2011 driver market predictions

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Did he mean best Japanese driver ever?

Originally Posted by Marc Surer

Well, from the character he reminds me of Ukyo Katayama somehow because he has got this kind of humour Ukyo had, and from the driver he could be the best ever.

Make uo your own mind, I'm personally unsure.

[Super Hans]

From that quote I think he means best Japanese driver.

He couldn't possibly mean best ever full stop, because that would be absolute madness.

[Taprobane]

Though the guy has a point, there is no reason for him not to be the best Japanese driver ever, he seems to have all the tools.

[duke_toaster]

He certainly could be the best Japanese driver ever, and is certainly a very good option for the future.

[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

[Jamesy-18]

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

Is this what you'd want to happen or what you guess will happen? Cuz a few things.

-Webber has already signed to extend his contract with RBR.
-Kubica has signed for two more years at Renault
-Toro Rosso have said their drivers will remain unchanged.
-Cypher won't be on the grid, they've withdrawn their entry due to a lack of funds.

[N.A-D.R]

That's fantasy i assume?

[strider]

Bruno Senna is doubtful about about the future of Hispania.

From things that have been said, I'm sure he and Karun Chandhok would like to jump ship, but where to is the question?

Even though a couple of teams (ART and Cypher) have withdrawn their attempts to become the thirteenth team, there are still one or two respectable contenders.

[duke_toaster]

There's one respectable contender - Epsilon Euskadi. The other two which are known about are Durango-Villeneuve and Stefan GP, sans Toyota.

[Jamesy-18]

I thought Stefan's collaboration with Toyota was over on the basis they didn't get on the '10 grid?

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Jamesy-18

I thought Stefan's collaboration with Toyota was over on the basis they didn't get on the '10 grid?

It is, as confirmed in the post above. In terms of the new team for 2011 (assuming that the slot is filled), I suspect that it will be Epsilon Euskadi, although I sort of hope that the Villeneuve/Durango alliance pays off.

[Mekola]

Esteban Guerrieri is aiming at Virgin, and he has also Argentinian Government support to suceed in his try.

[Peralta]

It sounds like Sergio Perez might land with Sauber next year as it is rumored that Carlos Slim of Telmex will sponsor the team next year.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Peralta

It sounds like Sergio Perez might land with Sauber next year as it is rumored that Carlos Slim of Telmex will sponsor the team next year.

That'd be good. Perez looks a real talent.

[Jamesy-18]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

That'd be good. Perez looks a real talent.

I totally agree. I think it'll be another case of the runner-up in GP2 landing a seat in F1 sooner than the champion.

Anyway, Glock's confirmed he's willing to stop on at Virgin Racing today, so I guess that ends the speculation that he's off to Renault. One less candidate for Petrov's seat.

[p-matt]

It's pretty much Petrov vs Sutil for the 2nd Renault seat now, isn't it?

[Peralta]

Originally Posted by Mekola

Esteban Guerrieri is aiming at Virgin, and he has also Argentinian Government support to suceed in his try.

Sergio Rinland of Epsilon Euzkadi is also keen on running Esteban if they can get in the grid for next year.

[Jamesy-18]

Originally Posted by p-matt

It's pretty much Petrov vs Sutil for the 2nd Renault seat now, isn't it?

I wouldn't say that. There's a few more candidates yet. Heidfeld, Kovalainen, de la Rosa a possibility too if he leaves Sauber?

[Dan Fielden]

Id like to see sutil in a renault he's a handy driver....... He cant run to save his life but still a handy driver

[bella]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

That'd be good. Perez looks a real talent.

on the contrary, he doesn't seem consistent enough yet to be able to do anything in a car that isn't ideal :/ i think it's a year or two too soon...

[strider]

It doesn't matter what anyone thinks, because it's the old story. When the music stops there will be a lot of disappointment because there are too many drivers chasing too few seats.

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by Jamesy-18

I wouldn't say that. There's a few more candidates yet. Heidfeld, Kovalainen, de la Rosa a possibility too if he leaves Sauber?

Kubica won't have Nick at Renault. He probably already had a hand in that not happening this year.

Kovalainen looks pretty committed to Lotus, and I think he knows Lotus would be a better bet for his career than being crushed by Kubica at Renault.

I would have thought Kobayashi rather than de la Rosa being the dark horse for Renault. It's still possible as he hasn't openly committed to Sauber yet.

[Peralta]

DelaRosa like Luizzi have had there chance and aren't impressing. They should go. Petrov will stay assuming he has a budget because he is a nice guy that doesn't cause any problems with Kubica and can score points the 2nd year around.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Originally Posted by Peralta

DelaRosa like Luizzi have had there chance and aren't impressing. They should go. Petrov will stay assuming he has a budget because he is a nice guy that doesn't cause any problems with Kubica and can score points the 2nd year around.

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.

And as much as Petrov brings in, i'm not sure if being a 'nice guy' will help him hang on to that seat. Saying this, it does look as though Renault are supporting the fella more as of late, which would point towards them keeping him on for 2011.

I'd like to see Kobayashi hounding Kubica - Two super aggressive drivers. Saying that, I would like Sauber to do well next season.

Selby

[Peralta]

Originally Posted by bella

on the contrary, he doesn't seem consistent enough yet to be able to do anything in a car that isn't ideal :/ i think it's a year or two too soon...

RONTFLMAO !