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[SennaVille]

^ My thanks to ZA also for that post!

I really do hope that they at least give Senna a stab at it. I actually think it would be a bit insulting not to. He IS their test driver, a position that is almost synonymous with back-up guy.

[Denthúl]

^ My thanks to ZA also for that post!

I really do hope that they at least give Senna a stab at it. I actually think it would be a bit insulting not to. He IS their test driver, a position that is almost synonymous with back-up guy.

Yes, but the circumstances here are pretty complicated. Petrov wasn't exactly Mr. Consistent last season, although he did show some good pace when he kept the car on-track. Renault have a good-looking car and they seem confident that it is a potential title contender, judging by all their comments. So two guys with only a year's experience each probably wouldn't be the way to go. Nick provides a lot of experience, consistency, intelligent racecraft, good pace and has a habit of overtaking a certain double world champion with style.

If it was only for a handful of races, I'd agree that Renault should go with Senna, but it is likely to be at least half a season and probably longer, so for me Heidfeld is the obvious choice of the drivers the team are going to evaluate.

[vlad]

From the Formula1.com regarding the tests at Jerez:

"...The only question mark hovers over the beleaguered Renault squad. Following Robert Kubica’s serious rallying accident at the weekend, the team are a man down. With Kubica not expected to be race fit any time soon, Vitaly Petrov will be under the spotlight as the team decide on his temporary team mate. Third drivers Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean could be in action too as they continue to prepare the R31 for next month’s Bahrain season opener...."

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Being as this happened in Italy, can attempted murder charges against whomever installed that Armco be far behind?

[SennaVille]

^ My thanks to ZA also for that post!

I really do hope that they at least give Senna a stab at it. I actually think it would be a bit insulting not to. He IS their test driver, a position that is almost synonymous with back-up guy.

Yes, but the circumstances here are pretty complicated. Petrov wasn't exactly Mr. Consistent last season, although he did show some good pace when he kept the car on-track. Renault have a good-looking car and they seem confident that it is a potential title contender, judging by all their comments. So two guys with only a year's experience each probably wouldn't be the way to go. Nick provides a lot of experience, consistency, intelligent racecraft, good pace and has a habit of overtaking a certain double world champion with style.

If it was only for a handful of races, I'd agree that Renault should go with Senna, but it is likely to be at least half a season and probably longer, so for me Heidfeld is the obvious choice of the drivers the team are going to evaluate.

I think they should try Senna "for a handful of races", if he doesn't perform, then alls fair. Honestly, they really have nothing to lose. I can't see any driver coming in and suddenly doing something brilliant in the Renault (except Kimi).

[vaptin]

Renault have given Nick Heidfeld the opportunity to prove himself as a possible replacement for the injured Robert Kubica in testing this week.

Renault chairman Gerard Lopez said the British-based team want a driver with experience and the capability to challenge for the championship.
Senna, who raced for the Hispania team for much of last year in his rookie season, is the first reserve at Renault and will share driving duties with Heidfield in the R31 at this week's second test in Jerez, which begins on Thursday.

"We all know that Nick is rather good, but we don't know what level he is in now, we don't know how he [will do] with our car," said Lopez.

"If Robert's recovery is long and he will not return this season we will rely on a driver with experience. Of course, we must see what happens with the tests we're going to do."

Kubica faces at least two more operations, the first of which is to stabilise fractures to his right shoulder and right foot.
"I can say that I am more comfortable and confident now that I have met him," Lopez said.
"The situation is more rosy than we expected but we were very frightened by this accident.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 392434.stm

[vlad]

So, Heidfeld it is...
But still, I would like to see Hulkenberg and Senna drive this season...

[f1ea]

So, Heidfeld it is...
But still, I would like to see Hulkenberg and Senna drive this season...

Not really; they are going to test him together with Senna. Which means, if Nick does well and pleases the jury panel, and the job is a long term one, they'll go for him. If Senna (who Renault are yet to see running their car) does well with the car, then Renault might consider. Its obviously a semi long-term job at least... i doubt Kubica will be back to racing abilities any time before 1/2 season; so i guess it all depends on how the testing performances go between Heidfeld and Senna.

i think Renault are being really fair with this. Will be exciting to watch both Senna and Heidfeld giving it all on Jerez.........

[Hammer278]

No contest.

Renault are probably doing this as a formality just to make Bruno think he has a shot. He's going to be trounced and rightfully put back as 'backup' boy.

Heidfeld could be back!!!

[darwin dali]

I'm sure he is kicking his own bottom about now. Just my take.

Sure hope he uses his good leg for that

[Robert12010]

Its more likely that heidfield will get the drive

[NocturnalTendencies]

RK feared he was paralyzed, poor guy.I hope he makes it back to F1 both physically and mentally as strong.

He woke up this week and has been seeing visitors, and according to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper he feared his badly damaged hand and other fractures and trauma were not his worst injuries.

"Robert asked me if his accident had left him paralysed, and he asked me to be honest," manager Daniele Morelli revealed.

"I told him no, that he had nothing that could not be healed with time," he added.

Autosprint claims that Kubica does not yet know all the details of his injuries, including that his right hand had been almost severed.

The Italian report also said he remembers nothing about the crash.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=399619&FS=F1

[spankyham]

Nice touch from the boys at McLaren with this message to the Kube....


Bot translation basically says "get well soon Robert"

[Hammer278]

[Hexagram]

Nice one McLaren.