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[cap-dude]

So there we are the driver line-up is all but confirmed for next year.

toyota have confirmed Glock is racing for them
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=41315

And Red Bull deny that either of their drivers are leaving for any reason at all.
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...19143001.shtml


So bascially that leaves Alonso one place, Renault.
Alonso has not been offically confirmed, but the words from Briatore here say it all
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 3341.shtml

Only the matter of whos his team mate is undecided, but i think we know the answer.
Force India are really the only unknown, but its probaly klien

So the driver line up looks to be.

Ferrari- Kimi & Massa
McLaren- Hamiliton and Kovy
BMW- Kubica & Heidfeid
Renault- Alonso & Piquet
Williams- Rosberg & Nakajima
Red Bull- Coulthard & Webber
Toyota - Glock & Truli
Honda - Barrichello and Button
Toro Rosso - Vettel & Bourdias
Super Aguri - Sato & Davidson
Force India - Sutil & Klien

[texasmr2]

I say that lineup will give us all one heck of an enjoyable season as the potentail for new race winner's is better than it has been for sometime. I will be putting my support behind these driver's as in the order by team listed above:

Of course Kimi & Massa
Kovy
Robert & Nick
Piquet
Rosberg & Nakajima
Webber ( I have lost my motivation for DC)
Glock & Truli
Barrichello & Button
Vettel & Bourdias

I wish the best for Super Aguri and Force India but I am not familiar enough with their driver's to have an opinion. If they sneek in a podium finish or dare say a win I will be very happy for them.

[cap-dude]

I get the feeling that Kovalainen will be faster then Hamiliton next year, so thats somthing i want to see pan out.

Also Toyota have an interesting line-up, lets just hope they can deliever a good car at last.

[GianFisi]

What if MS want a last challenge, which team could it possibly be? If Prodrive arrives Fisichella does the same I think.

[texasmr2]

What if MS want a last challenge, which team could it possibly be? If Prodrive arrives Fisichella does the same I think.

MS will never drive for anyone else than Ferrari, he is under contract with Ferrari until he is old and gray.

[juggles]

I get the feeling that Kovalainen will be faster then Hamiliton next year, so thats somthing i want to see pan out.

any reason? seems unlikely to me.

[racechick]

Kovi good and much improved over the year.Eat my hat if he beat Lewis tho! Oops-not wearing a hat! Eat my Lewis cap then

[7UpJordan]

I get the feeling that Kovalainen will be faster then Hamiliton next year, so thats somthing i want to see pan out.

any reason? seems unlikely to me.

Indeed, first we need to see the new cars, then we need to decide which new car looks the best and which one look the most ridiculous. Then we need to see how the new cars go.

[cap-dude]

Well think, what have we to prove Lewis is faster.

Theres just as much a chance that Kovy is faster.
My main thought is that Kovalinen is extremely smooth when driving, look at Fuji for instance. Then in testing, he showed fanatastic pace with no TC, the way things look, Kovalinen raise a few eyebrows next year.

[raithrover]

I'm not sure if he's as fast as Hamilton, or as smooth as Button. Certainly is shaping up to be a great season (FIA permitting) and we'll have our answers but not soon enough for my liking.

[mooker]

I think Hamilton will shine for a year or two, but Heikki will mature into a fine driver - as good, maybe better. They'd make a good pairing for McLaren.

On topic, I'd say Webber will switch to Renault through engine supplier connection with Alonso taking the No1 seat at Red Bull.

[texasmr2]

What is the deadline for the team's to announce their driver's lineup for the new season?

[bud]

i dont think there is a deadline for teams, 'they can chop and change their drivers any time during the year!
The drivers just have to have á superlicence for the team to sign them, then they can take the contract to the contract recognition board before they can drive!

[racechick]

Well think, what have we to prove Lewis is faster.

Theres just as much a chance that Kovy is faster.
My main thought is that Kovalinen is extremely smooth when driving, look at Fuji for instance. Then in testing, he showed fanatastic pace with no TC, the way things look, Kovalinen raise a few eyebrows next year.

Kovi not faster. Look at both their histories prior to F1. Look at how quickly they acclimatised to a new formula. Lewis' records are way the best. Mind you Kovi whooped Schuey at race of champions in Paris 2 or3 years ago in a Ferrari(not F1) that was ace to watch! Ive liked him ever since

[7UpJordan]

Kovi not faster. Look at both their histories prior to F1. Look at how quickly they acclimatised to a new formula. Lewis' records are way the best. Mind you Kovi whooped Schuey at race of champions in Paris 2 or3 years ago in a Ferrari(not F1) that was ace to watch! Ive liked him ever since

Sometimes quick progression through the lower formulae doesn't translate into F1 success. Anybody remember Erik Comas? Totally walked to the F3000 title in 1990 and then struggled with Ligier and Larrousse? I suppose you could say in this one that his chances were wrecked upon arriving at a Ligier team that was in complete chaos with personnel not co-operating with each other, and a crap chassis despite using Lamborghini V12's for 1991 and then the same Renault V10's that Williams used for 1992. It also practically wrecked Thierry Boutsen's career as well, but then things didn't get any better for Comas when he moved to the struggling Larrousse team for 1993 and 1994 before dissapearing altogether afterwards. Perhaps Comas' career might have gone better had he joined a better team.

Also remember Jan Magnussen? Walking his way through the ranks, impressing on his F1 debut deputising for Mika Hakkinen in 1995 and then his F1 career going downhill and ending with being sacked after the 1998 Canadian GP by the Stewart team.

Just goes to show that sometimes walking through lower Formulae won't guarantee you to be the next Lewis Hamilton.