"Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way"
Those were the words of Mary Hopkin back in the 1960s and several of last year's Formula One drivers will most likely be reminiscing after their time in the elite division of motor-racing. But that was 2011. What are they doing in 2012?
From the cockpit to the commentary booth
Jaime Alguersuari | 2011: STR, 14th, 26 points
Jaime Alguersuari was far too young when he was thrown into Toro Rosso, having never driven a Formula One car before his debut in Hungary in 2009. Despite a promising 2011, he was ousted from Red Bull’s scheme even though he had a verbal agreement to continue in 2012, thus turning down offers from rival F1 teams. Alguersuari impressed many with his magnanimous attitude during those difficult times and although he failed to find a seat for this season, he is still in the paddock. The Spaniard is operating as a commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live and journalists in Melbourne commented on the surreal sight of a Alguersuari – who had driven in the previous race – walking into the media centre, sitting down and working like everyone else. Alongside Lucas di Grassi he will be testing for Pirelli, who recently acquired Renault’s R30 – the car driven by Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov two years ago. Alguersuari is still frighteningly young - he turned 22 last week - considering the experience he has. Ultimately, he will be back in Formula One.
Rubens Barrichello now competes in IndyCars
Rubens Barrichello | 2011: Williams, 17th, 4 points
It’s fair to say that Rubens Barrichello’s time in Formula One had run its course after a disappointing 2011 season in which he collected a meagre four points. Barrichello was with his family when he was phoned by Sir Frank Williams, who rather coldly informed him that his services were no longer required. Almost immediately, his close friend Tony Kanaan arranged for him to test an IndyCar at Sebring for KV Racing. A couple of months passed by before the inevitable was confirmed and Rubens is participating alongside Kaanan and EJ Viso in the KV Racing team this season. The learning curve will be steep as five of this year’s races will be run on Ovals, with Barrichello receiving the blessing of his family to compete on these circuits. So far Barrichello has made a respectable start to the year, finishing a credible eighth at the Barber Motorsports Park last weekend. He sits 10th in the points after two races.
Buemi is still part of the Red Bull family
Sebastien Buemi | 2011: STR, 15th, 15 points
Despite a slight improvement last year, Red Bull ran out of patience with Buemi and the Swiss racer was inevitably replaced. Nevertheless, he is still Red Bull’s third driver for 2012 so if any of the four drivers should find themselves incapacitated for a weekend then Buemi will step in at either the senior or junior team. The Milton Keynes based team value Buemi’s simulator work and he is still undertaking that operation alongside a Le Mans race role. Buemi made his debut in an Oreca for Boutsen Ginion Racing last weekend at Paul Ricard, although their race was curtailed courtesy of a mechanical problem. He has also joined Swiss TV to act as a pundit.
Karun Chandhok. Photo credit: Team Lotus
Karun Chandhok | 2011: Team Lotus, 27th, 0 points
Although Chandhok was denied a dream drive in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix last October, he did start a race in 2011 after replacing Jarno Trulli for the German Grand Prix. The weekend was disappointing as he struggled with the car and the cold conditions at the Nurburgring. Without a seat this year, Chandhok has moved across to LMP1’s – like Nick Heidfeld – and finished 17th in the Sebring 12 hours.
Jerome d'Ambrosio. Photo credit: Marussia Virgin Racing
Jerome d’Ambrosio| 2011: Virgin Racing, 24th, 0 points
F1’s first Belgian in a long time acquainted himself well with the backmarker team but was dropped in favour of the heavily funded Charles Pic. D’Ambrosio – affectionately nicknamed ‘Custard’ due to the similarity of his surname to a UK product – is well connected with Eric Bouiller through the Gravity driver scheme. Therefore this season he’s acting as Lotus’s official reserve driver and will step into the shoes of Kimi Raikkonen or Romain Grosjean should the situation arise. He also joined the commentary team for the opening GP2 round in Sepang, as well as being a pundit for Belgian TV for the main event.
Photo credit: Lotus Renault GP
Nick Heidfeld | 2011: Lotus Renault GP, 11th, 34 points (1 podium)
When Lotus Renault decided that Quick Nick’s epithet wasn’t quite so true they decided to sack him. Heidfeld wasn’t too pleased but dropped legal proceedings against his ex-employers. With his connections to BMW, many expected the German to end up on the DTM when the manufacturer made their debut this season. However, that never occurred and Heidfeld has moved across Le Mans racing. Nick took part in the Sebring 12 hours for Rebellion Racing and will take part in the Le Mans 24 hours in June. He previously raced in the endurance event in 1999, so in effect he’s just gone full circle…
Liuzzi is still in F1. Somehow...
Vitantonio Liuzzi | 2011: HRT, 23rd, 0 points
With HRT signing Pedro de La Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan for 2012, Vitantonio Liuzzi was left without a seat. Few people cared as the Italian had shown little during his 80 race Formula One career. However, when HRT released their F112 in Barcelona last month, Liuzzi was in the official photos, alongside named test driver Dani Clos. As well as remaining with HRT, Liuzzi has joined the Superstars series, effectively an Italian touring car championship that is seeking to become a global series. Driving a Mercedes, Liuzzi was sensational as he rose from 22nd on the grid to 3rd in Race 1 and won the second race after starting from 20th.
Sutil has been spending time in court. Not so fun.
Adrian Sutil | 2011: Force India, 9th, 42 points
The man who finished in the top ten last season has had probably the worst off season of any racing driver. After losing his seat to Nico Hulkenberg (an inevitability), he failed to secure a drive with Williams for a variety of reasons. The most prominent was his conviction for assaulting Genii Capital’s Eric Lux in a nightclub in China last year. Sutil received an eighteen month suspended prison sentence and given a €200,000 fine (donated to charity). He also lambasted his (former) friend Lewis Hamilton for not attending the trial.
Jarno Trulli
Jarno Trulli | 2011: Team Lotus, 21st, 0 points
When Vitaly Petrov arrived in Norfolk with enough roubles, Jarno Trulli’s services were dispensed with and the Italian found himself on the side lines. It was little surprise and it brought to an end Trulli’s 15 year career, during which he drove for six teams and claimed a sole victory in Monaco eight years ago. Trulli participated in the opening test for Caterham (before Petrov arrived) and was delighted with the way the CT01 was running. He has declared an enthusiasm for both NASCAR and Le Mans racing although neither plan has yet come to fruition. Maybe he can spend more time making wine now.
