Just had a look through the notebook and I have the following notes:
Virgin – Kovalainen?
Jacques Villeneuve – USF1
Red Bull staying with Renault
Button and Brawn?
Barrichello and Hulkenberg confirmation this week.
Glock – Renault
A wander through the notebook
November 2, 2009 by Joe Saward
29 Responses
Red Bull made their decision on engine units for next season a few weeks ago. As you suggested, they’re remaining with Renault thanks to its impressive fuel consumption.
Hi Joe, Do you have any notes about Anthony Davidson? I am hoping one of the new teams will pick him up.
And whilst we would lose him from the R5 commentary, he can come back to that in a few years time. Anyway, it would give the Beeb a chance to swap Legard and Croft leaving Croft and Brundle on telly and Legard can talk continually to himself on the radio.
Davyd Hodge
Watch Lotus for Anthony D
Barrichello and Hulkenberg are indeed a shoe-in at Williams, while Button and Brawn would by silly not to continue with eachother.
Glock moving to Renault wouldn’t surprise me a bit. Kovalainen to Virgin/Manor somewhat more, though — somehow I envision the Finn at Toyota, together with hot shoe Kobayashi (Koba & Kova), or perhaps he could return to the Renault fold, just like Kubica has done. But maybe Sutil’s an option for the French team, too.
Red Bull should stay with Renault power for 2010 at least, I believe. Although the Mercedes engine might be more powerful or more reliable, if expected title rivals McLaren and Brawn, plus Force India have it, what’s Red Bull’s differentiator? Red Bull should focus on improving their current package, which is a proven winner with both drivers, and it scored the most points in the 2nd half of the 2009 season.
One of the first names that came to my mind, when Team US F1 was announced, was indeed that of J.J.C. Villeneuve, and S. Bourdais. Although neither is a US national, both are well know at least in the US racing world, both are IndyCar/CART champions, and Villeneuve is a former WDC and Indy 500 winner. Neither would likely be a long term project for the team, though, and neither would be Team US F1′s best bet at car development.
So, the team should opt for (North-)American Villeneuve as lead driver and sponsor/publicity magnet, and A. Wurz or P. Martínez de la Rosa as experienced developing driver, while grooming a junior US citizen like J. Summerton for future season.
Quite alarming that ‘Button and Brawn’ have a question mark, and ‘Jacques Villeneuve’ does not!
Villeneuve? Can he hack it after 3+ years away from F1?
Always entertaining to listen to, never afraid to speak his mind and we could do with more drivers like that.
Jacques Villeneuve in F1 again?
I think that the 2nd coming might beat Jacques getting back into an F1 car.
Then again, his backside would at least fit. “Tubby” Montoya has two chances of squeezing back into one of those machines, and one of those chances is Buckley’s…
Thanks Joe, great coverage as usual.
How about Kimi and McLaren?
you are the best motor sport journalist Joe! love your blog!
Wow, JV at USF1 would make a lot of sense. Be nice to have him back too. If only for his straight talking. I bet he’d be relatively cheap and bring a lot of good press to USF1 too.
I wonder if Red Bull has any other options but Renault now? Especially if Mercedes is really looking to strengthen things with Brawn I suspect that they wouldn’t be interested in Red Bull.
You’ve already got two of those right (Williams confirmations) and Red Bull with Renailt.
The others seem interesting, I bet Button will stay, no reason for him to leave. Glock to Renault seems likely.
Kovi to Virgin would be a nice seat for him.
Jacques to USF1? Really? As a Montrealer, the city would go mad if this were to happen, but I find it hard to believe. I know he has talent, and I know that this era of cars is what he is good at using (or so he claims). It is just bewildering to believe a driver from 3 years ago could come back. Atleast he’s been driving in Le Mans etc.
Jacques continuing to have his career in reverse…
I thought Kova was heading to Toyota, along with Koba!
Andrew,
You are making one major assumption here.
Also, it would be great if Jacques is back!
Do you know anything more on this?
“Jacques Villeneuve – USF1″
With all due respect to JV, he hasn’t been in an F1 car in what, 3 years?
There has to be better options out there…
Two for two so far!
Joe, Well, some verified notes, and I guess, yes, still the question as to whether or not Brawn will meet what Button expects, Wonder where else he might end up aside from McLaren?
I do hope that Glock lands on his feet, and really wonder about his stable mate Trulli whether he will have a ride at Toyota or where he might end up?
As for JV, I would like to see him end up with USF1 and think that might be a good mix, since he knows about car set up has some good F1 exp, and is from N. America. Unfortunately I’ve seen quite a bit of blow back against him here in the states and elsewhere, but where else can you get a world champ, unless you want to pay extravagant $ for Kimi.
Lastly do you think it will be Kuhmo alone or are there other manufacturers that would be willing to play in F1? Are Continental, Michelin, Perilli, viable options? Or would it be some unknown Chinese manufacturers. Would you like to see or think that multiple suppliers is possible, or would benefit the sport?
One down, five to go.
Jacques Villeneuve – USF1 – tell me this is true.
I find it curious to see see reports linking JV to USF1. Given Peter Windsor’s antipathy towards JV this seems an odd match. Then again, I guess all things are possible if the price is right.
Red Bull certainly made a big effort on the Beeb to praise Renault this weekend!
Major assumption you mean Kovalainen leaving McLaren
or
Kovalainen joining Toyota?
If he leaves McLaren it is 90% sure he will join Toyota.
I’d guess the assumption Joe is referring to is that Toyota will be in F1 to hire drivers in 2010…
“Major assumption you mean Kovalainen leaving McLaren
or
Kovalainen joining Toyota?
If he leaves McLaren it is 90% sure he will join Toyota.”
No – major assumption is that there will be a Toyota at all in 2010!
major assumption is whether Toyota is around? I for one prefer Sauber over Toyota, what’s going on behind the scenes with Peter sauber that you can tell us about?
Dario Franchitti anyone? He is well known in the States and has tested F1 – could be an interesting – though perhaps expensive – choice!
I’m guessing the assumption is that Toyota’s board approves funding for the F1 team. I don’t understand JV at USF1- does that team want an overconfident, slow, accident prone driver? Yet, he’ll attract attention and sponsors are in the driver’s seat, no?
How about Kimi in a rally car? Or on a yacht?
I think a more interesting question is the new tire supplier(s) (I can hope, no?).
what about Pedro de la Rosa? is he going to Campos, staying at Mclaren? USF1? even Toyota has been published…
there are many possibilities and it would be a shame if he doesn’t find a team after so many years being loyal to Mclaren (and being cheated by them)
Kovy will stay at McLaren, if not – then he will drive with Toyota or Renault.
If toyota quits sauber is option for his also.
Ron Dennis in paddock last weekend were not good sign for kimi.