With only three teams having confirmed their complete 2010 driver line-up there are plenty of places still available on the grid. But not many with the top teams...
BRAWN GP
Jenson Button: Still to be confirmed.
Despite winning the World title, Jenson Button has yet to secure a contract with Brawn GP for next season, although it is believed to be more of a when rather than if.
The 2009 World Champion's contract negotiations are still be concluded as a result of a difference in opinion regarding what Button is worth and what the team can afford. However, as said, we reckon it's only a matter of time. But it's a little disconcerting that it is taking so much time...
Nico Rosberg: Still to be confirmed.
The identity Brawn GP's second driver has also yet to be confirmed with the team waiting for Button's signature before announcing their complete line-up. Nico Rosberg, though, can enjoy his winter break, secure in the knowledge that he's Brackley-bound next season - we think.
RED BULL RACING
Mark Webber: Confirmed
Sebastian Vettel: Confirmed.
Red Bull has become a hot team for drivers to join given their remarkable move up the pecking. However, their 2010 line-up is signed, sealed and has proven they can deliver.
McLaren
Lewis Hamilton: Confirmed
The 2008 World Champion has a long-term contract with McLaren and will remain at Woking next season where plotting another title-tilt in 2010 will be top of the winter agenda.
Kimi Raikkonen/Heikki Kovalainen: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
The race is on between Raikkonen and Kovalainen for McLaren's second race-seat with Kimi thought to be in the lead. With a World title already to his name and a solid past with McLaren, the only thing keeping Raikkonen out of the seat are his own (exorbitant?) salary demands. Should he fail to drop his price then another Finn, Kovalainen, would be the likely beneficiary though both Jenson Button and Nick Heidfeld continue to be linked...
FERRARI
Felipe Massa: Confirmed
Massa proved himself a racer in 2008 when he came within a heartbeat of winning the World title. He also proved himself a gentlemen, earning respect in the paddock. This past season, he also earned a whole heap of sympathy after a life- and career-threatening injury sidelined him mid-season. The Brazilian, though, has another chance at glory next season after being confirmed by Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso: Confirmed
One of the longest sagas in Formula One history finally came to an end in September when Ferrari confirmed Alonso would definitely be racing for them in 2010. Finally! The double World Champion, who says he brings 6/10ths of a second to the car, will need every millisecond of those 6/10ths to get Ferrari out of their 2009 slump.
SAUBER
Nick Heidfeld: Still to be confirmed.
With Toyota out of the mix, the Sauber team looks to have been thrown a lifeline, although that too is unconfirmed. But should the team make the 2010 grid, expect Heidfeld to be behind one of their steering wheels.
Rookie: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
No rumours have been forthcoming about who could race for Sauber because one even knows if they'll be on the grid next season. But one would expect given Peter Sauber's past-history of uncovering natural talent that an unnamed rookie we've never ever heard of is likely to team up with Heidfeld.
WILLIAMS
Rubens Barrichello: Confirmed.
The most experienced driver is Formula One has been handed yet another season in the sport. And he's got talent too.
Nico Hulkenberg: Confirmed.
A future World Champion? Schumi 2, Schumi-esque, and a sort-of Kimi Raikkonen look-a-like. And this lad is a talent.
RENAULT
Robert Kubica: Confirmed.
Kubica will definitely race for Renault next season after the team announced he would be their No1 driver. A nice move up for the Polish driver...
Romain Grosjean/Timo Glock/Heikki Kovalainen: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
Although Grosjean had the No2 seat in the latter part of 2009, there are plenty of gossipers who believe it's only a matter of time before Renault confirm Glock. And if that doesn't happen, Kovalainen could return to his old team.
FORCE INDIA
Adrian Sutil: Still to be confirmed
Better than the car but as yet still too inconsistent, Force India will be wanting more from Sutil next season.
Tonio Liuzzi: Confirmed.
Having taken over from Giancarlo Fisichella when he moved to Ferrari ahead of the Italian GP, Force India will most likely give Liuzzi a full shot at F1 racing next season.
TORO ROSSO
Sebastien Buemi: Confirmed.
Already confirmed by Franz Tost, Buemi has a year's experience under his belt and the drive to succeed in F1.
Jaime Alguersuari. Still to be confirmed
Hinted at but not confirmed, Jaime is a raw and young talent. Is that enough for Toro Rosso, though?
CAMPOS META
Bruno Senna: Confirmed.
Bruno brings with him not only talent but also the Senna name back into Formula One. Huge pressure on his shoulders as the world waits to see if his talent can live up to his name.
Pastor Maldonado/Vitaly Petrov: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
Both are talented GP2 racers looking to make the move up to F1. And both have caught the eye of team boss Adrian Campos
LOTUS
Jarno Trulli: Still to be confirmed.
Lotus wants Trulli's experience and Trulli wants a race-seat after Toyota quit the business. It's a match made in heaven.
Jacques Villeneuve/Kamui Kobayashi/Anthony Davidson: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
Although Lotus have spoken with Villeneuve, it's unlikely that the former F1 Champ will make a return. He's just been out of F1 for too long. However, Kobayashi is a breath of fresh air for the sport, an exciting prospect who deserves a chance. But he may yet come with a hefty repair bill. That means former F1 racer Anthony Davidson could be the better option. Davidson has experience, is more recent than Villeneuve and has pace.
USF1
Alex Wurz/Pedro de la Rosa: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
Although USF1 initially wanted American drivers, their tune has changed as the team admits experience will be necessary in their debut season. And one thing Wurz and de la Rosa both have is experience,
Kyle Busch: Still to be confirmed/Still to be decided.
NASCAR driver Busch is keen to try his hand at Formula One and USF1 could try hold onto at least half an American line-up.
MANOR GP
Timo Glock: Still to be confirmed.
New rumours making the rounds claim Glock could be heading to Manor instead of Renault as the latter outfit has refused to commit their future to F1.
Lucas di Grassi/Adam Carroll: Still to be confirmed.
Di Grassi has proven himself in the GP2 series as well as winning Macau at the wheel of a Manor F3 car while Carroll is another youngster coming through the lower ranks
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