No recruitment programme - Ferrari's problem?

Yeah, not many guys from GP2 or other feeder series going into Ferrari. Having Schumacher around for a while could've made them stagnant in this area. Not much need for change when driver/employee turnover basically non-existent maybe they got too comfortable with their situation. Don't forget Renault has Heikki and Nelson Piquet Jr. waiting right behind him.

 

Well I dont think it a developement program as such I just feel that the Scuderia hasnt been hiring great drivers for a few years now, yes MS was awesome but Irvine and Barrichello, both 2nd rate in my opinion.

I think a wider net needs to be cast, when last did Ferrari hire an young driver? I am going to sound like a traditionalist but back in the old days Mr Ferrari looked beyond Europe. Look beyond GP2, there are lots of great drivers but most of all the Scuderia needs a driver that can develope a car and Kimi isnt that driver. For me I would look at someone like Dario Franchitti.

 

...who is 89 years old in F1 years.

 

+10.

Ferrari thought they were invincible, and the first rule of motorsport is never to think that. I predict that it will be many years before Ferrari win another WDC, hopefully not 21 though.
Pete

 

Wasn't there a rumor not too long ago that MS is going to be in-charge of such program?

 

Ferrari has historically 'stolen' drivers they think will pan out from lesser teams (Alboreto, Alesi), or from teams that could not (or would not) afford to keep them (Mansell, Schumacher, Prost).

The list is very long.

 

correct.
Ferrari isn´t in the teaching business. On the other hand, one could say that Massa is studying at the Ferrari University of Fast Driving, being privately tutored by one Michael Schumacher.

Massa was eyed by Ferrari when he was in Euro F3000 and from that point on was destined to become a Ferrari driver.

 

Exactly.

The fact that Ferrari's test drivers are over 30 might be a problem. Look at some F1 drivers having difficulty adapting to the new tires. Maybe the young guys with talent are better suited. Although I think that Ferrari is not that far behind McLaren. But they should be in front of McLaren.

Best, Peter

 

I hear Sebastian Bourdais is managed by Nicolas Todt en with one foot in at Toro Rosso. Maybe he could be of use to Ferrari in two or three years. Allthough by then he isn´t exactly ´young´ he would come with a massive dose of experience (single seaters and Le Mans) and I still believe he is sadly overlooked in F1.

 

They should get Sebastian Loeb. The guy has nothing more to prove in the WRC.

 

ferrari's development program is other teams. then they just offer whoever they want gobs of money. makes sense to me since 80% or more is the car.

 

There is no such thing as an overlooked driver, not in F1. The fact that no one has signed Bourdais speaks volumes. There is a reason he is not in F1 and that is that he is not good enough. Winning titles against the likes of Justin Wilson doesn't mean anything. If Bourdais was good enough for F1, someone would have picked him up.

 

It does seem like F think they can just buy their way into good drivers.

"Just because we're F they'll all be flocking to us wanting to drive."