Getting in the mood

I've been keeping the withdrawal symptoms at bay by watching huge amounts of last season's racing. It's good racing. But it's not live, nor recorded a few days ago - it was recorded months ago.

I need to watch something very recent involving cars and drivers I care about. The Daytona 24 was interesting to follow online, and I might have been more into it had I been able to see it on TV, but I don't care for the series or the cars and I don't know most of the drivers. I need F1 or IndyCar video to keep me going until March.

So here is some:

F1 winter test, Algarve, Portugal, 20 Jan 2009:



Oh those sweet, sweet engines. I don't care if you don't like the racing in F1, the politics, or whatever else - if these engines at full speed do nothing for you then you are NOT a fan of motorsport. And you should hear them in person!

You might have noticed McLaren using the 2008-spec rear wing for stability in wet conditions. You might also have noticed how frikkin' STUPID that Renault looks.

Note to FOM: do not shut these clips down unless you intend to carry video of winter testing on Formula1.com. Or any video at all ever, for that matter.

F1 winter test, Algarve, Portugal, 21 Jan 2009:



F1 winter test, Algarve, Portugal, 22 Jan 2009:




That got the racing blood pumping again, didn't it?

On the theme of preparing for 2009, check out the new IndyCar promos for Versus over at IsItMayYet?.

I recommend following the link to view these F1 videos on the YouTube site to see them at their intended sizes. I had to pick the small versions to fit my borders.

With thanks to the uploaders.