Lotus F1 Team have confirmed that the 2014 GP2 champion, and the team's current test driver, Jolyon Palmer will race for the team during the 2016 F1 season, alongside Pastor Maldonado.
Not really. One is going to pay for a seat, the other isn't. No different to Chilton getting into F1 whilst Frijns sat on the sidelines.ChrisF1 wrote:It's a crime if Haryanto is on the grid and Vandoorne isn't.
Seb just came out and said the self doubt came first before he decided to leave - not the other way around as some Vettel fans would have us believe. If fact, he said the two things were not related, he always left a window open to jump over to Ferrari if the opportunity was presented, but after his slump he felt he needed a change of environment.graham.reeds wrote:I think Seb had an eye on his exit clause and dragged his feet and could of had a decent race with Ricciardo.djos wrote: Tbh I think some Europeans just don't like to see an Aussie clearly doing the better job overall (bit like last year, Seb even had the good grace to admit he was beaten fair and square).
He could never come out and admit that because that could be construed as acting against the interests of the team.
“Yes, I did – and I am not ashamed to admit it,” Vettel said when asked if he had any self-doubts. “Everybody doubts himself at one point or another.
He added: “For sure, 2014 was not a nice season. I was not performing the way I wanted to perform, and if that happens it is more honest to show your feelings and not hide behind a fake smile.
“So about the same time last year I understood that it was time to move on, and the stage I am at now proved me right. I am very happy with how things worked out.
“Sure, when I joined Ferrari there was never any guarantee in terms of results, but now it is nice to know that we’ve exceeded all kinds of expectations, including mine – maybe.”
Vettel revealed that he had been in talks about a move to the Scuderia for some time, and that struggles of the 2014 campaign provided the right moment for that move to be made.
“I don’t want to be arrogant, but I was already in contact with Ferrari,” he explained. “If you are in the paddock you meet each other every now and then. So I’d had conversations before, but back then the time was not the right one. Suddenly last year it was. That made all the difference.”
If, then the last place team should supply the car - at least they get the advertising, and the winning team doesn't disclose any secrets.dodds_turbo wrote:New Silly Season Idea!
At the end of the Championship set up a 'practice day' event where ALL drivers can drive the winning car, and see how they all compare (lap times) with the same machinery.
Top Gear have this idea, putting some drivers in an old Suzuki Liana. How much better would they be in an F1 car?
Hmm, driving another car other than yours can take time go get used to. I mean just learning the new steering wheel and team procedures. It is going to be a very clumsy thing to handle if you want to really give the drivers the car to their liking. That is the only valid way to compare the drivers right? I think if you give them more than a day, and teach them the controls and procedures in a class room setting then it can be viable.dodds_turbo wrote:New Silly Season Idea!
At the end of the Championship set up a 'practice day' event where ALL drivers can drive the winning car, and see how they all compare (lap times) with the same machinery.
Top Gear have this idea, putting some drivers in an old Suzuki Liana. How much better would they be in an F1 car?
I don't see how it would work, the cars all have slightly different controls are setup for different styles etc. and the teams might not want their high paid driver to showcase another teams car.dodds_turbo wrote:New Silly Season Idea!
At the end of the Championship set up a 'practice day' event where ALL drivers can drive the winning car, and see how they all compare (lap times) with the same machinery.
Top Gear have this idea, putting some drivers in an old Suzuki Liana. How much better would they be in an F1 car?
That would be very cool, it would have to be a neutral brand tho so as not to annoy Mercedes et all too much.adrianjordan wrote:How about at each circuit all the drivers also race in normal road cars. All in the same car, to be supplied by a car manufacturer that is not involved in the championship already. Each car would be identical spec but painted in the team livery...
Agreed. I wish there was an easy way to limit the number of pay drivers. It's a shame some real talent have to retire or move to other series like DTM, WEC or Indy. Granted they know it's sponsor-driven so they should be lining up cash well before they try to make the move to F1, but still a shame.PlatinumZealot wrote:Jolyon Palmer's sponsors have been paying 250,000 pounds per practice session it is reported. Sort of a bargain for them.
The pay driver contribution to buy a seat has inflated over the the years and now Palmer and also stevens have to find even more cash to get a seat.
The guys who spent a season in that car tuning it to their liking will demolish the rest.dodds_turbo wrote:New Silly Season Idea!
At the end of the Championship set up a 'practice day' event where ALL drivers can drive the winning car, and see how they all compare (lap times) with the same machinery.
Top Gear have this idea, putting some drivers in an old Suzuki Liana. How much better would they be in an F1 car?
