78 replies to this topic

[Jimisgod]

So, it seems Alonso, Button, Vettel, Kimi and Hamilton will be the #1 at each of their 2013 teams, all of which were the top 5 teams in 2012. All 5 drivers have already won a WDC. So who will be the next new WDC winner?

Edit: Forgot di Resta.

Edited by Jimisgod, 24 December 2012 - 22:30.

[Topsu]

Bottas, you heard it first here.

[jrg19]

Ricciardo 2014 when he gets the RedBull seat.

[Brandz07]

I reckon the guys that have won it already have it covered for the next 4/5 years. Ricciardo after that.

[sopa]

Robin Frijns.

I do not know if Ricciardo, Bottas, et al are all spectacular enough or just solid and need a Brawn 2009 type season to pull it off.

I don't know, who is the next guy, who can genuinely outrace Vettel, Hamilton or Alonso in the same team. From current drivers Hulkenberg is closest, but I am not convinced if he is that incredible. So I picked Frijns outside F1. Seems rising very fast through the ranks, already F1 reserve driver. Wouldn't be surprised if he challenged for the title come 2015-2016. Who would have thought in 2006-2007 that Vettel would be a WDC already in 2010? Who would have thought in 2002 that Alonso would win already in 2005? Who would have thought in 2006 that Hamilton would almost win it the next year? Great stars can rise up extremely fast and unexpectedly. Hence my pick. Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, etc seem more like Button-types. Take their time to establish them in F1.

Edited by sopa, 23 December 2012 - 15:15.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Ricciardo 2014 when he gets the RedBull seat.

So, you rate him higher than Vettel? Brave

[SpaceHorseParty]

If McLaren build a nice and reliable car, Perez could do it as early as 2014.

[katmen]

voted other

the wdc market is now well saturated with a young guns in a super top teams

maybe webber if vettel will be out due to illness!injury in a 5 year time frame

[sopa]

http://forums.autosp...how... wdc&st=0

Something for fun. A similar poll 10 years ago.

[David Lightman]

Di Resta, obviously*



*If you're a member of the British press

[V8 Fireworks]

Ricciardo 2014 when he gets the RedBull seat.

Vettel is just going to walk out of WDC car, even if Ferrari is not ready to perform?
I'm not sure.

Even Hill did not win wdc with the Williams easily in one go, I can't Ricciardo being a cut above that.

Besides who will Ricciardo's team-mate be? Raikkonen perhaps? Will Raikkonen really be such an easybeat?

[David Lightman]

http://forums.autosp...how... wdc&st=0

Something for fun. A similar poll 10 years ago.

Heh! There's some solid gold in that thread

[onewingedangel]

Have a feeling it's going to be someone not in F1 yet - We have 5 WDC's at the top 5 teams who are likely to outperform their team mates so a new WDC will likely occur when one of them has retired or switched teams giving an opening for someone new.

Edited by onewingedangel, 23 December 2012 - 16:07.

[Seanspeed]

Depends on who gets a good seat at the right time with the right teammate.

I think Perez is obviously a candidate considering he's at Mclaren. Beating Button wont be easy, but its do-able.

Hulkenberg, maybe. If he goes to Ferrari or something in 2014, he'll have a chance, but going up against Alonso will be extremely tough.

Grosjean has a pretty good shot if Lotus can make another step forward. Like with Perez up against Button, beating Kimi wont be easy, but it wouldn't be a shocker, either.

Frijns looks to have a lot of potential. If he can get in somewhere good, he might just be the next big thing, who knows?

Webber could do it if he can finally put together a good full season. He's got the talent.

[Skinnyguy]

It depends who lands in the right place, but going by talent alone, Nico Rosberg. He´s been shinning from time to time as soon as his car allowed him to do so. He´s been consistently the best of the rest last years overall.

I have the same feeling about him that I had about Kubica: when he gets the right car, he´ll match the fantastic 4 straight away.

[Slartibartfast]

http://forums.autosp...how... wdc&st=0

Something for fun. A similar poll 10 years ago.

The OP in that thread named six drivers. Three did go on to win the WDC. In fact he named three of the first four post Schumacher champions, only missing a driver who was still in Formula Renault at the time and the fifth post-Schumacher champion, who was still racing karts. That's impressive.

[TheNewStig]

Gutierrez maybe?Or Bottas?
Maybe Nico Rosberg will have the best car in 2014?But will he beat Lewis Hamilton then?
Or Perez already next year?

[apoka]

I think Rosberg currently looks like the best driver on that list - but he has to beat Hamilton (unless he leaves Merc). Hulkenberg or Perez could also do it in the short term (3 years). Anything beyond the next 3 years is very hard to predict.

[olliek88]

That depends, if Mclaren have the best car next year then its not inconceivable that Perez will be the next new one but in that case you'd put your money on JB. Otherwise there's not too many options in the short term. Maybe Hulkenberg if he gets in a top team, who knows maybe Ricciardo will get the 2nd RBR seat in 2014 and have a shot!

There's an established top group of teams and drivers at the moment and its unlikely to change much in the next 6-8 years, maybe one new WDC but i expect most of them to go to Vettel & Alonso, maybe JB if Mclaren have a good car and maybe Hamilton if Merc get their act together or if he jumps ship to back to Mclaren.

[Puhoon]

Perez or Rosberg. Both will need a very good car.

[Velocifer]

I can see Rosberg ending up at McLaren and he's proved beyond doubt he knows how to get points over a season.

[Wander]

I'm thinking Hulk if he can get himself into a top car.

Grosjean as a (controversial) long shot.

I want to see Bottas actually race in F1 before commenting on his chances, but I hope he has the quality.

E: By the way, I find this to be a very interesting question. Threads like these should be made regularly so we can laugh at the perceptions people had 10 years later.

Edited by Wander, 23 December 2012 - 17:15.

[ayali]

The OP in that thread named six drivers. Three did go on to win the WDC. In fact he named three of the first four post Schumacher champions, only missing a driver who was still in Formula Renault at the time and the fifth post-Schumacher champion, who was still racing karts. That's impressive.

Not really, he just named the 6 drivers closest behind Michael Schumacher.
Anyone could have done that back then really, there were no alternatives if you look at the 2002 grid.

If someone had named Webber or Massa to be contenders for WDC, then I'd have been impressed

Next different WDC is gonna be from a traditional team so Webber or who is next in RBR, Perez maybe and Ferrari will probably go with Seb so no chances for a "fresh" WDC there. Outside chance Grosjean but there's not really a chance of beating a consistent Kimi

[Skinnyguy]

Not really, he just named the 6 drivers closest behind Michael Schumacher.Anyone could have done that back then really, there were no alternatives if you look at the 2002 grid.

If someone had named Webber or Massa to be contenders for WDC, then I'd have been impressed

Credit when it´s due. Yes, Coulthard, JPM, Ralf and Räikkönen were obvious choices in 2002. The guys were sort of stablished good drivers that had already made their way to the top teams back then.

Picking Alonso and Button in 2002 are good brave non-obvious calls, as much as Webber or Massa. Alonso had shown speed flashes driving a piece of **** alongside a Mr. Noone (same case than Webber next year, why you make it look different?), Button hadn´t impressed too much and had even lost his Renault seat. Good stuff from the OP to have pointed a finger on these two as stars of the future that early on their careers.

[ayali]

Picking Alonso and Button in 2002 are good brave non-obvious calls, as much as Webber or Massa.

You are right, I missed Alonso on that list but although very much a promise back then it still was a brave call in early 2002

[sopa]

In 2002 Alonso - the eventual right answer - was a long shot, while Montoya and Raikkonen seemed obvious answers.

Who is the long shot at the moment? Not Perez and Grosjean, who are in top teams and not Hulkenberg, who is considered as the best of F1 young drivers now and is well-established in F1.

Massa and Webber are like Coulthard and Barrichello in 2002. Careers will be downhill from here. And Rosberg is like I don't know who - maybe Fisichella. Perennial midfield driver, with people waiting for him to get a top car one day.

Edited by sopa, 23 December 2012 - 18:16.

[jjcale]

So, it seems Alonso, Button, Vettel, Kimi and Hamilton will be the #1 at each of their 2013 teams, all of which were the top 5 teams in 2012. All 5 drivers have already won a WDC. So who will be the next new WDC winner?

You missed out di Resta....

[Wander]

In 2002 Alonso - the eventual right answer - was a long shot, while Montoya and Raikkonen seemed obvious answers.

Who is the long shot at the moment? Not Perez and Grosjean, who are in top teams and not Hulkenberg, who is considered as the best of F1 young drivers now and is well-established in F1.

Massa and Webber are like Coulthard and Barrichello in 2002. Careers will be downhill from here. And Rosberg is like I don't know who - maybe Fisichella. Perennial midfield driver, with people waiting for him to get a top car one day.

Alonso was maybe sort of long shot in 2002, but you could compare that guess to guessing Bottas now, and he does have a fair amount of votes. A proper long shot would be Kobayashi. I want to believe!

[Kingshark]

http://forums.autosp...how... wdc&st=0

Something for fun. A similar poll 10 years ago.

Great find! Fascinating to read.

[Kvothe]

Hulkenberg, Frijins, and Perez if McLaren build a fast car, Button has another 2012, and Perez isn't beset by a host of problems outside of his control.

My longshot's are Ricciardo and possibly Webber

Edited by Kvothe, 23 December 2012 - 21:15.

[skywing]

http://forums.autosp...how... wdc&st=0

Something for fun. A similar poll 10 years ago.

My personal favourite: "If williams gets a grip on them selves than it will be JPM. No doubt about that. In equal or near equal cars he will blow both Ralf and Kimi of the face of the earth."

[Bloggsworth]

Jenson Button of course.

[discover23]

Here goes the hype again..

[bourbon]

It is always difficult to guess the next one. Perez will eventually be a WDC. Assuming he will have a capable car over the next few years, he could be next.

Edited by bourbon, 23 December 2012 - 22:42.

[P123]

Possibly Perez, possibly da Costa.

[sportingcp]

I believe it will be Nico Hulkenberg. At this moment the driver who is in the better position (and taking in consideration Vettel and Alonso are a lot better than their teammates) to do it is Sergio Perez but McLaren needs to give him a very good car and I doubt it. Grosjean is another contender in the next 2 seasons if Lotus has a top car but still it´s unlikely. Rosberg... if Mercedes give him a good car he will be probably be close but I don´t think he will be WDC. And there is also Bottas and even Felix da Costa are good future contenders. There are other good drivers like Maldonado or Ricciardo but the first is very erratic and crazy and Ricciardo, I don´t think he is good enough.

So basically I think it´s very difficult for anyone to beat Vettel or Alonso in a similar car at their current form, except maybe for Hulkenberg (and he will need luck and more experience). So I think he is the best contender to be the next different WDC.

[V8 Fireworks]

I can't believe it will be Nico Hulkenberg.

I assumed that's what you wrote at first glance, ruddy English readers always with the speed reading and assumptions

Hulkenberg leading over Perez.

Even though Perez has a McLaren !

It's absurd. Sure Hulkenberg has some talent, but so far, all we have seen is Hulkenberg spin out of the lead (in a season when Maldonado kept it on the road, to keep his victory). I would have like to see Kobayashi compared to Hulkenberg, as I doubt Hulkenberg would have a huge advantage over the Japenese... yet somehow Hulk is future WDC while Kamui is future Formula Nippon driver. It's farcical, no way the difference in talent between the two is that large !!

Edited by V8 Fireworks, 24 December 2012 - 00:11.

[V8 Fireworks]

You missed out di Resta....

Aren't di Resta and Kobayashi both out of F1, probably for good, maybe they will get testing roles somewhere.

I can't see how they will come back TBH, it is a shame as they were not hopeless drivers by any means.

[weareracing]

How about NONE of them.
The current crop of WDC on the grid are easily capable of defending their positions against the young pretenders, MOST of whom have a sugar daddy to pay for their racing seat.
Vettel. Vettel, Vettel, Alonso & Hamilton for a good few years, with Kimi added just because

[scheivlak]

Aren't di Resta and Kobayashi both out of F1

No.

[scheivlak]

How about NONE of them.

That's the "other driver" option - unless you think WDC is finished within this decade.

[ElJefe]

The topic of 10 years back is very amusing actually, especially if you read the comments about Montoya's first WDC being as inevitable as Senna's and Schumacher's first WDC. Such a shame really if you consider what happened, because Montoya was incredibly talented. Alonso and Kimi were very good calls and it makes me wonder if we can still spot a gem whilst driving a shitbox, because I can't recall that I ever was very impressed for the past two seasons with rookie performances. Perez and Hulkenberg have shown class, but I'm not entirely sure whether it was all down to them, as they didn't completely obliterate their teammates.

[Ragingjamaican]

Well Perez seems to be in the prime seat. The rest of the top teams have drivers lined up for a while and look hard to topple over. Once Webber retires who will join Vettel? He's not even reached his prime yet. Alonso's tied with Ferrari for 2016, Raikkonen and Button will retire in a few years.

Perez could do a Raikkonen and overshadow his British team-mate, whether he can though is a different matter. I personally think Hulkenberg is the most talented out of all of the current young crop (apart from Vettel you have to remember he's young himself), he is solid in every area, but he's moved to Sauber, and the question is when or if he'll get into a top team or not.

Weird things have happened in F1. Montoya was tipped for WDC didn't win it. Alonso and Raikkonen after Schumacher were supposed to dominate, that didn't happen. Hamilton emerged and ruined that. Button won a title out of nowhere. Hamilton was destined for several world titles, along came Vettel and ruined that. Felipe Massa becoming a title contender, Kubica out of the sport.

It is very hard to predict, and all the top seats are locked out for a few seasons.

Will Red Bull ever get a new Sebastian Vettel? The four drivers they've had in the past few years have been evenly matched, Webber is on the verge of retirement, will they have to recruit externally?

The current crop of young drivers are Bottas, Grosjean, Guitterez, Hulkenberg, Maldonado, Perez, Ricciardo and Vergne.

Never seen Bottas race can't comment.
Guitterez doesn't seem to be that great judging by his GP2 performances this year.
Grosjean could become big but is still lacking.
Maldonado is just crazy, in the Montoya mould.
Both Toro Rosso drivers look average with Ricciardo looking like the better of the two.
Perez has it built for him, once Button's gone he's got the chance.
Hulkenberg in my opinion is the most talented out of those listed but will have to wait to get into a top team, that is unless both Toro Rosso drivers failed to impress and Red Bull snap him up.

There's also Rosberg and Massa to factor in. There time is now, and looking at the situation, it's over for them in my opinion just like Webber, Glock and Kovalainen. Although Rosberg does have some time yet, need to see how he fares up against Hamilton.
Also if Massa's form continues he could be a threat for next year, but that is very doubtful.

Logically you would go for Perez, but I will go with Hulkenberg.

[Zeroninety]

Some 14 year-old kid who's tearing it up in karts now, and after making his way up the ladder will jump to F1 in a top team in 5 or 6 years from now and win the title in his second or third season. Until then, I don't see anyone outisde the 5 current WDCs winning a title. Topsy-turvy seasons like 2009 don't happen often enough for anyone else to break through in the near future.

(And, a little off-topic, but count me as someone who thinks Button's going to make Perez look awful ).

Edited by Zeroninety, 24 December 2012 - 06:46.

[InfectedPumpkin]

Ricciardo in Red Bull. Hope he will get the seat soon.

[SilentKiller]

Cannot make up my mind.....will be interesting to see Perez in Mclaren though.

[lustigson]

I'd have to say:

• Perez, who's in a top car for 2014
• Hülkenberg, who's in his 3rd season, again with a solid mid-field car
• as long shot, Frijns, not because he's Dutch — I usually dislike my countrymen in F1 — but because he's won championships in everything he's raced, in a single season, apart from his first

[CrashPad]

Suspect it will be either Rosberg, Frijns or Bottas.
I'm gonna say Rosberg.

[Fastcake]

Perez is the only one I can sensibly vote for, as he's going to be driving a McLaren. I think he's talented enough to do it eventually, even if he may not be there just yet.

[Group B]

So, it seems Alonso, Button, Vettel, Kimi and Hamilton will be the #1 at each of their 2013 teams, all of which were the top 5 teams in 2012. All 5 drivers have already won a WDC. So who will be the next new WDC winner?

Edit: Forgot di Resta.

Hardly matters