Who will be available to the new teams?

[Jericoke]

I guess it's time to get the silly season started.

Assuming the big teams stay on for 2010, which drivers are likely to be available for a new entry looking for a veteran pressance?

I know people have discussed BMW being finished with Heidfeld. ( Kubica might also like his chances better with a new outfit rather than whatever BMW has become  )

Nakajima and Piquet Jr.  don't get a lot of respect around here, but they will know the tracks better than any rookies.

A new team might be Massa or Barichello's only hope of being a true #1 driver.

[cosworth151]

Davidson and Sato come to mind. As mentioned elsewhere, JV would be in the mix, too. Wurz, Klein and maybe even Monteiro might have a shot.

[John S]

I think we may see Bourdais under consideration by USGPE, after all he was a big star in the States until a couple of years ago. Bruno Senna, although he is not an F1 vet but is very experienced, is sure to catch someones (or their finance director's) eye as he is likely to be able to bring sponsors with him.

I agree that the old guard, so to speak, may come into their own and drivers like Rubens, Fischi, Kovi, Nick, Piquet and Nakajima will all find a berth which is just as well if the top teams all use the budget cutting to bring in cheap rookie number twos for 2010.

Of the previous drivers with unfinished business - as well as the ones already mentioned I think Pedro de la Rosa, Christian Albers and Toni Luizzi may be in with a shout

[david1275]

A new team might be Massa or Barichello's only hope of being a true #1 driver.

I think Felipe Massa proved last year that he is no #2 driver in Ferrari. 6 wins 97 points in one season, the man is top dog and it's Kimi who has to play second fiddle to him.

Guess who my favorite driver is? No prizes

[Jericoke]

A new team might be Massa or Barichello's only hope of being a true #1 driver.

I think Felipe Massa proved last year that he is no #2 driver in Ferrari. 6 wins 97 points in one season, the man is top dog and it's Kimi who has to play second fiddle to him.

Guess who my favorite driver is? No prizes

I'm not arguing better driver at Ferrari, and I certainly don't disagree with you.  I just don't get the feeling that Massa is being treated as #1.

If that's what he wants (he's earned it!) he might need to seek his fortunes elsewhere.

[david1275]

I think Massa is comfortable and happy where he is, and Ferrari are more than happy with him. He is a true team player who has been mentored by the great man himself (Shumi) to be one of the best drivers on the grid. Love the guy

[Chameleon]

We need to remember that some of the GP2 teams moving up to F1 will come with at least one driver already installed.  Most likely they will keep one of their drivers from GP2 and look for someone with a bit more experience to fill the second seat.  This is presuming that such teams still enter after FOTA has finished with Max.  That 40 million is looking a bit shaky now and rumour has it that the teams want a ceiling of 100 million.

[Jericoke]

We need to remember that some of the GP2 teams moving up to F1 will come with at least one driver already installed.  Most likely they will keep one of their drivers from GP2 and look for someone with a bit more experience to fill the second seat.  This is presuming that such teams still enter after FOTA has finished with Max.  That 40 million is looking a bit shaky now and rumour has it that the teams want a ceiling of 100 million.

So the senior team driver would be the junior F1 driver?  Going to be some culture clashes!

[Chameleon]

No, I didn't mean that the experienced driver would be the number 2.  He would take the lead but the team would probably hope that their protege would learn quickly and become their main man in time.

[Jericoke]

No, I didn't mean that the experienced driver would be the number 2.  He would take the lead but the team would probably hope that their protege would learn quickly and become their main man in time.

I know what you meant, but I just can't imagine it going as smoothly.

Besides, how often does a lower rung F1 team groom a driver and then have them stick around to win races?  Mark Webber?  Kimi?  Heidfeld?  Vettel is a bit of an oddity, as STR is pretty much the only F1 farm team in history

[Steven Roy]

The good thing about the new teams coming is is that there is a batch of drivers who should be in F1 who have not had a chance yet.  Paul di Resta, Bruno Senna, Lucas di Grassi, Nico Hülkenberg etc should all get a chance.

[lkjohnson1950]

Who can bring money will still be a factor, even if the budget cap remains.

Lonny