Buemi, Renault and the F60

Toro Rosso has confirmed their drivers line-up of 2009: 1st driver is Sebastién Buemi, 2nd driver is Sebastién Bourdais. That's Swiss Seb and French Seb. I was personally hoping for Takuma Sato, but even a sexy guy like myself can be mistaken. Surprise..

Renault, with Fernando Alonso and Nelsinho Piquet, may be heading towards a dead end. Rumours circulating the F1 paddock has it that 2009 is the last season for Renault. Several factors point to this:
Renault's team president, Bernard Rey, has said that Renault is commited to Formula 1 "for this year".
Whispers in the F1 circles claims that the Renault engine will not be available to customer teams after 2009.
About 100 staff at their factory in Enstone, UK, will be fired due to ecomicial strain and rule changes. These fired people are working with aerodynamic and the testing of the car - two areas heavily decreased for 2009 thanks to new rules.

The Ferrari F60 rounds this shizzle up. This car is labelled illegal by like everyone. Latest in line is Toyota's something-dude Pascal Vasselon. Previously, Mercedes' Norbert Haug and some BMW bloke said it is illegal. Why? It features rear exhaust pipes on the exterior - an illegal feature. It's not taken too heavily by these three men, who are quite sure it will be changed well in time for Melbourne. It's merely a pre-version of the finished edition anyway, right?

I will not be posting much, if antyhing, for the remainder of January and perhaps February. Expect to see me back in weekly action, though, once the season is about to embark.

Oh, by the way guys: Mark Webber is about to hit the roads soon. In about 2-3 weeks, he'll test the new Red Bull. Yay for him.

Driver Rumours - Part 2

This list is updated. Re-sexed. Read it.

Rubens Barrichello: Doesn't look too bright for him. Seems his only chance now is Toro Rosso. He has confirmed the links to them, but he's nowhere near a contract as I see it. Chance of race seat 2009: 20%
Pedro de la Rosa: Force India, as well as Sutil and Fisichella, have once more confirmed their seats for 2009. de la Rosa seems to be out of it. Sorry mate! Chance of race seat 2009: 15%
Takuma Sato: He's the likeliest "old guy" to take one of the two seats at the moment. Not from pure skill, but from finances. Chance of race seat 2009: 60%
Bruno Senna: It's looking quite sure, I am confident Honda will line up with Button and Senna for 2009. Chance of race seat 2009: 75%
Sebastién Bourdais: Two words: Sorry, mate. He's not going to make the cut. He'll be back in the US before you know it. Chance of race seat 2009: 25%
Sebastien Buemi: The most radical change from my last post. He's pretty much been confirmed, they're talking about him as if he's got a contract penned already. Chance of race seat 2009: 95%
Paul di Resta: Just, no. No. Chance of race seat 2009: 2%
Jenson Button: Just, yes. Yes. Chance of race seat 2009: 98%
Lucas di Grassi: He, if anyone, would stop Senna from taking a seat at Honda. I doubt it, though. Chance of race seat 2009: 25%
Mark Webber: He's injured, damnit! Injured! Broken leg! He won't be walking unaided until February, according to the plan. If that's delayed, he won't line up in Australia for the season opener. He'll return to the cockpit later in 2009 in that case, for sure. Chance of race seat 2009: 100%. Chance of race seat Australian Grand Prix: 85%
Brendon Hartley: This young New Zealander would be the reasonable temporary Webber replacement, would Webber not make it in time. Chance of race seat 2009: 15%

Away from race seats, we have some new names coming up. Surprisingly, this is in Ferrari. Young Italian Mirko Bortolotti drove faster than Ferrari's more or less regular test driver Andrea Bertolini around Fiorano earlier this week. Bortolotti is merely 18 years old and would be a reasonable Raikkonen replacement for 2011.

Rubens Barrichello, Pedro de la Rosa and Takuma Sato

Rumours are running like crazy about these three, among others. This list will provide an overview of what's going on with our drivers!

Rubens Barrichello: Seems to be on his way out, has been linked to Toro Rosso due to seemingly being dropped by Honda. Chance of race seat 2009: 20%
Pedro de la Rosa: Experienced McLaren test driver, currently testing for Force India. Strong rumours put him in a FI race seat, instead of Giancarlo Fisichella. Chance of race seat 2009: 40%
Takuma Sato: Ex-Super Aguri and Honda driver, one of the most charismatic and loved by the viewers. We'll never forget Canada 2007 where he overtook Alonso. In the run for a Toro Rosso seat, best Toro Rosso driver during the current 3-day test. Chance of race seat 2009: 60%
Bruno Senna: Testing for Honda and linked to Toro Rosso as well. Confident of landing a seat. Likely to land a seat. Young gun on his way up. Chance of race seat 2009: 70%
Sebastién Bourdais: Current Toro Rosso driver, not certain to hang on. If he goes, Takuma Sato will probably take his place. Strong contender though, but I personally hope Takuma Sato will get this seat. Chance of race seat 2009: 40%
Sebastien Buemi: Other young gun, in the race for a Toro Rosso seat just like Sato, Senna and Bourdais. Looking good. Chance of race seat 2009: 70%
Paul di Resta: McLaren's DTM driver, speculated to steal a Force India race seat. I doubt it. Chance of race seat 2009: 15%
Jenson Button: You might wonder why he's here, but he does not have a contract with Honda. Everything poitns to him being signed for 2009 though. If not, Toro Rosso would probably love to steal him. Chance of race seat 2009: 95%
Lucas di Grassi: Also rumoured to run for Honda. Not as likely, though. Chance of race seat 2009: 30%
Adrian Sutil: Showed well both in 2007 and 2008, in a crap car. Due to rumours regarding Force India, his seat is not 100% certain. Chance of race seat 2009: 85%
Giancarlo Fisichella: Simple, it's the same as for Sutil, just that Fisi is older and more likely to be kicked. Chance of race seat 2009: 60%

Do you think any driver is missing, albeit should be on this list? Throw his name at me, comment it or email me!