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[What's Burning?]

I wonder if Jaime will have more slots available for booking on his DJ gig. Pity, they should have left him on another year, the decision came from RB, so someone up there has a master plan.

[myownalias]

I can't say that I am surprised by the STR decision to ditch both current drivers, STR is nothing more than a manufacturing line for Red Bull, I think Augersauri and Buemi did well given the car underneath them, I can't see Ricciardo or Vergne doing any better unless STR can improve the pace of their car or others fall backwards significantly.

[elfinitty]

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/ ... 12894.html

I was thinking that at least either of Alguersuari or Buemi would stay but neither did.Thats shameful i think they were doing great with the capacity of team.I like Ricciardo but not Vergne at all after things he said for Webber a while ago.

[scotty]

Merged with existing driver thread.

[LewEngBridewell]

Well I for one was expecting at least one of STR's drivers to be retained. I thought it would've been Jaime Alguersuari, as he's really stood out as this season has progressed. I hope he finds a seat elsewhere.

As for the new drivers, I haven't seen much of Verne, but I am expecting a great showing from Daniel Ricciardo. He was great in the HRT IMO. Definitely showed up Vitantonio Liuzzi.

[myownalias]

...but I am expecting a great showing from Daniel Ricciardo. He was great in the HRT IMO. Definitely showed up Vitantonio Liuzzi.

But will he be any better than either of the outgoing drivers?... the car was the weakest link in 2011, not the drivers in my opinion!

[JamesD89]

I was thinking that at least either of Alguersuari or Buemi would stay but neither did.Thats shameful i think they were doing great with the capacity of team.I like Ricciardo but not Vergne at all after things he said for Webber a while ago.

Keeping one would have allowed for easier comparisons between drivers & car development. Won't help them make progress next year, suggests they're here simply to find another World Champion.

elf, I read Verne's comments that he could already match Webber (presumably your reference?) - without seeing the interview in full we're left only to presume the context of the statement - if he made it at all.

But if he did say that, good on him for speaking his mind. Hope he's right.

[Stealthgate007]

Vergne had a great test session in Abu Dabi all the days that he was there. I think that is one of the reason behind his appointment:

http://www.pitpass.com/45259-Test-Times-Abu-Dhabi-17-11

[vlad]

Jaime still deserves to drive, so, we'll see... This line-up for Torro Rosso is still something special. Two huge talents in a pretty fast car. Anything can happen.

[JamesD89]

Vergne had a great test session in Abu Dabi all the days that he was there. I think that is one of the reason behind his appointment:

http://www.pitpass.com/45259-Test-Times-Abu-Dhabi-17-11

I'm sure they had their own target lap times - which he must have been pretty close to.

[darwin dali]

Wow - that IS a surprise and shock and awe

Any word from the sacked duo yet?

[Big Azza]

Well I'm surprised as well - particularly being a Toro Rosso fan. However, I'm really excited about this news. Looks like with this news Trulli will be "re-confirmed" for Lotus again. I really thought next year's line-up should be Alguersuari and Ricciardo. I know I've raved about Vergne for some time, but he got beaten to the Formula 3.5 title by Charles Pic, right at the last. That was disappointing for me.

I'm still entertaining the thought of a Vettel/Vergne line-up for Red Bull in 2013. When Red Bull pull out, V will back them.

It's awesome news for me. I liked the Red Bull line-up with Webber and Vettel initially. Now I've been following Vergne (was his friend on FB ) for a couple of years, coupled with another Aussie, equates to a dream pairing for me. (Although I'm not happy with Webber anymore).

This was an article I wrote for the front page a while ago, where I laid out some of Red Bull's options for the future. Back then I was really excited about Vergne, and it will be a thoroughly enjoyable season for me - I may even completely switch my allegiance to them. (Although would be really supporting Vettel to make it a hattrick.)

http://www.forumula1.com/2010/f1/f1-news/red-bull-junior-academy-paving-the-way-for-future-champions/

So - Alguersuari to HRT Then? It really is disappointing that Algy is going, but you know what - at the beginning of the year we were picking Buemi over Algy. Then towards the end Algy started to improve... But are you and I convinced?

Red Bull are desperately looking for a replacement to Webber, I feel (read I as an also-Red Bull fan, am looking for a replacement for Webber). It's quite simple, Red Bull won't go for one of the established names on the grid. It's not part of Red Bull's philosophy. Dietrich did not throw money at a driver development program, and a B-Team for nothing. And I think that the gamble with the previous STR pair, has gone on long enough.

And what about D'Ambrosio to Williams?

There is also some speculation here that Bianchi could be moving to Force India, for testing.

They have to bloody well move on with it and make an announcement soon. If Hulkenburg racing is not part of that announcement - then once again - I repeat - a tragedy for F1.

[andrew]

Ricciardo isn't much of a surprise but based on his form in the HRT he has shown potential but Liuzzi isn't much ofa measure to gauge him against.

Jean-Eric Vergne is another driver from the Red Bull family and acted as the 3rd driver for Torro Rosso at the Korean and the Abu Dahbi GPs this year. He won the 2010 British F3 championship and was 2nd in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 championship.

Something that springs to mind is that there are now 3 French drivers confirmed for the grid (it's either a drought of or a flood with this lot ). I can see MrE's strings here and expect the return of the French GP for 2013 to be announced shortly. The Paul Ricard Circuit candidated itself for 2012 but to no avail, however tehre are plans for the French GP to return and share it's calander slot with the Belgian GP.

[bud]

Good to see Ricciardo get a good seat for 2011.

But Alguersuari has been improving all year.

It seemed Jaime was likely to stay. That is a really strange move by Toro Rosso...... it would be understandable with an experienced driver coming along, but bringing in 2 new drivers... and getting rid of their drivers, which were not exactly poor.... that's weird. And silly indeed.

The whole point of STR for RedBull is to run their young drivers. Buemi has well and truelly overstayed his time there, it's a bit harsh on Jaimie but I guess the hype about Vergnes AD test got to RB and STR. Bare in mind Ricciardo did the exact same thing in the 2010 AD tests with RedBull.

[acosmichippo]

Yeah, red bull is on the clock to find a replacement for Webber whenever he decides to retire (or when red bull decide to not sign him anymore). By all indications, that will be within the next few years. I think they knew neither alguesuari (sp?) nor Buemi were going to improve enough to race for the top team. So they might as well give some new guys a shot, which, as bud said, is the whole point of STR.

I'm sure they'll land on their feet on another team. Maybe not next year, but eventually. They'll be solid drivers for someone.