With the press room humming over David Coulthard’s retirement and the shock announcement that Silverstone has lost the British Grand Prix, not to mention Max Mosley’s shake-up of the regulations for 2011, the paddock rumour mill has gone into overdrive this weekend…
Nico to BMW?
The latest paddock whispers suggest that German sensation Nico Rosberg is being earmarked to replace fellow countryman Nick Heidfeld at BMW Sauber. Heidfeld has had a difficult start to his 2008 campaign after struggling with the handling of his F1.08 while team-mate Robert Kubica has blossomed.
While Rosberg has emerged as one of the hottest properties on the driver market after a string of dazzling qualifying efforts, the German remains in contract with Williams until the end of 2009. Frank Williams has said that he wouldn’t give his star signing up for any realistic sum of money.
“Nico is fundamental for our growth, we have an agreement with him until the end of 2009,” Williams told Autosprint magazine.
“Maybe someone will want to take him away for 50 million dollars, but contracts are contracts. And this year, our financial situation is a lot more solid than in 2007.”
“Our priority is Nico, he’s really magic. We all know Lewis… Nelson Jr? I don’t know.”
Alonso to Ferrari?
The on-going speculation over Fernando Alonso’s scarlet inclinations has also been a talking point this weekend. The Spaniard arrived at the Silverstone circuit wearing a bright red shirt, but he insists it was not a hint about his preferred Formula One team.
“No, I’m not about to sign anything,” the Renault driver told Spanish reporters.
“After the summer I will have some time to think about what I am going to do. So far I have not talked to anyone, nor has anything happened. I am focused 100 per cent on doing good races.”
On closer inspection the red shirt turned out to be the jersey of Spain’s national football team which won Euro 2008, much to the delight of Alonso.
Vettel to Ferrari?
A more wild rumour doing the rounds is that Sebastian Vettel could be on his way to Ferrari, providing Kimi retires that is.
The Italian outfit would be willing to launch a 60 million Euros bid to lure the German Sensation to the team, according to German publication Auto Bild Motorsport.
“Me retiring?” Raikkonen said. “I have a contract for next season.”
