Lady driver speaks to the press after winning “fair and square”

Yeah, it’s just like Serena Williams beating Roger Federer (rolls eyes).

Brazilian veteran may trade places with 21-year-old American

German newspaper Bild claims that Rubens Barrichello is being courted by the Andretti Green IndyCar team, with a view to racing for them in 2009. The Brazilian’s current contract with Honda (who also equip Andretti Green with engines) runs out at the end of this season.

Barrichello would go to IRL in exchange for Marco Andretti (pictured above), the 21-year-old son of former McLaren driver Michael Andretti. Michael had a terrible time in F1, but Marco is reportedly a more talented driver than his old man – he has already tested in a Honda F1 car, in December 2006 and then in February 2007. His lap times were not that far behind those set by Jenson Button.

Watch Danica make motorsport history:

We’re not crying, we just got something in our eye. Sniff.

First lady of IndyCar storms to maiden victory!

You’ll find no crass, cliched jokes about lady drivers here (although feel free to send them in – we couldn’t think of any). No, Grid Crasher can only salute the achievement of Danica Patrick, who on Sunday became the first woman to win an IndyCar event – the Japan 300 at Motegi. Patrick finished 5.85 seconds ahead of Helio Castroneves after taking the lead late in the race, when the drivers in front of her – Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan – were all forced to pit. “It’s been a long time coming,” a tearful Patrick said after the race. “Finally.”

Patrick has been racing in IndyCar since 2005 and has racked up a half-century of races. Few observers doubted that she had the talent to win a race, and her Andretti Green car has looked strong so far this season – it was a case of when, not if she would break her duck.