Fernando Alonso has long been rumoured for a switch to Ferrari, Nico Rosberg is linked with a move to McLaren, and several other drivers are contemplating their future destinations based on the conclusion of the Alonso and Rosberg suspense stories.
With five races to go and less than two months remaining to the season, confirmations regarding 2010 driver combinations should be announced in the near future. Meanwhile, here are the possibilities - and speculation - making the rounds within and without the paddock.
Brawn:
The Brawn team has good chances of pulling off its fairy-tale dream of taking the constructors’ championship this year, but it must still be wary of the Red Bull Racing effort. Jenson Button holds a good lead in the drivers’ standings and teammate Rubens Barrichello has chances of being this year’s Vice-Champion, although the Red Bull drivers also have a word to say on the matter.
In view of such results, the Brawn team has no solid reason to change its line-up for the 2010 season, especially since Barrichello has been bettering Button lately. However, it is nonetheless rumoured that Ross Brawn has made an offer to Nico Rosberg. If accepted, the German would most likely replace the veteran Barrichello, but that remains to be seen as the Brazilian’s form remains strong.
Red Bull:
The Red Bull team is where the clearest situation can be found as it has already been confirmed that Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber will remain teammates in 2010. The only unanswered question concerns the team’s engine supply, as Renault power might be dropped in favour of Mercedes.
Ferrari:
The red-clad team has two drivers under contract for the 2010 season: Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. But with the persistent rumours surrounding Fernando Alonso’s arrival – without mentioning the apparent hints dropped by the man himself – all indicates that Ferrari management have a decision to make.
It seems the team may not be interested in keeping Raikkonen for another year; the aloof Finn does the job but does not appear to have the same passion as Massa. Raikkonen has never hidden his interest in an eventual rallying career, and with Ferrari’s parent company Fiat, might very well have a car at his disposal if he decided to make the jump next year – not that he has indicated he wishes to do so.
The recuperating Felipe Massa will not return to the cockpit before next season, so performance comparisons with Raikkonen are now impossible. It would be surprising to see Ferrari let go of Massa, but with the strong possibility of Alonso coming in, the temperament of an Alonso-Raikkonen line-up might be easier to handle.
McLaren:
Lewis Hamilton will remain a McLaren driver next year, but he may not have the same teammate. Heikki Kovalainen has been asked to up his game if he wants to remain on board, meanwhile tenacious rumours speak of Nico Rosberg’s arrival in 2010. A McLaren offer to Rosberg would not be very surprising in fact, since the team tried to woo him away from Williams at the end of the 2007 season; the team apparently signed with Kovalainen after the German opted to stay put.
Toyota:
The team is hoping to keep Timo Glock within its ranks next season; negotiations with Jarno Trulli are ongoing. However, upper management in Tokyo intend to cut the team’s budget by as much as 40% next year, but that decision will not me made until November - once the season is over. Both Glock and Trulli are right in looking at their options elsewhere while uncertainty hovers over Toyota despite the Japanese manufacturer’s vow to continue with its F1 programme.
Williams:
The Williams line-up could change completely in 2010 – including its engine partner. It is no secret that Nico Rosberg is in demand and that Williams have little chance of retaining him despite their improved form lately. Kazuki Nakajima however is performing below expectations and has yet to score a championship point this year after a dozen races.
Nakajima’s seat is further threatened by the fact that Williams is looking to end its engine contract with Toyota in favour of Renault – and Nakajima is a Toyota-supported driver linked to the engine supply deal. Potential candidates include Heikki Kovalainen and current Williams test driver and GP2 series leader Nico Hulkenberg.
BMW Sauber:
BMW has decided to quit Formula One at the end of the season; the German constructor – with the help of Peter Sauber – must now find a buyer if the team is to continue racing next season. Potential buyers might have been found in Malyasia (possibly Petronas, or car manufacturer Proton via the Lotus brand). Failing a sale or management buyout, BMW might hold on to the Hinwil facility and use it as a technology development centre.
Team drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld are watching the situation closely. Kubica has been rumoured for a seat at Renault, while Heidfeld might integrate one of the three new teams coming in next year.
Renault:
Renault certainly appear to be at a crossroads. Fernando Alonso is surely heading for Ferrari while rookie Romain Grosjean (who replaced the sacked Nelson Piquet two races ago) is still in his learning phase. Odds are Grosjean will continue as a Renault driver next year but the main seat remains open.
However, it is the FIA investigation into possible cheating (suspicions regarding a voluntary crash by Piquet at the Singapore race in 2008, directly favouring a win for Alonso) which might decide the future. If the team is declared guilty, the French manufacturer might simply decide to leave the sport despite recently committing to F1 until 2012.
If the team is cleared, it can then look for an experienced driver to partner Grosjean, but interested candidates are surely waiting for the FIA’s full conclusions first. A Renault-Raikkonen association has been suggested if the Finn leaves Ferrari.
Force India:
Giancarlo Fisichella has effectively already left the team: the Italian will now take over the injured Felipe Massa’s seat at Ferrari until the end of the season, a mission to be followed by test and reserve driver duties next year.
It is expected that Force India’s reserve driver Tonio Liuzzi will sit in Fisichella’s vacated seat for the remainder of the season, and possibly continue as a race driver next year. Adrian Sutil will probably remain with Force India in 2010.
Toro Rosso:
No changes are expected at Red Bull’s ‘junior’ team. Sebastien Buemi should be on the roster next season, with fellow rookie Jaime Alguersuari (recently brought in as a replacement for the ousted Sebastien Bourdais) aboard the other Toro Rosso car.
USF1, Campos and Manor:
Three new teams have been confirmed for the 2010 championship, but the only certain aspect is that they will all be powered by Cosworth engines. In regards to drivers, it is all speculation: names such as Bruno Senna, Marc Gene, Pedro de la Rosa and even Jacques Villeneuve have been mentioned as possibilities among many others, but all is in the air and nothing can be sure until contracts are signed.
What can be said however is that the 2010 drivers’ market is a very active market indeed…
Courtesy fo: F1-Live
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