Well....doesn't look like Heidfeld's going to Williams

Wow, that looks bad. On top of that Pizzonia comes with sponsor millions. I think Nick's best chances are at Red Bull now.

 

The mixed weather sure didn't help Nick.
I expect him to be quicker than Pizzonia tomorrow. You'll see.

 

I so hope you're right.

 

I always quietly rooted for Nick to do well. It seems like his biggest flaw is not being a self-promoter. He'll always be one of those drivers where I'm not sure we'll ever know how good he actually is.

 

I really want him to get that #2 spot at Williams and not the testing role. In my opinion, this is Heidfeld's last chance unless something incredible happens in the future.
With Button knocking for a 2006 drive and Webber leading the Williams BMW team, Heidfeld chances are small.
When he said he wouldn't mind being a test driver for Williams bugs me. Maybe he wants to be the next Alexander Wurz? (a very fast driver with lots of potential but only a test driver for a top team)
Now if he goes to Red Bull.....atleast he will be racing but it will be like Jordan.
Some say he could be replacing Kimi or JPM when one of them decides to leave McLaren. I doubt that ...Ron Dennis went right after JPM to replace DC, Heidfeld wasn't even in the picture.

Where could Heidfeld go?
-Williams #2 driver
-Williams testing driver
-Red Bull driver
-Sauber testing driver

#1 please.

 

It is a bit of a mood point, but nevertheless: I disagree on Wurz. I think he lost his marbles at the chicane in Monaco. I don't think he is the same anymore and that's probably why he stayed a test driver.

Your last option is interesting: Sauber test driver. They just "fired" Jani, the one and only hope for Switzerland to have another F1 driver (personally I didn't think he had it). So I guess that seat would be vacant and given the Sauber's huge advances that might not even be such a bad option.

If Villeneuve continues to underperform, Nick might steal the glory from him in testing and Jacques throws a tantrum and the towel mid season.

 

Cool!

Also I like the time Villeneuve set. Close to Massa's. There is hope.

 

Maybe because I'm a fan of Wurz I'm saying this. He was good when he drove for Benetton but now he is getting slower over the years. I think de la Rosa is faster than him now.
Now if he had looked for a driver role instead of being a testing driver, I'm sure he would be competetive today.

Have you read this: (interview with Wurz)

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=70383
Some parts I took from the article....
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Q:
But racing must be the thing what you want to do?

AW:
Of course, I am a racing driver and that is what I want to do. During my three and a half years with McLaren I had some offers for a race seat. (Silence) But I am still here.."


Q:
What are you planning in the future?

AW:
A big attack! I do not know who I am going to attack, but someone anyway!


Q:
Is this going to be you last year as a test driver?

AW:
At the end of 2005 my contract will end. We will see. It is not getting easier as time goes by.


Q:
Did Red Bull Racing contact you?

AW:
No.


Q:
They did not?

AW:
No... But there are some things going on in Austria. Look, as I said, I can not explain everything. It is a complicated business.


Q:
Is McLaren not letting you go?
AW:
(Long silence) I can't tell you…
-----------------------------------------------------------------


Hmmm ..McLaren not letting him go..
Interesting..

 

JV the fastest during testing!!
Why are you talking about hope?
Villeneuve will destroy Massa next year..

 

Normally I would have agreed, that JV will destroy Massa just the way Fisico did this year. But I was SOOO disappointed with JV's comeback in the Benetton. He was ultrapathetically lame.

Having said that, I just read an interview with him in Racer where he talks a bit about the background of how all these deals came together and it does look like he was tossed into the cold water without much preparation.

So the fact that he is getting up to speed in the Sauber gives me some reason to hope, that he hasn't lost it over the years. We'll see.

Given the constant improvements in the Sauber's performance this year since their opening of the wind tunnel and adding their recent test times with the Michelins to it, I'm getting my hopes up for a thrilling 06 season. It has the potential to be their best of all times. Wouldn't it be a blast to see them battle with Benetton and BAR?

 

BTW: Nick will drive for Williams. He has a contract now with BMW. It just isn't clear yet whether as #2 or as the test driver. There will be another shootout with Pizzaboy next week.

 

Here is my source:

http://www.blick.ch/sport/formel1/news1660

It doesn't tell you more than that. But that does end the speculations about Nick going to Redbull.

 

Fourth day of testing at Jerez.
And yes the track was wet.

Jerez - 03/12/04
1. Jacques Villeneuve - Sauber Petronas - 1'28"345 - 81 laps
2. Luca Badoer - Ferrari - 1'29"191 - 50 laps
3. Marc Gene - Ferrari - 1'29"483 - 54 laps
4. Ralf Schumacher - Toyota - 1'29"523 - 83 laps
5. Giancarlo Fisichella - Renault - 1'29"814 - 29 laps
6. Alex Wurz - McLaren Mercedes - 1'30"151 - 33 laps
7. Christian Klien - Red Bull Cosworth - 1'30"379 - 86 laps
8. Takuma Sato - BAR Honda - 1'30"883 - 66 laps
9. Pedro de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes - 1'31"084 - 31 laps
10. James Rossiter - BAR Honda - 1'31"194 - 43 laps
11. Vitantonio Liuzzi - Red Bull Cosworth - 1'31"876 - 26 laps
12. Franck Montagny - Renault - 1'31"935 - 25 laps
13. Enrique Bernoldi - BAR Honda - 1'32"414 - 36 laps
14. Neel Jani - Red Bull Cosworth - 1'32"700 - 11 laps
15. Robert Doornbos - Jordan Cosworth - 1'33"465 - 78 laps
16. Adam Carroll - BAR Honda - 1'33"545 - 13 laps