MILLER

Right calls made in a tough week but better times ahead?

It’s been a sorry past week in motorsport, with flooding forcing the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, racism over the radio in NASCAR and fatal shootings in the Baja California Rally (page 9).

In Formula 1’s case, at least we can say that lessons have been learned since the 2020 Australian GP. As Alex Kalinauckas explains on p16, all the right decisions seem to be made in good time.

Looking forward, various teams will have updates for the Monaco GP this weekend and the nature of the circuit – and relative strengths of the Aston Martin AMR23 and Ferrari SF-23 – mean it might not be a foregone conclusion. If Fernando Alonso or Charles Leclerc are going to defeat the dominant Red Bulls this year, this could be their chance.

The second part of motorsport’s triple crown will also take place on Sunday, at Indianapolis. Qualifying for the 500 (above) was extremely close and it’s hard to pick a winner, though rivals Ganassi and Arrow McLaren have multiple drivers up at the sharp end. As well as reporting on some dramatic qualifying stories (p4), Charles Bradley also picks out the key themes in our preview on p36.

Incredibly, the other big motorsport classic is coming up, too. Next week (1 June issue), we will have our traditional Le Mans 24 Hours guide to the 10-11 June event. And to continue our build-up and celebration of a century of the world’s greatest endurance race, Gary Watkins looks at the Le Mans king on p42: Porsche.

Kevin Turner Chief Editor kevin.turner@autosport.com

NEXT WEEK

1 JUNE Monaco, Indy & Le Mans All the action from the GP and the 500, plus our 52-page

Le Mans guide

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Cover images Steve Etherington/Motorsport Images; Gruppe C Photography

PIT & PADDOCK 4 Palou takes Indianapolis 500 pole 6 Honda engines for Aston from 2026 8 International circuit opens in Hungary 10 A1GP could make a return 11 Monaco Grand Prix preview 13 Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas 14 Opinion: James Newbold 15 Opinion: Megan White

FEATURES 16 The story of F1’s cancelled Imola race 22 When terrible weather creates chaos 36 Indy 500 preview/things to watch 42 Le Mans 100: Porsche’s many returns

RACE CENTRE 26 BTCC: Sutton and Ingram star at Snett 32 World of Sport: Nurburgring 24 Hours; Super Formula; FRegional European; Australian Supercars; F1 Academy

CLUB AUTOSPORT 55 Motorsport UK confirms track-limits rule 56 Obituary: Jon Fletcher 58 TVR ace Davis prepares Corvette for 70th 61 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish 62 National reports: Snetterton; Brands

Hatch; Cro ; Pembrey; Mallory Park; Silverstone; Anglesey

FINISHING STRAIGHT 70 What’s on this week 72 From the archive: 1936 Donington GP 74 My favourite car: Kenny Acheson

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 60 Special deals for Autosport

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25 MAY 2023 AUTOSPORT.COM 3