IndyCar star believes he can fly

Brazilian driver Vitor Meira took to the skies during Sunday’s IndyCar race at Milwaukee. Meira ploughed into the stricken car of Marco Andretti, and took flight. Meira said of the spectacular last-lap incident:

“Getting airborne wasn’t that bad. It’s landing that causes all the problems.”

Wise words Vitor.

Watch footage of the maiden flight, right this way…

The stories that qualified on pole today

Ferrari has decided not to debut its innovative new “nose with the hole” (pictured above) at the Turkish GP this weekend. Istanbul is a low-downforce track, so despite the nose’s success in testing at the Circuit de Catalunya last month, we’ll have to wait to see how it fares in a real race. [Autosport]

Marco Andretti fastest in first practice session for this weekend’s Indy 500 – in an Indiana Jones-themed car. Indytastic. [IndyCar]

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.