| November 2016 News |
Silly Season
Nov 1 - Juan Montoya returned to IndyCar in 2014
after stints in F1 and NASCAR, this time driving for
Penske instead of Ganassi. He won 4 races during his
last 3 years including the 2015 Indy 500.
Team Penske hired Josef Newgarden to replace
Montoya for next year. They told Montoya he can
drive for them in the Indy 500 next year in a 5th car,
if he doesn't drive for any other team.
Nov 1 - Juan Montoya returned to IndyCar in 2014
after stints in F1 and NASCAR, this time driving for
Penske instead of Ganassi. He won 4 races during his
last 3 years including the 2015 Indy 500.
Team Penske hired Josef Newgarden to replace
Montoya for next year. They told Montoya he can
drive for them in the Indy 500 next year in a 5th car,
if he doesn't drive for any other team.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Most recent news is at bottom of page. |
Montoya won the 2000 Indy 500 and the 2015 Indy 500
Montoya desires to have a full-time seat in IndyCar, but has decided to stay with Penske as he thinks
that is his best bet at winning another Indy 500. Looking on the bright side, he determined this will
give him more time to work with his 10-year old son Sebastian in karting.
that is his best bet at winning another Indy 500. Looking on the bright side, he determined this will
give him more time to work with his 10-year old son Sebastian in karting.
Japanese IndyCar driver Takuma Sato has
been driving for A.J. Foyt's team for four years, quite a
long stretch for a Foyt driver. Sato spent 8 years in
Formula 1 before coming to IndyCar in 2010. He
drove for KV and RLL before moving to Foyt's team.
The Foyt team are switching from Honda to Chevy
power next season and Sato wants to drive a Honda.
It is almost certain that Sato will move to Andretti
Autosport, displacing relative newcomer Carlos
Munoz.
Munoz has spent 3 seasons in IndyCar and finished in
the top 10 twice.
Foyt may hire him for 2017.
been driving for A.J. Foyt's team for four years, quite a
long stretch for a Foyt driver. Sato spent 8 years in
Formula 1 before coming to IndyCar in 2010. He
drove for KV and RLL before moving to Foyt's team.
The Foyt team are switching from Honda to Chevy
power next season and Sato wants to drive a Honda.
It is almost certain that Sato will move to Andretti
Autosport, displacing relative newcomer Carlos
Munoz.
Munoz has spent 3 seasons in IndyCar and finished in
the top 10 twice.
Foyt may hire him for 2017.
Sato
Munoz
?
| Josef Newgarden moving to Team Penske |
Silly Season
Nov 13 - After 14 seasons, Felipe Massa is retiring
from Formula 1. His F1 career began in 2002 driving
for Sauber. He drove for Ferrari from 2006-2013. He
almost won the championship in 2008, losing it in the
last race to Lewis Hamilton. He missed most of the
2009 season due to a scary injury where a spring off
another car contacted his visor, and nearly cost him his
eye as well as his life.
Massa has finished his career with three successful
seasons driving for Williams, who have been
surprisingly competitive.
Replacing Massa to Williams F1 is newcomer 18 y/o
Lance Stroll. Stroll is Canadian and the son of a
billionaire. He says he has earned his shot at F1
because he won the Formula 3 Championship this year.
Valtteri Bottas will remain at Williams to team with
Stroll.
Nov 13 - After 14 seasons, Felipe Massa is retiring
from Formula 1. His F1 career began in 2002 driving
for Sauber. He drove for Ferrari from 2006-2013. He
almost won the championship in 2008, losing it in the
last race to Lewis Hamilton. He missed most of the
2009 season due to a scary injury where a spring off
another car contacted his visor, and nearly cost him his
eye as well as his life.
Massa has finished his career with three successful
seasons driving for Williams, who have been
surprisingly competitive.
Replacing Massa to Williams F1 is newcomer 18 y/o
Lance Stroll. Stroll is Canadian and the son of a
billionaire. He says he has earned his shot at F1
because he won the Formula 3 Championship this year.
Valtteri Bottas will remain at Williams to team with
Stroll.
| Felipe Massa during his Ferrari days |
| New Williams F1 driver Lance Stroll |
Another driver who will not be returning to his racing
seat next year is Jenson Button, 36. Currently a
driver for McLaren, Button has raced in Formula 1 for
17 years.
He drove for Williams (2000), Benetton (2001),
Renault (2002), BAR (2003-05), and Honda
(2006-08).
In 2009, the Honda team was bought by Ross Brawn.
Button continued to drive for them, even though he
had to take a big pay cut. Thanks to a special diffuser,
their cars dominated the beginning of the season and
Button went on to win the 2009 Drivers World
Championship.
Button moved to McLaren in 2010.
McLaren has announced that Button will be moved to
an ambassador and test driver role for next year.
They are moving their 24 y/o test driver Soffel
Vandoorne to a race seat as a teammate to Fernando
Alonso next year. The Belgian has been a reserve
driver at McLaren since 2014.
seat next year is Jenson Button, 36. Currently a
driver for McLaren, Button has raced in Formula 1 for
17 years.
He drove for Williams (2000), Benetton (2001),
Renault (2002), BAR (2003-05), and Honda
(2006-08).
In 2009, the Honda team was bought by Ross Brawn.
Button continued to drive for them, even though he
had to take a big pay cut. Thanks to a special diffuser,
their cars dominated the beginning of the season and
Button went on to win the 2009 Drivers World
Championship.
Button moved to McLaren in 2010.
McLaren has announced that Button will be moved to
an ambassador and test driver role for next year.
They are moving their 24 y/o test driver Soffel
Vandoorne to a race seat as a teammate to Fernando
Alonso next year. The Belgian has been a reserve
driver at McLaren since 2014.
| Jenson Button |
| Stoffel Vandoorne |
Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, 24, is moving from
Renault to the American team - Haas F1. He will be
replacing Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez.
Magnussen's teammate at Renault, Jolyon Palmer,
said he was surprised that Magnussen was leaving as he
believes Renault will be better than Haas next year.
Magnussen responded, "I think he should be happy that
I left." Ha ha!
Replacing Magnussen at Renault will be Nico
Hülkenberg, 29, who has been driving for Sahara
Force India.
Replacing Hülkenberg at Force India will be Esteban
Ocon, 20.
Ocon, who joined Manor Racing midway into this
season replacing Indonesia Rio Haryanto, is also a
Mercedes junior driver. The Silver Arrows have
dominated F1 over the past three years and supplies
engines to other teams on the grid including Force India.
Renault to the American team - Haas F1. He will be
replacing Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez.
Magnussen's teammate at Renault, Jolyon Palmer,
said he was surprised that Magnussen was leaving as he
believes Renault will be better than Haas next year.
Magnussen responded, "I think he should be happy that
I left." Ha ha!
Replacing Magnussen at Renault will be Nico
Hülkenberg, 29, who has been driving for Sahara
Force India.
Replacing Hülkenberg at Force India will be Esteban
Ocon, 20.
Ocon, who joined Manor Racing midway into this
season replacing Indonesia Rio Haryanto, is also a
Mercedes junior driver. The Silver Arrows have
dominated F1 over the past three years and supplies
engines to other teams on the grid including Force India.
Brazilian Grand Prix
Nov 13 - Rain caused the race to start behind the safety
car. The rain made it appear that this was going to be a
boring race.
During the reconnaissance lap, Romain Grosjean
crashed his Haas F1 car and didn't even get to start the
race.
Spins and crashes brought out the safety car twice
today.
A scary moment happened when Kimi Raikonnen
crashed and he got lucky when several cars avoided
t-boning him.
Felipe Massa crashed, dashing his hopes for a good
finish in his final home race.
The race was red flagged for awhile too.
However, an incredible run by Max Verstappen made
the race very worth watching. He grabbed 2nd place
away from Nico Rosberg at the start.
Verstappen spun and should have crashed but
somehow saved it and held his position.
Later the team unwisely switched him from rain tires to
intermediate, which caused him to fall back.
He finally had to pit to switch back to rain tires and this
caused him to fall far back in the field.
Verstappen then began a magical run, finding grip
where no other driver could and running alternative
lines. He made up time on every driver with his late
braking into corners.
He passed car after car as the laps wound down and he
ran the fastest lap of the race. He got past Vettel, and
then Perez to finish 3rd, behind the two Mercedes.
Hamilton won again easily from the pole. So the
championship will go down to the last race of the year.
Nico Rosberg leads Hamilton by 12 points.
This was Hamilton's 52nd win and his first in Brazil.
Nov 13 - Rain caused the race to start behind the safety
car. The rain made it appear that this was going to be a
boring race.
During the reconnaissance lap, Romain Grosjean
crashed his Haas F1 car and didn't even get to start the
race.
Spins and crashes brought out the safety car twice
today.
A scary moment happened when Kimi Raikonnen
crashed and he got lucky when several cars avoided
t-boning him.
Felipe Massa crashed, dashing his hopes for a good
finish in his final home race.
The race was red flagged for awhile too.
However, an incredible run by Max Verstappen made
the race very worth watching. He grabbed 2nd place
away from Nico Rosberg at the start.
Verstappen spun and should have crashed but
somehow saved it and held his position.
Later the team unwisely switched him from rain tires to
intermediate, which caused him to fall back.
He finally had to pit to switch back to rain tires and this
caused him to fall far back in the field.
Verstappen then began a magical run, finding grip
where no other driver could and running alternative
lines. He made up time on every driver with his late
braking into corners.
He passed car after car as the laps wound down and he
ran the fastest lap of the race. He got past Vettel, and
then Perez to finish 3rd, behind the two Mercedes.
Hamilton won again easily from the pole. So the
championship will go down to the last race of the year.
Nico Rosberg leads Hamilton by 12 points.
This was Hamilton's 52nd win and his first in Brazil.
| Max Verstappen |
| Kimi Raikonnen Wreck |
| Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikonnen, Max Verstappen |
Serralles Gets IndyCar Test
Nov 14 - Felix Serralles has driven for Carlin Racing in
Indy Lights the last two seasons. This year he finished
6th in points.
The 24-year-old native of Puerto Rico tested for
Andretti Autosport at Sebring (Fla.) International
Raceway on Nov 10th.
Joined by veterans Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco
Andretti and defending Indy 500 champion
Alexander Rossi, Serralles embarked on an eventful
day that had its fair share of struggles but still left him
happy for the opportunity.
“It was good,” Serralles said. “I wasn’t really that
comfortable since we were using my Indy Lights seat,
but overall it was pretty good day.”
Andretti Autosport has made a number of changes to its
technical staff in the offseason in an effort to improve
overall performance going forward. Team president J-F
Thormann attended the Sebring test and came away
impressed with the team in general and Serralles in
particular.
Nov 14 - Felix Serralles has driven for Carlin Racing in
Indy Lights the last two seasons. This year he finished
6th in points.
The 24-year-old native of Puerto Rico tested for
Andretti Autosport at Sebring (Fla.) International
Raceway on Nov 10th.
Joined by veterans Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco
Andretti and defending Indy 500 champion
Alexander Rossi, Serralles embarked on an eventful
day that had its fair share of struggles but still left him
happy for the opportunity.
“It was good,” Serralles said. “I wasn’t really that
comfortable since we were using my Indy Lights seat,
but overall it was pretty good day.”
Andretti Autosport has made a number of changes to its
technical staff in the offseason in an effort to improve
overall performance going forward. Team president J-F
Thormann attended the Sebring test and came away
impressed with the team in general and Serralles in
particular.
“It was exciting to be back on track with all four of
our Indy cars and to test the alignment of the new
personnel we have added to our program,” Thormann
said. “Overall, the test went very well and we are
eager to get through the offseason and see what 2017
will bring.
“Felix Serralles showed great potential throughout the
test,” Thormann added. “We were happy to have been
able to provide a career first Indy car test to such a
promising young racer.”
Andretti Autosport's three Indy Light drivers tested
IndyCars at Watkins Glen last August.
our Indy cars and to test the alignment of the new
personnel we have added to our program,” Thormann
said. “Overall, the test went very well and we are
eager to get through the offseason and see what 2017
will bring.
“Felix Serralles showed great potential throughout the
test,” Thormann added. “We were happy to have been
able to provide a career first Indy car test to such a
promising young racer.”
Andretti Autosport's three Indy Light drivers tested
IndyCars at Watkins Glen last August.
NASCAR Season Ends at Homestead
Nov 22 - NASCAR finished its 2016 season racing at
the Homestead-Miami oval.
Using their "Chase" system, four drivers were in the
running to capture the championship: Carl Edwards,
Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson.
During a restart at the end of the race, with Kyle
Larson leading, Carl Edwards was poised to win the
championship. However as Joey Logano tried to pass
him on the inside, Edwards pointed his car down and to
the left. He miscalculated how close Logano was and
he headed straight toward the wall. This caused
contact with Logano, who spun back up into traffic,
causing accidents that knocked three other drivers out,
but Logano was safe. Edwards had taken himself out
- so close to having won it all. He said later that he
had to go for it regardless of the consequences.
NASCAR had red flagged the race so that they could
finish the race under green. With 10 laps left, more
crashes would happen and more red flags.
By the last lap, Jimmie Johnson was in front and won
not only the race, but his 7th Sprint Cup championship.
This ties him with the all time record for most
championships with Richard Petty and Dale
Earnhardt.
Logano finished 4th in the race which gave him 2nd in
the championship. Kyle Busch finished 6th and 3rd in
the championship.
This was Tony Stewart's last Sprint Cup race. He
finished 22nd.
2016 NASCAR Final Point Standings
List of 2016 NASCAR Winners
List of NASCAR Champions
Nov 22 - NASCAR finished its 2016 season racing at
the Homestead-Miami oval.
Using their "Chase" system, four drivers were in the
running to capture the championship: Carl Edwards,
Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson.
During a restart at the end of the race, with Kyle
Larson leading, Carl Edwards was poised to win the
championship. However as Joey Logano tried to pass
him on the inside, Edwards pointed his car down and to
the left. He miscalculated how close Logano was and
he headed straight toward the wall. This caused
contact with Logano, who spun back up into traffic,
causing accidents that knocked three other drivers out,
but Logano was safe. Edwards had taken himself out
- so close to having won it all. He said later that he
had to go for it regardless of the consequences.
NASCAR had red flagged the race so that they could
finish the race under green. With 10 laps left, more
crashes would happen and more red flags.
By the last lap, Jimmie Johnson was in front and won
not only the race, but his 7th Sprint Cup championship.
This ties him with the all time record for most
championships with Richard Petty and Dale
Earnhardt.
Logano finished 4th in the race which gave him 2nd in
the championship. Kyle Busch finished 6th and 3rd in
the championship.
This was Tony Stewart's last Sprint Cup race. He
finished 22nd.
2016 NASCAR Final Point Standings
List of 2016 NASCAR Winners
List of NASCAR Champions
Results of Carl Edwards wreck with 10 laps to go.
Caught up was Brad Keselowski, , Kasey Kahnne, Chase
Elliott, Ryan Newman, Ty Dillon, Regan Smith and Martin
Truex Jr. - who's car ended up a fireball.
Caught up was Brad Keselowski, , Kasey Kahnne, Chase
Elliott, Ryan Newman, Ty Dillon, Regan Smith and Martin
Truex Jr. - who's car ended up a fireball.
| Jimmie Johnson |
F1 Championship Decided At Last Race
Nov 27 - Nico Rosberg clinched his first world
championship with a gutsy drive to second behind Lewis
Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The German, who needed a podium finish to secure the
title, weathered a tense opening two stints of the race
and made a decisive overtake on Max Verstappen at
mid-distance to consolidate second position. In the
closing stages title rival Hamilton attempted to back his
teammate into the chasing Sebastian Vettel and
Verstappen, despite several instructions to speed up
from the Mercedes pit wall. But it was to no avail as
Rosberg held on to finish just 0.4s behind Hamilton and
secure the championship.
The title win means Rosberg follows in the footsteps of
his father, Keke, who won in 1982, and makes him the
second second-generation world champion after Damon
Hill. Yas Marina's dramatic finish capped a season
which has ebbed and flowed between the Mercedes
drivers and means Hamilton has won the final four races
of the year without claiming the title.
Hamilton's tactic of backing Rosberg toward the chasing
pack was hardly surprising considering he came into the
weekend as clear underdog. At the chequered flag the
top four were covered by just 1.6s, one of the closest
finishes in recent memory and a fitting climax to a close
season between Mercedes' drivers, who have shared 19
of the 21 victories this season.
Nov 27 - Nico Rosberg clinched his first world
championship with a gutsy drive to second behind Lewis
Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The German, who needed a podium finish to secure the
title, weathered a tense opening two stints of the race
and made a decisive overtake on Max Verstappen at
mid-distance to consolidate second position. In the
closing stages title rival Hamilton attempted to back his
teammate into the chasing Sebastian Vettel and
Verstappen, despite several instructions to speed up
from the Mercedes pit wall. But it was to no avail as
Rosberg held on to finish just 0.4s behind Hamilton and
secure the championship.
The title win means Rosberg follows in the footsteps of
his father, Keke, who won in 1982, and makes him the
second second-generation world champion after Damon
Hill. Yas Marina's dramatic finish capped a season
which has ebbed and flowed between the Mercedes
drivers and means Hamilton has won the final four races
of the year without claiming the title.
Hamilton's tactic of backing Rosberg toward the chasing
pack was hardly surprising considering he came into the
weekend as clear underdog. At the chequered flag the
top four were covered by just 1.6s, one of the closest
finishes in recent memory and a fitting climax to a close
season between Mercedes' drivers, who have shared 19
of the 21 victories this season.
Jenson Button's final race ended on Lap 12 after a
scary right suspension failure.
A strong drive from Felipe Massa saw him finish ninth
on the 250th and final F1 race of his career, one place
ahead of former Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso.
Haas narrowly missed out on points at the final race of
the year, with Romain Grosjean and Esteban
Gutierrez finishing 11th and 12th.
scary right suspension failure.
A strong drive from Felipe Massa saw him finish ninth
on the 250th and final F1 race of his career, one place
ahead of former Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso.
Haas narrowly missed out on points at the final race of
the year, with Romain Grosjean and Esteban
Gutierrez finishing 11th and 12th.
