[olivelappers]

Haven't heard much about this youngster but today in testing he kicked butt and took names !! So if he didn't have a major car advantage they should probably consider moving him into a testing role this year at Red Bull or even driver at Toro!

[realnilkless]

Haven't heard much about this youngster but today in testing he kicked butt and took names !! So if he didn't have a major car advantage they should probably consider moving him into a testing role this year at Red Bull or even driver at Toro!

All these test do is indicate potential but going to F1 now is too soon. He has to learn about car set up - communisctaing with the engineers and hone his race craft steadily.

Next season he will move into FR3.5 and then into GP2 if all goes to plan. There is no rush.

Just as Hulkenberg turned down Ferrari this year to replace Massa so it is the correct decision for F3 champ Ricciardo to njoy his current fun, but move to F1 if and when the time is right.

[werkeeque]

Over a second clear of the field tells me he can fine-tune his set-up ability while he's employed.

[DrunkMans]

I wouldn't be surprised if STR dump one of their current drivers halfway through the year and shoehorn Ricciardo in.

[poRmawayncmop]

I'm surprised an Australian didn't start this thread.

You guys are lagging!

[realnilkless]

Over a second clear of the field tells me he can fine-tune his set-up ability while he's employed.

Lets not make these Jerez test days more than they are. There is a vast difference between teams doing different things at different times for different reasons.

Ricciardo has potential and that has been evident since his FR2.0 days - but there is a development process that should not be dismissed.

His turn will come in f1. A good example of good management? Nico Hulkenberg. How many drivers would have correctly resisted the temptation to jump into the Ferrari this year to replace Massa? Good man that Hulkenberg in my view.

[realnilkless]

I wouldn't be surprised if STR dump one of their current drivers halfway through the year and shoehorn Ricciardo in.

That is the worst idea and Ricciardo should refuse any such solicitation. How can you recommend such an action when as you are aware that no testing outside of the simulator is allowed?

In days past when sense prevailed, a driver like Ricciardo could use his off weeks to test for a team during a season. And it was not unusual for teams to run drivers for an entire grand prix distance each time.

If you really want Ricciardo to succeed let him have his time in FR3.5 and maybe GP2. There really is no rush.

[DrunkMans]

How can you recommend such an action when as you are aware that no testing outside of the simulator is allowed?

Are you suggesting I would recommend it?

[Attaniuri]

I wouldn't be surprised if STR dump one of their current drivers halfway through the year and shoehorn Ricciardo in.

I suspect such scenario as well, it would be very tostesque... though the problem for Ricciardo would be that he is the man, who is going to be dumped mid-2011.

[ibupronec]

I'm surprised an Australian didn't start this thread.

You guys are lagging!

There is no doubting that danny is a talented driver, and could be an F1 candidate of the future, but all of the current crop of rookies (except Kamui Kobayashi) have been, well, disappointing.

I think he needs a bit more experience first in more higher powered machines. I just hope he doesn't do a Davidson/patritzi and come home to the v8supercars.

Give him time, the boy will come good. Just when Webber is on the out (and i hope that day never comes )

[amelveEnromma]

There is no doubting that danny is a talented driver, and could be an F1 candidate of the future, but all of the current crop of rookies (except Kamui Kobayashi) have been, well, disappointing.

Buemi says hello...

[ehib8yPc]

Buemi says hello...

As far as I know he was also the only '09 rookie to have done any significant testing before racing.

That alone is such a colossal advantage that there's almost no comparison.

[EzekelEnzino]

Haven't heard much about this youngster but today in testing he kicked butt and took names !! So if he didn't have a major car advantage they should probably consider moving him into a testing role this year at Red Bull or even driver at Toro!

Testing is just testing, it means nothing in terms of ultimate speed and Badoer is the living proof to that.

[werkeeque]

Testing is just testing, it means nothing in terms of ultimate speed and Badoer is the living proof to that.

I'm not ready to say that testing is a CERTAIN way to determine that a driver is ready, but I'm quite sure that it doesn't mean NOTHING. That is, I believe certain things can be illuminated through testing, and that a team can figure out if a driver is up to the task.

[ehib8yPc]

Testing is just testing, it means nothing in terms of ultimate speed and Badoer is the living proof to that.

The teams can call the shots because they know all the variables and we do not.

Ferrari were not fooled... they knew Badoer's ultimate speed was lacking all along. That's why it took 10 years, 2 injured drivers and a bit of questionable politics from the CEO to get him to finally start a race.

[Mowselelew]

In days past when sense prevailed, a driver like Ricciardo could use his off weeks to test for a team during a season. And it was not unusual for teams to run drivers for an entire grand prix distance each time.

If you really want Ricciardo to succeed let him have his time in FR3.5 and maybe GP2. There really is no rush.

+1

[maxtp]

If you really want Ricciardo to succeed let him have his time in FR3.5 and maybe GP2. There really is no rush.

agreed. +2.

drivers need to develop and shouldn't be expected to go from something like F3 or world series by renault straight to F1 (a-la Alguersuari-who only had 1/2 a season in WS by Renault)

A young driver should do at least 1 FULL season in GP2 before being considered for F1 IMO. otherwise you are just taking them on too early (only the absolute greats like Senna can make a jump of 2 series or more straight up to F1 and be a success-but he was different-very different)

[drislerfottor]

agreed. +2.

drivers need to develop and shouldn't be expected to go from something like F3 or world series by renault straight to F1 (a-la Alguersuari-who only had 1/2 a season in WS by Renault)

A young driver should do at least 1 FULL season in GP2 before being considered for F1 IMO. otherwise you are just taking them on too early (only the absolute greats like Senna can make a jump of 2 series or more straight up to F1 and be a success-but he was different-very different)

I can think of a couple of more recent champions who jumped straight into F1 from national F3/Formula Renault series. One of them never even won the national series Vettel also skipped the step below F1. While a career path through GP2 might be the optimum, I don't think it's really necessary.

If you look at the guys who have come through GP2 to F1 so far it's been a bit hit and miss. Hamilton and Rosberg were the hits, Glock and Kovaleinen fair to middling, Speed and Piquet Jr both unsuccessful. Glock was in F1 before GP2 as well of course - is he better now than he was at Jordan? Has he benefitted from being in GP2? An arguable point.

If you pitted all the drivers who came through F3000/GP2 against all the drivers who jumped straight up from a lower series I don't think there would be that much in it performance-wise.

The "no in-season testing" idea changed the situation this year, but we might be seeing the back of that one by the end of the week.

[usatramadolusa]

Does anyone know whether or not you should pronounce the second "i" in Ricciardo? Martin Haven called him "Riccardo" all season on the Channel 4 coverage, but after about a dozen variations of "Alguersuari" the year before I don't know whether I should trust his judgment...

[werkeeque]

I can think of a couple of more recent champions who jumped straight into F1 from national F3/Formula Renault series. One of them never even won the national series Vettel also skipped the step below F1. While a career path through GP2 might be the optimum, I don't think it's really necessary.

If you look at the guys who have come through GP2 to F1 so far it's been a bit hit and miss. Hamilton and Rosberg were the hits, Glock and Kovaleinen fair to middling, Speed and Piquet Jr both unsuccessful. Glock was in F1 before GP2 as well of course - is he better now than he was at Jordan? Has he benefitted from being in GP2? An arguable point.

If you pitted all the drivers who came through F3000/GP2 against all the drivers who jumped straight up from a lower series I don't think there would be that much in it performance-wise.

Finally, someone has an opinion in this thread that's been backed up with some data (I'm including myself in this criticism). Good point and well-supported.