Drivers like Senna, di Grassi, Grosjean or Buemi have almost no experience in these cars compared to that. That shows that the testing rules need to be modified to help young drivers learn the basics. The risk of taking them on board has become just too big. Drivers like Glock, Piquet or Bourdais have learnt so much in their first season that it can never be matched by a newcomer in just a few races.

Also agree with the view above that if Testing restrictions cannot be lifted for cost saving, then give access to new drivers to “Simulators”

JPM,DC, Kimi are essentially “work in the race” type drivers, One of the Reason Dennis the control freak was never comfortable with these blokes, was they were already set in a typical Mould which Ron couldn’t undo and impart his ways.

And as one of the poster mentioned above – If Indeed Lewis has denied having benifitted from “hours and hours” Ron made him test in the simulator. Thats one big slap in face of Ron by the Young Man (And I am not surprised to see that). That ungraceful kid knew every bump and every gradiation of every circuit,even before he had stepped foot on it

Consider something for a moment- if Fernando wanted his teams to win the WCC, do you think he would have opened his mouth and helped ignite an inter-team firestorm at McLaren last year? Just asking…..

First up, this was easily the worst-kept secret around F1 for the last month or so, and we all saw it coming, esp. after FA turned up on the top step in Singapore. It’s just anohter example of Flavio and Fernando padding their egos and saying “Look at us!!!” With that said, Piquet still has his drive because…….
- He’s got a big name that brings attention
- He’s tied to major financial backers
- Most importantly, he won’t challenge Fernando.

Sure, we can say that McLaren and Renault want the top guys in both cars, but honestly, how many people out there really celebrate the WCC? It’s all about their no. 1 drivers, and McLaren and Renault will be keen to keep their current lineups for some time.

Last 8 races (Top 4)

Alonso: 48
Massa: 43
Hamilton: 40
Vettel: 29

Nelson has had a dreadful season in a car that Alonso said was undriveable in many times during the season. And with TC banned was much more for a rookie ( I´d like to see some of the top drivers in that car last season, and see how good they did compared to Nelson). I´m sure he will do better next season. And with more power in the engine things will be much tight in front. I think next season will be much more interenting that this one. There is a race now to get the best car, as every one begins from almost zero, and do not forget the KERS.

BTW, has anyone seen the advertisment of a BMW with an energy recovery system from the brakes?. It is on sale now at your next cardealer. Hum…..

As far as the next pairings

Honda: Button-Senna
STR: Bourdais-Buemi

He was never expected to beat his team mate or compete with him all season. He was not expected to make so many silly mistakes while under no pressure whatsoever.

Mclaren have always wanted the best drivers they can get in their team. Heikki was a choice forced on them. They wanted Rosberg and a few others, and no way would they not give Rosberg equal machinery.
Heikki is still adjusting to the car after 2 years driving a Renault with a different characteristics. The problem he has is not so much that he qualifies with a heavier fuel load, its just mainly that he is not able to maintain a steady pace during the race, so a light fuel load might compromise his chances during the race.

Some older drivers need to leave and make room for up coming talent. Barichello isn’t going to be world champion even if he drives a Ferrari right now, neither will be, Fisichella and a few others.
My fear with Button is that, if he cannot motivate Honda all these seasons to produce a car worthy of winning championships, then he is also a passenger in that team, and the team thus needs a driver who can motivate them.

Simulators don’t make a driver any better. Kimi used the simulator at Mclaren and it didn’t make him world champion, like wise Coulthard and Montoya. Matter of fact, the driver who has used Mclaren’s simulator the most is Pedro, and much good it has done him. Even Hamilton has said the Simulator isn’t much help.
True drivers will stand out every time, if help is needed in knowing what direction the track goes, any video game can help with that.

HONDA: Button + Senna
STR: Buemi + Di Grassi

By the way, senna and Di grassi are fighting for a Honda´s seat, but at this point a seat in STR seems to be a better way…..