We’ve got some new names joining the Formula One drivers’ lineup this season. To help you out with who’s in what team these days, here’s a list of the 24 drivers you’ll be seeing this year.

As you can see from our list, we’ve also got three new teams joining F1. Originally, there were four teams: Hispania Racing, Virgin Racing, the US F1 Team, and Lotus Racing (who managed to enter after BMW Sauber pulled out). But the US F1 Team dropped out after it stopped working on its car.

Sauber, then decided to reenter, still bearing the “BMW” name. Because there was room for one more team, the FIA allowed Sauber to reenter.

2009 Drivers Missing from the List:

Okay, so they’re not exactly missing. But some of the 2009 drivers did fail to secure regular seats for this season. First up, we have Giancarlo Fisichella. Fisico joined Ferrari as the replacement driver for the injured Massa. Now that Massa’s back in action, Fisico takes the backseat as the team’s third driver.

Nick Heidfeld, who’s one of my personal favorites, wasn’t able to find a team on time. But he did land himself the “reserve driver” role for Mercedes GP.

Kazuki Nakajima, who had a lackluster run last year is rumored to be joining the Stefan Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the Serbian outfit didn’t make the cut this year.

Romain Grosjean, who was running with Renault last year, wasn’t able to get a contract. Siad contract was awarded to Vitaly Petrov instead.

Lastly, we have another personal favorite, Kimi Räikkönen. After not finding his idea of the right team for this coming season, Räikkönen opted to join the Citroen Junior Team for the 2010 World Rally Championship.

Source: Formula1.com, Wikipedia

Image: TopNews.In

Kimi Raikkonen

It’s official: Kimi Räikkönen is definitely out for the 2010 Formula One Season. The former-Ferrari driver was ride-less up until last month. And reports say that it’s because the Iceman was waiting for the right F1 team to join. Well, Räikkönen certainly found the right team, but not from F1.

According to Formula1.com, Kimi found himself a seat with Citroen’s Red Bull sponsored junior team for the 2010 World Rally Championship. Kimi is said to be a big fan of Rally, and has actually made his WRC debut earlier this year in Rally Finland. But don’t despair Kimi fans, because the 2007 F1 World Champion isn’t completely leaving Formula 1. If the right team with the right offer comes along, I’m sure we’ll be seeing Kimi behind an F1 car again.

Räikkönen is quite excited about the 2010 Rally Championship. He’ll be driving alongside Kaj Lindstrom who was once a driving partner to multiple WRC Champ Tommi Makinen. According to Kimi:

“I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career… Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroen C4.

“This is a new but very exciting challenge. For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future. I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally.”

I haven’t really had the chance to watch a lot of Rally races, but here’s one more reason why I should. Support Kimi by watching him race in 12 out of 13 WRC rounds!

Source: Formula1.com

Image: Formula1info.com

Kimi Raikkonen: No Deal for Next Year

Here’s some sad news for Kimi Räikkönen fans (myself, included). According to Formula1.com, the Finnish star racer will be taking a break from Formula One after failing to come up with the right deal with McLaren. After being let out of his contract with Ferrari so the team can sign Fernando Alonso, Räikkönen has been vocal about the possibility of him missing the 2010 Formula One Season if he can’t find the right team to race for.

The 2007 F1 World Champion has always made it clear that he will only race with a top team—after all, his motivation is to win another championship or two. And since he couldn’t find a good enough offer from any great team, the Finn decided to wait it out until 2011.

According to Kimi’s manager, Steve Robertson:

“The Formula One alternatives for next season were McLaren or nothing… Kimi and McLaren could not reach an agreement, so he will not drive at F1 level – at least not next year.”

With an interest in World Rally Championship, don’t be surprised to find Kimi competing in the sport again. Although Robertson is quick to add that this may not be the end of Kimi’s career in F1.

“Kimi still leaves and breathes driving ambition…In that sense, a year off means nothing. More important is to find a place for Kimi where he can fight for victory and the world championship,” Robertson added.

Source: Formula1.com

Image: Zimbio.com, Paul Gilham (Getty Images Europe)

Kimi Raikkonen

You don’t usually see an F1 champ like Kimi without a confirmed ride at the end of an F1 season, but that’s exactly what Kimi is facing right now.

When Ferrari let him out of his 2010 contract to give Renault’s Fernando Alonso a slot for next year, Räikkönen was immediately ride-less for next season. But that piece of news isn’t getting the Finn down. He refuses to settle for anything less than what’s best for his racing career, and he’s very determined to find the right team for 2010.

Last Friday, the Flying Finn said that right now he’s weighing his options but that he’s willing to wait until he finds a team that will give him a chance to win more victories, and possibly more world titles. According to Kimi:

“It’s hard to believe that I have been in Formula One for nine years already…I am very motivated to win races and a championship again and will only remain in Formula One if I can race for a team that can give me a car to fight at the front. Let’s wait and see what happens.”

Räikkönen also made it clear that he’s also considering taking a time-off from the sport in case he can’t find a suitable team to join.

“I can do whatever I want…But like I said before, I haven’t made my decision about what I want to do yet. Basically I have a few different options and we will see what is the best one overall and then I’ll make my decision.”

Well, I’m definitely hoping Kimi finds the right team soon—because he’s definitely one of the most talented F1 drivers right now, IMO.

Source: Formula1.com

Image: Forbes.com

The Iceman: Kimi Raikkonen

But there’s no bad blood between Ferrari and Räikkönen. In fact, Kimi’s hoping for the best results to help propel his team (for now) over McLaren in terms of championship points’ standings. While McLaren and Ferrari have already lost the constructors’ title to new-team Brawn, they have the third place position to fight for.

According to the official website of Ferrari, the fast Finn has this to say about his hopes for the Abu Dhabi GP:

“The race in Abu Dhabi will be my last Grand Prix with Ferrari and as usual I will give it everything to gain the best possible result…We’ll try to conclude this difficult year with a good result, hoping that it will be enough to gain the third place in the constructors’ championship McLaren took over in Brazil.”

McLaren may still be conducting improvements to the MP4-24, but Ferrari has long since halted the development done to the F60. But Räikkönen remains optimistic.

“It will be difficult,” the Finn explained. “Our direct competitors are still improving their car, while we have been using the same car since the race in Hungary at the end of July. There are many expectations as far as the Yas Marina Circuit is concerned, but it’s difficult making any predictions, because we’re racing there for the first time. Let’s hope we can conclude the season with something nice to be remembered!”

Kimi is yet to announce his plans for the 2010 Formula One Season. I’m hoping he’ll be back. If not with McLaren, then some other competitive team.

Source: Formula1.com

Image: Zimbio.com

Jarno Trulli

But from the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix, F1 fans became privy to the difficulties and dangers of the sport. The stewards of Interlagos got busy early-on when a series of events prompted them to investigate incidents and hand out penalties.

Jarno Trulli (Toyota), Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren), and the McLaren team were all handed penalties for their respective infringements.

Let’s start with Trulli. At the first lap of the race, it was immediately trouble for Trulli. The Italian driver was trying to make a move on Force India’s Adrian Sutil when the two collided. The two drivers had knocked each other out of the race.

Now, it’s understandable that the two drivers were upset. But Trulli truly did take things to the next level when he didn’t leave the track right away. FIA rules state that drivers must immediately leave the track after their cars are unable to continue. Trulli lingered. What was worse was that the Toyota driver also confronted Sutil in an aggressive manner. That’s two offences for Jarno.

According to the Formula One’s sanctioning body, Trulli had breached “Article 151 (c) of the 2009 FIA International Sporting Code. This rule goes against “any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally.” Trulli was fined US $10,000 and was also reprimanded.

Heikki Kovalainen

Immediately after the collision, the Safety Car was released. As the Safety Car made its rounds, some drivers ducked into the pit lane for quick fuel refills. Heikki Kovalainen brought his McLaren in for a splash of petrol. But in his haste to exit the pit lane, Kovalainen ended up running with his fuel hose still connected to his car. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) who was driving behind Kovalainen was hit with fuel right on his visor. According to some reports, poor Kimi also got petrol in his eyes! As is often the result of intense heat combined with fuel, the petrol on Kimi’s helmet ignited. Thankfully, the Finn was fine and was even able to finish at sixth.

Because of Kovalainen’s hasty exit from the pit lane, 25 seconds was added to Heikki’s total time. McLaren was also penalized for Kovalainen’s unsafe release from the pit stop, and the team was fined US $50,000.

Source: Formula1.com

Images: i.Telegraph.co.uk, TeamAmericaF1.com

Kubica Jumps to Renault for 2010 F1 Season!

The Polish driver is very excited about his move. According to Kubica:

“I am very happy I will be joining Renault in the 2010 season…I feel I have a special connection with this team because in 2005 I won the World Series by Renault. This gave me the chance to test with the team in Barcelona, which led to my debut in Formula One.

“I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude. I’m highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year and hopefully fighting for the world title,” Kubica added.

The new team principal for Renault, Bob Bell, also shares the team’s enthusiasm over Kubica’s move, saying:

“We are very excited to have signed Robert with the Renault F1 Team starting next season. Ever since Robert made his Grand Prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation and he has delivered on that promise so it’s great to have secured him in one of our cars next season. Renault has high ambitions and hopes for the future of the team and we feel that Robert can play a big role in fulfilling them.”

BMW Sauber Boss: Mario Theissen

“I’m very thankful to those responsible in the BMW Sauber F1 Team for giving me the chance to get a Formula One cockpit…I think I justified the belief in me by delivering good results.

“In 2008 I managed to get the first pole position in Bahrain and the first win in Canada. Both will remain unforgettable moments for me. For 2010 I will have a new challenge. I wish everybody I worked with at the BMW Sauber F1 Team all the best for the future. I’m sure the future of our paths will cross in Formula One.”

Current motorsport director for BMW, Mario Theissen, is also thankful for all that Kubica has done for the team.

“Robert played an important role for us—and we certainly did the same for him,” Theissen said. “He joined us in 2006 as a test driver with no Formula One experience, and then we promoted him to be one of our team’s drivers during that season.

“He never let us down and, with our first pole position in 2008 at Bahrain and first victory the same year in Canada, he set milestones in the history of our team. We are grateful for his strong and constant performances and wish him all the best for his future.”

Source: Formula1.com

Images: Newzar.Wordpress.com, 16Valvulas.Wordpress.com

Raikkonen Says Goodbye to Ferrari

When Kimi Räikkönen signed his original contract with Ferrari, the agreement was that he would be racing under the Prancing Horse until the end of the 2010 Formula One Season. But in the last few months, it seems like his team has made its choice to let the Finn go next season.

Ferrari has recently announced that they just signed Fernando Alonso (Renault) to race for them from 2010 until 2012. So where does that leave former F1 World Champion, Kimi Räikkönen? Well, the Finn is keeping mum about his options—but he has said that he’s “sad” to be leaving Ferrari so soon.

Formula1.com reports that the “Iceman” had this to say about leaving the team:

Domenicali and Raikkonen

“Together we have won 50 percent of the world titles during that period and I managed to take the driver’s title in 2007, thus achieving the target I had set myself at the start of my career. I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team,” added Räikkönen.

Kimi has been racing for Ferrari since he left McLaren back in 2007. That same year, Räikkönen won the drivers’ championship. In the span of three years, the Finn has also had a total of 225 points, with five pole starts, and nine race victories.

The team principal for Ferrari, Stefano Domenicali, gave thanks to the Finn’s efforts, saying:

“Of course we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the drivers’ title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari’s history and he played a vital role in our taking of the constructor’s title in 2007 and 2008.

“Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results including a great win at Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.”

Source: Formula1.com

Image: Forbes.com, NDTV.F1Pulse.com

Fernando Alonso Makes Ferrari Move

Alonso (Renault) will be teaming up with recuperating Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa, should the Brazilian Ace be fit enough to race by next year. Former Force India driver, Giancarlo Fisichella, will be staying onboard with the Prancing Horse as the team’s reserve driver.

Formula1.com reports that Alonso has just signed a 3-year contract with the team, starting 2010.

According to Alonso:

“I’m very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver…Driving a single-seater from the Prancing Horse is everybody’s dream in this sport and today I have the opportunity to make this dream come true. Above all I want to thank Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who really wanted this three-year contract.

“We already had an agreement this summer starting 2011, but then, the last days, the picture changed and we decided to anticipate my arrival in Maranello by one year. The years at Renault were fantastic: together we won four world titles (two drivers’ and as many constructors’ championships), and until this day 21 Grands Prix.

“I wish the team all the best and let’s hope we gain some good results in the last races this year. After this season I will put all my effort in the next season: I’m sure that together with Felipe, we’ll offer Ferrari and the fans from all over the world some great satisfaction. I can’t wait to start working with my new team,” Alonso added.

The team principal for Ferrari, Stefano Domenicali, was also happy with the decision to get Alonso into Ferrari, saying: “We are very proud to welcome to our team another winning driver, who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two world championships in his career to date.”

Alonso will be the second Spanish driver who’ll be a part of the Ferrari driving team. The first one being Alfonso de Potago who raced for Ferrari back in 1956-1957.

Source: Formula1.com

Image: Bumeral.Net

Podium Finish for Button, Barrichello, and Raikkonen

The Brawn boys are at it again! While Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) may have gotten pole for the Monza race last weekend, it was Rubens Barrichello who took the top step in the Italian Grand Prix podium. Barrichello’s teammate, current points leader Jenson Button also had a great finish for the race—tailing the Brazilian driver by just 2.8 seconds. The last step on the podium was taken by Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), who started third in the grid and finished third in the race.

Barrichello’s win and Button’s second place finish has just increased Brawn GP’s lead in the constructor’s championship.

The Italian Grand Prix was a dramatic race filled with exciting and unexpected events. One of the most shocking being pole sitter Hamilton’s last lap race retirement after his car endured accident damage.

Barrichello is Beyond Happy about his Win

As we all expected, the race was at first dominated by Lewis Hamilton. The young British champion used his KERS to create a large gap between him and second position grid starter Adrian Sutil (Force India). With his lightly-fueled McLaren, Hamilton pushed and pushed to get a good lead over the rest of the drivers.

Barrichello and Button, who started at fifth and sixth places respectively, vaulted ahead of Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren). It was a good move for both Brawn drivers as Kovalainen could have held them back because his McLaren was carrying a lot of fuel. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India’s newest driver (replacing Giancarlo Fisichella who is now with Ferrari), was also aggressive from the start. From seventh place, Liuzzi overtook Kovalainen to get the sixth spot.

Hamilton Walks Away after Crash

Back to the front of the grid, we have Hamilton extending his lead further—trying to get in as much space between him and the rest of the drivers before refueling. Hamilton eventually refueled on Lap 15. Following closely after Hamilton was second-place starter Sutil, who headed for a pit stop at Lap 17. Two laps later, Räikkönen was also in the pits getting more fuel into his Ferrari. That left Barrichello and Button in the lead until they had to refuel much, much later in the race.

Button eventually made a pit stop in Lap 28, with Barrichello following at Lap 29.

When the Brawns exited the pits, they found themselves behind Hamilton, Räikkönen, and Sutil. But all three drivers still needed to refuel eventually, so falling at fourth and fifth for the meantime wasn’t a problem for the Brawns. At Lap 34, race leader Hamilton stopped for more fuel and found himself behind Barrichello and Button.

Brawn Team Celebrates

To everyone watching, it seemed like the race was set. But Hamilton is one tough fighter, and he continued to push, probably hoping that he could overtake at least one of the two Brawns in front of him. Unfortunately for Hamilton, his aggression only got him in trouble. He lost control of his vehicle and he spun out of control. His car bounced against the inner walls and debris from his vehicle was strewn on the road.

The Safety Car was released, and Barrichello cruised to his second victory this season.

This is an excellent victory for Brawn and Barrichello. The 1-2 Brawn finish has just extended Brawn GP’s constructor’s lead over Red Bull, 146 to 105.5. As for Barrichello, finishing ahead of his teammate allowed him to cut Button’s driver’s championship lead by 2 points, with their current scores being: 80 for Button and 66 for Barrichello.

Source: Formula1.com

Images: i.Telegraph.co.UK,