Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:07 am
Brawn....
What do they do for next year? No one else will take the aging Rubens however he may sneak away with the WDC if Button doesn't get it together soon. If they go after Rosberg, what will they do? Can they show Rubens the door if he wins the WDC? Certainly they can't ditch Jensen either.
Ferrari....
The $40M question... can they afford to abandon Kimi and satisfy his contract? I think not. Fernando may just have to wait another year... and a years penalty could be what the WMSC hands out IF they have anything more solid than hearsay... things like texts, emails, or actual voice recordings that implicate certain people. Massa recovers and stays. Kimi finds some motivation and gives FM a good run for his money.
Mac.....
80% certainty that Rosberg ends up here. HK gone to another team, possibly USF1 as his knowledge of Mac's methodology, systematic approach and organizational structure is desired knowledge for any of the new teams. Lewis of course.
Renault.....
(If they remain, BE will agitate for them to stay in and for Max to go soft on them... also their engines will almost certainly power the Williams cars again.) Fernando stays because Ferrari can't pay off Kimi. Grosjean will also stay no matter how he does in the remaining races.... unless Kubica strikes a deal.
Williams.....
Renault engines on tap if Renault stay in F1. Hulkenberg and Trulli, Nick or Heiki. I expect Nick as the frugal FW likes a man who doesn't crash equipment. I expect an announcement before the end of September when Mac announces Nico.
STR.....
(same... I don't see Loeb in a race seat)
Red Bull.....
(same)
Toyota.....
Kaz and Glock unless Kubica is able to win the nationality war over the slower Kaz. Could Trulli lower himself to do a one-year contract at 50% his present rate? Possibly. What are his options? Would Toyota want it or would they want some new blood? Are they suicidally nationalistic? Can they waste another year? If they go with Kaz they will be a one-horse team. Kubica is the favorite here in my mind.
BMW's successor AKA Sauber Pt. II (Ferrari engines).....
Maybe Kubica.... maybe a fresh new unknown as they discovered Kimi and Felipe. I don't see them folding up entirely. BMW should want something rather than nothing for the physical assets at Hinwil.
Force India....
Sutil and Tonio.... unless Trulli condescends back to his "home" at Jordan which I don't see as that likely unless F-India really have a few more strong races on merit.
USF1, Epsilon, Manor....
All shopping for drivers with some experience that could come cheap... available talent pool includes Nick, Trulli, Heiki and maybe Rubens. These teams will certainly be the final nail in the coffin for their respective careers. Kubica should find a ride somewhere among the FOTA teams.
Semi-shock announcement.... the teams agree that the testing ban has been a failure and agree to three limited sessions during the season and possible third drivers on Fridays. Mac and Ferrari keep KERS. FIA does a rethink along with FOTA and agree to use it for 18 seconds a lap in 2011.
Innovation over refinement is the prefered path to performance. -- Get rid of the dopey regs in F1
