Why wouldn't the Roberts take what the contract says. It is their job as managers to do just that. To get the most money possible. The more Kimi is paid the more the Roberts make who's salary is after all a hefty portion of whatever Kimi makes. If Ferrari want to break contract they're obliged to pay what is promised in the contract. It's simple as that. Ferrari who are fast turning into the circus team they used to be prior to the Todt era can only blame themselves for getting to the situation they are now. A situation that surely would not have arised if Todt was still at the helm.

I have no idea what it is you are trying to say.

I can't believe Ferrari would be that stupid but if they created this mess, less them figure it out.

QFT ... Lauda said it best IMO

Well Lewis was asked in public if he wanted Nico as a teammate, what could he say that wouldn't sound like he did not want Kovy or Kimi? Who he might actually end up with. I'd be like an episode of Friends .

So he had to say something very neutral, doesn't mean anything.

Ferrari's situation is worrying. Putting Badoer in the car when they had Fisichella with a 2010 contract already signed up and Bourdais sitting around doing nothing was just ridiculous. An absolute farce. Then this situation, taking up their option with Kimi in spite of how awful he was last year, only to have to pay him off 12 months later.

Then we've got them stabbing Ross Brawn in the back during diffusergate, issuing really nasty and unprofessional press releases on their website from di Montezemelo. And the third car for Michael Schumacher when they haven't even got enough cars for their contracted race drivers... I have no idea what's going on there right now.

Then you are qualified to run the team...

Haha!

Whats annoying is that it seems everyone else's decisions depend on Ferraris, in that case they should hurry the f*ck up so everyone can sort it!

Its always going to be one of those things though, when one clicks into place, the others will soon follow!

Ferrari (confirmed)
Sponsors
Banco Santander (confirmed)
Engines
Ferrari (confirmed)
Race drivers
Felipe Massa (contracted, likely to stay)
Kimi Raikkonen (contracted but uncertain to stay)
Fernando Alonso (heavily rumoured to join)
Giancarlo Fisichella (could remain in case Massa takes longer than expected to recover)
Michael Schumacher (rumoured to join but unlikely and only if team is allowed to run 3 cars)


McLaren (confirmed)
Sponsors
Vodafone (likely to stay)
Banco Santander (confirmed)
Engines
Mercedes (confirmed)
Race drivers
Lewis Hamilton (confirmed)
Heikki Kovalainen (uncertain to stay)
Nico Rosberg (rumoured to join)
Kimi Raikkonen (rumoured to join)
Robert Kubica (rumoured to join but there have been no news on this one for a while)
Timo Glock (earlier rumoured to join)


Renault (contracted, but it's still not impossible they could pull out)
Sponsors
unknown
Engines
Renault (confirmed)
Race drivers
Romain Grosjean (likely to stay)
Fernando Alonso (contracted but uncertain to stay)
Robert Kubica (heavily rumoured to join)
Lucas Di Grassi (connected to the team but unlikely)


Toyota (contracted, but it's still not impossible they could pull out)
Sponsors
Panasonic (likely to stay)
Engines
Toyota (confirmed)
Race drivers
Timo Glock (likely to stay)
Jarno Trulli (likely to leave)
Kazuki Nakajima (connected to the team but unlikely)
Kimi Raikkonen (earlier rumoured but unlikely)


Toro Rosso (confirmed, but earlier thought to be for sale)
Sponsors
Red Bull (likely to stay)
Engines
Ferrari (likely to stay)
Race drivers
Sebastien Buemi (likely to stay)
Jaime Alguersuari (likely to stay)
Brendon Hartley (connected to the team but unlikely)
Daniel Ricciardo (connected to the team but unlikely)
Robert Wickens (connected to the team but unlikely)
Sebastien Loeb (heavily rumoured to join for Abu Dhabi but 2010 is anyone's guess)


Red Bull (confirmed)
Sponsors
Red Bull (confirmed)
Engines
Mercedes (heavily rumoured to join but seems like the negotiations have hit trouble)
Renault (unlikely to stay)
Race drivers
Sebastian Vettel (confirmed)
Mark Webber (confirmed)


Williams (confirmed)
Sponsors
AT&T (likely to stay)
Engines
Renault (heavily rumoured to join but seems like the negotiations have hit trouble)
Mercedes (apparently Frank's preferred option but difficult to get)
Toyota (unlikely to stay)
Race drivers
Nico Rosberg (unlikely to stay)
Kazuki Nakajima (unlikely to stay)
Nico Hulkenberg (heavily rumoured to join)
Robert Kubica (rumoured to join)
Heikki Kovalainen (rumoured to join)
Rubens Barrichello (rumoured to join)
Vitaly Petrov (rumoured to join)
Kimi Raikkonen (thought to have been in talks with them but negotiations failed)


Brawn (confirmed)
Sponsors
Emirates Airline (earlier rumoured to join)
Monster energy drink (earlier rumoured to join)
Bwin (earlier rumoured to join)
Telmex (earlier rumoured to join)
Engines
Mercedes (likely not only to stay but to also buy stakes in the team)
Race drivers
Jenson Button (likely to stay)
Rubens Barrichello (uncertain to stay)
Nico Rosberg (rumoured to join)
Kimi Raikkonen (rumoured to join)
Bruno Senna (earlier rumoured to join)


Force India (confirmed, outside chance it'll change ownership)
Sponsors
Kingfisher (likely to stay)
Engines
Mercedes (likely to stay)
Race drivers
Adrian Sutil (uncertain to stay)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (likely to stay)
Vitaly Petrov (earlier rumoured to join already in 2009 to replace Liuzzi)
Karun Chandhok (earlier rumoured to join)


Manor (confirmed, name likely to change to Virgin)
Sponsors
Virgin (heavily rumoured to join)
Engines
Cosworth (confirmed)
Race drivers
Max Chilton (rumoured to join)
Adam Carroll (rumoured to join)
Esteban Guerrieri (rumoured to join)
Álvaro Parente (rumoured to join)


Campos Meta (confirmed)
Sponsors
Telefonica (rumoured to join)
BBVA (rumoured to join)
Engines
Cosworth (confirmed)
Race drivers
Pedro de la Rosa (heavily rumoured to join)
Vitaly Petrov (rumoured to join)
Marc Gene (rumoured to join)


USF1 (confirmed, but with rumours that they're behind schedule and might not make it to the grid)
Sponsors
Youtube (rumoured to join, might be just misinterpretation on Chad's involvement with the team)
Engines
Cosworth (confirmed)
Race drivers
Pedro de la Rosa (rumoured to join)
Alexander Wurz (rumoured to join)
Jonathan Summerton (rumoured to join)
Ryan Hunter-Reay (rumoured to join)
José María López (rumoured to join)


Lotus (confirmed)
Sponsors
Petronas (rumoured to join)
Engines
Cosworth (confirmed)
Race drivers
unknown


Sauber/Qasdak (name to be confirmed, team running for a 14th spot)
Sponsors
Petronas (now unlikely due to Lotus)
Engines
Ferrari (confirmed)
Race drivers
Robert Kubica (uncertain to stay)
Nick Heidfeld (uncertain to stay)
Christian Klien (connected to the team, might join as a race driver)

Or what about A. Sutil re-joining with his F3 teammate L.C. Hamilton at McLaren-Mercedes?

Excellent stuff, paranoik0.

Only strange to see that Nick Heidfeld is only mentioned once - as "uncertain to stay"!
Meanwhile e.g. Vitali Petrov is rumoured for at least 3 teams.
Tells you something about the value of the rumour circuit.

I can't see Nick failing to get a place at the 2010 grid, it'll be interesting to see where he will end.

What is really boggling my mind is what could happen with the Toyota seat. Also where will Trulli end up. No rumours at all for them, at least until now.

Maybe that's what Sutil was refering to as a "works team". But Toyota with 2 germans?

Obviously agree with you that Heidi will be there, somewhere.

Fixed one line for you.

Hope not.

I could imagine Kubica trying to get in at Toyota rather than Renault, now. If the engine thaw is allowed, that would help too. Pity really that he's apparently not in the running for a top drive.

Kubica might also stay at Sauber.

So we have: Toyota - Glock/Kubica (likely)
Renault OR Benetton OR shut down OR ? - Grosjean/?

No places for Trulli (and Heidfeld and Barrichello who MAY be off contract) is not likely when established teams need at least one established driver:

You'd have to guess that we would then see: Williams - Trulli/Heidfeld OR Trulli/Barrichello (if dropped by Brawn) OR Trulli/Hulkenberg OR Heidfeld/Hulkenberg AND Sauber - Heidfeld/? OR Heidfeld/Hulkenberg OR Trulli/Barrichello (if Heidfeld and Hulkenberg go to Williams) ???

Yeah Trulli would be a great guy for a team like Manor or Lotus.

That's true, Ferrari engines, could be OK. Do people think Ferrari customers are allowed to beat the works team, though? I always though that was Newey's real reason for wanting Renault engines, more than the heat rejection. But maybe things have changed.

No, but I'm reasonably certain that LdM said "A Spanish or a Finnish driver? We have some decisions to take in the next few weeks", not "Alonso has already signed a multi-year deal with us". I'm at a loss to explain how you interpreted one as meaning the other considering that they're completely different statements. Hell, none of the most basic words like 'a' and 'the' and 'have' and 'is' appear in both sentences. So let me as you this: are you so stupid that you can't even read an article the right way? LdM said nothing about Alonso; he didn't even reference him directly. So how are you getting the interpretation that Alonso has already signed a multi-year deal?

Some funny stuff in this thread.. Thoroughly entertaining. Now, if only we can keep the other thread that clean.

They are a German team, and it is just the boring middle-of-the-road choice as Toyota would make (Sutil will be cheap and Toyota are cutting their budget also...).



Hopefully, Toyota signs up Kubica who while superficially a "dull" character, has at least fought for the championship and has reputation as being one of the quickest and most exciting drivers around anywhere when the car is working. (assuming Ferrari/Alonso, McLaren/Kimi, Brawn/Rosberg pairings to be announced of course, presumably Williams/Trulli/Barrichello being another result...)

Still waiting.....

Or how about Friday...

I believe the deal is done, but why on eath must you feel the need to set these deadlines, when you they won't stand. You just make your self a joke here...

And then friday and then saturday and then sunday and then monday or was it tuesday

IMO. Ferrari has totally dropped the ball since Tod and Brawn left,sinkin ship, out of control.
No matter what Ferrari decides, it would be a huge mistake from Kimi to stay there.
Ferrari has now made it very clear that Felipe Massa is their number one driver.
I don´t see any reason for Kimi to stay at this situation.

I'm sorry I called you stupid. Please accept my apology.
I will not argue this with you. Let us both wait until next week probably and everything will be clear for all of us.

Luca confirms Alonso signing

Typical Spanish Journalism, sensational headline and no quotes that even remotely back up the headline

and let's remind ourself of YOUR inside info

It would have been more news if he had confirmed Alonso singing

McLaren had a little early morning welcome back party at the paddock. Obviously the media wasn't present yet but luckily someone at McLaren managed to leak one of the official press photos...

Is it me or Kimi fanboys desperate for McLaren to take him back when a couple of months ago they were slagging off McLaren left and right.

Toyota and Renault seem to be the two least attractive options of the current silly season,don't they? All quiet over the red and white front,wonder what's brewing..I mean if they drop Trulli,who's to take his place?

How about L. Tucci Di Grassi? He's in Singapore, this weekend.

Toyota's F1 Team is an "enigma" wrapped in a "mystery" inside a "puzzle" (I'm positive Winston Churchill paraphrased that much better). What exactly is their objective in trying to stay year after year on the F1 grid, showcasing their dull presence and equally apathetic performances, is something that baffles me? But in God's Kingdom everything has an explanation and sooner or later we shall find out what are Toyota's intentions. I doubt any competitive driver would want to go to Toyota willingly. More like a back-up option.
Renault F1 are seriously in trouble and will have difficulty enticing top-of-the-line talent.

To top it off Toyota have announced they're reducing their budget, and apparently Trulli isn't going to stay because of money. If Toyota couldn't do anything with that huge budget, what about now...

Meanwhile, more names being associated with Manor. I'm not entirely sure if this small article is any reliable, but anyway Piquet Jr, Carroll, Klien and Davidson are mentioned - http://autosport.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories...s.stories/76969 .

Ok Davidson not really mentioned much and ignored by paranoik0, also no mention of Sato, has he retired or just busy elsewhere and also been a while since Villeneuve has been mentioned. These three drivers with experience surely have to have value to any of the new teams.

Come on Max you do better than that, you are not even bashing Kimi in your post... are you sure you are not sick

MTV3 quotes Luca saying something like this:"I will have to talk to SD after he returns from Singapore, about the driver situation. A lot has been assured during last days, and we shall see if we can come out with driver news in next few days"

So it seems we will get the anouncement soon and it will most likely be Fred in Ferrari, and Kimi to McLaren will follow soon after...

Is it me or Alonso fanboys are desperate for Ferrari to take Alonso when a couple of years ago they were slagging Ferrari left and right?

And if not next week, the week after, for sure this time, 100%!

I hope so much that if Kimi has to leave Ferrari he gets a seat at Mclaren or Brawn. Everyone here seems to be so sure about that. I am not. Hopefully he won´t end at Toyota or Renault.

is it me or are McLaren fanboys desperate to get Kimi back when a couple months/years ago they were slagging off Kimi left and right?

Simply put, No.

Let me just state that I am not a fan of Kimi, but he is definitely the best driver in F1, head and shoulders above everyone else, surely, McLaren wants him, and surely every McLaren fan wants him too!

Doesn't this confirm it? Alonso is certain for Ferrari now.

All but confirms it, indeed.