Discussion
Is formula 1 screwed if the champion from GP2 series's don't automatically get a drive, Nasr came third but gets a drive because he is sponsored by a Brazilian Bank yet Palmer doesn't because he hasn't got that type of sponsorship (daddy's cash can't run to it).
With the high number of pay drivers is it going to get to the point where anyone can buy an F1 drive?
With the high number of pay drivers is it going to get to the point where anyone can buy an F1 drive?
Matt.. said:
Adrian W said:
With the high number of pay drivers is it going to get to the point where anyone can buy an F1 drive?
Hasn't it been like that for decades?It's always been that way, I'm afraid.
Even at GP2 level, Palmer, Hamilton and Rosberg either had to bring family money or investor's cash to get their drives. In a way they're no different to Chilton, Maldonado and Gutierrez.
There's only really been the Red Bull scheme (Vettel, Ricciardo, Kyvat ) and the Renault ladder (Kubica, Grosjean ) that's brought otherwise underfunded talent into top level drives.
Even at GP2 level, Palmer, Hamilton and Rosberg either had to bring family money or investor's cash to get their drives. In a way they're no different to Chilton, Maldonado and Gutierrez.
There's only really been the Red Bull scheme (Vettel, Ricciardo, Kyvat ) and the Renault ladder (Kubica, Grosjean ) that's brought otherwise underfunded talent into top level drives.
Adrian W said:
Is formula 1 screwed if the champion from GP2 series's don't automatically get a drive, Nasr came third but gets a drive because he is sponsored by a Brazilian Bank yet Palmer doesn't because he hasn't got that type of sponsorship (daddy's cash can't run to it).
With the high number of pay drivers is it going to get to the point where anyone can buy an F1 drive?
Pay drivers have existed since F1 started it's just more apparent now, there may be pay drivers on the grid but they are more than capable of holding their own given the right equipment.With the high number of pay drivers is it going to get to the point where anyone can buy an F1 drive?
The GT Academy is another programe that's giving drivers a fair chance
Where is the line between a paying driver, and a driver who brings money from his own sponsorship? Apart from obvious talent?
The only driver to make it to the grid recently on his own merits was Hamilton but he had McLaren picking up the tab for his championships since he was 13.
Everyone else brings money in some form so surely their wages are just money back from the sponsorship money they bring in? I bet even the likes of Alonso has money pledged to his current team in sponsorship which is far more than his own wages.
The only driver to make it to the grid recently on his own merits was Hamilton but he had McLaren picking up the tab for his championships since he was 13.
Everyone else brings money in some form so surely their wages are just money back from the sponsorship money they bring in? I bet even the likes of Alonso has money pledged to his current team in sponsorship which is far more than his own wages.
Pay drivers = a driver who financially forces his way into F1 (in some cases despite not being good enough in the first place), then keeping it solely because of that backing.
Maldonado, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, are all certainly in that bracket, and it looks as if magnussen will be falling into it too.
Maldonado, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, are all certainly in that bracket, and it looks as if magnussen will be falling into it too.
Lincsblokey said:
Pay drivers = a driver who financially forces his way into F1 (in some cases despite not being good enough in the first place), then keeping it solely because of that backing.
Maldonado, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, are all certainly in that bracket, and it looks as if magnussen will be falling into it too.
Spot on, I was talking about drivers who are only there because for one reason or another they can buy their drive, whereas talented much more able drivers are overlooked solely due to lack of resources Maldonado, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, are all certainly in that bracket, and it looks as if magnussen will be falling into it too.
Lincsblokey said:
Pay drivers = a driver who financially forces his way into F1 (in some cases despite not being good enough in the first place), then keeping it solely because of that backing.
Maldonado, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, are all certainly in that bracket, and it looks as if magnussen will be falling into it too.
You can't put Perez in the same category as the others. And he doesn't bring much money.Maldonado, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, are all certainly in that bracket, and it looks as if magnussen will be falling into it too.
slipstream 1985 said:
Palmer has taken quite a while to win that championship hasn't he?
3 seasons and in the best team. And in GP2 it's all about the team - the cars are far from being identical. Stoffel Vandoorne has really shown the whole field up in his first year. He's the real deal for sure.
From my understanding there are only 9 drivers in F1 that are paid a salary to drive by the team. Plus the Torro Rosso drivers but I believe it's a small salary as part of their Red Bull driver program.
Everyone else brings money/sponsors to drive - some of that money then goes to pay themselves a salary. Actually even Alonso comes with Santander sponsorship. Something that no doubt Mclaren would like to have back.
Edited by woof on Monday 24th November 11:31
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