Wurz to drive at Imola!

[phantomfocus]

Just announced! Alex Wruz is going to drive at Imola. The doctors concluded that JPM is not fit to drive. Although De la Rosa did well in Bahrain, Wruz will get his chance.

http://www.formula1.com/race/news/2862/735.html

[|Nuno|]

Eh, I'd prefer to see De la Rosa but I guess Wurz also deserves an opportunity. I'm curious to see how he delivers tough...

[phantomfocus]

I think Wruz is very capable, however it will depend greatly on wether or not the Mclaren can create heat in the tires fast enough to quailify well.

[sameerrao]

Good for Wurz - he's been a bridesmaid too long being a test driver since 1999 or so! I think he will drive well - assuming he fits comfortably in the car.

JPM's championship chances are getting really dim...

[redbaron]

I think Wurz will give us a show like De La Rosa did. I remember Wurz like a spectacular driver who overtakes a lot, and this is his chance to let McLaren and the other teams see he is still a very fast driver. I was already looking forward seeing him driving in Bahrain, sadly he didn't fit comfortably in the car. But De La Rosa was also very enjoying to see. I hope Wurz will go well, I.M.O he deserves it, just like De La Rosa.

Let's hope Montoya will be out of business for a while :D

[phantomfocus]

I think it's a little premature to call it a mistake. Wruz as well as De la Rosa have obviously shown they have the capability to go fast, and therfore each deserve an opportunity to prove it in race conditions. De la Rosa was fast in Barhain, but did make several mistakes. I'll make my judgement after this weekends race.

But I cant wait till JPM returns :wink:

[sameerrao]

Well, at least De La Rosa did a VERY good race and everyone thinks he's VERY fast... just imagine for a second that in Imola he crashes in the second lap... what a disaster!!! People now talk about him... which is a good point if you want a seat for the 2006 season!!!

... but I still think it's a mistake... :(

De La Rosa certainly provided a lot of entertainment in Bahrain with his numerous passing attempts but in all fairness he made some really amateur mistakes - outbraking himself into turn 1 twice, taking several attempts to pass someone. Lot of this can be attributed to race rust - he hasnt raced competitively for a long time and even before that he was racing in cars that were in the tail end of the grid - Jaguar, Arrows(?), etc.

The fact he could pass was due to the fact that he had over 1 sec/lap advantage over most of the field except the Toyotas and Renaults. Also most of the cars he passed were ailing and were driven to the finish - Barrichello, Button, Sato, Webber, etc.

So in conclusion, it was a very good attempt for his first time back but he has a lot to improve still.

[mindgam3]

Well, at least De La Rosa did a VERY good race and everyone thinks he's VERY fast... just imagine for a second that in Imola he crashes in the second lap... what a disaster!!! People now talk about him... which is a good point if you want a seat for the 2006 season!!!

... but I still think it's a mistake... :(

De La Rosa certainly provided a lot of entertainment in Bahrain with his numerous passing attempts but in all fairness he made some really amateur mistakes - outbraking himself into turn 1 twice, taking several attempts to pass someone. Lot of this can be attributed to race rust - he hasnt raced competitively for a long time and even before that he was racing in cars that were in the tail end of the grid - Jaguar, Arrows(?), etc.

The fact he could pass was due to the fact that he had over 1 sec/lap advantage over most of the field except the Toyotas and Renaults. Also most of the cars he passed were ailing and were driven to the finish - Barrichello, Button, Sato, Webber, etc.

So in conclusion, it was a very good attempt for his first time back but he has a lot to improve still.

But hes only going to be able to improve through Racing..... you can't practice overtaking (where almost all of his mistakes were) in testing.... I'd say give de la rosa another go.... although having said that I cant see Ron Dennis liking a slightly out of control driver and obviously he knows better than anyone

[5vz-fe]

What kinda Tennis injury require such a long recovery time?? Wurz is a good driver too judging from the testings. I hope he get a good result, making Mclaren feel it's a mistake to take Montoya

[phantomfocus]

I would like to know what it is about Montoya that makes him such a hiring mistake? I'm not being a smartass, I just wan't to hear your guys opinions. :?:

[mindgam3]

I would like to know what it is about Montoya that makes him such a hiring mistake? I'm not being a smartass, I just wan't to hear your guys opinions. :?:

Costs too much and doesen't perform?

He's a good driver but seems to have a hell of a lot more "off" days than on days

[sameerrao]

I would like to know what it is about Montoya that makes him such a hiring mistake? I'm not being a smartass, I just wan't to hear your guys opinions.

I think Montoya is a great driver. He can overtake better than almost anyone else. Sure his aggression has cost him or someone else at times but he is fun to watch at least to me.

His only issue is that he is immature and a big mouth and moans a lot. But note this year, he hasnt said anything stupid at all.

I think it is fashionable among F1 fans to bitch about Montoya - one person is doing so another echoes same comment and before you know it all snowballs into a massive bitchfest. There are many other aggressive drivers in F1 as well - Schumi, Webber but I dont see much moaning about them.

My fave is Schumi among current drivers but I rank Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso on a equal level a step behind Schumeister.

I am happy that Montoya is in F1 unlike maybe 90% of the F1 fan base....

[phantomfocus]

I am happy to see a fellow JPM fan. I started liking Montoya back when he was running for Ganassi in the States. I have always wanted to see him do well. But after listening to all the complaints, I was curious as wether or not anyone had any specific instances. I personally like his boldness, he doesn't always give the textbook answer and that can translate into whining.

But he is matched by few in his aggressiveness, I liked how he showed shumi and others that he wasn't afraid of them, even if his moves were crazy, he gets attention, and the other drivers must be aware of him at all times.

[tekwar]

A bit unfair to call it a mistake at this point when we havent even reached the GP weekend yet for Imola. Give the man a chance. Put him in Bahrain, he may had performed better than De Le Rosa, who is to know? Likewise for this weekend. I think both of them deserve the chance to shine while Montoya is recovering. Good luck to Wurz this weekend!

[mindgam3]

Rosa is showing good pace at Imola....

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=32603

Not too sure about the Wurz decision to be honest, I would like to see le Rosa in a few more races - its the only way he can learn and mature - its been shown hes got the pace

[phantomfocus]

Yes, the thrid driver is almost always faster on the friday practices. It is improtant that they put their tires through thru race pace and conditions which usually equate to them have faster lap times. They also do not have to worry about their engine as much and can push it harder. They also usually complete more laps on Friday than the #1 and 2 drivers.