Kubica signs deal for 2009 ???

[TheStig]

Robert Kubica is believed to have penned a one-year extension to his contract to race with BMW-Sauber in 2009, the British newspaper Daily Telegraph on Tuesday said.

The London based publication speculates that the news, which is yet to be confirmed officially, could pave the way for the Pole to move on to Ferrari a season later.

At Valencia on Sunday, team boss Mario Theissen suggested that he would "prefer" longer term agreements with his top drivers.

The Daily Telegraph said Theissen wanted a new three-year deal with Kubica.

Theissen at Valencia also revealed that BMW-Sauber will confirm its full 2009 driver lineup "between now and the end of the season".

http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/9933/900/

TheStig

[Scott]

And Planet F1 suggests that this could put him in the running with Alonzo for a Ferrari seat.  They have a point.



Robert Kubica is reported to have agreed a one-year contract extension with BMW - setting him on a collision course with Fernando Alonso to take Kimi Raikkonen's seat at Ferrari in 2010.


It is a measure of the regard with which Kubica is held by BMW that the team have apparently agreed to the Pole only committing his future to them for a further twelve months having previously indicated they would only sign-off a three-year deal. If Kubica's contract extension only amounts to a single year then it amounts to BMW bosses effectively accepting that Kubica will depart at the end of 2009 unless they provide a car capable of winning a World Championship.


Kubica is bound to have an eye on the seat currently occupied at Ferrari by Kimi Raikkonen but which is expected to become available in 2010 when the Finn's contract expires. That is also believed to be the long-term goal of Fernando Alonso, with rumours also rife that the former World Championship is on the verge of signing a one-year deal with Honda that would also allow him to depart for Ferrari if the team fail to provide evidence next season that they can challenge for victories and titles.

[John S]

Ferrari may not be interested in either Kubica or Ferd if Massa wins the WDC this year and possibly next. Schuey is 4 sqare behind Massa and his influence is still very high within Ferrari, Michael himself would not want a top class challenger as the second driver so he is surely going to advise Massa against it.

The new regs next year are sure to push some unexpected teams towards the front, it could be a different landscape at the end of 2009.

[TheStig]

I always knew they would stay the same.

TheStig

[Willy]

Has Ferrari actually come out and said that they are looking at Alonso for 2010?

I can't believe that Shumie would want Alonso there when he has proven that he can't deal with a teammate that won't bow down to him and his past acheivements.
I realize that Micheal has no stated position at Ferrari but you had better believe they will listen to him when he speaks.

Alonso did all he could last season to dynamite Hamiltons chances when it was shown that Lewis had the goods.

[TheStig]

I think you will find the same people next year,with a new world champion in Massa.

TheStig

[Steven Roy]

Ferrari normally announce their drivers at Monza and rarely make a statement before that.  My guess is that they won't comment on 2010 until Monza next year.  ALthough they could do it next week just to make me look stupid.