RaceFans Round-up: Past drivers “more genuine” than today

In brief

Current drivers “more shy” – Alonso

Alonso, who is the oldest and most experienced driver on the F1 grid, believes the current crop of drivers are more reserved than those who competed against in his early years.

“Definitely, there are some differences,” he told the Financial Times. “I think the older generation were a bit more genuine. Different in character, in the way they approached racing and life. They were very tough competitors.

“Now, I would say that they are very talented — maybe more than before because of all the preparation, the academies, the simulator work, the technology, and data they have available to improve and learn quickly. They arrive in F1 more prepared.

“But off-track or with the helmet off, maybe they are a bit the same and more shy in the way they approach things. They have people who talk for them, for management, for media, for fitness. They’re well prepared, but maybe they lost a little bit their own character.”

Goodwood Festival opens

The Goodwood Festival of Speed opened yesterday. Six Formula 1 teams are attending including Williams, whose driver Alexander Albon will run in a 1982 FW08 of the type Keke Rosberg used to win that year’s world championship.

Iowa gets new IndyCar deal

Iowa Speedway will remain on the IndyCar calendar as the race promoters have agreed a new deal with the series. Title sponsor Hy-Vee will also continue its association with the event.

Hybrids make little difference on ovals – O’Ward

Pato O’Ward doubts IndyCar’s new hybrid systems will make much difference on oval courses as the series heads to Iowa Speedway for this weekend’s round.

“The hybrid really doesn’t do anything on ovals,” said O’Ward. “It does more on road courses and street courses. It obviously has added the weight and how is the deg[radation] going to be.”

However O’Ward admitted he was “surprised” tyre degradation had been less of a factor than expected at Mid-Ohio, where IndyCar’s heavier hybrid machines ran for the first time. “There was really no deg. You were as quick at the end of the stint with the first part of the stint, which I feel like has been very hit-or-miss all year. You don’t really know what to get. That was very good to see for this weekend.

“For…