Why would Hamilton, Stewart trade places?

When you do something spectacular or silly once — like bungee-jumping off the Rainbow Bridge, say, while naked — it’s unique. When you do it twice, it’s copy cat. It’s why bother?

Which makes me wonder why there seems to be any interest whatsoever in  the announcement at the weekend that stock car racer Tony Stewart and world champion F1 racing star Lewis Hamilton plan to trade places at Watkins Glen some time this year and drive each other’s car.

What’s the point?

It’s been done before, of course. That time, it truly was unique — and there was a purpose behind it.

In June 2003, just before the Canadian Grand Prix, Williams F1 (then known as Williams Grand Prix Engineering) sent a BMW-Williams race car and driver Juan Pablo Montoya to Indianapolis to trade places with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and his DuPont Chevrolet.

The story line for the switcheroo was that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway wanted publicity for two big races coming up at the track — the Brickyard 400 and the U.S. Grand Prix.

The real reason, although never publicized, was to give Gordon a test in an F1 car. Montoya was just along for the ride.

And the reason for the test? F1 was being dominated by Michael Schumacher and it was boring. There were no stars on the horizon. Montoya was leaving for McLaren at the end of the season and Williams had a seat open. Williams was being sponsored by Hewlett-Packard; its major associate sponsor was Budweiser. Both U.S. companies were keen to have an American driver in the car.

Gordon, at the time, was dominating NASCAR, and had for several years. The thinking was that he might be looking for a challenge.

That he was up for the test, let there be no doubt. In six laps, Montoya’s best time around the 4.28 km Indianapolis Grand Prix track was 1:15.2. Gordon’s best lap was 1:16.5.

To put that into perspective, Michael Schumacher's pole-winning time for the 2002 U.S. Grand Prix was 1:10.7. But remember: that time was set after two days of practice, with rubber on the track. Montoya and Gordon went out on a green track and had six laps apiece. Total.

Also for the record, Gordon, during his setup run in the Winston Cup car, turned in a lap of one minute, 38.8 seconds; Montoya's best time during his six laps was 1:39.9.

Now, Gordon was just completely knocked out by the experience, suggesting that he’d never done anything in his life to compare with driving a Formula One race car. Montoya also expressed interest in the stock car, but for him it must have been like going from a roller coaster to the Log Ride.

The “Tradin’ Paint” exercise attracted major media from around the world. The three major U.S. TV networks attended (Fox wasn’t really a player at the time) and the Speed Channel recorded a one-hour special.

In the end, although intrigued, Gordon didn’t bite. Frank Williams said in Montreal that although he’d love to have Gordon in the car in 2004, the price he'd have to pay for a rookie driver was too high (which was a very funny line, when you think about it).

So there was a purpose to that exercise in 2003. What purpose will be served by having Stewart and Hamilton trade places?

Unlike Montoya, who found himself unemployed in F1 and was rescued by Chip Ganassi, who’d run him in CART, Lewis Hamilton will never race in NASCAR.

And Tony Stewart, unlike Gordon at the time, is neither good enough nor ambitious enough to even think about F1 as a future career.

It doesn’t make sense. So why do it?

Particularly when, like just about everybody else who follows motorsports these days, you immediately think of two words when a race driver considers leaving his or her comfort zone: Robert Kubica.

Comments

[John B]

Well, knowing the real reason behind the original Gordon/Montoya matchup puts a different perspective on things. However, to the Great Unwashed, this was a attempt to resolve the ongoing debate over which drivers were more skilled, NASCAR's good ol' boys or the ones the rest of the world considers the best. I doubt if anyone believes what transpired between Gordon and Montoya ever set that matter finally to rest. I, for one, am looking forward to see how Steward and Hamilton make out. In fact, I'd like to see something like this once a year.

[racingmaniac]

Because they can? McLaren who is Lewis' employer is about to supply NASCAR with their regulated ECU for Sprint Cup's forey into "modern" technology with fuel injection. McLaren is not just in the F1 racing, they are in automotive business, and something to tie their name to the NASCAR landscape surely will a) boost publicity and b) maybe get them more client in other form of racing. Maybe Indycar, maybe Grand Am....

[Anthony Hutchinson]

What's the point? There really is no point and that's the beauty of it! Would absolutely love to see it though! As a matter of fact, given how Michael Schumacher feels about NASCAR, I would love to see him try it. The whole exercise just makes a great spectacle and hopefully more publicity for motorsports in general.

[David White]

Tony in a F1 car? Not a chance in hell he could squeeze in!

[DJL]

My guess is that this is the first of many steps that will be taken to try and generate interest in F1 in the USA before its return.

Unlike Gordon's unofficial test, I seriously doubt either driver will be pushing their rides very hard - as you say, neither driver has anything to prove and too much on the line to do something stupid.

When they are finished their laps, there will be a great photo op of a NASCAR ambassador (Stewart) with his arm around Hamilton symbolically welcoming F1 back to the USA. And the message will get out - If Stewart thinks F1 is cool, then so will the rest of the NASCAR lemmings.

[mrclause]

Tony Stewart not good enough for F1? Isn't this the Tony Stewart that has won championships in everything he's ever driven? Not ambitious enough to participate in F1? You did this report on the Tony Stewart that owns/operates several race teams, race tracks, a management company, is a full time driver, a NASCAR champion? There does seem to bit just a bit of bias in your description or you are fighting senility and losing.

[Sid Hawkins]

Let's see, Stewart not good enough or ambitious enough. The general consensus among the racing fraternity is that Stewart
can drive anything with wheels fairly well, one of the best
drivers in the world. Race track owner and promoter, multiple
race team owner of different types of race cars may qualify
him as somewhat ambitious. Also owns business that consults with
other racing professionals. Stewart and Hamilton may never race
each others' cars, but the real mystery about this article is why you wrote it. Taking a nap may have been better use of your time. I know it would have been less offensive to readers.

Both of the principals here are very wealthy and can do this
just because they want to.

[Marybeth Wallick]

I read on motorsport.com that Mario Andretti, yes that is Mario, is thinking of racing in the Las Vegas festivities at the end of the Indy season. Personally, I think that he should try a few races before that during the season, to put a little polish on his edge, knock a little rust off. :) Maybe Indy...?

[Joe]

I think you are slightly confused. Tony Stewart has shown that he has as much or more talent in many different disciplines of racing over the years than Jeff Gordon. However, I do agree with you on the ambition issue. Why would he have the ambition, at this state in his career, to switch to a dying series, when he see the opportunities of building a business that will keep him involved with the US stock car circuit. The U S has the only series that has any chance of providing opportunities for people that understand what racing is about, but does not have domination by billionaires that only report to their corporate masters. F1 will die like the open wheel series in the US have.

[Adam]

I have heard that Mobil 1 is common sponsor and raising publicity this way.
Also, as it was pointed out by others, McLaren is official supplier of NASCAR for the new fuel injection system ECU starting in 2012.

Stewart was great in the IRL, will figure out how to drive an F1 car.

[john]

Stewart not talented enough? Good lord, he's easily in the top 5 most talented drivers in America right now. He drives and wins in everything he ever sat in.

He's also lost about 10 lbs this season, I believe I saw the SPEED guys say. Though I agree he's still a big guy, I'm sure he'll manage to squeeze in.

Without a DOUBT he would be good enough to drive and win in an F1 car... The only question mark is his age and endurance, both very important in F1. The Stewart of about 5-6 years ago would be perfect. Let's not forget he's done the Coke 600/Indy 500 double a couple of times.