[Kevski]

Seeing as the majority of goings on in Formula One these days are now related to the 2012 season, I thought it might be an idea to start a new thread!

So it's just been announced that Toro Rosso are to drop both Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi in favour of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean Eric Vergne. Personally I'm shocked that they've dropped Alguersuari as he really upped his game this year and was consistently in the points in the second half of the season. It's going to be difficult for either of them to get a seat next season, considering the amount of drivers that are looking.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96745

Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne will race for the Toro Rosso team in the 2012 Formula 1 season, the team has announced.

The news means the duo will replace Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.

Toro Rosso said the decision to replace its current drivers was taken in conjunction with Red Bull.

It will be the first time since the team's 2006 debut that it will begin the year with an all new line-up.

"I am pleased that we have been able to reach an early decision on our drivers for next year, because it means we can all give our full attention to 2012, without any distractions," said team boss Franz Tost.

"Over the past year, both Daniel and Jean-Eric have proved their worth and I expect them to make a significant contribution to the team's performance next year. Daniel has the benefit of having actually raced in Grands Prix for much of this year, while Jean-Eric proved he could adapt quickly to the demands of driving a Formula 1 car.

"As they have both worked with the team and its engineers very recently, this should allow us to get up to speed right from the start of winter testing in a couple of months time."

Tost was thankful to Buemi and Alguersuari, but said it was Toro Rosso's duty to give new drivers a chance in Formula 1.

The duo had been with the team since the 2009 season.

"I must also thank Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for all their hard work over the past three seasons," added Tost.

"They have delivered some excellent performances which have helped the team move forward and develop. We wish them well for the future.

"However, one has to remember that when Scuderia Toro Rosso was established in 2005, it was done so with the intention of providing a first step into Formula 1 for the youngsters in the Red Bull Junior Driver programme.

"It is therefore part of the team's culture to change its driver line-up from time to time in order to achieve this goal."

Australian Ricciardo, who was the team's third driver this year, made his grand prix debut with the HRT team this season, impressing with his performances alongside the more experienced Tonio Liuzzi.

"This is a really big deal for me and something I have wanted ever since I was driving for Toro Rosso on Friday mornings at the races in the first part of last season," he said.

"To be honest, I am still jumping up and down with excitement at the news. In the second half of 2011 I learned a lot from the people I worked with, racing in eleven Grands Prix and I want to thank them for the opportunity they gave me.

"I have to say that joining Scuderia Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity and now I can't wait to get to work once testing begins."

Vergne will become the third Frenchman to race in Formula 1 in 2012, alongside Virgin's Charles Pic and Lotus's Romain Grosjean.

"First of all, I must thank Red Bull for all their support so far and for believing I am ready to take on the ultimate challenge of racing in Formula 1," Vergne said.

"Christmas has come early for me this year! Having driven for them a few times this year and also testing for Red Bull Racing in Abu Dhabi, I definitely feel ready to make the move, even if I know there is a big difference between testing and actually racing.

"I enjoyed working with the guys at Toro Rosso this year and I can't wait to be part of the team for real. Sitting on the grid in Melbourne next March cannot come soon enough."

[TheChrisD]

Maybe with all these drivers wanting a ride, maybe that would give room for a couple more teams into the sport in the next couple years? Maybe we could finally get back to the car counts of the early 90's?

[Jordan 191]

Originally Posted by TheChrisD

Maybe we could finally get back to the car counts of the early 90's?

Do you mean bringing back pre-qualifying?

[TheChrisD]

Originally Posted by Jordan 191

Do you mean bringing back pre-qualifying?

Only if the FIA are wimps and decide that they need to weed out some of the slower traffic. I'd say, the more cars the better. Just look at GP2 and GP3 for examples.

[Sheeps]

Really looking forward to 2012 now.

[fergal.b]

As it's a general discussion I would love to see Rubens get a good drive next year "if he gets a drive"
Any other Rubens fans or am I just getting old.

[cherryghost]

Sure get Minardi and Tyrell back in for the lulz

[amacachi]

Originally Posted by TheChrisD

Only if the FIA are wimps and decide that they need to weed out some of the slower traffic. I'd say, the more cars the better. Just look at GP2 and GP3 for examples.

When people say "look at GP2" I assume it's referring to how it takes the F1 cars half the race before they go quicker than the GP2 cars.


Personally I'd be more than happy if Red Bull/Merc/Williams/Ferrari were allowed build customer chassis and the like. Obviously no-one wants a spec series but there's no problem in my eyes with up to 30 cars once they're not 6-7 seconds a lap off the pace.

[Jordan 191]

Originally Posted by Enderman

Sure get Minardi and Tyrell back in for the lulz

If there are any teams you want back for 'lulz', I suggest teams that scraped the ass of a barrell such as Andrea Moda or Life.

[Jordan 191]

Originally Posted by amacachi

Personally I'd be more than happy if Red Bull/Merc/Williams/Ferrari were allowed build customer chassis and the like. Obviously no-one wants a spec series but there's no problem in my eyes with up to 30 cars once they're not 6-7 seconds a lap off the pace.

I disagree. Every team should build their own chassis. And as for teams that run at a snails pace, pre-qualifying or the 107% rule should sort them out.

[amacachi]

Originally Posted by Jordan 191

I disagree. Every team should build their own chassis. And as for teams that run at a snails pace, pre-qualifying or the 107% rule should sort them out.

Meh, I'm more interested in entertainment than the "purity" of the sport tbh. Would like to see full grids of competitive cars.


Just out of interest, what's the craic with the FOTA split? Who's been bitching about what?

[aaronh007]

Originally Posted by Enderman

Sure get Minardi and Tyrell back in for the lulz

If Minardi are coming back then I want, nay, I demand the return of the Japanese legend that is Ukyo Katayama! I'll always remember F1 1997 on the PS1 with himself and Trulli as teammates and constantly getting in my way. Hero

I'll never forget him saying something along the lines of "I could do more with the car. The problem is my driving."

[RayM]

Originally Posted by aaronh007

If Minardi are coming back then I want, nay, I demand the return of the Japanese legend that is Ukyo Katayama! I'll always remember F1 1997 on the PS1 with himself and Trulli as teammates and constantly getting in my way. Hero

I'll never forget him saying something along the lines of "I could do more with the car. The problem is my driving."

Katayama was a bit of a hero. And he could have been a great driver. He had a great season in 1994, scoring 5 points in a Tyrrell (it would have been a lot more, but for a string of engine failures), but was was subsequently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his back. It wasn't immediately life-threatening, so he delayed treatment until after his career ended. Because of this, in 1995, he (apparently) turned down a deal to drive alongside Schumacher at Benetton.

He's a mountain climber now.

[LIGHTNING]

All new lineup for STR,

"The Faenza-based squad revealed yesterday that Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne would replace Alguersuari and team-mate Sebastien Buemi from next year, in a surprising move by Red Bull's junior outfit"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96747

[Jordan 191]

Originally Posted by RayM

Katayama was a bit of a hero. And he could have been a great driver. He had a great season in 1994, scoring 5 points in a Tyrrell (it would have been a lot more, but for a string of engine failures), but was was subsequently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his back. It wasn't immediately life-threatening, so he delayed treatment until after his career ended. Because of this, in 1995, he (apparently) turned down a deal to drive alongside Schumacher at Benetton.

He's a mountain climber now.

I think people probably made the connection between Benetton and Katayama because Mild Seven were Benettons main sponsor and Katayama bought Mild Seven money to Tyrrell and Minardi. He would never have gotten a drive at Benetton anyway as he wasn't good enough to be in a top team. Wasn't a bad driver though.

Katayama's biggest achievement was finishing 2nd in LeMans in 1999 driving for the works Toyota team. Could have won had it not been for a puncture.