Charles Pic: An Evaluation So Far?

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BrightLampShade

BrightLampShade

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Feb 14, 2011
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Driving for Marussia doesn't exactly give you a stage to stage to shine on, even when you have a good race all the camera shows is you being lapped. Autosport gave Pic 10/10 for Hungary and it seems he's been having some good races recently with a 9/10 in Germany also. Another reason that Pic is often overlooked is that one of the other rookies this season is Grosjean who is also putting in a good performance, often stealing the best rookie award perhaps unfairly due to increased air time etc.

When Pic arrived on the scene I admit I was not exactly blown away but I have to admit his rate of improvement is exceptional. His pre season testing was both limited and in the 2011 car so it was to be expected that he'd take a while to get going really. Digging deeper into his past does actually show he's put in some good drives in the lower formulae, often being moved up before he's had a chance to settle and win said formulae.

So what do we all think of Pic? At first I was a doubter but I know honestly believe he has a real chance in F1. There are rumors (and this will upset a few people) that Sauber (famous for taking rookies) are looking at replacing the slightly faltering Kobayashi with Pic next season, who knows, maybe he is destined for a greater future sooner rather than later <ok>
 
No doubt that Pic's best performance so far has been at Hungary. Of course, you're quite right about his team, BLS; but beating Glock is no mean feat.
However, regardless of his car, I did not think he was driving well enough, up until this point.

One other thing I'd like to add is that he is a real rookie, whereas Grosjean really is not!

[Edit: one other point I'd like to make is that Hungary can be a very good indicator of a driver's real racing ability. It is a very technical circuit and requires a very disciplined mentality from a driver who can always keep it tidy. For this reason, his last drive was particularly impressive to me.]
 
I don't understand how Pic was a second per lap faster than Glock in Hungary. I suspect it has something to do with Glock's new chassis rather than amazing driving by Pic. Glock is a good consistent driver and one of the best on the grid in terms of car control so it can't be Pic alone making the difference. However I will admit even before Hungary he was impressive on some occasions (but then so was D'Ambrosio).

Also Glock is confirmed for 2013 despite not having sponsors. Pic brings in money but his future is still undecided. If Pic is better than Glock then the team would replace Glock with a pay driver and keep Pic regardless of how much money he bring to the team. To be honest I don't think Pic will be driving in F1 next season. If Sauber do sign a new driver, it will probably be Kovalainen or Gutierrez.
 
I agree with your points about Glock, Forza. The new chassis is effectively a test bed and it should be obvious why it is he, rather than his team mate driving it.
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Taking your point further, I think it's a bit of a shame Timo has not been given a better opportunity from another team; and I believe his F1 career has perhaps been unfortunate.

With Jordan's financial difficulties signing both Pantano and the death certificate a year in advance (before Jordan became Midland F1), Glock's testing role for the team was somewhat hidden. Scoring points on his début was impressive, albeit as a result of drop-outs ahead; but when money became the biggest headache for the team, he came over to USA for a year in Champ Cars, before returning to Europe for two seasons in GP2, winning the 2007 Championship, whilst also being signed as BMW Sauber's second test driver.

When Kubiça had his big (BMW Sauber) crash in Canada, Glock seemed as likely to take the race seat as anyone. However, they eventually decided upon Vettel, which helped attract attention from Mateschitz: owner of Red Bull and Toro Rosso.

It would be easy (but of course, futile) to speculate that Glock and Vettel might each have been wearing the other's shoes&#8230;
 
Glock really impressed me at Toyota, it looked like he had the potential to go on to very good things. If he could reverse time, he would accept the Renault drive this time IMO. Why he chose Virgin instead of Renault still confuses me. If Pic is beating Glock, then he must be doing something right.
 
Kyle? said:
Glock really impressed me at Toyota, it looked like he had the potential to go on to very good things. If he could reverse time, he would accept the Renault drive this time IMO. Why he chose Virgin instead of Renault still confuses me. If Pic is beating Glock, then he must be doing something right.
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Didnt he not because of 2008 Singapore?

I've never really rated Glock. Infact, he's never beaten a team mate in the WDC, and I don't see why he ever has hype. Pic is his best team mate so far, but I dont think he's good enough for race wins/championships.
 
Not quite the success of the Senna thread, poor Pic. With the Marussia a good second a lap down on Caterham, and cars so relieable these days, there's little he can do right now to prove he has talent other than beat Glock.
 
Well since Seb was almost invisible during the 2007-08 years I'll hold judgement on my opinion of Pic until he gets into a better team.......if he ever gets into a better team that is!
 
I always rated Glock at Toyota and expected better things from him in his career. Though he has been a bit erratic, I also rate Pic, as does Roadrunner, I'm surprised he hasn't commented. I also got a decent haul of points from him on the sweepstake, earlier this season, if that's any indication ;)

Unfortunately, the second seat at Marussia/Virgin seems to be a poisoned chalice but I hope he can keep his seat or move elsewhere within F1.
 
I've always thought Glock was a fairly decent driver, hampered a bit by being the least fashionable German driver on the grid, as Cosi mentioned Pic is beng 'outshone' by Grosjean who has had some decent results, but also had some pretty poor performances, even his single lap races had mre airtime than pics, who you only get to see when he's being lapped, I'll try and take a better look in future.
 
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