There hasn't been a great deal of road racing since I kicked the rankings off a couple of weeks ago, but things got a little busier on both sides of the Atlantic over the weekend. The F1 landscape is also changing right before our eyes and the potential cost capping could see an influx of teams, many with very familiar names.
The Week 1 Rankings are here.
RIGHT NOW
1. JR Hildebrand - Firestone Indy Lights/A1GP
2009, 2 Pole Positions, 1 win (Long Beach)
Hildebrand's ranking does not change due to the fact that he has had no race activity since Kansas, so he remains number one for now, based on the potential we saw in his A1GP cameo at Brands Hatch.
2. John Edwards - Atlantic Series - NEW ENTRY
2009, (1 win)
The 2008 Star Mazda Champion has picked up where he left off at the end of last season. With a win and a second from his first two races, Edwards has burst into the rankings ahead of his more experienced series rival, Jonathan Summerton. The 18 year old from Cincinnati is benefiting from racing in series with a smaller field than in previous years but he is still beating race winning veterans at this level. Dominating this series could be precisely what is needed to make USGPE sit up and taken notice.
3. Jonathan Summerton - Firestone Indy Lights
2009, Firestone Indy Lights Points Leader, Atlantic Series
While doing double duty in the both Firestone Indy Lights and the Atlantic Series is keeping Jonathan Summerton busy, his current inability to find victory lane is not helping his cause. He is quick, consistent and reliable but he has yet to show the raw pace, this season, which will put at the front of the line for a race seat with USGPE in 2010.
4. AJ Allmendinger - NASCAR Sprint Cup:
No change is his position seeing as he hasn't lost his ability to drive on road courses simply because he has been turning left a lot recently.
5. Graham Rahal - IndyCar Series - NEW ENTRY:
I had left Rahal off the original list based on his recent radio comments about not wanting to move to F1 just to be at the back of the grid. He also suggested that as an American he was proud of the ICS and wanted to stay in the USA and make it big again. If he continues to mature at his current rate with NHLR, USGPE will not be able to avoid giving him serious consideration.
6. Ryan Hunter Reay - IndyCar Series:
Given his recent travails, RHR would find the talk of his F1 prospects are rather pleasant distraction.
7. Marco Andretti - IndyCar Series/A1GP:
There is no current change with Marco, but if he does the unthinkable and wins the Indy 500 next Sunday, the calls and questions regarding his future will start again. Right now he really is not ready for F1 and staying in the USA can only benefit him (and the IndyCar Series) in the long run.
8. Danica Patrick - IndyCar Series:
Danica has a lot on her plate right now, she has been off the pace all month at Indy in this, her contract year. Maintaining her value as a racer as opposed to as a spokes model should be her number one priority right now. A strong showing at Indianapolis will of course kickstart the F1 rumours once again.
THE FUTURE
1. Alex Rossi - International Formula Master:
2008, Formula BMW Americas Champion & FBMW World Finals Winner
Rossi could not have picked a more technical and challenging place to embark on the European chapter of his career. Pau, in southwestern France is a storied and historic venue, racing has been held on the streets there since 1901. Races 1 & 2 of the International Formula Master Series were held there last weekend as part of the support package for the World Touring Car Championship which had some pace car fun of its own.
Rossi qualified in 8th spot for race 1 and impressed onlookers with his mature performance during a 25 lap scrap for 6th spot with Harald Schlegelmilch. With almost non-stop agression from behind, he defended his position cleanly never once slamming the door in a dangerous or aggressive manner. This work took a heavy toll on his tyres and as Eurosport's Martin Haven described, 'more sideways than a sideways thing by the end, he just had nothing left to fight with, not bad for a kid who'd never seen the place before!' Rossi drifted backwards towards the end and finished out of the points, but it was clear to one and all that he is a talent and a driver to be reckoned with in this series. His fourth place finish in race 2 was testament to that ability and for him to survive such a baptism of fire can only boost his confidence as the series progresses.
2. Josef Newgarden - British Formula Ford/Formula Palmer Audi:
2009, 1 win (British Formula Ford), 2 wins (Formula Palmer Audi)
It is a desparately sad time for everyone concerned with Newgarden's British Formula Ford outfit, as team principal, Joe Tandy was tragically killed in a road accident early last week at the age of 26. As I write this, it is stil unclear as to the future of the race team. My condolences go to Joe's family and all involved in the team.
3. Gabby Chaves - Formula BMW Americas:
2009, Series Leader (2 wins)
Gaby Chaves cemented his position as a serious title contender with three podiums over the weekend at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Two seconds and one third place were not enough for him to maintain his series lead however as young Brazilian Giancarlo Vilarinho took a clean sweep of victories. The 15-year-old Floridian is the only driver in the series to finish on the podium in every race so far this year.
4. Conor Daly - Star Mazda
Barber National Champion 2008, Currently 7th in Star Mazda standings
Noblesville's Daly had a weekend to forget at Miller Motorsport Park in Utah, in round 3 of the Star Mazda Series. Issues with set-up left him frustrated and languishing way down the grid in qualifying. The car was much better in race trim and it gave Daly the confidence to charge hard from deep in the field. 'Then the car was extremely good in the race I just got a little to ambitious and tired to make a pass and the guy came down on my front wing', Conor explained in the immediate aftermath of the race. Front wing damage forced him to visit pit lane and that effectively put an end to any chances he had at the weekend. He now lies 36 points behind the series leader, Adam Christodoulou, in 7th place. Watch out for his latest column at www.speedtv.com later this week.
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The Atlantics Championship only has 11 drivers on their abbreviated grid. Including a driver who only competes against 10 other drivers is honestly a joke.
ReplyDeletepost script: You also have some strange grammar in the #8 entry (Patrick). Re-check your spelling and word usage.
Atlantics has a 60 year old rookie [A. Yelkin] and a 51 year old rookie [M. Mallinen]. Not exactly an F1 proving ground!!!!! If Edwards is serious, he needs to go to GP2 or F2.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous and thebatsignal,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that the Atlantics field is small and weak but if John Edwards is beating Summerton in equal machinery, he should be ranked ahead of him right now.
Edwards was very strong in Star Mazda last season and if I have made any error it is placing him in this top section as opposed to the 'The Future' section of the list. If he can win against the likes of Summerton and de Silvestro, he has to be considered even if only in the medium term.
Thanks for reading and thanks again for the input. And Anonymous, you are quite correct, the Danica section was a dog's breakfast of spelling and grammar which can be put down to a rush to get the thing posted and a lack of thorough proof reading. I would prefer if you posted under a name but it is good that you feel strongly enough to comment in the first place.
Thanks again for reading and your comments are very welcome. :)
Dex