2009 Mclaren Autosport young driver awards - Page 2

krt917 · 24 Oct 2009, 15:04 (Ref:2568726)

Hi all,

It's interesting to hear the views on whether we should invite back people who have been there before. I can see the argument in both directions, but the view taken is that someone who has done a good job a second (or third) time shouldn't be discounted just because they have had a brilliant season earlier in their career!

When it comes to the test, the judges do take into account the previous experience of the drivers, including whether they have done the award tests before or not. Obviously, the more experienced a driver is, the better they are expected to do.

There also seems to be some confusion as to how the decision is made. Basicallly, the judges select the six (or five for 2007-08) based on what they have done over the course of the season and, where relevant, what they have done earlier in their careers (after much debate it has to be said!). After that it is judged purely on what they do at the tests (and related interviews etc.). That is why someone like Sims, who lost the FR title to Christo, can then beat that person to the award. Their season performance just gets them the opportunity to be chosen.

Having been involved as a judge for the first time last year I can say that it is far, far less political than people think (yes, I know, you're thinking that I would say that!) and comes down to how the drivers perform on the day.

I shan't at this point go into my views on the respective merits of different series, but I will say I am very much looking forward to seeing how the drivers get on this year.

Oh, and to answer an ealrier question, there is no FPA Shootout this year.

Regards,
Kevin Turner
Autosport National Editor and award judge

sceptic · 24 Oct 2009, 21:13 (Ref:2568894)

Quote:

Originally Posted by krt917

Hi all,

It's interesting to hear the views on whether we should invite back people who have been there before. I can see the argument in both directions, but the view taken is that someone who has done a good job a second (or third) time shouldn't be discounted just because they have had a brilliant season earlier in their career!

In theory, you are correct.

BUT, nobody has ever won the award on their second (or third) nomination, so isn't that place on the final six wasted every time a previous nominee returns?

The SpeCTator · 24 Oct 2009, 22:07 (Ref:2568922)

Chrissy Palmer for me, 2 years ago he was in Stock Hatch, now he has just won the FFF.

krt917 · 27 Oct 2009, 14:13 (Ref:2570784)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceptic

In theory, you are correct.

BUT, nobody has ever won the award on their second (or third) nomination, so isn't that place on the final six wasted every time a previous nominee returns?

I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure Dario Franchitti (second time) and Jonny Kane (third time) won the award after being nominated in previous years. It does mean you really have to be on it, but it's not impossible...

Richard B · 13 Nov 2009, 20:45 (Ref:2581582)

Stefan Wilson (award winner 2007) had his McLaren F1 test today at Silverstone.
He did 20 laps of the National circuit in very wet and windy conditions, not ideal for your first F1 test; he said he was wheel spinning in 5th gear on the straights. He had one off at Luffield putting into the gravel, unsuprising given the conditions, but that aside did a good job.

jab · 13 Nov 2009, 21:27 (Ref:2581604)

Have Turvey and Sims had their tests yet?

Richard B · 13 Nov 2009, 23:40 (Ref:2581651)

I don't think so, either of them. Didn't Turvey win the award the year before Wilson?

runshaw · 14 Nov 2009, 01:20 (Ref:2581673)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Didn't Turvey win the award the year before Wilson?

Yes he did. Funnily enough Anthony Davidson is still waiting for his Mclaren test after winning the award back in 2000!

jab · 14 Nov 2009, 12:23 (Ref:2581839)

I'm not sure if Gareth Rees and Steven Kane had their tests either. Anyone know if they did?

Richard B · 14 Nov 2009, 13:10 (Ref:2581853)

I know Steven Kane had his test.

kipper · 15 Nov 2009, 19:40 (Ref:2582418)

Quote:

Originally Posted by runshaw

Funnily enough Anthony Davidson is still waiting for his Mclaren test after winning the award back in 2000!

I would assume that the McLaren tests take place only when drivers are not contracted to other teams. In the case of Davidson, he signed was a test driver for BAR from 2001, which grew into roles at Honda and Super Aguri. As such there may not have been time to arrange a McLaren test.

sauber11 · 22 Nov 2009, 14:31 (Ref:2587197)

http://italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=25606&cat=1
Turvey to test mclaren at Jerez.

strider · 6 Dec 2009, 22:50 (Ref:2595108)

Tonight's the night. The decision will be known before long

kipper · 6 Dec 2009, 23:31 (Ref:2595127)

Dean Smith wins the award.

strider · 6 Dec 2009, 23:32 (Ref:2595128)

You beat me to it!

A good choice in my opinion.

In fact:

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

I've had a re-think. James Calado doesn't need the money or the publicity. He's already backed by the Racing Steps Foundation and has signed up with Carlin to do British F3 next year.

My favourite would be Dean Smith, who doesn't seem to have a lot of money but has a very good CV. Formula BMW champion in 2005 and Formula Renault champion this year, ahead of Calado. Note: needs to update his website.

He had one meeting in British F3 at the end of 2008 and beat the much-vaunted Marcus Ericsson head-to-head.

This is the sort of guy who should win the Award, in my opinion.

runshaw · 7 Dec 2009, 01:00 (Ref:2595175)

Excellent news, good on him! He is aiming for GP3, hopefully with the prize fund he will be able to seal a drive. And i'm sure he'd be a title contender.

Deemun · 7 Dec 2009, 11:30 (Ref:2595398)

Quote:

Originally Posted by runshaw

Excellent news, good on him! He is aiming for GP3, hopefully with the prize fund he will be able to seal a drive. And i'm sure he'd be a title contender.

Congratulations to Dean. Definately among the 2 drivers that I would have chosen altough I'm not sure how much use £50k will be towards a GP3 or even British F3 budget for that matter. If BRDC/Autosport genuinly wishes to contribute towards budget then at least double this amount needs to be awarded.

One thing I would like clarified, and obviously this didn't apply just to Dean, has the ruling on previously or currently competing in F3 or equivilent formula been relaxed?

JohnMiller · 7 Dec 2009, 11:34 (Ref:2595402)

I don't think you can have competed in the top class in any serious F3.

Dean did one meeting in BF3 Class A, but it was just the one meeting and over a year ago.

ivanalesi · 7 Dec 2009, 12:00 (Ref:2595418)

Congrats to Smith, he had also solid Eurocup outings, also a podium in his only one this season. Seems like the right guy won, at last. Remember Wilson?

Btw, may be it's not the correct thread, but what is going on with Nick Tandy? I just wanted to see a guy who started in Minis to drive F1 McLaren and he's pretty talented

50-SIX · 7 Dec 2009, 13:51 (Ref:2595476)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanalesi

Btw, may be it's not the correct thread, but what is going on with Nick Tandy? I just wanted to see a guy who started in Minis to drive F1 McLaren and he's pretty talented

Would have been nice.
He's more than pretty talented in my opinion. If the guy has decent kit i.e. comparable to the rest of the grid, he will always be at the front. And one of the most aggresive and best racers I know. See Oulton park 2009 R2 for evidence, amongst countless other examples.

I just hope he picks up a drive for 2010. He deserves to be in a top line c'ship in a top car.

Sorry for going off-topic.

**chunterer** · 9 Dec 2009, 12:12 (Ref:2596615)

Good news for sensibility. A driver wins the award that needs some backing and recognition.

I hope he actually does F3 rather than GP3, minf you he'd have more chance of winning the former as it'll probably be a series where it's down to the driver more than team/car, at least in its inaugural season?

Mak · 9 Dec 2009, 16:30 (Ref:2596756)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Good news for sensibility. A driver wins the award that needs some backing and recognition.

I hope he actually does F3 rather than GP3, minf you he'd have more chance of winning the former as it'll probably be a series where it's down to the driver more than team/car, at least in its inaugural season?

I believe JTR proved this theory to be totally wrong. Most teams out their with the right driver and resourses are capable. Just need the driver to believe in the team. Unfortunately most drivers like to use the excuse that they were with the wrong team when not winning, rather than making it work.
Agreed that its a good choice, Smith, but will need alot more money to run in either F3 or GP3. May be another top driver needing to go the F2 route.

strider · 9 Dec 2009, 17:04 (Ref:2596774)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mak

I believe JTR proved this theory to be totally wrong. Most teams out their with the right driver and resourses are capable. Just need the driver to believe in the team. Unfortunately most drivers like to use the excuse that they were with the wrong team when not winning, rather than making it work.
Agreed that its a good choice, Smith, but will need a lot more money to run in either F3 or GP3. Maybe another top driver needing to go the F2 route.

If he chooses to go the BF3 route, he has a chance with Teamcraft and although they are new as a team, the personnel certainly are not. He has already tested with them and they liked him.

I'm just wondering how much (if any) of a disadvantage it will be to have a Mercedes engine. VW seem determined to steamroller everyone, whilst Mercedes are spending a shed load of money in F1.

runshaw · 9 Dec 2009, 18:02 (Ref:2596805)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mak

Agreed that its a good choice, Smith, but will need alot more money to run in either F3 or GP3. May be another top driver needing to go the F2 route.

Well he is indeed doing the F2 test at Portimao this week.

miniman · 9 Dec 2009, 23:01 (Ref:2596974)

Sorry I usually subscribe to the theory if you can't say anything nice then don't speak, but puleeeese! FOUR YEARS to win Formula Renault! and consistent, yes, but boring both on and off track!

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