Kimi out and Bianchi in at Ferrari for Silverstone test

[jamiebae]

Looks like a very nice opportunity to test out 'plan B' for Ferrari's 2015 driver line up. Bianchi has done a fantastic job at Marussia and to me looks ready to step up, I wonder if Ferrari are considering their options given Kimi's less-than-stellar drives so far this year.

[toppstuff]

I am not that impressed with Bianchi. Seem to be plenty of others as good as him.

He's not leagues ahead of his much maligned team mate.

[InductionRoar]

toppstuff said:

I am not that impressed with Bianchi. Seem to be plenty of others as good as him.

He's not leagues ahead of his much maligned team mate.

Until a driver is put in a top tier car or partnered with a "known quantity" teammate it is hard for the general public to pick the good drivers from the very good drivers.

Not many people expected Ricciardo to perform as well has he has done so far this season.

[Some Gump]

If i was running the scuderia it'd be hulk or grosjean.
Sadly, i'm not running the scuderia...

[stevesingo]

Some Gump said:

If i was running the scuderia it'd be hulk or grosjean.
Sadly, i'm not running the scuderia...

And it is because of ideas like that, you are not.

[gibbon]

Should be Hulk if they can fit him in the car.

[stevesingo]

Why would Lotus/FI allow their contracted drivers to drive another teams car and likewise why would Ferrari want a competitors driver, drive their car.

The only reasons Bianchi gets a chance is that Marussia have a technical tie up with Ferrari, and they are not direct competitors.

[entropy]

toppstuff said:

I am not that impressed with Bianchi. Seem to be plenty of others as good as him.

He's not leagues ahead of his much maligned team mate.

Not too impressive in quali but he usually finishes races about half a minute ahead of Max.

Jules usually mixes it with the Caterhams whereas Max struggles to.

[Some Gump]

stevesingo said:

And it is because of ideas like that, you are not.

I think the real nail in the coffin was my interpretation of the company car policy...

[DanielSan]

stevesingo said:

Why would Lotus/FI allow their contracted drivers to drive another teams car and likewise why would Ferrari want a competitors driver, drive their car.

The only reasons Bianchi gets a chance is that Marussia have a technical tie up with Ferrari, and they are not direct competitors.

Bianchi is also part of Ferrari's young driver program.

[BritishRacinGrin]

I think Bianci is the real deal, I couldn't give an example but to my mind he has had several stand-out performances over the years.

[Likes Fast Cars]

Personally cannot see anything special about him, but I suppose we'll all have a better view after he's tested.

[entropy]

BritishRacinGrin said:

I think Bianci is the real deal, I couldn't give an example but to my mind he has had several stand-out performances over the years.

This year's Monaco GP

[jamiebae]

Jules has been quoted as saying he's ready to step up for Ferrari if needed in Germany. I wonder if the relationship between Kimi and the team has degenerated behind the scenes...?

[Jasandjules]

jamiebae said:

Jules has been quoted as saying he's ready to step up for Ferrari if needed in Germany. I wonder if the relationship between Kimi and the team has degenerated behind the scenes...?

Is that post Kimi's 47g impact?!

[jamiebae]

Jasandjules said:

Is that post Kimi's 47g impact?!

Of course, in the same way that Heikki took his place at Lotus after his operation.

[BritishRacinGrin]

entropy said:

This year's Monaco GP

That was the only example I could mention with any confidence but I didn't for fear of everbody jumping on me saying that 'it's irrelevant because Monaco is a procession' etc... It was indeed a good drive. I remember him having a particularly good performance in a wet qualifying session early in the season too (and again at Silverstone)

jamiebae said:

Jules has been quoted as saying he's ready to step up for Ferrari if needed in Germany.

Of course he has! He's hardly going to be indifferent about the opportunity. However I think that Ferrari are genuinely just resting Kimi. He was keen to drive the test at Silverstone but apparently had 'bruised knees and ankles' after the Silversone crash, and while 'bruising' doesn't sound that impressive it can be quite painful / restrictive of movement and will take a while to heal. Also it isn't just about physically driving the car, it's also being able to get out of the car quickly enough in the event of an issue.

[DanielSan]

Exactly. It's only a test this week so why rush getting him back into the car.

[VolvoT5]

I'm a big Kimi fan so I hope he isn't seriously injured and I also hope he can get his bloody act together and give Alonso a challenge. I didn't expect him to be good enough to beat Alonso over a season but I did expect a bit of a battle.

Having said that I'm sure it would be closer if Ferrari had a half decent car - after all nobody can beat Alonso's experience at driving stty cars.

[toppstuff]

I am more inclined to think that this will simply remove KImis motivation to push on.

He isn't the most motivated driver on the grid. This is hardly going to help.

Don't know why Luca went for him to be honest.