silly season

[Steven]

hi,

the silly season is underway now for some time, and I'd like to know what you all think who will be driving where?

Here's what I kinda figured out until now:

jaguar : (webber) & ??
jordan : (fisichella) & ??
toyota : ?? & (salo)
bar : button & (villeneuve/panis)
sauber : heidfeld & ??
minardi : davidson & ??
renault : alonso & trulli
ferrari : schumi & barrichello
williamns : monty & ralf

where's Villeneuve or Panis going? And more, what's happening at toyota, where nothing seems to be decided yet... any opinions, expectations

[Ijskovreter]

I hope BAR keeps Panis for the coming season.

And Jacques? maybe Toyota, together with Salo

[Steven]

an update about driver line op so far

jaguar : (webber) & ??
jordan : (fisichella) & ??
toyota : Panis & (da matta)
bar : villeneuve & button
sauber : heidfeld & frentzen
minardi : (davidson) & ??
renault : alonso & trulli
ferrari : schumi & barrichello
williamns : monty & ralf

so what with Allan McNish? Mark Webber? Eddie Irvine? Sato (hope he leaves f1 )...

[Steven]

some info that may start rumours

- Toyota will be testing Helio Castroneves (from CART) one of these days
- Pizzonia will test a Jaguar (Is besides Marc Gene BMW.Williams' official test driver)

so far the testing

[Steven]

Gene will remain test driver in 2003 for Williams:

“I am delighted to have Marc working with us for another season,” said team boss Sir Frank Williams. “He is a tireless worker who is well attuned with the way we operate. The job that he has done so far for our team has contributed significantly to our performance on track and Marc's continued support will be necessary if we are to fulfill our aspirations to return to a winning position.”

I personally think he is one of the better drivers currently active in F1, as I was impressed by the way he was driving the Minardi a year ago...
He's also quite intelligent as I remember, but don't know his degree anymore anyone does?

[Steven]

well, get off of the driver's focus :

Minardi have assured they will be driving Cosworth engines next year..
seems like the midfield is going to be more tight that 2002.. let's hope the distance to the top decreases also, and we get some title fights until the last race between 8 drivers

mmm .. I'll keep on dreaming then

[McLarenfan]

Da Matta is close to have a contract with Toyota!

[Steven]

Not anymore ...
He didn't seem to be that good after all.. the main advantage he has in CART is his weight, as he's lighter and smaller than the other drivers, and because of the max car weight is set without the driver....
Also, he is tied up to his CART team, and the cost to buy him out would be too high. Castroneves did a wonderful test day recently (see topic in this forum also) so I think he has more chances

[Micky]

I heard rumors that Panis has signed a contract with BAR.
Also it looks like Frentzen could replace Massa at Sauber, so Massa could be in contention for the Jaguar or Jordan seats

[Jukebox]

poor Massa..he would end up without a drive next season

[Steven]

.. probably

Helio Castroneves has now also been linked to Jaguar btw

[Steven]

meanwhile... De La Rosa is hoping Addie Irvine leaves F1. He actually said he would love to see the teams not being interested in hiring Irvine for next season.. erm if I was Lauda, I would not let these two drive together next year

[Steven]

Jaquar has now also confirmed Pizzonia and Webber as their drivers for next year. I think when they can work well with each other (read: better than Irv and De La Rosa ) they maight be a good combination of young talentful drivers. Although I think Marc Gene is a better driver than Pizzonia, he probably wasn't that eager to go back to racing as Pizzonia was...
After all a good choice Lauda!

[Guest]

hi,

the silly season is underway now for some time, and I'd like to know what you all think who will be driving where?

Here's what I kinda figured out until now:

jaguar : (webber) & ??
jordan : (fisichella) & ??
toyota : ?? & (salo)
bar : button & (villeneuve/panis)
sauber : heidfeld & ??
minardi : davidson & ??
renault : alonso & trulli
ferrari : schumi & barrichello
williamns : monty & ralf

where's Villeneuve or Panis going? And more, what's happening at toyota, where nothing seems to be decided yet... any opinions, expectations

jaguar : webber & pizzonia
jordan : fisichella & sato??
toyota : panis & da matta
bar : button & villeneuve
sauber : heidfeld & frentzen
minardi : davidson & ??
renault : alonso & trulli
ferrari : schumi & barrichello
williams : monty & ralf
mclaren : coulthard & raikkonen
arrows -- over --

[Steven]

Has davidson yet been comfirmed by Minardi than?