Silly Season 2012/2013

[JimClarkFan]

In which case why did they not select Hulkenburg who for my money is the better of the two force india drivers anyway. Perez was a strange decision for macca

[Absolutelee]

I agree, though I'm super excited to see next season!

[Websta]

I'm interested in how teams assess driver talent - as they don't have access to the telemetry of drivers from other teams, how much can they assess from on-board videos and how much can they gather from results? I am concerned that Perez's average qualifying form the last 2 seasons may hinder his performance at McLaren and that he could replicate Kovalainen's disappointing 2 years at McLaren after an impressive rookie performances in a midfield team.

[raymondu999]

Someone in another thread (I forget who...sorry) theorized that Mclaren may not have wanted to have 2 drivers with the same management because that makes negotiations difficult

Yup. Yours truly

Well obviously, "why didn't team a choose driver x instead of driver y" is an eternal question for any team. The answer in reality is sort of simple I guess. They signed (whoever in their view is) the best driver that agreed to terms with them.

Of course determining the best driver isn't exactly an easy thing to do, especially if you've never worked with them.

I'm interested in how teams assess driver talent - as they don't have access to the telemetry of drivers from other teams, how much can they assess from on-board videos and how much can they gather from results? I am concerned that Perez's average qualifying form the last 2 seasons may hinder his performance at McLaren and that he could replicate Kovalainen's disappointing 2 years at McLaren after an impressive rookie performances in a midfield team.

I don't think you can assess anything based on results - results are arbitrary numbers and without a known reference point - it's very difficult (for example, in Race B where Driver X had a podium, was it him good, or was his teammate off-kilter? Was the car in fact the fastest with an underperforming driver, or was it a dog that the driver outperformed?

I too would love to understand this process. Anyone have insights? Perhaps it could even be branched to its own thread

[raymondu999]

This is a goodbye to Pic then. lol

Sad, he was matching the overrated Timo Glock.

Why must it be goodbye? Pic is supposed to be in the frame to replace Checo

[PlatinumZealot]

It was widely speculated that Paul Di Resta; who is now managed by Jenson's manager, is one of the most likely driver to fill the empty seat vacant by LH. I was wondering why Mclaren choose Perez instead? And how is this going to affect the career of this young and promising driver.

One can say that Paul brings nothing new to the table that Mclaren hasn't seen before. Though I believe he is a blazing fast driver. Whitmarsh seems to have a liking to steady drivers though.

[raymondu999]

One can say that Paul brings nothing new to the table that Mclaren hasn't seen before. Though I believe he is a blazing fast driver. Whitmarsh seems to have a liking to steady drivers though.

By that logic - what does Perez bring to the table that McLaren hasn't seen before? Curious question. Not saying you're wrong.

[marcush.]

Comparing die Restra ,Perez and Hulk +Grosjean all with comparable experience in F1

Only Perez showed significant evidence he is a potential winner -tice this year already.
He has shown right from the start in his career in formula 1 that he has the ability to extract things from the Pirelli tyres unavailable to any other driver on the same day teammate included .

I´d think this is enough to lift him a bit higher than the others...especially when everyone is moaning around about the weak tyre situation...

[Cam]

I agree marcush. what really set Perez aside, for me, was his effort in Canada. Looking at the lap time graphs, everyone was 'hitting the cliff' and dropping off significantly - except Perez - that boy just kept getting quicker. It was really that effort that made me re-look at the Sauber as a race car and Perez as a driver. When you're not in a top team, its those kind of results that make you standout as a 'driver'. Paul really hasn't risen above and beyond IMO, nothing that I can see in the graphs anyway.

[Raptor22]

Comparing die Restra ,Perez and Hulk +Grosjean all with comparable experience in F1

Only Perez showed significant evidence he is a potential winner -tice this year already.
He has shown right from the start in his career in formula 1 that he has the ability to extract things from the Pirelli tyres unavailable to any other driver on the same day teammate included .

I´d think this is enough to lift him a bit higher than the others...especially when everyone is moaning around about the weak tyre situation...

+1

I beleive PErez to be the better package after driving ability, delivery and personal backing is accounted for

[NathanOlder]

I read something from DC, saying its because he is British. Mclaren have squeezed every penny out of Britain through sponsorship with Lewis & JB. It makes financial sense to hire someone from an untapped market. Perez brings big money. Paul brings a fraction in comparisson.

Sorry cant find the link, If I do I will add it.

[Cam]

Yes, I saw that news somewhere too. McLaren would sooner have the best driver than the best wallet IMO. Take Williams as an example - 2 paid drivers and yet they're nowhere really. Money doesn't outweigh performance and McLaren get that I think as has been shown time and again. If what Whitmarsh said is true, that Perez is no longer a paying driver, then this would backup the reasons for choosing form over cash.

[spacebar2012]

I'd think Heikki would be replacing Checo at Sauber as Massa is very likely to stay at Ferrari for 2013. Where's Jaime coming in considering he's "certain" about being back in a car in 2013 and apparently has a contract in place already?
And what about poor old Sutil? He deserves another chance I think..

[Richard]

The separate thread "Why Mclaren didn't pick Paul Di Resta?" has been merged into this one (12 posts).

We do try to keep driver gossip in one place (here) to avoid the technical content of the forum being overwhelmed by driver chatter.

[Vanja #66]

It was widely speculated that Paul Di Resta; who is now managed by Jenson's manager, is one of the most likely driver to fill the empty seat vacant by LH. I was wondering why Mclaren choose Perez instead? And how is this going to affect the career of this young and promising driver.

3 of 5 top teams are completely national - McLaren is British with British drivers, Mercedes is German with German drivers, Ferrari is Italian (Latin roots) with two Latinos (sort of)... Lotus Renault is somewhat mixed, as is Red Bull, but still they are 2/3 national (French, Germanic)... That can't be good for a world-wide sport.

Also what Ray mentioned, negotiations could be a pain.