A lot of articles take a look at how the rookies do halfway through the season, I would like to take a look at those who are racing in their second season in Formula One, regardless of whether they were dropped in last year or not.
Adrian Sutil
Maestro Sutil, an experienced piano player and without a doubt, a driver with potential. He wasn't able to produce the same as his compatriot, Marcus Winkelhock, who had a one-time drive last year at the Nurburgring, and led the race for a few laps, in a Spyker, but he got his team's first and only point that season with a really stellar eigth place finish at the soaked out Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji.
While everyone was focusing on the battle at the front between a rookie, a double world champion teammate and a Ferrari freshman taking over the great one's work, Adrian Sutil was working with an unruly car that would conk out on him. Apart from taking a point in Japan last year, his best moment of 2007 was harassing David Coulthard in the faster Red Bull for 12th place at the Belgian Grand Prix.
This year, with Spyker's new identity of Force India, Sutil is in a bit of a frustrating position. He has been able to produce a few stellar drives, like his very mature run in Monaco, but more often than not, his car would go out on him before he could do anything. Anyhow, he's only in his second year, and once Force India are up to speed, we should be able to see this talented German make some stellar performances.
Heikki Kovalainen
Young Heikki was a test driver for Renault before Fernando Alonso moved to McLaren in 2007 and had some big shoes to fill when it came time for him to drive. Heikki is a very different person than his fellow Finn, Kimi Raikkonen, and it shows in his openness and his ability to use more than one tone when speaking!
He had trouble at first with the Renault and was outclassed by his teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella. Once Heikki started getting into the hang of things, he was soon able to outqualify and outrace Fisichella, with many thinking that a retirement announcement is not too far away for the veteran Roman.
Without a doubt, Heikki's best moment came at the soaked out Japanese Grand Prix, when he took the team's only podium, a second place, after being put under immense pressure by his compatriot Kimi Raikkonen in the much faster Ferrari.
After Alonso and McLaren signed their divorce papers at the end of the 2007 season, a lot of speculation was floating around about Nico Rosberg or Adrian Sutil filling the vacated seat at McLaren. However, many were shocked to hear that it was a straight swap with Alonso returning to his beloved Regie and Heikki getting the McLaren with Lewis Hamilton.
A lot of expectations have been put on the young Finn's shoulders, and apart from a third place in Sepang, lady luck just hasn't been on Heikki's side. A combination of bad strategies, engine stallings and first corner touches have not played very well for him. Hopefully he can make something of his season.
Lewis Hamilton
comments (3) write a comment »
write a new comment
6 months ago
Good article Shak, See my 2 McLaren boys r in there and to be fair you hit the nail on the head with them, I wouldnt have held back mate ... Ha ha ... I agree with all comments completely !
6 months ago
Interesting angle for an article. Plus I like your analysis. Four very interesting drivers indeed!
6 months ago
A very thoughtful analysis Sheiban, all of them deserve an accolade. Heikki has it in him to be the best on the block with a little bit more of a consistent team, could be a nice hire for a Ferrari! Sebastian Vettel is rated to be the young Michael Schumacher, but we are yet to see his great potential in full flow, may be he needs a consistent car to do that. However, I am disappointed at some of the errors that Vettel has made in his young career. He and Heikki are 2 of the brightest boys on the block. Sutil's drive for Force Indian in Monaco if not for that Kimi shunt is what dreams are made of, I am just wondering as to how he would have fared in a better car.
write a new comment