FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[darwin dali]

Maybe Badoer is sandbagging; he'll probably put it on pole for the race!!!

I predict he'll duke it out tomorrow with the likes of SB for some place around 16 on the grid.

[EwanM]

Badoer ftq3

[McLaren Fan]

I really don't see how there is anything wrong with running a promo session so that a new driver can get a feel for the car. It's not like a test session where they can test new parts and make the car faster. The tyres are so poor you would not get any worthwhile data. If the data produced was decent i think many more teams would be running 'Promo Sessions' .

Whilst I completely agree, the rules don't allow new drivers to get used to cars. The regulations should be kept the same for this season on the grounds of consistency, but they really must be changed for 2010. The events of this year have shown how poorly thought through the testing ban rules are.

[texasmr2]

I really don't see how there is anything wrong with running a promo session so that a new driver can get a feel for the car. It's not like a test session where they can test new parts and make the car faster. The tyres are so poor you would not get any worthwhile data. If the data produced was decent i think many more teams would be running 'Promo Sessions' .

Whilst I completely agree, the rules don't allow new drivers to get used to cars. The regulations should be kept the same for this season on the grounds of consistency, but they really must be changed for 2010. The events of this year have shown how poorly thought through the testing ban rules are.

Yepper!

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Struggling Badoer asks for patience

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Saturday, August 22nd 2009, 15:04 GMT

Luca Badoer has called for patience after struggling at the bottom of the times during qualifying for the European Grand Prix.

The Italian, replacing Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, qualified last, nearly three seconds off the pace set by Jenson Button in the first qualifying segment.

He was also 1.5 seconds slower than his closest rival.

Badoer, racing for the first time since 1999, admitted he is still getting to grips with the car and the track, and asked for people to have patience.

"It was on the range that we expected," Badoer told reporters. "I'm tired of repeating always the same thing, but it's been 10 months since I drove a Formula 1 car.

"And this track is new for me and it's very difficult. So our expectation was more or less where we are today. I need to drive, to get confidence with the car.

"I ask you to be patient, because I'm not a robot or Superman. I'm human and I need time to get quick.

"I'm sure that I will be back. I was quicker one year ago. But I need to take confidence with the car, with the new system in the steering... I just need more time."

The 38-year-old Italian insisted he is treating the grand prix weekend simply as a test.

"For me this is just a test. To improve the feeling with the car and with the team," he said.

He added: "Obviously to be last is not something you want, but it was in the range. We didn't expect to pass the first part of qualifying. I'm not happy, but I'm happy because I'll have another chance on tracks where I have more experience."

Badoer is adamant, however, that he will be stronger next weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he will know the track and the car.

"Spa I know the circuit. I will know the car after this race, so for sure I will be in a better condition."

Well, there's a lot which can be said about this. I mean, whether he's had a run in Formula One car in ten months or not, his performance is still very below par. And Badoer has certainly put his balls on the chopping block by saying he'll be better at Spa.

[darwin dali]

From F1 Live:

Struggling Badoer asks for patience

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Saturday, August 22nd 2009, 15:04 GMT

Luca Badoer has called for patience after struggling at the bottom of the times during qualifying for the European Grand Prix.

The Italian, replacing Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, qualified last, nearly three seconds off the pace set by Jenson Button in the first qualifying segment.

He was also 1.5 seconds slower than his closest rival.

Badoer, racing for the first time since 1999, admitted he is still getting to grips with the car and the track, and asked for people to have patience.

"It was on the range that we expected," Badoer told reporters. "I'm tired of repeating always the same thing, but it's been 10 months since I drove a Formula 1 car.

"And this track is new for me and it's very difficult. So our expectation was more or less where we are today. I need to drive, to get confidence with the car.

"I ask you to be patient, because I'm not a robot or Superman. I'm human and I need time to get quick.

"I'm sure that I will be back. I was quicker one year ago. But I need to take confidence with the car, with the new system in the steering... I just need more time."

The 38-year-old Italian insisted he is treating the grand prix weekend simply as a test.

"For me this is just a test. To improve the feeling with the car and with the team," he said.

He added: "Obviously to be last is not something you want, but it was in the range. We didn't expect to pass the first part of qualifying. I'm not happy, but I'm happy because I'll have another chance on tracks where I have more experience."

Badoer is adamant, however, that he will be stronger next weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he will know the track and the car.

"Spa I know the circuit. I will know the car after this race, so for sure I will be in a better condition."

Well, there's a lot which can be said about this. I mean, whether he's had a run in Formula One car in ten months or not, his performance is still very below par. And Badoer has certainly put his balls on the chopping block by saying he'll be better at Spa.

Do you have to put it so graphically?

[Frosty]

Apparently Ferrari chose Badoer over Gene because Badoer is the faster driver.

[EDIT]
I quote DC apparently he wouldn't mind giving it a go in a Ferrari.

I believe I could have done a better job than Luca Badoer. If I had had a serious opportunity to do it then I'm sure Red Bull would have let me go - but Ferrari have been looking internally so far.

[scotty]

The only reason i can think of for his shocking lack of pace is that he has barely driven a racing car, let alone one in anger, for almost a year... but at the same time that just feels like a ridiculous excuse.

[Monzilla]

Im not particularly a Ferrari or a Badoer fan, but I would give him a chance to race before I condemn him. If a Footballer or a cricketer hadnt been on a pitch in ten months no one would expect him to be on the ball straight away. It always makes me wonder how many people here are fans of F1, and how many are just frustrated Schumacher bitches

[EwanM]

Let Martin Brundle have a go

[7UpJordan]

The only reason i can think of for his shocking lack of pace is that he has barely driven a racing car, let alone one in anger, for almost a year... but at the same time that just feels like a ridiculous excuse.

Let's not forget also that Badoer spent his career back in the 90's with back-row warmers like Forti, so it was never like he was going to be in contention for pole.

[Gaz]

Let Martin Brundle have a go

yeh at least he could commentate as he drives.

that would be so awsome.

"now i've made a good start there, and i've manged to get ahead of Alguersuari"

[EwanM]

If he scores a point today, so many people will have egg on their face.

That would include me.

[7UpJordan]

"now i've made a good start there, and i've manged to get ahead of Alguersuari"

By the sound of that he'd be now spending the entire race now talking about how annoying it is to be stuck behind the Trulli train.

[FerrariFan63]

ah bugger, I blame James May.

SO who will Ferrari get now? Little Piquet?

Gene, Luizzi, Coulthard. Three options who must be better than Luca B.