De la Rosa driving "better than ever"

[N4D13]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85999

I agree with this - I believe he's been doing a good job until now, but what's your opinion on this?

[Saint Devote]

Under difficult circumstances he has done well, but really, neither Sauber driver can be on any reasonable teams shopping list.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

I agree with PDLR, but unfortunately for him, there are a couple of talented youngsters out there who can bring money to Sauber, a team desperately needing more sponsorship. (Any sponsorship, really.) Maldonado and Perez, who are leading the GP2 standings, can bring reasonable backing from PDVSA and Telmex, respectively.

[Sonic]

Pedro has certainly shown that old boys can make a come-back and do alright for themselves, but that said at his age he will never find himself in a top car. I see his situation being very similar to Panis on his race return after testing duties. Able, but largely invisible.

[I am evil Homer]

Well he was starting from a low point so the only way is up. He was pretty useless in the McLaren and had his chance with numerous teams.

If he bought loads of money to Sauber I could why he's there but I think he's taking the seat that a younger driver could do an equally good job in.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

I think he's taking the seat that a younger driver could do an equally good job in.

That is not a problem per se, age shouldn't be a factor, only performance. But if it is, PDLR's experience comes in handy when it comes to testing.

[Z926A12]

he's doing a decent job; but i can't help but think that 'better than ever' isn't much of a claim by his standards.

[woody2goody]

He's largely been doing better than Kobayashi, had some horrible luck (remember he lost points in Valencia with penalties, and also has had numerous mechanical failures), and yeah I think he is doing better than he ever has. Yes he sometimes is beaten by his team-mate in quali, but in the races he has usually been faster than Kamui, barring a couple of occasions.

Puts Schumacher's performances in perspective when de la Rosa's effectively had half a season of racing since 2002. Especially when you consider that Kobayashi has driven these cars more than Pedro has.

I hope he is retained for next year, because he'd be an asset to any team.

[woody2goody]

Well he was starting from a low point so the only way is up. He was pretty useless in the McLaren and had his chance with numerous teams.

If he bought loads of money to Sauber I could why he's there but I think he's taking the seat that a younger driver could do an equally good job in.

I disagree that he was useless at McLaren.

Up against Raikkonen in 2006 he was only defeated by 26 points to 19, which compares favourably to Coulthard and Montoya.

[jens]

Interesting claim by Pedro. :p : I don't think he is better than ever, but unlike Schumacher he hasn't seemed to have a discernible deterioration in performance compared to his "old days". Even though Sauber quite rightfully is probably looking for a new and younger driver to replace de la Rosa for 2011, I'd say the Spaniard's comeback has been a relative success regarding his reputation. Before the season he was rated as a completely useless badoeresque driver by some, but even though he never was a top driver, he has put in respectable season and has even somewhat improved his reputation. To me de la Rosa has been more impressive than for instance Wurz in 2007 after his comeback.

[ioan]

He's largely been doing better than Kobayashi...

You must have been watching other F1 races this year.

[Robinho]

he's doing much better than i expected, seems to be getting a decent amount of the car, although i think Koby is showing some decent performances now the car is improved

[ioan]

Kobayashi has several time been racing up in the top ten, even top 6 this season. Pedro is doing OK but not as good as his team mate.

[Sonic]

Kobayashi has several time been racing up in the top ten, even top 6 this season. Pedro is doing OK but not as good as his team mate.

Kobay is a great racer - perhaps not the best qualifier week in week out but he always seems to climb through the pack come Sunday from wherever he starts.

[BDunnell]

I think Sauber have put together a good team there. The drivers are well-balanced and doing the best job that could be reasonably expected of them.

[Roamy]

A freaking STONE

[truefan72]

I think Sauber have put together a good team there. The drivers are well-balanced and doing the best job that could be reasonably expected of them.

yep

[Roamy]

Pass the bong please

[ShiftingGears]

I think Sauber have put together a good team there. The drivers are well-balanced and doing the best job that could be reasonably expected of them.

Agreed.

[woody2goody]

Kobay is a great racer - perhaps not the best qualifier week in week out but he always seems to climb through the pack come Sunday from wherever he starts.

So does Pedro.

[woody2goody]

You must have been watching other F1 races this year.

Kobayashi's had about 3 good races, and Valencia, as great a performance as it was, seems to somehow make him great again, when for most of the season Pedro's been handing his arse to him.

Both are good, but I still maintain that at this current moment Pedro is better. Of course Kamui has a lot of potential though I don't doubt that.

[ioan]

Kobayashi's had about 3 good races, and Valencia, as great a performance as it was, seems to somehow make him great again, when for most of the season Pedro's been handing his arse to him.

Both are good, but I still maintain that at this current moment Pedro is better. Of course Kamui has a lot of potential though I don't doubt that.

A quick glimpse to the results tells you who did well and who did less than that.
Kobayashi is a racer, de la Rosa is a test driver, this is why he had slightly better qualifying sessions, and the results show just that.

[steveaki13]

Fact is Kobayashi has scored far more points than Pedro.

At the end of the season points are the true decider.

[fandango]

Pedro is the Spanish version of Martin Brundle: We want him to do so much better because he's capable, and so very, very likeable, but in the end his future is probably in commentary, which he's very good at, and other racing series.

[ArrowsFA1]

Better than ever? Maybe, although it's difficult for us to judge given that Pedro hasn't been a full time F1 racer for many years.

I've always seen Pedro as a solid, but not exceptional, driver. A good fit for Sauber.

[Retro Formula 1]

Agree 100% with the last 2 posts.

PdlR is good for Sauber at the moment but is never going to set the world alight. He will do what's needed at Sauber though and thats worth more to them at this time than an out and out racer in that seat.