Comments on: F1 links: Bourdais may sue Toro Rosso

By: Bosley

Bosley — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:47:47 +0000

A bit early to say why SB took this course of action(s), perhaps STR wasn’t planning on honouring their part of the contract and this is merely a way to make STR ‘aware’ of their obligations. It happens all the time in the corporate world, so I don’t understand why people here are so surprised. Also, perhaps he doesn’t intend to continue F1 and as such the burning bridges thing is kind-of a non-problem for him, he still is a great driver very well capable of touring cars etc.

Just wait a bit longer before passing the final judgement on him.

By: The Limit

The Limit — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:15:15 +0000

Its sad to see any driver’s career in F1 come to an end, but the least Bourdais can do is leave the sport with some shred of dignity. I suspect that there may well be more to this story than meets the eye, and that this decision to drop Bourdais was not only due to a lack of performance.
As for the comments bad mouthing Champcar, I find this amusing. We are all racing fans, all petrolheads, and to win four championships in any top racing series demands a certain amount of respect.
It just goes to show how difficult it is for a racing driver to transcend between series, and be successful in them all. Mario Andretti for example, achieved success in everything he competed in, as have a host of others.
As for taking legal action, pointless! About as good an idea as trying to nail jelly to a wall, it just won’t stick.
The one story I find real interesting is the one involving Nico Rosberg. I have always felt that Rosberg would gravitate towards McLaren, even after it was
announced that Kovalainen had been awarded the drive
instead. Its just far too cosy, considering his
friendship with Lewis Hamilton and the fact that he is German, driving a Mercedes Benz.

By: db

db — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:54:31 +0000

there are many different dimensions to being a successful driver; andretti/piquet for example were technical wizards .. senna would raise his concentration to ungodly levels .. prost/schumacher could measure risk (a slippery goddess indeed) in real-time .. helio castroneves can galvanize an entire organization .. mansell would will the car to victory .. etc etc etc.

the only distinguishing thing i saw out of bourdais was a lack of charisma. the difference between what he promised and what he delivered (example: he predicted better performance when f1 got back to slick tires .. only to be beaten by an even greener teammate) remained consistently large. all i can say is that a driver with his experience should know better than to appear confused and deluded to the racing public. oops, i forgot about rubens.

By: Michel S.

Michel S. — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:23:16 +0000

Verstappen sued Arrows for replacing him with Frentzen, I thought? I can’t recall a driver suing for being replaced during the season, though.

By: James Brickles

James Brickles — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:29:03 +0000

And back on topic here, In the years that I’ve known F1 (Season reviews from 1989), I’ve never seen a driver suing his own team for sacking him.

If Bourdais’ case is unsuccessful, he’ll probably return to America to race in the IndyCar series.

By: James Brickles

James Brickles — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:24:42 +0000

“Sebastien Bourdais isn’t taking his dismissal by Toro Rosso lying dow”

Surely, you mean down?

By: Wesley

Wesley — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:07:30 +0000

hear…hear lionfan99.

No need to burn bridges…nor,sling mud at the team who gave you the chance at the top of motor racing.

I still say he would have performed well if he wasn’t driving that dog of a car but,I suppose he will never get that chance.

By: John H

John H — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:20:17 +0000

Yes, I think I went a bit too far there – he’s not been too bad, I guess after his champ car exploits people were just expecting a bit more.

Also, who knows what’s really been going on behind the scences – perhaps Bourdais could have a point.

By: Gman

Gman — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:42:44 +0000

Absolutley agree YeaMon.

By: YeaMon

YeaMon — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:25:20 +0000

That’s quite an ignorant thing to say.