Drivers for 2006

[Andrew R]

lol. Touché.


I'm impressed with Toyota this year actually, they've been really consistant.

 

[Lee]

I'd like to note to you that Toyota is doing much better than BAR this season.

Blake

Just realised that lol

Maybe the new BMW team then...

 

[m7ammed]

why would a German team have Japanese driver? thats just weired

 

[kensei]

I still can not see why BMW would want JV for anything. Any technical input he could offer could be doubled by someone like Nick Heidfeild, Alex Wurz, Pedro de la Rosa, Ant Davidson even Takuma Sato. Quick Nick is the most logical driver for them IMO with someone like Ant Davidson, depending on what goes on and BAR.

I just can't see any value in JV, he was washed up years ago, if he ever had any value.

 

[Lee]

Nationality isnt everything you know.... thats just being racist to some extent.

Sato is a good driver its just the BAR is Built up around Button who has a completly different style to Sato, so he would find it much harder.

Davidson should get a drive next season, years of testing must have done him some justice. His testing abilities could very well help new teams such as BMW or Midland get a competitive car.

Yeah JV is past his best before date by 8 years....

 

[Blake]

It may be racist, but it happens. British teams want British drivers so they can get British sponsors that appeal to the British crowds etc. etc. It's usually not the deciding factor but it does help.

Blake

 

[Lee]

It may be racist, but it happens. British teams want British drivers so they can get British sponsors that appeal to the British crowds etc. etc. It's usually not the deciding factor but it does help.

Blake

But then why dont Ferrari use italian drivers and McLaren dont use german drivers and even Minardi dont use italians.

Yes BAR and Red Bull both have drivers that are the same nationality for the team, but they are talented drivers.

 

[Blake]

McLaren is British

As I said, it's not the deciding factor, talent (and, in the entry level teams, sponsorship) have a much greater effect. But you can't tell me that race has no effect on it.

I really think you're twisitng my words and saying that because an engine supplier is Japanese they will keep a Japanese driver at all costs, I'm not saying that at all.

Blake

 

[Lee]

McLaren is British

As I said, it's not the deciding factor, talent (and, in the entry level teams, sponsorship) have a much greater effect. But you can't tell me that race has no effect on it.

I really think you're twisitng my words and saying that because an engine supplier is Japanese they will keep a Japanese driver at all costs, I'm not saying that at all.

Blake

Ok ok ok lets not get into a fight here lol im not trying to twist your words i think i just misunderstood you.

Sorry if you were offended and i ment McLaren are german because of the Merc Engines, should have sed that instead of McLaren lol my bad.

*offers hand shake*

 

[m7ammed]

will the Merc engines are made in England I think , I didn't mean my comment as racist thing , but as Blake said having a German driver on a German team will get them more sponsors , And I think Sato and Nick are on the same level as Racing driver maybe Nick is better so they would prefer getting a German , wouldn't you want to see a man from your country driving for a team from your country? I would , so would the germans

 

[Lee]

will the Merc engines are made in England I think , I didn't mean my comment as racist thing , but as Blake said having a German driver on a German team will get them more sponsors , And I think Sato and Nick are on the same level as Racing driver maybe Nick is better so they would prefer getting a German , wouldn't you want to see a man from your country driving for a team from your country? I would , so would the germans

Well im communist so i dont see nationality as a difference, we are all the same after all so nope i wouldnt really mind what nationality the drivers would be.

 

[usernamed]

"In other news, what about Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz, both test drivers for McLaren? They both seem to be very impressive and able to drive well."

They have amazing speed, always on top on fridays, but they just aren't ready for racing yet. When de la Rosa raced earlier this season, he couldn't race against the other drivers. He knows how to put in a quckie, but he still needs more race experience.

About JV, seeing as I'm his only supporter on GTP, I'll have to stop talking about him. Although, I still believe that he'll be at BMW next year. He's got a contract to drive for TWO years. He'll be there for TWO years. He's not there for the money, so they can't buy him off.

"I still can not see why BMW would want JV for anything. Any technical input he could offer could be doubled by someone like Nick Heidfeild"

Why did Sauber hire JV? Because he was a WC. He knows (knew at least) what it takes to win. Therefore, a rare asset in F1.

Just accept it. JV and Nick will be racing for BMW next year.

Barrichello at BAR...Feels fishy. Sure, last year BAR seemed unstoppable, but now, I just don't believe they can win a race (under normal circumstances). But then again, I'm happy he left Ferrari. It seems like they were treating him like crap.

I saw a couple mentions of Hakkinen. Wow. C'mon guys, he's out. He's not coming back.

Massa at Ferrari will be interesting. He's proven himself as a mature driver this year, and could be the best thing Ferrari needs right now. A young, fast and reliable driver.

At this point in the season, I'm feeling kinda sad for Michael. He doesn't have that "I am God" grin anymore, and I'm starting to miss it now...

Weber's story is really sad. He raised the roof at Jaguar, but now, Williams sucks. Which makes him look like crap. Too bad, hope that Cosworth is really competitive, or else Williams is going to start looking like Jordan...

Button? Well...I just dont give a ****. He gets my over-rated average driver award.

Monza...will be interesting. Probably a Ferrari pole/podium. Followed by the Flying Fin. That guy still blows me away. He (and McLaren) almost deserves the title more then Flalonso. Montoya on the other hand, deserves a slap. Yes. **** happens, but so it can teach you a lesson. Get your act together, you could win as much as Kimi if you concentrated a little more.


That's my input for now.

Argue! 👍

 

[Mclaren_Man]

I still reckon the only reason that BAR were so successfull last year was the fact that Mclaren, Renault and Williams all dropped the ball, so BAR had to fill in the blanks. However now that they have full commitment from Honda it will only be time until they become competitive again, Rubens going to BAR should be interesting as they have never had a really experienced driver (except for JV back in the day when they were nothing), i think that rubens can bring good experience to the team which will also give them a boost.

 

[Blake]

"In other news, what about Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz, both test drivers for McLaren? They both seem to be very impressive and able to drive well."

They have amazing speed, always on top on fridays, but they just aren't ready for racing yet. When de la Rosa raced earlier this season, he couldn't race against the other drivers. He knows how to put in a quckie, but he still needs more race experience.

You only mentioned de la Rosa there. You must remember Wurz is also a great race driver. He came 3rd at Imola, he put in a very fast and mature drive. Back when he was actually racing he was very fast and he did a good job. I really think he deserves a race drive next year. But, as with most test drivers, he will probably be doing endless laps around empty tracks for the rest of his career.

I still reckon the only reason that BAR were so successfull last year was the fact that Mclaren, Renault and Williams all dropped the ball, so BAR had to fill in the blanks. However now that they have full commitment from Honda it will only be time until they become competitive again, Rubens going to BAR should be interesting as they have never had a really experienced driver (except for JV back in the day when they were nothing), i think that rubens can bring good experience to the team which will also give them a boost.

Remember last year, BAR didn't really understand why there car was so fast. It was almost a fluke. This year they're clawing back speed again after a disasterous start to the season (though they've pretty much always had reasonable fundamental speed this year). I'm not sure if they can do it next year, but I think if they're not really competetive next year they will be the year after.

The Japanese teams (including BAR, even though they're British) have huge potential with great engines and alot of financial backing. They should be up there in a few seasons.

Blake

 

[Lee]

You only mentioned de la Rosa there. You must remember Wurz is also a great race driver. He came 3rd at Imola, he put in a very fast and mature drive. Back when he was actually racing he was very fast and he did a good job. I really think he deserves a race drive next year. But, as with most test drivers, he will probably be doing endless laps around empty tracks for the rest of his career.

I agree,

But there really isn't many top end drives available anymores only BAR (and thts only if Button and Sato go) and BMW come to mind...

 

[Blake]

Exactly, so many drivers, not enough cars. I really see Red Bull comming into problems in comming years, they have all these great young drivers in GP2 and other series, but no where to put them in higher tiers of motorsport.

Blake

 

[Lee]

Exactly, so many drivers, not enough cars. I really see Red Bull comming into problems in comming years, they have all these great young drivers in GP2 and other series, but no where to put them in higher tiers of motorsport.

Blake

But is there any rule to not allow 3 car teams?

 

[Blake]

Yes, each team must field only 2 cars.

Blake

 

[Lee]

Oh right fair enough.

Also clickage

Wow there is a real big tussle now going on for the 2nd seat at BAR, If Button goes than i would hire Hiedfeld or Davidson for sure.

 

[Roo]

But then why dont Ferrari use italian drivers and McLaren dont use german drivers and even Minardi dont use italians.

Yes BAR and Red Bull both have drivers that are the same nationality for the team, but they are talented drivers.

Ferrari doesn't use Italian drivers because it chooses not to - the tifosi will follow anyone winning for Ferrari, regardless of nationality.

Minardi will have anyone who'll give them money.

I'm pretty sure Sato has kept his BAR seat at various points over the last few years purely because he's Japanese, same as Honda, which helps the PR people do their thing in Japan. In the end, it all boils down to money.

I first got into F1 in 1996, when there was a British driver in a British team (Damon Hill for Williams), and they were winning a lot. I didn't like Michael Schumacher much on the basis that he was German (I was 10, immature and had just finished studying the Second World War at school, OK?) and then even more so when I poked the history books and read about Adeilade 1994. Even now I look for British drivers in any new motorsport series.

Edit: Yes, I'm a bit behind with the times in this thread.

I doubt Heidfeld would go to BAR. Williams possibly, or BMW more likely, but not BAR.

 

[Blake]

Oh right fair enough.

Also clickage

Wow there is a real big tussle now going on for the 2nd seat at BAR, If Button goes than i would hire Hiedfeld or Davidson for sure.

I think Davidson will be racing for Midland next year, I don't see any reason why BAR would hire him as a race driver.

Blake

 

[Lee]

I think Davidson will be racing for Midland next year, I don't see any reason why BAR would hire him as a race driver.

Blake

Well If BAR don't get Button then they will want someone young and one that has experience in an F1 car, Davidson fits both of them.

(Its great because i could somehow be related to him, im english and my surname is Davidson too )

 

[Lee]

This driver could have a scene in Midlands future..

Clickage

 

[Blake]

Ok, now almost everything is sorted. The only real seat up for grabs is the #2 Midland seat, which could go to either Davidson, or Tiago. If this goes to Davidson, it will be Sato in BAR #2 seat, if it goes to Tiago I have a feeling Davidson will be racing for BAR.

Now, not all drivers in my list are certain for 2006, but I really feel this is how it will turn out.

Blake

 

[Lee]

If this goes to Davidson, it will be Sato in BAR #2 seat,

Noooo end the Sato nightmare already... that man has blown races more often than I have done homework...

 

[Blake]

Would that be hard?

Blake

 

[Lee]

i walked into that one..

But seriously BAR must be getting annoyed with Sato underachieving whilst his team mate in the same car is starting to get on the podium again... Theres plenty of talent down the grid and with their younger stars in training (Adam carroll i think is his name..) then why bother with a bloke who can't cross the finish line in so many races?

 

[Omnis]

Because he has the number four. He's doing bad so he can get a 7 or something next year.

 

[Lee]

Oooooooh of course..

 

[Blake]

It's now official, Nick Hiedfeld will be driving for BMW from 2006-2008. They made no mention of a second driver, which begs the question, will JV be driving there in 2006?

Blake