Let's assume for a moment, that McLaren remains in the WDC 08, what driver changes can we expect: - Alonso to Renault - who gets the 2nd seat at Renault? Kovalainen or Piquet? - Ralf gets tossed out of Toyota - who gets the 2nd seat? - Hamilton stays in the McLaren - who gets the 2nd seat? Rosberg? - if Rosberg leaves Williams, who gets his seat? - is DC good for another year at Red Bull? - are Liuzzi, Ralf and Fisichella finished or will they find a seat somewhere? PS: I just figured there hasn't been enough speculation recently on this board.
My thoughts: I think Alonso stays at McLaren and Piquet gets the second seat at Renault. Toyota re-signs Ralf for a pittance as no one else would have him. Rosberg stays at Williams. If he goes then Williams goes for the Indian money and elevates NK to the race team or they opt for Fisi. Red Bull has already confirmed DC for next season, IIRC. Liuzzi is done.
I think everything is up in the air right now, depending on what happens tomorrow and where Ross Brawn does in 2008. FA will probably be at Renault with Piquet, Hamilton's status depends on if he will be allowed to retain his superlicense or not, I think FIA is caught in a rock and a hard place as well, if everything turns out to be true with McLaren cheating and all, we all know they want Hamilton in F1, especially with him being British. But since he did not cooperate like FA and DLR did, FIA HAS to make an example out of him, if not, any future FIA "inquires" will just be ignored and will carry no weight at all. As for Toyota, I think they need a fresh start, I just don't think Trulli has the techinical ability so I think another F1 veteran will take his place and be #1 there, with maybe Nakajima taking the other seat. Toyota has been developing him in the lesser serious now for sometime and is supposely very high on him. But all this will change if indeed Ross Brawn does come to Toyota an the rumor of Alonso's link with Toyota may turn into reality if he does.
Both Mac drivers remain. Fisi is gone. Rosberg stays Ralfie takes a huge pay cut and stays. DC will be in his last year.
I say: Piquet at Renalut Ralphie to Spyker and wait for it.......... Alonso to Toyota!!!! ^ a little radical maybe, but I'm calling it. and if this happens I'll go ahead and really stretch it out: Rosberg to fill the seat at McLaren.
If they're not expelled from the season Alonso will take the title this year and then move back to Renault and have a rebuilding year with that team. Ralf will stay on at Toyota but take a huge paycut unless he win's the last few races Liuzzi will be lucky to get a testing position and I'm glad DC is back. I like when they interview him after he retires at the races.
I think Hammy will be gone if he doesnt get more money, I've heard hes "only" getting 800k, he could easily get 20 million. So McLaren better cough up some cash or I see him going to Ferrari or another team with money, maybe Toyota? McLaren-Rosberg, Massa Ferrari-Kimi, Hamilton Renault- Kovy, Alonso BMW- Same Toyota- Jarno and ...Hammy?
I would imagine he is locked up in a multi-year contract. He can't just walk nor would he. He's a McLaren man through and through.
I would also think he is locked up, but pending tomorrows court decision there might not even be a McLaren team. They better cough up some millions though to pay the man.
He is a REALLY good driver, but just doesn't have the car. Funny thing, Wurz has more points than Rosberg , even though Rosberg has been running all over him
Mclaren will be excluded tomorrow. For 2008: Alonso to Toyota with Trulli. Hamilton to Prodrive with Paffett. Rosberg and Piquet at Williams. Fisi and Heikki stay at Renault.
I read somewhere a while back that he was only making $300,000 but if he was leading the championship by the 5th race he had the right to renegotiate. It also said that if the team was brought into disrepute that his contract was open so that he was able to leave. TIC TOC TIC TOC TIC TOC
Heikki will get the second seat at Renault next year, and Piquet will head to Williams. Those left without a seat can look towards Spyker's second seat and Prodrive.
Hamiltion Toyota brings back the better Schu and doesn't need a second driver. Weren't you paying attention Hami is at Renault and Rosberg was shot out of a cannon into a brick wall. Williams will fold. DC has never and will never be good. And Red Bull tastes like a blood and urine cocktail. Liuzzi and Fisichella will both find seats... in a waiting room... where two hot nurses call them into a huge room filled with guys, with Ralf behind a camera and partly covered by a blanket.
Piquet has already been signed with renault, they talked about it at italy for a brief 20 seconds and moved on to other driver's....
You forgot Barichello ! Isn't he sick of losing with Honda, after whining about being Ferrari's #2 guy? At least Massa is doing better as Ferrari's #2 guy... and probably gets more respect than him, maybe even more respect than Kimi sometimes.. ~shahedc .
