Objectively speaking you think he's better than the other drivers currently looking for a seat? Not sure how you're so convinced especially when even internal Ferrari people have outwardly spoken that it is his strong ties and car testing experience at the factory rather than speed that got him the seat and appropriately so to further establish Sauber-Alfa Romeo as the official Ferrari B-team.
Max didn't win a title yet, either. He just missed out on GP2 title, as a rookie. He was taken off by some idiot which arguably cost him the title.
Arguably was his Ferrari ties which prevented him from getting a seat earlier. If he were under the Red Bull Academy he would have definitely been driving a Toro Rosso this year already. Finished 2nd in his rookie Gp2 year, just 8 points behind teammate Gasly who had been in Gp2 for 2 more years and is now at Red Bull. Also Ferrari used to snob Italian drivers and to a certain degree they still do. That’s why he’s been relegated to do so much boring development work up to now IMO.
Not an improvement IMO. If he had to be replaced would have expected Coulthard to get his place who is also out of a job, has more experience and is already under Martin Brundle’s management.
Via Autosport - The Swede is more than a decent driver. ---It would be too easy to dismiss Ericsson as a credible opponent for Leclerc. After all, the Swede performed strongly against Mercedes junior Pascal Wehrlein last season, and Felipe Nasr before that. Ericsson should be given due credit for defeating them - both have exited F1 since partnering him at Sauber - and by extension, Leclerc should be judged fairly against Ericsson. Leclerc has not gone up against a top-line driver, but he has gone up against a good one and is beating him emphatically.---
Gio is interesting but he is very late to the party. Haas did not want him etc. I dont see him moving up after Alfa. Maybe leaving. No one offered this driver a seat it appears until now. Again his performance replacing Wehrlein was mixed at best 2 major crashes in one weekend. Overall nothing really impressive at 24 years of age now.
So for 2019 we have: Ferrari - Seb, LeClerc Merc - Ham, Bottas Red Bull - Max, Gasly Alfa - Kimi, Gio Renault - Hulk, Danny Ric Force India - Stroll, Williams - Sirotkin, McLaren - Sainz Jr., Norris Toro Rosso - Haas -
I never rated Wehrlein much, either. Nasr had a few good showings in GP2, but nothing special....finished 3rd in the season in his 3rd year, when Palmer of all people won the title. I never understood Ericsson's move to F1, he never stood out in GP2, unless we're talking about how many opportunities where blown....
Max won the KZ karting world championship, which is probably the most difficult title to win in motorsports.
Nasr finished 5th in his first F1 race, outscored Ericsson, and was responsible for all Sauber points during his last season. I think he deserves another chance. Ericsson got into F1 just because of the money of his backers.
True. Perhaps I should've specified car racing specifically, but you're right. Also true on all fronts. But I think giovinazzi deserves a chance also, which he's gotten now.
I think Gio is a worthy driver, he's fast and he'll do fine...and Ferrari will miss his input, he was largely responsible for many good weekends....
Haas say they are on course to announce their 2019 line-up before the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend. The American team currently has no contracted drivers for next season. (F1 Today)
I suppose they will keep Grosjean who needed half a season to get his act together. He has great speed but is too inconsistent and prone to some bone-headed moves.
http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/24818918/haas-retains-kevin-magnussen-romain-grosjean-2019 Haas retains Kevin Magnussen, Romain Grosjean for 2019
