2011 driver market predictions - Page 3

p-matt · 15 Aug 2010, 08:19 (Ref:2744706)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I've personally found de la Rosa quietly more impressive than Liuzzi. I thought Liuzzi might be able to give this season a decent crack, but I think he's been one of the most disappointing drivers on the grid and should be replaced by di Resta. de la Rosa got off to a slow start, but in fairness, the car was horrific. Liuzzi has had a good midfield runner, and hasn't done much with it.

I agree. If you consider that de la Rosa was in the same position as Michael more or less - he hadn't raced for 3 years and both probably had a similar amount of time in an F1 car in that period - Pedro has done rather well. He's beaten Kamui 7-5 in qualifying. It's just that Kamui has seized the big points opportunities and Pedro, either through racecraft or lack of aggression, hasn't.

I'll make a proper stab of what the grid might look like next year:

Red Bull: Webber & Vettel
McLaren: Hamilton & Button
Ferrari: Alonso & Massa
Mercedes: Rosberg & Schumacher (with Heidfeld on standby to replace Schu when he is sh1t next year as well)
Renault: Kubica & Kobayashi
Force India: Sutil & di Resta
Williams: Barrichello & Hulkenberg
Sauber: Petrov & Perez
Toro Rosso: Buemi & Alguersuari (I think Red Bull will dump one of them mid-season for Ricciardo)
Lotus: Kovalainen & Trulli
Virgin: Glock & di Grassi
Hispania: Yamamoto & Albers if they continue the way they are going
Epsilon Euskadi: Senna & Guerreri

Jamesy-18 · 15 Aug 2010, 10:17 (Ref:2744731)

The fact you've even picked them to be on the grid is ambitious....

p-matt · 15 Aug 2010, 10:56 (Ref:2744747)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesy-18

The fact you've even picked them to be on the grid is ambitious....

True, but if it's not EE it's nobody.

I forgot about Maldonado - not sure where he would slot in. Maybe Sauber.

duke_toaster · 15 Aug 2010, 11:03 (Ref:2744751)

The bigger question is if Hispania will be there or not.

Jamesy-18 · 15 Aug 2010, 15:06 (Ref:2744799)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

The bigger question is if Hispania will be there or not.

Indeed. If anyone wants to make money quick, I suggest you going to a gambling place and putting some money on them not being on the grid. :P

duke_toaster · 15 Aug 2010, 16:18 (Ref:2744817)

WRT Nick Heidfeld, some reports are he is quitting Mercedes to take over Pirelli's tyre testing programme before 2011.

kipper · 15 Aug 2010, 16:31 (Ref:2744824)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

WRT Nick Heidfeld, some reports are he is quitting Mercedes to take over Pirelli's tyre testing programme before 2011.

Indeed; however, whilst that would probably rule Heidfeld out of racing this year, it does not automatically follow that he can't return to the Mercedes fold in 2011. That said, I do think the selection of Heidfeld for a race seat would represent something of a conservative choice and perhaps a more 'risky' option would in the long term deliver better results.

E.B · 16 Aug 2010, 00:42 (Ref:2745003)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipper

That said, I do think the selection of Heidfeld for a race seat would represent something of a conservative choice and perhaps a more 'risky' option would in the long term deliver better results.

Perhaps (Probably) less risky than persevering with a somewhat lame Schumacher, who, had he been a horse would long ago have been shot.

Surely more disappointing than even Liuzzi this year.

But wait.... it was the chassis thats at fault. Or the lack of testing. Or is it the tyres. Cant remember the latest in the list of excuses, it is now that long.

As for other drivers I would like to see get a gig.... Klien and Heidfeld both deserve a decent ride.

Dan Fielden · 16 Aug 2010, 12:05 (Ref:2745165)

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.B

As for other drivers I would like to see get a gig.... Klien and Heidfeld both deserve a decent ride.

I think Klien is one of the most hit and miss drivers of the last decade. I remember back in 04 in the jag he was battling with (an ailing) Raikkonen who was much slower for several laps pulling some cracking moves and double chuffles on the finn and when he did get past he drove very quickly up to Da Matta's Toyota. Only to throw it down the road on his in-lap. Out qualified webber a few times but he was always right in there or a chicane.

Ideal test driver, fast and he will push the car to breaking point.

E.B · 16 Aug 2010, 17:23 (Ref:2745360)

In 2004, Klien was barely 20 years old and in his first season of F1. I agree he was a bit rough around the edges then, but he has in my opinion since then matured greatly as a driver, both through his F1 testing but particularly his drives in the Peugeot LMS 908Hdi. I believe he has finished on the podium at Le Mans, something no one else currently in an F1 race seat has managed, and has quite a few very solid Endurance drives (and yes even wins) to his credit. Those results and indeed opportunities dont come to those with a tendency to throw the gear into the kitty litter.

.

You mentioned Webber in your post..... he hardly covered himself in glory in his early days, and built his career on a debut race with next to no finishers, and an occassional decent qualifying run, offset more often with an awful lot of early race crashes of his own fault. It is only in the last couple of years that he has even begun to hit his straps.

Dan Fielden · 17 Aug 2010, 07:39 (Ref:2745750)

Webber was one of the sought after drivers for 2003. He was as impressive as Alonso was at Minardi, he only retired from i think it was 6 of the 17 GP's and only2 were crashes and only one was his error in Hockenheim, i think you can afford a rookie that record.

With regards to Klien he was similar at Red-Bull with his hot and cold form. Dont get me wrong im not saying he's a crap driver but I wouldn't have said endurance and LeMans racing is a good indicator of a strong grand prix driver, Alan McNish being the prime example.

Schumiforeverever · 17 Aug 2010, 20:48 (Ref:2746253)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Schumacher perhaps ought to go.

I dont think so,not before getting his 8th title.

Schumiforeverever · 17 Aug 2010, 21:05 (Ref:2746258)

Maybe Schumacher should return with Ferrari and Barrichello should retire,cause he will never win the championship,unless he needs just to beat R.Patrese's record.

oops he has already beaten it.

duke_toaster · 17 Aug 2010, 21:13 (Ref:2746262)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumiforeverever

I dont think so,not before getting his 8th title.

I hope you're joking, but I sense you're not.

E.B · 17 Aug 2010, 22:45 (Ref:2746293)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

I hope you're joking, but I sense you're not.

The only good thing about Schumacher continuing is that his legacy reduces by the race.... after Spa he wont even be in the top 5 all time list of drivers 'Total wins as a percentage of Total GP's'.

ptclaus98 · 17 Aug 2010, 22:50 (Ref:2746296)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Ferrari: Fernando Alonso and Robert Kubica
McLaren: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton
Red Bull: Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
Mercedes: Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg
Renault: Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov
Williams: Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg
Toro Rosso: Jaime Alguersuari and Jean Eric Vergne
Force India: Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi
Sauber: Kamui Kobayashi and Pastor Maldonardo
Manor: Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi
Lotus: Heikki Kovalainen and Fairuz Fauzy
Hispania: Sakon Yamamoto and Christian Albers
Cypher: Jarno Trulli and Jonathan Summerton

Whaaaa? Cypher is dead and gone, Buemi is signed and sealed for STR, Then you have Webber and Massa nowhere to be found?

ptclaus98 · 17 Aug 2010, 22:55 (Ref:2746298)

Also, I'm quite surprised at how many people think Di Grassi keeps his seat. As far as I know, he doesn't bring a ton of money, and Glock has had him well covered. I think Madonado or Perez ends up there.

**Bononi** · 17 Aug 2010, 23:34 (Ref:2746319)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumiforeverever

I dont think so,not before getting his 8th title.

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

I hope you're joking, but I sense you're not.

Nah, he's serious, and that's the joke !

wnut · 18 Aug 2010, 00:50 (Ref:2746346)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumiforeverever

I dont think so,not before getting his 8th title.

Seconded

Schumiforeverever · 18 Aug 2010, 20:32 (Ref:2746781)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

I hope you're joking, but I sense you're not.

10 years ago, winning 7 world titles was also a joke and even a madness.
In 2004 that joke became reality.

Schumiforeverever · 18 Aug 2010, 20:36 (Ref:2746784)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Nah, he's serious, and that's the joke !

Yep, im serious and that's what you'll notice in the end of 2011.

Fox89 · 18 Aug 2010, 20:57 (Ref:2746805)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumiforeverever

I dont think so,not before getting his 8th title.

That would be impressive if he stayed in F1 for that long. Most people don't live as long as it will take him to win an 8th title!

ptclaus98 · 18 Aug 2010, 21:16 (Ref:2746818)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumiforeverever

Yep, im serious and that's what you'll notice in the end of 2011.

How's Michael gonna win the title on the sidelines?

**Bononi** · 18 Aug 2010, 22:35 (Ref:2746856)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumiforeverever

Yep, im serious and that's what you'll notice in the end of 2011.

Don't worry I have boolmarked your post and I'll reopen this thread at the end of 2011

Hope you'll be around.

ptclaus98 · 19 Aug 2010, 03:19 (Ref:2746918)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Don't worry I have boolmarked your post and I'll reopen this thread at the end of 2011

Hope you'll be around.

He'll be around just like I'll be having sex on the reg with Jennifer Beals.

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