LMP1 driver speculation - Page 12

TF110 · 29 Dec 2014, 01:06 (Ref:3488329)

Lotus would be a good fit. Him being German would help a lot.

deggis · 29 Dec 2014, 02:12 (Ref:3488336)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Lotus would be a good fit. Him being German would help a lot.

He would go to a waste in a team that always barely shows up in races.

TF110 · 29 Dec 2014, 05:05 (Ref:3488348)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deggis

He would go to a waste in a team that always barely shows up in races.

Did you miss their 'now hiring' link in the other thread? Or do you think thats not a signal of them taking the wec seriously?

Simmi · 29 Dec 2014, 10:34 (Ref:3488399)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Did you miss their 'now hiring' link in the other thread? Or do you think thats not a signal of them taking the wec seriously?

To be honest yes it's a bit of a leap to go from hiring a few more people to putting out a car that actually goes around corners. I'd want a few more assurances if I was Sutil.

MWM say he has already offered a pile of cash to get into an LMP1.

TF110 · 30 Dec 2014, 00:43 (Ref:3488527)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

To be honest yes it's a bit of a leap to go from hiring a few more people to putting out a car that actually goes around corners. I'd want a few more assurances if I was Sutil.

MWM say he has already offered a pile of cash to get into an LMP1.

And there you have it. Maybe his cash gives them that assurance. A factory drive looks off the table unless Nissan wants him. So where to? I think Lotus if anywhere.

Beetle · 30 Dec 2014, 02:08 (Ref:3488533)

This is all just speculation and not really anything to back this up except rumors, but I've come to a conclusion of whom I'm penciling in for Nissan next year.

Nissan 1: Pla/Lapierre/Senna
Nissan 2: Ordonez/Mardenborough/Heidfeld
Nissan 3 (LMS): Motoyama/Reip/Matsuda

TF110 · 30 Dec 2014, 04:25 (Ref:3488540)

Dont think Krumm will be in there? How about Quintarelli? I would say the latter has proven worthy.

JorritVD · 30 Dec 2014, 12:07 (Ref:3488563)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beetle

This is all just speculation and not really anything to back this up except rumors, but I've come to a conclusion of whom I'm penciling in for Nissan next year.

Nissan 1: Pla/Lapierre/Senna
Nissan 2: Ordonez/Mardenborough/Heidfeld
Nissan 3 (LMS): Motoyama/Reip/Matsuda

Reip is not possible, due he is to long for the car, might be the same for Ordonez? But i'm not sure about that.

Hawkwood · 30 Dec 2014, 13:11 (Ref:3488735)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

And there you have it. Maybe his cash gives them that assurance. A factory drive looks off the table unless Nissan wants him. So where to? I think Lotus if anywhere.

Personally I reckon Sutil would land at Rebellion as a replacement for Heidfeld (if Heidfeld moves to Nissan as most people expect).
Sutil would be a good fit for Rebellion.
Replace one German F1 driver with another German F1 driver who also brings a little cash.

J Jay · 30 Dec 2014, 13:18 (Ref:3488736)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

How about Quintarelli? I would say the latter has proven worthy.

He's been *the* GT500 driver of recent seasons, but there's nothing I've found linking him to an LMP1 seat. Not to say that Matsuda/Oliveira/Motoyama/Krumm/etc. aren't good enough, but Quintarelli would have been my first choice. Maybe Nissan don't want to put everything on the GT-R (yet) and/or value Super GT enough to want one of their star drivers focused solely on it.

Simmi · 30 Dec 2014, 14:03 (Ref:3488743)

Wasn't there a quote somewhere to say they weren't looking to really change their Super GT line-ups? I'd like to see two from JP/Quintarelli/Matsuda in the third car at LM.

The test day clashes with Autopolis but the ACO has (quite shrewdly) put a rule in place saying newcomer platinum drivers can now miss the test as long as they get five laps in during free practice. That stops anyone (hello F1) targeting test day with date clashes.

Honestly I think they should just get rid of the test day.

J Jay · 30 Dec 2014, 15:21 (Ref:3488756)

I remember reading that, but I find it hard to believe there won't be at least one of Matsuda/Motoyama & Oliveira/Quinatrelli. All of the mentioned SGT drivers are platinum, so the clash doesn't come into it...

...except for Quintarelli who is unrated presumably due to not racing in FIA/ACO sanctioned events. Maybe this has something to do with his lack of mention, but would it be that hard to get the paperwork done and have him rated?

Simmi · 30 Dec 2014, 15:43 (Ref:3488762)

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Jay

Would it be that hard to get the paperwork done and have him rated?

I don't think so. I've seen people pop up on the rankings just days before competing.

Beetle · 30 Dec 2014, 15:58 (Ref:3488765)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Dont think Krumm will be in there? How about Quintarelli? I would say the latter has proven worthy.

It's a draw, really. I've heard a few links to Matsuda, and also think Motoyama would be a good choice since he's helped out the last two years with Nissan's G56 entries. Would seem a bit cruel to leave him out for the big job. Who knows...

As far as Reip is concerned, Krumm may/may not replace him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JorritVD

Reip is not possible, due he is to long for the car, might be the same for Ordonez? But i'm not sure about that.

Shouldn't be an issue. Tracy Krohn is racing in a Ligier next year and he's like 6'4. Not many people equal me in height but he's one of them!

TF110 · 30 Dec 2014, 20:51 (Ref:3488808)

Dont forget Wurz. One of the tallest drivers there is.

Bandicoot17 · 30 Dec 2014, 22:56 (Ref:3488826)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Dont forget Wurz. One of the tallest drivers there is.

Is the cockpit 'leg room' as such mandated??

If the engine is in the front then there could be less leg room in the Nissan, ruling taller driers out.

Rodger Davies · 30 Dec 2014, 23:02 (Ref:3488827)

I would guess from the outings last year that Shulzhitskiy is higher up on the list of potential GTA LMP drivers than Reip, who seems to be becoming a GT expert. That said, Shulzhitskiy's 'market influence' may not be worth quite as much at the moment, but I'm sure Russia is still a potentially big market for Nissan, even with their (the country's) current troubles. He's had a relatively quiet year post-LM though.

Hawkwood · 31 Dec 2014, 00:32 (Ref:3488847)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

I would guess from the outings last year that Shulzhitskiy is higher up on the list of potential GTA LMP drivers than Reip, who seems to be becoming a GT expert. That said, Shulzhitskiy's 'market influence' may not be worth quite as much at the moment, but I'm sure Russia is still a potentially big market for Nissan, even with their (the country's) current troubles. He's had a relatively quiet year post-LM though.

What's this about Russia's money t-roubles?

I'll get my coat...

Mike E · 22 Feb 2015, 19:51 (Ref:3507744)

So after the Nissan announcements we have had, what's left unconfirmed?

ByKolles have Simon Trummer, leaving two seats. This was a merry go round last year so just about anybody could turn up.

Rebellion have only confirmed Nicolas Prost and Matias Beche, leaving four seats. There was a lot of speculation that Heidfeld would go to Nissan because of his GT Academy links amongst other things. Anyone heard anything one way or the other? Last year's other drivers were Andrea Belicchi, Fabio Leimer and Dominik Kraihamer. All returning?

Nissan have confirmed Olivier Pla, Marc Gene, Jann Mardenborough and Harry Tincknell, for the full season? As well as Tsugio Matsuda, Michael Krumm and Lucas Ordonez, for Le Mans only? That leaves two more seats.

Speculate away!

Simmi · 22 Feb 2015, 21:26 (Ref:3507778)

Definitely intrigued to see who fills these gaps.

Regarding the Nissan drivers - has it been confirmed who the Spa/LM part-time guys are yet?

Sutil is the rumoured guy for Nissan and I hope they get him. Okay he's not a Button but what their line-up is missing is a 'marquee' pilot. And we know they went in for quite a few.

I guess Rebellion will come down to how much additional funding they need. Can't see them switching things up too much but I kind of hope they do. Unless the ByKolles is competitive the emphasis really isn't on them to hire the quickest drivers.

Hawkwood · 23 Feb 2015, 00:06 (Ref:3507863)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

Regarding the Nissan drivers - has it been confirmed who the Spa/LM part-time guys are yet?
.

No 3rd car at Spa, but the Le Mans car is Ordonez and Matsuda so far, Krumm is in up to and including Le Mans.
The rest are full season.

I'd imagine Sutil would be Le Mans only if Heidfeld comes in, but could be a full season Heidfeld 'replacement' if the rumours of Quick Nick turning down a Nissan offer are true.

Mike E · 23 Feb 2015, 08:01 (Ref:3507961)

Regarding Sutil:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/su...-mans-reports/

gaaaazFR · 23 Feb 2015, 13:27 (Ref:3508019)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike E

Regarding Sutil:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/su...-mans-reports/

I didn't imagine Sutil going to Nissan anyway.

My bet is Nissan as already signed the two (or three) missing drivers. They must have tested all the drivers they were talking with and deals should be now in place... just missing an official communication, and you can expect something nice and original coming from Mr. Cox.

They're managing their communication quite amazingly I have to admit!

For the two remaining seats I would imagine either Heidfeld, Brundle or Lapierre, They can also choose to run part-time season with Super GT drivers (missing 3 events)... or make a huge surprise with someone else!

Sutil may end-up in a Rebellion car anyway if Heidfeld is moving, otherwise Rebellin might keep the same line-up.

YorkshireLad · 23 Feb 2015, 18:45 (Ref:3508096)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaaaazFR

I didn't imagine Sutil going to Nissan anyway.

My bet is Nissan as already signed the two (or three) missing drivers. They must have tested all the drivers they were talking with and deals should be now in place... just missing an official communication, and you can expect something nice and original coming from Mr. Cox.

They're managing their communication quite amazingly I have to admit!

For the two remaining seats I would imagine either Heidfeld, Brundle or Lapierre, They can also choose to run part-time season with Super GT drivers (missing 3 events)... or make a huge surprise with someone else!

Sutil may end-up in a Rebellion car anyway if Heidfeld is moving, otherwise Rebellin might keep the same line-up.

Max Chilton or the other british lad with the rubbish flick hairstyle... both were looking into an lmp1 drive. I don't particularly like them but was just a hunch.

TF110 · 23 Feb 2015, 20:23 (Ref:3508121)

It seems Heidfeld isnt doing wec this year but formula E.

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