Who is slotted in second? In the final seconds of qualifying Florida's Rookie-sensation Ryan Hunter-Reay stole P2 from France's brilliant new talent Sebastian Bourdais, himself fairly good at whining but better known for blocking. No doubt Hunter-Reay is still on a high from his 6th place finish in Vancouver and corresponding interview with our own rookie-writer-sensation Alexandra Straub. Or could his rocket from mid-pack to the front have something to do with his animated discussion with former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve's manager Chris Pollock just after the Vancouver race, who is probably eyeing Ryan as the next great American F1 hopeful.
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| Ryan Hunter-Reay is seen here talking with Craig Pollock, F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve's manager, after the Vancouver Molson Indy. Could the ex-BAR team principle have something in store for an American F1 hopeful? (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
And what is it with F1 anyway? While the on-track performances have been the most entertaining in the open-wheel world, all except Canada's own Jacques Villeneuve's sorry season that is, off the course the politics are already heating up with four races still to play. While controversy is expected with Max Mosley at the helm of the FIA, F1's governing body, and Czar Bernie (Ecclestone) exercising totalitarian control over what looks all too often like a paddock of equally heavy-handed team bosses, it doesn't usually negatively affect Canadians.
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| Ecclestone has been in support of Villeneuve staying in F1, but which team, if any, will be interested? (Photo: jv-world.com) |
On the contrary Ecclestone has been in support of Villeneuve staying in F1; openly admitting that he hopes the French Canadian gets a ride in one of the top teams, hopefully Ferrari. While anyone who has expended any energy following F1 since 1997, when Jacques punted Ferrari's Michael Schumacher off the track (in defense of some questionably aggressive maneuvers by MS) to win that year's championship, would know that as long as M. Schumacher is in control at Ferrari JV stands about as much chance of being his teammate as Minardi's Jos Verstappen, maybe less as Jos is at least one of Michael's closest friends in F1.
There is also some credence to the fact Ferrari may not want him, nor any other team on the paddock including his own BAR, being that Villeneuve has been shown up on more than a few occasions by his junior teammate Jensen Button after a questionable bit of mud throwing earlier on in the season - what appeared nothing more than intimidation tactics by the once great champion.