2001 Driver line-up - Silly season round up

[Ed-f1]

Next seasons driver line up is beginning to fall into place particularly among the top teams. Using the evidence rumours and speculation it looks like it could be:

Mclaren: Hakkinen and Coulthard
Has been confirmed but rumours that Hakkinen may retire persist. If he does Panis will probably get his seat.

Ferrari: Michael Schumacher and Barrichello

Jordan: Frentzen and Trulli
Button has also been linked to Jordan if Frentzen goe to Jaguar. That rumour seem to have died a death though. Also rumours of a Trulli - Fisichella swap but it looks likely that Jordan will end up keeping both drivers.

Jaguar: Irvine and Franchitti
Another team that Button has been linked to but they are said to be unkeen because of his long term contract with Williams. Herbert could yet stay but it looks likely that he will go to the states in some sort of swap with Franchitti.

Williams: Ralf Schumacher and Montoya
Chip Ganassi has apparently finally agreed to release Montoya from his contract which will see him taking Button's seat at Williams. If the deal falls through somehow then Button could stay.

Benetton: Fisichella and Villeneuve
Benetton are shortly to announce a deal with Villeneuve worth $25 million in 2001 and $50 million in 2002 (Australian dollars that is I think). Pizzonia and Webber have also been linked to the second benetton as they seem sure to replace Wurz

Arrows: Verstappen and Mark Webber
De la Rosa has supposedly had offers from elsewhere sp could jump ship making way for test driver Mark Webber to move up to the race team.

BAR: De la Rosa and Button
With Villeneuve going to Benetton and the team unimpressed with Zonta BAR could be looking for 2 new drivers next season. De la Rosa and Button have both been linked to BAR (but then again Button's been linked to about 3/4 of the teams on the grid). Panis is also a possibility as he is looking for a racing drive next season instead of continuing as a test driver for Mclaren.

Sauber: Diniz and Panis?
Mika Salo is meant to be heading off to test for Toyota next season which leaves at least one vacancy in Sauber. Diniz could be off elsewhere as well. Panis could fill one of their seats. Button (yes, him again) has also been linked to Sauber.

Prost: Alesi and Heidfeld?
Well, who else would go there? Alesi will probably stay another season although he'd be best advised to go anywhere else or retire really. Heidfeld, I'm not so sure about. Other possibilities, Panis (no surely he wouldn't go back their - would he?), Sarrazin and Button (Prost did give him his first F1 test after all...)

Minardi: Gene and ?
Someone with lots of money. Could be Diniz but I think it's unlikely. Maybe Badoer if they get those Ferrari engines.