Pantano to replace Bourdais at STR with immediate effect?
 

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...15094600.shtml

Bourdais to get the axe?
Rumours link Pantano with the Toro Rosso seat
15/05/09 09:46

New rumours in the Italian press have shed fresh doubts on the future in Formula One of the sport's only French driver.

The rumours suggest that Sebastien Bourdais, who has scored one point so far in 2009 compared with his rookie team-mate Sebastien Buemi's three, is on the brink of being ousted by Toro Rosso.

The name linked with the potentially vacant Red Bull-sponsored seat is Giorgio Pantano, who despite winning last year's GP2 championship was left without a ride in the premier series for 2009.
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30-year-old Italian Pantano, who actually contested most of the 2004 season for Jordan, was said to have been preparing to race in the Renault Eurocup series this year, but may now have delayed that debut.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

One down, just NPjr to go.

I guess if this did happen GP2 can keep up its 100% record of firing its champ straight into F1, even if it is a bit delayed this year http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

It'd be interesting, and not unwelcome. I've never warmed to Bourdais, and I wouldn't be averse to Pantano getting another shot.

I'd rather drivers to complete their drive full season, being laid off in the running season is not good. Ferrari drivers, team of STR cars' supplier also scored the same three points as Buemi this far. Perhaps it wasn't Burdais poor quality, performance of Buemi makes him in contrast.

STR messed SeaBass around so much pre-season to do this now mean he'd have no chance of even getting an IRL drive either and would miss Indy 500.

Plus I don't think Pantano's any better so it's seems entirely pointless move - he's an entirely average driver much like SeaBass. There's plenty of better drivers without an F1 seat,

With the lack of testing in F1, replacing Bourdais at this stage of the season would be stupid. I sense that Bernie is pushing for Pantano though, to indeed keep up the 100% progression of GP2 champions into F1. To my mind Pantano has been around a long while, had his shot at F1 five years ago and moved back to GP2 where he ended up so experienced against his opposition that really only winning the title would have been good enough.

Pantano is no better, I think. Probably worse. Bad move if they make it.

Nothing on today's Ital media so it's just a rumour, I wouldn't mind to see Pantano back though http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...es/biggrin.gif

I defended Bourdais for a seat this year, thinking he was very unlucky last year to not score many more points.

But this year he has been below average, and seemingly gone back compared to last year, so whilst I do believe he has potential, he's just not performing, so if he were to lose his seat I wouldn't be too suprised.

I've never really rated him. In fact, I wondered why they went for him in the first place. There must have been faster people around with the name Seb?

Last year he was up against a prodigous talent but Buemi doesn't strike me as all that and he's still struggleing with a rookie.

Don't let the door catch your ass on the way out Seb

What options? Pantano? Old and had his chance De La Rosa? Old and had his chance. Luizzi who shone so very brightly during his career? Sato? They clearly looked at a lot of people before confirming him so late in the day and found no better or viable options.

I don't rate Bourdais but there's hardly a wealth of talent knocking on the door bar DiResta (who's a Merc boy) possibly Senna.

Give Senna his due, he could have easily won last year.

At the end of the season it was a comedy of errors with them both running out of fuel or chashing out. It was a case of:

"After you."

"No, after you."

"No please, I insist."

You may as well chuck Senna in there for a bit of publicity and who knows, he might start performing.

True....I see no point in repalcing one average driver (Seabass) with another (Pantano). Senna might be worth a punt to see what he can do against Buemi.

I have to say I really don't want to see Bruno in F1... Tarnishing the Senna name. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/tongue.gif

I'd give Di Grassi a go!

That's a bit harsh.

The lad is not a patch on his Unc but he has shown some fight and didn't do too bad a job.

Well...

He must be a talented kid, given how he's risen near the top with so few years in racing. And Ayrton is quoted as saying in 1993, "If you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew Bruno."

But...

When you take a 10-year brake from racing in your teens, you ain't ever gonna be great, are you, no matter how talented you are... I don't fault the guy for trying, it's just that I don't see the point, really. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

Would anyone even consider him if his name wasn't Senna, with all the commercial opportunities that brings? I doubt it.

Well that is a good point but also teams need money and have taken on worse drivers simply for their sponsors!

Its a pitty, ive always liked the guy. Followed him over the other side of the pond, in CART. He was bit of a legend over there.
Just goes to show the level in quilty beween CART, now indycar, and F1

Yes, that's true. http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/smilies/erm.gif