Tost: Loeb F1 drive not practical

[Dare]

And ask Speed if he didn't perform Tost would have gave
him a good one in the choppers

Franz Tost is sure that handing Sébastien Loeb a one-off Abu Dhabi drive would not have been a good idea. With the Frenchman, World Rally Champion from 2004 to 2008, having failed to meet specifications to obtain an FIA Superlicence, the Toro Rosso line-up will remain unaffected ahead of this season's final Grand Prix.

 


 
Loeb drove at GP2's Jerez test session a fortnight ago
With Loeb's website stating that only a failure to pick up the Superlicence prevented his Yas Marina season finale Formula One debut, Toro Rosso Team Principal Tost is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport as labelling the possibility 'a suicide mission'.

"From a sporting point of view, these applications would have made little sense," the Austrian admitted. "The power density in Formula One is higher than ever before. Loeb could, at worst, lose three to four seconds on the field; today, no-one can simply insert themselves into the car and be on the pace immediately - one has to only look at the difficulties seasoned F1 drivers have when they re-enter the sport."

"He would probably have done themselves no favours," added Jacques Laffite, who won six Grands Prix for France during his F1 career between 1974 and 1986. "He wanted to use this unique opportunity."

[John S]

I think the example of Fischi having trouble adjusting to the Ferrari only goes to prove how difficult it is to drive in F1, if a highly experienced guy has trouble changing cars on the grid how much more difficult is it for someone from a completly different discipline to make the grade.

Bring back in season testing for rookies, it's a 'no brainer'

[Scott]

Absolutely.  Give them back 10-12 days of in season testing.  Only pluses.

[greener_09]

I totally agree.How is anyone supposed to make a impact on F1 if they dont get any practice before.Stuff the money saving no practice rule and give the rookies a chance.

[Jericoke]

I totally agree.How is anyone supposed to make a impact on F1 if they dont get any practice before.Stuff the money saving no practice rule and give the rookies a chance.

With any luck, the world economy has turned around, and we won't have to worry about F1 penny pinching for much longer.

[FW14B]

I agree with all, bring back F1 testing and let's see stars from other series get a chance in F1 in the future.  Perhaps that could even be a good reason for having a 3rd car floating around some teams, so guys can get a chance racing without affecting a championship by removing regular drivers.