Y’all remember that test outing, Don’t Yuhs?
Now that IMSA’s “Super bowl” 24 Hours of
Daytona is far behind in our rear view mirrors. And NASCAR Fans are still
reveling in the just concluded Day-toner’ 500. As no idea of how ‘Ol Hulio’
did…
Soon, it’ll be time for Formula One’s lone,
three day test in Bahrain; February 26-28, two weeks prior to the season
opening Australian Grand Prix.
Thus, suppose its time to shift gears and begin
focusing upon Open Wheel Racing, Eh? Since after all this Blog is called No
Fenders. Which I scribble about occasionally, Hya!
Yet as always, your Haggard, Humble No Fenders
scribe Tomaso is behind, and definitely at least one lap down! Simply unable to
type-type-type fast enough for your consumption…
And although it garners almost zero attention,
and certainly isn’t available visually. Nonetheless, the results of the yearly
post Abu Dhabi Young Guns test results always intrigues me.
As there were a total of twenty-three drivers
taking part. With teams allowed to run current Grands Prix drivers in their
2025 Pirelli tyre testing chassis. While the second car was allotted to driver
who’ve only participated in a maximum of two Grands Prix. Leaving a disgruntled
Oliver Bearman on the sidelines, due to His having contested three Grands Prix
last season.
As the top four positions were held by Formula
1 race drivers. It should be no surprise that the touted Kimi Antonelli was
quickest of the rookies. Even though being ill and only contesting the
afternoon session. Hence the two Mercedes “Juniors” taking part, along with
both Aston Martin and Ferrari splitting morning and afternoon sessions driving
duties…
While check out who was P7. Hmm, Pato Who
indeed Mark Miles, cough-cough!
As no idea what the two regular McLaren Boyz’ were
doing regarding tyre testing, but Lando Norris finished P16 and Oscar Piastri
was 19th.
Rookies/Young
Gun Drivers
(Overall
position/Driver/Team)
5)
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
6)
Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls
7)
Pato O’Ward, McLaren
9)
Paul Aron, Alpine
11)
Luke Browning, Williams
12)
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
14)
Arthur Leclerc, Ferrari
15)
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
18)
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
20)
Jack Crawford, Aston Martin
21)
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin
22)
Frederick Vesti, Mercedes
23)
Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari
Even more impressive about O’Ward’s outing, is
that He finished ahead of next year F1 rookies Jack Doohan, (8th) Isack Hadjar
(15th) and Gabriel Bortoledo. (18th)
Had never heard of Ayumu Iwasa before the test.
As the Japanese driver who raced in Formula 2 between 2022-23, and currently
competes in Japan’s Super formula series. Is a member of the Red bull Junior
programme, and a member of Honda’s Formula Dream project. Hence His testing for
Racing bulls, for which I’d say He acquitted Himself nicely…
In descending order, Paul Aron, who finished
third overall in last year’s FIA Formula 2 championship. Is part of the now
overly crowded Alpine reserve drivers squad, which includes Franco Colapinto
and Rya Hirakawa.
Hirakawa drives for Toyota’s FIA World
Endurance Championship (WEC) as His “Day Job”, having won the 2022 24 Heurs du
Mans. And with Haas’s new technical alliance with Toyota, was given the nod for
its “Young Guns” racecar.
Yet Hirakawa has now signed on as the third
Alpine reserve, which aligns with Toyota’s sponsorship of Hitech’s lower
formulae racing teams.
The others are all “tied” to their respective
teams they drove for. With Luke Browning being a Williams Academy driver, a la
the former Colapinto, and races in Formula 2. Although He’ll be driving for
Hitech TGR this season in Formula 2, so no idea if still with Team Willy?
Arthur Leclerc is indeed the younger brother of
Ferrar’s Charles Leclerc, with the pair making History earlier when both
driving for Ferrari in the (Free Practice) FP1 session at Abu Dhabi. Whilst
Antonio Fuoco races for Ferrari AF Corse in the WEC and won the 2024 24 Heurs
du Mans as a Scuderia Ferrari Factory driver.
The lone Yank’ on the grid was Jack Crawford,
another aspiring F2 racer, set to contest His third season in Formula 2 for
Dams Lucas Oil. But with 54 races contested to date, with just two wins. Well,
I’d say His chances of a Formula 1 ride are virtually nil…
Interestingly, I just learned that Crawford is
also Andretti Global’s Formlua E reserve driver. While Crawford can take solace
over beating out fellow Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich by one position,
in their intra-Aston Martin scrum.
Whilst Drugovich, the 2022 FIA Formula 2
Champion has most recently competed in this year’s Rolex 24 alongside fellow
ex-F2 competitor Vesti.
As could Crawford and Drugovich be in line to
race aboard Aston’s Valkyrie Hypercar project?
Frederik Vesti, a Mercedes Junior team member,
drove the morning session for an ill Antonelli. As the Dane’ raced in F2 for
two seasons. Finishing runner-up in 2023 with six wins, behind Theo Pourchaire.
Last year Vesti raced Sports Cars, primarily in
the European Le Mans Series )ELMS) in LMP2. Along with making His debut in both
the 24 Heurs du Mans and Rolex 24. The latter driving for Era Motorsport in the
LMP2 category.
For 2025, Vesti has signed to race as Cadillac Whelen Engineering’s “third” endurance driver. Aboard the No. 31 Cadd-Oh-Lac’ V-Serioes.R IMSA GTP racecar, beginning at Daytona…
