So of the drivers who completed the 2011 season, 7 have been look very unlikely to gain a seat for this year. Only a Hispania seat remains and with them likely to hire a young pay driver. What does the future hold for Sutil, Petrov, Alguersuari, Buemi, Barrichello, Liuzzi and D'Ambrosio? Adrian Sutil please log in to view this image The former Force India driver finished 9[SUP]th[/SUP] in the world championship in 2011, but it was not enough to stop him losing his seat to Nico Hulkenberg. The man he has undoubtedly replaced as the best driver not to have a seat. Sutil had driven for the team the entirety of his 90 race career since they were known as Spyker since then he has seen the team rise with him into a genuine competitor. Although beaten by the ageing Fisichella in his early years, he has since seen of his last two teammates. Vitantonio Liuzzi and the rookie Paul di Resta comfortably. A future in Formula One? Although his ability is not in question, The Lux incident looms large over him at the moment. He may have escaped prision, but a criminal conviction is a blow to his hopes and ultimately I believe we may have seen the back of him in formula One. With no options for 2012 he is taking time to think and who can blame him with recent events. Perhaps the question is will he even try to return? Vitaly Petrov please log in to view this image Could Petrov Be Driving for Caterham (behind) in 2012? The first Russian driver in formula one, notable for that and his unique route to the sport (famously starting in the Lada Cup), has a mixed career. He has scored 64 points in his two years with Renault, including a well earned podium at the 2011 Australian race, but has been very inconsistant. Widely thought of as a “pay-driver” he was thrashed by the highly rated Kubica in his first year. Losing 136-27 in the points and out-qualifying the pole just once. In 2011 after Roberts injury he fared better, winning the qualifying battle with Heidfeld and taking the previously mentioned podium, although narrowly trailing his team-mate in the points. In mid season Heidfeld was replaced by Bruno Senna, who was concerning immediately on Vitaly's pace on Saturdays. The teams performance went backwards all season and Petrov scored points on just 4 occasions in the last from the last 12 races while his relationship with the team deteriorated and after an outburst late in the season, his 2012 contract was terminated. He finished the season 10[SUP]th[/SUP]. A future in Formula One? I would say it is likely that we will the Russian resurface in Formula One. Rumours were rifle about him potentially replacing Jarno Trulli at Caterham throughout December and early January, but they appeared to have died down as we approach Testing with no suggestion from the team that this change would take place. More recently he has been linked to becoming the new Pirelli test driver. It would be a shame to lose him in my opinion as he has proved himself at least equal to the likes of Trulli and with his considerable backing, it would be a surprise if he never returns. Jamie Alguersuari please log in to view this image Jamie, the youngest driver ever to start a race in F1, is another driver without a seat for the year ahead. The Spaniard had drove two and a half seasons for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso, but along with team mate Sebastien Buemi was dismissed as “not a winner” by Helmut Marko. He was drafted in midway through 2009 and his age and the the lack of testing proved a concern to many. Most notably Niki Lauda”. Despite this he had a largely uneventful 2009, he never threatened Buemi as he learned the ropes of the sport, but acquitted himself adequately. In both 2010 he was again beaten but with considerable gains and by the end of the season he was thought of as the driver with more potential. 2011 started slowly, but sparked to life at canada and he was the man behind most of the big highlights to the teams season. He ended up outscoring Buemi 26-15. A future in formula one? Alguersuari's dismissal was a shock to many who had predicted him for the 2012 alongside one of Ricciardo and Vergne and the widespread opinion is that he has been treated harshly, but with the decision coming so late there was precious little opportunity for him to continue into 2012. Although it has been speculated that he turned down the vacant Hispania seat. Looking further into the future the advantage he has is that he is still very young and looks and attractive option for teams so he is another I don’t think we have seen the last of. The most recent rumors have been linking him to a test driver role at Mercedes. I just hope he does not decide to focus on his music. Since it would be a tragedy to permanently lose a driver I see as a great potential. The Others please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Of those replaced. The one with the highest profile was surely Rubens Barrichello. The most experienced driver in Grand Prix history was dropped by Williams in favour of Bruno Senna after a disappointing season. In my opinion it was the right time to go and he should have retired gracefully. Regardless however much he would want it to drive a twentieth season it seems unlikely. A run in Indy beckons. Sebastien Buemi has a claim to have been the most unlucky driver in 2011. With several mechanical failures while running in the points late on in the season, when he really needed to perform. He is young and has been kept on as the Red Bull reserve, but has he done enough to earn a return to a racing role?. Vitantonio Liuzzi is likely to learn for the second time how meaningless contracts can be in F1. He has shown some genuine flashed of talent, but never often enough to live up to the reputation he held pre-F1. Although he has signed up to the I1 racing series for 2012 it does end before the start of the season, showing some ambition to stay in F1, Being beaten by Ricciardo late in the season was surely the last straw however and I doubt he will gain another chance. Lastly Jerome D'ambrosio suffered like his predessesor at Virgin in the sense he was largely anonymous. He was expected to be beaten by Glock and was, but he was not embarrassed. It wont be easy for him to find a seat in 2013 and beyond, but his Lotus reserve role is a good place to start. So who do you feel deserves to or will return to formula one? Perhaps some I have not mentioned like Nick Heidfeld and Karun Chandhok. I would also like to see how you all rate the unlucky 7. p.s. Sorry for the long thread, didn't mean for it to be this big when I started. .
I do not think any of them really are world beaters. Voted Buemi because if I was to hire one of them it probably would be him.
Good thread Julius Caesar, and as my vote show's I only think the first three have a chance in F1, or at least I believe they deserve it and I can see them doing it in the future.
Youngest driver on the grid, consistently beat (slightly) more experienced team-mate, scored lots of points in the Red Bull B-team. Certainly deserves to be on the grid a hell of a lot more than anyone else on that list not named Sutil.
He had a pretty good record in the lower formulae and is still only 21, he'd be young if he started now. Still think he deserves a chance but those who matter seem to disagree with me (the team bosses).
He does not constantly beat Buemi though the only times he really beats him is when he has done **** in quali and has got the advantage of more fresh tyres and/or Buemi has had some car troubles. Lower formulae records are not the best indicator of F1 success though. I have just never seen anything in him that would suggest he could win races.
Petrov isnt a bad driver and nor is djGodSquire. Sutil is stale, Rubinho is past it, Luizzi, Custard and Buemi are awful.
Sutil's the only one who would be genuinely sought after. I think he'll just have one year out as he's avoided a custodial sentence. I expect Buemi and Alguersuari to return at some point as well, they have bags of experience now and years ahead of them.
Realistically, I think De La Rosa, Trulli and Maldonaldo don't really deserve their places on the grid. If those 3 places were open to the drivers mentioned, I think Petrov, Sutil and Alguersuari are the 3 I'd pick. Harsh on Buemi I guess, but I feel Alguersuari has a little more potential. Also harsh on D'Ambrosio, who hasn't really had a chance to show himself in a decent car, but the same could be said for any of the young drivers at tail end teams. Sakon Yamamoto may have been a world beater, we'll never know.
Nice article Julius! Two drivers got my vote: Sutil and Petrov. And although I was saddened to hear of Barrichello getting the elbow that he seemed perennially immune to, I can understand the ebbing of his tide. Alguesuari and Buemi are the other two who might have a reasonable claim, but although I might choose different words, I think the best I can do is quote Mifune: - and leave it at thatâ¦
Nice to see a bit of support for Alguesari, I thought he was shabbily treated after gaining so much experience at a young age, and also I rate him as a driver and thought he was doing well. Thats the brutal world of F1 for you I suppose, tossed aside without a thought!
Went for Sutil and Alguersuari. I personally think Sutil is the 2nd best German on the grid, and has helped develop the FI from the nether reaches of the grid to a decent midfield challenger, he's had a few iffy races this year, mostly just after the Lux incident, so we don't know how much that affected him, but came back strongly towards the end of the season. A thing to be noted also is that FI tended to run different start tyre strategies so a real team-mate comparison is a bit difficult. Alguersuari, looked totally out of his depth when he arrived, then suddenly he seemed to click, has done well from early mid-season on, no doubt he'll return a stronger driver, he's only 21, hopefully he'll go into GP2 and dominate it. I can understand why some don't rate him at all, his early form and driving were pretty dour. They're the 2 I'm pretty sure will drive again, but I wouldn't be surprise to see Petrov and Buemi either, the other 3 should look for drives outside F1 and not waste their time, energy or money trying to get back in.
I can easily see Petrov at Marussia at some point in the future- his Russian sponsorship and Russian nationality would be perfect for a Russian-owned team.
Sutil as the anchor man at a lower team, Alguersuari who I think is unfulfilled potential. Petrov and Buemi probably will return, but those are the only two I really rate.
Is Mercedes really a good place to go? I always thought it was looking like Di Resta or Hulkenberg who would step up into a race seat after Schumi retires and he's hardly likely to get any Friday time. Suppose it keeps his name lingering, but a HRT drive would surely do that better. I dont think we'll find out what the team bosses think until we see if he gets a 2013 drive. Dont forget he was dropped late when only HRT and Williams had open seats and Perez-Sala described the idea of a deal with him as a "dream".
