Ant to stay at Honda (BAR, not SA)

[shiny side up!]

Just read an article on the ITV website that says Ant is going to be Honda's Friday Tester again next year

In the article, Gil says something to the effect of "...while we are sure he will be a race driver someday, he is crucial to us as a test driver..."

Seems to me that with Jenson there and Rubens at least for the near-term, Ant really doesn't have a shot at a race drive with BAR any time soon. That and Super Aguri are an exercise in appeasing Honda's home market, so if he is to have a race drive in the future it looks like it would have to be outside of the Honda efforts.

Maybe Rennen can shed some light on how a driver makes tough decisions like this one? What kinds of things are taken into account, and just how many choices Ant really had? If not, I understand...

[QuickSilver]

Shiny, I had to open another window to block out that bloody avatar so I could read your post. I'll give you $5 if you change it.

[Rennen]

Originally Posted by shiny side up!

Just read an article on the ITV website that says Ant is going to be Honda's Friday Tester again next year

In the article, Gil says something to the effect of "...while we are sure he will be a race driver someday, he is crucial to us as a test driver..."

Seems to me that with Jenson there and Rubens at least for the near-term, Ant really doesn't have a shot at a race drive with BAR any time soon. That and Super Aguri are an exercise in appeasing Honda's home market, so if he is to have a race drive in the future it looks like it would have to be outside of the Honda efforts.

Maybe Rennen can shed some light on how a driver makes tough decisions like this one? What kinds of things are taken into account, and just how many choices Ant really had? If not, I understand...

Very few...Midland wanted money, Williams had Keke's boy wonder what else was available? ADs contract didn't allowed for him to be a test driver for any other team so with JV staying onboard at BMW that ruled out the 2nd and the 3rd seat...there's nothing else available! But Aguri is under the Honda team umbrella so to speak...so the way I see it hes got 4 potential race seats covered.

In racing you never say never...competition people are eternal optimists...Remember Button only got his break into GP racing because Zanardi didn't work out at Williams...Maybe RB wont! Who can say?

ADs massive mileage and technical knowledge makes him pretty important to the 'Honda' team development...AND what young driver wouldn't give his eye-teeth to be driving the "best cars in the world" on all the GP circuits in company with the worlds best drivers? Not to mention a good salary and company cars and all the other perks of the job...AD is living ole Rennen's dream that I've dreamed since the late 1950's.

[shiny side up!]

Thanks for the reply, Rennen! I always enjoy the insight you bring to these discussions...

[Born Racer]

Was it never likely for Ant to race at Super Aguri?