Dark Skies

Like Lance STROLL at Aston Martin, Cadillac can’t be considered a truly serious Formula One team with Colton HERTA as one of their drivers. The story goes the team owes the American so much for his efforts initially getting the team up and running. With that kind of thinking I’d like to propose Mario ANDRETTI. He did a lot too. And at least he has racing credentials. The Californian was just able to earn that last Super License point with his participation in FP1 in Brazil. This year in F2 was to test his mettle against other aspiring global drivers. Not the ‘has been’ and ‘never will be’ competition he saw in IndyCar. Going into the two last races of the F2 year Colton is 19th in the standings behind Sebastian MONTOYA and Enzo FITTIPALDI. We don’t need another North American embarrassment like Logan SARGEANT We’ve already got one.

Liam LAWSON appears to be out at Racing Bulls. The likable Kiwi hasn’t shown enough. That’s not fair. He’s had a very good year. We saw that at Brazil. But I’m afraid he’s reached the limit of his skills. Rookie Arvid LINDBLAD hasn’t matched him blow for blow. As a rookie we would expect that. The Englishman’s ceiling just looks higher.

For my eye Red Bull have something potentially very special waiting in the wings. The ‘Bulgarian Lion’; Nikola TSOLOV. He needs to turn down the wick on aggression a bit. The team was impressed by his feedback and speed at Free Practice 1 in Mexico. Expect white, green and red flags pop up at tracks next year.

More possibly disconcerting news about Cadillac. The company name TWG emblazoned all over the side of the car is owned by Mark WALTER. He owns bits in a lot of other sport franchises. Ever hear of America’s baseball team The Los Angeles Dodgers. Most importantly the company and owner are under investigation for, let’s just say, financial improprieties. Reports are circulating that the team might be for sale.

Sad to see how Esteban OCON’s career ended. The team is remarkably tightlipped about the circumstances surrounding the Frenchman’s departure. Nice to see. Long known for his spicy personality Esteban’s future F1 options appear limited. Rafael CAMARA has taken his seat for at least Brazil. The Brazilian has a contract with Haas for a race seat for 2027.

Enough gloom? I’ve got just a little bit more for you …. personally. Google pictures of Camara and Tsolov. One looks like a youthful Harry POTTER. The other like a adolescent ‘Captain Jack SPARROW’. Or am I getting old? Can’t be that.