Good to see an F1 story on ST! Think you are a little harsh on Alguersuari. Vettel is a bit of a phenomenon. By that comparison Senna and Prost were a bit rubbish and would've been dropped. Almost as important as his skills as a driver, Vettel has a real maturity and confidence that is quite staggering for someone so young (and still manages to be likeable!). But that said to run two F1 teams is unbelievably expensive (less than it used to be, but still a fair whack) and Red Bull do it for one reason, to make sure they have the next best young thing. That's the mission for STR. Pretty good isn't good enough. They want exceptional. Buemi is ok driver, but is never going to be top drawer. Alguersuari showed some real promise this year and I think he's right to feel he deserved another year. But the standards Red Bull are setting are very high. Anything less than genius and you're out seems to be what they are saying here. The bigger problem is too few opportunities for younger drivers, too many older drivers and pay drivers holding up their shot at the big time.

Thanks Martyn. I've done a few more, if you click on my name. I think you're right, Alguesuari has shown promise and certainly deserves a seat, but Red Bull aren't looking for solid, they're looking for MEGA. They clearly have money to burn!

I also feel this is harsh on Alguesuari. Look at Buttons massively underwhelming career prior to his amazing World Championship Season, apart from his one race victory in 2006 prior to that season, and lets not forget he was on some decent teams.

Hmmm, Jenson was never really on a decent team until, or at least given a decent car until 2004, when he finished 3rd in the WDC, with his team mate in eigth. 205, he was ninth, team mate 23rd. Jenson has only been beaten over a season a couple of times, narrowly. Anyway, I'm not the one being harsh on Alguersuari, Red Bull is. Ok, maybe I am being a little harsh, but he's hardly been amazing has he?

wow, I have to say this is my first time reading from this publisher and I'd like to say how informative, entertaining and well documented I found it... that is I'd like to say that but frankly my 9 year old nephew writes stuff that's far more factually accurate than this twaddle, he also knows how to show good knowledge of the facts. Unfortunately it's writers like these that give the internet a bad name... Please go back to school and learn how to be a proper journalist you quack.... So there

Thanks for your well thought out and eloquent feedback. I fail to see where I've been factually inaccurate... do F1 teams frequently replace both their driver? Did Vettel not score that many points (if that's the case it's my maths not my English that's poor and, if I have got that wrong, sorry, please correct it), are STR not a midfield team? I think those are all the 'facts' I've offered, the rest is just my opinion. If you disagree with it, that's fine. But, quite frankly, I don't care if you don't. Also, just as an aside, best to sort your own grammar out before you start slating other people's.

Honestly, I find F1 as interesting and vibrant as raw potato - but as an opinion piece, there's nothing wrong with the writing here. I was almost mildly engaged. What gives the Internet a bad name is trolls.

A very interesting article Pete, thoroughly enjoyable reading!

Thanks, Nick.

I have to query why you have picked Perez and Di Resta for special mention ? Both were beaten by their team-mates this year , and they have also not ' set the world on fire' for them to be a 'safer' bet than Vergne and Ricciardo . In terms of Ricciardo, half a season at HRT is hardly a fair opportunity to prove yourself. At that end of the grid you don't get much opportunity to show your race craft and with the new DRS the faster cars will always come to the front. Alonso's first Minardi season was not that spectacular in comparison. If Redbull are looking for a new Vettel , then that must mean that in the past 2 or so years nobody impressed enough to warrant Buemi or Alguersuari being replaced. I think Redbull are genuinely impressed with both Ricciardo and Vergne. I agree that Vettel is an exceptional talent, yet I doubt this season will be repeated. Not only did he have fantastic reliability until the last few races , Webber had a horrible season , Hamilton seemed to loose the plot, Ferrari were never a real challenger and Redbull had a clear advantage under the rules that are soon to change (diffusers).

I picked Perez and Di Resta because providing they carry on doing well, they're looking almost certain for a seat in a Ferrari and a Mercedes, respectively. That said, if Ricciardo or Vergne bags a seat in a still-performing Newey Red Bull, I may well be proved spectacularly wrong! I hope that makes sense! With regard to your point about RB not being impressed enough by anyone to replace SB and JA, I suppose that depends on who they have coming through their young driver programme. The rest of what you said, all very good points, with you all that. Alonso just looked great in the car, I'll admit that I haven't seen too much of DR in the HRT, but he hasn't made the same impact on me that Alonso did - but that's a very subjective thing.

@Bobby M To be fair to both Di Resta and Perez they ran their established and well regarded team mates really close. Now mean feat on your first season in F1. Di Resta performed really well against an established (and well regarded) team mate in Sutil. Yep he out scored him at the death, but Sutil had his best ever season (possibly to do with Di Resta scaring the life out of him). And Force India frequently split their strategies, and sometimes Di Resta got the short straw with that. Perez also did well agains Kobayashi, another decent team mate, and would have out scored him if it weren't for the crash in Monaco. He only just admitted that it affected him more than he let on (looking at what just happened to a decent young driver such as Algusuari you can see why he acted like nothing was wrong). @PRC *applauds*

I obviously like saying 'established (and well regarded)' dont I. & 'wasn't not 'werent' too. Where's my 9 year old nephew when you need him?