This was Awful... | Indycar 2024 Mid Ohio: The Comedy Review

The Indycar race this weekend at mid Ohio was meant to usher in a new era for the sport, with the introduction mid season, of an all new hybrid power unit. While it created enough messes for itself, we didn't have the best race, besides perhaps the final few laps. Here are my thoughts on the weekends 'action' regardless...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @fp1will
DISCORD: / discord
TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@fp1will?lang=en
TWITCH: / fp1will
PATREON: / fp1
TWITTER: / fp1will
INSTAGRAM: / fp1.will
Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE for weekly F1 content!
Fancy some F1 Merch, check out my Fanatics Affiliate link below to support the channel at the same time! f1.pxf.io/FP1Will
For any Business Enquiries: [e-mail]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. There are certain scenes from the Formula 1 calendar where race footage is used. All those rights are property of FOM. Other photos and news elements are used solely for the purpose of assisting the original content illuminate a more in depth story

[@danielhenderson8316]

At least there's one McLaren that didn't choke. While it wasn't a great race, the last 15 laps were tense and I was waiting for Pato to throw it away. Glad to see it didn't happen.

[@SALEENS7GTR5]

For sure, I felt more relief from it being over than excitement, only because I was hoping Pato would win. We also had another non-Penske/Ginassi car win a race, which means the series theoretically can still have a new winner every race. I know Pato "won" in St. Pete, but he won this by actually crossing the line.

[@bartsullivan4866]

I thought the same, good to see anyone win besides a Gnassi or Penske car. I keep rooting for the other teams to at least compete and get up in the top 5

[@TiringTire]

I'ma need a NASCAR Chicago street course comedy review

[@lxndr3299]

That would be mega.

[@LAE-7]

fr

[@pranc236]

But they have highlights. 🤷‍♂️.

[@joshmoment42]

Facts

[@publo_esky_bar2768]

The last 3 laps was so chaotic I was laughing uncontrollably

[@ralphismyname4940]

somehow F1 has the best race of the weekend! incredible

[@drunkenhobo5039]

The MotoGP at Sachsenring was also really good, which is odd as it's often a bit of a dull track due to being 90% corners.

[@samayash]

I would suggest you watch the drift masters in finland this week

[@blackhatt9926]

Race 13 of the Repco Supercars championship was amazing, personally I think that was the race of the weekend

[@w4pz859]

you should specified with 'open wheeler series' next time

[@Federalwaywebbs]

My thoughts exactly

[@Jalreal]

Mid Ohio is my home race and it's a shame that it's the worst race of the season year after year. I was happy to see O'Ward get the W.

[@DJ7mph]

13 turns and only one is a real passing zone.

[@HawksFan.]

Oward winning saved the race because he is fan favorite

[@Nick_J_]

@@DJ7mphThey should tighten some of them to increase passing

[@billmartin1010]

You're being modest. There are always at least two races worse than Mid Ohio. Detroit? The street course at Nashville? Mid Ohio is almost always a real race (until today). Those two? No. Never.

[@MrBrownLostHisM00]

I feel like using the chicane going into the keyhole would add a passing opportunity. And as great as Thunder Valley is, it’s all single file.

[@mmww_]

2 videos in a day, mans putting in work

[@MoritzBertram]

That Sky Sports Subscription has to be paid somehow

[@Wtf1bigblue]

2 vids within hrs of each race finishing.. man is a robot.

[@harry4454]

@@Wtf1bigblueno it’s already confirmed he uses magic

[@madlopt]

Did you hear about scheduling? 😂

[@jamesmarr5196]

He prolly prepared some of it throughout the weekend, smart work😎🤓🫡

[@michaelwaldoch9299]

Not sure NASCAR is usually worthy of the comedy review but this Chicago street race might be worth a shot

[@jamesqualls8125]

Hey,you are exactly right, especially when the race at Chicago was all screwed up

[@FobiddenMexican]

Tbf Mid-Ohio is one of the hardest tracks to pass on as far as Indy goes so I’m just glad we got some sort of action. Also those graphics looked like a child made them instead of a mega corporation like NBC, it’s embarrassing

[@rhatala27]

Feels weird having the F1 race being more exciting than Indy.

[@billmartin1010]

Hasn't happened since Senna and Prost were on the same team!

[@mancuniangamecat8288]

Indy is just fake exciting.

[@jeffreyolenick4132]

Pretty standard for a Mid-Ohio race. Actually better than normal with the back and forth at the front. If this was most F1 races people would be talking about how great it was. Thankfully F1 actually did have a great race today.

[@plivajucipauk7742]

No they wouldnt lol. F1 since Monaco race produced much better races then anything non oval in indy this year (which was only indy so far but still ). And even before Monaco there were races much beter then this. This was basicly Monaco except in Ohio, just car following each other.

[@mauriciomoreira3868]

@@plivajucipauk7742 F1 good racing lately is just product of pure luck and rainy weather. Cannot compare to Indy, Nascar or even Wec.

[@thongthegiant]

@@plivajucipauk7742stop…the Indycar race in Baber this year is better than any race F1 ever had 😂

[@plivajucipauk7742]

@@mauriciomoreira3868 Sure it is buddy. Indy is pure boredom this year. Nascar non ovals is pure garbage with new cars, and ovals who cares.

[@mauriciomoreira3868]

@@plivajucipauk7742 Good luck with your f1 shit show next weekend buddie.

[@Ronny999x]

So Pato O'Ward to Red Bull in order to keep the Mexican Sponsors and have a more Competitive driver?

[@harveyknguyen]

even better if that were to happen he would be going back to RB

[@danielhenderson8316]

They would have to pay off Zak Brown since he's also under contract as a McLaren F1 Test Driver.

[@Ronny999x]

@@danielhenderson8316 If Pato O'ward is smart he would have an Escape Clause if a F1 seat is on offer.

[@danielhenderson8316]

@@Ronny999x If I did my math right, he'd be at 36 points right now. He'll need to overtake Will Power in 2nd to put him over 40 points for the last 3 years.

[@hanswurst6712]

Without any testing in RL or at least tons of simulator work it would end up as a desaster throwing him in midseason.

[@xberserkerx-1445]

My dad actually actually fell asleep during the race and we love Indy 💀💀💀

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

The timing screen looked like a blinking Christmas tree with useless data. This race was bad for all the technical issues.

[@gwcrispi]

Absolutely awful. No useful information. Not to mention that IndyCar thinks that Yellow belongs between Red and Orange. Somebody send them a color spectrum chart.

[@jimbass1664]

Who's a busy bugger then? Nice work.

[@Atticus3lack]

Can we get some comedy reviews of WEC and IMSA 🙏🙏

[@TheMcIke]

I've been an "American Open-wheel" fan since the 70s and have always hated the Mid-Ohio track... Always feels like a parade. And yea, the timing tree graphics were distracting... (and the late 1990s called and want their battery meter graphic back!)

[@K9RacingAndStuff]

As a sportscar fan, I think we just need to admit that Mid-Ohio lives up to the Mid part. Like when was the last time a mid-Ohio highlight was actual good racing and not someone either having the goofiest or the most violent off-track incident.

[@UNHchabo]

@@K9RacingAndStuff Mid Ohio 2019 is one of my favorite strategy races. Having 90 laps made 2-stop and 3-stop equally viable, 80 laps is just too short for 3-stop to be viable unless you get REALLY lucky with a caution. But that 2019 race had the two strategies converge at the end for an exciting finish.

[@K9RacingAndStuff]

@@UNHchabo I'll take your word; I was not watching Indycar that season, and I cannot for the life of me remember any IMSA race there. I'll still stand by what I said about the majority of Mid-Ohio highlights being either some of the worst wrecks you ever seen, some of the goofiest off track excursions, and sometimes both.

[@maverickgaming7834]

You hate the track? Or you hate its surroundings

[@braedenh6858]

What were those Christmas lights on the left of the screen? I was trying to watch the race while the scoring board was lighting up in random reds and greens. It felt like a video game and I had no clue what was happening.

[@gregwatson7111]

They were to show when the batteries of the hybrid were charging/being used. Green for charging, red for being used. Commentators only mentioned it briefly during the race

[@braedenh6858]

@@gregwatson7111 did it have any bearing on the race at all? I mean, what's a viewer at home going to gather by seeing red and green pulsing lights?

[@purpletigerracing7087]

It also seemed like they ran 2 lap 20's and 2 lap 21's on the tower..

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

@@braedenh6858 Yeah it was interesting because they were all still trying to work out the best way to use it. The extra power was a bit of a curse on tyres as the track had just been resurfaced though.

[@billmartin1010]

The question has been answered . . . "How do you prevent on-track overtaking in a series known for lots of on-track overtaking?" Mid-Ohio was tragically reminiscent of an F1 parade. And not in a good way.We can hope things dramatically improve in the coming weeks.

[@johnjettfothergill4231]

You are right on the money, Will. Today's race was a yawner bigtime.

[@leoconway8340]

That just a joke about Lungaard,, right, Right?

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Mid Ohio is a pretty track but not the easiest to pass on. Face it if it was an F1 race people would be raving on about how amazing it was. Not that Silverstone was bad, thankfully the rain came to spice it up.

[@paulcole]

the reason Pato took lead was actually the 10 lap beast mode he turned on before the stops to go from 8 seconds behind to right up palou’s ass.

[@DougieFresh765]

Go take a look at the NASCAR in Chicago race rn if you want some substance for a Racing Series royally screwing up an event. 😂 rain tires and wipers but aren't allowed to race in rain

[@jbllc6873]

And that’s why I haven’t paid attn to nascar since I was in junior high and there was relative newbie named Jeff Gordon.🤣

[@billmartin1010]

@@jbllc6873 I've got you beat there. I dropped out when Richard Petty cheated to get his 200th win, was caught, and was allowed to keep it!

[@lucasrabelo937]

So the race was awful because everyone held up to driving standards and behaved, instead of crashing and spinning or is it because the track is actually not good for passing?

[@K9RacingAndStuff]

Mid-Ohio really isn't that great for passing; anything beyond the first three corners is beyond a pipe dream and even that's stretching it. Even the NASCAR Xfinity series, a series that will make any track look much better than it actually is, hasn't really ever put on a good race there imo (no, 2016 wasn't good, only the winner was).

[@deanzamiska8326]

I don’t even watch indycar, I just like watching will have a fit every week

[@thomassf3]

The biggest facepalm moment was at the end of the race, when the NBC team all glazed the race, 'Wow... what a race!' like bruh, no it was not!

[@PopeBrak]

Grosjean's car might have been on fire behind a barrier that whole time and I'm not sure the commentary would have bothered.

[@f1jones544]

They've finally caught on that it's just Grosjean being Grosjean. It's sort of like pointing out that a yellow flag is yellow.

[@Real28]

A race doesn't need to be good for the entire race to be a good race. Ive been an indycar fan since the 80s, and f1. This race ended well, and the dogfight between Alex and Pato was real good. If you need 100% of fhe laps to be interesting, the problem is you, not the racing.

[@Federalwaywebbs]

DRS train came to mind. Hope they sort this out.

[@aewallace81]

It says something about indycar when you have a battle for the lead for several laps to the end and its still one of the boring races.

[@RobMakowski]

I was at the race, and being there was even more boring than I imagine watching it was

[@Thefrogbread]

Stingray basically won #stingraysweep

[@slickbanana6309]

I was at this race; I do agree it was a little boring but after Pato took pole it got really exciting watching them fight for that spot

[@ryanspencer6778]

Maybe it's just me, but the hybrids don't really seem that interesting to me. They don't do much, only 60hp for 4 seconds; the hybrid in my Accord is more powerful than that. It didn't seem to lead to any improvements in efficiency or racing like in WEC/IMSA or F1, so my question is: what's the point?

[@EVIINEM]

They are starting the hybrids at 60hp to keep failures to a minimum, they will eventually produce 150hp.

[@danielhenderson8316]

It's worth it just to use as an onboard starter. It's also how Grosjean kept the race green despite spinning out towards the end and stalling it.

[@jiminyhopkins]

Can't wait for the "Joe Newgarden is Washed" video

[@weatherfan1925]

I love how this video was uploaded on my way home form the race.

[@crazynuck]

A quadruple amputee can't crash the car 😂😂 exactly what James is looks for

[@Super_Black1]

bro PLEASE START COVERING MOTO GP the saschenring race was lit af

[@fulfilleddestiny2217]

I fell asleep around when Dixon rejoined the race, woke up with 8 laps to go. Didn't miss much tbh...

[@Andre_The_Millennial]

This track truly is MID.

[@ariansmovies]

To be honest with you, I thought the finish was thrilling enough but the race was equally as boring racing at the Indianapolis road course. But that's Indycar for you. Not every single race is a barn burner.

[@theLonelyBandit6984]

Story of contrasts for Will, British GP writing the script for him, the Mid Ohio Race needing scraps to be used for material.

[@TheRubiksPilot]

I cannot believe there wasn’t a caution this race. (besides the first few laps). It was over in like an hour and a half. I go to mid Ohio every year, and this one was by far the most boring. The race last year was pretty good

[@billmartin1010]

Since the cars never attempted to pass, the odds of a caution went waaaaaaay down. (Did Roger outlaw passing for this "race"?)

[@Imagine.11]

Ngl I kinda liked this race because of the final battle and it was surprising that everyone behaved.

[@thejman3489]

You must have actually fallen asleep for this one. You missed the best race of the year. That battle for the lead was intense. Palou was strong early taking a 5 second lead. A little over half way and O'Ward was chasing him back down on the alertnernate tires. That slightly longer stop was all that was needed for O'Ward to take the lead. Then Palou chased him back down on the black tires and both drivers were giving it everything they had to the end. No cautions, just hard racing and it's incredible that it came that close at the end!

[@mikulitsi1819]

0:10 Because Honda demanded it and Indycar isn't in a position to reject them. It was supposed to come at the start of the season but Ilmor had some problems if I remember right so it got delayed once again

[@notcamden2893]

Bro I just got home from the race how did you even upload this😭

[@jacobaxton6353]

Mid Ohio is pretty much always a "meh" race. The battle for the lead over the last stint was fun though

[@volatilelion657]

shout out to canapino who probably decided he couldn't be arsed to finish the full race and let Simpson, O'Ward and Palou through on the last lap

[@somhunt5446]

Am still expecting FOM to claim all revenue from this as well.

[@bertram-raven]

I need a Christian Lundgaard Reddit link. My OCD needs to know.

[@frisk151]

YOU are world class!!! I hope all the F1 drivers and the circle jerkers follow you too!

[@mlaborde66]

as usual Mid Ohio was Mid

[@d9zirable]

only in ohio

[@hmdwgf]

It’s also been insanely hot over here on the American East Coast and the parts within 500 mi of it or thereabouts. It was 100 degrees one day where I live. But Mid-Ohio is a real driver’s track- kind of like the Cadwell Park of the US (only wider). It’s hardly changed since 1962.

[@localcrew]

I hate all forms of automobile racing lately. Just subscribed!

[@DOUGandNIKI]

That is one of the hardest and best drivers tracks in the country/world but it doesn't make for the most dynamic "races" it's normally some sort of a strategy call that wins it. Nice job with the review, I'm sure the next double header will include more carnage.

[@left8138]

Can anyone explain the lundgaard joke?

[@braedenh6858]

Lundgaard posted on social media that he did a weird favor for his cat. I didn't care to examine it any further.

[@simonkevnorris]

Yes, I'd be interested to find out as well.

[@Thefrogbread]

MotoGP comedy review

[@Thefrogbread]

MotoGP Comedy review

[@doublenikkel]

I was here on Sunday for this race, yes most of the race was quite dull but those last 20 laps or so were awesome. I was on the hill by Turn 4, and the whole hill erupted in cheers as we collectively realized that O'Ward was getting closer to Palou and we may get one lead change this race. Pretty much everyone there was an O'Ward fan as he forced the race to be entertaining against its will

[@Veretax]

I have never seen your channel before but you aren't a subscribe and the first 2 minutes. This is the commentary on IndyCar that I have been needing because it hasn't really been competitive the last few years. The drama all felt like it was fake and manufactured

[@Veretax]

That means I just subscribed

[@elliotnaess8020]

But... but... you missed Grosjean returning to the track like a tin duck in a shooting gallery!

[@chadwickstephens4843]

The second half of the race was really good, I thought I was going to have a coronary pulling for Pato

[@dancallahan4183]

Always gets a thumbs up! And yes… that was disturbing

[@cupidstunt22]

No mannequin falling this week? Shame.

[@f1jones544]

To be fair, Scott Dixon has all of the personality of a mannequin and he did sort of have a downfall early on.

[@timford3599]

Hey Will, Your writing is so funny that it even made this Hybrid S**T Show pretty damn funny. So once again, I dinged the bell and I'll be waiting for you to tear it up at Iowa this weekend. One of the double headers are bound to give you some great material! PS, I've heard (mostly because I couldn't bring myself to watch) NASCAR's annual "water ballet" again on the streets of Chicago was quite the demolition derby. I mean, after all, isn't that's what the "Dixie Dandy's" Sunday carnage fests have become anyway?!?

[@vwtroll]

did anyone notice that the redflag waver had an F1 cap 2:56

[@DCA_Cards]

Ever thought of doing NASCAR comedy reviews?

[@Xiphactinus]

IMSA comedy reviews would be a laugh, especially with Petit Le Mans taking place in a few months.

[@isthatrubble]

I knew indycar was testing hybrid engines but I didn't know they were using them in the races already...... sounds like they weren't ready

[@danielhenderson8316]

One failure out of 27 cars in a race isn't bad. I also miss the days that reliability is something to look out for.

[@ConchGaming]

F1 and Indy are both having rather interesting, weird, and silly seasons this year haha Love these comedy reviews 😂

[@Garvm]

New hybrid era starting and a Honda engine failing are two things that always come together

[@ruddgrandprix-speedrunraci8515]

I avoided all the races this week. Like a plague. oy yoi yoi, what a mess?

[@radamus210]

Dude, cracked me the fk up - Sunday was awesome, British GP then Mid Ohio (I live in Ohio) and ending with the Chicago street race (don't care what they say on TV to promote it, it's a fkn shthole). The way you ripped this race, I'd piss myself laughing on a similar Nascar review. But when you did Newgarden... and "cry like a foking baby" ... I paused and said "gotta sub, that was worth it" HAHA! not a fan- I didn't even know about the new hybrid units, great debut. I mainly focus on F1, loosely tag along Indy. Yes, you mentioned next race in Iowa. I'll wager, end of the race, 5-6 cars on the lead lap - will be fast, crashes spectacular and each one will fit in 3 dumpsters adding up to 1 complete car by weight. I'll wait on Budapest, shit gettin jiggy in F1

[@irtrafaelhenn3842]

I could be wrong but one of the main reasons the hybrid was pushed to the middle of the season was the treat of honda leaving without the hybrid

[@f1jones544]

Then I blame Honda too.

[@plantfeeder6677]

The biggest joke is NBC covering motorsport. Their bias is so bad, I demand they prove they're not all on the take from GM. The Nascar race was the same way. Driver goes from 22 starting position to 4th in 15 laps but because he wasn't driving a chevy, NOT ONE MENTION of this happening! I'm effing done with motorsports in America.

[@MagCynic]

Don't get me wrong, I love Indycar, but I'm still confused why they would switch engines in the middle of a season.

[@andrewcarter9649]

Saddly a bit standard for Mid-Ohio, some of the races here back in the CART days weren't any better.

[@Fpvpilot928]

Ngl, really still expected the Charles "NOOOOOO!" in the title sequence despite the fact that's not from the Indy series, lol.

[@brandensimmons653]

What's was the point of bringing hybrid engines mid season?

[@bizzlea887]

Why the hell would you implement the hybrid system hallway through the season???? Just hold off and work out the gremlins and bring them out in '25.

[@otrab1080]

Hey there guys I'm Will. Welcome to FP1 and The Comedy Review. The show that makes as much sense as Indycar changing engines mid-season.

[@Ryzard]

I'm gonna be real. I've gone to the indy 500 for as long as I've been conscious. If I go, and my entire body and the grandstand I sit in isn't shaking from those cars going by? I might just be out. Like, the shit decisions indy makes constantly on the marketing and regulatory side are one thing, but going hybrid too is just stupid. The trucks the teams use to move the cars and team members, much less their fkn helicopters, cause more pollution than an hour of running ever would. It's like f1 with the tyre blankets. Bud, all the condiment stands, porta potties, and private jets use more energy than tyre warmers...

[@Nerdybetta]

Chicago NASCAR 2024 comedy review is needed, IT WAS SO BAD 😭 not worse than last years though

[@bennyfactor]

2:51 was the flag stand marshall seriously wearing an F1 canadian grand prix hat during an indycar session? wtf

[@craigstephenson7676]

I tuned in around lap 60 and I was under the impression that the whole race was like that. Quite disappointed

[@NilRacing]

I still find incredible weird how a series with two engine providers can look at it and go: "let's change the engine technology mid-season, because why not?" But thanks for both videos in the same day...

[@billmartin1010]

It's because ONE engine manufacturer (Honda) said they would take their ball and go home if IndyCar didn't. All credit / blame goes to Honda. Well, except IndyCar gets some of the credit / blame for caving to the pressure.

[@JDNJTX]

I did not turn it on until the last 20 laps, so I thought it was pretty good!

[@robprator5890]

The new PU was not the problem here, this is just a sh* track that only sees action when Simon does cartwheels. The whole layout is turns and undulations which means no one wants to veer off the race line.

[@carlosu99]

At least one Mexican in motorsports wasn’t an absolute disappointment

[@wonkybomb1865]

I feel like I edged a Mexican this weekend as well after bad Taco Bell 🤣

[@gwcrispi]

Toby Sowery in the Dale Coyne car was the driver of the race.

[@Dat-Mudkip]

The biggest change to the cars in years, and Indycar picks the middle of the season to do so. I don't know what the hell they're thinking. They also claim they did over 30,000 miles of testing, but apparently none of that testing involved using the starter motor.

[@halfsuperset2794]

Of course this was my first Indycar race 💀

[@shane21882]

Think you need to do a generic intro to indy car, it's format, rules, teams etc. might help me get into it.

[@UNHchabo]

Assuming you're an F1 fan: the rules differences that F1 fans often get caught out by are for blue flags (informational only, unless you're multiple laps down. Cars can fight to stay on the lead lap, but risk annoying the leaders), and blocking (there's no "one move", any defensive line is fine but any move in reaction is not allowed). The cars are a bit tougher so drivers are allowed to make contact, but if you make a dumb move you can be penalized. Sticking a nose in doesn't entitle you to the inside. Track limits are also usually not defined by race control unless they can enforce it objectively: certain corners will have transponder lines to do this, and this would've included COTA's Turn 19 if Indycar ever returned to the track. The format is fairly standard, the points system is slightly different than F1 (every position matters), but there's no playoffs, and every race gives equal points. Teams matter less in Indycar, there are no team orders, every driver is battling for their own position even against teammates. Penske and Ganassi most often win championships, but on any given race it's far less predictable who will have a competitive setup. Most Indycar fans don't choose fandom off of teams, they like specific drivers, most often because of their personalities. Watch some interviews and you may decide you like certain drivers more than others.

[@schellingerhout]

so what are the odds the honey badger will join indy car next season :D

[@EricBurns1]

Mid-Ohio making sure they earn the word “mid”

[@f1kissfanf19]

SPEC RACING

[@Verto_c]

Was a great race to photograph at took over 20k photos this weekend!

[@GuacamoleMuckbang]

I tuned in for the last 15 laps and that was really good. Honestly, the racing has been eh this year with the exception of the 500. Can’t wait for Iowa tho.

[@strayling1]

When the Deus Ex music is more exciting than the race.

[@budgethomegymtraining5526]

there is three teams with all the money and theyre gonna win everything until the new engine deal is up in 2026