Who will get the second Force India seat?

cds_uk · 26 Nov 2007, 20:34 (Ref:2076013)

There are quite a few drivers getting a lap or two at the next test, i assume Sutil will be staying for next year so who do you think will get the other seat, should be interesting if they all get a decent crack at it.

Robin_D · 26 Nov 2007, 20:56 (Ref:2076023)

Sutil has been confirmed iirc. I would go for Liuzzi

Super Hans · 26 Nov 2007, 20:58 (Ref:2076025)

As he's a good friend of Vijay Mallya, I'll punt for Ralf. That's if McLaren don't want him, obviously.

Yannick · 26 Nov 2007, 21:26 (Ref:2076046)

Klien seems to have had the upper hands over the other participants in F1ndia's driver evaluation programme so far, scoring even better times than Sutil. I guess McLaren are closely watching that programme, too, because they still have an empty seat. I seriously doubt, though, that they would prefer a different team's former test driver over their own tester.

And if Renault chooses Alonso and Nelsinho, even Kovalainen might end up driving the old Spyker, because McLaren surely wouldn't want a driver managed by Signore Briatore.

duke_toaster · 26 Nov 2007, 21:36 (Ref:2076054)

It will probably be a pay-driver in the second parcel force. Maybe Ralf?

The Ronster would rather take a Kimi-esque gamble (If there's a driver who deserves a straight up jump, albeit a smaller one from British F3, it's Marko Asmer) than get Ralf. It's a minor miracle that his ego can fit in any car.

Super Hans · 26 Nov 2007, 21:49 (Ref:2076058)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

If there's a driver who deserves a straight up jump, albeit a smaller one from British F3, it's Marko Asmer.

Asmer is very good but I wouldn't go as far as that. He dominated the British championship this year, but having four or five seasons in F3 must have given him an advantage. If a driver from that level were to make the step up then I think Romain Grosjean or Sebastien Buemi would be a better bet. Having said that, Buemi has competed in GP2 already.

chillibowl · 26 Nov 2007, 22:07 (Ref:2076071)

i have a soft spot for Fisi and hope he gets the seat alongside Sutil.
is he still planning to test for them/ in the running?

LadySnowcat · 26 Nov 2007, 22:16 (Ref:2076078)

But what about the "It's him or me " ultimatum from Mike Gascoyne?...

One suggestion was that Ralf was instrumental in Mike getting shown the door at Toyota...

So who would you rather have if you were FI?...Mike or Ralf?...

PK Kart · 26 Nov 2007, 23:58 (Ref:2076144)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadySnowcat

But what about the "It's him or me " ultimatum from Mike Gascoyne?...

One suggestion was that Ralf was instrumental in Mike getting shown the door at Toyota...

So who would you rather have if you were FI?...Mike or Ralf?...

Easy... the one that is good at his job. erm am starting to wonder now, who's won more gps, Ralf or Mike? Thats not being nasty, but really, how many gps has Gascoigne won?

alonso11 · 26 Nov 2007, 22:18 (Ref:2076079)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Hans

I think Romain Grosjean or Sebastien Buemi would be a better bet. .

Grosjean will test for Renault soon, Buemi is with the Red Bull camp, possibly the 3rd driver at Torro Rosso as they seriously lack a Sebastien there

Besides, I dont think Sutil has ever been confirmed by Malaya. He has a contract with Spyker for 2008 and that can be applied with Force India too probably yeah, yet he can still end up basicaly anywhere, I think he is one the drivers depending on Nando's big descision and that wont come before December the 6th.

Ralf's Girl · 27 Nov 2007, 10:03 (Ref:2076334)

I think Sutil will stay at FI - I'm not convinced that he's in the running for the McLaren drive, and I don't really see him going anywhere else. As for the other seat, it's one of several, so I think it depends on what they're looking for. A pay driver has obvious advantages, but based on the fact that we're seeing Klien, Liuzzi, Ralf, Fisichella etc. being linked with the seat, I'm not sure that's relevant because I can't imagine any of them paying for a drive.

If they want youth, I'd say somebody like Liuzzi would get the drive. If it's experience they're after, then it's Ralf or Fisichella, and as Fisi has been very poor for a number of years, I'd expect them to go for Ralf (unless Gascoyne really has threatened to quit if they sign him, which could throw a spanner in the works - I personally don't think he's come up with the goods recently, but for some reason teams seem to jump at the chance to employ him).

**BertMk2** · 27 Nov 2007, 13:04 (Ref:2076435)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

If it's experience they're after, then it's Ralf or Fisichella, and as Fisi has been very poor for a number of years, I'd expect them to go for Ralf

I'd say Ralf has been very poor for a number of years too, I really don't think that FI will gain much by employing either Ralf or Fisi - they're both at the wrong end of their career, will either really be all that motivated? Klien or Liuzzi would be a better bet - they've got F1 race experience and something to prove.

If it was a straight Ralf or Fisi choice - I'd take Fisi. No contest.

Wrex · 27 Nov 2007, 23:56 (Ref:2076922)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

I personally don't think he's come up with the goods recently, but for some reason teams seem to jump at the chance to employ him).

Are you talking about Ralf or Mike? Either way, I agree.

Stay away from these washed up old timers (Fisi included), and take a chance on a young gun that could be sold later on. When your on the back row, you can afford to take some risks.

kipper · 26 Nov 2007, 22:04 (Ref:2076069)

I think the choice of second driver depends on how the team is funded. If sponsorship is not forthcoming or Vijay Mallya does not wish to pump some of his fortune into the team then the likes of Roldan Rodriguez, Farriz Fauzy or Sakon Yamamoto stand a chance of securing the seat. If a larger amount of money can be secured that I suspect that Liuzzi or Klien will be racing. Conversely, if a big sponsor is found of Mallya is willing to significantly fund his team then I suspect that Ralf Schumacher will be racing.

JohnMiller · 26 Nov 2007, 22:37 (Ref:2076098)

I thought I read Roldan Rodriguez has a contract if his sponsors pay €x.

cos · 26 Nov 2007, 23:30 (Ref:2076129)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMiller

I thought I read Roldan Rodriguez has a contract if his sponsors pay €x.

Rodriguez apparently has $10m. But given the new owner, and the fact that Force India have been testing with the likes of Liuzzi and Klien I don't think they're looking for pay drivers.

JeremySmith · 27 Nov 2007, 01:18 (Ref:2076176)

If Adrian Sutil is staying, then I would give Klien the second Spyker seat. Mike Gascoyne is more important to Spyker than Ralf Schumacher IMO...

Mekola · 27 Nov 2007, 02:05 (Ref:2076192)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Mike Gascoyne is more important to Spyker than Ralf Schumacher IMO...

At present, it's true. Gascoyne could do more with a half decent driver than Ralf with a novice engineer.

Mr V · 27 Nov 2007, 02:44 (Ref:2076213)

I'm hoping for Christian Klien, but wouldn't be surprised if it's Karan Chanduck (sp??)

As for Ralf, i was under the impression that he was hoping to go to Fifi (Force India) with customer Ferrari's, but obviously customer cars are out of the window in 2008.

BootsOntheSide · 27 Nov 2007, 10:14 (Ref:2076342)

If funding is no barrier, Klien offers the best balance between potential, experience and hunger. From the tests he's done so far, he's been on the pace and has probably settled in quite well with the team. Sutil could probably do with a steady guiding hand for a while, ideally from a driver who doesn't mind ultimately not being as fast, which i don't think Klien is. That he is a native German speaker like Sutil could be a bonus, but it could be offset by making it harder to attract sponsors who aren't Indian or Germanic.

Rockmunky · 27 Nov 2007, 14:25 (Ref:2076517)

Alonso.

f1manoz · 27 Nov 2007, 17:51 (Ref:2076655)

Fingers crossed Sutil and Klien will be in Force India seats next year.

Double fingers crossed that Ralf Schumacher is finally placed on the F1 scrap-heap, exactly where he belongs.

PK Kart · 27 Nov 2007, 23:23 (Ref:2076895)

Always thought Gascoyne overrated. Not sure if he designed the 2003 Renault but even if he did, that's what, 1 gp win?

I have made my opinions on Ralf schumacher clear before but Fisichella clearly does not belong in the same bracket of mediocrity. He was awesome in the Jordan and Sauber, and on natural talent, clearly one of the best. Just doesn't have the complete make up IMO.

ralf fan · 27 Nov 2007, 23:27 (Ref:2076897)

Id say they would go for an Indian driver. Chandock or perhaps Karthikeyan. Considering they are named 'Force India' and an Indian GP is on the horizon, the scope for marketing with an Indian driver in the team is huge.

Knowlesy · 27 Nov 2007, 23:30 (Ref:2076901)

Fisichella was awesome in the Jordan in 1997, but this is a long time ago. Please don't tell me he was "awesome" in 2002 and 2003, because he was flat out awful. Uninspiring, heading for the exit.

Sauber was better - after a shaky start he grafted out some fine results. But let's face it, his best days are long gone. Here is a man who spent two years in a championship winning car and did not win a single race on merit.

He has had his chance and blew it. F1 has had a few years where it has been infested with people hanging around for ages doing nothing - it is time they got out and let someone else have a shot. Of course, they have to think for themselves, so that isn't going to happen. But it is time the team managers made this decision for them.

Karthikeyan, Klien, Sutil, di Grassi, Piquet....anyone but Ralf and Giancarlo!

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