The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week 42

Can someone tell me why I spent Sunday afternoon watching a hotel light up while some cars drove under it?

Well, at least that's what I though I was watching (either that or a replay from a computer game). They wouldn't actually make a pit lane exit that went through a tunnel, would they?

I also discovered (well, OK, confirmed) that the people who run NASCAR are monumentally stupid. Not only do they put another line in their rule book that bans bump drafting in the corner, but they then manage to go a whole race (which, by my eyes, included plenty of bump drafting in the corner) without penalizing anyone for it. Not even Juan Montoya.

Oh, and Toyota pulled out of F1, but that barely counts as news.

The Power Rankings occasionally feature on Midweek Motorsport on Radio Le Mans every Wednesday at 8pm UK time, 3pm Eastern and Noon Pacific (and to relive again and again on Itunes soon thereafter).

15. Giancarlo Fisichella (F1)

Inside Fisi’s mind:

“Hmm, I need to pass Grosjean. I shall end my F1 career exactly the same way it’s been going for the last decade.”

“On the slide.”

14. A.J. Allmendinger (NASCAR)

Finding out the hard way that drunk drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents.

13. Bernie Ecclestone (F1)

Bernie wants more F1 races.

Or, more realistically, money.

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR)

On NASCAR’s bump drafting rule:

“It’s like the NFL going from tackle to two hand touch football”

He may not be much of a driver, but he’s got a career in commentary.

11. Mattias Ekstrom (Race of Champions)

While at the Race of Champions:

“The concrete is very, very hard”

Concrete tends to be, it's what differentiates it from porridge.

10. Bruno Senna (F1)

Announced his contract with Campos Meta 1 on Twitter.

Next year to cut costs there won’t be actual races, drivers will just spend two hours on Twitter every other Sunday.

9. Kamui Kobayashi (up to his elbows in raw fish)

Apparently assured of a Toyota drive after sixth in Abu Dhabi, he was relieved he wouldn’t have to work in his dad’s Sushi restaurant next year.

Oh, what’s that Toyota are pulling out.

Well, that’ll be some Maki and California Rolls please, Kamui.

8. George Howard-Chappell (Asian LMS)

GH-C is the head of Aston Martin Racing and he really needs to calm down. Be a Louver, not a fighter, George.

Aston Martin weekend report, including reason for terrible pun.

7. Ryan Newman (NASCAR)

Clearly suffering from concussion after his backflip Ryan Newman lets slip the most secretive of NASCAR’s rules:

“NASCAR’s put us into with this box with these Restrictor Plates, with these types of cars, with the yellow line, with the no bump drafting, no passing.”

No passing?!

6. Jenson Button (F1)

Those last two laps almost made the first 53 worth watching. Almost.

5. Augusto Farfus (WTCC)

Serial Power Rankings will be familiar with Farfus’ M.O. by now.

Have an off in race one. Win race two.

If this man win the title, it’ll be the most inefficient victory ever.

4. Michael Schumacher (Race of Champions)

Part of the Race of Champions-winning Team Germany.

Is the neck problem all better then, Michael?

Race of Champions Nations' Cup report

3. Jamie McMurray (NASCAR)

Something to ponder:

The guy Roush is firing is (by wins) his second-best driver.

Worry, David Ragan.

Worry.

2. Sebastian Vettel (F1)

Seb reveals himself to be scared of the dark.

“There was the scary exit through the tunnel.”

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix results.

1. Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)

Yawn!

Just give him the wretched trophy now and we’ll have a few more days before the ice caps melt.

AMP Energy 500 results.