How do they test for a new driver's abilities?

[Smurfer]

Hi all,

It's a bit of a clunky title though I guess you know what I mean.

So for drivers with a long standing record I imagine it's more along the lines of how they will fit into the team and whether they will attract/retain sponsorship.

For the lesser known driver, would they put them under rigorous testing to determine things like:

- reflex speed and appropriateness of reflexes to a given scenario
- decision making ability
- concentration levels over a prolonged period
- fitness and stamina

Alternatively do they look at past performance and ability to bring money to the team (I assume the latter is more relevant to the lower budget teams).

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Will

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Depends on the teams

Weight of the sponsor's/ Daddy's wallet seems to be primary in some of the lesser teams.

[Adam43]

There is a criteria nowadays. In the past there wasn't. You have to obtain a super licence. It doesn't mean, and neither should it, at you are the best. However it means you have a decent level of experience.

A super licence is based on previous experience in lower categories, although there is rightly a degree of flexibily. It is not a direct test as inferred above, but there is a standard that is required.

Just sponsorship? Nah, it needs a little. Get a place in a team? Sponsorship will help. Why would hat be any different to the old days. I haven't seen Motorsport suddenly become a socialist concern.

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by Adam43

There is a criteria nowadays. In the past there wasn't. You have to obtain a super licence. It doesn't mean, and neither should it, at you are the best. However it means you have a decent level of experience.

A super licence is based on previous experience in lower categories, although there is rightly a degree of flexibily. It is not a direct test as inferred above, but there is a standard that is required.

Massive understatement.

I mean... Even the great Ma Qing Hua got one

Who would've thought that a Chinese Touring Car title would open so many doors

http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/qing-hua-ma/career/

[Adam43]

Yes, there have been a few drivers undeserving, but generally it is OK. In the good old days there was no criteria.

[QnickFTW]

Originally Posted by Adam43

In the good old days there was no criteria.

I dont think there is much of a criteria nowadays either. Generally you are right, it's been a while we've seen outrageously undeserving drivers, in terms of race-seat we can go back all the way to Ide probably. But it was modern days too when Chacon Nissany got a few friday outings (AKA took part in Grand Prix's) at the age of 40 something, with absolutely no previous results to his name, lapping slower than the F3000 cars on the same day!

[Knowlesy]

I often wondered this, until I picked up a copy of F1 2012 for the Xbox the other day.

I was asked to accelerate to 180mph and brake down to zero, challenged to negotiate a hairpin, told to pass a couple of cars with DRS and then the team demanded I complete a lap of Yas Marina in less than two minutes.

I was left a little disconcerted. If this is how a young driver's ability is verified then the sport is in for a dark and troubling era.

[Richard B]

A little more track time than Jaime Alguersuari had before his first F1 session then!

[wnut]

Originally Posted by W.A Trichlorostyrene

Massive understatement.

I mean... Even the great Ma Qing Hua got one

Who would've thought that a Chinese Touring Car title would open so many doors

http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/qing-hua-ma/career/

Comming from the genii who refused Sebastian Loeb a super licence, this is an irony.

Ultimate new F1 driver test:

Does the cheque clear?

[Peat]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I often wondered this, until I picked up a copy of F1 2012 for the Xbox the other day.

I was asked to accelerate to 180mph and brake down to zero, challenged to negotiate a hairpin, told to pass a couple of cars with DRS and then the team demanded I complete a lap of Yas Marina in less than two minutes.

I was left a little disconcerted. If this is how a young driver's ability is verified then the sport is in for a dark and troubling era.

Haha. You beat me to it.

OP, All your answers can be found in the 'F12012 - Young Driver Test' feature.

[pplater]

Originally Posted by W.A Trichlorostyrene

Massive understatement.

I mean... Even the great Ma Qing Hua got one

Who would've thought that a Chinese Touring Car title would open so many doors

That's a pretty scary CV. He's raced in several series etc, but the only wins or poles he scored were in a front-drive, 1600cc Hyundai touring car in China. That should bode well for steering a 700hp Grand Prix machine!

[littleman]

Make me an offer I can't refuse.

[Smurfer]

I assume the extra funding from sponsorship helps the engineers save more time than the 2nd rate driver loses.

For instance, a driver brings in $x million which allows the engineers to shave off 0.4 secs per lap only to lose 0.5 secs because they aren't a young Alonso, Vettel etc.

I figure they've done the math and I'm not going to wow them with this ground breaking discovery

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Smurfer

I assume the extra funding from sponsorship helps the engineers save more time than the 2nd rate driver loses.

For instance, a driver brings in $x million which allows the engineers to shave off 0.4 secs per lap only to lose 0.5 secs because they aren't a young Alonso, Vettel etc.

I figure they've done the math and I'm not going to wow them with this ground breaking discovery

I believe that FOCA and the aerodynamicist union have been working very hard for over a decade to ensure the driver has as little input into the ultimate success of the car as possible. You wouldn't want the driver's market to dictate success if you are a costructor.

[QnickFTW]

Originally Posted by pplater

That's a pretty scary CV. He's raced in several series etc, but the only wins or poles he scored were in a front-drive, 1600cc Hyundai touring car in China. That should bode well for steering a 700hp Grand Prix machine!

His feedbacks are quite amazing allegedly, HRT will have a new stereo with USB connection for Japan

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I often wondered this, until I picked up a copy of F1 2012 for the Xbox the other day.

I was asked to accelerate to 180mph and brake down to zero, challenged to negotiate a hairpin, told to pass a couple of cars with DRS and then the team demanded I complete a lap of Yas Marina in less than two minutes.

I was left a little disconcerted. If this is how a young driver's ability is verified then the sport is in for a dark and troubling era.

And yet, that's is, actually, pretty much how you get a novice race licence. Except you do it in a real car, and it's not as complicated. A MSA race licence can be gained by driving round a circuit at 75-85% speed, making all the corners, then passing a pretty simple written test. You stop being a novice when you have enough signatures from completed races. You are then able to apply for higher grades of licence IIRC.
A superlicence just means more signatures, and showing some level of competency in fast cars. (Probably)

Race car licencing is a very inclusive process -most drivers could get one. And that's exactly how it should be.

[Peat]

Originally Posted by Smurfer

I assume the extra funding from sponsorship helps the engineers save more time than the 2nd rate driver loses.

For instance, a driver brings in $x million which allows the engineers to shave off 0.4 secs per lap only to lose 0.5 secs because they aren't a young Alonso, Vettel etc.

I figure they've done the math and I'm not going to wow them with this ground breaking discovery

They aren't looking at laptimes, so it doesnt really matter. As long as the billy they stick in the seat can drive it round a few times, they'll extract all the data they need without the gobby little rich kid opening his mouth.