RBR interested in JPM

[Mr V]

Just seen This story. Wonder what that would mean for DC as he's not part of Red Bull's driver development programme (or whatever it's called)

[Suze]

Called something like that...I'd quite like to see JPM in a red bull car. Just because.

[GTRMagic]

Why cant Mr Coulthard be shuffled to the Italian end of the Red Bull experience?

[ECW Dan Selby]

Yeh it'd be a shame to see them ditch DC if he does sign. I'd definately like to see this. JPM being more like himself. I was just thinking, I think they'd both really help eachother. Signing JPM would look awesome on Red Bull (First DC, now JPM, two big names) and would show their legitimacy as a serious pushing-forward team, and it'd do nicely for JPM as he could let his hair down a little and work in an environment he is comfortable in, as is Red Bull.

Selby

[Skam85]

DC and JPM for Red Bull Racing, when Klien gets promoted to a top team...

[pink69]

After all that DC has done for RBR, I can't see them pushing him out just like that, but you never know in this business. JPM signing would be a real coup for the team and shows they are serious about getting in amongst the big manufactures. But someone would have to be moved side....5 into 4 doesn;t go, unless they wanna buy out Midland as well and have 6 cars!

[BootsOntheSide]

Liuzzi and Speed are still to prove themselves as deserving a place in the team long-term, and as mentioned Klien might be snapped up by another team, as he's doing well at the moment.

[Knowlesy]

My thinking is that JPM and Red Bull would complement each other rather well.

As it is, you sense an element of restraint at McLaren which is detrimental to JPM.....you've got to let the guy run free!

I hope this happens.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Yeh I hope it does too. And i'd like to think one of the biggish teams are interested in Klien. I've rated him from 2004 when everyone was giving him a good bashing.

Selby

[Sodemo]

I think Montoya has stalled somewhat at McLaren, im not sure if Montoya is happy there, or if McLaren are happy with Juan, neither party seems to be over keen on one another.

[Knowlesy]

Same here ECW....I think Klien is great, ever since 2004. He's a real racer!

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

The Coulthard-Klien pairing is a surprisingly strong one, who would Juan replace?

Klien might be snapped up by a top team but I can't believe Red Bull would just let him go after investing so much money in him, I'd be suprised if he didn't stay with the team for another couple of seasons. Depending on how competitive they want Toro Rosso to be in the future it wouldn't hurt to have Coulthard as number one driver to develop the car and help guide the rookies but would he be happy fighting at the back?

There's no denying Juan is a perfect match for RBR, it's just that the current duo are aswell.

[Knowlesy]

I have the feeling Coulthard will be out at the end of this year.

There is no good reason for it to happen at the moment of course, but...

Mateschitz has stated he wants Klien to beat DC or he may be out. So if Klien does beat DC, that perhaps suggests that DC would be on thinner ice than perhaps you would expect.

I have to say though, it'd be strange if Red Bull made space for JPM......they usually are more concerned with developing their own drivers. So my feeling is that it'll be DC and a newbie OR Klien alongside a newbie.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

I have the feeling Coulthard will be out at the end of this year.

I believe DC went on record last year, that he was not looking at driving for the long term and that management was more appealing, so this would make sense. RBR has gained a lot of experience throuh him and FWIW I think he's enjoyed being the leader of the gang.

Could be that JPM would fit right in with the perceived relaxed atmosphere which is something he's not really had in any team since his Cart days.

[Pitstop]

He'd make a good test driver - somewhere.

[BSchneiderFan]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I believe DC went on record last year, that he was not looking at driving for the long term and that management was more appealing, so this would make sense.

But hasn't he also said he wants to stay on to drive the Newey-penned car?

[OZ_HCR32]

Another interesting one. I suggest that Luizzi is the most endangered by JPM coming on board. Klien could find himslef in the 2nd team whilst JPM and DC drive for RBR.

The only reason DC will lose the drive is if he falls over repeatedly this year. Surely the fact that Newey likes working with DC (DC approached Newey and sewed the seed, with their relationship going back to Williams days)

So i think the Newey factor helps him, he just needs to show he still has the pace and desire

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by OZ_HCR32

Another interesting one. I suggest that Luizzi is the most endangered by JPM coming on board. Klien could find himslef in the 2nd team whilst JPM and DC drive for RBR.

The only reason DC will lose the drive is if he falls over repeatedly this year.

I know that the season is only 2 races old, but the fact that Klien has out qualified DC both races, finished ahead of him both races (admittedly, both had hydraulic failure at Malyasia and DC's car was the first of the 2 to fail) and Klien has scored the teams only point so far makes me think that Christian is more likely to be retained, especially if this continues. After all, Red Bull won't want to see the result of their investment going somewhere else.

[MichaelH]

I know this is going to make me unpopular, but I hope for a Klien-Montoya pairing at RBR, it would be ace. Has to be DC to give way, he did well last year but I think long term Klien has more going for him. DC's a good solid yardstick for a developing young driver but even last year it was Klien who caught my eye, considering he started the season expecting to do the first 3 races then give way for Liuzzi indefinately I thought he was superb.

Coulthard's still competitive and competent but I'm not sure he has much more to offer. In 2004 he was good for bringing home solid points which is what they needed then, but with Newey coming in they've got to be looking onwards and upwards and I don't think DC's still a race winner, personally.

Give Montoya the right car and he'll win races. He'd also give another indication of how good Klien is, which I'd like to see.

[Oaksnaf]

Does Montoya want money or does he want to win races? Whilst I would love to see him at RBR alongside Klien with DC in a testing/management role, I cant see the RBR car being a championship winning car in 2007, it probably wont even win a GP. So the question that would be of great relevance, would be how long will it take RBR to become a top flight team.

3-4 years? Montoya cant wait that long.....

[Knowlesy]

I think Montoya will be just happy to race, although a winning car will help!

MichaelH: Klien and Montoya sounds great to me! Two hard racers, nice stuff!

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

Does Montoya want money or does he want to win races? Whilst I would love to see him at RBR alongside Klien with DC in a testing/management role, I cant see the RBR car being a championship winning car in 2007, it probably wont even win a GP. So the question that would be of great relevance, would be how long will it take RBR to become a top flight team.

3-4 years? Montoya cant wait that long.....

No different from any top driver going to Toyota.

[BootsOntheSide]

Toyota should be building race-winning cars by now, RBR did better than anyone could've reasonably expected last year and look set to continue that.

[raul_iulian]

i myself, see montoya doing great with RedBull, at least for one year !!!

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by Mr V

No different from any top driver going to Toyota.

Does that mean that neither Ralf nor Jarno are top drivers, Mr V?