Comments on: The Ben Evans column: Piquet, Moto GP, and the star F1 driver of 2009 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/ F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog with F1 news, pictures, video, comment and analysis Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kropotkin http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-168882 Kropotkin Fri, 30 May 2008 15:06:42 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-168882 No one coming up through the ranks of motorcycle racing? Look a little further. Here's a rundown of people to watch over the next 5 years. 250s: Alvaro Bautista (who is going to be huge, but has to stay on the bike) Mika Kallio - Steady but not a genius. Good enough to compete at the top level, though. Mattias Pasini - early days, but definitely a contender. 125s: Pol Espargaro. Not having such a strong season this year, but potentially brilliant. Bradley Smith: hard worker, very focused, very fast. Scott Redding: the revelation of 2008. Is going to surprise a lot of folk. Raffaele de Rosa: Looking like an interesting prospect Micky Ranseder: The next big German star? WSBK: Max Neukirchner: is looking brilliant, will be even better when he gets the full-spec Suzuki. May choose to stay in WSBK though, and not make the jump. WSS: Joan Lascorz: Looks like the real deal. Blindingly fast on a bike which is not the fastest on the grid. Going to be interesting. Red Bull Rookies / Other series: Lorenzo Savadori. Making a big impression in the Italian championship, and making a big impression at Mugello this weekend. One to watch. Luis Salom: strong background in Spain, and an even stronger showing in the Red Bull Rookies JD Beach: another strong American in the Red Bull Rookies. Will be interesting to see how he does if he steps up to either the Spanish championship or the 125 championship Daijiro Hiura: Great in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Japan's next big thing? No one coming up through the ranks of motorcycle racing? Look a little further. Here’s a rundown of people to watch over the next 5 years.

250s:
Alvaro Bautista (who is going to be huge, but has to stay on the bike)
Mika Kallio – Steady but not a genius. Good enough to compete at the top level, though.
Mattias Pasini – early days, but definitely a contender.

125s:
Pol Espargaro. Not having such a strong season this year, but potentially brilliant.
Bradley Smith: hard worker, very focused, very fast.
Scott Redding: the revelation of 2008. Is going to surprise a lot of folk.
Raffaele de Rosa: Looking like an interesting prospect
Micky Ranseder: The next big German star?

WSBK:
Max Neukirchner: is looking brilliant, will be even better when he gets the full-spec Suzuki. May choose to stay in WSBK though, and not make the jump.

WSS:
Joan Lascorz: Looks like the real deal. Blindingly fast on a bike which is not the fastest on the grid. Going to be interesting.

Red Bull Rookies / Other series:
Lorenzo Savadori. Making a big impression in the Italian championship, and making a big impression at Mugello this weekend. One to watch.
Luis Salom: strong background in Spain, and an even stronger showing in the Red Bull Rookies
JD Beach: another strong American in the Red Bull Rookies. Will be interesting to see how he does if he steps up to either the Spanish championship or the 125 championship
Daijiro Hiura: Great in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Japan’s next big thing?

]]> By: Michael Counsell http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167528 Michael Counsell Fri, 23 May 2008 12:34:20 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167528 Dovizioso has been right on the pace in a few races, while Toseland is doing great in his first season in MotoGP. And don't forget Pazzini is coming through. Dovizioso has been right on the pace in a few races, while Toseland is doing great in his first season in MotoGP. And don’t forget Pazzini is coming through.

]]> By: Number 38 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167443 Number 38 Thu, 22 May 2008 23:07:59 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167443 Piquet ...... needs more mileage in his logbook, he shouldn't be on the F1 grid, nor Vettel, Sutil or Glock. All of these names may be good someday but ALL need more F1 mileage, we don't pay a ticket price to watch rookies in training! Replacements for the above...... De La Rosa, Klien, Davidson and even Sato !!!! I just think of the good people that we've thrown away rolling the dice on "hot shoe rookies". Piquet …… needs more mileage in his logbook, he shouldn’t be on the F1 grid, nor Vettel, Sutil or Glock.
All of these names may be good someday but ALL need more F1 mileage, we don’t pay a ticket price to watch rookies in training! Replacements for the above…… De La Rosa, Klien, Davidson and even Sato !!!! I just think of the good people that we’ve thrown away rolling the dice on “hot shoe rookies”.

]]> By: DG http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167359 DG Thu, 22 May 2008 14:36:57 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167359 Oliver - I agree he is making errors, but is this because of pressure not to upset Alonso, having seen how he behaved at McLaren, or has he been given a 'dud' car? George - Getting Davidson back in a seat would be brilliant, he deserves a second chance, but I don't see Sato going anywhere apart from another Honda team - and surely they both have strict Honda ties anyway? I think it would be good to get Grosjean into the Renault seat, to see what he would do! Oliver – I agree he is making errors, but is this because of pressure not to upset Alonso, having seen how he behaved at McLaren, or has he been given a ‘dud’ car?

George – Getting Davidson back in a seat would be brilliant, he deserves a second chance, but I don’t see Sato going anywhere apart from another Honda team – and surely they both have strict Honda ties anyway?

I think it would be good to get Grosjean into the Renault seat, to see what he would do!

]]> By: George http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167350 George Thu, 22 May 2008 13:45:12 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167350 Adding fuel to the fire re: young Piquet, I notice that grandprix.com (always a source I trust) are commenting today that there are 'rumours in the paddock' that should the Brazillian not up his game somewhat he may well be replaced in the next few races - with Super Aguri refugees Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato both being touted as possible replacements. I can't say that I would be overly disappointed to see one of those thrown an F1 lifeline... Adding fuel to the fire re: young Piquet, I notice that grandprix.com (always a source I trust) are commenting today that there are ‘rumours in the paddock’ that should the Brazillian not up his game somewhat he may well be replaced in the next few races – with Super Aguri refugees Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato both being touted as possible replacements. I can’t say that I would be overly disappointed to see one of those thrown an F1 lifeline…

]]> By: Oliver http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167340 Oliver Thu, 22 May 2008 12:57:10 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167340 The problem Piquet has isn't so much to do with the fact that he, more often than not, is at the back of the grid, but more because he is making too many errors. I do not think there is a single race he hasn't run off the track. Motogp has a 20 bike grid? I think an 18 bike grid is more like it, with a few wild cards thrown in once in a while. But correct me if I'm wrong. The problem Piquet has isn’t so much to do with the fact that he, more often than not, is at the back of the grid, but more because he is making too many errors. I do not think there is a single race he hasn’t run off the track.

Motogp has a 20 bike grid? I think an 18 bike grid is more like it, with a few wild cards thrown in once in a while. But correct me if I’m wrong.

]]> By: DG http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167332 DG Thu, 22 May 2008 12:18:56 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167332 Don't worry about MotoGP - there is a new, young, fresh, talented rider called Marcel Niederhausen who will come along and win for 7 years in a row. I wonder if Rossi is scared? As for the future F1 stars - I think the way that Hamilton was treated last year, and is still being treated, is a warning to all the up and coming drivers trying to make it to the top ranks of F1. Perhaps its time for the teams to not put so much pressure on young shoulders and just let them drive, and not do so many interviews and PR work? I believe that Piquet Jr has was it takes, but there must be tremendous pressure on him not to outshine Alonso either. Its a difficult choice to make.... Don’t worry about MotoGP – there is a new, young, fresh, talented rider called Marcel Niederhausen who will come along and win for 7 years in a row. I wonder if Rossi is scared?
As for the future F1 stars – I think the way that Hamilton was treated last year, and is still being treated, is a warning to all the up and coming drivers trying to make it to the top ranks of F1.
Perhaps its time for the teams to not put so much pressure on young shoulders and just let them drive, and not do so many interviews and PR work?
I believe that Piquet Jr has was it takes, but there must be tremendous pressure on him not to outshine Alonso either. Its a difficult choice to make….

]]> By: George http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167314 George Thu, 22 May 2008 08:44:57 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167314 I am a huge fan of Grosjean's speed and committment, but no matter how many times I watch and rewatch it, the move that he pulled on Kobayashi on the restart in Barcelona was absolutely beyond the pale. He is quick, yes. He is aggressive, yes. Does he learn to need some on-track ettiquete? Yes. The incident was rather reminiscent of Senna-Prost at Estoril in 1988, fortunately without the pitwall. That aspect of his driving character is unpleasant - as it was in Schumacher, as it was in Senna. It is, however, also indicative of a huge amount of aggression, dedication and will to win. I'm just not sure that Stirling Moss would have approved of it... I am a huge fan of Grosjean’s speed and committment, but no matter how many times I watch and rewatch it, the move that he pulled on Kobayashi on the restart in Barcelona was absolutely beyond the pale. He is quick, yes. He is aggressive, yes. Does he learn to need some on-track ettiquete? Yes. The incident was rather reminiscent of Senna-Prost at Estoril in 1988, fortunately without the pitwall. That aspect of his driving character is unpleasant – as it was in Schumacher, as it was in Senna. It is, however, also indicative of a huge amount of aggression, dedication and will to win. I’m just not sure that Stirling Moss would have approved of it…

]]> By: Nathan http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-2/#comment-167288 Nathan Thu, 22 May 2008 07:08:49 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167288 the thing that ruins MotoGP for me is they now use TC! i think Hayden has struggled with this as b4 it came in he and other riders used to slide the bike at angles i'd be scared to try on a pushbike! the thing that ruins MotoGP for me is they now use TC!
i think Hayden has struggled with this as b4 it came in he and other riders used to slide the bike at angles i’d be scared to try on a pushbike!

]]> By: Ago http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/05/21/the-ben-evans-column-piquet-moto-gp-and-the-star-f1-driver-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-167283 Ago Thu, 22 May 2008 06:30:33 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=6777#comment-167283 @the Roswelite : I tend to agree with you but to be honest all these guys are pretty fast. If you put Lewis and Heikki, Fernando, Kimi and Felipe in the Honda, Force India... guess who is going to win the races? and commercial interests are much broader than what you think. Pretty sure the indians for example want an indian driver. Very much the same as the car market some will go for the badge, some for the sheer qualities of a given car, some because of the nationality, and so on... In the case of Piquet I have been told that Renault wants to have a bresilian driver because of their business over there. Of course this is not the only reason as Piquet prooved to be quite quick in GP2 but it also is a reason for him being where he is. @the Roswelite : I tend to agree with you but to be honest all these guys are pretty fast. If you put Lewis and Heikki, Fernando, Kimi and Felipe in the Honda, Force India… guess who is going to win the races? and commercial interests are much broader than what you think. Pretty sure the indians for example want an indian driver. Very much the same as the car market some will go for the badge, some for the sheer qualities of a given car, some because of the nationality, and so on… In the case of Piquet I have been told that Renault wants to have a bresilian driver because of their business over there. Of course this is not the only reason as Piquet prooved to be quite quick in GP2 but it also is a reason for him being where he is.

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