Crown

The F1 drivers are playing musical chairs for 2010:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8278330.stm

Alonso is expected to move to Ferrari alongside Massa. I don't expect Massa to enjoy being Fernando's team-mate.  IMO nobody enjoys being Fernando's team-mate (e.g. Fisichella, Hamilton, Kovaleinen and Piquet Jnr)  

The rumour is that Raikkonen may be going back to McLaren and that Kovaleinen is out. It will be interesting to see how Hamilton and Raikkonen get along. I don't expect any problems. Raikkonen is mostly invisible as a team-mate (except on the race weekend itself). This will suit Hamilton who is not hugely involved in developing the car so he will not want a team-mate who overshadows him in this respect. Also, Robert Kubica may be replacing Alonso at Renault.

Also, it is rumoured that Rubens Barrichello (Brawn) and Nico Rosberg (Williams) may swap seats. I expect that Jenson Button will stay at Brawn. Brawn wouldn't want to lose their new World Champion - it will help earn more sponsorship money - very important for a poorer team like them.

I am not aware of any plans for Vettel or Webber to move from Red Bull. Vettel has a signed contract anyway. I expect Buemi and Alguersuari to remain at Toro Rosso as well. I also expect Glock to remain at Toyota on another 1 year deal. I know that Trulli hasn't signed yet since he is holding out for a 2 year deal and Toyota has not been prepared (so far) to offer this. I imagine Fisi will return to Force India at the end of this season alongside Adrian Sutil. It is unclear whether Williams will keep Nakajima. IMO he has done little to deserve it

So far, the drivers without any great hopes are Heiki Kovaleinen and Nick Heidfeld.  I wonder what will happen to them? I expect Renault will keep Romain Grosjean so there is no opening there.

Let's see how this plays out

Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 Carrera S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection

What about the new Teams - any infos about their drivers ??

Blueflame

That's the big unknown - not only do we know so little about the driver pairings but it is not even certain yet that the new teams will even make it to the grid!

Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 Carrera S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection

Fisichella has the role of 3rd official driver for the next year in ferrari...I don't know if he will drive other cars...

Toyota seeems will stop F1 program this year.....the final decision in the next months...

My sister was just at the Singapore GP with her husband and they over heard Kubica who was sitting behind them in the airport lounge talking to someone about Kimi is thinking about retiring from F1 next year.

Which does make sense as Kimi has pretty much lost interest in driving a F1 car and the constant rumor about Alonso crossing over and take his seat in Ferrari.

BBC article about Fernando Alonso:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8280566.stm

Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 Carrera S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection

easy_rider911:

BBC article about Fernando Alonso:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8280566.stm

 The cook at the local italian restaurant was always telling me that Alonso will go to Ferrari since the beginning of the year. I told him he was nuts each and every time.

I guess now I'll find the name "Alonso" on each pizza I order. 

easy_rider911:

I also expect Glock to remain at Toyota on another 1 year deal. I know that Trulli hasn't signed yet since he is holding out for a 2 year deal and Toyota has not been prepared (so far) to offer this. 

Let's see how this plays out

Nobody's mentioned it here yet so i don't know how widely it has been reported outside Germany, but Toyota had already told Glock last Saturday that his contract would not be extended to 2010.

It was a little ironic that he should then have got a second place on Sunday.

fritz

fritz:

easy_rider911:

I also expect Glock to remain at Toyota on another 1 year deal. I know that Trulli hasn't signed yet since he is holding out for a 2 year deal and Toyota has not been prepared (so far) to offer this. 

Let's see how this plays out

Nobody's mentioned it here yet so i don't know how widely it has been reported outside Germany, but Toyota had already told Glock last Saturday that his contract would not be extended to 2010.

It was a little ironic that he should then have got a second place on Sunday.

 Yes. But he did a very good race under pressure, he'll get a cockpit.

Eunice:

fritz:

easy_rider911:

I also expect Glock to remain at Toyota on another 1 year deal. I know that Trulli hasn't signed yet since he is holding out for a 2 year deal and Toyota has not been prepared (so far) to offer this. 

Let's see how this plays out

Nobody's mentioned it here yet so i don't know how widely it has been reported outside Germany, but Toyota had already told Glock last Saturday that his contract would not be extended to 2010.

It was a little ironic that he should then have got a second place on Sunday.

 Yes. But he did a very good race under pressure, he'll get a cockpit.

Who knows, he might now even get a Toyota cockpit after all.

He did show on Sunday that, if they provide him with a good car, he can provide them with a place on the podium.

Of course, that depends on Toyota still being in F1 in 2010.

--

fritz

fritz:

Who knows, he might now even get a Toyota cockpit after all.

He did show on Sunday that, if they provide him with a good car, he can provide them with a place on the podium.

Which would require Toyota to admit they actually didn't provide him with a good car. I wouldn't bet my money on it.

Eunice:

easy_rider911:

BBC article about Fernando Alonso:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8280566.stm

 The cook at the local italian restaurant was always telling me that Alonso will go to Ferrari since the beginning of the year. I told him he was nuts each and every time.

I guess now I'll find the name "Alonso" on each pizza I order. 

hihihi

In italy the name of Alonso in ferrari was predicted since last year...this year was a thing given for sure

Whoopsy:

My sister was just at the Singapore GP with her husband and they over heard Kubica who was sitting behind them in the airport lounge talking to someone about Kimi is thinking about retiring from F1 next year.

Which does make sense as Kimi has pretty much lost interest in driving a F1 car and the constant rumor about Alonso crossing over and take his seat in Ferrari.

 

 

I don't believe Kimi will left F1...simply he will back to McLaren.Banco Santander is sponsor also for McLaren

Official:

http://www.ferrari.com/Italian/News/Pages/090930_F1_News_2.aspx

Ferrari have finally announced Alonso to partner Massa. I really wonder how they will get along.

planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5595684,00.html

Enzo II:

Official:

http://www.ferrari.com/Italian/News/Pages/090930_F1_News_2.aspx

 

B E S T   S P O R T S   N E W S    O F    T H I S   Y E A R  !!!!!!!!!!!!

I    A M      S O O    H   A    P   P   Y  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B R I N G   2 0 1 0    S E A S O N   R I G H T   N O W !!!!!!!!!!!¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

I know a lot of people don't like Alonso, but I'm excited to see what he can do alongside Massa. I have always liked him even with what happened at Mc Laren. Alonso almost always gets the max out of his car and actually has a personality. He is the perfect driver for Ferrari.

I wonder why Massa was kept instead of Raikkonen.

IMO Massa is not a special driver and because of his accident he might not be on top of his driving even if he makes a full recovery. Perhaps, simpatico Massa is better for marketing than distant Raikkonen.

Alonso will win another title if Ferrari provide him with a competitive car.

reginos:

I wonder why Massa was kept instead of Raikkonen.

IMO Massa is not a special driver and because of his accident he might not be on top of his driving even if he makes a full recovery. Perhaps, simpatico Massa is better for marketing than distant Raikkonen.

Alonso will win another title if Ferrari provide him with a competitive car.

exactly.

Keep in mind that the manager of Massa is Nicholas Todt...and they wanted to give another chance to him after the accident in Hungary plus in ferrari were happier of massa this year (in the first part of the championship seemed that it was a zombie of a lost Kimi in the car...)

Another thing is that Alonso can make the development of the car, Kimi doesn't have this quality.I prefer Kimi over Massa and again Kimi over Alonso but I guess Fernando will win again with Ferrari.

This is the real Kimi....Remember suzuka....

Kimi vs Fisichella

Kimi is probably the fastest driver in F1; his sheer speed is phenomenal. The problem is that he never actually built rapport with the team and that is why he was dropped instead of Massa who is regarded as family in Maranello. I for one am sorry to see Kimi go and I will sorely miss the Iceman. Alonso is hugely competitive but also a bit controversial.

andrea:

reginos:

I wonder why Massa was kept instead of Raikkonen.

IMO Massa is not a special driver and because of his accident he might not be on top of his driving even if he makes a full recovery. Perhaps, simpatico Massa is better for marketing than distant Raikkonen.

Alonso will win another title if Ferrari provide him with a competitive car.

exactly.

Keep in mind that the manager of Massa is Nicholas Todt...and they wanted to give another chance to him after the accident in Hungary plus in ferrari were happier of massa this year (in the first part of the championship seemed that it was a zombie of a lost Kimi in the car...)

Another thing is that Alonso can make the development of the car, Kimi doesn't have this quality.I prefer Kimi over Massa and again Kimi over Alonso but I guess Fernando will win again with Ferrari.

 

This is the real Kimi....Remember suzuka....

Kimi vs Fisichella

 

From what I can gather they kept Massa for 3 main reasons:

• Kimi performed well his first year when he won the championship but then his performance and motivation declined.  If you compare his last season he did not perform substantially better than Massa.
• Kimi shows no enthusiasm during the sponsorship events and eventually this attitude got the Ferrari PR department tired of him.
• His drinking problem caused some managment difficulties to Ferrari.  In particular this year there is not testing between each race and so Ferrari got concerned by his drinking temptations between races.  That is why they try to set-up rally fixtures between the Grand Prix so that he does not recover his drinking habit.

Massa has 'connections':

Mentor has a last name of Schumacher,

Manager has a last name of Todt,

Having said that, a healthy Massa is just as fast as Alonso, and Alonso NEEDS to be paired with a inferior driver, all hell breaks lose if his partner is faster or even close to him in speed, Hamilton is a prime example.

I wonder how well Alonso will coupe at Ferrari being a #2 or even an equal driver, it could very well turned out to be McLaren 08 version 2 next year. And his buddy Flavio is not longer able to take him back again at Renault the following year if things didn't work out.

Whoopsy:

Massa has 'connections':

Mentor has a last name of Schumacher,

Manager has a last name of Todt,

Having said that, a healthy Massa is just as fast as Alonso, and Alonso NEEDS to be paired with a inferior driver, all hell breaks lose if his partner is faster or even close to him in speed, Hamilton is a prime example.

I wonder how well Alonso will coupe at Ferrari being a #2 or even an equal driver, it could very well turned out to be McLaren 08 version 2 next year. And his buddy Flavio is not longer able to take him back again at Renault the following year if things didn't work out.

 

I think the terrible mistake of Mclaren between Alonso and Hamilton, wont take place for the second time in any team, and specially in Ferrari. Everyone knows that kind of situation, without control will lead to what happened at Mclaren, and I am sure Ferrari will control the situation, mark the priorities, and give equal treatment for both...

Massa is a good driver, but not as good as Kimi, also Massa has been the second pilot for years, when Schumi was still active, so in case Alonso starts doing a great season (which I completely think it will be like this, if Ferrari gives him a top 4 car), Massa will have to achieve his role as second pilot, if not ....as equal with Alonso(if both are performing great). And if its the way-round, Alonso will assume the paper of second pilot. Simply as this !.

But what happened in Mclaren was that BOTH PILOTS, where doing their job, achieving the best results for the team, but instead of giving an equal treatment (logic), Hamilton was treated like the first, the priority.....anyway, enough of this ........In a few words, I hardly think this will happen in the Scuderia (may be with Raikonnen there where MORE chances to happen )

Some interesting links:

BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8280566.stm

Alonso would like to emulate Schumi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8284248.stm

Andrew Benson's blog: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2009/09/alonso_to_ferrari_could_herald.html

Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 Carrera S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection

Luca Di Montezemolo's view on Alonso.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79096

I am not sure how good team player Alonso will prove to be if Massa returns fit and with ambition to win a title.

Also I don't understand the relevance of the "all-latin pairing" LdiM is referring too. Up to now none of their "latin" drivers has proved championship material!

Ziggy:

andrea:

reginos:

I wonder why Massa was kept instead of Raikkonen.

IMO Massa is not a special driver and because of his accident he might not be on top of his driving even if he makes a full recovery. Perhaps, simpatico Massa is better for marketing than distant Raikkonen.

Alonso will win another title if Ferrari provide him with a competitive car.

exactly.

Keep in mind that the manager of Massa is Nicholas Todt...and they wanted to give another chance to him after the accident in Hungary plus in ferrari were happier of massa this year (in the first part of the championship seemed that it was a zombie of a lost Kimi in the car...)

Another thing is that Alonso can make the development of the car, Kimi doesn't have this quality.I prefer Kimi over Massa and again Kimi over Alonso but I guess Fernando will win again with Ferrari.

 

This is the real Kimi....Remember suzuka....

Kimi vs Fisichella

 

From what I can gather they kept Massa for 3 main reasons:

• Kimi performed well his first year when he won the championship but then his performance and motivation declined.  If you compare his last season he did not perform substantially better than Massa.
• Kimi shows no enthusiasm during the sponsorship events and eventually this attitude got the Ferrari PR department tired of him.
• His drinking problem caused some managment difficulties to Ferrari.  In particular this year there is not testing between each race and so Ferrari got concerned by his drinking temptations between races.  That is why they try to set-up rally fixtures between the Grand Prix so that he does not recover his drinking habit.

Ahaha,I like the last one

reginos:

Luca Di Montezemolo's view on Alonso.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79096

I am not sure how good team player Alonso will prove to be if Massa returns fit and with ambition to win a title.

Also I don't understand the relevance of the "all-latin pairing" LdiM is referring too. Up to now none of their "latin" drivers has proved championship material!

not so good words for Kimi... :(

andrea:

reginos:

Luca Di Montezemolo's view on Alonso.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79096

I am not sure how good team player Alonso will prove to be if Massa returns fit and with ambition to win a title.

Also I don't understand the relevance of the "all-latin pairing" LdiM is referring too. Up to now none of their "latin" drivers has proved championship material!

not so good words for Kimi... :(

Indeed...

BUT, Kimi is World Champion with Ferrari and Massa IMHO with Alonso in Ferrari will never achieve that. Alonso is better driver and waz bigger ego maniac then Massa. So, Massa will be next top second driver a la Rubihno...

Kimi and Lewis? Huh... Maybe that pairing  will work but, chances are 50/50 in best case scenario...

KresoF1:

andrea:

reginos:

Luca Di Montezemolo's view on Alonso.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79096

I am not sure how good team player Alonso will prove to be if Massa returns fit and with ambition to win a title.

Also I don't understand the relevance of the "all-latin pairing" LdiM is referring too. Up to now none of their "latin" drivers has proved championship material!

not so good words for Kimi... :(

Indeed...

BUT, Kimi is World Champion with Ferrari and Massa IMHO with Alonso in Ferrari will never achieve that. Alonso is better driver and waz bigger ego maniac then Massa. So, Massa will be next top second driver a la Rubihno...

Kimi and Lewis? Huh... Maybe that pairing  will work but, chances are 50/50 in best case scenario...

I agree!

Well, I don't see the Kimster going to Toyota.  John Howett has confirmed they are interested in Kubica and Raikkonen. Perhaps Kubica will go there instead of Renault?