Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Flabio]

The merry-go-round has commenced. Williams have announced they've signed Barrichello and Hulkenberg for next season. Decent choices, one very experienced driver with a strong reputation for being able to develop a car, and one apparently super talented rookie (won GP2 in his first season).

Expect announcements to come thick and fast now. The main losers here could be Toyota, as they don't get their budget approved for some time yet, so can't make any signings.

[Alastair]

They'll get Kobayashi (which is no bad thing) and whatever experienced driver would otherwise be out on his ear.

[Roddie]

So who do we reckon is going where? Kobayashi and Kovalainen to Toyota, who are seemingly losing Trulli and Glock to Lotus and Renault respectively. Rosberg will probably pair up with Button at Brawn with Raikkonen surely smart enough to take whatever McLaren will offer him (on top of his Ferrari pay-off), but this seems to be the most pivotal seat with there still being talks of Button, Rosberg and even Heidfeld in contention. If Brawn are saying that Button's desired salary is dependent on Mercedes' backing then he should be in a good position since the manufacturer's support is what will most likely dictate the pace of McLaren or Brawn.

Toro Rosso are likely to retain their current line-up, Algesuari's partial season seems to have just been a way to get around the problem of no in-season testing so he'll be more prepared for his first full season. Wonder if we'll see Fisichella back at Force India next year.

Christ knows what'll happen for drivers with all the new teams; Bruno Senna's definitely going to Campos but the rest seems to be speculation with the likes of Di Grassi, Sato, Davidson and Piquet all being mentioned.

[Kieran76]

Toyota 'set to leave Formula 1'


I didn't see this one coming.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8341602.stm

[PeteJ]

Damn shame, hope Kobayashi can secure a drive.

[Flabio]

Fisi is set to be Ferrari's number three, or was when he originally signed there.

The loss of Toyota does make it likely that Sauber will be in now. After the new backers came in and said they'd bankroll the old BMW team they were told they had 'first reserve' slot, so that must surely come into play now.

[Roddie]

Fisi is set to be Ferrari's number three, or was when he originally signed there.

Ferrari have said they're open to Fisichella driving for another team next year.

[Flabio]

Story on the BBC that Renault have had an emergency meeting today to decide whether to keep running an F1 team, switch to just supplying engines, or leave altogether. They've not announced the outcome yet though.

[Ginger Tosser]

Leaves a gap for Team Kebab racing, though I need a few million to get it off the ground.

[Roddie]

Story on the BBC that Renault have had an emergency meeting today to decide whether to keep running an F1 team, switch to just supplying engines, or leave altogether. They've not announced the outcome yet though.

Jesus, so much for them banning customer teams; at this rate, there'll be no manufacturers left!

[Richard.John]

I worry that as there will be no Japanese teams, engines, drivers or even tyres in the near future, that they will stop broadcasting it in Japan. That's a ****ing disaster for a fan like me.

[Orgun]

Mercedes take ownership of Brawn

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8362295.stm

Mercedes will buy a controlling interest in Brawn, believed to be 75% but is expected to continue as McLaren's engine supplier.

Brawn, who won both world titles in their debut season in 2009, will be rebranded as the Mercedes GP team.

Nico Rosberg will be their lead driver, with Nick Heidfeld his likely partner.

Neither driver has yet been confirmed

[Alastair]

They seem very sure that Button wont be there then. That seems a bit strange.

[Shez]

Wow!

Ross Brawn has just made himself an absolute fortune with a team that was funded through 09 without a penny of his own money.

Amazing bit of work.

All I can say is it is a good job Button won the title this year, because he wont stand a cat in hells chance against Hamilton.

Looks like Raikonnen might be out on the sidelines after all, unless he suddenly drops his price, which may result in Button on the outside.

I suspect this has a few twists and turns yet.

[VR46]

Heidfield or Button, know which I'd rather have in my car. Mercedes have gone OTT with the using drivers from their own country/nationality, which will no doubt mean they won't stand as good a chance of winning the title in 2010. Very bizarre move as Alastair said.

And what of Kimi? can't see him dropping to a lower team, it's not as if he needs the money or really has the F1 hunger any more.