With Mark Webber announcing his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the season, the obvious talk about his replacement kicks in. There are always changes within teams but this one will be one of the biggest over the past few years due to Red Bull's power and dominance (barring Hamilton's switch to Mercedes and their emergence as genuine title contenders)
It is difficult to know which way they will go. Do they want experience? Someone who will be happy to be Vettel's number 2? A rising star? A former world champion?
Kimi and Jenson seem to be the names that are being linked the most. Personally can't see either as neither will want to play second fiddle to Vettel as Webber has had to do. Kimi definitely won't and I can't see Vettel being too happy with it. Jensen as well, while he would be guaranteed more points at Red Bull than McLaren, I can't see him playing Vettel's understudy.
The one I'd look at is Daniel Ricciardo. For starters he is part of Red Bull's sister team Torro Rosso. He's young, Australian, marketable, seems popular and from what we've seen so far - a good driver. He had a good drive on Sunday, which I don't think he could have timed better after Webber's announcement.
He had 5 points finishes in the last 9 races of last season in a strong finish to the season for the team, and has 3 this season in a team that altogether hasn't been that strong.
Looking at the current crop I think he'd be the best choice when you consider everything. Be interested to hear your thoughts.
Red Bull driver no. 2
posted on 3/7/13
Funny how the mclaren was the fastest car on the grid last year but button couldn't compete with his team mate
posted on 3/7/13
martial,
Do you remember Vettel in the first half of last year?
Or Alonso in 2009?
Or Hamilton in the first half of 2009?
Every driver struggles in a less than perfect car, why is Button always singled out for it?
posted on 3/7/13
man unt devil
by his own admission button went the wrong way on set up when the tyres threw him a curved ball ---
posted on 3/7/13
T and A
sorry TA i just think he is flawed ,
he always seems to have a problem of some sort in qual especially , his style as smooth as it is , is not suited to getting heat into the front tyres and there lies the root of his problems --
posted on 4/7/13
Really martial, Webber went the wrong way because he was the number 2 driver. Something he's said himself. Forgive me if I consider his views above yours
posted on 4/7/13
man unt devil
think you are telling little fairy tales again manx -- as i said no 2 drivers are not allowed to give there team mates a very hard time as webber did with vettel in 09 and 2010 , not to mention webber was challenging for the 2010 WDC which is unheard of for a no 2 --
posted on 4/7/13
I take it you were on a planet when Webber himself said at Silverstone in 2010 when his front wing was taken off him and given to Vettel; "not bad for a number 2 driver".
I also take it you were on Mars when after Malaysia Webber said; "Seb will have protection as usual and that's the way it goes"
Again, you will have to forgive me for completely disregarding your quite franky ridiculous opinion
posted on 4/7/13
man unt devil
i dont base my opinion on one solitary front wing incident 3 yrs ago where the wing in question was not quicker anyway , i certainly dont base it on the bleating of the driver who is being decimated by vettel -
what has malaysia got to do with anything -- vettel told red bull where to stick there team orders , what has that got to do with anything ?
you have in fact contradicted your own opinion about webber being a no 2 , because at that race vettel was told not to pass webber -- since when has a no 1 ever been told he cannot pass a no 2 ?
as for disregarding my opinion -- but you dont disregard my opinion at all because you always bite on everything i say if you dont agree
with it -
posted on 4/7/13
Martial, I highligt the errors in your posts because truth be told the only thing you've got right is that Senna is a great driver.
I've told you before, you are a jester and provide me with entertainment. Nothing more
posted on 4/7/13
man unt devil
oh dear --- take it you cant counter my opinion then as true to form the usual silly name calling emerges
--- takes alot more than silly name calling to beat me my old son --
---- you need logic and knowledge to beat me --- -------------------------- name calling just aint gonna defeat me manx -you should know that by now -
what would you know about senna - you never even saw him race --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- did you manx