Hi everyone, First I'd just like to say that I'm really disappointed that Nick is no longer our mod. He was doing a brilliant mod and really improved things for all of us. It's a real shame that some people behaved like babies and put him off. I'd like to know everyone's views on Sauber's potential this year. They have looked promising in testing and one thing that nobody has really mentioned is their good tyre management. They are like just like Williams; quietly confident and hiding their true pace. While the car does not look "innovative" yet, one thing they do have is James Key - and that should help them come far this season. There has been talk of their inexperienced driver line up, but Kobayashi matched Nick Heidfeld last year and had incredible drives in Valencia and Japan. He should do well, while Perez is in the Ferrari Driver Academy. Ferrari must have seen something in him.
I'd like to see Sauber do well, and it wouldn't surprise me if they've made some progress this year. However I don't think they'll get perhaps the recognition because the dominance of the 'big' teams means they are unlikely to grab the headlines with frequent podium finishes, and in the crowded midfield, there is always accidents and collisions, which act to effectively mask any gains in performance over the season.
I'd like them to do well, but I think it will take a couple of years to reach a stage that they'll be able to get podiums or win races.
Haven't Sauber had some money issues recently. That'll limit their development throughout the season. They've now got some new sponsors on board but last year the car was pretty bare of sponsorship if I remember correctly.
I love both their drivers, Perez for me was the standout driver in terms of capability in GP2 last year. They've gone for 2 quite similar drivers - Kobayashi is a little tamer of the 2. What do you personally think of Perez ability Lorca? Article on it here for anyone who's interested. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89658 (p.s. Lorca you should send Nick a PM to apologise for being a baby then - he might come back if you really mean it).
McWilliams, how old are you? You're acting about 5 years old, 'look at Jose, he copied some things from some articles, boo hoo' Seriously mate, it's just an F1 forum for goodness sake! Does is matter if he copies some things from a website? No, of course not, it's an opinion, and he was trying to start some reasonable discussion!
Just these snide little comments, we've all had enough of it, rant over. Perez looks a decent enough driver, I hope he does better than Kovalienen etc. as a rookie.
I think thats unfair on Kovalainen, seeing as he holds the record for the most consecutive finishes (16) from the start of an F1 career, which is certainly a lot better than the likes of Petrov, etc, could quote from their first seasons. He also beat Fisichella in some races, when neither had mechanical issues. Perez looks promising, I think Sauber could be a bit of a breath of fresh air this year, the drivers look quick (from what we've seen of them, in testing, F1 and GP2), so the feedback may be the main issue for development.
It's only because Lorca said that he believed he must be good because of he's in the Ferrari academy - which I did not know before this article actually! I wondered what Lorca personally thought of him. I think Perez may have a Petrov style first season - both very capable but are a little fond of the gravel and barriers. Perez has the no fear and potential for the technical overtaking ability that could rival Hamilton and Alonso. It was once said about Perez that F1 looks for drivers that can race more than drivers that are fast as this is more important.
Oh sorry, I hadn't seen the figures! He was probably just overshadowed a bit by Hamilton... In that case Perez should be about the same, maybe even a pole like Hulkenberg
I completely agree with that. What we must all remember about rookies though is that they can't have a first season like Hamilton because of the testing restrictions in place now. It's a bit of trial and error unfortunately which is why Hulkenberg's (and to an extent Grosjean's) situation is so sad.
I don't know much about Perez because I don't watch GP2. I did write a thread a while ago about him: http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/32753-Is-Perez-a-future-talent
Yeh, I'm a bit of a Kovalainen fan to be fair, so I felt I should fight his corner a little. I was very impressed with his record in the Race of Champions! He's won it once, and for the full list of drivers he beat, check his wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heikki_Kovalainen#Race_of_Champions Still, I'd have to agree he was eclipsed by Hamilton at Mclaren, although his record there isn't too bad. Still, they were always going to want Button over him.
Who else is in the Ferrari academy - F1 and outside (you've probably guessed i'm not a frequent visitor to the Ferrari site)?
By the way guys GP2 is really good, I'd thoroughly recommend watching it if you have the channels - if you go to a GP, do not miss these!
Perez is the only F1 driver in the academy. It started with Bianchi, Zampieri and Bortolotti - but only Bianchi showed potential, while other two looked completely average and those 2 lost their places. Lance Stroll, and Nicolas Costa are also in the academy. That's all I know about, but according to Ferrari's website Brandon Maisano and Raffaele Marciello are also in the academy. I know the FDA wants to sign a female by 2012.
Yeah I'd go with Bianchi too. ART are usually a pretty good team for picking future F1 drivers along with Barwa Addax.
