Kubica's replacement... (It's Heidfeld!)

I'm sure most of you will have seen this before coming here but anyway

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Renault to evaluate Heidfeld at Jerez test
Nick Heidfeld is to test for Renault at Jerez this week, as the team starts to evaluate potential replacements for their driver Robert Kubica, who was seriously injured in a rally crash on Sunday. Heidfeld, who boasts over a decade of Formula One experience and competed in five Grands Prix last season for BMW Sauber, will be in action over the weekend

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http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...1/2/11730.html

As much as I like the thought of some proper mixing up in the field, with Kimi joining Renault or even RBR like the scenario speculated, I think they'll simply settle for Heidfeld to be honest. Unless Senna blows them away in testing...

Yep, the swap around with Webber to allow Kimi to drive etc is a nice idea but just far too contractually complicated! Heidfeld is a much simpler option and a safe pair of hands. But he's not likely to deliver them the WDC..

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Originally Posted by Bagwan

If they want experience in the seat , and that's what they've said , they need Jacques .
With only one test in the books , it is square one for anybody .
They know his set-ups , and there's likely still a seat in the back room somewhere .

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Sod Jacques.

Renault need someone hungry for a championship with massive experience, excellent feedback and tremendous pace.

They should be giving Stirling Moss a call! Failing that I hear Jackie Stewart is still available.

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Originally Posted by Dylan H

They should be giving Stirling Moss a call! Failing that I hear Jackie Stewart is still available.

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I'll be Stirling or Jackie could give some of the young guys a run for their money! Although perhaps only over one lap...

i'll be intrugued to see what Senna can do in a decent car up against a known quantity such as Heidfield.

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Originally Posted by Hawkmoon

I don't get the love Heidfeld gets around here. He's average. Always has been. Always will be.

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Better than Kubica 2 times out of 3 seasons. Looks like a good replacement, eh?! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by jens

In my view Heidfeld is clearly the best option among available and interested (Kimi is not interested) drivers and I am surprised, how some can be downplaying him. Actually he is the only driver, who even remotely could step into the big boots left by Kubica and lead the team, which seems close to the top. Nick always manages to collect a good amount of points and this is what the team badly needs. And generally Heidfeld is a really adequate lead driver for an up-and-coming team like for instance Button was for BAR. Or Nick himself was in 2006-07 for BMW.

Others seem already a singificant step backwards. Alas I see Bahar, Lopez and Bouiller giving Bruno Senna the shot. Tying "JPS Lotus" with the name Senna would be too tempting. It can be argued that Bruno has probably more potential than it was evident during HRT days, but at best I'd expect him to turn out to be marginally better than Petrov, which isn't saying much. I actually believe Grosjean has more potential than Senna, but I have to admit he is a risky bet too.

I see more names having been thrown in here. Klien? De la Rosa? Liuzzi? Fisichella? Davidson? None is as good as Heidfeld, but if the situation is tight, they could be considered. Mainly for their experience (which the team seems to be seriously lacking at the moment) and also as a benchmark for Petrov.

Hülkenberg is a gamble too, he got a serious beating by Barrichello last year. But I think he could be more ready to produce results from the get-go than any of Renault's reserves. Still, I don't see him getting released from Force India's contract. And if people here are already talking about contracted drivers, Glock sounds like a decent option to me (Virgin's contract shouldn't be that expensive to buy out either) for damage limitation.

What seems important in all of this, is that the replacement driver seems to be needed for at least the whole season. If it was for a couple of races, you may expect someone like Heidfeld not to be too interested to be a seat-warmer for Kubica without having the opportunity to fully settle in and have a season-long impact. And the team could afford a rookie to flop (two bad races from the team don't ruin the whole season). But an experienced driver seems now vital in the long-run. Because if a rookie flops, it will be even more complicated to make a mid-season change due to in-season testing ban.

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Excellent analysis. :up:

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Originally Posted by Roamy

I figure JV would be as good as MS ...

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:rotflmao: In his, or your, wet dreams cowboy! :rotflmao:

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Originally Posted by ioan

:rotflmao: In his, or your, wet dreams cowboy! :rotflmao:

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Well send me a picture of your girlfriend and maybe I can muster up a wet dream for you. Short of that it is no dream your manidol is getting
beat like a red headed stepson.

As expected, it's Heidfeld... if he's quick enough.

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Renault will sign Nick Heidfeld as Robert Kubica's replacement if the German impresses the team enough in testing at Jerez this weekend.

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Boullier also categorically ruled out the chances of Kimi Raikkonen or Nico Hulkenberg being given the drive, due to the Finn's rally commitments, and the young German's lack of experience.

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Full story: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89386

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Originally Posted by Roamy

Well send me a picture of your girlfriend ...

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Looks like you're having wet dreams again! :rotflmao:

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Originally Posted by Dave B

As expected, it's Heidfeld... if he's quick enough.


Full story: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89386

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A sensible approach by Lotus Renault. They can not afford to go with two very young drivers.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

As expected, it's Heidfeld... if he's quick enough.


Full story: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89386

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A sensible approach by Lotus Renault. They can not afford to go with two very young drivers.

It will be Nick, Kimi is bizy.

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

It will be Nick, Kimi is bizy.

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Give it till Rally Sweden is over.

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Originally Posted by mstillhere

So, if VP is such a good driver how come Renault had strong doubts about him and hired him a the very last minute and with conditions? I guess because the Renault crew know less than you, right?

How come VP was complaining about how RK was not sharing anything with him? And what makes him such a good driver all of the sudden? The last race last year for parking his car in front of FA?

The dude has a whole a lot to learn especially because this car is not the car he drove last year and Renault needs someone with a lot of experience. And in fact, if last year they had hired an experienced driver rather than him, right Renault would wonder who is going to develop the car this year. And no, Petrov cannot do it.

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There's no need to get all pissy just because I proved you wrong. The rest of your rant was worthless and I'm frankly uninspired to say anything about it. :rolleyes:

I said on page 2 of this thread that they need an experienced driver, and I listed Quick Nick as a viable option. Since it looks like he's in pole position for the seat, it appears the team is feeling what many of us here are feeling.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

What? He was racing and you expect him to let the guy behind through? Ever heard of competition. I rather suspect the fact is that FA could not get by due the characteristics of the track, and the different strengths/weaknesses of the Ferrari compared to the Renault.

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I never said he was supposed to move his car over. But saying that thos guy is such a super driver superior to Kubika simply because of that race seems to be an over reaction. Petrov did what anyone would have done: fight to keep his seat and he succeeded. Koodos to him. However from here to say that he kicked RB but is really an overreaction.

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Originally Posted by henners88

So you are all for a driver being experienced enough to develop a car to compete against the opposition and gain WCC points, but you also feel they should give up the chance of gaining points in the last race so that a rival can pass and fight for his own world championship????

Sounds like a massive contradiction there and a point made without a great deal of thought.

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No, no no. I am all for a balance. You need a promising younger driver in your team paired with an experienced one. Sorry if my though wasn't too clear.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

As expected, it's Heidfeld... if he's quick enough.


Full story: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89386

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I hope he'll do well. This is most likely his last chance. He always seemed to have the potential to do very well but over the years he has not been able to deliver.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

There's no need to get all pissy just because I proved you wrong. The rest of your rant was worthless and I'm frankly uninspired to say anything about it. :rolleyes:

I said on page 2 of this thread that they need an experienced driver, and I listed Quick Nick as a viable option. Since it looks like he's in pole position for the seat, it appears the team is feeling what many of us here are feeling.

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And how did you prove me wrong? You are the one who said that Petrov was sooooooooooo much better than Kubica. When it's exactly the opposite of what you wrote at least if you asked Renault.

heidfield will be a total bust! Petrov will be eating caviar when he passes him every race. But look at it this way MS will have someone to play bridge with

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Originally Posted by Roamy

heidfield will be a total bust! Petrov will be eating caviar when he passes him every race. But look at it this way MS will have someone to play bridge with

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Yeah right!

Petrov beating Heidfeld? Not likely. We will see in a very short time anyway, so I'll bookmark this quote.

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Originally Posted by Roamy

heidfield will be a total bust! Petrov will be eating caviar when he passes him every race.

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Passes him? So you're saying that Heidfeld will out qualify Petrov at every race?

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Originally Posted by Mark

Passes him? So you're saying that Heidfeld will out qualify Petrov at every race?

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;)

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Originally Posted by mstillhere

And how did you prove me wrong? You are the one who said that Petrov was sooooooooooo much better than Kubica. When it's exactly the opposite of what you wrote at least if you asked Renault.

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You stated that Vitaly relied on Robert's set-up and I pointed out that according to both drivers, Robert does not help Petrov much at all.

And please point out where I said that VP was better than RK? The most I said was that Petrov was doing "remarkably well." How you extrapolated that Vitaly was superior is your own doing.

Heidfeld is a solid guy behind the wheel , but he doesn't inspire the team to get behind him .
He'll finish just about every race , and that's good , but he's better as the number two , grabbing those points when the fast guy goes off .

He's got a few second places , and a lot of experience , but doesn't inspire the fans either .

Quick Nick won't bring in big sponsorship .


The only guy that could inspire the team , and the fans , and the big sponsors is Jacques .

Like the cowboy says , this should be a no-brainer .

^I'm sure JV's P24 on the grid at every race would do a lot to inspire the team.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

You stated that Vitaly relied on Robert's set-up and I pointed out that according to both drivers, Robert does not help Petrov much at all.

And please point out where I said that VP was better than RK? The most I said was that Petrov was doing "remarkably well." How you extrapolated that Vitaly was superior is your own doing.

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I am not going back in the post to find what you had posted early. Glad to see we are on the same page.

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Originally Posted by Mark

Passes him? So you're saying that Heidfeld will out qualify Petrov at every race?

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yep

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Originally Posted by henners88

Apologies but I thought you were criticizing Petrov for holding Alonso behind him in the last race of last season, and you were insinuating that he should have let him past rather than fighting for position and WCC points. I've quoted you again below:

I'd be interested in an explanation as to what the bolded part means though????
Were you suggesting he showed skill in defending his position or do you think that wasn't an indication of talent in any form?

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I think that race was do of die for him. I think that night Renault gave him a car that in real god conditions. The track was nice and dry and Ferrari were not in touch with the reality of the race and that's how barely he kept his seat.

I think Petrov is a skilled driver but so is everyone in F1. The question is, does he have that extra skill that makes a difference between a skilled driver and a world champion. And I think it's way too early to say and that's why I don't agree with who speaks so highly about him in here. I mean the guy is no Hamilton.

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Originally Posted by mstillhere

I think Petrov is a skilled driver but so is everyone in F1. The question is, does he have that extra skill that makes a difference between a skilled driver and a world champion. And I think it's way too early to say and that's why I don't agree with who speaks so highly about him in here. I mean the guy is no Hamilton.

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Agreed, and if Heidfeld doesn't beat him then Renault has problem. I think just now the car is more fitted to Kubica and who els will be his replacement has to develop it to be something it wasn't intended to be from beginning. The question is if Petrov is the man to do it or if it will be more experienced Heidfeld and how the car then fit to Kubica if he will come back under the season.. Petrov has learned to drive "Kubicas car" and the other question is what happen now - especially if Heidfeld and he like to develop the car in different directions. I think it doesn't be easier with Pirelli and therefore Heidfeld has a better chance.. :)

And will also convince the sponsors! :D

Renault know exactly what Villeneuve had to offer back in the day, no way would they even consider him even as replacement number 101.

yes it is confirmed Nick Barrichello named replacement driver for Renault

after todays testing, short of a miracle performance tomorrow by Bruno Senna, Heidfield has the seat sewn up.

JV was never a serious contender for this seat, and never will be again for a seat in F1. He was very good in his day, and is far from past it, but has been out of F1 for way too long, and was not really quick enough last time. If he really inspired fans, sponsors and teams that much he would never have lost a drive.

The cars a very different in performance, tyres, downforce from when he last drove. add in KERS and movable wings and he's basically a rookie again. never gonna happen people.

now, i don't rate Heidfield THAT highly, but he is quick, he is a current driver and he has good experience. He is a known quantity, and short of Kimi, probably the best non-contracted option available. if the Renault is as quick as it seems he could end up with a few wins and maybe, just maybe, be in the title fight, for a while at least. i don't think there is anyone else available at the moment i could say that about, yet i still want to see Senna given a chance. i still wonder if he might be pretty good too, just a hunch, but maybe

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Originally Posted by Robinho

JV was never a serious contender for this seat, and never will be again for a seat in F1. He was very good in his day, and is far from past it,...

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Yep, far from past it but on the slower side of it.

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Originally Posted by Robinho

after todays testing, short of a miracle performance tomorrow by Bruno Senna, Heidfield has the seat sewn up.

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Boullier:

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So we need a driver with speed and experience to clearly help the team in this development. Once you have ticked all the boxes there are no more than three drivers in the paddock - Nick Heidfeld, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Pedro de la Rosa.

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Nick is here - and without sounding arrogant - to be evaluated. Once we have finished the assessment of Nick we will keep him or look for another driver in Barcelona.

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http://www.formula1.com/news/intervi...1/2/11735.html

It doesn't seem as if Senna is a real candidate for the actual seat at all according to this; even if he would blow everyone away tomorrow I'd say Renault still values a more experienced driver higher. Heidfeld should have this one in the bag.

Heidfeld is the most underrated guy out there. How many teammates have soundly beat him?

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Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow

Heidfeld is the most underrated guy out there. How many teammates have soundly beat him?

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Well, he has the chance now to show what he is made out of. Chances like this one don't come along that often. Let's what happens.

You don't stay in F1 for as long as Heidfeld has with little or no sponsorship money without being a very good driver.Good luck to him at Renault I say.

Lfmao