Pantano, the big loser despite his GP2 title

Giorgio Pantano feels abandoned by the Formula 1 teams who are not looking to include him in the premier category of motorsports. Pantano did, however, win the GP2 series in 2008, just like Hamilton and Rosberg before him.

The 29-year-old Italian, who raced in 2004 with the Jordan team, has recently seen Bruno Senna and Sébastien Buemi enter F1. They are also in the running to secure a race seat while Pentano does not have a single option.

This is the first time since the creation of GP2 in 2005 that the champion doesn’t find a seat in a single-seater. It is Senna (2nd) and Buemi (6th) who were preferred, likely due to their connection with Red Bull.

« I challenge anyone to have a CV as good as mine, » said Pantano to Autosport.

I’ve won two world titles in karting, three European titles, three in Italy, one in German F3, and GP2. And now, I don’t have a place in F1, is this a joke?

« If you don’t get in touch with certain people, no one will come for you. I feel abandoned. »

« The only person who cared about me was Ecclestone. I asked him for help a few days ago and ten minutes later, he called me back. The only seats still available are at Honda and Toro Rosso. Bernie told me that if anything changes, I would be the first to know, » he continued.

« But I feel a total indifference towards me. I have read and heard about the situations of Senna and Buemi, but what have they really done? In times like these, I think being a race car driver is not advantageous, doing another job would be better. »

Pantano is among those who believe that a driver is chosen based on their financial potential.

Money has become a priority to stay in the race, talent no longer exists. I think I am capable of having six or seven years of F1 at a high level.

« I just wish someone would test me. Once the trial is over, they tell me if I could become a world champion or not. At least I would know. »

« I wish for a credible testing session, a real chance under good conditions to be properly evaluated, » concluded Pantano.