[Driver] Silly season in full swing

[strider]

There is a reasonable amount of testing over the winter, surely, if Summerton were to be confirmed early enough and the car ready to test early enough.

[ghinzani]

Originally Posted by strider

There is a reasonable amount of testing over the winter, surely, if Summerton were to be confirmed early enough and the car ready to test early enough.

If they are thinking of him then I would be inclined to give JR a shot. Not Larry Hagman, no the real deal JR Hilebrand, kids quick. He's even got F1 experience, altho of the DFV WR6 Wolf variety...

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by Peralta

Loeb's people approached USF1 not the other way around so I wouldn't read too much into it. I did however hear Peter Windsor say on SPEED tv that they are looking for experienced drivers now so not necessarily American drivers Summerton may be reserve driver now. Limited testing being the reason.

Rossi is the reserve.

[chunterer]

[QUOTE=ptclaus98;2528293]Rossi is the reserve.[/QUOTE

Presumably with funding from them to do GP3 or even GP2 next season as well?

[csirl]

Originally Posted by ghinzani

If they are thinking of him then I would be inclined to give JR a shot. Not Larry Hagman, no the real deal JR Hilebrand, kids quick. He's even got F1 experience, altho of the DFV WR6 Wolf variety...

Hilebrand is good - If it were me, I'd have him as the reserve to Summerton, but try to get him into GP2. Though one option would be to test both and make a last minute decision next March - one to go to F1, the other to go to GP2.

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Presumably with funding from them to do GP3 or even GP2 next season as well?

I hope he moves into WSbR or GP3. GP2 might be a bit much.

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by csirl

Hilebrand is good - If it were me, I'd have him as the reserve to Summerton, but try to get him into GP2. Though one option would be to test both and make a last minute decision next March - one to go to F1, the other to go to GP2.

Sounds like a plan. Get Hildebrand more seat time on F1 tracks.

[jab]

I don't know about GP3. Until it's up and running and we know who's in it, it's hard to judge whether it'll be any good or not

F2 would probably be a better bet. Yes, it doesn't go to many F1 circuits, but it's cheaper and will be in its 2nd year next year

[sauber11]

Oh, i have something to say about Alexander Rossi
http://alexanderrossi.com/article.cfm?id=126

I was offered the opportunity to run in the F3 Euro Series, British Formula 3 International Series, Italian F3, International Formula Master, Formula Two, International F3000, Formula Renault Eurocup, Atlantic Championship, Indy Lights, and Star Mazda

So he choosed f-master over formula2 and i think this was right.

After looking at our budget and available seats, it seemed that the Atlantic Championship was going to be the best place for me in 2009

from JOWT blog , atlantic cost 700.000-850.000 for a season , so i think Rossi has the money for Gp3, WSR, and hopefully for gp2. Testing with bmw and becoming usgpe reserve driver ( i hope this true) will deffinitely help to raise money.

of an International Formula Master car via a pre-season test. I immediately snatched the opportunity to compete in Europe in a car that would prepare me exceptionally well for the likes of World Series by Renault and even GP2.

I think this two series , where he want to drive.
I guess gp3/gp2 will be better choise so he can travel with the usgpe team everywhere and learn , thats how he can be 100% reserve driver, not just test-driver without real testing.
Gp3 better bacause this series costs less + he can finish top5 there.
gp2 otherwise will let him prepare better for F1, so if he is 100% replaces Wurz in 2011 then he should do gp2.

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by jab

I don't know about GP3. Until it's up and running and we know who's in it, it's hard to judge whether it'll be any good or not

F2 would probably be a better bet. Yes, it doesn't go to many F1 circuits, but it's cheaper and will be in its 2nd year next year

I'd really rather him be in WSbR because they'll have a competitive field, with Hartley, Pic, Turvey, and Martinez probably staying, Ricciardo, Bianchi, Coletti, moving up from F3, that would be a good field.

[Taprobane]

USF1 definitely needs to get a few young American drivers onto the European ladder if they want to fill their seats with Americans. I think their best bet is to get the most talented into the junior formulae and use experience F1 drivers for now.

[ptclaus98]

I think the should have started with a WSbR team or something like that, because remember, this isn't just an American focused effort from a driver standpoint, but the engineers and mechanics as well, the experience for them in the junior formulae would have been just as vital as well, and they should have probably at least have done it as a side venture.

[Yannick]

Kubica surely will find a seat with one of the existing teams, but which one?
McLaren are seriously looking at Rosberg.
Williams already have discontinued their Toyota contract, so Nakajima will not be with them next year.
Trulli's contract with Toyota was not renewed, but Glock's was, so there is a car available at Toyota.
The successor of Sauber probably wants to keep Heidfeld because he is a proven development driver, and it's possible that Williams might be interested as well, should Rosberg leave for another team. The 2nd Sauber driver might be a pay driver, so with their Malaysian connections, it can only be Fairuz Fauzy, who led the A1GP standings at one point during the past season.
Kovalainen appears to be on the hot seat at McLaren, but where could he go?
Renault want to keep Alonso, but if he stays, would they keep Grosjean in the 2nd car? It's too early to tell, since Romain has only just driven his GP debut.
The Red Bull stable looks pretty constant: Webber, Vettel, Buemi, Alguersuari.
Pedro De La Rosa is rumored everywhere as driving one of the Campos cars next year.
Nobody knows anything about Manor, though.
USF1 is subject to many a speculation, from Wurz being their #1 driver (which doesn't look too serious to me) to Jacques Villeneuve making a comeback (which wouldn't be a good choice since he's been away for too long) and the 2nd driver being an American for sure.
Ferrari's choice of drivers is somewhat dependent on the recovery of Massa. My guess is that Raikkonen will continue and Massa will do so as well.
At Force 1ndia, it appears as though Liuzzi will be in one of the cars, and since Sutil has performed well this year, he may be the one of their current drivers that they will keep. And an experienced guy such as Fisichella surely will find a drive with 3 new teams joining the series.
But where does that leave Kubica, Kovalainen and Alonso?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Yannick

Trulli's contract with Toyota was not renewed, but Glock's was, so there is a car available at Toyota.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78012

hmmm....first no Fuji and......

[duke_toaster]

Let's do this one at a time.

Brawn : Don't forsee any change unless Rubens retires.
RBRx2: Ditto - they've got four good drivers, no need to change.
Ferrari : Can't see them buying Kimi out of his contract. Only real possibility of change is if Massa isn't able to race (possible but unlikely).
McLaren : Lewis is staying obviously. As far as the second seat, who knows - but I think Heikki is the most likely.
Toyota : Looks like Trulli is staying, but will Glock go? If he does, I think Kamui Kobayashi would be first in line to this seat. That is presuming they stay.
Williams : Rosberg could stay, but Huelkenberg could be an alternative to Nakajima if Kazuki doesn't up his game.
Renault : Fernando probably doesn't have any new real options. However, Alfonso always wants to have a useless team-mate, so the question is if Grosjean will continue there.
Team formerly known as BMW : Kubica could be getting a seat elsewhere, otherwise it's who knows.
Force India : Sutil could stay, otherwise it's in the who knows category.
USF1 : Expect at least one US driver. Is Bourdais eligable for a US passport? (His wife is a US national, and presumably his kids are).
Campos : De La Rosa and Petrov rumoured, could happen.
Manor : No idea.

[jab]

Ferrari : Can't see them buying Kimi out of his contract.

Why not? If Santander want Alonso in the car, they'll pay for him to be in the car

I can't understand why so many people are in denial about Alonso going to Ferrari. It's a case of when it's going to be announced, rather than if. Massa's injury might have given Kimi a lifeline but Alonso's going to be in a Ferrari next year come what may, I think

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by jab

Why not? If Santander want Alonso in the car, they'll pay for him to be in the car

I can't understand why so many people are in denial about Alonso going to Ferrari. It's a case of when it's going to be announced, rather than if. Massa's injury might have given Kimi a lifeline but Alonso's going to be in a Ferrari next year come what may, I think

They've pushed it back, the Ferrari World Finals and the year end banquet are in Spain, Santander are sponsoring the car. If that's not enough of a clue for some people, I should hope none of you are in law enforcement.

[jab]

Originally Posted by ptclaus98

They've pushed it back, the Ferrari World Finals and the year end banquet are in Spain

Hadn't heard that one, but a quick Google search proves it's true - they're being held at the circuit at Valencia from 12th to 15th November

That's a bit of a giveaway

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by jab

Hadn't heard that one, but a quick Google search proves it's true - they're being held at the circuit at Valencia from 12th to 15th November

That's a bit of a giveaway

What the hell do Davidson and Croft talk about on Fridays? The SPEED guys have talked about it every Friday since Silverstone.

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by ptclaus98

What the hell do Davidson and Croft talk about on Fridays? The SPEED guys have talked about it every Friday since Silverstone.

I think one of the SPEED guys (Hobbs?) works for Ferrari, so he should know!

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Magnusson

I think one of the SPEED guys (Hobbs?) works for Ferrari, so he should know!

Both of them are retired. Last I heard, Hobbo was moonlighting as a Honda dealer. Steve works for SPEED and F1 Racing occasionally, and Varsha is SPEED all the way.

[jab]

Originally Posted by ptclaus98

What the hell do Davidson and Croft talk about on Fridays? The SPEED guys have talked about it every Friday since Silverstone.

Usually spend most of the time responding to texts and emails

Alonso to Ferrari really hasn't got as much attention here. I think the BBC must be just avoiding it for some reason, although Whitmarsh got it going again with his comments last Friday

I think a lot of people, maybe more over here than elsewhere, have just accepted it. I notice a lot of the people that are still in denial are either fans of Raikkonen, Alonso or Massa

[strider]

Originally Posted by jab

I notice a lot of the people that are still in denial are either fans of Raikkonen, Alonso or Massa

Yup, the first!

[Peralta]

Alonso is going to Ferrari for 2010 end of story. You heard it hear last. Kimi could end up at McLaren now that Kovalinen has been told to up his game or he is gone which basically means bye bye

[csirl]

Originally Posted by jab

Why not? If Santander want Alonso in the car, they'll pay for him to be in the car

I can't understand why so many people are in denial about Alonso going to Ferrari. It's a case of when it's going to be announced, rather than if. Massa's injury might have given Kimi a lifeline but Alonso's going to be in a Ferrari next year come what may, I think

Agree, Ferrari want Alonso and Massa next year (health permitting). Excuse the pun, but Kimi is being left out in the cold.

Ferrari are well aware that due to the regulation changes, there are more competitive teams at a similar level to themselves. Both Alonso and Massa are racers - both good at squeezing the best out of the car, even if it is not the best car on the track and both not afraid to mix it with other drivers. Ferrari will need this style of driver next season.

Kimi is the type of driver who's great in a good car that he can put on pole and then win from the front. He's not good when he finds himself scrapping in mid field and very quickly loses interest and motivation when the car is not perfect. Brawn is the only current team that would be suited to Kimi's driving style and personal motivation. Ferrari are not short on money. If they need to pay Kimi off, the can and will. They can also well afford to leave him in cold storage - pay his wages, but dont put him in a car.

I know Kimi has a lot of fans out there who are in denial, but the truth sometimes hurts. Whether is down to changes in regulations, changes at Ferrari or that Kimi is demotivated for whatever reason, he is not the driver he used to be and is not good enough to deny Alonso or Massa a seat.