pokerman wrote:
Z3RoadstarTXF1 wrote:
A team would need a very good test driver IMO to get a better feel for how effective their development and upgrades as if it has 2 weaker 'pay' drivers, they could get some misleading results on the track, as #1 their lack of ability could disguise progress made by engineering... #2 if the team is aware of the pay drivers' liabilities, it's possible they could also over-estimate actual improvement because they've come to expect so little of them. I guess the short way of putting it is, the baseline is so poor, it just doesn't allow for a good read.
That's why I really feel its a mistake doubling up on pay drivers on a team, unless you get someone with the rare combination of big sponsors but also with some real speed.... Of course, if a team is drowning in red ink, 2 pay drivers is probably the only way to go to survive
I'm wondering which driver helped to develop the Williams?
I'd say Maldonado was able to push the Williams to its limits. He's definitely lacking in race craft currently, but I'd also say he given the speed he showed and willingness to really challenge, he gave the car a very good shakedown. In terms of development, I think Williams probably got more and better info from him with a drive like Australia where he was stuck to Alonso's tail throughout only to end up point-less when he lost it on the final lap, than a day of driving conservative and trying to find the right strategy to edge the other midfield competitors for a couple points towards down around 8 thru 10.
From Maldonado's stand point the race highlighted his own shortcomings (punted a high-qualifying Grosjean early and either got careless or too aggressive late in the final lap when passing Alonso wasn't going to happen and threw away a P6 finish), but it also really showcased the improvement Williams had made from the 2011 dog. I'm sure Williams had to know after Melbourne that it was definitely on the right path with their development, they were working toward a car that could win races, not just battle for a better spot in the midfield.
I'd say he's one of those "pay drivers" who does bring a bit more than just the money (IMO, there's sort of 3 classes of 'pay drivers' guys with some very definite talent and money.... guys who bring money and are steady and won't really embarrass themselves, too often,.... and then the guys who are basically a joke, but have a license and money.... and sometimes it may take a little while to sort out whether someone falls into the 1st group or the 2nd group, and I do think sometimes guys wind up settling for a place among the 2nd group, happy to be able to have a seat, but given up serious challenges to become someone who wins races unless they somehow win the lotto and luck into a drive with a Red Bull, McLaren or Ferrari under some odd circumstances.)