| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
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| April 2023 News |
| Article Index |
04/04 - Craig Breedlove died today at the age of 86. He was an American 5-time
Land Speed Record Holder and the first person in history to reach 400mph, 500mph,
and 600mph.
Land Speed Record Holder and the first person in history to reach 400mph, 500mph,
and 600mph.
IndyCar Open Test at Indy Speedway
April 20 - 34 IndyCar drivers spent the day running
laps at IMS, testing new aero equipment available
for this year's Indy 500. The weather as warm and
sunny, however it was windy, with gusts up to 30
mph. That interfered with testing the new aero
parts.
The veterans took to the track at 10 a.m. for a two
hour session.
Each year, drivers new to the Indy 500 must pre-
qualify in a session on track called "Rookie
Orientation." Those drivers have to run
consistent laps at various speeds.
This year, IndyCar has four rookies:
Sting Ray Robb
Agustin Canapino
Marcus Armstrong
Ben Pedersen
April 20 - 34 IndyCar drivers spent the day running
laps at IMS, testing new aero equipment available
for this year's Indy 500. The weather as warm and
sunny, however it was windy, with gusts up to 30
mph. That interfered with testing the new aero
parts.
The veterans took to the track at 10 a.m. for a two
hour session.
Each year, drivers new to the Indy 500 must pre-
qualify in a session on track called "Rookie
Orientation." Those drivers have to run
consistent laps at various speeds.
This year, IndyCar has four rookies:
Sting Ray Robb
Agustin Canapino
Marcus Armstrong
Ben Pedersen
| Bobby Rahal and Katherine Legge |
All four drivers successfully passed their rookie test during the 2-hour session.
Indy 500 veterans who have not been in an IndyCar in the past year, get to re-familiarize
themselves with the cars during "Veteran Refresher", which is held at the same time as
the rookie test.
Drivers participating in the Veteran Refresher:
Tony Kanaan
Stefan Wilson
Marco Andretti
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Katherine Legge
Afterward, all drivers returned to the track from 2pm - 6pm for further testing.
Josef Newgarden was quickest of the day, with a 227.686 mph average lap speed.
The drivers will return tomorrow morning for further testing, if the weather permits.
Indy 500 veterans who have not been in an IndyCar in the past year, get to re-familiarize
themselves with the cars during "Veteran Refresher", which is held at the same time as
the rookie test.
Drivers participating in the Veteran Refresher:
Tony Kanaan
Stefan Wilson
Marco Andretti
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Katherine Legge
Afterward, all drivers returned to the track from 2pm - 6pm for further testing.
Josef Newgarden was quickest of the day, with a 227.686 mph average lap speed.
The drivers will return tomorrow morning for further testing, if the weather permits.
New Format for F1 Sprint Weekends
April 25 - Two years ago, Formula One had an
idea to increase viewership by changing the
format of race weekend. They called it "Sprint
Qualifying." Basically it entailed having a
qualifying session on Friday which would set the
order for a short race on Saturday. The finishing
order of that short race, that required no pit stops,
would then set the order for Sunday's grand prix.
They tried the new format at two races in 2021,
and then at three races last year. It was a success,
and this year they decided to use the new format
at six races - Baku, Austria, Belgium,Texas, Qatar
and Brazil.
They have now decided to tweek the format for
2023. The changes are that Friday's qualifying
session will set the order of the field for Sunday's
grand prix. There will be a shorter qualifying
April 25 - Two years ago, Formula One had an
idea to increase viewership by changing the
format of race weekend. They called it "Sprint
Qualifying." Basically it entailed having a
qualifying session on Friday which would set the
order for a short race on Saturday. The finishing
order of that short race, that required no pit stops,
would then set the order for Sunday's grand prix.
They tried the new format at two races in 2021,
and then at three races last year. It was a success,
and this year they decided to use the new format
at six races - Baku, Austria, Belgium,Texas, Qatar
and Brazil.
They have now decided to tweek the format for
2023. The changes are that Friday's qualifying
session will set the order of the field for Sunday's
grand prix. There will be a shorter qualifying
session (the 'sprint shootout') on Saturday which
will set the field for the sprint race. Also, the second
practice session has been eliminated.
Penalties incurred on Friday may affect the
grand prix, but penalties on Saturday will only
affect the sprint race.
Essentially, the sprint race will be a completely
separate event that does not affect the grand
prix directly.
The points for the sprint race will remain the
same as it was for the old sprint qualifying.
First place will be awarded 8 points. Each
subsequent finisher through 8th place, will
receive one less point than the driver finishing
ahead of them. 9th place and lower will not
receive any points.
With this new format, F1 has increased the
number of engines a team can use from 3 to 4.
will set the field for the sprint race. Also, the second
practice session has been eliminated.
Penalties incurred on Friday may affect the
grand prix, but penalties on Saturday will only
affect the sprint race.
Essentially, the sprint race will be a completely
separate event that does not affect the grand
prix directly.
The points for the sprint race will remain the
same as it was for the old sprint qualifying.
First place will be awarded 8 points. Each
subsequent finisher through 8th place, will
receive one less point than the driver finishing
ahead of them. 9th place and lower will not
receive any points.
With this new format, F1 has increased the
number of engines a team can use from 3 to 4.
