FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[myownalias]

Maybe the FIA should exclude teams that need pay drivers to survive; the potential 13th team wasn't allowed in because their were perceived to not have the budget to compete; by default if teams need to acquire a pay driver to go racing; they should also be excluded as they clearly don't have the budget to compete either. Only one of the new teams have looked like a professional racing team and that is Lotus, who will be changing to their more illustrious "Team Lotus" moniker next season with Renault power!

[vaptin]

I agree, it's harsh, but necessary for good racing. Make teams show finical evidence of being able to afford to pay two "f1 standard" drivers.

[darwin dali]

NH could be a choice.

Nick Heidfeld has been tipped to replace Pedro de la Rosa at Sauber from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards, although team boss Peter Sauber refused to confirm the rumours on Sunday night.

The authoritative Blick newspaper, well-connected with Sauber, said Heidfeld will be driving alongside Kamui Kobayashi in Singapore and beyond. Heidfeld started the season as a test driver for Mercedes and is now one of the paddock's hottest properties for 2011 as he is the sole F1 test driver for new tyre supplier Pirelli.

When asked about the rumours, team boss Sauber refused to comment: "I am not talking about my drivers."

La Nueva Espana said that after de la Rosa's post-race media rounds in the Monza paddock, the 39-year-old was called for a meeting with the team's management. The report said the driver left the circuit immediately afterwards "with a scowl" and began his road journey back to his home in Zurich. "He did not answer his phone," it added.

After not appearing in the Spa paddock two weeks ago, Heidfeld was inconspicuously present at Monza over the race weekend. Kamui Kobayashi has already been confirmed at Sauber for 2011 but the team said it would announce its second driver at a later date.

Heidfeld drove for the BMW Sauber team last year and has spent seven seasons of his 11-year career at the Hinwill-based team.

[nish2280]

Maybe the FIA should exclude teams that need pay drivers to survive; the potential 13th team wasn't allowed in because their were perceived to not have the budget to compete; by default if teams need to acquire a pay driver to go racing; they should also be excluded as they clearly don't have the budget to compete either. Only one of the new teams have looked like a professional racing team and that is Lotus, who will be changing to their more illustrious "Team Lotus" moniker next season with Renault power!

Chandhok was a pay driver and i think his ability really showed through.

However Hamilton wasnt and hes the best.

[The Oz]

Maybe the FIA should exclude teams that need pay drivers to survive; the potential 13th team wasn't allowed in because their were perceived to not have the budget to compete; by default if teams need to acquire a pay driver to go racing; they should also be excluded as they clearly don't have the budget to compete either. Only one of the new teams have looked like a professional racing team and that is Lotus, who will be changing to their more illustrious "Team Lotus" moniker next season with Renault power!

Petrov was a pay driver. But he has shown some good form/pace. Why should Renault be excluded for that then?

[myownalias]

Maybe the FIA should exclude teams that need pay drivers to survive; the potential 13th team wasn't allowed in because their were perceived to not have the budget to compete; by default if teams need to acquire a pay driver to go racing; they should also be excluded as they clearly don't have the budget to compete either. Only one of the new teams have looked like a professional racing team and that is Lotus, who will be changing to their more illustrious "Team Lotus" moniker next season with Renault power!

Petrov was a pay driver. But he has shown some good form/pace. Why should Renault be excluded for that then?

I just going from the logic of the FIA not allowing teams to join the F1 circus for not having enough financial clout; if these teams that got denied had two pay drivers; they'd have the financial clout to survive in F1, I believe that a case of double standards wouldn't you say?

[Jabberwocky]

Pay drivers have been around for a long time, why get rid of them now?

How long would minardi of survived if it was not for pay drivers. Without Minardi.... Look at some of what and where that Minardi "Pay Drivers" are now.

Alonso 2 F1 Championships

Zanardi 2 Champ car championships

Fisichella
Trulli
Webber
Wilson

Lets not forget BADoer

[myownalias]

How long would minardi of survived if it was not for pay drivers. Without Minardi.... Look at some of what and where that Minardi "Pay Drivers" are now.

So why were the two teams applying to be the 13th team denied? I don't have an issue with pay drivers per se but clearly these teams don't have sufficient finances either!

[kerc]

Pay drivers have been around for a long time, why get rid of them now?

How long would minardi of survived if it was not for pay drivers. Without Minardi.... Look at some of what and where that Minardi "Pay Drivers" are now.

Alonso 2 F1 Championships

Zanardi 2 Champ car championships

Fisichella
Trulli
Webber
Wilson

Lets not forget BADoer

Alex Zanardi is the definition of awesome.

[myownalias]

Heidfeld confirmed by Sauber to replace De la Rosa!

Heidfeld replaces De la Rosa at BMW Sauber

BMW Sauber announced on Tuesday that Nick Heidfeld is to replace Pedro de la Rosa at the team for the remainder of the 2010 season. Heidfeld will race alongside Kamui Kobayashi at the final five Grands Prix of the year.

“I’m looking forward like crazy to having the opportunity to go racing again in a good car in Formula One from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards,” said the German. “After the last few months I’m even more motivated than ever. For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team. Without doubt I will feel at home straight away and this should help me to familiarise myself as soon as possible with the car. I want to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he has put in me.”

Heidfeld only parted company with BMW Sauber at the end of last year and became Mercedes GP’s reserve and test driver for the 2010 season. In August he was released from his Mercedes contract in order to become the official tyre tester for Pirelli. He recently completed two tests for the Italian company, who are to return to the sport next year as the sole tyre supplier. Heidfeld's contract with BMW Sauber comes into effect on Friday.

The 33 year-old German boasts over a decade of Formula One experience. He began his F1 career with Prost in 2000 and since then has participated in 167 Grands Prix driving for Sauber (2001-2003), Jordan (2004), Williams (2005) and BMW Sauber (2006-2009). He enjoyed his best season in 2007 when he finished fifth in the world championship, and he has achieved 12 podium finishes so far in his career.

Commenting on the team’s decision to end their contract with De la Rosa, team principal Peter Sauber added: “It was a hard decision for me to make as and I want to thank Pedro for his professionalism. By signing Nick we have a driver we know extremely well who will help us to further judge the comparative potential of our car.”

De la Rosa joined BMW Sauber in January after working with McLaren as a test driver for seven years. Although he also had 71 Grands Prix starts under his belt, the veteran returnee struggled to match pre-season expectations. Hampered by an uncompetitive and unreliable car, the Spaniard retired seven times from the first ten races and scored his first - and only - points of the year at August’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I am surprised by the team's decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season," said the 39 year-old. "I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011.”

Heidfeld will be in action for the team at next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, which will take place from September 24-26.

SRC: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/ ... 11257.html

[The Immortal Dragon]

Pay drivers have been around for a long time, why get rid of them now?

How long would minardi of survived if it was not for pay drivers. Without Minardi.... Look at some of what and where that Minardi "Pay Drivers" are now.

Alonso 2 F1 Championships

Zanardi 2 Champ car championships

Fisichella
Trulli
Webber
Wilson

Lets not forget BADoer

Alex Zanardi is the definition of awesome.

True. He is the best

[Jabberwocky]

How long would minardi of survived if it was not for pay drivers. Without Minardi.... Look at some of what and where that Minardi "Pay Drivers" are now.

So why were the two teams applying to be the 13th team denied? I don't have an issue with pay drivers per se but clearly these teams don't have sufficient finances either!

Because HRT for example, are struggling so much this year for money that they would put Postman Pat in the car to get them the money so they can make it to the end of the year.

I think the FIA are worried that untalented drivers with a lot of money in a car that is 3-4 seconds off the pace will be a big issue. As it was this year with the new teams. However this team will have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for drivers.

[scotty]

Rumours from the BBC gossip column (it's worth checking out every day folks!):

Hearing that Adrian Sutil is leading contender to replace Michael Schumacher at season's end if he leaves Mercedes. Sutil now out of contract at Force India.

Having lost his Sauber seat to Nick Heidfeld, 39-year-old Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa could end up at Hispania in 2011. Sports newspaper Diario AS reports the struggling team 'would like to have a high quality driver like Pedro as team-mate for Bruno Senna'.

And from another source, this Raikkonen-Renault rumour is gathering momentum:

Räikkönens Manager Robertson in 'Turun Sanomat': "It is true, i've talked with Eric Boullier. We want to know all opportunities for next year. And so Kimi and I talked with the Renault Team to know a bit more."

[What's Burning?]

You can add Gutierrez to the list as Sauber's 2011 test and reserve driver.

Looks like Sauber's got an influx of cash and is tackling the 2011 season head on, between Kobayashi, and (potentially) Heidfeld and now Gutierrez they've got a good foundation. I'd love to see them with a podium capable car next year.

[Jabberwocky]

I have missed the bit about Gutierrez where you get the from?