McHonda wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 19:13
Greg_OR wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 04:34
PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 03:00
Whay are some people angry though? This is great news for Robert! Look how far he's come from!
Yes its great for Robert to be back in the paddock and he said himself its only next step, his goal is still the same - racing and I'm sure his tester/developer role in Williams will be significant.
But some of us (RK fanboys
remember his words after Renault test at Hungaro - he said he would need 2 more days for himself to feel ready for racing. And then the engine saga and Sainz, then Williams story where all seemed to be done and signed but SIR, Russian money, journalists theories that he is not fit nor fast etc.
All in all, those who know much about the whole situation stay calm and support RK, but many think he twice lost a seat due to politics and money (
and they aren't that wrong, are they?) so they are angry.
Depends who you ask of course. There's also reason to believe he was simply outperformed by Sirotkin in the AD test, specifically over 1 lap pace on the new tyre compound going by the reports, so they could very well be wrong.
But at least Williams are giving him another chance either way so any ill feeling towards them is misplaced imo. He's back in F1 in a full time role for 2018,something that was unthinkable a year or two ago, thanks to them. They could have just said thanks but no thanks and left it after AD test but here he is with an opportunity to show Williams what they're missing.
Sirotkin had his best time at AD on Softs. Kubica's lack of pace is based on his 2018 hypersofts (which were overheated on his only flier without traffic). Sirotkin has not shown his real pace on softer compounds because he had no chance to test it. Kubica's only outings on softs were on high fuel race trim tests, which by comparisons were probably faster than Massa's race pace. Term outperformed is based on calculations and assumptions only because SS and RK have not tested same compounds/settings/fuel loads hence only Williams can have an educated guess on their pace. I'm not bashing SS, they simply had to execute different plans (it was Pirelli test after all).
It's very unlikely Williams would say thanks but no thanks, as with such unexperienced lineup (and with all due respect, SS and LS don't strike me as an Alonso/Hamilton caliber talents), they needed someone reliable in development (Robert was famous for his very high skills in this department and did such work even after his rally crash) with experience. Sirotkin is supposedly quite good at it, too (according to Renault) but lacks experience.
With their decision, they simply needed him badly, as there were not so many better alternatives around.
Even though I'm Kubica's fan and hoped for different outcome, I really wish SS good luck and hope he does a good job, for Williams's sake.
I suppose Robert will get plenty of running time (some sources suggest at very least 8 FP). That gives him some chance to show his potential. If Williams will grant him an opportunity to drive Q3 sims at some point of course.
It can give some hope to Kubica's supporters, as last time he had a reserve driver role, he kicked out Jacques Villeneuve on merit to take his place (JV still occasionally gives some bitter remarks on Kubica). /trivia mode on/ Certain Sebastian Vettel claimed his former role, but having no real prospects on advancing to first team action, left to Torro Rosso, despite doing really decent job with 8th in GP USA 2007 (qualifying only 0.7s behind Heidfeld) ,after Kubica tested how peak 75g, 28g average crash feels like in Canada.
If SS turns out to be a good driver he will stay in F1 even if Kubica will shake off rust eventually and match or outpace him. Both of them will get their seat in such case sooner or later. I guess if it were other way round (with Kubica in race seat and SS reserve), it would be harder for SS to showcase his skills, as he would probably have much less time and attention.
