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[Hexagram]

Renault's recently announced new team principal Eric Boullier has hinted at which possible driver might no longer have good chances of landing the second race seat alongside Robert Kubica. Boullier didn't give any names nor mentioned Romain Grosjean, just a specific nationality.

Grosjean replaced Nelson Piquet Jr. from the European GP onwards, and scored zero points compared to Fernando Alonso's 13 from that point onwards.

Speaking to France's 'RMC' radio, Boullier said, "There are several possible scenarios, one of them French, but today, that is the scenario with perhaps the least chance of success."

And while Grosjean was born in Switzerland, it must be noted that he holds both Swiss and French nationalities.

"We have made progress," he added, "but are still far from being able to disclose the name."

To be honest this makes me a bit sad. Grosjean has the ability he just needs the testing time. Alonso said it himself at the end of the 2009 season that Renault had the worst car on the grid in Abu Dhabi. This chap set race laptimes faster than Alonso in Valencia and although sporadic in places he would have a 10 - 15 lap sprints where his times started to get competitive.

Grosjean should at least be given some testing time by Renault.

[Denthúl]

That's the problem, though, isn't it? They can't afford to give Grosjean much, if any, testing time because Kubica is new to the team and will need it, and whoever partners Kubica may well need more of it. This is why the testing ban is ridiculous and why it will be much more difficult to make it in to Formula One and be successful. Grosjean and Alguersuari are both talented drivers, but they haven't been able to show it because they've been thrown in to difficult-to-drive cars and thus have struggled. I'm glad that Stefan GP plan on allowing drivers to test throughout the season if they don't get a Formula One entry (and their only chance of doing so is if Campos drop out really) as this will mean we might actually have some new talent who are prepared for the sport.

[Hexagram]

That's the problem, though, isn't it? They can't afford to give Grosjean much, if any, testing time because Kubica is new to the team and will need it, and whoever partners Kubica may well need more of it. This is why the testing ban is ridiculous and why it will be much more difficult to make it in to Formula One and be successful. Grosjean and Alguersuari are both talented drivers, but they haven't been able to show it because they've been thrown in to difficult-to-drive cars and thus have struggled. I'm glad that Stefan GP plan on allowing drivers to test throughout the season if they don't get a Formula One entry (and their only chance of doing so is if Campos drop out really) as this will mean we might actually have some new talent who are prepared for the sport.

Ya, Stefen GP offer something good alright but how much will they charge? And will teams who are interested in the driver pay for it or do the young drivers themselves have to fork it out?

I really feel sorry for Grosjean because he hasn't got a proper chance in F1 yet. He should have stayed in GP2.

[texasmr2]

That's the problem, though, isn't it? They can't afford to give Grosjean much, if any, testing time because Kubica is new to the team and will need it, and whoever partners Kubica may well need more of it. This is why the testing ban is ridiculous and why it will be much more difficult to make it in to Formula One and be successful. Grosjean and Alguersuari are both talented drivers, but they haven't been able to show it because they've been thrown in to difficult-to-drive cars and thus have struggled. I'm glad that Stefan GP plan on allowing drivers to test throughout the season if they don't get a Formula One entry (and their only chance of doing so is if Campos drop out really) as this will mean we might actually have some new talent who are prepared for the sport.

Well put .

[Denthúl]

That's the problem, though, isn't it? They can't afford to give Grosjean much, if any, testing time because Kubica is new to the team and will need it, and whoever partners Kubica may well need more of it. This is why the testing ban is ridiculous and why it will be much more difficult to make it in to Formula One and be successful. Grosjean and Alguersuari are both talented drivers, but they haven't been able to show it because they've been thrown in to difficult-to-drive cars and thus have struggled. I'm glad that Stefan GP plan on allowing drivers to test throughout the season if they don't get a Formula One entry (and their only chance of doing so is if Campos drop out really) as this will mean we might actually have some new talent who are prepared for the sport.

Ya, Stefen GP offer something good alright but how much will they charge? And will teams who are interested in the driver pay for it or do the young drivers themselves have to fork it out?

I really feel sorry for Grosjean because he hasn't got a proper chance in F1 yet. He should have stayed in GP2.

I imagine either could pay it. If a team knows a driver is under-performing (Piquet at Renault, for example) then they could pay Stefan GP to allow their driver to test several races in advance, just to make sure that they're ready to replace their current driver. They could also use it as an opportunity to keep their test and reserve drivers up to date or get them some basic experience, particularly if they had never touched anything close to a Formula One car in anything more than a straight-line test (Alguersuari).

I agree that Grosjean should have stayed in GP2, and I also think that Alguersuari should have made the step up to GP2 instead of Formula One. It would probably have done him some good, although I can't see anyone having beaten Hulkenberg to the title.

[Hexagram]

I agree that Grosjean should have stayed in GP2, and I also think that Alguersuari should have made the step up to GP2 instead of Formula One. It would probably have done him some good, although I can't see anyone having beaten Hulkenberg to the title.

Grosjean should pull a Glock and head back to GP2 for a year or two. As for Alguersuari he should go to GP2 for the first time.

They should be made reserve drivers for their current/previous teams.

[vaptin]

Agree with the above,

even if they found seats I wouldn't say either of them are ready for f1

[cap-dude]

I personally still believe Grosjean is worth a punt. Renault never had good driver management. Alonso done well at Renault, but everyone else seems to have faltered at the team. Truili, Fisi, Kovy, Piquet, Grosjean. But with Flabio gone hopefully that'll be different.

Talk about someone from the gravity sports group joining renault. Ho Pin Tung is not an option. Unless he is another revelation like Koybashi, there's no reason I could see him in F1. D'ambrosia on the other hand I think is worth is punt. No logical reason to be honest, but I've watched him in GP2, and the DAMS car just seems badly set-up. Yet d'Ambrosia got some pretty great qualifying laps in, and then hold his own.

The only people I can honestly see driving for Renault are either Grosjean or Heidfeld. Anyone else just doesn't make as much sense. However I think Heidfeld will go to Sauber because it makes more sense since it's a team he knows. Leaving Renault with the option of hiring Grosjean or someone even less experienced or less talented.

[Hexagram]

The only people I can honestly see driving for Renault are either Grosjean or Heidfeld. Anyone else just doesn't make as much sense. However I think Heidfeld will go to Sauber because it makes more sense since it's a team he knows. Leaving Renault with the option of hiring Grosjean or someone even less experienced or less talented.

I would strongly believe that Renault are considering Ralf Schumacher, I would also think that Sauber have him short listed aswell.

If I was Renault I would not drop Grosjean however there are better drivers to fill that second seat at Renault. A reserve role and another season at GP2 where he should aim to win the championship to rebuild his name is in order.

[7UpJordan]

I'm not surprised, I think it all started when last year Grosjean constantly put in half-hearted performances in GP2, knowing that it was only a matter of time before Piquet got ditched. He often started races well and then droped RIGHT BACK - especially at Silverstone.

[myownalias]

I was never convinced by Grosjean, he seems to be a driver that is good in a good car but piss poor in an average/poor car. I don't believe any amount of testing will help that!

[Denthúl]

I was never convinced by Grosjean, he seems to be a driver that is good in a good car but piss poor in an average/poor car. I don't believe any amount of testing will help that!

He had the same issue that Badoer and Fisichella had with the Ferrari - the Renault was a KERS car, not balanced the same as the other cars, or indeed the cars of previous years. With a lack of testing, they had no chance to adapt in an environment where they could take it slow, get comfortable with the car and then start to push afterwards. Instead, their first chance to try the car was on a race weekend, which is a high-pressure environment and they have to try to push right from the start. Running before you can walk and all that.

Grosjean just needs time to develop. He is, without a doubt, a talented driver and he has proven this before.

[Hexagram]

I was never convinced by Grosjean, he seems to be a driver that is good in a good car but piss poor in an average/poor car. I don't believe any amount of testing will help that!

If you can be good in a good car then surely you are a good driver. Our current champion only scored 3 points in 2008 because he was in a bad car and then scored 95 points in a good one. Kubica scored 17 points this season compared to 75 the previous season.

[myownalias]

I was never convinced by Grosjean, he seems to be a driver that is good in a good car but piss poor in an average/poor car. I don't believe any amount of testing will help that!

If you can be good in a good car then surely you are a good driver. Our current champion only scored 3 points in 2008 because he was in a bad car and then scored 95 points in a good one. Kubica scored 17 points this season compared to 75 the previous season.

The difference is that Jenson scores points in a poor car, and this years Renault was nowhere near as bad as the Honda was in 2008.

[headless]

I was never convinced by Grosjean, he seems to be a driver that is good in a good car but piss poor in an average/poor car. I don't believe any amount of testing will help that!

If you can be good in a good car then surely you are a good driver. Our current champion only scored 3 points in 2008 because he was in a bad car and then scored 95 points in a good one. Kubica scored 17 points this season compared to 75 the previous season.

The difference is that Jenson scores points in a poor car, and this years Renault was nowhere near as bad as the Honda was in 2008.

Good point