I don’t think di Resta deserves to continue, he hasn’t done anything huge to make himself stand out, apart from moaning that all the big teams overlooked him, which I don’t think in itself is a very bright idea.
Personally I don’t feel Bianchi is ready for a drive in F1. From what I’ve seen in GP2 and FR3.5, his driving just isn’t up to scratch, and he’s really a coalition of Maldonado and Grosjean.
I think the reason Force India are biding their time so much is that they are really struggled to find drivers who they feel can pull them forwards, and not pay drivers. They’re really limited to di Resta and Bianchi, or trying to pick out Alguersuari, Kovalainen or Glock from the discarded pile.
With regards to Caterham and Marussia, who clearly are the complete opposite and do need pay drivers, thanks to the loss of Kovalainen and Glock respectively (okay, likely loss in the first case), they’re not as limited to options. They have Senna, Petrov, van der Garde, Valsecchi, Razia, Bianchi, Alguersuari (who has a bit of sponsorship money does he not?), heck, even Karthikeyan! It’s going to boil down to which amount of money can fill which seat, but I think the Marussia opening has given a huge boost to Senna’s prospects.
I’d like to see Alguersuari, Kovalainen, Glock, van der Garde and Senna get the remaining seats, but that’s purely biased, and also 5 drivers with only 4 seats available.
Looking through the drivers though:
Senna – Has money for any seat, though his sponsor’s are unsure about spending, what would quite possibly be his last season in F1, a year at the back. I should imagine they are pushing for the Force India seat, but I can’t really see them pulling it off, though it would bring into Force India a somewhat solid talent and some cash.
di Resta – Has the fact that he has driven for FI for the last two seasons on his side, but really has nothing to show for it. I think FI are waiting because they feel they could do better.
Bianchi – Has money and backing from Ferrari, though I don’t think he is ready, and I believe Force India feel somewhat similar.
Alguersuari – Didn’t make a smart move earlier in the year shouting his mouth off that he had a drive, and yet not ending up in a seat so far. He brings money, and in my eyes, quite a bit of youth and talent that can be nurtured, I feel he would be a great fit at Force India, but his bit of cash, and experience, could make him a bet for Caterham or Marussia as well.
Kovalainen – I’d love to see him stay with Caterham and score their first point, but it’s looking so unlikely. If Force India don’t make a move for him, I’ll be very sad to see Heikki go.
Glock – Another one who deserves a seat but doesn’t bring money, again his only real chance is FI, if they don’t grab him, Timo will also make a sad exit from the sport.
Petrov – Had money, but the important word there was ‘had’. I’ve heard lots saying he has run out of cash, but he is still being linked to seats, Caterham, and now Marussia too because of the Russian connection. I think a lot of this is hype though and I don’t see him staying around.
van der Garde – Has links to Caterham, a pile of cash, and has a wise race head on his shoulders. Could be consistent for Caterham but probably not enough to push them forwards, who knows though, might come into his own in F1.
Valsecchi – I don’t like him, I think he’s too big headed and miserable. He has money but I doubt Force India would take him. He had ties to Caterham but surely he cut them when he left Air Asia to race for DAMS? Not been linked to Marussia as far as I’m aware, can’t see him in this year.
Razia – Also drove for Air Asia but left Arden, surely severing his ties with the team? No link to Marussia or Force India and unlikely to be on the grid.
Karthikeyan – He has money, but surely no-one would take him. Then again, he returned in 2011, so stranger things have happened.
