F1 F1 Silly Season! (Driver signing rumors)

[Remy Zero]

Heikki Kovalainen will remain alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next year, his team confirmed to autosport.com in Hungary on Thursday.

The Finn joined the Woking-based at the start of this season and, although being quick in qualifying, bad luck has robbed him of several points-finishing positions.

He has taken just one podium finish, where he finished third in Malaysia, but secured his maiden pole position at the British Grand Prix.

It is understood that Kovalainen's contract with McLaren contained an option for his services next year and the team have ended speculation about his future by confirming he will remain there.

Although there is no official statement, McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh told autosport.com that Kovalainen would be continuing with the team.

 

[Centurion]

Well it's not like Mclaren had a choice. There's no one to replace him with.

 

[Remy Zero]

Well it's not like Mclaren had a choice. There's no one to replace him with.

well, they should have tried to flirt with Alonso a lil...

 

[BMW///MPower]

^ Just to piss him off ...

I guess there will be some more speculations about Alonso cause I don't think he wants another year of Renault since the car is just to slow.
I think if Williams would have let Rosberg go he would surely replace Kovalainen. But Frank is really holding on to him... to bad they can't give him a fast car. Maybe BMW should contact him for 2010, I guess Heidfeld will be retiring by that time and I hope Kubica will stay That would be a WC winning pairing for 2010 IMO

 

[Centurion]

^ Just to piss him off ...

I guess there will be some more speculations about Alonso cause I don't think he wants another year of Renault since the car is just to slow.
I think if Williams would have let Rosberg go he would surely replace Kovalainen. But Frank is really holding on to him... to bad they can't give him a fast car. Maybe BMW should contact him for 2010, I guess Heidfeld will be retiring by that time and I hope Kubica will stay That would be a WC winning pairing for 2010 IMO

Williams already have a very fast car and giving Rosberg a faster one won't make him a better driver. He's still got a while left before he's a top driver, he's has yet to demonstrate the finesse of a champion.

Alonso made his choice last year and chose to leave Mclaren and now he's paying for it. Ferrari will be keeping all their drivers for the 2009 season leaving Alonso no choice but to keep driving his Clio.

 

[Remy Zero]

Frankly, it would be safe for Fred to stay put next year, or if he could manage a Honda seat, it would be good.

2009 will be a whole new thing to everyone. we may see top teams struggling, and mid field and back teams doing well. we will never know.

however, speaking of Rosberg, since Aussie, he hasn't done anything special IMO. that Japanese kid is either same points or ahead of him right now. i'd rather take Button over him anyday.

speaking of Button, i really hope it ain't too late for him to get a decent car and mount a serious challenge to all the top teams.

 

[Centurion]

however, speaking of Rosberg, since Aussie, he hasn't done anything special IMO.

Now tell that to those who've been insisting that Rosberg would be better than Hamilton in a Mclaren and that Hamilton is only good because of his car.

Williams have a very good car this year with close to zero reliability issues, in fact their car is the 5/6th best one on the grid. Still Rosberg is nowhere near the same points as Trulli let alone Alonso who done a good job in his shitty car.

Driving a top car doesn't make life easier, it makes it even harder since you're expected to finish top three in every single race and lead the standings. Fighting skills are constantly on with you having to overtake and drive the car to the limit without making mistakes. Just ask Heikki about is, he's a good driver but has big problems battling in the high league. Heck his position in the standings is exactly the same as when he was with Renault.

 

[Remy Zero]

Now tell that to those who've been insisting that Rosberg would be better than Hamilton in a Mclaren and that Hamilton is only good because of his car.

Williams have a very good car this year with close to zero reliability issues, in fact their car is the 5/6th best one on the grid. Still Rosberg is nowhere near the same points as Trulli let alone Alonso who done a good job in his shitty car.

Driving a top car doesn't make life easier, it makes it even harder since you're expected to finish top three in every single race and lead the standings. Fighting skills are constantly on with you having to overtake and drive the car to the limit without making mistakes. Just ask Heikki about is, he's a good driver but has big problems battling in the high league. Heck his position in the standings is exactly the same as when he was with Renault.

i agree with certain points. but, i don't think it's fair to expect fireworks for Kova. he is in a team with 100% supporting Lewis. maybe, he isn't getting the chance to actually show his true colour. we would all never know. pretty much similiar to the Schumacher era.

however, i think Rosberg did do well at Monaco. he totaled the car however, due to a simple error. but lately, i still think that Williams is actually falling back. perhaps behind Renault, STR, RedBull and Toyoda.

 

[Centurion]

i agree with certain points. but, i don't think it's fair to expect fireworks for Kova. he is in a team with 100% supporting Lewis. maybe, he isn't getting the chance to actually show his true colour. we would all never know. pretty much similiar to the Schumacher era.

This is F1 and not a high school cheerleading, leave the skirt and emotions at home. Just jump into a car and drive the hell of it. Hamilton did feel inferior to Alonso at the beginning of last season standing up against a two time super star champion. But yet he sat behind the wheel and proved to the team that he's worth just a much attention as Alonso.

Racing has always been competative and these drivers have dealt with the motional side of having to prove themselves for several years now. Leave the emotional baggage at home and get the job done.

 

[Remy Zero]

This is F1 and not a high school cheerleading, leave the skirt and emotions at home. Just jump into a car and drive the hell of it. Hamilton did feel inferior to Alonso at the beginning of last season standing up against a two time super star champion. But yet he sat behind the wheel and proved to the team that he's worth just a much attention as Alonso.

Racing has always been competative and these drivers have dealt with the motional side of having to prove themselves for several years now. Leave the emotional baggage at home and get the job done.

easy for you and me to say that. as for Fred, it's his fault, not Hammi's, not the team, etc. he was just too focused on getting the No1 status, without actually doing anything about it. he was too worried about getting beaten, so worried that he prolly forgot to start fighting and stop whining.

for me, it's all scripted in Mclaren. Lewis is the chosen one, just like MS was. however, the season still has a long way. would be really spicy if Kova can pick up the pace, and challenge the top 3

 

[Centurion]

easy for you and me to say that. as for Fred, it's his fault, not Hammi's, not the team, etc. he was just too focused on getting the No1 status, without actually doing anything about it. he was too worried about getting beaten, so worried that he prolly forgot to start fighting and stop whining.

for me, it's all scripted in Mclaren. Lewis is the chosen one, just like MS was. however, the season still has a long way. would be really spicy if Kova can pick up the pace, and challenge the top 3

Fred is a hypo. He claimed that Mclaren cared more about Hamilton than they cared for him. Yet he joins Renault where he knows he will get more care and attention than Piquet.

 

[Matt530i]

The Guardian is reporting that Alonso will leave Renault next year and join Honda in 2009, alongside Button, for $15m. They claim it's a one or two year deal until he can grab himself a Ferrari seat...

 

[Bartek S.]

Alonso set for £7.6m Honda switch

Fernando Alonso is set to sign a £7.6 million deal to race with Hondain 2009, according to The Guardian.
The former double world champion suffered a disappointing year after moving to McLaren in 2007 while he has failed to reignite the glory days with a relatively uncompetitive Renault this season.
However Honda have not matched France-based Renault in 2008 and speculation still reigns that the 27-year-old driver will switch to Ferrari, perhaps in 2010 when Scuderia world champion Kimi Raikkonen retires.
That raises the possibility of a one-year deal between the Spaniard and Japanese-owned Honda.
The Guardian said veteran racer Rubens Barrichello would be the one to make way for Alonso in 2009.
"Fernando is a wonderful driver who would be a fantastic asset to any of the top teams, including this one," said Honda chief executive Nick Fry.
"The job [team principal] Ross [Brawn] and I have is to build a world championship-winning team."
F1 Live / Eurosport

 

[Remy Zero]

Fred is a hypo. He claimed that Mclaren cared more about Hamilton than they cared for him. Yet he joins Renault where he knows he will get more care and attention than Piquet.

agreed on this one. when Fred joined Mclaren, he did 2 mistakes.

1) not asking Ron for a number 1 status in the contract.

2) under estimating a rookie called Lewis Hamilton.


if he had done what MS had done, he'd be triple WDC now.

 

[Centurion]

1) not asking Ron for a number 1 status in the contract.

You don't ask for number 1 status, a true champion earns it. If you are a champion and get beaten by your teammate then you have to accept the fact that you're time might be over. There's no pride or dignity of asking your team boss to limit the capabilities of your team mate just because you're afraid of losing. I can't see the glory in winning by making telling your boss to weaken your biggest competitor.

 

[Remy Zero]

You don't ask for number 1 status, a true champion earns it. If you are a champion and get beaten by your teammate then you have to accept the fact that you're time might be over. There's no pride or dignity of asking your team boss to limit the capabilities of your team mate just because you're afraid of losing. I can't see the glory in winning by making telling your boss to weaken your biggest competitor.

well, it brought MS 5 WDCs

 

[Centurion]

well, it brought MS 5 WDCs

Well he was the best driver during his prime and hence was as a result of that prioritized by Ferrari. Alonso on the other hand wasn't the absolute best driver at Mclaren last year and therefore didn't have the right to self proclaim himself the nr1 driver.

 

[Bartek S.]

Ferrari confirms Kimi and Felipe for 2009



The closer we get to the end of this season and to the start of the next, the clearer the picture will become as to which drivers will be where for the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. While his team was undergoing testing alongside its competitors at the Monza track in Italy, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo placed one of the bigger pieces in the puzzle in confirming that Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa would both be back in scarlet for next season. Although towards the beginning of the season it was onto Massa's future which doubt was cast, by now the tides have changed in that Kimi's performance has lagged behind his team-mate and it's Raikkonen's future that was being debated in the press. However Montezemolo confirmed that neither driver would be replaced for the coming season.
While in the paddock, Montezemolo also visited former champion Fernando Alonso and current leader Lewis Hamilton, but insisted that Alonso, who has been rumored to be angling for a seat with Ferrari, would have to wait at least a little while longer. Montezemolo also took the opportunity to express his displeasure with the new tracks being mixed into the calendar, stating that because overtaking is so difficult on these new circuits, the winner is often pre-determined in qualifying.

autoblog

 

[Centurion]

By leaving Mclaren I think Alonso ruined his chances of ever being able to win a championship. Right now he's eying a seat at Ferrari, but with Kubica only extending his stay at BMW to 2009 Alonso is sure facing some competition. Kubica has the upper hand since he's calm and collected and even more so, he's young.

 

[Monster]

well, it brought MS 5 WDCs

True, but MS did his work and convinced the best people to join the team, so I guess he has the right to pick the 2nd driver for the team.