Silly season 2010

[Pandamasque]

Poor Kobayashi... Really unlucky guy.

Yes, but I expect it to be more like this:

Mercedes: Heidfeld - Rosberg
Sauber: Fisichella - Kobayashi

With Glock and DeGrassi confirmed in Virgin Manor (sorry but that name sticks) that pretty much closes the door on a return for Davidson. .

I'm quite gutted about that. Gutted enough to even put another silly face up.

+1 I hope he goes to sportscar racing full time. Sitting and waiting for F1 to see the light is just a waste of time.

[roost89]

This is rather silly but so good:
"Lotus chief Tony Fernandes has accepted fellow airline entrepreneur Richard Branson's challenge that whoever's Formula 1 team finishes lowest next season should act as a stewardess on one of the winner's flights." Autosport

[Giblet]

Funny how they didn't include Vijay in the mix as well, since he owns an F1 team and an airline as well.

But Tony and Richard know that they won't beat him this year. These personalities are good for the sport. Flavio has the money, but really, that guy isn't likable at all, unless of course you are a supermodel.

Like Christian Horner making good on a bet and jumping in the Red Bull pool wearing nothing but a Superman cape.

[vall]

it is official that Kobayashi will race for Sauber. Hope he will develop the potential he shows last two races on 09.

[WhiteBlue]

This is my next iteration. Guesstimates in Italics

Mercedes: Schumacher - Rosberg
Red Bull: Vettel - Webber
McLaren: Hamilton - Button
Ferrari: Alonso - Massa
Sauber: Heidfeld - Kobayashi
Renault: Kubica - Ho-Pin Tung
Williams: Barichello - Hülkenberg
Toro Rosso: Buemi - Alguersuari
Force India: Sutil - Liuzzi
Virgin: Glock - Di Grassi
Lotus: Trulli - Kovalainen
Campos: De La Rosa - Senna
USF1: Villeneuve - Lopez

There are probably only 3-4 seats vacant, the others are probably sorted but waiting for confirmation.

[djos]

it is official that Kobayashi will race for Sauber. Hope he will develop the potential he shows last two races on 09.

http://www.formula1blog.com/2009/12/17/ ... f1-season/

Agreed, I'm really looking forward to seeing him back up his EOY 2009 performance's in 2010.

[ESPImperium]

Thats great news that a young tallented guy will be kept on in F1.

Maybes that means that Panasonic and KDDI the 2 Japaneese companies that wanted to stay on if F1 post Toyota will sponsor Sauber. Panasonic Sauber Petronas could be the team name, with the constructor name being Sauber-Ferarri.

That means that Sauber could have up to $90million a season from both of those Japaneese companies, and with up to $55million from Petronas, means that the team have a financial security in the sport. Altho, id look at the Petronas money being reduced to $40million as the Malaysian government are wanting the majority state owned oil company Petronas to put money into Lotus, whitch could be arround $15million goes into Lotus, making shure that all sides are kept happy.

Theres gonna be some sponsor change arrounds in 2010 as well as driver changes. There are a few more oil companies that are wanting back into F1, BR from Brazil (Last seen on a Williams in 2006/7) and BP (last seen on the origional Lotus team). BR are rumored to be going to McLaren once Mobil 1 switch to Mercedes GP and id say that BP could be a sure cert for the UK Cosworth teams in Williams and Virgin.

[WhiteBlue]

That means that Sauber could have up to $90million a season from both of those Japaneese companies.

That is supposed to be far off the mark. Both companies are Toyota partners who were spending money out of loyalty. With Toyota out of F1 their sponsorship is considered to be zero or single digit budgets. Compare German AMuS as source:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/form ... 64267.html

According to Sauber Kobayashi did not bring any sponsorship.

[axle]

This is my next iteration. Guesstimates in Italics

Mercedes: Schumacher - Rosberg
Red Bull: Vettel - Webber
McLaren: Hamilton - Button
Ferrari: Alonso - Massa
Sauber: Heidfeld - Kobayashi
Renault: Kubica - Ho-Pin Tung
Williams: Barichello - Hülkenberg
Toro Rosso: Buemi - Alguersuari
Force India: Sutil - Liuzzi
Virgin: Glock - Di Grassi
Lotus: Trulli - Kovalainen
Campos: De La Rosa - Senna
USF1: Villeneuve - Lopez

There are probably only 3-4 seats vacant, the others are probably sorted but waiting for confirmation.

I think, that's not too far off the mark.

[ISLAMATRON]

di Resta is better than Kobay, it is a shame that he still isnt getting a chance.

Both are better than di Grassi

[ESPImperium]

That means that Sauber could have up to $90million a season from both of those Japaneese companies.

That is supposed to be far off the mark. Both companies are Toyota partners who were spending money out of loyalty. With Toyota out of F1 their sponsorship is considered to be zero or single digit budgets. Compare German AMuS as source:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/form ... 64267.html

According to Sauber Kobayashi did not bring any sponsorship.

They could still bring the team some money, as a Japaneese company would want to be seen to support a japaneese driver.

Unlike us brits who will sell to the highest bidder, no matter where the money is coming from!!!

[Scotracer]

Kamui =D>

[Pandamasque]

Poor Kobayashi... Really unlucky guy.

Yes, but I expect it to be more like this:

Mercedes: Heidfeld - Rosberg
Sauber: Fisichella - Kobayashi

May I take the liberty to say TOLD YA! HA-HA!!

so now it's more like:

Mercedes: Heidfeld - Rosberg
Red Bull: Vettel - Webber
McLaren: Hamilton - Button
Ferrari: Alonso - Massa
Sauber: Fisichella - Kobayashi
Renault: Kubica - Ho-Pin Tung or Jacques Villeneuve
Williams: Barichello - Hülkenberg
Toro Rosso: Buemi - Alguersuari
Force India: Sutil - Liuzzi
Virgin: Glock - Di Grassi
Lotus: Trulli - Kovalainen
Campos: De La Rosa - Senna
USF1: Santa Claus* - Lopez

*want to win? employ a Finn!

[mx_tifoso]

Did I miss Campos confirming de la Rosa?

[marcush.]

Baguette seems to have secured a seat at Sauber ,possibly as test -reserve driver....
and god backup solution in case Nick will need a place to go when MERC nd Schumi turns into reality...

I#m pretty sure Mr.Sauber has promised him to give him the seat but would not stand in his way trying to secure the silverarrow cockpit...

And the words about experience to be paramount on achieving anything in F these days...Koba did prove them wrong,really..end of story.