F1 Not Attracting the Best Drivers? - Page 4

**chunterer** · 22 Nov 2016, 19:26 (Ref:3690310)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I think any driver who says he'd rather be paid to race in the DTM than pay to race in Formula 1 (assuming the funds were available) is lying.

If it's a chance of winning something in DTM rather than flogging a dead horse in F1 then i fully agree with that driver.

BSchneiderFan · 22 Nov 2016, 20:32 (Ref:3690333)

Wehrlein chose the back of the grid Manor over more DTM, albeit presumably with an eye to the longer game.

JABWOA · 22 Nov 2016, 21:57 (Ref:3690347)

I thought this was heading towards the new F1 licensing - a cashed up DTM driver may not qualify for an F1 super license if he hasn't scored enough points.

Other random thoughts - return on investment: I know Webber has made a point of mentioning that he repaid those who gave him money to progress in the junior categories once he'd made to a paying F1 role. While others like the Chilton Brothers, have funding from their father and his well financed friends who just want to vicariously be F1 drivers.

old man · 22 Nov 2016, 23:36 (Ref:3690367)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Wehrlein chose the back of the grid Manor over more DTM, albeit presumably with an eye to the longer game.

Yes, but was it his choice or was it MB blooding a possible replacement, presumably what you have in mind when you refer to the longer game

Akrapovic · 23 Nov 2016, 11:23 (Ref:3690472)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I think any driver who says he'd rather be paid to race in the DTM than pay to race in Formula 1 (assuming the funds were available) is lying.

There are very young drivers in karts and Ginetta Juniors who say their life goal is to race in the British Touring Car Championship. At a very young age, some have already decided this. Are they lying?

**bella** · 23 Nov 2016, 12:23 (Ref:3690481)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

There are very young drivers in karts and Ginetta Juniors who say their life goal is to race in the British Touring Car Championship. At a very young age, some have already decided this. Are they lying?

which is interesting, because drivers always say f1 is their goal even if they really want a paid sportscar role because potential sponsors are more likely to support them into the glam world of f1 compared to the low-key world of sportscars. that can only mean that the btcc is as appealing to uk based sponsors and investors as f1 is, especially because the required amount of cash is considerably lower...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABWOA

Other random thoughts - return on investment: I know Webber has made a point of mentioning that he repaid those who gave him money to progress in the junior categories once he'd made to a paying F1 role.

possibly a subtle hint to mitch evans that he's going to need to put his hand in his pocket soon

JABWOA · 23 Nov 2016, 12:38 (Ref:3690484)

Bella - hehehehe
But seriously, F1 isn't the be and end all anymore. It's now truly the have and have nots. Due to media availability, the "lessor" series are just as popular/mainstream so a more realistic point of view would be to lower your expectations for similar returns.

Akrapovic · 23 Nov 2016, 12:46 (Ref:3690486)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

which is interesting, because drivers always say f1 is their goal even if they really want a paid sportscar role because potential sponsors are more likely to support them into the glam world of f1 compared to the low-key world of sportscars. that can only mean that the btcc is as appealing to uk based sponsors and investors as f1 is, especially because the required amount of cash is considerably lower...

It could also mean that youngesters watch the rough and tumble of the BTCC and think "I want a bit of that", rather than watching F1 and being excited. F1 is interesting and can be exciting, but it's very different to BTCC style action.

Or, I suppose that the Ginetta Junior drivers are already in the BTCC paddock, so heavily influenced by the surroundings.

There's lots of potential reasons for it, but I think my point is just because we don't like DTM as much as other series, doesn't mean that there isn't a driver somewhere who has the life goal of DTM Champion. If I was a young racing driver (hahaha...) then my current goal would be an LMP1 and GT3 team.

BSchneiderFan · 23 Nov 2016, 13:27 (Ref:3690494)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

There are very young drivers in karts and Ginetta Juniors who say their life goal is to race in the British Touring Car Championship. At a very young age, some have already decided this. Are they lying?

I was thinking of people further up the ladder - people coming out of F3, GP3 or GP2.

**bella** · 23 Nov 2016, 13:58 (Ref:3690498)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABWOA

Bella - hehehehe
But seriously, F1 isn't the be and end all anymore. It's now truly the have and have nots. Due to media availability, the "lessor" series are just as popular/mainstream so a more realistic point of view would be to lower your expectations for similar returns.

that's a good point about media availability, though the lower series are only really becoming mainstream within the motorsport fandom. even so, the junior single seater formulae with live streaming don't get particularly good viewing figures. on the other hand, i reckon a lot more people saw the macau gp last weekend because of the free live streaming....

one thing that doesn't really light drivers fires about sportscars is that you have to share the car and share the glory. your name gets lost and you can't create a brand for yourself as easily. you have to create that brand and that buzz before you head into that world otherwise no matter how good you are it doesn't really get noticed. i can name a bunch of guys who haven't the budget to get into f3, but who have moved into sportscars for formula renault money and disappeared.

peebee2 · 23 Nov 2016, 16:03 (Ref:3690539)

Or no good going sportscars until you have properly learned about downforce which doesn't really exist to any level below F3

Akrapovic · 23 Nov 2016, 16:05 (Ref:3690541)

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee2

Or no good going sportscars until you have properly learned about downforce which doesn't really exist to any level below F3

This is why sportscars have the GT4 and LMP3 classes now. So it can be done in that ladder.

peebee2 · 23 Nov 2016, 17:24 (Ref:3690561)

Except they have half the df of an F3

Akrapovic · 24 Nov 2016, 07:47 (Ref:3690675)

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee2

Except they have half the df of an F3

Isn't that the point? They have less downforce. You don't learn about downforce by moving from a wingless Formula Ford to a GP2 car. You take it in steps - like a ladder.

By the time you've moved through GT4, GT3, LMP3 you're onto LMP2, which has plenty of downforce. Sportscars has a ladder now, in both GT and LMP, which build up downforce experience as you go.

peebee2 · 24 Nov 2016, 08:07 (Ref:3690678)

No, P2 teams don't mind cashed up silvers who aren't ready but have no interest AT ALL in potential pro-level drivers who aren't already "educated."

Akrapovic · 24 Nov 2016, 09:08 (Ref:3690683)

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee2

No, P2 teams don't mind cashed up silvers who aren't ready but have no interest AT ALL in potential pro-level drivers who aren't already "educated."

There's no such thing as a pro driver who isn't educated.

I don't really get your point. You made the point that you need to learn about downforce to race the high end cars, and GT3 and LMP3 both provide that at various levels. It's also a proven working ladder now with several LMP3 drivers making their way to LMP2. It isn't really an issue with the explosion of GT3 and LMP3.

peebee2 · 24 Nov 2016, 09:22 (Ref:3690688)

Sorry, but it is. If you worked with the proper P2 teams you would find they are very wary of drivers from the likes of FR2.0 (and now LMP3) because they have always found drivers who think they know all the answers but really don't. Very expensive for the teams.

**bella** · 24 Nov 2016, 10:54 (Ref:3690698)

god forbid they might actually be a silver driver instead of a gold masquerading as a silver and have to do some actual driver development...

old man · 1 Mar 2017, 10:18 (Ref:3715495)

Ross Brawn has been reading my post!!!

F1Guy · 1 Mar 2017, 10:27 (Ref:3715500)

Does F1 attract the best drivers? Yes.

Does F1 have THE best 20 drivers in the world? No.

And I don't believe F1 has ever had a field of the best of the best drivers.

S griffin · 1 Mar 2017, 11:11 (Ref:3715512)

If you want to have the very best, merge it with Indycars!

**chunterer** · 1 Mar 2017, 12:02 (Ref:3715525)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

If you want to have the very best, merge it with Indycars!

In the case of one or two drivers yes!

I would be willing to bet that a few current WEC drivers could cut the mustard with the top guys as well.....

S griffin · 1 Mar 2017, 12:42 (Ref:3715537)

Well a lot of WEC drivers are ex single seater stars in the junior series and some are now combining it with Formula E

Inigo Montoya · 1 Mar 2017, 17:20 (Ref:3715609)

Talented drivers? Who needs them?:

http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2...mpionship.aspx

dsg · 3 Mar 2017, 00:56 (Ref:3715980)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

If you want to have the very best, merge it with Indycars!

And rallying.

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