Developing Talents in Formula 1

This season has been an unusual one. From starting with just one rookie, (step forward Sebastien Buemi) the F1 circus will now roll up to Valencia with three drivers that were nowhere to be seen on Melbourne’s grid, and two that didn’t have drives as late as last month. Of course Ferrari could not have predicted the terrible events in Hungary but none the less when a gap opened they were exposed and, sadly, left wanting.  At first everything seemed glorious, the undoubted king of F1 would return to his old stomping ground, the Ferrari horse would prance once more in the hands of a master and the likes of Hamilton and Alguersuari would fulfill their wildest dreams; sadly it wasn’t to be. Michael no doubt pushed himself as far as possible in his return bid but, for the time being, he’s no longer a contender. Step forward Luca Badoer...Ferrari test driver, former formula competitor, and the best option left to the Scuderia.

Meanwhile at Renault things were not well, Nelson Piquet had been holding onto his seat by a shoestring since the season started (before that perhaps?) and finally said string broke, unleashing a torrent of criticism, perhaps damaging the reputation of accuser more than accused, but ultimately leaving an R29 without a racer…for a about a second. Renault’s world champion already drove with them, leaving the team no Schumacher-esque substitute, but handily Renault had another ace up their sleeve – a long established driver development programme offering them a wealth of talent from which to pick; Romain Grosjean being the lucky replacement.

Both Badoer and Grosjean acted as test drivers for their respective teams but, given a lack of in-season testing and with significant upgrades on both machines, this initially may seem as though it doesn’t count for much. Coming from one of the best DDP’s in the paddock (alongside Red Bull and McLaren) Grosjean would appear to have the advantage but Badoer is Ferrari’s longest serving test driver and undoubtedly knows the team like the back of his hand - if chemistry counts for anything in a team Badoer probably has a whole labs worth! He also has race experience, although given that the most recent was 1999 you probably shouldn’t read too much into it.

This then should make for an interesting case study in the ongoing argument for more driver development programmes – if Ferrari had a more established one in place would Badoer have still gotten the drive? Do they put a certain pressure on drivers (if you don’t perform there’s someone behind you that will)? Or given the tough economic climate that’s seen the end of yet another manufacturing team from F1 should they be cut back and reintroduce in season testing? Feel free to comment and let me end by wishing both of F1’s latest stars the best of luck this weekend!

By Samantha Wilcox for enterf1.com