Alpine F1

First of all, along with everyone else I want to wish Robert Kubica the best of luck with his recovery after his horrifying rally crash on Sunday.

However, the business of Formula 1 continues, and there is plenty of speculation as to who is going to replace him while he is out.

Lotus have narrowed it down to three drivers. In terms of experience and consistency, it would seem that Nick Heidfeld is the obvious choice, although Vitantonio Liuzzi and Bruno Senna are also in the frame.

But how does Kubica's accident affect his team-mate?

Petrov didn't have a great time of it in 2010. Over the season he was completely outclassed by Kubica, and often found himself a long way behind the Pole in qualifying and the race.

At the beginning of 2010, it was reported that Petrov would have to score points equivalent to 40 percent of Kubica's final total to keep his seat for 2011. With Robert earning 136 to Vitaly's 27, it works out at just under 20 percent.

Despite that, he kept his job, but he will need to give a much better performance this year. With Kubica sidelined for at least the first couple of months, it gives Petrov the opportunity to become team leader.

If he can drive the wheels off of his Lotus without the pressure of being compared to Kubica, it would certainly be a big help to keep his job in 2012.

Petrov has shown he is a competent racer. His drives in Turkey and Hungary have proved that, along with keeping a title-chasing Fernando Alonso behind him at Abu Dhabi.

He even got the fastest lap at Istanbul.

Yet there were numerous occasions when he was barely noticeable. Even when you acknowledge that it was his rookie season, too often he was too far behind his team-mate.

He has to make the most of this chance. Vitaly will need to make a good impression if he wants to keep his career going, otherwise he will end up in the wilderness of testing like Hulkenberg this year.

In my opinion, Petrov certainly has the talent to at least match Heidfeld, Liuzzi and Senna, so it is up to him to prove he can consistently score points in 2011.

It may be in horrible circumstances, but this could be Petrov's chance to shine.

With Robert Kubica sure to miss the start of the season, maybe even the whole season, Renault face the task of filling some fairly big shoes.

The Pole is the talisman of the team, outperforming his car like few others did last season and with his injury comes a serious dent in the teams 2011 chances.

The new Renault has started brightly, topping the time sheets in Valencia in the hands of Kubica, but it seems they will now have to look elsewhere to fulfil the potential of the car.

Although Renault’s thoughts must currently be with Kubica, there have already been some names of potential replacements flying around and I’ll just run through some of the possibilities.

Bruno Senna seems to be the favourite to get the drive.

The Brazilian who was recently named reserve driver for Renault could well be the one to fill the gap left by Kubica. However, Senna has just one year of experience under his belt and also this was with Hispania in a highly uncompetitive car.

Although being reserve driver he is first in line, Renault might not want to risk having two inexperienced drivers as their line up.

The second option is Romain Grosjean, who is also a reserve driver for the French team. Having raced for them as a replacement for Nelson Piquet a few seasons ago. he is definitely a possibility. But he comes under the same category as Senna, perhaps too inexperienced to be considered.

The risk with choosing Senna or Grosjean is that the team will be without a natural leader, considering Vitaly Petrov has only one season in F1 to his name.

If Renault are looking for experience then there are one or two names that could fill the gap. Pedro De La Rosa has a wealth of wisdom but may lack the speed the team is looking for to fill the role as team leader; Nick Heidfeld may be a better bet, also considering he has been testing the Pirelli tyres and this may prove valuable.

Heidfeld showed last season with Sauber he can still compete at the highest level so is a strong contender for the drive.

The final option I will give is a bit of a long shot, but could Kimi Raikkonen be lured into a comeback by the French team? Raikkonen was linked with Renault at the end of last season, but any rumours were swiftly put to bed.

However, the Finn would bring his natural talent to the table and if Renault are looking for a man as fast as Kubica, he would be perfect.

The downside to Raikkonen is his workrate though and Renault would not get the leadership they get from Kubica.

Renault’s decision will ultimately lie with what they are looking to bring to the team. Could it be the experience of an older driver or will they stick with their youthful reserve drivers. Or will they take the gamble and give Kimi a call? 
 
Who would you choose to replace Kubica at Renault?

Robert Kubica has sustained injuries whilst taking part in the Ronde di Andorra rally, leaving his Formula One future in doubt.

The Pole has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand after a high-speed crash in his Skoda Fabia. His co-driver was unhurt in the accident.

Kubica was air-lifted to a hospital near Genoa, after he allegedly hit a church wall at high speed. It is now unlikely that Kubica will be ready to compete in the first Formula One race of the season in Bahrain in March.

Kubica's Formula One future is in doubt, as well. The 26-year-old had bolts placed in his arm after an accident in 2003, and another serious injury could imperil his career.

Renault released a statement on the condition of the Pole after the accident: "After undergoing extensive medical checks this morning, Robert Kubica has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. He is currently undergoing surgery at the Santa Corona Hospital in Peitra Ligure."

Kubica had impressed in Formula One testing this week, posting the fastest time of the third day in Valencia. Many thought that the Polish driver could surprise competitors as a member of the Renault team.

Last season, Kubica managed a number of podiums, including a second-place finish in Australia and two third-place finishes at Belgium and Monaco.

Kubica will likely be replaced by one of Renault's reserve drivers in time for the next test; Bruno Senna and Roman Grosjean are primary candidates to take Kubica's spot.

Injuries to their key driver and the uncertainty surrounding his future are sure to damage Renault's aspirations for the season.

I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I wish Robert a speedy recovery. Hopefully, he returns to action as soon as possible.

Icons, we all think of icons when Formula 1 is mentioned.

There are few of them and one of the most powerful icons in the history of Formula 1 is a black and gold Lotus car, with a Renault engine in the back and a Senna with a green and yellow helmet.

Today, Lotus Renault GP, at least for now, revealed its 2011 challenger and well, it looks nothing those classic JPS black-and-gold cars from the 1970s and 80s.

But they are obviously trying to evoke the emotions that those Lotus cars are connected with.

Back in 1978, the Lotus 79 caused a revolution in Formula One with the introduction of ground effect aerodynamics into the sport.

With Mario Andretti at the wheel, that Lotus, albeit with a Cosworth engine, took the only American to the Formula One world drivers championship.

But most importantly, that happened in a car that was black and gold.

That image is so imprinted in the memories of Formula 1 fans that is almost too easy to try and use that for a team's own benefit.

Seven years later, a then-young Ayrton Senna had never won a Formula 1 race. It was in a Lotus at the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, where the world first saw how dominant Ayrton would be.

He would earn his first pole position and his first win, but the circumstances was what made that historic victory even more significant.

During a very wet race, the soon to be three-time world champion would lap every single one of his challengers except for one and he finished more than a full minute ahead of second-place finisher Michele Alboreto.

Bruno Senna will now have the opportunity to sometimes run in a black-and-gold Lotus Renault in Friday practice.

Further, he has a chance of getting on the grid if Vitaly Petrov underperforms or, God forbid, either of the lead drivers can't race for any reason, such as injury.

But honestly, why did I go off on that sort of diatribe when talking about the 2011 Lotus Renault?

Simple, nostalgia isn't always a good thing, especially if it is just nostalgia for the sake of it.

Lotus built its reputation by being the innovative, forward looking and successful of constructors from the mid-1960s through to the 1980s.

I really hope they aren't co-opting that image and that nostalgia just to make money and to make a splash. The most important thing they need to do in order to be respected as a Lotus team is to win, short and simple: W-I-N. 

With the news today from Valencia, that the new R31's exhaust is aimed forward in order to create more downforce while bending the spirit of the exhaust blown diffuser ban is something that Colin Chapman and the original Lotus team would have been proud of, so although it seems to only be a sponsorship/naming rights deal.

Bouiller and Allison have the right spirit in trying to bring the Lotus name back to the grid.

For better or for worse, in the eyes of the other Lotus team, who think they have the Chapman legacy on their side. But that's an issue for another article.

As we approach the end of the season, the two teams that interest me the most are Renault and Mercedes. Renault, because I thought they’d be in the gutter by now and are not and Mercedes, because I thought they’d be on cloud nine by now and are not.

Today, Mercedes Team Principal Ross Brawn offered up a little insight in their lack of performance to the Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport that was carried by Autosport (Sorry I barely speak English, let along Italian) In the story he notes that after Honda’s departure in 2009 the team was left down in resources and had to design a car that was too conservative for the 2010 season. He also reckoned that next year will be different since everyone will be operating under the Resource Restriction Agreement.

At the beginning of 2009 we had to reduce staff, and this obviously had an impact on many sectors. When the time came to design the 2010 car, our design office wasn’t well organized. What came out of it is a scarcely ambitious car, in fact too conservative. But we couldn’t do otherwise, because resources were not sufficient. For 2011 we have a group of young engineers who want to show their worth, so we are ambitious again.

With the restrictions we had, in late 2009 we couldn’t chase the title and build a competitive car for this year at the same time. But from 2011, because of the cost reduction process, this will become the norm for everyone – even though I don’t believe that teams like Ferrari and McLaren will have to compromise too much.

When asked if he was if he was on board for 2011, he responded:

Yes, and I think Mercedes will be my last team.

While all his answers are pretty straightforward (this is Ross Brawn we’re talking about) I think it shows definite commitment on his part and shows that he got the 2010 message loud and clear. It also makes me hope the car is fully realized in 2011 and Mercedes can show the big boys what they’re really made out of.

As always, only a fool bets against Ross Brawn. Let’s hope I’m right about him this time.

Join Grace and me as we discuss the Grand Prix of South Korea…or the Asphalt GP. We also talk about Russia and don’t mention a thing about the cold war and we chat briefly about Renault, Mr. E and other things that would otherwise challenge the common yellow-breasted titmouse.

The plot has thickened on the Russian connection with Formula 1. According to Bloomberg, a deal for the Russian Grand Prix will be signed today between F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. The event could be attended by Vladamir Putin in a high-profile promotion that would have the F1 circus racing in Russia in 2014.

The contract talks took place yesterday at the Black Sea resort of Sochi which is the proposed location for the circuit and is also host to the 2014 Winter Olympics. It seems that Ecclestone has inked a deal worth $40 million a year for the privilege of hosting the race and the facility could cost as much as $200 million according to Russian paper Kommersant.

The plot thickens a tad as Renault driver Vitaly Petrov is rumored to be struggling to keep his ride and while Russia attempts to polish its image with the Olympics and World Cup bid, it seems important that the young man stay in the series with the right financial backing…the backing Putin said he would give Petrov. So far, Renault have had a few Russian-based sponsors for limited or one-race sponsor deals but no large title sponsors have stepped forward.

Ecclestone certainly can cut a deal but the driver issue is a tad more difficult. You will recall Ecclestone promoted the career of Karun Chandhok to bolster the upcoming Indian Grand Prix but he was sat on the bench in favor of Sakon Yamamoto and the money the Japanese driver could bring to the struggling team. Renault are equally rumored to be financially strapped and while Ecclestone would most likely be in favor of the French team retaining Petrov, the reality of the sponsor dollars young drivers are expected to bring may scuttle that notion.

Time will tell and a lack of a seat at Renault may not mean the end of Petrov’s career but the lack of long-term sponsor dollars could.

Frankly, I can’t believe the other F1B posters passed on this one. Come on, this is just begging for your best Kimi Raikkonen or FakePetrov joke possible.

The team formerly piggy-backing on the Raikkonen name has signed a new sponsor, Russian Flagman brand Vodka, to a four race deal starting this weekend in Japan*. And while the Kimister is know to hug a few dolphins after a bender of vodka, it looks like the Russian Vitaly Petrov is just one bottle closer to keeping his ride. Apparently, “consistent point scorer” is code for “can bring in more money to the team.” Note: I didn’t say it was a secret code, just that it was a code.

But seriously, this is good news for the team and hopefully they can keep them going into 2011. If they keep up this performance Flagman would be crazy not to stick with them.

The Flagman Vodka logo will appear on the nose tip and pod vanes of the car and on Petrov’s overalls.

You can read the full Renault press release here.

*I wonder if they get a race of their choosing in 2011 if Korea doesn’t happen?

With four races to go, news is slowly filtering through about how next season's drivers will line up in the Formula One world championship.

Red Bull's driver lineup seems secure. Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber both have contracts for 2011, although there are rumours flying around that if Webber wins the championship in 2010 he will leave, elevating Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi into the team.

McLaren's lineup also seems set in stone for next season. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton should stay and work well together, and hopefully one of them will win another title, although Button's time for that is slowly fading away.

Ferrari, Fernando Alonso, and Felipe Massa fight out the battle for supremacy within the team, and completely forget that they might have to win a world championship as well. I wonder how long it will take for more cracks to appear in this happy family.

Mercedes have possibly taken the biggest gamble in keeping Schumacher for next season. There is no way he can win either, as he can either have a bad car and fight in the midfield, or the team can have the best car—and Schumacher will be beaten by his teammate Nico Rosberg, who I'm sure will be looking forward to it.

Renault have the rather good Polish driver Robert Kubica signed for 2011, but the other seat hasn't been confirmed yet. After a rumour that a brand of Russian vodka will appear on the cars for the last four races, Petrov may have more of a chance. However, they will probably go for someone else.

Force India have signed Vitantonio Liuzzi for next season, and hopefully he will improve. The second seat is likely to go to test driver Paul di Resta, but it does seem like a good idea to have Indian driver Karun Chandhok for a wonderful Indian partnership.

Williams are set to retain Rubens Barrichello for 2011. Despite his good performances, there are rumours that Nico Hulkenberg will not feature in their lineup for next season, with the latest reports suggesting Pastor Maldonado to take his place. However, I think Hulkenberg should stay.

Sauber have already decided on their team, as Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi is going to stay. The other seat will be occupied by Mexican driver Sergio Perez, who is currently second in the 2010 GP2 series. Although he is probably talented, the move may be to do with funding and sponsorship from Mexico that is likely to follow.

Scuderia Toro Rosso have confirmed that Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari will drive for the team in 2011. They are likely to stay in the team, probably because of the rather attractive incentive of staying within the Red Bull family, making them more likely to secure a drive for Red Bull in the future.

Lotus Racing are changing their name to Team Lotus, their engine to Renault and their gearboxes will be produced by Red Bull. Despite the team not confirming the drivers for next year, they are likely to stay the same, simply for the experience provided by Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli.

Virgin Racing have confirmed that Timo Glock will stay in the team for next season, but have so far not confirmed the other seat, currently held by Lucas di Grassi. While I can understand that they might not want the Brazillian driver next year, I think that it would be good if he stays, because he seems to be a good driver.

The final team on the grid next season is Hispania. Admittedly, predicting their lineup for next season is rather complicated when its difficult to predict their lineup for the next race! I actually have no idea, so I'm going to go with Bruno Senna and Sakon Yamamoto, although I think Karun Chandhok and Christian Klien is actually the best lineup within the team.

Changes are also rumoured to two of the teams I mentioned. Sauber could have a new stream of funding through Sergio Perez's sponsor Telmex, owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

Also up in the air is Scuderia Toro Rosso, as owner Dietrich Mateschitz is reported to want to sell Red Bull's second team in Formula One. The reports suggest he will make $120 million from the sale of the Faenza based team, possibly to Durango and Jacques Villeneuve.

This is just the beginning. Of course some teams will not confirm their drivers until a few months before the race, but I think most of the teams will be pretty much sorted by a few weeks after the young drivers test in Abu Dhabi.

Considering it’s either that or the Team-Formerly-currently known as Lotus F1, I’ll take this. Although Eric Boullier’s comments just further convince me that he’s actually The Flav in one of those villain masks like on Scooby Doo. (And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for those pesky kids!)

Yesterday, SJ Skid reported on the unhappy Kimi who was not only hands down refusing to ride for Renault, but he was a bit upset (yes that’s what Kimi looks like when he’s upset, I know it’s similar to happiness and sadness, but trust me – he’s upset) that they’re using his good name to get some bonus PR for Renault.

Which is totally what they’re doing.

HOWEVER, today Boullier comes out and denies that he’s doing anything to Kimi’s name except telling the truth. He WAS contacted by Kimi’s manager, he DID discuss Kimi driving for the team, and that he was very excited by the idea.

From Boullier’s interview with Autosport:

We have not piggy-backed on Kimi’s image at all, which is what he has been claiming in the press. We were contacted by his managers after Spa. They wanted to enter into discussions and at that time we said: ‘Please wait. Yes, we are very flattered that you have contacted us, but we need to finish the evaluation of Vitaly’s [Petrov] potential and from that point, when we have our own conclusion, we will get back to you.’ There was nothing else. Since then, I had not got back to them because we had not finished the evaluation of the potential of Vitaly and there was nothing else to say. I never used the media, and I don’t see the benefit of telling to the media that Kimi is interested and chasing us. What would be the purpose of this?

What would be the purpose of this? Ah keeping you name in the papers is the name of the game and what better way to do that then to call back F1′s prodigal son to the fold? Slaughter the fatten calf, the Iceman has returned!

At the end, there was clearly a big interest in the media and during the last week the media kept reporting about our contact. I guess it was because there was nothing else to report, and I guess Kimi got upset to have all this in the press. But I always stuck to my word – and when it was public I was fair and courteous. Yes we were flattered to be contacted but I didn’t say anything else. Now, I think it is clear for me, and clear for him, and this is the end of the discussion.

You cannot be disappointed in his comment, but I do not understand why be aggressive and accuse us of something. I would never chase the media to explain them something like this – we were just replying to the questions. Even for us it was pulling us into a bit of trouble because it was constantly back on the table.

Are you new to Kimi Raikkonen and the F1 media? Of course they’re going to bring this up every chance they get. How could they not. Nothing sells papers, especially when there is no other news, like the talk of Kimi coming back to F1. That’s not a name you can just throw around and what not.

I have been very clear and very fair with everybody. I would not get into deep discussions with anyone, because that would be unfair for them if we took the decision that we were ready to keep Vitaly. The idea was we are interested in talking, and if we believe Vitaly cannot do it we will call you back and we will discuss it. But why discuss it before? You can play with the media, you can play with pressure, but that is not the game here.

Because you really never had a shot at getting Kimi in the first place! If you did, why wouldn’t you drop one of your drivers for him. This is Kimi Raikkonen – you don’t string him along like a backup college, you sign him ASAP. To me, this whole article is either really clever (Hello Flav!) or Eric Boullier is really that new to the world of F1. I didn’t piggy-back on Kimi’s name… right and Bernie Ecclestone isn’t a crook, he’s just a good business man.