Q: You mentioned in an article recently that Andretti is taking a different tack next season with driver selection. But, I wonder, will that be enough? For several seasons now, the top talent in that team seem to flounder over time. Herta was recently attractive to F1 teams, but I am sure has lost his market value in the series. Grosjean… I recall when he signed with Andretti, I thought, “I’m not so sure that’s the right move.” And Rossi signed one too many contracts with Andretti in my opinion. I know I’m just a fan, but I wonder why that team is so attractive to top talent. (I’m sure Herta had other options when he signed.) I would love to see Andretti back on the top step of the podium more often, but I don’t see how abandoning the pay driver helps.
Andy Rolfe, Brighton, MI
MP: Andretti’s in the midst of an interesting process with its race strategists that makes me think of the question here, Andy. They have some highly talented strategists, but in some pairings, the chemistry has been off, so they’re trying out some different combos.
The same good/bad chemistry possibilities exist with driver selections, and yes, you can hire big-name drivers, but will that driver create a stronger team through their attitude and contributions to all facets of performance, or create division and tension and make folks miserable? And there are levels here, right? Nigel Mansell was a dark cloud, but he also won and kept winning, so the personality shortcomings were accepted as the high cost of reaching victory lane. But would the same toxic behavior be accepted if he wasn’t winning?
If there’s been a theme in recent years, it’s been personality rifts between at least two Andretti drivers, which isn’t how championships are won, unless we’re talking Senna and Prost in 1988 and ’89, and they aren’t available. Andretti has all the money in the world at his disposal to hire anybody he wants, and I hope his next lineup is one where a lot more time and effort goes into creating the best blend of characters who can win together. Herta and Kirkwood are foundation to build upon, and nobody has accused Marcus Ericsson of being a bad or selfish teammate. Felix Rosenqvist is universally loved. David Malukas is quick and hilarious. Marcus Armstrong is genuinely nice and fast.
So, yes, the team will get better with four paid drivers who have winning pedigrees and want to function as a unit.
Q: Where can I get Sonny Hayes and Jimmy Bly hats?
Steve Coe, Vancouver, WA
MP Hayes is and has always been trash. I’d rather wear a Joe Tanto hat or a Mark Plourde jersey than represent Hayes. As for Bly hats, I might know a guy who had a few made…
Q: Do you know the origin of the ever elusive and legendary “Jack the Bear” that is spoken of in hushed tones in racing? As in, he is “going like Jack the Bear”?
Big Possum, Michigan
MP: Never heard of the reference before today, unfortunately.
Q: I wish to explain the confusion about the Watkins Glen IMSA start. I will admit that I was not able to watch the race, as I was working another race. The many comments that were made concerned why the green flag was displayed at start, when the BMW had gone off at Turn 1. The rule is for split starts, if the first group gets the green flag, the second group must also receive the green flag. Since the off occurred at Turn 1, the corner marshals at Turn 1 are responsible to show a waving or standing yellow flag for the incident. At some races, if the incident is at Turn 1, a backup starter might also show a yellow flag, while the point starter throws the green for the split start. In the event that the starter waves off the first group, the second group would also receive the wave-off.
Frank, Mooresville
MP: Thanks, Frank, but no, there’s nothing that requires a series to make dangerous decisions because the rules say to do so. There’s no “must” here. Beyond whatever’s written, a race director is tasked with ensuring the safety of the drivers, crews and volunteer workers, and as such, they are given extraordinary authority to do whatever is needed to meet that all-important duty. What we saw at Watkins won’t happen again.
Q: While I am sure it will be far more realistic, is it just me or does the new F1 movie plot sound very Joe Tanto-ish? The “Driven” soundtrack is very underrated in my opinion, by the way.
Jeff Smith, State college, PA
MP: It is indeed underrated among worst movie soundtracks, no doubt. Yes, it’s a copy of Driven’s premise, but that’s Hollywood’s thing, isn’t it? Copy, derive, and repeat.