It’s a great thing to see a F1 team manager finally recognising that youth is not the simple answer or solution to hiring an F1 driver.

The announcement of former Super Aguri & Spyker driver Sakon Yamamoto being given a second chance to race this year in the German Grand Prix for HRT comes after his drive the British GP a fortnight ago.  Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of the popular Karun Chandhok being cast aside.

This age long debate of balancing youth or experience in professional employment continues to be a raging argument in motor racing.  As the current F1 season has turned out, Michael Schumacher’s return to full time racing has not produced results and the seven time World Champion is lagging well behind his much younger team mate Nico Rosberg. (A situation not helped by yet another Brackley dud).  On the other hand, an experienced drivers such as Sakon has been recognised and rewarded for his persistence, qualities and experience directly related to the job at hand. (Not to mention his rumoured Eight Million Dollar Investment… Ed.) This is especially important in a smaller, less well funded team like HRT.

In the last few years, we have seen the introduction of an increasing number of young drivers in formula 1.  As the season wears on, I don’t believe many are truly worthy of continuing in the premier category, as some of their performances, such as Bruno Senna’s, leave much to be desired.  However, I don’t believe they are completely to blame.

We first of all need to thank the brainless wonders in the FIA who came up with the rule to ban in season testing in F1, effectively taking away opportunities for newcomers or returnees to refresh their skills or acclimatise to current specification cars.  I agree completely that testing should be restricted to a degree; however newcomers or returnees should be given every chance they have to test as much as possible to gain mileage and experience in the machinery which is their workplace.

If the same rationale was applied in a normal working situation, i.e.: inexperienced employees working under high risk situations with very minimal training, the relevant OH&S regulators would have a field day due to the risks and danger involved with an inexperienced worker in their situation.  Yet, as far as the FIA is concerned, it’s business as usual.

This debate is mirroring exactly the dilemma I’m facing regarding my employment situation.  Through finding a new job recently, I find it alarming that my years of experience in the field are largely ignored on the job market that’s in a flurry of youth trainees, cost cutting, minimum wages and disposable human resources.  What most fail to recognise is having some talent. potential or being able to work cheaply is great, experience is not something that happens overnight.  However, at worst there are more than a few that will resort to underhand tactics, unmentionable favours or “mateship” to get ahead in their professional capacity.  Thankfully, like Sakon, I have been lucky to recently found an opportunity in a company that is universally recognised and highly regarded as an investor in their human resources.  I sincerely hope I will be recognised and highly valued in my team for my experience and feedback, and be given a fair go to perform in my role.