The chances of Bruno

[WhiteBlue]

There has been tons of hype around Bruno Senna for ages but is hasn't really hit F1 head lines in a big way so far. Gerhard Berger probably has been deepest involved with steering Bruno's career over the years. It is significant that Gerhard has always taken the view that a GP2 title is an adamant requirement for an F1 call. The tune has been changing over the last two weeks. Bruno is still only P2 in GP2 but Gerhard has lost his fastest driver to Red Bull Racing next year. So right now he isn't sticking to his guns any more and says that Bruno is seriously on the list for next year. Is this change of mind enough to secure the services of a household name that potentially could attract huge sponsorship if it turns out to deliver?

I think Bruno will be on the grid next year. The question is: will he be able to launch his career more successfully than Picquet and gain momentum from there? Right now Alonso is the Latino super star. If Bruno makes a perfect entry like Hamilton what will happen to Alonso?

[mx_tifoso]

Bruno has said many times that he would like to acheive a GP2 championship before entering Formula One, but maybe he will change his mind if a sure race seat is offered to him for next year, regardless of his GP2 accomplishments.

But he better be prepared as well as possible, with not a single doubt that he shold be here, otherwise he might get pummeled and suffer throughout the beginning of his career. And starting off in a Torro Rosso doesn't exactly help launch your career does it, Sebastien Vettel possibly being the exclusion though (although nothing is guaranteed yet).

[WhiteBlue]

Sure Vettel has done a good job and deserves the promotion. Nevertheless he isn't without competition from other German drivers. Glock and Rosberg are in the wings to jump him if he cannot deliver.

Nico wasn't particularly well advised with regards to 2008 William's performance. They have already jeopardised 2008 in favour of 2009. The question is: will they ever come to the top? My hunch is: they won't. If the have a good start next year they will not sustain it because their system (flywheel) isn't going to go all the way to the future (4wheel KERS,no power limits). So if Nico is going to evade F1 rejects he will move next year.

Timo could be the dark horse next year as Toyota are not exactly dumb on hybrids. In fact they have the most experience to make it work in a race car. This is toss of coin stuff. It can go belly up or all the way. Timo may have a chance to be F1 champ 2010. Things can go really head over heals next year.

So with the British driver talent pretty much sorted and the German contingent at least calculable the big question is: HOW IS THE LATIN MARKET GOING TO SORT ITSELF?

[mx_tifoso]

The latin market isn't going to go as crazy you would believe, with Alonso and Senna being from very different parts of the latin world, one from Spain and one from Brazil.

It's not as big of deal as it's made out to be really, IMO. I don't doubt neither of these drivers talents, but one is a double Formula One DC but the other has a lot to prove, he hasn't even won a significant championship yet.

But Bruno is extremely marketeable - unlike Piquet Jr. who doesn't have half the personality of his R28 - and is the nephew of Ayrton none the less.

We'll see how it pans out in a few months.

[Miguel]

But Bruno is extremely marketeable - unlike Piquet Jr. who doesn't have half the personality of his R28 - and is the nephew of Ayrton none the less.

Who is this Ayrton you keep talking about? Anything to do with Estoril 85 or Monaco 84 or Donnington 93? Ah! That Ayrton!

I personally think that Bruno is a good driver, but not an exceptional driver. It's true he has improved, and that he spent a lot of time without racing anything, but he doesn't seem exceptionally talented. Furthermore, he has the handicap of competing in the 2008 GP2. There seems to be a current trend downplaying this year's GP2 drivers, due to lack of talent (not my words).

As it is, the series is being led by an "old" Giorgio Pantano (the unlucky one in GP2 until Senna ran over a dog), who is an F1 reject. Renault test driver Lucas di Grassi has only competed since Magny Cours and is now fourth, I think, and since then teammate Vitaly Petrov has been totally eclipsed. And then we get to Romain Grosjean. This guy is good, and IMHO the most talented in the GP2 field. However, he's done a few stupid things such as throwing a sure win in Barcelona that hurt him inmensely in the second race, and a few wild moments (off in France, collision with Pantano in Hungary). He has to settle and he has to show why he won the Asian GP2. There's some talk about Sebastian Buemi and his Red Bull connection, but I'm not really convinced. He's still very young though and should mature.

[axle]

From all this I can't see a concrete reason why anyone should graduate to F1 at the end of the season, most of the drivers need a good solid second season to iron out their bugs and mature a bit. Finanacial backing does not = talent...especially in those too young.

Personally I think most drivers need till they are 24/25 till they are ready, but there are always exceptions. I think too many people are looking for something that isn't there...the next Lewis Hamilton/Fernando etc may not be in GP2 yet...none of the current crop may be upto spec, especially if they can't beat an F1 reject.

[Belatti]

Whiteblue: f*ck this market or that market or any market. What has the market has to do? Ah.... now I remember, if there is lack of talent to win (and thus making money), then they need to make money otherway.

F1 team managers should look for talent first. Bruno has got it? mmm... maybe if his Uncle had guided his career he would have evolved into a Schumacher, Alonso, Raikkonen and Hamilton nightmares byt this time (the guy is not young for these times) but "maybes" wont take us far. I think Brunos time has passed, even if he is determined to recover it. Perhaps he can be to Senna what Ralph is to his brother, but no more than that.

[Conceptual]

I'm surprised that Massa was completely overlooked in WhiteBlue's Latin market report.

I guess he hasn't won more than Piquet or Alonso this season...

Chris

[The FOZ]

The question is, does he have the strength of character and experience enough to perform under the constant pressure of the top racing league in the world?

I don't know. But if he's not, he certainly better off spending more time in GP2.

[Racehound]

There has been tons of hype around Bruno Senna for ages but is hasn't really hit F1 head lines in a big way so far. Gerhard Berger probably has been deepest involved with steering Bruno's career over the years. It is significant that Gerhard has always taken the view that a GP2 title is an adamant requirement for an F1 call. The tune has been changing over the last two weeks. Bruno is still only P2 in GP2 but Gerhard has lost his fastest driver to Red Bull Racing next year. So right now he isn't sticking to his guns any more and says that Bruno is seriously on the list for next year. Is this change of mind enough to secure the services of a household name that potentially could attract huge sponsorship if it turns out to deliver?

I think Bruno will be on the grid next year. The question is: will he be able to launch his career more successfully than Picquet and gain momentum from there? Right now Alonso is the Latino super star. If Bruno makes a perfect entry like Hamilton what will happen to Alonso?

Fernando will be taking care of business as soon as he gets his backside in a Ferrari!!!! If he was at Ferrari now he would be streets ahead of everybody in the drivers championship and probably have his 3rd title already in the bag!!! If hed stayed at McLaren, Bernie said recently, he woiuld have left Hammerhoid for dead already, that is provided moRon would have been able to stand watching his golden boy getting his pants taken down at every race and given him "parity"!!..Hammerhoid is a tyre shredder and he cant help it, its his driving style, and its cost him races and points. Havent seen Fernando have any tyre issuess anywhere except for leaving on worn inters when he should have called for new ones1! Bruno will have an uphill struggle with some of the others, and if Fernando is at Ferrari next year, we can look forward to him taking 2 or 3 titles straight off with Bruno taking at least a couple of years getting fully up to speed......Alonso and Ferrari i can see dominating when it happens!!

[Ciro Pabón]

Well, I think mx_tifosi is right, Alonso is not latino. Latino usually means born in Latin America, tell me about it. You could call him iberoamerican (to make him fall into the category I think WB is trying to use). Besides, until Alonso appeared there was no Ibero drivers, so I think Alonso has his own category.

Anyway, I don't think we have a latin market: normally, drivers from south america (be frank: when was the last time a centroamerican drove well an F1 car? They're not dumb: they race in USA) have to earn their positions. There has been enough of them (I mean, them, southamericans), since F1 started, so, normally Bernie does not have to be worried about the "market", altough it seems to be dwindling: too many sons and nephews of stars of yesterday.

Actually, I don't expect less from Mr. Senna (Junior): he has to earn his seat, or, I think, NOBODY in South America will follow his career. Look at Mazzacane's history if you don't believe me.

About Ferrari and Alonso, well... I think that Sato could win the WDC in a Ferrari this year. Heck, I would have a shot at the title if I drove a Ferrari... After last race, you don't have to (it helps, but you don't have to ) be a moron to conclude that Ferrari is dominant right now.

About the future, I don't know, I'll ask my trusted crystal ball (if I can find it). All I know is that Bruno is good and he will beat the crap out of the germans, if that's what WB is asking.... unless Schumi comes back.

[freedom_honda]

i think Burno still got a lot to learn. and he is definitely not the next senna by the looks of it. i mean if he is really as fast as his uncle he should be dominating GP2 right now.

maybe he needs more experience, as he didnt start racing until he turns 20 or something.

[Jon]

i think Burno still got a lot to learn. and he is definitely not the next senna by the looks of it. i mean if he is really as fast as his uncle he should be dominating GP2 right now.

maybe he needs more experience, as he didnt start racing until he turns 20 or something.

Well, what you say is actually a bit ironic, because in reality he IS the Next Senna...

He might not be the Senna we want him to be, but nevertheless...

[Ciro Pabón]

Well, what you say is actually a bit ironic, because in reality he IS the Next Senna...

[donskar]

Racehound's post reminds me of something I've wanted to add for some time now:

1) We've had several new members (or at least new posters) recently. Welcome to you all. Your opinions are invited (and respected byu the vast majority of us).

2) To ensure you are respected and actually contribute to a dialogue rather than merely shout into silence, here's a simple test.
A) Count the number of lines in your post.
B) Count the number of "!" in your post.
C) If "B)" is greater than "A)", [-X calm down, take a deep breath and rethink your post/position.