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The reason Marco is testing for Honda is because he is a recognizable name to a market that doesn't have a lot of F1 fans. Marco Andretti, and Graham Rahal, for that matter, both have last names that a lot of American racing fans recognize. It only makes good business sense to go after drivers that would most likely expand F1's fanbase in the US.Quote:
Originally Posted by MAX_THRUST
Does Honda care if they have a big American named driver for their US market, if so you would want a driver who can run on road coures more than ovals. RAHAL is the answer then, but why are Honda so keen to test an unknown driver, when there are so many others who are better qualified, clearly money and marketting comes before skill and abillity. I'm not trying to upset anyone with this, i don't normally come over to the F1 forums, just when i saw Marco testing again at Honda I had to laugh. Who are they trying to keep happy, Michael or Mario. I think there is more pollitics going on in American open wheel racing now than ever. GP2 drivers must surely be better equiped than any other series to rise to F1. Every driver in the IRL is Honda powered, and every driver in the IRL is probably hoping they will be the one to get the ride next year......Is Rubens leaving next year then, or has Sato or Davidson only got one more year at it? Marco with Honda will never happen, if it does please remind me what I said so I can eat my hat. If Wheeldon can't secure a drive with Honda in F1 why would Marco, it's all in the name, he is not his dad or Grandad, and F1 seats should not be inherited like Lords in the House of lords. Sorry guys I'll shut up now....
The two successful transitions from Champ Car to F1 in (more or less) recent times have been JV and JPM. Both had previous European experience. As was mentioned, a year in GP2 and/or a year testing would be very important.
I think that Michael does not want to see his son suffering the same fate as him. I think that Marco is right to focus on the Indy Car championship - that's the series in which he'll drive at least in 2007, that's the championship he must try to win for now - that and Indy 500. If he manages to do it or at least if he is impressive enough he should replace Rubens after Barrichello's retirement.
I don't agree with GP 2 comment, Max. So far NO champion in either Formula 2 or F3000 has won anything serious in F1.
So no need for GP 2. IRL and then F1 - year testing then racing.
F1boat, Nice that you left out Formula 3, whose winners list includes Some guy named Schumaher, Häkkinen Villeneuve, Senna... :)
While Alonso wasn't good enough to win F3000 champioship, he did win a race there. :)
Feeder series are good for the drivers wanting to enter F1, not necessary, but helpfull.
That's why thy are looking two years down the road.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1
I can understand that... I don't know anything about him... but can he be worse than FISI?
in worst case he is like his dad, but better wait and see.Quote:
Originally Posted by eu
The lineage that got the Jr. Andretti an introduction to F1 will do little when it comes to winning a top drive. Evidently his family has rejected the 'Rent-A-Drive' option as demonstrated by their rejection of drives with second-rate teams.
Marco's best option would be to take a seasonal test driver position (if one were on offer). It would allow time for both Marco and the top teams to assess his worth before further commitments are made.
If at the end of the season these ‘commitments’ were not arrived at, further investments in this strategy would be unwarranted (i.e. Back to Indycars).
Whilst I understand what you say, was the same true of Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button?Quote:
Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1
Fernando had one season in F3000 when he was 19, Jenson one season in F3 when he was 20 and Kimi had only done 43 car races up to Formula Renault level before F1 gave them drives. Experience was irrelevant.
If Marco's good enough then he's ready.
Don't ask me if he is good enough, I don't know.