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| Who goes where in 2008; What is known so far | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 21 2007, 06:05 PM (112 Views) | |
| Mrs Shrek | Aug 21 2007, 06:05 PM Post #1 |
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Forum Ogre
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With BMW Sauber confirming that Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica will race again for the team next year, the shape of the grid for the 2008 season is starting to take shape. Stability is often the key for the front-running teams, while driver movements are generally more common further down the field. McLaren Mercedes will have undoubtedly secured Lewis Hamilton in the seat next year while Fernando Alonso is believed to be on a three year deal with the team, so no changes predicted – as it stands – there. Over at Ferrari and there is also unlikely to be any movement with Felipe Massa lining up again with Kimi Raikkonen. The stability also continues at BMW Sauber following today’s announcement. With Heikki Kovalainen having recovered from his difficult start to his rookie campaign, it is likely that he will be retained as a Renault race driver next season. Giancarlo Fisichella has stated recently that expects to remain with the team, although Nelson Piquet Jr is waiting impatiently in the wings. Nothing is confirmed at Renault at the moment. Earlier in the year there were reports that Nico Rosberg’s option had been taken up by the Williams Toyota team. So far there has been no official confirmation of this. Alex Wurz is also believed to be on a one year deal, so he is pushing hard to convince the team that he deserves a race seat in 2008. There are a number of candidates being linked to the squad from Toyota protégé Kazuki Nakajima to Renault’s Kovalainen and Fisichella as well as Toro Rosso racer Tonio Liuzzi. Red Bull Renault has already confirmed that David Coulthard and Mark Webber will remain with the team next season. Jarno Trulli is about to start the second year of his current deal with Toyota while Ralf Schumacher’s seat is far from certain. Nakajima, current BMW Sauber test driver Timo Glock and others have all been linked to the seat. Takuma Sato will remain with Super Aguri Honda next year while Anthony Davidson is fighting hard to retain the second seat and has been doing a good job of late against his more experienced team-mate. Honda has confirmed that Rubens Barrichello will remain with the team alongside Jenson Button for another season. Toro Rosso Ferrari recently announced that Sebastian Vettel will race for the team for the remainder of the current season and for 2008. The team has also drafted in Champ Car star Sebastien Bourdais. Over at Spyker, the team are reportedly pretty happy with Adrian Sutil, but financial considerations may come into play should one of the manufacturer backed outfits come knocking. The second seat is currently held by Sakon Yamamoto and he will need more funding to retain the seat next year. Prodrive are aiming to join the grid next season. McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa has been linked to the seat, but as yet there is no concrete news with regard to the fledging team. Behind the scenes, there will be the usual shuffle of engineers and technical staff from one team to another. Link |
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| RJHSaints | Aug 21 2007, 06:10 PM Post #2 |
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Chief Engineer
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I don't anticipate any changes unless Alonso moves, which could throw everything wide open. However with today's news I personally doubt he will move to Renault as they seem incapable of building a race winning car and BMW is definitely off the radar now. So I am 90% sure he will stick with McLaren for next year whilst being on the lookout for opportunities. He may possibly retire, but that will only be if he wins the title, in my opinion. |
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| Rob | Aug 21 2007, 09:55 PM Post #3 |
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No matter what happens, as long as McLaren are racing next year, Alonso will be there. |
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12:59 AM Jul 11