Who will be the next different WDC?

This is a tough era to be in F1, I don't see any of the current wdc virgins getting past the array of talent already at the top. It can only be someone new and spectacularly good, in some years' time.

Suspect it will be either Rosberg, Frijns or Bottas.
I'm gonna say Rosberg.

There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth if that happens whilst he's TDG's team mate.

There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth if that happens whilst he's TDG's team mate.

Oh dear...

Hulk and RoGro.

I voted for Rosberg.
I don't know when, but I think he can win a title with a dominant car.
Hulk too perhaps.

Here's a 12 year old thread, a similar topic made back in 2000.

http://forums.autosp...amp;hl=champion

Appearantly Alonso didn't even exist back then.

Here's a 12 year old thread, a similar topic made back in 2000.

http://forums.autosp...amp;hl=champion

Appearantly Alonso didn't even exist back then.

Ehh... Poor guys those Trulli, Fisichella, R.Schumacher, Coulthard, Barrichello and whoever else was there. Later you could add Montoya in there as well. And Button, who was impressing in 2000, was also close to getting forgotten had the Brawn of 2009 not come along.

"Poor" because back in 2000 they were right behind Hakkinen and M.Schumacher in F1's pecking order. But little did they know about the rise of a new powerful generation of Raikkonen, Alonso, et al, who would deny them title shots once M.Schumacher is finished. Well, Hakkinen was sort of finished after 2000 anyway.

Fast forward to 2012.
I have a strange feeling something like that could happen to Perez, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Ricciardo, et al, as well. They are viewed as next best to the current WDC's, but once the current WDC generation comes to an end, we may have a completely new bunch of top drivers in F1 and those young guys may remain bridesmaids forever.

It will be Perez or Hulkenberg. Perez has more chances to do that as he will have better car underneath him.

Here's a 12 year old thread, a similar topic made back in 2000.

http://forums.autosp...amp;hl=champion

Appearantly Alonso didn't even exist back then.

But Raikkonen - UK Formula Renault 2.0 driver at the time - is mentioned!

OK, by a fellow Finn

Here's a 12 year old thread, a similar topic made back in 2000.

http://forums.autosp...amp;hl=champion

Appearantly Alonso didn't even exist back then.

IIRC the correct answer, Fernando Alonso, was still in Formula 3000 at the time.

Is this a further indication that the next big thing might not even be in F1 yet, but rather in some junior Formula category?

I think Grosjean or Hulkenberg with a slight advantage for the last so i voted for him

4. Fisichella
{He is starting to imply - Luca di does this --> when he hears this - that he will probably go to Ferrari if Renault are not competitive right 'out of the box' [They will be though]. But, hey: what do I know I was the genius who predicted Montoya would enter F1 in 2002 with Toyota and that Audi would enter F1 after blowing the field into the weeds at LeMans this year. So I am really on a roll, right?;) }

Fisi did go to both those teams, but not much came of it.

3. Montoya
And, truth be known, know what? If Montoya had been in CART in 1998 he would have done the same thing over here that he did in 1999, probably would have landed an F1 drive with Williams for 1999 and we would not be having this particular conversation right now. For the record :If this guy is not the next Senna - well, at least, the next Piquet or Lauda -, I will retire to NASCAR.

That NASCAR quip was very prophetic be careful with your sarcasm.

4. Button
'Jenny' -;) - is critical to the attractiveness of F1 to the next generation of die-hard F1 fans. As a Lapsed Tifosi, I would love to see him go to Ferrari just long enough to win a title there, which - wouldn't you Brits agree??? - would sort of complete Mansell's unfinished agenda there. I am starting to meet kids - literally - who know only one name in motorsports: Button. Sir Frank might well have just guaranteed the next generation of F1.

The only one he actually got right

Only Perez is already in a good car out of the drivers I think could make it. But not going to do it next year. Ok Massa and Webber as well but not very likely with their current teammates.

I think Grosjean has good potential he must stop stop crashing so much to convince any other team boss.
I see talent also in Hulkenberg but he needs more years to become a consistent threat. The path of changing teams every year is a rough one but may benefit him in the end.
Bottas, well, at least he can run fast.

Rosbergs chances dropped with his new teammate.

Out of the back field drivers and junior formulas I have no idea.

Edited by Mauseri, 25 December 2012 - 00:39.

hulk and growjohn have the speed but not yet ready obviously. I don't rate Di resta at all but I think Ricciardo has something about him, have followed his live timing closely and like what I see.

how so many picked bottas before even a single race yet is beyond me.

Rosberg is the new webber!

Edited by goldenboy, 25 December 2012 - 00:54.

Things like these are impossible to predict correctly. While Sergio Perez has the car for next season, I don't think we'll be seeing any new champion until 2016 at least. Here's how I think things will pan out.

If Vettel leaves for Ferrari

Ferrari - Fernando Alonso will still be there for sure, but I think Massa will get dumped. But replaced by whom? For the sake of my 2016 prediction, I'll go with Vettel's rumor turning out to be true, meaning that Alonso-Vettel will be the 2014 Ferrari partnership. But this also depends on whether Alonso can win next year's championship or not. If he does, then it ruins any chance for Nico Hulkenberg becoming the next new champion, since he'll be playing 2nd fiddle to Alonso and end up like Coulthard.

Red Bull - The 2nd team crucial for deciding the next new champion. I think any new champion will be driving for them, but that again depends on Vettel moving to Ferrari. Assuming he does, that will leave 1 spot open for 2014, which will go to Nico Hulkenberg, rather than JEV or Daniel Ricciardo, keeping in mind that Webber will likely retire in 2014 or 15 itself, thus making an established quick driver a requirement for the team, which at this moment is Hulkenberg. I might even be Nico Rosberg, but I think Mercedes will not want him to leave. Hulkenberg will then be joined by any of the trifecta of JEV, Ricciardo or the highly tipped Antonio da Costa, who will probably make his debut next season, midway through. Now, again, if Red Bull produce a fast car in 14 itself, then Hulkenberg would stand chance to be champion. But if they don't capitalize on the regulation changes and take a couple more years to produce a fast car, then it could be any of Ricciardo, da Costa or even JEV, who might beat Hulkenberg. So if Vettel moves, then any of the Hulkenberg-JEV/RIC/DAC partnership could be our new champion.

If Vettel does not leave for Ferrari

Ferrari - In this scenario, Nico Hulkenberg will be the replacement for Massa, and as stated earlier, would waste his chances while playing 2nd fiddle to Alonso till 2016.

Red Bull - Webber will be replaced by any of JEV/RIC/DAC and until they turn out to be extremely fast drivers, they won't be beating Vettel, thus cancelling out another set of potential WDC drivers.

McLaren - Jenson Button will retire in 2015, leaving a spot open for a Hamilton return, thus rendering Perez's shot, moot. If Hamilton does not return, then Hulkenberg would be best advised to join McLaren, but if that does not happen, then it will be a driver who still hasn't possibly joined F1 yet, or it will be Romain Grosjean. Could even be Pastor Maldonado or Valtteri Bottas, or even Nico Rosberg if they desire an experienced driver still, leaving an uncertain picture yet again. If Vettel does not indeed leave for Ferrari, then any new driver will have their best opportunity over here at McLaren.

Mercedes - Hamilton will not leave them after 2014 if they are not challenging for championships, and neither will Rosberg, so they are a moot option for any new champion to emerge, regardless of them being championship caliber or not.

Outside Chance

Lotus - Currently Romain Grosjean, especially if Lotus turn out to be the joker of the pack in 2014. Might even again be Nico Hulkenberg or even Paul di Resta, Felipe Massa, if Raikkonen decides to retire next season. And maybe even Maldonado or Bottas in that case and even Charles Pic or Robin Frijns, because we have no clue who Raikkonen would be replaced by in 2014, if he decides to retire next season.

As you can see, there are a lot of ifs and buts when it comes to making such a long term prediction, thus rendering the whole thread moot really. But, it's an enjoyable thought exercise, nonetheless and an exciting thread to look back upon, once the question does indeed get answered.

I kind of feel there are no diamonds in the current crop of rookies. Just your average Trullis and Fisichellas. So I'm going to say the next new driver to win the WDC is not in F1 at the moment yet. Maybe Bottas?

Trulli was not average. The man was WDC material in his prime.

I want it to be Ricciardo, but more likely someone like Robin Frijns or even Antonio Felix da Costa depending on who gets the right seat at the right time.

Looking at the article on the front page (written back in January) there is currently a logjam and a lot of talent is not getting in. Noting Webber at what 37(?) being the oldest, most of the current front-runners are going to be around for a while to come. :\

I want it to be Ricciardo, but more likely someone like Robin Frijns or even Antonio Felix da Costa depending on who gets the right seat at the right time.

Looking at the article on the front page (written back in January) there is currently a logjam and a lot of talent is not getting in. Noting Webber at what 37(?) being the oldest, most of the current front-runners are going to be around for a while to come. :\

To be honest, I think Webber will be gone due to his antics at the deciding races in 2012, and Massa is on borrowed time anyway. The 5 champions aren't going any time soon, however they only fill half of the top drives.

Perez is the litmus test, but if he goes well I think RBR and Ferrari will have openings. Hulkenberg has moved to the traditional Ferrari talent camp and could probably be placated if they say "play #2 in your first year and we will give you a full shot when Alonso retires" if he was elevated to the Ferrari seat.

Grosjean will also be gone after repeating his 2012 performance.

PART 1

PART 2

GP3 Monza 2011

I believe that is a very impressive drive, I think Bottas will thrive in F1.. But, only time will tell.

I once thought Montoya would bag a championship more than once, so time will tell

Today's f1 drivers - Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg - the best candidates. Grosjean and Maldonado are very fast, but stupid. Some say it will change with experience, but it didn't change Montoya, for example.
Rosberg is a good one, especially if Mercs will build a good engine for 2014, but he's got Hamilton to beat.
Long shot - Rob Frijns, Mitch Evans
Maaaaaybe - Carlos Sainz Jr., Felipe Nasr, James Calado, Valtteri Bottas, Antonio Felix da Costa, Nyck de Vries

Perez for sure. But not too soon obviously.

Nick de Vries
He'll be in a McLaren in 4 years and in that time I can't see any of the listed drivers, except maybe Bianchi, having anything like the talent required to beat Alonso, Vettel, Raikkonen and Hamilton over a full season

Felix da Costa. Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and even Raikkonen are going to block championship for many years. The present 2nd line are going to have a touh time. Then, just like Schumacher in 1991, Alonso/kimi in 2001, and Vettel 2007, a brand new refreshing talent will come and change everything.

Perez is certainly the most likely to have the car to do it. It is certainly not easy for young pilots to get the right seat with such an amount of generally young quality drivers sitting in the best cars. 2014 might be an important window with a shake-up of the rules and experienced hands like Webber possibly leaving the sport.

Edited by H2H, 26 December 2012 - 18:27.

Look at it this way, Hamilton couldn't get close in either 2010 or 2012 in what were two very fast cars. 2012 was ruined by a car that fell to bits, but the Singapore failure for one may be blamed on his brush with the wall. Now he has signed for 3 years at a team with 1 win in 3 years and a car that was dropping behind a falling Sauber.

Unless the rules in 2014 cause a huge shakeup that Mercedes benefits from (likely at the expense of the 2013 car) Hamilton isn't getting another title shot until 2016.

Button is in a better position, but I am not sold he can match the speed of Vettel or Alonso at every track. Alonso has crushing consistency and Vettel has a damn fast car with an incredible development team.

I'm willing to say the next 3 years will be between Vettel and Alonso with an outside chance of Button and Perez winning the title.

Edited by Jimisgod, 27 December 2012 - 00:38.

Hamilton took the 2010 championship challenge to the final round of the season and finished only 16 points behind Vettel that year. I wouldn't go as far as saying that he "couldn't come close".

Look at it this way, Hamilton couldn't get close in either 2010 or 2012 in what were two very fast cars. 2012 was ruined by a car that fell to bits, but the Singapore failure for one may be blamed on his brush with the wall. Now he has signed for 3 years at a team with 1 win in 3 years and a car that was dropping behind a falling Sauber.

Unless the rules in 2014 cause a huge shakeup that Mercedes benefits from (likely at the expense of the 2013 car) Hamilton isn't getting another title shot until 2016.

Button is in a better position, but I am not sold he can match the speed of Vettel or Alonso at every track. Alonso has crushing consistency and Vettel has a damn fast car with an incredible development team.

And what has all this random drivel got to do with which driver you think will be the next different WDC?????

Other: Villeneuve, Jules; Schumacher, Mick.

Until then, I think we're looking at a steady diet of Alonso, Vettel and maybe one for Lewis if SF and RBR have a shaky year.