Who Will Drive for Ferrari In 2010?
The 2009 season is all but over from a points perspective. So, let’s turn to important things. Who will drive for Ferrari in 2010?
The 2009 season has been a disaster for Ferrari. The first quarter of the season was an unmitigated disaster. Things are turning around, but the performance on the track seems iffy at best. Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen are carrying the flag for Ferrari this year, but what about 2010? Ah, that’s when things get interesting.
Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa started with Ferrari as the number two driver to Michael Schumacher. He was very iffy as a driver, but he seemed willing to learn. Apparently, he did. When Schumacher was forced out, Massa did not bat an eye when Kimi Raikkonen was brought in as the new number one. Massa was nearly the equal of Kimi that first year before fading and watching Kimi win the World Championship. Ah, but things have changed.
There is no disputing that Felipe Massa is the number one driver at Ferrari. He destroyed Kimi last year while missing out on the championship by a single point. Perhaps more importantly, he has become the clear vocal leader of the team. He acts ever the professional and refuses to blame the team when blunders are made. He is all class, all the time. I certainly didn’t see it coming years ago, but Felipe has found his stride and will undoubtedly remain at Ferrari in 2010.
Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi started off his Ferrari career with a bang by snagging a last second championship from Lewis Hamilton. Since then, it has mostly been a nightmare. I’m a big Kimi supporter, but there is little doubt he is simply not performing. Okay, he is a disaster. How a man with this much talent could be this bad is simply stunning. Whether it is true or not, he appears to just be showing up for his huge check and mailing in the racing. I love you Kimi, but you’ll not be at Ferrari in 2010.
Fernando Alonso
The long rumored marriage of Fernando Alonso and Ferrari appears set to happen in 2011, but what about 2010? Nobody knows. Renault may drop out of Formula One for all we know. What is clear is Jean Todt didn’t like Alonso, but is now gone. Whether Alonso can handle being a co-number one with Massa is an interesting question, but one we can expect to find out. Whether that happens in 2010 is 50/50.
Sebastian Vettel
An aggressive, talented German driving a Ferrari to championships? Hey, we’ve seen that work before. Could Sebastian be on his way to Ferrari? It is doubtful. The budget cap coming to F1 means smaller teams like Red Bull simply don’t have to sell off an incredible asset like Sebastian. Put another way, he is going to have to wait to the end of his contract to make any switch, so don’t hold your breath on this one.
Timo Glock
The future of Toyota in Formula One looks iffy at best. Timo Glock has been very impressive this year. Ferrari will be looking for a young, talented driver to handle the number two car for a year. Timo certainly seems to fit the bill. I’ll go out on a limb and say that if a deal can’t be worked out to bring Fernando on board in 2010, it will be Glock who lines up with Massa at the beginning of the year. He better enjoy it because 2011 will bring Fernando!
It was all doom and gloom for Ferrari for much of 2009. Assuming the team stays in F1 in 2010, a solid bounce back season looks likely. Who exactly will be driving with Massa will be a very interesting issue for much of the offseason.
Lemmy