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

A thought experiment to choose two drivers from Hulkenberg, Sutil, Senna and di Resta…

Well, I would not hesitate to nominate di Resta. He is very level headed; a determined fighter with good racecraft; yet sensible enough to play the long-game with an exceptional awareness of circumstance. He is also exceptionally good on the technical front and in my opinion has more potential to develop a car, than the other three.

• Driver selected: Paul di Resta

We are left with Sutil, Senna and Hulkenberg for the one remaining seat…

Senna is too inconsistent for me, and although attracting big money from South America, as well as coming up with some very good drives towards the end of the season, I fell it has been too little too late. Personally, I would not choose him if I were selecting for Force India.

• Out of the running: Bruno Senna

So, Sooty and Hulk…
Sutil has been up and down but has already done a pretty good job for Force India and knows the car and the operation already. He also has experience on his side. These are obvious advantages over Hulkenberg; but I feel it very likely that if he remained with the team, he would be beaten by di Resta next year - and this would not be a good thing for him in the longer term. I would understand it if he wanted out.

Hulkenberg is another driver who, like Senna, came into F1 with a fanfare but such expectations can have a cruel 'flip-side', with an underwhelming result. For this reason, I'd have preferred to stick with Sutil, but respect his personal wishes, whatever they were.

• My preference: Adrian Sutil

But if that could not be worked out contractually, Nico Hulkenberg would be next on my list (above Senna).

 

Why bring up Senna? He was never a part of the force india debate and neither was anyone else aside from the 3 drivers they've had this year. Unless it was just excuse to take a swipe at him.

 

di Resta and Hulkenburg, should be interesting.

 

Hopefully Hulkenburg will show that he deserves that seat! Really hope he does well, want Sutil to get the Williams seat

 

Well next year I expect Nico Hulkenburg to beat Di Resta. Hopefully then, the British media will stop touting him as the next big thing, because he isn't.

As for Sutil, he deserves to stay in F1 but there's no shame in having someone as good as Hulk replacing him. He mentions here that he has one more option for 2012 (probably Williams). Perhaps though, another option has come up...
http://www.f1zone.net/news/ferrari-interested-in-sutil-as-replacement-for-massa-2/11106/

 

Well looking at their rookie season coupled with Hulkenbergs lack of racing in 2011, I expect to see Di Resta beat Hulkenberg. Then perhaps people will stop touting him as the next big thing, because he isn't.

 

I think if di Resta betters Hulkenberg next season (and that's certainly not an impossibility in my opinion based on his solid rookie season) would it be crazy to suggest a big 3 team may come in for his services for 2013?? Webber / Massa look to have a lot to prove next year and you would reasonably expect at least one of them to be replaced... Surely this theory isn't that far fetched is it?! Though of course, if the Hulk enhances his reputation and bosses di Resta he may become the wanted man...

I personally think Force India's inter team battle will be one of the most interesting and closest fought ones there will be.

 

I'm willing to bet some money on Sutil getting the Williams seat.

 

That wasn't my intention at all Julius!

I mentioned Senna because he is the other well-known driver who still has no seat confirmed, and thought it would be interesting to explore how I'd be thinking if I were selecting two drivers for Force India. Obviously there would be many other drivers who might be on my initial list, which then becomes shortened until it is finally only two. Senna is the other well-known driver who would have been on my short-list.

It is not a swipe at him and I promise you it was not my intention to upset you (or anyone else)!

 

haha, yes he is:
http://bbs.hellof1.com/2214832_256650.html

 

The way I see it, di Resta had a good rookie year, probably the best rookie in my eyes, but unless he picks up he won't be a top driver (not saying he definitely won't). Hulk hasn't really got a mountain to climb to beat his team mate so if he fails it could really end his hopes for the future.

 

I can play this game too, No he isn't

All im saying is one glorious Saturday aside he was underwhelming in 2010. Say what you like, but with what i'd been told about him by people like you i expected more.

Paul di resta, who you dont rate that highly, was more convincing compared to a tougher (imo) teammate.

 

No worrys. I was going to edit that to point out i think the rest of the analysis was spot on anyway.

 

Apologies if its already been mentioned, but some news!!! :

-Caterham technical chief Mike Gascoyne has announced that the Caterham squad's 2012 contender has passed its crash tests.
This year the cars have to pass this for winter testing

-The Sauber team has announced it will unveil its 2012 challenger ahead of the start of testing at the Jerez circuit.
To be exact, Sauber's Ferrari-powered C31 will be launched at the Spanish track on February 6 before it takes to the track on the 7th.

(and this was my 2,500th post, woo and all that )

 

That, Mclaren and Toro Rosso will be the big ones in my opinion. Hamilton will be desperate to try to prove he can beat Button, who I expect to be equally or more competitive next year. The Toro Rosso battle may decide who replaces Webber at Red Bull, if Red Bull look from within, and the Force India battle has been mentioned already.

 

I'm more interested in the lotus battle. I expect Grosjean to batter Raikkonen.

 

Another team makes another good move. Should be good to see Hulkenberg vs Di Resta. Good to see more young, potential drivers coming through on talent and not money
Incidentally, in Lotus, STR and FI, which driver gets the higher car number?

 

Hulkenburg took part in 14 practice session this year, and 8 times he was the faster Force India driver. It was 6-2 when he was up against Di Resta.

 

Hulkenberg and Di Resa, 2 guys I would love to see in a championship winning car sometime in the future, next year is a chance for them to show the tops teams why they deserve a seat in 2012.

Only 2 seats left, Williaims seat will go to Sutil, as for HRT I dont even think they know yet, Algusari seems like the best bet with De la Rosa providing the experience to the team but who knows.

 

Bloody hell, they're keen. At this rate they'll be able to get some cheeky testing of their 2013 car in this winter.