The 2012 Driver transfer discussion/speculation thread

[Sach]

Colin Kolles Out At HRT



Part of their "new direction". Experienced, but his track record wasn't all that great even before HRT. Likely replacement?

 

[Hun200kmh]

Wasn't Kolles a co-owner of the team?

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

Ricciardo and Vergne for STR CONFIRMED

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Ricciardo and Vergne for STR CONFIRMED

Just saw that, Lotus surprised me but this is probably on a similar level, if not more surprising.


Also about Sutil, I think it will be a big mistake for Force India to let him go. He stepped up to the plate and delivered.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Luca Badoer
Pedro de la Rosa
Alexander Wurz

...spring to mind on the past couple of years.

Mika Salo
Roberto Moreno

You cant compare some old guys to Senna.

 

[SilverArrow]

Ricciardo and Vergne for STR CONFIRMED

Currently 5 of the top 10 trends in the UK are something to do with Toro Rosso.

 

[mattythedog]

Odd that STR drop both drivers...

 

[Hun200kmh]

I'm split about this. I can understand that new guys must be given a chance at F1 and if that's STR's mission I guess it's ok they completely change their lineup.

However, F1 is not capable of absorbing new talent and so, thanks to the very strict rules about testing, experienced drivers are a must have. In the midfield they are to be paired with pay drivers and that's about it.

 

[PeterJB]

This a risky move by STR that will probably backfire. They've established themselves this year as being able to comfortably beat the other midfield teams, but with two rookies next they could be back to square one.

 

[Tom]

This a risky move by STR that will probably backfire. They've established themselves this year as being able to comfortably beat the other midfield teams, but with two rookies next they could be back to square one.

Very true but Vergne and Ricciardo have both shown strong pace, with Vergne showing strong pace in the Young Drivers Test and Ricciardo in the HRT, comfortably out-qualifying Liuzzi on some occasions. Sure it's a risky decision, but it could pay off..

 

[F1 fan]

You cant compare some old guys to Senna.

You can. As it happens, Wurz, Moreno and Salo were all highly regarded at one point. Salo gave away a win for Ferrari, Moreno was always pretty handy (supersub) and Wurz impressed immediately with a podium in his third race. Hell even, Badoer performed decently in terrible machinery. He almost scored some points at the nurburgring too.

Senna has been quite good on occasion in qualifying, but that's it really. Pace is ok, qualifying is ok, races, not so good. And what's with the "old guys" comment?

Ricciardo and Vergne for STR CONFIRMED

That is a surprise. It was obvious that at least one of them was going. I thought Alguersuari would be sticking around though. This will be a very interesting situation at STR next year. They may have shot themselves in the foot as has been suggested, but you never know... Ricciardo and Vergne could turn out to be an excellent pairing.

 

[MagpieRacer]

How old were Wurz and Salo when they got their second chances?

 

[F1 fan]

How old were Wurz and Salo when they got their second chances?

I assume you're talking about when Salo joined Toyota and when Wurz stepped in at Mclaren in 2005. Salo was 36 and performed well. Wurz is only 37 now.

 

[Tom]

I assume you're talking about when Salo joined Toyota and when Wurz stepped in at Mclaren in 2005. Salo was 36 and performed well. Wurz is only 37 now.

Wurz also raced for Williams during 2007. 👍

 

[Sureboss]

This a risky move by STR that will probably backfire. They've established themselves this year as being able to comfortably beat the other midfield teams, but with two rookies next they could be back to square one.

Position on the grid/championship isn't the ultimate goal of STR though.

 

[F1 fan]

Wurz also raced for Williams during 2007. 👍

I know, but technically, that was his third chance.

 

[toyotsupra]

Surprising move from STR I though they would at least keep Jamie and drop Buemi

 

[Tom]

I know, but technically, that was his third chance.

True, and let's be honest he did have a bit of a crap year....

 

[SagarisGTB]

It will be a huge waste of talent if Jaime and Buemi don't get seats next year. Would be a travesty. STR were developing two of the better drivers on the grid and they just dropped them without giving either a chance against a different benchmark teammate. The only F1 teammate either have had other than themselves, was Bourdais and Buemi beat him as a 20-year old rookie.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Ricciardo and Vergne for STR CONFIRMED

Quite shocked too see them both out of a drive. Will be a pity if they have to fight over an HRT seat.

 

[Akmuq]

Most drivers don't get a second chance. Senna did. Timo Glock did. Romain Grosjean is getting his. Nico Hulkenberg might be. But I can't really name anybody else who got a second bite at the apple. And based on his performances in 2011, I can't really see why Senna should get a third.

Senna did everything that he could do at HRT, he clearly showed potential and he wouldn't have needed a second chance if HRT were a team which could make up their mind about drivers, seriously, 7 drivers in 2 seasons, it says more about the quality of the team rather then the quality of the drivers. Renault was his first chance, he didn't get a chance at HRT.

 

[corporatesteve]

Total shock at STR, but then again this is not the best team to be as a new driver.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Renault was his first chance, he didn't get a chance at HRT.

He had every chance at HRT. Colin Kolles wanted to replace him mid-season, but Adrian Campos had signed him up on a contract that guaranteed him a full season with the team. And Kolles was less than flattering of Senna, stating that a driver (Valsecchi) who had just one afternoon with the car at the young driver tests had managed to learn more about it than "some drivers" who drove it for a full season.

But even if, by some bizarre twist of internal logic, everyone up and down pit lane said "It's okay, Bruno, your 2010 season doesn't really count", Senna still blew his chance at Renault since he doesn't have a drive for 2011. There are only four seats left, and that is expected to become two with an announcement of Force India's drivers tonight.

Stop trying to explain away Senna's faults. He just isn't good enough for Formula 1. We all know that if it were any other drive, both you and Peter wouldn't spare him.

 

[Akmuq]

Stop trying to explain away Senna's faults. He just isn't good enough for Formula 1. We all know that if it were any other drive, both you and Peter wouldn't spare him.

I've never been Senna-mad like Peter was, I don't know where you're getting that image from. He's good but I think Petrov is better, they should both have teams for 2012.

And besides, Kolles wanted to replace everyone mid-season.

 

[C-ZETA]

Ricciardo and Vergne for STR CONFIRMED

Whoa...Buemi's leave was inevitable, but taking Alguersuari too? That's the incorrect answer, my friends.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Wow. Two weeks ago, we had no French drivers. Now we have three French drivers, and I'm not entirely sure how we got here. With the current state of the grid, France has gone from not being represented at all, to being the second-most represented nation in Formula 1.

I do admit that I'm a little disappointed that we've lost some of the diversity on the grid. We have three French drivers, but we have no Russian, Belgian, Swiss or Indian drivers.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Maybe Jamie will get hired over at HRT. Oh and I know it's not a driver transfer but it's still heavy news; Colin Kolles has left HRT.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Well, he'll have competition. Giedo van der Garde is said to be turning heads with his bank balance, and Vitaly Petrov brings both money and experience. Both are believed to be lobbying for the seat. Alguersuari's biggest drawcard would be his nationality - and backing from Cepsa certainly won't hurt his case.

 

[Tom]

But we have no Russian, Belgian, Swiss or Indian drivers.

At the moment, don't forget Marussia's announcement about Petrov. Grosjean is part Swiss don't forget. 💡 And as for the Indian and Belgian Drivers? Unlikely..

 

[Sach]

Don't forget Marussia's announcement about Petrov...

Huh?