Rate the rookie - Ralph Firman

[Brandy_snap]

How well do you think Ralph Firman is doing this year?

[Knowlesy]

I think he has been erratic without a doubt, but 1 out of 10? I think he has hung onto Fisi's coat-tails as well as could be reasonably expected. Canada quali-1 showed his potential. Only complaint is that he tries too hard sometimes in a Tarso-Marques-Melbourne-2001-qualifying type way. And he says "I'm looking forward to tomorrow" far too much as outlined in one of my recent polls.
Rating: Room for improvement, but no Jos Verstappen or Antonio Pizzonia by any means.

7/10

[Brandy_snap]

Thanks Knowsley!

[Brandy_snap]

knowlesy sorry lol

[Brandy_snap]

By the way I didn't rate him 1/10....

[BootsOntheSide]

5/10 was my verdict. He's improved since some of his early poor performances, and his poor qualifying results are largely a result of filling the tank under the new strategies. The fact that he has outpaced Fisichella on several occasions is impressive, although Giancarlo seems undermotivated. He does need to watch his speaking manner though, he often comes across as arrogant, and oblivious to the criticism he's merited at times.

[Smokey 6 litre]

i dont see how anyone could vote 1/10, no-one in F1 is that bad. he will improve, remember, the jordan has been rubish so far.

[Bononi]

Give the kid a break, he's a rookie, let's watch his learning curve first.

[Ola]

Pro:
After initial learning, matching Fisi in race pace. Drives hard and agressive, never gives up trying. Copes well with less running time in a F1 for a rookie. Have to learn all the tracks after years away while at the same time learn the advanced electronics, gizmos and grovved tyres. Coping with an extremely nervous car lacking testing miles and development.
Against:
Drives aggressive, too aggressive. Overdrives in search for those extra tenths. Often looses it in qual. To much up and down, too uneven.

Verdict:
6/10
Looking forward to see him at Suzuka and I think he has shown that he deserves a place in F1, he definetly gives it all he got (and sometimes more). Learning curve pointing upwards after initial teething problems. I think he is doing fine and is on the up - just hoping he gets to keep his seat at cashdesperate Jordan known for sacking drivers here and there

[MrSal]

4 out of 10. Too old to really improve a great deal. Will do a McNish and bow out of F1 after 1 season.

[Lee Yue Yang]

I think that it is possible for him to improve and as Smokey said,the Jordan has been rubbish so far this year.

[EERO]

7/10


The car is a dog and maybe he's overcompensating, but he gets credit for aggression and fearlessness. I think he'll settle in and be pretty good, a la Brundle, Blundell, Warwick. Not a winner but a possible occaissional podium.

[bacon sandwich]

Dissapointing - yes I agree with you boots - improved from early days - but poor qualifying and is trying too hard - and yes - he says he was pleased even though he did s**t!!
I thought Formula Nippon would be the nearest to F1 to give him a good go at it - but you're right MrSal - out next year - unless he can come up with some big sponsorship - he cost EJ too much money in the early part of the season.

[Knowlesy]

Oh, you're all so nasty to the poor little Irish lad.

[high contrast]

He takes longer than some to 'find his feet' but gets there or thereabouts in time...6 years wasn't it to win the Nippon champs? Despite this years car not being their best, hes lightyears from Fisi. I'd give him a 3

[Mark Webber]

I voteed 6 but 6.5 if I could he is doing much better than I excepted

[R]

His start to the season was less than impressive, but he has really improved lately. He's been much closer to Fisichella than I would have thought, and he has even outpaced him at times. 7 out of 10 for now.

[Dutton]

Well, I have given him 5. He had better be grateful that he has put in one or two decetn showings, and seems to be improving. Also, I think he seems like a pretty sound chap so I won't be too harsh.

[RussianFriend]

4/10 - he's better than Pizzonia I gave 3, but not dramatically better.

[Smokey 6 litre]

he had ANOTHER solid race in Germany, hampered by Jordans poor stratergy, Fisi didn't do a lot better, give the man some credit, he's getting the job done, the car isn't competative but he's getting to the end so if enough people fall off he would get points.

[golem]

I reckon he's better thn Pizza boy. Fisi knows Jordan far better than Firman knows Jordan, Wheras Webber is knew to jag like pizzonia. Pizzonia had F1 testing, Firman was in nippon.

None of the rookies are firelighters barring Wilson from time to time.

[golem]

My spelling/grammar sucks. I need to sleep.

[Adam43]

Originally posted by Smokey 6 litre
hampered by Jordans poor stratergy,

less poor strategy more poor car I think. they ran three stops because the car needed some speed. Trouble was, even on low tanks, it was still slow relative to the rest!