Who will replace Robert Kubica? Steve Sutcliffe http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/racinglines/archive/2011/02/14/who-will-replace-robert-kubica.aspx My hope is that a) Kubica makes a full and rapid recovery, and b) that in the meantime its Bruno Senna. Not quick Nick Heidfeld, who is also in the frame and was tested alongside Senna last week at Jerez. Heidfeld, in my humble opinion, would not be as exciting a prospect as the late, great Ayrtons nephew. Why, you might ask, should a relative unknown like Bruno Senna be given a race seat in such a prestigious team, apart from the obvious marketing appeal that lies behind his surname? Because according to his manager, Chris Goodwin, who I spent some time with recently driving the new McLaren across Europe, Bruno Senna is very much the real deal. As a means of underlining his boys potential, Goodwin reminded me of a test that took place at the beginning of 2009, when the Brawn team was still in its embryonic stages. The venue was Barcelona, the aim to discover how quick the car was and to decide whether it had a future or not. With both Jenson Button and Bruno Senna at the wheel. At that time Rubens Barrichello had yet to be signed, so this was truly a high-pressure moment in which Goodwins driver would either shine or shrink. He drove the car for just one session apparently, whereas Jenson drove it several times throughout the day. Yet both of them set pretty much identical times. Bruno Senna, in other words, was as quick as Jenson Button in a car and on a circuit that Button knew far better than he. In the end, and because Ross Brawn wanted experience behind the wheel and not youth, Barrichello ended up in the car instead. For Bruno Senna it was one of those close but no cigar moments that happens in life. Which is why I hope he gets his chance with Renault. And then delivers on his promise. In spades. Why, you might ask, should a relative unknown like Bruno Senna be given a race seat in such a prestigious team, apart from the obvious marketing appeal that lies behind his surname? Because according to his manager, Chris Goodwin, who I spent some time with recently driving the new McLaren across Europe, Bruno Senna is very much the real deal. As a means of underlining his boys potential, Goodwin reminded me of a test that took place at the beginning of 2009, when the Brawn team was still in its embryonic stages. The venue was Barcelona, the aim to discover how quick the car was and to decide whether it had a future or not. With both Jenson Button and Bruno Senna at the wheel. At that time Rubens Barrichello had yet to be signed, so this was truly a high-pressure moment in which Goodwins driver would either shine or shrink. He drove the car for just one session apparently, whereas Jenson drove it several times throughout the day. Yet both of them set pretty much identical times. Bruno Senna, in other words, was as quick as Jenson Button in a car and on a circuit that Button knew far better than he. In the end, and because Ross Brawn wanted experience behind the wheel and not youth, Barrichello ended up in the car instead. For Bruno Senna it was one of those close but no cigar moments that happens in life. Which is why I hope he gets his chance with Renault. And then delivers on his promise. In spades. PS: Does anyone remember that test session? I don't.
I believe testing the Renault the other day has opened him up for a better position for next season. This season I don't think he will be in the seat. Not because he is incapable, but Nick as they say is a much safer pair of hands with more experience.
I really hope that Bruno gets the seat in the Renault while Kubica is recovering. I think that given the oppurtunity to be in a decent car he wouldn't do half bad.
I remember the test. I was gutted for Bruno when Brawn gave the drive to Rubens instead. I'd love to see Bruno in a decent car.
His manager would say that though, wouldn't he? IMO I've seen enough. Back in GP2 he could barely keep up with F1 reject Georgio Pantano. In F1 he was a second a lap slower than Klien, who had barely driven the car whilst Senna had 1000's of kilometers in this car already. I'm sorry, but from I've seen he's nothing more than a pay driver with a fancy name.
What marketing appeal lies behind "Lalli"? I guess he means Bruno's stage name, rather than his real surname. (Bruno's mother was a Senna, Ayrton's sister - Bruno's father's surname is Lalli, and Bruno's real surname is also Lalli - he chooses to race under 'Senna' specifically for the name recognition). Reports today indicate that Kubica has told Renault he feels they should choose Liuzzi - he thinks Liuzzi will be a better racer than Heidfeld, and is as good a tester as Nick. More so than Senna, Liuzzi has not really showed his true potential, but behind the scenes it is generally considered that Liuzzi has a lot of raw talent and is one of the more capable drivers in F1. His FIndia drive last year was a good example - he had terrible luck with failures and retirements that weren't his fault, but when the car held together, he was as quick or quicker than Sutil. On the other hand, Bruno was rarely quicker than his teammate, and as pointed out Klein was more than a second quicker in his first race in the HRT than Senna with multiple race weekends in the car already.
In Portuguese surnames are complex and more flexible. The first surname is typically maternal and the second paternal. Ayrton's full name was Ayrton Senna da Silva, Senna being his mother’s surname. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_name Sure it's convenient for Bruno to use the Senna surname but his full name appears as Bruno Senna Lalli. Nelson Piquet Souto Maior, raced under Piquet (mother’s surname) to “hide” his identity when he started racing because his father did not approve. Why did Nelsinho raced under Piquet too I don’t know. Back to topic, I'd rather see Nick Heidfeld in the Renault. This is clearly his last chance and I've always thought he deserved a competitive car to prove himself after McLaren hired Kimi instead some years ago. I don't see Bruno as special as the article above points out.
+1 The guy is an insult to the Senna name. I can't wait for him to disappear from the scene along with the likes of Sheckter Jr., Lauda Jr., Mansell Jr. etc.
But Micheal Andretti was alright, I take it. LOL And what about Graham Rahal ... Would you allow him to compete ?
I don't even know Graham and Michael was one of the worst drivers ever. My list was just an example. It is easier to mention the successful descendants like Hill and Villeneuve. PS: I have no US bias if that's what you're implying.
I am not implying anything. It just happens that the sons of famous racing drivers/actors/singers having grown up in this atmosphere are attracted to follow in their fathers' footsteps with various level of success. Is that bad?
Not bad, just natural. However F1 is the top of the ladder and there is no room for half talents. And Senna Jr is even somewhat of an imposter since Senna is not his regular name.
Of course it isn't. A famous name and family connections can get you looked at (which is a huge advantage) but at the end of the day you have to produce. Some sons do, most don't. Senna has had his shot and didn't produce. How many chances does he deserve?
QN has shown a lot more speed in F1 than BS (sic) has and while may not have been the hot (& RICH) young driver many teams thirst for he is capable of stepping in being quick from day one.
I am not pro-Bruno Senna, but I cannot see how he has been given a chance. I am sorry, but a drive in an HRT F1 during their first year doesn't constitue a 'chance' for me; more like the kiss of death. No one would shine with that car! It was a dog... It takes several seasons for a driver to mature and you can't just expect miracles from day one; unless you are Lewis Hamilton, who has always been groomed by McLaren for several years and provided with the best equipment from his days in karting! Damon Hill's first foray in F1 wasn't exactly spectacular; quite often he couldn't qualify his Brabham! Lauda first year in F1 at BRM wasn't sensational either. Both had second rate cars. According to your statement, neither Damon Hill nor Nikki Lauda had much future in F1!! History proved otherwise...
Actually Graham is not that bad, i think he has more talent than Michael Andretti. The guy that shouldn't be driving at all is Marco Andretti, but he is perfect example that his name is what got him where is he is today.
Hummm, I have heard some good comments about him during some races. Does that mean that the TV comemntators don't know what they are talking about? Of course being called Andretti must help, mostly when Dad has his own team! Was he supposed to disown his family and assume a different identity? I am a sure it's another case of too much expectation too early. The kid isn't allowed to progress quietly and already gets too much exposure. That can be quite unsettling in itself. I even read an article once saying that Marco Andretti was the best US F1 prospect. Statements like this are very hard to live up to!!
Of course you will hear good comments about him, he is an Andretti. As for the US F1 project, he is perfect from a marketing prespective, as the Andretti name is very famous worldwide.
You're correct but F1 like life isn't fair. Others have done more with (almost) less. You also can't compare the driver's market today with what it was in Damon's, much less Lauda's day. I wish it were otherwise but the economics today are what they are and the teams are acting in a way that they perceive as rational.
Who's done more with less? The HRT was a ****box. Bruno hasn't gotten a fair shake, Hopefully a year of testing will help him. I understand why Renault chose Heidfeld but I still hope Senna gets at least one race in it. He's at least as good as some of the other bums in the field. If Petrov has a race drive why shouldn't Senna? Petrov is a bum, he was slower than Senna in GP2, Petrov just has more money.
Minor correction, Niki Lauda's first drives were in an awful March in 1971-1972 that he paid for to have the opportunity. He actually had a few good races in the BRM, Monaco in particular that provided him with the visibility for Ferrari to pick him up in 1974.
