Formula One 2010

**Il Vecchio** · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 05:30 PM

Might as well get started.

Will Kimi end up 2010 world champion back at Mc Laren, or rideless and retired?

**1,6 HF** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:04 PM

Yes
.......

**Nicola** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:09 PM

Ed,
That was too simple.

scuzzyGTV · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:04 PM

i think the real question is which teams are actually going to be running next year?
and i think i speak for all us aussies, and hope that webber takes the title

**pathung** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:15 PM

One of the announcers on U.S.'s Speed TV stated during the last race that amongst the two RedBull drivers, Vettel has the finesse, while Webber likes to power his way through; rougher around the edges, in other words. That seems a fitting description to me; what do you Aussies think?

Personally, I think that Barrichello should retire, Button should go to Indycar, Kimi should go ice-rallying, and Alonso to motorcycles or something. Let's not forget Trulli - he should just go home. It seems we have a very talented batch of young drivers coming up, and if only the old men would leave, these would really shine in the better cars: Buemi, Sutil, Kobayashi, Luizi... did I miss anyone? No matter what, next year should be a blast!

An American team? I'm afraid it's gonna flop, though Peter Windsor's a great paddock reporter.

**AlfaVeloce** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:15 PM

Well, it won't be Toyota! Who knows, is Renault next to take a powder?

**1,6 HF** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicola

Ed,
That was too simple.

turbolarespider · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathung

An American team? I'm afraid it's gonna flop, though Peter Windsor's a great paddock reporter.

**Il Vecchio** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1,6 HF

OK, fine. Rule out one possibility; Kimi definitely won't be back at McLaren--their second seat has been filled by Nico Hulkenberg. So that increases the odds for "rideless" or "retired"

ncundy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 11:17 AM

Nico Hulkenberg is at Williams next year, the second McClaren seat isn't confirmed yet. It seems Kimi is being heavily considered with a major issue being money. The "step out" clause in his Ferrari contract guarantees him $17m next year if he doesn't race. If he does contract he "only" gets $10m from them. Rumour is McClaren have offered $5m for next season leaving him a net $2m down. Poor chap

Of the new teams, my guess it is USGP who are most likely to falter. First of all their bluster about being completely US based "in the land where all the F1 bits are made" has morphed into them now having their "base" in Spain (where next I wonder). They were the last to start interviewing for positions and they are the last (as in they don't have one yet) to get a test shell ready. They are now right at the back of a very small and specialised supply chain with less than four months to be ready for the first tests (with a crash tested car). To put the required time scales into perspective, Wirth Technologies (Manor) started ordering bits for their car back in July and the first model was delivered end of August.
It is also reported that at the last FOTA meeting all but one team owner agreed that they would not sell their "slot" for the 2010 season. That one owner being Peter Windsor. With Toyota pulling out thus releasing a slot for Sauber I can't see a natural buyer.

I think for a dark horse next year I would plump for Williams. Cosworth are allowed to develop further into the season than the others. If they produce a good engine they may enjoy an early season advantage much in the way Brawn did this year.

AllthingsZagato · #11 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 01:03 PM

I hope USGP don't falter as I have colleagues whos have signed up with them. I do agree though they do seem to be a long way behind. They really need to have something to crash test before Christmas for sure. The cosworth engine big problem will be fuel consumption, they are allowed to develop further into the season but with no in season testing it is tough to introduce decent engine upgrades without attendant reliability issues. At Ferrari I think Alonso will do Massa's 'head in' he is a relentless and remorseless work machine and although Massa has made Ferrari his team once Alonso starts winning that will soon change. As for Manor, it is a brave move to not even take the car to a wind tunnel even for corroboration of the CFD figures.

**1,6 HF** · #12 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncundy

Nico Hulkenberg is at Williams next year, the second McClaren seat isn't confirmed yet. It seems Kimi is being heavily considered with a major issue being money. The "step out" clause in his Ferrari contract guarantees him $17m next year if he doesn't race. If he does contract he "only" gets $10m from them. Rumour is McClaren have offered $5m for next season leaving him a net $2m down. Poor chap

...

**Il Vecchio** · #13 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1,6 HF

Absolutely right--Hulkenberg signed at Williams, not McLaren. Re: Kimi, more te the point than a $2M salary hit, if he doesn't go with McLaren, what's his alternative other than retirement? Which other competitive team is going to offer him a seat?

It may well be. For one thing, Alonso will be using Ferrari testing data again...

straight8/2 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 12:45 PM

Do you think Kimi would do any better at Mclaren alongside Lewis than Fernando did? I guess he is more the prodigal son than the newcomer, and I dont suppose lewis has any speed advantage on kimi, but the team's now built around him, etc. etc.

slam105 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 04:07 PM

As always, it's way-way too long until the 2010 season starts! Judging by the 'posts' already you guys will kill-each-other off before they start racing!

Regards.