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[EwanM]

Rosberg-Heidfeld to swap seats for 2009?
The subject of paddock rumours
25/09/08 11:17


http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 3030.shtml

Despite earlier speculation about his future proving untrue, the future of Nico Rosberg is once again the subject of paddock rumours.

Several weeks ago, before Heikki Kovalainen was confirmed for 2009, McLaren dismissed suggestions it was looking to buy out the young German's Williams contract.

The rumour had been triggered by famous driver manager Willi Weber, whose charge Nico Hulkenberg is a Williams test driver this year.

Weber hinted that Rosberg could be set to move on soon.



Williams and Rosberg have since pledged to stay together in 2009, but the Swiss newspaper Blick is from Singapore reporting the possibility of a shake-up.

Blick claims that Rosberg, 23, and BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld could exchange cockpits at the end of this season.

© CAPSIS International

[Gaz]

I think he will remain in 09 since the massive changes could really benefit Williams.

[McLaren Fan]

I think this is just more rumour-mongering. It's getting a little bit beyond the joke now. Rosberg has said he wants to see how things go at Williams next season before making his decision. This is basically a euphemism for if Williams don't get their act together I'll be somewhere else in 2010. It's like the Alonso and Ferrari rumours. Ferrari have extended Raikkonen's contract and Massa has already got a contract anyway and people are still saying Alonso could move there before long. In terms of Rosberg again, if Williams don't do well next season and if Kovalainen continues to be mediocre, I could see him in at McLaren. The team wanted him for this season, his father knows the McLaren setup and gets along with Dennis, McLaren have got their internal politics sorted out and look to back on form again and Vettel is Red Bull property and Ferrari may have a card up their sleeve in the form of Mateschitz's Ferrari engine contract.

[bud]

I do not think Mateschitz will sell Vettel to anyone, as he has plans of Redbull being a winning team and has Vettel as a big part of that plan!

But given time Vettel may want to move on himself if the results are not there.

[7UpJordan]

Another stupid PR stunt by Weber just so he can have Hulkenberg shoved into the Williams cockpit for next year. The Hulk is clearly not ready, he's not seen his slow pace during testing, Hulk needs at least a year of GP2 before he's ready for F1.

But I wouldn't mind Heidfeld returning to Williams, despite his on and off form this season "I reckon he could still do a job for us" (as the great Neil Warnock would say ).

[scotty]

I don't think Rosberg will leave Williams, but Heidfeld looks like he could be finished - Thiessen doesn't have a history of changing his mind once he has decided on something and i reckon if Heidfeld was going to get a new contract at all, he'd have one by now.

[Denthúl]

I don't think Rosberg will leave Williams, but Heidfeld looks like he could be finished - Thiessen doesn't have a history of changing his mind once he has decided on something and i reckon if Heidfeld was going to get a new contract at all, he'd have one by now.

Unfortunately, Heidfeld's future depends very much on Alonso's future. Personally, I think Heidfeld would be a much better choice for BMW Sauber than Alonso, since they already have Kubica.

[Dutchcruijff]

If this happens...well no-go for Vettel. Woohoo! Only Mclaren now really.

But I reckon Rosberg will get his seat with Mclaren rather than BMW if anything. However, it's been said that the BMW board want a German racing driver and why not replace Heidfeld (German) for Rosberg (German)?

[7UpJordan]

Don't discount Bruno Senna, if Buemi gets the Toro Rosso seat Senna will try and go for the BMW seat because he has apparently already been in talks with Dr Theissen about 2009.

Nico will definately stay with Williams beyond 2009 if the FW31 is quick out of the box. It should be, because on low downforce circuits and at Monaco the FW30 has been very close to the pace of the "big 3" and infact MUCH closer than last year's FW29 was in the corresponding races. You might also remember Nico going P2 in Monaco Q2 this year just 1 tenth shy of Massa and then going P6 in Q3 with a heavy fuel load and still miles ahead of the likes of Trulli-scrumptious and Webber.

[texasmr2]

and still miles ahead of the likes of Trulli-scrumptious and Webber.

Have you been rading Jarno's vineyards late at night again!

[Denthúl]

Don't discount Bruno Senna, if Buemi gets the Toro Rosso seat Senna will try and go for the BMW seat because he has apparently already been in talks with Dr Theissen about 2009.

Nico will definately stay with Williams beyond 2009 if the FW31 is quick out of the box. It should be, because on low downforce circuits and at Monaco the FW30 has been very close to the pace of the "big 3" and infact MUCH closer than last year's FW29 was in the corresponding races. You might also remember Nico going P2 in Monaco Q2 this year just 1 tenth shy of Massa and then going P6 in Q3 with a heavy fuel load and still miles ahead of the likes of Trulli-scrumptious and Webber.

I don't think Theissen would be willing to give Senna a chance without more experience under his belt. He'd probably be looking for someone with an amount of experience comparable to Heidfeld's as a replacement. Remember that they'd have to be consistent, too. Heidfeld's steady points-flow in to the team's account over the past three years has been overlooked to an extent because of Kubica's raw pace.

[McLaren Fan]

Bruno Senna is not ready for Formula One. In fact, unless he started in a small team, it could damage his career prospects. He would be better spending another year in GP2 before moving into Formula One.

[f1maniac95]

I don't think Rosberg will go, at least not next year because with the new aero rules then they may get it right and make a decent car.

[texasmr2]

Let's also not forget that Sir Frank is known to be a man of his word and if he promised Niko a secure ride thru 2010 he would be hard pressed to renig on that promise, unless the driver is truelly unhappy and then he can be bought out of his contract for a price that will line the pockets of the Wlliams team.

[McLaren Fan]

Let's also not forget that Sir Frank is known to be a man of his word and if he promised Niko a secure ride thru 2010 he would be hard pressed to renig on that promise, unless the driver is truelly unhappy and then he can be bought out of his contract for a price that will line the pockets of the Wlliams team.

Is there not a performance related clause in Rosberg's contact? Something like if the team don't come forth in the constructors' title at some stage, he can leave early.