Drivers and teams for 2013 almost finalised
19 November, 2012
Nov.19 (GMM) Formula One’s grid for 2013 has almost been finalised, with the vacancy at Force India now the most sought after driving job in the paddock.
On paper, only Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Toro Rosso have finalised and announced their race drivers for next season.
But Williams is hotly tipped to pair Pastor Maldonado with Valtteri Bottas, while Sauber might partner Esteban Gutierrez with new arrival Nico Hulkenberg.
Moreover, Timo Glock is expected to be joined at Marussia by Max Chilton, and Caterham is likely to field Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde.
Lotus is ready to keep Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen, and has even confirmed the latter appointment, but Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that there is some uncertainty over Raikkonen’s salary.
Journalist Michael Schmidt said that the Finn has been “more expensive” than Lotus expected, having initially agreed to pay him a lucrative bonus for each point scored.
So far, the 33-year-old has a whopping 206 points on the board.
Even so, the most open 2012 vacancy is really at Force India, whose Paul di Resta will certainly stay put for next season.
His teammate, according to AM&S, will be selected from a long shortlist of more than a dozen suitors.
The report said that names including Jules Bianchi, Heikki Kovalainen, Bruno Senna, Davide Valsecchi, Luiz Razia, Johnny Cecotto jr and Rodolfo Gonzalez were all on the list.
Even Rubens Barrichello – who was in Austin at the weekend – and 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve expressed interest, Schmidt reported.
After a meeting in Mumbai last week, however, Vijay Mallya-led Force India reportedly narrowed the list to a much shorter shortlist, having ruled out the veterans as well as the ‘pay drivers’.
AM&S said that 2011 Toro Rosso teammates Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, and former Force India racer Adrian Sutil, now have the best chances of all.
Force India is tipped to make an announcement in Brazil.
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Teams geared up for intensive three days of testing at Mugello
- Formula 1 will always have pay drivers
- Ten F1 race seats available for 2011 season
- Teams shut factories for compulsory break
- Our mid-season top ten F1 drivers rating
Kovolaynen has one drawback – a big salary. The second drawback – average ability.
Kovalainen go for Force India, the rest of you can relax and go to the rally.
Petrov go for Force India, the rest of you can relax and go to the rally.