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.

[Minardi fan]

I can't wait to see how this all turns out. Here's what I reckon will happen...

McLaren - DC and Panis
Ferrari - TGF and Barrichello
Jordan - Frentzen and Trulli
Benetton - Fisichella and Pizzonia
Jaguar - Irvine and Franchitti
Sauber - Wurz??? and Button
BAR - Villeneuve and De La Rosa
Minardi - Gene and Badoer/Diniz/Alonso
Prost - Alesi and Heidfeld
Arrows - Verstappen and Webber
Williams - Ralf and Montoya

Of course, this is just what I think looking at the evidence. The most interesting moves will be who accompanies Fisi at Benetton, who fills the second Minardi seat, where Button goes, and the question of whether Hakkinen will retire or move.

[Sharky]

Mhhh...It should go this way. Those in () are uncertain.

Mclaren-Hak & DC
Ferrari-Schu & Rubens
Williams-Ralf and Montoya
Benetton-(Villeneuve, Piazzona, Fisichella)
Jordan-Frentzen (Trulli, Fisichella)
Arrows-Verstappen (De la rosa)
BAR-(Button, De la rosa, Villeneuve)
Sauber-???? & ???? (Salo)
Minardi-Gene (badoer, diniz, x pay driver, ferrari engines)
Jaguar-Irvine (Franchitti, button, panis)
Prost-Alesi & Heidfeld (Mercedes engines)

[steve nielsen]

Mclaren-Mercedes

Hakkinen
Coulthard

Ferrari

M. Schumacher
Barichello

Williams-BMW

R. Schumacher
Montoya

Jordan-Honda

Trulli
Button

Jaguar

Irvine
Frentzen

Benetton-Renault

Fischicella
Villeneuve

BAR-Honda

De la Rosa
Manning

Arrows-Peugeot

Verstappen
Panis

Sauber-Ferrari

Salo
Wurz

Prost-Chrysler

Heidfeld
Pizzonia

Minardi-Supertec

Gene
Alonso

[Minardi fan]

Ooooh engines...

McLaren Mercedes
Ferrari
Jordan Honda
Jaguar Cosworth
BAR Honda
Benetton Renault
Arrows Supertec
Minardi Petronas
Sauber Petronas
Williams BMW
Prost... Ummm?

[Gerard]

I bet Prost will be delighted with those new Ummm engines.
Anything better than a Peugeot.

[Minardi fan]

I was waiting for that joke...



Ummm is a cool name for an engine. Perhaps the new Peugeot could be called that - then we may have a Minardi-Ummm on the grid in 2001...

Thinking about it, it's actually more suited to Cranky...

[Tristan]

Prost-Chrysler?? Not next year, surely? Although what's all this about Prost selling to a Canadian conglomerate?? I don't know...

Minardi Supertec is (unfortunatly) probably the best bet. Ferrari look to be providing exclusivly Sauber (why?). However, a Supertec deal mayn't be too bad. Look at what Arrows have done with it this year....

As for Arrow-Pug: err... no.

I think a return for Panis does look increasingly likley given the good job he has done at McLaren by all accounts. I have a funny feeling he might end up at BAR. Watch this space.

I can't see HHF leaving Jordan now. He'd be unwise to move to Jag and those rumours have now died down.

Prost's line up: your guess is as good as mine!

Drivers linked with Arrows:
Button
Salo
Heidfeld
Esteban Tuero (remeber him?!)
Webber
Panis
Franchitti

Your guess is as good as mine........