De la Rosa to replace Montoya for remaining races

[simes205]

Montoya's gone!

www.formula1.com/news/4614.html

[TonyHetherington]

Blimey! Things were tough but I didn't realise bad enough for him to go early.

[Nicholas Blair]

Hasn't really performed at all - De La Rosa is a better driver IMO

[Rick448]

Never really fullfilled his potential.

[heebeegeetee]

Nicholas Blair said:

Hasn't really performed at all - De La Rosa is a better driver IMO

Hmm. We'll have to see how close DLR comes to winning his third GP, and whether he can pass Schumi in the rain. Or dry.

[BrianTheYank]

I have a feeling he is going to get embarrassed in NASCAR.

[JRX7]

bit of a shame I think, Montoya is a true racer and was certainly one of the more interesting and entertaining drivers in F1. his victory last yr at silverstone was good to watch, when Alonso was dominating the season.

[rubystone]

De La Rosa better than JPM - just what have you been

[Jungles]

Wow, de la Rosa has more experience in F1 than probably half the field! I wonder if this experience will make him a worthwhile replacement for Montoya.

2006:Formula 1 (McLaren-Mercedes, Test Driver)
2005:Formula 1, 19. (McLaren-Mercedes, Test Driver, one race)
2004:Formula 1 (McLaren-Mercedes, Test Driver)
2003:Formula 1 (McLaren-Mercedes, Test Driver)
2002:Formula 1 (Jaguar)
2001:Formula 1, 16. (Jaguar)
2000:Formula 1, 16. (Arrows)
1999:Formula 1, 17. (Arrows)
1998:Formula 1 (Jordan Test Driver)
1997:Formula Nippon, Champion (Nova)
1996:Formula Nippon, 8.(Nova)
Japanese GT Series Series (Toyota)
1995:Japanese Formula 3, Champion (TOM's)
1994:British Formula 3 (WSR)
1993:British Formula 3, 6. (WSR)
1992:British Formula Renault, Champion
Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup (some races)
1991:Spanish Formula Renault, 4.
1990:Spanish Formula Ford, Champion
British Formula Ford (some races)

[c6erb]

Does that mean Gary Paffett will drive in the Friday practice session in the 3rd car?

[FourWheelDrift]

c6erb said:

Does that mean Gary Paffett will drive in the Friday practice session in the 3rd car?

McLaren don't run a 3rd car at GP weekends, only those who finished the previous season outside the top 4 in the constructors championship are allowed to.

[VETTE_1978]

Heard today that De Le Rosa is just a temporary substitute and it's between Paffett and Lewis Hamilton for the rest of the season. Consdiering Paffett drives the F1 all the time I'd hope to see him get a shot. He's too good a driver to sit out of all comeptitive races this season, especially after last years DTM championship win.

[SamHH]

VETTE_1978 said:

Heard today that De Le Rosa is just a temporary substitute and it's between Paffett and Lewis Hamilton for the rest of the season. Consdiering Paffett drives the F1 all the time I'd hope to see him get a shot. He's too good a driver to sit out of all comeptitive races this season, especially after last years DTM championship win.

I'd be surprised if Hamilton replaces de la Rosa before the end of the season. If he is going to get a McLaren race seat wouldn't he be better off seeing out the end of his GP2 season and then having the winter to get used to F1 cars rather than being thrown in at the deep end?

[anonymous-user]

de la rosa is a good driver and can put in good laps consistently all day long. what he lacks is that "killer" instinct that would set him apart from the rest and into the same league as the greats. as it stands he will just trundle round collecting points for fifth and sixth and never challeneign kimi, alonso or schumi. the day de la Rosa overtakes someone on the outside of the 130R at Suzuka is the day i buy you all a pint!.....*

i dont think he is as good as montoya but he will bring the car. For want of a better analogy, he is Patrese to Kimi's Mansell...





* terms and conditions apply

[flemke]

Last year when Monty was injured and out for two races they ran DLR in the first and Wurz in the second (albeit for technical reasons).
This year why wouldn't they give Pedro a shot in France and then bring in Paffett for the balance?

(IIRC, in his race (Dubai, was it?), DLR nearly lost control a couple of times, also set fastest lap, and finished 5th.)

[VETTE_1978]

SamHH said:

VETTE_1978 said:

Heard today that De Le Rosa is just a temporary substitute and it's between Paffett and Lewis Hamilton for the rest of the season. Consdiering Paffett drives the F1 all the time I'd hope to see him get a shot. He's too good a driver to sit out of all comeptitive races this season, especially after last years DTM championship win.

I'd be surprised if Hamilton replaces de la Rosa before the end of the season. If he is going to get a McLaren race seat wouldn't he be better off seeing out the end of his GP2 season and then having the winter to get used to F1 cars rather than being thrown in at the deep end?

Quite agree. The poor lad would get eaten alive. Why not just have a Friday shoot-out between DLR and Paffett for the Saturday qualifying? They'll have to do this at some point between the pair of them so might aswell get it over and done with nice and early. Feel sorry for Paffett the way he's disappeared into the Mercedes mire this season!

[c6erb]

McLaren also have Alex Wurz

[FourWheelDrift]

c6erb said:

McLaren also have Alex Wurz

He's with Williams now, he's their 3rd/test/Friday driver.

[fozzi]

Montoya looks a little over weight to me (for an F1 driver).... definately more suited to big fat Yankee motors!

IMHO (and as previously suggested) Paffet should be given the drive and Hamilton finish GP2.

Edited by fozzi on Thursday 13th July 15:57

[SamHH]

VETTE_1978 said:

Why not just have a Friday shoot-out between DLR and Paffett for the Saturday qualifying? They'll have to do this at some point between the pair of them so might aswell get it over and done with nice and early.

Because they can't. McLaren aren't allowed to use third drivers during the race weekend (which either Paffett or de la Rosa would effectively be) because they finished within the top four last year. Even if they could, why would they waste valuable time doing hot laps when they could be collecting set-up information?