FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Gerhard Berger has played down reports that suggest Bruno Senna, the 24-year-old nephew of the late Ayrton Senna, will almost certainly be signed by Toro Rosso for the 2009 season.

But Berger, the Faenza-based team's co-owner who was Ayrton Senna's team-mate at McLaren in the 90s and among his closest friends, said he is open to giving the Brazilian GP2 driver a test.

But as for suggestions that Senna's signing for next year is now merely a formality, the Austrian told the Dutch magazine Formule 1 Race Report: "I am still not convinced."

Senna, in his second season of GP2 and currently second on the points table, is among three leading candidates to replace Sebastian Vettel, former Grand Prix winner Berger insists.

"Bruno Senna is good enough for Formula One, but the same applies also to Roman Grosjean and Sebastien Buemi," the 48-year-old said.

"But so far, none of those three have totally convinced me. You could say that I don't yet see a new Vettel," Berger explained.

He insists that it is not a certainty that Senna will ultimately be given a race seat for 2009.

"I'm willing to give him a test, but currently there are no concrete discussions about this," Berger added.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[7UpJordan]

What about Grosjean? He seems pretty legit. Is anyone talking about him?

If Alonso goes to Honda or leaves Renault, they may pair either Grosjean or Di Grassi up alongside Piquet for 2009.

EDIT: Sorry Tex, forgot to finish my post off...

About Honda, some rumours are going round that they want Senna and Petrobras are ready to "attach" themselves to wherever Bruno goes. Ayrton had a great relationship with Honda, afterall he won all of his titles using Honda power.

[texasmr2]

What about Grosjean? He seems pretty legit. Is anyone talking about him?

If Alonso goes to Honda or leaves Renault, they may pair either Grosjean or Di Grassi up alongside Piquet for 2009.

Please take note everyone oky doky, PLEASE keep this thread on-topic which is about Bruno Senna and NOT about Grosjean or Di Grassi. If you have a comparison all is well but it seem's we are easily mislead by someone's off-topic of misleading banter concerning another driver/subject.

Not trying to be the bad guy ok just asking for alittle help?

[Dutchcruijff]

With regards to Gerhard Berger he's a close friend to the Senna family. Plus, pretty close to Bruno and acts as a mentor you could say. He's made it publicly clear that in an ideal world he would rather have Bruno plying his trade in GP2 for another year to gain experience and start to win consistently before throwing him into the deep end.

[Jabberwocky]

Can someone see a Torro Rosso/Super Aguri (IE old Honda) hybrid car appearing soon for Mr Bruno. Maybe Honda will start another team for Bruno and Sato?!?!?!?

I think Bruno should spend another year in GP2 before moving up. I am sure He will sign for Torro Rosso when he does come up though.

[Gizmo]

Hi I'm new and signed up for a different reason but due to the similar nature of the thread I had to put my two penneth in.

I too had the same reservations of Bruno in F3. Being a 'The' fan of Ayrton I went to see Bruno in his last year of F3 at Donnington and was impressed. Good win followed by a fourth. Not blown away and same goes for GP2 but he is mostly consistent. Give him a break guys and gals. The time this guy spent out of the running as a consequence of Ayrtons early demise is a major factor and one also that I know Bruno would like everyone to dismiss outright. The guy is good and has amazing potential. I know that it's a big ask for the potential to come good having come back into the racing game so late on but lets face it, Kimi and Felipe ain't gonna keep Lewis checked for long and I would like to see some sparks back in F1. I'm a dreamer but aren't all post '80s F1 fans? Don't we all dream of the day of massive competion between two drivers?

Finally, Bruno finishing fourth in the second race was my dream come true. Park ferme instead of the podium and my emotions ran riot as I met, and shook the hand of the "boy" who would eventually knock our Ayrton off the top of the ladder (Ayrton's own prediction). A trully nice bloke and god speed to you Bruno in all that you do.

CB

[7UpJordan]

As I mentioned Bruno in a topic on the general F1 discussion page, I thought I'd revive this.

Senna's chances of an F1 drive look slim after a combination of dodgy pit work, luck and FIA sabotage deprived Bruno of the GP2 title, Toro Rosso are more interested in Sato and Buemi, and Berger came out and said "Senna is no Vettel".

To be honest I would really like to know what Toro Rosso see in Buemi apart from the fact he's a Red Bull backed driver? What can he do that Senna cannot? Senna finished well ahead of him in the GP2 Championship and claimed some brilliant well-earned race victories worthy of his late uncle. His drive at Monaco reviving the Senna family's dominance of Monaco, and showcasing his wet weather skills at Silverstone winning the race in the same fashion Ayrton did 20 years ago.

Some people think Senna does not look ready for F1 yet because he's made a few mistakes in this year's Championship. Well to be honest someone pointed out on another thread that "GP2 drivers drive like it's their last day alive and hence why they make so many mistakes". I'm sure Buemi's made similar big blunders and probably even Pantano, Grosjean and Di Grassi. Also you have to say Senna has looked above average especially for a driver with so little racing experience as his racing career almost never happened after Ayrton's death.

If anything the only way to solve this debate of "is he ready or not?" is for an F1 team to at least offer him the chance to test. If he's quick we'll know he's ready, if he's not he knows he must go back to GP2 and clinch that title he was deprived of this year.

[McLaren Fan]

As I mentioned Bruno in a topic on the general F1 discussion page, I thought I'd revive this.

Senna's chances of an F1 drive look slim after a combination of dodgy pit work, luck and FIA sabotage deprived Bruno of the GP2 title, Toro Rosso are more interested in Sato and Buemi, and Berger came out and said "Senna is no Vettel".

To be honest I would really like to know what Toro Rosso see in Buemi apart from the fact he's a Red Bull backed driver? What can he do that Senna cannot? Senna finished well ahead of him in the GP2 Championship and claimed some brilliant well-earned race victories worthy of his late uncle. His drive at Monaco reviving the Senna family's dominance of Monaco, and showcasing his wet weather skills at Silverstone winning the race in the same fashion Ayrton did 20 years ago.

Some people think Senna does not look ready for F1 yet because he's made a few mistakes in this year's Championship. Well to be honest someone pointed out on another thread that "GP2 drivers drive like it's their last day alive and hence why they make so many mistakes". I'm sure Buemi's made similar big blunders and probably even Pantano, Grosjean and Di Grassi. Also you have to say Senna has looked above average especially for a driver with so little racing experience as his racing career almost never happened after Ayrton's death.

If anything the only way to solve this debate of "is he ready or not?" is for an F1 team to at least offer him the chance to test. If he's quick we'll know he's ready, if he's not he knows he must go back to GP2 and clinch that title he was deprived of this year.

I agree with all of that, except I would say Pantano is a complete misfit, and whilst Grosjean and Di Grassi have oodles of talent, they could almost do with another year in the junior formulae as well (just as I'm not sure Hulkenberg is quite ready for the next step as well).

[7UpJordan]

(just as I'm not sure Hulkenberg is quite ready for the next step as well).

I reckon Hulkenberg needs at least a season of GP2 no matter what Wili Weber thinks. He may have stormed to A1GP glory but his testing times for Williams have been rather slow. Pantano's only good at GP2 level because he's been sat around that level for years whilst the best drivers will only do a season or 2.

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Bruno Senna is expected to test for Honda's F1 team next month.

"I see myself in Formula One soon, or at least I hope so," the nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton Senna is quoted as saying by Spain's Diario Sport newspaper.

It is unknown where the 24-year-old GP2 runner-up's Honda test will take place, but it is expected to occur sometime after the season ending Brazilian grand prix, which Senna will attend.

Along with Toro Rosso, Honda is among his best chances to make his Grand Prix debut in 2009.

The Brackley-based Honda team has not yet confirmed either of its current drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, for next season.

It was rumoured at Fuji Speedway that an announcement could take place at Interlagos, which is set to stage the final race of 2009 near Senna's birthplace Sao Paulo early in November.

In related news, it is now believed that Danica Patrick, the popular female driver of the American open wheeler series IndyCar, is not scheduled to test for Honda's F1 team any time soon.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[7UpJordan]

From F1 Live:

Bruno Senna is expected to test for Honda's F1 team next month.

"I see myself in Formula One soon, or at least I hope so," the nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton Senna is quoted as saying by Spain's Diario Sport newspaper.

It is unknown where the 24-year-old GP2 runner-up's Honda test will take place, but it is expected to occur sometime after the season ending Brazilian grand prix, which Senna will attend.

Along with Toro Rosso, Honda is among his best chances to make his Grand Prix debut in 2009.

The Brackley-based Honda team has not yet confirmed either of its current drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, for next season.

It was rumoured at Fuji Speedway that an announcement could take place at Interlagos, which is set to stage the final race of 2009 near Senna's birthplace Sao Paulo early in November.

In related news, it is now believed that Danica Patrick, the popular female driver of the American open wheeler series IndyCar, is not scheduled to test for Honda's F1 team any time soon.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Excellent news! Go Bruno!!

[scotty]

Senna to test for Honda next season and step up when Barichello retires then?

[Denthúl]

Senna to test for Honda next season and step up when Barichello retires then?

I would go for that

[headless]

I think he will go far with his name but he will also need some extent of driving skill. I hope he will make it.

[thepitstop]

Do you think Bruno Senna would be good enough to compete in F1?

I think in the recent test he did for Honda before they quit f1 he was quite quick considering he had never driven an f1 car before. I would have liked to have seen him with Jenson Button at Honda
I think they would have made a good pairing next year.
Just a shame Honda pulled out, because i doubt he will get a chance in 2009.
He will probably end up back in GP2 for another year