Rob Austin

AndyF · 16 Apr 2002, 21:51 (Ref:262559)

What do you guys reckon of Rob Austin. He's been in F3 for a while and not done much - but this seasons he's been in the top six in each race! I a win out of the question!?

pitpopsie · 16 Apr 2002, 22:06 (Ref:262579)

I think Robs got a good chance of winning a race this year, he seems to be going well. Good on him. x

Speedworx · 16 Apr 2002, 22:07 (Ref:262580)

He has picked up the pace as has his Menu team.

Tomgreen · 17 Apr 2002, 09:21 (Ref:262805)

seems almost too good to be true doesn't it........?(!)

rlinter · 17 Apr 2002, 11:31 (Ref:262924)

Rob is a talent, It was problem with the renault power last year that kept him from showing his full talent. If he can keep up the performance at the weekend I am inclined to agree with PP that he could well get a win.

NME · 17 Apr 2002, 11:44 (Ref:262946)

sdhfgdsfhgdsghf

<img src="http://212.54.131.131:4002/kart/skull.jpg">

BennyBoy1978 · 17 Apr 2002, 11:58 (Ref:262977)

Sorry NME want to try that again?

Jonny Apex · 17 Apr 2002, 12:34 (Ref:263018)

I have never been able to fathom out whether Rob is a very good driver but not quite good enough to go out and win races and championships or whether we've yet to see the very best of him.

He was, on his day, unbeatable in Formula Honda in 97. In Formula Renault in 98, however, he looked way out of his depth at times - Thruxton in qualifying he was close to 10 seconds off the pace.

The following year he switched teams from Menu to Manor and, with better knowledge of the cars and circuits, was much better. His team-mate was one Mr A Pizzonia. In what was the weakest ever Renault field in terms of numbers, Rob did the best that anyone in his position could have done. While Pizzonia was the dominant force and won just about every race, Rob finished 2nd in the championship. Among his triumphs, in the early part of the season, at least, he had the measure of one K Raikkonen (admittedly in an inferior Mygale) and on occasion did rattle Pizzonia. The Brazilian's answer to Rob's better start off the front row at Silverstone was to drive into him before Copse. At Donington later in the year, Rob did qualify on pole and then, at Croft, he scored his only win - when Pizzonia effectively eliminated himself at the first bend.

Rob I've also seen in tears within seconds of climbing from his car because someone - I'll not say who - has just told him, while he's still removing his helmet, that his drive to second was pathetic. He was still very much a kid then, as he was when he was injured in a road accident.

The last two years have been spent in the wilderness but now, hopefully, he has matured and has at his disposal the right package to start showing us what he can do. Maybe 2002 is when Rob answers my opening paragraph.

pitpopsie · 18 Apr 2002, 10:48 (Ref:263805)

HMMMM that was interesting!

Super Tourer · 18 Apr 2002, 11:32 (Ref:263834)

Jonny A

Are you alluding to his father in your post. The only reason I ask is that I saw Rob in a similar state of distress, whilst testing a F Renault, probably 4 or 5 years ago....

I think Win Percy was helping with driver coaching back then....

Rob always looks like a young kid who's always been pushed too me. When I first saw him at that Snett test, I couldn't believe how small and young he looked to be charging around Snett in the P*****g rain!

El_Gibleto · 18 Apr 2002, 19:09 (Ref:264208)

The contribution from Jony apex has summed up Rob Austin very well. The broken leg he sustained at the end of 1999 affected him very badly, also a number of situations in his private life had a serious effect on him, he has now matured and is able to show his ability. I would expect him to become a regular podium finisher.

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