The AUTOSPORT Bulletin Board > 2010 Silly Season (merged)

Captain Tightpants

Nov 5 2009, 23:39

QUOTE (maccaFTW @ Nov 6 2009, 10:20)

It's the anti-American mindset among Europeans. Euros think that Americans are useless and incapable of succeeding on an international stage. It's the same attitude they've always had toward Americans in any international sport.

Yeah, I know. I also think there's a lot of anti-American sentiment in Formula One. People just don't want to see them succeed and come up with increasingly wild theories about them. If USF1 is a scam, then how did it beat the other applicants to the short list, much less get the grid slot? The automatic response is to say Mosley and Ecclestone rigged it so that they'd get in, but the problem is that these explanations are complex and require wild stretches of the imagination to get from point A to point B. Acually, it's more like getting to point A to point B via points Q, I, N and X along the way.

Here's an exanplanation for why USF1 hasn't done crash-testing yet: they are on a different schedule to teams like Brawn. There's still four months bewteen now and the season's opener, and while crash tests are not something that are done overnight, they don't take two months, either (unless your design is fatally flawed). It's much easier for me to believe that than to believe that USF1 have scammed everyone they've ever met without the FIA, Chad Hurley, Bernard Ferguson or anyone else picking up on it, having been aided by a giant corrupt conspiracy theory that never makes it clear what the objectives of Mosley are, only that he's bad because people want him to be. Ockham's Razor basically says that if you have two competing theories, the one that requires less stretch of the imagination is probably going to be right.

JSDSKI

Nov 6 2009, 01:08

QUOTE (Captain Tightpants @ Nov 5 2009, 22:48)

A million dollars doesn't go nearly as far as it used to.

Hell, a million dollars doesn't even go as fast as it used to.

Callisto

Nov 6 2009, 01:17

QUOTE (rmac923 @ Nov 4 2009, 23:21)

Sub Piquet with Bourdais, and I think your picks will be spot on

imo bourdais has more to offer than what we saw at torro

Archybald

Nov 6 2009, 01:28

So random comment ... am i the only one that'd want to Anthony davidson with a drive next year preferably with the number 22 on his car?

If only to scare the brazilians! /ducks (I love brazil but im sure if it happened again we'd be looking at possible war lol)

FenderJaguar

Nov 6 2009, 01:45

QUOTE (maccaFTW @ Nov 6 2009, 00:20)

It's the anti-American mindset among Europeans. Euros think that Americans are useless and incapable of succeeding on an international stage. It's the same attitude they've always had toward Americans in any international sport.

I love Europe; I love the place, the culture, the society, etc.. But the arrogant attitude that many Europeans have toward Americans can be very frustrating. Sure, Americans have problems and haven't always been the most humble bunch, but our problems are no worse than anyone else's, and we have just as many capable people as a percentage of population as any country in Europe does.

There are a lot of Europeans who like America and very few who have a problem with Americans. It's just that the ones who have problems with America goes on and on and on and on and on about it.

r4mses

Nov 6 2009, 01:59

Atm there's quite a HUGE gap between best and worst case scenario.

At best: 13/14 Teams (Brawn, RBR, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, Renault, FI, STR, ex-BMW, Campos, Manor, USF1, Lotus, even ex-Toyota?!)
At worst: 7/8/9 Teams (Brawn, RBR, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, FI, STR, ex-BMW, one of the new teams)

Everything below 10 would be a disappointment for me.

Alfisti

Nov 6 2009, 03:25

QUOTE (maccaFTW @ Nov 6 2009, 01:20)

It's the anti-American mindset among Europeans. Euros think that Americans are useless and incapable of succeeding on an international stage. It's the same attitude they've always had toward Americans in any international sport.

I love Europe; I love the place, the culture, the society, etc.. But the arrogant attitude that many Europeans have toward Americans can be very frustrating. Sure, Americans have problems and haven't always been the most humble bunch, but our problems are no worse than anyone else's, and we have just as many capable people as a percentage of population as any country in Europe does.

The Yanks are just as bad though, you have NFL players and commentators calling the winning team WORLD CHAMPIONS .........

NO ONE ELSE PLAYS THE BLOODY GAME!!

V8 Fireworks

Nov 6 2009, 03:30

QUOTE (Alfisti @ Nov 6 2009, 03:25)

The Yanks are just as bad though, you have NFL players and commentators calling the winning team WORLD CHAMPIONS .........

NO ONE ELSE PLAYS THE BLOODY GAME!!

Well then no one else is better at it?

The English cricket team owns the USA cricket team, the USA basketball team owns the English basketball team "swings and roundabouts"

BRK

Nov 6 2009, 10:46

Don't know where else to post this: too vague and foggy at the moment to warrant starting a thread about it.

I read on a forum that another scandal is about to hit F1 before year's end: something to do with the spec engine management system now used on all cars-apparently,using 'recordings' made at this year's Italian Grand Prix,a current competitor that has already signed the Concorde will be summoned before the WMSC on the charge that their engine exceeded the rpm limit prescribed in the rules.

The problem is that this is only part of a post on the said forum,where he makes it clear that he was told about this by a journalist friend of his: just wanted to know if he posts here as well,so we could glean some more info on this....Can't figure out the reason behind the post,but the thread was about yesterday's board meeting at Renault.

anbeck

Nov 6 2009, 11:08

QUOTE (rmac923 @ Nov 5 2009, 22:56)

Which means the new teams were never meant to expand the field, they were added to maintain the stasis quo when the manufacturers pulled out. (Though I'm getting concerned about USF1 and Manor)

I wouldn't be concerned about Manor. There is a lot more evidence for being concerned about Campos. In contrast to the other new teams (Lotus has Malaysia as a backer, Manor probably Virgin, we don't know anything about USF1, but rumours aside there's few actual evidence about them being in problens), Campos is known to be in financial trouble.

Captain Tightpants

Nov 6 2009, 11:16

QUOTE (anbeck @ Nov 6 2009, 22:08)

I wouldn't be concerned about Manor. There is a lot more evidence for being concerned about Campos. In contrast to the other new teams (Lotus has Malaysia as a backer, Manor probably Virgin, we don't know anything about USF1, but rumours aside there's few actual evidence about them being in problens), Campos is known to be in financial trouble.

Don't confuse having a small budget for being in trouble financially.

juary

Nov 6 2009, 11:18

QUOTE (metz @ Nov 5 2009, 15:13)

History suggests that Ferrari may push Fisi onto someone as part of the engine deal, at this point STR and Sauber.

Domenicali said clearly that the Ferrari reserve driver should race and be ready and that they have no questions if Fisi will race and will be third driver at the same time. Peter Sauber loved Fisi and worked very well whit him in 2004.

It does it mean Fisi in Sauber Ferrari...si Fisi and Heidfeld or Fisi and Klien.

Captain Tightpants

Nov 6 2009, 11:21

QUOTE (juary @ Nov 6 2009, 22:18)

It does it mean Fisi in Sauber Ferrari...si Fisi and Heidfeld or Fisi and Klien.

Not necessarily - when the idea of Fisichella being both test driver for Ferrari and race driver for another team was floated, which was around the time it was announced he would replace Badoer, the team he was linked to was Force India.

Mandzipop

Nov 9 2009, 14:23

Buemi and Alguersuari are now confirmed at STR.

brabham bt50

Nov 9 2009, 18:11

QUOTE (Mandzipop @ Nov 9 2009, 15:23)

Buemi and Alguersuari are now confirmed at STR.

Only Buemi is confirmed today at STR for 2010, according to BBC.

lustigson

Nov 9 2009, 18:14

QUOTE

... we will have a good driver line-up, because then Alguersuari will know all the tracks, and Buemi is increasing his performance already...

Franz Tost on Autosport.com

brabham bt50

Nov 9 2009, 19:17

QUOTE (lustigson @ Nov 9 2009, 19:14)

Franz Tost on Autosport.com

BBC Motorsport Formula One

Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi will stay on with the Toro Rosso team in 2010.
The 21-year-old has been given a second chance to prove his potential after scoring eight points to finish 16th in the championship in his debut season.

Team-mate Jaime Alguersuari is also expected to stay with Toro Rosso but a spokesman for the team was unable to confirm the Spaniard's position.

"We have re-signed Buemi for next season, but we have not yet signed Jaime," a spokesman told BBC Sport.
Buemi revealed his new contract himself in an interview on Swiss television on Sunday.

"I had some contact with other teams because of my good results at the end of the season," he told the Television Suisse Romande programme Sport Dimanche.

"Toyota could have been a possibility because they had not yet hired any drivers. That was not the only one, and anyway I was always talking with Red Bull. Finally I signed with Toro Rosso for 2010."

The team confirmed the deal with Buemi when contacted by BBC Sport on Monday November 9th 2009.

lustigson

Nov 9 2009, 19:25

QUOTE (brabham bt50 @ Nov 9 2009, 20:17)

BBC Motorsport Formula One

Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi will stay on with the Toro Rosso team in 2010.
The 21-year-old has been given a second chance to prove his potential after scoring eight points to finish 16th in the championship in his debut season.

Team-mate Jaime Alguersuari is also expected to stay with Toro Rosso but a spokesman for the team was unable to confirm the Spaniard's position.

"We have re-signed Buemi for next season, but we have not yet signed Jaime," a spokesman told BBC Sport.
Buemi revealed his new contract himself in an interview on Swiss television on Sunday.

"I had some contact with other teams because of my good results at the end of the season," he told the Television Suisse Romande programme Sport Dimanche.

"Toyota could have been a possibility because they had not yet hired any drivers. That was not the only one, and anyway I was always talking with Red Bull. Finally I signed with Toro Rosso for 2010."

The team confirmed the deal with Buemi when contacted by BBC Sport on Monday November 9th 2009.

I read that, too. So Buemi is officially confirmed, while Alguersuari is bound to stay, but his contract has yet to be signed.

georgeba7

Nov 9 2009, 20:12

BRAWN

Button
Rosberg

RED BULL

Vettel
Webber

MCLAREN

Hamilton
Raikkonen

FERRARI

Alonso
Massa

SAUBER

Heidfeld
Petrov

WILLIAMS

Barrichello
Hulkenberg

RENAULT

Kubica
Glock

FORCE INDIA

Sutil
Liuzzi

TORO ROSSO

Buemi
Alguersuari

CAMPOS

De la Rosa
Senna

MANOR

Kovalainen
Di Grassi

LOTUS

Trulli
Kobayashi

USF1

Busch
Lopez

maccaFTW

Nov 9 2009, 21:24

QUOTE (MaxFan1 @ Nov 5 2009, 09:18)

That's because before Kubica didn't want to go to McLaren. Now that Renault is on rocky grounds, he's changed his mind. Maybe he can offer McLaren a better deal than Kimi.

You're delirious.

Why the hell would Kubica want to go to Renault when they had been in decline for three years and McLaren had shown to be firmly a top team?

HMV

Nov 9 2009, 21:27

QUOTE (maccaFTW @ Nov 9 2009, 22:24)

You're delirious.

Why the hell would Kubica want to go to Renault when they had been in decline for three years and McLaren had shown to be firmly a top team?

Some people believe Kubica has his eyes set firm on a Ferrari seat. I don't buy that myself, but if it happens to be true, driving for Mac might be seen as an obstacle. Personally, I don't see why, but peoples minds do wander in strange places.

maccaFTW

Nov 9 2009, 21:28

QUOTE (Alfisti @ Nov 5 2009, 22:25)

The Yanks are just as bad though, you have NFL players and commentators calling the winning team WORLD CHAMPIONS .........

NO ONE ELSE PLAYS THE BLOODY GAME!!

Give me a break! You're honestly comparing some silliness in the NFL that doesn't directly say anything about non-Americans to the frequent slagging off of Americans by Europeans?

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maccaFTW

Nov 9 2009, 21:28

QUOTE (HMV @ Nov 9 2009, 16:27)

Some people believe Kubica has his eyes set firm on a Ferrari seat. I don't buy that myself, but if it happens to be true, driving for Mac might be seen as an obstacle. Personally, I don't see why, but peoples minds do wander in strange places.

I agree he has his eyes firmly set on the Ferrari seat.

But it's not like it's impossible to go to Ferrari from McLaren. Just ask Prost and Raikkonen.

It would do Kubica's chances of landing the Ferrari seat much better if he's in a competitive car than if he isn't.

Pikku Pakkanen

Nov 9 2009, 21:37

QUOTE (maccaFTW @ Nov 9 2009, 23:28)

Give me a break! You're honestly comparing some silliness in the NFL that doesn't directly say anything about non-Americans to the frequent slagging off of Americans by Europeans?

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, calling their sports World Champions and World Series they certainly deserve some slagging off.

santori

Nov 9 2009, 21:58

QUOTE (maccaFTW @ Nov 9 2009, 23:28)

Give me a break! You're honestly comparing some silliness in the NFL that doesn't directly say anything about non-Americans to the frequent slagging off of Americans by Europeans?

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anti-European comments in the USA have been very unpleasant, especially over the last decade. For example, to bring it back to motorsport, some of the comments about Bourdais when he was in Champcar. But then both US Americans and Europeans can be frustrating when they forget that there's a whole world out there. The rest of us are worth hating, too.

BMW_F1

Nov 9 2009, 22:00

QUOTE (santori @ Nov 10 2009, 02:58)

Anti-European comments in the USA have been very unpleasant, especially over the last decade. For example, to bring it back to motorsport, some of the comments about Bourdais when he was in Champcar.

I don't recall. Can you shed some light.?

santori

Nov 9 2009, 22:11

If you search through the posts from a few years ago at the SpeedTV forums you'll find the sort of thing. The usual nonsense which was common at the time.

EDIT: Champ Car forums have mostly disappeared, though, so it would need someone more knowledgeable than I am to find them.

V8 Fireworks

Nov 9 2009, 23:25

QUOTE (brabham bt50 @ Nov 9 2009, 19:17)

Team-mate Jaime Alguersuari is also expected to stay with Toro Rosso but a spokesman for the team was unable to confirm the Spaniard's position.

They could do worse than sign Heidfeld or Kovalainen or Kobayashi for the second Toro Rosso....

V8 Fireworks

Nov 9 2009, 23:27

QUOTE (santori @ Nov 9 2009, 22:11)

EDIT: Champ Car forums have mostly disappeared, though, so it would need someone more knowledgeable than I am to find them.

'Tis a shame road racing rocks.

Quick someone stick some cheap 5.8L Nationwide donks in some road-based pony car bodies and let's go racing boys

The GT racing in America is OKAY but they are amateurs in very pricey machines and it is not hard biff and barge racing.

georgeba7

Nov 9 2009, 23:32

QUOTE (MaxFan1 @ Nov 5 2009, 09:18)

That's because before Kubica didn't want to go to McLaren. Now that Renault is on rocky grounds, he's changed his mind. Maybe he can offer McLaren a better deal than Kimi.

Hey, Kubica on mid season expressed he wants to be in Maranello. Even when Ferrari where looking for Massa's replacement, Kubica where on the Pack, but finally BMW didnt allow the transfer. I remember a Q&A with Kubica where he said he was looking for a competitive car, so why he wont be satisfied at McLaren... Renault has an uncertain future, obviously Kubica feels some fear about his future he knows Renault isn't the best choose, he just did it because he already knew what will happen to BMW...

georgeba7

Nov 9 2009, 23:35

QUOTE (V8 Fireworks @ Nov 9 2009, 18:25)

They could do worse than sign Heidfeld or Kovalainen or Kobayashi for the second Toro Rosso....

Kovalainen or Heidfeld driving for toro rosso would be frustration, we know Toro Rosso's car can't fill those drivers talent--

metz

Nov 9 2009, 23:43

I have a feeling that next year's Sauber will be faster than the Renault, as they were the end of this season.
Let's see what that Ferrari lump can do next year.

Mia 01

Nov 10 2009, 06:48

QUOTE (metz @ Nov 10 2009, 00:43)

I have a feeling that next year's Sauber will be faster than the Renault, as they were the end of this season.
Let's see what that Ferrari lump can do next year.

I second that.

Nick will beat Robert one moore year.

D.M.N.

Nov 10 2009, 08:37

For anyone interested, there's a video on the BBC website with Ross Brawn from yesterday covering the latest speculation: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/8351299.stm

(UK users only)

lustigson

Nov 10 2009, 09:03

QUOTE (D.M.N. @ Nov 10 2009, 09:37)

For anyone interested, there's a video on the BBC website with Ross Brawn from yesterday covering the latest speculation: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/8351299.stm

(UK users only)

And non-UK users? Could you make a short-ish transcript?

dank

Nov 10 2009, 09:07

QUOTE (lustigson @ Nov 10 2009, 09:03)

And non-UK users? Could you make a short-ish transcript?

Absolutely nothing you probably didn't know already.

Announcer: "Now Ross won't be talking about the driver line up for next season"

And the first question? "So Ross, can you confirm if Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg will be driving for you next year?"

lustigson

Nov 10 2009, 09:08

QUOTE (dank @ Nov 10 2009, 10:07)

Absolutely nothing you probably didn't know already.

Announcer: "Now Ross won't be talking about the driver line up for next season"

And the first question? "So Ross, can you confirm if Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg will be driving for you next year?"

He he...

Conny_Mary

Nov 10 2009, 09:18

QUOTE (dank @ Nov 10 2009, 09:07)

Announcer: "Now Ross won't be talking about the driver line up for next season"

And the first question? "So Ross, can you confirm if Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg will be driving for you next year?"

LoL……
Jensen is still talking with?

Captain Tightpants

Nov 10 2009, 09:39

QUOTE (dank @ Nov 10 2009, 20:07)

Absolutely nothing you probably didn't know already.

Announcer: "Now Ross won't be talking about the driver line up for next season"

And the first question? "So Ross, can you confirm if Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg will be driving for you next year?"

Reporters are idiots. There was a Q&A with Nico Rosberg on the Thursday before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he said he wasn't talking about his future plans, and the next dozen questions were about just that.

patgaw

Nov 10 2009, 09:49

QUOTE (metz @ Nov 10 2009, 00:43)

I have a feeling that next year's Sauber will be faster than the Renault,

lol no way.

and it is still question mark if Sauber will be on grid next year.

saudoso

Nov 10 2009, 22:55

I've read at tazio.com.br that Senna was presented as a Campos driver today.

Brawn BGP 001

Nov 10 2009, 22:58

QUOTE (dank @ Nov 10 2009, 09:07)

Absolutely nothing you probably didn't know already.

Announcer: "Now Ross won't be talking about the driver line up for next season"

And the first question? "So Ross, can you confirm if Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg will be driving for you next year?"

That is the media for you.

lustigson

Nov 11 2009, 08:42

QUOTE

Campos Meta presented Bruno Senna as its first driver signing during an official launch event...

Source: Pitpass

Captain Tightpants

Nov 11 2009, 09:08

Anyone else reckon Adrian Campos looks like he could be Luca di Montezemolo's younger brother?

Orin

Nov 11 2009, 13:12

QUOTE (Captain Tightpants @ Nov 11 2009, 09:08)

Anyone else reckon Adrian Campos looks like he could be Luca di Montezemolo's younger brother?

20 years younger and with a penchant for beer and pork scratchings, but otherwise...

lustigson

Nov 11 2009, 18:36

Looks like Campos's 2nd seat will go to the one who brings the most money:

QUOTE

"I would like Pedro but he is Spanish and Spanish sponsors are in a bad way," Campos told Marca. "There are other options from Russia and Venezuela but it all depends on the sponsor," he added, referring to GP2 regulars Pastor Maldonado and Vitaly Petrov. The team has already announced the signing of Bruno Senna, nephew of F1 legend Ayrton Senna, who is known to have brought a number of Brazilian sponsor to the team.
Source: Pitpass

highdownforce

Nov 11 2009, 18:44

QUOTE (lustigson @ Nov 11 2009, 16:36)

Looks like Campos's 2nd seat will go to the one who brings the most money:

I would go with Petrov.
Venezuelan money may be not the best choice at the moment.

lustigson

Nov 11 2009, 18:47

Emirates Brawn Mercedes
Brawn BGP 002 – Mercedes FO108X (Mercedes rumourd in (partly) take-over)
Team Principal: Ross Brawn ; Technical Director: Ross Brawn (?)
1. Jenson Button (negotiations for new contract ongoing, with money an issue)
2. Nico Rosberg (likely dependent on Mercedes deal)

Red Bull Racing
Red Bull RB6 – Renault RS27 (currently) / Cosworth CA2010 (remains an option) / Mercedes FO108X (ever more unlikely)
Team Principal: Christian Horner; Technical Director: Adrian Newey
3. Sebastian Vettel (on a multi-year deal until '11, with an option for '12)
4. Mark Webber (re-signed for '10)

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
McLaren MP4-25 – Mercedes FO108X
Team Principal: Martin Whitmarsh ; Technical Director: Paddy Lowe, Neil Oatley
5. Lewis Hamilton (contracted until '12)
6. Kimi Räikkönen (highly likely with Alonso-Ferrari now confirmed)
Timo Glock (rumoured)
Heikki Kovalainen ('10 option not taken up)

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro (Santander title sponsor?)
Ferrari F2010 – Ferrari 056
Team Principal: Stefano Domenicali ; Technical Director: Aldo Costa
7. Felipe Massa (contracted until ‘10)
8. Fernando Alonso (3-year deal '10-'12)

AT&T Williams
Williams FW32 – Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal: Frank Williams ; Technical Director: Sam Michael, Patrick Head
9. Rubens Barrichello (confirmed)
10. Nico Hülkenberg (confirmed, probably on long-term deal)

Renault F1 Team
Renault R30 – Renault R27
Team Principal: Bob Bell (interim); Technical Director: Bob Bell
11. Robert Kubica (confirmed for 2010)
12. Timo Glock (rumoured)
Heikki Kovalainen (may return to the French team)
Lucas Di Grassi (long time Renault development and test driver)
Franck Montagny (former test driver, brings some experience to the team)
Romain Grosjean (replaced Piquet mid-season; allegedly fallen out of favour due to bad results)

Force India F1 Team
Force India VJM03 – Mercedes FO108X
Team Principal: Vijay Mallya ; Technical Director: James Key
14. Adrian Sutil ('10 option taken up by the team, but free to go to bigger team)
Nelson Piquet (could be an option if Sutil leaves)
Karun Chandhok (after another GP2 season, he gets the nod from Mallya; will test McLaren simulator)
Neel Jani (Swiss with Indian father, will test McLaren simulator)
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi (has '10-'11 deal)

Scuderia Toro Rosso
Toro Roso STR5 – Ferrari 056 (Ferrari contract allegedly runs until ‘10) / Renault R27 (if Red Bull-Mercedes comes to fruition)
Team Principal: Franz Tost ; Technical Director: Giorgio Ascanelli
16. Sébastien Buemi (solid season with 6 points earns him another season)
17. Jaime Alguersuari (likely to stay on, but no contract signed, yet)
Brendon Hartley (Red Bull junior driver and tester)
Neel Jani (finally he gets his chance, but 2 Swiss drivers at STR?)

Petrobras Campos Meta Team
Campos CM10 – Cosworth CA2010 (Dallara-designed and -built car)
Team Principal: Adrián Campos ; Technical Director: Daniel Audetto
18. Bruno Senna (gets his chance at new team, allegedly along with Petrobras money)
19. Pedro de la Rosa (experienced test driver; excellent choice to develop the new car)
Vitaly Petrov (although Russian, he drove for Campos/Barwa in GP2 successfully, and brings sponsorship, too)
Pastor Maldonado (rumoured)
José Maria López (rumoured)
Nelson Piquet (Adrián Campos said he's a possibility)
Marc Gené (rumoured earlier on)

Virgin Manor F1 Team (likely renamed Virgin F1 Team)
Manor BW01 (Virgin VF1-10) – Cosworth CA2010 (car designed and built by Nick Wirth, formerly of Simtek and Benetton)
Team Principal: John Booth (of Manor Grand Prix) / Alex Tai (of Virgin) ; Technical Director: Nick Wirth
20. Anthony Davidson (experienced ex-F1 driver)
Adam Carroll (GP2 race winner and A1GP champion, has been approached by 2 teams for ‘10)
Esteban Guerreri (has a priority pre-contract until 5 November)
21. Nelson Piquet (Booth allegedly stated he would consider him)
Lucas Di Grassi (GP2 race winner, did F3 for Manor in 2005)

Best Buy Team US F1
US F1-10 – Cosworth CA2010 (contracted) / Toyota RVX-10 (rumoured)
Team Principal: Peter Windsor ; Technical Director: Ken Anderson
22. Jacques Villeneuve (says he's in talks with the team; getting a former F1 WDC and Indy 500 winner would be a major coup for the team)
23. Pedro de la Rosa (although Spanish, experienced test driver; excellent choice to develop the new car)
Franck Montagny (rumoured although French, has some experience)
Alex Wurz (although Austrian, experienced test driver; excellent choice to develop the new car; allegedly lost interest)
Jonathan Summerton (oft-rumoured, but still young)

1Malaysia Lotus F1 Team
Lotus 110 – Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal: Tony Fernandes ; Technical Director: Mike Gascoyne
24. Jarno Trulli (rumoured)
Alex Yoong (relatively experienced and, well, Malaysian)
25. Takuma Sato (rumoured)
Jacques Villeneuve (allegedly in talks with the team; would be nice to see him with #27)
Fairuz Fauzy (Malaysian)

Sauber Petronas F1 Team (BMW-owned team did not sign 2010-2012 Concorde Agreement, but obtained '14th place', gets 13th spot due to Toyota's leaving; Petronas said to stay on as title sponsor)
Sauber C25 – Ferrari 056 (again with Petronas badge?)
Team Principal: Lionel Fischer (of QADBAK) / Peter Sauber (unlikely) ; Technical Director: Willy Rampf
26. Nick Heidfeld (contracted for '09; may stay on)
27. Vitaly Petrov (successfully raced in GP2, and brings sponsorship)
Christian Klien (current test driver; could make for a typically sound Sauber line-up with Heidfeld)
Giancarlo Fisichella (Ferrari tester; comes with the engine deal)
Kamui Kobayashi (only mentioned on this forum, IIRC)

maccaFTW

Nov 11 2009, 19:04

QUOTE (santori @ Nov 9 2009, 16:58)

Anti-European comments in the USA have been very unpleasant, especially over the last decade. For example, to bring it back to motorsport, some of the comments about Bourdais when he was in Champcar. But then both US Americans and Europeans can be frustrating when they forget that there's a whole world out there. The rest of us are worth hating, too.

The Anti-European comments in the US are only made by uneducated, backwoods hicks.

The Anti-American sentiment runs MUCH deeper through the veins of European society, from the elites of society to the lower classes. It is very much a part of European journalism.

Don't compare the words of the dumbest Americans to the deeply ingrained attitude of the majority of Europeans.

georgeba7

Nov 11 2009, 20:09

QUOTE (lustigson @ Nov 11 2009, 13:47)

Emirates Brawn Mercedes
Brawn BGP 002 – Mercedes FO108X (Mercedes rumourd in (partly) take-over)
Team Principal: Ross Brawn ; Technical Director: Ross Brawn (?)
1. Jenson Button (negotiations for new contract ongoing, with money an issue)
2. Nico Rosberg (likely dependent on Mercedes deal)

Red Bull Racing
Red Bull RB6 – Renault RS27 (currently) / Cosworth CA2010 (remains an option) / Mercedes FO108X (ever more unlikely)
Team Principal: Christian Horner; Technical Director: Adrian Newey
3. Sebastian Vettel (on a multi-year deal until '11, with an option for '12)
4. Mark Webber (re-signed for '10)

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
McLaren MP4-25 – Mercedes FO108X
Team Principal: Martin Whitmarsh ; Technical Director: Paddy Lowe, Neil Oatley
5. Lewis Hamilton (contracted until '12)
6. Kimi Räikkönen (highly likely with Alonso-Ferrari now confirmed)
Timo Glock (rumoured)
Heikki Kovalainen ('10 option not taken up)

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro (Santander title sponsor?)
Ferrari F2010 – Ferrari 056
Team Principal: Stefano Domenicali ; Technical Director: Aldo Costa
7. Felipe Massa (contracted until ‘10)
8. Fernando Alonso (3-year deal '10-'12)

AT&T Williams
Williams FW32 – Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal: Frank Williams ; Technical Director: Sam Michael, Patrick Head
9. Rubens Barrichello (confirmed)
10. Nico Hülkenberg (confirmed, probably on long-term deal)

Renault F1 Team
Renault R30 – Renault R27
Team Principal: Bob Bell (interim); Technical Director: Bob Bell
11. Robert Kubica (confirmed for 2010)
12. Timo Glock (rumoured)
Heikki Kovalainen (may return to the French team)
Lucas Di Grassi (long time Renault development and test driver)
Franck Montagny (former test driver, brings some experience to the team)
Romain Grosjean (replaced Piquet mid-season; allegedly fallen out of favour due to bad results)

Force India F1 Team
Force India VJM03 – Mercedes FO108X
Team Principal: Vijay Mallya ; Technical Director: James Key
14. Adrian Sutil ('10 option taken up by the team, but free to go to bigger team)
Nelson Piquet (could be an option if Sutil leaves)
Karun Chandhok (after another GP2 season, he gets the nod from Mallya; will test McLaren simulator)
Neel Jani (Swiss with Indian father, will test McLaren simulator)
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi (has '10-'11 deal)

Scuderia Toro Rosso
Toro Roso STR5 – Ferrari 056 (Ferrari contract allegedly runs until ‘10) / Renault R27 (if Red Bull-Mercedes comes to fruition)
Team Principal: Franz Tost ; Technical Director: Giorgio Ascanelli
16. Sébastien Buemi (solid season with 6 points earns him another season)
17. Jaime Alguersuari (likely to stay on, but no contract signed, yet)
Brendon Hartley (Red Bull junior driver and tester)
Neel Jani (finally he gets his chance, but 2 Swiss drivers at STR?)

Petrobras Campos Meta Team
Campos CM10 – Cosworth CA2010 (Dallara-designed and -built car)
Team Principal: Adrián Campos ; Technical Director: Daniel Audetto
18. Bruno Senna (gets his chance at new team, allegedly along with Petrobras money)
19. Pedro de la Rosa (experienced test driver; excellent choice to develop the new car)
Vitaly Petrov (although Russian, he drove for Campos/Barwa in GP2 successfully, and brings sponsorship, too)
Pastor Maldonado (rumoured)
José Maria López (rumoured)
Nelson Piquet (Adrián Campos said he's a possibility)
Marc Gené (rumoured earlier on)

Virgin Manor F1 Team (likely renamed Virgin F1 Team)
Manor BW01 (Virgin VF1-10) – Cosworth CA2010 (car designed and built by Nick Wirth, formerly of Simtek and Benetton)
Team Principal: John Booth (of Manor Grand Prix) / Alex Tai (of Virgin) ; Technical Director: Nick Wirth
20. Anthony Davidson (experienced ex-F1 driver)
Adam Carroll (GP2 race winner and A1GP champion, has been approached by 2 teams for ‘10)
Esteban Guerreri (has a priority pre-contract until 5 November)
21. Nelson Piquet (Booth allegedly stated he would consider him)
Lucas Di Grassi (GP2 race winner, did F3 for Manor in 2005)

Best Buy Team US F1
US F1-10 – Cosworth CA2010 (contracted) / Toyota RVX-10 (rumoured)
Team Principal: Peter Windsor ; Technical Director: Ken Anderson
22. Jacques Villeneuve (says he's in talks with the team; getting a former F1 WDC and Indy 500 winner would be a major coup for the team)
23. Pedro de la Rosa (although Spanish, experienced test driver; excellent choice to develop the new car)
Franck Montagny (rumoured although French, has some experience)
Alex Wurz (although Austrian, experienced test driver; excellent choice to develop the new car; allegedly lost interest)
Ryan Hunter-Reay (experienced driver)
Jonathan Summerton (oft-rumoured, but still young)

1Malaysia Lotus F1 Team
Lotus 110 – Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal: Tony Fernandes ; Technical Director: Mike Gascoyne
24. Jarno Trulli (rumoured)
Alex Yoong (relatively experienced and, well, Malaysian)
25. Takuma Sato (rumoured)
Jacques Villeneuve (allegedly in talks with the team; would be nice to see him with #27)
Fairuz Fauzy (Malaysian)

Sauber Petronas F1 Team (BMW-owned team did not sign 2010-2012 Concorde Agreement, but obtained '14th place', gets 13th spot due to Toyota's leaving; Petronas said to stay on as title sponsor)
Sauber C25 – Ferrari 056 (again with Petronas badge?)
Team Principal: Lionel Fischer (of QADBAK) / Peter Sauber (unlikely) ; Technical Director: Willy Rampf
26. Nick Heidfeld (contracted for '09; may stay on)
27. Vitaly Petrov (successfully raced in GP2, and brings sponsorship)
Christian Klien (current test driver; could make for a typically sound Sauber line-up with Heidfeld)
Giancarlo Fisichella (Ferrari tester; comes with the engine deal)
Kamui Kobayashi (only mentioned on this forum, IIRC)

Remember that Ryan Hunter Reay link with USF1 is null because recently he signed a deal with NHLR in Indycar, also have a rumor to be part of Andretti Green and Chip Ganassi Racing in case Chip decided and find funding to his third car...