F1 driver exodus ’no loss’ insists Verstappen

Jos Verstappen has tipped F1 to race on unhindered when a list of midfield drivers does not return in 2012.

Writing in his column for De Telegraaf newspaper, the Dutchman admitted that with so many drivers bustling for as little as two unconfirmed race seats, it is "an exciting time" on the newswire.

At the same time, drivers apparently at the start of their promising careers, like ousted Toro Rosso pair Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi, have lost their seats.

"It’s hard for them, especially so late in the year. But that’s formula one," Verstappen, who raced for a series of midfield teams in the mid 90s until 2003, said.

With so few seats still available, he said he hopes rookie countryman Giedo van der Garde finds a place.

"He has quite a few rivals.

"Through all the place changes, at the moment Vitaly Petrov, Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi and Tonio Liuzzi are on the outside," said Verstappen, failing to mention the likes of Bruno Senna, Jerome d’Ambrosio and others.

"It is not a list of names that I would call a real loss for formula one, as for the sport it is good to see some fresh blood.

"Especially with former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, GP2 champion Romain Grosjean and the talented Nico Hulkenberg, the quality of the grid has only improved," he added.