Well, that’s better than nothing...

I'll take it.

My last post in this thread re: Michael Andretti:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Spanish_Grand_Prix

Qualified a second and a half behind Senna.........Finished +1 Lap behind.

Now.....back to 2021! Curious to see how the sprint races affect the show.

Always easy to cherry pick. Only three cars finished on the lead lap. Patrese and Andretti only ones one lap down, everyone else two or more down including Berger in a Ferrari. Andretti beat Berger, Blundell, Barrichello, Warwick, Zanardi, Hill, Alesi, Brundle, and Herbert to name a few. Ever heard of those guys?

Michael did not, and does not, have the personality of his dad. Big, big, shoes to fill. Marco, contrary to most views, seems a lot more like his grandfather and is genuinely liked in the Indycar group. By some accounts he is a way better partier than racer, but he does have Indy down and my hat is off to anyone who can run Indy hard like he does.

This is pretty cool: Toto Wolfe has arranged for Romain Grosjean to test a championship winning Merc F1 car prior to the French GP at Paul Ricard.

Interesting.

It was clear from the outset that Ron didn't want Mike in the car. Cars were setup and software dependent. Everyone knows where that leads.

Michael might still have been an F1 disaster in a fair fight, but those facts aren't presented. And I give him tons of credit for not crying about it all these years. Dad's explained it plenty, and while you can discredit the source due to the relationship, if you really listen, there's plenty of truth.

There are videos out there that show the preseason testing they did that year. Worth a watch.

Are you speaking of this Michael?
"Statistically one of the most successful drivers in the history of American open-wheel car racing, Andretti won the 1991 CART PPG Indy Car World Series and amassed 42 race victories, the most in the CART era and fourth-most all time."

You can't compare Michael and Mario because of the different eras and the fact that Mario drove anything with wheels if it was called a race car.

Pretty much the same with Marco. He came along at a tough time. With Penske and Ganassi going at it with top drivers like Castroneves, Dixon, etc. Marco was just not that kind of talent. And with Hunter-Reay as a teammate, he wasn't ever going to be top dog.

What do you mean re RHR Zeke?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a25684703/michael-andretti-f1-1993/

“There was a moment where, okay, it’s time to sign, and I’m like, ‘Dad, there’s something … I don’t know, man. I could stay here and rack up a record,’ because I’m like, ‘Next year, we’re going to win literally every race.’ I just knew it because we were going to have the reliability and stuff. [He said] ‘You’re crazy if you don’t do it,’ and all that. All right. So then I did it, and that’s the last time I ever listened to Dad on any advice like that…”

Colton Herta, are you listening?

I think the team put the money, effort and the best car under Hunter-Reay because he could be counted on to bring home the bacon, especially on road and street courses where Marco literally couldn't find the speed. Andretti has typically fielded 4 cars, right? Out of the 4 where has Marco stood in overall points?

Now with Herta and Rossi, Hinchcliffe is the one left to mop up the rear.

Finally, I think Rossi is showing RHR the backdoor. RHR is now one of those whose tenure is expiring. Hinch belongs somewhere else now, perhaps sports cars. My guess is he brings cash to the team.

Things I learned from todays quali
 

Verstappen has given up flatbill caps for baseball caps. He looks older now.

Jenson Button is a nice guy.

Ham can still get it down.

The weather in Spain is pretty nice. Just sayin'

Love him or hate him, you have to admit 100 poles is legendary status!

Well done Mr. Hamilton.

Goat?

1 Lauda

2 Senna

That was an OK race.

Boo DRS.

Red Bull and Max got snookered again.

That is one dull track.

Well played Mercedes.