Out in the cold...

[Logrence]

I gather Heinz-Harald Frentzen is retiring at the end of this season, but it looks at the moment as if Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve are all suited up and no place to go.

What do we think they'll be up to next season?

[Adam43]

I worry that your inclusion of Villeneuve in this thread will turn it into something it isn't meant to be! Hopefully not...

If these are lost to F1 what will happen to them. Here are my suggestions that have very little basis behind them:

Frentzen: Will he race elsewhere? What about the DTM? Or perhaps a development driver for an F1 team. I'd like to see him do some sportscar racing.

Villeneuve: Presumably CART if he leaves.

Heidfeld: I suppose he might fancy DTM too, however, as he is still young in F1 terms, his best option could be a test driver. Perhaps with McLaren if Wurz leaves?

[Logrence]

If it turns into that please feel free to put it out of it's misery, mods.

[Alx]

HHF - I envisage him retiring the end of this season from F1, but I don't think he'll be gone from motor sport. Perhaps DTM, perhaps sportscars, though I remember a few years ago he was forever being linked with CART teams, so I suppose that's a future. I do consider him to be someone who will continue racing.

Jacques - Maybe next year he will take a sabbatical and come back refreshed and pumped up. But I dunno, maybe he will stay put to begin with! You never really know with him do you?!

Nick - I for one would like to see him replace DC next season at McLaren, but I'm back to thinking it won't happen now. If not his best career move, as Adam says, could be to test for them, as his only real options lie with Jordan/Jaguar it seems, both being a step back in most respects. I read that McLaren/Mercedes have to find him a drive for next season by contract, so I would expect (I think) to see him in F1 next year; I don't think he's about to leave yet. Who knows? Though DTM may be suggested to him from Mercedes.

[BootsOntheSide]

I guess we're working on the basis that Suaber will eeffectively be Ferari junior with Fisichella and MAssa next year, that Wilson will remian at Jaguar and that Jordan will have to sign 2 cheap or paying drivers (personally I can see Heidfeld there)?

If the Jordan drive doesn't get offered to Nick, McLaren testing alongside the DTM might be an option. He can stillg e tback into F1 later, perhaps in DC's place in 2005, depending on the situation there. he seems too good to be out of a drive, but hasn't really showed hismelf to be a potential champion or even race-winner. His consistancy ais impressive but he fails to really sparkle.

Frentzen, again, DTM looks likely. The CART teams seem reliant on pay-drivers and young talent these days,a dn there's no guarantee that CART will even exist in 2004.

The rumour of JV returnign still lingers, however, and I think if he is regualrly racing anything other than F1, that might be it.

[Peter Mallett]

Well if the Mercedes thing comes through won't that make Jordan Macaroon junior? Then Merc fulfils its deal to find a seat.

HHF has never done what I'd hoped but I'd like to see him continue racing. Sportscars, a crack or two at Le Mans and then a worthy retirement.

Can't be arsed to think to much about JV. He got his money so I have no sympathy for him. He would heve done better to stay at Team Willy a bit longer but in fiarness the dosh would turn anybody's head.

[Stephen Green]

I agree with you Peter. Mercedes engines to Jordan and Heidfeldt there as driver. HHF to go back to sports cars (he used to be a Sauber driver in the sports prototype days with Mickey the Shoe) and JV to retire. I say retire because I don't think CART could afford him even if it secures it's financial future.

[Mr V]

I think Log might be going on an article in this months F1Racing which speculates who will go where for next season.

Interestingly, if they are right, the Jordan will have Merc engines for 2004, but with Alex Wurz in the car (another Merc/Mac contracted driver) as oppossed to Heidfeld.

[Stephen Green]

Whats to say it isnt Alex AND Nick?

[Mr V]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Whats to say it isnt Alex AND Nick?

Because B & H will want to retain a British driver, so Firman will proberbly keep his seat, although i'd rather see Ant in it.

[ralf fan]

HHF was looking for a high profile testing role next year.

As for Heidfeld he could go to Jordon or takeup a test role at high profile team like mclaren then take a drivers place in a years time

[MichaelH]

I agree with Mr V regarding the Jordan thing...Firman would appear likely to keep his seat, but he doesn't deserve to....he's not fast enough and Anthony Davidson would be a far better choice. I'd love to see Wirdheim in there too though...

[paulzinho]

I dont really think anyone can afford to take a year out testing if they want to return to racing, there's just too much competition and not enough seats.

[Stephen Green]

Much as I would like to see Anthony in a race seat, would it be a good carrear move to go to Jordan? Look what it's done to Fisi!

[DNQ]

McLaren testing alongside a DTM program for Nick? With a return to a race drive in 2005, possibly replacing DC (assuming JPM isn't already signed). Maybe he could get a drive with Jordan next year?

JV has said he doesn't want to join CART while it's still troubled, so perhaps he might just tackle the Le Mans 24 Hour or some other selected sportscar races.

I expect HHF will just hang up his helmet for now, if he retires.

[Alx]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Whats to say it isnt Alex AND Nick?

Because Nick's shorter than me, and Wurz is about twice my height!!!!!

[Cobra]

Any one worrying about JV might want to take a look at this,the line-ups for 2004 it is only opinion but it is informed.

Ferrari Michael Schumacher Rubens Barrichello

Williams Ralf Schumacher Juan Pablo Montoya

McLaren Kimi Raikkonen David Coulthard

Renault Jarno Trulli Fernando Alonso

Sauber Giancarlo Fisichella Felipe Massa

Jaguar Mark Webber Justin Wilson

Jordan Nick Heidfeld Ralph Firman

BAR Jenson Button Alex Wurz

Toyota Olivier Panis Christiano da Matta

Minardi Jos Verstappen Nicolas Kiesa

[Peter Mallett]

DC has just been confirmed at Macaroon for one more year. Got this from a mate but can't find it anywhere on the web at the mo.

[Stephen Green]

Nothing on Reuters yet Peter.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Much as I would like to see Anthony in a race seat, would it be a good carrear move to go to Jordan? Look what it's done to Fisi!

You have a good point Stephen, i'm not sure whats better, sitting on the sidelines without a drive or driving round in a bad car thats may not do wonders for your career?

[Bononi]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
DC has just been confirmed at Macaroon for one more year. Got this from a mate but can't find it anywhere on the web at the mo.

Just heard that on TV, last GP weekend.

[Inigo Montoya]

No, you can't be serious. Is Ronnie really that stupid?

[Gt_R]

Yeah..i've heard words going on that Mclaren is keeping DC for ANOTHER year...Ron ain't that smart a man is he?!

As for Heidfeld... interestingly, his future depends very much on the decisions beyond his control. If Mercedes provide Jordan with engines, Heidfeld may end up as in a Jordan seat, probably taking the seat vacated by Fisi. Otherwise, Heidfeld may be brought into Mclaren next year if Wurz is leaving, as a test driver, to either be a backup stop-gap plan in case DC really can't compete, or if they can't woo JPM in 2005. The third possibility is that he may end up as a Ferrari test driver, if Massa is indeed heading to Sauber for a race season... but that would be tricky considering Nick's shaky Mercedes link.

I won't forsee HHF just leave the racing scene totally... but whether he would pursue a role in F1 or back to his sportscar days would be nice.

[garagegirl]

I think JV will go into champ cars, and nick will become a test driver for one of the teams. I'd hate to see HHF retire too!!!

[kdr]

hhf in dtm, heidfeld tests for mclaren.

jacques...how about in red prodrive ferrari at le mans?