Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition - Page 54

kurski · 25 Dec 2011, 11:15 (Ref:3004122)

**FIRE** · 25 Dec 2011, 11:49 (Ref:3004131)

Hmmm, he changed his mind very quickly. A couple of weeks ago he said he would quit racing if he couldn't race in F1 or Indycars.

Coach Ep · 26 Dec 2011, 12:42 (Ref:3004267)

Karun Chandhok considering a move to sportscars here. If so it could start some serious interest from India in the WEC too. Presumably the Buddh circuit would be under consideration for future schedules.

I Rosputnik · 26 Dec 2011, 13:33 (Ref:3004273)

That's good to hear. Seeing as F1 seems to be overflowed right now with young drivers that are struggling to find seats, maybe WEC and GTWC can present a good alternative for them.

Mr Pink · 26 Dec 2011, 15:17 (Ref:3004287)

I think Karun would do good in sportscars and I like his humble approach to it.

Also, like Rosputnik said, it's nice to see that there seems to be a big intrest in WEC among drivers.

adam46 · 26 Dec 2011, 15:35 (Ref:3004288)

Well done to Karun for retaining his F1 Third Driver role but at the same time consider going into the WEC, I like to see that he wants to race not just do First Practice for Caterham F1 (Team Lotus).

Simmi · 26 Dec 2011, 17:11 (Ref:3004308)

Would be great to have Karun in the WEC!

Victor_RO · 26 Dec 2011, 17:27 (Ref:3004312)

Good to hear that other F1 drivers are seeing that a good motorsport career can be had outside Bernie's paddock.

JAG · 26 Dec 2011, 17:39 (Ref:3004315)

Every driver thinks they only need one big F1 opportunity to prove to the world they're a World Champion in waiting.

Trouble is ex-F1 drivers are ten a penny these days, how many from Kristensens era are long forgotten, yet still have lots of driving in them. F1 is the pinnacle for a driver, but only if you make your mark, if you're an also ran you're far better forging a career in sports/touring cars, being well paid by a manufactuer, and becoming a major part in the history of the sport like Bell, Stuck, Wolleck, Mass, McNsh, Kristensen, Schneider etc, even drivers who had a decent F1 career enhanced their reputation greatly with success elsewhere, i,e Brundle.

wewantourdarbyback · 27 Dec 2011, 15:43 (Ref:3004540)

Karun's a nice chap, but he has never shown any real speed in his career. He had no chance in the HRT in F1, but his GP2 career is less than stellar. Being able to bring interest from India is about the only card he holds, along with being popular for his 5live commentaries and general amiable character.

Acid09 · 27 Dec 2011, 16:14 (Ref:3004544)

I wouldn't write him off just like that. Lots of drivers who didn't do anything in F1 turned out to be great sports car racers.

Just look at Ant Davidson. He never really made it further than being a backmarker in F1 and he's an absolute star in LMP1 right now.

The Badger · 27 Dec 2011, 16:27 (Ref:3004548)

In many circles , F1 is considered to be the pinnacle of motorsports , stands to reason that any driver who gets a chance , nomatter how small in F1 , isnt a bad driver . Ok , some have been horrors , but in general , their bloody good .

Victor_RO · 27 Dec 2011, 16:45 (Ref:3004555)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

I wouldn't write him off just like that. Lots of drivers who didn't do anything in F1 turned out to be great sports car racers.

Just look at Ant Davidson. He never really made it further than being a backmarker in F1 and he's an absolute star in LMP1 right now.

Yeah, but Ant had the pace without the machinery when he raced in F1. The only competitive F1 cars he ever drove were from the position of test/Friday driver. However, now that he's jumped at the Peugeot opportunity and grasped it so well, I don't think he's looking back.

Salamus · 28 Dec 2011, 01:32 (Ref:3004692)

Really off topic but relevant to the current subject, I really hope Schumi returns to sportscars after his F1 career is over or maybe drive an SLS GT3, that would be great!

AGD · 28 Dec 2011, 02:17 (Ref:3004696)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

If so it could start some serious interest from India in the WEC too. Presumably the Buddh circuit would be under consideration for future schedules.

Narain Karthikeyan did some LMS races for Kolles in the R10. It's not like Indians in modern LMP1s is unprecedented, but Narain's run (or lack there of) at Le Mans was hardly noteworthy! Anyway, I don't know if any of Narain's legions of Indian fans cared about his Kolles voyage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

In many circles , F1 is considered to be the pinnacle of motorsports , stands to reason that any driver who gets a chance , nomatter how small in F1 , isnt a bad driver . Ok , some have been horrors , but in general , their bloody good .

It just depends on the driver. Some F1 drivers are essentially gentleman hack drivers. Some are ride buyers who actually have talent. It just depends. I don't know anything about Chandhok, but he could probably do a good job for a privateer team as long as he does not hit anything.

Mr Pink · 28 Dec 2011, 10:21 (Ref:3004762)

My memory might be off but didn't Chandhok do at least as good as Bruno Senna and the others at HRT last year? FWIW..

WMUCarGuy · 28 Dec 2011, 11:01 (Ref:3004776)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

I wouldn't write him off just like that. Lots of drivers who didn't do anything in F1 turned out to be great sports car racers.

Just look at Ant Davidson. He never really made it further than being a backmarker in F1 and he's an absolute star in LMP1 right now.

You could probably say the same thing about Sebastien Bourdais and Franck Montagny, hell even McNish's stint in F1 wasn't anything to write home about.

CTD · 28 Dec 2011, 11:04 (Ref:3004777)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy

You could probably say the same thing about Sebastien Bourdais and Franck Montagny, hell even McNish's stint in F1 wasn't anything to write home about.

Not to mention Jan Magnussen and Tom Kristensen...

**Aysedasi** · 28 Dec 2011, 11:11 (Ref:3004779)

I don't think Tom had any real kind of 'stint' in F1, did he?

Simmi · 28 Dec 2011, 11:14 (Ref:3004780)

You could continue this list all day. The truth is that most top-line sportscar drivers are (in the nicest possible way) failed F1 drivers. And we know there are some very good failed F1 drivers.

Victor_RO · 28 Dec 2011, 11:18 (Ref:3004781)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I don't think Tom had any real kind of 'stint' in F1, did he?

He only got as far as testing for Michelin and for Williams at the start of the BMW contract.

CTD · 28 Dec 2011, 12:43 (Ref:3004796)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I don't think Tom had any real kind of 'stint' in F1, did he?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

He only got as far as testing for Michelin and for Williams at the start of the BMW contract.

He never started a F1 race, but did a long testing job for Michelin.
He was supposed to race a Minardi, but the lack of money (or another driver with even more) costed him the seat.

I mentioned Jan M and Tom K because they are, for me, the true reason why many never shine in F1.
The lack of money and connections to the top teams eliminates them and never give them the opportunity to get a competitive team and get a car designed for them. (something which has proven it's self very important in reason years).

But this is going of topic.
My point is simply that we can never measure Sportcar drivers performance on how well (or far) they got in F1!

Simmi · 28 Dec 2011, 13:57 (Ref:3004808)

Great bit of news courtesy of Hindy who just tweeted:

Quote:

Third 03a Honda Racing P1 for Wec and Le Mans with "a surprise GT team" more to come on this after Jan 1st

The Badger · 28 Dec 2011, 14:05 (Ref:3004811)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

You could continue this list all day. The truth is that most top-line sportscar drivers are (in the nicest possible way) failed F1 drivers. And we know there are some very good failed F1 drivers.

In the nicest possible way , I think thats a terrible label to paste on any driver . Bet you never met a race driver and said that to him ..... I could imagine the retort .....

The Badger · 28 Dec 2011, 14:07 (Ref:3004812)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

Great bit of news courtesy of Hindy who just tweeted:

3rd ...... meaning Strakka , Picket and a GT team stepping up to P1 ..... wow , wonder who that could be ?

JMW anyone ?

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