Alonso move to set off driver merry-go-round

SUZUKA, Japan: Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari is likely to set off a driver merry-go-round with Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello, Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica tipped for team changes.

Alonso's three-year contract will see him line-up with Brazilian Felipe Massa in 2010, leaving veteran Italian Giancarlo Fisichella as reserve driver.

The Spaniard's arrival at the Scuderia from Renault means it is curtains for Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, who won the world crown in 2007.

The rumor mill is running hot that he will join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next year, with contract talks reportedly underway.

McLaren though are not ready to identity Hamilton's teammate next year.

"As is already in the public domain, Lewis Hamilton is contracted until the end of the 2012 season," a McLaren spokesman said.

"As regards the identity of our other driver for 2010 and beyond, we have not yet made a decision."

Hamilton's current team-mate Heikki Kovalainen has had a disappointing season and what he does next year is not yet clear.

Raikkonen previously drove for McLaren from 2002 to 2006 - winning nine races.

Talk in the paddock is that Poland's Kubica will replace Alonso at Renault, driving alongside promising Frenchman Romain Grosjean.

Meanwhile, Barrichello's position at Brawn GP is said to be under threat, despite the Brazilian having his best season for years in pushing teammate Jenson Button hard for the world championship.

Barrichello is understood to be tempted by a move to Williams, with their top driver Rosberg potentially switching places and going to Brawn.

If the veteran Brazilian goes to Williams he is likely to partner German rookie Nico Hulkenberg, who is widely seen as replacing Japan's Kazuki Nakajima.

Speaking in Singapore last week, Williams technical director Sam Michael made no secret of the fact the team's preference was for a driver line-up that featured both experience and youth.

"If you have someone who is very experienced that is great because they have experience on set-up and car direction," he said.

AFP

(China Daily 10/02/2009 page12)