2011 - 2012 Driver Silly Season

[bpratt]

Whilst this year's silly season has been underway for quite a while now, we haven't been following it quite closely.


Confirmed or contracted drivers (2011= contracted for 2011 but unconfirmed)

Red Bull Renault

1 Seb Vettel
2 Mark Webber 


McLaren Mercedes

3 Lewis Hamilton
4 Jenson Button


Ferrari

5 Fernando Alonso
6 Felipe Massa

Mercedes GP

7 Michael Schumacher
8 Nico Rosberg


Lotus

9 Kimi Räikkönen
10 Romain Grosjean

Robert Kubica is still contracted, but not expected to start season due to injury.


Force India - Mercedes

11 Paul di Resta
12 Nico Hulkenberg


Sauber

14 Kamui Kobayashi
15 Sergio Perez


Toro Rosso

16 Daniel Ricciardo   
17 Jean-Eric Vergne


Williams

18 Bruno Senna
19 Pastor Maldonado


Caterham

20 Heikki Kovalainen
21 Vitaly Petrov


HRT

22 Pedro de la Rosa
23 Vitantonio Liuzzi (2011)

Marussia

24 Timo Glock
25 Charles Pic



updated team names and some drivers.

[Mothers Worry]

Button and McLaren agree multi-year contract

From thef1times.com:

Button and McLaren agree multi-year contract

Wednesday 05th October 2011   

McLaren-Mercedes and Jenson Button have agreed a new multi-year contract which will see the 2009-champion remain with the British squad for the foreseeable future.

The 31-year-old joined the Woking outfit in 2010 on the back of his championship winning season with Brawn GP. He has four victories with McLaren and currently lies second, behind Sebastian Vettel.

Button welcomed the deal: "I’ve never felt more at home at a team than I do at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. ‪

"I’ve won four of the greatest races of my life here, I’m currently lying second in the drivers’ world championship, and I feel that I’m driving better than ever.‪

"You can only achieve that with the right level of support – and I truly believe that the passion and determination to win are stronger here at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes than anywhere else.

"As a grand prix driver, those are incredibly powerful feelings to share and be part of, and they’ve only reinforced my desire to commit my long-term future to this team.‪

"I’ve made no secret of my ambition to continue winning races and world championships, and I fully believe this is the place where I can achieve those aims.

"We at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes know how to win, and we’re busy refining an organisation that will enable us to keep on doing that for years to come."

His teammate, Lewis Hamilton added: "It’s great news that Jenson has chosen to stay with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. 

"Jenson has been a great person to work with, and a genuine team-player, from the moment we welcomed him on board.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is a team with a unique and successful tradition in Formula 1, which I'm proud to be part of. 

"It was the best moment of my career when I won the drivers’ world championship with this team.

"Jenson and I are as hungry and as ambitious as ever to win races and world championships in the future."   ‪

Team Principal, Martin Whitmarsh, added: ‪“Jenson is a great driver and a great guy.‪ In fact, I can safely say that he’s one of the most capable and respected drivers we’ve ever had, and I’m therefore absolutely delighted that he’ll continue to work with us into the future.‪

“He’s a considerable credit to this organisation, and I’m proud to be his Team Principal.‪ I feel sure that he’ll now build on the considerable success he’s already achieved with us, and will be even more successful with us in years to come.

“I think he and Lewis say it better than anyone. Their comments show just how much they respect and trust each other, and they once again continue to prove what we as a team have always known: that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has the very best driver line-up in all of Formula 1."

[vicfrog]

kimi's comeback. rumors have it he's off to williams next year.luv to see him comeback and maybe this time he might bring his personality as well.

[bpratt]

kimi's comeback. rumors have it he's off to williams next year.luv to see him comeback and maybe this time he might bring his personality as well.

Now that'd be interesting to see him comeback, and with Williams too, at least if the rumours are true about his visit there are anything to go by.

[bpratt]

Kimi at Lotus(Renault) to take over Kubica's seat due to his ongoing injury recovery.

I wonder if they put Kimi's contract that he's not to drive any rally cars ? 

[Jiji_the_cat]

I reckon kudica wont be back at all next year, but we will see him partner alonso at ferrari for 2013

[bpratt]

I reckon kudica wont be back at all next year, but we will see him partner alonso at ferrari for 2013

Now that could be a interest turn of events if that comes to fruition.

[Jiji_the_cat]

Maldonado confirmed at williams for 2012 with Botas as reserve. no news on the other seat yet.

PASTOR MALDONADO CONFIRMED FOR 2012 WITH VALTTERI BOTTAS JOINING AS RESERVE DRIVER

1 December 2011. Grove, UK. AT&T Williams today confirmed that Pastor Maldonado will enter his second season in Formula One as Williams’ race driver; and also announced the promotion of Valtteri Bottas to Reserve Driver.

Speaking first of Pastor, AT&T Williams Team Principal Frank Williams said, “Pastor has proven this year that he is not only quick but also that he is able to maintain a consistent and strong race pace.  Pastor has been responsible for all of our forays into Q3 in 2011 and his race at Monaco was outstanding.  Pastor has also settled into the team at Williams very well, contributing strongly in the factory and with our partners. He will play a critical role in 2012 as we rebuild the team and move forward.”

Pastor said, “I am delighted to be able to continue with Williams into my second season and I will give my very best to help the team as we push to return to the front of the grid.  This has been a tough season for the whole team but it has given me personally the opportunity to learn and develop. I am convinced that the steps we have taken to improve our competitiveness will bear fruit in 2012 and beyond. I am thrilled to be part of that and also to represent the people of Venezuela in Formula One.”

Of Valtteri Bottas, Frank Williams said, “We have a very specific approach to young driver development, working with one highly talented individual over a period of years. Valtteri has proved a very capable and rounded young man of fierce determination. As the team’s Reserve Driver, we anticipate that Valtteri will participate in a Friday practice session at 15 Grands Prix next year, most likely with a more experienced driver taking over for the remainder of the race weekend.  We will announce the identity of that driver in due course.”

After winning four prestigious kart titles between 2004 and 2006, Valtteri Bottas moved to single seater racing in 2007. In Formula Renault he won both the Eurocup and NEC championships and took 22 wins from 48 starts. In Formula 3 Valtteri was the highest placed rookie, finishing third in the championship before going on to take three wins in his second season. Valtteri also won both years’ F3 Masters races the first to win this race in successive years.  In the GP3 championship this year, Valtteri won the championship after taking four wins in the last seven races. Valtteri then joined AT&T Williams at the Abu Dhabi young driver test for two days where he demonstrated mature car control and consistently quick lap times while providing considered and sound technical feedback.

Valtteri said, “I would like to thank Frank Williams and the whole team for the investment that everyone at Williams has made to help me over the past two years.  The opportunity now to continue this unique development with the position of Reserve Driver will enable me to gain essential experience as part of the race team in 2012.  In this position, I will do my utmost to help the team to set up for a great race weekend and also look forward to playing a role off the track with the team at the factory and with our partners.”

[Ian G.]

Horner has been quoted on Twitter as saying he hopes DR gets a seat next season and we will all know one way or the other in the next week or so.FIA PR a couple of days ago has Trulli at Caterham but both STR seats were TBA. 
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2011/Pages/f1-entry-2012.aspx

[Jiji_the_cat]

rumours are starting to emerge of Timo Glock and Vettaly Petrov seat swap.

Vitaly Petrov's uncertain future with the Lotus Renault GP team could be resolved by a move to Marussia Virgin for 2012, according to sources in Russia.

The second-year driver started 2011 strongly, with a maiden podium in the season-opener in Australia, but his form faded along with the R31's performance and, despite claiming a final point at Interlagos, his position in a team with no shortage of targets to partner new signing Kimi Raikkonen is far from secure, despite a contract already being in place for next year.

Petrov's standing in the Lotus Renault camp was weakened somewhat when he launched an ill-judged outburst against its tactics and performance in the Russian media, and that same source is now suggesting that the former GP2 Series runner-up could be the subject of a swap deal that would add Timo Glock to the list of drivers in the frame for a seat in 2012.

read more here: http://www.crash.net/f1/news/175356/1/petrov_linked_to_glock_swap.html

[Jiji_the_cat]

well the 2nd renault (lotus) seat is filled.

Romain Grosjean to race alongside Kimi Räikkönen in 2012 Enstone, 9th December 2011

Lotus Renault GP and TOTAL are delighted to announce that Romain Grosjean will race alongside 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen next season. The two companies are also pleased to confirm that they have renewed their sponsorship agreement for another year.
The 2011 GP2 Series champion gained useful experience with the team throughout the year as LRGP’s third driver. As part of his role, Romain was rewarded with two practice session drives at the final two races of the season in both Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

Prior to claiming first prize for the DAMS team in this season’s GP2 Series, Romain was a title winner in F3 Euroseries and the GP2 Asia Series before graduating to the Renault F1 Team in 2008 as a test driver. Following this, he stepped up to a race seat for the second half of 2009.
The announcement of Romain as race driver signals the beginning of the Frenchman’s second spell at Enstone in such a capacity.

Romain Grosjean: “I am thrilled to be one of the team’s race drivers in 2012. There’s a big grin on my face at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of next year’s car, and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity. To be racing alongside a former world champion and someone who is hungry and returning to Formula 1 will be a great experience, and I’m sure will help raise my level of performance too. I feel that my successful season in GP2 Series has helped me mature a lot, and I am a much more complete driver than I was last time I was competing in this sport. Returning to Enstone as a race driver feels like coming home. I will not disappoint and I wish to thank all the people without whom this return to F1 would not have been possible. Total, which supports me since 2006, and Gravity Sport Management, are first on this list.”

Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Senior Vice-President Corporate Communications, Total: “Total is delighted to give the young talented French driver, Romain Grosjean, the opportunity to fulfill his dream by becoming an F1 driver with the Lotus Renault GP team. An overall mission of our company, as is LRGP’s, is to support young talented people and encourage them along the path to excellence and performance. The involvement of our Group in the highest category of motor sport alongside Romain Grosjean, with whom we’ve formed a relationship based on trust over more than six years, goes far beyond the purely communications aspect. It shows our determination to develop the performance of our fuels and lubricants with the aim of achieving optimal energetic efficiency to help our clients reduce and improve consumption. Formula 1 must embrace the perspective of clean technology and permanent evolution, and go back to its roots by becoming a laboratory for innovation once again.”

Eric Boullier, Team Principal & MD: “I’m delighted that Romain Grosjean will side Kimi next year. Romain has shown a lot of maturity in the past twelve months both through his GP2 Series victory and his development as third driver with us. We were impressed when he drove for us in the first practice sessions in Abu Dhabi and Brazil. We are confident that drafting him in to one of our driver’s seats will help us in our rebuilding process. I would like to thank Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna for their contribution to the team’s performance this year and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Gérard Lopez, Genii Capital, Chairman: “Only last week I reiterated that the team is at the start of a brand new cycle. Announcing Romain as our race driver alongside Kimi is great news and will help us achieve our aims of getting back to the very top. The announcements we made today and last week are exciting ones for our team and there is a real buzz surrounding us now.”

[Mothers Worry]

Webber has stated in the motorsport press that he can see himself "going a bit longer" which flies in the face of the rumours of him retiring at the end of 2012.

I, personally, would like to see him finish his career with one season at Ferrari. To finish with the team that has all that history and tradition of the sport built into it and Webber playing second fiddle to Alonso would be, in my opinion, a great pairing and a great way to end a career at the top level of the sport.

I reckon he and Alonso would be a fiery and entertaining combination (they are the best racers in the field at present) and he certainly wouldn't be any worse off than he is with RBR; no matter what the performance of the 2012 or 2013 Ferrari may hold.........

But I don't really want to see him retire after 2012.

[Mothers Worry]

It now appears that the Renault/Lotus/whatever outfit may yet do an about face on Kubica's return:

Renault team boss Eric Boullier said this:

"I don't know if there will be a future between Lotus Renault and Robert," Boullier said.

"We have been waiting for Robert to understand his plans. We would like to sit down with him and his manager to see what can be done to get him back in F1.

"If we can help him get in back in F1 we will, but we have signed our drivers for next year and we want to stick with them."

"We need to discuss a more global plan to see what he can do and if he can commit to us long term."

The season is very silly now and may be for 2013.

[Ian G.]

I think it may be just damage control or legally related to options in his contract but time will tell.I read an article earlier this year that said it appeared Renault was moving on from Robert and were  keen to sign Mark but i guess we will have to wait for Mark's memoirs to see if it was correct. 
Still no word on DR drive for next year.

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.as.com%2Fmotor%2Farticulo%2Fkubica-probaria-ferrari-2012-pilotaria%2F20111210dasdasmot_2%2FTes

If Massa survives the season & they are thinking about Robert surely Mark must also come(back?) into the picture.?

[Jiji_the_cat]

well i what room do they have at Lotus (Renault) ? They have signed 2 drivers.

i think Kubica will spend most of 2012 still in rehab on his injury, when he finally does come good, i can see Massa being dumped and Kubica coming in to replace him as soon as Kubica is ready. just my prediction.

[Ian G.]

Breaking News overnight with DR to STR,no surprise with Buemi as i think he knew his fate at the Korean GP but both drivers going caught F-1 watchers by surprise..
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96745

[Mothers Worry]

Breaking News overnight with DR to STR,no surprise with Buemi as i think he knew his fate at the Korean GP but both drivers going caught F-1 watchers by surprise..

Toro Rosso has confirmed both Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi dropped, replaced by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.!

That's great news for Ricciardo and great news for Australian motorsport. I don't know much about his new teammate but I hope Ricciardo kicks his arse in 2012.

  

[Jiji_the_cat]

i was so happy when i read it this morning. good to see another Aussie with a full time drive not at the back end of the grid.
I really hope he makes hay while the sun shines, and out performs Vergne. The only thing i know about his team mate is that he apparently was one of the standouts at the Korea test (or was it Abu Dhabi?).

I hope both he and the team are a little more competitive than this year.

“This is a really big deal for me,” said the 22-year-old, who has come through the Red Bull Junior Driver programme, “and something I have wanted ever since I was driving for Toro Rosso on Friday mornings at the races in the first part of last season.

“To be honest, I am still jumping up and down with excitement at the news. In the second half of 2011 I learned a lot from the people I worked with, racing in eleven Grand's Prix and I want to thank them for the opportunity they gave me.

“I have to say that joining Scuderia Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity and now I can't wait to get to work once testing begins.”

[Ian G.]

Q. & A. with JEV & DR.

http://www.f1zone.net/news/qa-jean-eric-vergne/11078/

http://www.f1zone.net/news/qa-daniel-ricciardo/11077/

[Jiji_the_cat]

Force India announces driver line up

Sahara Force India confirms Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg for 2012
 
Sahara Force India Formula One Team today confirmed that Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will form its line-up for the 2012 season.
Paul continues with the team for his second season in a race seat, while Nico steps up from his role as reserve driver. Together they form one of the most exciting pairings on the grid.
 
Dr. Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: “I am delighted to present our line-up for the 2012 season. In Paul and Nico we have two extremely talented drivers with tremendous potential.
“I think Paul caught the eye of everybody in the pit lane during his rookie season. His speed, maturity and racecraft confirmed that we were right to believe in him and we look forward to working with him again next year.
“As for Nico, we identified him as a rising star at the end of 2010 and chose to evaluate him during the course of this season. Despite having only limited time in the car, he convinced us that he deserved a race seat for 2012.
 
“Our new line-up means we say ‘goodbye’ to Adrian Sutil, who has been with the team since we entered the sport. He has been an integral part of our success over the past four seasons and we wish him well for the future.”

Paul Di Resta: “I’m really looking forward to my second season of Formula One and continuing to grow and develop with Sahara Force India. I’ve said all along that I love being part of this team: they are ambitious, hungry for success and we work well together. I’m really excited about 2012 and there is a real sense of belief that we can continue to push the top teams and take another step forward. I’d also like to thank the team for all their hard work this year and for all the support they’ve given me. I’ll take some time out over the next few weeks to recharge my batteries and hopefully come back even stronger in 2012.”

Nico Hulkenberg: “I’m obviously delighted to be staying with Sahara Force India and to be given the chance to race next year. It wasn’t easy to watch from the sidelines this season, but I did my best to help the team and show what I was capable of. I’m extremely motivated for 2012 and would like to thank everyone for believing in me and giving me this chance. I’m keen to get down to work over the winter to develop our new car and help the team build on this year’s achievements. The first test in Jerez can’t come soon enough.”

all credit Sahara Force India Formula One Team.