What do you think about Theissen's comments...?

Question

...about their driver negotiations:

"Good results attract covetous glances. Other teams think one or other driver is responsible. And other drivers think the credit lies with the car. As far as the driver situation at the team for 2009 is concerned, we are in no rush with our discussions. We won't be commenting on any developments in this area until they reach a conclusion."

What drivers or teams do you think he is talking about?

Answer 1

I think Ferrari will be pursuing either Kubica or Alonso with more urgency than most. With Kimi retirement a realistic possibility in the next 1 to 2 years, they need a top driver. McLaren have their line up sorted (they've got to be happy with LH and HK), Renault is probably resigned to not being able to attract a top driver due to their car's underperformance. Williams would like to have Kubica to replace Nakajima but they don't have the car or the cash, and will have to kiss Toyota's backside for the engine service.

BMW Sauber? They have nothing to worry about. Good car, loads of cash, a good driver already (Kubica), and Alonso wants to join them. If for some reason, Alonso can't go to BMW Sauber, then they still have Heidfeld who is doing alright and can be the team's unoffical No 2.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ferrari gave Massa the boot, and assuming Raikkonen is retiring, they try to get BOTH Kubica and Alonso. They will be paying lots of money, but atleast they will take two of the best drivers away from the competitors.

Jenson Button's contract with Honda expires at the end of this year, but I think he's too much in love with Ross Brawn - they even have the same facial hairstyle! But anyway, just in case Jenson decides to backstab Honda (again), BMW Sauber might be interested in him. I think Mario will secure atleast one top driver - either Kubica or Alonso. Ferrari won't let BMW Sauber get both of them, I think.

Answer 2

I think that he's talking mostly about Alonso who has also been stating that he has yet to decide on his future and possibly Ferrari who may be making plans in case Kimi decides to pull the plug.

Answer 3

Ferrari and McLaren. . maybe Toyota have the clout and resources to buy out man-of-the-moment  Kubica.

BMW could be in a position to swap Heidfeld with the ever impressing Roseberg, although knowing how hard ball Frank and Patrick are, as well as their history with the German engine makers,  would be another matter.

Alonso must be a serious contender for the other seat, should they release Heidfeld or lose Kubica to the 'covetous glances' (a great line if there ever was one). But would Alonso want to be in a team in which Kubica (their star driver) would potentially open him up to 'McLaren-gate' all over again?

Ah! Don't you love F1 intrigue?!!

Answer 4

It's a question of "can we get anyone better than Heidfeld" or "can we afford to let Ferrari buy Kubica off us" or "can we have our cake and eat it"?

The key to them being able to keep quiet until the deals are done is Heidfeld realising that he's not going to get a better drive than the one he has now, and so being content to sit about waiting for a result in his favour (the opposite strategy to the one employed by Webber, who thinks he may yet escape from RB, or at least scare RB into thinking he might, so that they give him a nice, long contract...).

If Heidfeld goes, then I'd have thought they would want to replace him with another German, if at all possible. Rosberg is the obvious choice...if they can negotiate him out of Williams then they may allow both of their current drivers to leave and then put either a) one of the young drivers, or b) an old head in the other car, depending on how exactly they see Rosberg's team leadership and testing qualities. However, if they can pull off the coup I'm going to talk about below, then they may not need to have a German on board... (and I still think that Rosberg has "McLaren" written all over him...)

The coup in question would be to get Alonso. He and Kubica are close friends off the track, and it would be the sort of "statement of intent" from BMW that could make Kubica reject a move to Ferrari for the time being.

Answer 5

Their biggest enemies: McLaren and Ferrari.

Answer 6

Top teams and top drivers!

Just about any team would want Kubica by now but of those that can afford him only Ferrari and McLaren can attract him with their car and team.

Same for drivers, only accomplished drivers like Alonso or exciting talents like Rosberg and Vettel could interest BMW.

I think he's stating the obvious, Kubica is a fine driver and the BMW is a fine car and team in general so both driver and team have lots of options.