Mikhail Aleshin signs for Schmidt... Vautier out

[ICS001]

Because he's done nothing in FR 3.5 for the past three years and I don't see him making an impact on the ovals whatsoever. Heck, I'm interesting to see if he even beats Simona on ovals. Yes, I think he's that bad.

I agree his 2013 form was poor, but Vainio didn't fare much better as his team-mate in 2012. From Sam Schmidt's point of view, with his second car being 20th in points this season, he has little to lose by trying Aleshin (and gains some sponsorship). If it turns out horrible, there will be other options available in 2015, like Matthew Brabham and (probably) Jack Harvey.

[Hitokiri]

You haven't even seen the guy turn a wheel.

This is what worries me too. I know he has a pretty stiller history and his experience is there but signing him even before he tests makes me grind my teeth. Again I'm not judging him but if I was a team owner I would be sort of nervous especially since he has no experience on ovals. I know there have been a few that have done well on ovals from the get go but I think the great majority of drivers take a couple of seasons before they really get use to them. This move by Schmidt I feel will make him look like a genius or a total idiot.

[dakinca]

This move by Schmidt I feel will make him look like a genius or a total idiot.

Yea, but the majority of us thought Vautier was going to be pretty good this year, after his great times testing and qualilifing 5th at St. Pete. But then he just went away. Aleshin also tested good, but maybe he can do a few positions better than Tristan last year well he is being money to help replace some of the HP money.

[Grizzlor]

Sam Schmidt always follows the $

[BuddyCarSeries]

like Matthew Brabham and (probably) Jack Harvey.

Sorry to change the subject, but I can't wait until these two are in IndyCar. Matt 1 because of his name, but mostly he's very well spoken and is a great driver. Jack because he's from the euro ladder, but he doesn't seem anything like them. There's an interview he has with Peter Windsor and he's very personable and not like Conway and Jakes can be; close to the chest and quiet.

[Hitokiri]

Yea, but the majority of us thought Vautier was going to be pretty good this year, after his great times testing and qualilifing 5th at St. Pete. But then he just went away. Aleshin also tested good, but maybe he can do a few positions better than Tristan last year well he is being money to help replace some of the HP money.

And we're making judgements on Vautier after ONE year in Indycar. We do have a tough crowd in here.

If we judged everybody on their rookie year our attitudes towards guys like Kimball, Newgarden, and Helio would be much different. I believe if you gave another year to Vautier we'd see dramatic improvements. My point though is that Vautier actually tested and had experience on ovals. Aleshin did none of these which should worry fans and the drivers themselves.

[dakinca]

And we're making judgements on Vautier after ONE year in Indycar. We do have a tough crowd in here.

If we judged everybody on their rookie year our attitudes towards guys like Kimball, Newgarden, and Helio would be much different. I believe if you gave another year to Vautier we'd see dramatic improvements. My point though is that Vautier actually tested and had experience on ovals. Aleshin did none of these which should worry fans and the drivers themselves.

I agree. I would like to give Vauiter another year. Now he knows all of the circuits and how the car handles in different situations. He showed good sessions but never could really deliver. But now results are needed immediately. Maybe he could go back to lights like Saavadera did and come back. I fear if he goes to TUSCC he will never be back.

[Grinder-Tank]

You Americans are weak. Superior Russian Indycar driver will rule with Ivan Drago dominance. He will be copied much like your country copy MIG 25 with SR 71. He will prove how spoiled you society has become.

[DanFan]

I've got no problem with this, but the number of places for Karam to land is dwindling. If indycar allows another American champ to fall through the cracks, that'll be yet another big blow against the series.

[hoosiertf]

In Russia many fans Indycar.

I'am from Russia.

Do you live in Russia? Is Indycar on TV there? How do you follow the series, via the web?

Spasibo!

[Since83]

No, a lot of vodka. If this gets people in his country watching Indycar, It's good. The more nations represented in the series, the better.

Kool-Aid, Vodka, you're both drinkin' it. How many people watch in Russia won't mean anything to sponsors in the American market. It won't bring more people to ABC or NBCSN and it won't put anyone extra in the stands. This is a paycheck for Schmidt - nothing else. Indycar is fast becoming expensive club racing, and drawing about as much public interest.

[Vassago]

I agree his 2013 form was poor, but Vainio didn't fare much better as his team-mate in 2012. From Sam Schmidt's point of view, with his second car being 20th in points last year, he has little to lose by trying Aleshin (and gains some sponsorship). If it turns out horrible, there will be other options available in 2015, like Matthew Brabham and (probably) Jack Harvey.

With this "nothing to lose" attitude Schmidt's second car will become as high-regarded as Coyne's second car from the Sperafico brothers and cousins heyday

And we're making judgements on Vautier after ONE year in Indycar. We do have a tough crowd in here.

If we judged everybody on their rookie year our attitudes towards guys like Kimball, Newgarden, and Helio would be much different. I believe if you gave another year to Vautier we'd see dramatic improvements. My point though is that Vautier actually tested and had experience on ovals. Aleshin did none of these which should worry fans and the drivers themselves.

That's the point though. 90% of the prospects only have this one year to show what they've got. In Vautier's case - similar to Matos - if he only had the Lights prize to follow him, he knew he doesn't have anything more than one season. And in fact he's lucky compared to Bryan Clauson for instance who only had one event to show his stuff and ever since that qual crash he was a goner. Ho-Pin Tung likewise, no-show after wrecking the car at Indy. Helio is from a different era, Newgarden has the luxury that Sarah is willing to see him ride out a couple of seasons and doesn't expect God knows what results (plus Wink's money surely help a lot) and then there's Kimball who would have never made it pass the rookie season without the whole diabetes and Novo Nordisk which just like Fisher, was willing to wait for whatever exposure they can get.

[INDY500FAN13]

With this "nothing to lose" attitude Schmidt's second car will become as high-regarded as Coyne's second car from the Sperafico brothers and cousins heyday



That's the point though. 90% of the prospects only have this one year to show what they've got. In Vautier's case - similar to Matos - if he only had the Lights prize to follow him, he knew he doesn't have anything more than one season. And in fact he's lucky compared to Bryan Clauson for instance who only had one event to show his stuff and ever since that qual crash he was a goner. Ho-Pin Tung likewise, no-show after wrecking the car at Indy. Helio is from a different era, Newgarden has the luxury that Sarah is willing to see him ride out a couple of seasons and doesn't expect God knows what results (plus Wink's money surely help a lot) and then there's Kimball who would have never made it pass the rookie season without the whole diabetes and Novo Nordisk which just like Fisher, was willing to wait for whatever exposure they can get.

While I respect your opinion, I don't think Charlie Kimball should be grouped in there. Last year was a real eye opener for me and everyone else with Charlie Kimball. The guy can wheel a car and showed he belongs. Winning races, and having successful stints.

[Grinder-Tank]

Kool-Aid, Vodka, you're both drinkin' it. How many people watch in Russia won't mean anything to sponsors in the American market. It won't bring more people to ABC or NBCSN and it won't put anyone extra in the stands. This is a paycheck for Schmidt - nothing else. Indycar is fast becoming expensive club racing, and drawing about as much public interest.

Club series? The talent level is the best It's been in years. And Sam has overcome obstacles that would stop most men, and then he puts two cars in the field. As far as I'm concerned, he can hire who he wants. Having a sponsor and being a ride buyer are not the same.

[Vassago]

While I respect your opinion, I don't think Charlie Kimball should be grouped in there. Last year was a real eye opener for me and everyone else with Charlie Kimball. The guy can wheel a car and showed he belongs. Winning races, and having successful stints.

Perhaps, but we had to wait for season three to find out about it. Without Novo Nordisk, he was a goner based on his rookie season results. And the sophomore was only a tad better. Until the Mid-Ohio win, his biggest claim to fame was being at the wrong place at the wrong time at Indy and that's not exactly a reason to be proud of. Of course Vautier never made it to season two, let alone three by the looks of it.