Jolyon Palmer GP2 champion. 2014.
Discussion
OK its GP2 and not F1 but JP Jnr won motor sport's second string category a few hours ago and it hasn't been mentioned here other than a spoiler on the F1 thread. That seems a travesty really...
For what it's worth I think he's had a great season - and at most races this year (particularly today) he has shown Prost-like qualities of strategy, pace and a great eye for the clean overtaking manoeuvre.
I was a contemporary of his dad and he was most convincing in sports cars - I watched him race in everything from Marcoses to Porsche 962s - but I think J.P. Jnr could cut it in F1...
For what it's worth I think he's had a great season - and at most races this year (particularly today) he has shown Prost-like qualities of strategy, pace and a great eye for the clean overtaking manoeuvre.
I was a contemporary of his dad and he was most convincing in sports cars - I watched him race in everything from Marcoses to Porsche 962s - but I think J.P. Jnr could cut it in F1...
No, but he will likely be able to raise budget, so...
Allegedly he has been in discussion with some teams. Maybe a test driver role for next year.
Other brits to keep an eye on are Alex Lynn (nearly won GP3, RB junior driver), Dean Stoneman (3rd in GP3 despite the car maybe not being the best, onpole in Russia by half a second & took race 1 easily), Jann Mardenborough (3rd in an LMP2 at LeMans first time out) and Oliver Rowland (4th in WSR, 10 wins).
Allegedly he has been in discussion with some teams. Maybe a test driver role for next year.
Other brits to keep an eye on are Alex Lynn (nearly won GP3, RB junior driver), Dean Stoneman (3rd in GP3 despite the car maybe not being the best, onpole in Russia by half a second & took race 1 easily), Jann Mardenborough (3rd in an LMP2 at LeMans first time out) and Oliver Rowland (4th in WSR, 10 wins).
REALIST123 said:
Bear in mind that this was his 4th season in GP2, after two in F2. It's taken a while......
I have to agree. I'm not saying that someone with no talent could win gp2, but I have to say to me his championship win has come from experience of the car and tracks rather than natural talent. Yrs he has own, but against a lot of guys wi half or less experience of the gp2 car than he has. There are quite a few other drivers I would pick over him if I was an f1 team owner. I have to say I don't see him in f1, if he wants to race top level single seaters I see him having to go to indycar. More likely to have a world championship career in world endurance championshipdesignndrive62 said:
I have to agree. I'm not saying that someone with no talent could win gp2, but I have to say to me his championship win has come from experience of the car and tracks rather than natural talent. Yrs he has own, but against a lot of guys wi half or less experience of the gp2 car than he has. There are quite a few other drivers I would pick over him if I was an f1 team owner. I have to say I don't see him in f1, if he wants to race top level single seaters I see him having to go to indycar. More likely to have a world championship career in world endurance championship
Chilton has made it to F1, and Palmer is several leagues above him in terms of ability freedman said:
Chilton has made it to F1, and Palmer is several leagues above him in terms of ability
GP2 2012, 3rd year for Max, 2nd for PalmerMax: 4 podiums inc. 2 wins. 4th place, 169 points
Jolyon: 3 podiums inc. 1 win. 11th place, 78 points
Max moved to F1, Jolyon continued in GP2 and in 2013 got 3 podiums inc. 2 wins. 7th place, 119 points.
Nothing against either of them but I'm not really sure they are "several leagues" apart.
Crafty_ said:
freedman said:
Chilton has made it to F1, and Palmer is several leagues above him in terms of ability
GP2 2012, 3rd year for Max, 2nd for PalmerMax: 4 podiums inc. 2 wins. 4th place, 169 points
Jolyon: 3 podiums inc. 1 win. 11th place, 78 points
Max moved to F1, Jolyon continued in GP2 and in 2013 got 3 podiums inc. 2 wins. 7th place, 119 points.
Nothing against either of them but I'm not really sure they are "several leagues" apart.
Fully enjoyed this season in GP2. There's been some great races.
Also been enjoying Dean Stoneman's proper return to racing since beating cancer. He was hot before in F3 and looks pretty good in GP3, especially since moving to a better team. IMO he and Kirchhofer are the class acts of the field.
Sadly Stoneman and Palmer I fear are too big to really make it in F1.
Edited by mattikake on Saturday 11th October 22:57
Crafty_ said:
I've watched Stoneman since he was in renaults, would really like to see him succeed. I hope his performances this weekend gain him some attention. I wonder if he should go to WSR rather than do another season of GP3 next year.
As this race has proven, Stoneman is fast and can race. He has often been the big mover in races this season but has suffered due to mechanical failures. Loved pointing out to my bro at the British GP that Stoneman was the man to watch for action. A few seconds later we see him put in a nice move right in front of us at Village, made a couple more places, then promptly had a mechanical failure...There is no option for Palmer to have a race seat in F1.
He's had 4 years in GP2. In 2011 he was racing in GP2, GP2 Asia & F2!!
He's an average driver that's been flattered by Carlin team support this year.
No one in F1 has the slightest interest in him, despite Palmer Snr, calling in all his favours. Add to the fact he doesn't have $30million to try and attract a team accountant.
Oh and he's too tall.
He's had 4 years in GP2. In 2011 he was racing in GP2, GP2 Asia & F2!!
He's an average driver that's been flattered by Carlin team support this year.
No one in F1 has the slightest interest in him, despite Palmer Snr, calling in all his favours. Add to the fact he doesn't have $30million to try and attract a team accountant.
Oh and he's too tall.
Edited by woof on Monday 13th October 15:08
woof said:
There is no option for Palmer to have a race seat in F1.
He's had 4 years in GP2. In 2011 he was racing in GP2, GP2 Asia & F2!!
He's an average driver that's been flattered by Carlin team support this year.
No one in F1 has the slightest interest in him, despite Palmer Snr, calling in all his favours. Add to the fact he doesn't have $30million to try and attract a team accountant.
Oh and he's too tall.
The man himself seems to disagree with you though LinkyHe's had 4 years in GP2. In 2011 he was racing in GP2, GP2 Asia & F2!!
He's an average driver that's been flattered by Carlin team support this year.
No one in F1 has the slightest interest in him, despite Palmer Snr, calling in all his favours. Add to the fact he doesn't have $30million to try and attract a team accountant.
Oh and he's too tall.
Edited by woof on Monday 13th October 15:08
Race-craft: check. Ability to charge from the back: check. Ability to win from the front: check. Ability to catch and pass other cars: check. Ability to look after the car, especially tyres: check.
So what if he spent four years in GP2? He didn't start in motorsport until he was 14 or 15, i.e., six or seven years later than most of the opposition, and remember it was DAMS who wanted to sign him at the end of last year and, by heaven, he's made the most of the opportunity! He didn't reverse into the championship like one or two people I can think of.
If he doesn't get a race seat in F1, I'd like to see him put it on the line in Renault 3.5.
With the greatest respect to Max Chilton, I always thought he was too much of a hanger back in GP2, whereas drivers like Sam Bird, James Colado and indeed Palmer see a gap and go for it.
So what if he spent four years in GP2? He didn't start in motorsport until he was 14 or 15, i.e., six or seven years later than most of the opposition, and remember it was DAMS who wanted to sign him at the end of last year and, by heaven, he's made the most of the opportunity! He didn't reverse into the championship like one or two people I can think of.
If he doesn't get a race seat in F1, I'd like to see him put it on the line in Renault 3.5.
With the greatest respect to Max Chilton, I always thought he was too much of a hanger back in GP2, whereas drivers like Sam Bird, James Colado and indeed Palmer see a gap and go for it.
n3il123 said:
woof said:
There is no option for Palmer to have a race seat in F1.
He's had 4 years in GP2. In 2011 he was racing in GP2, GP2 Asia & F2!!
He's an average driver that's been flattered by Carlin team support this year.
No one in F1 has the slightest interest in him, despite Palmer Snr, calling in all his favours. Add to the fact he doesn't have $30million to try and attract a team accountant.
Oh and he's too tall.
The man himself seems to disagree with you though LinkyHe's had 4 years in GP2. In 2011 he was racing in GP2, GP2 Asia & F2!!
He's an average driver that's been flattered by Carlin team support this year.
No one in F1 has the slightest interest in him, despite Palmer Snr, calling in all his favours. Add to the fact he doesn't have $30million to try and attract a team accountant.
Oh and he's too tall.
Edited by woof on Monday 13th October 15:08
Jeanpierre said:
Race-craft: check. Ability to charge from the back: check. Ability to win from the front: check. Ability to catch and pass other cars: check. Ability to look after the car, especially tyres: check.
.
Well, yes, but in GP2, where most of his competition is much less experienced..
I guess we'll see, if he can raise enough to buy a drive; except that could only be in a tail end team so we'll only be able to measure him against his team mate.
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