Top Rookie so far is ........

Wrex · 24 Apr 2001, 02:37 (Ref:84269)

There has been alot of hype about how well Montoya has gone so far (and I agree), However, How does he compare 'relatively speaking' to the other Newbies.

I put them all in (despite the fact only 2 or 3 will get votes) and My Vote is for Kimi. So far - Excellent - Could'nt have asked for a better job.

BTW - I know they are not all "Rookies" exactly, but you get the drift

slipstream · 24 Apr 2001, 03:33 (Ref:84278)

I too would be singing the praises of lil Kimi if it were not for Montoya. But what he achieved in only his third ever F1 race was quite astounding. If Jos hadn't punted him off, he would in all likelyhood have achieved the quickest GP victory of any driver in the history of F1.

Jay · 24 Apr 2001, 03:48 (Ref:84282)

Kimi Kimi Kimi!!!

He doesn't have half the car that Montoya does, yet isn't that far behind on the timing sheets!

DNQ · 24 Apr 2001, 04:13 (Ref:84286)

It is too hard to tell. I can;t see how you can compare Alonso in a Minardi to Montoya in a Williams. But, if I had to say someone, I would say Alonso, as he has been very impressive.

**Peter Mallett** · 24 Apr 2001, 04:32 (Ref:84290)

Was I dreaming or did Panis win the Monaco GP a few years ago.

Also, whilst technically he is a rookie, how can we include Montoya in this company?

Raceace · 24 Apr 2001, 06:00 (Ref:84318)

I'm with you there Wrex. Montoya cannot really be compared, after his record you cannot really call him a Rookie. Wasn't he in Champcars? Isn't that the US equivilent of F1. Kimi is definately the 'Button' of 2001 so far. Especially since there was so much controversy over the granting of his superlicence.

And yes Panis is not a rookie. He did win a race and I think it was Monaco. He took a year out at McLaren to do some testing as opposed to spending another year with?? Prost I think.

Run Free · 24 Apr 2001, 10:45 (Ref:84368)

Panis????
Olivier is not a rookie!
He's 35 years old and is in F1 from 1995

He also won a GP (Monaco 1996 if I remember well, in a Ligier). The fact that he had an year out to test for McLaren doesn't make him a rookie.

Among the real rookies the best IMO is Raikkonen, although a better choice can be made at the end of the season.

angst · 24 Apr 2001, 11:22 (Ref:84375)

I think Alonso has been brilliant this year. It's difficult to judge these drivers against each other as we have no idea how good the cars are or what electronic advantages some have over others.
Alonso, Montoya and Raikkonen have all shown they have big futures in F1.

kuchi · 24 Apr 2001, 13:02 (Ref:84408)

Well eventhough my vote went to Montoya, because I'm a big fan of him, I must give some credit to Kimi as well. Both of them have showed they will be stars in the coming years, I just hope Juan can be one this season. This poll was really difficult, All the drivers have different things to be voted for, so I think it is a results tie between JPM and KR.

**bella** · 24 Apr 2001, 13:19 (Ref:84417)

my heart says fernando, my brain says juan.

and my feet say kimi.

ireshad · 24 Apr 2001, 13:47 (Ref:84436)

While JPM is by far and away the most accomplished of the new batch of drivers, I'm with those who say he cannot be classed as a rookie, which would suggest no experience with cars of the F1 class level. And no Panis is by no stretch of the imagination a rookie. My vote firmly goes to Kimi.

Minardi fan · 24 Apr 2001, 13:50 (Ref:84438)

My vote just goes to Ferrrrrnando, but it's definitely close between him and Kimi. Can I vote twice???

Ralf's Girl · 24 Apr 2001, 17:38 (Ref:84492)

I voted for Raikkonen, but it was a close call between him and Alonso.

I'm with M-fan, I want to vote twice!!!

Damon_racer · 24 Apr 2001, 21:12 (Ref:84528)

I wanted vote for Montoya but what Kimi has done in a car that should not be that fast is very inpressive.

wodonnell · 24 Apr 2001, 21:50 (Ref:84545)

Technically Raikkonen is the top rookie as he has scored more points than the others.

In terms of performance however I think its a very close call between them. With the exception of Bernoldi I think all the rookie drivers have been impressive. Alonso has managed to get the Minardi higher up the grid than its been for a while.

Montoya was expected to perform well so when he did not many people were surprised. Perhaps a bit disappointing is the fact that he still has no finished from 4 starts.

Raikkonen has been fairly solid so far averaging 1 point every time he has finished!

Tristan · 24 Apr 2001, 22:00 (Ref:84551)

Voted? Montoya. Other? Raikonnen

Minardi fan · 24 Apr 2001, 22:40 (Ref:84563)

Am I the only person who hasn't really been that impressed with Montoya - I mean, we were kind of expecting the guy to be good.

botsquad · 24 Apr 2001, 23:38 (Ref:84590)

Quote:

Originally posted by Minardi fan
Am I the only person who hasn't really been that impressed with Montoya - I mean, we were kind of expecting the guy to be good.

should we expect f1 drivers to be something less then good?

montoya is not only good..he's lit a fire in the series.

that's why everyones talking.

Unknown Soldier · 24 Apr 2001, 23:54 (Ref:84592)

A case can be made for Kimi - comes into f1 without alot of experiance in single seaters and is more then holding his own

A case can be made for Alonso - He's done a great job in that underpowered Minardi.

Flip a coin between them and Montoya but my vote goes to JPM. His pass on TGF, Nuff said.

Minardi fan · 24 Apr 2001, 23:55 (Ref:84594)

Mr. Squad, you know what I mean, the guy is impressive yes, but I think Alonso and Raikkonen, taking into account their experience and cars, are this year's top rookies.

RT · 25 Apr 2001, 00:58 (Ref:84612)

If you correct for the Williams vs Minardi car factors, Fernando Alonso is ahead of the rest, with Raikkonen a close second.

badoer fan · 25 Apr 2001, 16:39 (Ref:84865)

Quote:

Originally posted by Minardi fan
Am I the only person who hasn't really been that impressed with Montoya.

Totally unimpressed. In Brazil he was, admittedly, very good, but i the other three races he's been very ordinary really, and well off Ralf's pace all the time.

robert2000 · 25 Apr 2001, 16:47 (Ref:84868)

Actually, Panis has been in F1 since 1994

He scored the Ligier team's final win. That was an incredible race, first TGF crashes, Damon blows up in the tunnel, then Alesi does the same and that left Panis in the lead. I think he started 14th on the grid and won Monaco. That's impressive. Comparitive to John Watson's win at Detroit I think from 22nd on the grid

Speed · 25 Apr 2001, 17:04 (Ref:84872)

Quote:

Originally posted by bella
my heart says fernando, my brain says juan.

and my feet say kimi.

Which bodypart says Mazzacane ???....... don't have to tell me. (he's not a rookie, but, couldn't resist to question)

Ralf's Girl · 25 Apr 2001, 19:33 (Ref:84929)

Quote:

Originally posted by Minardi fan
Am I the only person who hasn't really been that impressed with Montoya - I mean, we were kind of expecting the guy to be good.

I see your point there, M-fan. Montoya has done nothing particularly spectacular in my eyes, because everyone expected astounding performances. I don't think his qualifying is all that good - he's been well off Ralf's pace a lot of the time.

Which is why my vote was between Raikkonen and Alonso.

View Poll Results: Top Rookie So far
Montoya	16	34.04%
Panis	2	4.26%
Raikkonen	21	44.68%
Burti	0	0%
Bernoldi	1	2.13%
Alonso	7	14.89%
Marques	0	0%
Other - (Rule - every pole has to have an other)	0	0%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Who Will Be the Best Rookie?	BootsOntheSide	Formula One	42	24 Feb 2005 22:40
The Rookie	double00	IRL Indycar Series	5	24 Feb 2003 18:31
The Rookie	double00	ChampCar World Series	30	19 Feb 2003 18:53
Who is the best rookie	caseyfan19	NASCAR & Stock Car Racing	12	5 Apr 2002 18:16
Rookie here	kycartfan	ChampCar World Series	6	5 Jul 2001 09:42