Veteran journalist slams current Sauber driver line-up
9 July, 2012
Jul.9 (GMM) Veteran correspondent Roger Benoit has called on Sauber to rethink its driver lineup as he believes they are hampering the team’s progress.
The Swiss team went into the British grand prix as the dark horse for victory, and afterwards even McLaren’s Jenson Button admitted that the C31 was “perhaps the best car in the field.”
Sauber’s points tally, however, was zero.
Qualifying was going well until engineers made what team boss Peter Sauber admitted was the “obvious mistake” of fitting intermediate tyres for the sodden circuit.
Then came the race. Sergio Perez ended it with a fit of rancour, denouncing Pastor Maldonado – who was fined EUR 10,000 by the stewards – as a “stupid driver” after their crash.
Kamui Kobayashi, meanwhile, barrelled into his pit crew, sending two members to the medical centre with minor injuries.
That earned the apologetic Japanese a EUR 25,000 fine, for what Niki Lauda described as “one of the stupidest mistakes I have seen for years”.
“I’ve written it in (the newspaper) Blick several times,” Benoit insisted. “With this driving duo, Sauber has no future.”
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Sauber: One happy driver and one unhappy driver
- Peter Sauber hails C31 as the team’s best car ever
- Ferrari: Result is in line with our current potential
- Sauber slams stupid Kobayashi rumours
- Sauber slams unsporting race team crews
Roger Benoit who is he a nobody.
Sauber have 2 good drivers but they are in the fringes of the midfield, Sergio Perez has been caught up in midfield accidents as has Kamui Kobayashi.
Crashtor Maldonado cost Sergio Perez points in the last race, Romain in another race how does that make these drivers bad.
Roger Benoit you are speaking from the wrong part of your body!
I tried to find the info. Mr. Roger brought to us on J. Button’s oppinion, the closest I could find is that before the Br GP, Jenson said that Williams and Sauber could shine due to the similarity of the track to that of Spain.
If anyone has info. on an “after the race” declr. pls. post the link. Oher info. y read on Button’s decl. is that Mclaren is now as good as Williams and Sauber ( referring to Silverstone results I imagine ).
He gives little credit to a second year driver and less hopes if it would depend on him to hire Perez back; and about Kobayashi an agresive, respectful and quick driver that might need to be more consistent.
Could it be that he is only trying to make the veterans survive?.
haha nice choice of picture
So… basically what this no-one-guy says is “Perez was taken out by Maldonado, then Sauber needs better drivers” huh… Does that make any sense to anyone? whos that guy? has he won any f1 championship? then he must shut up, seriously.
Sauber should have had Kimi Raikkonen. if it is true what Jenson Button admitted, that the C31 was “perhaps the best car in the field.” think about that and Kimi`s ability and race experience. they would already have won at least two races.
Benoit has a bit of a point. Imagine if Sauber had Heikki or Heidfeld.. They would not be challenging for victory but consistently in the points or fighting for podium. The Sauber would be challenging the Mercs(Macca and Merc) for the WCC. They would not be as aggressive or fast over one race lap like Kamui or Sergio though.
Roger just want to say something to let the world know he is till alive
Sergio Perez not a good choice?? Please Mr Benoit Sergio is one of the best talents for years to come from that part of the world!! Kamui might be hot & cold yes..I’ve always rated Quick-Nick but there are better bets waiting in the wings..
Finally a car with promise — why not call Heidfeld back into the team? A known quantity fresh from a great performance at Le Mans.