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F1weekly podcast number 411 for your listening pleasure.
Another round table discussion on USF1′s lies and deceit.
Motorsports Mondial with Nasir Hameed.
Hispania Racing Team unveil new car and prove Bernie wrong.
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Don’t cry for me Argentina
A proud Jose Maria Lopez explains to El Presidente how the “Skunk Works”, located in Nascarville, will transform him as the next Fangio of their nation.
The tax payers of Argentina will be waiting for a long time for the Western Union man to knock on door and deliver back their $800k deposit.
Ken Anderson, once a Penske-shock man, and Peter Windsor, once a chatter box in the pre-race grid walk, are no where to be found in the last few weeks and their silence has been deafening. Even their local propaganda machine, Speed TV, cannot get a quote from them.
The Piranha pool that is Formula 1 has not been kind on first bite to Chad Hurley, the You Tube founder reportedly invested $20m only to see his operation mocked on his own creation. A $2.00 hot dog conversation with any serious racer, from the Good Lord (Hesketh) to Captain (Penske) of the racing industry, would have told him that the best way to have a $100m portfolio in Formula 1 is to start with $200m.
As the Motown song goes, “damn your eyes for getting my hopes so high”.
Wonder what tune young American racing talents are singing now? Edwards, Hildebrand, Rossi, Summerton all had high hopes. Even those who had little interest in crossing the pond were swimming with delight that a US-based Formula 1 operation was interested in their services.
Yes, that’s how Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor were going to do things “differently”. Beat the Vettels and Hamiltons of the world with a one hit wonder, and another who makes a right turn only when his engine is “done, blowed up” and heads for the paddock.
Lopez may end up in Formula 1 this season with Campos or whatever the name is by next week, he will certainly feel betrayed by a man who was once manager to an elected Argentine official and former Grand Prix star, Carlos Reutemann. The photo above was taken in January of this year and shows Lopez meeting Ms. Kirchner, President of Argentina.
Now it has come to light that British driver James Rossiter also had a contract with USF1 but was kept in the dark about the progress (if any) of the car. This from the dynamic duo who patriotically screamed, “Shame on Formula 1 for not nurturing American talent”.
The (phantom) car was designed by Jason Anderson, Ken’s kid. A weekend vacation on a Thai beach with some of Chad’s cash could have secured the services of Rory Byrne. He once designed red cars which were raced rather successfully by a Red Baron.
The Andersons did create one racing machine for the IRL, the Falcon. But it dived into oblivion without ever racing.
History may be repeating itself but the future is bright for Formula 1. You will definitely need shades in Bahrain.
– Nasir Hameed
Racing regards from California
KC and the Indian band
Karun. In the steps of Narain
Spa-Francorchamps, 2007: Then 23-year old Karun Chandok makes history by becoming the first Indian driver ever to win a GP2 race. The following year he would win again, this time at Hockenheimring.
All indications point to Chandok making the grid in Bahrain to begin his Formula 1 career. He would be the second Indian to reach the pinnacle of motor racing after Narain Karthikeyan, his childhood friend.
Karun Chandok was introduced to motor sports from an early age. His father, Vicky, now a senior member of FIA and Indian Motorsports Federation, is a former National Rally Champion. Grandfather, Indu Chandok, was the founder of FMSCI, Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India.
The younger Chandok won the Indian Racing Championship in 2000 with season high seven victories, starting from pole position and setting fastest lap in all 10 events, which stands to this day as a national record.
The following season, 2001, Chandok captured the opening five races in the Asian Formula Championship; three additional wins later in the season gave him the title. He was awarded the ‘Most promising Asian driver of the year’.
He also tested the waters of British F3 with Trevor Carlin’s team.
The years 2002-’04 saw Chandok competing in the series. In 2003, he became a certified racing instructor at the Silverstone racing school. A brief foray in World Series by Renault in 2004 was followed by representing his nation in the inaugural 2005-’06 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Returning to the Asian continent Chandok won the first Formula Asia V6 by Renault Championship in 2006. From 12 starts he grabbed 9 pole positions and seven wins.
Vicky “Papito” Chandok. Family friend Vijay Mallya to his left.
2007-’09. The GP2 years. Chandok arrived in the “official feeder series of F1” in 2007 with Durango team and tasted success at Spa-Francorchamps in the sprint race after starting from the front row. Was voted ‘Most improved driver of the year’.
The following season, 2008, he was teammate to Bruno Senna – and they may be teammates again this year – and again scored a sprint race victory, this time in the support race to the German Grand Prix. Podium finishes were also recorded Monaco, Silverstone and Dubai, the GP2 Asia version of the series.
Past season was spent with third team in as many seasons, Tiago Monteiro’s Ocean Racing Technology. Podium finish in the sprint race at Silverstone was his best finish.
Kingfisher gives Karun wings. While Chandok has tested Red Bull F1 machinery before, chances are support for his entry in this year’s world championship will come from long time sponsor and family friend Dr. Vijay Mallya. The airline and liquor baron and Chandok Sr. were instrumental in securing a Grand Prix for India.
Now all they need is a driver.
– Nasir Hameed
Racing regards from California!
