Lotus Driver Decision Soon - Surely!

So what’s happening at Lotus? Tony Fernandes has tweeted his presence in Europe in the last few days, noting that he is here to choose two drivers from four. Fernandes has been in London, but apparently not visiting Lotus in Norfolk (let me know if you know better!). Lotus were also voted onto FOTA, the first time that all teams on the grid are represented on FOTA – we might see some interesting power shifts next season. Anyway, back to Lotus, who could be on their shortlist, Trulli has been mentioned and I also suggested Koboyashi was interested – but not experienced enough for Lotus. So who else is in the frame? Well there has been a lot of speculation around Jacques Villeneuve returning to F1 with Lotus, and just this week he visited the Lotus HQ in Norfolk. Trulli is a distinct possibility after being dumped by Toyotas withdrawal and Anthony Davidson is perhaps the outsider, previously a test driver for BAR and Honda, he then spent 2004-7 with the ill-fated Super Aguri team (aka “Honda B”), still on the test circuit Davidson would probably be a surprise choice due to lack of recent race experience. So who is my money on? - well I don’t think Lotus will be able to resist the Villeneuve brand, Jacques has been very high profile all season, he has many friends at Lotus and despite protestations to the contrary his visit to the factory this week was I doubt not just to drive the Evora (fabulous car by the way)! So Villeneuve for one, and for the the other seat I am opting for Trulli. Fernandes announced on Twitter earlier this month he had signed one driver, but his latest Tweet suggests that his mind is not yet made up. I wouldn’t count out Koboyashi, but I just have a feeling that he is too much of a rookie despite his impressive first season. So I am hedging my bets a little, I just wish Tony Fernandes would end the uncertainty!
David
STOP PRESS - As I write just hearing that Takuma Sato could be in the frame - more soon!

Is this the silliest F1 season yet?

So it' clearly been a while since we've updated our blog, but so much has happened in the last two weeks that, in all honesty, where do I start?

The first I suppose has to be the decision taken by Jenson to join McLaren, a rumour so fantastic for me that a permanent fixture to my work pin board is the Metro newspaper's article of an F1 Dream Team in the pipeline some 3 and half weeks ago. But in my excitement at an all British team, something we havent seen since Lotus' pairing years ago, I forgot to really think about this pairing properly. Yes both Brits have PR'd themselves in the obvious fashion saying how excited they are to become team mates in 2010, but what's the real story and what will the real partnership hold? Bernie Ecclestone has given his view that he thinks this was a good move, but many F1 experts have disagreed. Two British world champions, with completely different F1 careers so far. Lewis being used to being in the limelight, championing his way up the motorsport ladder at great speed and Jenson, someone who seemed permanently at the back of the grid in a car not worthy of his driving ability. But give the guy a decent car and look what he can achieve. Having his world titled stripped of him by another Brit was always going to be a massive kick in the face for Lewis and knowing his inability to play as part of a team, I am somewhat nervous for McLaren next year. But what's really exciting? Put these two incredibly capable drivers in the same car and let's really see what they can do. A question on most lips since Jenson's title win is who is the better champion and what greater way to answer this question than to put them side by side as equals. I am nervous and excited and that is exactly what F1 should be about.

The other major piece of news to talk about is the buy out of Brawn something I have to say I was totally not expecting. I know David is going to blog more on this particular point, however I am waiting with baited breath as to whether the legendary Michael Schumacher is going to make a return to the sport. I mean its textbook... the one man that saw him to championship after championship was Ross Brawn and now that the team has been taken over by Germans, why wouldnt he? It's almost a little too good to believe but I would love him to make a reappearance alongside Jenson and Lewis.

The rules and regs changes next year are extensive and although my light bedtime reading consists of the actual official rules, printed off from the FIA website, I'm still trawling my way through with some confusion to their decisions. No refuelling? The welcomed abolishment by all drivers of the useful/useless KERS system? It's all going to make for an intersing season that's for sure.

So this was supposed to be a short post with the promise to write more when I have time this week but I think there may be many more F1 changes this week that I'll need to physically quit my day job just to keep up!

Looking forward to the driver confirmations however and I'll be back with a more in depth review of the 2010 season when all those decisions have been made. Until then, it's back to page 79 of the 2010 Technical Regulations....

Kobayashi for Lotus F1?

Desperate for a drive now that Toyota have pulled from F1 leaving him without a car for 2010, Kobayashi seems to be hinting he'd like to drive for Lotus next season. Frankly I can't really see it happening, Lotus F1 are all about making a significant return to the sport and will be looking for race experienced drivers for next season - not a credential that Kobayashi has. Toyota leaving F1 is going to create even more competition between the teams for experienced drivers, so those teams that already have them secured will be very happy - providing that the ink is dry on their agreements! I am sure we will see a lot more activity soon, so keep your eyes on this blog as we look at what the driver changes and assignments mean for F1 next year!

David

Current Driver Line Up for 2010... who will go where?

Current confirmed seats for 2010:
Brawn: 2 seats unconfirmed
McLaren: Hamilton, 2nd seat unconfirmed
Ferrari: Alonso, Massa
Force India: 2 seats unconfirmed
Red Bull: Webber, Vettel
Renault: Kubica, 2nd seat unconfirmed
Toyota: 2 seats unconfirmed
Toro Rosso: 2 seats unconfirmed
Williams: Barrichello, Hulkenburg
BMW: Retired
Campos: Senna, 2nd seat unconfirmed
Lotus: 2 seats unconfirmed
Manor GP: 2 seats unconfirmed
US F1: 2 seats unconfirmed

Will Button stay at Brawn?
Where will Raikkonen go?
Will Fisichella get a seat after a disastrous time at Ferrari?

Answers on a postcard!

Bridgestone Tyred of Formula1?

The news over the weekend that Bridgestone is to pull out of manufacturing tyres for Formula 1 was quite unexpected. Given that Bridgestone has been the tyre supplier since 1997 and the announcement came without any preamble, you have to wonder what the rationale is. The investment over the last 13 years from Bridgestone must have been significant and - despite some quality issues a few years back - they have benefited from high profile exposure at the very top of motorsport even becoming sole provider in 2007. So why quit now when Formula 1 appears to be entering one of its most exciting periods for a long time? The line from Bridgestone is that they want to focus more on "innovative developments", though quite what better showcase than Formula 1 there is for any new developments I really don't know! Bridgestone will however keep involved with GP2 and MotoGP. While Bridgestone claim that economic conditions are not behind this decision it follows a period when they have already closed plants in Australia and New Zealand. Bridgestone will remain with F1 until the end of the 2010 season, giving the sport a year to find a new supplier, so who will it be? One post on Twitter suggested with the return of Lotus we could see a return of the "old days" with Lotus AND Avon back in the F1 world! But actually perhaps that's not out of the realms of possibility as Avon has a long history of supplying the feeders to F1 and are now official sponsor of F2. I guess this is just another challenge for the FIA, but perhaps a new name, or the return of an old name,to replace Bridgestone will be good for the sport.

David

Fine end to 2009 season - High expectations for 2010

I am quite breathless after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Some very fine driving, particularly between Webber and Button in the closing laps as the vied for 2nd and 3rd - both classy drivers and well matched, Button couldn't quite make it past as Webber expertly closed the door on him twice. The venue was amazing and arguably one of the finest GP circuits currently available, but for all its glamour and glitz its also good to (hopefully!) have the tradition of circuits such as Silverstone. My predictions for today's top three wasn't quite there (though I think I was closer than Vicky!), it was a shame to see Lewis go out early, as the tussle between him and Vettel would have been great to see.

So now we wait with baited breath for the final team and driver announcements from the FIA. With the much anticipated return of Lotus after too long an absence, the probable departure of BMW Sauber, and Jenson Button still with Brawn as Mercedes ups its stake in the team - it certainly won't be boring! And then there are the rule changes for 2010, probably the "no refuelling" one providing the teams with the greatest challenge - I actually remember when refuelling first came in when Bernie Ecclestone introduced it while at Brabham in 1982 (before my co-author had even breathed her first high octane breath!) - it will be interesting to see how the fuel manufacturers deal with this, as clearly a balance between extra fuel weight and slower burning fuel will be required, it would be a shame if races were shortened because of this rule. The one rule change that seems ridiculous is the ban on tyre warmers, quite what the point of that is I really couldn't say, but it will mean (along with greater fuel weights) slower grid starts in 2010. So 133 days to Bahrain - note the date in your diaries - March 14th 2010. We'll be updating this blog regularly between now and then with the close season news and gossip and our individual and collective thoughts on the teams and drivers prospects. We'd love to hear your comments!

A slightly sad note to end on is the news that Tom Wheatcroft the owner of Donnington passed away on Saturday, a hugely influential figure in the British motorsport industry he will be missed. Sad that he didn't live to see a return of F1 to Donnington.

David

Formula 1's First Twilight Race is Upon Us: My predictions

With Formula 1's first twilight race creeping up on us, speculation, gossip and excitement are ripe. And with only 6 drivers with confirmed race seats next season, this weekend's performance will most certainly count in the eyes of team bosses.

Lewis Hamilton is clearly unhappy losing his title, and to another British driver, so I am expecing him to be pushing hard this weekend in an attempt to remind people of his world champion ability. He will certainly be looking for nothing less than the top of the podium. But will he do it, or will he make his mistake of being too aggressive, pushing too hard and making a huge error before the chequered flag is waved.

One thing Lewis will be very aware of is the power of the Brawn and Red Bull cars, ready charged to steal his thunder one more time. Sebastian Vettel has already made it clear that his eyes are only on the top prize for Sunday's race. Throughout the 2009 season it has been increasingly clear the improvement that Vettel makes race after race and have proved that he is a worthy opponent for those more experienced F1 drivers. He will want to go out with a bang on our final race to set himself up for 2010, where he'll be eyeing the world title from race one.

And to Button, he may well have won the title already but what I think will be exciting is to see him off the leash in this last race - he has nothing to lose and I think this will make for some very exciting driving from the Brit.

Another contender I believe will have his sights set on a podium win will be Mark Webber. Having somewhat sat in Vettel's shadow for much of the season, the Australian will want to show that he is just as capable of the win and I think we might see some aggressive driving, much like his style in Brazil.

There are of course many others who'll be pushing to the limit, such as Barrichello, but with 3 points more than Vettel needed, I'm not confident the Brazilian can do it.

So, my predictions for this finale are:
1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
3. Jenson Button (Brawn)
4. Mark Webber (Red Bull)
5. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
6. Rubens Barrichello (Brawn)
7. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
8. Jarno Trulli (Toyota)

Let's see how right I am in just over 24 hours. But enought about my opinion, what do you think? Who will be on podium in Abu Dhabi?

Vicky.

The GP 2009 Season is Far From Over

The GP 2009 season is far from over. Although Button may have taken the championship, the fight is still very much on for second place with Vettel and Barrichello only 2 points apart. Also, let's not forget that McLaren/Ferrari tug of war for 5th place. So again, on the last race on the calendar, it will be a McLaren/Ferrari fight to the last corner.

With the top title won, for many drivers there's nothing to lose and on a brand new circuit, the last race of the season, I think we'll see some proper racing action this weekend with drivers pushing to the limits and really putting the pedal to the metal. If today's practice is anything to go by Lewis and Jenson will be the ones to watch. As for who will win the race on Sunday? That's anyone's guess.
Vicky.

Who Will Win in Abu Dhabi

The last race of the season! Will it be as exciting becuase the championship is already decided, or will it be the exhibition race to end all exhibition races? You can be sure that Hamilton is out to prove a point and that Button will want to finish on the podium. Practise is already looking fast, so saturday is likely to bring some fast qualifying times on an amazing circuit.
David.