Motosport-Total reported the same. And that Finnish source are one of the most reliable.

The surprise could be Sutil as well but I still believe it's Schumacher.

The article just says that Kimi has Haugs number, not that he is in contact with them. Only Kimis manager has said he is talking to Brawn, Kimi himself has said he isn't talking to Brawn.

It is all just speculation by the media and some posters interpret it as Raikkonen will drive for Mercedes but the reality is that Kimi isn't in contact with them because he said so a couple of days ago. Some people even think that Schumacher will race for Mercedes based on what an outspoken Irishman said for heavens sake.

Until Kimi confirms that he or his manager is in talks, not Robertson, then I will believe it to be a possibility but for now it is just media tripe.

You might be mad: Haug confirmed Robertsons has made contact with Fry.

Also Haug said all negotiations are comfidential - so no confirmations from anybody.

http://www.auto123.com/en/racing-news/othe...wn?artid=112911



http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/20...make_a_sho.html

http://renault-f1.fr/Kamui-Kobayashi-chez-Renault-en

Kobayashi to Renault?

No way in hell.

Vettel has a contract with Red Bull until at least the end of 2011, with an option for 2012. Red Bull will not be the least bit interested in entertaining a buyout offer.

There's also the fact that, generally, EJ is not a credible source of information.

Well true, there is that as well.

KR had a contract as well.

Never say never, no matter how unlikely it seems. Merc have something RB would be very interested in.

Vettel has been talking up Mercedes lately, but surely going from a definate front runner to a possible front runner.... he doesn't want to do that...

...something they can't give them (at the moment).

Concerning contracts, as we learned during the past years, anything can happen. JB Williams/BAR, KR Ferrari, FA McLaren, ... if you want to get out, there seems to be always a way in F1.

In Vettel's case it won't happen. Mateschitz will keep Vettel at Red Bull for as long as possible. There were offers floating around at the end of 2007 for him to go to McLaren, but the Red Bull owner wouldn't entertain the idea even then. Now he's got a succession of victories under his belt and is Red Bull's poster boy, he's incredibly important for the brand.

summerton,
he call the Button move, minutes before we saw on he web

Right, so Jonathan Summerton, a desperate attention seeking wannabe knows about the comings-and-goings of the new Mercedes F1 team?

Definite front runner? There is no definite, you just cannot predict next years performance based on this year. RB are just as much a possible front runner with Brawn.

For the last time; when has Haug confirmed Robertson made contact.



That just makes it seem more obvious that Kimi won't be racing next year if he is too expensive.



That isn't valid since it is several months old.

I think that everyone is so desperate to see Kimi stay that they are saying he is with Mercedes based on media rumors.

This article should put these rumors of Kimi at Brawn to bed.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80216



If they can offer, in other words, if Brawn offer a deal, it doesn't say Robertson approached or will approach Brawn for the drive, which backs up Kimis comments about not talking to Brawn about the possibility.

And... who are you?

Your subconscious.

You just keep copy/paste your opinions in every thread?
I fear you get heart attack if Kimi gets Mercedez seat.

Colombo-MaxFan-Truth - goodbye sweety!

It doesn't put them to bed. It leaves the possibility open.

That's all we're saying; that the possibility is open. I don't know why you are so offended by such an argument that is easily backed by statements made from both sides.

Red Bull have arguably the best driver in F1 right now, along with arguably the best designer who produced possibly the best aerodynamic package in F1 last year. All the signs point to Red Bull being a championship contender next season, especially with Vettel behind the wheel. Why the hell would they give that up for any amount of money?

It's one thing to pay off a driver who isn't performing up to your expectations. It's another to sell off a driver who is.

I feel 100% certain in saying that there is absolutely 0% chance of Sebastian Vettel driving for Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010.

Brawn thought he was too expensive AT THAT TIME. Perhaps Robertson will come down in his price. It COULD happen; not saying that it will.




All I said was that Brawn and the Robertsons had talked before. That was my whole point, and I backed it up with evidence. I didn't say they were talking right now; I said they had talked at some point in the history of the world.

You say that people are desperate to see Kimi in F1 next year. You're clearly desperate to argue that Kimi won't be, putting a lot more energy and time into making arguments with people that you shouldn't make. If you don't think that Kimi will be in F1 next year, that's fine. But to go to painstaking lengths to have a go at people who argue that there is just a possibility of it happening is just wrong.

I'm just saying that Kimi COULD be in F1 next year. I'm not saying he WILL. There's a major difference. There's no need to be so offended by someone thinking such that you get your panties into a bunch and take the piss out of people for having such thoughts.

Oh, and stop with the straw man arguments. They aren't productive, either.

Quite. There's no major rule changes concerning car performance / design. I think where we left Abu Dhabi will roughly be where we enter Bahrain, in terms of cars... Red Bull contender, McLaren, also Ferrari and yes, Mercedes, but IMO a 3/4 team.

Actually, there is a major rule change regarding design. A ban on refueling will mean that Newey's traditional tight packaging will be compromised by a big fuel tank. Given this will also lean to 1 stop strategy, the tyre degridation, (which is more evident in Newey cars than most), will disadvantage them.

Unless the Renault Engine is considerably more efficient than Mercedes, Ferrari and Mercedes together with Button, (who is easy on tyres), will have the advantage.

I disagree, Vettel was error prone in the first half of the season but that changed. Alonso is consistant, Vettel and Hamilton are not, however I would say Hamilton is more aggressive and Vettel is a fast learner. The mistakes Vettel made this year I doubt will be repeated. Hamilton doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes.

Vettel and Hamilton are very similar in some respects.

I cant see RBR letting Vettel go just for the engines. It is now looking more likely that Renault will stay in F1, the Renault engine is not a thirsty engine, so if it reliable there is no need for the Merc engine. Mercs only bargaining tool is the engine. If RBR dont need a Merc engine then they cant get Vettel.

Vettel is a very intelligent guy. He would stay at Red Bull as long as possible if they remain a top contender. If Red Bull continues to be like that, Ferrari and Mercedes would have a tough time getting him on board even when his contract expires. Mercedes cannot pin their hopes on getting Vettel. They have to look at other good drivers. First they have to continue making good cars.

Tyre issue, I give you. Yeah Jense is good with his tyres, Vettel a bit hard on them - that could be a thing. Fuel tank design IMO is a bit over blown. The things are very flexible, almost like plastic bags. (Not literally, but design wise). I don't think even twice - three times size tank will compromise the chassis design so much. Weight maybe. But Newey knows all about weight in cars...

Not just design but the weight of all that fuel and the new sized front tyres, so there's a lot of serious thinking to be done by the design teams in terms of weight distribution as well.

This is a bit OT, but isn't this a fact, that only Ferrari and Renault have recent experience with one filling per race, and in that Renault being more successful? I am not sure, but that could be a good oman for RBR.

http://www.bild.de/BILD/sport/motorsport/2...-gp-fahren.html

Besides, don't RedBull have the best parties?

This season is the silliest of sillies - Kimi to go rallying, Schumacher to make a comeback, Villeneuve as well! What's Heinz-Harold Frentzen doing? Come to think of it what former GP winners would you like to see join the 2010 silly season?

Easy. Johnny Herbert.

Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart would be nice.

I want Mika back!

A rather serious answer: JPM!

Imagine JV, MS and JPM coming back that'd be entertaining :x

Heikki Kovalainen will drive 100% in F1 2010 said Finnish F1
expert and reporter Erkki Mustakari. Heikki's team will be
either Renault or Sauber Ferrari.

http://www.iltalehti.fi/formulat/2009112310647345_fo.shtml

I'm fairly certain most teams have done a one stopper at some time this season.

That's the first time in a looong time that H.J. Kovalainen's been mentioned regarding 2010. Good for him: I reckon he's not so bad as he's been made out to be, this season.

yup, heikki shud grab that renault seat, as QADBAK/Saubar isn't looking in good condition.

and I too believe heikki ain't bad, in fact i'd say he's equal to if not better than button...

JA.F1: "Mercedes to announce Rosberg this morning?"

Autosport confirm: they're annoncing someone.

This is soooo exciting. I wonder who will be announced ...

Rosberg just got confirmed.

Can I be like Summerton now? Is the guy even legit?

Money's on Ralf Schumacher making shock return.

There's a rumour doing the rounds that Kobayashi is sniffing around the other seat at Renault and could bring 30m Euros worth of Panasonic sponsorship to the team as well: http://renault-f1.fr/Kamui-Kobayashi-chez-Renault-en

I'll top that: € 45.