They will know the risks when they sign up to the Red Bull program. All will think they are the best and will have a shot at one of the F1 seats. If they think they're better off being 'independent' then they can go their own way on the motorsport ladder. F1 drivers are an exclusive club, so there will always be more losers than winners in the fight to get on the grid. The hope is always that the best will shine through and make it. F1 after all is supposed to be the best drivers in the world, so if red Bull have a pool of drivers to choose from, they can see which ones are the real deal, and those that are just good drivers. I applaud Red Bull for putting so much money into motorsport to give so many drivers a chance to get into F1. Is it creating a false dream for some, maybe, but at least they got a shot, which is more than a lot get. Most drivers who are no longer in the Red Bull family have found driver in other formula, so its not all lost. Some are called Scott Speed, well, he was just an arse and deserved what he got. nothing.
What you talking about. He was always beating people.... ......like his wife .. oooohhh I went there.
I have no issue with youth and young drivers, but I am concerned that a decission like this could be bad for F1. Regardless of how he does (and I hope he does well) I find it very difficult to understand how someone with so little relevant experience can just walk into a drive, especially as F1 is viewed as being the pinnacle of Motorsport. I remember the uproar of Kimi having such a limited number of open wheel races under his belt and the shock when Jenson got the Williams drive, yet ever since Lewis phenomenal rise to fame it seems the norm that really young drivers can get a seat via different means. I think it can devalue the work, years and finance some of the older drivers (21-25) have put into motorsport and potentially devalue the sport itself. Fastest & Most expensive Formula = Certain Driver Capability/Experience.
Lewis made his F1 debut at the age of 22, practically a pensioner compared to Jenson, Kimi etc, but he was arguably better prepared as McLaren had kept him in lower formula for longer, and in all honesty it showed. Didn't Kimi come straight from Formula Renualt and didn't even do F3? Whilst we have raised questions on young drivers in the past (there was a lot of debate about Kyvatt I think), the majority have done well and not shown themselves to be a danger to others on the grid. If Verstappen is granted a superlicence, then it means the FIA are satisfied he is good enough. I personally think that drivers should go through the Formula's in order so as to get racing experience of machines with progressively higher levels of power/grip etc and shouldn't get to F1 unless they have done at least a season of GP2/WSR or equivalent formula.
He is replacing Mikey, who at the age of 4 has not shown the promise expected of him when he was 2 and falls off his car too much. please log in to view this image
Kimi didnt have the required number of races to qualify for a super license and was given race by race dispensation and as you state Lewis was much older and had a huge amount of experience compared to the last couple of RB youngsters. The point I was trying to make was that alot questioned how the likes of Kimi, JB & Lewis could either get into F1 or into the teams they did - yet the latest recruites are magnifying the debate over the required age and/or experience.
Didn't realize Kimi was on a race by race basis. Maybe they'll do the same with Verstappen, or at least consider as part of winter testing whether he looks competent enough. I'm sure he will be. Do you know what the minimum age is to have a superlicence?
In retrospect Hamilton ages to get to F1 Won formula Renault 2.0, then Euro F3, then GP2. So many steps!
You would like to think that most drivers who race in elite formulas would have a CV like that. Obviously everyone cant win the same championship, but there are many variances across the world.
Not sure if there is one. I think you cant compete in cars until the year of your 14th birthday and there are age and weight stipulations on all kart formulas - guided by the MSA or european/world equivalent. Obvioulsy the FIA can pretty much make up their own rules for participation. In relation to Kimi (and other young drivers in the past) I'm pretty sure that they had to go and complete some crazy test mileage to even be considered/evaluated - drivers now dont even get that option.
There are rumours that Vettel will go to McLaren, replacing Button. Though I don't think Vergne is going to Red Bull: Jean-Eric Vergne @JeanEricVergne · Aug 19 Toro Rosso is a good school. I learnt a lot. Now focussed on a great end of season. I'm already working for 2015. Still a lot to show in F1
I was wondering if Honda would be having a sniff at Kobi for McLaren, seems fairly unlikely though. Wonder if Red Bull would take Button for one season, use him as a stop gap as they evaluate the two younguns at STR?
I really can't see that coming about. I'm not sure where he'd go if McLaren drop him other than retirement from F1. I can't see him being content in a Sauber or something similar either. Fizzling out in that manner wouldn't be particularly pleasant. Maybe he'd follow Webber's lead.
I think he's pretty much doomed to fizzle out even if McLaren do keep him on. I never see whats in it for Alonso/Vettel/Hamilton whenever these rumours surface. McLaren may be getting works status next season, but nobody has any clue at this point if that Honda engine is going to be any good and its not like the Mercedes power has been the problem with the cars of the past two years.
is unfazed, particularly as a top-three finish in the FIA’s top F3 category will ensure he receives the most important document — a F1 super license As to Berger, it may serve him to watch a few season reviews – a certain Kimi Raikkonen went from karting to Formula Renault to Formula One within a year. Not F3 will say the pedantics. In which case, I’ll mention Jarno Trulli. World Karting champion, he entered and won a few F3 races at the end of 1995 due to his karting commitments. In 1996 won the German F3 title and was in F1 in 1997. By mid season had replaced an injured Olivier Panis and led the Austrian Grand Prix until his car failed.
I agree. However I dont blame Ron for trying to nail down a decent driver line up for the future - also Schuey made the jump to Ferrari when they were pants so its not unheard of. I cant believe that RB will put JV in the other seat, although Ricc has had a brilliant season so far I think he is a far cry from a lead driver or developer and needs another season or so alongside a driver like Vettel - IMO.
I thought he might follow Webber, but in a reasonably recent interview I'm sure I saw him saying he wouldn't consider another series. Perhaps he'll reconsider if he feels his career is being ended earlier than he planned.
