Article: 2013 Driver Line-ups, News & Rumours | Formula one

Oh...and in an effort not to get too far off track, I want to see Kovi back in a decent car. Get him in the Ferrari I reckon, or maybe replace Senna.

 

Take into account unforced DNF'S and the fact Michael had just come out of retirement. And you can see why he was beaten early in his comeback.

This year Michael got off to a flying season personally, technical issues have obviously interfered with the overall standings.

Lets see how the rest of the season pans out.

 

I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Surely by this reasoning it would be difficult to come to any conclusions about any team or driver?

As for your point about no one calling him poor in previous seasons, I've always said he's average and in my opinion he's driven worse this year than in the previous two, which is why I think he's been poor. I don't rate either of their drivers very highly which is why I'd like to see di Resta in there next season, I'm certain he'd comfortably beat either Mercedes driver if he had the same car.

 

This was partly my point really. With this season one race you're up, the other you're not. I don't consider Button a poor driver and he's underneath Rosberg in the standings, it's just a dip in form. Rosberg is clearly capable of getting the car to the flag in 1st place (as he has shown), but you need the car to comply and this year the cars have been up and down the grid depending on weather and tyres.

If you've always considered him poor, then I wouldn't presume to tell you otherwise as you've clearly made up your mind. I don't come on here to change people's minds, just to find out the reasoning.

 

I think just looking at a drivers pace is fruitless, because like you say, the pecking order has been more sensitive than usual to weather conditions and circuit layouts, and the rate of development has been relentless. But on a race by race basis I've thought it's often looked like Rosberg hasn't got the most out of the car particularly in qualifying, I thought he should've done better in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain, and he hasn't performed well in the last two grands prix either. I've watched his races more closely than I usually would because I've blown a lot of money on him this year.

Average not poor. I'd put him on a similar footing to someone like Kovalainen. This season he's been below what I've expected of him for the most part, although I must admit I was surprised by how good he was in China, especially in qualifying.

 

As for what this means for the driver market... Rosberg is contracted to Mercedes I believe, his team-mate next year will either be Schumacher or Hamilton it seems. Di Resta and Sutil are outside possibilities too.

 

I think it was in 2009 when I started to think Rosberg could be a top top driver, but now it seems his moments passed and he didn't shine. I know he has loads of time left but I was hoping for more by now.

 

I've always thought that Nico Rosberg would be the next Nick Heidfeld, not a top driver, but a good, solid, pointscoring driver.

 

It's a shame because before he reached F1 he was just as quick as Hamilton and Vettel, i think the problem with Rosberg is that he has never had one stand out race where i've sat back and thought it was amazing. Like Vettel at Monza in 08 and Hamilton in Fuji 07 + Britain 08. To me he seems like a solid if unspectacular driver,i would loved to be proved wrong though

 

This fuels the rumours that Di Resta is on his way to a bigger team:

http://www.inautonews.com/mallya-hints-race-seat-likely-for-bianchi

 

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In his BBC column, Alguersuari seemed very sure of the fact that he'd already secured a race seat. Williams will probably go with Bottas and Force India will probably go with Bianchi (if they need another driver). Would Sauber turn down a decent driver with a "strong financial package"?

 

I hope Williams go for Bottas instead of Alguersuari. I'd be surprised if Sauber ditched Kobayashi, he hasn't had a great season though. They'd surely be better going for Sutil than Alguersuari, he's a better driver, has the experience to lead the team more and I think he comes with financial backing as well.

 

Could be going to Caterham? He said he's moving to a midfield team I think but maybe he's being optimistic/pre-empting...

 

Sauber would be a good destination for him I feel. But would he be replacing Kobayashi or Perez?

 

Williams should get rid of both their drivers. They've wasted probably one of the best cars on the grid with 2 complete and utter ******s. Bottas is an obvious replacement, and Alguersuari can join him!

 

Too right Fred, click refresh and allow drivers that respect the car and the fact that they understand they are in a top car to make the most of it.
Kovalainen should stay at Caterham and complete the objective of putting them within the mid-field (Q2) more often before he moves out.
That way he would have tonnes more respect.

 

This has just popped up:

Sauber: No excuses for not scoring in every race given car's potential

Sauber becoming dissapointed in their drivers?

 

Brawn hinting at Schuey stay?

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7896255/Brawn-Schu-still-enjoying-F1

 

Yet at the same time Maldonado managed to win them a race and Senna seems to have the ability to consistently score points...

 

He is happy, the team is, the car is getting there.... why not?
Mercedes are looking to be good in the Hockenheimring, and why another place to announce his extension if he finishes on the podium.