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Bringing back an old thread as, with the "off season" approaching we need something to talk about I am tempted again by the thought that the finance required for a driver to get a seat in F1 is keeping some of the best drivers out of F1.
Recent statements by DTM drivers that the fully professional nature of that series is preferable to the free market of F1 prompt the thought. The DTM is arguably the best series outside F1, certainly the best touring car series and on a much smaller scale the BTCC is certainly the biggest and best UK series but a championship contender who lost out in the last race has just walked away. It strikes me that this may be because, as he is known to have access to a big budget, the teams expect him to pay that, no recognition of achievement.
Does the same apply in F1 to say Palmer who is known to have access to big money and so will be paying the same this year as last? Granted he did not give the championship scorer any problems this year but do the pay drivers ever progress or are they always expected to pay the same?
The dream of backers that help a driver through the lower ranks is that when they get to F1 their talent will will show and budget requirements decrease, is this ever likely to be the case or is it that once they are seen to have budget it will always be required?
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