Has Sahara Force India missed a golden chance with Kimi?

[JayeOFarrell]

Force India has made amazing progress over the last few years and there is a good argument to say that to take the next big step forward they need to run a world champion, someone who can really push the team and car forward. If they want to brake in to the top 3 that is.

My boss and team manager of a Formula 3 team feels this is the case, he rightly pointed out that winning your first race is hard but winning the second mentally is easier. Jenson Button is a prime example.

Do you think that to really make progress this year they need to run a proven champion, like Kimi Raikkonen or even Jacque Villeneuve. A driver who can really push the team forward.

There is no disputing that Nico Hülkenberg and Paul di Resta have promising futures and are world class drivers but they are not world champions yet.

[Giblet]

Nico Hulkenberg is rated very highly. If he is another "Vettel" or "Hamilton" (ie young and deadly quick) then they could be fine. Di Resta has also shown great promise and maturity. I think they have the perfect driver lineup for where they are. Relatively young team and drivers that could punch above their weight but not challenge for wins yet.

[JayeOFarrell]

It is a very good point. Both drivers have a massive undeniable potential, I just can't help but wonder weather a experiences winner might have pulled them above the parapet of the mid-field and in to the winners lounge.

Either way I look forward to seeing there results and watching how they grow as a team this year

[beelsebob]

Consider who RBR had at the same sort of point in their growth – you're looking at Webber and Coulthard with Vettel and Buemi in the background. i.e. stable reliable drivers, and the odd could-be-awesome-soon. At no point did RBR hire in a current WDC.

[Byronrhys]

Consider who RBR had at the same sort of point in their growth – you're looking at Webber and Coulthard with Vettel and Buemi in the background. i.e. stable reliable drivers, and the odd could-be-awesome-soon. At no point did RBR hire in a current WDC.

RBR wanted Alonso though, so it proves they tried and Coulthard is a driver who is ranked near WDC level.

[JayeOFarrell]

Ideally every team wants the best driver they can, so at the moment that would be Vettle and Alonso. But those drivers want to be at the best teams.

[munudeges]

I think Force India and especially Williams missed a golden opportunity to jump themselves up the grid. Granted, a driver simply cannot design a car, but for your design team to have confidence that what work they put in on the car is going to be dragged out, plus a bit more, by the driver you need a Raikkonen, Alonso, Kubica or someone of that ilk.

Hulkenberg and Di Resta will be fine I'm sure but it remains to be seen. Sutil was dispensed with mainly because he hadn't proved after five years he could be that driver.

[raymondu999]

Consider who RBR had at the same sort of point in their growth – you're looking at Webber and Coulthard with Vettel and Buemi in the background. i.e. stable reliable drivers, and the odd could-be-awesome-soon. At no point did RBR hire in a current WDC.

RBR wanted Alonso though, so it proves they tried and Coulthard is a driver who is ranked near WDC level.

I've never heard that before. Source? I know Honda wanted Alonso; and that Alonso considered going to BMW

[Mr.S]

Force India has a fantastic DRIVER line up. Two young quick drivers who dont throw their weight like Maldonado.

Force India are a STRONG mid-field team. It is only fair they should have the best young drivers & NOT PROVEN WORLD BEATERS. Let the champion go to the bigger teams. Besides Kimi is 30+,been away from F1 & there are question marks how much time will it take for him to adjust.

Vijay Mallya is notorious for dumping old people & going with young rookies. He is a cold hearted businessman. Sahara group have a very different philosophy though. They are emotional,huge patron for Indian sports & stand by most sportsman.

There will be a CLASH somewhere down the line though. Sahara does not like to associate itself with ALCOHOL companies.

[marcush.]

I rate Hulk a bit higher up compared to Sutil who held himself well against di Resta ...Maybe someone like Barrichello could have boosted their chances even more ...not speedwise but in terms of experience -old Fisi was an asset to FI as well when they started to regain momentum.
FI really has grown and surprisingly has found a competitiveness comparable with the best Jordan times(back then the bar was not quite as high as these days methinks...)

[Byronrhys]

Consider who RBR had at the same sort of point in their growth – you're looking at Webber and Coulthard with Vettel and Buemi in the background. i.e. stable reliable drivers, and the odd could-be-awesome-soon. At no point did RBR hire in a current WDC.

RBR wanted Alonso though, so it proves they tried and Coulthard is a driver who is ranked near WDC level.

I've never heard that before. Source? I know Honda wanted Alonso; and that Alonso considered going to BMW

http://www.formula1fancast.com/2011/07/ ... orld-title

[kultmagazin]

Force India has a fantastic DRIVER line up. Two young quick drivers who dont throw their weight like Maldonado.

Force India are a STRONG mid-field team. It is only fair they should have the best young drivers & NOT PROVEN WORLD BEATERS. Let the champion go to the bigger teams. Besides Kimi is 30+,been away from F1 & there are question marks how much time will it take for him to adjust.

Completely agree with you. Kimi is risk, he will be motivated in first half of the season but his motivation in second half will depend on how good is his car. Also, he is not cheap and Hulkenberg and di Resta have more potential in future.