Who will be the next Ferrari Driver

[Mr Alcatraz]

There seems to be a close fight this week in testing between Sergio Perez, and Jules Bianchi. I thought Bianchi had the inside track, but he will not bring the intra-market money that Perez will!

“Sergio proved to be aggressive and quick right from the start and was able to adapt to the car in a very short space of time,” said academy chief Luca Baldisserri.

“He is very mature for his age, displaying an understanding that goes beyond the time he has spent driving single seaters.”

Perez’s best time, however, was eclipsed by the other academy member Jules Bianchi, a French GP2 driver and Ferrari’s official reserve in 2011.

Perez admitted his objective is to race for Ferrari one day.

I threw Kubica in there because he may not be too happy with (or be able to make) his current team’s recent ultimatum.

[beelsebob]

Other – Sebastian Vettel, in a year's time.

[donskar]

Should this be in the Silly Season 2011/2012 thread?

On Bianchi versus Perez: apparently they were on different programs, so the times might not be comparable.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Should this be in the Silly Season 2011/2012 thread?

On Bianchi versus Perez: apparently they were on different programs, so the times might not be comparable.

It wouldn't let me add it but I did think I put it in general, not races.

Mods could you move this to the apropriate page/topic?
I picked other, and Perez, That other being Britney!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CduA0TULnow&ob=av2e

[doink]

Perez twice?

[raymondu999]

Other – Sebastian Vettel, in a year's time.

Wow. You think we'll see Vettel at Ferrari in 2013?

[donskar]

Other – Sebastian Vettel, in a year's time.

Wow. You think we'll see Vettel at Ferrari in 2013?

No.

[Lurk]

I threw Kubica in there because he may not be too happy with (or be able to make) his current team’s recent ultimatum.

And Kubica was closed to replace Massa last year and a good friend of Alonso.

But my first choice would be Perez, even if it would be great to have a french driver in Formula one. Bianchi regulary runs the F60 in Fiorano so it is not a surprise he was faster.

[raymondu999]

Actually other than Kubica, Mark (Webber) is quite good friends with Alonso too I believe

[Lurk]

Didn't know that. But I think Mark is too old to replace Massa. He will just end his carreer with RBR, or maybe in a smaller team like Barrichello.

And Ferrari could already prepare Alonso departure. Training a winning driver during 3-4 years (2012/2013 to 2016) to become first driver at Alonso retirement wouldn't be a bad move.

[raymondu999]

They tried to do that with Massa. In fact if that happens to be Perez he'll have just about followed the same route as Felipe. I don't know though; Ferrari's "homegrown" number 1 drivers have never really tended to go well; save for Felipe in 2008 with a nearly-title. Their number 1 drivers who come in as established talents seem to fare better (Raikkonen, Schumacher, Alonso)

I'm somehow still convinced that the next "Number 1" will be Seb V actually. Ferrari did drop a bit of a bombshell (in my view) last year after the Spanish Grand Prix where Mark dominated. They said that any performance as such would be looked at by Ferrari but I think his performance since then hasn't really gone on to bolster that statement.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Not that they need it but Perez, will bring millions of fans with him. I almost learned the hard way that Mexicans identify with their indigenous roots. They share a common language with Spain however I once said to a Mexican that I played Baseball with many years ago that he had Spanish roots. That comment almost came down to dukes between us. Another more anglicized Mexican explained to me that most Mexicans consider themselves descendants of Aztecs that were plundered by the Spanish who were a diseased impure breed.

[beelsebob]

Other – Sebastian Vettel, in a year's time.

I wouldn't be certain of it, but I wouldn't be surprised either. Give it a single year where RBR aren't top dog, and Ferrari are, and Vettel will be in a prancing horse the year after.