2010 F1 Teams/Drivers Silly Season Edition - Page 4 - theRACINGLINE.net

Nick · 7th October 2009, 05:13 PM

Kubica likes him, and he's a better prospect than Grosjean for sure. Though it wouldn't surprise me if they put di Grassi in the second Renault. With a decent amount of testing I think he'd do better than Grosjean ever would. No disrespect to Romain but he's never really seemed to have the spark of a driver that could go on to win Grands Prix.

The rumour is that Kubica wants Heikki to partner him at Renault, just depends on how much influence he'll have I guess. I think Heikki's going to end up being a Fisichella-type driver who excells in the midfield but for whatever reason just doesn't quite work at the sharp end of the grid (that's more with reference to Fisi's Sauber stint before joining Renault than the unusual situation of this season) and as such maybe Force India or a new team could be a good fit for him.

If I was Bob Bell at Renault I'd be looking at someone who will always try his best no matter how the car is performing to slot into the second seat - Kubica can be fantastic when the car's underneath him but he can be equally as anonymous when it isn't. Funnily enough Heidfeld is an almost perfect foil to him so him, or a driver of his type, would be my pick.

The Kimi-RBR rumour all seems to be based on one quote from his manager which seemed designed to get the teams they're currently in negotiations with to get a move on as he went on to say that Kimi wants to know if he'll have a top drive for 2010 by the end of the season. But time will tell I suppose.

Ajay · 7th October 2009, 05:23 PM

Grosjean's a weird one.. in his 2 seasons of GP2 and 1 season of GP2 Asia he completely dominated the first event of the season. But then just seemed to collapse in the middle like the England Cricket Team.

Di Grassi on the other hand has always been consistent, but never looked capable of stepping it up that little bit extra to win races or a title. in 2007 he finished 2nd to Glock because he finished on the podium most races, but he never looked like a race winner and blamed it all on the team (who had just won the teams and drivers titles twice in a row with Hamilton and Rosberg). In 08 he was impressive when he joined the series late season, but then last season he was back on 07 form and never looked anywhere near fast enough again.

Oddly enough you could say the same about Kovalainen's form in GP2, Once everything had settled down in that first season he never really looked like a champion even though he led the championship up until the penultimate weeked. His form was kinda like Buttons has been this season in that respect.

Brickles · 7th October 2009, 06:08 PM

Blame the rules for Grosjean's lack of form at Renault.

They should change the rules, so that whenever a driver comes in mid-season, he gets a 2 or 3 days test to familiarise himself to the car.

And on the 14 teams situation... return of pre-qualifying?

Kris · 7th October 2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brickles

Blame the rules for Grosjean's lack of form at Renault.

They should change the rules, so that whenever a driver comes in mid-season, he gets a 2 or 3 days test to familiarise himself to the car.

And on the 14 teams situation... return of pre-qualifying?

That's what you get when you sack a driver mid-season. So no need to alter the rules IMO.

J i m · 7th October 2009, 07:20 PM

Grosjean had some tests for Renault before the testing ban though, and obviously plenty of milage in GP2. He's been far better prepared than Alugersuie in that respect who had barley ever sat in a F1 car before his debut but has aquitted himself reasonably well.

Grosjean seems to be one of those drivers who is good everywhere in the lower series but is unable to raise his game to F1 standards.

LgAquino · 7th October 2009, 08:27 PM

wouldn't Sutil be an interesting option to Renault?
I have the feeling he's doing a heidfeld now..sticking waaaay too long on a small team, and perhaps missing the opportunity to jump into a big one. Despite some crashes, he is fast (and very handy on the wet).

Pedersen · 8th October 2009, 08:51 AM

Sutil to McLaren

J i m · 8th October 2009, 09:44 AM

Hamilton would be happy enough.

Personally I still don't see Sutil as a topline driver.

Kris · 8th October 2009, 10:17 AM

Same here, he has had some good races this year, but don't think he's good enough for a seat at McLaren or Ferrari and go for wins constantly.

Pedersen · 8th October 2009, 10:23 AM

u must have faith my young padawans!

There can be only one, Obiwan!