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[headless]

In other news... paddock gossip this weekend suggest Crapajima is off to Toyota, along with Kovalainen!! Toyota are potentially going to be the laughing stock of the grid with a line-up like that!!

Already are.

I remember a time when everyone loved Heikki and thought he was great

He seems like a lovely chap but his results (or lack there of) speak for themself. He's just not good enough to be in one of the top teams imo.

Yeh when he came to F1 in 2007 i think alot of people thought he was was the next Mika in the same way Vettle is considered the next Schui.

Especially on the back of Japan 07

But although like you say he is a nice guy, hes not worth of a seat in a Mclaren.

I have so much respect for him as a man.
He says he always looks on the upside of everything, that is how he is always cheery when interviewed.
Cracking bloke, shame about the results.

[Gaz]

In other news... paddock gossip this weekend suggest Crapajima is off to Toyota, along with Kovalainen!! Toyota are potentially going to be the laughing stock of the grid with a line-up like that!!

Already are.

I remember a time when everyone loved Heikki and thought he was great

He seems like a lovely chap but his results (or lack there of) speak for themself. He's just not good enough to be in one of the top teams imo.

Yeh when he came to F1 in 2007 i think alot of people thought he was was the next Mika in the same way Vettle is considered the next Schui.

Especially on the back of Japan 07

But although like you say he is a nice guy, hes not worth of a seat in a Mclaren.

I have so much respect for him as a man.
He says he always looks on the upside of everything, that is how he is always cheery when interviewed.
Cracking bloke, shame about the results.

[bud]

yeah its a shame i really like Heikki i wish he could stay on at McLaren but I think 2 seasons is long enough to prove yourself. I think he needs a few angry pills and get rid of the nice boy attitude if he wants to get results.

[awesomerusty]

yeah its a shame i really like Heikki i wish he could stay on at McLaren but I think 2 seasons is long enough to prove yourself. I think he needs a few angry pills and get rid of the nice boy attitude if he wants to get results.

yep yep,i like Heikki as well,he is a good driver,all he needs to do is to be an awesome driver,but not only a good parnter for hamilton.

[supeindesu]

It's now official, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa drivers for Ferrari next year.

[bud]

It's now official, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa drivers for Ferrari next year.

finally!!! we can stop hearing the rumours all the bloody time! it was getting boring

[Jamie]

I doubt Alonso will go to Ferrari in 2010, although there are still a number of factors which are working in his favour.

A few days ago those factors started to change very quickly, but it's still possible to him to have to wait till 2010, that year it's definitely sure.

Well I think Ferrari themselves have no idea what to do. Although the signs from Massa are good, they cannot be entirely sure that he'll ever achieve full fitness.

They won't know until he gets into the car again, by then that'll be late Autumn at best?

If Renault leave F1 I can see Alonso taking a year out, if not then he'll remain at Renault.

That my friend is the only thing right about the Alonso so called "move" rumour. Ferrari have someone nearly or even better than Schumacher? Or Kimi who lets face it is not better?

But Kimi has shown promise thee past few races and has redeemed himself?

What would you do?

How can you say Kimi is not better when only 2 years ago he won a WDC and Massa came 4th.

...and he'll prob take 4th or even 3rd this year if he keeps doing what hes doing.

Kimi is a good driver prob one of the best in F1 when motivated.

Out of Alonso and Kimi, the obvious choice would be Alonso? As he is far better. & i believe he coudo a better job in McLaren or Ferrari. But yeah your right this season he could re-deem himself through some good podiums etc. But i still think and always have thought Aonso would be the man for Ferrari.

Oh wait. Who was right

Thats what i thought!!!

[7UpJordan]

Ross "Bananaman" Brawn hosts a "shoot out" race to see who will drive his cars next year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA2mrugzhwg

[McLaren Fan]

At least the Alonso matter is sorted now.

[Jamie]

At least the Alonso matter is sorted now.

It is, but Sponsorship is still a problem?

[EwanM]

At least the Alonso matter is sorted now.

It is, but Sponsorship is still a problem?

?

[EwanM]

Robert Kubica on Saturday appeared to express concerns about moving to the Renault or Toyota teams next year.

During Friday's FIA press conference, both outfits confirmed their interest in Kubica, who is reluctant to stay at BMW Sauber for next year in the wake of BMW's withdrawal.

Toyota's commitment to F1 is the subject of intense speculation, and the same could also be said of Renault, particularly in the wake of the harmful 'crash-gate' scandal.

"The future of the team is a big factor and big influence on my decision," Kubica told reporters at Suzuka. "I would not like to be in the same situation I'm in with BMW Sauber - that in the middle of the season the company is announcing it's retiring from Formula One. I do not want to be in this position (again).
”

Toyota team president John Howett admitted in Japan that he is chasing Kubica's services for 2010 despite not yet knowing the size of the 2010 budget that must be approved by the carmaker's executive committee next month. But the Briton said it is still possible to be negotiating over high salaries with top drivers like Kubica.

"The budget is going to be roughly the size it is currently, and you can reduce other areas. If you buy a cheaper driver, you can deploy that in other areas. I think (it's) a very simple equation for us," he explained.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Toyota has 'probably lost' Kubica

By Simon Strang and Edd Straw Sunday, October 4th 2009, 08:19 GMT

Toyota has probably failed in its bid to sign Robert Kubica for next season, according to team president John Howett.

Kubica is now expected to join Renault despite the Japanese manufacturer's last ditch attempt to secure his services, leaving Toyota to re-evaluate its options for next year.

Both Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli are out of contract, but despite the Italian finishing second in Japan, Howett suggests that he is still not top of the list.

"It looks like we have probably lost Robert, so we need to look next week and really see what we finally do," Howett told the BBC.

"[Regarding Trulli] we will have to wait and see. He did a great job, but we have to look at the total season and really reconsider. It is probably less likely, but I don't think we can exclude anything.

"It really depends which way the market moves in the next couple of weeks and if somebody else arrives and we consider them a better option, we have to take them.

"Jarno did a great job here today, but we still need a little bit more for the number one."

The team, who has long been a Kimi Raikkonen admirer and has made several attempts to sign him, is believed to be interesting in hiring the Finn.

Trulli insists that his strong form in Japan was not motivated by a desire to secure a new contract with Toyota, and he remains committed to continuing in F1 for a 14th season in 2010.

"To be honest I am not looking to keep my position at Toyota," said Trulli. "I am racing for Toyota and I am racing for myself."

Glock, who sat out the Japanese Grand Prix after an accident in qualifying, is in a stronger position to remain with the team, and Howett is certain that the German will be fit to race at Interlagos in two weeks.

"Glock will be fine for Brazil," said Howett, whose team is still in contention for third in the Constructors' Championship with two races to go.

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Heikki Kovalainen could retain his McLaren seat team principal Martin Whitmarsh claims. The British-based team has been contemplating a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton, and in recent days the link with a return to McLaren for Kimi Raikkonen has strengthened.

Whitmarsh said in Japan that the current Ferrari driver is one option for 2010, but insisted that McLaren's current Finn is not yet out of the running.

"We are not waiting for Kimi," the Briton said. "There's a very good possibility that Heikki will be driving for the team again next year."

Hamilton, managed by his father Anthony, has suggested publicly on a number of occasions that he would like to keep Kovalainen as his team-mate.

Whitmarsh admitted there is a chance the Briton will still have the same team-mate at the start of next season, but only if Kovalainen can immediately up his game.

"I don't sense that we need to make a decision in the next week, two weeks, three weeks, even beyond that," he said.

"I think the right and courteous thing to our current drivers is to support them and see if we do a good job and get some results in these last few races."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, we all know why Hamilton and his father would like to keep Kovalainen at McLaren, but this absolutely never be allowed to happen, and the team had better not fall for any of the Hamiltons' nonesense.

[Tony_sa]

From F1 Live:

Heikki Kovalainen could retain his McLaren seat team principal Martin Whitmarsh claims. The British-based team has been contemplating a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton, and in recent days the link with a return to McLaren for Kimi Raikkonen has strengthened.

Whitmarsh said in Japan that the current Ferrari driver is one option for 2010, but insisted that McLaren's current Finn is not yet out of the running.

"We are not waiting for Kimi," the Briton said. "There's a very good possibility that Heikki will be driving for the team again next year."

Hamilton, managed by his father Anthony, has suggested publicly on a number of occasions that he would like to keep Kovalainen as his team-mate.

Whitmarsh admitted there is a chance the Briton will still have the same team-mate at the start of next season, but only if Kovalainen can immediately up his game.

"I don't sense that we need to make a decision in the next week, two weeks, three weeks, even beyond that," he said.

"I think the right and courteous thing to our current drivers is to support them and see if we do a good job and get some results in these last few races."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, we all know why Hamilton and his father would like to keep Kovalainen at McLaren, but this absolutely never be allowed to happen, and the team had better not fall for any of the Hamiltons' nonesense.

I mentioned this issue earlier. hammie dont seem to want a teammate that cant be convinced or manipulated not to challenge him on the track. whether heiki is not performing or is suffering from retardation by the team is the question really.