High F2 hopes for flying Kiwi kid
The broadcasting voice of Formula One, David Croft, says he’ll be keeping a close eye on New Zealand’s Marcus Armstrong this year.
The 19-year-old will be moving up to Formula Two after impressive performances in Formula Three last year, so is one step away from making it into the big time.
Croft, the main commentator for every round of Formula One, has called each race for the last 15 years, and what he doesn’t know about the sport isn’t worth knowing.
F2 races take place during some of the F1 weekends, so Armstrong gets to mix with the F1 teams.
Armstrong is a driver held in high regard along pit lane and Croft, in an interview by Spark Sport, said he’ll be looking out for how Armstrong does over what should be a competitive F2 campaign – coronavirus allowing.
‘‘I’ll be watching him with great interest. I think it’s a fascinating season in F2,’’ Croft said.
‘‘We’ve not seen a huge amount come through to F1 from F2, it’s quite a stable year and he’s up against some very experienced drivers.
‘‘I don’t know a huge amount about him at the moment, but that’s the beauty of F2, drivers come through every year that you think are there for the future.
‘‘I really hope that he’s got F1 potential and gets through. Brendon [Hartley] was the first Kiwi driver in many a long year, so let’s get another one in there.
‘‘They could be like London buses, you wait 20 years for a driver from New Zealand and then two come along at once.’’
Hartley’s F1 career turned out to be fairly shortlived, with the Palmerston North-born driver competing in four races of the 2017 season, then all of the 2018 campaign.
He wasn’t able to get results in what was an uncompetitive Toro Rosso car and was replaced at the end of the 2018 season.
It’s unlikely there’s a route back into Formula One for the 30-year-old and Croft said that’s a shame.
‘‘Brendon is a really good work driver, he’s really good in sports cars. It doesn’t always mean it comes good for you in Formula One,’’ Croft said.
‘‘Red Bull have a drive programme that gives drivers a chance to show their potential. But if you don’t show it at the highest level when you get that opportunity, they are very quick to tell you they’ll find someone else. That’s the nature of this business, there are 20 seats and they’re seats that are highly fought for.
‘‘I miss Brendon around the paddock, he’s a super guy and a super driver, and I’m glad he’s managed to show that a motorsport career doesn’t end the minute a Formula One career ends, because he deserves to stay around for a lot longer.’’
The start of the 2020 F1 season has been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic which is likely to severely impact the first part of the season, with the Australian GP cancelled on Friday. Croft expects it to be another year where British star Lewis Hamilton dominates as he chases a record-equalling seventh title. ‘‘The Mercedes seems to be the strongest car and in Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton they have two drivers at the top of their game and the best combination,’’ Croft said.
‘‘We’ll see a very strong Bottas this year. But I think Hamilton will come out on top because he’s the best driver on the grid.
‘‘Like him or loathe him, he is the most talented driver and has proved that consistently over the years.
‘‘Max Verstappen is at the top of his game, if Red Bull and Honda can give him a car where he can qualify well, then he will take that fight to Mercedes.
‘‘Alex Albon is still a bit inexperienced to challenge for the title. Then you’ve got the two Ferrari drivers [Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc], who might be handicapped by their cars.’’
‘‘I’ll be watching him [Armstrong] with great interest. I think it’s a fascinating season in F2.’’ F1 commentator David Croft