And How About Zonta?

[NiceGuyEddie]

Former Jordan driver Ricardo Zonta visited the team during a one day visit to the French Grand Prix, the Brazilian looking for opportunities to restart his Grand Prix career. The ex-Formula 3000 and SportsCar Champion drove for Jordan last summer, and was previously a BAR driver for two seasons.

Having lost out to Jean Alesi at Jordan for the balance of last season, Ricardo turned his attention to rebuilding his reputation and has been successfully racing in the Spanish Formula Nissan series. He races in Spain approximately once a month, commuting from his home in Brazil, but remains determined to return to Formula One if the right opportunity develops.

"I have been enjoying racing and winning in another category, but I am looking at Formula One to see what's going on and of course it is still my objective," said Zonta. "But you need to have everything in the package right and it's certainly very difficult to find opportunities."

Got this from F1Jordan.com

I've always felt Ricardo Zonta was one of the more underestimated drivers of the past seasons. Proven very quick in all other categories, he was held back by Villeneuve-favourtism at BAR en failed to kickstart at Jordan for whatever reason. But I still reckon the guy has what it takes to mean something in F1.

(Mr Richards, if you are reading, he is probably a lot cheaper than Jacques).

[BootsOntheSide]

I agree, Zonta is certainly a driver whose potential remains unfulfilled but I think is still there. Not sure he will get himself anything, but good luck to him, he shoudl definately look to CART if nothing comes to him in Europe.

[shiny side up!]

The only seat I could possibly imagine Zonta in would be Yoong's, and I don't think he has the money to keep Minardi afloat like Yoong...

[Jordi]

Uh, Jacques-favourtism... he didn't do himself any favours taking JV and himself out at Germany 2000...

[Sato san]

At the momemt F1 is blessed with alot of talent hanging around it . In a way its a good thing i suppose , but it can end up very unfair for some drivers when they have the talent to step in a good F1 seat , but not the budget to get them in it . If only they could get one certain driver out of that Minardi seat , F1 would have a full grid of drivers that are there on merit .

[NiceGuyEddie]

Speaking of merit, isnt it about time that Sebastian Bourdais got a foot in the door? The guy is just 23, has massive F3000 and sportscar-experience and seems to be reasonably quick. Plus, French government-backing shouldnt hurt either.

[Sato san]

there you go you see , another driver with a ton of talent on his way to the top level ....

but will he get there ? $$$$$$

sometimes its a bit of a disgrace when a driver misses his chance purley down to the money he can show a team.

[NiceGuyEddie]

Is it really that bad? If you think about it, only two drivers are in it for their money whereas one of em is performing quite reasonable. Im talking about Yoong and Bernoldi.

F1-teams just shouldnt be hanging on to experience just for the sake of it. Experience in itself is overrated these days. The Talented Teenagers (as I like to call em ) prove that experience isnt the sole key to driving a contemperary F1-car fast. It obviously can help in certain race-situations, but can that be the only reason to hang on to a 'was-been'?

[mac]

Originally posted by NiceGuyEddie
Speaking of merit, isnt it about time that Sebastian Bourdais got a foot in the door? The guy is just 23, has massive F3000 and sportscar-experience and seems to be reasonably quick. Plus, French government-backing shouldnt hurt either.

He tested for Arrows last week.

[Valve Bounce]

Thre are testing positions up for grabs next year at McLaren (when Wurz leaves), and Renault.

Valve[img]http://www.**************************/smilies/bouncy.gif[/img]

[Mr V]

Originally posted by NiceGuyEddie
only two drivers are in it for their money whereas one of em is performing quite reasonable. Im talking about Yoong and Bernoldi.

The difference is, as you say, one of them (Bernoldi) is performing quite well. The difference between these two imo is, Brazil has a very good heratige for drivers and if Bernoldi wasn't in F1 another Brazilian would be there to take his place, but Bernoldi is good enough to maintain his seat. Yoong, on the other hand is Maylasia's only top line driver, there isn't anyone else waiting in the wings who can step up and take Alex's place and represent the country.