Hello Marco, Goodbye Rubens?
Written by George Katinger · December 9, 2006
Marco Andretti has been invited by Honda to test drive their F1 car in Jerez next week. A “thank you” for a job well done in the IRL, or a preview of a future Honda F1 driver?
speedtv.com: F1: Marco Andretti to Drive Honda F1 Car
There are many reasons why Honda would-should give the young Andretti a test in their 2006 F1 race car.
1. As stated in their public pronouncements, it is a thank you for an incredible rookie year in the IRL.
2. Grandpa Mario is publicly in favor, and pushing hard, for Marco to cut his teeth in a more road-track rich environment. There are rumors galore and much speculation that Marco will eventually land a Champ Car ride, maybe as early as ‘08. Dangling a possible Honda F1 seat in front of the family may be a way of keeping the talented young man in the Honda racing family.
3. If Marco manages to demonstrate an uncanny abilty to melt the tires off the car in blistering test times, he may just land a testing/racing seat sooner than anyone could foresee. A team of Jenson Button and Marco Andretti would be a marketing bonanza for Honda. And F1 would have the spin of two competing (if you could call racing against Toro Rosso “competition”) American racers, both young and talented. Sorry Mr. Speed, your 15 minutes of fame in F1 may end sooner than expected.
So, point three is where the “Goodbye Rubens” portion of the headline comes from. Barrichello has had a slow adaptation to the Honda car/team, generally under performing compared to everyone’s expectations. I was so bold as to predict Rubens would win before Jenson in the Honda. Yes, just another item to add to my long list of failed forecasts. Nostradamus, I’m not.
But in an off season of little racing news to report, I find the prospect of a third generation driver coming to F1 rather exciting. And if Marco brings the same measured and seasoned beyond his years approach to his F1 test as he did in the IRL, he will no doubt impress the Honda brass.
And as a team with deep pockets who are anxious to win races and titles, Honda may be willing to risk a season with a young inexperienced hot shoe. It’s a trend already, with Alonso owning two titles (age 25), Raikkonen (25), Kovalienen, Kubica, Hamilton, and Rosberg in their early 20’s. Honda would be yet another team with a young promising driver, but also an American who is the grandson of a driving legend.
I wish him well and if my name were Rubens Barrichello I’d take a long hard look at my prospects, because despite his friendship with Gil de Ferran, his future lies somewhere other than Honda.
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6 Responses to “Hello Marco, Goodbye Rubens?”
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As I’ve said before, Rubens is a solid driver and points getter (when he’s confortable with the car). And this year should prove better for him. However, I’ve never had any illusions of Rubens being a title contender. The same goes for Jenson.
If Marco proves to be speedy and reliable, then Honda would be hard-pressed to decide which of their current drivers they want to support him. I know that sounds harsh, but it is the truth. I’d go so far as to say they should see how Davidson does in the Aguri this coming season, and think about bringing him back to the factory team.
Considering I’m not any better at predicting the future than George is, who knows what’ll really happen. But, I’m sure it could be interesting.
Marco’s already signed with his Dad’s team for next season. Michael was also the one who won over Grandpa’s F1 plans for Marco. I’d say Marco’s only chance of going to F1 next season would be if Michael wants to lose the NYSE sponsorship, the XM Satellite radio show deal and one of two marketing figures in the IRL (the other being Danica.)
We’ve had this dicussion before, place the kid in the best OW traing school in the world, GP2.He is the perfect age & it will give his obvious talent a year of very close competition. Thus far none of the junior series he has raced in have had quality & talent in depth.This would act as the perfect finishing school for a rookie who want a crack at the big time.
I’ll second that, Peter. I don’t know why I didn’t think about GP2. Racers need to realize that F1 bosses aren’t looking closely at AOWR anymore. Especially with such a good choice of talent coming through GP2.
Not looking at AOWR? That’s because they’re looking at Andretti’s money. An F1 Boss would take a horse jockey if he had the proper funds.
I agree, GP2 is critical for any F1 hopeful. But in Marco’s case this may not matter.
Some quick comments DJ:
If Honda F1 offered Marco a full time ride, do you think his dad would stand in his way on a contract basis? Michael may have some insecurities relative to his son and father both making it in F1 while he failed, but I have to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he would let Marco go; even if it meant him getting back in the car to keep a sponsor happy.
Relative to drivers bringing money to F1, do you really think Honda need a pay driver’s cash? They have to be one of best funded teams on the grid.