The Magic Grand Prix Roundabout
by Adam Milleneuve on Dec 9th, 2011With the news this morning of Romain Grosjean to partner Kimi Raikkonen at Renault Lotus the 2011/2012 F1 Driver Magic Roundabout is officially on.
To summarise, so far we know that Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull will keep their 2011 line ups for 2012, phew. Beyond the top four teams it gets a little more complicated. Yes, Lotus have now confirmed their race drivers, but that leaves Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna without seats. They're both funded drivers, and both very popular (not that that matters), but have they done enough to go elsewhere and race in F1 2012? We're certain Petrov's public outburst in the Russian media pretty much ended his career at Renault Lotus.
Joining this pair we have Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil, Daniel Ricciardo, Tonio Liuzzi, Jerome d'Ambrosio, Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg.
It's more than likely that Nico and Paul will be confirmed at Force India, but that annoucement is taking longer than expected to come out.
Sauber have had rising stars Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez signed-up for several months. Toro Rosso will almost certainly stick with long-term drivers Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi, leaving Ricciardo hoping to usurp Jarno Trulli from his Lotus Caterham seat. However that's been complicated further by Petrov's addition to the mix: the Russian's combination of big bucks and decent pace will make him very tempting. Another Red Bull protegee - Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne - is hoping to land a race seat too, but seems more likely to become third driver at Toro Rosso.
Williams have one seat going at present, alongside the recently confirmed Pastor Maldonado, making their second berth very, very fiercely fought over by every driver named above plus a few funded GP2 wannabes. HRT have one seat available to partner Pedro de la Rosa and are likely to take a pay driver despite having Tonio Liuzzi on a two year contract. Spanish GP2 racer Dani Clos is favourite after running at the young driver tests.
Marussia have confirmed Glock and Pic for 2012 so they're all sorted and currently watching the roundabout go around and around again.
What do you think folks - who will or should end up where for 2012?
Comments and Discussion
Senna at Williams please.
Is that wise??
Yes. He's fast, young, charismatic and there are obvious links with Senna and Williams.
Not to mention he's got a bit of cash. I'd take him over Rubens, Petrov or Sutil any day.
I was thinking that - esp since it's Williams-Renault with the 'Rothmans' design
I'd be concerned if Williams took on someone without enough experience to help development of the car
Senna at Williams is just pure magic waiting, but the current car has a little while yet for the new rules, so needs someone who can develop it to its best still. Is that Senna? Badger did you mention Karun Chaundok?
>> We're certain Petrov's public outburst in the Russian media pretty much ended his career at Lotus.
Nope. His manager was displeased with Renault's practice of scapegoating him weeks before. She talked about his contract's weakness and negotiations with other teams. Even Boulier said that contract was in danger and then retracted.
I say something was broke before Petrov's outburst.
I say that broken somethng was boullier the mans a clown.
RIcciardo to replace Massa and to offer a genuine challenge to Alonso
Yes - Ricciardo will win a world title in a Ferrari, sooner rather than later if he can replace the dud Massa
I doubt Red Bull would like Ricciardo going to Ferrari.
Yeah, why on earth would red bull spend all their time and money developing a driver and then give him to Ferrari? :s
I don't think hrt will want to break contract with liuzzi it would surely end with them having to pay out money they don't have. I think at the moment things are dependant on the venezuelan government what if pdvsa have already paid williams for 2012 or indeed up till 2015? I think that's the year the contract ends. Does that mean williams get to keep any money already paid if pdvsa are forced out by their government? Are they even waiting to see if they can carry on before they pay for 2012? it could be 2 seats at williams with bruno/sutil/petrov all in the mix.
No I think youre right, Felice. F1 is all about surprises - so I expect Ricciardo to go where is talent will be made use of and not wasted at an also ran (which would end his career). So, Ferrari, sure - Massa is finished, thanks to his accident and to Alonso. If not, maybe Mercedes, to replace Schumaker who is also finished.
Ricciardo is under contract to Red Bull for 2012. He's not going to Ferrari any time soon. The closest he'll get is if Marko sees sense and drops Buemi or Alguersuari, which would mean he'd have a ferrai-powered Toro Rosso.
Congrats - you were right! He has to show his talent now, to get a crack in a Ferrari or a ReBull...
Sutil has to take so much credit for developing the Force India into the car it has become since the days it was an also-ran. He has so much talent and obviously can lead a team. Williams NEED someone like him. Senna is a great driver too and will end up with a more consistent drive once the older guys move on (Webber, Schumacher, Trulli). The other talent is Jaime Alguersuari. He has been in F1 since he was 19 and has shown his maturity this year.