F1 Driver Discussion [Split]

[IPSG_SlimShady]

The race seats for 2007 are running out and yet Felipe Massa is not making any moves. Why do you think so? Could be 2 reasons: (1) He has been informed before hand that Michael Schumacher will retire, so Raikkonen is moving in; or (2) Michael Schumacher has decided to stay next year and Raikkonen is moving to Renault.

There are only 3 top drives left:

Renault
Ferrari
McLaren

And the top contenders for these seats are:
Raikkonen
Kovalainen
Massa
Hamilton

Kovalainen has already announced that he will be on a race seat for 2007 but declined to say what team. Most likely it will be Renault because Kovalainen is Briatore's protege. And since Raikkonen will almost certain to leave McLaren, therefore Kimi has nowhere else to go but Ferrari. While it is unthinkable that Massa will go to McLaren, it means either Schumacher will decide to retire or Massa will be jobless next year.

[number001]

The race seats for 2007 are running out and yet Felipe Massa is not making any moves. Why do you think so? Could be 2 reasons: (1) He has been informed before hand that Michael Schumacher will retire, so Raikkonen is moving in; or (2) Michael Schumacher has decided to stay next year and Raikkonen is moving to Renault.

There are only 3 top drives left:

Renault
Ferrari
McLaren

And the top contenders for these seats are:
Raikkonen
Kovalainen
Massa
Hamilton

Kovalainen has already announced that he will be on a race seat for 2007 but declined to say what team. Most likely it will be Renault because Kovalainen is Briatore's protege. And since Raikkonen will almost certain to leave McLaren, therefore Kimi has nowhere else to go but Ferrari. While it is unthinkable that Massa will go to McLaren, it means either Schumacher will decide to retire or Massa will be jobless next year.

or Massa will become test driver again for a year.

[CVT]

I'd rather predict that Webber goes to Renault..

He is also one of Flavio's puppy loves.

[number001]

I'd rather predict that Webber goes to Renault..

He is also one of Flavio's puppy loves.

Not! Its official Webber's going to Red Bull. :D

[mazdamazda]

With Kimi-Ferrari rumor going strong - I suppose that Massa might stay with Ferrari either as a test driver (if Schumi opts for another season) or as Kimi's wingman. He has certainly shown a lot of improvement.

[CVT]

Not! Its official Webber's going to Red Bull. :D

Thanks for the update!

On another one, Massa could also be 'loaned' to Toro Rosso until MS retires?

[number001]

Thanks for the update!

On another one, Massa could also be 'loaned' to Toro Rosso until MS retires?

That would be quite remote though. For one, Massa is much better-off test driving for an "A" team rather spend time in Torro. Since, Red Bull owns Torro they intend to use this B team as a testing ground for promising drivers coming from outside of F1. If they succeed in Torro, they might get promoted to Red Bull.

[Helios]

any chance for v. rossi to join f1 in the near future? didn't hear anything more about his attempt last year. your opinion whether he could cut it or just mind his own motogp business.

[mazdamazda]

JV is out of BMW Sauber!

JV And BMW Part Ways With Immediate Effect
Jacques and BMW have parted ways with immediate effect – and mutual consent.

The former F1 Champion revealed on Monday that the reason he is no longer racing for the team is because BMW couldn't guarantee his return after he missed the Hungarian GP.

"Last week, the team informed us of its decision to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment at Hungary without offering me any assurance about my race seat beyond Hungary," JV said.

"Therefore, the team and I agreed to part ways with immediate effect.

"This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to working with BMW on longer terms - going into next season capitalising on our common experiences. I will now have more time to concentrate on future projects.

"Finally, I would like to thank the team, especially my engineers and the team's sponsors with whom I have had real pleasure working with in the last year."

In a statement, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: “Jacques has performed well for us this year, scoring the Team’s first grand prix points in Malaysia, He has made a significant contribution to developing the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team and the performance of the car.

"However, after Jacques’ accident in the Hockenheim race the team decided to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment. Our decision to look towards evaluating our driver line up has naturally impacted Jacques’ position for the remainder of this season. We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty. We respect his position and wish him well for the future.”

[number001]

JV And BMW Part Ways With Immediate Effect
Jacques and BMW have parted ways with immediate effect – and mutual consent.

The former F1 Champion revealed on Monday that the reason he is no longer racing for the team is because BMW couldn't guarantee his return after he missed the Hungarian GP.

"Last week, the team informed us of its decision to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment at Hungary without offering me any assurance about my race seat beyond Hungary," JV said.

"Therefore, the team and I agreed to part ways with immediate effect.

"This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to working with BMW on longer terms - going into next season capitalising on our common experiences. I will now have more time to concentrate on future projects.

"Finally, I would like to thank the team, especially my engineers and the team's sponsors with whom I have had real pleasure working with in the last year."

In a statement, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: “Jacques has performed well for us this year, scoring the Team’s first grand prix points in Malaysia, He has made a significant contribution to developing the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team and the performance of the car.

"However, after Jacques’ accident in the Hockenheim race the team decided to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment. Our decision to look towards evaluating our driver line up has naturally impacted Jacques’ position for the remainder of this season. We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty. We respect his position and wish him well for the future.”

Unfortunately for Jacques...I think BMW has been wanting to get rid of him since last year when they took over Sauber. BMW had a problem with their drivers line-up for this year because they obviously wanted other drivers of different caliber, experience, or nationality (pref. German) but Jacques became a stumbling block for BMW's plans bec.of his supposedly "air tight" contract sealed with Sauber the year before.

[mazdamazda]

I wonder if other F1 teams are interested in JV.

[CVT]

I wonder if other F1 teams are interested in JV.

Or, he took heed from MS and is going to concentrate on his singing career? hehehe

[mazdamazda]

hahahaha... I heard his song in his website... not bad really.

[empy]

nakakahiya na ngayon ang bmw

[BoyFerrari]

SAKUN YAMAMOTO joins Spyker as it's official race driver. Unbelievable turn of events!!!! Looks like the billionaires of Japan are really paying up for patriotism. Is this good for the fans? I really don't think so. Mukhang kapit sa patalim ito ah.