Toro Rosso tried to lure JPM for 2007. - Page 2

**Bononi** · 27 Dec 2006, 11:00 (Ref:1799827)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr V

I read an interview with JPM on NASCAR.com and he's enjoying the life (inc the paddock life) too much already to ever come back to F1.

Even with a gun in his head he wouldn't say the contrary !!!

JohnSSC · 27 Dec 2006, 11:15 (Ref:1799838)

I love these kinds of threads! The reason why JPM left F1 (or one of them) is that he wanted to be assured of retaining a top ride. STR is not a top ride. Hence, JPM moves on to greener pastures.

I will miss him in F1, but he is yet another example of a very talented driver who couldn't quite find his niche in F1. The beauty part of it is that we can have great good fun discussing "why" for years!

Greenback · 28 Dec 2006, 03:42 (Ref:1800211)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Hard to believe that Tosso Roro would ever have JPM in his line-up... it would be a downhill for the colombian.

Not really, ultimately STR backer's main interest is still to sell more energy drinks, and JPM will be good for their South American advertising champaign.

**Adam43** · 28 Dec 2006, 09:44 (Ref:1800306)

That is why STR would like Montoya, but Bononi's point was that he couldn't see Montoya wanting to go to STR.

**chunterer** · 28 Dec 2006, 10:18 (Ref:1800335)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

That is why STR would like Montoya, but Bononi's point was that he couldn't see Montoya wanting to go to STR.

Yup, despite a lot of people's misgivings about the guy, no one could argue that the team would be a fair bit below JPM's expected/required level in it's current form.

In a couple of years things might be different, but hey.

**Bononi** · 28 Dec 2006, 12:13 (Ref:1800452)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenback

Not really, ultimately STR backer's main interest is still to sell more energy drinks, and JPM will be good for their South American advertising champaign.

That's what I hear most around here...

Massa is good for Ferrari to sell FIAT cars in South America, Barrichello keeps the seat at Honda because they have a large market in SA, Piquet Jrn will be a test driver at Renault because they want to sell more in SA... that's all marketing strategy.

I guess JPM would be a good marketing strategy for Red Bull in South America, everybody would buy an expensive drink because of him. But at least they have Mark Webber now, so they can sell some in Australia, or not ?

EDIT
OK I'll try to explain again what I meant...

Every time PEOPLE says the reason why a driver for other country (mostly non-european) is getting the seat is because of the "market" of a particular sponsor wants in that country, which I think is mostly wrong. I doubt that Ferrari, Renault or any top team would risk to have a bad driver just to have his face linked to their sponsor's product. It can happen to small teams or in particular situations. Most of the teams would have a driver regardless how "good for the sponsor's market" he can be. Primarily just because in a marketing point of view a driver (or any other public person) would only become valuable when he has achieved something. What is interesting for the sponsors is linking their products to successful people not because they are there even if F1 is a top category.

alonso11 · 28 Dec 2006, 15:11 (Ref:1800593)

i think they woulda sign Webbo even if Red Bull was banned in Australia, he is there cuz he can drive

**Bononi** · 28 Dec 2006, 16:21 (Ref:1800630)

Quote:

Originally Posted by alonso11

i think they woulda sign Webbo even if Red Bull was banned in Australia, he is there cuz he can drive

Oh I'm sure he can !

SALEEN S7R · 28 Dec 2006, 16:36 (Ref:1800633)

Yeah Webber may well be able to drive, but whether or not he can drive well is another matter. Webber has been in F1 for 6 seasons now and he hasn't ever really shone. Yes he has always been in middle/back marker teams but if he was good enough he would have made it into a front running team by now.

As things are however, time is running out for Webber. Sure he isnt old, but hes not a young driver either, hes what, 30? He has maybe another 4 or 5 years worth of top line racing in him at best. That's assuming he can hold onto his F1 spot for that long. Who knows, maybe 2007 will be his last season in F1, after that who knows what the future holds? Champcars? Aussie v8's?

alonso11 · 28 Dec 2006, 17:38 (Ref:1800662)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

. Who knows, maybe 2007 will be his last season in F1, after that who knows what the future holds? Champcars? Aussie v8's?

DC? is that you?

Marbot · 28 Dec 2006, 17:56 (Ref:1800669)

That's a battle worth watching,even if not much else happens.

**Bononi** · 28 Dec 2006, 17:58 (Ref:1800671)

Well there's always Fisi...

**Born Racer** · 28 Dec 2006, 20:52 (Ref:1800739)

Quote:

Yeah Webber may well be able to drive, but whether or not he can drive well is another matter. Webber has been in F1 for 6 seasons now and he hasn't ever really shone. Yes he has always been in middle/back marker teams but if he was good enough he would have made it into a front running team by now.

He doesn´t have the best pre-F1 CV, but he´s certainly doing a good job since his arrival in the top line. He generally doesn´t get as much credit as he deserves in my opinion.

Don´t know why Renault chose Fisichella for another season over him. Did Williams try to retain him for next year by the way? (I know I could ask this in a different thread, but is such a brief question really worth making another thread over?)

**chunterer** · 29 Dec 2006, 10:23 (Ref:1801042)

Webber's plenty good enough. Just another example of needing the right drive to properly show it isn't it?! He's got the right head, speed and racecraft in all conditions.

Anyway aren't we completely off topic??!!

**Bononi** · 29 Dec 2006, 10:42 (Ref:1801053)

Ern... off season drifting

not much to talk about really.

**chunterer** · 29 Dec 2006, 11:04 (Ref:1801072)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Ern... off season drifting

not much to talk about really.

The weather, Christmas, New Year, the running total of mince pies etc...

All of that has got to be better than bringing up Fizzi's name again!!! Yikes

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