[wllsqyuipknczx]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/111120...t-montoya.html

I simply don't understand what Tost and Berger are doing.

How the hell could they value Piquet J. above Bourdais and why would they try to sign him?

I am pretty asure they were the only team remotely interested in him and renault only kept him so that Alonso can dust him off real proper. The guy is uesless and Torro Rosso want to give him a ride?

Then the Montoya thing. Talk about an over reach of immense( nop pun intended) proportions. first of all JPM would have to lose around 30-40 pounds in short order. He would also have to make huge sacrifices in terms of hid family life as well. All this to drive for an ownership that have shown no loyalty, little patience and quite erratic behaviour over the last two years.

Just when I was starting to respect the team for their relative calm, they go ahead and announce these absurd moves.

Let Bourdais go, he is obviously not wanted there.
He will be snapped up by Mercedes as a 3rd driver, or get a seat at Force India, or probably be in cotnention to replace NPJr mid season. Bourdais has more options than STR at this moment.

STR leadership are a mess.

[johnsonjunior]

just remember...it's Red Bull first, and a Formula 1 team second. It's sad but very true, especially when STR only considers Takuma Sato because of the possibility of Red Bull appealing in Japan. Piquet and Montoya could probably bring more to the table (financially speaking) than Bourdais at the moment.

[Faigokilix]

First, STR know what they are doing as they have won a race. Second, let's not write off Nelson afterone season. Do you remember Massa's first season? I think that we must trust the guys who managed to win a race with the former Minardi team.

[tiereenny]

A french driver surely sounds tempting for Renault.

[kranskregyan]

First, STR know what they are doing as they have won a race. Second, let's not write off Nelson afterone season. Do you remember Massa's first season? I think that we must trust the guys who managed to win a race with the former Minardi team.

Because they have won a race that means they know what they are doing?
If Nelson Pique wasn't his father, then last season he probably been thrown out of the team after the 3rd race. Money talk this days, and Nelson name sells a lot as we can see. He will never be a race winning material. Thats for sure. Money cannot drive the car.

[dXI9XFOA]

STR seem to be playing the Japanese team driver game - 1 - 2 years and you're out!

[reachmanxx]

First, STR know what they are doing as they have won a race.

The team does - doesn't mean the management does.

[TimoDass]

Not if he is going to be the second driver.

Bourdais has shown that he isn't going to be a World Champion. He's a decent driver, but nothing special. The PR benefits of having an average Frenchman regularly beaten in a French team are minimal. In effect, it would be negative equity.

The French don't like to see a non-Frenchman win the Tour, they just wouldn't accept a Frenchman losing in a Renault.

Now, if there was a young Frenchman called Louis Amil'ton, that would be a different matter.

But, as it stands, there isn't, and Bourdais won't deliver what Renault would have to get to make the gamble worth the risk.

French love everything French, no matter how good she/he/it is.

[markshome23]

Bourdais hasnt got a hope of getting into the Renault, him and Briatore just dont get on at all, or he would have been signed 6 years ago after his F3000 title.

STR should keep, he was all but matching Vettel at the end of the year and te team needs some consistency on the driver front.

[gvataler]

French love everything French, no matter how good she/he/it is.

I'm not sure that's accurate.

Considering his achievements, Alain Prost had a pretty lukewarm relationship with the the public & media in France.

[usacomm]

Considering his acheivements, Alain Prost had a pretty lukewarm relationship with the the public & media in France.

Never really understood that one. Perhaps it stemmed from the failure to win the 1983 title. I remember reading an article at the time saying just how many French journos were at Kyalami in anticipation of a Renault/Prost victory. Perhaps their disappointment coloured the French view of Prost for years to come.

[aabbaDE]

Is there any actual evidence of having a less-than-top-line driver from 'x' country bringing about enough marketing benefits in that country to override their indifferent results? After all, exactly this argument was used in relation to Scott Speed and I don't think his presence at STR did much for the Red Bull brand in the USA that wasn't being done already.

[geniusxs81]

The dark recesses of my heart is going to enjoy Toro Rosso's failures next season should they get rid of Bourdais.

[Wavgbtif]

The JPM thoughts seem correct, hes fat and happy in NASCAR. Is Bruno Senna still in it for STR or just Honda ?
I quite like Seb. Bourdais, maybe just the first year of bad luck is gone now.

Would really like to see a top rated female ina F1 drive again.. Danica Patrick
Katerine Legge ?

[wsbizwsa]

French love everything French, no matter how good she/he/it is.

A bit of stereotyping here Ioan

Bourdais can't go to Renault, because he and Flavio don't get on. Flavio was Bourdais manager, but then Flavio got greedy, and Seb refused to sign a new contract as he was asking for quite a high %, and found someone else. Since then, his best shot at F1 has been with a French team, but Flavio is in charge . Shame

[Yarmark]

Flavio didn't get greedy. He was born that way.

Along side, I think it's only fair to say, every other team principal.

Really?

Perhaps you're mistaken again and confusing team principles with driver managers. I've never heard anyone accuse LdM, Ron, Frank et al accused of being greedy. Many other things but not greedy.

Even then, the drivers must think they get value for money otherwise they would do it themself.

However, perhaps you know different?

[Frogzlovzy]

A bit of stereotyping here Ioan

Bourdais can't go to Renault, because he and Flavio don't get on. Flavio was Bourdais manager, but then Flavio got greedy, and Seb refused to sign a new contract as he was asking for quite a high %, and found someone else. Since then, his best shot at F1 has been with a French team, but Flavio is in charge . Shame

I do not think that is quite correct. Flavio tested SB while he was in F3000 and offered him a contract at Renault, BUT with Flavio as his manager and SB disagreed (for what ever reason). If SB had signed, he would have been at Renault long ago. IMO.

[soonahonsefalh]

When I last heard of Piquet's possible move to STR, it was Renault that approached Toro Rosso. But Toro Rosso asked for a lot of money, and Renault weren't prepared to pay.

I would like to see Bourdais stay in F1, more than seeing Sato return, but it would've been great to have Montoya back. Shame. I think that if Honda drop Barrichello then he'll have to come up with significant funding to steal Bourdais' seat. I'm still expecting them to field Sato and Buemi next year - Sato's the richest and Buemi's already sponsored by Red Bull.

[GlictStiply]

I actually think a JPM, Piquet partnership would have been pretty sweet.
I honestly believe Piquet has a lot to offer, he started off the season poorly but improved towards the later end, and JPM can drive if he keeps his head.

[Gintovtosik]

I still think a fully-motivated Montoya could bring a lot to an F1 team, and by that i mean any of them.

As it stands I feel he is happier out of it, and that's a shame.