I love the silly season between the end of one year’s racing and the beginning of the next. Who’s going where, which drivers are changing teams, how that impacts on other free seats… there’s just something about the intrigue that gets me. It’s like the US presidential race, but actually interesting.
But sadly, this year’s silly season is a bit of a washout, as nearly all the teams have confirmed their drivers for next year. The only change is Sebastian Vettel’s move from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, and that’s pretty dull, really.
So it’s Lewis and Heikki at McLaren, Kimi and Felipe at Ferrari, Bob and Nick at BMW… and so on.
Which means the only piece of intrigue we’re left with is where Fernando Alonso will go for 2009.
Honda have been openly chasing him, and that’s why they’ve not re-signed either Jenson Button or Rubens Barrichello. But if Alonso did find himself in a Honda, which one would he replace?
Rubens seems like the most obvious choice, but would Jenson be happy following (er, partnering) the two-time world champ Alonso, or would he strop off?
If he did leave in a huff, his only option would be to go to STR or do a straight swap into one of the vacant Renault seats.
But likely as not, Fernando will stay where he is – Renault have at least got championship-winning form, whereas Honda do not – and so Button will get to stay put, clinging onto the power of dreams.
So the only places we have to discuss is who will be at STR, who will replace Rubens, and who’s going to partner Alonso. Because let’s face it, it’s not going to be Nelson Piquet Jnr…
i see what you mean, everyone’s too scared to bring anyone new in. I still think heikki isn’t up for the job of mclaren number two though
i have to agree, tom. He is a good driver, but not in the same league as Hamilton, Kubica, Rosberg Massa etc.
Bruno Senna is in talks to come into F1, maybe a Renault seat might catapault him into a decent position in replacement of Nelson Piquet Jnr. I also dont think Honda will change drivers, they are both massively experienced, and I think Honda require their expertise in order to improve the car they have.
There are still rumours Alonso may end up at Ferrari – and sooner than you might think:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.u k/2008/10/09/alonso-ferra ri-rumours-wont-go-away/
I agree, Heikki isn’t ready for a McLaren seat yet.
I think we could see Bruno Senna in a Torro Rosso seat next year, he seems to be a good driver and he will probably do well in F1.
Really, Di Grassi is the obvious choice for Renault. He had some spectacular drives in GP2. In spa, from the back, to the podium. Also, his rock solid consistency will be welcome compared to poor Nelson.
Senna, I can see moving to STR. Honda’s a long shot too. But Sato comes into the equation, as well as Bourdais. Really, all 3 deserve a drive, but will they all get one. I really can’t tell right now.
Rubens for the chop, Button to stay put before retiring at the end of next year ( his heart is not in F1 and he isn`t all that good) and sato to partner someone at str.
Honda could do with replacing both their drivers and their car.
I know what you mean about Honda; they are a bit of a shambles…
I think Heikki is doing well, even if he is somewhat in the shadow of Hamilton.
Sorry Keith, Alonso is not guna be at Ferrari next season. Raikonnen told the press not long ago that his contract lasted until 2010.
As for Bruno Sennna, i have heard many rumours about his connection with STR and hope he is given the drive, it would be so interesting to see how Senna’s nephew compares to the current field of drivers in better cars.
Alonso will only go to a top team which rules out a move from Renault for the time being. My bet is he’ll be at Ferrari after Kimi goes. It could be all change at STR with Vettel leaving and Bourdais not getting a second chance, so Senna and di Grassi could both make it. Two rookies I know but STR are no strangers to that.
Senna for Ferrari!
But probably not.
why do people seem to beleive that jenson button is a good driver. i think he should be relagated to a drive with a lesser team and not promoted to a, in the past mentioned, ferrari, mcclaren or renualt drive.
my calculations have come to this definate and hopefully right answer:
Mclaren: Hamilton + Kovlienen
Ferrari: Massa + Raikonnen
BMW: Kubica + Heidfeld
Renault: Alonso + Di Grassi
Toyota: Trulli + Glock
Red Bull: Webber + Vettel
Torro Rosso: Barricello + Senna
Williams: Rosberg + Nakajima
Honda: Button + Sato
Force India: Fisichella + Sutil
Sato has far too many links with honda for a move not to happen, barricello will want a new challenge, and as i think bourdais will be shown the door, and with senna, there will be a space, and piquet will be pushed to a test driver, with di grassi moving in.
If i get all them right do i get a prize, or at least a drink
Brooksy said…
“I know what you mean about Honda; they are a bit of a shambles…”
they have the master at the helm, and have been working towards 2009 arguably longer than anyone. if button and hamilton both drove for mclaren, button would take hamilton’s lunch every time.
“I think Heikki is doing well, even if he is somewhat in the shadow of Hamilton.”
heikki is lousy. in the world’s best race car, he cannot reliably place 4th or better.
“Sorry Keith, Alonso is not guna be at Ferrari next season. Raikonnen told the press not long ago that his contract lasted until 2010.”
the contract extension was exercised by kimi, not the team. ferrari can still buy him out and show him the door.
Alonso will stay @ Renault. Funny that Ron Dennis ended up with no money & Hekki, hahahaha
F1Yankee, its true what you say about Honda, Ross Brawn has been saying in interviews they’re concentrating on next years car. But not sure on the Jenson comment, no doubt he is a good driver (he wouldn’t be in F1 otherwise) but Hamilton is far more aggressive and just seems to have the raw talent to push hard. I think in a straight fight in the same car Lewis would win. Just my thoughts
I didn’t think Piquets season was that bad…
But I would love to see Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton side by side at Mclaren. It would be beneficial for both of them, Rosberg would be in a better car and they get along fantastically.
Bone, i dont believe having two world class drivers is the right answer. See what happened with Hamilton and Alonso last year. Every team must have o world class driver and a high class driver.
If Takuma Sato gets a new drive I will cry. Why would any team do that to themselves when there are so many talented young drivers in other championships? I’d rather sign Piquet jr again.
Scissors your harsh, Sato was ok and wasnt afraid to overtake. Honda dont seem like the sort of team to give new drivers a chance favouring experiance, so I hope Sato gets in.
Last time the STR question came up a guy on here said Sebastien Buemi would probally go to STR as he is on the red bull program.
Please dont let Takuma smasho back in any car, never mind an f1. I think Bourdais deserves another chance in STR, he has shown he’s fast he just needs to settle down.
I’m utterly perplexed as to why Ferrari haven’t signed the best driver in F1.
There’s nothing wrong with Heikki. He’s a good driver and his talent is still waiting to fully bloom. What he needs is an experienced team-mate someone to pass along the wisdom, experience and to show him how to exploit is full potential in the car.
He can’t really learn anything from Lewis who is also still brand new to the sport. Even Lewis had help from Alonso in the beginning, with set-ups and track tips etc. etc. That is, before Alonso went sour.
Heikki needs that. Until then he’ll be just continually be feeling around in the dark and finding his own way, which will take time. But he’s a talent who needs a better teammate situation if people want far better results faster.
not harsh, just honest. Nakajima is only just reviving the good name of japanese f1 drivers after sato and yamamoto made it look like all they could do was cause incidents.
Hamilton and Massa – the ultimate team
But it will just be like Alonso and Hamilton
Fighting for the spotlight.
@Valo: “There’s nothing wrong with Heikki.”
I’m sure Hamilton will agree! If Hamilton wins the title this year, it will not be due to him being so good, but to Heiki being that bad.
If Heiki would have been scoring points and even taking some wins over his team-mate as consistently as Alonso did last year, the so-called miracle that is Lewis Hamilton would not have his 7 points advantage over Massa like he has today…
Ferrari has won several titles in recent years by betting it all on one horse (…) rather than letting two top drivers steal points from eachother.
This year is just the other way round.
On-topic: Silly Season 2008 would be far more interesting if some overdue drivers like Barrichello, Webber, Button, Trulli, Fisichella followed DC’s example!
I think massa will win the tittle this year …. hamilton sucks …… piquet jr. is not a good driver he always crash .. senna would be the indicated to replace for piquet jr.
It’s not all about the drivers, and with significant changes to aerodynamics and power plants/storage next year, that could make bigger changes that would a few driver changes. Some drivers will adapt better to the new configurations, and some drivers/teams will be more effective at development.
Already this year we’ve seen how one season’s car can suit one driver more than another – I’m thinking Heidfeld and perhaps Kimi. And Schumacher’s car was always the way HE liked it!
Some drivers will manage different downforce levels better – who was the guy who filled in for Schumacher years ago at Ferrari and blitzed 2 low-downforce circuits (Monza & old Hockenheim) and did nothing much at other tracks?
Development will be more important for 2009 than in recent years, and McLaren could be vulnerable here with relatively new drivers. Combinations like Trulli+Glock and Webber+Vettel could go well – a young charger combined with experienced development (and I’m guessing Vettel has benefited even this year from Coulthard & Webber development experience with basically the same car).
So there might not be many driver changes, but there could be a lot of changes in who looks good and who looks like they’re on holiday.
PS – I tip Honda to have THE best KERS system, followed by Toyota. If becomes tactically significant in races, maybe Honda wouldn’t be such a bad place for Alonso to be??
Button is a extremely underated in my opinion since Hamilton’s debut last year. the only reason he has been so shit for the last couple of years is because of the car. i mean cmon lets be honest. even the Schumi couldnt get that car into the points.
Rubens is as fast as he used to be in the Ferrari days. if not faster. Silverstone GP proved it.
The problem for Honda right now is the car, not the drivers. i cant see any reasons to change the drivers lineup. EXCEPT if Alonso decides to join that team.
and for Sato, he has improved ALOT in the last two years in Super Aguri. i mean he is no longer that brave and over-optimistic driver that he used to be in Jordan and BAR. i mean just look at his results in 07. Qualified P10 in Australia in a year old car and a team that only spends like 50 millions a year. he is without doubt a MUCH better driver than Piquet.
I hope we see Senna at STR and Grosjean in a Renault.
I agree with anonymous that “young charger combined with experienced development ” is the way to go for 2009. Renault are best placed here, with Alonso and another young driver (Rosberg maybe?)
THIS SEASON FERNANDO ALONSO HAD A CRAPPY CAR. I HOPE NEXT YEAR HE WOULD HAVE A BETTER CAR.