2011 Silly Season

Post by **tommykl** » 26 Dec 2010, 15:37

Toro Rosso's drivers haven't been confirmed on the entry list, but Alguersuari and Buemi are almost definitely going to race for them.

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 26 Dec 2010, 20:49

tommykl wrote:Toro Rosso's drivers haven't been confirmed on the entry list, but Alguersuari and Buemi are almost definitely going to race for them.

watka · Post by **watka** » 26 Dec 2010, 21:37

F1000X wrote:
tommykl wrote:Toro Rosso's drivers haven't been confirmed on the entry list, but Alguersuari and Buemi are almost definitely going to race for them.

I was going to reply instantly that they don't really have much choice, but come to think of it, I would definitely prefer to see Ricciardo or Chandhok (with his Red Bull connections) in Buemi's seat. Perhaps they should have actually considered getting a more experienced driver who could push them into the points positions and make them a bit more marketable.

Warren Hughes · Post by **Warren Hughes** » 26 Dec 2010, 22:08

I disagree with popular opinion on the Toro Rosso thing. For me they have to keep both their drivers - they're both still young, they're both still learning their trade, and I think Toro Rosso need to build the long-term strategy for their team around these two drivers. I think stability is an underrated concept in modern Formula 1, as the vast amount of money involved dictates that immediate results are demanded by people who are more interested in dollars than racing.

Toro Rosso have, in my opinion, a driver line-up with considerable potential, a lot of growing up still to be done, and more than capable pace. OK, Buemi's had a slightly difficult 2nd season, but he impressed last year (seeing off a former F3000 champion and 4-time CART champion in the process) and has shown occasional flashes this year too - Canada springs to mind - and he'll grow out of the crashing tendencies - look at Felipe Massa, and to a lesser extent, our beloved Taku.

Alguersuari, meanwhile, is a potential future race winner in my opinion. Seriously. His highs are perhaps not as high as Buemi's, but his lows are not very low at all. He only retired twice all season - both mechanical failures - and has more than proved his right to be in F1. What's more, he's shown a very impressive ability to learn. We all remember him repeatedly throwing it into the scenery at Suzuka 2009, but he's matured very quickly and has been able to cut that out of his game almost completely. He seems to have an old head on young shoulders, and if he's nurtured in the right way, I think he'll be a good fit for Red Bull when Webber finally packs it in (whenever that will be). If that sort of break doesn't come his way, then I still think he'll prove to be a Nick Heidfeld type, one who can be relied upon to bring the car home in as good a position it can possibly manage. Maybe that's why I like him, because he reminds me of Heidfeld. Yes I'm weird like that.

That was my longest post ever. It took me fully 15 minutes to write, and wasn't even that insightful. Mario, you have my full respect now, as if you didn't before! As do you Enoch!

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 26 Dec 2010, 22:35

Warren Hughes wrote:Buemi's had a slightly difficult 2nd season, but he impressed last year (seeing off a former F3000 champion and 4-time CART champion in the process).

Good post, valid points all around. But in Sebastian (Monsieur McDonald's) Bourdais' defence, he should have been in an F1 car in 2003, not 2008. All that time away from the european circuits hurt him.

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 27 Dec 2010, 08:18

But buemi is just one of the ugliest drivers ever, sure, he can't help it, and in daily live that's the last thing i judge a person on, but still i never want to see him on the podium. So actually i just hope he's crap

SDHammer · Post by **SDHammer** » 27 Dec 2010, 10:50

According to Autosport.com GP2 journeyman Luca Fillipi hasn't given up hopes of an F1 seat next year....even if its just a test drivers role. Personally I think he's only got an outside chance at best.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 27 Dec 2010, 12:01

This wrote:But buemi is just one of the ugliest drivers ever

He's prettier than Kubica and Petrov.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 27 Dec 2010, 19:52

Captain Hammer wrote:
This wrote:But buemi is just one of the ugliest drivers ever

He's prettier than Kubica and Petrov.

Kubica really isn't helped out by that nose that's about the size of my Christmas tree...

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 28 Dec 2010, 15:30

thehemogoblin wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:
This wrote:But buemi is just one of the ugliest drivers ever

He's prettier than Kubica and Petrov.

Kubica really isn't helped out by that nose that's about the size of my Christmas tree...

That's a nose, I thought someone parked a bus on his face.

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 28 Dec 2010, 23:59

Someone (possibly Mark Webber) was filmed in a prerace interview on American F1 coverage saying (with regards to Robert's claims to losing weight to improve fitness and lower cars center of gravity) that he should "do something about that nose."

Edit: it was definitely one of three people. DC, Mark, or Button.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 29 Dec 2010, 13:52

Why is it that Force 1ndia hasn't announced their driver lineup yet? Do they want to wait until the presentation of the new car to keep up the excitement or are they still looking for two decent paydrivers? If it's the latter, Sakon Yamamoto might better spend his money here than at the former Campos outfit, but who could be the 2nd most potent pay driver on the market at the time? Consistency is probably the better way to go, though.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 30 Dec 2010, 01:59

Force India won't take Yamamoto. It's more likely that they're still negotiating with their preferred drivers. Plus, it's the Christmas-New Year period. Europe practically shuts down for two weeks. I'm not expecting anything big to start happening until Monday at the very earliest.

Jeroen Krautmeir · Post by **Jeroen Krautmeir** » 30 Dec 2010, 02:10

Yannick wrote:Why is it that Force 1ndia hasn't announced their driver lineup yet? Do they want to wait until the presentation of the new car to keep up the excitement or are they still looking for two decent paydrivers? If it's the latter, Sakon Yamamoto might better spend his money here than at the former Campos outfit, but who could be the 2nd most potent pay driver on the market at the time? Consistency is probably the better way to go, though.

If it's a paydriver their looking for, I think Bruno Senna is their best bet.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 30 Dec 2010, 12:09

But they're not looking for a pay driver. In all likelihood, they're scouring the contracts of Liuzzi and/or Sutil, looking for an out. Plus, it's the Christmas-New Year period. The holidays. Nobody is going to be doing anything for another week.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 30 Dec 2010, 14:21

HRT to start first test in feb 2011 with F110 but with some "extras" whilst their definitive 2011 challenger is sorted according to a thread on autosport and article on gpupdate

jpm · Post by **jpm** » 30 Dec 2010, 14:22

If I were Vijay Mallya, stuff Niki Lauda, I woould go with di Resta and the Hulk; Sutil has probably climbed the ladder as far as he can go and as much as I like him, I think he may become the new Alex Wurz, being passed around fom team to team and loosing his motivation. Would still welcome him in a Force India in 2011, but he has shown us what he can do; now it's time for di Resta to prove that beating Vettel in F3 was no fluke...

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 30 Dec 2010, 15:59

Honestly, I find no reason to drop Adrian Sutil in favour of Nico Hülkenberg. He's done a decent 2010 season.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 31 Dec 2010, 17:17

Does Paul Di Resta know something we haven't yet been told? The 'next drive' counter on his website indicates the Sunday start of the Bahrain GP. Either he's jumping the gun, or has been given the word ahead of the official announcement.

http://pauldiresta.com/home

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Dec 2010, 21:17

fjackdaw wrote:Does Paul Di Resta know something we haven't yet been told? The 'next drive' counter on his website indicates the Sunday start of the Bahrain GP. Either he's jumping the gun, or has been given the word ahead of the official announcement.

http://pauldiresta.com/home

YES YES YES YES YES. No more Liuzzi?!

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 31 Dec 2010, 23:39

Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 01 Jan 2011, 01:58

Captain Hammer wrote:Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

Dude, that was just me getting all ahead of myself. That's all.

JohnMLTX · Post by **JohnMLTX** » 01 Jan 2011, 05:36

thehemogoblin wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

Dude, that was just me getting all ahead of myself. That's all.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 01 Jan 2011, 13:09

Captain Hammer wrote:Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

If that's the case, then why is it counting down for Sunday?

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 01 Jan 2011, 13:49

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

If that's the case, then why is it counting down for Sunday?

By that standard, it will be Di Resta and Chandhok in the two Force Indias, because the same counter exists on Chandhok's site too.

http://www.karunchandhok.com/KC/

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 01 Jan 2011, 17:58

That counter is just there because these guys are related to F1, and as such, they have a countback clock to the Bahrain GP as a detail.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 01 Jan 2011, 18:08

Phoenix wrote:That counter is just there because these guys are related to F1, and as such, they have a countback clock to the Bahrain GP as a detail.

Shh. You're ruining my dreams.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 01 Jan 2011, 18:38

thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:That counter is just there because these guys are related to F1, and as such, they have a countback clock to the Bahrain GP as a detail.

Shh. You're ruining my dreams.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus? :lol:

Myrvold · Post by **Myrvold** » 01 Jan 2011, 19:59

Phoenix wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:That counter is just there because these guys are related to F1, and as such, they have a countback clock to the Bahrain GP as a detail.

Shh. You're ruining my dreams.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Are you saying that Santa is fake! :cry:

You've ruined my life

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 02 Jan 2011, 06:41

Phoenix wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:That counter is just there because these guys are related to F1, and as such, they have a countback clock to the Bahrain GP as a detail.

Shh. You're ruining my dreams.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Dude. Wizzie doesn't know yet. Way to go. Way. To. Go. You're going to have to fix that one yourself, amigo.

Row Man Gross-Gene · Post by **Row Man Gross-Gene** » 02 Jan 2011, 07:16

redbulljack14 wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:He's prettier than Kubica and Petrov.

Kubica really isn't helped out by that nose that's about the size of my Christmas tree...

That's a nose, I thought someone parked a bus on his face.

Stop it guys! Don't change a thing Robert.

The nose plays.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Jan 2011, 07:18

thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:Shh. You're ruining my dreams.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Dude. Wizzie doesn't know yet. Way to go. Way. To. Go. You're going to have to fix that one yourself, amigo.

So you're saying he doesn't exist? :cry:

the Masked Lapwing · Post by **the Masked Lapwing** » 02 Jan 2011, 07:50

Wizzie wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Dude. Wizzie doesn't know yet. Way to go. Way. To. Go. You're going to have to fix that one yourself, amigo.

So you're saying he doesn't exist?

He did exist. Phoenix just killed him, that's all

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 02 Jan 2011, 17:15

The Silly Season just got sillier, thanks to me :oops:

BTW, I didn't kill Santa Claus. He's just another lie invented by the CIA. Cope on with that.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » 03 Jan 2011, 04:22

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

If that's the case, then why is it counting down for Sunday?

Stefan GP ahd a countdown to the 2011 season, and look how that turned out...

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 03 Jan 2011, 05:27

Peter wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:Don't go getting too far ahead of yourselves - di Resta could just be driving in Friday practice. This confirms nothing.

If that's the case, then why is it counting down for Sunday?

Stefan GP ahd a countdown to the 2011 season, and look how that turned out...

That countdown is still going man. They'll have their car ready by March. Gonna pull a Brawn GP bro. Villeneuve is gonna rack up championship #2.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 03 Jan 2011, 05:37

F1000X wrote:
Peter wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
If that's the case, then why is it counting down for Sunday?

Stefan GP ahd a countdown to the 2011 season, and look how that turned out...

That countdown is still going man. They'll have their car ready by March. Gonna pull a Brawn GP bro. Villeneuve is gonna rack up championship #2.

Jose Maria Lopez says otherwise.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 03 Jan 2011, 08:09

Back on-topic ...

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article. ... 6892&FS=F1

Blick are reporting that a) Sutil and di Resta will race for Force India in 2011, with Hulkenberg driving on Fridays; and b) Toro Rosso will be purchased by a group of Arab investors.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 03 Jan 2011, 08:27

Captain Hammer wrote:b) Toro Rosso will be purchased by a group of Arab investors.

That's going to end well isn't it? :roll:

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 03 Jan 2011, 08:40

Wizzie wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:b) Toro Rosso will be purchased by a group of Arab investors.

That's going to end well isn't it?

If they're anything like Mansour Ojjeh, it's all good.