Australian Drivers

[David Towe]

According to the results, Martin is a top 5 or 6 driver, not "a mid-field driver". I don't know of Daniel Ricciardo but will look out for his name. What's he been driving?

[NAC]

David he does not come up under http://www.driverdb.com/ but his web site below

http://www.danielricciardo.com/

N.A-D.R why do you rate Ricciardo over Martyn? I personally dont think Ricciardo as Aussies's answer.

[Stocky]

Ricciardo isn't going to do Mexico so I guess we'll just have to keep hearing how good he would be.

Funny how you can just "rate" someone over another driver when he's done nothing.

Martin did some winning in FF -

Winning the Vic State Championship in his first season
Winning Sandown round of the national championship in his first season
Winning the national championship first attempt
Winning on debut at Brands Hatch in an Ausy car

Does one season in an underperforming car in British F3 and he's "overrated"

British F3 is a huge step from FF. You don't get top drives straight up.

He was fastest in the A1 pre-season test (faster than Dyke and Ricciardo) even though he went on the worst track conditions.

Still I guess he's "overrated" and Ricciardo would be a much better option based on results.

[N.A-D.R]

well, Ricciardo tested in silverstone when the season first test sessions where on, he had half a day of testing and was under 0.1 on Martin. It was his first time ever in a A1GP car and the first time at the Silverstone track. Give Ricciardo more time in the car and you will see what hes got. He was also meant to do the rookie sessions in Malaysia but couldn't because he had stay stay in europe to get the Red Bull sponsorship (which he was the fastest out of 6 other drivers at estoril)
When i first started getting interested with Daniel was when i went to the Bira Gp in Thailand the Formula BMW asia series. He got pole and won by quite a distance.

I think you will see Ricciardo's true skills in the Formula Renault EC with SG formule.

[NAC]

OK I hear ya. I'll keep the other eye on him

[N.A-D.R]

I dont know about you guys, but i have big interest in him.

[Stocky]

So are you going to change your log in to N.A - D.R - C.R soon ?

One thing I'll give C.R is that he a fit *******

[strider]

Originally Posted by strider

He'll have to start testing for British F3 soon, but I'm not sure how much that will get in the way of the remaining A1GP races. I think it's do-able, but he may be clocking up the air miles.

My original post was about John Martin. He'll be BF3 testing with Raikkonen Robertson Racing on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, then flying out to South Africa.

FWIW, I think he's easily the best option Team Oz has at the moment.

[N.A-D.R]

As most of you know, John Martin isn't going to be able to race at Mexico because of his British F3 commitments. So who do you all think will replace him for the race?

[Stocky]

He's doing Mexico now.

[N.A-D.R]

Oh, But what about his BF3 commitments?

[Stocky]

They don't clash directly just very close.

It'll be a bit like Duval this weekend LOL.

They might use a Joker day for some F3 testing too so he's driven one again before the following round of racing.

It's easy enough (for John anyway) to go from F3 to A1 as the grip is much lower and he's never had a problem with power.

Going from A1 to F3 and pushing the last few tenths is harder. The F3 car just has SO much more grip and brakes.

Combined with a total lack of spare parts available for the new Dallara's (don't crash policy) makes for interesting testing.

[N.A-D.R]

Oh ok then.

Update of Daniel Ricciardo from first days testing for the Formula Renault Eurocup 2008 season with the first test session of 2008. Daniel was fastest on both days.

http://www.formula3.cc/content/view/22877/500/

Only one driver looked of challenging him for the fastest time.

[mac]

Heh, they put AUT after Ricciardo's name - the abbreviation for Austria!!!

[Pro Racer]

i was about to post that myself, it's Australia (AUS) i know we are down the bottom but we are still a country, not quite as bad as the Us putting Tassie on the map but not main land Australia when they invaded Iraq, was on the news way back when.

[strider]

Finally a report that will please N.A-D.R - Nathan Antunes is to join Team Australia for the last 2 rounds, and will be in Mexico as a spectator - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65614

[Xfiles]

??? Alan what progess, DNF DNF DNF DNF or $$$$$$$$$$
what happened to the rookie Daniel Ricciardo

[Pro Racer]

thats what i was thinking must be busy, still good opertunity for Nathan.

[Peno]

Get Will Power back, ASAP. Walker shut his team down and even if Gore goes with him to KV, Kalkhoven & Vasser should let him race A1, like they did with Jani.

[N.A-D.R]

Awesome news!!!

I think Nathan is a better choice then Ricciardo as hes got good experiance for a 19 year old and Nathan is very quick too. I hope he does well and shows his speed!

[NAC]

Not so sure guys.

I dont think Nathan is ready just yet (please notice it was a yet). He has not really set the world on fire in the Toyota Racing Series, yes he had a couple of OK results but also had many way below average ones also. I just dont think he is Australia's answer just yet.

BTW - We really should change the title of this thread

[Pro Racer]

at the end of last season a few of our FF boys went over to europe so maybe in a year or so they will be perfect for this seat, as long as they persist and don't get sick of it and come home to V8's.

[sizzle]

Much more appropriate thread title.

[NAC]

Originally Posted by Pro Racer

at the end of last season a few of our FF boys went over to europe so maybe in a year or so they will be perfect for this seat, as long as they persist and don't get sick of it and come home to V8's.

As a thought if you Aussie boys were to put together a list of what you think is your to top 10 / 15 open wheel drivers as potential for A1 / F1 who would they be?

BTW much better title

[Kiwi3]

I agree with Peno. If Will Power is now even semi-available then AJ should grab him. Would make a good team with John Martin, Power as team leader and John Martin learning off a seasoned international campaigner.

Antunes won't benefit the team any, he is even way less experienced than John Martin. Hopefully for season 4 A1GP will attract drivers with better credentials than this!