Despite the fact that the world is only just emerging from a deep recession there are 14 teams all vying for the 13 spaces on next years grid. So why did the FIA publish a list with only 12 teams named?
The published list reads as follows:
1. Jenson Button Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
3. Nico Rosberg Brawn GP Formula 1 Team*
4. TBA Brawn GP Formula 1 Team*
5. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing Renault
6. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing Renault
7. Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
8. Fernando Alonso Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
9. Rubens Barrichello AT&T Williams - Cosworth
10. Nico Hulkenberg AT&T Williams - Cosworth
11. Robert Kubica Renault F1 Team
12. TBA Renault F1 Team
14. Adrian Sutil Force India F1 Team
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India F1 Team
16. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso Ferrari
17. TBA Toro Rosso Ferrari
18. TBA Lotus F1 Racing - Cosworth
19. TBA Lotus F1 Racing - Cosworth
20. TBA Campos Meta 1 - Dallara Cosworth
21. Bruno Senna Campos Meta 1 - Dallara Cosworth
22. TBA USF1 Team - Cosworth
23. TBA USF1 Team - Cosworth
24. Timo Glock Virgin Racing - Cosworth
25. TBA Virgin Racing - Cosworth
* The Team has indicated that it would like to change name to Mercedes Grand Prix prior to the start of the season.
This list reveals a few things to us but also poses a few questions. The first thing to note is that (as expected) the Manor GP operation from Sheffield are going to be entered under the Virgin Racing brand. This is good news all around; it means that Manor have a creditable backer which should mean that they survive long enough to make an impression. Richard Branson gets maximum exposure for his company and Timo Glock is in a team which could keep up with the development race (of the new boys anyway).
Secondly, why has Bruno got car 21? Has his team signed but not revealed another driver for car 20 or did they simply request 21 for personal reasons?
The Red Bull Team have confirmed that their partnership with Renault will continue for another season (despite trying to switch to Mercedes power only a few months ago). This was always going to happen when McLaren prevented Mercedes from supplying anyone else as that meant that Red Bull were left with the unproven Cosworth or the familiar Renault. No Brainer.
Finally, only 12 teams were named. This is interesting because the final space was intended for the Toyota team. Toyota's decision to pull out of grand prix racing for the 2010 season meant that most people expected the (now saved ex-BMW) Sauber team to be named as the 13th team but so far no announcement has been forthcoming. Originally, it was thought that the reason for this was that the expected new owners of the BMW team (Qadbak) were a somewhat 'dodgy' company (as the suspicion around Notts County FC hints at too). However, Peter Sauber has been in formula 1 before and is a respected figure in the paddock - he will get the team to the grid if he is allowed.
The problem therefore lies with Toyota. If they fail to sell their team then they will incur a penalty of $150Mil for breaking the concorde agreement (comitting them to F1 until 2012). As interest in buying the plans for next years car has wained the team is now holding out as long as possible for a solution that will make the expendature as little as possible for Toyota.
The problem I have is that Toyota don't have a leader like Honda did. There is no Ross Brawn figure that can guarentee that whatever happens to the team it will be secure. Therefore, if Toyota do manage to sell to whoever gives them an offer, I fear that it could be curtains for the team before long anyway. Sauber knows how to run an F1 team and moreover, the BMW improved massively over the final few races of 2009. This makes me optimistic that they figured out how their aerodynamic package worked - a key factor in developing for next year. Furthermore, where Toyota went searching for success in 2009, BMW switched to 2010 development early. This is bound to bear fruit.
To put it bluntly 2010 would be much stronger for having Sauber Ferraris on the grid as opposed to some team without any racing heart.
The FIA should be speaking with the remaining 12 teams, pushing them to agree to expanding the field to 14 teams. This would allow Sauber to take their place and if Toyota aren't rescued then so what? If they are then there will be 28 cars in the field next year and no spectator would complain of that.
p.s. if Sauber are confirmed then I would put them down as a strong dark horse for (at least one) victory next year. As I said, BMW were developing for next year and the development parts that they brought to the last races of '09 improved performance massively.
p.p.s. Bet on Nick Heidfeld. I am confident that Sauber will be allowed to race next year and if this is the case then quick Nick can be assured a seat. Of course he could yet end up at Mercedes. Either way 34:1 seems good value at the moment.
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