So, it seems it's between the broken-glass assaulter and Jules Bianchi. Have a vote for who you think will get the last remaining seat...... - The former is at least a somewhat proven entity. - The latter remains a member of the Ferrari academy, and FI may be looking for engines in 2014...... Whatcha reckon?..... Cheers, Ian
Sutil = German = Mercedes connection? Bianchi = Ferrari connection? Sutil never looked like an outstanding driver, but he is surely a safe pair of hands and should have less track incidents that newcomer Jules Bianchi who should try to make his mark straightaway.
Although Julie has been fairly disappointing in GP2 (didn't really catch any Frenault), I'd like to see him have a go in F1.
Autosport says the nod has been given to Sutil: Adrian Sutil beats Jules Bianchi to 2013 Force India Formula 1 seat - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com >8^) ER
+1 Apparently, he brings a reasonable ($5MM?) pile of cash with him. Anyway, seems the pairings are now all set. While most of the armchair "experts" here won't put their reputations where their mouthes are in the fantasy league (*******! ) I was thinking a "teammates" competition might be fun; Simply predict which of the two will be ahead come Brazil and win kudos from your peers. Gotta think about how to set it up - An 11 option, multiple choice, poll maybe? Watch for a new thread "soon"...... Cheers, Ian
I'm glad Sutil got the seat. I think he is very under valued. I would have like to have seen him get MS's seat at Merc so we could see what he's capable of in better equipment. Mark
I'm gonna piss a few folk off here; I'm not yet convinced that Merc is going to be a better package than FI! Really!..... I wouldn't put money on it, but would not be at all surprised if little old Mallya shows the "works" team the way...... Given the gazillion $'s they're spending and their hiring everyone that can walk from one end of the pits to the other I'd *love* to see it!..... Sooty & Scottalian ahead of the Hulk (if not MerHam) would be *classic*! [And probably get some guys fired ahead of "their year".......] Cheers, Ian
Wouldn't piss me off one bit. Would actually be hilariously funny. Although I do think they will be better than FI. I'm so tired of MB's constant mantra "This year is just a test year, next year we will go for the title.". How about for something in between called a gradual improvement? As for Sutil, I'm glad he is back. Good driver.
+1 I've always felt he was underrated. Although I would have liked to see what Bianchi was capable of.
Cheers to Adrian for getting the nod. I guess that better be with a glass of Champagne I was hoping Jules would get the nod, but I'd guess Force India took the short term money to make the team more profitable to help VJ off-load it... Anyway, Slitil it is
They'll probably keep saying the same thing for a long time. MB is looking a bit top heavy with the cooks, I can't see them becoming anything more than what they are right now if they keep going this way. Hamilton will give them a shot in the arm but I can't really see them winning any titles any time soon. I can see them pulling a Honda and packing up shop.
Now there are talks of Bianchi at Marussia who are on their own looking for an engine supplier ... Not sure Marussia would give Ferrari much r&d data though
Bianchi will have his chance. Maybe not right out of the gate this year, but he is a talented enough driver that he is not going to be "out of sight, out of mind", at least not for long.
