Pantano May Come to CC

[Snrub]

According to this article: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/14487/

It sounds like Pantano might end up in CC and has talked to multiple CC teams. I get the impression that if Pantano doesn't have the funds to pay for a Minardi drive he might end up with a CC drive.

So what are your thoughts, now that we've seen him for much of a season @ Jordan, do we want Pantano in CC? Who might he end up with? Perhaps he wouldn't even have to pay to be in CC?

[BootsOntheSide]

He's better than he looked in F1 last year, I'm certain of that. The car was a horrible one to drive, he didn't get much testing, and the wrangling between jrodan adn his management made him largely unwanted in the team. He was unlucky that the one race he missed mid-season (Canada) was the one where the Jordans had an easy run to points as others dropped out. He oculd've ended up in ChampCar in 2003, and it's a shame he didn't.

[JohnSSC]

The Jordan chassis has been basically junk these past couple of years. Almost anyone would look bad driving it. Good as Heidfeld is he has looked horrible at times. To be honest, he and Pantano have probably had to drive their testosterone-producing glands off to keep it out of the gravel, let alone qualify decently.

I think Pantano has the goods. He is certainly better than most of the Mexicans (including Jourdain, sorry folks), The Rookie Sensation and Gaston Mazzacane by a country mile.

[ensign14]

Pantano got ripped off for $5m cos he was so desperate to get into F1. He is fundamentally very talented at all the things that make a great DRIVER. He never had the chance to show whether he had the talent to be a great test-pilot, which is more what F1 is about these days. In CC he is genuinely a potential race-winner. Like he would have been in pre-1993 F1.

[jondownunder]

I agree Pantano is definitely a talented guy, let down by circumstance in F1. To come straight out of karting and win the Formula Palmer Audi Winter Series, then German F3 championship the year after, is no mean feat. In F3000 he was impressive in his second and third years, despite running with Coloni and Durango, who were not front-running teams before. I hope he gets a good ride in Champ Car.

[Kicking-back]

He would be a good addition to the field.

Lets hope he learns talent needs application.

[codename_47]

You know....one day I wish Champcar can attract drivers who WANT to be here rather than those who've had the F1 door slammed in their faces!

No offence to Justin or Sebastian BTW, I'm extremely happy they're hear, but I'm sure you get the point!

....Fortunatly (for us) F1 is about to self destruct in the next few years (you don't have to be psychic to know that! ) so who knows if whatever series that emerges will be as highly regarded?

[luke]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

He would be a good addition to the field.

I would have to disagree there kb, in my view he would only be good for making up numbers.

[Kicking-back]

An F3000 race-winner, a former F3 champion. Those are much better credentials than many on the grid or being touted for it (Mazzacane, Philippe, Marshall etc), so yes, he would be potentially competitive.

[luke]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

An F3000 race-winner, a former F3 champion. Those are much better credentials than many on the grid or being touted for it (Mazzacane, Philippe, Marshall etc), so yes, he would be potentially competitive.

Yes, he's had a good carrer prior to F1, but he under performed in F1, and hasn't done his image well.

I don't mean to be harsh but Champ Car doesn't need F1 rejects.

[BootsOntheSide]

Luke, Pantano has doen a lot more than merley F1, and been successful in everything else, and there are a lot of reasons why his circumstances in F1 were unusually tough. Like Wilson he'd be a great addition to the grid.

[luke]

I hope I'm wrong.


But, if you place him against Philippe and co, he would deserve a drive.

[f1manoz]

Pantano was certainly made to look second-rate by his teammate and an uncooperative Jordan chassis last year and is certainly better than his results showed.

[Knowlesy]

I think Pantano could be good in Champcar. But much depends how confident he is after what has been a very bad year for him. He was overshadowed massively by Nick Heidfeld (no shame there really), was driving a biscuit tin on wheels and was then dropped.

He could be broken mentally.

[Jordi]

Just what does being overshadowed by Heidfeld mean? Nick has been quicker than all his teammates except maybe Frentzen. I think Pantano had a very tall order at Jordan.

[Knowlesy]

I know, but believe it or not some expected Pantano to overshadow Frentzen, who was coming off the back of being embarrassed by Frentzen.

[ASCII Man]

Frentzen being embarrassed by Frentzen?
Or what?

[Kicking-back]

Heidfeld he means, ASCII Man

[Knowlesy]

Indeed.

Taxi for Knowlesy!

[Jordi]

The thing is... Frentzen did not embarass Heidfeld. I think they were quite par the time they were together, though maybe Heinz had the edge.

[Knowlesy]

Heinz brought home the results!

I think he was often quicker than Nick too, although my memory of Sauber in 2003 is quite vague! Where were they?

[Kicking-back]

Pretty much evenly matched - with one good result at the USGP when they both took points, with HHF ahead.

[Snrub]

HHF is a terrific driver, but I'd agree that he only had a bit of an edge over Heidfeld. Given that Sauber blamed all their woes in that season on what I think was a very strong driver lineup, I don't know if the team situation was that nice. I think that adds doubt to the ability of both drivers to perform at their best.

[bradrive]

He could be broken mentally.[/QUOTE]

Let me tell the following story:
Barcelona 26/27 February 2003. Pre-season testing Nissan world series,
22 drivers testing, first day and morning of 2nd day rain and little testing.
I am race engineering for the Italian team GD racing and the owner tells me
Pantano would turn up to make a seat. Team had had awful 2002 season
with pay-drivers and setups were not competitive. This test to be my first time with the team and our car setup to standard original Dallara recommended settings. All the other teams having one year of running experience and well developped car setups. It will be Pantano' first time in a Nissan world series car which is particular due to his ground effect aero.
So Pantano is driving for us a total of 4 series of 4timed laps with used tyres in dry conditions, then he is in the pits with engine problems. We fix them and fit first and only new set of tyres to end the day. At that stage he is 13th. Out of the pits - first timed lap and second best off all the 22 cars - second timed lap and off the road being splittime wise quickest up to penultimate turn. he comes to the pits, excuses for the bent nose and asks for his position: Then him:"only second, ****!"
Just to tell you Pantano is a born racer and never accepts second place.
Mentally hard as a rock. If he enters Champcar he will deliver and fight
for winning. he is by far the best active racing driver of Italy.

[Gabrio]

I think he will shine in CCs if he gets a decent drive. What I do not understand is why he tested for a few good F1 teams and never made it to the top.