As far as I am aware all Valsecchi has done this year is half a day's testing in Barcelona when Kimi had food poisoning. Still he probably knows it will be the only chance he get to drive in a couple of Grand Prix so I'm sure he will try to make the most of it. Although this has got Fisichella/Badoer written all over it.
What a prediction! I think Kimi probably could have postponed surgery for the few weeks necessary to complete the season, but would rather annoy the team that aren't paying him, than the one that will be in a few months time. Would love to see a proper shake-up and Lotus bring in Hulk early, with Mclaren loaning Sauber Perez and trying Magnussen, but I think that's fanciful. Valsecchi probably deserves a chance.
I agree this has Fisi/Badoer written all over it. I expect a repeat of dambrosia last year at monza. He hasn;t bee racing all year........
I hope if they race Valsecchi in Austin they give him the chance to do Brazil as well, regardless of the result. He's done alright in lower levels so deserves at least some sort of chance.
Valsecchi is the one with the most experience in the E21, it makes sense to have him replace Raikkonen. He probably won't score many points but who would in such a position? Losing Raikkonen means Lotus will finish 4th - unless Alonso doesn't race and Massa DNF's the next two races, I don't think Grosjean alone can beat Ferrari to 3rd. Why not give Valsecchi the opportunity? The only realistic alternative is a Gravity driver, and of those it's only DâAmbrosio who has F1 experience. As for the Alonso rumours, I hope everything is ok but if anyone should step in for Alonso, it should definitely be Bianchi. De La Rosa is an old man and would only be useful for feedback on 2014 parts. I doubt he would score points, whereas I think Bianchi has a chance (maybe around 8th-10th). The Ferrari Driver Academy was set up after Massa's accident, when Ferrari realised they had no young talent to turn to. So it would be nice to see an FDA step up should Ferrari need anyone.
Red Bull Racing - Confirmed, Vettel & Ricciardo Mercedes - Confirmed, Hamilton & Rosberg Ferrari - Confirmed, Alonso & Raikonnen (Possible question mark over Kimi?) Lotus - None confirmed but Grosjean as good as, Hulkenberg, Maldonado and Massa all linked but should Valsecchi race the last 2 races of the season and do well, he could throw his hat in the ring too. McLaren - Confirmed Button, 2nd Seat still unconfirmed - Perez and Magnussen linked Force India - None confirmed, Di Resta and Sutil current drivers whilst Hulkenberg also linked Williams - None confirmed, Bottas likely to be retained and Maldonado released with contract buy out clause fulfilled, Massa likely replacement Toro Rosso - Confirmed, Jean-Eric Vergne & Kyvat Caterham - None confirmed, Kovelainen, Van Der Garde and Pic all vieing for seats Marussia - None confirmed, Chilton & Bianchi likely to be retained although McLaren may try placing Magnussen there if not in their own team [h=3]The driver market.... What a mess[/h]
I thought Pic was as good as confirmed? Perhaps they could drop him to test driver, but he's contracted to the team next season at least.
Contracts at the back of the grid mean nothing these days look at Glock and Trulli, both had contracts with their teams before being unceremoniously dumped.
General concencous from F1 twitter pundits is that the Lotus drive is between Kovalainen, Valsecchi and Buemi. Hulk is available as Sauber has breached his contract but he may feel he's loose to Grosjean in a unknown car and hurt his image... We don't have long to wait and find out at least
I'd like to see Hulkenberg but don't see him swapping one unpaid job for another one in which he might lose out significantly. Remember what happened to Fisi when he switched to Ferrari, for instance. Therefore, my prediction: Alonso to make a shock return, you heard it hear first
Kovi would be a safe pair of hands, but doubt he'll be any quicker than Grosjean. His time with the top teams hardly made him stand out
For two races isn't a safe pair of hands all you want? He'd stand a decent chance of finishing both races in the lower half of the points, which might be enough for Lotus to hold onto their championship position.
So why not put a young driver in? Isn't that why they have nominated reserve drivers, to step in if one of the main drivers can;t race, or is it just publicity to show they look like they're investing in young talent and hoping they never actually have to put them in the car?
I'm a fan of Kovalainen but it would make Lotus look incredibly stupid and harsh if Davide did not get the seat, otherwise what's the point of making him go in the simulator and follow the team around for a whole year?
Williams will have Massa and Bottas next season, which means Maldonado is in the market for a seat. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24897809 Be interesting to see how this one works out.
