[DoctorNiCYDEn]

I freely admit I'm shameless nicking this idea from Ed Gorman's blog in The Times, but it is an interesting question.

If you had to replace three drivers right now, based on the last two races, who would they be?

Piquet has disappointed for the last year. Obviously he was always going to struggle to match a double world champion team mate, but Hamilton showed at McLaren that it can be done. To be out-qualified 20-0 so far by Alonso and to have made so many errors is embarrassing.

Kovy played second fiddle to Lewis well enough, and maybe under Ron there was an argument to suggest he was never really allowed to thrive, but I've seen nothing of the sparkle I used to regularly witness first-hand when he was in Formula Renault. McLaren need a strong pairing right now, and I can't help but think Heikki is letting them down.

Kimi. When he's good he is very very good, but he's switched off. His comment today that Ferrari can't win the championship - after just two races - betrays his lack of commitment. His supreme talent gets him so far, but he really doesn't seem the sort of character to stick around if his team can't find form. The rumours of Alonso replacing him for 2010 simply won't go away, and if I were running Ferrari I'd quite happily replace the Finn.

Who would you fire?

[xochex]

I'd say Raikkonen, for the reasons outlined above - he just doesn't seem interested. Plus he's the highest paid driver on the grid and IMO a waste of money.

Other than that, Bourdais seems to be an obvious choice, he just doesn't look like he'll ever beat any team mate he's put alongside.

Thirdly, I'd say one of the Force India drivers. The whole team needs something to drive them forwards, to me it looks like they'll forever be propping up the timesheets. I don't think either of them are doing a particularly bad job but it just needs a fresh start.

I'd disagree with Piquet & Kovalainen, they're doing the job they're employed to do i.e. stay out of the way of the number one driver. Briatore has said as much - you can't have two top drivers in the same team. Although I admit they desperately need some solid points finishes.

[Svatudjw]

I freely admit I'm shameless nicking this idea from Ed Gorman's blog in The Times, but it is an interesting question.

If you had to replace three drivers right now, based on the last two races, who would they be?

Piquet has disappointed for the last year. Obviously he was always going to struggle to match a double world champion team mate, but Hamilton showed at McLaren that it can be done. To be out-qualified 20-0 so far by Alonso and to have made so many errors is embarrassing.

Kovy played second fiddle to Lewis well enough, and maybe under Ron there was an argument to suggest he was never really allowed to thrive, but I've seen nothing of the sparkle I used to regularly witness first-hand when he was in Formula Renault. McLaren need a strong pairing right now, and I can't help but think Heikki is letting them down.

Kimi. When he's good he is very very good, but he's switched off. His comment today that Ferrari can't win the championship - after just two races - betrays his lack of commitment. His supreme talent gets him so far, but he really doesn't seem the sort of character to stick around if his team can't find form. The rumours of Alonso replacing him for 2010 simply won't go away, and if I were running Ferrari I'd quite happily replace the Finn.

Who would you fire?

None. I see that I am confused as to who could do what on the track. I'll leave it to my more learned friends to sack them. But I don't like people to lose their jobs.

[DoctorNiCYDEn]

Briatore has said as much - you can't have two top drivers in the same team.

I agree with the principal of that, but you do need two drivers who push each other on and keep each other on their toes. Look at the way Heidfeld suddenly got his act together when Kubica showed up. Can you honestly imagine that Alonso feels motivated or inspired by Piquet?

[Loxaeed]

Nelson Piquet, Sebastien Bourdais and Giancarlo Fisichella.

[paydayus]

I'd say Raikkonen, for the reasons outlined above - he just doesn't seem interested. Plus he's the highest paid driver on the grid and IMO a waste of money.

Other than that, Bourdais seems to be an obvious choice, he just doesn't look like he'll ever beat any team mate he's put alongside.

Thirdly, I'd say one of the Force India drivers. The whole team needs something to drive them forwards, to me it looks like they'll forever be propping up the timesheets. I don't think either of them are doing a particularly bad job but it just needs a fresh start.

I'd disagree with Piquet & Kovalainen, they're doing the job they're employed to do i.e. stay out of the way of the number one driver. Briatore has said as much - you can't have two top drivers in the same team. Although I admit they desperately need some solid points finishes.

When has Räikkonen looked interested to you? He behaves in a way that is totally acceptable in his culture, it's got nothing to do with being interested or not. He has beaten (luck or no luck) Massa two times out of three in quali this year. The salary thing is true though, that's too much.

Piquet deserves to be sacked, if you can't make it through the first part of qualifying in a Renault, you deserve the boot. Sorry to say, but Heikki is on the bubble for me as well, he's almost as quick as Hamilton in quali but the crashing must stop now. Bourdais is the third, he isn't anything special.

[xochex]

I agree with the principal of that, but you do need two drivers who push each other on and keep each other on their toes. Look at the way Heidfeld suddenly got his act together when Kubica showed up. Can you honestly imagine that Alonso feels motivated or inspired by Piquet?

I don't think Alonso needs motivating or inspiring - it appears to me that he's the one responsible for driving the team forwards. It really lost its way when he left and started to recover on his return.

That setup won't work in every situation but I think Alonso works better when he's not under threat, and personally I think Renault would be daft to bring on someone as a challenger. I don't know if Piquet is any good for the technical side of things, but he's cheap to employ and Briatore wouldn't have kept him on if he wasn't happy with him.

[xochex]

When has Räikkonen looked interested to you? He behaves in a way that is totally acceptable in his culture, it's got nothing to do with being interested or not.

Fair point.

I think the reason I'd get rid of him is more because Ferrari really need a team leader at the moment, and I don't see him as a person to pull the team forwards. Maybe I'm wrong but Ferrari seem directionless and someone like Alonso would probably have more luck in sorting things out.

[U2DnBGFE]

None for now. But I'd give it a go with a few managers and engineers.

[MzTT]

With possible replacements there is another question that should always be immediately asked: Who would do a better job and is he available? I see that in the original post it is highlighted the change should take place with immediate effect, not at the end of the season, which means that it's more difficult to reach clearcut answers.

Piquet and Nakajima have been nowhere close to their team-mates so far, but I see drivers like Grosjean, Hülkenberg or even Kobayashi (if he proves himself in the main GP2 season) as replacements more like for 2010. I'd give the benefit of doubt to the third biggest disappointment of the season so far - Kovalainen.

[Usendyduexy]

Nakajima and, unfortunately, Nelson

[DoctorNiCYDEn]

With possible replacements there is another question that should always be immediately asked: Who would do a better job and is he available? I see that in the original post it is highlighted the change should take place with immediate effect, not at the end of the season, which means that it's more difficult to reach clearcut answers.

That's a valid enough point. I guess it's just a roundabout way of asking which drivers do you feel are under-performing right now and don't inspire confidence that they'll significantly improve. It's just a bit of fun, as Keith Barret would say.

[andrekuper]

Piquet is the clear choice. Whilst you can't have two number ones in the team you need someone who can score points. Look at all shumi's team mates - quick enough but only ever playing supporting roles. That said I don't think piquet will go, daddy keeps turning up to races and will surely provide.......erm....financial compensation to flav for having to put up with a bog slow driver.

Other than that I think most others are preforming ok. Bourdais, kovy and fissi have all made poor starts to the season but they all deserve a few more races before the axe drops.

[HottBrorb]

None for now. But I'd give it a go with a few managers and engineers.

+1 oh and the guys who allegedly run the entire thing!!

That said Piquet and Bourdais seem to be on borrowed time. I can't see anyone doing better that Fisi in the FI..it's just too slow.

[Qesomud]

Bourdais not even on par with scott speed
Lewis Hamilton lie to me will you. you little

all the drivers on 0 points (all the talk last year about Felipe Massa going to be dropped after the start of last year for the bad form)

[Extipletape]

Nelson and Kimi. Neither is very fast at the moment, and Kimi doesn't seem to care.

[andrekuper]

Kimi cares. Just not in a visible way.

[andrekuper]

Didn't know you had it in you Tam!

[evarekataVame]

"Maybe I didnt treat you
Quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didnt love you
Quite as often as I could have
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasnt died
Give me, give me one more chance
To keep you satisfied, satisfied

Maybe I didnt hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
Im so happy that youre mine
If I make you feel second best
Girl, Im sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasnt died
Give me, give me one more chance
To keep you satisfied, satisfied

Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
You are always on my mind
You are always on my mind"

Sing it Willie!!
(BTW--I was never a fan of his until I heard himdown in Austin at the Aramadillo....the man can smoke them and sing all night---An excellent performer to see in a smaller setting. When he was younger, he would just show up and sing, sing and sing some more. None of the other "performers" with big egos, needing a stage and all that, are like that. Willie never did the staged "encore" becuase he would sing until 5 am 0r until everybody had gone home.

Be a fan of his or not, NEVER EVER pass up a chance to hear Willie sing it live....

But me I alwys not thinking of willie, but an old Beatle song from the 1960's or so:
When I wake up early in the morning,
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream

Please don't wake me, no
don't shake me
Leave me where I am
I'm only sleeping

Everybody seems to think I'm lazy
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
Running everywhere at such a speed
Till they find, there's no need

Please don't spoil my day
I'm miles away
And after all
I'm only sleeping

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time

Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling

Please don't spoil my day
I'm miles away
And after all
I'm only sleeping

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time

When I wake up early in the morning,
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream

Please don't wake me, no
don't shake me
Leave me where I am
I'm only sleeping

My choices would Nakajaminutta, Nelson and Brook Johnston

[AlexBrith]

Kimi. When he's good he is very very good, but he's switched off. His comment today that Ferrari can't win the championship - after just two races - betrays his lack of commitment. His supreme talent gets him so far, but he really doesn't seem the sort of character to stick around if his team can't find form. The rumours of Alonso replacing him for 2010 simply won't go away, and if I were running Ferrari I'd quite happily replace the Finn.

Kimi outqualified Massa again so that means he's not getting the best out of the car, does it?

Would you be confident knowing that you'll be getting a new diffuser much later compared to Renault and McLaren?

http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45604

Those trick diffusers are worth a hefty amount. Look at Hamilton and Alonso - in qualy trim they had top 16 cars now top 10 cars.