If the F1 season continues in the way that it has so far, we're in for a fascinating "silly season" when the rumors start flying around, usually about August time, as to which driver will be moving to which team for next year. Whilst it's still early days, the temptation to consider some of the options is intriguing!
Think about it for a moment. With Button the early title favourite in his Brawn, it seems unlikely that he will want to go anywhere else, but what about his team mate for ne! xt year? What if the Ferrari doesn't improve and Massa indicates that he is looking for a more competitive drive? Could he end up as Button's new team mate? Then there's Red Bull. Vettel is a cert, unless Ferrari is tempted to go for broke and persuade the young hotshot that a Ferrari company car is not such a bad idea! Now what about team mate Webber? Is he sure of keeping his drive if Kubica decides to stop persevering with the struggling BMW team?
All in all, it could be that we are seeing the changing face of Formula 1 in more than just the new regulations.
So now the teams come back home to Europe this weekend with the Spanish GP. The Spaniards are sure to give their hero Alonso a lift and I would expect him to be right up there battling with Button, Trulli and co.
There is little doubt that Ferrari and McLaren have been working overtime to try and quell the increasing number of critics that are pointing fingers. In Ferrari'! s case, we've been seeing a return to the days when the Team w! as split into 3 strongly Italian factions. The chassis designers, the engine builders and then the team itself, with each factor blaming the other for a lack of success. Money seems not to be a problem at Maranello and I'm sure that with the proposed financial cap coming in next year, Montezemelo will be chaffing at the bit for the remainder of this year to ensure that Ferrari's massive financial advantage is put to good use.
McLaren, on the other hand, seem to be getting it together on the track quicker than Ferrari, but still have a huge PR battle to engage in if they are to retain their fan base after all of the shennanigans of late. Popularity is important to sponsors, so expect a charm offensive of Barama proportions from the affable Martin Whitmarsh, now that the ogre Denis has gone.
It's about time that William's drivers converted promise into points and Rosberg will be under pressure to perform this weekend. Under fire Piquet should go better at a circu! it he knows well, but he really is under the microscope.
I think that we may see BMW bring some better form to Barcelona and I am expecting Toyota to be as competitive as ever.
It all makes for an interesting weekend.
