2021 NTT IndyCar series - News, gossip, banter and all the other good stuff

Including the Indy 500 and all junior series leading up to IndyCar
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Everso Biggyballies
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#136

Post by Everso Biggyballies »

Bottom post of the previous page:

A bit more of RoGro's thoughts on Indycar. It seems the lack of power steering is the only downside he mentioned (with an ' can get used to that' comment), but made some interesting comments like how the lines are different to those used in the high downforce land of F1. He seems happy with the ongoing recovery from burns.

He seems happy. I think both ex Haas F1 drivers are in a happier place than last year.

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In preparation for the IndyCar season-opener at the same Alabama-situated circuit, Grosjean joined several other drivers including Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin for a private test.

Grosjean’s day did at one point come unstuck with a spin into the gravel – but not even that could dampen his overall delight.

“It’s a different car, a different position, but apart from that, everything felt great and normal. I just need to get used to a new car,” he told the official IndyCar website.

“It reminds me of when I was jumping from Formula Renault to Formula 3 and GP2. So far, I’ve been really happy with it.

“The mechanical grip of the car has been really good. I can really understand why you can get the racing good.

“The way the team works is really good. It’s different, but I’m happy with that.

“Trying to adapt myself has been quite smooth. I think the more testing we have, the better it is, but I’m also very much looking forward for it to be the 17th and 18th of April to go racing.”

Grosjean pointed to factors such as the absence of power steering as challenges.

“After the first run my biceps started hurting a bit, and I thought: ‘OK, OK. Now we’re talking,’” he said.

“You really feel the car. I guess you can drive it a little bit more with your driving style with the way you apply the brake and your turning and so on.

“You can actually use different lines, whereas in Formula 1 you may be more stuck to the ideal line because of how the aerodynamics work.

“I made a mistake this morning, and I spun (in Turn 1). I was stuck in the gravel. (The track) has consequences, and you need to stay within the limits, which I always quite enjoy.”

As for his physical state, particularly relating to his left hand, Grosjean added, “It’s actually done very well.

“I had a big snap on the last run (of the morning), and that was a bit painful. I expect those. I know it’s not fully recovered and is sensitive.”
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#137

Post by JR90 »

Everso Biggyballies wrote: 3 years agoOn the other hand he could give them a few bills.
His team owner is Dale Coyne. I'm sure Coyne has a solid crash clause in place.
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#138

Post by MonteCristo »

There was a test at Laguna Seca on Monday. Times:

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 71.29s
Ed Jones, No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Honda, 71.53s
Romain Grosjean, No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda, 71.57s
Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 71.60s
Jack Harvey, No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda, 71.69s
Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy, 71.80s
Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 66 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 72.22s
Helio Castroneves, No. 06 Meyer Shank Racing Chevy, 72.81s

Report: https://racer.com/2021/03/01/oward-sets ... ycar-test/
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#139

Post by John »

Pato will be a force in the series this year.
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#140

Post by MonteCristo »

Pietro Fittipaldi returns to Dale Coyne Racing for IndyCar ovals. Fills Grosjean's car for the rest of the season.
https://racer.com/2021/03/04/pietro-fit ... car-ovals/

Hotdogs is interested in Indycar. Stick him alongside Grosjean and there would never be a dull race.
https://racer.com/2021/03/04/sports-car ... g-indycar/
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#141

Post by Lor Bet »



Not sure if it's the right topic to post it, however.......
Indy looks much more enjoyable to drive compared to F1
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#142

Post by erwin greven »

Lor Bet wrote: 3 years ago

Not sure if it's the right topic to post it, however.......
Indy looks much more enjoyable to drive compared to F1
When you are not winning in F1, yes i can imagine you enjoy Indy more.
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#143

Post by John »

erwin greven wrote: 3 years ago
Lor Bet wrote: 3 years ago

Not sure if it's the right topic to post it, however.......
Indy looks much more enjoyable to drive compared to F1
When you are not winning in F1, yes i can imagine you enjoy Indy more.
Yup. Everyone who has left F1 has left the mid-to-low-tier teams where a points finish is the only thing they can hope for. They've been salivating regarding the thought of finally compete for wins again.
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#144

Post by MonteCristo »

I do wonder what the deal is with his sponsorship though...

White suit... No Haas money... Who is paying?
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#145

Post by MonteCristo »

PRUETT: Bumping back on the cards for the 2021 Indy 500 field

In a welcome change from last year, the NTT IndyCar Series should have no problem filling its field of 33 drivers for the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500, which takes place on May 30.

At minimum, 34 entries will be in position to practice and attempt to qualify for the race, but only 31 are known to be done deals. The other three are considered formalities though, and await driver confirmations to join the 31.

In addition, there are three other potentials with varying odds on pushing the entry list out to as many as 37. Based on what is likely to happen among the expected and potentials, 35-36 qualifiers are currently projected to vie for the 33 spots.

Looking at the roster of drivers who are known to be in the mix for the Indy 500 vacancies, Oliver Askew, James Davison, Santino Ferrucci, JR Hildebrand, Katherine Legge, Oriol Servia, and Cody Ware are said to be the most solid contenders.
https://racer.com/2021/03/23/pruett-bum ... 500-field/
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#146

Post by MonteCristo »

Now only 2 weeks away from the opener at Barber!

Testing at Texas with many teams in attendance.

Day 1 times:
1. Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Andretti Autosport Honda, 222.442 mph
2. Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Team Penske Chevy, 222.268 mph
3. Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 222.259 mph
4. Ed Carpenter, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy, 222.204 mph
5. Takuma Sato, No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda, 222.058 mph
6. Sebastien Bourdais, No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing Chevy, 221.212 mph
7. Jack Harvey, No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda, 220.076 mph
https://racer.com/2021/03/30/hunter-rea ... -speedway/

Day 2 times:
1. Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 222.25mph
2. Alexander Rossi, No. 27 Andretti Autosport Honda, 220.84mph
3. Jack Harvey, No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda, 220.54mph
4. Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Team Penske Chevy, 220.45mph
5. Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevy, 220.41mph
6. Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 220.07mph
7. Colton Herta, No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda, 219.62mph
8. Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy, 219.58mph
9. Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevy, 218.91mph
10. Sebastien Bourdais, No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing Chevy, 218.73mph
11. Ed Carpenter, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy, 218.66mph
12. Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevy, 218.16mph
13. Takuma Sato, No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda, 217.81mph
14. Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Andretti Autosport Honda, 217.75mph
15. James Hinchcliffe, No. 29 Andretti Autosport Honda, 217.46mph
16. Graham Rahal, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda, 216.94mph
17. Dalton Kellett, No. 4 A.J. Foyt Racing Chevy, 216.70mph
https://racer.com/2021/03/31/oward-tops ... r-testing/
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#147

Post by MonteCristo »

Apparently a big open test at Indy in a week - final test before the season starts.
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#148

Post by John »

MonteCristo wrote: 3 years ago Apparently a big open test at Indy in a week - final test before the season starts.
Yes, the upcoming weekend.

Also, is Pato a legitimate threat for the championship? I wouldn't be surprised to see him give it a good run.
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#149

Post by MonteCristo »

John wrote: 3 years ago Also, is Pato a legitimate threat for the championship? I wouldn't be surprised to see him give it a good run.
Hmm.

I think he has the raw pace. I'm not so sure about the team's consistency though, or whether he has enough consistency either. Season top 5 for my money.

But in saying that, it's interesting to see how Penske has generally been slow in testing this year. What gives?
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#150

Post by jimclark »

MonteCristo wrote: 3 years agoBut in saying that, it's interesting to see how Penske has generally been slow in testing this year. What gives?
Well, he ain't gettin' any younger ya' know..... Image






Oh.....you mean the cars on track...... :whistling:
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#151

Post by MonteCristo »

Gather your pitchforks, it's Ferrucci time at Indy with Rahal: https://racer.com/2021/04/05/ferrucci-t ... rll-entry/
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