116 replies to this topic

[Bloggsworth]

Ecclestone says F1 needs an American driver and says Danica Patrick would be ideal - Discuss, and queue behind Ross. Actually, I'll start.

Danica Patrick is a competent driver in IRL, better than most on an oval and pretty consistent, apparently worse than most on a road/street circuit, though how much of that is down to her crew's inability to provide her with a decent set-up is a moot point; she has on occasion driven very well on road courses, so I doubt she forgets how from race A to race B.

What she isn't is a candidate for an F1 drive. I don't think any of the current IRL drivers would cut it in F1, none of them stands head and shoulders above the others on road courses, not even Powers, who can be beaten by such as Franchitti who, though driving very well, is not in the first flush.

All Ecclestone is seeing is $ signs attached to Danica, which is both unfair on her and on the drivers who actually merit an F1 drive.

Lest anyone thinks otherwise, I am an admirer of what Danica has achieved in a second string car; and approve of her maximising her added value - she has a sound business brain.

[primer]

Would she be significantly worse than Schumacher? Because he's another driver who manages to keep his F1 seat not due to his driving ability, but only marketing potential and brand recognition.

Danica has done very well in monopolizing mindspace when it comes to 'female racing driver'. She would be a one season novelty and F1 is a circus which can use such items. Personally I hope we get a quicker female driver in F1, someone who comes up through the ranks in GP3, F2.

Edited by primer, 11 August 2010 - 15:20.

[phil1993]

Would she be significantly worse than Schumacher?

Yes, quite frankly.

[engel]

Yes Ecclestone has more clues about Racing than probably 95% of this bulletin board combined.
He also has a sharper business acumen.

[Madras]

He prefers money to racing though, sadly.

[Seanspeed]

Would she be significantly worse than Schumacher?

You have no idea! You see how slow Milka Duno looks against the IndyCar drivers? The gap wouldn't be quite that big if Danica were in F1, but I dont think it'd be that far off, either. I certainly think there'd be times she'd struggle with the 107% rule(still in effect, right?) unless she was in a top car. She's pretty damn hopeless on road courses.

And very few expected Schumacher to be as bad as he has been this year, but he's at least earned the right to some benefit of the doubt. Its a bit ridiculous to say he's only in F1 because of his marketing potential.

Edited by Seanspeed, 11 August 2010 - 15:25.

[SimMaker]

Yes Ecclestone has more clues about Racing than probably 95% of this bulletin board combined.
He also has a sharper business acumen.

This.

I mean, can you just imagine the whoha if Danica came to drive in F1? First woman, hot as you like, she would generate Massive headlines and news for the sport.

[Ensign]

I don't think Danica is even the best female driver in the IRL. Simona de Silvestro of Switzerland seems more talented.

I think Alexander Rossi will be the next US driver but not until 2012 at earliest.

[Xpat]

Some quick random thoughts:

1. Danica is qualified if she can bring enough money. There have always been pay to drive drivers in F1.
2. Danica would add some much needed excitement. (if she's half nekid or if she is marching down the pit lane to smack the s&#$ out of Alonso for running her off the track)
3. F1 doesn't need an American driver, it wants one.
4. An American driver will not mean any more success in the US for F1. It will still be seen as a "foreign" series and somewhat suspect. Kind of like we see soccer/football. (it's a plot to sap us of our manly vigor!!)
5. Would it be out of the realm of possibility for a team to so what Dale Coyne does with Milka Duno (not comparing the two at all)? Hire Danica and use all the money she would being in to put a really good driver in the other car? Doesn't seem like a crazy idea for a cash strapped team.
6. I would like to see it just to imagine all the haters out there pounding their keyboards in rage with the veins in their neck about to burst. (lol, breathe into the paper bag)
7. Oh, and my money is on Danica in #2.

[BRG]

Is Danica Patrick a better driver than Alex Yoong, or Zsolt Baumgartner, or Luca Badoer, to name but three?
Yes, probably.

Is Danica Patrick a better PR oportunity than 50% or more of the current F1 grid?
Yes, probably.

Would Danica Patrick prove a disappointment if she raced in F1?
Yes, probably.

The F1 grid should be the best 26 racing drivers that can be found. If one or more of them is female, then that would be great. But no affirmative action, thank you Mr Ecclestone.

[Bloggsworth]

And very few expected Schumacher to be as bad as he has been this year, but he's at least earned the right to some benefit of the doubt. Its a bit ridiculous to say he's only in F1 because of his marketing potential.

I'll say it - if his name weren't Schumacher he wouldn't be there, both ways. He came back because Mercedes offered enough, and was taken on because Mercedes were paying for him. No other team offered him a ride as far as we know.

[primer]

I certainly think there'd be times she'd struggle with the 107% rule(still in effect, right?)

Coming back next season, IIRC.

I mean, can you just imagine the whoha if Danica came to drive in F1? First woman, hot as you like, she would generate Massive headlines and news for the sport.

Yes precisely, no one has ever hired her for her pace in Indy and F1 would be no different. Sure she'll be slower than the guys but she'll still earn a pretty packet while guys like Bruno Senna have to pay for a racing seat.

PS: Paging Danicafan to this thread, paging Danicafan...

[primer]

He prefers money to racing though, sadly.

But Madras money is what makes racing possible! If a team has Danica as their novelty driver, and one other proper driver to get them their results they have a stronger business case than a HRT with a Bruno Senna and a Sakon Yamamoto. She will attract sponsors and media attention like flies drawn to ****.

It would obviously be preferable if the first modern day female F1 driver was inherently quicker that DP, but amazingly the field of female racers is shallow inspite of what Danica has done in the past few years. You would imagine right now there would be a good five-six gals racing in GP2 and they aren't.

[Rob]

Is Danica Patrick a better driver than Alex Yoong, or Zsolt Baumgartner, or Luca Badoer, to name but three?
Yes, probably.

Luca Badoer in his prime would have blown her into the weeds. You don't become F3000 champion without having a mediocum of talent.

[onemoresolo]

This.

I mean, can you just imagine the whoha if Danica came to drive in F1? First woman, hot as you like, she would generate Massive headlines and news for the sport.

I agree that she would generate interest and headlines, but I would point out that she wouldn't be the first

[Disgrace]

She is a backmarker around normal circuits in the IRL. Imagine where that would put her in F1: last by a massive margin.

She has form on ovals, but no ovals in F1.

As has been mentioned, if you're looking for a woman in F1, get Simona de Silvestro. She's younger and far more competent on circuits.

[Hairpin]

This.

I mean, can you just imagine the whoha if Danica came to drive in F1? First woman, hot as you like, she would generate Massive headlines and news for the sport.

She would definitely do that, but all for the wrong reasons. I would be surprised if she was less than 2s slower than the currently worst driver on the grid. I mean it seriously. First of all, F1 is very different than IRL and unless you have been "brought up" with F1 in mind it is not easy to manage those cars. Second - she is not avery young no more, 28 years old. Her backbone is already "programmed" with different kind of cars and different kind of racing.

She would make Chanoch Nissany look good.

Edited by Hairpin, 11 August 2010 - 16:19.

[aditya-now]

Ecclestone says F1 needs an American driver and says Danica Patrick would be ideal - Discuss, and queue behind Ross. Actually, I'll start.

Danica Patrick is a competent driver in IRL, better than most on an oval and pretty consistent, apparently worse than most on a road/street circuit, though how much of that is down to her crew's inability to provide her with a decent set-up is a moot point; she has on occasion driven very well on road courses, so I doubt she forgets how from race A to race B.

What she isn't is a candidate for an F1 drive. I don't think any of the current IRL drivers would cut it in F1, none of them stands head and shoulders above the others on road courses, not even Powers, who can be beaten by such as Franchitti who, though driving very well, is not in the first flush.

All Ecclestone is seeing is $ signs attached to Danica, which is both unfair on her and on the drivers who actually merit an F1 drive.

Lest anyone thinks otherwise, I am an admirer of what Danica has achieved in a second string car; and approve of her maximising her added value - she has a sound business brain.

Bernie has probably more clue about racing than all of us together. Although he himself was a poor racer, he still has the spirit and continues to provide an environment that is second to none for F1. Name me one other racing series that has a similar exposure like F1 or any yearly sport series, for that matter.

To bring in Danica would be the next spectacular step, and he follows his strategy to the point - a German, a colored man, a woman.

[BlackCat]

most of the average fans have just one favorite driver - a former champ, an underdog, just a compatriot, whatever.
now, for such a fan, a female driver would double the interest - how is the girl doing against all those other guys. not sure about Danica, but I'd think Katherine Legge in a - for example - Williams could sometimes beat some of those three new team cars. and bigger interest from average Joes = more money for Bernie (percentage of what goes to racing).

[Xpat]

Bernie has probably more clue about racing than all of us together. Although he himself was a poor racer, he still has the spirit and continues to provide an environment that is second to none for F1. Name me one other racing series that has a similar exposure like F1 or any yearly sport series, for that matter.

I agree Bernie has forgotten more about racing than we all know, but I fear he has forgotten the important stuff.

I try not to confuse commercially successful with good. (Britney Spears, the movie Titanic, and Lady Gaga come to mind)

[Muppetmad]

Danica is an oval specialist, and that is what she does well. Pre-CCWS joining to ICS, Danica had some strong results on road/street courses, but she still wasn't particularly consistent. Nowadays, she tends to struggle. With the proper training - which she could easily get with the sponsorship money she gets - I think she could just about cut it in F1, but I think there are other female drivers out there who would have an easier job adapting. Simona de Silvestro has proven she is capable on road/street courses, but loses her points on the ovals where Danica shines. That's the way it is in the ICS - but if it came to F1, I think Simona would adapt more quickly simply because it suits her style better.

We don't know though. The higher downforce may suit Danica's driving style to a tee, and with the proper preparation could prove to be competent. We don't know. Danica has said she has no intentions of coming to F1 though, so I don't think it will happen unless Bernie throws a lot of money and promises of exposure her way - and that is something Bernie never does.

It would have been interesting to see the results of Danica's F1 test with Honda if the team hadn't collapsed before it occurred... I would have loved to have seen what she was capable of.

[Bloggsworth]

most of the average fans have just one favorite driver - a former champ, an underdog, just a compatriot, whatever.
now, for such a fan, a female driver would double the interest - how is the girl doing against all those other guys. not sure about Danica, but I'd think Katherine Legge in a - for example - Williams could sometimes beat some of those three new team cars. and bigger interest from average Joes = more money for Bernie (percentage of what goes to racing).

I'm afraid Katherine has missed her chance, her second season in an uncompetetive ChampCar did for her.

[cheapracer]

Is Danica Patrick a better PR oportunity than 50% or more of the current F1 grid?
Yes, probably.


The F1 grid should be the best 26 racing drivers that can be found. If one or more of them is female, then that would be great. But no affirmative action, thank you Mr Ecclestone.

90%

Dreamworld - It's never been the best 26* drivers ever, why should it start now?

Danica Patrick is a competent driver in IRL, better than most on an oval and pretty consistent,

All Ecclestone is seeing is $ signs attached to Danica, which is both unfair on her and on the drivers who actually merit an F1 drive.

Well according to you she has merit to drive in F1 - who knows how she would adapt, Michael Andretti was **** as was Alex Zanardi.

Edited by cheapracer, 11 August 2010 - 17:35.

[Bloggsworth]

If Danica did come to F1, she would damage her cause and that of women in F1 irreparably if she didn't drive for, and was competetive in, a McLaren, Ferrari or Renault. There would be absolutely no point in her trailing around at the back of the field in an HRT, Virgin or Lotus, as whatever talent she has would be masked by an underperforming car. Unless Lotus produce a front of the grid chassis next year Kovalainen is finished. Look how many drivers careers were doomed after a year in an early Toyota; Nish, De Matta et al; and they were about as well funded as the top two.

Edited by Bloggsworth, 12 August 2010 - 07:46.

[cheapracer]

If Danica did come to F1, she would damage her cause and that of women in F1 irreperably if she didn't drive for, and was competetive in, a McLaren, Ferrari or Renault. There would be absolutely no point in her trailing around at the back of the field in an HRT, Virgin or Lotus, as whatever talent she has would be masked by an underperforming car. Unless Lotus produce a front of the grid chassis next year Kovalainen is finished. Look how many drivers careers were doomed after a year in an early Toyota; Nish, De Matta et al; and they were about as well funded as the top two.

You just don't get it even though you write it with your own hands - F1 is at such a level that you can name all the "losers" and the backmarkers over the years (who often pay their way with big dollars just to drive F1), try that for any other racing series.

[Brandz07]

If Danica did come to F1, she would damage her cause and that of women in F1 irreperably if she didn't drive for, and was competetive in, a McLaren, Ferrari or Renault. There would be absolutely no point in her trailing around at the back of the field in an HRT, Virgin or Lotus, as whatever talent she has would be masked by an underperforming car. Unless Lotus produce a front of the grid chassis next year Kovalainen is finished. Look how many drivers careers were doomed after a year in an early Toyota; Nish, De Matta et al; and they were about as well funded as the top two.

agree with the danica part, not with the kovi bit, he's been driving very well.

[917k]

Would she be significantly worse than Schumacher? Because he's another driver who manages to keep his F1 seat not due to his driving ability, but only marketing potential and brand recognition.

Danica has done very well in monopolizing mindspace when it comes to 'female racing driver'. She would be a one season novelty and F1 is a circus which can use such items. Personally I hope we get a quicker female driver in F1, someone who comes up through the ranks in GP3, F2.

Sorry, pal, you have no credibility with that statement.......obviously only a hater.

[MrGBrown]

If Danica did come to F1, she would damage her cause and that of women in F1 irreperably if she didn't drive for, and was competetive in, a McLaren, Ferrari or Renault. There would be absolutely no point in her trailing around at the back of the field in an HRT, Virgin or Lotus, as whatever talent she has would be masked by an underperforming car. Unless Lotus produce a front of the grid chassis next year Kovalainen is finished. Look how many drivers careers were doomed after a year in an early Toyota; Nish, De Matta et al; and they were about as well funded as the top two.

Kovi is finished if Lotus dont produce a front of the grid car ?? What?

[Xpat]

If Danica did come to F1, she would damage her cause and that of women in F1 irreperably if she didn't drive for, and was competetive in, a McLaren, Ferrari or Renault. There would be absolutely no point in her trailing around at the back of the field in an HRT, Virgin or Lotus, as whatever talent she has would be masked by an underperforming car. Unless Lotus produce a front of the grid chassis next year Kovalainen is finished. Look how many drivers careers were doomed after a year in an early Toyota; Nish, De Matta et al; and they were about as well funded as the top two.

Danica would never come to F1 to drive for a team with a poor car. Why would she? People driving those cars are desperate to get into or remain in F1. She is neither.

[hotstickyslick]

No. He's a businessman.

[billm99uk]

She can make a barrel load of money touring round at the back of NASCAR races and doing dumb ads for Go Daddy. Why would she risk that all for F1, which has little public profile in the US.

Unless Bernie offers her a massive wedge of course ;)

[arknor]

I'll say it - if his name weren't Schumacher he wouldn't be there, both ways. He came back because Mercedes offered enough, and was taken on because Mercedes were paying for him. No other team offered him a ride as far as we know.

he could change his name and still would get the seat...


hes there because of what he has achieved not purely because of a name he has facrs and figures to back up his right to be on the grid , what does danica have? oh shes female and an average racing driver

[olliek88]

Has Ecclestone a clue about RACING?

Seen as he used to be a driver, run a top team and is pretty much the man to make formula one the global sport it is today, i reckon yer he has more than a clue about racing. Bernie is just talking about danica patrick just to try and drum up some much needed interest in the states.

Edited by olliek88, 11 August 2010 - 19:09.

[whitewaterMkII]

If Danica © gets a ride in F-1, I'd never watch it again.
Thankfully, all of the team principals are far too smart, and there are herds of drivers with more money than Danica, so I feel safe in that sentiment.
In no way, shape or form is she in any way deserving to be on the track in an F-1 car, or on track with the caliber of drivers tha F-1 currently has.
In fact it makes me sick to see some morons here even mention Schumacher and her in the same post.
She's won, nothing, ever, on talent.
She's been in the irl for years now and has won one time, in a fuel mileage gamble, on an oval. She's clueless on RC and SC.
Ecclestone doesn't have an F'in clue. I've suspected for a couple of years now that he is senile, now I'm convinced.

Note to BE:
Want a woman driver in F-1?
Pluck one out of kart racing in Europe and do the exact same training program that Ron Dennis did with Lewis Hamilton. In fact have Ron Dennis do the search and training for you if you think it's important.
Danica is a never was, and never will be.

Edited by whitewaterMkII, 11 August 2010 - 19:20.

[Anssi]

Luca Badoer in his prime would have blown her into the weeds.

Yes, yes.


And I think it's a bit hypocritical from Bernie now to be talking like that when he was talking about women as something that should be in the kitchen or something to that effect some years ago.



If Bernie thinks she's that good, then Bernie can arrange a test with a F1 team I have no doubts about that. So why don't you Bernie arrange a F1 test for her? Stop talking **** and arrange a test! If you want her you will have to help her get a seat because on racing merits she will have a lot of trouble getting a seat in F1 - she needs you to help her.

And frankly, I can't believe she is even interested - you see, by placing herself in F1 she would risk being exposed as a sub-standard racing driver compared to other drivers in F1 and then her market value could drop. What is sensible for her is to keep talking about maybe trying out a F1 car to keep herself in the headlines - but to actually try the car, honestly I don't believe it's ever going to happen. She knows how she makes her money and fame and she isn't going to risk it.

[Craven Morehead]

Note to BE:
Want a woman driver in F-1?
Pluck one out of kart racing in Europe and do the exact same training program that Ron Dennis did with Lewis Hamilton. In fact have Ron Dennis do the search and training for you if you think it's important.
Danica is a never was, and never will be.

This is really good advice. Particularly the Ron Dennis bit.

[rhukkas]

Want a woman driver in F-1?
Pluck one out of kart racing in Europe and do the exact same training program that Ron Dennis did with Lewis Hamilton. In fact have Ron Dennis do the search and training for you if you think it's important.

Expect Gatting or Visser to be picked up some time soon.

[chrisblades85]

I think he does, to be honest.

He just seems hell bent on ruining it, for reason.

[aditya-now]

Ecclestone says F1 needs an American driver and says Danica Patrick would be ideal - Discuss, and queue behind Ross. Actually, I'll start.


All Ecclestone is seeing is $ signs attached to Danica, which is both unfair on her and on the drivers who actually merit an F1 drive.

Lest anyone thinks otherwise, I am an admirer of what Danica has achieved in a second string car; and approve of her maximising her added value - she has a sound business brain.

Another option among female Formula drivers is Simona de Silvestro: http://www.motorspor...ch-1929363.html

She has opened talks with fellow Swiss man Peter Sauber, but there is nothing concrete so far.

Would be amazing to have two female drivers, American and Swiss in F1 in 2012....Bernie surely has a clue about racing.

[Xpat]

If Danica © gets a ride in F-1, I'd never watch it again.
Thankfully, all of the team principals are far too smart, and there are herds of drivers with more money than Danica, so I feel safe in that sentiment.
In no way, shape or form is she in any way deserving to be on the track in an F-1 car, or on track with the caliber of drivers tha F-1 currently has.
In fact it makes me sick to see some morons here even mention Schumacher and her in the same post.
She's won, nothing, ever, on talent.
She's been in the irl for years now and has won one time, in a fuel mileage gamble, on an oval. She's clueless on RC and SC.
Ecclestone doesn't have an F'in clue. I've suspected for a couple of years now that he is senile, now I'm convinced.

Note to BE:
Want a woman driver in F-1?
Pluck one out of kart racing in Europe and do the exact same training program that Ron Dennis did with Lewis Hamilton. In fact have Ron Dennis do the search and training for you if you think it's important.
Danica is a never was, and never will be.

LOL, see! Veins ready to burst! LOL! Don't vapor lock.

Danica to F1!!

(Breathe into the paper bag)

[Seanspeed]

If Danica did come to F1, she would damage her cause and that of women in F1 irreperably if she didn't drive for, and was competetive in, a McLaren, Ferrari or Renault.

It wouldn't matter what team she drove for. She'd be a complete disaster in any car you put her in. She's terrible on road courses in the IndyCar, imagine her up against a field full of the best road racers in the world.

I'm right that she's never EVER won on a road course, IRL or pre-IRL, right? What on earth makes anyone think she could possibly cut it in F1?

[KateLM]

Danica Patrick equals money, viewing figures and publicity to Bernie, not good racing. And if she sucks it gives even more publicity, and also gives out the "look how hard it is to make it in F1" message.

The only teams who would take her anyway are the ones desperate for sponsorship money (HRT, Sauber) or publicity (Virgin), so it would never happen. No decent team would, she isn't good enough. She has only won one CAR race in her career, the Motegi oval win (on fuel strategy). She never even won anything when she came over to the UK to do Formula Ford. And if you aren't winning races at that level, you are never going to be good enough for F1.

As a girl, I don't want to see a female driver in F1 unless she is good enough to be there, otherwise it would just send out the wrong message and set the issue back even further. And personally, I have very little time for Danica Patrick, who claims she wants to be taken seriously as a racing driver one minute and then does those ridiculous Go Daddy commercials the next. I have infinitely more respect for Simona de Silvestro, who does her talking on track instead of an issue of Sports Illustrated.

Anyway, Danica has said several times that she doesn't want to move back to Europe and try F1, so it ain't gonna happen no matter what Bernie says.

Edit: Yes Sean, you're right

Edited by KateLM, 11 August 2010 - 23:04.

[Massacrator]

Anyway, Danica has said several times that she doesn't want to move back to Europe and try F1, so it ain't gonna happen no matter what Bernie says.

Edit: Yes Sean, you're right

I don't want to move to USA and start trying to get myself racing in NASCAR, however, if I get a call to drive there, I'd give it a go.

[KateLM]

I don't want to move to USA and start trying to get myself racing in NASCAR, however, if I get a call to drive there, I'd give it a go.

Danica really isn't keen on Europe though, there was an interview where she said we were "less advanced" than Americans or something like that. Women in the kitchen stuff and all that.

Also, I reckon she secretly knows that she isn't good enough and won't want to ruin her reputation. Besides, she would earn a lot more in NASCAR (if thats where she is eventually ends up).

Edited by KateLM, 11 August 2010 - 23:06.

[Sakae]

Swiss Simona de Silvestro would be a stronger female candidate.

Edited by Sakae, 11 August 2010 - 23:02.

[whitewaterMkII]

LOL, see! Veins ready to burst! LOL! Don't vapor lock.

Danica to F1!!

(Breathe into the paper bag)

heh
Not even, just that she would be an insult to the sport of F-1, and as someone else mentioned, set women in OW racing waaay back.
I personaly know some great women racers, in the NHRA, my brother and Shelly Anderson Payne are best buds. If you want to see some great women racers flip on the NHRA drags. there are some great shoes in that series.

Bonus edit: Why drag racing is awesome...

Edited by whitewaterMkII, 12 August 2010 - 00:26.

[whitewaterMkII]

Swiss Simona de Silvestro would be a stronger female candidate.

Can any of our european brethren enlighten us on what Simona did in Europe series before coming here?
I've seen her win at Long Beach, but frankly that was a very weak year for the Atlantic series, and she looks competent, if not an eye opener.

[FlatOverCrest]

Would she be significantly worse than Schumacher? Because he's another driver who manages to keep his F1 seat not due to his driving ability, but only marketing potential and brand recognition.

Possibly one of the most riddiculous statements I have seen on the Autosport forum.

[V8 Fireworks]

Ecclestone says F1 needs an American driver and says Danica Patrick would be ideal

An ideal back marker yes.

Bernie is simply stating that a female driver would be marketing asset to F1.

A Female F1 driver from targets markets like US, China or India would be HUGE for F1, and present a massive money spinner for the driver and F1. It would be great to see too IMO.

However, of course Bernie misses to state that this driver must AT LEAST be at the level of Nakajima or di Grassi etc. To have a driver wobbling around 2-3seconds behind their team-mate will not meet Bernies commercial objectives!

[V8 Fireworks]

She never even won anything when she came over to the UK to do Formula Ford.

Neither did Mark Webber win a title in Formula Ford. And he is really crap, yeah?

Many of the top IRL drivers were relatively unexceptional in European formulae I think. Will Power was a top 5-10 runner with the odd flashes of pace diluted by the odd brain fade, but could not put it together to be a championship winner as I recall. Wilson did win F3000 but only against that lowly Mark Webber, and did not enter F1 with a Hamilton-like reputation for example either... Again, although Junquiera and Bourdais won F3000 they were little rated in Europe for doing so, and did not get expressed into F1.

However this applies also for F1, just as much as IRL drivers:
Webber scrapes into F1 with Minardi, after earlier saying he wouldn't drive for 'backmarker' team.
Massa gets into F1, despite winning only the lowly second-tier European F3000 seires rather than the International FIA F3000 series.
Kobayashi, into F1 despite crap GP2 results.
Alguersuari enters F1 from British F3... despite British F3 well and truly losing it's position as a top F3 series a long time ago!

Edited by V8 Fireworks, 12 August 2010 - 01:06.