Ingram have a decision to make. As James Vasquez looks set to lead the team for the 2022 season, William Ingram needs to decide who will drive the 38 car and support, match, or possibly beat the talented Colombian. We are asked a range of analysts for their views on who deserves the seat. Jean Mattson Scott Parkin Sometimes the answer is staring you right in the face. Jean Mattson has been with the team since 2015 and has scored hundreds of points for Ingram. While he has struggled this season, Ingram have freely admitted that more often than not he’s ended up on a duff strategy. We should also not forget that just last season Mattson finally scored that elusive Ingram podium. Before that Jean Mattson has been pretty much a guaranteed source of points and a metronomic presence in a field full of talented but inconsistent racers. Yes he’s on the older side, but when I watch Jean race I still see a man fully committed to racing and desperate to turn things around. Ingram are known to be loyal to their drivers, and after the job Mattson has done for the team I think he warrants another year. Mattson is the boring answer for one reason, it’s the correct answer. Oleksandr Zozulya David Ecclestone Considered the main contender for the seat should Mattson move on, Zozulya has worked hard to gain a second shot at this sport. His tenure at FIRST was a success (4 podiums the highlight), matching the highly rated Felix Perez and he was unfortunate that Will Hoskins became available and took his seat. Being dropped from this sport can be a death knell for some drivers, but not the Ukrainian. He fought back and came a strong second in the inaugural season of eV and kept himself on the radar. His one-off race last time out showed he still has speed, he was a threat to Vasquez and he made a couple of good overtakes in a busy midfield. His error can be chalked up to rustiness. He is also significantly younger than Mattson and merits a second chance. Yakumi Takahashi Isabelle Lupin The standout driver in Arrow’s short tenure in Formula V, Takahashi has proved himself at the back of the grid and deserves the opportunity to step up to the midfield. Cruelly denied a podium shot in France, he has since scored the team’s maiden point in FV. He has comfortably shaded his teammate Zander Brynildsen (a driver well known to Ingram) and as a rookie beat his race-winning teammate Lewis Ellington. His contract to stay at Arrow for 2022 is an easy fix, given that Arrow and Ingram share engine suppliers. Perhaps a driver swap could be arranged? Mattson especially would be a great help to a young team like Arrow. I really think this could benefit both driver and team and I would love to see Takahashi regularly in the points - he has real talent. A Franklin Driver Edgardo Agretha Franklin have a driver problem for 2022, three quality drivers for two seats (or at least that’s the accepted wisdom in the paddock). Danilo Forini, Nick Addison and Thierry Xylander have had their moments this season and have given Franklin a headache. If I were William Ingram I’d be reacquainting myself with my old engine partner and getting one of them. Forini has been quick all season, picking up his first podium and generally looking a lot more accomplished than his rookie status suggests, Addison started slowly but has 2 wins from the last 3 races and was vital to Franklin’s battles at the back last season, and Xylander has finally started to fulfill his potential, a pole position in Germany and a lap from a podium in Dubai. Ingram would be a perfect place for any of these three drivers. A Rookie Cesar Alonso While they have always maintained an academy, only one junior driver has actually made his debut for Ingram, James Vasquez. It’s time for another. Urmo Kruuda is currently the closest to the job. A race winner in his debut season in VWRS, Kruuda has improved each season and could yet find himself finishing in the top 3. He also has lots of experience in Ingram’s sim and should be able to adapt quickly. It’s probably too soon for Veskila, but Ingram can cast their nets further than that. Currently third in VWRS is Eric Oliversson who raced for the Ingram Endurance team in 2020 and is unaffiliated with a youth academy. Alternatively it’s suspected that Downton have found a spot for highly rated Italian Matteo Zetticci, could Ingram pulled off a cracking signing from under their rivals noses? Whoever they decide, it’s a risk worth taking. Vasquez has developed into a driver many consider the star of the midfield, Ingram can afford to nurture another talent – especially if Vasquez is tempted to fly the nest in the future. Somebody Else?
Our authors have come up with a wide range of names (a couple taking liberties with their suggestions of one driver), but who do you think should get the nod? Maybe you believe Ingram should be bolder with their choices and should try to tempt a top driver to their team (who can forget Powers moving to backmarkers Downton?). Perhaps they should weaken their rivals and look more closely at Halvosen or Giodano. Or should they look outside the sport, Felipe Cesar has impressed in every series he’s been in, is it too late for an FV debut? Let us know.
1 Comment
A very unbiased and respectable person of great knowledge
5/9/2021 05:05:40 am
I hear Diego Campos is available?
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