GP2 2007, Who goes Where? - Page 16

strider · 31 Jan 2007, 22:06 (Ref:1830632)

It looks as though Valles has F1 aspirations with Spyker, story here.

Mekola · 31 Jan 2007, 22:23 (Ref:1830642)

And? He could do the same as Yamamoto, being F1 tester and GP2 driver at same time. Wouldn't be too weird ir Vallés caught the remaining BCN drive.

**chunterer** · 1 Feb 2007, 09:17 (Ref:1830876)

I'd be happy with that as I believe Valles is pretty good. I was kind of hoping Campos would help him get a shot with a better team though, as BCN is probably the same level as Campos!

So of the remaining drivers Maldonado and Lopez (and possibly Danilesson) could be scrapping over the only drive left. Yoshi and Razia are possibly outsiders here?

Adri_tifosi · 1 Feb 2007, 10:08 (Ref:1830911)

In Spain some Newspapers (AS & Marca) talk about Valles and DTM and test role with Spyker F1

Go_For_Pole · 1 Feb 2007, 10:11 (Ref:1830915)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackman

Yeah, but I think Alfonso hung up his helmet a few years ago in favour of running a team

strider · 1 Feb 2007, 12:05 (Ref:1830992)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

So of the remaining drivers Maldonado and Lopez (and possibly Danilesson) could be scrapping over the only drive left. Yoshi and Razia are possibly outsiders here?

Razia has joined Team Brazil's A1GP effort. I don't know if that has any relevance here.

Unless he simply hasn't been able raise the budget, I wouldn't discount Parente from the remaining drivers.

strider · 1 Feb 2007, 13:04 (Ref:1831031)

Pastor Maldonado now confirmed at Trident. Story here.

Does that complete the list?

Obizzz · 1 Feb 2007, 13:07 (Ref:1831033)

There's still one seat at BCN no?

Jackman · 1 Feb 2007, 13:18 (Ref:1831038)

ART Grand Prix
1: Michael Ammermuller
2: Lucas di Grassi

Minardi Piquet Sports
3: Xandi Negrao
4: Roldan Rodriguez

iSport International
5: Timo Glock
6: Andreas Zuber

Arden International
7: Adrian Zaugg
8: Bruno Senna

Petrol Ofisi Fisichella Motorsport International
9: Antonio Pizzonia
10: Jason Tahinci

Trident Racing
11: Kohei Hirate
12: Pastor Maldonado

Racing Engineering
14: Javier Villa
15: Luis Razia

Super Nova International
16: Luca Filippi
17: Mike Conway

BCN Competicion
18: Sakon Yamamoto
19: Jose Maria Lopez / Hiroki Yoshimoto / Alx Danielsson

DPR
20: Christian Bakkerud
21: Andy Soucek

Dams
22: Nicolas Lapierre
23: Kazuki Nakajima

Campos Racing
24: Giorgio Pantano
25: Vitaly Petrov

Durango
26: Borja Garc�*a
27: Clivio Piccione

Obizzz · 1 Feb 2007, 13:25 (Ref:1831043)

Ah RE as well.. thanks for the update Jackman

**chunterer** · 1 Feb 2007, 13:31 (Ref:1831047)

I'm slightly surprised that so many of the seats have been confirmed so long before the start of the series but then it is a highly appealing category for drivers.

Maldonado will be a good addition to the ranks, he should suit the required style of driving for these cars.

Lopez could lose out but he is hanging his hat on the BCN drive I guess?

So he had a poor year last year but I thought he showed plenty of promise in his first season with DAMS. If he could find that sort of form again he could still do well.

It would arguably be better for Danielsson to take the other spare seat either with BCN or the RE one, but budgets are bound to play their part now.

Surely the seats will go to the highest bidders.

Russfeld · 1 Feb 2007, 13:37 (Ref:1831051)

I think a better way to look at it, is how long until the first test?

Obizzz · 1 Feb 2007, 13:41 (Ref:1831052)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Surely the seats will go to the highest bidders.

I'm afraid that would leave Danielsson out :/

Well nothing to do but wait and see I guess.

strider · 1 Feb 2007, 13:51 (Ref:1831056)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obizzz

Ah RE as well.. thanks for the update Jackman

Yes, good work that man. I think you should be promoted to an even more important role!

Go_For_Pole · 1 Feb 2007, 14:10 (Ref:1831077)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Surely the seats will go to the highest bidders.

Since RE has sponsors that should not be the case for them though. If I remember correctly they were quite late in confirming Carroll last year although everybody was expecting it so my impression is that AOB has again sorted his contracts early but he is waiting for the correct time to announce his driver.

BCN on the other hand are having a very good choice of talent waiting, good for them!

I bet they will go for a trusted good hand that could guide them on set ups and so on, in other words I do not expect a rookie there.

And yeah, promote Jackman now!

EuropaBambaataa · 1 Feb 2007, 18:40 (Ref:1831270)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

Unless he simply hasn't been able raise the budget, I wouldn't discount Parente from the remaining drivers.

He hasn't, and I would. Parente was screwed over by his manager, Luis Vicente, who has been unable to find sponsors for both Parente and Urbano in the last two years. Add to that the money (and whatever reputation he still had) Vicente lost with the A1 Grand Prix project, Parente can kiss his career goodbye if he doesn't find a new manager soon.

Obizzz · 1 Feb 2007, 19:09 (Ref:1831295)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EuropaBambaataa

He hasn't, and I would. Parente was screwed over by his manager, Luis Vicente, who has been unable to find sponsors for both Parente and Urbano in the last two years. Add to that the money (and whatever reputation he still had) Vicente lost with the A1 Grand Prix project, Parente can kiss his career goodbye if he doesn't find a new manager soon.

Sucks hearing stories like that

Sev · 1 Feb 2007, 20:14 (Ref:1831334)

Danielsson at RE? How's that for a long-shot?

If they're not that concerned about money...

Obizzz · 1 Feb 2007, 20:29 (Ref:1831345)

In an earlier interview Alx said RE and Carlin DPR were both out of his plans. This was obviously before the split of Carlin/DPR was announced so it's old info and maybe RE is an option now.

Alex K · 1 Feb 2007, 21:57 (Ref:1831421)

AFAIA Clivio hasn't signed anything yet, and... rumour sez he's lacking cash.

Obizzz · 1 Feb 2007, 22:04 (Ref:1831428)

So one seat at Durango might also be open then?

**chunterer** · 2 Feb 2007, 09:02 (Ref:1831646)

And ironically enough, Durango always seems to end up with a quick guy piloting one of their cars, it's a strange tradition. There's a few quick guys still looking for a seat as well!

Mekola · 2 Feb 2007, 11:46 (Ref:1831769)

López's chances at GP2 are in messy conditions; maybe the Argie representant in GP2 could be Ricardo Risatti if he confirms a deal with BCN.

**chunterer** · 2 Feb 2007, 11:53 (Ref:1831775)

It would be shame if Lopez' career was to stall or go into decline. Obviously the loss of RDD isn't helping and whilst there are 2-3 good Argentine talents around I am aware that budgets are hard to come by these days. Mind you that has always been the case I guess?

It would be really good to have at least one guy come through to F1 as other than Fontana, there hasn't been one since Reutemann has there?

If we look back, a few guys have got to F2/3000/GP2 level and then disappeared, like Mansilla (I always thought he was very good) Rosso, Furlan, Fontana (still don't understand his decline as he was quick in F3/3000) and now there's Lopez, Guererri and Risatti who seem unable to gp much further?

Mekola are there any others we can look out for in the next couple of years?

bradrive · 2 Feb 2007, 17:33 (Ref:1832040)

Mekola are there any others we can look out for in the next couple of years?[/QUOTE]

Mariano Werner!
Pechito is probably forced to do Fia FT with a Ferrari F430 teamed up with Bruni at AF Racing.