Facts Only wrote:I dont see why its a big deal that there wont be a brazilian in F1 next year. 20 years ago Brazilian F1 drivers meant something but since then we've had Barrichello; meh, Massa; yawn & Nasr; who? and probably some others who where so brilliant I cant remember them.
Barrichello meh? are you serious? Barrichello has always been wrongly put in the negative light because he was 'partnered' to be the 'slaveboy' of 'Der Michael'. We all know the clauses where he must pass the WDC to Schumi. The fact he was seriously close in the championships, and frankly, had won many races more - many many, actually - if he had not needed to give it to Schumacher, then there is a seriously wrong image to Rubens. The only 'mistake' you may say Rubens made was that he stayed 'too long' in F1 or 'too long' at Ferrari. It's sad he got a similar treatment at Brawn. He could have had that championship. [ i wont delve into how i do feel bad for Bruno Senna getting dumped in favor of Rubens, we might have seen a Senna being WDC immediately, who knows, and funny enough, Brazilian ].
He has been fast always and one can't forget his near-fatal crash in that horrible Imola weekend where we lost the greatest F1 driver ever.
He recovered and was still blazingly fast, whereas another brazilian [possibly hurt physically harder] did never 'recover'.
Barrichello was a great driver.
Massa similar, he was absolutely on fire when he was 'stolen' the WDC by just 1 point. He took a hit there mentally, but the next year was still superbly fast and strong despite a crappy Ferrari. He was unfortunately struck by the helmet incident and that really took it's toll, and then the Barrichello treatment to Alonso further ruined it for him. He has a bit of a crybaby whiner attitude that makes people respect him less ( i didnt think he was like that before losting the WDC and the accident, atleast not su frustrated). But Massa was great and fast.
Nasr - yeah, disappointing definately. Mediocre potential, so forgettable and replaceable.
Nelsinho Piquet [Nelson Piquet Jr.] was rather good imho, but he was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and made a really really bad decision in all those circumstances. I think he was better than most remember or want to remember him.
Perhaps not as good as his father, but I don't think he does any under for Britney Rosberg, another 'son-of' spoiled br*t, and look how he's fighting for the WDC and gets 'praise' nowadays.
Bruno Senna [Lalli] as mentioned above, was respectably good and fast, but i've always felt there was lost potential there because of a few ingredients; people not taking him serious period because of his 'heritage'. the hype around him due to the 'heritage' causing unreasonable expectations. and lastly; the hurt and shatter of losing both his great legendary uncle Ayrton Senna, and his father in a motorcycle accident and then staying out of racing for what, a decade? Facts are he beat current F1 drivers before they entered F1 fair and square, including some big names. Also, for somebody being 'out' so long he achieved rather spectacular results. Last nail to the coffin imho was his sister being his manager. It's a nice gesture, but it takes away a lot of professionalism. He lacked the ferocious hunger to win [ride or die] his uncle had. It's partially in his character i think - he really is a great bloke - and secondary exactly due to the deaths in the family him 'naturally' holding back. A shame, as i do think there was potential there and we did see flashes of it that got punished by the modern rules, and car fragility and playing undoubtedly contractually enforced second fiddle to money-carrying Maldonado.
I've always been curious about Tony Kanaan, would have liked to see him try F1 but never happened.
Digrassi, Pizzonia, Bernoldi, Marques, forgettable names (including Nasr).
Brazil has a wealthy motorsport history, and a great fanbase and heritage. Brazil GP is one of the classic and absolute legendary tracks. Brazil belongs in F1, and therefore it's sad to see it go.
There is simply a lack of decent Brazilian drivers right now, unfortunately.