Art. 10, Alonso Stays, Charters, and Larson goes fast.
Yeah, it's only one day, but second fast? Sheesh.
It’s F1; it will dominate the headlines this week. Alonso has signed through 2026 with Aston Martin F1. He’s 42 this year, and this contract will see him running in F1 at 45. He would still not be the oldest F1 race starter, race winner, or even race entrant. Those records are held by drivers who primarily spent their time running around in the 50s. Louis Alexandre Chiron was a Monégasque racing driver currently, and likely will forever be, the oldest driver ever to enter an F1 race. In 1958, he failed to qualify for the event in Monaco at 58 in his Maserati 250F. The oldest race entrant, again, unlikely to be usurped by Alonso, was Luigi Fagioli at 53 in the 1951 French Grand Prix in his Talbot-Lago T26C-DA, which interestingly was also the same race that sees Chiron also as the oldest starter.
I’m not saying Alonso could not continue into his 50s, but it doesn't seem likely, given the demands on the driver physically and mentally. Alonso has said that this is now a “lifetime “project, and the move to Honda power, which has pushed Verstappen to his and will likely carry him again this year under a private label, will likely help move things along with the team-based at Silverstone.
There are rumors that Adrian Newey may leave for Ferrari amid Hamilton’s move to the Scuderia. Similarly, one could suggest that Newey may head for Aston as well. I’m not for betting; it’s an idiot tax in my mind, but if you told me to pick a place for him to land, I’d place my incredibly small sum of money on Ferrari. Sorry, Lance Stroll’s dad won’t be joining you. I think Aston is closer than ever to securing some real success, but not enough to be a world-beater unless Alonso can help assemble enough high-quality people to pull out some Renault magic without the crash gate issues.
During his amended contract, Alonso will likely take another crack at Le Mans, attempting to win it in the Valkyrie. His run in the Toyota was terrific, and it needs to happen again. Between Button running down LMP2 cars in the G56 entry last year, Vettel taking part with Penske in 2025(maybe), and AM being fully ready to challenge in 2026, we have to find a way to get all three of them in one car.
It’s awesome to see Nando continue; he needs to get a win, though.
IndyCar Charters.
I don’t want this. Which means it’s going to happen.
I guess it’s been okay in NASCAR. Justin Marks and Trackhouse have done just fine. I think there could be positives from this, but I also see it potentially fraught with issues. Prema announced earlier this week that they’d be joining in 2025, and as a significant team that feeds F1 talent to the grid there, this will help expand operations to build IndyCar up and allow for alternate pathways. But their joining comes when you’re not in now; you’re unlikely to get in later unless you buy into the charter system.
I don't like the Indy 500, which needs to be a charter-free race weekend. There is too much history involved with the entry and qualifications. I’d support IndyCar in finding ways to help more teams show up and try to get in, which would also be influential on Bump Day.
It’s unavoidable at this point, but we know that Penske needs to start smashing the “anvil of activation.” We need to see more eyeballs on IndyCar. And soon.
Kyle Larson is fast.
He posted an incredible speed on just a single day of pre-500 testing this week. Running 226.384mph average in Wednesday morning test.
Early favorites to win? Yeah, I want to think so. It would be incredible for him and McLaren to secure their fourth Indy 500 win, and their first since Johnny Rutherford won it for them in 1976.
Larson’s ability to be fast in everything stems from his days playing in the dirt; another wheelman who cut his teeth coming up in USAC Silver Crown, midgets, and sprint cars, just like so many others who’ve run this race and won. Being fast and fast while loose can help you get your face on the Borg-Warner Trophy. Certainly, that number is impressive, but it shouldn’t be shocking to see him up to speed so fast for anyone who's paid any time looking at his career.
Ted Toleman
Sad news has hit us this week with his passing: longtime owner and the guy responsible for Senna’s start died at 86.
His team lives on, though its modern iteration is that of Alpine F1. Impressive life, impressive career.
Rest easy.
(sorry for the shorter entry this week, there is lots to cover next week)