16 year old in WTCC
Discussion
"16 year old Pepe Oriola will drive for the SUNRED Engineering team next season, the first driver to be confirmed in a SEAT for 2011."
http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=5645
Congratulations to the kid, he must be doing something right to be in a World Touring Car at his age. 2nd in this years Spanish SEAT Cup, starting at 15!
http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=5645
Congratulations to the kid, he must be doing something right to be in a World Touring Car at his age. 2nd in this years Spanish SEAT Cup, starting at 15!
Sorry, but that is far to young to be racing at such a high level imo! Nobody can tell me that at 16 years old and after finishing 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup last season he has EARNED the right to be racing in the WTCC!! This is about money and publicity which I hope doesn't get this kid killed!
StuartMcKay said:
Sorry, but that is far to young to be racing at such a high level imo! Nobody can tell me that at 16 years old and after finishing 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup last season he has EARNED the right to be racing in the WTCC!! This is about money and publicity which I hope doesn't get this kid killed!
I doubt he came 4th by being dangerous. So he's no more likely to get killed than any of the other pay drivers.Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
Munter said:
Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
Thats a given and an utterly pointless statement!! At 16 years old he hasn't got the experience of coming through the ranks and learning his 'trade'. Before last year he was racing Karts and he has made the transition from karts to cars clearly very well BUT my personal belief is that after only 12 races in 'tin tops' it is too much too soon!
StuartMcKay said:
Munter said:
Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
Thats a given and an utterly pointless statement!! At 16 years old he hasn't got the experience of coming through the ranks and learning his 'trade'. Before last year he was racing Karts and he has made the transition from karts to cars clearly very well BUT my personal belief is that after only 12 races in 'tin tops' it is too much too soon!
StuartMcKay said:
This is about money and publicity which I hope doesn't get this kid killed!
Which is as you would say is "a given and an utterly pointless statement!!"He's not going to be any more danger than anybody else paying to be in one of those cars on those grids. So calling in to question if he'll get killed or not is "an utterly pointless statement" I'd think.
Sure he might be at the back still "learning his trade". But he's safer there than mixing it with the equally inexperienced drivers in other formulas, or on the road with his mates. So to call into question if he'll get killed....? Well. That would be a "Pointless statement" don't you think?
Munter said:
StuartMcKay said:
Munter said:
Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
Thats a given and an utterly pointless statement!! At 16 years old he hasn't got the experience of coming through the ranks and learning his 'trade'. Before last year he was racing Karts and he has made the transition from karts to cars clearly very well BUT my personal belief is that after only 12 races in 'tin tops' it is too much too soon!
StuartMcKay said:
This is about money and publicity which I hope doesn't get this kid killed!
Which is as you would say is "a given and an utterly pointless statement!!"He's not going to be any more danger than anybody else paying to be in one of those cars on those grids. So calling in to question if he'll get killed or not is "an utterly pointless statement" I'd think.
Sure he might be at the back still "learning his trade". But he's safer there than mixing it with the equally inexperienced drivers in other formulas, or on the road with his mates. So to call into question if he'll get killed....? Well. That would be a "Pointless statement" don't you think?
Munter said:
StuartMcKay said:
Sorry, but that is far to young to be racing at such a high level imo! Nobody can tell me that at 16 years old and after finishing 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup last season he has EARNED the right to be racing in the WTCC!! This is about money and publicity which I hope doesn't get this kid killed!
I doubt he came 4th by being dangerous. So he's no more likely to get killed than any of the other pay drivers.Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
I don't think it is necessarily about the danger though but about the precedent it sets for other pro-formulae, which I have long thought to be opening up too much to ever-younger competitors. I don’t think we are far away from the point of thinking that if a driver isn’t in F1 by the age of 20, then he never will be. This will mean that the impact of money on career progression will be far greater than it is at present, meaning that it will be more difficult for the cream to rise to the top.
As you say, at this level, it’s also about earning the chance, not “just” paying for it.
Have nothing against the driver. If you’re fast, you’re fast but given there are plenty of formulae and series (i.e. Ginetta Juniors) that are perfect to hone talent in more appropriate way, I just think this is wrong.
StuartMcKay said:
Munter said:
Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
Thats a given and an utterly pointless statement!! At 16 years old he hasn't got the experience of coming through the ranks and learning his 'trade'. Before last year he was racing Karts and he has made the transition from karts to cars clearly very well BUT my personal belief is that after only 12 races in 'tin tops' it is too much too soon!
SamHH said:
StuartMcKay said:
Munter said:
Motorsport is dangerous. But I'd sooner climb into a race car with a 16yo who can finish 4th in the SEAT León Eurocup, than climb into most road cars with most 20yo drivers.
Thats a given and an utterly pointless statement!! At 16 years old he hasn't got the experience of coming through the ranks and learning his 'trade'. Before last year he was racing Karts and he has made the transition from karts to cars clearly very well BUT my personal belief is that after only 12 races in 'tin tops' it is too much too soon!
This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
Edited by StuartMcKay on Friday 17th December 12:18
StuartMcKay said:
Given the speed difference between them I'd say yes!
This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
So how dangerous is it for him? If you believe it's safer than most 20 year olds in road cars, why do you think he should not be doing it? Or do you also object to most 20 year olds driving road cars?This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
Edited by SamHH on Friday 17th December 12:34
SamHH said:
StuartMcKay said:
Given the speed difference between them I'd say yes!
This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
So how dangerous is it for him? If you believe it's safer than most 20 year olds in road cars, why do you think he should not be doing it? Or do you also object to most 20 year olds driving road cars?This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
Edited by SamHH on Friday 17th December 12:34
I have no problem whatsoever with him racing. He has a clear talent and good luck to him but I think it should be nurtured rather than thrown in to the lions den.
Lewis Hamilton clearly had a driving talent in his first full season in Formula Renault but they didn't put him straight in to a Mclaren for good reason!! He should be developed rather than exploited for publicity at such a young age! I'm sure that he is happy to be in the seat as I would be at his age but I feel that his career could be handled in a much better way.
StuartMcKay said:
SamHH said:
StuartMcKay said:
Given the speed difference between them I'd say yes!
This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
So how dangerous is it for him? If you believe it's safer than most 20 year olds in road cars, why do you think he should not be doing it? Or do you also object to most 20 year olds driving road cars?This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
Edited by SamHH on Friday 17th December 12:34
I have no problem whatsoever with him racing. He has a clear talent and good luck to him but I think it should be nurtured rather than thrown in to the lions den.
Lewis Hamilton clearly had a driving talent in his first full season in Formula Renault but they didn't put him straight in to a Mclaren for good reason!! He should be developed rather than exploited for publicity at such a young age! I'm sure that he is happy to be in the seat as I would be at his age but I feel that his career could be handled in a much better way.
Yet you're happy for him to be involved in other activities that you consider more dangerous. Could be road driving, could be horse riding, could be joining the Army. But no. You'd want to stop him racing because of the risk, but none of the other activities that are more dangerous?
Your position on this is not supportable by any logic.
Shouldn't be there because others are better. That's fine.
Shouldn't be there because it's a bit dangerous but not as bad as a lot of other things he could do. Maketh no sense.
StuartMcKay said:
What is it with this obsession about comparing racing drivers to road drivers! This 16 year old is more than likely a better driver than most 30 + year olds so I don't get what your point is and you certainly seem to be missing mine!!
I have no problem whatsoever with him racing. He has a clear talent and good luck to him but I think it should be nurtured rather than thrown in to the lions den.
Lewis Hamilton clearly had a driving talent in his first full season in Formula Renault but they didn't put him straight in to a Mclaren for good reason!! He should be developed rather than exploited for publicity at such a young age! I'm sure that he is happy to be in the seat as I would be at his age but I feel that his career could be handled in a much better way.
So are you saying it's too dangerous or not?I have no problem whatsoever with him racing. He has a clear talent and good luck to him but I think it should be nurtured rather than thrown in to the lions den.
Lewis Hamilton clearly had a driving talent in his first full season in Formula Renault but they didn't put him straight in to a Mclaren for good reason!! He should be developed rather than exploited for publicity at such a young age! I'm sure that he is happy to be in the seat as I would be at his age but I feel that his career could be handled in a much better way.
Munter said:
StuartMcKay said:
SamHH said:
StuartMcKay said:
Given the speed difference between them I'd say yes!
This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
So how dangerous is it for him? If you believe it's safer than most 20 year olds in road cars, why do you think he should not be doing it? Or do you also object to most 20 year olds driving road cars?This kid is clearly a fast and competent racer BUT he is just still a child with VERY little experience of anything let alone racing. He's had only 12 races in cars which is not enough and in mind I think that SUNRED Engineering are acting in a completely irresponsible way!
What’s wrong with signing him on a multi year contract with a view to putting him through the junior formula's and see how he develops rather than throwing him in at the deep end and seeing if he sinks or swims??
Edited by SamHH on Friday 17th December 12:34
I have no problem whatsoever with him racing. He has a clear talent and good luck to him but I think it should be nurtured rather than thrown in to the lions den.
Lewis Hamilton clearly had a driving talent in his first full season in Formula Renault but they didn't put him straight in to a Mclaren for good reason!! He should be developed rather than exploited for publicity at such a young age! I'm sure that he is happy to be in the seat as I would be at his age but I feel that his career could be handled in a much better way.
Yet you're happy for him to be involved in other activities that you consider more dangerous. Could be road driving, could be horse riding, could be joining the Army. But no. You'd want to stop him racing because of the risk, but none of the other activities that are more dangerous?
Your position on this is not supportable by any logic.
Shouldn't be there because others are better. That's fine.
Shouldn't be there because it's a bit dangerous but not as bad as a lot of other things he could do. Maketh no sense.
Edited by StuartMcKay on Friday 17th December 13:13
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