The drivers’ line up for 2011 season
Of the 12 teams scheduled to be present on the 2011 Formula One grid, only six have yet not announced their drivers’ line up. Most of the teams, especially the leading ones have retained their last year’s drivers like McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari etc.
The final entry list of FIA has been published this Tuesday disclosing the drivers’ line up of most of the teams for next season.
As per the latest list, Ferrari is going to continue with Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso for next season as well. For Alonso, 2010 had been the first season with the Italian squad while Massa had been attached with the red uniformed team since 2006. Despite
of all the heat seen between the team management and Massa for making him act as a No.2 driver due to team orders, he is happy to keep his ties with the legendary team.
Moreover, McLaren is also happy to retain Lewis Hamilton the 2008 champion and Jenson Button the 2009 champion with the British team for another season. The team is very commonly called Hamilton’s team and the driver is now happy to stay among the same people
for the fifth year of his Formula One career. Although Button entered the team only last year but he has been able to make a comfortable place for himself in the team and the duo is said to have one of the best teammate relation in the sport.
Although, the Red Bull drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber have not been on healthy terms with each other and Webber has been accusing the team all through the season for following orders yet both the drivers are confirmed to stay with the Austrian
track for next season as well.
Despite of having embraced a very disappointing season with Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP is convinced to continue with the driver alongside Nico Rosberg, hoping for a far better season ahead. Sauber and Lotus has also announced to move on for the next
season with the same drivers’ line up.
The most interesting vacant seat at the moment is in Renault alongside Robert Kubica. Although, Vitaly Petrov is hopeful to have his seat back for another season, but the team has refused to make any proclamation until a thorough discussion is carried within
the board of managers.
Williams has confirmed the GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado, alongside Rubens Barrichello while Force India is yet thinking over the available options including, Adrian Sutil, Tonio Liuzzi, Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg.
Toro Rosso is thought to keep the same drivers again, Sebastian Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari but the official statement is yet to come out.
Moreover, the rookie teams of 2010 season Virgin Racing and HRT have not confirmed any drivers for 2011 season yet. Last year Virgin drove with Lucas di Grassi and Timo Glock while HRT initially had Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok. Later after the round at
Silverstone the Indian driver was not seen on the track ever again while the Japanese driver, Sakon Yamamoto took his place for the rest of nine races. While talking to the media earlier this week, Chandhok showed hope of coming back with the team next season
although a official statement is yet to come.
The third rookie team of last season Lotus, has also confirmed the presence of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen for another season although the team is yet not sure of its name for next season.
The team principal Tony Fernandes wrote on Twitter earlier this week, "We made the call after tremendous support from (the) public. Team Lotus it is. Sure there will be many battles ahead but (team headquarters) Hingham is pumped."
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