This time each year, there are bound to be speculations regarding drivers' movement in Formula One teams the following season. It's time for Yours Truly to make some equally silly predictions.
Fernando Alonso (Renault): The reigning World Champion has already signed with McLaren, but which driver will race alongside him is yet to be decided. Prediction: Done deal.
Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault): Just signed a new deal which would keep him with Renault until the end of 2007. Prediction: Done deal.
Michael Schumacher (Ferrari): There have long been rumours that seven-time World Champion will retire after his contract with the team expires at the end of this season. However, Ferrari's recent renaissance is an incentive strong enough to keep him racing. Prediction: Remain with Ferrari for one final season.
Felipe Massa (Ferrari): The Brazilian will definitely remain with Ferrari next season for two main reasons. First, he just joined the team this year and is performing admirably as Schumi's understudy. Second, he is managed by Nicolas Todt, the son of Ferrari's Team Principal Jean Todt, of all people. However, whether he will be a race driver or test driver depends very much on Schumi's decision. Prediction: Race alongside Schumi next season.
Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren): The only driver who can choose to drive for any of the top three teams (i.e., Renault, Ferrari and McLaren). He has been rumoured to move on to Ferrari to partner or replace Michael Schumacher for quite a while. Jean Todt recently dropped a blatantly obvious hint on his admiration of Raikkonen by referring Schumi, Massa and Kimi as his "three favourite drivers". Yet given Schumi's history of preferring a decidedly inferior driver as his teammate, the chance of Kimi and Schumi racing together seems remote. If Schumi retires, Kimi will definitely move on to Ferrari as the number one driver, partnering Massa. If he doesn't, Massa will stay on as number two and look for Kimi to find a drive elsewhere. His best two options are jumping ship to Renault (partnering the underperforming Fisichella) and staying on with McLaren (partnering the ultra-competitive Alonso). Prediction: Jump ship to Renault.
Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren): Juan Pablo Montoya's replacement at McLaren has been solid but if unspectacular since given the chance to race again. Problem is, he and Alonso are both from Spain, and from a commercial point of view, it would be better for the two drivers to come from different parts of the world, to allow their sponsors to enjoy as much exposure as possible. Prediction: Stay on as a test driver.
Mark Webber (Williams): Having turned down a contract extension with the team, Webber saw his seat in Williams next season taken by its test driver, Alex Wurz. With Flavio Briatore, the Managing Director of Renault as his manager, Webber should have the inside track of securing the much coveted Renault seat. But if Raikkonen decides to leave McLaren, Webber will definitely lose out. If that's the case, look for Briatore to secure a deal with one of the better teams, such as BMW or Red Bull. Prediction: Sign with Red Bull, replacing Christian Klien.
Gary Paffett (Second test driver of McLaren): The odds-on favourite to land the second McLaren seat next season. His impeccable track record in Formula Vauxhall, British Formula Three and Germany's DTM series will make him one of the hottest prospects in Formula One in recent years. Prediction: Replace Kimi and race alongside Alonso at McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton (Current championship leader of the GP2 Series): McLaren's Team Principal Ron Dennis recently said that Hamilton, a 21-year-old Briton who has been supported by McLaren throughout his racing career, may not necessarily start his Formula One career with McLaren. With the new Prodrive team set to commence operation in 2007, and its Chairman David Richards hoping the team to hook up with McLaren as its "B" team, look for Hamilton to play a huge role in Prodrive's development. Prediction: Test driver with Prodrive in 2007 and race driver in 2008.
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