Who will be the first to be replaced in F1 this season ?

[Ed]

With rumours surrounding Bourdais and Piquet's imminent replacement, we are setting up this poll for you to vote on who do you think will be the first F1 driver to be replaced permanently during the 2009 season.

You can also tell us who do you expect to replace this driver and at which race. The first to pick the correct driver, his replacement and the race wins a NewsOnF1 World Clock with Alarm



If you want to vote for a driver that is not on the list, just let us know and we'll add him

[Julian Mayo]

Nelsinho will be the first officially replaced, when Renault announce their all new driver line up for 2010.

[RE30B#16]

I see Nelsinho Piquet as the driver most in danger of being canned before the end of the season.

I believe Sebastian Bourdais has pretty much sealed his fate, but he is a much better driver than Piquet who has shown no evidence of improvement. Both drivers may be headed to the IRL in America. I think Bourdais wants to go back to America where he is popular and competitive. Nelsinho may be force to America if he wants to remain in a top series. I can't even see his talented dad shoe-horn him into another team unless he brings buckets of money with him.

Heikki Kovalainen and Rubens Barrichello are both on the hot seat if you ask me. Heikki has been consistently unspectacular even though he has finished in the points several times this season. Barrichello's outburst at his team is bizarre. I agree with Frank Williams and others that he may have worn out his welcome, besides he will be 38 next year!

Kimi Raikkonen has fallen off my list of elite drivers in Formula 1. He still has the skill set, but no motivation. Felipe Massa is clearly more competitive due primarily to the fact that he is motivated, and should be considered the leader of the team at this point.

I can see McLaren replacing Kovalainen with Nico Rosberg, Timo Glock, or Adrian Sutil after his terrific drive in the German GP before Kimi eff-ed it up for him. I can see Kovalainen returning to Renault if this happens. Perhaps we could see him in a Williams if they lose Rosberg. Sutil and Glock should be on everyone's list for a 2nd driver at least. I see everyone else staying put.

[JayVee]

I know Bourdais is almost confirmed out but I reckon Barrichello may be ousted too. Brawn will need a support driver for Button as they try to defend their lead from Red Bull. Barrichello is so angry he will not help. Maybe swap with Bourdais

[Julian Mayo]

I know Bourdais is almost confirmed out but I reckon Barrichello may be ousted too. Brawn will need a support driver for Button as they try to defend their lead from Red Bull. Barrichello is so angry he will not help. Maybe swap with Bourdais

The Musical Chairs Thread is up and running hot...............

[F1greyhound]

While it seems inevitable to replace French SEB I wonder if an inexperienced driver is the right choice for the team. We will see.

NELSINHO also looks vulnerable and ROMAIN makes somewhat more appeal than the TORO ROSSO alternative.

For next year I would expect either NICO or ADRIAN to replace HEIKKI who Im not so sure to stay in F1.

WILLIAMS already have their replacement for NICO who might join BMW or TOYOTA if not MCLAREN - impressive double winner of the GP2 races at the Ring, rookie NICO HÜLKENBERG is a certainty for the team.

FISICO also may have run his course and it would be interesting if the quite strong FORCE INDIA outfit would have to replace both drivers, an Indian on the verge?

KIMI seems to get lost in the FERRARI and it is likely for FERNANDO to replace him.

RUBENS will most definitely have to go latest after the season. He is a No.2 but cant live with it, the last 2 HONDA years in a crap car he could live with a less motivated JENSON but not anymore. BRAWN would probably get ADRIAN if he is not to join MCLAREN, or maybe TIMO if available.

KIMI might stop - or he might go to RENAULT or TOYOTA.

Another candidate for TOYOTA would be NICK....

[Ed]

Toro Rosso confirmed today that the German Grand Prix was the last race for Sebastien Bourdais with the team. A replacement will be announced before the next race in Hungary.

It is unfortunate that Bourdais hasn't done very well with Toro Rosso given his tremendous success in North America

NewsOnF1 wishes Sebastien Bourdais all the best

[Julian Mayo]

Toro Rosso confirmed today that the German Grand Prix was the last race for Sebastien Bourdais with the team. A replacement will be announced before the next race in Hungary.

It is unfortunate that Bourdais hasn't done very well with Toro Rosso given his tremendous success in North America

NewsOnF1 wishes Sebastien Bourdais all the best

As Do I.

[F1greyhound]

He is still a great driver but obviously much more effective in the US style monocoques. Hope he finds a good slot in INDY cars, all the best.

JAIME might have a hard job at hand, given his current 8th place standing in the World Series....

[mlittle]

He is still a great driver but obviously much more effective in the US style monocoques. Hope he finds a good slot in INDY cars, all the best.

JAIME might have a hard job at hand, given his current 8th place standing in the World Series....

I don't see Bourdais going back to Indycars, greyhound; what has he to prove? He won four ChampCar titles(albeit during the split) and other than winning the Indy 500, he's in the same position that current NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Sam Hornish, Jr. is in(why continue/go back to Indycars when there's nothing left to prove). I suspect, with his involvement w/Peugeot in LeMans racing, he'll likely switch to sportscars and compete in Europe and North America.

As for Alguersuari..............all I can say is good luck.

[Julian Mayo]

He is still a great driver but obviously much more effective in the US style monocoques. Hope he finds a good slot in INDY cars, all the best.

JAIME might have a hard job at hand, given his current 8th place standing in the World Series....

I don't see Bourdais going back to Indycars, greyhound; what has he to prove? He won four ChampCar titles(albeit during the split) and other than winning the Indy 500, he's in the same position that current NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Sam Hornish, Jr. is in(why continue/go back to Indycars when there's nothing left to prove). I suspect, with his involvement w/Peugeot in LeMans racing, he'll likely switch to sportscars and compete in Europe and North America.

As for Alguersuari..............all I can say is good luck.

Le Mans.........................

[Ed]

Sebastien Bourdais has issued a statement vowing to fight for his seat and that includes legal action!

Statement from Sébastien Bourdais

I am very disappointed and shocked by the decision taken by Scuderia Toro Rosso of not allowing me to drive for the Team until the end of the current season.

I consider that, in doing so, Scuderia Toro Rosso has breached its contractual duties towards me; also I believe that nothing in my behavior would legitimate a decision of the Team to terminate the contract. I think that the Team’s decision is in clear violation of Scuderia Toro Rosso’s obligations under the agreement. I have instructed my lawyers to review the situation including the possibility of issuing legal proceedings.

I am even more frustrated by the Team’s decision considering that the latter has been taken immediately before the Hungarian Grand Prix, where a new highly competitive racing package will be introduced by the Team in order to try and overcome its current difficulties. I am convinced that if I was given the chance to race with such new package I would have had the opportunity to achieve satisfactory results.

Finally, I would like to thank all my fans for their support. My motivation is intact and I’ll continue to be strongly committed to my Formula One project, for which I have renounced to my career in United States.

[RE30B#16]

Sebastien Bourdais has issued a statement vowing to fight for his seat and that includes legal action!

So it looks like "SeaBass" may be the first to go. Quite frankly, I do not know why. This is obviously about a clash in personality since neither Toro Rosso driver has set the world on fire. At least we know Sebastian Bourdais can be a champion in a top series. I don't see the logic in sacking him before the end of the season. The team eliminates his experience in developing its car. Having two rookie drivers is a huge risk and likely a mistake.

There are a handful of "top" drivers I have been extremely underwhelmed with starting with Heikki Kovalainen . He made the 2008 McLaren Lewis Hamilton won his WDC in look like a solid midfielder all season last year.

Kimi Raikkonen seems woefully undermotivated again just like he did in his last year at McLaren. Why?

I never thought Nelsinho Piquet, Jr was F1 quality, but his dad was one of the best that ever was. So what? It seems to me all Junior Piquet does well is b*tch and make excuses.

In the past, I have been a supporter of Rubens Barrichello, but it may be time for "Rube" to pack it in. It would take a spectacular meltdown on the part of his teammate to offer him any chance of taking the 2009 WDC, and that is provided RB can win out the season. Nevermind the two Red Bull drivers.

Conversely: I have never understood all of the rumors surrounding the emininant sacking of Nick Heidfeld and Giancarlo Fisichella. Both apparently are great teammates. Both are very strong testers. It's about time both came out of their shells, but te two of them have always been the model of consistency.