The Formula 1 scene has suddenly undergone a radical change. And one teenager did what all the guru’s could not get right in the past two years. Suddenly Formula1 has changed from a boring procession to unlimited excitement. Max Verstappen who arrived as if from nowhere was the catalyst to save Formula1 from degrading into a nothing sport.
But while the world (sic) is still enthusing about his achievement, Formula1 may have been boring from the outside, but behind the scenes matters have been cooking. Every guru is giving Mercedes advice on how to handle the Rosberg/Hamilton situation. Mercedes says there is no reason to do so.
The 2017 rules debate continues; Bernie Ecclestone still controls the sport; the Australian Grand Prix will take place, or will it depending on whether the Victoria Government relents and agrees to pay the fee Bernie is demanding.
This weekend we are having the Secunda Rally. There is not much that one can say about the rally. The event has attracted 31 starters according to the last entry list I saw of which 14 was National Championship entrants. The stages are something else. On the first day four stages are run of which two is on tar and two are 800m long.
Sounds like an athletics event. The next day ten stages will be run of which five will be less that ten kilometres.
And it everything goes according to plan winning the event could be a cake walk for Toyota. Chances are that it will once again be Poulter with De Villiers hot on his heels. This is somewhat interesting . On the local rally scene Poulter reigns supreme in his Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris with De Villiers playing second fiddle, but on the Dakar it is just the other way around.
If Wilro Dippenaar and Luke Botha can get their act together in the two very quick, maybe, Ford’s we could have a more interesting situation than Toyota domination.
S1600 is probably where the real action will once again be with Guy Botterill in his Toyota Etios R2 the driver to beat.
I heard some information about the cost of organising rallies here during the week that made my hair stand up straight (that is the few I have left). Unbelieveable!.
Anyway so much for the South African scene.
In world rallying all eyes this weekend will be on the Rally de Portugal that starts today. Hayden Paddon in a Hyundai will be the man to watch to see it he, like Verstappen, can repeat his killing act of Argentina. Rally de Portugal will be very interesting. Volkswagen would like to repeat their 1-2-3 of last year, Ogier would like to win it for the fifth time and equal Marku Alen’s five wins. Kris Meeke and Stephane Levebre in their Citroen DS3 cars are back in the mix after testing next year’s Citroen in Portugal during the past week.
M-Sport’s Mads Ostberg and Eric Camili will have to come to the party .
Much to his regret Ogier will once again have to sweep the stages, but reports are that the stages are in a good condition, but very sandy that may create a problem on the second run. He will also want to make sure that Paddon stays away from him especially after their altercation after the Rally Argentina which prompted Haddon to say that he has always had a lot of respect for Ogier, but he has also now seen his other side.
Thierry Neuville will want to put his season so far behind his back and get a good run, while hus other Hyundai teammates, Dani Sordo and Kevin Abbring (in his first rally of the year) will also be eager to help Hyundai in its quest to beat Volkswagen.
Behind the scenes the starting order problem that is causing Ogier so many sleepless nights remains with the FIA not preparing to budge. With the manufacture4rs having to nominate their drivers for next year to be approved by the FIA to qualify for a drive in the new 2017 WRC cars, all the P1 drivers will want to ensure that they are on the list.
We will keep our Rallystar supporters updated about what is happening on the rallies. Thankfully the WRC communication machine is streets ahead of anything else and one knows what is happening every step or stage of the way.
On the track here Zwartkops Raceway is the place to be with lots of action on the track as usual. And it is good entertainment.
So if you are a motorsport fan, there is enough to keep you happy this weekend. Make sure that you check out www.rallystar.net to stay up to speed and informed.
Written by: Andries van der Walt – Editor