UgncreativeUsergname wrote:So... is it me or are the top five GP3 drivers generally better than the top five GP2 drivers? That's just wrong.
2010 was close...Maldonado, Perez, Bianchi, Clos and Bird.....versus Gutierrez, Wickens, Mueller, Rossi and Haryanto...
Also 2011: Grosjean, Filippi, Bianchi, Pic and van der Garde...versus Bottas, Calado, Melker, Müller and Quaife-Hobbs. Of the GP3 drivers only Bottas and (possibly) Calado show real quality, whereas Grosjean, Bianchi, Pic and van der Garde have all made it to F1 and acquitted themselves reasonably well. I think it's a little too early to judge the class of 2012 or 2013 from GP3 yet, though both years have seen GP2 with a weak(ish) grid.
True that...GP2 grids have become worse and worse.
eytl wrote:I agree. Especially when he talks about one's nerves sending signals 111a and 6783 etc. to the brain upon seeing Ericsson's hairdo.
He's got it all wrong. When I see Ericsson and Chilton's hairdos, the only signal going to my brain is 1049.
I don't follow it enough to say too much but it seems like GP2 is heading the same way as F3000. I remember when F3000 was churning out Heidfeld, Webber, Montoya etc but then by the end we had Liuzzi absolutely dominating the championship but no one really caring.
We look at the 2 rookies confirmed for next year, one is from GP3 and another from FR3.5. Vandoorne is probably the highest rated driver not moving up, and he's from FR3.5. Da Costa, who was for a while a shoe-in for the Toro Rosso seat, is also FR3.5. Sirotkin, who might move up is FR3.5. The closest that GP2 have to a driver moving up is Ericcson, who is only being considered for a Caterham seat and the move would be financially motivated.
watka wrote:We look at the 2 rookies confirmed for next year, one is from GP3 and another from FR3.5. Vandoorne is probably the highest rated driver not moving up, and he's from FR3.5. Da Costa, who was for a while a shoe-in for the Toro Rosso seat, is also FR3.5. Sirotkin, who might move up is FR3.5. The closest that GP2 have to a driver moving up is Ericcson, who is only being considered for a Caterham seat and the move would be financially motivated.
Says a lot about GP2.
wsrgo wrote:True that...GP2 grids have become worse and worse.
There is actually a good explanation for that: Money. GP2 is getting too much expensive and the teams are obviously having trouble to find sponsors. This makes them resort to pay drivers which is forcing the more talented guys with less money to drift somewhere less expensive, like FR3.5. Given that this championship has now proved to be a good final step into F1, teams prefer to go there for their Junior programs. In conclusion, GP2 is pay driver galore.
Colin Kolles on F111, 2011 HRT challenger: The car doesn't look too bad; it looks like a modern F1 car.
watka wrote:We look at the 2 rookies confirmed for next year, one is from GP3 and another from FR3.5. Vandoorne is probably the highest rated driver not moving up, and he's from FR3.5. Da Costa, who was for a while a shoe-in for the Toro Rosso seat, is also FR3.5. Sirotkin, who might move up is FR3.5. The closest that GP2 have to a driver moving up is Ericcson, who is only being considered for a Caterham seat and the move would be financially motivated.
Says a lot about GP2.
wsrgo wrote:True that...GP2 grids have become worse and worse.
There is actually a good explanation for that: Money. GP2 is getting too much expensive and the teams are obviously having trouble to find sponsors. This makes them resort to pay drivers which is forcing the more talented guys with less money to drift somewhere less expensive, like FR3.5. Given that this championship has now proved to be a good final step into F1, teams prefer to go there for their Junior programs. In conclusion, GP2 is pay driver galore.
There are signs though, that some serious cost-cutting measures are being taken to make the sport cheaper possibly. The current GP2/11 chassis, which was supposed to end it's three year cycle in 2013, has been renewed for a further 3 years and will now bid adieu in 2016. Also, with two more European rounds added (Sochi and possibly Spielberg), and with Sepang set to be chooped (the pre-season tests are clashing with the Malaysian GP dates), the prices needed for teams to ship equipment overseas will be reduced. Hopefully Singapore will get the chop too, that would keep the championship inside Eurasia.
eytl wrote:I agree. Especially when he talks about one's nerves sending signals 111a and 6783 etc. to the brain upon seeing Ericsson's hairdo.
He's got it all wrong. When I see Ericsson and Chilton's hairdos, the only signal going to my brain is 1049.
Palmer could be a decent bet for winning GP2 in 2014. DAMS won the drivers' championship in 2011 and 2012; Palmer has plenty of GP2 experience (54 starts); has won 3 races in GP2; and has been getting better each year. He'd probably be the weakest driver ever to win though.
The Iceman Waiteth What if Kimi Räikkönen hadn't got his chance in 2001?
wsrgo wrote:the 2014 GP2 and GP3 calendars have been revealed..
Thank bathplug Singapore has gone, though the massive gap between Russia and Abu Dhabi is still annoying. Should be a cheaper year for the teams, which is good.
The Iceman Waiteth What if Kimi Räikkönen hadn't got his chance in 2001?
OsellaFA1L wrote:Well Simon Trummer got another year at Rapax. He must be rich as he has been quite slow over the last couple of years
Yeah, I've usually seen him at the back of the grid, and he never seems to get attention on live air except if he was hit by someone else (2011 Hungary Sprint race comes to mind). I'm kinda surprised by the move.
Toyota Race Series has confirmed its first driver. It's Pedro Piquet, a 15 year old Brazilian driver, and the youngest son of the Nelson Piquet who won F1 championships.
He looks like he's only 12.
The Iceman Waiteth What if Kimi Räikkönen hadn't got his chance in 2001?
Backmarker wrote:Toyota Race Series has confirmed its first driver. It's Pedro Piquet, a 15 year old Brazilian driver, and the youngest son of the Nelson Piquet who won F1 championships.
He looks like he's only 12.
Glad you specified that
Wonder which series he will be doing full-time next year..
eytl wrote:I agree. Especially when he talks about one's nerves sending signals 111a and 6783 etc. to the brain upon seeing Ericsson's hairdo.
He's got it all wrong. When I see Ericsson and Chilton's hairdos, the only signal going to my brain is 1049.
Wonder which series he will be doing full-time next year..
He's tested in F3, so probably that.
Is there any source on his karting record at all? I'm particularly imterested, as I well, was a fan of Nelshino. I guess I have hopes for the Piquet name elsewhere now!
Wonder which series he will be doing full-time next year..
He's tested in F3, so probably that.
Formula Renault 2.0 has made 16 the minimum age of participation, doubt F3 would allow 15-year-olds to participate, but I have no knowledge of an official age cap.
go_Rubens wrote:Is there any source on his karting record at all? I'm particularly imterested, as I well, was a fan of Nelshino. I guess I have hopes for the Piquet name elsewhere now!
wsrgo wrote:Formula Renault 2.0 has made 16 the minimum age of participation, doubt F3 would allow 15-year-olds to participate, but I have no knowledge of an official age cap.
The only minimum age I know of is that anyone under 14 isn't allowed in the pitlane. I think that you can drive in F3 as long as your country's motorsport governing body will give you the appropriate license. Remember Matheo Tuscher - he competed in F2 when he was only 15.
The Iceman Waiteth What if Kimi Räikkönen hadn't got his chance in 2001?
wsrgo wrote:Formula Renault 2.0 has made 16 the minimum age of participation, doubt F3 would allow 15-year-olds to participate, but I have no knowledge of an official age cap.
The only minimum age I know of is that anyone under 14 isn't allowed in the pitlane. I think that you can drive in F3 as long as your country's motorsport governing body will give you the appropriate license. Remember Matheo Tuscher - he competed in F2 when he was only 15.
Ah, then I hope young 14-year-old American talent Santino Ferrucci, who tested F3 cars this year with EuroInternational this year, might get a chance..and who knows? Maybe even an RBJT seat!!
About Tuscher, it's sad he got only 2 races in 2013. He's still very young (not yet 17!) and hopefully has something in the pipeline next year. Unfortunately, some stupid rules prevented him from taking part in Eurocup last year, but there are other series, like Auto GP, which do not require a huge budget, but is a high-power series all the same.
eytl wrote:I agree. Especially when he talks about one's nerves sending signals 111a and 6783 etc. to the brain upon seeing Ericsson's hairdo.
He's got it all wrong. When I see Ericsson and Chilton's hairdos, the only signal going to my brain is 1049.
Specially relevant because Harvey was in GP3 this year, and with the backing of Racing Steps Foundation, I expected him to stay in the F1 junior ladder. Wish him all the very best for a future career in the USA.
eytl wrote:I agree. Especially when he talks about one's nerves sending signals 111a and 6783 etc. to the brain upon seeing Ericsson's hairdo.
He's got it all wrong. When I see Ericsson and Chilton's hairdos, the only signal going to my brain is 1049.
Specially relevant because Harvey was in GP3 this year, and with the backing of Racing Steps Foundation, I expected him to stay in the F1 junior ladder. Wish him all the very best for a future career in the USA.
Good. That means he has a 1/9 chance of winning and getting into IndyCar. He'll probably crush everyone next year unless he has a hard time getting used to the Indy Lights car. But it was common once for drivers in Indy to get to F1 that way... I still have hope for him to get to F1.
Specially relevant because Harvey was in GP3 this year, and with the backing of Racing Steps Foundation, I expected him to stay in the F1 junior ladder. Wish him all the very best for a future career in the USA.
Good. That means he has a 1/9 chance of winning and getting into IndyCar. He'll probably crush everyone next year unless he has a hard time getting used to the Indy Lights car. But it was common once for drivers in Indy to get to F1 that way... I still have hope for him to get to F1.
Matthew Brabham called. He'd like to have a word with you.
Biscione wrote:"Some Turkemenistani gulag repurposed for residential use" is the best way yet I've heard to describe North / East Glasgow.
Specially relevant because Harvey was in GP3 this year, and with the backing of Racing Steps Foundation, I expected him to stay in the F1 junior ladder. Wish him all the very best for a future career in the USA.
Good. That means he has a 1/9 chance of winning and getting into IndyCar. He'll probably crush everyone next year unless he has a hard time getting used to the Indy Lights car. But it was common once for drivers in Indy to get to F1 that way... I still have hope for him to get to F1.
Matthew Brabham called. He'd like to have a word with you.
Brabham, eh? I don't know of that name being associated with IndyCar, but I suppose you may be right.
Wizzie wrote:Matthew Brabham called. He'd like to have a word with you.
Brabham, eh? I don't know of that name being associated with IndyCar, but I suppose you may be right.
Matthew Brabham dominated the last Pro Mazda Championship season, winning 13 out of 16 races, and scoring 15 podiums.
So doing what Sam Brabham's JTR teammate was doing in British Formula Ford then...
watka wrote:I find it amusing that whilst you're one of the more openly Christian guys here, you are still first and foremost associated with an eye for the ladies!
dinizintheoven wrote:GOOD CHRISTIANS do not go to jail. EVERYONE ON FORMULA ONE REJECTS should be in jail.
Binder's a bit of an enigma; it's hard to show how good you are with the Lazarus lot preparing your cars. Hopefully he can do an alright job for Arden...
Mitch Hedberg wrote:I want to be a race car passenger: just a guy who bugs the driver. Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should slow down. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Man, you really like Tide...
Ataxia wrote:Binder's a bit of an enigma; it's hard to show how good you are with the Lazarus lot preparing your cars. Hopefully he can do an alright job for Arden...
Plus, he's the nephew of a reject, so I think he deserves at least some support from this part of the interwebs
kevinbotz wrote:Cantonese is a completely nonsensical f*cking alien language masquerading as some grossly bastardised form of Chinese
Gonzo wrote:Wasn't there some sort of communisim in the East part of Germany?
Ataxia wrote:Binder's a bit of an enigma; it's hard to show how good you are with the Lazarus lot preparing your cars. Hopefully he can do an alright job for Arden...
Your point is backed up by the fact that Lazarus were the only team over GP2/GP3 to not achieve a podium last year
Ataxia wrote:Binder's a bit of an enigma; it's hard to show how good you are with the Lazarus lot preparing your cars. Hopefully he can do an alright job for Arden...
Your point is backed up by the fact that Lazarus were the only team over GP2/GP3 to not achieve a podium last year
Without Freezy around to provide us with valuable insights like this, and often over looked facts that really alter your perception of a situation, I don't know what I'd do.
Ataxia wrote:Binder's a bit of an enigma; it's hard to show how good you are with the Lazarus lot preparing your cars. Hopefully he can do an alright job for Arden...
Your point is backed up by the fact that Lazarus were the only team over GP2/GP3 to not achieve a podium last year
Without Freezy around to provide us with valuable insights like this, and often over looked facts that really alter your perception of a situation, I don't know what I'd do.
Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:Your point is backed up by the fact that Lazarus were the only team over GP2/GP3 to not achieve a podium last year
Without Freezy around to provide us with valuable insights like this, and often over looked facts that really alter your perception of a situation, I don't know what I'd do.
Not funny McDonalds
I beg to differ; I thought that was quite amusing.
Sebastian Vettel wrote:If I was good at losing, I wouldn't be in Formula 1
Freeze-O-Kimi wrote: Your point is backed up by the fact that Lazarus were the only team over GP2/GP3 to not achieve a podium last year
Without Freezy around to provide us with valuable insights like this, and often over looked facts that really alter your perception of a situation, I don't know what I'd do.
Not funny McDonalds
What a hilarious mocking nickname.
Rob Dylan wrote:Mercedes paying homage to the other W12 chassis by breaking down 30 minutes in
Ataxia wrote:Binder's a bit of an enigma; it's hard to show how good you are with the Lazarus lot preparing your cars. Hopefully he can do an alright job for Arden...
Well, a person who takes three years to finish in the top 6 in German F3 is well...incredible.
Also, what's it with Austrian drivers in junior formulae having er..famous uncles?
eytl wrote:I agree. Especially when he talks about one's nerves sending signals 111a and 6783 etc. to the brain upon seeing Ericsson's hairdo.
He's got it all wrong. When I see Ericsson and Chilton's hairdos, the only signal going to my brain is 1049.
Arthur Pic (Charles' little bro) is going to be racing for the returning Campos Racing team in 2014.
Mitch Hedberg wrote:I want to be a race car passenger: just a guy who bugs the driver. Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should slow down. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Man, you really like Tide...
Arthur Pic (Charles' little bro) is going to be racing for the returning Campos Racing team in 2014.
Blimey, GP2 must be struggling when they can only get "half a Pic" into their series I'll get me coat
But yeah, should be interesting to see what he can do. That said, a cursory glance at his Formula Renault 3.5 results seems to indicate that he fluctuates in form during a season.
Fetzie on Ferrari wrote:How does a driver hurtling around a race track while they're sous-viding in their overalls have a better understanding of the race than a team of strategy engineers in an air-conditioned room?l
Arthur Pic (Charles' little bro) is going to be racing for the returning Campos Racing team in 2014.
Blimey, GP2 must be struggling when they can only get "half a Pic" into their series I'll get me coat
But yeah, should be interesting to see what he can do. That said, a cursory glance at his Formula Renault 3.5 results seems to indicate that he fluctuates in form during a season.
One upon a time Arthur Pic was regarded as being more talented than his brother. Never quite showed it in Formula Renault 3.5, though he was never in the best teams (DAMS were new to FR 3.5 in 2012).
The Iceman Waiteth What if Kimi Räikkönen hadn't got his chance in 2001?
Carlin have officially decided to become boring, and have signed renowned nationality-collector Julian Leal. Having raced under both an Italian and Columbian license, Leal is hoping to add at least another pair of licenses to his list, with British and Irish applications being lodged. 2014 will be Leal's fourth season in GP2, as his Formula 1 prospects for 2015 have been described as "non-existent" and "hopeless".
Here's the real report, if anyone's managed to stifle a yawn at this point.
Mitch Hedberg wrote:I want to be a race car passenger: just a guy who bugs the driver. Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should slow down. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Man, you really like Tide...
Takuya Izawa is about the least inspired member of Honda's stable of drivers they could have promoted to GP2. He's 29, which means he's probably going to be the oldest driver in the series, and he's not exactly been a sensation in Super GT, excluding a decent 2009, and he was third in Formula Nippon in 2012. But they could have promoted Naoki Yamamoto, who was won Super Formula in 2013, and is at least 'only' 25.
EDIT: Just a thought, perhaps Izawa is being prepared/evaluated for Formula E? F1 isn't a serious possibility, but Honda could place him at Super Aguri.
The Iceman Waiteth What if Kimi Räikkönen hadn't got his chance in 2001?
Looking at the confirmed drivers in GP2 for next season, you'd expect Vandoorne to murder them all if he is as good as McLaren think he is. Let's hope he doesn't do a Robin Frijns and go off the boil (at least he'll get to see the season out).
