Fernando Alonso to Ferrari to kick-start 2010 F1 driver market moves
Kimi Raikkonen is expected to return to McLaren in 2010
It seems only a matter of time before we get official word that Fernando Alonso will drive for Ferrari in 2010.
Once that piece of the 2010 F1 driver line-up puzzle is in place, the rest of the picture should be assembled very quickly.
Other key moves expected for 2010 include a surprise return for Kimi Raikkonen to McLaren, Nico Rosberg displacing one of the Brawn drivers, and Robert Kubica signing for Renault. How will the rest of the grid shape up?
Kimi Raikkonen to McLaren
F1 Fanatic understands Raikkonen was one of three names under consderation by McLaren for the seat alongside Lewis Hamilton. That selection has now narrowed to two drivers with Finnish passports.
Heikki Kovalainen, who joined the team in 2008 and had a one-year contract extension for 2009, is still in the running. But his results this year have not compared well with his team mate’s, even taking into consideration the fact they have not always had the same equipment available to them.
Raikkonen is, in some respects, a surprise contender. He left the team somewhat under a cloud after a win-less 2006. He won first time out for Ferrari and claimed the 2007 championship.
However he remains popular with McLaren, who he was championhip runner-up for in 2003 and 2005. The installation of Martin Whitmarsh as team principal in place of Ron Dennis (who is overseeing the company’s road car production including the MP4-12C) is also believed to have attracted Raikkonen.
Nico Rosberg to Brawn
The third name under consideration at McLaren was Rosberg. He is now expected to drive for Brawn in 2010, as Mercedes prepares to invest in the team.
But will he replace Jenson Button or Rubens Barrichello? Either driver could win the championship, but with Button having led it all season long and Barrichello admitting last week he’s unsure about where he’ll be in 2010, suspicion falls on the Brazilian driver losing the seat.
Robert Kubica to Renault
Following Renault’s wrist-slap punishment from the FIA last week and the team’s first podium of the year at Singapore yesterday, the future for the team in F1 now looks brighter.
Presumably Romain Grosjean will be able to keep his newly won seat until the start of next season. But idealy the team needs a more experienced driver to partner him.
Kubica is being widely tipped for the drive. Although the future of the BMW team appears to be secured, details on the teams new investers Qadbak are hard to come by. And Kubica was not impressed the team did not tell him it would be quitting F1 before it made its public announcement.
Kubica got his break in F1 after winning the World Series by Renault in 2005, which earned him a test for the team.
What other moves will happen?
GP2 champion Nico Hülkenberg’s graduation to F1 with Williams is being widely predicted.
Toyota will not know until November whether their team will still be in F1 next year – though Timo Glock’s podium finish at Singaore may help win support for their cause.
However the team has already dropped a substantial hint that Jarno Trulli will not be driving for them after this season.
What other driver moves are you expecting for 2010? Have your say in the comments.
sumedh said on 28th September 2009, 22:18
I havent believed the Alonso-Ferrari rumors even once so far. Countless times, it seemed baseless and stupid.
But now that Kimi seems to be finding a seat elsewhere, it somehow seems to be happening.
This is going to be weird. There is potential for TWO repeats of Mclaren 2007 in 2010 now. One at Ferrari, one at Mclaren. Why would not one, but two teams do the same mistake again?
Lewis showed in 2008 that throwing weight behind one driver pays dividends. Kimi showed the same for Ferrari in 2009 since Felipe’s injury.
However, if the lawyers have somehow proved Kimi to be a Santander driver and not Ferrari driver, then the biggest roadblock of Kimi’s heavy salary is moved away with ease without costing any of the teams (Ferrari & Mclaren) any extra buck.
It will be weird to cheer for Alonso for next year. True, he is a great driver. He beat Michael fair and square in 2006. And I respect him for that. He is as ruthless as Michael, as controversial as him as well. But is he still as good as he was in 2006?
This silly season is too convoluted. I still cannot digest the fact that Alonso is joining Ferrari. 2010 will be a curious season indeed.
mfDB said on 28th September 2009, 22:24
You mean you cannot digest the “rumor” that Alonso is going to Ferrari…it’s not a fact yet eh?
I think Kieth’s title for this post was a bit misleading.
159Tom said on 28th September 2009, 22:22
Loeb to Toro Rosso? There’s an Italian report about him testing a GP2 on 1 November with a view to racing at Abu Dhabi…and sometimes one Sebastien just isn’t enough.
Carl 27 said on 28th September 2009, 22:24
I think Alonso in a Ferrari(a winning car) is a source of concern for a few people. But the season that Alonso, Lewis, kimi and Massa (hopefully) could give us is to be remembered. Can’t wait.
Paige Michael-Shetley said on 28th September 2009, 22:35
I’ve thought all along that Raikkonen is the guy McLaren wanted all along. Whitmarsh has been sending all kinds of signals through the media all year long that he wants him back: defending him against Coulthard’s attacks, praising his performances in races numerous times, etc., saying that McLaren were going to “wait until Alonso is confirmed at Ferrari” (how else would Whitmarsh have known that Alonso is going there for sure if he wasn’t talking to someone who would be affected by the move?), etc..
I think Rosberg wanted to go to Brawn, not McLaren, all along. He knows how good Hamilton is: after all, Hamilton beat him when they were teammates in karting. If he wants to be a number one driver and contend for a title down the road, he can’t be beaten by a teammate so early in his career. Button isn’t exactly going to be the easiest challenge, but if the rumors of Mercedes taking a stake in Brawn (if not taking over outright) are true, then he’ll have much more support within the team than he’d have with Hamilton at McLaren, who has been supported and developed by the team.
Paige Michael-Shetley said on 28th September 2009, 22:44
I’ve got to think Ferrari have made a big mistake dumping Raikkonen for Alonso. Raikkonen is quicker, IMO, and is at least as good as an overall driver as Alonso when he’s motivated. Treating Raikkonen as Ferrari has over the term of the relationship- designing and developing a car that suited Massa’s style after he won them a WDC, giving Massa the superior fuel strategy in qualifying for virtually the whole season this year, dumping him after he won them a race and four straight podiums in a car that hasn’t been upgraded since the Nurb- is not the best way to motivate him.
Alonso is definitely a very good driver, but we’ve seen what happens when he isn’t getting his way. What makes Ferrari think he would act any differently if, say, Massa is beating him next year? If they intend to anoint Alonso the number one driver, what makes them think that Massa- who has shown he can win a championship- or his side of the garage will take the news lying down?
I think Ferrari may come to regret their decision.
NomadIndian said on 29th September 2009, 8:22
I agree. But Ferrari like a driver who not only wins races, but also moves the fans and the tifosi.
Kimi on the podium is little more than a robot, not that it takes away anything from him as an excellent driver or endears him any less to fans like me. But even after his podium at Monza this year, in that dud of a car and with the bonus of Hamilton crashing there were no reports anywhere, of the joyous celebration of the tifosi.
Someone like Alonso would appeal more to Ferrari. After all, their succes and fans from F1 is waht sells their roadcars and in turn keeps the team in business.
tommy said on 28th September 2009, 23:02
The thing is Santander will practically own Scuderia Ferrari next year and Alonso is part of their package. Kimi wasn’t booted out but choose to go with the offer from McL knowing RD is gone. That’s when Santander made their move.
Prisoner Monkeys said on 28th September 2009, 23:04
My picks:
Brawn – Button / Rosberg
Red Bull – Vettel / Webber
McLaren – Raikkonen / Hamilton
Ferrari – Massa / Alonso
Williams – Barrichello / Hulkenberg
Toyota – Glock / Kobayashi
Renault – Kubica / Grosjean
Force India – Sutil / Liuzzi
Toro Rosso – Alguersuari / Buemi
Campos – de la Rosa / Petrov
Manor – Trulli / Senna
USF1 – Wurz / Summerton
Lotus – Kovalainen / Fauzy
QADBAK – Heidfeld / di Grassi
Gman said on 29th September 2009, 0:09
Finally, someone said Summerton :)
Interesting pick with Rubens going to Williams, but you may want to revise the Glock/Toyota deal- apparently they aren’t picking up his option, or are at least looking at other options.
Prisoner Monkeys said on 29th September 2009, 7:55
I’ve heard that if he performs, Toyota may offer it back to him. And I can’t really see him going anywhere else save for one of the new teams. Which would be a shame, because I think that he’s a driver who can wins races, but not championships.
If Raikkonen doesn’t go to McLaren, I could see Glock ending up there if Norbert Haug still wants a German driver there. He’s quicker than Kovalainen, but won’t callege Hamilton. He’s proven that he can shoulder a team’s hopes and dreams if it goes badly for the other (like Hamilton at the Nurburgring). And unlike Toyota, he seems to know why he’s in Formula One.
As for Summerton to USF1, I think he’s the best choice because he’s been bred on road courses instead of ovals. And I’m ick of people suggesting Danica Patrick and Sctt Speed – both are absolutely useless.
Salty said on 28th September 2009, 23:42
Excellent! Love a good silly season thread, but bless you Keith, you’ve been sensible, haven’t squeezed and rattled the prezzies under the tree until NOW.
Whispers suggest Ferrari confirming Alonso this Thursday, thus Renault’s tearful fairwell statement to Nando at the end of the Singapore-fest. That gives McLaren 2 days to steal a march on the Maranello boys by announcing Kimi early.
These things may seem petty, but the marketing folk will be hot on the phone to wouldbe sponsors the second they have finalised. Timing IS money.
Brawn have hung both Rubens and Jenson out to dry somewhat. Rather harsh, given the faith they put in the ‘non’ team at the end of last year. The one fact that is widely reported is that Rosberg may have a drive for next year. Whilst understand both drivers can win the championship and they are hedging bets, would be nice to see them, nah… it’s just business.
sato113 said on 28th September 2009, 23:48
another great article keith. Hamilton to Ferrari anyone? jokes.
NomadIndian said on 29th September 2009, 7:53
I would say not in a million years, but I felt the same about Alonso to Ferrari in 2008 and here we are.
Cranberry said on 29th September 2009, 0:06
Honestly, why are so many people listing names like DeLarosa, Villeneuve and Wurz?? Whereas others insist Barrichello will retire, some even claim Kovalainen and Nakajima will retire…
Why would a team hire hasbeens like Villeneuve, that haven’t driven in F1 for years, when there are many talented guys up for grabs with fresh experience. Yes even Barichello. I read on some F1 site that Jenson’s sudden decline in performance was because Barichello stopped sharing his telemetry data…I think it may have been this very site, anyway, I rate Barichello higher than Button: Great talent wasted playing second fiddle at Ferrari…do people now just find it too hard to accept he’s a good racer?
Just look at Kimi, I believe his improved performance comes from Ferrari finally backing him and not favoring Massa. Kovalainen is even more neglected at McLaren with Hamilton getting not only the better strategies, but more updated equipment aswell. In my mind, given the chance, Kovalainen can be every bit as fast as Hamilton and Raikkonen…and he has proven it many times in this seasons qualifying sessions. Race days are a whole other thing where McLaren might even intentionally choose a bad strategy, like in Monza. It’s no wonder Rosberg is probably avoiding McLaren. Raikkonen is probably the only guy that has a chance at fair treatment while Hamilton is in the team.
I too believe Ferrari is making a mistake with Alonso. He’s rumored to be a superior car developer, so if he is, why isn’t Renault among the top teams this season? If Massa is allowed fair treatment then he will wipe the floor with Alonso. Massa has proven to be able to win the championship, and his ability to perform well with a mediocre car… Alonso not only needs the best car on the grid to do well, he also needs to be the team favourite.
Prisoner Monkeys said on 29th September 2009, 7:48
Villen euve put his hand up as interested, but de la Rosa and Wurz have frequently been linked to Campos and USF1. As they are new teams, they need experienced drivers more than they need quick drivers to establish themselves within the paddock. After a year or two, they can replace those drivers with newcomers.
You can’t see Kovalainen and Nakajima not being offered new contracts?
That has nothing to do with it. Barrichello experienced the same downturn in performance as Button did; the problem was with the car – particularly the Silverstone upgrade – not with Button’s ability to set it up.
Why would they? It’s clear Kovalainen is no match for Hamilton, so why would they sabotage themselves and get first and eighth when they could have first and second?
Hallard said on 30th September 2009, 0:13
Yeah I have to concur. Im pretty sure that Ross would not be okay with Rubens’ side of the garage withholding valuable telemetry/setup data…
Scribe said on 29th September 2009, 11:05
1. Kovalainen had the best strategy on the grid and the same car as Hamilton at Monza.
2. Kovalainen had a better strategy and a car the team eventually decided was better at Valencia.
3.Alonso has been performing very well in a total dog of a car all season, has not made any mistakes and just dragged it to third in Singapore admitadly with a lil bit o’ luck.
4. I largely agree with the top paragraph.
Cept the fact the Kazuki has scored no points in a car thats scored 30.5
Tmax said on 29th September 2009, 0:15
Little bit if of Coincidence or irony …Why is that Kimi always has to move out of a team to make way for Fernando ? Nature is always palying a crueal joke on him.
In fact the last time he moved out of a team to make way for Fernando he won the championship with the new team and the other team was in disaster with Driver Equality Issues.
FOR SURE (in Kimi’s style) it will be a real fun to see if Kimi wins the WDC next year in McLaren and Fernando and Massa would be fighting in the team with Equality Problems. Remember Fernando is currently moving to a team where the team mate Massa already has spent 3 years and almost won the WDC and also has the sympathy of the team due to the accident. Kimi will have a huge laugh at Fernando.
It is not Suprising either that Santander is negotiating the whole deal. I mean they have everything to gain. They have 3 WDCs and 1 almost WDC represting their logo next year. Nice business deal.
Joshy said on 29th September 2009, 0:47
I thought Renault were not allowed to race? Can someone shed some light on the issue please? I am really confused.
Rabi said on 29th September 2009, 1:11
They only get banned IF they cheat again
Joshy said on 29th September 2009, 13:57
No wonder people are out-raged by this.
CRM said on 29th September 2009, 1:03
I really hope allthe people saying that Anthony Davidson going to Manor are right – he definately deserves another chance in F1, although it will be a shame to loose him from the BBC commentary team!
What about Paul Di Resta? No one has mentioned him but I think he would be a good signing for one of the new teams.
And what about Gary Paffett? I thought the McLaren link might have got him a seat at Force India but he seems to have become forgotten about by everyone!
manatcna said on 29th September 2009, 1:17
If McLaren have Lewis & Kimi next year they’ll probably win the Constructors championship, but not the WDC – the two drivers will just be taking points off of each other.
Dee J said on 29th September 2009, 1:20
Just watched the bbc red button coverage from after the Singapore GP and when they asked Martin Whitmarsh about the possibility of Raikkonen joining the team in 2010 he remained silent, well apart from giving a slight chuckle and legging it off set before any more questions were asked!
Think that might just be the answer to that question!