re: The Official F1 Thread
I think of the German drivers you listed, Heidfeld (or Heidi Nickfeld as we call him) and Vettel have what it takes. BMW Sauber is long overdue for their maiden win; those two are the drivers who can deliver.
Also, Button's career has been marked by a few mishaps. Frank Williams cut him loose after 2000 and he landed in a Benneton team in crisis. Then he was bumped sideways by Briatore in favour of Alonso, who had always been the favoured son. He signed for Williams in 2006 and then backed out when he felt the team was not as promising as it had been. Normally drivers can do that, but not to Sir Frank, who always has watertight contracts. Honda paid Button's $30 million, which the Briton is paying back by taking a pay cut, which probably serves for a very good pair of golden handcuffs. Basically, he's gone from one mess to the next (just like me, which is why I support him so much). Talent-wise, I think he's on par with Massa, Alonso and the like, he's just being let down by his hardware. If Button is really going to perform, he needs a solid team behidn him. Like BMW Sauber; I believe Kubica's contract is up for renewal at the end of the year and while he occasionally shines, I don't think they'll take him on again. If BMW's lawyers can work it - and rumours suggest they're looking into it - Button may end up there. But it will be the second time in as many years that he's bailed on a contract, which will give him a bit of a reputation and if he doesn't work out at Sauber, he won't be getting another drive.
As for Grands Prix being cut, it's not going to happen. We've had 19 GPs in a season; with France going on sabbatical next year, we'll only be having 18. Singapore landed the contract for two reasons: A) Mr. E goes where the money is and B) it's a well-known fact that he's been looking for more street circuits for years. As for Suzuka, the circuits work on a contractual basis like the drivers. When Suzuka's came up for renewal, Fuji put forth their own tender, which proved more appealing than Suzuka's. Again, it's the money thing. However, with Valencia running the European Grand Prix next season, there's talk of resurrecting the old Pacific Grand Prix and holding it at Suzuka owing to the circuit's popularity.
