who will be McLaren's new tester?

Down F0rce · 16 Jul 2002, 14:48 (Ref:335047)

with Wurz set to go to Toyota

next year, who will be McLarens new 3rd driver? Jean Alesi was "in serious talks" with them a while back for a permanant role after completing a few tests for them, and he is on good terms with Mercedes, after performing well in DTM. so i think Alesi. what do u guys think?

JR Ewing · 16 Jul 2002, 15:29 (Ref:335069)

could be, with maybe Lewis Hamilton to assist

Sato san · 16 Jul 2002, 15:36 (Ref:335074)

THATS A DAMM GOOD CALL......but not for their number 1 tester . Im sure he could have some testing during the year .

How about Gary paffett also ?

Sato san · 16 Jul 2002, 15:38 (Ref:335076)

cant see Alsei though....maybe someone more like HHF ?

cos · 16 Jul 2002, 16:26 (Ref:335096)

The best test drivers are ones with experience - so I think a Wurz - McNish swap is likely.

BootsOntheSide · 16 Jul 2002, 17:48 (Ref:335152)

What would Alesi have to gain from testing for McLaren, after all he's achieved? I think McNish would be many people's dream test driver, and of course the fact that he is a native English speaker will help in McLaren. I suspect taht they will follow the Ferrari route of having an experiecne driver like Allan alongside someone like Paffett or Hamilton

Kex · 16 Jul 2002, 18:04 (Ref:335160)

I don't think it would do McNish's career any good if he became test driver for McLaren. He's been a test driver many times and needs to race!

Jaxs · 16 Jul 2002, 18:30 (Ref:335175)

I'll go with a possible of Gary Paffett, especially after his DTM tests and Norby's comments. leading the German F3 at present.

Rgds

Jaxs

Sato san · 16 Jul 2002, 20:37 (Ref:335310)

Mcnish is a strong possiblilty i agree , but If Arrows were to change hands and HHF doesnt fit in with the new scheme , where would he go for next year ?.,,no where , so maybe testing ??..all ifs and buts i suppose .

Mcnish and Paffett would be a good test team.

f1manoz · 17 Jul 2002, 00:27 (Ref:335446)

IF McNish is let go by Toyota, then a testing role at McLaren might be his only chance of getting his bum into an F1 car next year.

Epsilon · 17 Jul 2002, 01:12 (Ref:335463)

Quote:

Originally posted by Kex
I don't think it would do McNish's career any good if he became test driver for McLaren. He's been a test driver many times and needs to race!

That's fer sure! McNish is 32 and not getting any younger; if he's to get a good crive the time is now.

Evilsenna · 17 Jul 2002, 03:12 (Ref:335479)

Button as McLaren test driver?

Mr V · 17 Jul 2002, 05:51 (Ref:335509)

Quote:

Originally posted by Down F0rce
so i think Alesi. what do u guys think?

Not a chance, especially after he slagged off this years McLaren earlier in the season. Ron won't let him back in this years car, let alone next years!

enemy-ace · 17 Jul 2002, 11:04 (Ref:335677)

I don't recall Alesi slagging off this years Mclaren, if memeory serves correct I thought he had only praise for it.
As for Alesi being a test driver; I personally couldn't think of a worse choice. The man has a poor history of developing cars, especially when it concerns the modern cars and all their technical doodads. At Prost he didn't even use the traction control. Thanks for being a team player there Jean. It wasn't until Frentzen arrived that the Prost showed any of it's potential. From what I have read Jean had a tendency to drive around a car's problems instead of sorting them out.
Mclaren need a quick, consistent driver with a head for the technical aspects of F1. The Frentzen idea sounds good, I think Pedro de la Rosa would be good in this regard also.

BootsOntheSide · 17 Jul 2002, 11:16 (Ref:335684)

"At Prost he didn't even use the traction control. Thanks for being a team player there Jean. It wasn't until Frentzen arrived that the Prost showed any of it's potential."

Maybe Frentzen shouldn't've switched on the launch control though, judging by Belgium. Better to go without something that to use it badly

Jean was a racer, and one known for an agressive lurid driving style, achieved with an oversteering car. Traction control was the antithesis of what he (and his fans) consider racing to be about. You can't teach a racing dog Bernie tricks.

I agree, though, that he wouldn't make a good test driver, and I doubt Frentzen would consider the idea just to prolong his career. McNish, sadly, looks set to be a 1-season wonder, he hasn't showed enough potential to be a good longterm idea when so many other drivers are around.

enemy-ace · 17 Jul 2002, 11:36 (Ref:335691)

Quote:

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
[BJean was a racer, and one known for an agressive lurid driving style, achieved with an oversteering car. Traction control was the antithesis of what he (and his fans) consider racing to be about. You can't teach a racing dog Bernie tricks.[/B]

Couldn't agree more, so it's good that he got out of F1 when he did.
As for the launch control, you'll never perfect it if you don't use it. Perfect example, DC at Monaco last year vs. DC at Monaco this year.

Suzy · 17 Jul 2002, 12:07 (Ref:335713)

Something in my head reckons it could be Mika! He said something in Monaco along the lines of he would "surprise" everybody next year! Now, the various magazines are reporting that he's opted not to return to Formula One RACING, but he also said that he knew Ron would have him back any time he wanted!

Unless of course Mika is going to stun us all and sign for Ferrari in Michael's seat...

(I'd love to see the expression on Ron's face if that happened

)

Red · 17 Jul 2002, 12:10 (Ref:335714)

Quote:

Originally posted by Suzy
Unless of course Mika is going to stun us all and sign for Ferrari in Michael's seat... (I'd love to see the expression on Ron's face if that happened )

Yes, I'd love to see that too. BUT IN RUBEN'S SEAT!!!! If that happens I promiss a 2 months monster party and noone (and I mean noone) stands sober near me, within a 500 m radius...

Down F0rce · 17 Jul 2002, 12:48 (Ref:335729)

i very highly doubt that Mika will go to ferari next year. i very highly doubt that he will race at all, next year. mund u, a mclaren testing job he could do, but would he want to? well i think Mclaren are gonna go for 2 testers, one a young rookie and the other a seasoned ex-racer. my choices:

ROOKIE
Gary Paffet
Lewis Hamilton?

EX-RACER
Mika Hakkinen
Jean Alesi?
Frentzen (mught be a tester if arrows go down, plus hes german, a bonus for merc)
McNish (knows DC very well, plus very experienced)

Sato san · 17 Jul 2002, 17:52 (Ref:335859)

I never even thought about Hakkinen being the Mclaren Test driver..

That might be a good guess

enemy-ace · 18 Jul 2002, 11:17 (Ref:336405)

Doesn't Justin Wilson still want to drive in F1. Here's your foot in the door Justin.

Jukebox · 19 Jul 2002, 01:40 (Ref:337003)

Quote:

Originally posted by Red
Yes, I'd love to see that too. BUT IN RUBEN'S SEAT!!!! If that happens I promiss a 2 months monster party and noone (and I mean noone) stands sober near me, within a 500 m radius...

Don't forget to invite me!

Er...i doubt that ur sober while ur typin this reply

Valve Bounce · 19 Jul 2002, 02:28 (Ref:337015)

Mika would be a good choice, but I just cannot imagine Mika watching F1 races after testing the car all week. He wouldn't last 2 GPs before wanting to race again. Maybe massa might like a go at testing at McLaren. Alex Wurz was offered a three year testing contract, but the guy wants to race also.

Valve

EERO · 19 Jul 2002, 02:36 (Ref:337020)

I agree with Suzy's reading of the hints about Mika.
It seems that all the evidence over the past year, statements made, and NOT made, could point to Mika in the test seat.

I've been championing HHF at McLaren for ages, its nice to see someone else agree wityh this idea.
For what its worth, Wurz will be hard to replace.

Valve Bounce · 19 Jul 2002, 02:45 (Ref:337025)

HHF was never the driver that damon was, but I wouldn't want to stuff up his career by making him the test driver for any team, not even Ferrari. HHF occasionally puts in a blinding effort; maybe Eddie Jordan might have a seat for him?

Maybe not

Valve

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