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17 and potentially in F1

The super license rules dictate that a driver must be either the reigning champion in a lower category of motor sport, for example Formula 3 (British, Italian or Japanese championship, or Euro Series), Formula 2, or GP2 Series (formerly known as Formula 3000), or must have consistently finished well in these categories. For example, a driver finishing in the first three positions five times within the last two years in GP2 will be eligible for a Super Licence.

I can't see one being granted based on some F3.5 and AutoGP races. But they gave one to Yuji Ide and Esteban Tuero, so I guess its possible.

An interesting choice. I'm glad Sauber have secured their future. From what I've seen these past couple of years, Sirotkin seems to be a Russian with some decent talent.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
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Bad news for Frijns chances of a F1 seat with Sauber.

Why? With the new investors and Hulkenburg already released from his 2014 obligations, I'd say there's more of a chance for Frijns to get a drive and next to Sirotkin. Unless he's bringing a lot more cash, I'd say Gutierrez' drive is under threat for 2014.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

I assume they will have a full paydriver line-up. Carlos Slim's money is too much to ignore. Unless they will focus on Perez and team Mexico aka Mclaren.

Frijns does not bring any sponsorship money or at least he did not find any until now. So if the Sauber team needs to make a choice, it will be easy for them to choose a rookie with lots of cash.

The technological partnership will surely be beneficial to both, with their respective know-hows being shared. However, I hope the investment(or more explicitly, the money) being put into Sauber will be enough

Gutierrez is a horrible driver and I'm not too convinced of Hulk's hype either, so, I hope to see 2 new good drivers and a much more competitive car next season

Look at Yuji Ide's Nippon record, especially 2004 and 2005.

I'm not sure if I particularly like 17 and 18 year olds in F1 cars, but I'm not sure that the FIA could turn down his application on that basis due to the age discrimination regulations within European law. I hope someone with a sensible head is down at Sauber saying this guy is talented, but lets not have him sink before he can swim.

Kubica, Montagny, Ricciardo, Vergne, Alguersuari and Vettel all went from F3.5 to F1. It's the prefered route for Red Bull drivers, for sure.

You can also add in Justin Wilson and Ricardo Zonta (went from F1 to WSbN then back to F1) to that list.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Channoch Nissany also had a super license.

Sirotkin might become the first driver to race at F1 borned after the last driver fatality in F1

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Motorsports trend for 2024: everything is a bad taste joke now

useless statistic

On the Sauber buy-in: I really see them being humiliated by Caterham and Marussia in every race in 2014

Lineup so far...

Team Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Red Bull Da Costa Da Costa Sainz
Ferrari TBA TBA TBA
Lotus Prost Valsecchi Raikkonen
Force India TBA TBA TBA
McLaren Magnussen Turvey Paffett
Toro Rosso TBA TBA TBA
Sauber Frijns Frijns/Hulkenberg Sato
Williams Juncadella Maldonado Wolff
Marussia Ellinas Gonzalez Gonzalez

Yeah, useless statistic(btw, "born" is already past Lucas), but there is no way Sauber can be even near any of those teams, nevermind being humiliated by any of them

Jeez aren't we a bunch of negative nellies today? Sauber announce a positive new partnership which safeguards the future of this popular squad and people use it as a opportunity to whinge and moan. Well, I shouldn't be surprised really.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Yep, the fact Sauber are sticking around is the biggest positive in all this.

I wonder if Sauber will start using Marussia the way Red Bull use Torro Rosso and Ferrari use...well, Sauber, IE give a potential young driver a run in Marussia for a year or two to see if he's got what it takes.

He might be young but he's hardly going to do much bother if he runs around at the back a la Chilton.
(Ok maybe tell him to keep out of people's way more in Monaco......)

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I don't think Sauber are in the position to have a junior team, so I doubt there will be a tie in with Marussia. I could be wrong though.

_________________
BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Sirotkin, really? He scores 3rd in points out of 8 full-time drivers in Auto GP and he gets a potential F1 ride next season?

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Would not be surprised if Sauber ceases to exist in the next year and get re branded to whatever the Russians want. This seems more to me as a take over rather than a partnership. I will also go on record in saying that I feel this team will become more of a Russian government showcase than people here think.