2012 Predictions / Driver Line-up / News etc...

di Resta has lost his front wing a few times in promising positions this season. It's very easy to label him error prone because of it, but it's his rookie year, and don't forget he hadn't raced single seaters at all for four years prior to this season, so it's understandable that he makes those mistakes.

At the end of the day they all deserve a drive, but because the top teams insist on retaining dross there isn't enough seats to go around. Sutil for me should have the second Mercedes drive by now. I'd go for PDR and Hulk in the Force India, just because they excite me more than Sutil as prospects.

 

I agree with you 100% on this, Forza. The BBC team love di Resta though and contribute to the impression that he's better than he is. Paul's own earnest, oh-so-serious manner probably adds to this too. Would he be so highly rated if he wasn't British? It's kind of a silly situation, the whole FI thing right now, but I can't help thinking Sutil is still on his way out of the team, unfair as it is.

 

I would have di Resta and The Hulk because while yes Sutil had a good race today and a pretty good second half to the season, di Resta and Hulk have potential to be much better that Sutil.

 

It's a real tough one to call.

di Resta has impressed this year in his first season, Sutil is a good solid driver, and Hulk showed flashes of talent at Williams but did he do as good a job as di Resta has?

I'd go di Resta & Hulk. Sutil has had time and is clearly okay, but if he was going to shine he would have done so by now.

 

Going off the F1 forum it seems like di Resta and Hulk is already a forgone conclusion.

 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96553

Bye custard.

 

It was always going to happen wasn't it?

That French article mentioned it and Virgin never denied it.

 

MOD EDIT:

 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96560

 

amus reported this earlier: http://www.f1zone.net/news/red-bull-to-place-vergne-at-lotus-in-2012-report/10488/

but when autosport report it, you know it's not just silly season bullshit. having him up against kovalainen at caterham will be a good test for him, but with heikki always outperforming the car, ricciardo could be overshadowed and overlooked by marko. hopefully he can show his potential next year.

vergne should be torro rosso reserve driver. he's had hardly any time in f1 cars and hasn't done any better than ricciardo did when he was doing practice sessions and young driver tests - so i find it hard to take him seriously as a potential candidate for a tr seat.

 

I don't like the idea of Red Bull dictating to the smaller teams where to put their younger drivers.

 

+1. It feels like they're playing God at times.

 

Jamesallenonf1 James Allen
#f1 Sources telling me F1 fans should keep your eyes on Twitter and websites this evening for Kimi Raikkonen news....

 

7/1 He's replacing Vettel

 

Di Resta is not special to watch, but he is made special by none other than the biased muppets in the commentary box as well as the biased muppets in the paddock.

 

He's scored the most points Vs his team mate out of the points scoring rookies
di Resta - 64%
Perez - 47%
Maldanado - 25%

He's hardly set the world alight but he's done a fine job considering. Its a shame we don't get to see the rookies much, but that comes with being in teams that are down the field. I'd like to see Force India with the same drivers next year but that aint going to happen by the looks of it.

 

But tbf, the races Perez missed was where Kobayashi scored most points. So thats a bit unfair on Serge.

 

He is doing a better job than the likes of Senna and Maldonado yes I agree, but he is not "special" is what I am saying, extracting the potential out of the car is good in F1 but not fantastic.

 

It may be harsh to say but it was his own fault he missed those races, and there are no guarantees Perez would have matched Kobi's points.

 

True, but unless Force India can get lucky with a rookie I don't think they have the current potential to get that kind of driver right now.