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Jarno Trulli slams 'less committed' pay drivers
ESPNF1 Staff
December 28, 2011
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Jarno Trulli puts pressure on Williams' pay driver Pastor Maldonado at the Chinese Grand Prix © Sutton Images
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Veteran Italian Jarno Trulli has hit out at the growing influence of so-called 'pay drivers' in Formula One.
Even though Trulli has one year of his contract at Caterham remaining, his position has been subject of speculation with Vitaly Petrov, who has been dumped by Renault, linked with a possible move.
But Trulli took a thinly-disguised swipe at what had happened at Renault in 2011 when it employed Petrov and Bruno Senna, both of whom brought considerable sponsorship with them.
"[Robert] Kubica is a great driver who can get the very best from the car," Trulli told La Repubblica. "Because of that they were a dark horse. When Robert was out, that was the end. Petrov was not in a position to lead the team, and Senna showed that he was not good enough."
Senna replaced the experienced Nick Heidfeld mid-season. "With his experience, Nick scored almost as many points as Petrov even though he [Heidfeld] did only half the season," Trulli said. "There is no rule, but it is true that those who pay are less accustomed to suffering. They are less committed.
"Hiring them is a business decision but in my opinion it's not worth it."
However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the issue of pay drivers had grown out of hand. "For a team it has always been about finding the right balance between financial considerations and talent," he said. ""It's something that is as old as Formula One."
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ESPN Staff
Interesting to hear such an on-point perspective from...Jarno Trulli? I've been a fan of his in the past. But no driver could be accused of "phoning it in" more than Jarno this year. Couldn't handle the power steering, one excuse after another. I agree with his perspective, but I feel he's a bad example of why seasoned drivers should be cultivated.
Posted byagree, thank god renault got raikkonen on board
Posted byJarno you are absolutely bang on! I can't imagine how much better Renault would have done with Robert Kubica this year! I am sure he could have extracted the best out of an adventurous redesign and made some real strides forward for the team. Can't wait to see you back in F1 Robert!
Posted byIt's disappointing for the spirit of Sport that Pay-Driver A gets a seat over Skilled-Driver B simply for the sake of team profitability. Formula 1 is supposed to be where the best drivers compete for the most prestigious title in motor sport. The teams should be making their earnings from their finishing order in the race, not from the drivers who buy their way into the team.
Posted byThis again is being very consisting on showing us that sport is all a business and F1 is no exception. Its always been in the past but with a small percentage. Now its 80% money. F1 will not survive with the next generation for more than one reason.
Posted byPetrov didn't get so many points in the second half of the season as the car was not developed at all. He even admitted that. And Heidfeld had years of experience more than Petrov, who came second in GP2 proving he is a great young driver. Maybe the old drivers who never were world class (meaning you Trulli) should move over and let a younger talent come through. And Senna proved he was talented with some amazing results given NO testing and no experience in the car. With so many years experience how come Kovalainen, who was dumped by McLaren is out scoring you? Perhaps it is time to leave quietly with your Toyota millions?
Posted byWhile pay drivers frustrate us purists in Formula 1, these remarks display a lack of self-reflection from a driver outclassed by Heiki all season. Senna probably showed enough class to be said to have performed better than Jarno in 2011. This just seems a little undignified to me from a driver who has surely passed his best. On talent, give Senna his seat, Jaime Alguersuari to HRT and Sutil to Williams.
Posted byAyrton Senna could have entered F1 2 years earlier as a pay driver. But he had pride and confidence and refused to lose his dignity by having to pay because he wanted to show he was naturally good enough. Can anyone say the same for Petrov, Maldonado, Bruno etc... I think not.
Posted byIs it, Horner? Would you let Vitaly drive next season if he brought huge sum to company next season? It maybe financial but it is not necessarily paid drivers. You can also hire talented drivers who have good sponsors under their own name.