Should Alex Yoong be in F1

[Mark F1]

I ask this question because today at Valencia, Yoong ended the day almost TWO seconds shy of his team-mate Mark Webber and this after Yoong had completed 50 laps more than his Minardi team-mate. He also finished over SIX seconds behind the fastest driver of the day, Nick Heidfeld. I know this is only testing and it doesn't indicate the likely race form, but to be six seconds slower on one of the shortest testing venue's after completeing nearly three times as many laps as Webber must be a little worrying.

Although he qualified for the three races he competed in last year, Yoong was merely another mobile chicane and made frequent mistakes. I know that he is only driving a Minardi and hasn't had much experience, but I really don't think that he is ready for Formula One. I fear he will end up as another Tarso Marques and wouldn't be suprised if he is booted out before the end of the year. But again, this is unlikely considering the amount of money he brings with him (an estimated £20 million) and Minardi desperatly need to keep hold of this major investment if they are to progress up the grid.

Also, What are the odds of him qualifying in Melbourne?

[Speedworx]

I say no, but sadly money did the talking on his drive.

[TeddyG]

Sad sad sad.....in 5-10 years time the whole grid is gonna be a bunch of teenagers or under 25's! I still think there should be some kind of minimum skill level achevement required to even drive in F1....such as winning a certain number of races at other high levels of motorsport...F1 should be about the best of the best!

[Maximum F1]

He shouldn't be in an F1 car but i suppose if there was one to put him in it would have to be a minardi (harsh but true!). Money is getting too important in F1 but at the end of the day, Stoddy needs to fund his team and if this means taking on at least one lame ass driver (sorry but i'm in onea those tell it as it is moods ) well theres nothing much he can do.

[f1manoz]

Sad fact: Money talks in F1.

[paulzinho]

He shouldn't be there, this guy didn't even score a point in Formula Nippon in over a seasons racing.

But Minardi need the money and its teams like them and drivers like Yoong that help make F1 what it is.

[av8rirl]

He does seem to be getting quicker!!! Earlier in the week he was 3secs behind Webber and up to 7.5secs off the fastest lap.

At least we'll be able to use our own watches accurately when he's qualifying. We can count the minutes instead of the 000's of secs for everyone else.

Verdict: Send him home to Malaysia.

[marcus]

but then again he is living the dream every single one of us would love to be doing !!!!!!!

[Speed]

Should Alex Yoong be in F1 ?

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !

[senna12]

Alex has aptly demonstrated the term "pay driver" more accurately then most, for sure. He has demonstrated that he is not yet ready for F1, nor will he be ready anytime soon.

It must be tough for Paul to have to sacrifice a seat in order to have a half-way decent budget, but that's F1. Teams like Ferrari and Toyota raise the bar, and the minnows have to do whatever they can just to play the game.

Maybe Max and his "1 engine per weekend" idea can help teams like Minardi. He can't even afford the paint for a decent livery on his car, for crissakes!

[Valve Bounce]

The name of the team has been changed to KL Minardi, KL standing for Kuala Lumpur, the place that poured money into financing Minardi very nicely thank you. I suppose a lot of this money will go into financing a better Asiatech for this year.
As for Yoong's performance, he was driving last years Minardi on full fuel load and old tyres. We don't even know what engine he was using. Let's not rubbish the guy too much - if he qualifies within the 107% rule, then he has every right ot be in the race. Maybe if he was driving a Ferrari, he would be lapping faster. In our country, we believe in giving the underdog a chance to prove himself. Even in the Davis Cup.

[DNQ]

I say good luck to him. He deserves to be there, for his dedication, not least the size of his wallet

[Bononi]

No surprise in that... we already seen others in the same way, let the good malaysian bring his money to our beloved Minardi, and that's OK.

[Glen]

I still think there should be some kind of minimum skill level achevement required to even drive in F1

Doh! There is - you can't get a Super-licence if you're not safe. At least he'll provide some spice for the leaders - lapping him three or four times per race.

[Coach44]

I doen't matter who drive the Minardis, they'll be last regardless. So they might as well train young drivers for better and bigger things.

[badoer fan]

Aww, leave im alone. We don't know what equipment each of the drivers have, so its hard to draw comparisons.

I'm inclined to agree though, he's just too slow. He's only there because of the money, but remember, that money was the only thing that stopped Minardi going under last year. And I'm grateful to him for that.

And to the person who compared him to Marques: Marques was miles better that Yoong!

[Jonny Apex]

To be fair to Alex, even he himself has admitted openly that he was perhaps not a first choice driver for F1 and that money and his nationality had significantly helped him get to F1. But he's sure as hell going to love every minute of it and who can blame him!

Ask yourselves this: has there ever been an F1 grid made up entirely of top draw drivers? Without Yoong's money, would Minardi be on the grid? Surely it's a price worth paying if it means the survival of teams who still go racing for the fun of it as well as wanting to do well. Yoong's money is also probably helping to prop up Webber's budget. Now is that so bad?

[RussianFriend]

I steel remember Stoddart joining F1 and promosing NO PAY DRIVERS in Minardi.
One year after he tood Yoong. Sad, very sad
Yoong is not real F1 driver but if his presence let to Minardi to survive, he should stay.
I pray Webber will be deserving driver and collect some scores for Minardi (finger crossed)

[JPBeltoise]

Although I can't deny that there are other drivers more deserving of a Formula One drive, in terms of sheer talent, I think that Alex has shown, at least so far, that he is a competent driver. He qualified comfortably for all three of his races last year, and was fairly careful with his equipment, which I'm sure was appreciated by the team. He comes across as very intelligent, and quite serious about his job, so I wish him well for 2002. Maybe he'll surprise a few people before the season is over.

[Aysedasi]

A simple answer to a simple question




NO

[paulzinho]

Originally posted by JPBeltoise
and was fairly careful with his equipment,

Well in his first race he spun and nearly took out the leaders!!!! Not exactly careful is it?

But at least he was trying instead of just driving around on a Sunday drive.

I don't think he deserves is place but I'd do the same given the opportunity. I'd be mad not to!

[Tristan]

Simple answer to a simple question


YES!

I mean WHY NOT?? He's not that bad. Testing means nothing. I like the guy and... so NER!!! I liked Mazzacane, I liked Tuero and look what happened to THEM!! Ho hum. C'est pas le justice or something like that that sounds clever because it's foreign.

[bulldogspirit]

To be honest I don't think he deserves to be in F1 based on past races, but give him a chance, ask this question again in 6-7 races time and the answer may be different.

Just a quick side-question, does anyone know if the FIA can revoke a drivers super-license if the driver proves to be a liability? I'd guess they can, but i'm not sure.

[Nicholas]

Today Yoong outpaced Webber at Valencia testing. Although Yoong was using the 2002 car...

[av8rirl]

They also only gave Webber 75% throttle so that Yoong could feel good... 100/1 that Yoong will not outqualify Webber (unless he has to run around the track)