Canada's Next Best Hope For An F1 Ride - Page 3

Last2LiftOff · 25 Sep 2006, 21:00 (Ref:1719736)

Ala Sebastian Vettel. Excerpt from a Toronto Star article in March, before Wickens won the Formula BMW USA series this year:

Wickens says his ultimate goal is Formula One.

“I’ll be in Europe in 2007 for a season of Formula Renault 2000 and if everything goes according to plan, I’ll be in GP2 by 2009. That’s just a step below F1. Everything is subject to change, of course, but this is what Red Bull has planned for me at the moment.”

Don't know if Formula Renault's still coming together for him or not but, giddy-up.

karimbo · 26 Sep 2006, 14:12 (Ref:1720371)

Quote:

Originally Posted by runshaw

Bruno Spengler only finished 11th I think in Euro F3 last year so that to me doesn't seem like F1 material, but who knows.

Look at what JV was doing in Formula 3 and you will realize 2 things:

1) It is NOT HOW GOOD YOU ARE

2) It only comes down to HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU GET FROM SPONSORS.

To go "far" in car racing, what you really need is sponsorship money. Who will be the next Canadian racer in Formula 1 ? The answer is pretty darn obvious: Jacques Villeneuve's son...

karimbo · 26 Sep 2006, 14:19 (Ref:1720378)

- "Kevin Lacroix is probably the most talented Canadian kart racer."

That is a fact. But say that to a sponsor he will answer:

- "Kevin who? "

On the other hand did youknow that even Mitsou was able to get money to race cars ???

So I beleive that it will be easier for Jacques Villeneuve's UNBORN DAUGHTER to get money to race cars than poor Kevin Lacroix...

Knowlesy · 26 Sep 2006, 16:07 (Ref:1720457)

Can we please leave JV out of this. The reasons for putting him in here are tenuous to say the least.

Jordi · 26 Sep 2006, 16:16 (Ref:1720469)

It's typical Karimbo. If he has 370 posts, surely 300 are bashing Jacques and usually that got you bans or warnings, at the very least.

I know I'm attacking the poster here but he leaves no option.

As for Canadians, Paffett and Albers have shown that DTM to F1 isn't impossible, and Bruno Spengler seems like a rather quick guy, from what I've seen and heard.
Andrew Ranger has been extremely consistent this year, but I suppose Mi-Jack Conquest Racing isn't the fastest team in Champ Car. Who wonders what he'd do at Newman/Haas or RuSPORT...

Alan Raine · 26 Sep 2006, 16:47 (Ref:1720499)

I like JV, but forget him for F1, that's in the past.

F1 is still European and unless you have a lot of dollars, can get in with Red Bull or the Japanese theres not a lot of hope. Let's face Bordais is on for his 3rd title in Champ Car and hasn't got a look in.

Bruno Spengler possibly has the best chance as he is at least over here!

karimbo · 27 Sep 2006, 00:26 (Ref:1720788)

I would simply like to explain something: the 2 previous replies that I have posted in this thread ARE NOT JV BASHING REPLIES.

I would simply like to point out a trend that we are witnessing in autoracing: an aristocratic system in being put in place. The children of many ex-drivers are getting a seat in Formula One. It was the case with Damon Hill, JV, now Nico Rosberg, soon Nelsinho. Bruno Senna and Marco Andretti will probably join in. Even Mathias Lauda, Nicolas Prost (not exceptionally good) might get a chance. It was announced that BMW has included 15 year old Adrien Tambay (son of Patrick?) in their development programm. The sons of Nigel Mansell will soon be testing F3 cars... Aussie Christian Jones is coming up, Winkelhock, named them, they're there !!! (In Indy racing, they have A.J. Foyt the 4th (or 14th I've stopped counting

)

It seems that pretty soon, there won't be any drives available for driver's whose fathers are not ex-F1-racers.

So since the only 2 serious Canadian drivers in Formula 1 have been Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve, I joked by saying that the next one will probably be Jacques son (or daughter).

It was not bashing: JV is not in Formula 1 anymore. There is not much need to criticize him anymore. Some of you are waayyyy to sensitive. Have a sense of humor, for crying out loud !!!

karimbo · 27 Sep 2006, 00:29 (Ref:1720789)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

Obvious question,does JV have a son?.

Armco Bender, are you bashing JV ?

andy_b · 27 Sep 2006, 06:39 (Ref:1720909)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boro

doesn't hurt to be a redbull driver

not sure Klien would agree with you

Having recently moved to Canada, I've found a country whose industries actually support their drivers less than the UK!

Its a very steep hill for any Canadian. It seems that many come from Qubec, Ontatrio and the East (other than Moore and McIntosh). Certainly, in BC, their are bugger all race tracks (Misson I suppose)

Watched a few A1GP races and was VERY impressed with McIntosh and in the Atlantics, Hinchcliffe has something about him. Ranger is a harder one to gauge as he doesnt have the best equipment, but at least he has some Canadian backing from Canadian divisions of Wal Mart and P&G

Currently, I think McIntosh might be the one

okeefe · 27 Sep 2006, 14:27 (Ref:1721254)

I was hoping Antoine Bessette would be the next to head for GP2 and eventually F1.

Last2LiftOff · 27 Sep 2006, 23:03 (Ref:1721594)

Quote:

Originally Posted by okeefe

I was hoping Antoine Bessette would be the next to head for GP2 and eventually F1.

This quote from his web site:

Bessette was invited to test with 2005 GP2 champion team ART Grand Prix, but decline the offer to stay in America.

If he'd like a shot at F1, I'm surprised he would decline a GP2 test. Must be more to it than that.

okeefe · 28 Sep 2006, 13:48 (Ref:1722089)

"A decision was made to concentrate financial resources on trying to find a good seat for Antoine in Atlantic next season. Of course he was disappointed not to be able to accept the GP2 invitation. Thank you for your interest in Antoine". Clement Bessette (quoted with permission by Okeefe).

This is from February/06. I was disappointed right along with them about this one. I'm looking forward to watching him wherever he races next season though!

Boro · 28 Sep 2006, 15:01 (Ref:1722136)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_b

not sure Klien would agree with you

Having recently moved to Canada, I've found a country whose industries actually support their drivers less than the UK!

Its a very steep hill for any Canadian. It seems that many come from Qubec, Ontatrio and the East (other than Moore and McIntosh). Certainly, in BC, their are bugger all race tracks (Misson I suppose)

Watched a few A1GP races and was VERY impressed with McIntosh and in the Atlantics, Hinchcliffe has something about him. Ranger is a harder one to gauge as he doesnt have the best equipment, but at least he has some Canadian backing from Canadian divisions of Wal Mart and P&G

Currently, I think McIntosh might be the one

Companies here dont see motorsports as a viable means of marketing. For whatever reason, I don't know...but seeing my boss looking for sponsors to fund one of our programmes is really disconcerting. Especially when we have to look OUTSIDE our country to get the money.

As for the Klein/Red Bull thing, RB was gracious enough to offer him a PAID champ-car ride, but since Klein declined it, then there's really nothing they could do. It wasn't as if RB just gave him the big ol' boot, just that Klein didn't want to go where they'd pay him to go.

Last2LiftOff · 29 Sep 2006, 01:53 (Ref:1722544)

Watched the video highlights fom the last 3 DTM races and gotta say young Spengler did very, very well. Here

Quote:

Originally Posted by okeefe

"A decision was made to concentrate financial resources on trying to find a good seat for Antoine in Atlantic next season. Of course he was disappointed not to be able to accept the GP2 invitation. Thank you for your interest in Antoine". Clement Bessette (quoted with permission by Okeefe).

So, they didn't have the money and couldn't come up with it? Sort of goes with Boro's comment above.

Last2LiftOff · 29 Sep 2006, 12:56 (Ref:1722958)

Kevin Lacroix qualified 5th at Star Mazda Road Atlanta and Dan DiLeo of Markham Ont third. http://www.starmazda.com/
I just don't see the Star Mazda series feeding into F1 or even Europe though. Champcar, IRL, maybe even NASCAR.....unfortunately just can't see it getting one of our guys into F1. In Kevin's case, I hope I'm wrong.

Mystery · 29 Sep 2006, 21:37 (Ref:1723362)

For what it's worth (and given that this name could have come up in pages 2-4 of this thread which i havent read) my money's on James Hinchcliffe. Built a nice rep for himself in Atlantics and coming across as very marketable in the booth next to Jeremy. Putting in a quality performance today in A1 also. Not sure he's interested at all in Europe though.

Last2LiftOff · 30 Sep 2006, 13:00 (Ref:1723620)

Yep Mystery, thanks for chipping in.

Hinchcliffe's come-up alot and Sean McIntosh also A1GP, as has a discussion about getting in to F1 from this side of the Atlantic. Are they destined for Champcar/IRL (only)? A1GP won't hurt, esp. when he's fastest in one of the practice sessions yesterday. Hope it carries over to qualifying.

Last2LiftOff · 15 Oct 2006, 14:04 (Ref:1738414)

I'm adding to this thread about a month after the last post and, again, my apologies to any non-Canadians on the thread.

I think Bruno Spengler deserves a shot. He's just won his third DTM race of the year in pretty impressive fashion driving for Mercedes http://www.dtm.de/ergebnis.php?file=...nen=2006-10-15. Norbert Haug has plenty of good things to say about him.

Perhaps he could go the Gary Paffett route from DTM (he's on a very similar path) or maybe a test in GP2. He's only 22, and should at least get a chance to prove himself.

Of course deserving a shot and getting one are two completely different things but this guy is good. Seems like the real deal.

Knowlesy · 15 Oct 2006, 14:15 (Ref:1738425)

A test drive at McLaren for eternity beckons.

Last2LiftOff · 15 Oct 2006, 14:54 (Ref:1738453)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

A test drive at McLaren for eternity beckons.

You think so Knowles? Behind Hamilton and Alonzo, let alone Pedro and Paffett?

Maybe they'll loan him out, I've seen that happen. Gotta keep the faith

**Bononi** · 15 Oct 2006, 15:02 (Ref:1738462)

There's always Toro Rosso and Super Aguri...

Last2LiftOff · 15 Oct 2006, 15:04 (Ref:1738465)

Pile it on, go ahead.

SALEEN S7R · 15 Oct 2006, 18:14 (Ref:1738577)

Personally I dont find it that hard to imagine Spengler one day racing a Formula 1 car, or at the very least testing for a team. Next year obviously isnt on the cards as things are gradually sorting themselves out but who knows, if next year he wins the Championship he could find himself in a strong postition. Still, if he really wants a chance at F1 I would suggest a GP2 ride and to do well there, as we have seen if you are good in GP2 doors often open for you. Spengler is currently 2nd in the DTM and the lowest he can end up in the Championship standings now with 1 round to go is 3rd. Thats pretty damn good considering its only his 2nd year in the DTM. IMO.

Knowlesy · 15 Oct 2006, 19:08 (Ref:1738610)

He has certainly proven himself now, so I hope to see him in GP2 soon.

Last2LiftOff · 16 Oct 2006, 11:56 (Ref:1739215)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

A test drive at McLaren for eternity beckons.

This may be Paffett agreeing with you Knowles

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89780
No question Spengler could handle a GP2 car and I think there's seats available and teams looking, but nary a whisper about Bruno and GP2.

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