Tag: Formula One

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2026 Brands Hatch

Andretti’s Wining Streak Ends But Lotus Wins

Four teams sought victory at this year’s British Grand Prix. Team Lotus filled out the front row with Andretti on pole and Nilsson next to him. Ferrari and McLaren’s top drivers secured the second row followed by BRM’s sole driver and McLaren’s number two. Ferrari driver Regazzoni was the last man on the grid.

The Lotus drivers rocketed off the start finish line with Lauda in hot pursuit. Hunt began experiencing engine problems that would haunt him all day. Regazzoni skidded at the start. Ashely drove aggressively to lock-in 4th.

Throughout the first lap, team Lotus formed a wall that the Ferrari driver could not overcome. Andretti earned the first lap point. 

During the second lap, Andretti damaged his engine, but Team Lotus persevered, driving in tandem and sharing their slipstream. Hunt’s McLaren gave up the ghost ending his day. The broken McLaren was unceremoniously towed into the pits. Reggezoni spun while avoiding a collision twice during the race. Nilsson grabbed the second lap point.

Team Lotus dominated the last and final lap. Nilsson won the race. Lauda could not get past Andretti and finished 3rd. The BRM driver was not far behind in 4th. Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/40/40/140/5 W*
2nd Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W*
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/40/140/6 W
4th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/40/140/6 S
5th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/40/40/140/6 S
6th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S
DNF-E Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/140/6 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2026 Monaco

British Team’s American Driver Continues Winning Streak at Monaco

The grid at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix was populated with eight teams. McLaren and Willams secured the number and two grid positions. Lotus driver Andretti was in the second row with Penski’s Watson followed by BRM’s Ashely and Ferrari’s Lauda. Hoffman in the Fittapaldi and Laffite in the Ligier filled out the final grid row.

Hunt and Ickx pounced off the starting line and battled for the lead. Watson spun at Hotel Loews and opened the door for Ashely to take a short lived lead. Lauda began to move through the pack.

Ickx shot through the tunnel taking back the lead. Andretti accelerated though the tunnel and down the straight pulling Lauda in his slipstream and challenging the leaders. As Andretti seized the lead Hunt pulled up behind him. Ickx began having break issues and began to falter.  Andretti earned the first lap point.

During the second lap Andretti held the lead and grew it extensively and easily taking the second lap point. Hunt maintained second position. Luada and Ickx battled for third place. Watson failed to recover his pre-spin position.

The final lap saw Andretti build an insurmountable lead resulting in him winning the race practically unchallenged. Hunt and Lauda consolidated their podium positions, 2nd and 3rd place. The rest of the field expended wear point to hold or advance their positions in a lively backfield race to the finish. 

Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W**
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/40/140/5 S
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/60/40/140/5 S
4th John H. (I. Hoffman) 40/40/40/160/6 S
5th Tori P. (J. Ickx) 80/60/40/140/4 S
6th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/20/160/6 S
7th Ray G. (J. Watson) 60/40/40/160/6 S
8th Dave M. (Ligier) 40/60/60/140/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2026 Zolder

Three teams competed in this year’s race at Zolder including Lotus, McLaren and Ferrari. J. Hunt held the pole position on the grid and M. Andretti accompanied him on the first row. N. Lauda and G. Nilson started in the second row followed by J. Mass and C. Regazzoni.

Hunt dominated the first lap while Andretti and Lauda battled for second. 

Hunt earned the first lap bonus point, held the lead throughout the second lap and secured the second lap bonus point as well. Andretti broke away from Lauda and began a run on the leader.

During the last lap, Andretti pressed Hunt. Then Hunt pushed his luck too far and spun out in the last corner seceding victory to Andretti. Hunt returned to the track and managed to take second place. Lauda and Regazzoni, the two Ferrari drivers, finished third and fourth. Nilsson’s engine failed and he did not finish the race.

Race details follow: 

1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/40/140/5 S*
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/60/40/140/5 S
4th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/60/40/140/5 S
5th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S
DNF-E Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/40/40/140/6 W

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2026 Kyalami

American Driver Dominated South African Grand Prix

Five teams competed in this years race at Kyalami. Hunt started on the pole next to Andretti. Lauda and Nilsson occupied the second row followed by Watson and Mass. Regazzoni and Hoffmann filled in the final row.

Hunt and Andretti battled for the top position for most of the first lap with Andretti finally pulling ahead. Watson attempted to move through the pack, but spun at Sunset bend. Lauda began a battle with Hunt for second place. Andretti already built a substantial lead by the end of first lap. 

During the second lap, Lauda pulled away from Hunt and made a run on Andretti, but Andretti maintained a strong lead. Hoffmann began to move up from the back. Reggazoni moved through the pack, but then made a mistake that would cost him dearly during the next lap.

Andretti held an untouchable lead during the third and final lap. Team Ferrari looked spent and Regazonni slipped back while Lauda struggled against Hunt to hold second. Watson began to move through the pack to challenge Hoffmann.

Andretti won the race! Hunt beat Lauda in a drag race down the front straight to take second. Hoffman crossed the start finish line just ahead of Watson to secure 4th place.

Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 80/20/40/140/6 W**
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/20/160/5 S
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S
4th John H. (I. Hoffmann) 40/40/40/160/6 S
5th Ray G. (J. Watson) 60/40/40/160/6 S
6th Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/20/40/140/6 W
7th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/20/160/5 S
8th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/20/160/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Monza

A Non-stop Battle to the Finish!

Six teams filled out the grid for this years Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Lauda and Lotus’ Peterson were racing for leadership of the championship, but they were met by stiff competition from all fronts. In particular, Hunt and Fittapaldi were relentless in pursuit of victory.

Watson had a brilliant qualifying session and placed his blue Maki in the pole position sharing the front row with Peterson in the striking black and gold Lotus. Fittapaldi and Hunt gained positions in the second row. Lauda and Evans revved their engines in the last row.

Peterson and Fittapaldi launch off the start-line with Peterson taking an early lead. While a majority of the drivers formed a conga line behind Peterson in the Curva Grande, Lauda punished his car by rocketing the Ferrari up the inside lane. Lauda succeeded in taking the lead and earning the first lap bonus point.

Hunt seized the initiative and lead most of the second lap. In stark contrast to the first lap Lauda nursed the Ferrari and fell of pace. Person gained the lead, but damaged his brakes and gave the lead back to Hunt who grabbed the second lap bonus point. Fittapaldi and Lauda tried to keep the leaders in site.

Hunt dominated most of the third and final lap pulling away from Person in the ailing Lotus. Lauda completed an pass through on Peterson in the Parabolica pulling up in the inside lane next to a very surprised Hunt. Then Lauda exceeded the Ferrari’s top speed and won the race in a photo finish.

Race details follow:

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/20/160/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/180/5 S*
3rd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/60/20/160/5 S
4th Tom V. (R. Peterson) 60/40/20/180/5 S
5th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/180/4 S

The next and final race of the season will be US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Osterreichring

Inaugural Austrian Grand Prix!

Seven teams competed on the Osterreichring circuit for the first time in club history.  Hunt seized the pole position sharing the front row with Walker. Fittapaldi’s red and white #1 McLaren shared the second row with Lauda’s red Ferarri. Evans and Andretti shared the third row followed by Reutemann.

Hunt dominated the first lap closely followed by Lauda and Walker. Fittapaldi lead the middle of field keeping his powder dry for later laps.

Hunt continued to lead the second lap. Walker fell off the pace while Fittapaldi charged forward.

During the third and final lap, Fittapaldi seized the lead shadowed by Lauda. Andretti slipped by Walker and Evans. Then Fittapaldi crashed in the Texico Schikane handing the lead to Lauda. Hunt and Andretti grappled for second place. Luada finished first followed by Andretti and Hunt.

Race details follow:

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S
2nd A.J. (M. Andretti) 40/60/40/160/5 S
3rd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/20/160/5 S**
4th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/140/6 S
5th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/60/40/160/5 S
CRS(1) John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S

The next race is at Monza on 24 September 2025. See you at the races!

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Zolder

Action filled inaugural race!

Nine teams attended our first race at Steve’s masterful version of Zolder, the Belgium Grand Prix circuit. Fittapaldi held the pole position in a McLaren sharing the front row with Walker in the Maki. Ferrari and Lotus occupied the second row followed by teams Hesketh and Parnelli. Fourth row tenants included Brambilla in the very orange March and Evans in the brightly colored BRM. Reutemann, in the fabulous Brabham was the sole occupant of the last row.

Fittapaldi drove aggressively and maintained the lead throughout the first lap earning a bonus point. Walker, Peterson, and Lauda pressed Fittapaldi but could not pass him. At the end of the first lap, Hunt and Peterson were neck and neck going down the front straight. Foreshadowing the second lap.

During the second lap, Fittapaldi lost his position to Walker and then regained it only to lose it to Peterson. By lap’s end, Walker had slipped back to fourth and Lauda to fifth.

Peterson dominated the last lap. Fittipaldi battled Peterson for the lead, but his McLaren ran out of steam and he fell back. Lauda started in fifth at the beginning of the lap and made a valiant run on Peterson, but he exhausted his Ferrari and could not maintain the pace. Hunt tried next, but he too could not catch Peterson. Peterson finished first. Hunt won a drag race against Lauda to take 2nd. Meanwhile Brambilla, who had started the lap in 8th place, battled through the pack to finish 4th. Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (R. Peterson) 60/40/40/140/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/40/140/5 S
4th Dave K. (V. Brambilla) 40/60/40/160/5 S
5th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/140/6 S
6th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 80/40/20/140/6 S*
7th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/60/40/160/5 S
8th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/40/40/160/6 S
9th A.J. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/160/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Kyalami

Ferrari’s Folly Lead to a Lotus Victory

Eight teams met in South Africa for this years race at Kyalami fielding 8 cars. Lotus driver Peterson sat on the pole and shared the first row with Ferrari’s Lauda. Walker and Fittapaldi followed in the second row. Andretti and Evans occupied the third row. The final row was held by an anxious Hunt in the #24 Hesketh and Reutemann in the #7 Brabham.

Peterson jumped off the startline and held an early lead. Lauda pursued followed closely by Evans in the blue #35 Maki. The Brabham moved from the last position heading for the front.

Lauda spurred his Ferrari and passed Peterson taking the lead and earning a bonus point for being the first to finish lap one. Andretti and Reutemann increased pressure on Walker in a tense battle for third place.

Lauda pushed the Ferrari in an uncharacteristically reckless manner and the abused vehicle began to falter.  Peterson took advantage of Lauda’s negligence to re-capture the lead and gain the second lap’s bonus point. After winning the battle for third, Andretti set his sights on Lauda. Hunt began moving up.

The third and final lap was dominated by Peterson in the Lotus. Lauda failed to fend off Andretti and Hunt. Hunt raced down the front straight ahead of Andretti to secure second place.

Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (J. Ickx) 80/20/40/140/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S
3rd A.J. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S **
5th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/60/40/160/5 S
7th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/60/60/140/6 S
8th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/160/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Buenos Aires

McLaren LeadsTeam Championship but Fails To Win Race

Five teams appeared in this season inaugural race at Buenos Aires. Ferarri’s Luada held the pole and was accompanied in the first row by Hesketh’s Lunger. The second row was occupied by Peterson in the Lotus and Hunt in another Hesketh. The remaining Lotus of Ickx and Ferrari of Regazzoni secured the third row while both McLarens (Fittapaldi and Mass) held the last row. Two Maki’s were late to the grid and entered the race from the pits.

Lauda jumped out front and had a substantial lead entering Curva Numero Uno. The lotus’ consolidated their positions behind Lauda. Fittipaldi began fighting his way through the pack.

The field condensed going through the more technical part of the track. Peterson caught Lauda and threatened to take the lead, but would soon be haunted by brake issues that would take him out of contention. Fittipaldi cut his way through the Heskeths and moved into 3rd place.

Lauda and Peterson raced side-by-side, but Lauda got the better of Peterson going through the Curva de Parga Horquilla and finished the lap in the lead. Hunt challenged Fittapaldi for 3rd. Unlike his partner Lauda, Regazzoni had a bad day and skidded before entering the long front straight and fell far behind the pack (and his luck did not improve after that).

During the second lap, Lauda attempted to extend his lead while Peterson fell back as his brakes began to fade. Fittapaldi smelled blood in the water and he passed  Peterson and set Lauda in his sites. Hunt tailed Fittapaldi.

Lauda pushed his #12 Ferrari to the limit and finished the second lap with a tremendous lead, but his car was showing signs of wear. Fittapaldi and Hunt continued the joust for 2nd place. Regazzoni spunout in the same corner he skidded in during the previous lap securing last place.

Hunt began to fall off pace and Ickx passed him. Fittapaldi began reeling in Lauda.

Fittapaldi caught Lauda and tried to take the lead going into Parga, but he spunout! Lauda retook the lead and won the race. Fittapaldi recovered in time to hold second place. There was a three-way drag race between Hunt, Mass, and Walker. Walker took 3rd followed by Ickx (who had sprung out from behind the dragsters), and Mass.

Although Ferrari’s Lauda won the race, Team Mclaren earned enough points to start the season in first place.

Race details follow:

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S **
2nd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/60/20/160/6 S
3rd Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/160 S
4th Tom V. (J. Ickx) 40/40/40/160/5 W
5th John H. (J. Mass) 40/40/20160/6 S
6th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S
7th Ray G. (H. Fushida) 40/40/40/160/5 S
8th Tom V. (R. Peterson) 40/60/40/160/5 S
9th Steve K. (B. Lunger) 60/40/20/160/5 S
10th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/20/160/5

The second race of the season is on 5 February 2025 at Kyalami. See you at the races!

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2024 Watkins Glen

Champion Crowned at Watkins Glen

Eight racers participated in this year’s US Grand Prix including Pace and Lauda who battled for the championship.

Pace held pole position and shared the front row with March’s Brambillo. Mass and Lauda occupied the second row followed by the two BRMs driven by Beltoise and Pescarolo. Reuterman and Regazzoni impatiently filled out the last row.

Lauda had a good start and had taken the lead through the Club House Esses. Regazzoni beat the BRMs going into the Outer Loop. Both Surtees drivers were in hat pursuit of the leading Ferrari.

Pace passed Lauda and was first across the start finish line completing the first lap. The March driver, Brambillo battle against Mass for third place. Regazzoni lost a position back to one of the BRMs.

With the championship on the line, Mass and Lauda clawed at each other to stay in the lead. The rest of the field struggled to keep up with them.

Once again Pace regained the lead and finished the second lap ahead of Lauda, collecting another bonus point. Mass and Brambillo tried to stay with the leaders. Then it was Reutermann’s turn to scrap with the BRMs.

Pace stayed in the lead, but he could not shake Lauda. Mass defended himself against Brambillo’s assualt. Brabham’s Reutermann pushed pass the BRMs and slipped by Ragazzoni’s Ferrari. The last lap took a heavy toll on all the cars as they were pushed to their limits.

Lauda dived into the 90 Hard Right, the last corner in the race, ahead of Pace! Lauda bolted across the start finish line to win the race followed by Pace, Mass, and Reutermann. Although he did not win the race, Pace’s second place finish and 2 bonus points secured him the championship finishing 3 points ahead of Lauda.

Congratulations Tom V for managing this year’s Champion driver!!

The manufacture’s championship was awarded to Ferrari. Race details follow:

1st Den H. (C. N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S
2nd Tom V. (C. Pace) 60/40/20/160/6 S**
3rd Tom V. (J. Mass) 80/20/20/140/6 W
4th Dave K. (V. Brambilla) 60/40/40/160/5 S
5th Dave M. (Reutermann) 40/60/60/160/4 S
6th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/40/40/160/5 S
7th Ray R. (H. Pescarolo) 40/40/40/160/5 S
8th Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 60/40/60/160/4 S

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s simulation of the 1974 grand prix season. It was a lot of fun. We plan to hold our 15th season in 2025 using the 1975 Grand Prix teams. Please join us if you can. Thanks again.