Silly season overview

Speculations were never far away during this summer break for the F1 drivers. However the rumours have so far largely outnumbered the real facts. Addition to that paddock gossip is a probable move of Nick Heidfeld to B.A.R Honda. The Brackley based team is somehow the centre of all talk these days.

At first there was the news about Barrichello leaving the Ferrari stable. Few weeks after Massa was confirmed to have signed a contract with Ferrrari to replace Rubens. The Brazilian himself is now linked to B.A.R. That is by now the longest running rumour of this summer and is expected to be nothing but the truth. We are basically waiting for an official announcement.

The key for that announcement may well be the transfer of Jenson Button. Nobody really knows how that will end. The expected sequal to last year's fuss is right there. Jenson however changed his mind and wants to stay at B.A.R. Contrary to his own belief he was ordered to stay at B.A.R in 2005 after expressing he found a hole in his contract and really wanted to go to Williams. If history repeats itself (and it may well be the case), Jenson will move to Williams since "a contract is a contract". The simplest scenario here would be to swap Heidfeld and Button, case closed.

Other drivers who are less busy with their transfers also want some part of the font page: several rumours arose that Webber may swap seats with Fisichella. It certainly drew attention but since Webber is still firmly under contract at Williams that is very unlikely to happen.

Karthikeyan meanwhile is also talking about a new team and may accept a testing role.

The real key to solve the issues lies with Williams who will have to decide whether Button can stay at B.A.R or has to come back to Williams and obey to his contract. In the latter case, F1's grid may look vastly different next year...