Q: I’m wondering whether anything has been heard in either F1 or IndyCar regarding Zane Maloney and Andretti?
He’s been linked to their Formula E program for a while now, and looks set to be released from the Red Bull program at the end of the year, and with Andretti looking to get into F1 from 2025 onwards, I’m curious to know if there’s anything linking the two parties together there? If not, is there anything being heard about a possible linkup from ’25 onwards in the States?
I’m likely adding two and two together and getting five, but it seems a logical move for both parties.
Tom, York, UK
CHRIS MEDLAND: I’ll admit I haven’t heard anything along those lines, although racing for Carlin will have given Maloney good contacts in the U.S. through Trevor Carlin and the team’s former IndyCar presence.
I’d be very surprised if there was anything in F1 terms, as Michael Andretti has already said the plan would be Colton Herta and an experienced F1 driver alongside him, but the F2 crop regularly interest IndyCar teams given the success many have had in transitioning, so it would make sense too.
From what I’ve heard there will be a big clear-out of the Red Bull Junior Program, and that could well lead to multiple drivers being on the market, so Maloney would face competition. After just one F2 season, I feel like it’s more likely that he’s going to be prioritizing another crack in Europe next year.
Q: Never been to an F1 event in person in my life. So am going to get my toe wet by attending the Thursday night FP1 and FP2 practice sessions that will go into wee Friday morning at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. I was able to buy a ticket for that Thursday nights practice session, plus a grandstand ticket for the Wednesday night opening ceremonies concerts, for a little over $400 all together after taxes and fees and ticket insurances, which are definitely in my budget range!
As lifelong racing fan in general, what are some “cheap” must-dos as a first time in person attendee to an F1 session to do within a two-day span? Also, will I get heckled by anybody if I wore any of my vintage t-shirts of my lifelong favorite race car driver ever, Jeff Gordon from NASCAR?
Kevin P.
CM: I would certainly hope you wouldn’t get heckled, Kevin — retro gear is cool! And as much as negative incidents get highlighted among some fans, F1 races have huge crowds and the vast majority are brilliant.
Check if your tickets will get you access to a pit lane walk on Wednesday, when you can get close to the garages to see the teams building their cars. They tend to happen in the afternoon on the day before practice kicks off at some venues (other pit lane walks over the weekend tend to be for Paddock Club ticket holders).
If Vegas works like other events, you’ll be free to roam around the track during practice, so make sure to take in as many different vantage points as possible — there’s a good official app for moving around. Heavy braking zones are immense to watch F1 cars in, and anywhere on a street circuit that you can get close to an outside wall exiting a corner is also a highlight.
Before practice there should also be some driver or team appearances on a fan stage so you can hear from them yourself — although I’ll admit I can’t find a full schedule for Las Vegas yet to confirm timings on that front.
Q: There was a report that last week about revamping F1’s sprint races/weekend in order to create more incentive for the drivers. One of the ideas was prize money for the drivers. I’m curious, from the teams’ perspective, has there been talk of a constructors’ championship for the sprint races with the prize being either additional constructors’ prize money and/or additional wind tunnel/CFD time?
Andrew
CM: Not as far as I’m aware Andrew, but the teams already get additional money from the sprint events. Partly through F1’s revenues (the sport charges more for a sprint event) but also they have their budget caps increased to allow them to spend more as a result of having the extra wear and tear on cars and damage risk etc. So that’s where their negotiating has come into it whenever the sprint has been a topic.
Your question does highlight how there isn’t universal agreement yet on what the sprint could or should be and how best to structure it. Carlos Sainz recently said multiple drivers have flagged the idea of reverse grid races given the fact they don’t influence the grand prix itself, but teams are unlikely to go for that given the increased risk of incidents as faster cars try to fight through.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, November 5, 2014
Q: Hi Robin. Just a quick note to say thanks for a super article on Greg Moore. I have shared it with many friends who are also deeply touched. His name still lives on with the foundation we formed in his name to continue working with the many charities he worked with many deserving children and distressed families. Thanks again. Every day we miss him and I know you are aware of the special bond he and I had. He had a short but amazingly full life. We keep hearing about some of his many adventures off track and always have a laugh about his love of life and the fun he had. Thanks again for keeping his memory in front of so many.
Ric, Donna, James and Annie Moore
ROBIN MILLER: Thanks for your kind words Ric, nice to hear from you. Hinch also did a very nice tribute on RACER.com. [ED: Apologies for the wonky formatting in the older links – a legacy of content from the previous version of the site being imported to the new one a few years ago]
I always smile when I think about the first time I met Greg in Toronto after he’d smoked the Lights field: “Hi Greg, my name is Robin Miller and I write for the Indianapolis Star,” I said. He took a drink of water and returned the handshake: “I know who you are and I think you’re going to be writing about me for a long time.” I loved his attitude and as I got to know him, that sense of living in the moment. There’s nothing anyone can say to bring back his glowing light but please take some solace in the fact he was so good, so popular and such a great kid. His memory still resonates 15 years later and that tells me how special he was to so many people.