Marc Gene

BSchneiderFan · 13 Sep 2003, 13:40 (Ref:717468)

Perhaps this should be part of the qualifying thread, but I have to say I was impressed by Gene's performance this afternoon. OK, so he knows the car and team well, and has been testing at Monza for the past week, but, even so, he was called up at the last minute (while still asleep, if James Allen is to be believed) and put the car fifth, a showing Ralf Schumacher hasn't always matched this year. Gerhard Berger was once rather slighting about ex-racers who test, saying effectively that they did so because they weren't good enough for race seats, but Gene impressed me during his stint with Minardi (how long ago that seems!) and has done so again. A race seat for 2004, perhaps?

**Adam43** · 13 Sep 2003, 13:44 (Ref:717472)

He did do well, first out and put in a decent time.

Montoya (from a shot in the pit lane) seemed impressed with the time too.

garcon · 13 Sep 2003, 13:45 (Ref:717473)

Quick right out of the box, nice and tidy quali lap. Nothing more or less than you'd expect, seeing as he's probably spent more time at the wheel of the Williams this season than Ralf and JPM put together...

We'll see tomorrow - he may still have an important role to play.

Valve Bounce · 13 Sep 2003, 13:47 (Ref:717479)

One would have to be very blase not to be impressed by Marc's performance. I always thought he was a good driver when he was at Minardi; he might surprise everyone by showing up on the podium.

mjstallard · 13 Sep 2003, 13:48 (Ref:717481)

Gene for president!

ralf fan · 13 Sep 2003, 13:50 (Ref:717484)

Good lap!!! 5 th , could have a shot at the podium

BSchneiderFan · 13 Sep 2003, 13:51 (Ref:717487)

If Martin Brundle can just stop calling him Jordi, all will be well...

Irv the Swerve · 13 Sep 2003, 13:54 (Ref:717493)

It seemed to be a very tidy lap by Marc Gene, no locked wheels or dirt flying around. When Ralf learned of his penalty, he reckoned that starting first on the road would cost him about 1/2 sec., so I'm sure Gene would have been that much better if he could have started later.

That said, qualifying is the first lap of the race, so if Gene makes an early stop he won't look too impressive. I don't think he will though - that impressed look that Montoya gave was not put on for the cameras. Apparently FW himself was smiling - although I didn't see that so, frankly, I doubt it.

**Adam43** · 13 Sep 2003, 13:55 (Ref:717494)

Quote:

Originally posted by BSchneiderFan
If Martin Brundle can just stop calling him Jordi, all will be well...

IIRC I reaad an article about Marc Gene and he kept goign on about how his older brother Jordi was better then him. Quite endearing really.

I haven't seen him race, but from what I've read Jordi was quite handy as a driver.

BSchneiderFan · 13 Sep 2003, 13:56 (Ref:717496)

That's the rumour, isn't it, though pedalling a SEAT in the ETCC is proving a pretty thankless task.

**Adam43** · 13 Sep 2003, 13:57 (Ref:717497)

Quote:

Originally posted by Irv the Swerve
Apparently FW himself was smiling - although I didn't see that so, frankly, I doubt it.

Nice pun.

Frank has been known to smile!

This is the sort of thing that would please him I reckon.

Wrex · 13 Sep 2003, 13:57 (Ref:717498)

The guys done 20 laps, hardly enough to give a fair assessment. I'll give him credit for not spinning in quals

Should'nt we have held back on this until at least after the race?

BSchneiderFan · 13 Sep 2003, 14:04 (Ref:717505)

I think it's fair to give preliminary opinions. One can always reserve judgement and pick option 2.

Wrex · 13 Sep 2003, 14:06 (Ref:717506)

Oops, did'nt read all the options

Liz · 13 Sep 2003, 14:29 (Ref:717524)

I bet Ralf isn't smiling ...

Lee Yue Yang · 13 Sep 2003, 14:31 (Ref:717525)

He did a really good job today.Wonder how he would do tomorrow?

Hugh Jarce · 13 Sep 2003, 14:47 (Ref:717538)

He came over very cool for his first 'one-lap qualy' experience. More experienced drivers than him have 'snatched' at it over the past GP's so I reckon he must at least have the temperament to be in contention.

It will be interesting to see how he fairs in the racing conditions especialy at the first corner. I know he's got relatively recent racing experience but this is playing with the 'big boys' which is bound to be different.

Either way he needs to bring home points so I wouldn't mind betting Uncle Frank will tell him to stay out of trouble and make sure he gets the thing home and in doing so pick up some 'goodies'.

jetsetter · 13 Sep 2003, 14:55 (Ref:717545)

Gene has been impressive in all the sessions today but i'll reserve my judgement until after the race as Sunday's the day that counts, as for a 2004 race seat one must open up first.

gttouring · 13 Sep 2003, 15:04 (Ref:717553)

well importantly Ralf is out of the title chase for sure, and gene can only show well in the eyes of the team, so he needen't do anything out there but protect montoya, so he will be a fast points stealing moving chicane for Kimi and SchumacherMaybe ruben will do the MS chop quali manuever to take out JPM and anyone else...
Gene is a wild card this weekend and a loose cannon for results and action

Mr V · 13 Sep 2003, 15:20 (Ref:717560)

Quote:

Originally posted by Irv the Swerve
It seemed to be a very tidy lap by Marc Gene, no locked wheels or dirt flying around.

To me, Gene made a slight error in turn one, maybe a little bit late on the brakes, but recovered well. In the interview on ITV, he said that he was pleased with the time, but not with the lap.

Imo, a job well done........so far!

**Adam43** · 13 Sep 2003, 15:51 (Ref:717573)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr V
To me, Gene made a slight error in turn one, maybe a little bit late on the brakes, but recovered well. In the interview on ITV, he said that he was pleased with the time, but not with the lap.

slight is right, but I was impressed with how he managed to make the second apex/part of the corner so well. It is nit-picking a bit. A fari assessment by himself. Pleased, but thinks he could do better - a racing driver!

Can't really fault him at all. Hopefully he will bring home a lot of constructors points for Frank and, of course, for himself.

TomS · 13 Sep 2003, 17:32 (Ref:717625)

Im really impressed with Gene. I know he knows the team etc etc but the amount of pressure he is under must be huge. As mentioned above he only made a tiny mistake but still put in a very respectable lap time. Lets just hope he is able to deliver in the race!!

429CJ · 13 Sep 2003, 17:59 (Ref:717644)

I've always thought Gene is better than his reputation, better than overhyped Pedro de la Rosa.

paulzinho · 13 Sep 2003, 19:51 (Ref:717738)

Did a seemingly impressive job today, good luck to him for tomorrow, would be nice to see a new face up there afterwards!

BootsOntheSide · 13 Sep 2003, 20:27 (Ref:717793)

He's doen a rgeat job under the circumstances, and could be able to take a surprsie result, especially if the otehr drivers are cautious off the line with the title at stake. Marc has everything to gain tomorrow with a good race.

A race drive in 2004 is impossible, because he's signed for Williams. 2005, who knows? I think he's too good to remain on the sidelines.

View Poll Results: What do you think of Gene so far?
Impressive; deserves a race seat	47	61.04%
Too early to say	28	36.36%
Pfft. Nothing special	2	2.60%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll

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