NTT IndyCar Series 2025 - Sonsio Grand Prix

The time of year has arrived: INDYCAR is at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Before preparing for the big event, the Indy 500, the drivers are getting match-fit on the track's road course for the Sonsio Grand Prix.

Screengrab from IndyCar

Alex Palou delivered another masterful performance at the Sonsio Grand Prix, further solidifying his position in the title race. The first time an IndyCar driver has won four out of the first five races since 2006. He secured the win, with Pato O'Ward finishing in second place and Will Power coming in third. However, the race was not without its incidents; Marcus Ericsson experienced a mechanical issue that caused him to spin out.

With the Sonsio Grand Prix done, here it comes. The INDY 500 is this May 25th, 2025. Are you ready?

FIA WEC S13 - TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship had a Spa Day, but not the relaxing kind of Spa Day; it's the high-speed thrill kind of Spa Day with the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where drivers and teams spent a quarter of a day surviving their Spa Day by all means.

Screengrab from WEC

Ferrari conquered Spa Day, achieving a one-two finish with the race-winning #51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P and the second-place #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P. The #36 Alpine Endurance Racing car completed the podium by finishing in third place, marking Alpine's best result to date.

In the LMGT3 class, the race-winning #21 and the third-place #54 Vista AF Corse 296 GT3 cars placed around the second-place #88 Proton Competition Mustang GT3.

The next race is a significant one: the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking place on June 14-15.

Doctor Who S2E5 Episode Review

Entering the latter half of the second season of Doctor Who, The Doctor is dealing with a nefarious figure who calls himself The Barber, who is allegedly behind the disappearance of residents around a small Nigerian village.

Doctor Who S2E5

HOLD IT! Before my quick review, ensure you have already watched the episode. Then, come back here when you have.

Let's Do The News! (May 9, 2025)

        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- An American-Peruvian cardinal named Robert Prevost is named as the new Pope after a two-day Conclave at the Vatican. He becomes Pope Leo XIV, the first Pope who hails from the USA. The new Pope will lead the Roman Catholics worldwide and uphold the legacy of his predecessors. Most world leaders are congratulating the new Pope while others are concerned about the Catholic Church's future plans under the helm of Pope Leo XIV on key issues like LGBT and abortion rights.

- The Malacañang will not file a complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte for spreading false information against First Lady Liza Marcos. This is despite VP Sara's accusation that the First Lady was involved in the death of a Filipino during her trip to the United States in March.

- The recently concluded Balikatan exercises were a success, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

- The LTFRB is giving special permits to around 800 bus units for this Monday's elections.

- The Toyota Corolla range was updated for the 2026 model year. All gasoline-powered variants of the Corolla sedan, the Corolla Touring wagon, and the Corolla Sport hatchback were axed, leaving only hybrid variants. In addition, the ACTIVE SPORT variants of the Corolla sedan and Corolla Touring wagon were joined as special models.

2026 Toyota Corolla Active Sport

2026 Toyota Corolla Touring Active Sport

- The fourth season of Clarkson's Farm airs on Prime Video this May 23 with the first four episodes. Episodes five and six will be on the 30th of May, and the last two episodes will be on June 6th.

- FOX will air an INDY 500 documentary titled INDYCAR: Anything to Win this Sunday, May 18th.

- Disney announced the title of the next Descendants movie, coming soon to Disney+. The next Descendants chapter will be titled Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, and it picks up moments after The Rise of Red.

- FIFTY FIFTY member Keena has halted activities due to PTSD, according to the group's agency.

- Comedian Amay Bisaya passed away at the age of 67.

TTFN.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - Honda NSX

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

Let's begin with the one that started it all. It's the NA2 Honda NSX-R, the hero car of the first Forza Motorsport game, launched 20 years ago.

Honda revived the NSX-R variant of the facelifted model in the form of a concept, as seen on the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, and then it went on sale a year later.

Like the base model, the NSX-R still comes with the same 3.2L V6 engine, which is an improvement from the previous NSX, and is mated with a new 6-speed MT. Unlike the base NSX, the R features improved performance and aerodynamics, resulting in better downforce courtesy of its new hood, new rear wing, and extensive use of carbon fiber.

It became the first street-legal road car to break the 8-minute barrier from the legendary Nürburgring.

Let's have a little commemorative drive around Suzuka Circuit in honor of the first cover car of the first Forza Motorsport game. Kinda think of it, I've already done this stint when I was playing Forza Motorsport 7 several years ago, examining the evolution of the Honda NSX. Anyway, let's see if I can do better with the same setting but playing what's now known as the final Forza Motorsport game.

I did a bit better this time, but I still had a lot of fun taking a commemorative drive in the legendary NSX. This car graced the cover of the first Forza Motorsport game two decades ago, and it still looks impressive after all these years.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU RACE

Next time, let's explore the Z33 Nissan Fairlady Z, the cover car of Forza Motorsport 2.

Let's Do The News! (May 8, 2025)

       

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PH Senate is now considering the review of Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, after a series of vehicular accidents that claimed the lives of innocent victims. According to Senate President pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada, one of the co-authors of the law that implements mandatory drug testing of drivers involved in incidents, they will consider whether it is time to amend and expand the existing law.

- 23,000 police officers to be deployed in Metro Manila for the 2025 Elections, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is validating the identities of soldiers assigned to Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.

- The COMELEC rejected foreign observers' plea to visit polling precincts.

- The Papal Conclave will commence this afternoon, local time. Yesterday, the Vatican held masses praying for a peaceful and successful Conclave as the world awaits the next Pope. So far, the first day saw black smoke coming out from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The Papal Conclave continues until white smoke is spotted, signaling that a new Pope has been named.

- US President Donald Trump says he wants to make a deal with China. Meanwhile, the Trump administration applied maximum pressure through sanctions against Iran.

- The Chevrolet Corvette is updated for the 2026 model year with an updated interior featuring three new screens.

- Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan at Alpine for the next five F1 races.

- US soccer player Mallory Swanson is expecting her first child.

- MGI founder Nawat Itsaragrisil is now Miss Universe executive director.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 7, 2025)

      

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief P/Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the dismissal of the police officers seen with Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte in a viral video of the alleged assault in Davao City. According to Marbil, those who should be held accountable include the commanders of the two police officers who acted as the lawmaker’s bodyguards.

- Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez fully supports Senator Francis Tolentino's plan to file treason and espionage charges against the officers and directors of Infinitus Marketing Solutions, Inc. This is the Makati-based firm that Tolentino identified as allegedly contracted to spread content online in favor of China, especially on issues related to the West Philippine Sea.

- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed the request of former President Rodrigo Duterte's camp to excuse two judges who decided on the tribunal's jurisdiction in his crimes against humanity case.

- The mass for the Papal Conclave has just concluded at the Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila. At 7:30 a.m., Father Biel Bautista began the holy mass, which focused on prayer for the beginning of the vote for the new Pope by all cardinals around the world.

- Preparations for the Papal Conclave in the Vatican are underway. 136 members of the College of Cardinals will vote for the 267th Pope. There will be masses taking place.

- US President Donald Trump taps Andrew Giuliani to lead the World Cup Task Force.

- Oliver Oakes has immediately resigned from his position as Team Principal at the Alpine F1 Team. Flavio Briatore, the Executive Advisor, will take over this role and also handle duties previously performed by Oakes at the team.

- NASCAR's Championship weekend is returning to Homestead-Miami this 2026.

- Team WRT opens its new headquarters in Belgium.

- The second trailer for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI was unveiled, previewing main characters Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos as well as what to expect in Leonida. The game was delayed to late May 2026.

- Boy group WINNER is holding its first concert after over three years, but member Song Mino will not attend.

TTFN.