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2012 Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test (merged)


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#1 CrossF1

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 11:23

(I didn't find any threads about it, so I made one.)

Red Bull: Antonio Felix Da Costa (2 days), Robin Frijns (1 day)
Mclaren: Paffett (1d), Magnussen (1d), Turvey (1d)
Lotus: Nicolas Prost (1d), Edoardo Mortara (1d), Davide Valsecchi (1d)
Sauber: Gutierrez (2d), Frijns (1d)
Toro Rosso: Luiz Razia, Johnny Cecotto Jr.
Caterham: Van Der Garde (2d), Rossi (1d)


Italic = rumoured.

Edited by CrossF1, 24 October 2012 - 11:04.


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#2 ConsiderAndGo

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 11:30

(I didn't find any threads about it, so I made one.)

Red Bull: Antonio Felix Da Costa (2 days), Robin Frijns (1 day)
Mclaren: Paffett (1d), Magnussen (1d), Turvey (1d)
Lotus: Nicolas Prost (1d), Edoardo Mortara (1d), Davide Valsecchi (1d)
Sauber: Gutierrez (2d), Frijns (1d)
Toro Rosso: Antonio Felix Da Costa (1d)
Caterham: Van Der Garde (2d), Rossi (1d)


Italic = rumoured.


*Dhabi

#3 Jackmancer

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 12:04

I'm curious who Ferrari will bring. They havn't really tested any real talents for a while, and let Perez go -.-

#4 ConsiderAndGo

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 12:09

I'm curious who Ferrari will bring. They havn't really tested any real talents for a while, and let Perez go -.-


They won't be bringing anyone. They had their young driver test in Magny-Cours last month along with Force India and Merc.

Edited by ConsiderAndGo, 23 October 2012 - 12:11.


#5 Francesc

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 12:10

I'm curious who Ferrari will bring. They havn't really tested any real talents for a while, and let Perez go -.-


Ferrari already did their young driver test 2 months ago with Bianchi and Rigon.

#6 TheWilliamzer

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 12:23

Paffet is still regarded "young" ? :p

#7 BackmarkerUK

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 13:09

Luiz Razia will test for Scuderia Toro Rosso (according to Brazilian journalists).

#8 Anja

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 13:25

Paffet is still regarded "young" ? :p

Same as Prost. They really should introduce some age limit.


#9 BoschKurve

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 13:26

What are the thoughts on Nicolas Prost so far? I haven't actually read anything about him, so I'm wondering if he has any of the ability his old man has, or if the apple has fallen further from the tree?

#10 Realyn

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 13:36

is this paffet's third oder fourth "young" driver test?

#11 Anja

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 13:37

What are the thoughts on Nicolas Prost so far? I haven't actually read anything about him, so I'm wondering if he has any of the ability his old man has, or if the apple has fallen further from the tree?

His story is a bit similar to Bruno Senna's - he started his motorsport career very late (at the age of 22) and that definitely didn't help him. He's pretty good in prototypes, definitely not a bad driver.


#12 BoschKurve

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 14:00

His story is a bit similar to Bruno Senna's - he started his motorsport career very late (at the age of 22) and that definitely didn't help him. He's pretty good in prototypes, definitely not a bad driver.


Thanks! I do like to hear that some guys are able to get somewhere in spite of starting out late in motorsports.

#13 F1ultimate

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 16:33

is this paffet's third oder fourth "young" driver test?


Seems so. Mclaren seems to be using YDT opportunities for simulation work and fine tuning, which is alright given that they hardly ever put rookies in a driver's anyways.

#14 BigCHrome

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 22:14

Same as Prost. They really should introduce some age limit.


Why should they introduce a limit?

#15 WatchingF1since4yearsold

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 04:24

Why should they introduce a limit?


otherwise the "young" part is rather redundant :p I would set a limit of 25/26 to be considered young in F1 terms, older than that and you are relatively unlikely to get a drive it seems. (barring the odd notable exception)

interesting to see how Turvey does for McLaren, heard some good things about him a while back...

#16 WatchingF1since4yearsold

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 04:25

(I didn't find any threads about it, so I made one.)

Red Bull: Antonio Felix Da Costa (2 days), Robin Frijns (1 day)
Mclaren: Paffett (1d), Magnussen (1d), Turvey (1d)
Lotus: Nicolas Prost (1d), Edoardo Mortara (1d), Davide Valsecchi (1d)
Sauber: Gutierrez (2d), Frijns (1d)
Toro Rosso: Luiz Razia, Antonio Felix Da Costa (1d)
Caterham: Van Der Garde (2d), Rossi (1d)


Italic = rumoured.


are Williams, HRT and Marussia not testing anyone?

Edited by WatchingF1since4yearsold, 24 October 2012 - 04:25.


#17 Kyo

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 04:47

otherwise the "young" part is rather redundant :p I would set a limit of 25/26 to be considered young in F1 terms, older than that and you are relatively unlikely to get a drive it seems. (barring the odd notable exception)

interesting to see how Turvey does for McLaren, heard some good things about him a while back...

I don't agree with a age limit but i would like to see a limit on how many "young driver test" a driver can take part for the same team. I don't like the idea of teams using it for testing other things instead of new potential drivers for the team.

#18 Anderis

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 06:43

are Williams, HRT and Marussia not testing anyone?

They were testing at Silverstone earlier this year.

#19 GX390

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 06:51

No Calado? :( seems like money gives you a driver at the YDT not talent.

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#20 noikeee

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 08:35

His story is a bit similar to Bruno Senna's - he started his motorsport career very late (at the age of 22) and that definitely didn't help him. He's pretty good in prototypes, definitely not a bad driver.


He was awful in open-wheelers though. Definitely not good enough for F1.

#21 CrossF1

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 11:03

Johnny Cecotto Jr. will test for Toro Rosso

Edited by CrossF1, 24 October 2012 - 11:04.


#22 HistoryFan

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 11:47

So we have the full line-up:

Red Bull: Antonio Felix da Costa (2), Robin Frijns (1)
McLaren: Gary Paffett (1), Oliver Turvey (1), Kevin Magnussen (1)
Ferrari: Jules Bianchi (2), Davide Rigon (1) (Magny-Course)
Mercedes: Sam Bird (2), Brendon Hartley (1) (Magny Course)
Lotus: Nicolas Prost (1), Edoardo Mortara (1), Davide Valsecchi (1)
Force India: Jules Bianchi (1), Luiz Razia (1), Rodolfo Gonzalez (1) (Magny-Course)
Sauber: Esteban Gutiérrez (2), Robin Frijns (1)
Toro Rosso: Luiz Razia (1,5), Johnny Cecotto jr. (1,5)
Williams: Valtteri Bottas (2) (Silverstone)
Caterham: Giedo van der Garde (2), Alexander Rossi (1)
Marussia: Max Chilton (1), Rio Haryanto (1) (Silverstone)
HRT: Ma Qing Hua (1) (Silverstone)

Edited by HistoryFan, 24 October 2012 - 11:47.


#23 CrossF1

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 11:49

Pretty disappointind line-up I must say. Hoped for more young talents instead of 30 year-olds and guys with rich dad.

Edited by CrossF1, 24 October 2012 - 11:50.


#24 dau

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 12:23

Pretty disappointind line-up I must say. Hoped for more young talents instead of 30 year-olds and guys with rich dad.

I'm counting 10 talented young drivers, that's much more than F1 is going to need in the next five years. Apart from Wickens, Calado and maybe Nasr, all current F1 hopefuls at that level seem to be there. Or is there anyone else you're missing?

#25 CrossF1

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 12:28

I'm counting 10 talented young drivers, that's much more than F1 is going to need in the next five years. Apart from Wickens, Calado and maybe Nasr, all current F1 hopefuls at that level seem to be there. Or is there anyone else you're missing?



I'm disappointed that Lotus doesn't run their young drivers Sörensen, Stanaway, Korjus..


EDIT: btw, Razia gets 2 days, Cecotto 1 day in Toro Rosso

Edited by CrossF1, 24 October 2012 - 12:29.


#26 noikeee

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 12:41

I'm intrigued by Mortara being given a shot by Lotus, that's a good driver that dropped out of the F1 ladder, I'm a bit surprised he's back testing despite doing well in DTM.

I think the more interesting bit is how Frijns gets on with his 2 teams and how does he compare to Felix da Costa in the Red Bull.

#27 aray

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 13:22

I'm intrigued by Mortara being given a shot by Lotus, that's a good driver that dropped out of the F1 ladder, I'm a bit surprised he's back testing despite doing well in DTM.

I think the more interesting bit is how Frijns gets on with his 2 teams and how does he compare to Felix da Costa in the Red Bull.

yup!Mortara deserved chances,yet he was ignored for last two years.....

#28 ayali

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 13:23

I think the more interesting bit is how Frijns gets on with his 2 teams and how does he compare to Felix da Costa in the Red Bull.

Frijns should get on fine, he has spend plenty of days in both the Sauber and the Red Bull simulator during the last few months.
It will be the most important days of his career so far though, he brings no significant sponsorship and is not enlisted in a young driver program.

Who of those listed will we see in F1 next year do you think?
I'd say Bianchi, Gutierrez, Bottas and van der Garde in a race seat and Frijns for the Sauber reserve role.

#29 Les

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 13:29

Fair to say that there is a wide talent spectrum taking part...

On one hand a few talented drivers like De Costa and Frijns but on the other hand there is some real scrapping of the talent barrel in some places.

#30 Collective

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 14:00

The Cecotto choice is interesting because of the team. Perhaps a signal that Red Bull is cutting funding more than expected so they need to sell test days now?

#31 gd2

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 14:34

This list really shows ho the Super Licence needs to be harder to get. Very much money over taleey should drop the Young Driver title, talent is far more important. Thankfully other sports choose based on talent and I wish F1 would too then we'd have a grid with the best drivers in the world rather than some of them. The best driver outside F1, Adam Carroll, never gets a look and in an ideal world Anthony Davidson would have a seat.

#32 gd2

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 14:36

I'm counting 10 talented young drivers, that's much more than F1 is going to need in the next five years. Apart from Wickens, Calado and maybe Nasr, all current F1 hopefuls at that level seem to be there. Or is there anyone else you're missing?


Adam Carroll, the best driver outside F1. Classic case of talent but no money.

How many chances does Brendon Hartley get?

Edited by gd2, 24 October 2012 - 14:36.


#33 Myrvold

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 16:52

This list really shows ho the Super Licence needs to be harder to get.


Why? You don't need a Super Licence to test :)

#34 gd2

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 17:08

[quote name='Myrvold' date='Oct 24 2012, 17:52' post='5987068']
Why? You don't need a Super Licence to test :)
[/quote
s
Maybe it should. We're seeing some unqualified drivers getting a chance based solely on the amount of money they can pay whilst some of the most talented drivers don't get the chance they've earned.

Can you imagine Man Utd or Real Madrid trialing a player because they've paid for the privilidge rather than a new Messi or Ronaldo?

#35 KateLM

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 17:31

The Cecotto choice is interesting because of the team. Perhaps a signal that Red Bull is cutting funding more than expected so they need to sell test days now?

STR ran Ceccon last year for no obvious reason other than money so it's not new. Probably more to do with there not being any other RB juniors ready for F1 tests so STR might as well sell them off because they aren't seriously looking for talent outside of that programme.

Razia has done sim work for Red Bull this year so I doubt he's paying much,, if anything, for his two days anyway.

#36 ayali

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 17:36

Maybe it should. We're seeing some unqualified drivers getting a chance based solely on the amount of money they can pay whilst some of the most talented drivers don't get the chance they've earned.

Would you be so kind to specify which of the drivers listed for the Abu Dhabi Driver Test are unqualified according to your "expert" opinion?

#37 Zava

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 17:40

STR ran Ceccon last year for no obvious reason other than money so it's not new. Probably more to do with there not being any other RB juniors ready for F1 tests so STR might as well sell them off because they aren't seriously looking for talent outside of that programme.

Razia has done sim work for Red Bull this year so I doubt he's paying much,, if anything, for his two days anyway.

well, they could've given 1 STR day to da Costa, who has to sit out wednesday because the FR3.5 champion is having a go with the RB8.

#38 Risil

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 19:12

I think the more interesting bit is how Frijns gets on with his 2 teams and how does he compare to Felix da Costa in the Red Bull.


We'll be able to test whether the Sauber's a better car than the Red Bull, as Dr Marko claims... :stoned:

#39 noikeee

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 20:33

Adam Carroll, the best driver outside F1.


Holy hyperbole! :eek: Carroll is good and had quite a good form patch a couple years ago but...

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#40 kpchelsea

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 23:25

What are the thoughts on Nicolas Prost so far? I haven't actually read anything about him, so I'm wondering if he has any of the ability his old man has, or if the apple has fallen further from the tree?

He's done little in single seaters i would say he has the test because of his Father

#41 Disgrace

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 23:31

His story is a bit similar to Bruno Senna's - he started his motorsport career very late (at the age of 22) and that definitely didn't help him. He's pretty good in prototypes, definitely not a bad driver.


This is exactly why there shouldn't be an age limit. Age does not equal experience, although it is significantly more likely, and the latter is more relevant. Paffett is clearly there as an experienced tester which is further from the point. An age limit would only eliminate outliers.

Edited by Disgrace, 24 October 2012 - 23:33.


#42 gd2

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 23:50

Would you be so kind to specify which of the drivers listed for the Abu Dhabi Driver Test are unqualified according to your "expert" opinion?


Brendon Hartley
Nicolas Prost
Rodolfo Gonzalez
Johnny Cecotto jr.
Rio Haryanto
Ma Qing Hua

Drivers who should be there:

Adam Carroll
Luca Filippi
Anthony Davidson
James Calado


#43 gd2

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Posted 24 October 2012 - 23:58

Holy hyperbole! :eek: Carroll is good and had quite a good form patch a couple years ago but...


Take a look at what he did last season in a few appearences in Fr3.5, Auto GP and GP2. Considering he had little if any testing he was at the front of the grid with all of the guys in this test. He should have got a drive after the A1GP win but Lola didn't happen and he has no backers and the likes of Red Bull, Lotus etc blinkered view to talent means he's been overlooked. They won't look outside their young driver programmes.


#44 KateLM

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 00:00

How is Ant Davidson any more qualified for a YOUNG drivers test than Prost or Paffett? He slready had his chance, it didn't work out, that's life.

It's also too late for Filippi and Carroll, those two aren't any more likely to turn a test into a race seat opportunity than anyone else. And Carroll is good but he's not THAT good.

#45 ayali

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 09:30

Brendon Hartley
Nicolas Prost
Rodolfo Gonzalez
Johnny Cecotto jr.
Rio Haryanto
Ma Qing Hua

Drivers who should be there:

Adam Carroll
Luca Filippi
Anthony Davidson
James Calado

Ah OK I already thought so, it's not so much that those drivers are "unqualified" but you just have an opinion that others are better qualified.

Anyway Gonzalez, Haryanto and Qing Hua won't be at the Abu Dhabi test
And really Prost, Hartley and Cecotto that much less qualified than the names you provided?

Carroll: Really?? He's nearly 30 y/o F1 ain't gonna happen for him, ever
Filippi: He's been in GP2 for like 7 years now, if he was destined for F1 it would have happened by now
Ant Davidson: Had his chance and it didn't work out. He can now make a pretty good living driving sportscars and with his Sky gig
Calado: There you have a point but if keeps up the good work chances are a team will give him a shot next year.

As to Red Bull not looking outside their own drivers program, Frijns has been approached by them and has been racking up plenty of mileage in their simulator this year. So they do keep an eye open for exceptional talent (of the right age) outside their program.

#46 gd2

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 12:11

Ah OK I already thought so, it's not so much that those drivers are "unqualified" but you just have an opinion that others are better qualified.

Anyway Gonzalez, Haryanto and Qing Hua won't be at the Abu Dhabi test
And really Prost, Hartley and Cecotto that much less qualified than the names you provided?

Carroll: Really?? He's nearly 30 y/o F1 ain't gonna happen for him, ever
Filippi: He's been in GP2 for like 7 years now, if he was destined for F1 it would have happened by now
Ant Davidson: Had his chance and it didn't work out. He can now make a pretty good living driving sportscars and with his Sky gig
Calado: There you have a point but if keeps up the good work chances are a team will give him a shot next year.

As to Red Bull not looking outside their own drivers program, Frijns has been approached by them and has been racking up plenty of mileage in their simulator this year. So they do keep an eye open for exceptional talent (of the right age) outside their program.


Opinion yes, but based on talent and what they have achieved.

Prost shouldn't be getting in an F1 car, he has done nothing in single seaters.

Gary Paffett deserves a place in F1

Ant deserves another crack, he's still used by Mercedes. Rather insulting to say he can make a good living in sportscars. He did all the hard work for Honda for years, if it wasn't for that groundhog in Canada he'd still be in F1.

Talent is what the talent spotters should be looking for ,regardless of age. Dr Helmut Marko would have lost his job years ago if he'd been a football scout. He's been employing League One drivers when the next Messi or Ronaldo has been staring him in the face!
Maybe finally MArko is realising that he has to look outside his chosen few?

Carroll and Filippi can step in a car and be instantly quick. What does it say of the GP2 field when Luca can get pole having been out of the series all year and Carroll did the same last season in FR3.5 & AutoGp. They aren't too old, better to have a fast, wise and skilful driver rather than a fast and unproven one taking out the field like Grosjean and a number of the GP2 field.

They were both well ahead of Perez, Kobayashi, Karthikeyan, Chandhook, Pic, Buemi, Alguersuari and D'Ambrosio when they got drives.

Have a word with the Autosport scribes they constantly question why Carroll is not in F1 and read James Allen's excellent article on the problems F1 faces with the way new drivers are being chosen.


#47 aray

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 12:53

Brendon Hartley
Nicolas Prost
Rodolfo Gonzalez
Johnny Cecotto jr.
Rio Haryanto
Ma Qing Hua

Drivers who should be there:

Adam Carroll
Luca Filippi
Anthony Davidson
James Calado

why adding Filippi..?want to show you are not biased about Brits..?. ;)

#48 ayali

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 14:19

Have a word with the Autosport scribes they constantly question why Carroll is not in F1 and read James Allen's excellent article on the problems F1 faces with the way new drivers are being chosen.

Hmm I have the impression that those scribes want every Brit who once turned a wheel in anger to make it to F1, figures too as that would be good for magazine sales. ;)
The Allen article is interesting but a bit of an overreaction imo as I really don't see F1 without (top) talent in already 5 years.
There has always been a mix of talent-only and money-assisted-talent in F1, maybe the current economic climate favours the latter at the moment but over time things will balance out and real talent will rise to the top.

Anyway here's an interesting article by Joe Saward on the economics of hiring a driver
http://joesaward.wor...f1-pay-drivers/

#49 ayali

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 14:21

why adding Filippi..?want to show you are not biased about Brits..?.;)

That thought had crossed my mind too as gd2 feels

Carroll
Calado
Paffett
Davidson

all deserve a place in F1 :eek:

#50 kpchelsea

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Posted 25 October 2012 - 14:22

Ah OK I already thought so, it's not so much that those drivers are "unqualified" but you just have an opinion that others are better qualified.

Anyway Gonzalez, Haryanto and Qing Hua won't be at the Abu Dhabi test
And really Prost, Hartley and Cecotto that much less qualified than the names you provided?

Carroll: Really?? He's nearly 30 y/o F1 ain't gonna happen for him, ever
Filippi: He's been in GP2 for like 7 years now, if he was destined for F1 it would have happened by now
Ant Davidson: Had his chance and it didn't work out. He can now make a pretty good living driving sportscars and with his Sky gig
Calado: There you have a point but if keeps up the good work chances are a team will give him a shot next year.

As to Red Bull not looking outside their own drivers program, Frijns has been approached by them and has been racking up plenty of mileage in their simulator this year. So they do keep an eye open for exceptional talent (of the right age) outside their program.

Has Calado got any sponsorship left to continue next year?