Silly Season 2011/2012

[munudeges]

I must admit that I'm surprised that Sutil didn't get a drive at Williams. I know we've dredged over the reasons why opportunities have probably passed him by, but are Senna or Maldonado better than him with any sponsorship he can bring (Medion etc.) to boot? I very much doubt it.

Senna or Maldonado cannot by any stretch of the imagination be described as brilliant drivers. I fear a season where even if Coughlan manages to whip things into shape and get a decent car put together, points will be squandered.

[gridwalker]

To be fair, stabbing someone in the neck isn't the best career move ...

[ringo]

context is important however.

[gridwalker]

When so little is known about the incident, other than the fact that the aftermath was witnessed and reported in the mass media, context is a luxury that the PR people just can't supply when selling their driver selection to potential sponsors. This is an important factor, as Sutil will be seen as damaged goods unless there is some way of exonerating him from wrongdoing.

You will see from my previous posts that I like Sutil and I want to see him on the grid, but I doubt that the uncertainty over the nightclub incident will help him perform the role of corporate spokesperson that is an integral part of modern F1. The more cash strapped the team, the harder the sell will be.

Sad but true.

[CHT]

Sorry to say this, with so many WDC around next year, I honest dont think Sutil will be missed next season. i actually think sutil might be better of taking a break to be a reserved driver and come back in 2013.

[dren]

I'm beginning to think Sutil's "incident" really hurt him.

[godlameroso]

Like it was said we don't know the context under which the incident happened, I don't think Sutil would maliciously go out of his way to stab someone. People become clumsy when they are drunk last I checked.

[dren]

Yeah, I don't know what exactly happened, but the incident could have hurt his chances at some teams.

[gridwalker]

In much the same way that rumours about a company's performance can diminish its stock value in the run-up to their Q4 results announcement, rumours about a driver's actions will damage their value to potential employers when seats are being filled.

It doesn't matter whether he is innocent or guilty in the eyes of the law, the doubt in the minds of the public will have just as devastating an effect on his value. This kind of rumour can devastate the value of any commodity, whether it is a company's stock, a driver's marketing value or the bonds of a debt-stricken country.

Until reasonable doubt can be removed by exoneration in a court of law, I doubt that we'll be seeing much of Sutil in top-flight motorsport.

[MIKEY_!]

Just so we know where things are at so far...

Red Bull Racing Renault
1 Sebastian Vettel (DEU)
2 Mark Webber (AUS)

McLaren Mercedes
3 Jenson Button (GBR)
4 Lewis Hamilton (GBR)

Ferrari
5 Fernando Alonso (ESP)
6 Felipe Massa (BRA)

Mercedes
7 Michael Schumacher (DEU)
8 Nico Rosberg (DEU)

Lotus Renault
9 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
10 Romain Grosjean (FRA)

Force India Mercedes
11 Paul di Resta (GBR)
12 Nico Hulkenberg (DEU)

Sauber Ferrari
14 Kamui Kobayashi (JPN)
15 Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX)

STR Ferrari
16 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)
17 Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA)

Williams Renault
18 Pastor Maldonado (VEN)
19 TBA

Caterham Renault
20 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)
21 Jarno Trulli (ITA)

HRT/TBA
22 Pedro de la Rosa (ESP)
23 TBA

Marussia Cosworth
24 Timo Glock (DEU)
25 Charles Pic (FRA)

So only the HRT and Williams seats left.
Sutil, Heidfeld, Barrichello, Petrov and Alguersuari realistically left to fight over them.

[raymondu999]

And possibly the Caterham drive - don't forget

[MIKEY_!]

Not according to formula1.com (my source for this list).

[raymondu999]

Yes; but there's the whole issue that Jarno Trulli's contract says nothing of being a driver

[Jeffsvilleusa]

That looks like a pretty exciting grid so far!

[Shrieker]

Breaking News!!!

Radio here in Brazil saying that Bruno Senna has just signed Williams for 2012...

http://esportes.terra.com.br/automobili ... binho.html

Can't confirm this anywhere.