IMHO it's a mistake for Torro Rosso to go with TS. I would rather give one of the GP2 guys a chance over a proven backmarker. What is Bourdais doing? Does he have a contract for next year? Are they looking for two drivers? Is Vettel taking a step down by going to Red Bull, or will he make the Red Bull car even faster than the Torro Rosso? I hope he doesn't regret the move. I guess it's moot, becasue I suspect he will be at Ferrari in a few years anyway.
i do hope Sato land the STR ride. what do u mean he's a proven backmarker? it's simple, because all these years, except 2004, he was in a backmarker team. if i were a team boss, why the hell would i risk passing the ride to a GP2 racer over an F1 driver?
Taking Sato is not a risk, everyone knows how he drives. He'll presumably end up somewhere in the back of the midfield. But in a team like Toro Rosso, no risk doesn't lead anywhere. If you give your car to a star from the lower series, chances are that he'll perform great (Vettel!) and maybe after he scored valuable points for you and is ready to move up, you can "sell" him for huge money. If he doesn't fulfil your high expectations, well, maybe he'll finish somewhere around position 15, 16... not far from where Sato would be anyway.
Then I guess Button, Barrichello, and Fisichella should all go also. Nothing but back markers. And I guess the cars Sato were in were so much better.
doesn't sato pay his way on the team or something like that? I thought he brought in something like 10-15million to the team from his own sources. Maybe that's someone in the past I am thinking of.
I think Sato is a good (and exciting) driver to watch. Teams need balance and someone with experience coupled with a new and upcoming star can prvoide that good balance. That being said - I also think Bourdais should be given another chance. He may not be Vettel but he was coming into his own towards the end of the season. My guess is that it will be either Sato or Bourdais coupled with a new star.
He's as fast if not faster than Button and he brings a lot of sponsorship potential. Why not put him in the seat?
Happy hour must start early in California. I did not know that Sato won a GP race. Its amazing that he actually finished one.
OK, that's it. As it's now off season and we're all a little bored and punchy I think we should start taking some time to make our arguments. I'll try to find some time and go back, gather up the data, and make my case. I think Sato has been given a bad rap by many with a Eurocentric slant in favor of Button.
and heres the numbers: Takuma Sato Formula 1 Driver Profile for Takuma Sato Nation Japan Town Tokyo Birth 28 January 1977 FirstRace 2002-03-03 Melbourne Last Race 2008-04-27 Catalunya Races Run 91 Victories 0 Podium 1 Pole Position 0 Fastest Lap 0 Finish in points 14 Points 44.00 Seasons 7 Tracks 21 Teams 3 Jenson Button Formula 1 Driver Profile for Jenson Button Nation GREAT BRITAIN Town Frome Birth 19 January 1980 FirstRace 2000-03-12 Melbourne Last Race 2008-11-02 Interlagos Races Run 154 Victories 1 Podium 15 Pole Position 3 Fastest Lap 0 Finish in points 61 Points 232.00 Seasons 9 Tracks 23 Teams 5 Takuma has always been considered a fast driver with a natural talent. He has, however, often been too impulsive, and lacking in good judgment. This showed at the Nurburgring in 2004, for instance, when he made a crazy dive to pass Rubens Barrichello at the first corner and broke his own front wing. Sato: 0 Poles 0 Fastest laps 0 Wins Button: 3 Poles 0 Fastest laps 1 Wins Ooops! Go Button!
Jim, you know those aren't the only numbers that matter. Like I said, I'll dig into the stats and it's a LOT closer than it first appears.
At that matters is results. If you can't bring the car home, you end up on the side lines with out a drive. That is why Sato is struggling and why Button has a ride for 2009. Sponsers don't care if you are fast when no one is around. They want there name on the TV screen as much as possible. The only people Sato shakes hands with are the drivers of the tow truck, taking his car away.
Jim your defence of Button is admirable, I hope next year he gives you something worthy to bang on about. Oh Go Button!!
Vettel will make that Red Bull run, Sebastian is similar to Schumacher he knows how to drive and get that car running. My prediction for Sebastian is; he be sitting in a Ferrari by 2011! wolfman
Ah, but many of the reasons why is car came home on a tow truck had to do with the car letting him down rather than driver error.
Because the GP2 driver could be the next Hamilton. You won't get that with Sato. As a team boss you want to test a bunch of drivers to find a Vettel or a Hamilton. Grosjean, Buemi, Senna, di Grassi, all have a chance of becoming great. Sato doesn't. I like Sato. I remember one race where he passed Alonso, I think, and everyone watching cheered. But I wouldn't put him in a seat. Let him buy a seat at TaTa.
