Nigel Roebuck on Mika Salo

PaulSands · 17 Dec 2003, 11:38 (Ref:813904)

While answering a question on Jan Lammers over in his Auto Sprout online column he refers to Mika Salo thus:
For years and years, people kept saying that Mika Salo was the great unrealised talent in racing, but when he went to Ferrari for a time, replacing Michael Schumacher when he hurt himself at Silverstone in '99, he did a competent job, but no more than that.

I think that's a little too dismissive given that he was brought in to support Irvine and that he effectively won the German GP and also claimed a third place at Monza.
Some drivers have made careers on less

**Adam43** · 17 Dec 2003, 12:14 (Ref:813939)

I sort of agree. However, dismissive is a little unfair as it was only part of a bigger question.

Salo did a good job on the quick (top speed) circuits, but was off pace on the slow circuits like Hungary. So I think competent too, but that is not a bad thing. After all his only comparison as a team mate was Irvine, who was IMHO competent.

PaulSands · 17 Dec 2003, 12:32 (Ref:813956)

I want sure of the best word to use I just felt it was a touch on the unfair side..especially given Salo had been super subbing all year and slotted quickly in

Mr V · 17 Dec 2003, 12:41 (Ref:813973)

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulSands

I think that's a little too dismissive given that he was brought in to support Irvine and that he effectively won the German GP and also claimed a third place at Monza.
Some drivers have made careers on less

He drove well at Monza and Germany, as you say, but he was awful at Austria and Hungary, i think thats what Nigel means.

At Austria, he hit Herbert from behind, when he finally came in for a new nose he came out near the back.

After the second corner, Hakkinen resumed at the back, Hakkinen came 3rd, Salo 12th (??) Hakkinen drove his way through the field, Salo seemed content to stay where he was.

EERO · 17 Dec 2003, 12:53 (Ref:813992)

I agree, I never thought that Salo was any more than competant. Good on Roebuck.

The only reason that he had a chance to win in Germany is that Hakkinen suffered a puncture when well ahead of the field.

The fact that TOYOTA replaced him after one season should reinforce this fact. Salo was good enough to earn an F1 drive, not good enough to keep it.

BootsOntheSide · 17 Dec 2003, 13:00 (Ref:814006)

'Competant' is enough reallyfair. He did very well at Monza, especially when you consider that Irvine tended to go well there, but Austria and Hungary were pretty atrocious performances. At the time Jean ALesi felt that Badoer would've been a better choice, and I've seen nothing to make me disagree.

DriverT · 17 Dec 2003, 13:23 (Ref:814024)

Yes, I'd agree with "competent". He's not a great driver.

Badoer would have been no better, as he holds the record for the most number of races without scoring a single point, doesn't he?

flexible-flyer · 17 Dec 2003, 17:48 (Ref:814302)

i think salo did both very good and very bad in ferrari. one race he was leading the other he was getting lapped by his teamamte.

429CJ · 17 Dec 2003, 18:41 (Ref:814357)

Salo didn't have Schumi's 'gadgets', like traction control device.

DriverT · 17 Dec 2003, 19:06 (Ref:814375)

Did Irvine?

flexible-flyer · 17 Dec 2003, 21:28 (Ref:814517)

well no. if you think barrichello has/has had it bad at ferrari then you only need to look at irvines time in ferrari to see number 2 drivers at thier most unfair times!

mountainstar · 17 Dec 2003, 22:10 (Ref:814569)

Salo was a good driver, but never was great.

Jordi · 17 Dec 2003, 22:35 (Ref:814605)

Quote:

Originally posted by DriverT
Badoer would have been no better, as he holds the record for the most number of races without scoring a single point, doesn't he?

He holds that record, but he has only been able to drive for Scuderia Italia, Forti and Minardi. I'm pretty sure he would be more than competent. He was after all a F3000 champion.

Wrex · 18 Dec 2003, 06:43 (Ref:814841)

Quote:

Originally posted by 429CJ
Salo didn't have Schumi's 'gadgets', like traction control device.

One in every group is'nt there.

Salo was OK. He's better than most of the pay drivers that come in, but not a WDC. But then, most of them are'nt.

mac · 21 Dec 2003, 10:30 (Ref:817324)

I thought he did a pretty good job considering he just slotted straight into the team. Winning any GP in a situation like that is pretty impressive.

f1manoz · 21 Dec 2003, 11:08 (Ref:817345)

Salo did a good enough job when he was at Ferrari, considering he had little time to really mould himself into the seat. He was paid to simply sub, and if he could stop others from scoring and help Irvine, then that was good.

He had a couple of good races and a couple of bad. IMO he was always going to be expected to struggle at certain places...

But, granted, Salo is/was nothing special.

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