planetf1.com

Of the top of my head, I'd like to see Kobayashi and Senna get a second crack at F1.

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Button for WDC!
2004 Lucky Strike BAR Honda F1 Team

Petrov I think. There are about 10 better/more interesting choices but I think Vitaly passport will seal the deal.

If it's between those two, Kobayashi.

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We want heroes, but there are few, mainly it's cars - Pedro De La Rosa

Since Glock appears to have departed because Marussia weren't going to be able to pay his salary, I imagine it will be a driver who brings money, which is either Petrov or Senna.

Petrov. He's becoming quite respectable I think, and Russian driver+team+race just seems to make sense, and might get some Russian backing, therefore a more productive team. Thats my hope anyway.

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"You are the universe expressing itself as a Human for a little while..."

If it's really a money thing, we'll probably see either Petrov or Senna as they need an experienced driver with Chilton in the other seat.

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Button for WDC!
2004 Lucky Strike BAR Honda F1 Team

Bound to be Petrov.

My guess is Petrov too, a Russian driver in a Russian team makes much sense. I rather would have Koba though.

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F1 fan since 1989

Kovalainen

It'll probably be Vitaly Petrov. I'm guessing there's a chance it might be Jules Bianchi. I'd like any available seat to go to Bruno Senna, simply because I like the Senna name connected with present day Formula 1.

Petrov to Marussia, Senna to Caterham, Bianchi to Force India.

I'd be willing to put money on it

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#ANYONEBUTVETTEL2013

Pick 10 Competition 2013: Current Championship Standing = 21st with 597 points
Pick 10 Podiums: USA 2012 - 1st Place with 205 points

This does seem very likely. Though I'm least convinced on Senna to Caterham as I'm confused why there has been such a delay in announcing his contract.

We've seen the last of Glock in F1.

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Quick Nick Heidfeld, he's not done yet!
KAMUI KOBAYASHI! Podium count: 1 (Suzuka)

PF1 Pick 10! Podiums: 2 (2nd, India 2011; 1st, Japan 2012)

I would like Kobayashi, but realistically I think it will be Petrov or Senna. Kovalainen won't bring the money that Marussia needs.

Senna will probably get it since he has most sponsor money to offer. Petrov could be given a lifeline at Caterham as a result and Bianchi a way in at Force India providing the Sutil rumours aren't true.

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Rubens Barricello, they need someone experieced

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"Everything you can imagine is real." Pablo Picasso

Not sure they could afford him. Not getting the extra money seems to have hurt them pretty badly.

We can rule out Koboyashi and Heikki as neither of them can bring (much) money to the team.

I'd imagine we'll see a pretty quick announcement from both them and FI as both will want to poach the best drivers they can afford.

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Petrov, it all fits Russian sponsors, Russian team, russian driver, a russian gp 2014. Agree senna Caterham and Bianchi force India

I know, they need a pay driver a la Maldonado
IMo FI looks for someone with money, too, as it seems they have financial problems also.

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"Everything you can imagine is real." Pablo Picasso

When you put it like that there's no contest! I don't think it'll do any good for Chilton's career though, while he seemed pretty reasonable he didn't set the world on fire in GP2. Petrov's experience will give him the edge imo.

Do Marussia still have Yamamoto on their books? I know they took him in 2011 but haven't heard anything since. If they're short on money they may as well stick him in the car, he's gotten around a bit so he must have enough money for people to let him drive!

Shame Glock has gone, I rated him pretty highly. Senna to Caterham does seem pretty likely, still not convinced about Bianchi to FI, they should stick Sutil in there, take his sponsor money and enjoy the points he brings in.

Having said that, Caterham might want to approach Kobayashi and take the million he made, he'll perform better than Senna and might be able to sneak a point if the car is there. Senna got away with being slow last season because the car was decent so he kept picking up minor points, he won't be able to pull the same trick in a backmarker.

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Official Kamui Kobayashi Fanboy

Senna has at least double the money Kobayashi does though and they'll probably want that money short term.

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Jarno Trulli to replace Glock! Okay, wishful thinking.

in fairness it was only his qualifying that was slow if the new Pirellis are easier to work as the teams believe they are then senna should be much improved in that respect with nearly £10m sponsorship behind him compared to KK's what £2m i know what i would go for. 2013 is a write off the cash can go to 2014 with the reg changes and engine packages can be a great chance to break into the midfield if invested in properly.

Like I say, if they want some money and performance they should take Kobayashi. If they want poorer performance and are really stuck for money they should go for Senna, but if they're going to do that they may as well take Yamamoto or Chandhok or Narain for the big $s. Taking Senna seems very middle groundy; less money but a bit more performance than a proper pay driver.

Depends how much faith they have in Pic I guess, and your opinion of Senna. If they take Narain and with the money make Pic a midfield car, they're laughing. If they take Senna's money and make a reasonable car but neither driver can drive it to it's potential, they're a bit nowhere. If they can do similar things with the money Kobayashi brings and he manages to maximise the car, they'll get some nice results.

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Official Kamui Kobayashi Fanboy

Kobayashi has already said he has given up on F1 this year so I think we can rule him out anyway. He clearly doesn't want to go to one of the lower teams.

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Didn't Petrov's talks with Caterham stall because his sponsors suddenly seemed to get cold feet again?
Who knows if he even has the money Marussia want right now.

Luiz Razia is opening his chequebook as we speak, let's see if he can dig deep enough.

Petrov seems like a no brainer, but I want to see Robert Wickens get the seat.

And can you imagine the embarrassment of having asked your fans for money, just so you can run around in 20th place? I wonder what KK is doing with the money he raised?

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#ANYONEBUTVETTEL2013

Pick 10 Competition 2013: Current Championship Standing = 21st with 597 points
Pick 10 Podiums: USA 2012 - 1st Place with 205 points

Keeping it for 2014 now which I think is a bit rich tbh. He asked for money to help him onto the 2013 grid, not 2014. Besides I doubt he'll get anything then either, there'll be even more drivers up and coming and there'll be even more trying to get back a la Kovi. His chances are bloody slim.

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Wickens

Should be wickens to show its not all about money, that talent does count.

But talent doesn't count for Marussia (or Caterham, Force India, Williams or Sauber for that matter) at the moment. Cash does. That's why Glock has been dropped.

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90% of the topics on the PF1 Forum consist of this: "My favourite driver didn't win! The driver I hate the most did win!! Wah! WAH!! WAAAAHHHHH!!!"

in a lennon kinda stylie, give bruno a chance

For Marussia (And likely FI) it is all about money and not tallent.

They're stuck in a catch 22 situation. They need a decent driver to get the extra cash at the end of the season. But to get a decent driver they need the extra cash.

Petrov is their best option right now. He's fresh out of a similar level team, has proven he's at least 'ok' in a better car (Renault), and has the highest chance of attracting a decent sponsor (even more so with the fact that there is the 2014 russian race, and the team are part russian).

That said, where does that leave Force India? If they need a pay driver too, I can see them going for Sutil. Maybe Senna will be their only option left if they want any amount of money and a driver who's at very least going to be in the midfield.

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I'm sure I read a few tweets a short while back that Petrov's manager said that they're only talking to Caterham which effectively rules out the Marussia seat if they're to be believed.

Petrov is staying with Caterham it looks like. Marussia will sign a novice called Luis Razia.

He is Brazilian, second in GP2 last season and brings plenty of money.

Razia actually has a bit about him. While we are cursed with a lot of pay drivers at least they all seem to have a fair bit of talent and credibility.

I would love Kobayashi, but if I was them, I'd go with Senna, unfortunately.

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"I aim to misbehave"

So Kamui has a contract for Ferrari in WEC? Kinda makes this bit a tad pointless..

Some have said no, but JMO we'll see at least one of FI, Cat or Marussia conduct a race-off for their seat during first practice.

Might as well have the fastest pay driver....

In fact, Senna might test for more than one team.

Oh, I'd like to see Kovi at Cat and Petrov at Marussia.

Who FI hire as second? seems Biachi.

Kobayashi is out of it - he's not an option. He already gave up.

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