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Adrian Sutil
The former Force India driver finished 9th in the world championship in 2011, but it was not enough to stop him losing his seat to Nico Hulkenberg. The man he has undoubtedly replaced as the best driver not to have a seat. Sutil had driven for the team the entirety of his 90 race career since they were known as Spyker since then he has seen the team rise with him into a genuine competitor. Although beaten by the ageing Fisichella in his early years, he has since seen of his last two teammates. Vitantonio Liuzzi and the rookie Paul di Resta comfortably.
A future in Formula One?
Although his ability is not in question, The Lux incident looms large over him at the moment. He may have escaped prision, but a criminal conviction is a blow to his hopes and ultimately I believe we may have seen the back of him in formula One. With no options for 2012 he is taking time to think and who can blame him with recent events. Perhaps the question is will he even try to return?
Originally Posted by Adrian Sutil
Vitaly Petrov
Could Petrov Be Driving for Caterham (behind) in 2012?
The first Russian driver in formula one, notable for that and his unique route to the sport (famously starting in the Lada Cup), has a mixed career. He has scored 64 points in his two years with Renault, including a well earned podium at the 2011 Australian race, but has been very inconsistant. Widely thought of as a “pay-driver” he was thrashed by the highly rated Kubica in his first year. Losing 136-27 in the points and out-qualifying the pole just once. In 2011 after Roberts injury he fared better, winning the qualifying battle with Heidfeld and taking the previously mentioned podium, although narrowly trailing his team-mate in the points. In mid season Heidfeld was replaced by Bruno Senna, who was concerning immediately on Vitaly's pace on Saturdays. The teams performance went backwards all season and Petrov scored points on just 4 occasions in the last from the last 12 races while his relationship with the team deteriorated and after and outburst late in the season, his 2012 contract was terminated. He finished the season 10th.
A future in Formula One?
I would say it is likely that we will the Russian resurface in Formula One. Rumours were rifle about him potentially replacing Jarno Trulli at Caterham throughout December and early January, but they appeared to have died down as we approach Testing with no suggestion from the team that this change would take place. More recently he has been linked to becoming the new Pirelli test driver. It would be a shame to lose him in my opinion as he has proved himself at least equal to the likes of Trulli and with his considerable backing, it would be a surprise if he never returns.
Jamie Alguersuari
Jamie, the youngest driver ever to start a race in F1, is another driver without a seat for the year ahead. The Spaniard had drove two and a half seasons for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso, but along with team mate Sebastien Buemi was dismissed as “not a winner” by Helmut Marko. He was drafted in midway through 2009 and his age and the the lack of testing proved a concern to many. Most notably Niki Lauda”. Despite this he had a largely uneventful 2009, he never threatened Buemi as he learned the ropes of the sport, but acquitted himself adequately. In both 2010 he was again beaten but with considerable gains and by the end of the season he was thought of as the driver with more potential. 2011 started slowly, but sparked to life at canada and he was the man behind most of the big highlights to the teams season. He ended up outscoring Buemi 26-15.
A future in formula one?
Alguersuari's dismissal was a shock to many who had predicted him for the 2012 alongside one of Ricciardo and Vergne and the widespread opinion is that he has been treated harshly, but with the decision coming so late there was precious little opportunity for him to continue into 2012. Although it has been speculated that he turned down the vacant Hispania seat. Looking further into the future the advantage he has is that he is still very young and looks and attractive option for teams so he is another I don’t think we have seen the last of. The most recent rumors have been linking him to a test driver role at Mercedes. I just hope he does not decide to focus on his music. Since it would be a tragedy to permanently lose a driver I see as a great potential.
The Others
Of those replaced. The one with the highest profile was surely Rubens Barrichello. The most experienced driver in Grand Prix history was dropped by Williams in favour of Bruno Senna after a disappointing season. In my opinion it was the right time to go and he should have retired gracefully. Regardless he seems unlikely however much he would want it to drive a twentieth season. A run in Indy beckons. Sebastien Buemi has a claim to have been the most unlucky driver in 2011. With several mechanical failures while running in the points late on in the season, when he really needed to perform. He is young and has been kept on as the Red Bull reserve, but has he done enough to earn a return to a racing role?. Vitantonio Liuzzi is likely to learn for the second time how meaningless contracts can be in F1. He has shown some genuine flashed of talent, but never often enough to live up to the reputation he held pre-F1. Although he has signed up to the I1 racing series for 2012 it does end before the start of the season, showing some ambition to stay in F1, Being beaten by Ricciardo late in the season was surely the last straw however and I doubt he will gain another chance. Lastly Jerome D'ambrosio suffered like his predessesor at Virgin in the sense he was largely anonymous. He was expected to be beaten by Glock and was, but he was not embarrassed. It wont be easy for him to find a seat in 2013 and beyond, but his Lotus reserve role is a good place to start.
So who do you feel deserves to or will return to formula one? Perhaps some I have not mentioned like Nick Heidfeld and Karun Chandhok. I would also like to see how you all rate the unlucky 7.
p.s. Sorry for the long thread, didn't mean for it to be this big when I started.
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