2012 Predictions / Driver Line-up / News etc...

From BBC's Gossip Column:

Felipe Massa says he has told his Brazilian friend, and Williams driver, Rubens Barrichello to quit Formula 1 and say goodbye at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. Barrichello's seat at Williams is under threat but the 39-year-old wants to continue driving. But Massa said: "I told him to quit and to use this last race to have a proper ending. But I know he will do what he thinks is the best for him."
Full story: totalrace.com (in Portuguese)

 

So does this mean that he knows he has not got a Renault seat next year, or, that he is fighting for Petrov's seat and not Kubica's.

 

I think it means he was never fighting with Kubica for the seat (which unofficially confirms Grosjean will drive next year):

So he's either fighting Petrov or...

http://www.elconfidencial.com/depor...ra-piloto-de-lotus-solo-falta-la-firma-88279/

 

http://www.f1zone.net/news/red-bull-to-place-vergne-at-lotus-in-2012-report/10488/

 

ai ai ai! senna or the blonde? im torn....

 

http://www.inautonews.com/alguersuari-says-toro-rosso-duo-deserve-2012-stay

 

Barrichello will not go to renault

 

If Rubens isn't staying at Williams then who else other than the obvious choice Kimi, will replace him?

 

The kimi deal doesn't look likely now. My moneys on Sutil.

 

This is the first I've heard about Ricciardo and Grosjean being linked to Lotus.

 

Yeah, very suprising. Trulli definitely has a contract, he signed an extension at least as early as September. Whilst Kovalainen has fairly destroyed Trulli this season, a lot of this has been blamed on the power steering system, and he has been closer since they sorted it. Ricciardo at Lotus could be interesting, as we'd finally get a decent assessment of both drivers. If Kovalainen continues to dominate, you'd have to argue that ruins Ricciardo's chance of replacing Webber in 2013.

EDIT: Actually, very interesting comments from the five live team. Apparently whilst Trulli has a contract, no press release has mentioned him racing for them. Maybe he'll be taking a test role, with either of the named drivers taking over, or Luiz Razia (who recently earned his superlicense) or Chandhok in the frame too?

 

Bruno Senna just mentioned in that BBC interview that he's not fighting for Petrov's seat - and as we know, Boullier has mentioned that Grosjean is the favourite for that seat.

Is this not another way of Bruno admitting that he's being replaced?

 

So Kubica not coming back makes no difference and now he's not fighting for Petrovs seat? I hate to say this but i think your right forza

 

I agree

 

Full quote.

 

Apparently HRT are not going to be as accomodating for the Young Driver Programme next year and RBR are looking at Lotus as an alternate destination.
I was surprised myself, I thought Trulli and Kovalainen were doing a good enough job. Well, Kovalainen was at any rate.

I can't distinguish between what I WANT to happen and what I think WILL happen any more so I'm just going to wait and see what actually DOES.

 

Lotus do have a technical link-up with Red Bull, I believe they use the Red Bull gearbox, as well as the Renault engine, so maybe Red Bull are pressurising them through that to take a young driver on? Surprised HRT aren't willing to take someone, although they do now appear to be trying to portray them as a Spanish National Team, so with de la Rosa, do they want a young Spanish driver, someone like Albert Costa?

 

Trulli's time should be up really, unless he has some phenominal feedback/development skills all he's doing is hindering Lotus. Is Kovaleinen good, or is Trulli very poor? I'd like to see Ricciardo bumped up a notch to see what he can do with a car underneath him.

As to HRT, depending on what happens at STR, maybe Alguersuari could end up taking his millions there?

 

yayee for Bruno getting into Q 3, something to cheer for at least now

 

Has Barichello left it too late? Great lap from him, but if only he'd been doing it all season!