2013 Formula One Discussion

[donald29]

'Most ... in a season' records there for the taking. I remember when Schumacher matching then breaking 9 wins was amazing.

[Joey Zyla]

This is getting ridiculous. Eventually we'll have 52 races in a season.

[F1EA]

This is getting ridiculous. Eventually we'll have 52 races in a season.

51.
They can take christmas off.

[mikhailv]

Good. We should have more races.

[donald29]

So the GP2 championship is now basically between a 24 year old driver in his fourth season and a 26 year old driver in his third (plus a year doing FR 3.5).

It's hardly young and exciting talent. I'd say the most exciting prospect for F1 is Nasr in 3rd (age 21). Still rate Calado too. Shame Frijns has basically slipped through the net. Says it all about the current situation when he gets no running as Sauber reserve driver and is dropped, whilst the team has to hire Sirotkin.

[phil1993]

I think Bird is good, this year he's matured really well and he has got some backing. But his inevitable career path is Sportscars. I'm yet to be convinced on Nasr. I expected a lot more from him this season as while his consistency is good, he's not shown anything to make me think he's good enough for Formula 1. Calado has been really impressive as ART has dropped the ball - you only need to look at how Abt is struggling and he fought for the GP3 crown last year.

Frijns was good in Barcelona but had a bit of a messy season otherwise - it's difficult to get into a rhythm but equally he didn't fare too well. He's got talent though and hopefully he gets a reserve gig somewhere.

Overall I think there's more talent in FR3.5 this year as GP2 is so expensive. Vandoorne, Magnussen & FdC will all be in F1 one day.

Oh, and Caterham will use Renault power until at least 2016. Good stability for them and I fully expect that team to be in the midfield next season.

[donald29]

Yeah, Frijns needed a full season really. He encountered problems getting into GP2, let alone F1. What hopes do the best drivers really have of coming through?

Does Bird have backing other than from Mercedes? He is good, but then I think there are lots of drivers who could be good if they'd been around as long as he has. I don't think being experienced in a feeder series is a good thing, always makes me sceptical.

[phil1993]

My understanding is that Bird has backing, but probably not enough to compete with the other cash-laden guys.

This is the problem - rising costs and not battling the problems is trickling further down the order...

[kals]

The current situtation in GP2 isn't really that different to how things was in F3000. Look back over the past 20-30 years and most drivers who have triumphed have done so in their 3rd or 4th season. A few in their 2nd season and very few in their 1st.

Bird has done well this year but he's not F1 material. Other than this season he's rarely impressed in his junior career. In the top 5 of the GP2 series this season only two drivers are ever likely to get to F1, that's Nasr and Calado. And for one reason and another neither have set the world alight.

[phil1993]

I don't get the hype over Nasr. Maybe he's just suffering from poor form at the moment but he's done little in GP2 to make me think he's F1 worthy. But when you look at the number of sponsors on his overalls...

Calado on the other hand has had a difficult season but he's been very good. Look at Abt in the other ART - he's a really cracking driver but he's nowhere.

[kals]

Nasr is a good driver. Look at Bianchi as a prime example. Not exactly stellar in GP2 and a reasonable season in FR3.5 and he proved his worth / hype in just a couple of races with Marussia. Nasr is similar to that.

[tderias]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110125

Well excuse the man for looking at the bright side then, Alan...

[Vorull]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110125

Well excuse the man for looking at the bright side then, Alan...

What else are they supposed to do at Ferrari? Hire an assassin to murder a young chap?
Anyway I hope he is mistaken...

[F1EA]

"Next year (2014) it may be the best car, not the best driver, that wins" -Bernie Ecclestone.

Edit: had to fix it

[kals]

So Bernie expects Hamilton to win in 2014?