89 replies to this topic

[D.M.N.]

Marussia F1 Team ‏@Marussia_F1Team
DE-LIGHTED! to bring you the 'official' announcement that @MaxChilton_ will be making his F1 racing debut with us in 2013
11:00 AM - 18 Dec 12

[rhukkas]

Marussia F1 Team ‏@Marussia_F1Team
DE-LIGHTED! to bring you the 'official' announcement that @MaxChilton_ will be making his F1 racing debut with us in 2013
11:00 AM - 18 Dec 12

Well who said talent doesn't get guy a drive in F1. His multi-millionaire AON chairman father must be so proud.

[noikeee]

Unsurprising, but still disappointing. We all know why he's been signed...

To be fair he did improve quite a bit after many underwhelming feeder series seasons, I've checked his results and he did get 2 GP2 race wins this year. He won't be hugely incompetent. Still, I think anyone looking at the ladder would pick many drivers ahead of him on talent.

Think he's the first UK paydriver in F1 in many many years? From the top of my head I can't remember any British driver that didn't get to F1 on merit.

[SealTheDiffuser]

how surprising. does this need a thread?

[Rob]

He must come with a lot of cash if Kobayashi has 8 million euros to spend and can't get a drive.

[pacificquay]

how surprising. does this need a thread?

Yes it does. It's a news story. This "generic thread" culture is a hugely annoying factor on this forum!

[SealTheDiffuser]

He must come with a lot of cash if Kobayashi has 8 million euros to spend and can't get a drive.

his father bought the team (partly)

[paulrobs]

It'll be interesting. If he performs well he'll have deserved the seat and if he performs poorly we'll all know that he didn't deserve the seat. There aren't any hiding places, it'll be up to him to show he deserves to be where he is

[Peat]

He'll be competent. But little more.

[Ross Stonefeld]

He must come with a lot of cash if Kobayashi has 8 million euros to spend and can't get a drive.

I thought that's what Kamui needed rather than had

[wj_gibson]

I think the story is particularly interesting because (as someone noted earlier) Britiain generally hasn't "done" pay drivers in the past. So the fact that even the Brits are getting in on the act says something about how motorsport is changing, and not in a good way.

[Spillage]

Its a shame. Perhaps they'd lost Pic anyway but there's no doubt that Chilton effectively bought that seat. Its sad that we have a situation where drivers like him and Gutiérrez are buying seats but established drivers such as Kobayashi and the current GP2 Champion Valsecchi are nowhere near a seat. Sad, but I don't blame the teams; F1 needs a real financial restructuring if we really want to see teams affording to take on the best drivers available to them.

[Rob]

I thought that's what Kamui needed rather than had

Apparently his website raised 8 million euros. Which is pretty astonishing in itself.

[wj_gibson]

Its a shame. Perhaps they'd lost Pic anyway but there's no doubt that Chilton effectively bought that seat. Its sad that we have a situation where drivers like him and Gutiérrez are buying seats but established drivers such as Kobayashi and the current GP2 Champion Valsecchi are nowhere near a seat. Sad, but I don't blame the teams; F1 needs a real financial restructuring if we really want to see teams affording to take on the best drivers available to them.

If the teams were recieving the 80%-ish of the sport's revenues that pertains to prettymuch every other team-based sport on Earth then the Kobayaashis and Valsecchis of this world would be competig for seats very easily...

[Fastcake]

Not a big surprise there, that's been semi-official for a couple of months. At least Max Chilton is a competent enough driver, though I doubt he'll give us anything spectacular.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Apparently his website raised 8 million euros. Which is pretty astonishing in itself.

I can't picture that. That's way above what a good Kickstarter would get, and approaching Children in Need territory.

[SealTheDiffuser]

Apparently his website raised 8 million euros. Which is pretty astonishing in itself.

no, 184 Mio yen

Edited by SealTheDiffuser, 18 December 2012 - 12:49.

[billm99uk]

He must come with a lot of cash if Kobayashi has 8 million euros to spend and can't get a drive.

Would he want a Marussia seat anyway though?

[Starish]

And I was in the position to Bring at least a budget of 8 million Euro.

It sounds like he got backing forma company of some sort, He hasn't been looking for a drive at lowly teams, I think his last option must have been Lotus because his statement was released as Grosjean was announced.

Edited by Starish, 18 December 2012 - 13:06.

[blackmme]

Its a shame. Perhaps they'd lost Pic anyway but there's no doubt that Chilton effectively bought that seat. Its sad that we have a situation where drivers like him and Gutiérrez are buying seats but established drivers such as Kobayashi and the current GP2 Champion Valsecchi are nowhere near a seat. Sad, but I don't blame the teams; F1 needs a real financial restructuring if we really want to see teams affording to take on the best drivers available to them.

I would put Esteban quite a long way ahead of Max in terms of ability.

Regards Mike

[sesku]

Unsurprising, but still disappointing. We all know why he's been signed...

To be fair he did improve quite a bit after many underwhelming feeder series seasons, I've checked his results and he did get 2 GP2 race wins this year. He won't be hugely incompetent. Still, I think anyone looking at the ladder would pick many drivers ahead of him on talent.

Think he's the first UK paydriver in F1 in many many years? From the top of my head I can't remember any British driver that didn't get to F1 on merit.

Justin Wilson?

[Ross Stonefeld]

Wilson had to bring money, if there had been other slots he might have gotten picked on merit.

[Anja]

I can't picture that. That's way above what a good Kickstarter would get, and approaching Children in Need territory.

On his website Kamui said that initial fans-only backing led to increased interest from Japanese companies.

[billm99uk]

I would put Esteban quite a long way ahead of Max in terms of ability.

So would I but the GP2 results weren't that different. Gutierrez is a bit of a headcase.

[SpartanChas]

The British press will no doubt big him up every race. Can't wait....

[ayali]

Wilson had to bring money, if there had been other slots he might have gotten picked on merit.

Didn't Wilson do that whole share-scheme that came with Autosport years ago?

Anyway. I don't have a problem with Chilton joining Marussia for 2013
F1 has always had it's fair share of pay drivers
Good luck Max

[np93]

Would we call Johnny Dumfries a pay driver? Although he was pretty sharp in F3.....
Anyway I reckon he'll match what Pic, D'ambrosio and Di Grassi did, outqualify Glock a few times, but not do anything noteworthy

Edited by np93, 18 December 2012 - 18:12.

[Bloggsworth]

He's quick, but he needs to learn how to overtake...

[jonpollak]

Welcome Da Reigate Massive

The Chilton house is a block away from me.
His girlfriend Chloe Roberts went to school with my youngest son and attended many of his birthday parties.

I have a story regarding that... perhaps a little later on.

Jp

[sosidge]

I just can't help but wonder how Tom feels about this.

OK, Daddy bought him a Touring Car squad to play with - but little bro getting an F1 ride is a bit of a kick in the teeth, isn't it? I'm still sore about my little brother getting £2 a week pocket money at the same time as me!

[billm99uk]

I just can't help but wonder how Tom feels about this.

OK, Daddy bought him a Touring Car squad to play with - but little bro getting an F1 ride is a bit of a kick in the teeth, isn't it? I'm still sore about my little brother getting £2 a week pocket money at the same time as me!

Life is so harsh!

[WhatOh]

Well who said talent doesn't get guy a drive in F1. His multi-millionaire AON chairman father must be so proud.

Aon?! I worked there for 18 months; it was the worst experience of my working life (sorry to go off topic).

[Brandz07]

Its a shame. Perhaps they'd lost Pic anyway but there's no doubt that Chilton effectively bought that seat. Its sad that we have a situation where drivers like him and Gutiérrez are buying seats but established drivers such as Kobayashi and the current GP2 Champion Valsecchi are nowhere near a seat. Sad, but I don't blame the teams; F1 needs a real financial restructuring if we really want to see teams affording to take on the best drivers available to them.

Valsecchi? Really? The guy that spent 5 years in GP2 and did little more than Max did in his first 3 years? He's also 25 compared to Max being 21. Give the lad a chance.

Edited by Brandz07, 18 December 2012 - 21:21.

[Jedi_F1]

Max isn't that bad.. 4th in GP2, 4th in British F3... you need more than just money to do that.
http://forix.com/dri...&...1042100&c=0

But yes there is better or was better on the market: Kovalainen, Kamui,..to name a few... and yes Valsecchi is if you want a rookie a driver you must consider.

Pay driver.. not just because of that..
personally if we still would have HRT next year.. (I feel it's a shame we don't have them anymore!) I'm affraid they would had signed Ma Qing Hua... now that would be really a payed one!

[olliek88]

Not surprised at the paydriver backlash.

Max has a decent GP2 record comparable to a few other guys who have got to F1, (Kamui, Custard, Pic, Nakajima) so i don't think he's out of place. Sure, there's a few other drivers who probably deserve to be there more than him but he's not a bad driver who has no place in F1. Time will tell how he does but i don't expect him to challenge Timo, Max is still only 21 so has plenty of room to grow but i'll be surprised if he lasts any longer than any of Marussia/Virgins other number 2 drivers.

I hope he does well though, although being virtually 6ft tall is a bit of a disadvantage but that hasn't stopped Webber & Di Resta (both over 6ft!) doing a good job.

[Slackbladder]

The British press will no doubt big him up every race. Can't wait....

In a Marussia? Still going to be at the back with the other monkeys (to coin a Lewis phrase) no matter what... difficult to see how he's really going to make his mark.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Aon?! I worked there for 18 months; it was the worst experience of my working life (sorry to go off topic).

AON bought his dad's insurance company, Chiltern or something? He was made a VP and got a bank vault's worth of cash from the deal.

[joshb]

He's quick, but he needs to learn how to overtake...

With all due respect to Marussia and with no HRT on the grid, I doubt he will ever be in position to overtake anyone. If he is in that situation, someone is having a mare or he's driving a blinder.
Still, I hope he does himself justice- nice to see another Brit on the grid- even if we won't see much of him on track.

[sniper80]

Max who?

[olliek88]

Max who?

Chilton.

[BRG]

The British press will no doubt big him up every race. Can't wait....

Like they bigged up Anthony Davidson, you mean? Or Justin Wilson? Or Ralph Firman?

Funnily enough, the British press expect Brits to perform.

I just can't help but wonder how Tom feels about this.

OK, Daddy bought him a Touring Car squad to play with - but little bro getting an F1 ride is a bit of a kick in the teeth, isn't it? I'm still sore about my little brother getting £2 a week pocket money at the same time as me!

Tom C is a front runner in touring cars, on merit. Doubt if Max C will be a front runner in F1. In two years time, Tom might still have a career, whereas....

[Ross Stonefeld]

No, never been any Davidson hype.

[Jackman]

Valsecchi? Really? The guy that spent 5 years in GP2 and did little more than Max did in his first 3 years? He's also 25 compared to Max being 21. Give the lad a chance.

What, like the chance you're giving Valsecchi?

[Bartel]

Yes it does. It's a news story. This "generic thread" culture is a hugely annoying factor on this forum!

Im glad im not the only one sick of reading threads like 'what does your favourite driver eat for breakfast].

I dont think Koba wanted to go to Marussia, he'd rather be 3rd driver elsewhere for a year and get a seat next year if possible

[Jackman]

AON bought his dad's insurance company, Chiltern or something? He was made a VP and got a bank vault's worth of cash from the deal.

Benfield. He's now chairman of Aon Benfield, and vice chairman of Aon overall.

[Zippel]

No, never been any Davidson hype.

Didn't read F1racing Mag during 03/04? Matt Bishop even mentioned during one article they were unashamedly hyping him up because he was British. That magazine always had a bias towards certain drivers, good or bad, and Davidson was in the strongly support category.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Yo, sarcasm

[Zippel]

Oh... I do apologise. Its morning here and I haven't had my coffee yet.

[ayali]

His multi-millionaire AON chairman father must be so proud.

Why shouldn't he be??
Max seemingly has trained very hard to be the best he can be in GP2 and categories before that.
Now he makes it into F1 which is quite an achievement even as a pay-driver

Had to google Mr. Chilton sr., best quote from the dude:
'Another £100m? It won't change my life'

[rhukkas]

Why shouldn't he be??
Max seemingly has trained very hard to be the best he can be in GP2 and categories before that.
Now he makes it into F1 which is quite an achievement even as a pay-driver

Had to google Mr. Chilton sr., best quote from the dude:
'Another £100m? It won't change my life'

Que the 'He had some good results in lower formulas he's earned his seat" and "next year he has the opportunity to proves he's not just a pay-driver" quotes from the journos and deniers that you hear every time someone buys themselves into F1.

If my dad had £100m I be able to train hard to. It's much easier to train without all the stress of not knowing whether you're going to race again. Of course you can't blame Max, but the sport is killing so much talent it's unbelievable.

Edited by rhukkas, 19 December 2012 - 00:43.