Who will replace Sebastien at NHL?

woodbine · 11 Aug 2007, 12:25 (Ref:1986023)

With Sebastien now confirmed at Toro Rosso for next year who do think will replace him at Newman Haas? Personally I would like to see Justin Wilson get the seat as RSPORTS seem to be a little off the pace this year.

OJB · 11 Aug 2007, 13:15 (Ref:1986034)

Marco Andretti is in line for it apparently. If he isn't tied to BMW, Timo Glock would be a good choice - he made the Rocketsports car look quick! Other than that, Justin Wilson or Nelson Philippe maybe. Or even Tonio Liuzzi.....

Bluewolf · 11 Aug 2007, 18:38 (Ref:1986190)

Marco's not that quick -- I hope they test Speed and also grab the the GP2 champion for a test -- Someone here mentioned in a post that Liuzzi overdrives his F1 car and I agree with that, but as he races he will probably get better with that problem, so he would be a good for a test too.

Peter Ford · 12 Aug 2007, 01:34 (Ref:1986461)

i think jeremy shaw mentioned that Wilson is the favourite to replace bourdais at newman haas langian racing

OJB · 12 Aug 2007, 08:57 (Ref:1986534)

Andretti had potential I think - he seems quick on road courses, more so than ovals.

luke · 12 Aug 2007, 11:18 (Ref:1986597)

From what I know here is who is in the frame:

Scott Speed
Justin Wilson

And possibly::

Marco Andretti

norman-normal · 12 Aug 2007, 15:15 (Ref:1986705)

Why not another Formula Atlantic grad?

JohnSSC · 12 Aug 2007, 17:34 (Ref:1986755)

If you take an Atlantic grad (though not a bad idea) then you would have two relative rookies if Rahal stays. Whoever they select, I tend to think it will be someone with experience.

Hadn't considered Wilson, not necessarily a bad choice...but Glock might not be a bad idea, either.

Knowlesy · 12 Aug 2007, 17:35 (Ref:1986756)

Justin Wilson would be a good choice. I think he deserves a really top car.

No mentions for Dan Clarke?

mountainstar · 12 Aug 2007, 17:51 (Ref:1986766)

I suspect it would be an experienced driver like Wilson.

There are still rumors going around about Marco as of yesterday.

Speed would be a good choice I think he would go to another team.

Bluewolf · 12 Aug 2007, 17:55 (Ref:1986769)

Yes Justin is obviously talented and I'm sure would do well -- In the following article, Speed mentions N/H/L at the top of his list so perhaps there is already something there as I don't think he would've mentioned a specific team unless there was already some communication. Also, it looks like Red Bull is still in the picture with Speed -- here's the link:

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlin...12161750.shtml

Raven · 12 Aug 2007, 21:11 (Ref:1987015)

Any chance AJ Allmendinger could come back?

luke · 12 Aug 2007, 21:32 (Ref:1987048)

Quote:

He remains optimistic that he can stay on the grid next season, but said he would turn his attention to US racing if he could not secure another Formula One seat.

"My priority is to stay in F1, which is what I dreamt of as a child," Liuzzi said.

"I'm in contact with two other teams, otherwise I'll aim to race in America."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61489

So Liuzzi is 'possible' for Champ Car.

luke · 12 Aug 2007, 21:35 (Ref:1987052)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven

Any chance AJ Allmendinger could come back?

Raven I'd love to see AJ Allmendinger return to Champ Car. He had it all, and he was exactly what Champ Car wanted. I only wish he returns but I don't know how he feels at NASCAR but half the time he doesn't qualify for the Cup races.

Knowlesy · 12 Aug 2007, 21:35 (Ref:1987053)

AJ will be much happier with his NASCAR pay cheques though.

luke · 12 Aug 2007, 21:37 (Ref:1987056)

Which sucks. He could have been a champion in CC but I guess not oftern do you get a deal to do Cup. I think he's best suited in CC personally. Better off anyway (not $$ of course)

Knowlesy · 12 Aug 2007, 21:46 (Ref:1987076)

I was mortified when he left Champcar too. He is not NASCAR material.

But then again, Champcar is losing prestige fast.

TWRv12 · 12 Aug 2007, 22:14 (Ref:1987107)

Not sure that Wilson or Speed deserve a NHL seat. Hasn't Justin made to many mistakes this year.

Glock might be a better bet, but Champ Car need American stars or it will die.

Tony Clifton · 13 Aug 2007, 00:01 (Ref:1987163)

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke

Raven I'd love to see AJ Allmendinger return to Champ Car. He had it all, and he was exactly what Champ Car wanted. I only wish he returns but I don't know how he feels at NASCAR but half the time he doesn't qualify for the Cup races.

AJ has a 3 year 9 million contract to race NASCAR. I spoke to a relative of his recently. AJ would have like to stayed in Champ Car but NASCAR was giving him 9 million reasons to race with them.

I doubt AJ will ever be back in open wheel cars. By the time his contract with NASCAR is done he will be in his late 20's and will have to re-learn open wheel driving style.

NASCAR is the retirement series anyway. Once you get there as long as you keep you image clean and can deal with sponsorship commitments you are never out of a ride.

Jonerz · 13 Aug 2007, 00:08 (Ref:1987167)

Nine million to sit for NASCAR if you look at the results. Seriously though, I'd prefer to see him in Champ Car but when that Red Bull program picks up steam I imagine he'll be a contender in NASCAR. Back to the topic at hand, I'd like to see the Rahals and Andretti's in Champ Car where they belong.

Chris

Bluewolf · 13 Aug 2007, 01:11 (Ref:1987196)

Every time an open wheel driver from a U.S. series leaves and goes to NASCAR it really hurts open wheel racing in America. The Allmindinger move was really bad -- and as long as they keep going to NASCAR the audience will stay small -- It's going to be very difficult for open wheel in America to get back to the glory days unless they finally combine the two series and get a lot of sponsorship money again which will keep the best drivers in open wheel.

mountainstar · 13 Aug 2007, 01:45 (Ref:1987207)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I was mortified when he left Champcar too. He is not NASCAR material.

But then again, Champcar is losing prestige fast.

I'd disagree about the prestige bit. I think we have a lot of new stars on the horizon(doornbos and power for starters, the racing is the best this year and sponsors are starting to take an interest).

AJ was unknown but for the last 3 months in champcar when he started winning races. He may have got that big contract, but over the long term I think he would have been better demonstrating a winning pedigree in champcar for a few years and then moving on. Right now if the nascar ride evaporates he's screwed. He has nothing to fall back on and no fanbase or sponsors to support him. I heard about the Forsythe offer and it was not peanuts.

norman-normal · 13 Aug 2007, 03:12 (Ref:1987223)

AJ is now: 1. A nobody? 2. A has been?

When ever I see him on TV, he looks lost, no energy, never smiles. There are many things besides money. You have to be a little careful about what you think you should have,,,,,,,,you might get it.

D.R.T. · 13 Aug 2007, 09:46 (Ref:1987373)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWRv12

Not sure that Wilson or Speed deserve a NHL seat. Hasn't Justin made to many mistakes this year.

I think Wilson has more than earnt an NHL ride. The RSports car he has had under him this year has been ordinary, and yet he still manages poles and lead some races. We have seen what AJ managed in a top car, the mind boggles at what Wilson would do in a top car.

That said, I hope Wilson doesnt wind up at NHL, mainly because it would be Bourdais all over again.

Best case scenario, (well in my head) is Wilson and CDW to Minardi USA, Speed to NHL and Clarke to RSports.

BootsOntheSide · 13 Aug 2007, 10:53 (Ref:1987422)

Speed getting a competitive drive is vital for ChampCars, and NHL might be the most competitive of the lot. Wilson deserves a good car and is an established name with the US public as well though.