Framed Canvas Print "Pondering" by Richard Kelley

Pondering

Beneath the looming Renaissance Center, the rain is increasing in intensity while a forlorn John Watson and the Team McLaren braintrust ponder how they might find speed - but already know it’s futile. The 1982 Detroit Grand Prix organization had promised the teams a full day of unofficial practice on Thursday, but that and the morning practice on Friday had been cancelled due to unfinished track preparations. Friday afternoon practice had been limited to just one hour, leaving the teams only two one-hour sessions on Saturday to test, adjust and qualify. Saturday morning was cold and partially damp, but drying. To say that Watson and teammate Niki Lauda ended the session disappointed would be an understatement. While other teams using Goodyear’s tires found limited grip, McLaren’s Michelin’s refused to warm to operating temperature, and now, with the rain of the afternoon session, it would be impossible to set competitive lap times. Both Watson and Lauda would have to start far back on the grid and hope for a miracle on race day.