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[What's Burning?]

I know the talks we've had surrounding Kubica and the possibility of his driving for Ferrari in 2012, but given the question mark that will be surrounding him and his comeback, I think Ferrari has very much got their eye on Kobayashi's performance year.

[vlad]

Everything is possible, Kobi is crazy! I don't know about Ferrari having a japanese driver, but, if he drives well...

[f1ea]

no idea........
From Hulkenberg to di Resta to Kobayashi and the latinos seems there's enough people to keep the teams busy and on the lookout.

[Denthúl]

It would definitely be great to see Kobayashi up in a competitive team. Whether that's Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari...I don't really mind, to be honest. He is already showing signs that he is the best Formula One driver to come from Japan and I can see him being championship material. A team just needs to invest in his talent and allow him to grow in to a world champion. Given Sauber's links to Ferrari, that could be the place for him to go...

[Jamie]

It would definitely be great to see Kobayashi up in a competitive team. Whether that's Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari...I don't really mind, to be honest. He is already showing signs that he is the best Formula One driver to come from Japan and I can see him being championship material. A team just needs to invest in his talent and allow him to grow in to a world champion. Given Sauber's links to Ferrari, that could be the place for him to go...

Saying that, 2 drivers have come from Sauber to Ferrari, the main one being Massa, the second being Kimi!

I think Kobi Needs a drive like that, He is amazing and has the guts in which allot of drivers do not now days, He is the best thing Japan has ever produced and really hoep he can get a drive for Ferrari, I would love to see him with us! Put him against the lieks of Vettel? Woo, He would have some competition. Same as for Algy, he should be in the Factory RBR!

[cap-dude]

Everything is possible, Kobi is crazy! I don't know about Ferrari having a japanese driver, but, if he drives well...

Well to be fair to Ferrari, they're about the least bais team on the grid in terms of the nationality of their drivers. But no previous Japanese Ferrari driver comes to mind. Firsts are cool I say.

I think a lot of people are overlooking Perez this season too. He's on Ferrari's driver academy role. In my opinion he was about the best charging through field driver in GP2 I've ever seen. I think he once managed 4th from something like 22nd on the grid. Few too many mistakes at times, but its all about potential.

[FRAFPDD]

Everything is possible, Kobi is crazy! I don't know about Ferrari having a japanese driver, but, if he drives well...

Well to be fair to Ferrari, they're about the least bais team on the grid in terms of the nationality of their drivers. But no previous Japanese Ferrari driver comes to mind. Firsts are cool I say.

I think a lot of people are overlooking Perez this season too. He's on Ferrari's driver academy role. In my opinion he was about the best charging through field driver in GP2 I've ever seen. I think he once managed 4th from something like 22nd on the grid. Few too many mistakes at times, but its all about potential.

Disagree entirely with that, its just so glaringly not true, Ferrari prefer Latin drivers, and if they cant get them then something similiar like French. Ferrari have always prefered having a driver close to being italian as possible, but when the top drivers arent anywhere near that, they gotta settle for the best thing going, lauds,mansell etc.

Thats the only reason im sceptical of a kobyashi to top team move happening, there is a underlying prejudice against the quality of japanese drivers, very very slight and subtle, but its there. He needs to keep getting noticed, and hes doing it so far. Rather have him at Mclaren though

[Jamie]

Everything is possible, Kobi is crazy! I don't know about Ferrari having a japanese driver, but, if he drives well...

Well to be fair to Ferrari, they're about the least bais team on the grid in terms of the nationality of their drivers. But no previous Japanese Ferrari driver comes to mind. Firsts are cool I say.

I think a lot of people are overlooking Perez this season too. He's on Ferrari's driver academy role. In my opinion he was about the best charging through field driver in GP2 I've ever seen. I think he once managed 4th from something like 22nd on the grid. Few too many mistakes at times, but its all about potential.

Disagree entirely with that, its just so glaringly not true, Ferrari prefer Latin drivers, and if they cant get them then something similiar like French. Ferrari have always prefered having a driver close to being italian as possible, but when the top drivers arent anywhere near that, they gotta settle for the best thing going, lauds,mansell etc.

Thats the only reason im sceptical of a kobyashi to top team move happening, there is a underlying prejudice against the quality of japanese drivers, very very slight and subtle, but its there. He needs to keep getting noticed, and hes doing it so far. Rather have him at Mclaren though

Lauda?

[vaptin]

Kimi was finnish. Shooey German.

[FRAFPDD]

Kimi was finnish. Shooey German.

Christ Almighty i dont know why i bother sometimes, some peoples replies are just genuine wtf moments.

Did you read all i said, i said Ferrari PREFER latin drivers, not that they wont sign others, they always make an effort to get latin drivers in if they can. I used Lauda and Mansell as examples of when the top drivers had no latin connection whatsoever, and that Ferrari wouldnt not sign them just cause they arent. That dude i was replying to said ferrari are the most unbias team coming to signing and nationality, when infact they are THE most "bias" if you call it that, team when it comes to driver nationality, they like to keep things italian in there, if not latin, and if that fails, the next best thing.

[vaptin]

Well, what makes you say they prefer Latin drivers then? Rubens and Massa aren't that quick, but they were there as supporting drivers.

The good driver against other factor ratios, eg a marketable one, pay driver etc. is probably highest at Ferrari.

[texasmr2]

IMHO I do not think Ferrari cares what a driver is ( I could be wrong though) they look for talent just as every team should. Anywho Kobi looks great and I think he surprised himself so I hope Sauber can improve quickly and possibly fight for a podium or a top 5.

[FRAFPDD]

Well, what makes you say they prefer Latin drivers then? Rubens and Massa aren't that quick, but they were there as supporting drivers.

The good driver against other factor ratios, eg a marketable one, pay driver etc. is probably highest at Ferrari.

If anything that proves my point does it not, rubens and felipe arent that quic,k, yet still got signed, for a total of what about 12 years now, 6 each?


What makes me say they prefer Latin drivers is common bleeding sense. All they do is preach their italian identity, all Alonso comments on is how the spanish are so similiar to italians when asked about fitting into the team. They are very proud people both Ferrari and Latinos. And its clear as crystal to see why they prefer Latin drivers throughout their entire history.

[texasmr2]

Anyway this is Massa's final year under contract so we may see a change soon or atleast an anouncement and I will not count Kobi out as a potential driver.

[vaptin]

Not really, they were signed for specific roles, worked out quite well for Ferrari in Rubens case, and it used to look quite good for Massa, now it looks like he's firmly behind Alonso and its up to Ferrari to make the call.