Rossi to race in japan

I still think Haas is stupid for not taking him. He's a good enough driver and cheap enough that he could put the money into development. He's not going to be a championship contender anyway.

 

Has Haas ruled him out?

I don't believe he has his superlicense yet, right? If not, these drives could have been "requested" by Haas or more likely, Ferrari, in order to get him the miles needed ahead of next season?

As for money, I don't think any of the guys who are on the supposed shortlist are going to be "expensive". Maybe the Hulk, but I wouldn't go there either personally.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Audition

 

Exactly!

I'd guess that should he show "well" he'll be with Haas next year.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Confirmation is now out that he has five races before Merhi is back for Russia & Abu DHabi

 

Cool! Hope he does well.

 

2nd to last?

or ahead of McLaren?

 

Would probably be good enough; As long as he finishes ahead of his "vastly" more experienced teammate he's making the right impressions.

That would probably cement a nice long career for him!

These guys have very, very, little time to "impress" before they're punted to the curb. Conversely, a decent early run or two often leads to a very nice career. [See, Webber, Mark as an example! ]

I'm kind of impressed they're giving him *5* races to show his mettle.

Good luck to him - Would be cool (for the sport in general) to have a US jockey on the grid.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Ha, as Ian mentioned, ahead of his teammate.

 

Just saw this on jalopnik. Very excited. Too bad manor didn't update their car at the break like they were supposedly going to do.

 

I dont follow this as closely as some of you, but I believe Rossi is the only American to have a Superlicense.

 

Reading some more comments. Rossi has never changed an engine or trans.

Yah, it is hilarious that in Rossis first race, he could have the slowest qually time and still start 1/3 of the way up the grid!

 

I may well be wrong on the superlicense. Seems he's already run quite a few miles.

?

I'm pretty sure that it's the car/PU that takes the penalties; Dropping in another jockey won't "fix it" for you.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Technically if he were to finish GP2 in 2nd, that alone qualifies him with 40 pts. Plus he was a test driver, so he should be gtg.

 

OK, so how about this scenario:

--So far, Haas team has said "no rookies", which rules Rossi out
--But now he is scheduled to drive 5 times this year for Manor!
--Manor is a Ferrari engine customer...
--and Haas is a Ferrari component customer...
--and Ferrari certainly will have some "influence" on what Manor and Haas do next year..
--So Haas takes Rossi as a driver next year since with 5 races he's no longer a "rookie"

and we have an American team with an American driver to root for and build support and sell shirts!

They'll still be at the back of the grid with Manor, but a guy can dream can't he?????

 

This definitely makes sense to me. Also the statement from Manor that the move is in their "long-term interest" seems to imply that it has zero impact on their short term interest. So it certainly points to something in the future.

From the ESPN F1 article:

Team principal John Booth said the decision was in the "long-term interests" of the team.


...of course a nice wad of change also helps long term interest too ; )

 

So they are starting to do what Caterham did..musical chairs..

 

D'oh

 

I wouldn't go as far as calling it musical chairs; Mehri's deal all along was NOT guaranteed for the full season.