Silly Season Speculation
by Christiaan W. Lustig
Every Formula One pundit believes they know who will move, who will stay and who will buy or sell. This "Silly Season" is not limited to the period between September and March, as it used to be. No, rumours and gossip can be heard the whole year round. Accordingly, we are tracking the 2000 Silly Season - here you can see the current rumours, and check back to see if the older ones came about...
Rumours to 10th January 2000
Jorg Muller tipped to replace Zanardi
Rumours of Zanardi's demise at Williams have been running around since he was not included on any testing schedule from the start of December. Replacements suggested have included Jaun-Pablo Montoya from CART, Jos Verstappen, any number of F3000 contenders, and Jorg Muller, who spent 1999 testing for BMW as they developed their engine. Hot favourite at this point is the BMW man.
Jos pursuing Arrows
Tora Takagi's announcement of his return to Formula Nippon has made Jos Verstappen hot favourite for a seat with Arrows in 2000. Next favourite is Tom Coronnel, who would (ironically) be coming from Formula Nippon.
Max Wilson to Minardi
Telefonica's desire for a South American driver in the car is thought to be giving Max Wilson an edge in getting a seat with the team this season. The Brazilian throwing in his lot with Minardi will make their international exposure sufficient to warrent sponsoring the Ford engines the team want to use in 2000.
Test seats filling up
Top tops for test roles are: Mark Webber with Arrows, Jenson Button with Williams.
Rumours to 1st December 1999
Rumours to 10th August 1999
- Irvine unconfirmed... what about Herbert & McRae?
- Prost looking to Honda and Verstappen
- Minardi go to Supertec
Rumours to 5th August 1999
- Irvine steps to Jaguar Challenge
Rumours to 4th August 1999
- Heidfeld in a Prost-Chrysler?
Rumours to 3rd August 1999
- Webber has a chance at F3000
Rumours to 1st August 1999
- McLaren out of the Picture
- Irvine / Barrichello swap resurfaces
- Stewart name will change...
- Salo's stock rises
- Arrows only half sure
- Minardi in two minds too
- Happy BAR none
- Prost looking to Heidfeld
Rumours to 22nd July 1999
- Prost and Alesi re-united?
- Jaguar to sign Irvine and Burti?
- Coulthard's seat really that certain?
- Sauber without drivers for 2000
Rumours to 15th July 1999
- Ferrari's 2000 line-up again
- Trulli turning Yellow
Rumours to 12th July 1999
Rumours to 6th July 1999
- Goodbye Stewart, hello Jaguar
Rumours to 1st July 1999
- Hill's replacement
- Two Dutchmen in 2000?
- Ferrari's Stewart Swap
- Coulthard out at McLaren?
Rumours to 26th June 1999
- Greg Moore could make the transition
- Austrian Radio announce Wurz signing
Rumours to 23th June 1999
- McLaren choose Hill to replace Coulthard?
- Biaggi second man at Ferrari
- Panis and Bigois to Arrows
- Jordan stays popular in Silly Season
Rumours to 17th June 1999
- Honda line Nakano up with Jordan?
Rumours to 16th June 1999
Rumours to 13th June 1999
- Panis about to be dropped
Rumours to 6th June 1999
- No Team Honda for 2000
- Toyota takes up 12th slot?
- Chrysler badge for Mercedes
- Benetton Renault again?
- Ferrari's second man
- David Coulthard off to another team?
|
