.:: 2011 Driver Line-Up ::. (UPDATE: Liuzzi joins HRT)

F1 2011 DRIVER LINE-UP

Welcome to the discussion thread for the Driver Line-Up of 2011! From now on, all discussion of driver retaining/driver changes/driver leavings for 2011 should be posted here (All separate threads will be copied to here, then deleted to avoid taking up space for other threads). This top thread will be updated when news is released about a drivers' 2011 season placement being confirmed.

RED BULL RACING RENAULT [1, 2]
Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber

McLAREN-MERCEDES [3, 4]
Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton (TD: Gary Paffett)

SCUDERIA FERRARI [5, 6]
Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa (TD: Giancarlo Fisichella, Marc Gene, Jules Bianchi)

MERCEDES GRAND PRIX [7, 8]
Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg

LOTUS RENAULT GRAND PRIX [9, 10]
Nick Heidfeld, Vitaly Petrov (TD: Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, Ho-Pin Tung, Jan Charouz, Fairuz Fauzy)

WILLIAMS COSWORTH [11, 12]
Rubens Barrichello, Pastor Maldonado (TD: Valtteri Bottas)

FORCE INDIA MERCEDES [14, 15]
Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta (TD: Nico Hulkenberg)

SAUBER FERRARI [16, 17]
Kamui Kobayashi, Sergio Perez (TD: Esteban Gutierrez)

SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO FERRARI [18, 19]
Sebastien Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari (TD: Daniel Ricciardo)

TEAM LOTUS RENAULT [20, 21]
Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen

HISPANIA RACING TEAM COSWORTH [22, 23]
Narain Karthikeyan, Vitantonio Liuzzi

MARUSSIA VIRGIN RACING COSWORTH [24, 25]
Timo Glock, Jerome D'Ambrosio

DRIVERS OUT OF F1: Pedro de la Rosa (Outsed from F1), Lucas Di Grassi (Outsed from F1), Karun Chandhok (Outsed from F1), Sakon Yamamoto (Outsed from F1), Christian Klien (Outsed from F1), Bruno Senna (Reserve), Nico Hulkenberg (Reserve), David Coulthard (Full-time presenter), Robert Kubica (Injury).

KUBICA TO REMAIN WITH REANULT THROUGH 2012

Robert Kubica has extended his deal with Renault through to the end of 2012, the team has announced.

The Pole joined Renault from BMW Sauber this season, and has spearheaded a resurgence that has seen Renault get ever closer to the title contenders, taking podium finishes in Australia and Monaco.

Kubica had been linked to a Ferrari move before Felipe Massa was re-signed earlier this year, and rumours had also suggested a potential Mercedes deal, but he has now committed to Renault for a further two years.

"It was a straightforward decision for me to continue with a team where I feel at home," said Kubica. "What's important for me is to be in the right atmosphere, with a good group of people, where everybody is pulling in the same direction. This is what we have tried to build from the beginning of my time with Renault.

"I think we have already achieved a lot together, and I believe that with plenty of effort, time and the right approach, we can move even further forward. That is certainly our target, so we will keep working hard and pushing on every front, not just for the rest of this season but also for next year when there are more big rule changes on the way. I am really looking forward to the challenge."

Team boss Eric Boullier said retaining Kubica was critical to its ambitions to return to title contention - especially as he had been at the centre of this year's 'silly season' speculation.

"We are delighted that Robert will remain with us for the next two seasons and I would like to thank him for the faith he has shown in this team," said Boullier.

"There have been many rumours surrounding his future in recent weeks, which were a tribute to how well he has driven this year, and we are very happy to have agreed a multi-year deal.

"Our clear goal is to become title contenders over the next two years. To do so, we need a driver of Robert's calibre: somebody who is fast, totally committed and doesn't make mistakes. His performances during the first half of the 2010 season were flawless, and we hope to achieve great things together in the future."

Renault has yet to announce who will drive its second car, currently occupied by rookie Vitaly Petrov, in 2011.

SOURCE: Autosport

DI RESTA NOT THINKING ABOUT 2011 YET

Force India reserve driver Paul di Resta says he is trying to stay focused on doing the best job he can in practice this year and not think too much about his chances of landing a race seat in 2011.

Di Resta is enjoying more Formula 1 mileage than any other test driver this season as he is driving the Force India in opening practice at the majority of grands prix.

The team has made it clear that it wants the Scot to be well prepared should any racing opportunity open up, but di Resta said he had not been given any indication of his chances of landing a full-time race drive next year yet.

"I'm focused on what the programme is for this year," he told reporters during a pre-Silverstone briefing. "It's taking one step at a time because it is a big task this year.

"Hopefully I'm impressing the team enough that I can build a future. It's certainly a great team to be part of. I'd love to be driving one of their cars next year, so fingers crossed.

"I'll just keep up with the progress I've been continuing on. I'm not going to go into what my contract is, but this year we have a clear path. We're on that path now, and all I can say is we hopefully progress forward."

He said having Anthony Hamilton, who oversaw his son Lewis's rise to F1, as a manager was proving to be a real bonus.

"He's very focused on my ambitions," said di Resta. "He's seen me through my career so far, he knows what I'm capable of, and he's equally pushing for it as much as I am.

"Hopefully we can achieve that. His work is being done in the background."

Di Resta pointed out that he could not push flat-out to show his raw speed in the practice sessions as it was essential for him to stay out of trouble and gather data for the race weekend - and to hand the car back to Adrian Sutil or Tonio Liuzzi in one piece for second practice. But he is confident he is still proving his capabilities to Force India.

"It's always in the back of your mind these things aren't the easiest things to manage when they do break grip, and it's just about driving under that," he said.

"Valencia was quite difficult because the tyres did degrade quite a lot and you wanted to push on. It is a difficult balance.

"But the people who understand it the most are the team here. They know what's going on, what programmes we have, what parts we have on the car, and they can judge that better than anybody.

"I know within myself, but I need to try and prove I'm consistent, but also give good feedback and the necessary information they need to evaluate their car and go forward, and certainly keep the development process up."

He added: "I always pressure myself that I want to be quick, but I don't feel any pressure from the team.

"They understand I'm driving new circuits, and equally I have to drive within the limits of safety. There's always an element of 'it's not my car'.

"It's just about progressing. The main focus is learning the tracks for the future hopefully. As long as everybody is in the right frame of mind, we'll gather the right data, and we're coming back with results, so we're definitely going forward."

SOURCE: Autosport

TORRO ROSSO TO RETAIN BUEMI, ALGUERSUARI

Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi will stay on at Scuderia Toro Rosso next year, team boss Franz Tost said on Thursday.

"I believe our drivers will be well prepared for 2011, which is why they are both confirmed for next year," said Tost in a statement.

"It is also logical, because one key role of Scuderia Toro Rosso is to bring on young drivers from the Red Bull Young Driver programme and at the ages of 21 and 20 respectively, both Seb and Jaime certainly still meet the right criteria."

Twenty year-old Alguersuari joined Toro Rosso in the middle of the 2009 season, becoming the youngest ever driver to take part in a grand prix.

Team-mate Buemi, 21, has been with the team since the start of last year.

AUTOSPORT

BUEMI DENIES HAVE SIGNED FOR STR

Sebastien Buemi has denied having committed to the Toro Rosso team for next year, despite claims from Franz Tost.

The team principal said on Thursday that both Buemi and team-mate Jaime Alguersuari would stay with the Faenza-based squad in 2010.

"I believe our drivers will be well prepared for 2011, which is why they are both confirmed for next year," said Tost.

"It is also logical, because one key role of Scuderia Toro Rosso is to bring on young drivers from the Red Bull Young Driver programme and at the ages of 21 and 20 respectively, both Seb and Jaime certainly still meet the right criteria."

Buemi, however, has denied having signed a contract with Toro Rosso and admitted he is still considering his options.

"I have not signed yet," Buemi was quoted as saying by Blick. "Also, there are some details that are missing, so the transfer market still open."

AUTOSPORT

Buemi might be looking for a move to Renault, as Renault boss Eric Boullier says he is on their list of potential drivers for 2011

VIRGIN HOPING TO RETAIN GLOCK

Virgin technical director Nick Wirth is hopeful that Timo Glock will remain with the team next year.

The German has registered only four finishes in 10 races in 2010, with a best result of 18th.

But despite a difficult season, Wirth is confident that Glock is fully committed to the cause even though Renault is believed to be interested in his services for next year.

"We've got another year on the contract with Timo, but like anything in life everyone has got to want to carry on," Wirth told AUTOSPORT

"Timo understood that we were a new team and he wanted to be part of something that was growing going forward. That's why the Silverstone weekend was so important because it has hopefully shown him that we can do it."

Wirth added that being able to attract and keep hold of a driver who has three podium finishes to his name is a good sign of the team's long-term potential.

"We were so lucky to have a driver with his talent, ability and experience join us at his age," said Wirth. "It's up to us to try and deliver on that

Wirth also believes that Lucas di Grassi has been an impressive rookie this season despite only outqualifying Glock once in 10 attempts.

"I know I'm very biased, but I think he is looking good for rookie of the year if you look at his relative performance," said Wirth.

"He's coming into his own and doing a fantastic job. The disadvantage is that Lucas is naturally a bit heavier than Timo. For all of the new teams, weight is an issue so he's still got a disadvantage. It's to do with us and we're working very hard on it."

Wirth is hopeful that di Grassi will be able to run on the weight limit before the end of the European season with a raft of lightweight parts planned.

AUTOSPORT

Adrian Sutil, strongly rumoured to be in the frame for a Renault seat alongside Robert Kubica next year, says he is keeping an open mind about next season, while insisting he is "happy at Force India".BBC Gossip Page

One would have to assume that, besides the Renault seat, Sutil is the key of the driver market for the midfield. For Liuzzi, it's all about if Sutil leaves. And even if he does, it wouldn't be certain that he'll keep the seat.

For one, it almost seems inevitable that Paul di Resta will join Force India's driver line-up this year. If Sutil leaves, then the possibility of Karun Chandhok joining might come in to play. Let's not forget, it would be ideal publicity for the team to be an Indian team with an Indian driver at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

This is what looks likely currently in the fight for seats:

Renault 2nd seat:
Vitaly Petrov, Adrian Sutil, Timo Glock, Nick Heidfeld

Force India:
Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Paul di Resta, Karun Chandhok

At Sauber, Kobayashi is likely to stay and, should de la Rosa leave, Sergio Perez will more than likely fill the vacant seat.

The market will start moving rapidly as soon as either the Renault 2nd seat is taken, or Sutil makes his decision on where he'll be.

I dont know if it would be a good move for him to go to Renault. I dont think he would get the car for him, thats not a slant at Kubica as it sounds like he is a nice guy and good to work with but Renault seem to make the car for their driver they think will score the most points (i.e. Alonso and Fisichella before him etc).

I do hope we get to see Takuma Sato back in F1 at some point, he was a cool dude and great at actually overtaking people.

It will be interesting to see how many teams make it next year as I think that will dictate whether drivers like Bruno Senna, Di Grassi, Glock etc get drives or not. I will be interested to see if Schumacher makes another season, if he does not who would Mercedes Grand Prix hire? A possible return for Button perhaps or would Hiedfield become the number 2 driver behind Nico Rosberg? Maybe Sutil would be an option for Mercedes grand prix?

I suppose it depends also how this season plays out, McLaren need to pull it together if they want to be title challenging come season end and Red Bull need to get their form to stay rather than infighting. Also Ferrari will be looking strong (unfortunatly, I am not a fan, I dont hate them, its just like a Manchester United thing where I dont really like some aspects of what goes on).

I dont know if it would be a good move for him to go to Renault. I dont think he would get the car for him, thats not a slant at Kubica as it sounds like he is a nice guy and good to work with but Renault seem to make the car for their driver they think will score the most points (i.e. Alonso and Fisichella before him etc).Garfield360UK

That was more of a Flav thing - remember Flav is Alonso's manager, so Fernando always got No. 1 status whilst at Renault. The Renault team now is a completely new one at the top of the hierarchy, and such a situation would be unlikely to arise.

I do hope we get to see Takuma Sato back in F1 at some point, he was a cool dude and great at actually overtaking people.Garfield360UK

I couldn't agree more, but I think, sadly, his F1 days are over.

It will be interesting to see how many teams make it next year as I think that will dictate whether drivers like Bruno Senna, Di Grassi, Glock etc get drives or not.Garfield360UK

I think (and hope) the three new teams will still be around. Lotus for sure, Virgin if Branson remains interested, it's just HRT and seeing if whichever team gets the 13th slot, if any, can make it to the grid. Once again, the FIA are leaving this stupidly late.

I will be interested to see if Schumacher makes another season, if he does not who would Mercedes Grand Prix hire? A possible return for Button perhaps or would Hiedfield become the number 2 driver behind Nico Rosberg? Maybe Sutil would be an option for Mercedes grand prix?Garfield360UK

Well both he and the team are convinced he'll be there for 2011, so we'd have to presume so. If he wasn't, you'd have to go for either Heidfeld or Sutil. JB wouldn't go back, he's already contracted to McLaren for next year and there's been unplesantries behind the scenes that few know of between them and him.

Personally, if there was such a thing as a perfect world, there's three rookies I'd like to see in F1 next year: Sergio Perez as I've mentioned before, Andy Soucek (2009 F2 Champion, reserve driver for Virgin) and Sam Bird. Perez is your typical "in control" racer, whereas Soucek and Bird are fantastic overtakers, in the Hamilton/Button category I'd say.

Button is really not one for overtaking it has to be said.KimisApprentice

Not on a frequent basis, but on his day he can do it pretty damn well (Brazil 2009, Hungary 2006 (rain-assisted) and Germany 2004 stand out as prime examples, the latter especially - One handed overtake against Alonso in fairly similar machinery?)

LOTUS SIGNS JEFFRI FOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Lotus team has signed 16-year-old Nabil Jeffri for its young driver development programme.

The Malaysian driver will be carrying out aero testing for the team in early September at an undisclosed location in the UK.

Jeffri, 16, is currently fifth in the Formula BMW Pacific championship.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to drive for Lotus Racing in the aero test," he said. "It's a big privilege to gain driving experience with the most promising new F1 team.

"Driving the Lotus Racing car will definitely be a priceless exposure to the F1 driving experience, and I'm looking forward to many more similar opportunities to arise as a result of being part of the AirAsia Driver Development program."

Lotus boss Tony Fernande added: "It's an exciting day for all of us in the Lotus Racing team - being able to give bright young talent like Nabil the chance to play an integral role in the development of our team is a recognition of his burgeoning talent, and shows that there is a clear route to the top rung of the motorsport ladder, no matter how old you are or where you are racing.

"I'm sure that before he gets in the hot seat he'll be speaking to Fairuz Fauzy for some advice - Fairuz is another Malaysian sports star who, as our third driver, is showing at tracks around the world that you can reach the top if you work hard to achieve your dreams - together, they serve as inspirations to everyone in our team, and to young talent all over the world."

SOURCE: Autosport

Yeah you make some fair points Redders.

Although the treatment of Petrov still doesnt convince me that Renault are a two driver team but to be fair Petrov has picked it up a notch now. I wonder if thats to his credit or whether the car suites him more now? I dont imagine any of the drivers on the grid give less than 100 percent effort at any rate.

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi has dismissed reports linking him with a future move to Renault, insisting his priority is to earn a drive with Red Bull Racing.BBC Gossip Column

Adrian Sutil reckons his current team Force India are a better long-term bet than Renault. The 27-year-old German driver has been touted as a possible replacement for Vitaly Petrov at the French team.BBC Gossip Column

Bruno Senna is confident he will not fall off the Formula 1 grid after a single season. The Hispania Racing driver sat out July's British Grand Prix at Silverstone but is confident he will now keep his seat until the end of the 2010 campaign - and is upbeat about 2011.BBC Gossip Column

Andy Soucek is set to terminate his contract as Virgin's third and reserve driver. The 25-year-old Spaniard and reigning F2 champion has been disappointed that his role with the new British team has not involved any driving so far.BBC Gossip Column

Hopefully this means finding a race seat for 2011. He really should've been in F1 this year.

SOUCEK PARTS COMPANY WITH VIRGIN

Andy Soucek has parted company with the Virgin Racing team, for which he had been acting as test and reserve driver.

The 2009 Formula 2 champion took on the role after original candidate Alvaro Parente ran into funding difficulties, and attended the early rounds of the Formula 1 season with the team, although the testing ban meant he had no opportunity to drive the car.

Soucek's departure still leaves Virgin with Luiz Razia as a test driver.

AUTOSPORT understands that Soucek is working on alternative routes towards an F1 race seat for 2011. He recently returned to competition with the Sporting team in Superleague Formula.

SOURCE: Autosport

Mercedes GP will have to replace their reserve driver Nick Heidfeld, because the 33-year-old is expected to commence his new role as Pirelli's permanent tyre tester in August.BBC Gossip Column

HEIDFELD RELEASED BY MERCEDES

The Mercedes GP team has confirmed that it has released Nick Heidfeld from his contract in order for the German to become Pirelli's official test driver.

Heidfeld was the team's reserve driver for this season, but will start driving for Pirelli at the start of today's test at the Mugello circuit, where the German will be at the wheel of a 2009 Toyota F1 car.

"We can confirm that the team is pleased to allow Nick Heidfeld the opportunity to join Pirelli and contribute to their development work for the company's imminent return to Formula 1," said Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn.

"Nick is an extremely experienced driver and we are confident that his racing knowledge and technical feedback will prove extremely useful to Pirelli and therefore of benefit to the sport as a whole.

"Nick has been a real asset to Mercedes GP Petronas since joining our team this year and we are pleased to see his career progressing."

Heidfeld was left without a racing seat following last season, when he raced for BMW Sauber before the German car maker withdrew from the sport.

He joined Mercedes this season as third and reserve driver but has not driven the car.

"First of all I would like to thank Ross Brawn, Norbert Haug and Nick Fry for allowing me the opportunity to become Pirelli's official test driver," he said. "The team has always said that they would not stand in my way if such a chance arose and they have kindly allowed me to take up this exciting new role.

"I would like to thank everyone at Mercedes GP Petronas for the great cooperation that we have had this year. I have greatly enjoyed supporting the team in my position as Reserve Driver and have felt welcome right from the outset.

"It was impressive to have the opportunity to work with the current World Champions and I wish the team all the best for the remainder of the season and beyond."

Mercedes said it was in no hurry to find a replacement for Heidfeld.

"We have no plans at the moment to appoint a new reserve driver," said a spokesperson.

SOURCE: Autosport

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has "moved closer" to a switch to Formula 1, with Ferrari following his move from the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team to Ducati, says his father.BBC Gossip Column

As rumours persist that Timo Glock might be looking to move on from Virgin, it has emerged that the British team has been in contact with 25-year-old Buenos Aires-born driver Esteban Guerrieri about a 2011 race seat.BBC Gossip Column

That Renault seat I think would be sort after, Renault need a driver on par with Rob who can help develop the car as well as put that lil bit of extra funding in from sponsers, Sutil would be ideal, if this is the case FI might lose their engine deal if they can't afford it meaning they may switch to renault or even cosworth power.

Sauber, I think Perez may get that seat in place of Pedro, and the backmarkers... its too hard to say XD

Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi is to remain with Sauber for the 2011 season, the Formula 1 team have confirmed.

He was a test driver for the team in 2008 and 2009 and seized his chance when standing in for the injured Timo Glock in the final two races last year.

The 23-year-old has collected 21 points so far this season, with his best finish a sixth place at Silverstone.

"We enjoy having our rookie as part of the team - as a driver and a person," said team principal Peter Sauber.

Kobayashi is 12th in the drivers' championship, team-mate Pedro de la Rosa is 17th, while the team is eighth in the constructors' table having earned 27 points.

"We never had any doubts about working with him again in 2011," added Sauber.

"Kamui has definitely fulfilled our expectations in terms of his speed and fighting spirit. Plus, his work with the engineers and his technical understanding has also developed very well.

"The experience he has built up over his first full season in Formula 1 will certainly stand him in good stead for 2011. And our aim is to give him a fast and reliable car from the outset next season."

Kobayashi finished sixth in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009 and has impressed ever since. He has also made it into the top 10 of qualifying on three occasions during the current campaign.

"We had a very difficult start to the season but we've worked together to pull ourselves out of that situation," stated Kobayashi.

"I feel very much at home in Peter Sauber's team and am very pleased we will be working together again in 2011. However, for now I'm focusing 100% on this year.

"There are still six grand prix weekends to go in 2010 and we'll be hoping to make up more ground."

An announcement about the team's second driver for the 2011 season will be announced at a later date.

Source: BBC Sport

VIRGIN SET TO RETAIN GLOCK & DI GRASSI

Virgin Racing team principal John Booth says his team is closing in on a deal to retain its current line-up for 2011, despite speculation linking GP2 front-runner Jerome D'Ambrosio to the outfit.

Timo Glock already has a firm contract for next season, while there is an option on Lucas di Grassi that can be taken up.

And although rumours in Monza suggested that D'Ambrosio had emerged as a leading contender to grab a seat alongside Glock, Booth has hinted that everything is on course for di Grassi to stay.

"Obviously Timo is here next year, his contract is tight with both of us, and both of us are very happy with what is happening," said Booth about the driver situation for next year. "So Timo is 100 percent.

"We have an option on Lucas which looks pretty good as well, so in an ideal world we will keep the same drivers next year."

When asked if the speculation suggesting d'Ambrosio was in the frame was true, Booth said: "No. I've heard similar rumours as well, but it's that time of years for rumours.

"Jerome has been helping us out a little bit since [test driver] Andy Soucek left. All he has been doing is helping us out as a stand-by because he has a superlicence."

SOURCE: Autosport

HEIDFELD LINKED WITH SAUBER RETURN

Nick Heidfeld is on the verge of an early return to Formula 1 this season, AUTOSPORT has learned, with sources suggesting that he is close to a deal that could see him drive for Sauber from the Singapore Grand Prix.

The German has been on the sidelines this year, having originally been test driver for Mercedes GP before recently assuming the development role for Pirelli.

However, sources have suggested that Heidfeld is now close to agreeing a deal that could see him back in a race seat for the next event in Singapore.

It is understood that if a deal is agreed then Sauber may move Pedro de la Rosa aside for the final flyaway events - with Kamui Kobayashi's place at the team secure now that he has a contract with the outfit for 2011.

Team principal Peter Sauber declined to say anything about the situation when asked in Italy on Sunday.

"I do not wish to make any comment about our drivers," he told AUTOSPORT.

Heidfeld has spent seven seasons in total racing for Sauber, during two separate spells. He competed for the outfit between 2001 and 2003 and then from 2006 to 2009.

De la Rosa returned to F1 this season after three years on the sidelines, and has scored six of the team's 27 points.

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: Story found by Racky_rules.

Who did he drive for between for the 2004 and 2005 seasons?Garfield360UK

2004 = Jordan, with Giorgio Pantano and Timo Glock.
2005 = Williams, with Mark Webber.

Question is, where does this leave Sergio Perez? Kept hearing his name as the number two to Kobayashi, but this seems to put that to bed.

And what of Pastor Maldonado? GP2 Champion, but can't say he really impressed me, even with 6 wins.

RAIKKONEN BIDS FOR 2011 RENAULT SEAT

Kimi Raikkonen is making a fresh bid to return to Formula 1 next year after approaching the Renault team for a drive in 2011, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

Although it had looked likely that Raikkonen would remain in the World Rally Championship next year after his switch of discipline for this season, AUTOSPORT has learned that Raikkonen has renewed his interest in getting back to grand prix racing.

Sources have revealed that in the wake of Renault's impressive form at the Belgian Grand Prix, Raikkonen approached the French car manufacturer with the intent of putting a deal together.

It is not clear, however, whether Raikkonen spoke to Renault himself or if it was done through his management team.

Raikkonen has always insisted that he would only come back to F1 if he was in a competitive car - and that is something that Renault now appears to be able to offer him.

But despite Raikkonen's credentials, Renault is in no rush to advance talks with him - and it is still holding on for current driver Vitaly Petrov to prove he can deliver what the team is demanding of him.

Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed that Raikkonen had approached the team - and is in contention for a seat alongside Robert Kubica in 2011.

"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.

"He is on the radar because he contacted us."

Boullier has long said that the team will keep Petrov next year if the Russian can improve his consistency throughout a whole race weekend - and not make silly errors like his spin in qualifying in Spa and blocking Timo Glock in qualifying at Monza.

When asked what Petrov had to do to convince Renault that he is a better option than Raikkonen, Boullier said: "He is not very far away to be honest.

"It is still very complicated for him to have a complete weekend and be faultless, and that is where he needs to work and focus on, and develop clearly his commitment and dedication."

One of the attractions of Petrov is the commercial possibilities he opens up in Russia, and Boullier said Renault would have to change its approach if it decided to take the Raikkonen route.

"It would be a different strategy for the team," he said. "And that is not a question of personality or having a world championship title - it will cost me more if he is world champion than if he is not. It is not a question of this - it is a different strategy.

"You work differently if you have a rookie - and in supporting him - than if you have two experienced drivers. So it is different.

"We need to think about it. But the priority is Vitaly, and to see how he will develop. If we are convinced then we will keep him definitely. This is the first option.

But there are several other options, and one of them is Kimi."

Boullier said he expected a decision on Renault's 2011 driver line-up to be made before the end of the season.

SOURCE: Autosport

HEIDFELD IN, DE LA ROSA OUT AT SAUBER

Nick Heidfeld will return to Formula 1 with the Sauber team from the Singapore Grand Prix, as AUTOSPORT predicted earlier this week.

Sauber confirmed that Heidfeld will be replacing Pedro de la Rosa for the final five races of the season to compete alongside Kamui Kobayashi.

Team principal Peter Sauber suggested that the move had been made to better help the team understand its car.

"It was a hard decision for me to make as a team principal and I want to thank Pedro for his professionalism," explained Sauber. "By signing Nick we have a driver we know extremely well who will help us to further judge the comparative potential of our car."

De la Rosa expressed his shock at the decision, which comes after he returned to the sport at the start of this season.

"I am surprised by the team´s decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season," he said. "I still intend to be in Formula 1 for 2011".

Heidfeld himself added: "I'm looking forward like crazy to having the opportunity to go racing again in a good car in Formula 1 from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. After the last months I'm even more motivated than ever.

"For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team from Hinwil. Without doubt I will be feeling at home straight away and this should help me to familiarise myself as soon as possible with the car. I want to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he has put in me."

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: No word as to whether this will continue in to 2011 as of yet.

An odd move to drop a driver so close to the end of the season. Something going on we perhaps don't know about? I could understand the decision by Hispania if Yamamoto was bringing more cash in but I would have thought Sauber had the cash good to go with the team.

Well I wish Del La Rosa success and I hope a team picks him up as either a driver or test driver as he has done a solid job this season.

Belgian GP2 driver Jerome D'Ambrosio is reported to have been offered a Formula 1 drive by Virgin Racing. Speaking to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, D'Ambosio has described the offer as a once in a lifetime chance - but Virgin want the 24-year-old to bring 5m euros in sponsorship.BBC Gossip Column

Having lost his Sauber seat to Nick Heidfeld, 39-year-old Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa could end up at Hispania in 2011. Sports newspaper Diario AS reports the struggling team 'would like to have a high quality driver like Pedro as team-mate for Bruno Senna'.BBC Gossip Column

Here's a few for ya...

Hearing that Adrian Sutil is leading contender to replace Michael Schumacher at season's end if he leaves Mercedes. Sutil now out of contract at Force India.BBC Gossip Column

Vitaly Petrov, Heikki Kovalainen and Adrian Sutil remain the leading contenders to partner Robert Kubica at Renault next year, despite 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen reopening negotiations with the team.BBC Gossip Column

And, whilst it won't affect the next few years:

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has revealed he attempted to lure Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel to the Woking-based team in 2008. He conceded that he may resurrect his interest at the end of Vettel's current deal in 2012.BBC Gossip Column