6974 replies to this topic

[Disgrace]

He's not good enough, I doubt we'll be seeing him in F1 if that is what the requirements are for a mere HRT seat.

[cbbcisace]

Saul also puts Dani Clos out of the racing seat for 2012:

If he wants a Spanish driver, Clos would be the best you could get... unless you wanted Alguersuari!

You are all better than me... who could be the Latin American driver?

[TennisUK]

For the smallest outfit on F1, HRT is not doing bad on this forum with currently 174 pages about them! They sure aren't last on this forum!

If only we had the internet back in 1989-1992 - all those lovely fora with posts about Eurobrun, Life, Coloni and Andrea Moda…

It's true though, this thread has certainly aroused more interest than Virgin, Force India and perhaps even Williams.

[krapmeister]

If he wants a Spanish driver, Clos would be the best you could get... unless you wanted Alguersuari!

You are all better than me... who could be the Latin American driver?

Senna?

[cbbcisace]

Senna?

Senna wouldn't have a hell's chance of going back to HRT whilst Dr. Kolles is there.

[Showty]

Let me read this right... HRT would be moving to Adax Team HQ, in Valencia. Being Barwa Adax the old Campos Racing I have to ask if those are the very same facilities that were thought to be unsuitable for an F1 program, is it?

I know that the state of affairs at the time was completely different, but it sounds like that with correct funding the team could have had a Spanish base since the beginning and it would be much better implemented by now.

No, it is supposed there will be some kind of collaboration with Barwa, just that.

They are moving to some buildings used by the teams racing on the America´s Cup.

[cbbcisace]

No, it is supposed there will be some kind of collaboration with Barwa, just that.

They are moving to some buildings used by the teams racing on the America´s Cup.

Exactly right... Barwa are getting involved and the are moving to Valencia.

[William Hunt]

He's not good enough, I doubt we'll be seeing him in F1 if that is what the requirements are for a mere HRT seat.

Dani Clos is certainly good enough for HRT. He is better as Yamamoto who used to drive for them.

[Petroltorque]

I agree Clos is the best Spanish driver available. There's really little point in him spending another year in GP2. If I were Clos's manager I'd be knocking the door down at Repsol/YPF to get some pesos..I mean euros.

Edited by Petroltorque, 12 November 2011 - 05:53.

[pikamoku]

IMO, it'd be great to have a top driver (a good young driver ready to become a top), but HRT just needs a good average driver. Some guy with technical knowledge to talk with engineers and fast enough to deliver some good results for the team. And the second driver may be anyone who spices up the team, anyone with good mood, PR skills, anyone who overtake a couple of virgins just before crashing on the gearbox of a caterham in a "optimistic manouver"

Is Clos any of these guys?

Edited by pikamoku, 12 November 2011 - 07:48.

[jamiegc]

Best Latin American IMO would be Esteban Guerreri, absolutely dominated Ricciardo in the 2010 WSR season, finished 10 points off the title despite only starting 12 of 17 races and finishing 10. 6 wins, 2 second places, 1 fourth and 1 tenth.

Went and did Indy Lights this season due to lack of sponsorship and finished runner up. Would be a good bet for F1 but has an Indycar seat lined up for KV Racing (Team Lotus colours) next season.

[Jaybools]

Best Latin American IMO would be Esteban Guerreri, absolutely dominated Ricciardo in the 2010 WSR season, finished 10 points off the title despite only starting 12 of 17 races and finishing 10. 6 wins, 2 second places, 1 fourth and 1 tenth.

Went and did Indy Lights this season due to lack of sponsorship and finished runner up. Would be a good bet for F1 but has an Indycar seat lined up for KV Racing (Team Lotus colours) next season.

"Dominated" is a very strong word and I don't believe it applies here, however I do believe he deserved the 2010 title more than anyone else because, as you say, he didn't complete all rounds and was still very close..

Edited by Jaybools, 12 November 2011 - 08:35.

[jamiegc]

"Dominated" is a very strong word and I don't believe it applies here, however I do believe he deserved the 2010 title more than anyone else because, as you say, he didn't complete all rounds and was still very close..

2 of the 4 victories Ricciardo achieved came in races Guerrieri didn't contest. Guerrieri was also disqualified from another victory at Silverstone which would've won him the title.

[cbbcisace]

2 of the 4 victories Ricciardo achieved came in races Guerrieri didn't contest. Guerrieri was also disqualified from another victory at Silverstone which would've won him the title.

Daniel Juncadella & Dani Clos with the team today.

[cbbcisace]

Rubens approaches HRT!

Is this the Latin American driver HRT CEO was talking about?

[Petroltorque]

For the life of me I don't know why Barrichello doesn't just announce his retirement. There is absolutely no reason to give a driver a seat so he can complete 20 years in the sport. The old guard is changing, it seems Trulli's seat next year is not secured either. These guys are just blocking new talent in the sport. Best to sign a young turk looking to establish himself in the sport. As for the development skills of Barrichello, modern day F1 is now heavily dependent on telemetry and simulation for set up and when I last looked it was the TD and aerodynacist who dive development.

[cbbcisace]

For the life of me I don't know why Barrichello doesn't just announce his retirement. There is absolutely no reason to give a driver a seat so he can complete 20 years in the sport. The old guard is changing, it seems Trulli's seat next year is not secured either. These guys are just blocking new talent in the sport. Best to sign a young turk looking to establish himself in the sport. As for the development skills of Barrichello, modern day F1 is now heavily dependent on telemetry and simulation for set up and when I last looked it was the TD and aerodynacist who dive development.

Quite agree with you... Im just trying to think out side the box for the 2012 drivers:-

How about Jose Maria Lopez, he had funding back in 2010 and he is Latin American?

I feel Liuzzi seat is secure but Ricciardo and Karthikeyan won't be with the team next year.

[Petroltorque]

As I recall "Pechito" has been out of single seaters for quite a while. I guess HRT must be seriously considering Clos as an option, but I read somewhere that he had a GP2 contract for next year. So we await developments with interest.
I think the team will make a pretty big step next year. Within 4s of ultimate pace should be the target. All the design team have to concentrate on is KERS integration and Aero has the cars layout was effectively done by Willis before leaving. KERS has the added advantage of increasing the setup adjustment with regards to gear ratios and DRS.

[cbbcisace]

As I recall "Pechito" has been out of single seaters for quite a while. I guess HRT must be seriously considering Clos as an option, but I read somewhere that he had a GP2 contract for next year. So we await developments with interest.
I think the team will make a pretty big step next year. Within 4s of ultimate pace should be the target. All the design team have to concentrate on is KERS integration and Aero has the cars layout was effectively done by Willis before leaving. KERS has the added advantage of increasing the setup adjustment with regards to gear ratios and DRS.

Yes I think Clos is the leading contender for the 2nd seat.

If the F112 can be on the tail end of the midfield and have chances to get into Q2 then that will be a big step.

Will Willams KERS be better than Red Bull KERS that Caterham will be using next year?

Personally if Marussia don't have KERS next year than they are going to be at the back of the grid.

[Petroltorque]

There is a performance differential between the KERS systems. The Mercedes unit is the gold standard producing up to .5s a lap. The Renault system is rated at .4s a lap and Williams were quoting .3s a lap. Bear in mind as these systems mature they are refined so more performance is possible.
As I understand it HRT are persisting with the LG14 gearbox so reducing the risk of reliabilty issues with KERs integration. Its fully possible that Virgin may be forced into a rethink regards KERS, however they're only option would be the Williams system as well as Cosworth have not developped an inhouse unit.

[cbbcisace]

There is a performance differential between the KERS systems. The Mercedes unit is the gold standard producing up to .5s a lap. The Renault system is rated at .4s a lap and Williams were quoting .3s a lap. Bear in mind as these systems mature they are refined so more performance is possible.
As I understand it HRT are persisting with the LG14 gearbox so reducing the risk of reliabilty issues with KERs integration. Its fully possible that Virgin may be forced into a rethink regards KERS, however they're only option would be the Williams system as well as Cosworth have not developped an inhouse unit.

So HRT won't have the '11 gearbox from Williams?

I'm just looking forward to a better car and more Sponsors with the team!

A Latin/Spanish focus for sponsors now they have/are moving to Valenica.

[Petroltorque]

HRT are using the Williams 2010 gearbox next year.

[cbbcisace]

HRT are using the Williams 2010 gearbox next year.

Ok so the stability is there, good step if you ask me!

[highdownforce]

Rubens approaches HRT!

Is this the Latin American driver HRT CEO was talking about?

I very much doubt it.

Rubens himself have declared very recently that he wouldn't race at an totally uncompetitive team (at the occasion he was asked about one of the three new teams).

So I don't believe this is reliable info.

[cbbcisace]

I very much doubt it.

Rubens himself have declared very recently that he wouldn't race at an totally uncompetitive team (at the occasion he was asked about one of the three new teams).

So I don't believe this is reliable info.

I don't think Rubens would be at HRT, only chance would be if they kicked out Liuzzi, but he has a multi year deal there.