- 03 May 09, 17:49#114386
With 3 new teams hopefully for next year, that gives us a total of 6 new driver seats. Not to mention the seats that could be left empty by drivers like Bourdais, Nakajima and Piquet. 2008 we seen just one new driver, and just one driver change with Vettel moving to Red Bull. But 2010 looks to be a very different story.
So the question is, what new drivers are looking at a race seat, who do you think will earn one.
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*these are just the drivers I see as potential runners next year
Bruno Senna
Clearly determined to get a race seat and with a second name like that its hard to bet against it. Its said that he won't sign any contract, unless it guarantee's him a race seat within the next year or two. His performance in GP2 was good, and arguably should've won him the championship but a streak of bad luck from reliability to unnessacary penalties, and even hitting a dog on track said otherwise.
Vitantonio Luzzi
Just about remaining in F1 as Force India test driver. Luzzi has been keeping himself race ready, competeting in A1 GP and the Porsche Supercup that follows F1. Both FI drivers contracts run out at the end of the year, and this could easily be a sign that they're looking to promote Luzzi.
GP2 runners
Romain Grosjean
F3 champion and 3rd last year in GP2 only a single point behind Bruno Senna. He started the year well by dominating the GP2 Asia series winning by 24 points in a series with just 5 race weekends, but didn't seem as comfortable in the new GP2 car at times. His close links with Renault though certainly almost guarantee him a race seat like Kovalinen and Piquet before him.
Nico Hulkenburg
F3 champion by a colossal 35 points, and also took Germany to championship glory in A1 GP. He's currently being managed by former Schuy manager Willi Webber, and Webber has even compared Hulkenburg to Schumacher at one point. Hulkenburg is apparently itching to drive in F1 to the point of being impatient, and with a manager like Webber and a test seat at Williams, I wouldn't be surprised if there's already a contract signed for a race seat in 2010 if he does well in GP2.
Lucas Di Grassi
Former Renault test driver, and runner up to Glock in the GP2 07. Di Grassi has continually preformed well in GP2, but has struggled to make the break into F1. Apparently some teams are sceptical about his raw pace. For 2009 he's set to run in GP2 again, and this could be his last chance to break into F1.
Outside chances
Sato and Davidson
Both ex-Super Aguri drivers, and both pretty good drivers. Sato is clearly still pushing hard for a drive, and some of new teams could look at his races in 2007 like Canda and Spain and think he could be essential in getting us some points. Davidson has been out of action for a while now, but definitely has a good chance with one of the new teams.
Adam Carroll
Just fresh from winning the A1 GP title with a dominate weekend at Brands hatch where he won everything except fastest lap in the second race. Carroll has admitted to have been in talks with some F1 teams, who though we don't know.
Americans
Marco Andretti
His grandfather a world champion, and his father a driver in F1 as well. Andretti previously tested for Honda, and is currently racing in the Indycar series. The USGP team is looking for an american driver, and Andretti could be a front running name. Andretti has also been running in the A1GP series with a podium to his name, and that could be sign that he's warming up for a run with the US team.
Dancia Patrick
A name more than well known for one main reason, shes a woman. Many have critized Patrick for being overhyped seeing as shes a woman, but in fact in 2008 she was the highest placed american driver in the indy car series. Certainly thats goes well considering USGP are looking an american driver, and indycar is america's leading single seater category. She's also been quick in any other series beforehand.
Scott Speed
Currently trying to break into Nascar in America, but still a possible candidate if US GP can persuade him to sign up. His experience in single seaters will be valuable, and certainly a driver who has good enough pace to compete.
So the question is, what new drivers are looking at a race seat, who do you think will earn one.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*these are just the drivers I see as potential runners next year
Bruno Senna
Clearly determined to get a race seat and with a second name like that its hard to bet against it. Its said that he won't sign any contract, unless it guarantee's him a race seat within the next year or two. His performance in GP2 was good, and arguably should've won him the championship but a streak of bad luck from reliability to unnessacary penalties, and even hitting a dog on track said otherwise.
Vitantonio Luzzi
Just about remaining in F1 as Force India test driver. Luzzi has been keeping himself race ready, competeting in A1 GP and the Porsche Supercup that follows F1. Both FI drivers contracts run out at the end of the year, and this could easily be a sign that they're looking to promote Luzzi.
GP2 runners
Romain Grosjean
F3 champion and 3rd last year in GP2 only a single point behind Bruno Senna. He started the year well by dominating the GP2 Asia series winning by 24 points in a series with just 5 race weekends, but didn't seem as comfortable in the new GP2 car at times. His close links with Renault though certainly almost guarantee him a race seat like Kovalinen and Piquet before him.
Nico Hulkenburg
F3 champion by a colossal 35 points, and also took Germany to championship glory in A1 GP. He's currently being managed by former Schuy manager Willi Webber, and Webber has even compared Hulkenburg to Schumacher at one point. Hulkenburg is apparently itching to drive in F1 to the point of being impatient, and with a manager like Webber and a test seat at Williams, I wouldn't be surprised if there's already a contract signed for a race seat in 2010 if he does well in GP2.
Lucas Di Grassi
Former Renault test driver, and runner up to Glock in the GP2 07. Di Grassi has continually preformed well in GP2, but has struggled to make the break into F1. Apparently some teams are sceptical about his raw pace. For 2009 he's set to run in GP2 again, and this could be his last chance to break into F1.
Outside chances
Sato and Davidson
Both ex-Super Aguri drivers, and both pretty good drivers. Sato is clearly still pushing hard for a drive, and some of new teams could look at his races in 2007 like Canda and Spain and think he could be essential in getting us some points. Davidson has been out of action for a while now, but definitely has a good chance with one of the new teams.
Adam Carroll
Just fresh from winning the A1 GP title with a dominate weekend at Brands hatch where he won everything except fastest lap in the second race. Carroll has admitted to have been in talks with some F1 teams, who though we don't know.
Americans
Marco Andretti
His grandfather a world champion, and his father a driver in F1 as well. Andretti previously tested for Honda, and is currently racing in the Indycar series. The USGP team is looking for an american driver, and Andretti could be a front running name. Andretti has also been running in the A1GP series with a podium to his name, and that could be sign that he's warming up for a run with the US team.
Dancia Patrick
A name more than well known for one main reason, shes a woman. Many have critized Patrick for being overhyped seeing as shes a woman, but in fact in 2008 she was the highest placed american driver in the indy car series. Certainly thats goes well considering USGP are looking an american driver, and indycar is america's leading single seater category. She's also been quick in any other series beforehand.
Scott Speed
Currently trying to break into Nascar in America, but still a possible candidate if US GP can persuade him to sign up. His experience in single seaters will be valuable, and certainly a driver who has good enough pace to compete.
) and it was clear they were a cut above the rest. They were prone to a few gaffes, though, but some experience will quickly sort that. Senna is talented as well, but I still think he needs another season in GP2 or something to learn about setting up cars, race craft etc. His surname has taken and will take him places, however. Carroll has a lot of potential as well, and he's probably prepared to drive for free, so he's worth a try. Davidson, too, has shown enough to warrant a drive. Luzzi, Andretti, Patrick, Sato, and Speed have nothing to offer and shouldn't be near Formula One - especially with the talent aforementioned looking for drives.
- By darwin dali