F1Weekly Podcast # 991

Play Podcast: 05-09-23f1weekly991.mp3

CLARK AND NASIR ARE SINGING THEIR FAVORITE SONG PERRY COMO’S…IT’S IMPOSSIBLE IT’S JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP MAX BEHIND! THE CONTINUING SAGA AT FERRARI TOTO NOT HAPPY WITH THE W14 AND THE HOST CAN’T GET OVER THAT MIAMI DRIVER INTRO! MOTORSPORTS MONDIAL IS FULLY LOADED WITH TWO INTERVIEWS…OLIVER WHELDON AND INDY NXT DRIVER REECE GOLD!

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, CHAIRMAN & CEO, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT:
“We announced in 2021 that we’d be helping Sebastian and Oliver to climb the ranks and develop their careers, and I’m very happy to welcome Gainbridge as a supporter in their growth. Both boys have continued to impress us through their karting competition, and Sebastian recently completed a successful test day in an F4 car. They are on the right track and we have no doubt they will continue to positively build the legacy set by Dan.”

SUSIE WHELDON, MOTHER TO SEBASTIAN AND OLIVER WHELDON:
“I am so grateful to Michael and the Andretti Autosport organization. The junior ladder system in formula racing can be difficult to navigate and it’s overwhelming at times. To now have the support of Gainbridge is a game changer. For the boys to have a partner that is invested in their future as racing drivers is incredible. A huge thank you to Dan Towriss and the entire Gainbridge team. It is exciting to see Sebastian and Oliver progress through the ranks and this brings them one step closer to realizing their goals.”

HMD Motorsports has announced that Reece Gold has left Juncos Hollinger Racing’s line-up in Indy Nxt to join theirs for the rest of the season.

He will drive the #10 car that was raced by Rasmus Lindh to ninth in the St. Petersburg season opener but was left vacant at Barber Motorsports Park last weekend as Lindh – who had signed for the season after a year out of the series – did not race.

Gold finished eighth on his debut in St. Petersburg, then was a retiree at Barber. He is ending a lengthy relationship with Juncos by switching allegiance, having claimed five wins and 10 poles across two seasons in USF Pro 2000 with them. He was 2022 championship runner-up in the third tier series, and his step up to Indy Nxt also marked Juncos’s return to the series.

“I am excited to join a winning programme,” said Gold of his team switch. “HMD Motorsports has been one of the teams to beat the past two or three seasons, and I am happy to finally be racing with them, and not against them.

“My goal is to do well, but also gain experience for the 2024 season. With HMD, I know the podium is attainable and my learning curve with the engineering team and a big driver lineup will be accelerated.”

HMD drivers currently fill the top three spots in the standings, and the team has four other full-time drivers. Josh Pierson and Toby Sowery are sharing an eighth entry, with Gold now in HMD’s ninth car to complete Indy Nxt’s 19-car grid.

“We spoke to Reece in June of 2022, but he chose to go a different direction,” added HMD’s general manager Mike Maurini.

“Rather than get upset about his decision and burn a bridge, we kept the door open for the future, and we welcome him to the HMD Motorsports family.”