Who's Gone, Who Stays?

[Alianora La Canta]

I don't think I ever came to like Piquet Jr so much as pity him. He came in thinking he was a queen or at the very least a rook on the Renault chessboard. But King Flavio revealed he was just another pawn in a long succession of them. It must have been a cruel, confidence-stuffing blow for him, and it showed. I think he has less than 48 hours left as an F1 driver.

Bourdais may get a bit longer, depending on who wins the Mateschitz-Berger dispute over the drivers. I heard rumours that Mateschitz wants to pair him with a younger driver while Berger wants to sweep clean, but who knows at STR?

I think Barrichello is safe unless the Honda board leave their brains at home when they have the relevant committee meeting.

[Andy B]

So to break it down.

Ferrari. - both seats taken or are they?
McLaren. - Set no change.
BMW Sauber. - Set no change.
Renault. - Alonso staying? Has Piquet gone? It seems both have now signed. I'm quite pleased for Piquet.
Toyota. - Is Glock still to be confirmed?
STR-Ferrari. - With Vettel moving both seats could be available
Red Bull Renault. - Set with Vettel joining Webber.
Williams Toyota. - Set no change.
Honda. - Jenson confirmed so a seat up for grabs.
Force India Ferrari. - Set no change.

So there are too many seats available if I have got this right.

[Alianora La Canta]

I don't see why Piquet Jr has a seat, but I suppose Flavio must see something in him that I don't.

[Scott]

It looks to me that the Renault car was a complete disaster at the beginning of the year.  We know this because Alonzo can usually drive around small issues but he didn't very often, while Piquet being a rookie, was even less able.  Even a couple of Piquet's off's could be explained by a problematic car, even if it wasn't apparent at the time. 

Then mid-season, they identified and sorted it out, and lo and behold, Alonzo starts getting podiums and top 5's, while Piquet is getting top 10's - exactly what would have been expected of him if he had been given a decent car from the start. 

Flav likely also has some sponsor issues (as mentioned) and as well, the telemetry may have told him that Piquet was actually doing all right despite the car issues.