Who will replace Albers?

[Super Hans]

Yes, his Nationality is un-important. He got the drive because he has finance, and has proved to be a competent F1 driver.

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Yes, his Nationality is un-important. He got the drive because he has finance, and has proved to be a competent F1 driver.

But less so in GP2. Q.E.D., GP2 is better than F1!

[Mekola]

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

Spyker will also have a new sponsor: Easycar rental (but that is'nt confirmed yet)

In fact the new sponsor they have is Sanho Human Services, that you could see in the front bottom of Yamamoto's helmet in the pic from the link above.

[Born Racer]

Didn't Heidfeld shout at Yamamoto last year about something thinking that he was Sato?!

[Down F0rce]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Didn't Heidfeld shout at Yamamoto last year about something thinking that he was Sato?!

Yes, bring Yamamoto to tears no less. Nick did apologise for his mistake though. The video of the argument used to be on YouTube.

[Fiorentina 1]

He brings $22 million dollars. Man, that's a lot of money to be driving around the back in a Spyker. Where did the money come from BTW?

I think it might calculate at something like 30 grand a lap or something....

[DSM]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

didnt see that one coming. did anyone pick that as an option?
anyways im glad for him for getting another crack at F1.

also not sure what his nationality has to do with it, this was a choice that came down to a combination of timing, money, and ability. i mean really, someone had to get the seat, either you think its a good choice or you dont, that should be enough.

Must have been prefect timing or an AWFUL lot of money then...............

[Dutton]

22 million? Holy crap. That is an outrageous amount of money.

Surely that is a pay-driver record?

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally Posted by darcym

Another garbage Jap driver.......great. Just what the grid needs.

Comments of this type regarding a driver's nationality are not welcome on this form, and frankly, have nothing to do with the discussion.

[steve nielsen]

Originally Posted by Mekola

In fact the new sponsor they have is Sanho Human Services, that you could see in the front bottom of Yamamoto's helmet in the pic from the link above.

I know, it was meant sarcastic

[darcym]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

Comments of this type regarding a driver's nationality are not welcome on this form, and frankly, have nothing to do with the discussion.

????? This is not a racist thing.

We now have on the grid another 3rd rate japanese driver who is on the grid due to $$$$.

I cannot think of a Japanese driver of any quality that has acheived any results in F1 or lasted any legnth of time in F1 due to skill. I hope thats better worded for you.

The comment is "Great, another driver from Japan, which as a nationality has never proved any real sustainable tallent in F1 that I can think of"

Which todays early practice times (admitly not really reflecting true pace) provide an early sign that he will be off the pace....again.

[WapFlap]

Aguri Suzuki wasn't bad. Takuma Sato is doing okay.

[darcym]

they are not "merrit" F1 drivers though,

Sato had to have a team created for him.

Thats not to say he can't drive his overall package just doesn't appear to fit into F1.

There are some big Sato fans and I admit to not being one of them, however I'm not a anti-sato either.

In my view Japan has not created and drivers who warrent being in F1 for any other reason than marketing and $$ so by this I mean "great another no good Japanese driver joining F1 for financial/marketing reasons"

Yes there could be a "not so good" german or rubbish brit, but there has never been a "wow" jap driver.

I hope that clears up my commnent a little.

[Mekola]

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

He brings $22 million dollars. Man, that's a lot of money to be driving around the back in a Spyker. Where did the money come from BTW?

I think it might calculate at something like 30 grand a lap or something....

If these are the numbers, it looks rather expensive for the drive. It seems to be an agreement between Super Aguri and Spyker, where the first helps financially the other, renting a drive for its reserve driver, but with a clause where there will be no more accusations to the legality of SA chassis.

After that, the van der Garde affair et al, it's nice to see a happy ending between SA and Spyker. Hope that McLaren and Ferrari could do the same.

[Dutton]

Originally Posted by MichaelH

and I think it's nuts to suggest he'll be more than 1.5sec away from Sutil. He won't.

Are you sure about this? His pace to date has been over 1.5 seconds behind Sutil, and I think that will remain. I will add that this is exactly what I thought pre race-weekend.

[Rick]

.1 at the moment (6 mins left Sat Practice)

[JamesRamone]

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

He brings $22 million dollars. Man, that's a lot of money to be driving around the back in a Spyker. Where did the money come from BTW?

I think it might calculate at something like 30 grand a lap or something....

Im sorry but whats your source on that? As frankly i think those figures are way out. For less than half a season id look at around $6 million at a push

Silly mistake today from Yam, proving his critics right. I thought he had picked up at least a stray point in GP2, but saw the standings today and he was on Zero. I know its all about money, but i would have liked to have seen Klien in the car

[spider]

outside of Hamilton and Rosberg, for reputation-in-the-paddock I'm sure Sutil can't believe just how well this season has gone for him. Having Yamamoot in the other car will just add to that reputation. Interesting to see how he gets on with the updated car...

[darcym]

probably 1.52 seconds of Sutil - rather than 1.5 dead.