F1 2010 – Let’s get it started already!

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:17 Kunal Shah

iSport's Motorsport Editor Kunal Shah is enjoying the moves in the F1 driver market for 2010. Who is driving for who? Are you confused too?

Once again…Formula1 hasn’t let us down. While this season the on-track action hasn’t been much to talk about, the off track action has surely has the fans biting their nails in excitement.

Many of us expected the Ferrari – Fernando move to propel the driver market forward, but that certainly has not happened. Add to that Toyota’s announcement of an exit and now with Mercedes buying out Brawn GP – the driver market for sure is much like Bombay’s Stock Exchange – up one day and crashing the other!

Barring a few cockpits, most top teams are yet to finalise their driver line ups for next season. Let alone that, World Champions Brawn GP [Err! Now Mercedes Grand Prix] are rumoured to opt for an all new line up in 2010. And yes, that might leave current World Champion and the money-hungry Jenson Button without a seat next season! The world of Formula1 is surely going topsy turvy with some big political games. Thankfully, its not the FIA this time around!

2007 Champion Kimi Raikkonen too is left without a seat. Whether it’s his hefty driver fee or attitude that is acting as a hurdle for top teams to sign him is not known, but he too is without a drive for next season. While Robert Kubica has confirmed his services with a yet to commit Renault team in 2010, his BMW Sauber team-mate has suddenly found himself in the wanting. Mercedes GP is excited with the prospect of having an all-German line up with Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld who at the same time is exploring options of partnering Brit driver Lewis Hamilton in Mclaren – and Mclaren aren’t talking to Heidfeld alone – they are exploring the opportunity of an all-British line up with Jenson Button bringing the number 1 to the Woking stables!

While the driver market has all gone frenzy, mind you, we are still only discussing the top 4 teams here. The mid and bottom grid teams are still left – and they too are taking their time in confirming their drivers! Scuderia Toro Rosso has confirmed services of Sebastian Buemi, but are taking their time in choosing his partner.

Lotus F1 is looking at a Malaysian driver to fill in their seat, whereas Campos is hoping that their signing of Bruno Senna will help them generate some sponsorship – with the return of the great ‘Senna’ name to the sport. They are also contemplating the controversial Nelsin Piquet Jr. who also brings with him pot loads of Brazilian money!

Force India on the other hand are considering giving Neel Jani or Karun Chandhok a seat next season – much needed Indian DNA racing the so-called half Indian – half Dutch team.

And have I missed out Renault yet? Let them first commit to their Formula1 program, only then should we add them to our driver jigsaw puzzle.

(The author is a former racer and currently works with Sport18 - a div. of Network18. Kunal can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )