The 2010 F1 season "Which Driver Goes Where?" Thread

SilentEngine · 23rd December 2009, 17:30

So now we have
McLaren - British team/drivers
Mercedes - German team/drivers
Ferrari - Italian team/Latin drivers
The top 3 teams looking more like national teams now.

Now that MS is confirmed at Mercedes, Heidfeld is most likely to join Sauber as there aren't any options left.

To be confirmed:
1 Renault, 1 Campos, 2 USF1, 1 Sauber(probably Heidfeld)

MCR · 1st January 2010, 15:55

Sauber will announce their second driver next week. It's suspected that Nick Heidfeld and Pedro De La Rosa are in the race.

McLaren Rulez · 4th January 2010, 23:37

Kubica sticks with Renault - Planet-F1 News from planet-f1.com

Just a reconfirmation since there was speculation that he'd walk away from Renault

Finject · 6th January 2010, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraft.wagen

Consolidated list of Drivers for 2010

Attachment 246308

Are USF1/Sauber Ferrari participating? No news on any drivers heading their stable

Is there any last date for the confirmation of drivers for the respective teams? So many transfers have had me confused

KRf1 · 11th January 2010, 18:50

De la rosa may be joining Sauber , ESPN F1 reports.

anachronix · 11th January 2010, 19:28

^^ Bad choice really! Heidfeld would be a much better choice and he has all the experience in F1 which is better than De La Rosa.

KRf1 · 19th January 2010, 23:23

Pedro De la Rosa has been confirmed as the second driver at Sauber . The experience and money he brings seems to have made the decession in his favour . So another place is filled . What happens to Nick Heidfield now ?

MCR · 25th January 2010, 08:22

Alegusuari is confirmed at Toro Rosso.

Lopez to drive for US F1.
Argentine Lopez set to drive for USF1 team - Top Stories - Racing - Sports - The Times of India

Bumblebee86 · 27th January 2010, 08:23

The 2010 F1 season "Which Driver Goes Where?" Thread-peterwindsorcristinafernandezdekirchnerjosemarialopez1lgopt.jpg

USF1 chief Peter Windsor, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez

PRESS RELEASE

US F1 Team announces Jose Maria Lopez as driver for 2010 season
Argentine star to race in US F1's Debut Campaign

Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 25, 2010) – US F1 Team announced today that they have signed the former Renault F1 Team test driver, Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez (26), to race with them in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Lopez will be the 24th Argentine* to race in Formula One, sustaining a heritage that began sixty years ago when Juan Manuel Fangio and Froilan "Pepe" Gonzalez took the F1 world by storm.

"Securing 'Pechito' Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time," said US F1 Team Executive Vice President Peter Windsor. "We've been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we're thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One. Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader. The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships. He became a major star as a result and, in turn, the Argentine nation – a country where F1 is second only to soccer - has got behind him." As proof of that, Lopez's US F1 contract was officially announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in the Casa Rosada (Government House) in Buenos Aires on the afternoon of January 25.

After meeting Jose Maria and Windsor, the President commented: "The Argentine government is very happy to get behind this exciting new project and we wish Jose Maria and the team all the best for the 2010 season."

"This is a truly memorable day for me, my family and the people of Argentina," said Lopez, who has more than 6,000 kilometers of F1 test experience. "I have been working towards this day for much of my life and I can't thank Peter and Ken [Anderson] enough for this opportunity. Of course a new F1 team faces many challenges but our goal is to improve with each race and build a foundation that will eventually see this team competing for wins and championships."

After winning in karts all over the world from the age of seven – Lopez was leading Lewis Hamilton in the world final in Japan when his chain broke - he switched to race cars in Europe in 2001 . He won the 2002 Italian Formula Renault Championship with four wins, five poles and three podiums and in European Formula Renault he scored two wins, two poles and a podium. He dominated the European Formula Renault V6 Championship in 2003 (five wins, eight poles, seven podiums) and in one season of F3000 and two in GP2 he scored a win (Barcelona), seven podiums and a pole. As a contracted Renault driver, he also completed thousands of miles in the F1 car, focusing mainly on shake-downs and starts but also completing simulated race distances with compromised set-ups.

Disappointed not be given the opportunity to race in F1, Jose returned to Argentina in 2007. His positive, super-professional approach resulted in three championships, 38 wins and 36 pole positions. As a result, Jose became a hero in his own country and regained the momentum he needed to focus once again on F1.

US F1 Team, which is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the motorsports capital of the United States, will be the only American-based team on the grid in 2010 and the first in more than 40 years. Team Principal, President and CEO Ken Anderson said finding the right drivers was a major part of forming US F1 Team.

"So many things go into starting a Formula One team from scratch," Anderson said. "You can nail every step along the way but if you don't have the right guys in the seats, everything else is for naught. With Jose Maria Lopez we have further positioned ourselves for a successful 2010 debut campaign."

* Argentina's F1 Heritage – Argentines who have raced in the FIA Formula One World Championship

1) Pablo Birger
2) Roberto Bonomi
3) Clemar Bucci
4) Antonio Creus
5) Jorge Daponte
6) Alejandro De Tomaso
7) Nasif Estefano
8) Juan Manuel Fangio
9) Norberto Fontana
10) Oscar Galvez
11) Jose Froilan Gonzalez
12) Miguel Angel Guerra
13) Jesus Iglesias
14) Oscar Larrauri
15) Onofre Marimon
16) Gaston Mazzacane
17) Carlos Menditeguy
18) Roberto Mieres
19) Carlos Reutemann
20) A. Rodriguez Larreta
21) Adolfo Schwelm Cruz
22) Esteban Tuero
23) Ricardo Zunino

Note: Antonio Creus raced under dual Spanish/Argentine nationality.

KRRaj · 17th February 2010, 17:12

Quote:

Stefan GP is reported to have signed a driver to complete its 2010 lineup.

Although without an official entry to race this season, the Serbian outfit is believed to have already signed the Toyota-backed former Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima.

At least one of the Cologne-designed Stefan cars has been painted Serbian national red ahead of its track debut, which according to rumours could now take place at the Barcelona group test next week.

Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell reports that 26-year-old Indian GP2 driver Karun Chandhok, with $6 million of sponsorship in tow, may have been signed to be Nakajima's teammate.

Source of the News!
http://www.auto123.com/en/racing-new...ampaign=racing

I am not sure if this is true, but could be good if it is true and Stefan GP makes it to the Grid for 2010.

Ardy · 17th February 2010, 17:18

If true, this is a fantastic news for F1 in Indian. However, IMO Karun would make the same mistake as that of Narain of joining a backmarker and struggling team.

Cheers,

jassi · 17th February 2010, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ardy

If true, this is a fantastic news for F1 in Indian. However, IMO Karun would make the same mistake as that of Narain of joining a backmarker and struggling team.

Cheers,

and why would a non-backmarker team take an F1 newbie?

sreedotk · 17th February 2010, 17:47

Ralf Schumacher is also one of the Candidates. The Stefan GP setup is nothing but the erstwhile Toyota F1's 2010 effort. It could be good or a very bad car, we wouldn't know until they race

McLaren Rulez · 17th February 2010, 20:55

Good chance for him but given his rather average showing in the GP2 series, I wonder how well he'll do.

naveenroy · 17th February 2010, 21:14

Well, would love to see him attempt atleast. I somehow appreciate guys like he and Narain who have atleast made it this far - even if they have not done wonders. The attempt itself is commendable.

23rd December 2009, 17:30	#211
SilentEngine Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: KA19,KA04 Posts: 1,167 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	So now we have McLaren - British team/drivers Mercedes - German team/drivers Ferrari - Italian team/Latin drivers The top 3 teams looking more like national teams now. Now that MS is confirmed at Mercedes, Heidfeld is most likely to join Sauber as there aren't any options left. To be confirmed: 1 Renault, 1 Campos, 2 USF1, 1 Sauber(probably Heidfeld)
	() Thanks

1st January 2010, 15:55	#212
MCR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BLR/MYS Posts: 882 Thanked: 638 Times View My Garage	Sauber will announce their second driver next week. It's suspected that Nick Heidfeld and Pedro De La Rosa are in the race.
	() Thanks

4th January 2010, 23:37	#213
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,421 Thanked: 5,285 Times	Kubica sticks with Renault - Planet-F1 News from planet-f1.com Just a reconfirmation since there was speculation that he'd walk away from Renault
	() Thanks

11th January 2010, 18:50	#215
KRf1 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NCR / BLR Posts: 339 Thanked: 3 Times	De la rosa may be joining Sauber , ESPN F1 reports.
	() Thanks

11th January 2010, 19:28	#216
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,336 Times View My Garage	^^ Bad choice really! Heidfeld would be a much better choice and he has all the experience in F1 which is better than De La Rosa.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 23:23	#217
KRf1 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NCR / BLR Posts: 339 Thanked: 3 Times	Pedro De la Rosa has been confirmed as the second driver at Sauber . The experience and money he brings seems to have made the decession in his favour . So another place is filled . What happens to Nick Heidfield now ?
	() Thanks

25th January 2010, 08:22	#218
MCR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BLR/MYS Posts: 882 Thanked: 638 Times View My Garage	Alegusuari is confirmed at Toro Rosso. Lopez to drive for US F1. Argentine Lopez set to drive for USF1 team - Top Stories - Racing - Sports - The Times of India
	() Thanks

27th January 2010, 08:23	#219
Bumblebee86 BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gudaibiya; BAHRAIN/ Vandiperiyar; KERALA/ Wuhan; CHINA Posts: 359 Thanked: 6 Times	USF1 signs Jose Maria Lopez USF1 chief Peter Windsor, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez PRESS RELEASE US F1 Team announces Jose Maria Lopez as driver for 2010 season Argentine star to race in US F1's Debut Campaign Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 25, 2010) – US F1 Team announced today that they have signed the former Renault F1 Team test driver, Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez (26), to race with them in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Lopez will be the 24th Argentine* to race in Formula One, sustaining a heritage that began sixty years ago when Juan Manuel Fangio and Froilan "Pepe" Gonzalez took the F1 world by storm. "Securing 'Pechito' Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time," said US F1 Team Executive Vice President Peter Windsor. "We've been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we're thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One. Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader. The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships. He became a major star as a result and, in turn, the Argentine nation – a country where F1 is second only to soccer - has got behind him." As proof of that, Lopez's US F1 contract was officially announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in the Casa Rosada (Government House) in Buenos Aires on the afternoon of January 25. After meeting Jose Maria and Windsor, the President commented: "The Argentine government is very happy to get behind this exciting new project and we wish Jose Maria and the team all the best for the 2010 season." "This is a truly memorable day for me, my family and the people of Argentina," said Lopez, who has more than 6,000 kilometers of F1 test experience. "I have been working towards this day for much of my life and I can't thank Peter and Ken [Anderson] enough for this opportunity. Of course a new F1 team faces many challenges but our goal is to improve with each race and build a foundation that will eventually see this team competing for wins and championships." After winning in karts all over the world from the age of seven – Lopez was leading Lewis Hamilton in the world final in Japan when his chain broke - he switched to race cars in Europe in 2001 . He won the 2002 Italian Formula Renault Championship with four wins, five poles and three podiums and in European Formula Renault he scored two wins, two poles and a podium. He dominated the European Formula Renault V6 Championship in 2003 (five wins, eight poles, seven podiums) and in one season of F3000 and two in GP2 he scored a win (Barcelona), seven podiums and a pole. As a contracted Renault driver, he also completed thousands of miles in the F1 car, focusing mainly on shake-downs and starts but also completing simulated race distances with compromised set-ups. Disappointed not be given the opportunity to race in F1, Jose returned to Argentina in 2007. His positive, super-professional approach resulted in three championships, 38 wins and 36 pole positions. As a result, Jose became a hero in his own country and regained the momentum he needed to focus once again on F1. US F1 Team, which is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the motorsports capital of the United States, will be the only American-based team on the grid in 2010 and the first in more than 40 years. Team Principal, President and CEO Ken Anderson said finding the right drivers was a major part of forming US F1 Team. "So many things go into starting a Formula One team from scratch," Anderson said. "You can nail every step along the way but if you don't have the right guys in the seats, everything else is for naught. With Jose Maria Lopez we have further positioned ourselves for a successful 2010 debut campaign." * Argentina's F1 Heritage – Argentines who have raced in the FIA Formula One World Championship 1) Pablo Birger 2) Roberto Bonomi 3) Clemar Bucci 4) Antonio Creus 5) Jorge Daponte 6) Alejandro De Tomaso 7) Nasif Estefano 8) Juan Manuel Fangio 9) Norberto Fontana 10) Oscar Galvez 11) Jose Froilan Gonzalez 12) Miguel Angel Guerra 13) Jesus Iglesias 14) Oscar Larrauri 15) Onofre Marimon 16) Gaston Mazzacane 17) Carlos Menditeguy 18) Roberto Mieres 19) Carlos Reutemann 20) A. Rodriguez Larreta 21) Adolfo Schwelm Cruz 22) Esteban Tuero 23) Ricardo Zunino Note: Antonio Creus raced under dual Spanish/Argentine nationality. Last edited by Bumblebee86 : 27th January 2010 at 08:24.
	() Thanks

17th February 2010, 17:18	#221
Ardy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 614 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	If true, this is a fantastic news for F1 in Indian. However, IMO Karun would make the same mistake as that of Narain of joining a backmarker and struggling team. Cheers,
	() Thanks

17th February 2010, 17:47	#223
sreedotk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 248 Thanked: 90 Times	Ralf Schumacher is also one of the Candidates. The Stefan GP setup is nothing but the erstwhile Toyota F1's 2010 effort. It could be good or a very bad car, we wouldn't know until they race
	() Thanks

17th February 2010, 20:55	#224
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,421 Thanked: 5,285 Times	Good chance for him but given his rather average showing in the GP2 series, I wonder how well he'll do.
	() Thanks

17th February 2010, 21:14	#225
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,254 Times	Well, would love to see him attempt atleast. I somehow appreciate guys like he and Narain who have atleast made it this far - even if they have not done wonders. The attempt itself is commendable.
	() Thanks