Vettel will be heading for Ferrari, I think
Looking at it logically, Lewis is in at McLaren for a long time yet, perhaps permanently (although I do hope he does a Michael and changes teams for the fun of it, I don't see it happening - he's too closely tied to the team). McLaren will be looking for lesser drivers - not necessarily not to match Lewis but as a better barometer for car performance, as I should think Lewis probably outdrivers the machinery and thus hides its flaws. Vettel won't go there unless Mercedes specifically ask for him, but I don't see them necessarily going for him as there are other Germans who would fit that role perfectly, such as Rosberg or Glock or even Heidfeld
I think Alonso will now stay at Renault long terms providing they don't pull out. By 2011 I think Ferrari will be looking for a fresh(ish) youngster and after 10 years in F1, Alonso won't fit that bill. However, Vettel will still only be 24. I think he would be a perfect choice for Ferrari. But it could depend on how the next seasons go as to what happens. If Renault go backwards (which I very much doubt), Alonso will want out and I doubt there is a team in the paddock bar McLaren who wouldn't want him. If Kimi underperforms again next year, not only will the pressure be on Ferrari to sack him, they WILL sack him. Massa has improved enormously and is far better value for money
It's a tough one. I see Alonso as the modern Senna - he's a passionate guy, a nice guy, a brilliant driver, but he has a tendency to open his mouth which has got him into trouble with the bigwigs of the sport and his own team, unlike Lewis, who is very much like Michael and gives nothing away and tows the party line. Not only do I see Alonso as the current Senna, I see the Alonso to Ferrari thing as comparative to Senna and Williams - Senna nearly signed for Williams, Alonso nearly signed for Ferrari as far back as 2001 as a tester, and everyone's been banging on about it ever since, including the drivers themselves, until with Ayrton it actually happened. Mixed up in all this you have Massa, a quick guy who has ironed out his mistakes at exactly the right time, like Mika did in the late 90s, when McLaren became a force. Kimi is a strange case - he blows very hot when the car's working exactly as he wants but very cold when it isn't. Massa is actually quite similar, and it'll be interesting to see who comes out best with the new cars. Vettel could easily overshadow all of them, going on his performances in the wet and qualifying throughout the past couple of years. This is a guy who jumped in a Sauber at the age of 19 with minimal prior experience and went fastest of all in practice. Then you have Kubica and Sauber coming into this - Robert is another one that has been linked to Ferrari. And then you have the other guys that will play a role, the lesser drivers, who will be in demand as number 2s - the guys like Glock, Rosberg, Kovalainen, and perhaps Piquet in the future. There is not room for everyone at the top. And then added to the equation is the economic uncertainty
Although we've seen few changes for next year, we sit at an absolutely fascinating point in F1 history. Not since the early 90s have we been in a position like this. 2009 will be a fascinating year, on and off track
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Btw the mods will be sorting out the 2009 thread, so please do not start it
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