Petrov replaces Trulli at Caterham

No Italians?
Isn't there an FIA mandate for at least one?

 

There are two Italians: the Spanish one and the Brazilian one. Who cares about the others?

BTW, Petrov is Pirelli test driver too. I see a conflict of interests there.

 

Truli was one of those drivers that seemed to qualify well but in mano-a-mano in the race didnt do well.
Also the cash he brings has to be an ant mound compared to Petrov's mountain.

 

Or his contact has been terminated. He will not be able to do both.

 

+1 For sure. He'd have get-out clauses even if he just got a third driver role, let alone a race seat.

FWIW, 1970 was the last season that didn't have an Italian on the grid at the first race. So, I guess there's many here who have never known F1 without at least one Italian!

Cheers,
Ian

 

Trulli was long in the tooth anyway

 

Simple:

Russia: Emerging market.

Italy: Descending market.

Petrov in, Trulli out. Simple.

 

Even simpler than that IMO;

Jarno; Got paid (Dunno how much, but I doubt he was driving for free.)
Vitaly; *Big* bag of Russian gold. (Again, dunno how much, but given the cost of Pastors drive, I would guess ~$20MM......)

Nothing to do with emerging markets - Just "sound" economics.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Man...I hate petrov and glock. I'd rather see rubens and trulli on the grid.

 

fix't

 

Will Hikey be faster than Val ? I've always loved the Russian - Finn pairings.

 

I remember one from the forties that wasn't so copacetic.

 

+1

However, according to many here, Petrov should be Massa's replacement! IIRC, some even suggested Glock.....

TBH, I'm gonna wait & see what each does -v- their teammates. [A cop out, I know.....]

Actually, while a nice "fix", I've gotta disagree - Bernie is *way* above such minor issues these days. I remember when he was broke and pay jockeys kept him going, but not today......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Didn't mean that it was going into his pocket but that it's part and parcel of the system he's created.

 

*Great* Q Is!.....

I'm liking the Caterham guys and have high-hopes for 'em - A few points here & there early on would be nice.

If that happens, whoever turns into the team leader may go on to great things elsewhere - They've both got a hell of an opportunity is my point I guess. [Hikey was a little overwhelmed the first time round IMO, and Val may just inflict the same pain however. ]

My 02c?.... Initially, Hikey, but I think Val may surprise.....

"This is why we watch"

Cheers,
Ian

 

Understood - I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

However, and I'm sticking my neck out here, I'm gonna say there were a *lot* more pay drivers pre-Bernie than post..... (?)

In the "good years", there's very few (if any) pay guys. Other times, it seems they keep "the show" on the road.....

"The more it changes, the more it stays the same".

Cheers,
Ian

 

Trulli's earlier comments about pay drivers (...having less motivation/talent) were spot on but Jarno himself has authored a magnificently average F1 career.

He had a good run and now it’s time to move on.

 

Jarno's first name got me thinking....when was the last year we didn't have a driver from a Nordic nation participating....
1955,.. not bad as the combined population is only 25 million.

 

Personally I never cared for Trulli and strictly imo I'm glad Petrov has been picked up.

 

Cest la verite'
Maybe we should go back to calling them playboy drivers

 

Probably the worst decision by Tony so far. He should have just replaced the power steering unit

 

Agree'd by no means is Petrov a step up. Pay drivers are now so numerous. Better off w/ Buemi etc.