F1-Blog

Drivers Merry-Go-Round

It's that time of the year again, most of the contracts that expire this year are coming up to needing renewing on the 31'st of July.

The current state of affairs largely relies on what Michael Schumacher does at Ferrari.

What we do know is this :-

Toyota : Ralf is contracted till the end of 2007, and Jarno is said to be close to a 3 year deal

Honda : Both Jenson and Rubens are contracted

Williams : There was talk at one point of Rosberg going to Toyota, but now that Jarno is close to a deal it seems that both drivers will stay where they are, Webber is know to be saying as Briatore said  "He'll stay at Williams on the conditions set by us"

Red Bull : Coulthard is said to be close to a one year deal with options as he want to drive the Adrian Newey RB3 car, and the likelihood is that Liuzzi or Speed will step up to partner him in the 'A' team, the other driver will probably stay with STR, will Klien move down to the 'B' Team? doubtful as Red Bull have a fistful of drivers under contract elsewhere that they would like to move up to the premier class. If Massa is booted from Ferrari he could find a seat in the Red Bull 'A' car as well, especially if the team continue with Ferrari power next year.

BMW Sauber : Heidfeld has a contract for 2007 with the team, and it look like even though Villeneuve has been driving admirably he will be dropped, however in the world of F1 BMW will be trying to get a big name, or new name into join Heidfeld, and if they cannot get one Villeneuve may get a reprieve.

McLaren : We know that JPM is not going to be there, and that the current world champion Fernando Alonso will be, also with the rumours of Renault and Ferrari having first refusal on Raikkonen's services, it look likely he will not be at McLaren either. Ron Dennis has a few options for drivers to partner Alonso. There is the current sit in driver Pedro De la Rossa, who is a safe bet, however there are the interesting Brit's Gary Paffet (currently test driver for the team) and GP2 title leader and McLaren all star Lewis Hamilton. So Ron is not short of options.

Ferrari - Schumi? and if he does stay will he force the team to keep Massa on board, or will he 'allow' Raikkonen to come on board? I would hazard that if Michael stays on (likely) then Massa will too, and Ferrari will pick the Raikkonen drive up to partner Massa when Michael decides enough is enough.

Renault - That leaves the Briatore led Renault team. Briatore has a few drivers under his wing, the first being the impressive Heikki Kovalainen. Then if Raikkonen comes over as well that would be an all Finnish line-up for the 'French' team.

Hopefully a lot of the rumours and back talk should be cleared up at the German Grand Prix, it should be an interesting time.