Half term grades

[Sonic]

Well we have a long summer break to get through so I thought I might restart this one from last year.

Give each driver a grade based on your views of their performances so far this season, but to make it a little different from last years we'll be using the O.W.L system where we shall be awarding grades O, E, A, P, D, T (Outstanding, Exceeds expectations, Acceptable, Poor, Dreadful and Troll).

So go ahead, knock yourself out. Or don't, but do!

Ps - yes I am aware I have blatently pilfered JK Rowlings work, but :p

[CaptainRaiden]

Mark Webber - O
Lewis Hamilton - O
Robert Kubica - O

Jenson Button - E
Rubens Barrichello - E
Nico Rosberg - E
Adrian Sutil - E
Kamui Kobayashi - E

Sebastian Vettel - A
Fernando Alonso - A
Felipe Massa - A
Vitaly Petrov - A

Sakon Yamamoto - D

Michael Schumacher - T

[Saint Devote]

The only relevant grades are the results? You want grades?

Read the championship table.
Read who has the most pole positions.
Read who has won the most grands prix.

Anything else is irrelevant new agey B f...... S!!!!!

The logical result of this sort of nonsense is at the end of the season debating whether the WDC is "deserving". On this matter I refer y'all to Kimi's comments last year. I miss that driver!

[CaptainRaiden]

The only relevant grades are the results? You want grades?

Read the championship table.
Read who has the most pole positions.
Read who has won the most grands prix.

Anything else is irrelevant new agey B f...... S!!!!!

The logical result of this sort of nonsense is at the end of the season debating whether the WDC is "deserving". On this matter I refer y'all to Kimi's comments last year. I miss that driver!

5hfYJsQAhl0

[ShiftingGears]

I would have to say that Hamilton has managed to always be there or thereabouts, my vote goes to him. His lowest finish is 6th, and that was after starting 20th in Malaysia, and being crashed into in Australia. Has been faster than his teammate and avoided making stuff-ups like championship rivals Webber, Vettel and Alonso have.

[Retro Formula 1]

The only relevant grades are the results? You want grades?

Read the championship table.
Read who has the most pole positions.
Read who has won the most grands prix.

Anything else is irrelevant new agey B f...... S!!!!!

The logical result of this sort of nonsense is at the end of the season debating whether the WDC is "deserving". On this matter I refer y'all to Kimi's comments last year. I miss that driver!

Does this typical rant come shortly after lambasting all and sundry for daring to suggest Hamilton "might" be champion this year and not your choices of Vettel or Alonso.

So STD, tell me a little about your logic where the 3rd and 5th placed drivers are going to obviously win against a driver with as many wins put together as Mark Webber has or why 3rd and 5th are better than the 2nd placed driver. (As for pole positions, what do they matter. It's wins and points that count isn't it?)

My choices are:

PosDriverNationalityTeamRating1Mark Webber (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/21.html)AustralianRBR-Renault (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2954.html)E2Lewis Hamilton (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/828.html)BritishMcLaren-Mercedes (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2951.html)O3Sebastian Vettel (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/822.html)GermanRBR-Renault (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2954.html)A4Jenson Button (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/6.html)BritishMcLaren-Mercedes (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2951.html)E5Fernando Alonso (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/30.html)SpanishFerrari (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2952.html)E6Felipe Massa (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/18.html)BrazilianFerrari (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2952.html)P7Nico Rosberg (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/809.html)GermanMercedes GP (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2946.html)E8Robert Kubica (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/815.html)PolishRenault (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2953.html)E9Michael Schumacher (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/7.html)GermanMercedes GP (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2946.html)T10Adrian Sutil (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/818.html)GermanForce India-Mercedes (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2957.html)E11Rubens Barrichello (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/8.html)BrazilianWilliams-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2956.html)E12Vitaly Petrov (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/864.html)RussianRenault (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2953.html)A13Kamui Kobayashi (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/837.html)JapaneseBMW Sauber-Ferrari (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2958.html)E14Vitantonio Liuzzi (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/802.html)ItalianForce India-Mercedes (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2957.html)P15Nico Hulkenberg (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/840.html)GermanWilliams-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2956.html)P16Sebastien Buemi (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/842.html)SwissSTR-Ferrari (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2955.html)A17Pedro de la Rosa (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/26.html)SpanishBMW Sauber-Ferrari (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2958.html)P18Jaime Alguersuari (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/847.html)SpanishSTR-Ferrari (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2955.html)P19Heikki Kovalainen (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/813.html)FinnishLotus-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2949.html)-20Karun Chandhok (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/836.html)IndianHRT-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2948.html)-21Lucas di Grassi (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/844.html)BrazilianVirgin-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2947.html)-22Jarno Trulli (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/14.html)ItalianLotus-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2949.html)-23Bruno Senna (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/845.html)BrazilianHRT-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2948.html)-24Timo Glock (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/791.html)GermanVirgin-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2947.html)-25Sakon Yamamoto (http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/2010/812.html)JapaneseHRT-Cosworth (http://www.formula1.com/results/team/2010/2948.html)-


I have left the new teams out.

[Big Ben]

The only relevant grades are the results? You want grades?

Read the championship table.
Read who has the most pole positions.
Read who has won the most grands prix.

Anything else is irrelevant new agey B f...... S!!!!!

The logical result of this sort of nonsense is at the end of the season debating whether the WDC is "deserving". On this matter I refer y'all to Kimi's comments last year. I miss that driver!

No. Not from you. thank you. come again... not!

And back on topic... I expected FA and SV to do better. LH and MW are doing a very good job while JB is not as bad as expected.


While MS is the donkey of the season. Thank you for coming back to correct a bit those statistics.

[steveaki13]

Level O :D
Mark Webber
Lewis Hamilton

Level E :p
Jenson Button
Robert Kubica
Adrian Sutil
Kamui Kobayashi

Level A :)
Sebastian Vettel
Fernando Alonso
Felipe Massa
Nico Rosberg
Rubens Barrichello
Pedro De La Rosa
Vitaly Petrov
Heikki Kovalainen
Timo Glock
Sebastian Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari

Level P :(
Viantonio Liuzzi
Nico Hulkenberg
Jarno Trulli
Karun Chandhok
Bruno Senna
Lucas Di Grassi

Level D :mad:
Michael Schumacher
Sakon Yamamoto

Level T
*In my view, these drivers all do a pretty good job and none deserve to be a Troll.

However if this had been last season Luca Badoer would have made it into T.

[Sonic]

St.D: Isn't the point of joining a discussion forum, to, erm, discuss things? Come on, join in. It much more fun than being all high and mighty all the time.

My outstanding grades go to;

Web's, Hamilton (much as it pains me) and Rosberg.

[DazzlaF1]

How I rate the field, doing it a little differently

TOP 5 DRIVERS OF THE SEASON SO FAR (Taking quality of car out of the equation)
1. Mark Webber
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Robert Kubica
4. Sebastian Vettel
5. Kamui Kobayashi
SUPRISE OF THE SEASON: Robert Kubica
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE SEASON: Michael Schumacher
BEST ROOKIE: Vitaly Petrov
BEST NEWBIE TEAM DRIVER: Heikki Kovalainen
BEST "PRIVATEER" TEAM DRIVER: Adrian Sutil
BEST OVERTAKING MANOUVERE: Kamui Kobayashi on Fernando Alonso (Valencia)
TESTER THAT SHOULD BE IN A RACE SEAT: Paul di Resta
DRIVERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN SEASON RUN-IN: Rubens Barricello, Nico Hulkenberg, Kamui Kobayashi

[woody2goody]

'O' Level: Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Robert Kubica, Rubens Barrichello

'E' Level: Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Adrian Sutil, Nico Rosberg, Heikki Kovalainen, Jaime Alguersuari

'A' Level: Pedro de la Rosa, Vitaly Petrov, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Felipe Massa, Nico Hulkenberg, Sebastian Buemi, Kamui Kobayashi, Karun Chandhok, Bruno Senna

'P' Level: Sakon Yamamoto, Michael Schumacher, Lucas di Grassi, Jarno Trulli, Timo Glock

[wedge]

Only driver worthy of Outstanding is Hamilton. He's been the most solid driver so far of the WDC contenders.

Kubica too has been impressive.

[Saint Devote]

St.D: Isn't the point of joining a discussion forum, to, erm, discuss things? Come on, join in. It much more fun than being all high and mighty all the time.

My outstanding grades go to;

Web's, Hamilton (much as it pains me) and Rosberg.

I am discussing - I consider any rating other than what drivers achieve on track to be irrelevant. Thats my point and that is what I have stated.

I do agree with the current table results. Webber in fact ought to have a much higher lead. He has settled down, and is in the "zone" I first learnt about when discussed by his compatriot AJ.

Whoever wins the title has been the best driver that year and anything else IS bs and so I agree 100% with Kimi. Otherwise we indulge silly situations.

How can anyone declare that any other driver this year has been better tham Webber at this stage? He has FOUR wins and everyone else TWO apiece.

How can anyone sat that Vettel is not the quickest? He has SEVEN pole positions.

I am happy with the real ratings.

[Mark]

Nothing wrong with discussing what you think of the drivers - that's what a discussion forum is all about!

For me the driver who has performed consistently well, above the level of his car is Lewis Hamilton. Button has been surprising only that he's not too far behind Hamilton! But that's only from expectations, although the gap has been getting wider as the season has gone on - the opposite of what everyone expected!

I'd like to say Webber, but he's been consistently out performed by his team mate in terms of pace.

[Tazio]

Only driver worthy of Outstanding is Hamilton. He's been the most solid driver so far of the WDC contenders.

Kubica too has been impressive.

Is The Boss solid or outstanding? Not a very convincing argument.

I'll take that as an "S", a new category, nothing wrong with that. He’s adapted well in the area of conserving his rubber, and that may have saved him from overdriving the MP4/25 and making the kind of errors of aggression that has reared its ugly head on occasion in the past. He is certainly not alone in that arena.

Kubinski rates an "I"? Not much to argue about there. I'd add that I've been impressed with him from his first podium at Monza. The R30's development has also been impressive.

There is one category that is conspicuous by its absence. Category "C"
That guy Fred? He is a rather clever fellow. :s mokin:

[Mark]

There is one category that is conspicuous by its absence. Category "C"
That guy Fred? He is a rather clever fellow. :s mokin:

I concur with your sentiment!

[AndyL]

This grading system is confusing. Are we supposed to be rating on actual achievement, or achievement relative to original expectations?

[truefan72]

I'd like to say Webber, but he's been consistently out performed by his team mate in terms of pace.

define what you mean by pace, because qualy ain't the race.
I remember Trulli as an outstanding qualifier in his prime but somewhat average in the race. Same with Rosberg. Usually De La Rosa does a better Job of qualy than Kobayashi, but come sunday's and Kobayashi clearly outshines his teammate.

The same can be said for Webber. Vettel may do well in Qualy,but come race day that "pace" has not earned him that many victories. Webber on the other hand has delivered when it mattered, and next to Hamilton has been the most consistent driver. By any calculation and analysis, it is clear that Webber has done a better job than Vettel.To me what webber did in hungary to pull out that gap while on older tires was perhaps the most amazing thing this year.
By the way he was pulling away from Vettel as well, already up to 7 seconds when Vettel served his penalty.

[wedge]

Is The Boss solid or outstanding? Not a very convincing argument.

I'll take that as an "S", a new category, nothing wrong with that. He’s adapted well in the area of conserving his rubber, and that may have saved him from overdriving the MP4/25 and making the kind of errors of aggression that has reared its ugly head on occasion in the past. He is certainly not alone in that arena.

We all know Hamilton is an outstanding driver, nothing more to add, no point preaching to the converted - unless you're a Saint of the Devote variety :D

But this is half term grades. I fully agree that the real Hamilton will need to show up at the final few races when he expects his natural talents to save him from trouble when he should instead stick for points.

[Sonic]

This grading system is confusing. Are we supposed to be rating on actual achievement, or achievement relative to original expectations?

I've been working against how I expected them to do, but hey I don't make the rules - score how you like. :)

[Zico]

I am discussing - I consider any rating other than what drivers achieve on track to be irrelevant. Thats my point and that is what I have stated.

I do agree with the current table results. Webber in fact ought to have a much higher lead. He has settled down, and is in the "zone" I first learnt about when discussed by his compatriot AJ.

Whoever wins the title has been the best driver that year and anything else IS bs and so I agree 100% with Kimi. Otherwise we indulge silly situations.

How can anyone declare that any other driver this year has been better tham Webber at this stage? He has FOUR wins and everyone else TWO apiece.

How can anyone sat that Vettel is not the quickest? He has SEVEN pole positions.

I am happy with the real ratings.


You seem to be missing the whole point... ie, to rate the drivers only... not the driver/car combo.

Im happy to go along with aki13's ratings

Level O
Mark Webber
Lewis Hamilton

Level E
Jenson Button
Robert Kubica
Adrian Sutil
Kamui Kobayashi

Level A
Sebastian Vettel
Fernando Alonso
Felipe Massa
Nico Rosberg
Rubens Barrichello
Pedro De La Rosa
Vitaly Petrov
Heikki Kovalainen
Timo Glock
Sebastian Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari

Level P
Viantonio Liuzzi
Nico Hulkenberg
Jarno Trulli
Karun Chandhok
Bruno Senna
Lucas Di Grassi

Level D
Michael Schumacher
Sakon Yamamoto

[DexDexter]

Level O
Lewis Hamilton

Level E
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber
Robert Kubica
Nico Rosberg
Rubens Barrichello - Bad car

Level A
Jenson Button -lucky with strategy, outright pace not there
Fernando Alonso- Not bad but way too expensive and hot-headed
Kobayashi
Jarno Trulli
Pedro De La Rosa
Heikki Kovalainen
Timo Glock
Sebastian Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari
Michael Schumacher
Bruno Senna
Karun Chandhok
Lucas Di Grassi
Adrian Sutil
Liuzzi
Felipe Massa A-

P
Petrov
Hulkenberg

D
Yamamoto

[steveaki13]

You seem to be missing the whole point... ie, to rate the drivers only... not the driver/car combo.

Im happy to go along with aki13's ratings

Level O
Mark Webber
Lewis Hamilton

Level E
Jenson Button
Robert Kubica
Adrian Sutil
Kamui Kobayashi

Level A
Sebastian Vettel
Fernando Alonso
Felipe Massa
Nico Rosberg
Rubens Barrichello
Pedro De La Rosa
Vitaly Petrov
Heikki Kovalainen
Timo Glock
Sebastian Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari

Level P
Viantonio Liuzzi
Nico Hulkenberg
Jarno Trulli
Karun Chandhok
Bruno Senna
Lucas Di Grassi

Level D
Michael Schumacher
Sakon Yamamoto


Great Minds think alike. :p :s mokin:

[Tazio]

We all know Hamilton is an outstanding driver, nothing more to add, no point preaching to the converted - unless you're a Saint of the Devote variety :D

But this is half term grades. I fully agree that the real Hamilton will need to show up at the final few races when he expects his natural talents to save him from trouble when he should instead stick for points.

A point well taken.
I've known for a while that you grade out at a "C" :)
:s ailor: I think that is enough said.

[Big Ben]

I am discussing - I consider any rating other than what drivers achieve on track to be irrelevant. Thats my point and that is what I have stated.

I do agree with the current table results. Webber in fact ought to have a much higher lead. He has settled down, and is in the "zone" I first learnt about when discussed by his compatriot AJ.

Whoever wins the title has been the best driver that year and anything else IS bs and so I agree 100% with Kimi. Otherwise we indulge silly situations.

How can anyone declare that any other driver this year has been better tham Webber at this stage? He has FOUR wins and everyone else TWO apiece.

How can anyone sat that Vettel is not the quickest? He has SEVEN pole positions.

I am happy with the real ratings.

Then you would agree with me that on average Button is a pretty lousy driver, right? based on the tables of course

[Sonic]

Then you would agree with me that on average Button is a pretty lousy driver, right? based on the tables of course

Cheap dig, but LOL. The Saint has been rather quiet on the Buttons Love front for a while now - is the bromance over?

[woody2goody]

Usually De La Rosa does a better Job of qualy than Kobayashi, but come sunday's and Kobayashi clearly outshines his teammate.

I disagree. Apart from one or two races where Kobayashi has scored points, I think de la Rosa has got the better of him on most occasions, but the car has let him down.

It's not uncommon for perfectly good drivers to not get noticed because their team-mate has a couple of good points finishes now and again (known as Sutil syndrome, and until 2010, Kubica syndrome).

Liuzzi, Fisichella, Heidfeld and maybe even Bourdais were run down by their team-mate getting the odd decent result which gets noticed as opposed to the general equality or superiority of the other driver.

Heidfeld in 2008 was an example. Because of tyre issues, he struggled to qualify well, but in the races he often finished close to Kubica despite poor grid positions.

Fisi last year - because Sutil ran well at the Nurburgring, people were saying Fisi was done. After Spa, people seemed to magically notice Giancarlo again, despite dominating Sutil in all but 2 or 3 races in 2009.

Liuzzi this year is admittedly losing the battle to Sutil, who has driven better this year, but in reality they are often very close, despite what some people may say. It doesn't help that morons mention Paul Di Resta every time they see Liuzzi driving.

Sorry for the rant but it's my biggest pet peeve in F1 today. One good result seems to outweigh a whole season of solid work and it shouldn't happen like that.

[johunn]

I reckon that Schumacher doesn't deserve the ratings that most of you guys gave him. The guy is in his forties, most likely he has earned more money than most of the fellow drivers put together and he has got a wife and kids waiting for him at home. And he hasn't given up. In his shoes most guys would have bailed already. Webber has had a good run this season and all the credit to him but I personally can't remember him doing anything spectacular before joining Red Bull. I still root for Ferrari though and as long as they are doing good I am happy with the situation. Don't want to discredit anyone and unfortunately can't claim that Ferrari have been the best this season. (Secretly hoping that Ferrari would sign Hamilton or Vettel though as I reckon that they are the fastest drivers out there)

[Retro Formula 1]

Hamilton this year stands out as the man head and shoulders above the rest. He has had some crap luck but consistently out-driven the car.

Button has done well but has looked out classed by Hamilton most of the time although Button has raced very intelligently.

I cannot give either of the Red Bull guys top grades because if you take into account the potential of the car, then both are severely under performing. Vettel is as fast as Hamilton but way too erratic and his brain seems to reboot mid race on occasions. Webber has been the better of the 2 drivers but has not shown the pace of his team mate. On the whole, he if fighting harder than I expected and I give him bonus points for attitude and not rolling over like Massa.

What do we say about the Ferrari drivers then. Alonso is a low down dirty street fighter where Massa seems more Maquis of Queensberry. I love watching Alonso because he will give it his all and anything else he can steal along the way. I may not agree with it all and the way Massa was forced to give up a win was disgusting. It was disgusting because how the team ordered it was clearly against the rules, it was disgusting because Massa should have done a Webber or Alonso and told them to stick it and lastly because Alonso should have more dignity than to demand a win in this fashion (but I suppose a Leopard doesn't change his spots).

Kubica is a mini me of Alonso in my book. Consistently punches above his grade whereas Petrov has shown some promise but "could try harder" might appear at the end of his report.

Then we have the Mercedes. I predicted that Schumacher would be beaten by Nico but not even I expected such a trouncing. Is Nico getting the maximum out of that car? Has it got a bit more in the tank? I suspect it has but on performance, you have to say Nico is coming of age this season and Schumacher is embarrassing and dangerous. B+ / A- for Nico and suspended from class for bad behaviour for his little friend.

Rubens has shown his class again this year. Anyone that thinks Button won last year by having a weak team mate can think again but Nico is a bit outclassed at the moment.

Then we have one of my favorite drivers. Adrian I love watching race. He can get himself in positions where he hasn't a clue how he got there or what to do when he is there, but by Christ, he's going to have a go now he's there :laugh: More strength to that boy and if FI doesn't get a good car next year, I want to see him move up the food chain. Poor old Liuzzi though may have been heralded a bit too early by some?

The only other ones to comment on are BMW-Sauber-Ferrari-Cosworth-Fortec or whatever the hell other names we can chuck onto the end. Koby is doing a great little job here. We've waited years for a likeable Jap with real talent to come along. Could this cheeky chap take the Sato crown and give the land of the rising sun something to cheer? I love Jap motor racing fans and really hope so. Poor old Pedro at least has a swan song for all his years of service to McLaren but hasn't really got it. "Tries hard and a popular member of the class" is the coded message the teacher might put there.

Of the rest, I haven't really seen too much so we might wait till the end of the term before commenting.

[Schultz]

The flaw in this system is that drivers who we know are outstanding (Alonso) cannot possibly score as highly as a surprisingly good performer (Webber), even though their level of performance may be similar.

[N4D13]

I disagree. Apart from one or two races where Kobayashi has scored points, I think de la Rosa has got the better of him on most occasions, but the car has let him down.

It's not uncommon for perfectly good drivers to not get noticed because their team-mate has a couple of good points finishes now and again (known as Sutil syndrome, and until 2010, Kubica syndrome).

Liuzzi, Fisichella, Heidfeld and maybe even Bourdais were run down by their team-mate getting the odd decent result which gets noticed as opposed to the general equality or superiority of the other driver.

Heidfeld in 2008 was an example. Because of tyre issues, he struggled to qualify well, but in the races he often finished close to Kubica despite poor grid positions.

Fisi last year - because Sutil ran well at the Nurburgring, people were saying Fisi was done. After Spa, people seemed to magically notice Giancarlo again, despite dominating Sutil in all but 2 or 3 races in 2009.

Liuzzi this year is admittedly losing the battle to Sutil, who has driven better this year, but in reality they are often very close, despite what some people may say. It doesn't help that morons mention Paul Di Resta every time they see Liuzzi driving.

Sorry for the rant but it's my biggest pet peeve in F1 today. One good result seems to outweigh a whole season of solid work and it shouldn't happen like that.
:)

I wasn't a de la Rosa supporter when this season began -in fact, I even went as far as saying that his was a wasted seat-, but he has proven me wrong. He has had terrible luck so far: he's had lots of retirements, and they have never been through his own fault. That said, he has proven that he is more than a match for his highly-rated teammate and that he does perform when he has the chance to do so. Whereas Kobayashi has had excellent and appalling races so far, de la Rosa seems to be an extremely reliable performer, and he always does his work right when he gets the chance. Qualifying proves this - de la Rosa hasn't ever lost out in Q1, whereas Kobayashi has done it a few times, but he has also entered Q3 more times. In the end, this means that Kob gets the odd result and he's rated for this, but over the course of a season, de la Rosa will have possibly done a better job which will go down unnoticed.

[airshifter]

:)

I wasn't a de la Rosa supporter when this season began -in fact, I even went as far as saying that his was a wasted seat-, but he has proven me wrong. He has had terrible luck so far: he's had lots of retirements, and they have never been through his own fault. That said, he has proven that he is more than a match for his highly-rated teammate and that he does perform when he has the chance to do so. Whereas Kobayashi has had excellent and appalling races so far, de la Rosa seems to be an extremely reliable performer, and he always does his work right when he gets the chance. Qualifying proves this - de la Rosa hasn't ever lost out in Q1, whereas Kobayashi has done it a few times, but he has also entered Q3 more times. In the end, this means that Kob gets the odd result and he's rated for this, but over the course of a season, de la Rosa will have possibly done a better job which will go down unnoticed.

Great points on Pedro. I was another who thought the seat should go to others before him, but he was done well considering the machinery he is in. The problem still lies in the fact that we really don't know what one of the top drivers could do in that car.....