Who goes where in 2005

FERRARI

Confirmed – Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello

Schuey and Rubens stay together for a sixth successive year. Ferrari have won every drivers’ and constructors’ championship since the duo first linked up in 2000.

But they’re not just the quickest combo out there, they’re the most experienced too. Michael should beat David Coulthard’s record of 150 appearances for a single team next year while Rubens is only two grands prix away from 200 F1 starts.

McLAREN

Confirmed – Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya

Raikkonen and Montoya should be F1’s most explosive driver combination in years. Their battle to the flag at Brazil served up a mouth-watering taste of what we can expect.

Will Kimi be unsettled by his brash, outspoken new team-mate? Can McLaren really get that much more out of Montoya? It will be fascinating to find out.

WILLIAMS

Confirmed – Mark Webber

Possible – Antonio Pizzonia, Nick Heidfeld

The Jenson Button trail may have run cold but Frank and Patrick can content themselves with the signing of Mark Webber, an identikit Williams driver if ever there was one.

As for the second seat, test driver Pizzonia is favourite but he didn’t get on with Webber at Jaguar. Heidfeld was very impressive in December testing for the team - has he done enough to pip Pizzonia to the drive? We should find out in Bahrain on January 7.

RENAULT

Confirmed – Fernando Alonso, Giancarlo Fisichella

Having jettisoned Jarno Trulli, for so long the only man to have beaten Michael Schumacher this season, Flav has rehired Giancarlo Fisichella, who he booted out at the end of 2001.

The coming season should make or break Fernando Alonso’s reputation as F1’s Next Big Thing. He hasn’t always looked the part this year but beating Fisi soundly next year could pave the way for him to eventually succeed Schuey at Ferrari.

BAR

Confirmed – Jenson Button, Takuma Sato

So Jenson stays put after all that. But he and Sir Frank have already made noises that he could be on his way to Williams in 2006. In the meantime, it will be fascinating to see how well he rebuilds his bridges at BAR.

Takuma Sato is entering the final year of a three-year contract with the team. He may have the backing of Honda but will need to show consistency to match that explosive pace if he wants to stay in a top car.

SAUBER

Confirmed – Jacques Villeneuve, Felipe Massa

After three lacklustre races for Renault, signing Jacques Villeneuve no longer seems the blinding coup it appeared six weeks ago. Still, let’s hope the 1997 world champion rediscovers his form when he has a full pre-season under his belt.

Felipe Massa stays on for a third year with Sauber. Like Sato, he must prove that he is maturing as a driver if he wants to further his career at a higher level. Ferrari will be watching with interest…

TOYOTA

Confirmed – Ralf Schumacher, Jarno Trulli

F1’s richest team have splashed the cash this year to secure two race winners for 2005. Whether they could have got more for their money than the inconsistent Trulli and Schuey Jr is a moot point.

Trulli has signed a two-year contract with the team while Ralf, who hopes to do for Toyota what brother Michael has done for Ferrari, is tied down for three seasons.

RED BULL

Confirmed – David Coulthard

Possible - Vitantonio Liuzzi, Christian Klien

It initially seemed that Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz was desperate to continue his company's policy of grooming young talent - but ex-Jag bosses Tony Purnell and David Pitchforth have convinced him of the need for an experienced driver - hence the signing of Coulthard.

If Purnell and Pitchforth had their way then Anthony Davidson would be joining DC - but both BAR and Mateschitz had different ideas. It now seems a straight fight between Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi - with the latter's lack of race fitness possibly counting against him.

JORDAN

Confirmed – none

Possible - Robert Doornbos, Timo Glock - and any other half-decent driver capable of raising a few million quid.

Nick Heidfeld has his sights set on bigger fish than Jordan but Timo Glock could come back for more. Rumours that the team's engine tie-up with Toyota could open the door for Ryan Briscoe appear to have died out.

The team was interested in Christijan Albers - but he has opted to join Minardi instead. Jordan are the only team not to have confirmed at least one driver so far. EJ had better move quickly if he doesn't want to be choosing from everyone else's rejects.

MINARDI

Confirmed – Christijan Albers

Possible - Gianmaria Bruni, Zsolt Baumgartner, Franck Montagny, Will Power, Will Davidson, Tiago Monteiro, Roberto Quintarelli, Olivier Maximin, Enzo Pastor, Christian Montanari, Giorgio Mondini, Damien Pasini, Robert Kubica, Pastor Maldonado.

Minardi unveiled Christijan Albers as their first race driver just two days before Christmas. But the fight for the team's second seat is a real free-for-all with more than a dozen contenders.

Paul Stoddart tested a dozen drivers at Misano in November. These included Stoddart's countrymen Will Davidson and the splendidly named Will Power. Stoddart has suggested he would like to keep Zsolt Baumgartner but money will be an issue.

 

Peter,

What an excellent summary. Better than anything I've read in a magazine or seen on the net - congratulations!

I'm hopeful for Heidfeld because he deserves the chance of a decent drive, and Pizzonia won't come to any harm doing another season's testing, but maybe FW will see it differently.

Jordan will be interesting, but they, like the rest of the back markers, will choose on cash - not skill.

Must think more about what you've said....
Happy Christmas!

Ian.

 

Good job Pipecrash. Pls note that Trulli wasn't the only one to beat MS this year. Rubens, JPM and Iceman did the same.