Five British Drivers in F1 in 2007
Discussion
Coulthard at Red Bull, Button at Honda, Hamilton at McLaren (most likely), Davidson at Super Aguri and Gary Paffett at Spyker. Or so the news hounds are saying. And remember, that's a Spyker with Ferrari power next season.
McLaren-Mercedes test and reserve driver, Gary Paffett has a 'number of opportunities' for next season in Formula One, according to his co-manager, Mark Blundell.
Speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio last week, Blundell, who looks after Gary's career, along with a number of other drivers through 2MB Sports Management Ltd, which was formed at the end of 2004 with his friend and fellow ex-F1 racer, Martin Brundle, added that they have to be careful though and make sure they are not too hasty in whatever decision they make. Indeed Mark reckons timing will be the key for getting Gary the best deal possible.
"We have a couple of things that are going on with Gary at this point and not forgetting he is still part and parcel of McLaren, there are some opportunities," Blundell explained. "We have to make sure though they are the right opportunities and that we are not being too short-sighted. We need to take an overview and see what is right for Gary. It is all about timing and making the right decision at the right time. We have just got to sit back and make sure we do that, rather than be too hasty."
Rumours in recent weeks have linked Paffett to Spyker MF1 in 2007, a move that could see him on the grid next year alongside fellow Brits, Jenson Button and David Coulthard, both of whom of course have confirmed drives, namely at Honda and Red Bull Racing respectively. Furthermore with 2006 GP2 champion, Lewis Hamilton being tipped to line-up alongside Fernando Alonso at McLaren, Gary looks set to have to look elsewhere if he wants to race.
"There are various conversations going on and several of those conversations will be based around open seats – and I think everyone is probably aware at this point where they are," added MB, when asked about the Spyker speculation. "There are a couple of other conversations with other people too which no one is aware of. It is interesting times."
Asked if he thought it was strange that McLaren hadn't given Paffett or Hamilton a chance to race this season following Juan Pablo Montoya's exit, especially given that they are pretty comfortable in third place in the constructors', Mark agreed it was a bit of odd.
news said:
McLaren-Mercedes test and reserve driver, Gary Paffett has a 'number of opportunities' for next season in Formula One, according to his co-manager, Mark Blundell.
Speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio last week, Blundell, who looks after Gary's career, along with a number of other drivers through 2MB Sports Management Ltd, which was formed at the end of 2004 with his friend and fellow ex-F1 racer, Martin Brundle, added that they have to be careful though and make sure they are not too hasty in whatever decision they make. Indeed Mark reckons timing will be the key for getting Gary the best deal possible.
"We have a couple of things that are going on with Gary at this point and not forgetting he is still part and parcel of McLaren, there are some opportunities," Blundell explained. "We have to make sure though they are the right opportunities and that we are not being too short-sighted. We need to take an overview and see what is right for Gary. It is all about timing and making the right decision at the right time. We have just got to sit back and make sure we do that, rather than be too hasty."
Rumours in recent weeks have linked Paffett to Spyker MF1 in 2007, a move that could see him on the grid next year alongside fellow Brits, Jenson Button and David Coulthard, both of whom of course have confirmed drives, namely at Honda and Red Bull Racing respectively. Furthermore with 2006 GP2 champion, Lewis Hamilton being tipped to line-up alongside Fernando Alonso at McLaren, Gary looks set to have to look elsewhere if he wants to race.
"There are various conversations going on and several of those conversations will be based around open seats – and I think everyone is probably aware at this point where they are," added MB, when asked about the Spyker speculation. "There are a couple of other conversations with other people too which no one is aware of. It is interesting times."
Asked if he thought it was strange that McLaren hadn't given Paffett or Hamilton a chance to race this season following Juan Pablo Montoya's exit, especially given that they are pretty comfortable in third place in the constructors', Mark agreed it was a bit of odd.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Tuesday 17th October 21:01
Hehe!
It'll never work out like that.
Red Bull will 'have a word' with Crazy Dave and, knowing how he likes flying, will get him a pilot licence and send him off to run in the Red Bull Air race and one of last year's Extra 300's.
Gary Paffet, as a saloon car driver, will be tapped up by Montoya's crowd to go and race division 2 NASCAR stuff but treble his earnings in doing so. Also find God.
JB will continue as JB for another year.
Davidson will be persuaded to take Japanese citizenship if he wants to retain his new job.
Hamilton's position is currently unclear but I predict that Oxford resident Fernando Alonso will be paid big money to take British citizenship so that his future career can be used to promote British sporting success in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, in which year he will announce his retirement after the London GP run on a street circuit created especially for the event in the Athletes village. In a novel move a pre-qualifying session for all 48 teams will be run on a non-banked oval in the new Olympic Stadium.
As part of the FA transfer Hamilton may be expected to adopt Spanish nationality to compensate the Bullfighters for the loss of a sporting hero. He would race in Barcelona colours.
So in the end just 2 brits.
Of course, I could be wrong ...
It'll never work out like that.
Red Bull will 'have a word' with Crazy Dave and, knowing how he likes flying, will get him a pilot licence and send him off to run in the Red Bull Air race and one of last year's Extra 300's.
Gary Paffet, as a saloon car driver, will be tapped up by Montoya's crowd to go and race division 2 NASCAR stuff but treble his earnings in doing so. Also find God.
JB will continue as JB for another year.
Davidson will be persuaded to take Japanese citizenship if he wants to retain his new job.
Hamilton's position is currently unclear but I predict that Oxford resident Fernando Alonso will be paid big money to take British citizenship so that his future career can be used to promote British sporting success in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, in which year he will announce his retirement after the London GP run on a street circuit created especially for the event in the Athletes village. In a novel move a pre-qualifying session for all 48 teams will be run on a non-banked oval in the new Olympic Stadium.
As part of the FA transfer Hamilton may be expected to adopt Spanish nationality to compensate the Bullfighters for the loss of a sporting hero. He would race in Barcelona colours.
So in the end just 2 brits.
Of course, I could be wrong ...
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