I think Mclaren did use Perez today as a number 2 driver sending him out on the supersoft tyres in the middle stint seemingly to get some info for Jenson to use later on, it's the sort of thing that Ferrari does with Massa so if they wanted a number 2 driver then they have made the right choice...
Did McLaren Jump the Gun with Pérez?
- Thread starter RasputinLives
- Start date
I think they totally got the wrong guy. They would have been better off with Hulkenberg. If they were repaired to buy out a contract, they should have got Kimi or Rosberg.
On the other hand I think that this is indicative of the general slide of McLaren under Whitmarsh. They have lost that sharp edge or uncompromising spirit they had under Ron Dennis. They would rather be the good guys on the grid than the winners. So you end up with 2 soft drivers.
On the other hand I think that this is indicative of the general slide of McLaren under Whitmarsh. They have lost that sharp edge or uncompromising spirit they had under Ron Dennis. They would rather be the good guys on the grid than the winners. So you end up with 2 soft drivers.
What do you mean by "Soft drivers?" Jenson is a world champion you know and he gave Hamilton a bloody good run for his money actually he outscored him.
But I suppose you could do better than Whitmarsh, Jenson and Perez....
It's easy to be an armchair critic.....
But I suppose you could do better than Whitmarsh, Jenson and Perez....
It's easy to be an armchair critic.....
Argumentum ad hominem
There is a difference between giving an opinion and insulting a driver or a team manager Quintessentially opinions are fine insults are not and I was just pointing that out.
And yes I do know some Latin...
And yes I do know some Latin...
I've never been convinced by Perez.
He had 4 good performances in his 2 seasons that I can remember. His debut, and then the three podiums. You can argue that his podiums were more strategy based than actual pace. I've found him to be lacklustre, and hot headed. I don't think he's even scored back to back points finishes.
Kobayashi finished 6 points behind him with more misfortunes, yet he's out of F1, and Perez is at a top team.
He's still too raw, although the car doesn't help matters, he could go as the same route as Kovalainen if he isn't careful.
Add to that, Ferrari were right not to replace Massa with Perez.
He had 4 good performances in his 2 seasons that I can remember. His debut, and then the three podiums. You can argue that his podiums were more strategy based than actual pace. I've found him to be lacklustre, and hot headed. I don't think he's even scored back to back points finishes.
Kobayashi finished 6 points behind him with more misfortunes, yet he's out of F1, and Perez is at a top team.
He's still too raw, although the car doesn't help matters, he could go as the same route as Kovalainen if he isn't careful.
Add to that, Ferrari were right not to replace Massa with Perez.
Button asked his team today if he should fight. Vettel has to be told off for fighting, Alonso gets told to stop pushing, Hamilton has a hissy fit if he's told to conserve tyres. That's the difference between soft and aggressive. But soft tends to be more strategic (exc Alonso). So neither are a bad thing but arguably you would want one of each your team. Perez isn't either, he's more the aggressive type just hasn't found it yet...
It's too early to judge. I'm sure he'll end up on the podium or win a race at some point (Kovi did) and Whitmarsh will say the decision to recruit him has been justified. Personally, I never really had great confidence in the guy even though he put in some eye catching performances in the Suaber. When he fell off the road chasing Alonso last year and then celebrated on the podium as if he'd won the championship I thought you tit, that's the difference between the creme of the crop and nearly men. Yes it was a great result for Sauber all things considered and maybe I'm being a bit harsh but I do think he would've curtailed his exuberance on the podium if he had that innate attribute of the elite who never accept second best. I also think he makes too many steering movements which means he is more susceptible to errors.
I have to admit I'm thoroughly disappointed with Perez in a McLaren. Even though the car's a dog I expected a little more from him following the flashes he showed when driving for Sauber. It's not looking very good really and I guess McLaren will be turning up the heat should he not improve in parity with the car.
I think it's likely this was more a feature of the Sauber than Checo.
I'm certainly not shocked by his start at McLaren. The way that Woking announced his arrival actually did a great disservice to him. After losing Hamilton they tried to act as if they could just plug any plonker with a bit of speed into the car and magically receive results.
I think the car is more indicative of talent at the moment ... 80% car / 20% driver ...
Saw a couple of slo-mo shots of the McLaren under braking at the end of the main drag on Sunday... it is still porpoising around like Flipper...though not as much as it was in Melbourne...
Saw a couple of slo-mo shots of the McLaren under braking at the end of the main drag on Sunday... it is still porpoising around like Flipper...though not as much as it was in Melbourne...
I have to say it's an interesting long term strategy. In their shoes I'd have probably tried to cover off Jensen's ability to occasionally muller the settings by getting some good solid experience and leave the door open to ideas for the future.
I know Perez is only on a year's contract, but you don't bring a guy at his stage in to deliver everything in one year, this is a plan rather than cover.
I think the plan could have waited and I don't think Hulkenburg had a contract when Sergio was signed up
I know Perez is only on a year's contract, but you don't bring a guy at his stage in to deliver everything in one year, this is a plan rather than cover.
I think the plan could have waited and I don't think Hulkenburg had a contract when Sergio was signed up
Fenderman
Rooters Reporter
I posted an opinion here http://cliptheapex.com/threads/mclaren.3217/page-99#post-192579 that is relevant to this thread as well. Suffice it to say that if they thought Perez could replace Hamilton they were either dreaming or they are aware that it will need to be a long term plan. It's not unusual for a new young driver to only have a one year contract since the first year will be very much a probationary period anyway. Maybe The Hulk would have been a better proposition but just maybe McLaren are playing a longer game. If Perez gets unceremoniously dumped at the end of the season we'll know then what they think of their own decision.
Fenderman
Rooters Reporter
I'm just an armchair pundit punter but I do believe in research. Maybe team managers don't spend enough time watching the support races or their spotters are out doing other things when they should be spotting. The thing is, nothing in Perez's pre-F1 career said to me that he was fast enough for F1 so I thought McLaren had seen something I missed. I therefore assume that they did think he was quick enough but may be mistaken. Either way, they are the experts not me so in truth they should know. Having just researched Sergio's record a little more deeply I can't help feeling they have made a big mistake.
Similar threads
- Article
- Article
- Article
