Indy Deal With Didier Calmels in Trouble

From Road & Track

Welcome to The Grid, R&T's quick roundup of the auto industry and motorsports news you should know this morning.

Whoda Thunk It?

A few months ago, we reported on one of the less flattering deals in motorsports: IndyCar's Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports had struck a deal with Frenchman Didier Calmels to run Tristan Gommendy in the 2018 Indy 500. Calmels, for those unfamiliar, used to run the Larousse Formula One team before he was dismissed for murdering his wife in a 'crime of passion.'

Now, it appears the partnership may be on the rocks. Talking to Racer, Sam Schmidt has said that there may be a "very competitive third Schmidt-Peterson Honda available for Indy." There was no reason given for the expected split, but, as Racer speculates, the overly negative press from the announcement could be part of it.

Slow Down

Tesla has made the insane acceleration allowed by its electric powertrains one of its calling cards over the last few years. Ludicrous mode on the Model S made a four-door sedan one of the quickest cars on the planet. But now there's a new mode which is the opposite of Ludicrous.

Aptly called 'Chill,' it makes acceleration smoother and more gradual so you aren't giving your passengers heart attacks with constant 2.5 second 0 to 60 runs.

Softer Tires