Mark Webber

[Crash 0]

Anybody know??

Announcement seems to be dragging out an awfully long time.

Jaguar does`nt seem so certain now, with Eddies strong performance at Monza.

Will Eddie stay, will he go? If he does stay where does Webber go?

Not many seats available.

When the music stops, will there be a seat left for Mark?....lol

Although staying at Minardi may not be so bad now, with cosworth or Ferrari power. But is that option still open for him?

Cheers Crash

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Webber has three possibilities lined up: Jaguar, Toyota, and to stay at Minardi.

Jaguar at the moment is still the most likely as Irvine seems to be a very true and real possibility at Jordan after reports that he visited the factory a few days ago. Webber has been linked to Toyota since Monaco and that is also a good chance should da Matta, Wurz, Massa, or Castroneves not be signed to partner Panis. Also he could well just stay at Minardi, Stoddart has said that it is possible.

[Crash 0]

Thanks Jens

But i just read that Pizzonia ran the second best time at Catalunya today, in a Jag. Just behind block jaw.

Apparently Jaguar chappies are rather impressed. So there`s another contender for a seat...lol

Cheers Crash

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Very true, you never know what the people are thinking. But I still think that Webber will be at Jag, and if not Toyota is where he will be unless da Matta signs there.

[nichosnz 0]

I don't think it will be settled withing the next 3 weeks either.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

No this will go into the preseason. I think we wont find out all driver lineups until at least January.

[nichosnz 0]

I that at the most we will only get one or two more drivers sorted by the last race.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I think Toyota is going to be pretty slow at making the decision on the second driver, it will be a very important one. They have experienced Panis, but who to put alongside him? Jordan will also not be too fast.

[nichosnz 0]

It is pretty much done and dusted now for the quickly filled seats.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

The remaining important question is Minardi, they have two potentially vacant seats, at least one. Will they go to please sponsors, or to get some driving skill in the team? Verstappen is hinted to have already signed..

[nichosnz 0]

That is a common question in regards to Minardi though, every year.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Usually they go with one of each, but if they have secured an engine deal already Im thinking they might go with two more skilled drivers, or then Verstappen-Zlobin.

[nichosnz 0]

It would be good to see some experiance in the car, like Verstappen. Stoddart tryed to get Frentzen for 2002, so he knows how important it is.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Good thing that Frentzen didn't sign out of desperation, because I imagine his Sauber seat would have then been taken by Verstappen. Shame though that Jos never gets a good chance in a good car, 1994 was just too early for him.

[nichosnz 0]

1994 was much too early, he still looked like a rookie in 1996.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Come the 98 season though I think Jos suddenly got a great deal better, and since 2000 he was the man at Arrows.

[nichosnz 0]

If he wasn't better in 1998, I don't think he would have had the chance in 2000-01 that he did. I feel it would have been over for him.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I still remember Austria and Malaysia 01, he could really do something great with a top car. Pedro de la Rosa was running a strong third at Austria in 00 as well.

[nichosnz 0]

He is a bit too old now to be given that chance of a top team. Unless he puts the Minardi on the Podium for the first time.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Verstappen is 29 I think.. He could still get to a top team, but he'd have to do something amazing with Minardi to get that chance. Maybe Ferrari after Barrichello or Schumacher leaves?

[nichosnz 0]

31, by the time any of the top contracts run out, he will have to do very well for both of the next to years.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

And it is still not confirmed that he will even have a seat next year.

[nichosnz 0]

There are only 4 seats left and over 14 drivers still (apparently) in with a chance.

4 seats are unlikely to appear, but may, if Phoenix and Arrows can regroup in time.

[daz 0]

I think Verstappen will be in the Minardi next year. Unfortunately I also feel that is where he will probably end his F1 career. There are just to many new young talents emerging lately that the teams will soon end up favouring them over somebody that would be approaching his mid-30's soon.

As for Webber - I think that the Jag seat is 95% guaranteed for him. I think that Paul Stoddart negotiated Webbers services for some seriously subsidised Cosworth engines....

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Great point, there is a serious link between Stoddart-Webber-Cosworth and the whole thing going around all that. I also believe Verstappen will get into the Minardi, but unlikely will move from there. Young drivers are the hot stuff these days, and once every driver on the grid is 26 or under then they will stay for a while, until they all reach their mid 30s and start getting replaced.