39 replies to this topic

[Petroltorque]

After being right Royally shafted by Lotus, what does the future hold for him? Is there any possibility of mounting a late charge foe a seat at Caterham or Marussia. I'm not sure of the going rate to obtain a seat, but this guy is quick and talented, surely an Italian company could fund him to the tune of €5 millions?

[Peat]

How exactly was he shafted? Everyone knows that a '3rd Driver' role means you get to wear a team shirt and a headset, and little more. It's not Lotus's fault, it's the current testing regs.

More fool him for not seeking out other opportunities.

[fluffy38]

IMO, if he was that quick he wouldn't have spent five seasons in GP2 ..

[Peat]

Indeed, i don't want to beat up on the guy, but in his GP2 tenure, he watched these guys come and go:

 

Hulkenberg

Petrov

Di Grassi

Maldonado

Perez

Grosjean

Bianchi

I certainly don't consider him to be any better than those guys.

[Petroltorque]

The shafting I referred to was being passed over for Kimi's seat for the last two races. He couldn't have done worse than Kovalainen, but we'll never know. Correct me if I'm wrong but Maldonado spent 5 seasons in GP2. What's held Valsecchi back is funding. I rate him as a better prospect than Bianchi.

[HistoryFan]

I think he will go to GT Racing.

[Anja]

There's a lot of guys without a seat who are considered more worthy by lots of people. Winning GP2 in your fifth season is hardly impressive.

[William Hunt]

Marco Sörensen to take Valsecchi's place:

http://grandprix247....gster-sorensen/

Edited by William Hunt, 06 January 2014 - 12:32.

[Jon83]

The shafting I referred to was being passed over for Kimi's seat for the last two races. He couldn't have done worse than Kovalainen, but we'll never know. Correct me if I'm wrong but Maldonado spent 5 seasons in GP2. What's held Valsecchi back is funding. I rate him as a better prospect than Bianchi.

 

Yes and many people wonder whether Maldonado should be on the grid. Despite his win in 2012, I'm not overly convinced he is better than many who are not here.

 

I think the decision lotus made was understandble enough, although very unforunate for DV.
 

[Peat]

Seeing that he was infact 3rd (or lower) in line says what Lotus, the guys who have been working with him for a year, actually thought of him.

[LucaP]

Italians can't find sponsors.

 

Pantano syndrome. 

 

Who said "some italian company could find him x millions" probably isn't aware of the state of the economy here. It's not very different from Greece or Portugal

Edited by Luca Pacchiarini, 06 January 2014 - 13:19.

[rhukkas]

The only way to get a professional drive if you're Italian is to stay in karting rather than play the game of 'my wallet is bigger than yours' or what some call the motorsport 'ladder'

Edited by rhukkas, 06 January 2014 - 13:24.

[billm99uk]

Italians can't find sponsors.

 

Pantano syndrome. 

 

Who said "some italian company could find him x millions" probably isn't aware of the state of the economy here. It's not very different from Greece or Portugal

 

Ironic, considering half the F1 grid seemed to be made up of Italian "gentlemen" at times in the 80's.

 

After being right Royally shafted by Lotus, what does the future hold for him? Is there any possibility of mounting a late charge foe a seat at Caterham or Marussia. I'm not sure of the going rate to obtain a seat, but this guy is quick and talented, surely an Italian company could fund him to the tune of €5 millions?

 

I can understand him being miffed, particularly since Kovalainen didn't score any points after all. To get that close and then...

[noikeee]

He'll probably fund the League of Extraordinarily Underwhelming GP2 Champion Gentlemen together with Fabio Leimer. I'm sure neither will be short of offers in GT racing.

[Fastcake]

The shafting I referred to was being passed over for Kimi's seat for the last two races. He couldn't have done worse than Kovalainen, but we'll never know. Correct me if I'm wrong but Maldonado spent 5 seasons in GP2. What's held Valsecchi back is funding. I rate him as a better prospect than Bianchi.

 

He still wasn't shafted. Lotus had a vacancy for two races. Valsecchi was one candidate for the job, but instead Lotus picked another person. It's not like he was given the drive and had it taken away again.

[Shiroo]

He will go there, where usually average drivers goes without financial backing -> some minor series (so basically F1 bin)

[boldhakka]

He will go there, where usually average drivers goes without financial backing -> some minor series (so basically F1 bin)

 

And probably enjoy himself much more than he ever would have had he raced in F1. 

[Petroltorque]

Perception is reality. The fact that Valsecchi spent a year working with Lotus only to be overlooked when a vacancy came up has not done him any favours. Boullier got it wrong. The opportunity was there to blood a young driver bust instead he allowed himself to be conned by Kovalainen. Just think of the money they paid Caterham to buy out his contract.

[SenorSjon]

He still wasn't shafted. Lotus had a vacancy for two races. Valsecchi was one candidate for the job, but instead Lotus picked another person. It's not like he was given the drive and had it taken away again.

Usually you have third drivers for this.

[Peat]

The opportunity was there to blood a young driver bust instead he allowed himself to be conned by Kovalainen. 

You know that Kov was 2nd choice, right? And a very late one at that. Some German fellow had already had a seat made but was then paid off by Ferrari not to take the seat. If i was in Boullier's boots, i would have taken Kov, a known quantity, too when so much was at stake.

[Fastcake]

Usually you have third drivers for this.

 

It's never been guaranteed a "third driver" will get the drive in the event of a mid-season vacancy. Every driver who joins a team in that position should be fully aware that they may be passed over for a more experienced candidate, especially if the team is fighting a close championship battle or the seat will be empty for more than one race.

 

There is not even a defined role for a third driver as the job is different from team to team. Some teams have permanent test/simulator drivers, like Gary Paffet, who would never be expected to actually race. Others, like Force India, have young drivers being evaluated who could possibly get a drive. Then there are some teams who have people standing around in the back of the garage looking lost.

[SonJR]

Maybe he can pay another team for a nice polo, cap and paddock pass.

[HaydenFan]

Maybe he can pay another team for a nice polo, cap and paddock pass.

 

The occasional drive in the company car for fun. 

[Fastcake]

How's his voice? He could always join Will Buxton to replace the dulcet tones of D'ambroiso...

[boldhakka]

If he brought sponsorship with him, he most likely left of his own accord. Can't see Lotus passing up funds. Unless the new guy is even more loaded.

[Petroltorque]

You know that Kov was 2nd choice, right? And a very late one at that. Some German fellow had already had a seat made but was then paid off by Ferrari not to take the seat. If i was in Boullier's boots, i would have taken Kov, a known quantity, too when so much was at stake.

You can't believe that signing Kouvalainen was the right decision. Basing it on the need to score points. The decision was an epic fail. Valsechii might also have failed but at least we could have seen what he wa capable of. Kouvalainen's race performances were lacklustre.

[spaceace1977]

Martin Brundle mentioned that DV's allround performance during the young driver test was poor. He missed the pit signs multiple times and ran out if fuel 

[Petroltorque]

Italians can't find sponsors.

 

Pantano syndrome. 

 

Who said "some italian company could find him x millions" probably isn't aware of the state of the economy here. It's not very different from Greece or Portugal

Since you raise the point of the economy; the problem for Greece and Portugal were governments that attempted to produce economic growth on the back of heavy government borrowing. Their economies could not support the level of deficit and it was eventually reflected in the interest rates levied by their international creditors. The situation was further compounded by having a currency controlled from Frankfurt and being allowed to join the euro when they did not meet the fiscal criteria.

 The problems in Italy are not as severe but that does not mean Italian commercial companies are not sitting on money ( How much did Fiat pay for Chrysler?).The present economic climate means they don't want to invest it. In any event sponsorship is a means of raising global brand awareness for relatively little outlay. it's not as though Valsecchi should have to bring as much money as Chilton, Van der Garde or Pic since he's probably a  better prospect than them. 

Edited by Petroltorque, 07 January 2014 - 16:48.

[Petroltorque]

Martin Brundle mentioned that DV's allround performance during the young driver test was poor. He missed the pit signs multiple times and ran out if fuel 

Hmm, the same Brundle who claims Chilton did a good job at Marussia?

[SpartanChas]

Well, he did finish every race.

 

As for Valsecchi he needs to accept the fact that there are better drivers with more money that are ready for F1 and start looking to get into sportscars.

[LuckyStrike1]

Martin Brundle mentioned that DV's allround performance during the young driver test was poor. He missed the pit signs multiple times and ran out if fuel 

 

He is under contract to say that. UK F1 media must at all times hail the british drivers.

 

But having said that - Chilton never ran out of fuel or missed a pit signal ;)

[Ross Stonefeld]

You can't believe that signing Kouvalainen was the right decision. Basing it on the need to score points. The decision was an epic fail. Valsechii might also have failed but at least we could have seen what he wa capable of. Kouvalainen's race performances were lacklustre.

 

Even after the Kovalainen performance there was no reason to pick anyone else. If someone of Kovalainen's ability and experience struggled, what hope an inexperienced driver of low rating?

[HaydenFan]

Right? If anything it would most likely hurt his chances. 

 

What about touring cars? I know the SuperStars series is dead, but DTM and WTCC still have a few openings on top teams. 

[Petroltorque]

Even after the Kovalainen performance there was no reason to pick anyone else. If someone of Kovalainen's ability and experience struggled, what hope an inexperienced driver of low rating?

I would assume that had Boullier known that Kouvalainen would perform like a rookie he would have chosen the rookie for the seat. If lotus were satisfied with that decision it sheds a pretty damning light on their management.

[Thomas99]

I would assume that had Boullier known that Kouvalainen would perform like a rookie he would have chosen the rookie for the seat. If lotus were satisfied with that decision it sheds a pretty damning light on their management.

 

There was simply no one better for the job. Heikki is an experienced race winning driver, how many of those can you find at the drop of a hat?

[SpeedRacer`]

Kovalainen would've scored points at USGP if not for team failures. And Schumacher was second choice ahead of Kovalainen

[InSearchOfThe]

http://en.espnf1.com...ory/141753.html

 

This may be old news. I thought I'd post anyway.

[g1n]

After being right Royally shafted by Lotus, what does the future hold for him? Is there any possibility of mounting a late charge foe a seat at Caterham or Marussia. I'm not sure of the going rate to obtain a seat, but this guy is quick and talented, surely an Italian company could fund him to the tune of €5 millions?

 

5 million is not nearly enough these days. I remember a few years ago, during young driver test, some rookie who drove for Caterham said you need 8 million to guarantee a drive with that team.

[HaydenFan]

5 million is not nearly enough these days. I remember a few years ago, during young driver test, some rookie who drove for Caterham said you need 8 million to guarantee a drive with that team.

 

Jose Maria Lopez deal with USF1 mentioned that number as well. Which for a team with a budget still nearing 100 million USD, isn't that much. Still sounds like pay drivers not named Maldonado are just being extorted by the small teams. 

 

Problem is lack of seats. 22 seats are all that is it. And every year you have only one or two open for new talent. Maybe that's where teams are able to justify taking money to hire the new kids?

[tmzxaar]

Only the best rise to the top guys (and other guys if the have a lot of money), someone who spent 5 years in GP2 isn't exactly a great talent IMO.

Edited by tmzxaar, 16 January 2014 - 08:52.