Giorgio Pantano: Driver of the day

[Senna P1]

What can you say about someone unfamiliar with the new car? Drove from 24th to 14th, stayed out of trouble, decent pit stops and some great passing! Wonder if this was a test drive for Graham's seat....Runner up for driver of the day is Tony Kanaan

[vintage]

Are you his agent? He wasn't that impressive for all the hype. Qualified lousy and didn't crash or make a big mistake. Give him a kid's soccer trophy.

[Buellboy]

Are you his agent? He wasn't that impressive for all the hype. Qualified lousy and didn't crash or make a big mistake. Give him a kid's soccer trophy.

+1

[shakespeare]

He had the fastest lap of the race, or darn close. Then again, several 3-stoppers had lots of fast laps yet nothing to show for it.

[JimmyB10]

He had the fastest lap of the race, or darn close. Then again, several 3-stoppers had lots of fast laps yet nothing to show for it.

Second fastest lap of the race, someone said in another thread. That's impressive in his first time in the new car and first IndyCar race of the year. 24th to14th is indeed notable in this field, especially considering all but one or two cars were running at the end and there were no cautions to bunch up the field. I think only Kanaan and Hinch advanced that many spots, and the vets of the forum are singing their praises to the heavens.

And what hype?

Give Pantano some props (and try not to be total jerks to a new member right off the bat, ay?).

Senna P1: this is what Liz was warning you about. Try not to take anything too personally here. Even the best of us go overboard once in a while and dump on a post we misinterpret. If you have a thick skin, it' a fun place. If you don't, lurk.

[BizzyV]

Never drove Mid Ohio. Never drove a DW12. I'll let the qualifying performance slide and he was good in the race. Drive of the day? Er, no, but a solid job given the circumstances.

[Senna P1]

Nothing personal with me, mate. Just an observation. There were several "drives of the day" but I expect guys like Bourdais, TK, Pagenaud and Tag to bring it

Second fastest lap of the race, someone said in another thread. That's impressive in his first time in the new car and first IndyCar race of the year. 24th to14th is indeed notable in this field, especially considering all but one or two cars were running at the end and there were no cautions to bunch up the field. I think only Kanaan and Hinch advanced that many spots, and the vets of the forum are singing their praises to the heavens.

And what hype?

Give Pantano some props (and try not to be total jerks to a new member right off the bat, ay?).

Senna P1: this is what Liz was warning you about. Try not to take anything too personally here. Even the best of us go overboard once in a while and dump on a post we misinterpret. If you have a thick skin, it' a fun place. If you don't, lurk.

[vintage]

I agree he had a solid race.

[Racing Steward]

Are you his agent? He wasn't that impressive for all the hype. Qualified lousy and didn't crash or make a big mistake. Give him a kid's soccer trophy.

But yet, whenever Kimball does this (And consistently qualifies poorly) he gets high praise. Oh thats right I forgot, Kimball is American. So he gets a pass. Pantano is a better driver than Kimball ever dreamed of being

[JimmyB10]

Nothing personal with me, mate. Just an observation. There were several "drives of the day" but I expect guys like Bourdais, TK, Pagenaud and Tag to bring it

Cheers. Just being mindful of NKOTB.

[Indy 500]

But yet, whenever Kimball does this (And consistently qualifies poorly) he gets high praise. Oh thats right I forgot, Kimball is American. So he gets a pass. Pantano is a better driver than Kimball ever dreamed of being

If Kimball misses Sonoma(considering its a broken hand its very Likely) I think Pantano could do really well, with a race down he should be able to get to grips with the car and attack the next race.

[Senna P1]

Can't say I'm big on Kimball but the weekend he got his podium in Toronto I watched his Indy 36 episode and I saw some fire in him I had not seen before. Even though the Toronto race had some bizarre moments that was a well earned finish for Charlie

[Jakester]

For having minimal track time at Mid-O and minimal time in the DW12, Pantano did a very good job. Going from 24th to 14th and keeping out of trouble is a darn good supersub.

To me, drive of the race was a tie between Pantano and TK, with the slenderest of margins favoring TK.

TK went from 18th to 6th. TK was absolutely bushed at the end of the race.

[Senna P1]

For having minimal track time at Mid-O and minimal time in the DW12, Pantano did a very good job. Going from 24th to 14th and keeping out of trouble is a darn good supersub.

To me, drive of the race was a tie between Pantano and TK, with the slenderest of margins favoring TK.

TK went from 18th to 6th. TK was absolutely bushed at the end of the race.

Absolutely agree! I believe he was sick but to pull off that kind of drive is pure Tony

[SayWhat]

But yet, whenever Kimball does this (And consistently qualifies poorly) he gets high praise. Oh thats right I forgot, Kimball is American. So he gets a pass. Pantano is a better driver than Kimball ever dreamed of being

I feel like Charlie must have beat you in a go-kart race before or something... The constant hate and criticism is embarrassing..... For you that is

[sean26]

only if he brings a check, thats the only way to make it in pro motorsports these days

[Racing Steward]

I feel like Charlie must have beat you in a go-kart race before or something... The constant hate and criticism is embarrassing..... For you that is

Okay Mr. Ganassi expert & Graham will return to Ganassi. Whatever you say.

[JimmyB10]

But yet, whenever Kimball does this (And consistently qualifies poorly) he gets high praise. Oh thats right I forgot, Kimball is American. So he gets a pass. Pantano is a better driver than Kimball ever dreamed of being

Hopefully he will get a chance to prove it. All other things being equal, I'd rather have a few more American drivers, but Kimball has not impressed me so far. Considering the competition, he's doing okay. Unfortunately, okay is not good enough in IndyCar right now. Drivers like Kat and Simona will really have to be on their game and deliver the goods when they get a decent shot in a decent ride, or they should be bounced until there's enough seats to go around. Kimball is no exception to that, either.

I just wish Lights was more meaningful and/or there were more options for "almost-there" drivers to refine, stay sharp, stay on the radar and prove their worth. Winning a Lights race (or even going back to Atlantics) doesn't really mean a whole lot when the field is 10-15 cars and half of them are ride buyers who will never amount to anything. But all signs point to a positive direction for IndyCar, and a rising tide raises all boats. I think NASCAR is the only potential loser if IndyCar continues to improve it's racing, management and ever gets a handle on proper marketing. All other forms of American racing should benefit from increasing popularity of any series. If IndyCar shows any measurable increase in popularity and prosperity, they should devote a significant amount of their attention to building the Lights series somehow. It should be a destination in and of itself for some drivers, as a few of the lower formulae in Europe are. Won't be easy to make it so, but good leadership for Lights coordinated with good leadership for IndyCar could do it.

[Racing Steward]

Hopefully he will get a chance to prove it. All other things being equal, I'd rather have a few more American drivers, but Kimball has not impressed me so far. Considering the competition, he's doing okay. Unfortunately, okay is not good enough in IndyCar right now. Drivers like Kat and Simona will really have to be on their game and deliver the goods when they get a decent shot in a decent ride, or they should be bounced until there's enough seats to go around. Kimball is no exception to that, either.

I just wish Lights was more meaningful and/or there were more options for "almost-there" drivers to refine, stay sharp, stay on the radar and prove their worth. Winning a Lights race (or even going back to Atlantics) doesn't really mean a whole lot when the field is 10-15 cars and half of them are ride buyers who will never amount to anything. But all signs point to a positive direction for IndyCar, and a rising tide raises all boats. I think NASCAR is the only potential loser if IndyCar continues to improve it's racing, management and ever gets a handle on proper marketing. All other forms of American racing should benefit from increasing popularity of any series. If IndyCar shows any measurable increase in popularity and prosperity, they should devote a significant amount of their attention to building the Lights series somehow. It should be an end in itself for some drivers, as a few of the lower formulae in Europe are.

[SpeedwayRyan]

Wonder if this was a test drive for Graham's seat....

I think it was a "Charlie Kimball broke his hand" drive. Someone bringing a check will get Graham's seat, or it won't exist.

[Racing Steward]

I think it was a "Charlie Kimball broke his hand" drive. Someone bringing a check will get Graham's seat, or it won't exist.

to that post as well

[Glenn]

Are you his agent? He wasn't that impressive for all the hype. Qualified lousy and didn't crash or make a big mistake. Give him a kid's soccer trophy.

I agree. I'm starting to think that those European series aren't that good.

[Oben]

http://willthef1journo.wordpress.com...rves-his-shot/

[Oben]

But the most impressive drive--apart from Dixon's--came from the Italian super sub, Giorgio Pantano.

Standing in for the injured Charlie Kimball, Pantano was thrown into the deep end as he started practice on Friday without ever having driven the Dallara DW12 chassis or used IndyCar's new turbocharged engines.

His lack of experience with the 2012 IndyCar package showed in practice and qualifying, where he set the 24th-fasted time.

The race, however, was a delight to watch as Pantano came to grips with the Honda-powered car and carved his way to a fighting 14th at the finish line.

The whole burrito: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...o-victory//P2/

[OrdinaryRaceFan]

Hopefully he will get a chance to prove it. All other things being equal, I'd rather have a few more American drivers, but Kimball has not impressed me so far. Considering the competition, he's doing okay. Unfortunately, okay is not good enough in IndyCar right now. Drivers like Kat and Simona will really have to be on their game and deliver the goods when they get a decent shot in a decent ride, or they should be bounced until there's enough seats to go around. Kimball is no exception to that, either.

I just wish Lights was more meaningful and/or there were more options for "almost-there" drivers to refine, stay sharp, stay on the radar and prove their worth. Winning a Lights race (or even going back to Atlantics) doesn't really mean a whole lot when the field is 10-15 cars and half of them are ride buyers who will never amount to anything. But all signs point to a positive direction for IndyCar, and a rising tide raises all boats. I think NASCAR is the only potential loser if IndyCar continues to improve it's racing, management and ever gets a handle on proper marketing. All other forms of American racing should benefit from increasing popularity of any series. If IndyCar shows any measurable increase in popularity and prosperity, they should devote a significant amount of their attention to building the Lights series somehow. It should be a destination in and of itself for some drivers, as a few of the lower formulae in Europe are. Won't be easy to make it so, but good leadership for Lights coordinated with good leadership for IndyCar could do it.

I agree about Lights. It's more a car count and midfield problem though. The sharp end is usually pretty competitive. Ask Saavedra.

It should be a destination in and of itself for some drivers, as a few of the lower formulae in Europe are.

Which series do you have in mind?

Pantano himself would probably disagree on that one, considering his post-F1 GP2 venture that really didn't pay off. He won the championship in 2008, but never got another shot at F1 afterwards. All he could find in 2009 was a ride in the late Superleague Series.

I agree. I'm starting to think that those European series aren't that good.

That's a bit ironic considering the context. Most of the current IndyCar drivers come from the European series too.

[JimmyB10]

Which series do you have in mind?

Probably a poor choice of words. What I meant was that it is my impression that the European feeder series are so competitive that it's no shame at all to peak there, and a lot of those drivers move on to become very successful in other classes internationally or in their home countries.

People actually follow the lower formulae in Europe, just like people follow English second and third division football (knowing the teams and knowing the players helps, of course). Not many people anywhere follow Lights.

[OrdinaryRaceFan]

Probably a poor choice of words. What I meant was that it is my impression that the European feeder series are so competitive that it's no shame at all to peak there, and a lot of those drivers move on to become very successful in other classes internationally or in their home countries.

People actually follow the lower formulae in Europe, just like people follow English second and third division football (knowing the teams and knowing the players helps, of course). Not many people anywhere follow Lights.

The European feeder series system is a huge mess right now. And it's getting worse and worse. Too many series, too many different parallel ladders, ridiculously high costs, too many ridebuyers buying their way through, etc.

The reason why there's a small niche following for it is that F1 is the absolute, uncontested king in Europe, its fanbase is so huge, so no matter the flaws you'll always find enough die-hards to have a look at the lower series. Plus, GP2/GP3 always gets good TV deals thanks to Bernie.


The Will Buxton article on Pantano linked by Oben is a good one. I don't blame Giorgio for giving up with Europe, really

[OrdinaryRaceFan]

Just found another great Will Buxton article on Pantano and Filippi

http://willthef1journo.wordpress.com...alian-dilemma/

Formula 1’s pompous and arrogant denial of the talents of Pantano and Filippi, should be America’s gain. It should be Indycar’s opportunity to show Formula 1 what it is missing.

I hope Valsecchi’s fate allows him to forge a different path to his Italian forerunners in GP2.

But I fear Formula 1 is far too preoccupied with appearance over ability.

[ptclaus98]

For having minimal track time at Mid-O and minimal time in the DW12, Pantano did a very good job. Going from 24th to 14th and keeping out of trouble is a darn good supersub.

To me, drive of the race was a tie between Pantano and TK, with the slenderest of margins favoring TK.

TK went from 18th to 6th. TK was absolutely bushed at the end of the race.

Second fastest lap of the race, someone said in another thread. That's impressive in his first time in the new car and first IndyCar race of the year. 24th to14th is indeed notable in this field, especially considering all but one or two cars were running at the end and there were no cautions to bunch up the field. I think only Kanaan and Hinch advanced that many spots, and the vets of the forum are singing their praises to the heavens.

And what hype?

Give Pantano some props (and try not to be total jerks to a new member right off the bat, ay?).

Senna P1: this is what Liz was warning you about. Try not to take anything too personally here. Even the best of us go overboard once in a while and dump on a post we misinterpret. If you have a thick skin, it' a fun place. If you don't, lurk.

This is rich. Lovely how everyone ignores Graham Rahal for doing the exact same thing these guys did. Hell, Graham probably helped Pantano get familiar with the track. But of course he gets ignored because he has a dad who's a driver and must have been fed a silver spoon. Unbelieveable after all the BS that was heaped on him this past week.

[RS2]

This is rich. Lovely how everyone ignores Graham Rahal for doing the exact same thing these guys did. Hell, Graham probably helped Pantano get familiar with the track. But of course he gets ignored because he has a dad who's a driver and must have been fed a silver spoon. Unbelieveable after all the BS that was heaped on him this past week.

Patano has 34 top five finishes in GP2. What has rahal done again?