Race Rap: Monday, May 19
Rookie takes Indy pole. Robert Shwartzman, a former Ferrari F1 test driver, is the pole sitter for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 – with an Aussie connection thanks to former IndyCar and Le Mans racer Ryan Briscoe, a team boss at Prema. He clocked a four-lap average speeed of 232.790 mph (374.639km/h) as Takuma Sato ran second and Pato O'Ward was third, but the Team Penske cars of Will Power and Josef Newgarten were prevented from running over an alleged technical breach.
Not bad for an old bloke. Seb Ogier took his tally of Portugal wins to seven with victory in the latest leg of the World Rally Championship. Ott Tanak led early for Hyundai but when he had steering troubles it was Ogier who pounced for Toyota, out-pacing his Toyota GR team mates Elfyn Evans and the underperforming Kalle Rovanpera. “I think it's something I can be proud of, the way I have managed to stay competitive after all these years,” said Ogier.
Chicago Supercars chat. Three Supercars front-runners could join Shane van Gisbergen for NASCAR's street race in Chicago next month. The buzz from the 'states has Will Brown and Cam Waters competing in the Cup Series contest, with Broc Feeney making his first NASCAR start in the Xfinity Series.
Sold out at Indy. The full-house signs are up for the Indianapolis 500, with 360,000 tickets pre-sold for the world's biggest one-day sporting event. In the past the Indy organisers have claimed a crowd of more than 400,000, but the number for 2025 is still mightily impressive.
Gill going good. Aussie youngster Taylor Gill has claimed his second straight win in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship in Portugal. Gill and his co-driver Daniel Brkic hit the lead early and had to fight back a strong challenge from Mille Johansson, who currently shares the championship lead with Gill.
Taking the wheel. Australian motorsport's best-known Geek, Lachlan Mansell, has moved on from PR to take the top job at One Raceway in NSW. Mansell, also a former member of the on-air radio team with the Kyle and Jacki O show, has more than two decades of experience at all levels of motorsport.
Brundle gets (another) gong. Television broadcaster and former F1 driver Martin Brundle has received an OBE award from Prince William at Buckingham Palace. He already had an MBE and was upgraded for his services to motor racing and sports broadcasting.
Dad for the masses. Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony is set to receive an official role at the FIA. He will be helping the governing body with its young driver program.
Paddon testing in WA. Kiwi raider Hayden Paddon is going all-out for his second start in the Australian Rally Championship. He has been testing his Hyundai WR2 car to get used to the infamously slipper ball-bearing gravel he will need to conquer in the west following an early exit from Rally Canberra after a kangaroo strike.
