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Don't agree. Definitely better for RBR that Jenson had won. Realistically, Lewis is McLaren's best chance at the title and when McLaren has a strong weekend, he will be the one probably winning. Whereas, when Ferrari are strong, we know that Ferrari is behind Alonso.

Mark has to do with that Terrible start for two races, or more, while his title chance is on the tight rope. In what way could Red Bull leave the electric fault as it is?

Besides How strange that all of us, including us, tend to believe that Red Bull got One Weak spot that is Monza? With the knowledge and skill of Newey it should have been possible that the car runs at mush higher speed? It may well be completely irrelevant but in 2008 Vettel won there in his STR!

The whole team was busy fixing the front wing that flexes well and pass the FIA test. It should have required full energy of the team.

Mark has to do with that Terrible start for two races, or more, while his title chance is on the tight rope. In what way could Red Bull leave the electric fault as it is?

Besides How strange that all of us, including us, tend to believe that Red Bull got One Weak spot that is Monza? With the knowledge and skill of Newey it should have been possible that the car runs at mush higher speed? It may well be completely irrelevant but in 2008 Vettel won there in his STR!

The whole team was busy fixing the front wing that flexes well and pass the FIA test. It should have required full energy of the team.

Yes when Newey pulled down the Renault engine and rebuilt it to the same specs as the Ferrari engine that Torro Rosso were running in 2008 he stopped, pondered, and realized he wasn't a mechanic and he had no idea what he was doing despite his knowledge and skill. I have fortunately realized just how little some people know about how about F1, do you even know what the test is?

Some of these posts are hilarious.

Do have to laugh at comments like "he hasn't produced a Monza 2008 type performance yet." What do you expect the guy to do? Back then, Vettel had an Adrian Newey chassis AND a better engine than even Red Bull themselves had. Ricciardo has neither of those luxuries. I think the fact that he has qualified in the top ten for four consecutive races in a far inferior car shows you that he is quick.

And the inexperienced argument is funny too. Applying that logic, Vettel, Hamilton and Raikkonen and possibly even Alonso wouldn't have gotten their big break.

Pardon my french. What I meant to say was that during YDT and both drivers' efforts during the season have proven great deal speed but not the level of consistency and maturity. Overall not enough raw skill for RBR seat IMHO. At least not yet. In terms of points Vergne has actually more points from 2011 and 2012. If you look what Vettel did on his journey at STR (points + pole&win @ Monza 2008) neither driver is there. Kimi's first season with Sauber was huge as well.

I agree the consistency is not quite there yet, but that is also partly masked by the poor strategy STR give both drivers (e.g. DR would have finished 4th/5th at Silverstone if they pitted him at the same time as Rosberg/Webber etc not to mention poor pitstops). Overall not enough raw skill? Right...if you look at the times at YDT you can see that DR was only 3 tenths behind Vettel's best lap on new hards while Vettel did his on new mediums (fuel loads aside). If cannot see that DR has been putting the TR where is doesn't belong i.e. top 10 then do you expect poles or top 3's from them in a car that is midfield. There are IMO at least 10 cars quicker than the TRs this season.

Comparing Vettel's STR to today's STR is a joke. Vettel had the best rain chassis that year - one built by Newey and the most powerful engine at Monza. Heck Bourdais would have qualified third if Webber hadn't pipped him at the end. Not to mention the competition is much stronger now. Neither driver is there because the car isn't there yet DR has shown that he can put the car where is doesn't belong.

As to points where Vergne was ahead of Ricciardo, you just look at the points rather than the story. Korea, DR was way ahead of Vergne before brake problems and would have had more points. Monza DR's car failed on the last lap when he was in the points again. Vergne is very good in mixed conditions, the only weakness right now I see of DRs but other than that DR has him covered everywhere else.

Some of these polls, whether it be forum polls or the FB poll that RB created is always going to be in favor of Kimi as he has been an established driver and would have far more fans anyway.

Didnt you get the memo yet?
hamilton's been driving minardis for all of his career; Alonso almost won 2012 in a shitbox meanwhile Vettels 2008 Toro Rosso was actually a pretty good car.

Yes, 2008 STR was better than that year’s RBR.
Not a bad car and of course the Monza drive was very good. But let him win the title without a Newey car, then we can talk about greatness.

Yes, 2008 STR was better than that year’s RBR.
Not a bad car and of course the Monza drive was very good. But let him win the title without a Newey car, then we can talk about greatness.

How come the 2008 STR somehow became a better car that year when it never matched RBR even closely in any other season? I don't buy that. The only thing that was obviously (but marginally) better with that STR was the Ferrari engine. Most of those 2008 STR great results came in rain and as we all know driver skill often becomes the deciding factor in the rain.

Yes, 2008 STR was better than that year’s RBR.
Not a bad car and of course the Monza drive was very good. But let him win the title without a Newey car, then we can talk about greatness.

 

Thats not the point tho.

The ppl. who would call Fernandos 2012 ferrari a "shitbox" are the same ones who would say the 2008 Toro Rosso was a "good car". when its clear as day that the toro rosso was nowhere near as competitive with its contemporaries as the 2012 ferrari was.

Vettel has plenty of flaws alright, but being slow or unable to extract the best out of his machinery in a race are not one of them.

And now I don't agree with your assessment of Vettel. "He has that natural "x factor" somehow I can't see much of it. I have trouble remembering Vettel's memorable races. Maybe some can remind me of those and I'm not talking about races where he starts from pole and ends first in race. He is not known for defending properly from someone overtaking him, he has trouble overtaking himself, strategy difficult to judge but can't remember anything special, development questionable. (BMW letting him go for all those reasons). The only way he stands out is his qualifying but I still want to see him with a different teammate and especially in a worse car. Newey's designed car is so strong in qualifying that it's also hard to judge. Vettel maybe the best driver, could be very well, but for now he was lucky to be in the fastest car on the grid. I just can't remember him standing out with something exceptional while he was with STR. Look at Alonso, Lewis, Kubica, they can qualify, race, overtake, not make many mistakes, develop the car, especially Alonso and Kubica look like complete packages, Hamilton only needs to put his head in cold water from time to time and he'll be there too. Just thinking about it, can't remember Hamilton praised that much for his development skills.

I saw a number of special moments with Vettel during his early career, very early on actually. I'm only sorry that such fine displays were lost on you.
But perhaps the most noteable was his 2008 pole and win at Monza in very tricky conditions in... wait a minute... an STR.

There were numerous other displays of skill and speed and of course immaturity back in 2007... "damn kids" - Webber 2007.

Not your fault though, either you have only been following F1 for 5 minutes or you have no capacity to assess talent down the back half of the grid. One or the other clearly.

Ask any intelligent F1 pundit with access to the drivers, or engineers who have worked with Vettel and they will tell you one thing, the kid is blindingly fast. That is the x-factor as far as i am concerned. You can't teach speed, you either have it or you don't and this kid has got it in spades. He has been around for 4 short seasons, perhaps in a few years time he would have delivered some races you will find memorable, others here can already see the talent, we don't need special circumstances to define his speed.

Sure, he is no Alonso, but give him time and he may get close, he has all the right foundations to be a legend of the sport.

Alonso and Kubica, spot on they are the benchmark for me also, Lewis is great to watch a real talent (just in the wrong team ;) )
But don't underestimate Vettel. Unlike 2009 a top 3 driver did win the title in 2010. He wasn't the best in 2010, but he was deserving.

Originally posted by Melbourne Park
What garbage. The pity is, you don't even recognize the poor service that Red Bull got from Ferrari with their engines cooling issues. Incidentally, Newey is more than competent on aerodynamics. And so is his staff. The Renault case is a simple example that a team quite willing to spend lots on an engine, was happy to buy the Renault unit. That's testimony to the equality of engines now. They went to the huge trouble of progamming another ECU, when all they had to do was put in an engine they were intimate with. They chose not to.

It's also evidenced about what the teams say about engines - that they are all pretty much the same now. You should read what Mauro Forghieri says about current F1 engines, how totally boring the whole engine thing now is, I presume you've heard of him. If what you say is correct, the Toro Rosso should have been dominant over the RBR3 on low aero tracks. It wasn't.

The facts are that if teams don't do everything available on their engines, they'll go slower. But if they do do everything available, it will not make them much faster than a team that does say 95% of the available work. With the current engine rules, the expenditure / benefit curve peaks quite early and becomes almost flat. Ferrari can afford to do 99%, and not restrict resources from other more productive areas of car improvement. And you can bet that with the top 6 teams, their engine performances will be very similar. But that the ability for the drive wheels to deliver that power will vary much much much more between the teams than will engine performance. And they way to fix those problems is with aero and mechanical development.

I think you have missed the point yet again Melbourne Park, no one was debating the level of service Ferrari gave Red Bull, but rather as you confirmed it was the cooling requirements of the Ferrari unit which was not given to Red Bull by Ferrari in comparison to Renault who may have offered more assistance here. But again if all the engines are the same (as you believe), then so must be their cooling requirements. I think you are not giving Newey enough credit to suggest he needed more help from a rival team regarding the aero of his own design then what Ferrari was giving him.

My point is simply that Newey being an aerodynamicist saw the advantage in the Renault unit over and above the Ferrari one, that can't be debated, i was not commenting on Newey's competences but rather that as an aerodynamicist, if all the engines were the same why the big drama from Newey to adopt the Renault unit? This cannot be based on service alone but rather the aero limitations due to the Ferrari engines cooling requirements. This was the key comment from Newey and if you look at the current Ferrari design compared to the Renault, which team has greater levels of cooling apendiges on their body work??? The answer is for all to see.

As for your ECU comment...you will find that Ferrari and Renault used the same system, so not a big work load here to change the engines over, certainly not a "huge trouble" as you suggested.

As for your comments regarding Mauro Forghieri, yes he is well known, he is commenting on the many FIA restrictions which have shifted focus away from engines to aero, and yes the engines are very similar to each other which is a product of the FIA rules, but by no means are they identical, if they were and there was no room for development he would be out of the job.

Here is an extract from an interview with Newey regarding the engines of 2007, not 2008.

Q: Given that the engine regulations are much more restrictive now than then, how much value does that extra data add?

AN: Engine development in the hardware sense is obviously restricted with the frozen regulations, but there’s still an awful lot in the way the engine is operated that is crucially important, and that’s where I think our relationship with Renault will pay dividends.

That's straight from the horses mouth regarding engine development potential. The interview also goes on with Newey siting the number of differences between the units, most notably in the cooling requirements.

As for your point on Torro Rosso and Red Bull; Torro Rosso is the sister team of Red Bull, i would have assumed you knew that, in which case you would also know that Torro Rosso was a number of evolutions of car development behind Red Bull as Red Bull supply them with the entire car, from chassis to aero. But the one aspect of the car which is different is the engine. In actual fact the Torro Rosso car is a year old Red Bull for the most part with a number of refinements; regardless its aero effciency is somewhat behind the Red Bull.

So to prove a point lets look at the top speed trap times on a power circuit or low aero circuit as you suggested...Monza. Vettel was consistently 3 kph faster at every intermediate then the next best Red Bull car (Webber). Now this does not tell the full story obviously but it is indicative that for a car effectively carrying an older version of Red Bulls own aero, that even given the loss in aero efficiency to the Red Bull they had faster speed trap results. The engine difference may, just may have played a part in this dont you think?

So although the Torro Rosso was not as good overall compared to the Red Bull, in the area where engine performance can be seen the most and between two manufacturers who develop their engines to their fullest capacity, at a low aero track the Torro Rosso was faster in the straight line... Blows your theory out of the water. Especially once you consider that Red Bull was using up to date Renault spec engines, whereas the Torro Rosso outfit were contractually receiving a prior evolution of the Ferrari engine, and yet still faster on the low aero circuit...hmmmm

Let's gain some clarification here, no one is saying that engine performance is the only measure of performance, my comments were in response to yours, in that and i quote..."engines are not an issue now."

My point was simply they are more an issue in 2008 then in 2007 and that their importance in the entire package should not be discounted due to the significant knock on effects they create both for aero efficiency, tyre wear and of course the combination of this is overall car speed. If it were no longer an issue as you stated, then the top manufacturers, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Renault, Toyota, etc would re allocate all their spending from engines to either aero or mechanical R&D...funnily enough, they don't so therefore they are an issue unless all these teams just like to spend money for no reward...before you start, leave Toyota alone because they were nice enough to setup the retirement funds of Mike Gascoyne and Ralfy Boy.

If you don't agree with the above which was the core aspect of my response before you decided to take it somewhat off course (for obvious reasons) then state your reasoning. But i take it from your earlier response that you do agree.

As you stated "The facts are that if teams don't do everything available on their engines, they'll go slower. But if they do do everything available, it will not make them much faster than a team that does say 95% of the available work."

This is very true, an increase in engine performance will not make a team much faster, but i think we can all agree it will make then faster. The most important point to consider is that TC masked a lot of the power delivery problems with many units, now however with TC gone engine power delivery is even more important, hence you will expect to see more expenditure on engines in 2007 winter testing and throughout 2008 then you did during the TC era as the expenditure pay back is far greater then before.

I don't think this can be debated. If you try to debate it then that would be as you say, total 'garbage'.

I agree. Even if everything was ideal at every track from the first race, if he didn't crash in Malaysia and instead finished on the podium, didn't open DRS again in Bahrain and finished 5th in Monaco, and that was possible, he would now have something between 176 and 182 points, at best 15 points behind Vettel. RB9 is too strong, and Vettel is also driving incredibly well. Alonso will probably finish second anyway at the end of the season, so he will provide the best possible result with this car.

 

 

What are you talking about dude? proof? what is it that you want me to prove? I'm here simply stating my opinion, not prove anything to anybody, you either like what I write or you don't, agree, or disagree, I don't intend to prove anything to anybody.

I didn't get that impression.

To get back to my original point which has been diverted a bit......Yes there are car differences, and yes, I take that into account.

Not enough evidently.

There are certain circumstances where a driver can me a difference, and yes, Brasil 08 was one of those.

And how? There isn't a magical window in the conditions of the track where car differences are nullified. Each car will always behave and perform uniquely in any condition. That's one of the beauties of F1. If F1 was a spec series, I'd agree with you.

Now, there are a few things that we know for a fact, that Lewis was driving a World Championship contending McLaren, that McLaren is one of the best teams in Formula 1 (regardless of where they sit in the standings in a particular year), that Hamilton is one heck of a racer, and that Hamilton is a demon in the wet, can we agree on this?

A world championship car and a world championship team can have it's shortcomings in areas, areas where not so good cars and teams can shine with Brazil 2008 being an example of this for McLaren.

The McLaren of that year while quick, was particularly difficult to drive and required a certain driving style to get the most out of it as shown by Kovalainen's smoother driving style killing the tyres too quickly. It's shortcomings was definitely in tyre wear, particularly on intermediate tyres when the track conditions started drying, evidence of this being in Silverstone when Kovalainen wore his rear tyres out so much that he spun several times and when the performance from Hamilton's tyres went off at Monza, the same race where Hamilton was originally on a one stopper but the team believed more rain was coming so they gave him extremes instead of intermediates. Brazil was more about McLaren pitting Hamilton too early for inters, and while the drivers who stayed out on slicks were still posting fast lap times, Hamilton was out there floundering on hot treads.

There are more examples of your perceived God-like team and car screwing up, but I thought that was enough.

Now, here comes little ole Vettel, (If it makes you happy, I'll remind us all it's a Newey design STR, so was the 06, 07 and 08, RBR, didn't see them lighting up the boards, but anyway...) Now, this Toro Rosso you claim was really good in the wet, and it very well could be (IMO no it wasn't as great as all that)

I didn't claim that, but it certainly looked pretty handy didn't it? Remember Fuji 2007? Monaco 2008?

but even if it was as good, or even better than the McLaren, however unlikely,

Why unlikely?

Hamilton, being the demon that he is in the wet would just dust off this young crappy driver in the far superior STR, because, we all know, that Hamilton can make the difference in the wet. Now, the only way that wouldn't be, is if the driver driving the car which was better than him was driving at least close to the level of Hamilton in the far superior and dominating STR so that the car difference would negate, or neutralize Hamilton's superior driving in the wet, otherwise Hamilton would still win, you understand this?

No

You see, you keep saying the Toro Rosso was better than the McLaren in the conditions, but you fail to account for the fact that Hamilton thrives in those conditions.

Um, for sure he's had great wet weather performances, but I don't see how it makes the differences between their cars any clearer. You could say that Vettel's cars have always been the best in the wet and that he just failed to drive it to its potential, but then there is no proof of that so I'm not going to bother. My question is why are you even bothering? Why believe something without any proof to back it up?

It's funny people trying to argue the RB6 wasn't utterly dominant... did you ever watch onboards? I can't count the number of times there was a particular corner on a track that both Vettel and Webber were flat out on while every other car had a lift (Silverstone, Barcelona and actually Monaco are good examples of this). Do you think that Webber and Vettel just have balls of steel and that everyone else is a wimp? Monaco 2010 is particularly telling, there are videos comparing Kubica to Webber side by side, for the whole first half of the lap Kubica is inch perfect and is actually a little bit ahead of Webber, it wasn't until turns 13-14 (the fast left right chicane, I'm terrible with corner names) where Webber get's the lead. Right at that corner you can see that Webber is flat out while Kubica (and every other car) had to have a lift... that was the 4 tenths right there, a clear example of Red-Bull's aero dominance making the difference.

Also you might say that the aero is balanced out by the loss of speed on the straights. Well consider the fact that in Australia last week Vettel was 17km/h faster than the nearest car through the high speed chicane at Australia. You do know he is going to carry that extra 17km/h an hour onto the next straight, I would bet that if you put the speed trap right before the braking zone before turn 13 that the Red-Bull would have the highest trap speed. Literally the only area downforce is a compromise is on a slow corner than a long straight situation (AKA Monza), but any time there is a high speed corner before a straight the drag penalty will be more than balanced out by the extra speed you can carry onto the straight. This is why Vettel was able to overtake with relative ease at Silverstone last year, he was massively faster than any car through the fast right hander onto the new section which allowed him to be along side into the slower corners and make the move stick.

Conclusion aero is KING in F1. The RBR chassis has clearly had the best aero for the last 1.5 seasons so thats why I (and apparently a few others) find it hard to rate Vettel. Obviously I rate him higher than Webber as for the last two years he has been better, and I think he is as quick as anyone in qually. But in a car without that qualifying edge like the MP4-25 or F10 I don't know if he would put up the same fight that Alonso and Hamilton did. My personal ranking is that Tier 1: Alonso and Hamilton, Tier 2: Vettel, Kubica, Button and Rosberg, and if I'm honest I think Vettel, Kubica and Rosberg could be tier 1 but in my mind they are unproven.

My .02

i see that some people try not to remember that:
in 2007 vettel was on average 0,5 sec slower than heidfeld in bmw and not faster than vitantonio in str.
in 2008, at some point, a fellow named adrien newey had something to do with the str developement (i think it`s telling that not with rbr - they had "retired" drivers).
in 2009 in overall best car on the grid vettel lost to, underrated imo, button who struggled in the second part of the season.
and at last, in 2010 in a car by light years fastest on the grid he almost lost the title and not only to his teammate, but to alonso in a third best car.
ok, he`s wdc now, but how can he be rated higher than button?

He ripped Alonso a new one in his rookie season, and half a dozen drivers on the grid could have done what Vettel has done in those Newey Rocketships.

If they all drove the same cars, Hamilton would soon be banned from the sport...;)

I've heard of one eyed fans... you must have no eyes.

Forgot to mention that Button beat Hamilton in 2011, not just tied on points. So does that make Button the best?

1. Alonso.

Of all his teammates, none ever came close except Hamilton. Almost won in 2010 and 2012 with cars that were probably 3rd fastest, and definitely behind the RBRs. Been a bit sill this year, actually. Malaysia ha should have felt the wing falling off. Still, best driver of the post-Schumacher era.

2. Raikkonen.

The post 2012 model Kimi seems to be the smoothest driver out there. He was naturally faster than Alonso before 2006, but has kind of turned into Mr. Consistency and is good with the tyres. Just how he was able to take 3rd after a comeback when Schumacher was floundering... very skilled. Still, he lost to Massa in 2008.

3. Vettel.

Yes he had Newey rockets and is an annoying person, but he just keeps on winning somehow. Monza 2008, his comeback in Brazil 2012. Still, unchallenged by a truly competitive teammate.

4. Hamilton.

Equaled Alonso in 2007, but has been fast but fairly inconsistent since. Only just won in 2008 against Massa, had too many brain fades in 2010 and 2011 and has only just made himself into a driver as consistent as Alonso in 2012. Lost to Button in 2011.

5. Rosberg.

Three years in Mercedes and he beat the legend Schumacher by a wide margin every single year. Seems to be almost matching Hamilton at Mercedes.

Strange how a driver with such an obvious claim to a top F1 team has spent 3 seasons driving cars that have little or no chance of winning in F1.

 

It is vital that to succeed in F1, assuming a certain level of talent, that drivers must be well connected and onside very early on in their careers. If you have to scratch around in mediocre or average machines for several years then you are in peril of your skills and motivation being squandered and becoming sidelined. The difference in the F1 careers of Vettel and Hulkenberg is startling, the former has gone from strength to strength, from memory starting off with a single BMW entry in 2007 followed by several drives with Torro Rosso, then 2008 with TR and the Monza win then straight to RBR with 4 wins and runner up in the WDC followed by 3 and now probably 4 WDCs in a row. Much of this, in my opinion, made possible by Newey designed cars.

 

In my opinion Nico Hulkenberg is at least as capable as Vettel but despite his many pre-F1 successes he has had to rely upon Williams, Force India and now Sauber. Is he less marketable than others, or is he unlucky that there are already three German drivers in regular F1 seats, why for instance, as others have commented, did McLaren choose the inconsistent and overly aggressive Perez instead of Nico?

 

Let's hope Hulkenberg gets the Lotus ride or something comparable/better soon.

 

It's quite simple: Vettel got a spot in the Red Bull Junior Squad and Hülkenberg didn't. Same as with Hamilton. He was picked up by McLaren, a Di Resta for example had to take the route via DTM and is now trapped in a Midfield Team.

Strange how a driver with such an obvious claim to a top F1 team has spent 3 seasons driving cars that have little or no chance of winning in F1.

 

It is vital that to succeed in F1, assuming a certain level of talent, that drivers must be well connected and onside very early on in their careers. If you have to scratch around in mediocre or average machines for several years then you are in peril of your skills and motivation being squandered and becoming sidelined. The difference in the F1 careers of Vettel and Hulkenberg is startling, the former has gone from strength to strength, from memory starting off with a single BMW entry in 2007 followed by several drives with Torro Rosso, then 2008 with TR and the Monza win then straight to RBR with 4 wins and runner up in the WDC followed by 3 and now probably 4 WDCs in a row. Much of this, in my opinion, made possible by Newey designed cars.

 

In my opinion Nico Hulkenberg is at least as capable as Vettel but despite his many pre-F1 successes he has had to rely upon Williams, Force India and now Sauber. Is he less marketable than others, or is he unlucky that there are already three German drivers in regular F1 seats, why for instance, as others have commented, did McLaren choose the inconsistent and overly aggressive Perez instead of Nico?

 

Let's hope Hulkenberg gets the Lotus ride or something comparable/better soon.

 

Yes,  the differences in their careers are quite surprising given that both are the same age and raced together in karting in Germany. Vettel was "lucky" to get the Red Bull backing and then the BMW backing after impressing them in the Formula BMW, that meant two teams pushing for him to get a drive in F1 while Hulk was still in F3-A1GP and had to wait a lot more to get to F1. Maybe, if he hadn't rejected the Red Bull junior team, he coud be now in RBR instead of Ricciardo.

 

Also, he's unlucky because there are a lot of Germans in F1 so it's difficult to find sponsors.

 

Hopefully Lotus will give him a drive for next yeat and he will finally be able to show how good he is.

Strange how a driver with such an obvious claim to a top F1 team has spent 3 seasons driving cars that have little or no chance of winning in F1.

 

It is vital that to succeed in F1, assuming a certain level of talent, that drivers must be well connected and onside very early on in their careers. If you have to scratch around in mediocre or average machines for several years then you are in peril of your skills and motivation being squandered and becoming sidelined. The difference in the F1 careers of Vettel and Hulkenberg is startling, the former has gone from strength to strength, from memory starting off with a single BMW entry in 2007 followed by several drives with Torro Rosso, then 2008 with TR and the Monza win then straight to RBR with 4 wins and runner up in the WDC followed by 3 and now probably 4 WDCs in a row. Much of this, in my opinion, made possible by Newey designed cars.

 

In my opinion Nico Hulkenberg is at least as capable as Vettel but despite his many pre-F1 successes he has had to rely upon Williams, Force India and now Sauber. Is he less marketable than others, or is he unlucky that there are already three German drivers in regular F1 seats, why for instance, as others have commented, did McLaren choose the inconsistent and overly aggressive Perez instead of Nico?

 

Let's hope Hulkenberg gets the Lotus ride or something comparable/better soon.

"I'd rather be the guy getting booed than the one standing on the second step right now." ~ Mario Andretti, Monza 2013 post-race ceremonies

 

Pretty much says everything that needs to be said, I think.

 

In pre-race Mario said: 'Sebastian Vettel is a rare breed that only comes along one in a long while and can extract the maximum from whatever you give him to work with" 

 

He is right of course.  Vettel has people saying that the 2008 STRF was a WDC car.  A WDC car!!  lol.  That is AWESOME!  Newey himself agrees Seb is special, but I guess he'd be considered a blinkered old man who doesn't know his foot from a front wing...

(About cars designed by Newey)

Just to put things into perspective, top 4 cars from qualifying Monza 2008 (in case someone forgot) were:

1. Vettel (TR) - Newey
2. Kova (McL)
3. Webber (RB) - Newey
4. Bourdais (TR) - Newey

These are facts - you draw your own conclusions.

1 15 S. Vettel Toro Rosso B 1:37.555 7
2 23 H. Kovalainen McLaren B 1:37.631 +0:00.076 +0:00.076 7
3 10 M. Webber Red Bull B 1:38.117 +0:00.562 +0:00.486 7
4 14 S. Bourdais Toro Rosso B 1:38.445 +0:00.890 +0:00.328

Bourdais pitted 3 laps after Vettel (and in general he is not a crap driver although F1 maybe did not suit him).

You are doing just the opposite. The "Newey designed Red Bull" of 2008 cannot compare to the 2009/10 versions. Vettel beat the 2008 Red Bulls too in his "Newey STRF" - that is why it was brilliant. The car retired 6 times - it was no great wonder, the "wonder" was Vettel (9 point finishes in his first full year = 34 points. He was the top driver for the entire RBR F1 conglomerate that year, which is why he EARNED [can I stress that word] his Red Bull Ride).

(About cars designed by Newey)

Just to put things into perspective, top 4 cars from qualifying Monza 2008 (in case someone forgot) were:

1. Vettel (TR) - Newey
2. Kova (McL)
3. Webber (RB) - Newey
4. Bourdais (TR) - Newey

These are facts - you draw your own conclusions. Mine is:
OMG OMG Bourdais qualified fourth in a heavier Minardi !!!! Beating Ferraris, BMWs and one McLaren (Ham)!!!

(About cars designed by Newey)

Just to put things into perspective, top 4 cars from qualifying Monza 2008 (in case someone forgot) were:

1. Vettel (TR) - Newey
2. Kova (McL)
3. Webber (RB) - Newey
4. Bourdais (TR) - Newey

These are facts - you draw your own conclusions. Mine is:
OMG OMG Bourdais qualified fourth in a heavier Minardi !!!! Beating Ferraris, BMWs and one McLaren (Ham)!!!

Wow. That does put things into perspective.

Kind of supports the view that the Red Bull and Toro Rosso cars of that year (especially the Toro Rosso with the Ferrari engine) were very good, just lacked development.

REVISED Test Drivers
Formula One Test Drivers Archive

This is an attempt at archiving all instances of a driver testing a contemporary Formula One car. It includes official test drivers, Friday test drivers, one-off test drivers, and so on. It does not include instances of a regular driver testing during the off-season. Descriptions of the tests will appear in the future. Please post any missing testers in the Test Drivers thread in GF1’s Nostalgia Forum

Thanks in particular to the members of TBK/TBK Light for their assistance in posting pictures of many of the tests. Credit also to 8W’s test driver archive.

AGS
Didier Pironi (1986)
Ivan Capelli (1986)

Alfa Romeo
Giovanni-Batista Guidotti (1930s)
Consalvo Sanesi (1946-1951, 1953-1954)
Eddie Cheever (1983)
Giorgio Francia (1985-1986)
Pierre Dieudonne (1981)
Rene Arnoux (1986)
Stirling Moss (1951)
Teodoro Zeccoli (1978-1980)
Vittorio Brambilla (1978-1980)

Arrows/Footwork
Antônio Pizzonia (2002)
Alessandro Zanardi (1991)
Allen Berg (1984)
Barry Sheene (1978)
Darren Turner (1997)
David Brabham (1992-1993, 1996)
Emmanuel Collard (1998)
Gaston Mazzacane (2000)
Gregor Foitek (1989)
Hannu Mikkola (1984)
Jari Nurminen (1986)
Johnny Herbert (2001)
Jörg Müller (1994, 1997)
Jos Verstappen (1993)
Kelvin Burt (1996)
Kenny Bräck (1996)
Mark Webber (1999-2000)
Martin Brundle (1997)
Mika Hakkinen (1993)
Paul Stewart (1993)
Paul Warwick (1989)
Pedro Lamy (1995)
Perry McCarthy (1991)
Pierre Dieudonné (1985) Donnington
Sebastien Bourdais (2002)
Stephen Watson (1998)
Tom Coronel (1999)

Aston Martin
Reg Parnell (1955)

BAR (see also Tyrrell / Honda)
Adam Carroll (2004-2005)
Alan Van der Merwe (2004-2005)
Anthony Davidson (2001-2005)
Björn Wirdheim (2003)
Darren Manning (2000-2003)
Enrique Bernoldi (2004)
James Rossiter (2004) [Photo 2004]
Jean-Christophe Boullion (1999)
Kosuke Matsuura (2002)
Marc Hynes (2000)
Nelson Piquet Jr (2005)
Patrick Lemarié (1999-2003)
Ralph Firman (2002)
Ryo Fukuda (2002)
Takuma Sato (2001, 2003)
Tony Kanaan (2005)
Townsend Bell (2003)

Benetton (see also Toleman / Renault)
Alessandro Nannini (1987, 1996)
Alessandro Zanardi (1992-1993)
Alex Caffi (1987)
Alexander Wurz (1996-1997)
Allan McNish (1993-1995)
Andrea Montermini (1992)
Andy Wallace (1986)
Damon Hill (1988)
David Coulthard (1992)
David Hunt (1988)
Emanuele Pirro (1997)
Emmanuel Collard (1995)
Fernando Alonso (2001-2002)
Gary Brabham (1988)
Giancarlo Fisichella (1996)
Giorgio Pantano (2000)
Giovanna Amati (1986)
Giovanni Bonanno (1992)
Hidetoshi Mitsusada (2000)
Jackie Stewart (1989)
Jason Watt (1998)
Johnny Dumfries (1987-1990)
Johnny Herbert (1987, 1989)
Jordi Gene (1993)
Jos Verstappen (1993-1994, 1998)
King Constantine II of Greece (1990)
King Hussein of Jordan (1990)
Laurent Redon (1999)
Luca Badoer (1993)
Mark Webber (2000-2001)
Martin Brundle (1997)
Martin Donnelly (1987)
Maurizio Sandro Sala (1986)
Mika Hakkinen (1990)
Olivier Gavin (1997-1998?)
Paolo Barilla (1986-1987)
Paul Belmondo (1993)
Paul Stewart (1990)
Paul Tracy (1994)
Perry McCarthy (1992)
Roberto Moreno (1990)
Roberto Ravaglia (1988)
Stefano Modena (1987)
Vincenzo Sospiri (1996)

BMW Sauber (see also Sauber)
Alessandro Zanardi (2006)
Andy Priaulx (2008)
Augusto Farfus Jr (2007)
Christian Klien (2008)
Christian Vietoris (2007)
Graham Rahal (2008)
Ho-Pin Tung (2008)
Javier Villa (2008)
Marco Holzer (2006)
Marko Asmer (2008)
Nigel Mansell (2007)
Philipp Eng (2008)
Robert Kubica (2006)
Sebastian Vettel (2006-2007)
Timo Glock (2007)

To come (2008 Formula BMW World Final winner):
Alexander Rossi (2009)

BMW Sauber currently awards the winner of the Formula BMW World Final with an F1 test at the World Final the following year

Brabham
Ayrton Senna (1983)
Barry Sheene (1985)
Cees Siewertsen (1974)
Christian Danner (1983)
Corrado Fabi (1982)
Davy Jones (1983)
Elio de Angelis (1985)
Emanuele Pirro (1985)
Franco Uncini (1985)
Gary Brabham (1989)
Gunnar Nilsson (1975)
Hans-Joachim Stuck (1982)
Hector Rebaque (1981)
Ivan Capelli (1983)
Jackie Stewart (1978)
Josele Garza (1987)
Marco Lucchinelli (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 85
Mauro Baldi (1983)
Paolo Barilla (1984)
Pierluigi Martini (1983)
Roberto Guerrero (1983)
Stirling Moss (1983)
Thierry Boutsen (1981)
Tony Trimmer (1989)
Willy T. Ribbs (1985)

BRM
Jose Frolian Gonzalez (1952)
Juan Manuel Fangio (1952)
Ken Richardson (1940s-1950s)
Ken Wharton (1951)
Patrick Neve (1976)
Ron Flockhart (1954-1959)
Stirling Moss (1952, 1954-1956, 1959)

Coloni
Antonio Tamburini (1991)
Enzo Coloni (1987)
Luis Perez-Sala (1987)
Pedro Matos Chaves (1990)

Connaught
Stirling Moss (1954)

DAMS
Erik Comas (1995-1996)
Jan Lammers (1995)

Dome
Shinji Nakano (1996)
Marco Apicella (1996)
Michael Krumm (1996)
Naoki Hattori (1996)

Ensign
Arie Luyendijk (1975?)
Ole Vejlund (1974)

Ferrari
Alessandro Nannini (1992)
Andrea Montermini (1991)
Andrea Bertolini (2004-2008?)
Carlos Reutemann (1995, 2004)
Daniele Amaduzzo (1980s)
Dario Benuzzi (1988, 1991)
Eddie Cheever (1977)
Eddie Irvine (1995)
Edoardo Piscopo (2008)
Elio de Angelis (1978)
Fabrizio Giovanardi (2001)
Felipe Massa (2003)
Gerhard Berger (1986)
Giancarlo Fisichella (1995/6?)
Gianfranco Brancatelli (1975)
Gianni Morbidelli (1989-1993, 1997)
JJ Lehto (1989, 1992) Oct. 89 Estoril
Johnny Dumfries (1985)
Luca Badoer (1998-2008)
Luciano Burti (2002-2004)
Marc Gene (2004-2008)
Martino Severi (1959-1960)
Max Biaggi (1997, 1999)
Michele Alboreto (1983)
Mirko Bortolotti (2008)
Nicola Larini (1992-1998)
Richie Ginther (1960)
Roberto Moreno (1988-1989, 1998?)
Salvatore Cicatelli (2008)
Valentino Rossi (2004-2006, 2008)

In 2008, Ferrari awarded the top 3 drivers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship with a test. This may continue in the future

FIRST (see also Life)
Gabriele Tarquini (1989)

Force India (see also Spyker)
Christian Klien (2007)
Franck Montagny (2007)
Pedro de la Rosa (2008)
Ralf Schumacher (2007)
Roldan Rodriguez (2007)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2007-2008)

Forti
Frank Lagorce (1996)

Hesketh
Harvey Postlethwaite (1974)

Honda (see also BAR)
Adam Carroll (2006)
Alan van der Merwe (2006)
Alexander Wurz (2008)
Andreas Zuber (2007)
Anthony Davidson (2006, 2008, also 2007?)
Bruno Senna (2008)
Cameron McConville (2008) - last person to test Honda F1 car
Christian Klien (2007)
Giorgio Mondini (2006)
Hisashi Tsukahara (2008)
James Rossiter (2006-2007/2008?)
Jos Verstappen (1999)
Luca Filippi (2007)
Lucas di Grassi (2008)
Marco Andretti (2006)
Mike Conway (2007-2008?)
Nicolas Minassian (1999)
Riccardo Patrese (2008)
Ronnie Bucknum (1963-1964)
Satoru Nakajima (1993)
Takashi Kogure (2008)

Jaguar (see also Stewart / Red Bull)
Andre Lotterer (2000-2003)
Björn Wirdheim (2004)
Christian Danner (2001)
Dario Franchitti (2000)
Fernando Alonso (2002)
James Courtney (2002-2003) - did not test again after injury at Monza
Luciano Burti (2000)
Martin Brundle (2004)
Narain Karthikeyan (2001)
Niki Lauda (2002) - the Austrian’s first taste of an F1 car in years
Pedro De La Rosa (2001)
Tomas Scheckter (2000-2001)
Townsend Bell (2003)

Jordan (see also Midland)
Andrew Gilbert-Scott (2000, 2003?)
Anthony Davidson (2005)
Björn Wirdheim (2003)
Brian Hart (1994)
Chanoch Nissany (2004)
Christijan Albers (2004)
Colin McRae (1996)
Darren Turner (1997)
David Kennedy (1999)
Derek Daly (2004)
Emmanuel Collard (1995)
Emanuele Naspetti (1993)
Fabrizio de Simone (1996)
Franck Montagny (2005)
Gianni Morbidelli (1996)
Jaroslav Janis (2003)
Jason Tahinci (2005)
Jean-Christophe Bouillion (1995?-1996)
John Watson (1990)
Jos Verstappen (1999)
Juichi Wakisaka (1998)
Justin Wilson (2001)
Kelvin Burt (1994)
Laurent Aïello (1995)
Marcel Lasee (2002)
Mario Dominguez (2004-2005?) - was reported as securing a Jordan F1 drive
Martin Brundle (1995, 1999)
Martin Donnelly (1993)
Narain Karthikeyan (2001)
Nicky Pastorelli (2005)
Nicolas Kiesa (2005)
Nigel Mansell (1996, 2004)
Pedro De la Rosa (1997-1998)
Phil Andrews (1993)
Ralf Schumacher (1996)
Ralph Firman (2003)
Ricardo Zonta (1997, 2001)
Richard Lyons (2003)
Robert Doornbos (2004)
Sakon Yamamoto (2005)
Satoshi Motoyama (2003)
Shinji Nakano (1999)
Takuma Sato (2000)
Timo Glock (2004)
Tomas Enge (1999-2000)
Vittorio Zoboli (1993-1994)
Zsolt Baumgartner (2003)

Lancia (see also Ferrari)
Alberto Ascari (1954)
Eugenio Castellotti (1954)
Luigi Villoresi (1954)

Larrousse
Andrea Montermini (1992)
Emanuele Pirro (1989)
Emmanuel Clerico (1994)
Elton Julian (1994?)
Jean-Marc Gounon (1993)
Olivier Beretta (1993)
Paul Belmondo (1992)

Life (see also FIRST)
Franco Scapini (1989-1990)

Ligier (see also Prost)
Alain Prost (1992)
Derek Daly (1995) Magny-Cours
Emmanuel Collard (1990-1991)
Eric Bernard (1993)
Erik Comas (1990)
Franco Forini (1988)
Frank Lagorce (1994-1995)
Jackie Stewart (1978)
Jacques Laffite (1988, 1996)
Jean-Louis Schlesser (1989)
JJ Lehto (1994)
Jörg Müller (1994)
Kelvin Burt (1996)
Kenny Brack (1996)
Max Papis (1994)
Michael Schumacher (1994)
Michel Ferté (1985)
Niki Lauda (1977)
Philippe Alliot (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 1985
Philippe Streiff (1985) Paul Ricard Nov


Lola (see also Larrousse)
Allan McNish (1995)

Lotus
Alessandro Zanardi (1994)
Bob Evans (1979)
Brian Henton (1975)
Christian Horner (1993)
Dave Scott (1981)
Derek Warwick (1985-1986?)
Jackie Stewart (1978, 1989)
Jim Crawford (1975)
Johnny Dumfries (1984)
Johnny Herbert (1988, 1990-1991)
Martin Donnelly (1988-1989)
Max Papis (1994)
Nelson Piquet (1987)
Oliver Beretta (1992)
Roberto Moreno (1981-1982)
Stephen South (1979)
Tony Trimmer (1970s)
Warren Hughes (1994)
Wayne Gardner (1993) - Australian motorcycling rider

March/Leyton House
Andy Wallace (1987, 1990)
Bruno Giacomelli (1989-1990) Dec 1989 Estoril
Gary Brabham (1989)
Giovanni Lavaggi (1992)
Jackie Stewart (1989)
Kris Nissen (1987)
Markku Alen (1989)
Mauricio Gugelmin
Ronnie Peterson (?)

Maserati
Sergio Sighinolfi (1950s)

Matra
Graham Hill (1972)
Niki Lauda (1972)

McLaren
Alain Prost (1994-1996)
Alan Jones (1983)
Alex Lloyd (2004)
Alexander Wurz (2001-2005)
Allan McNish (1990-1994)
Andrew Kirkaldy (1999)
Arie Luyendijk (1976)
Ayrton Senna (1983)
Bernd Schneider (1995)
Cheng Congfu (2004)
Dario Franchitti (1995)
Darren Turner (1997, 2003-2004)
Dave Scott (1982)
David Coulthard (1990)
Eddie Jordan (1979)
Emanuele Pirro (1988-1989, 1991)
Gary Paffett (2002-2003, 2005-2008)
Gil de Ferran (1994)
Giorgio Pantano (2001)
Henri Toivonen (1982)
Huub Rothengatter (1976)
Jackie Stewart (1978)
Jamie Davies (1995)
Jamie Green (2004)
Jan Magnussen (1995-1996)
Jean Alesi (2002)
Jenson Button (1999)
Johnny Dumfries (1984)
John Watson (1988)
Jonathan Palmer (1981, 1989-1992) Dez 89 Estoril
Jonny Kane (1995)
Jos Verstappen (1993)
Laurent Aiello (1994)
Lewis Hamilton (2004, 2006)
Marcel Fässler (2001)
Mario Haberfeld (1999)
Mark Blundell (1991-1992, 1995)
Martin Brundle (1983)
Murray Walker (1983?)
Michael Andretti (1991)
Mika Hakkinen (1993, 2006)
Nick Heidfeld (1997-1999)
Niki Lauda (1981)
Oliver Gavin (1993, 1997)
Oliver Jarvis (2007)
Olivier Panis (2000)
Patrick Tambay (1975)
Paul di Resta (2007-2008)
Pedro de la Rosa (2003-2008)
Philippe Alliot (1993-1994)
Quique Mansilla (1982)
Ralf Schumacher (1996)
Ralph Firman (1995)
Raul Boesel (1981)
Ricardo Zonta (1998)
Roberto Moreno (1991)
Sarah Fisher (2002)
Stefan Bellof (1983)
Stefan Johansson (1982, 1991)
Tommy Byrne (1982)
Thierry Boutsen (1980, 1982)
Thierry Tassin (1981)
Yannick Dalmas (1994)

To come (McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winners):
Alexander Sims (2009?)
Oliver Turvey (2009?)
Stefan Wilson (2009?)

McLaren currently awards an F1 test to the winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award

Mercedes-Benz
Dr Rudolf Uhlenhaut (1930s, 1954-1955)

Midland (see also Jordan / Spyker)
Adrian Sutil (2006)
Adrián Vallés (2006)
Alexandre Premat (2006)
Christijan Albers (2005)
Ernesto Viso (2006)
Fabrizio Del Monte (2005-2006)
Giorgio Mondini (2006)
Jeffrey van Hooydonk (2005-2006?)
Markus Winkelhock (2005-2006)
Max Biaggi (2006)
Nicky Pastorelli (2005
Roman Rusinov (2005-2006?)
Ronnie Quintarelli (2006)
Thomas Biagi (2005-2006)
Tiago Monteiro (2005)

Minardi (see also Toro Rosso)
Alessandro Nannini (1984
Andrea Piccini (2001)
Antonio Garcia (2002)
Bas Leinders (2004)
Bryan Herta (2002)
Chanoch Nissany (2004-2005) - Israeli test driver, brought oodles of money to team
Christian Pescatori (1994)
Christijan Albers (2001, 2003-2004)
Danilo Rossi (1994)
David Saelens (2002)
Davide Rigon (2005)
Donny Crevels (1998)
Enrico Toccacelo (2005)
Esteban Tuero (1996-1997)
Fabrizio del Monte (2003)
Fernando Alonso (1999-2000)
Franco Scapini (1987)
Franck Montagny (2002)
Gaston Mazzacane (1999)
Giancarlo Fisichella (1994-1995)
Giorgio Vinella (2000)
Heikki Kovalainen (2003)
Jeffrey van Hooydonk (2004)
Jirko Malchárek (2002)
José María López (2003)
Josele Garza (1988)
Juan Cáceres (2005)
Katherine Legge (2005)
Laurent Redon (1997-1998)
Luca Badoer (1994, 1997)
Luca Filippi (2005)
(Luis Perez?) Sala (1990)
Marco Apicella (1987, 1989)
Matteo Bobbi (2002-2003)
Max Wilson (1999)
Michele Alboreto (1985)
Narain Karthikeyan (2003)
Nicky Pastorelli (2005)
Nicolas Kiesa (2005)
Norbert Siedler (2003)
Norberto Fontana (1999)
Olivier Martini (1997)
Paolo Barilla (1988-1989)
Pastor Maldonado (2004)
Patrick Friesacher (2004)
Patrick Huisman (2004)
Paul Stoddart (2005) - drove the car while he was team principal
Peter Sundberg (1999)
Pierluigi Martini (1984, 1988)
Roldán Rodríguez (2005)
Sergey Zlobin (2002, 2004)
Tarso Marquès (1996-1997)
Thomas Biagi (1994)
Tiago Monteiro (2004)
Tom Kristensen (1997)
Will Davidson (2004) - Gifted F1 test by compatriot Paul Stoddart
Will Power (2004) - Gifted F1 test by compatriot Paul Stoddart

Modena/Lamborghini
Eric van de Poele (1990)
Giovanni Aloi (1990)
Mauro Baldi (1990-1991)
Marco Apicella (1990-1991)
Nicola Larini (1990)

Osella
Enrico Bertaggia (1989)
Enzo Osella (1983)
Fabrizio Barbazza (1985)
Fabrizio Tabaton (1983)
Gianfranco Tacchino (1985)
Giorgio Francia (1985)
Juan Manuel Fangio II (1984)
Marco Greco (1991)

Pacific
Katsumi Yamamoto (1995)
Oliver Gavin (1994)
Paul Belmondo (1995)

Prost (see also Ligier)
Emmanuel Collard (1997)
Enrique Bernoldi (2000)
Jaroslav Janis (2001)
Jenson Button (1999)
Jonathan Cochet (2001)
Oriol Servià (2000-2001)
Pedro de la Rosa (2001)
Stephane Samson (2001)
Stephane Sarrazin (1999-2001)

RAM
Eliseo Salazar (1983)
Nelson Piquet (1983)
Pierre Dieudonne (1985)
Rupert Keegan (1986)
Thierry Boutsen (1981, 1983)

Red Bull Racing (see also Jaguar)
Brendon Hartley (2008) - stood in for injured Mark Webber
Filipe Albuquerque (2007)
Karun Chandhok (2007)
Luciano Burti (2008)
Martin Brundle (2006, 2008)
Michael Ammermuller (2006-2007)
Mikhail Aleshin (2008)
Neel Jani (2004)
Robert Doornbos (2006-2007)
Scott Speed (2005)
Sebastian Vettel (2007)
Sebastien Buemi (2007-2008)
Sebastien Loeb (2008)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2004-2006)

Renault (see also Benetton)
Allan McNish (2003)
Alvaro Parente (2008)
Alx Danielsson (2007)
Carlos Sainz (2006)
Christian Danner (2007)
Damon Hill (2006)
Derek Warwick (1983)
Eddie Cheever (1982)
Fernando Alonso (2002) - official test driver before promotion to race driver in ‘03
Franck Montagny (2003-2005)
Giedo van der Garde (2008)
Gerard Larrousse (1983)
Giorgio Mondini (2005)
Jacques Laffite (2007)
Jacques Villeneuve (2004) - tested prior to unsuccessful 3-race stint with team
Jan Lammers (1983)
Jean-Pierre Jabouille (1976)
Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (1980)
Jean Ragnotti (1983)
John Nielsen (1983)
Johnny Rives (Journalist L'Equipe) (1984)
José María López (2003, 2005-2006)
Heikki Kovalainen (2003-2006)
Lucas Di Grassi (2005, 2007-2008)
Nelson Piquet (1984)
Nelson Piquet Jr (2006-2007)
Nigel Roebuck (1982)
Oliver Gavin (2002)
Patrick Tambay (1983)
Philippe Streiff (1983)
Ricardo Zonta (2007)
Richard Hammond (2007)
Robert Kubica (2005)
Romain Dumas (2002)
Romain Grosjean (2008)
Sakon Yamamoto (2008)
Satoshi Motoyama (2004)
Sebastien Bourdais (2002, 2003)
Sebastien Loeb (2007)
Tiago Monteiro (2002)

Renault currently awards the winner of the World Series by Renault with an F1 test

Reynard
Christian Danner (1991)

Rial
Thomas Danielsson (1989)
Michael Bartels (1988)

Sauber (see also BMW Sauber)
Alexander Wurz (1996)
Enrique Bernoldi (1996, 1999-2000)
Felipe Massa (2001, 2003)
Jean-Louis Schlesser (1992)
John Watson (1996)
Jonathan Palmer (1996)
Jörg Müller (1998-1999)
Karl Wendlinger (1995)
Kimi Raikkonen (2000)
Kris Nissen (1994)
Marc Surer (1996)
Michael Schumacher (1997)
Mika Salo (1994)
Neel Jani (2003-2004)
Nicola Larini (1996)
Norberto Fontana (1995-1997)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2004)

Scuderia Italia (Dallara)
Andrea Montermini (1990)

Spirit
Emerson Fittipaldi (1984)
Fulvio Ballabio (1984)
Thierry Boutsen (1982)

Spyker (see also Midland / Force India)
Adrián Vallés (2007)
Fairuz Fauzy (2007)
Giedo van der Garde (2007)
Markus Winkelhock (2007)
Roldan Rodriguez (2007)

Stewart (see also Jaguar)
Eddie Irvine (1999)
Jackie Stewart (1997)
Mario Haberfeld (1998)
Luciano Burti (1999)

Super Aguri
Aguri Suzuki (2007)
Christian Danner (2007)
Giedo van der Garde (2007)
James Rossiter (2007-2008)
Martin Brundle (2007)
Mike Conway (2007)
Sakon Yamamoto (2006-2007)

Toleman (see also Benetton)
Alessandro Nannini (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 1985
Emanuele Pirro (1985)
Gabriele Tarquini (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 1985
Ivan Capelli (1984)
John Watson (1985)
Maurizio Sandro Sala (1985)
Manfred Winkelhock (1984)
Oscar Larrauri (1985) Estoril Dec 1985
Paolo Barilla (1985) Estoril Dec 1985
Roberto Moreno (1984)
Volker Weidler (1985) Estoril Dec 1985

Toro Rosso (see also Minardi)
Brendon Hartley (2008)
Gerhard Berger (2008)
Jaime Alguersuari (2008)
John Hopkins (2006)
Neel Jani (2005-2006)
Sebastien Bourdais (2006-2007)
Sebastien Buemi (2008)
Takuma Sato (2008)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2005)

Toyota
Alex Storckenfeld (2002)
Allan McNish (2000-2001)
Andrea Caldarelli (2008)
Andy Soucek (2006)
Borja García (2005)
Franck Montagny (2006-2007)
Franck Perera (2004-2005)
Helio Castroneves (2002)
Henkie Waldschmidt (2008)
Kamui Kobayashi (2006-2008)
Katsuyuki Hiranaka (2004)
Kohei Hirate (2007)
Mika Salo (2001)
Olivier Panis (2005-2006)
Peter Windsor (2004)
Scott Dixon (2004)
Stéphane Sarrazin (2002)
Ricardo Zonta (2003-2006)
Ryan Briscoe (2002-2005)
Toranosuke Takagi (2003)

Tyrrell
Chico Serra (1983)
Emmanuel Collard (1996)
Eric van de Poele (1993)
Gabriele Tarquini (1995)
Huub Rothengatter (198?)
Jackie Stewart (1975, 1978)
Jean-Christophe Boullion (1998)
Kelvin Burt (1993)
Kris Nissen (1980)
Mike Gascoyne (1998)
Mike Thackwell (1980)
Patrick Lemarié (1998-1999)
Piercarlo Ghinzani (1983)
Stefan Johansson (1983)
Tom Kristensen (1998)
Toranosuke Takagi (1997)

Williams
Adrian Newey (1993)
Al Unser Jr (1991)
Alain Menu (1993, 1995)
Alexander Wurz (2006)
Allard Kalff (1993)
Aluizio Coelho (1998)
Andy Priaulx (2005)
Antônio Pizzonia (1999, 2002, 2004-2005)
Ayrton Senna (1983)
Bernard Dudot (1993)
Bruno Junqueira (1999, 2000)
Damon Hill (1991-1992)
Dani Clos (2008)
Danny Ongais (1978)
Darren Manning (1999)
David Cook (1996)
David Coulthard (1993-1994)
Denis Chevrier (1993)
Derek Daly (1993)
Dirk Muller (2002)
Eddie Cheever (1978)
Emmanuel Collard (1994)
Geoff Lees (1987)
Giacomo Agostini (1978)
Giorgio Pantano (2002)
Gunnar Nilsson (1975)
Guy Smith (1995)
Ho-Pin Tung (2003)
Jackie Stewart (1989, 2006)
Jacques Laffite (1982)
Jacques Villeneuve (1995)
Jean-Christophe Boullion (1994-1997)
Jean-Louis Schlesser (1983, 1985, 1987-1988)
Jean-Pierre Jarier (1981)
Jean Ragnotti (1993)
Jeff Gordon (2002)
João Paulo Oliveira (2006)
Jochen Mass (1993)
Johnny Robinson (1991-1992)
John Watson (1993)
Jonathan Kennard (2008)
Jonathan Palmer (1981-1983)
Jörg Müller (1999)
Juan Pablo Montoya (1997-1998)
Kazuki Nakajima (2007)
Kazuyoshi Hoshino (1987)
Kelvin Burt (1993)
Keke Rosberg (1981)
Kenny Bräck (1993)
Lella Lombardi (1978)
Luciano Burti (2005-2006)
Marc Gene (2001-2004)
Marc Hynes (1997)
Mark Blundell (1989-1991, 2007)
Marko Asmer (2003)
Martin Brundle (1983, 1988)
Max Wilson (1997-1998)
Mick Doohan (1998)
Mike Thackwell (1984-1985) Estoril Dez 1985
Narain Karthikeyan (2005-2007)
Nelson Piquet (1985, 2004)
Nico Rosberg (2002-2005)
Nicolas Minassian (1997)
Norbert Haug (1988)
Olivier Beretta (2003-2004)
Patrick Head (1993)
Perry McCarthy (1993)
Ricardo Sperafíco (2003)
Riccardo Patrese (1996)
Sam Bird (2007)
Scott Dixon (2004, 2003?)
Sebastian Vettel (2005)
Soheil Ayari (1997)
Tiff Needell (1991, 2005)
Tommi Makinen (1998)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2002)

Williams will award the winner of the FIA Formula 2 Championship with a test

Wolf
Jackie Stewart (1978)

Vanwall
Stirling Moss (1954)

Zakspeed
Aguri Suzuki (1988)
Christian Danner (1988)
Csaba Kesjar (1987)
Hans Kauffman (1987) Dec 1987 Estoril
Joachim Winkelhock (1988)
Kris Nissen (1986-1987?)
Luis Perez Sala (1986)
Manfred Winkelhock (1984 and 1987) Dec. 87 Estoril
Norbert Haug (1987)

1989-1994 Bridgestone/Mugen Tyre Tests
Aguri Suzuki - Tyrrell (1992-1993)
Christian Danner - Reynard (1990)
Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Tyrrell (1993)
Johnny Herbert - Tyrrell (1992)
Mauro Martini - Tyrrell (1992-1994)
Paolo Barilla - Reynard (1989)
Volker Weidler - Tyrrell (1990-1992)

1996 Bridgestone Tyre Tests
Aguri Suzuka - Footwork/Ligier
Damon Hill - Ligier
Jos Verstappen - Footwork/Ligier
Tarso Marquès - Footwork/Ligier

2000 Michelin Tyre Tests
Jörg Müller - Williams
Max Wilson - Jaguar
Tom Kristensen - Jaguar/Williams

Tests That Never Happened
Andrea Montermini (Lola, 1997 - announced as test driver, but never drove the car)
Jacky van de Ende (Stewart, 1997 - awarded test, but never drove the car)

Oddities - Tests But Official Entries

- Bernie Ecclestone entered the 1958 Monaco and British Grand Prix in a private Connaught

- Stirling Moss entered the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix for Scarab for testing in practice after being invited by team owner Lance Reventlow

- Mike Hawthorn entered the 1956 Belgian Grand Prix for Maserati for testing in practice


Source:
http://cfm.globalf1.net//?page_id=100

and updated by Ricardo Pereira (rpereira)

Test Drivers
Formula One Test Drivers Archive

This is an attempt at archiving all instances of a driver testing a contemporary Formula One car. It includes official test drivers, Friday test drivers, one-off test drivers, and so on. It does not include instances of a regular driver testing during the off-season. Descriptions of the tests will appear in the future. Please post any missing testers in the Test Drivers thread in GF1’s Nostalgia Forum

Thanks in particular to the members of TBK/TBK Light for their assistance in posting pictures of many of the tests. Credit also to 8W’s test driver archive.

AGS
Didier Pironi (1986)
Ivan Capelli (1986)

Alfa Romeo
Giovanni-Batista Guidotti (1930s)
Consalvo Sanesi (1946-1951, 1953-1954)
Eddie Cheever (1983)
Giorgio Francia (1985-1986)
Pierre Dieudonne (1981)
Rene Arnoux (1986)
Stirling Moss (1951)
Teodoro Zeccoli (1978-1980)
Vittorio Brambilla (1978-1980)

Arrows/Footwork
Antônio Pizzonia (2002)
Alessandro Zanardi (1991)
Allen Berg (1984)
Barry Sheene (1978)
Darren Turner (1997)
David Brabham (1992-1993, 1996)
Emmanuel Collard (1998)
Gaston Mazzacane (2000)
Gregor Foitek (1989)
Hannu Mikkola (1984)
Jari Nurminen (1986)
Johnny Herbert (2001)
Jörg Müller (1994, 1997)
Jos Verstappen (1993)
Kelvin Burt (1996)
Kenny Bräck (1996)
Mark Webber (1999-2000)
Martin Brundle (1997)
Mika Hakkinen (1993)
Paul Stewart (1993)
Paul Warwick (1989)
Pedro Lamy (1995)
Perry McCarthy (1991)
Sebastien Bourdais (2002)
Stephen Watson (1998)
Tom Coronel (1999)

Aston Martin
Reg Parnell (1955)

BAR (see also Tyrrell / Honda)
Adam Carroll (2004-2005)
Alan Van der Merwe (2004-2005)
Anthony Davidson (2001-2005)
Björn Wirdheim (2003)
Darren Manning (2000-2003)
Enrique Bernoldi (2004)
James Rossiter (2004) [Photo 2004]
Jean-Christophe Boullion (1999)
Kosuke Matsuura (2002)
Marc Hynes (2000)
Nelson Piquet Jr (2005)
Patrick Lemarié (1999-2003)
Ralph Firman (2002)
Ryo Fukuda (2002)
Takuma Sato (2001, 2003)
Tony Kanaan (2005)
Townsend Bell (2003)

Benetton (see also Toleman / Renault)
Alessandro Nannini (1987, 1996)
Alessandro Zanardi (1992-1993)
Alex Caffi (1987)
Alexander Wurz (1996-1997)
Allan McNish (1993-1995)
Andrea Montermini (1992)
Andy Wallace (1986)
Damon Hill (1988)
David Coulthard (1992)
David Hunt (1988)
Emanuele Pirro (1997)
Emmanuel Collard (1995)
Fernando Alonso (2001-2002)
Gary Brabham (1988)
Giancarlo Fisichella (1996)
Giorgio Pantano (2000)
Giovanna Amati (1986)
Giovanni Bonanno (1992)
Hidetoshi Mitsusada (2000)
Jackie Stewart (1989)
Jason Watt (1998)
Johnny Dumfries (1987-1990)
Johnny Herbert (1987, 1989)
Jordi Gene (1993)
Jos Verstappen (1993-1994, 1998)
King Constantine II of Greece (1990)
King Hussein of Jordan (1990)
Laurent Redon (1999)
Luca Badoer (1993)
Mark Webber (2000-2001)
Martin Brundle (1997)
Martin Donnelly (1987)
Maurizio Sandro Sala (1986)
Mika Hakkinen (1990)
Olivier Gavin (1997-1998?)
Paolo Barilla (1986-1987)
Paul Belmondo (1993)
Paul Stewart (1990)
Paul Tracy (1994)
Perry McCarthy (1992)
Roberto Moreno (1990)
Roberto Ravaglia (1988)
Stefano Modena (1987)
Vincenzo Sospiri (1996)

BMW Sauber (see also Sauber)
Alessandro Zanardi (2006)
Andy Priaulx (2008)
Augusto Farfus Jr (2007)
Christian Klien (2008)
Christian Vietoris (2007)
Graham Rahal (2008)
Ho-Pin Tung (2008)
Javier Villa (2008)
Marco Holzer (2006)
Marko Asmer (2008)
Nigel Mansell (2007)
Philipp Eng (2008)
Robert Kubica (2006)
Sebastian Vettel (2006-2007)
Timo Glock (2007)

To come (2008 Formula BMW World Final winner):
Alexander Rossi (2009)

BMW Sauber currently awards the winner of the Formula BMW World Final with an F1 test at the World Final the following year

Brabham
Ayrton Senna (1983)
Barry Sheene (1985)
Cees Siewertsen (1974)
Christian Danner (1983)
Corrado Fabi (1982)
Davy Jones (1983)
Elio de Angelis (1985)
Emanuele Pirro (1985)
Franco Uncini (1985)
Gary Brabham (1989)
Gunnar Nilsson (1975)
Hans-Joachim Stuck (1982)
Hector Rebaque (1981)
Ivan Capelli (1983)
Jackie Stewart (1978)
Josele Garza (1987)
Marco Lucchinelli (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 85
Mauro Baldi (1983)
Paolo Barilla (1984)
Pierluigi Martini (1983)
Roberto Guerrero (1983)
Stirling Moss (1983)
Thierry Boutsen (1981)
Tony Trimmer (1989)
Willy T. Ribbs (1985)

BRM
Jose Frolian Gonzalez (1952)
Juan Manuel Fangio (1952)
Ken Richardson (1940s-1950s)
Ken Wharton (1951)
Patrick Neve (1976)
Ron Flockhart (1954-1959)
Stirling Moss (1952, 1954-1956, 1959)

Coloni
Antonio Tamburini (1991)
Enzo Coloni (1987)
Luis Perez-Sala (1987)

Connaught
Stirling Moss (1954)

DAMS
Erik Comas (1995-1996)
Jan Lammers (1995)

Dome
Shinji Nakano (1996)
Marco Apicella (1996)
Michael Krumm (1996)
Naoki Hattori (1996)

Ensign
Arie Luyendijk (1975?)
Ole Vejlund (1974)

Ferrari
Alessandro Nannini (1992)
Andrea Montermini (1991)
Andrea Bertolini (2004-2008?)
Carlos Reutemann (1995, 2004)
Daniele Amaduzzo (1980s)
Dario Benuzzi (1988, 1991)
Eddie Cheever (1977)
Eddie Irvine (1995)
Edoardo Piscopo (2008)
Elio de Angelis (1978)
Fabrizio Giovanardi (2001)
Felipe Massa (2003)
Gerhard Berger (1986)
Giancarlo Fisichella (1995/6?)
Gianfranco Brancatelli (1975)
Gianni Morbidelli (1989-1993, 1997)
JJ Lehto (1989, 1992) Oct. 89 Estoril
Johnny Dumfries (1985)
Luca Badoer (1998-2008)
Luciano Burti (2002-2004)
Marc Gene (2004-2008)
Martino Severi (1959-1960)
Max Biaggi (1997, 1999)
Michele Alboreto (1983)
Mirko Bortolotti (2008)
Nicola Larini (1992-1998)
Richie Ginther (1960)
Roberto Moreno (1988-1989, 1998?)
Salvatore Cicatelli (2008)
Valentino Rossi (2004-2006, 2008)

In 2008, Ferrari awarded the top 3 drivers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship with a test. This may continue in the future

FIRST (see also Life)
Gabriele Tarquini (1989)

Force India (see also Spyker)
Christian Klien (2007)
Franck Montagny (2007)
Pedro de la Rosa (2008)
Ralf Schumacher (2007)
Roldan Rodriguez (2007)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2007-2008)

Forti
Frank Lagorce (1996)

Hesketh
Harvey Postlethwaite (1974)

Honda (see also BAR)
Adam Carroll (2006)
Alan van der Merwe (2006)
Alexander Wurz (2008)
Andreas Zuber (2007)
Anthony Davidson (2006, 2008, also 2007?)
Bruno Senna (2008)
Cameron McConville (2008) - last person to test Honda F1 car
Christian Klien (2007)
Giorgio Mondini (2006)
Hisashi Tsukahara (2008)
James Rossiter (2006-2007/2008?)
Jos Verstappen (1999)
Luca Filippi (2007)
Lucas di Grassi (2008)
Marco Andretti (2006)
Mike Conway (2007-2008?)
Nicolas Minassian (1999)
Riccardo Patrese (2008)
Ronnie Bucknum (1963-1964)
Satoru Nakajima (1993)
Takashi Kogure (2008)

Jaguar (see also Stewart / Red Bull)
Andre Lotterer (2000-2003)
Björn Wirdheim (2004)
Christian Danner (2001)
Dario Franchitti (2000)
Fernando Alonso (2002)
James Courtney (2002-2003) - did not test again after injury at Monza
Luciano Burti (2000)
Martin Brundle (2004)
Narain Karthikeyan (2001)
Niki Lauda (2002) - the Austrian’s first taste of an F1 car in years
Pedro De La Rosa (2001)
Tomas Scheckter (2000-2001)
Townsend Bell (2003)

Jordan (see also Midland)
Andrew Gilbert-Scott (2000, 2003?)
Anthony Davidson (2005)
Björn Wirdheim (2003)
Brian Hart (1994)
Chanoch Nissany (2004)
Christijan Albers (2004)
Colin McRae (1996)
Darren Turner (1997)
David Kennedy (1999)
Derek Daly (2004)
Emmanuel Collard (1995)
Emanuele Naspetti (1993)
Fabrizio de Simone (1996)
Franck Montagny (2005)
Gianni Morbidelli (1996)
Jaroslav Janis (2003)
Jason Tahinci (2005)
Jean-Christophe Bouillion (1995?-1996)
John Watson (1990)
Jos Verstappen (1999)
Juichi Wakisaka (1998)
Justin Wilson (2001)
Kelvin Burt (1994)
Laurent Aïello (1995)
Marcel Lasee (2002)
Mario Dominguez (2004-2005?) - was reported as securing a Jordan F1 drive
Martin Brundle (1995, 1999)
Martin Donnelly (1993)
Narain Karthikeyan (2001)
Nicky Pastorelli (2005)
Nicolas Kiesa (2005)
Nigel Mansell (1996, 2004)
Pedro De la Rosa (1997-1998)
Phil Andrews (1993)
Ralf Schumacher (1996)
Ralph Firman (2003)
Ricardo Zonta (1997, 2001)
Richard Lyons (2003)
Robert Doornbos (2004)
Sakon Yamamoto (2005)
Satoshi Motoyama (2003)
Shinji Nakano (1999)
Takuma Sato (2000)
Timo Glock (2004)
Tomas Enge (1999-2000)
Vittorio Zoboli (1993-1994)
Zsolt Baumgartner (2003)

Lancia (see also Ferrari)
Alberto Ascari (1954)
Eugenio Castellotti (1954)
Luigi Villoresi (1954)

Larrousse
Andrea Montermini (1992)
Emanuele Pirro (1989)
Emmanuel Clerico (1994)
Elton Julian (1994?)
Jean-Marc Gounon (1993)
Olivier Beretta (1993)
Paul Belmondo (1992)

Life (see also FIRST)
Franco Scapini (1989-1990)

Ligier (see also Prost)
Alain Prost (1992)
Emmanuel Collard (1990-1991)
Eric Bernard (1993)
Erik Comas (1990)
Franco Forini (1988)
Frank Lagorce (1994-1995)
Jackie Stewart (1978)
Jacques Laffite (1988, 1996)
Jean-Louis Schlesser (1989)
JJ Lehto (1994)
Jörg Müller (1994)
Kelvin Burt (1996)
Kenny Brack (1996)
Max Papis (1994)
Michael Schumacher (1994)
Michel Ferté (1985)
Niki Lauda (1977)
Philippe Alliot (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 1985
Philippe Streiff (1985) Paul Ricard Nov


Lola (see also Larrousse)
Allan McNish (1995)

Lotus
Alessandro Zanardi (1994)
Bob Evans (1979)
Brian Henton (1975)
Christian Horner (1993)
Dave Scott (1981)
Derek Warwick (1985-1986?)
Jackie Stewart (1978, 1989)
Jim Crawford (1975)
Johnny Dumfries (1984)
Johnny Herbert (1988, 1990-1991)
Martin Donnelly (1988-1989)
Max Papis (1994)
Nelson Piquet (1987)
Oliver Beretta (1992)
Roberto Moreno (1981-1982)
Stephen South (1979)
Tony Trimmer (1970s)
Warren Hughes (1994)
Wayne Gardner (1993) - Australian motorcycling rider

March/Leyton House
Andy Wallace (1987, 1990)
Bruno Giacomelli (1989-1990) Dec 1989 Estoril
Gary Brabham (1989)
Giovanni Lavaggi (1992)
Jackie Stewart (1989)
Kris Nissen (1987)
Markku Alen (1989)
Mauricio Gugelmin
Ronnie Peterson (?)

Maserati
Sergio Sighinolfi (1950s)

Matra
Graham Hill (1972)
Niki Lauda (1972)

McLaren
Alain Prost (1994-1996)
Alan Jones (1983)
Alex Lloyd (2004)
Alexander Wurz (2001-2005)
Allan McNish (1990-1994)
Andrew Kirkaldy (1999)
Arie Luyendijk (1976)
Ayrton Senna (1983)
Bernd Schneider (1995)
Cheng Congfu (2004)
Dario Franchitti (1995)
Darren Turner (1997, 2003-2004)
Dave Scott (1982)
David Coulthard (1990)
Eddie Jordan (1979)
Emanuele Pirro (1988-1989, 1991)
Gary Paffett (2002-2003, 2005-2008)
Gil de Ferran (1994)
Giorgio Pantano (2001)
Henri Toivonen (1982)
Huub Rothengatter (1976)
Jackie Stewart (1978)
Jamie Davies (1995)
Jamie Green (2004)
Jan Magnussen (1995-1996)
Jean Alesi (2002)
Jenson Button (1999)
Johnny Dumfries (1984)
John Watson (1988)
Jonathan Palmer (1981, 1989-1992) Dez 89 Estoril
Jonny Kane (1995)
Jos Verstappen (1993)
Laurent Aiello (1994)
Lewis Hamilton (2004, 2006)
Marcel Fässler (2001)
Mario Haberfeld (1999)
Mark Blundell (1991-1992, 1995)
Martin Brundle (1983)
Murray Walker (1983?)
Michael Andretti (1991)
Mika Hakkinen (1993, 2006)
Nick Heidfeld (1997-1999)
Niki Lauda (1981)
Oliver Gavin (1993, 1997)
Oliver Jarvis (2007)
Olivier Panis (2000)
Patrick Tambay (1975)
Paul di Resta (2007-2008)
Pedro de la Rosa (2003-2008)
Philippe Alliot (1993-1994)
Quique Mansilla (1982)
Ralf Schumacher (1996)
Ralph Firman (1995)
Raul Boesel (1981)
Ricardo Zonta (1998)
Roberto Moreno (1991)
Sarah Fisher (2002)
Stefan Bellof (1983)
Stefan Johansson (1982, 1991)
Tommy Byrne (1982)
Thierry Boutsen (1980, 1982)
Thierry Tassin (1981)
Yannick Dalmas (1994)

To come (McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winners):
Alexander Sims (2009?)
Oliver Turvey (2009?)
Stefan Wilson (2009?)

McLaren currently awards an F1 test to the winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award

Mercedes-Benz
Dr Rudolf Uhlenhaut (1930s, 1954-1955)

Midland (see also Jordan / Spyker)
Adrian Sutil (2006)
Adrián Vallés (2006)
Alexandre Premat (2006)
Christijan Albers (2005)
Ernesto Viso (2006)
Fabrizio Del Monte (2005-2006)
Giorgio Mondini (2006)
Jeffrey van Hooydonk (2005-2006?)
Markus Winkelhock (2005-2006)
Max Biaggi (2006)
Nicky Pastorelli (2005
Roman Rusinov (2005-2006?)
Ronnie Quintarelli (2006)
Thomas Biagi (2005-2006)
Tiago Monteiro (2005)

Minardi (see also Toro Rosso)
Alessandro Nannini (1984
Andrea Piccini (2001)
Antonio Garcia (2002)
Bas Leinders (2004)
Bryan Herta (2002)
Chanoch Nissany (2004-2005) - Israeli test driver, brought oodles of money to team
Christian Pescatori (1994)
Christijan Albers (2001, 2003-2004)
Danilo Rossi (1994)
David Saelens (2002)
Davide Rigon (2005)
Donny Crevels (1998)
Enrico Toccacelo (2005)
Esteban Tuero (1996-1997)
Fabrizio del Monte (2003)
Fernando Alonso (1999-2000)
Franco Scapini (1987)
Franck Montagny (2002)
Gaston Mazzacane (1999)
Giancarlo Fisichella (1994-1995)
Giorgio Vinella (2000)
Heikki Kovalainen (2003)
Jeffrey van Hooydonk (2004)
Jirko Malchárek (2002)
José María López (2003)
Josele Garza (1988)
Juan Cáceres (2005)
Katherine Legge (2005)
Laurent Redon (1997-1998)
Luca Badoer (1994, 1997)
Luca Filippi (2005)
(Luis Perez?) Sala (1990)
Marco Apicella (1987, 1989)
Matteo Bobbi (2002-2003)
Max Wilson (1999)
Michele Alboreto (1985)
Narain Karthikeyan (2003)
Nicky Pastorelli (2005)
Nicolas Kiesa (2005)
Norbert Siedler (2003)
Norberto Fontana (1999)
Olivier Martini (1997)
Paolo Barilla (1988-1989)
Pastor Maldonado (2004)
Patrick Friesacher (2004)
Patrick Huisman (2004)
Paul Stoddart (2005) - drove the car while he was team principal
Peter Sundberg (1999)
Pierluigi Martini (1984, 1988)
Roldán Rodríguez (2005)
Sergey Zlobin (2002, 2004)
Tarso Marquès (1996-1997)
Thomas Biagi (1994)
Tiago Monteiro (2004)
Tom Kristensen (1997)
Will Davidson (2004) - Gifted F1 test by compatriot Paul Stoddart
Will Power (2004) - Gifted F1 test by compatriot Paul Stoddart

Modena/Lamborghini
Eric van de Poele (1990)
Giovanni Aloi (1990)
Mauro Baldi (1990-1991)
Marco Apicella (1990-1991)
Nicola Larini (1990)

Osella
Enrico Bertaggia (1989)
Enzo Osella (1983)
Fabrizio Barbazza (1985)
Fabrizio Tabaton (1983)
Gianfranco Tacchino (1985)
Giorgio Francia (1985)
Juan Manuel Fangio II (1984)
Marco Greco (1991)

Pacific
Katsumi Yamamoto (1995)
Oliver Gavin (1994)
Paul Belmondo (1995)

Prost (see also Ligier)
Emmanuel Collard (1997)
Enrique Bernoldi (2000)
Jaroslav Janis (2001)
Jenson Button (1999)
Jonathan Cochet (2001)
Oriol Servià (2000-2001)
Pedro de la Rosa (2001)
Stephane Samson (2001)
Stephane Sarrazin (1999-2001)

RAM
Eliseo Salazar (1983)
Nelson Piquet (1983)
Rupert Keegan (1986)
Thierry Boutsen (1981, 1983)

Red Bull Racing (see also Jaguar)
Brendon Hartley (2008) - stood in for injured Mark Webber
Filipe Albuquerque (2007)
Karun Chandhok (2007)
Luciano Burti (2008)
Martin Brundle (2006, 2008)
Michael Ammermuller (2006-2007)
Mikhail Aleshin (2008)
Neel Jani (2004)
Robert Doornbos (2006-2007)
Scott Speed (2005)
Sebastian Vettel (2007)
Sebastien Buemi (2007-2008)
Sebastien Loeb (2008)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2004-2006)

Renault (see also Benetton)
Allan McNish (2003)
Alvaro Parente (2008)
Alx Danielsson (2007)
Carlos Sainz (2006)
Christian Danner (2007)
Damon Hill (2006)
Derek Warwick (1983)
Fernando Alonso (2002) - official test driver before promotion to race driver in ‘03
Franck Montagny (2003-2005)
Giedo van der Garde (2008)
Gerard Larrousse (1983)
Giorgio Mondini (2005)
Jacques Villeneuve (2004) - tested prior to unsuccessful 3-race stint with team
Jan Lammers (1983)
Jean-Pierre Jabouille (1976)
Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (1980)
Jean Ragnotti (1983)
John Nielsen (1983)
José María López (2003, 2005-2006)
Heikki Kovalainen (2003-2006)
Lucas Di Grassi (2005, 2007-2008)
Nelson Piquet (1984)
Nelson Piquet Jr (2006-2007)
Nigel Roebuck (1982)
Oliver Gavin (2002)
Patrick Tambay (1983)
Philippe Streiff (1983)
Ricardo Zonta (2007)
Richard Hammond (2007)
Robert Kubica (2005)
Romain Dumas (2002)
Romain Grosjean (2008)
Sakon Yamamoto (2008)
Satoshi Motoyama (2004)
Sebastien Bourdais (2002, 2003)
Sebastien Loeb (2007)
Tiago Monteiro (2002)

Renault currently awards the winner of the World Series by Renault with an F1 test

Reynard
Christian Danner (1991)

Rial
Thomas Danielsson (1989)
Michael Bartels (1988)

Sauber (see also BMW Sauber)
Alexander Wurz (1996)
Enrique Bernoldi (1996, 1999-2000)
Felipe Massa (2001, 2003)
Jean-Louis Schlesser (1992)
John Watson (1996)
Jonathan Palmer (1996)
Jörg Müller (1998-1999)
Karl Wendlinger (1995)
Kimi Raikkonen (2000)
Kris Nissen (1994)
Marc Surer (1996)
Michael Schumacher (1997)
Mika Salo (1994)
Neel Jani (2003-2004)
Nicola Larini (1996)
Norberto Fontana (1995-1997)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2004)

Scuderia Italia (Dallara)
Andrea Montermini (1990)

Spirit
Emerson Fittipaldi (1984)
Fulvio Ballabio (1984)
Thierry Boutsen (1982)

Spyker (see also Midland / Force India)
Adrián Vallés (2007)
Fairuz Fauzy (2007)
Giedo van der Garde (2007)
Markus Winkelhock (2007)
Roldan Rodriguez (2007)

Stewart (see also Jaguar)
Eddie Irvine (1999)
Jackie Stewart (1997)
Mario Haberfeld (1998)
Luciano Burti (1999)

Super Aguri
Aguri Suzuki (2007)
Christian Danner (2007)
Giedo van der Garde (2007)
James Rossiter (2007-2008)
Martin Brundle (2007)
Mike Conway (2007)
Sakon Yamamoto (2006-2007)

Toleman (see also Benetton)
Alessandro Nannini (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 1985
Emanuele Pirro (1985)
Gabriele Tarquini (1985) Paul Ricard Nov 1985
Ivan Capelli (1984)
John Watson (1985)
Maurizio Sandro Sala (1985)
Manfred Winkelhock (1984)
Oscar Larrauri (1985) Estoril Dec 1985
Paolo Barilla (1985) Estoril Dec 1985
Roberto Moreno (1984)
Volker Weidler (1985) Estoril Dec 1985

Toro Rosso (see also Minardi)
Brendon Hartley (2008)
Gerhard Berger (2008)
Jaime Alguersuari (2008)
John Hopkins (2006)
Neel Jani (2005-2006)
Sebastien Bourdais (2006-2007)
Sebastien Buemi (2008)
Takuma Sato (2008)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2005)

Toyota
Alex Storckenfeld (2002)
Allan McNish (2000-2001)
Andrea Caldarelli (2008)
Andy Soucek (2006)
Borja García (2005)
Franck Montagny (2006-2007)
Franck Perera (2004-2005)
Helio Castroneves (2002)
Henkie Waldschmidt (2008)
Kamui Kobayashi (2006-2008)
Katsuyuki Hiranaka (2004)
Kohei Hirate (2007)
Mika Salo (2001)
Olivier Panis (2005-2006)
Peter Windsor (2004)
Scott Dixon (2004)
Stéphane Sarrazin (2002)
Ricardo Zonta (2003-2006)
Ryan Briscoe (2002-2005)
Toranosuke Takagi (2003)

Tyrrell
Chico Serra (1983)
Emmanuel Collard (1996)
Eric van de Poele (1993)
Gabriele Tarquini (1995)
Huub Rothengatter (198?)
Jackie Stewart (1975, 1978)
Jean-Christophe Boullion (1998)
Kelvin Burt (1993)
Kris Nissen (1980)
Mike Gascoyne (1998)
Mike Thackwell (1980)
Patrick Lemarié (1998-1999)
Piercarlo Ghinzani (1983)
Stefan Johansson (1983)
Tom Kristensen (1998)
Toranosuke Takagi (1997)

Williams
Adrian Newey (1993)
Al Unser Jr (1991)
Alain Menu (1993, 1995)
Alexander Wurz (2006)
Allard Kalff (1993)
Aluizio Coelho (1998)
Andy Priaulx (2005)
Antônio Pizzonia (1999, 2002, 2004-2005)
Ayrton Senna (1983)
Bernard Dudot (1993)
Bruno Junqueira (1999, 2000)
Damon Hill (1991-1992)
Dani Clos (2008)
Danny Ongais (1978)
Darren Manning (1999)
David Cook (1996)
David Coulthard (1993-1994)
Denis Chevrier (1993)
Derek Daly (1993)
Dirk Muller (2002)
Eddie Cheever (1978)
Emmanuel Collard (1994)
Geoff Lees (1987)
Giacomo Agostini (1978)
Giorgio Pantano (2002)
Gunnar Nilsson (1975)
Guy Smith (1995)
Ho-Pin Tung (2003)
Jackie Stewart (1989, 2006)
Jacques Laffite (1982)
Jacques Villeneuve (1995)
Jean-Christophe Boullion (1994-1997)
Jean-Louis Schlesser (1983, 1985, 1987-1988)
Jean-Pierre Jarier (1981)
Jean Ragnotti (1993)
Jeff Gordon (2002)
João Paulo Oliveira (2006)
Jochen Mass (1993)
Johnny Robinson (1991-1992)
John Watson (1993)
Jonathan Kennard (2008)
Jonathan Palmer (1981-1983)
Jörg Müller (1999)
Juan Pablo Montoya (1997-1998)
Kazuki Nakajima (2007)
Kazuyoshi Hoshino (1987)
Kelvin Burt (1993)
Keke Rosberg (1981)
Kenny Bräck (1993)
Lella Lombardi (1978)
Luciano Burti (2005-2006)
Marc Gene (2001-2004)
Marc Hynes (1997)
Mark Blundell (1989-1991, 2007)
Marko Asmer (2003)
Martin Brundle (1983, 1988)
Max Wilson (1997-1998)
Mick Doohan (1998)
Mike Thackwell (1984-1985) Estoril Dez 1985
Narain Karthikeyan (2005-2007)
Nelson Piquet (1985, 2004)
Nico Rosberg (2002-2005)
Nicolas Minassian (1997)
Norbert Haug (1988)
Olivier Beretta (2003-2004)
Patrick Head (1993)
Perry McCarthy (1993)
Ricardo Sperafíco (2003)
Riccardo Patrese (1996)
Sam Bird (2007)
Scott Dixon (2004, 2003?)
Sebastian Vettel (2005)
Soheil Ayari (1997)
Tiff Needell (1991, 2005)
Tommi Makinen (1998)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (2002)

Williams will award the winner of the FIA Formula 2 Championship with a test

Wolf
Jackie Stewart (1978)

Vanwall
Stirling Moss (1954)

Zakspeed
Aguri Suzuki (1988)
Christian Danner (1988)
Csaba Kesjar (1987)
Hans Kauffman (1987) Dec 1987 Estoril
Joachim Winkelhock (1988)
Kris Nissen (1986-1987?)
Luis Perez Sala (1986)
Manfred Winkelhock (1984 and 1987) Dec. 87 Estoril
Norbert Haug (1987)

1989-1994 Bridgestone/Mugen Tyre Tests
Aguri Suzuki - Tyrrell (1992-1993)
Christian Danner - Reynard (1990)
Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Tyrrell (1993)
Johnny Herbert - Tyrrell (1992)
Mauro Martini - Tyrrell (1992-1994)
Paolo Barilla - Reynard (1989)
Volker Weidler - Tyrrell (1990-1992)

1996 Bridgestone Tyre Tests
Aguri Suzuka - Footwork/Ligier
Damon Hill - Ligier
Jos Verstappen - Footwork/Ligier
Tarso Marquès - Footwork/Ligier

2000 Michelin Tyre Tests
Jörg Müller - Williams
Max Wilson - Jaguar
Tom Kristensen - Jaguar/Williams

Tests That Never Happened
Andrea Montermini (Lola, 1997 - announced as test driver, but never drove the car)
Jacky van de Ende (Stewart, 1997 - awarded test, but never drove the car)

Oddities - Tests But Official Entries

- Bernie Ecclestone entered the 1958 Monaco and British Grand Prix in a private Connaught

- Stirling Moss entered the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix for Scarab for testing in practice after being invited by team owner Lance Reventlow

- Mike Hawthorn entered the 1956 Belgian Grand Prix for Maserati for testing in practice


Source:
http://cfm.globalf1.net//?page_id=100

Originally posted by AFCA
For the Bourdais fans (are there any here ? - I quite like him), a translated interview...

Q: You're finally a Formula 1 driver. Relieved ?
Bourdais: ''More than that. There were times in which I accepted to no longer make it into Formula 1. When it wouldn't have worked out this time, than it would never have. Next year I'll be 29.''

He's right, for taking the chance.

Q: What do you think about your new teammate Vettel ?
Bourdais: ''Although he's only 20 years old, he has more F1 experience than me. He's the experienced one, I'm the rookie. Who drives just as fast as Liuzzi from the start in Hungary, without knowing the car, must be a good racing driver.''

Already starting to make excuses by labelling Vettel as experienced? I could see this pairing having some trouble between them.

Q: Will you already be driving the Grand Prix' of Monza, Spa, Fuji and Shangha this year ?
Bourdais: ''First of all Toro Rosso must want that, then Newman-Haas must agree. The title in the ChampCar-Serie has the priority.''

Berger apparently has just confirmed Liuzzi will remain until the end of the season. Better for Bourdais I think, since this allows him to settle in with a winter of testing before racing.

Q: Many Formula 1 drivers that have switched to Formula 1 have had bad a experience. Doesn't that discourage you ?
Bourdais: ''I only see the positive examples. Jacques Villeneuve became worldchampion, Juan-Pablo Montoya wasn't exactly the worst there was. It's all about timing. You have to be at the right spot at the right time.''

Q: Newman-Haas fights for victories, Toro Rosso drives at the back. A new feeling ?
Bourdais: ''I'm prepared to grow with the team. Toro Rosso doesn't want to stay at the back. Let's see, perhaps Adrian Newey comes up with a topcar in 2008. The technical structure is already there.''

Well, Bourdais often comes off as too negative, but this is the opposite, really wishful thinking. I can't see Toro Rosso with a top car fighting for podiums in 2008, sorry.

Q: Will it help you that you're used to driving without traction control in the ChampCar ? In 2008 the decive will be banned in Formula 1.
Bourdais: ''I'm afraid the teams will find a way to realise some form of traction control. Somehow they will bring the power on the road in a controlled way. My advantage is that I can give Toro Rosso hints about how we do that in the ChampCar. I like to be technically integrated in a team.''

I hope he's wrong. :

Q: How do you cope with the grooved tyres in Formula 1 ?
Bourdais: ''I don't like them. Grooved tyres is not the way to go to make racing cars slower. It's better to reduce the aerodynamics and to increase the mechanical grip. That makes overtaking easier. The GP2-Serie already does that. My biggest learning demand will be to cope with the tyres. You have to set-up the car in such a way the tyres are not stressed too much.'' -- (There's a fair chance that next year there will be slicks in F1 - AFCA)

Q: With a fourth title you could write ChampCar history. Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal and Michael Andretti have three titles like you.
Bourdais: ''It doesn't interest me. I want to prove that we can become champion in any car. I can no longer hear the stupid chitchat about my team Newman-Haas always having been privileged by Lola. Now we're driving with Panoz-chassis, and we're up front nevertheless.''

Q: How does the Panoz drive in comparison with Lola ?
Bourdais: ''It's more nervous entering corners. I don't like it as much. Panoz has more downforce than the Lola, has a bit more airresistance and is a bit heavier (to drive).''

Q: Why is your team Newman-Haas the best in the championship ?
Bourdais: ''It comes down to details when all the cars are the same. Newman-Haas finds these details better than the other teams.''

Q: How strong are your rival drivers ?
Bourdais: ''From the 17 drivers maybe 7 of them earn money. The rest has to bring money. With that the question is answered.''

Well, this guy surely isn't afraid of speaking his mind.

Translated Q&A with Berger:

Q: What do you say to Vettel's performance ?
Berger: ''It's the best ! It's a long, long time ago that I've experienced something like this at this track. Twenty years ago I won here as a driver. That was a good moment too, but today it's almost better ! It still takes a little time before I really realise it. It's an incredible feeling to win with Toro Rosso. I didn't consider that to be possible.''

Q: It must simply be fantastic to experience such a result...
Berger: ''It's incredible. Standing on top of the podium at Monza: we didn't even dare to dream about it.''

Q: Vettel had already conquered pole position in qualifying and stayed completely calm during the race...
Berger: ''Sebastian really is a very special driver. Today he has shown he can win races, and by the look of things he will also be able to win worldchampionships in the future.''

Q: The entire race Vettel was flawless. Wasn't there a problem of any sort along the way ?
Berger: ''No, there was no problem. You really have to say the victory was absolutely won on merit. There was no luck or particular coincidence involved. It simply was a super strong performance from the team and from the driver.''

Q: He got through the Safety Car period particularly calmly. What was it like from his point of view ?
Berger: ''He started the race very strongly. He zigzagged on track in the last corner up until the last moment, really as if he were an experienced driver. He was well awake there.''

Q: On the eighth lap he almost lost the rear of the car...
Berger: ''That was on the limit, really marginal, but he really had to drive on the limit because we knew some drivers were on a one stopper. We had to build up a gap in order not to get stuck in traffic after the pitstop, not being able to win the race at all.''

Q: The weather didn't get worse as many had expected, instead it stayed dry. This allowed you to change to intermediates at the second, scheduled, stop. That decision was dead right, wasn't it ?
Berger: ''At that point the decision was no longer so hard because a number of cars were already out on track on intermediates. We saw that went well and that it shouldn't have been a problem for us.''

Q: Generally you're a calm man, but how high was your heartbeat in the final laps ?
Berger: ''It's been pretty high the entire day...''

Q: But when did was it clear to you, you were actually able to win the race ?
Berger (laughs) : ''Early in the morning when I went out of bed.''

Q: Sebastian's father Norbert was in tears. Is it a special family ?
Berger: ''I think he'll be crying a lot more for his son in the future ! They're a cool family. But I would like to say something else: people always talk about 'Gerhard Berger's team'. It's a team from Red Bull and me together. Therefore I would also like to thank Red Bull. This year Red Bull Technology has supplied us with a car that is fast in really every circumstance. The team now understand how to set it up and to convert (this into results) well, but the basis came from Red Bull. A big thank you to them !''

Q: Why is your car faster than that of Red Bull Racing ?
Berger: ''I think it's equally fast, but there are differences in the set-up and the 'mood of the day'. Sometimes we better get the job done, sometimes it's Red Bull doing that. Perhaps we also have a small advantage with the Ferrari engine. Since two or three races we've been able to really make use of that. That's why we're a bit in front at the moment.''

How important is Giorgio Ascanelli for you ?
Berger: ''Giorgio is a very important character in the team, I've known him as very good man from my days as a racing driver, especially with regard to setting up the car. He was my race engineer when I won here with Ferrari 20 years ago. We know each other well.''

Q: It was a golden move to hire him, wasn't it ?
Berger: ''Since that time it never went out of my mind. I already wanted to take him with me to other teams back then, but unfortunately that didn't really work out. The fact that he came from Ferrari obviously is a very good story for Toro Rosso. Because to win you need a team. Now Toro Rosso really is a strong racing team.''

Q: How many people are working for Toro Rosso today ?
Berger: ''180. Though in comparison with other teams one should keep in mind that we get a lot of technology from Red Bull Technology. Therefore it's clear that we have a bit less people, but even then we're a small team. But we work very well and very efficiently.''

Q: Many employees have been here since the Minardi era. They were never rewarded for their work back then. Isn't it nice that they now have something to celebrate as well ?
Berger: ''That's incredibly joyful because we've been fighting for two years to get rid of the old Minardi-culture and get a winning mentally into the team instead. Many have dropped out because they weren't able to change over. Those that are here now are the ones that have said: 'We go the tough way!' That's the biggest success for them. I think they'll now acquire a taste for it.''

Q: In the future you will no longer be allowed to use Red Bull customer cars. Do you already have thoughts about that ?
Berger: ''Many, but today I'm really not thinking about it...''

Q: Is there perhaps still a chance that Vettel stays in the faster Red Bull car, so at Toro Rosso...
Berger: ''It's a great loss for the team when Sebastian leaves us. On the other hand we're part of the Red Bull family and we agree that Sebastian should be there, where it's best for Red Bull.''

Q: Can he be kept within the Red Bull family, or will he end up at one of the big teams at some stage anyway ?
Berger: ''That depends on us. When we give him a car with which he can win races, then there's nothing nicer than winning races for Red Bull. Then it could well be that he stays.''

Q: Bourdais had a problem at the start straight away, what was wrong ?
Berger: ''The engine stalled, but we don't know exactly know why yet. Shortly before the start we changed the steering wheel. I think that something has gone wrong there, but we still have to analyse it.''

Q: A shame because his position on the grid was very good. How do you go about your driver in such a situation ?
Berger: ''He's now in the shadow of this success. You should obviously look after him straight away because he's obviously suffering a lot. He was in a good starting position and has seen what was possible. Having a technical problem at a moment like that hurts.''

-----------------------------------------------------------

Translated Q&A with Tost:

Q: What does this victory feel like ? One shouldn't forget where you started this adventure...
Tost (laughs) : ''We started from pole position. No, seriously: a few years ago we wouldn't have thought to win here at Monza in 2008. Monza is something special for the Italian teams and drivers. Monza has a fantastic history. To win a race here, it being the first of the team with Sebastian as the youngest driver ever winning a GP, is outstanding.''

Q: The atmosphere must be unbelievable now...
Tost: ''You can see it. All the boys are celebrating.''

Q: How long will you be celebrating at the factory now ?
Tost: ''Tomorrow I'll fly to Jerez. There we will test with two potentially new drivers: Sato and Buemi.''

Q: Sebastian did a perfect job, didn't he ?
Tost: ''From the first lap on it was a perfect drive. Since Friday he has been preparing in the best way because even though the circumstances on track were not always good, he always went out to see where there was water, where to watch out, where you catch wind, etc. Bourdais did the same by the way. He was able to use all the information that he had collected on Friday and Saturday to win the race. Sebastian controlled the race all the time. The strategy was perfect, the same goes for the pitstops.''

Q: Why did you chose to go for a short first stint ?
Tost: ''Firstly, we wanted to be at the front at the start. Secondly we wanted to have free visibility in case it would rain. Thirdly we didn't stress the tyres with too much weight. Fourthly we wanted to remain flexible in case we had to change from extreme wets to intermediates.''

Q: This victory is also a statement from the team...
Tost: ''We have won here, but I have to admit that the circumstances played into our hands because we would have only become sixth or seventh if it had been dry. You could see that in the test here. The rain has helped us and particularly our strategy because we were on a short first stint, and that was exactly right. We took the tyre degradation into account and expected our strategy to be the fastest one. Luckily we've proved that.''

Q: You've perfectly prepared the Red Bull car. How impressed are you with the team members and Giorgio Ascanelli in particular ?
Tost: ''Ascanelli is on of the fathers of the team. He has contributed all his technical know how from the past. That's the main reason for this victory.''

Q: Did it help the team, that isn't used to having a leading position on track, to have someone like him on the pitwall ?
Tost: ''Certainly.''

Q: What did you say to Sebastian in the final laps over the radio ?
Tost: ''Nothing. It was absolutely calm because he drove well and his laptimes were very fast. We would have only bothered him if we had told him to drive slower or in a different way. So we let him alone. As we now know: he's experienced enough to bring home a result like that.''

Q: You've obtained the first result for Red Bull. That must be very satisfactory, especially since you don't just get the car delivered but also develop it yourself, right ?
Tost: ''I have to say that Adrian Newey and Red Bull Technology have done a fantastic job because we get the basis of the car from Red Bull Technology. We set up the car ourselves, but actually each driver does that since he has his own preferences. The one driver wants hard springs, the other one soft ones, etc. That's basically the job we do in Faenza.''

Q: Now your sixth in the constructors championship. What's your aim for the rest of the season ?
Tost: ''We have made a leap forward but we have to keep with our feet on the ground. I would be happy if we collect points in the final five races. I don't think we'll win another race this year because Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber are still ahead of us, clearly that is.''

Q: Last year at the rain race in Fuji you almost made it to the podium already. Do you hope for similar circumstances in the final races ?
Tost: ''Certainly ! We're a racing team and we always want to end up as far to the front as possible. When we're best in the rain that I pray for rain all the time ! That's only logical !''

Q: Does this success change anything to the future plans ? Mateschitz has offered his 50% stake in the team for sale...
Tost: ''I don't know. Mateschitz should answer that question. I expect that the price of the team has risen ! That's good for him because he's a businessman that's willing to regain the money he has spent. But for the team itself not much changes. Hopefully we'll get a few new sponsors because of it. The basis for that is obviously better being a winner rather than a looser.''

Q: At Monza in 2005 Minardi was still the worst team. In the period in between you've improved tremendously...
Tost: Yes. There are several factors. The first one factor is Red Bull, or rather Mateschitz. Without them we wouldn't have been here celebrating this victory. The second factor is Red Bull Technology. They supply us with a very good car. The third factor is Ferrari, they supply us very strong engines as you can see. We work together with them very closely and we're very happy about our collaboration.''

''Then the drivers shouldn't be forgotten about either because they're doing a fantastic job despite the fact they're still pretty new to F1. Vettel is driving his first full season. His performance curve is a very steep one. Then there's Ascanelli with his technical team, they do a staggeringly good job. We have the car under control and know how to set it up. That's important for the drivers in order for them to feel comfortable in the car. That's one of our most important factors for this success. In Faenza we're now improving our infrastructure. We're growing step by step. You can see the results.''

Q: You're no longer allowed to use customer cars in 2010. You have to build an own chassis. What are your plans regarding this ?
Tost: ''We've already begun extending the team for it to become a constructor. In 2005 we started off with 80 people. Now we're with 175. Another 80 will be added to that in the near future. These are the steps we have to make to become a constructor. We're also negotiating with several (owners of) windtunnels. That's a big task.''

''I'm not convinced that that is the right way for Formula 1, because we have six manufacturers. I think we should have six manufacturers and six private teams, and each private team should cooperate with a manufacture. Red Bull's philosophy was to have an engineering centre that supplies two teams with cars. That has reduced the costs because we only spend a quarter of the budgets of other teams. Nevertheless we're able to win, as we've shown at here. So far we've gone the right way in terms of efficiency and economics. But the regulations no longer allow this so we'll have to do it differently in the future.''

Q: ''Do you think things will still change as far the customer cars are concerned ?
Tost: ''When people use their brains then that will be the case. Just look at what's happening in the world of business: everyone's working together ! Even the car manufacturers start co-operations. Why ? They no longer want to spend so much money on R&D, which is comprehensible when, at the end of the day, the results almost stay the same.''

''We're now looking for a windtunnel. Even if we were to let a 130 people work in the windtunnel, we wouldn't build a revolutionary car because the regulations and the physical laws impede that. All the cars almost look the same. I'd like to bet that there are no more than five people that would be able to tell which car is from which team if they were all painted in white. But never mind, rules are rules. We try to achieve the best. We'll see the results in the future.''

For the Bourdais fans (are there any here ? - I quite like him), a translated interview...

Q: You're finally a Formula 1 driver. Relieved ?
Bourdais: ''More than that. There were times in which I accepted to no longer make it into Formula 1. When it wouldn't have worked out this time, than it would never have. Next year I'll be 29.''

Q: How nervous were you that maybe an the last moment it wouldn't have worked out ?
Bourdais: ''Not at all nervous. Formula 1 has always been a dream. I have already fulfilled these dreams with the testdrives for Toro Rosso. I was in peace with myself. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I again wouldn't have made it.''

Q: What do you think about your new teammate Vettel ?
Bourdais: ''Although he's only 20 years old, he has more F1 experience than me. He's the experienced one, I'm the rookie. Who drives just as fast as Liuzzi from the start in Hungary, without knowing the car, must be a good racing driver.''

Q: Will you already be driving the Grand Prix' of Monza, Spa, Fuji and Shangha this year ?
Bourdais: ''First of all Toro Rosso must want that, then Newman-Haas must agree. The title in the ChampCar-Serie has the priority.''

Q: Would it not be a problem to 'jump' from continent to continent, one time driving in ChampCar, the other time in F1 ?
Bourdais: ''But that's what I do for years now anyway. This year I've often been in Europe, to test with Peugeot for Le Mans, to drive the 24 hours. There's no bigger difference between a ChampCar and a sportscars.''

Q: Many Formula 1 drivers that have switched to Formula 1 have had bad a experience. Doesn't that discourage you ?
Bourdais: ''I only see the positive examples. Jacques Villeneuve became worldchampion, Juan-Pablo Montoya wasn't exactly the worst there was. It's all about timing. You have to be at the right spot at the right time.''

Q: Newman-Haas fights for victories, Toro Rosso drives at the back. A new feeling ?
Bourdais: ''I'm prepared to grow with the team. Toro Rosso doesn't want to stay at the back. Let's see, perhaps Adrian Newey comes up with a topcar in 2008. The technical structure is already there.''

Q: Will it help you that you're used to driving without traction control in the ChampCar ? In 2008 the decive will be banned in Formula 1.
Bourdais: ''I'm afraid the teams will find a way to realise some form of traction control. Somehow they will bring the power on the road in a controlled way. My advantage is that I can give Toro Rosso hints about how we do that in the ChampCar. I like to be technically integrated in a team.''

Q: How do you cope with the grooved tyres in Formula 1 ?
Bourdais: ''I don't like them. Grooved tyres is not the way to go to make racing cars slower. It's better to reduce the aerodynamics and to increase the mechanical grip. That makes overtaking easier. The GP2-Serie already does that. My biggest learning demand will be to cope with the tyres. You have to set-up the car in such a way the tyres are not stressed too much.'' -- (There's a fair chance that next year there will be slicks in F1 - AFCA)

Q: With a fourth title you could write ChampCar history. Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal and Michael Andretti have three titles like you.
Bourdais: ''It doesn't interest me. I want to prove that we can become champion in any car. I can no longer hear the stupid chitchat about my team Newman-Haas always having been privileged by Lola. Now we're driving with Panoz-chassis, and we're up front nevertheless.''

Q: How does the Panoz drive in comparison with Lola ?
Bourdais: ''It's more nervous entering corners. I don't like it as much. Panoz has more downforce than the Lola, has a bit more airresistance and is a bit heavier (to drive).''

Q: Why is your team Newman-Haas the best in the championship ?
Bourdais: ''It comes down to details when all the cars are the same. Newman-Haas finds these details better than the other teams.''

Q: How strong are your rival drivers ?
Bourdais: ''From the 17 drivers maybe 7 of them earn money. The rest has to bring money. With that the question is answered.''