It's a brave commentator who would predict the ultimate winner in the Mercedes-dominated title battle in 2016, but if the second half of the Formula One season has shown anything it's that Daniel Ricciardo and his Red Bull might be in the mix come 2017
Ricciardo second to Nico Rosberg.
Garth Tander and Warren Luff have claimed a famous Sandown 500 win, holding steady to defy Shane van Gisbergen and a failing car to win the Supercars endurance race.
Max Versatppen, the Red Bull driver we don't know
"There's a giant lizard on the track. I'm not joking!"
Jamie Whincup recently lamented that "complacency" in his approach to the endurance races cost him any chance of defending his Supercars crown last year.
Mark Fogarty Supercars star James Courtney is set to stay with the longest-running Holden team even though it will lose the car-maker's backing next year.
The Sandown 500 is set to become the annual "retro round" of the Supercars championship for as long as the threatened track remains in operation.
Nissan has joined Holden in committing to staying in Supercars as Volvo's impending withdrawal is about to be challenged by legal action.
Formula One bought by US company Liberty Media a US company that invests in entertainment and sports, ending years of uncertainty.
There have been two big winners since Formula One returned from a mid-season break – Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.
Nico Rosberg had a win, Lewis Hamilton a slow trigger and Daniel Ricciardo did all that could be expected to gain one place on his starting position and finish fifth at the Italian Grand Prix.
A gladiator is generally not expected to be gentle and lighthearted, smiling and joking.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis was at pains to point out that Jenson Button was not retiring from Formula One at the end of the season but there are no guarantees the 2009 champion will race again either.
Italian Grand Prix qualifying is situation normal with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg starting first and second, with Australia's Daniel Ricciardo to start from sixth.
Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton set an eye-catching pace in final practice for an Italian Grand Prix that could bring the Mercedes driver his landmark 50th victory on Sunday.
Supercars will celebrate Australian touring car racing's past at the Sandown 500 in two weeks as it looks forward to extending the race's future for at least another few years.
With this Thursday's 10th anniversary of motor sport legend Peter Brock's fatal accident, his old rival Alan Moffatt admits he still gets emotional thinking about it.
Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton, his sights set on a 50th grand prix win, denied Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg the top spot in Italian Grand Prix practice on Friday.
Lewis Hamilton has hailed Max Verstappen's stunning success in Formula One and called on those criticising the Dutch teenager's driving to keep a sense of perspective.