2007 drivers line-up speculation.

[MagpieRacer]

Ok, theres lots of discussion about who will be where in 2007, so lets make a thread and keep the discussion here. Anyone could go anywhere except button, massa and webber. So lets get talking!

 

[Lee]

This will prob turn out more intresting than the 2006 season..

Here's my prediction:

Renault:

Giancarlo Fisichella
Heikki Kovalinen

Ferrari:

Kimi Raikkonen
Felipe Massa

McLaren:

Fernando Alonso
Lewis Hamilton

Toyota:

Tiago Monterio
Alex Premat

Williams:

Mark Webber
Jenson Button

Honda:

Nico Rosberg
Rubens Barrichello

Red Bull:

David Coulthard
Viantonio Liuzzi

BMW:

Robert Kubica
Christian Klien

Midland/Lost Boys/Something:

Nick Heidfeld
Ralf Schumacher

Toro Roso:

Scott Speed
Niel Jarni

Super Aguri:

Takuma Sato
Anthony Davidson

Reasons:

Renault - Well Fisi has been confirmed this morning so thats a no brainer, I think Kimi has already signed for Ferrari so the next best thing, Kovalinen.

Ferrari - MS I believe will retire, leaving Massa to keep the seat, just a shame he's partnering Kimi.

McLaren - Alonso is confirmed, I think we all know Lewis Hamilton will be partnering him, right?

Toyota - They NEED to drop the dead weights, they are past their use by date now, Tiago will have ties seeing Midland currentally use Toyota engines so i think he'd be with a shout, Premat has impressed me in GP2 and I think he deserves a seat along with Hamilton.

Williams - They'd do well to keep hold of Rosberg, Webber I think will be a easy keep. Why Button? Well we got to have a trilogy haven't we?

Honda - Like WIlliams with Rosberg, they would do well to keep hold of Button, I have a feeling he will worm his way to Williams so why not get the young gun himself Rosberg? Barrichello I'm pretty sure will stay.

Red Bull - DC? Ferrari? NO! Not going to happen... He will be at Red Bull to see out the rest of his career I believe. Liuzzi has beaten Klien a number of times, especially in quali, I would be suprised if he isn't rewarded.

BMW - Kubica deserves the drive, he's shined in the 3rd seat this season and BMW will be stupid not to pick him up. I chose Klien to partner him because well, I think he has alot more potential than JV and Heidfeld.

Lost Midland - Will need 2 experienced drivers to pick them back up, Heidfeld is still relitively young and would seem a great signing, he done especially well at Jordan. RS will do anythign for a drive, even at Midland...

Toro Rosso - Speed has done well considering the critism he recieved before the start, another season's worth of experience will do him a world of good. Jarni is currentally STR's test and 3rd triver so it would make sense to promote him.

Super Aguri - Sato has given himself a new image, he is no longer the Sato-san kamakzie pilot of '05 but a safer, but just as explosive racer of '06. Deserves to keep his drive. Davidson will join what is effectively the Honda 'B' team, either that or he's facing a career of testing..

 

[MagpieRacer]

I agree with most of yours Lee but heres mine:

Renault:

Giancarlo Fisichella
Heikki Kovalinen

Ferrari:

David Coulthard
Felipe Massa

McLaren:

Fernando Alonso
Kimi Raikkonen

Toyota:

Ralph Schumacher
Alex Premat

Williams:

Mark Webber
Jenson Button

Honda:
Tiago Monteiro
Rubens Barrichello

Red Bull:

Robert Doornbos
Vit Liuzzi

BMW:

Robert Kubica
Christian Klien

Midland/Lost Boys/Something:
Nick Heidfeld
Jarno Trulli

Toro Roso:

Scott Speed
Niel Jarni

Super Aguri:
Takuma Sato
Anthony Davidson

 

[Omnis]

What about Prodrive and stuff?

 

[MagpieRacer]

What about Prodrive and stuff?

Prodrive aint until 2008..this is next seasons predictions.

 

[Omnis]

Oh, okay.

 

[qwazy|06]

Renault
Giancarlo Fisichella
Heikki Kovalainen

Ferrari
Michael Schumacher
Kimi Raikkonen

McLaren
Fernando Alonso
Lewis Hamilton

Honda
Jenson Button
Rubens Barrichello

BMW
Jacques Villeneuve
Nick Heidfeld

Williams
Mark Webber
Nico Rosberg

Toyota
Ralf Schumacher
Christian Klien / Tiago Monteiro

Red Bull
David Coulthard
Tonio Liuzzi

Scuderia Torro Rosso
Scott Speed
Neal Jani

Midland
Doesnt Matter
Doesnt Matter

Super Aguri
Takuma Sato
Adam Carrol

 

[DQuaN]

What have you guys done with Montoya? Is he retiring?

They all look good apart from Bee's Button@Williams. Never gonna happen after last years saga.

 

[Blake]

Montoya is probably only going to be able to get a seat in a car he doesn’t want to race in, so the word is that he’ll be going back to America to race for Chip Ganassi Racing.

 

[Andrew R]

I really, really hope Kimi doesn't go to Ferarri but I can't see him staying at McMerc

I'd say everyone's predictions so far are pretty spot on although I don't see Button at Williams any time soon.

 

[miss_schu]

I think that Michael will still be here next year staying with Ferrari and his team mate I think will be Kimi Raikkonen, although he may not be too happy about that! Would sure be a good scrap! Could have been Rossi but as we all know, he has decided to stay with Moto GP for another year.

Mclaren will have Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton

Renault, JPM and Fisi

BAR having the same drivers as this year, Button and Barri

Toyota will still have Trulli and i think he will partner with DC

Williams will still keep Webber and Rosberg

Red Bull will have Ralf and JV

2007 is going to be so exciting! Likewise with the rest of this season! Roll on Montreal

 

[MagpieRacer]

I think that Michael will still be here next year staying with Ferrari and his team mate I think will be Kimi Raikkonen, although he may not be too happy about that! Would sure be a good scrap! Could have been Rossi but as we all know, he has decided to stay with Moto GP for another year.

I dunno about Schumie, Personally i dont think he would stay with Kimi alongside him, and his reputation is at an all time low i dont think he will be racing next season.

 

[Lee]

I wouldn't say an all time low, it's certainally not as high as it was say at Imola, but he certainally wont be bullied into retiring.

I do however seeing him retire this season so he can spend more time with the family.

 

[miss_schu]

Now that Montoya will be leaving F1 at the end of the season, my drivers that I tipped for 2007 will slightly change..

FERRARI: Michael Schumacher & Kimi Raikkonen

MCLAREN: Fernando Alonso & Nico Rosberg

RENAULT: Mark Webber & Giancarlo Fisichella

BAR: Rubens Barrichello & Jenson Button

TOYOTA: Ralf Schumacher & David Coulthard

WILLIAMS: Jarno Trulli & Nick Heidfeld

BMW: Jacques Villeneuve & Felipe Massa

 

[Blake]

Montoya is probably only going to be able to get a seat in a car he doesn’t want to race in, so the word is that he’ll be going back to America to race for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Someone was a clever little boy. 💡



miss_schu, I have big problems with your McLaren, Williams, Toyota, and BMW line-ups.

I doubt McLaren will take Nico Rosberg. If they take someone without much experience, I think it will be Lewis Hamilton.

I think Williams will hang onto Nico if he doesn’t get a better ride. Nick is a BMW guy, and I don’t see him going back to Williams in the state that they’re in these days.

Toyota are Ralf and Trulli. There is no way that they’re taking DC. At the moment, I don’t see DC moving from RBR.

With BMW, I can see where you’re coming from with the whole Felipe Massa thing, but I doubt it will happen. That was only because of the Ferrari link from the Sauber-Petronas days, so I don’t see it happening with BMW power.

 

[Law93]

i'm thinking Ferrari will stay the same since Schumacher still has a lot in him, its just the car they have to fix up. i'm really hoping to see Raikkonen and Alonso team up in McLaren, but the team should really build a more reliable car.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Someone was a clever little boy. 💡

Obviously somebody traveled to the future.

 

[Small_Fryz]

When will MS confirm what his doing?

 

[m7ammed]

BMW : Nick Heidfeld & Robert Kubica is the more likly if JV doesn't get a drive with BMW

 

[<_Spike_>]

When will MS confirm what his doing?

Well, Ferrari hope to announce their driver line up at Hungary, so they say. Whether this will be what happens or not I don't know...I honestly hope Kimi listens to the advice from Mika...he needs to stay at McLaren, at least a couple more years. It's not like he's going to be too old to win a championship in 2008 or 09 so why not. Anyways that'd be my driver line up for McLaren next season...Fernando and Kimi with JPM out the way and Pedro surely to remain as 3rd driver. I think Hamilton is just not quite ready myself... As for the other teams...wouldn't like to guess...other then Honda being Ruebino and Jenson

 

[Kylehnat]

Originally, Ferrari said they'd have a driver lineup by Hockenheim. Now it's Monza, I think. Does it matter? Michael probably has until March to make his decision.

 

[<_Spike_>]

Wouldn't be surprised if by the end of all this will he won't he stuff we'll find out he will and he would've made his mind up months before he announces it.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

My theories:

Ferrari: Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen
Renault: Giancarlo Fisichella (confirmed), Heikki Kovalainen
McLaren: Fernando Alonso (confirmed), Gary Paffett
Williams: Mark Webber, Nico Rosberg (confirmed)
BMW: Nick Heidfeld (confirmed), Robert Kubica
Toyota: Ralf Schumacher (confirmed), Jarno Trulli (confirmed)
Honda: Rubens Barrichello (confirmed), Jenson Button (confirmed)
Red Bull: David Coulthard, Vitantonio Liuzzi
Toro Rosso: Scott Speed, Neel Jani
Midland: Christijan Albers, Lewis Hamilton
Super Aguri: Takuma Sato, Hiroki Yoshimoto

• Kovalainen has a contract promising him a race drive, and Renault have a seat.
• Paffett is much further down the McLaren track than Hamilton.
• Webber and Williams have a two-way option for two more years, but both wish to change the terms slightly. I sense Webber is prepared to take a retainer cut in lieu of a much larger points bonus.
• Rosberg is under an until-the-end-of-time contract.
• Ralf is under contract already - Weber is the best manager of all time (closely followed by Craig Pollock)
• The BMW call I'm not sure about. I think that Villeneuve has been superb this year, but it seems that Kubica really is special.
• DC is all-but confirmed at Red Bull. Also, Liuzzi is expected to jump to the (a) team next year. Strange to say, Red Bull really don't have anyone else mega on the books.
• I still see the rumoured Mercedes + Hamilton -> Midland deal happening. Especially if the team is sold to Lost Boys, the owner of which is about to become Christijan Albers' father-in-law...
• Yoshimoto is a perfect fit for Super Aguri. Wild and Japanese, with flashes of real speed.

 

[m7ammed]

^^^^^^^^^^^^
closest thing to whats going to happen