th at Monza but started eighth due to others being penalised. He scored two points by finishing ninth in a car he had only driven in two practice sessions before his first run in qualifying. Team mate Nicholas Latifi came in 15th. … [Read more...] about De Vries vs Piastri vs Sargeant: Which rookie is best prepared for their F1 debut?
Best indycar drivers 2022
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
The 26-year-old Florida-born American Swede hasn’t competed in North America’s premier open wheel championship since 2021 but could be poised for a return to the grid in 2024. Askew , along with newly crowned Indy NXT champion Christian Rasmussen, are both testing with ECR at the 2.3-mile, 17-turn natural terrain road course. And the aim is to use the opportunity to springboard into the team’s No. 20 Chevrolet entry alongside Rinus VeeKay for next year. “There's nothing that would make me happier than a redo at what meant the world to me -- and what still does -- in IndyCar,” Askew told Motorsport.com. “I really want to go back and cause some mischief.” The outing for Askew comes 729 days since his last IndyCar start, which came in the season finale on the Streets of Long Beach Sept. 26, 2021. Oliver Askew, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda Photo by: Barry Cantrell / Motorsport Images A potential pairing alongside VeeKay would provide ECR with one … [Read more...] about Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Has IndyCar’s Texas loss come at the right time?
The writing had been on the wall for several years, but the inevitable separation of the IndyCar Series and Texas Motor Speedway finally came with the arrival of the 2024 schedule. A relationship that began in 1997, the two transitioned through nearly every phase possible in the best and worst ways. The reality, though, is that things have been turbulent for an extended amount of time and both parties are at fault for its failure. In many ways, it’s fitting how everything started – with four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Texas native AJ Foyt backhanding Arie Luyendyk in Victory Lane after the inaugural event in 1997. Factor in timing and scoring issues that delayed final results until the next day and it also signaled the end of the United States Auto Club’s involvement in the championship. When the series needed to bolster its schedule in the early days and an ideal market to crown a champion, the 1.5-mile superspeedway stepped up and hosted races in summer and fall from … [Read more...] about Has IndyCar’s Texas loss come at the right time?
Indy NXT grad Simpson’s path to CGR seat aided by sports car experience
The Barbados-born Caymanian was signed as a development driver with CGR in May 2022, only two races into his Indy NXT career that already featured a fifth-place finish (Barber Motorsports Park). He ended up finishing his rookie campaign ninth in the overall standings despite switching teams – TJ Speed Motorsports to HMD Motorsports – mid-season. There were already some flashes of potential shown the year prior as Simpson rolled to seven wins, 13 podiums and two poles en route to winning the 2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship. Fast forward to the conclusion of the 2023 Indy NXT season, the 18-year-old’s record included a career-best runner-up result (Mid-Ohio), an additional podium and a pole to finish 10th in the championship standings after competing in 13 of 14 events. The lone event missed, the 1.25-mile oval formerly known as Gateway, was a result of a schedule conflict with his full-time commitment to the European Le Mans Series. He currently sits second in the … [Read more...] about Indy NXT grad Simpson’s path to CGR seat aided by sports car experience