What exactly did Whitmarsh say?

Heikki said himself that he didn't join Macca to be a number 2 driver, he just ain't good enough

Do McLaren actually want to win a WCC?

The team wants the WDC and the WCC, like any team.

Well what are their options really? Kova or Heidfeld or Rubens
By the looks of things Rosberg is probably going to Brawn with Mercedes, Kubica wants a 1 year deal and will probably end up in Williams or Renault if Frank offers him some really silly salary ... what else is out there?

What will be hilarious is after endless rumors and bs stories this silly season will probably end up being a dud ... most drivers will stay put.

Wasn't there an interview in F1 Racing once where Luca denied that there was a "di" in his name? He said something like, "What is this 'di'? Where does this 'di' come from?"

I was under the impression that his name was just Luca Montezemelo.

No ... his name is Luca Cordero di Montezemolo the di Montezemolo refers to the town of Montezemolo in Piedmot which is where his family hails from. Italian aristocratic families waaaay back in medieval times where named after their fief so "di Montezemolo" means some centuries ago somebody in Luca's family run the town

if i'd be in charge at McLaren, i'd instantly sign Heidfeld - unfortunately i'm not the one who decides on their drivers ;/



yep, i've read the same on some other motorsports website some time ago. prolly based on that iview though...

It doesn't mean for sure.

I think all waiting for Massa. If he's ok - no room for Kimi in 2011, so he can break contract himself and going to another team next year, because like i said before, there are good options for 2010-11 now - Mclaren, Brawn.

But I wish he stay another year in Ferrari - after hard season when focus was switched to next year I think reds could produce another championship car and Kimi with Felipe deserves to drive it. And if Kimi win title it would be great finish of his F1 career.

My guess is that Raikkonen stays in Ferrari for 2010 because he has proven lately that his directions concerning car setups are better than Ferrari thought they were. This, and the fact (?) that they would not like to oust Massa as things are now, made Ferrari opt out on Alonso for 2010. I am fairly sure he will drive for Ferrari in 2011 though. McLaren might just have eyed the opportunity to get Raikkonen back to replace Kovalainen, but since this seems to be impossible this year, they in turn have to wait another year. Hence a one year deal with Kova and then they can kick him out if needed. If they can't get hands on Raikkonen, there will be plenty of other options that year anyway.

As far as I know Heiki has an option in his contract for next year.

The team has the option on Kovy though, surely, not Kovy the option on staying.

Seems to me everyone is keeping their options open, a lot of drivers need a good weekend.

Driver choices are based on alot more than just one weekend

Did you start watching last year?

Probably

I think McLaren's option on Kova expired July 31st

Don't know it this was mentioned, but site www.tazio.com.br puts Barrichello close to sign with Williams.

Barrichello and Hulkenberg, an excellent line up IMO.

According to Speed's report.

Thanks for rectifying, I hadn't noticed the subtitle.

Oh, they seem pretty confident he'll wait, anyway, as far as we can tell.

i don't get why McLaren go for Kovalainen when there's someone like Heidfeld (+Kubica +Rosberg) available... :/

/e: i don't have anything against him in person, he seems like a nice guy, but he just doesn't deliver what the car is obviously capable of

Why would Kubica want 1 year McLaren deal, is he going to Ferrari too???

Surely Kubica will take a 2-3 year deal McLaren deal on $2m-5m... a cheap driver to give Lewis a hurry-up. A driver who already fought for the title no less, an excellent choice.

Silly season indeed. Who would thought that Force India has faster car than Ferrari ,and Brawn dominating first half of the season...

Um, wrong use of the word "silly". The silly season is when the driver market opens up for the next year's racing season, and every driver is linked with every available drive, rumours and half-truths are given more weight than actual reports and it's all one big game of poker.

Sorry my bad. English is my third language, never too old to learn.

My best friend is a little like that. I have to be really careful what I say around her, because I use a lot of expressions that she's never heard before on account of her being born in the Soviet Union.

Kubi for 1 year then swap over with Kimi would certainly work for me

Much much more interesting than carrying on as we are.

López in frame for US drive...

Lobato in spanish TV today:

Alonso to Ferrari to be announced soon, and also very possible:

Kimi --> McLaren
Kubica --> Renault

How soon, didn't Lobato and Perre predict the announcement will be made at Monza? What happened?

That's just one mistake from Lobato, it's not like he's been unreliable beyond that

Kimi to McLaren would tie in with Santander staying at McLaren (as part of some deal with Ferrari to release him and make way for the Spanish golden boy).

Maybe he said the announcement would be made at Monza, but not necessarily when.

http://www.formula1.com/photos/597x478/sut.../d09ita1584.jpg

Nico to Ferrari?

I can see such pictures(like"Alonso to Ferrari") in every race(since Germany).Perhaps there some photographers staying there every second.

Interesting that it is now confirmed kubica isn't going to williams next year. It looks like its basically renault or whatever the BMW team is if it gets saved next year. Not really sure why mclaren aren't more hard up for his services - I think he's more on par with lewis than rosberg is. David hobbs on Speed TVs broadcast during Monza brought up the same point. He said Rosberg would be a lateral move to Kovaleinen whereas Bob Kubs would be a step up in performance.

Renault?? He'd be better off at Force India

Sorry, does anybody have a source for this "no Kubica to Williams" story? I can't find one anywhere...

It was on Speed TV I think, I think they said Rob's management said talks between Kubica and Williams had concluded.

I like the racing spirit of Williams, but don't think they have the resources probably to give a top driver a shot at the WDC.

So if not Williams then it seems Renault is possible option, but bit of a cloud over them atm. I think they will be ok, so that is a viable option for next year.

Brawn? - I think this would be a great team for Kubica, with Mercedes coming onboard they should be strong in the future. They also seem more about the racing which suits Kubica.

McLaren - I think Kubica would do better than Rosberg, but don't know if that would swing him the seat, could be other factors at play.

I'm certain McLaren will go for Rosberg to please Mercedes amidst their announcement of them buying into Brawn. I see Kovalainen ending up at Toyota instead of Trulli, Raikkonen at Brawn if the Alonso deal goes through for 2010, and Barrichello at Williams alongside Hülkenberg.

I think it would be the other way around - Rosberg to Brawn GP and Kimi to McLaren. If McLaren had Rosberg signed they would have announced it by now. The Mercedes to Brawn is a new development and after finding that McLaren were adamant about Kimi rather than Nico, I can see that Mercedes would be pushing for Nico to Brawn GP. Just my guess.

I agree. Based on pure gut instinct though before someone asks why!!

I see it like that also, Kimi is a known asset for McLaren, only been away for 3 years. Rosberg does not want to end up head to head with Lewis at this time of his career, and new Merc team is apealing option + merc prefers a german driver but Mac not

And why exactly would Brawn want to change anything in their lineup? I seem to have missed that, I was under the impression that having 2 teammates fighting it for the title is no reason whatsoever to change anything?

Indeed, what if no one's going to Brawn?

Under normal circumstances they wouldn't, shouldn't and can't. But if Mercedes, as reported, is purchasing the team then they would like to place a German driver in the team. Ross Brawn has a tough decision - manufacturer backing with lots of funds or retain one of their star drivers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNih4slfxrQ

(Just a joke.)

Rubens is a good and experienced driver - but he's 37 years old, he has no future. Who knows maybe Rosberg could already won titles in this car.

Yes, and so could Rubens. Button hasn't won it yet, there are races to go. It's going to look a bit silly if they boot the reigning WDC... even if it's only a middle-aged, balding Brazilian with no future in the sport.

Rubens FTW!

Would it be grand if Rubens wins the title and still get replaced by Nico...Because I think Jenson already has his name on the paper and not getting replaced.

Err.. so does Kimi, so forget what I just said...