June 22, 2006

F1's silly season...The rumors are flying: This season might be the biggest year on who goes where in 2007.

There is always excitement in the sport of formula one. But it is the rumors and politics to which the drivers can be extremely aggravating. But in the journalist’s eye, it is an opportunity to write something that can catch the reader’s attention. However, the most interesting subject as we get close to the middle of the season with the approach of the Canadian Grand Prix, is the most eye catching word that will decide the future of some of the drivers on the racing grid…..Silly season. In some years, silly season itself is quite boring. Only a few drivers make small moves, and then the next season is upon us. But this year has to be without a doubt, the most entertaining year for many seasons. The top three teams have spots up for grabs, and many will not be decided until the end of the racing year. Here is the silly season update as well as who could be going not only to the top three teams, but others as well………… Renault could be telling Fernando Alonso that “I told you so” in the fact that the Spaniard left too early for McLaren when only a few months later, the Anglo-French unit decided that they will stay in F1 until 2012. Just recently, Giancarlo Fisichella took his option for 2007, which means that there is only one driver spot left. But who will fill it? Kimi Raikkonen is one person that Renault really wants. It could certainly be a good choice for the Finn, because if he chooses Ferrari, he might have to race with the seven time world champion, Michael Schumacher. And that might destruct because there is no way that the German will show Raikkonen the ropes on a team that pretty much is his. Others that could be on Renault if Raikkonen takes this radical approach at the Scuderia are Heikki Kovalainen, Juan Pablo Montoya, who certainly will leave McLaren, or even Schumacher as well. Take it or leave it. McLaren already has Alonso for next year, but the big rumor is that GP2 driver Lewis Hamilton might join him. However, team manager Ron Dennis does not want to rush the Brit too quickly, despite the heavy encouragement from Bernie Ecclestone not to waste talent. If Hamilton can take Dennis’ F1 test coming up, then he could get the spot. If not, Dennis will be right in waiting for him and could choose Pedro De La Rosa, or Gary Paffitt, or even better, keeping Raikkonen for another season. But can the Finn, who might be unable to handle Schumacher, compete against the world champion on the same team? Ferrari has many news rumors that Schumacher has signed a two year contract with the team, but will not confess until the Italian Grand Prix on if he will sign. As confusing as it may sound, it seems true unless the team sent him elsewhere. Raikkonen would feel strange if it happens and he joins, but it seems likely that the German has finished his deal and will stay. Other drivers to join him could be Massa again, or even David Coulthard, who got stories out last week that he might join Ferrari as Schuey’s number two. The two Japanese teams, Honda and Toyota are having terrible times and it seems that Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli will stay at the former and Jenson Button at the latter. Rubens Barrichello, Honda’s number two, started out bad, but has now gotten familiar with his car and just might remain as well. Red Bull has been another team that has been disappointing. Spending a lot of money with this and its junior team, Toro Rosso, the squad only benefited with Coulthard’s third at Monaco, but nothing else. Coulthard , if the rumor is true will go to Ferrari, but the point is also, the car has the same engine and the 2007 chassis will be designed by former McLaren man Adrian Newey, also a friend of the Scot. So, it would be crazy to leave. Christian Klien might be gone, and the best man to take his slot could be the up and coming Toro Rosso man, Italian Vitantonio Luizzi. Toro Rosso itself should keep Scott Speed, to boost sales in America, but Speed himself has to get more luck and quit messing around, even if the car has its limits, with a restricted V-10. BMW-Sauber will keep Nick Heidfeld, but the fate of Jacques Villeneuve is unclear. If the Canadian can place more, he should easily get the job, considering the test driver, Robert Kubica, is fast in tests. Williams is the only highly rated private team on the grid, and certainly there should be no reason that Mark Webber should stay. The Aussie fits in just nice. Nico Rosberg still has two more years on his contract. Finally, two of the worse teams, Midland and Super Aguri can only get pay drivers and Japanese who want to be up and coming F1 pilots, so anything that could happen there would certainly be no surprise in comparison to what could happen more with their bigger rivals.

posted by mgero to commentary at 10:36 PM - 0 comments