IRL and F1 Stuff

IRL
Tomorrow is Carb Day. Other than race day itself probably the most fun day of all. The weather doesn’t look like it is going to cooperate, but it should still be fun. Try to make it out if you can. There will be a full prerace analysis Friday.

F1
The short week after Monaco didn’t really leave any time for testing as the teams head to Germany for the European Grand Prix Sunday. It does not mean that the news doesn’t come fast and furious. Kiwi Scott Dixon who had practiced in France and Spain for the Williams team signed a new contract with the Target Chip Ganassi IRL team virtually squashing any chance Scott will be in the FW whatever next year. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but probably includes an out if the Grove team comes a calling in the future, especially in light of the relationship the two teams have had in the past.

Williams really had no comment on their driver situation for the coming year when it is universally thought they will have two different drivers. Mark Webber is a solid shot for one of the seats, but his contract may prevent that from happening. That left the other seat open ostensibly for Dixon. Now that Dixon seems to be out of the mix the door is open. But for who? Williams who is not in the habit of paying big contracts for drivers may do just that. In fact, I think this opens the door for Jacques Villenueve’s return to F1. Villeneuve was sniffing around the scene last week at Monaco and at Imola. He is desperate to get back in a car, and doesn’t want to be in a back marker.

Of course, Williams performance this year is far from top notch. But what kind of money will Jacques require? When he left BAR he was the second highest paid driver behind Michael Schumacher. Speculation has been that Villeneuve could be paid on a per point basis thereby costing the team little unless they are successful. It’s probably too early to tell what will happen. I am sure each team thinks the door is open now that Schummi has lost a race, but they will probably be brought back to earth Sunday. As for the rumors and my thoughts, wait and see what happens!