2010 Driver Market

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 03 Dec 2009, 01:04

I can't do any in Stalingrad - it seems the pedometer can't measure distances in some places - but I can do some in Kaliningrad, if it helps:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351046

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=335104

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351048

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351053 (a bit long, but the basic shape is very good)

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351055

Popi_Larrauri · Post by **Popi_Larrauri** » 03 Dec 2009, 01:59

CarlosFerreira wrote:
Popi_Larrauri wrote:
CarlosFerreira wrote:
It shall not be hordes of T-72s and T-80s rolling through the plains of Central Europe, then. F1 will open the gates. We like.

Just a though: Polish man Kubica in a Russian team? After being in a German team? Poor guy can't get a break...

Maybe wont be T-72s and T-80s after all, but I'm sure their race strategy will have some sort of "we park in the pit lane, drink vodka, wait for the winter and then ram against that facists Mercedes drivers" one way or another...

We need a track in Stalingrad, another one in Kursk. It's gonna be a belter!

Something like Uranus Formula 1 Stalingrad Grand Prix and Citadelle F1 Kursk Grand Prix. Special rules: Chassis are brought by manufacturers in light and heavy armor. Tracks are also provided for dry, rain or snowy weather. Every driver must use both ammo type during the race: High explosive and Armor Piercing. McLaren brings his latest desing, which is clearly inspired by the 2009 challenger aerodynamic concept... and they dub it the M3 Lee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Lee). I guess someone is able photoshop the silver paint scheme over it. Vodka drinking is mandatory, and must be declared before provisional grid.

Edit: Ok, Godwin, at this stage, must be shouting "Told ya!" out loud!

Popi_Larrauri · Post by **Popi_Larrauri** » 03 Dec 2009, 02:02

Captain Hammer wrote:I can't do any in Stalingrad - it seems the pedometer can't measure distances in some places - but I can do some in Kaliningrad, if it helps:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351046

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=335104

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351048

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351053 (a bit long, but the basic shape is very good)

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3351055

First one is amazing.

Popi_Larrauri · Post by **Popi_Larrauri** » 03 Dec 2009, 02:03

RejectSteve wrote:
Popi_Larrauri wrote:I'm sure their race strategy will have some sort of "we park in the pit lane, drink vodka, wait for the winter and then ram against that facists Mercedes drivers" one way or another...

Drinking vodka and ramming Mercedes(-powered) drivers... they'll sign Raikkonen?

Yuo say Kimi can go to war against Germany? Well, at least he showed he is capable of holding a magnum...

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 03 Dec 2009, 08:38

Henrique wrote:Di Grassi is most likely to get it, because he's John Booth's favorite and because Parente's sponsors have been slow and are showing "lack of determination".

Have I ever heard this before regarding Portuguese drivers? :roll:

To be honest, I wonder if Parente is ready.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 03 Dec 2009, 12:06

Yes, the problem with Portuguese drivers is always the sponsors. Pedro Lamy had a lot of sponsors with him and made a lot of commercials, but then he lost momentum. When Tiago Monteiro went there, he had much less support. Even the State, through the Ministry of Tourism, had to sponsor him. Portuguese companies don't expect to see much success in Parente, so they're reluctant to sponsor.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 03 Dec 2009, 12:13

Henrique wrote:Yes, the problem with Portuguese drivers is always the sponsors. Pedro Lamy had a lot of sponsors with him and made a lot of commercials, but then he lost momentum. When Tiago Monteiro went there, he had much less support. Even the State, through the Ministry of Tourism, had to sponsor him. Portuguese companies don't expect to see much success in Parente, so they're reluctant to sponsor.

Personally, I have no gripes with State-owned companies (Turismo de Portugal, TMN) sponsoring our drivers, but I would like to believe there is some return on investment. If it's for naught, or for charity, I'd like some sponsoring as well.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 03 Dec 2009, 14:10

Now, GPUpdate is saying that Di Grassi is going to either Renault or Virgin.

No one is thinking about Grosjean?

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 03 Dec 2009, 18:56

Henrique wrote:No one is thinking about Grosjean?

Neither good nor amusingly bad enough to think about him. He's destined to become a forgettable.

RejectSteve · Post by **RejectSteve** » 04 Dec 2009, 03:08

Popi_Larrauri wrote:
RejectSteve wrote:
Popi_Larrauri wrote:I'm sure their race strategy will have some sort of "we park in the pit lane, drink vodka, wait for the winter and then ram against that facists Mercedes drivers" one way or another...

Drinking vodka and ramming Mercedes(-powered) drivers... they'll sign Raikkonen?

Yuo say Kimi can go to war against Germany? Well, at least he showed he is capable of holding a magnum...

For those of you who didn't have the Forgotten Hope mod on Battlefield 1942, the Finnish side had an AI soldier named... Kimi Raikkonen (and Mika Hakkinen).

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 04 Dec 2009, 12:30

RejectSteve wrote:For those of you who didn't have the Forgotten Hope mod on Battlefield 1942, the Finnish side had an AI soldier named... Kimi Raikkonen (and Mika Hakkinen).

It was probably more as a joke than anything else.

RejectSteve · Post by **RejectSteve** » 04 Dec 2009, 22:40

Collieafc wrote:
RejectSteve wrote:For those of you who didn't have the Forgotten Hope mod on Battlefield 1942, the Finnish side had an AI soldier named... Kimi Raikkonen (and Mika Hakkinen).

It was probably more as a joke than anything else.

Likely. Or a prophecy to this thread? Probably not.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 04 Dec 2009, 22:42

RejectSteve wrote:For those of you who didn't have the Forgotten Hope mod on Battlefield 1942, the Finnish side had an AI soldier named... Kimi Raikkonen (and Mika Hakkinen).

Your wrote that as if you're in a minority if you don't have that mod.

Many Blue Flags · Post by **Many Blue Flags** » 05 Dec 2009, 10:37

I do remember reading in Autosport as a query in response to the fact that all Finnish men must do 2 years service in the army whether Kimi and Heikki did so. Apparently they both reached rank of sergeant, and if anyone's interested, I'll provide a video of Kimi yelling at the new recruits.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 05 Dec 2009, 12:38

Many Blue Flags wrote:I do remember reading in Autosport as a query in response to the fact that all Finnish men must do 2 years service in the army whether Kimi and Heikki did so. Apparently they both reached rank of sergeant, and if anyone's interested, I'll provide a video of Kimi yelling at the new recruits.

Yes they do, but Nuppiz got around it somehow :lol:

Post by **Nuppiz** » 05 Dec 2009, 14:54

kostas22 wrote:
Many Blue Flags wrote:I do remember reading in Autosport as a query in response to the fact that all Finnish men must do 2 years service in the army whether Kimi and Heikki did so. Apparently they both reached rank of sergeant, and if anyone's interested, I'll provide a video of Kimi yelling at the new recruits.

Yes they do, but Nuppiz got around it somehow

It's not two years, it ranges from six to twelve months depending on how high you want to be in the ranks (and also depending on where you serve). The alternative is civil service, which lasts for a full year. And yes, I was classified "C" thanks to my bad knees, so I don't have to do any peacetime military or civil service. :mrgreen:

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 06 Dec 2009, 16:26

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 06 Dec 2009, 16:40

kostas22 wrote:

Wow, F1 relevant lolcats... I haz luv foar dem.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 06 Dec 2009, 18:16

I would lol to death if Ralf came back :lol:

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 07 Dec 2009, 01:55

Henrique wrote:I would lol to death if Ralf came back

More like facepalm so hard your eyeballs come out through your ears.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 07 Dec 2009, 15:59

Waris wrote:
Henrique wrote:I would lol to death if Ralf came back

More like facepalm so hard your eyeballs come out through your ears.

elho · Post by **elho** » 11 Dec 2009, 16:06

brazillian press is reporting that the deal between Virgin/Manor and Di Grassi is done.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 11 Dec 2009, 21:54

Updated predictions:

McLaren - 1/J. Button, 2/L. Hamilton
Mercedes - 3/N. Rosberg, 4/M. Schumacher
Red Bull - 5/S. Vettel, 6/M. Webber
Ferrari - 7/F. Massa, 8/F. Alonso
Williams - 9/R. Barrichello, 10/N. Hulkenberg
Prodrive Renault - 11/R. Kubica, 12/H. Kovalainen
Force India - 14/A. Sutil, 15/V. Liuzzi
Toro Rosso - 16/S. Buemi, 17/J. Alguersuari
Lotus - 18/J. Trulli, 19/P. di Resta
Campos - 20/V. Petrov, 21/B. Senna
USF1 - 22/J. Lopez, 23/J. Hildebrand
Virgin - 24/T. Glock, 25/L. Di Grassi
Sauber - 26/P. de la Rosa, 27/K. Kobayashi

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 11 Dec 2009, 23:14

McLaren - 1/J. Button, 2/L. Hamilton
Mercedes - 3/N. Rosberg, 4/M. Schumacher
Red Bull - 5/S. Vettel, 6/M. Webber
Ferrari - 7/F. Massa, 8/F. Alonso
Williams - 9/R. Barrichello, 10/N. Hulkenberg
Renault - 11/R. Kubica, 12/K.Kobayashi
Force India - 14/A. Sutil, 15/V. Liuzzi
Toro Rosso - 16/S. Buemi, 17/D.Ricciardo
Lotus - 18/J. Trulli, 19/H.Kovalainen
Campos - 20/V. Petrov, 21/B. Senna
USF1 - 22/J. Lopez, 23/N.Heidfeld
Virgin - 24/T. Glock, 25/L. Di Grassi
Sauber - 26/C.Klien, 27/G.Fisichella

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 14 Dec 2009, 10:05

With Kovalainen and Trulli, Lotus look set to become the best newcomer of 2010. Wouldn't it be great if the Lotus name rejoined the sport in the points? Many F1Rejecteers may not consider this an exciting driver pairing, but I do.
And it'll be even more interesting how Fauzy performs as their tester.

noisebox · Post by **noisebox** » 14 Dec 2009, 10:13

So this leaves the folowing seats yet to be confirmed:
- 1at Mercedes, though everything points to MS
- 1 at Torro Rosso
- 1 at Virgin
- 1 at Campos
- 1 at Renault
- 2 at Sauber
I guess someone (probably Sauber) will take Heidfeld - as a Brit I'd like to see Davidson and Di Resta somewhere also.

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 14 Dec 2009, 10:20

noisebox wrote:So this leaves the folowing seats yet to be confirmed:
- 1at Mercedes, though everything points to MS
- 1 at Torro Rosso
- 1 at Virgin
- 1 at Campos
- 1 at Renault
- 2 at Sauber
I guess someone (probably Sauber) will take Heidfeld - as a Brit I'd like to see Davidson and Di Resta somewhere also.

What about USF1? Oh and ... both Alguersuari and Buemi at STR is faaaaar more likely that Schumacher to Mercedes, so I would note that as well. Virgin supposedly has signed Di Grassi and are only waiting to announce it. Leaves only four completely contestable (?) seats. And many good names are still in contention: Heidfeld, Sato, Villeneuve, Petrov and many more... the fight is on!

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 14 Dec 2009, 12:08

I think what will happen next will all hinge on what Schumacher is doing and that 2nd Merc seat. Are the other "high-end" drivers going to risk holding out to see what happens there (and risk having to take USF1 or worse, no drive for 2010 if he does come back) or are they going to play safe and see Renault and Sauber (who may not have cars as good as the Merc should be, but are relatively free of speculation? (once this hasstle with Renault is sorted out)

kowalski · Post by **kowalski** » 14 Dec 2009, 12:11

Collieafc wrote:I think what will happen next will all hinge on what Schumacher is doing and that 2nd Merc seat. Are the other "high-end" drivers going to risk holding out to see what happens there (and risk having to take USF1 or worse, no drive for 2010 if he does come back) or are they going to play safe and see Renault and Sauber (who may not have cars as good as the Merc should be, but are relatively free of speculation? (once this hasstle with Renault is sorted out)

What "high end" drivers do we have left?

I guess there is only heidfield waiting on the shumacher/mercedes deal outcome...

Also, how do the chances of Fisi at sauber look these days?

The other big questions are will sato and/or JV find spots anywhere.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 14 Dec 2009, 12:13

That's not a bad line-up at all for a new team at Lotus. Certainly shows how competitive the driver market is for 2010, that two race winners are willing to risk signing for a new outfit.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 14 Dec 2009, 12:55

Was Alguersuari not confirmed for TR like a month ago?

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 14 Dec 2009, 13:06

F1 drivers in 2009 still without a seat for 2010:

Kimi Raikkonen (Leaving for Rallying)
Luca Badoer
Giancarlo Fisichella
Nick Heidfeld
Nelson Piquet Jr
Romain Grosjean
Kamui Kobayashi
Sebastien Bourdais
Jaime Alguersuari (He has claimed he has a contract at Toro Rosso next year, but it hasn't been confirmed by the team yet)
Kazuki Nakajima

Realistically though only 3-4 of these guys will get a drive for next year.

homerbhoy · Post by **homerbhoy** » 14 Dec 2009, 13:12

As there are not many seats left i thought i would do my final predictions for 2010 season. If these are the drivers then i think there is going to be a good season next year

McLaren - 1/J. Button, 2/L. Hamilton
Mercedes - 3/N. Rosberg, 4/M. Schumacher
Red Bull - 5/S. Vettel, 6/M. Webber
Ferrari - 7/F. Massa, 8/F. Alonso
Williams - 9/R. Barrichello, 10/N. Hulkenberg
Renault - 11/R. Kubica, 12/K. Kobayashi
Force India - 14/A. Sutil, 15/V. Liuzzi
Toro Rosso - 16/S. Buemi, 17/J. Alguersuari
Lotus - 18/J. Trulli, 19/H.Kovalainen
Campos - 20/V. Petrov, 21/B. Senna
USF1 - 22/J. Lopez, 23/J Villeneuve
Virgin - 24/T. Glock, 25/L. Di Grassi
Sauber - 26/N. Heideld, 27/G.Fisichella

homerbhoy · Post by **homerbhoy** » 14 Dec 2009, 13:17

Tealy wrote:2009 drivers still without a seat in F1 for 2010:

Kimi Raikkonen (Leaving for Rallying)
Luca Badoer
Giancarlo Fisichella
Nick Heidfeld
Nelson Piquet Jr
Romain Grosjean
Kamui Kobayashi
Sebastien Bourdais
Jaime Alguersuari (He has claimed he has a contract at Toro Rosso next year, but it hasn't been confirmed by the team yet)
Kazuki Nakajima

Realistically though only 3-4 of these guys will get a drive for next year.

Out of those drivers these wont be in 2010

Badoer will never drive again in F1
Piquet i think likewise unless there is a team desperate for cash or he sets up a team himself
Grosjean could come back after more experience
Bourdais will probably end up back in CART
Nakajima to go back to Japan become driving instructor

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 14 Dec 2009, 13:20

homerbhoy wrote:
Tealy wrote:2009 drivers still without a seat in F1 for 2010:

Kimi Raikkonen (Leaving for Rallying)
Luca Badoer
Giancarlo Fisichella
Nick Heidfeld
Nelson Piquet Jr
Romain Grosjean
Kamui Kobayashi
Sebastien Bourdais
Jaime Alguersuari (He has claimed he has a contract at Toro Rosso next year, but it hasn't been confirmed by the team yet)
Kazuki Nakajima

Realistically though only 3-4 of these guys will get a drive for next year.

Out of those drivers these wont be in 2010

Badoer will never drive again in F1
Piquet i think likewise unless there is a team desperate for cash or he sets up a team himself
Grosjean could come back after more experience
Bourdais will probably end up back in CART
Nakajima to go back to Japan become driving instructor

I think Heidfeld and Alguersuari are both in. I think Fisi has a good chance of a drive at Sauber and hopefully someone will pick up Kobayashi. The rest don't look like they have much chance to be honest.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 14 Dec 2009, 21:24

A couple of Portuguese newspapers, one of them being the Portuguese edition of Autosport, are announcing that Grassi and Glock will be Virgin's drivers.
If you're wondering why they care, it's because they're also saying that Álvaro Parente has been signed as Virgin's test and reserve driver.
Well, since Brawn is now Mercedes, if this is true, I guess Virgin is the team I'll be supporting

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 14 Dec 2009, 23:03

Funny, because the Brazilian papers claim Parente is the front-runner for Campos (which I don't believe because his name only came up there after resports started that Virgin had lost their patience with him).

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 14 Dec 2009, 23:52

Parente ftw!! I hope he gets a seat somewhere if not next year, then in 2011.

And how mouth-watering is the prospect of seeing a Villeneuve/Bourdais lineup at USF1? I will totally become their most epic fan in that case. But I still think Villeneuve has a chance at Renault, because of the rumours connecting Craig Pollock to the new buyers, but if he were to go there then I don't know where Kobayashi would have to go... Sauber? Aaargh... Lotus should've just signed Sato instead of Kovalainen, at least the part of my brain that yearns for at least one Japanese driver in F1 would be mildly satisfied.

Also, for some reason, I predict that from now on, teams will pick drivers that have been out of the sport for one or more years more often.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 15 Dec 2009, 02:12

Vive la Francophones.

elho · Post by **elho** » 15 Dec 2009, 02:45

brazilian press is also reporting that Luiz Razia has signed as a test and reserve driver, probably with Virgin too. or maybe Campos, as Adrian has been in Brazil just a few days ago, talking with potential sponsors.