What an exciting time to be a Formula One fan…
As 2012 is still fizzing with drama from the twists and
turns of on-track action, the 2013 season is already starting to bubble as the
mad rush to complete team driver line-ups begins off-track. Arguably, never has
such the game of chess in the F1 paddock been so widely spread throughout the
field, with vast possibilities for current and potential drivers. Of course the
recent dominating stories and speculation has regarded two of the six world
champions on the 2012 grid, Lewis Hamilton & Michael Schumacher.
As a fairly patriotic fan, supporting the British driver’s
and teams, I have thoroughly enjoyed three years of having two British champion
teammates in McLaren and was initially disappointed to hear the news Lewis was
breaking his fourteen year association with McLaren to join the German
manufacturer Mercedes, yet like many I am relieved to see Michael retire. My
personal reasoning for this is that there are so many up and coming names; the
legend is making way for new opportunities, stories, battles and rivalries to
be made. Perhaps a drive could have been salvaged for him but as Anthony
Davidson quoted in this weekend’s Sky
Sports F1 qualifying coverage, ‘too many drivers - not enough teams’!
I could easily create a late article regarding Lewis’ controversial
departure, but I believe aside from the actual championship, the driver market is
currently the most exciting talking point. After a two and a half hour discussion
in the local pub with some friends, some ideas (some sensible, some not so)
have been thrown around.
Red Bull:
We start with a team that needs no speculation, with the confirmed line-up of
Vettel and Webber continuing after Webber renewed his one-year rolling contract
once again. Will he still be at Red Bull in 2014? If his 2013 showing is poor, it’s
doubtful.
long-term signed
Jenson Button.
Ferrari: Now
that McLaren and Mercedes have confirmed their line-ups, speculation is drawing
to Felipe Massa’s future which has long been debated. If Ferrari doesn’t choose
the safe option and resign Massa, di Resta and Hulkenberg are replacement favourites,
but I put forward Heikki Kovalainen’s name. Perez was dismissed for the drive
due to experience, but whilst Perez is younger than the Force India drivers,
they have the same two years of Formula One experience. Why are they so
different? Kovalainen has six years developing his craft and deserves one more
top of the grid opportunity. If the other flying Finn Kimi Raikkonen doesn’t
surprise many and re-join his championship winning team, Alonso could work well
with Kovalainen and I would relish seeing Heikki drive for the Prancing Horse.
Mercedes: Nico
Rosberg will partner his old karting teammate Lewis Hamilton becoming the first
pair of GP2 champions to join forces in F1 (2005 & 2006). With
Rosberg entering his eighth season since joining Williams in 2006, he needs to
step up from a four to a five star driver. Despite his China GP win and lack of
top-three team machinery, Nico has never had a teammate at the top of their
game, and now he will have one to compare to. Out of all inter-team rivalries,
this will be the one to watch for me.
Lotus: It’s
extremely likely Lotus’ line-up will stay the same for next season, but should
Raikkonen jump ship to Ferrari, or crash-kid Grosjean who isn't secure, maybe the two guys at Force India will quickly be linked with the
seat(s). This would be a fantastic fit and much more suitable than the rumoured
Ferrari drive which has the greatest expectation in the paddock, hence the
suggestion of the more experienced Kovalainen. Nevertheless, I believe the two
will stay before a more likely change perhaps in 2014.
Force India: Similarly, this constructor look destined to keep
at least one driver, if not both, if they can keep them from the
Ferrari and Lotus drives. Certainly Force India would love to do so. Failing
this, there is not a shortage of options. Reserve driver Bianchi would no doubt
be a favourite, with others including 2011 evictees Buemi, Sutil and Alguersuari,
Kovalainen if overlooked by Ferrari, Senna if outcast by Williams and Italian GP2
champion Valsecchi.
Sauber: With
Perez McLaren-bound, one seat is open with Kamui Kobayashi’s in danger of being
lost. This weekend’s podium at his home Japanese Grand Prix will certainly
boost his chances of a fourth season, of which may be a career-decisive one.
With the same backing as Perez and a successful season in GP2, reserve driver Esteban
Gutierrez looks a likely rookie debutant replacement. Should KK be exiled, any
of the names above could in with a shout. Could Massa even take a career step backwards and re-join his former team he
left in 2005? Hmm…
Toro Rosso: Riccardo
and Vergne have done a respectable but not spectacular job this year. For a
programme finding the next Vettel, I’d love to see
the two of them and Vettel in Red Bull cars just for one day to compare.
Nevertheless, it is likely they will keep their seats and hope for better
machinery the year after next. A few have mentioned Felix de Costa picking up a
seat having being backed by Red Bull this year, but having only been in GP3 for
only one full season, I believe quite a premature association.
Williams: With
Maldonado likely to stay after his Spanish Grand Prix win, general good pace
and definitely because of his
financial backing; Bruno Senna’s place looks in danger with every passing race
weekend. Bottas has impressed in Friday practice sessions, and is suspected
will take the second race seat next year, making it three Finnish drivers in
Formula One. Erm, why don’t we have a race in Finland yet?!
Caterham: With
Petrov seemingly out of sponsorship pocket and going out of F1 before the
inaugural Russian grand prix, and unless Kovalainen decides to endure another
season being lapped; both Caterham seats are up for grabs. Alguersuari is a
favourite to be a successor, perhaps being joined by fellow ex-driver Sutil.
Don’t be surprised if another GP2 graduate takes a place though.
HRT: The
Spanish outfit have a contract with de la Rosa, which similarly to Schumacher I
believe is a shame, particularly if they keep Karthikeyan too. They aren’t
going to achieve anything significant and are closing opportunities for future
names of Formula One. I’d personally like to see GP2’s runner up Luiz Razia at
least be considered.
Reserve Driver:
Having finished 2nd in the 2011 GP3 season and 5th
including two race wins in the 2012 GP2 season, I would love to see Britain’s
James Calado become an occasional Friday practice driver in the 2013 season for
a mid-field team with the aim of a 2014 full time drive if a successful 2013
GP2 campaign is achieved.
In summary:
- I can’t wait for the Mercedes match-up especially if Mercedes give them the goods to work with
- Massa’s seat is becoming a main talking point after Hamilton & Schumacher’s 2013 team conclusions and his Japanese podium place
- I hope Kovalainen is given a chance he arguably deserves, if not Ferrari to at least a high mid-field team again or perhaps even Lotus
- Someone needs to tell Bernie to seriously consider having a Finnish race
- Oh, and lastly congratulations Jack Harvey (promising Brit in McLaren’s young driver programme) for securing the British Formula 3 crown
My mixed preferred/predicted
line-ups:
Italics = confirmed
(those who have a 2013 contract but have not been officially confirmed have not
been highlighted)
Red Bull: Vettel,
Webber
McLaren: Button,
Perez
Ferrari: Alonso,
Kovalainen
Mercedes: Hamilton,
Rosberg
Lotus: Raikkonen, Grosjean
Force India: di Resta, Hulkenberg
Sauber: Kobayashi, Gutierrez
Toro Rosso: Riccardo, Vergne
Williams: Maldonado, Bottas
Caterham: Senna/Alguersuari, Valsecchi
Marussia: Glock,
Chilton
HRT: de la Rosa,
Razia
Nick, F1Hub
I really insightful article. Even an out-of-the-closet F1 disliker found this really interesting! Keep it up.
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