Driver changes afoot in WSR?

[WSR Fan]

Just like the recent driver changes in GP2, it looks like the WSR field will undergo a few tweaks before the next round in Monaco.

It has come out today that Borja Garcia may be about to lose his seat at RC Motorsport, and from the article below it sounds to me like he has some sort of sponsorship problems:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67421

At Fortec Motorsport, Julian Theobald has been on a race-by-race deal so far this season, but apparently the team have been in talks with Andy Soucek and he could be in the car from Monaco onwards. The only slight problem with the deal is that as Soucek was the official development driver for the new WSR car, Fortec would have to gain permission from the other 12 teams in order to run him.

http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=18998&cat=5

[GroupOfOne]

Would be a shame to lose Garcia, as I'm a big fan of his. From what I've read so far (race reports in Autosport), he's had a pretty poor start to the season though, so perhaps someone's who has watched the races can shine a bit more light on this.

[OJB]

And there was me thinking WSR would have some kind of driver stability this year with no Eurointernational in the field...

Seriously though, I really hope Soucek gets in at Fortec. The team seem to be on the fringes of becoming proper front runners and Soucek is a far better driver than his treatment at FMS in GP2 deserved. Its not too late to catch up either!

[sauber11]

http://italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=19138&cat=5
Fauzy drives Fortec at monaco.

[gomick]

Originally Posted by GroupOfOne

Would be a shame to lose Garcia.

didnt garcia finish 2nd to danielsson in 2006 - he shouldnt even be racing in this series IMO, should've progressed surely

[Go_For_Pole]

Well if you would fund him a GP2 drive he surely would not object. He obviously does WS again to stay in the picture.

[gomick]

so his funding only gets him so far does it??? how many years has he been racing in wsr i wonder

[Go_For_Pole]

He has the career path of a ping-pong ball, 05 in GP2, 06 in WSR, 07 in GP2 and 08 in WSR

[GroupOfOne]

Garcia's done two years in GP2 (2005 & 2007) with the year in between in WSR with RC Motorsport, so yeah he certainly seems to have reached a ceiling.

In '06 when he came 2nd (5pts behind Danielsson) he did manage to finish ahead of Maldonado, Soucek, Parente, Hanley, Valsecchi and Vettel, but they all seem to be moving in the opposite direction to him now.

He was linked with a Williams test drive role earlier this year (perhaps through being a former Toyota favourite?), but nothing seemed to come of that.

[Alex K]

Maybe it's time to bout tin-tops for him? ;-)

[GroupOfOne]

Nah I reckon he'll end up in GTs before tin-tops. Could be quite good in a prototype at Le Mans, with some experience.

[WSR Fan]

Originally Posted by GroupOfOne

Nah I reckon he'll end up in GTs before tin-tops. Could be quite good in a prototype at Le Mans, with some experience.

Yeah, I'm sure that Epsilon Euskadi wouldn't mind another decent Spanish driver in one of their EE1 coupes.

While I'm on here, anyone else received their Silverstone WSR tickets yet? Mine came through last Saturday

[Alex K]

Got'em m8, been waiting 1.5 months.

[wannab-aracer]

Yes WSR, Mine hit my door mat monday morning

[strider]

Just a hunch, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Esteban Guerrieri driving for Ultimate Signature (or whatever they're called) at Monaco.

[OJB]

I feel sorry for Garcia. I think he is really underrated. Everyone was waxing lyrical about Karun Chandhok at Durango, but while he did win at Spa, Garcia finished the season 10th overall after scoring in nine of the races.

Think he is GP2 material, which is why I'm a bit mystified he's been well off so far this year, particularly as he paced testing.

[META4]

italiaracing announce Guerreri driving for Ultimate in WSR, they are not sure instead of who it will be (Carbone or Cantelli)

[chunterer]

I hope it's not Carbone, but I have a feeling it will be unless they want two experienced drivers?

[strider]

Surely it's better to have two experienced drivers? I doubt it will be Fabio as he was still hanging out with the Ultimate F3 team on Wednesday.

[Sev]

Originally Posted by OJB

I feel sorry for Garcia. I think he is really underrated. Everyone was waxing lyrical about Karun Chandhok at Durango, but while he did win at Spa, Garcia finished the season 10th overall after scoring in nine of the races.

Think he is GP2 material, which is why I'm a bit mystified he's been well off so far this year, particularly as he paced testing.

I have to say, I completely agree with you. I think he was definately the faster (or at least more reliable) of the Durango pair last year, and why Chandhok was moved to iSport while Garcia was dropped is a mystery. (Well, I'd say it was 90% down to Chandhok's nationality, which is hardly fair).

As for his performance this year, my guess: A crushed spirit.

He's already done it in WSR. Why do it again?

[Alex K]

Maybe he didn't have other options? Maybe wanted to rebuild that spirit and come back to GP2 again next year? Do not know, he came back. IMO he should be retained for the remainder of the season, or at least taken over by another team. I doubt he can pay for a drive in LMS or FIA GT this year. It's better to wait for 2009 and try to get a contract. I am sure, because of a nationality and racing craft he'll find a paid work in PROTO/TCC. And mark my word, he will come back this year with strong results if he get chance.

Chandhok career rolls because of his nationality IMO, because of his natonality Red Bull signed him up probably because of his nationality he'll race in F1 in the next two years.

[Alex K]

Anyway, it's Tappy and Alcaraz.

[Mekola]

Originally Posted by Sev

I have to say, I completely agree with you. I think he was definately the faster (or at least more reliable) of the Durango pair last year, and why Chandhok was moved to iSport while Garcia was dropped is a mystery. (Well, I'd say it was 90% down to Chandhok's nationality, which is hardly fair).

I think is not so much a mistery why GarcÃ*a isn't in GP2, specially when has no more the support he had before. Now is harder to him to find a place there.

[Mekola]

Originally Posted by META4

italiaracing announce Guerreri driving for Ultimate in WSR, they are not sure instead of who it will be (Carbone or Cantelli)

Well, I'm quite amused for the news about Tebby, but still have to see him racing in the Ultimate/Signature Dallara to believe it fully.

I'm with chunterer about Fabio Carbone, the Brazilian also did a similar role years before, when he tested the SLC chassis in the F3 Euroseries. But we have to see more his motivation, previous results and inner panorama in depth to consider if he or Cantelli would be the one who could left the place in favour of Guerrieri.

[OJB]

Think its pretty certain Guerrieri will be in Ultimate Signature at Silverstone, especially if you read the comment about him 'moving on to exciting new challenges' in the Ultimate F3 press release... Really hope its alongside Carbone though...

As for Tappy, if that report is true then I'm glad he has the chance to prove himself, but it is a shame it seems to be at the expense of Garcia. Hopefully he might re-appear later in the season with someone else.