By Philippe Defechereux
The 2009 season has been over for more than a month, and yet a staccato of shock announcements keeps crossing the wires and two or three major developments are still pending:
The inter-season started early, hailed by a thundering and Wagnerian blast of organ pipes. It came from Stuttgart to announce the refounding of the famed Mercedes-Benz GP team of yore. M-B AG boldly absorbed the victorious and Mercedes-powered Brawn GP team and renamed it as its own. The cars will again be called “Silver Arrows” while Ross Brawn will stay at the helm and report to Norbert Haug. A strong relationship with McLaren will be maintained, especially as concerns engine supply. Enzo Ferrari shivered in his grave.
• Next a loud trumpet blast was heard in England, signaling Jenson Button’s move to McLaren, where he’ll pair up with compatriot Lewis Hamilton. The decibels were so high that the new Merc GP team, were dumbfounded. In fact, so floored were they, the new team today still has not designated who will drive next to Nico Rosberg, signed up early. Don’t expect Ross Brawn to ever embrace Button in public again; nor Ron Dennis, who is said to have engineered the coup.
• Next came a big honk from Finland. Exiled by the Italians at season’s end, Kimi Raikkonen first claimed McLaren was his sole desire, only to find himself shut out by Jenson; the Finn dithered for a few weeks while sending little love notes with big $ signs to Merc GP. In return, he got two silver arrows planted in his face. So Kimi next turned to the French. Those sweet, proud and loving people unfortunately having neither one F1 team nor even an F1 track in their dowry these days, the Finn was left with World Rallying as a venue. And sure enough, Citroën gladly signed a one-year contract with him. “It’s a nice sport,” said Kimi. HOOONK!
• This was soon followed by another loud and painful cry from Finland. After Fernando Alonso had toured his new team’s factory and offices for a few days, Ferrari’s Team Manager Stefano Domenicali observed last week: “Fernando has already spent more time here than Kimi did in his two years with us.” OUCH!
• From Germany then rose a potent echo. The name SCHUMI! was heard only to disappear and reappear at regular intervals, without an answer so far. Is Merc GP seriously considering Michael Schumacher for its still available seat? Yes…No. Would Ferrari release him from their years-long consulting contract? No…Yes. Would the seven-time World Champion consider returning to F1 racing and risk denting his record? Yes…No. The echo keeps going back and forth without dimming… SCHUMI!
• Switzerland came next to join the orchestra with the dull hoot of an alpine horn. Peter Sauber confirmed that he had repurchased the BMW shares of the joint partnership and that the new Sauber team had been approved by the FIA to take the place of the now defunct Toyota team on the grid, thus filling the 13 approved team slots. The engine question remains open: Ferrari or Mercedes? Mario Theissen will stay with BMW. BOOO!
• A kindred wind instrument then joined the cacophony: a booming French horn. Renault unofficially confirmed the rumors that they are, if not quitting, at least disengaging significantly. Richard Davis’ Prodrive outfit, tagged with Jacques Villeneuve as lead driver, is said to have the lead in the negotiations to team-up (à la “Renault-Prodrive”). Two other outfits, one from Luxemburg, the other from China, might also be in the fray. BOOOOOMM!
• Last, in true theatrical fashion and at the always thrilling sound of bagpipes, a Virgin appeared on the scene. She was ushered by bard Richard Branson and the news that the Manor team of John Booth and Nick Worth will be renamed Virgin Racing. Timo Glock will be one of its drivers. Nobody truly knows about Jarno Trulli.
And there you have the latest thrilling sounds of Formula 1, even though not a single rev was heard. Plenty of driver contracts remained to be signed, along with several team/engine/sponsor arrangements. Plenty more screams to pierce your ears before the season opener next year.
But one thing is certain: we’ll behold a grid of 26 racers this coming March in Bahrain, quite a few with great team/driver combinations and no Max Mosley in the pitlane. VROOOOM!
As a Rubens Barichello fan, I have to ask if “the old man” of F1 has a ride this coming year? He did a splendid job this last year with Brawn. Also, will Felipe Massa have a ride or has he been relegated to the history books? Thanks and keep up the great F1 coverage – I look forward to reading your coverage of the races from your unique perspective. Oh, and I own a RHD 308 GTB that is my pride and joy.
What news of the US F-1 team?
Will J. Villeneuve really be back in F-1? We could do with a little of his personality.
Schumi vs Hamilton now that could pull a few viewers. As Max “the whip” pointed out many a time it is all about viewers.
Regarding your article about Merc and Brawn F1, and Enzo shivering in the grave, Im afraid you may be right on with this one. While some think Brawn will not be as strong in 2010 as they were in 09, with Merc money behind him and his genius at running an F1 team, Im afraid that Ferrari are going to have a very tough go at it in the next few years. Merc is getting what they want, total domination of the sport. While supplying engines to as many teams as possible, hiring Brawn, the guy that beat them for so many years, 2 factory teams in Mac and BF1, all they will need will be for Shue to come back with them. Hopefully, Ferrari will get a chance to upgrade their engine so it is more on par w/the Merc, that they will supply Sauber and Toro with better engines than they have in the past. We need as many strong Ferrari engined cars on the grid as possible. Shades of the Auto Union era!
To Scott: Barichello next year will be the lead driver for Williams GP, where he should do well. Felipe Massa will definitely be the Ferrari driver alongside Fernando Alonso. Great team and much on-track fireworks expected. Bravo for your 308 GTB.
To Dennis: USF1 will be on the grid, but I hear they’ll barely be ready in Bahrain (now the season opener). As to JV, renault will soon announce their official stand for 2010 and that will tell us if Villeneuve will be part of it. As to Schumi, the World is still waiting for the Word.