ringo wrote:No return of Petrov?
Only one seat available (Slim) and it's not his father but Sorotkin's that is involved, so no.
Racer X wrote:Well we have a British pay driver son of some rich guy Chilton.
Then you have the Mexican pay driver Esteban and the Venezuelan pay driver and just about all the midfield teams have them we have only a hand full of true drivers. Get used to it I guess'?
Our sport needs to let a couple rich kids driver around in circles in the back of the grid to be able to cover its overhead expense's. This is sad then we also have French money pushing for Prost Jr. He might have some talent tho.
Be honest does anyone still consider Sergio a pay driver?
"Pay driver" Perez had couple of good podiums, was close to a win and now at McLaren is comparable to Button. "Pay driver" Maldonado won the race in Barcelona and apart from a bit of luck (Hamilton) this win was as good as any. "Pay driver" Petrov had a very solid podium and couple of decent seasons compared to established drivers.
The other issue apart from direct money is how being from the right marketing-wise country can help you land the seat and changes perception of anything you do. If Maldonado wasn't from Venezuela I bet we would be hearing local journos salivating about this win until today. Vettel "inferior midfield car" Monza style hype. Being associated with big team's young driver program helps too. You don't have to drive a single lap in F1 to be a candidate fot replacing Webber in Red Bull like Vergne, or all you need to be faster than Chilton to be "considered" for Ferrari seat. And many people are buying it. It helped Perez to wash driver with money stigma.
Since Sorotkin is not from the right country, not from some young driver's program and brings money it's clear he sucks and is not some supertalent prodigy. I wish I could comment on him but I'm afraid I watched half an hour combined of WsR this season, unlike everyone on the internet boards right now.
Safe bet is he would benefit from at least one season in GP2. The problem with that you might get beaten or make mistakes and your hype goes down (Bianchi). One of the reasons apart from money why I suspect Red Bull don't bother with it. It's easier to keep an illusion of success without comparisons. Wasn't Alguersuari as young when Marko threw him into F1 in the middle of the season before chewing and spitting him out? Speaking of not being prepared, poor guy couldn't always keep concentration, good thing nothing happened to him in Suzuka (was his crash in Japan?).
BTW will Sorotkin get super license?