A Fin newspaper announced that BMW bought JV out of the Sauber contract for 15 millions and put Kovalainen into the 2nd seat next to Quick Nick. No confirmation from any other source yet, but this might be the end for JV's F1 career.
Just finished watching a live talk show here in Finland which included Kovalainen. Ofcorse they asked him about his future and F1, he replied that he knows nothing at the moment, and is told to wait for a call (from Renault team, Flavio is his manager), so thats what he is doing. Then they asked him to blink his eyes if there is something he knows but can't tell, didn't blink. So who knows. I'll get that paper tomorrow, and read what they are saying. I'll keep you posted. If you google Kovalainen and BMW you come up with alot of links, which all seem to atleast have in common that JV is out.
Isn't this the kid who, in his very first time driving a rally car, beat the world rally champion at the European IROC, then turned right around and beat Schumacher in a CS? I can't believe he doesn't have an F1 seat already.
Yes sir, thats Kovalainen. He didn't just beat those guys either. He handed their asses to them on a silver platter.
It's starting to hit the F1 websites here's a link http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34522 Appaerntly he's still the property of Renault but they willing to let him drive for BMW for experience.
NOooooooo jacques........ where did it go wrong...... that's it, you hanging up the glovesss?...... you leaving like that???? what about my dreams........ lame
BS from Veikkaaja. 1 month ago ...De la Rosa said there is no hope for a seat because JV is there. This week Sebastien Bourdais said... "For a while I was pretty optimistic but there was a problem with (Jacques) Villeneuve's contract," he said. Canadian Villeneuve has a year remaining at the Sauber team, which BMW have bought. Jacques has a solid contract. BMW will have no choice to give him a car in 2006. Doesn't make sense for Flavio/Renault to do that since they invested so much into him. Besides, in 2007 Fisi will probably be out of the Renault and be replaced by Heikki. To get rid of JV and get Heikki.... $15 million + HK's own salary = around $20 million. Worth it? BMW needs to use JV for his experience in developing the car. And he is still a fast driver. And BMW themselves said they don't expect anything big before 2008.
If they dont want him to drive, he wont be driving. There have been tons of contracts in F1 that were worked around - all it takes is money. Any price to get rid of JV would be a bargain. How much would you pay to cure yourself of cancer? Everything you have, likely. JV never was fast to begin with - what he was, was lucky and fortunate (right place right time). He is embarassing himself with every race, and should just quit while he has a little bit of his dignity left.
honestly, i tink JV is still good, but what irratates me is, he always does some stupid stupid stuff. like crashing into his teammate..
Monaco 05 must have cost him deerly. Certain points for the team thrown away in one stupid attack on Massa.
Renault unveiled their test programme. Kovalainen's name is there. Date Circuit Car 1 Car 2 30/11 Barcelona Montagny Lopez 01/12 Barcelona Montagny MondiniKubica 02/12 Barcelona Montagny Fisichella 07/12 Jerez Montagny Kovalainen 08/12 Jerez Montagny Kovalainen 14/12 Jerez Montagny Kovalainen 15/12 Jerez Montagny Kovalainen 16/12 Jerez Montagny Alonso 17/12 Jerez (wet) Montagny BMW will announce JV monday. (I think so)
Keep your eyes on who finnished 1st ; Nico Rosberg. I'm a fan of Kovalainen, and he will do well in F1, but Nico is the next Kimi/Alonso, maybe better. A true indication of Nicos speed can be seen with the inverted start positions in the second race of the weekend. Look at those results. This in "equal" cars.
