Senna to return to F1

[danrc]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formul...

I know its quite sensationalist, but it will be nice to see the name back in motorsport.

How do you think he will fare against the current drivers?

[Altrezia]

rosberg level?

[carter711]

I saw a while ago that he was due to race in F1 and i wondered why at his age he wasn't competing in it already. The Telegraph story explains why, (due to his grandfather banning him after the death of Ayrton) so he has only been racing for 4 years.
I think he will try extremely hard to be as good as his Uncle, which will be good to watch!

Is it definate that he is going to F1 next year?

[Muzzer]

danrc said:

How do you think he will fare against the current drivers?

Not very well.

IINM, he had to put his career on hold for 10 years after Uncle Ayrton crashed so he's not exactly flush with experience.

He's shown flashes of talent in GP2 but IMO he should test for F1 and have another season in GP2 to see how he fares.

If he wins the GP2 title in '09 then he should make the step up.

[matt3001]

I'm pretty sure Bruno will graduate from GP2 this year, winner or not and be in F1, probably in Vettel's seat at Toro Rosso, thus paving the way for Romain Grosjean to clean up in GP2 next year and replace the awful Piquet at Renault!

[stephen300o]

Muzzer said:

danrc said:

How do you think he will fare against the current drivers?

Not very well.

IINM, he had to put his career on hold for 10 years after Uncle Ayrton crashed so he's not exactly flush with experience.

He's shown flashes of talent in GP2 but IMO he should test for F1 and have another season in GP2 to see how he fares.

If he wins the GP2 title in '09 then he should make the step up.

Next year?, he has still got a good chance to win it this year.

[waynepixel]

I am surprised he did not get into F1 sooner, the advertising revenue from him is unlimited, and because of that name he should get a seat with a front running team, I would say Renault are very tempted to get Senna on board.

[LaSarthe+Back]

waynepixel said:

I am surprised he did not get into F1 sooner, the advertising revenue from him is unlimited, and because of that name he should get a seat with a front running team, I would say Renault are very tempted to get Senna on board.

I bet they are! Can't imagine the Spantard being happy with anyone with a vague possibility of beating him in the other car.

Besides, would Bruno like to get into a Renault??

He didn't drive (and win) that Ferrari Challenge race last year for nothing!

[kusee pee]

He's shown flashes of brilliance but has not shown himself to be in his uncle's league - but to be fair it's a pretty tough comparison. At least he seems to wear the expectations well and is not up his own arse.

[FNG]

kusee pee said:

He's shown flashes of brilliance but has not shown himself to be in his uncle's league - but to be fair it's a pretty tough comparison. At least he seems to wear the expectations well and is not up his own arse.

I thought that considering his lack of experience and the massive gap in his racing career he's doing exceptionally well to be as fast and consistent as it takes to top the GP2 table (earlier in the season) with 4 years' driving under his belt. Not to mention dealing readily enough with the media and the constant predictable comparisons.

Is it a bit early to say whether he's in Ayrton's league when he has got so far so quickly with such little preparation? He may be in over his head and he may never be a great, but I would have thought it will need a few seasons more til we see the scope of his talent.

He's effectively a kid of 16-17 in racing experience terms, and so could reasonably expect to be granted a bit more time to prove his capability once he's approaching his prime, not when he's effectively only showing his potential.

I'm optimistic.

[kusee pee]

FNG said:

kusee pee said:

He's shown flashes of brilliance but has not shown himself to be in his uncle's league - but to be fair it's a pretty tough comparison. At least he seems to wear the expectations well and is not up his own arse.

I thought that considering his lack of experience and the massive gap in his racing career he's doing exceptionally well to be as fast and consistent as it takes to top the GP2 table (earlier in the season) with 4 years' driving under his belt. Not to mention dealing readily enough with the media and the constant predictable comparisons.

Is it a bit early to say whether he's in Ayrton's league when he has got so far so quickly with such little preparation? He may be in over his head and he may never be a great, but I would have thought it will need a few seasons more til we see the scope of his talent.

He's effectively a kid of 16-17 in racing experience terms, and so could reasonably expect to be granted a bit more time to prove his capability once he's approaching his prime, not when he's effectively only showing his potential.

I'm optimistic.

I take your point. His lack of lack of experience is bound to be a factor and I hope that he does prove himself. I'd love to see him in Formula 1 but my fear is that teams will look on him as a marketing factor more than a driver. As for Ayrton, I'd argue that in his early career he stood out so much despite his lack of experience - he dominated FF1600, FF2000 and F3 to such a degree that his lack of experience was never an issue.

Anyway, I hope that Bruno does succeed. I like the guy too, seems to have a solid head on his shoulders - a difficult thing given the expectations on him.

[clonmult]

He's got the biggest name to live up to in the last what, 50 years of motor racing? Thats one heck of a task.

I'm sure I remember reading something that Ayrton said about his nephew being a great prospect ... even more pressure then?

[dpbird90]

Bruno will be in a Toro Rosso next year. Berger owns a chunk of the team and was great friends with Ayrton, and it was berger who persuaded Bruno's grandfather to allow him to race. He will be there for a year, providing some of the great underdog fights we have seen from Vettel in the TR car this year, and will probably end up in a Williams or Honda the year after.

[rubystone]

I reserved judgement on him until I saw him in the wet at Silverstone this year. Masterful display of great car control; those GP2s are peaky cars, no driver aids other than the right foot. The guy is the real deal, make no mistake. Problem is that many great drivers have been brought to their knees by les than perfect cars in F1, especially over the last 12 year. Risk is that thh STR could be his Torrey Canyon.