posted Nov 7, 2008

Having a 2nd tier team mate for a second year will suit Alonso down to the ground. After all, we all know what happens if he has a team mate that's any good don't we?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

Before disposing of the services of either Button or Barricello Honda should do the decent thing and give them a decent car for once. Let them show what they can do with a competitive car rather than the heaps of s**t they have had for the last few years, and then judge them.
Introducing new drivers to a new totally new car is not the most sensible move, and will hinder development at a crucial time for Honda.
Maybe those who have already dismissed Button as a has-been will be able to make a valid judgement once he is given a similar car to the one that saw him podium regularly and win in Hungary. Seems a distant memory now, but his loyalty for sticking with it deserves an extended contract.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

I agree with Sortit. Give B 'n' B the chance to prove themselves in what will hopefully be Honda's first competitive car for a few seasons.

I'd take either Di Grassi or Senna on as well (both, if possible).

If the senior drivers still aren't cutting it after the first few races, I'd let the younger drivers get some laps in during free practice. If they prove to be quicker, they get to race.

Of course, thats all subject to how and when you're allowed to switch drivers - I don't know what the rules are for this sort of thing.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

Thoughout his career NPJ has always improved vastly on his second season of British F3 and second season on GP2, so if he can make that improvement again on F1 he should be OK, and I think that is why Renault have kept him.

His main problem this year has been qualifying and he needs to sort that out to fight for points regularly. He is usually very close to Alonso in Saturday final practice and race pace even, but starting further back on the grid limits what he can do, and forces him to go for long first stints which then make the car difficult to drive, wears the tyres more and makes it more likely small mistakes will get punished - all this is according to Renault people by the way (if you listen to their podcasts).

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

It's probabaly a case of this in the Renault office.

"So, should we retain Piquet?"
"Well, he's been completely outclassed this season and is probably underperforming a car.
"Right, so let's get someone else, how about an upshot rookie from GP2?"
"Great idea! And Alonso can mentor him, he'll get on great with a rookie!"

*Pause*

"Actually, I think we better retain Piquet."

[Yes, I know Piquet was in his rookie season, but he was pretty crap :p]

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

Lucas di Grassi and Senna are the best options for honda. Especially as Petrobas switched from sponsering Williams to Honda and they are brazillian.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

I just don't see why people think that Button will be dumped because Honda are giving a couple of rookies a try out. With Barrichello's career coming to an end (as it must) it seems logical to line up replacements.
But, they would be insane to bring in two untried drivers for their new car, and, anyway, Brawn has promised from day 1 that he would give Jensen a winning car for 2009 and I can't see him not keeping his promise, at least for one season. As for Button himself, I have no doubt he'll prove his capabilites again, in a competitive car.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

if you ask me Piquet does not deserve to be in F1 period

Di Grassi would have probably posed too much of a threat to Alonso


As for Honda

They have to keep Jenson because starting the season with two rookies never works see Jordan 97

So the three Brazilians will go for the other seat .

If Senna comes out better than Di Grassi in testing then he will get the driver I am sure

As for Rubens people seem to forget he had 6 years driving a Ferrari which was the best car

but he was stupid to believe he would ever get a fair chance to beat Michael Schumacher so wasted his best years to become world champion

Keeping him for one more season will mean Honda will be in the same position next year looking to dump him unless he becomes world champion high unlikely

So Honda must keep Jenson as the experienced driver with a rookie teammate

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

Musthavename, thanks for that. That was pretty good.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 7, 2008

In my opinion Piquet has worked hard to get his second change. If we look at the last few races of the season he was much closer to Alonso. He also scored 19 points during the season

On the Honda front I believe Honda should keep Barrechello. He was the one who got all Hondas points bar three points. He also got Hondas first podium since 2006, he also out preformed Button in every department on the track.

In my opinion Button has passed it. He has won race in 150 starts and the race he won was because it was wet and all the top drivers had problems and even then Button nearly lost the race to Perdo De La Rosa who came second. If we look back to 2004 when Button did have the car to compete he did win any races, he had chances but did take them. He also made an ass of himself with whole Williams thing.

So with Honda I believe they should give a chance to either Di Grassi or Senna because both the hunger to be in F1 and also have the hunger to achieve in the sport. Also what they have is youth and we saw what can happen with youth with Vettel this season at Toro Rosso.

add comment | complain about this comment