Does Fisichella have a 2006 Renault contract?

**Born Racer** · 5 Aug 2005, 21:35 (Ref:1373415)

If not, Flavio may wish to place Mark Webber alongside Fernando Alonso next season.

People have uttered before that he wouldn't want to put two of his own 'managed' drivers in one team, but surely he wants the best deal for Renault to win their first ever constructors' championship.

Webber would potentially finally get the competitive car he expected this year (although the V8 situation may change a lot for all we know), although he would face a stern challenge from a rapid team-mate.

Following Kicking-back's reference to Heidfeld joining Williams next year, and assuming Frank firmly wishes to enforce Button's contract, I must ask is it known what exact contract Webber signed with Williams?

**Adam43** · 5 Aug 2005, 21:38 (Ref:1373422)

This thread covers a lot of ground! I guess that is an indication of how everythign is so related in F1.

Well I'm not sure abotu k-b's JB & NH theory. However we'll see.

Whatever I am interested what will happen to Fisi next year. Does he have a Renault contract for 2006? I can't remember.

**Adam43** · 5 Aug 2005, 21:41 (Ref:1373427)

A quick look into it and it seems Fisi signed for a two year deal. At least according to initial reports on the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/3928899.stm

However, as we all know, things are never that simple. The second year may well be just an 'option'.

esorniloc · 5 Aug 2005, 21:41 (Ref:1373429)

Wasn't he actually signed by Williams for this year and the released to Renault in exchange for Webber?

At Sauber in 04, he had a contract for 05, but was allowed to leave if a big 3 team signed him (Williams, McLaren or Ferrari)? He couldn't leave for Renault without signing for Williams or something like that?

Hazard · 5 Aug 2005, 21:59 (Ref:1373446)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esorniloc

Wasn't he actually signed by Williams for this year and the released to Renault in exchange for Webber?

At Sauber in 04, he had a contract for 05, but was allowed to leave if a big 3 team signed him (Williams, McLaren or Ferrari)? He couldn't leave for Renault without signing for Williams or something like that?

Did he name the teams or the places? Renault finished 3rd last year.

Funny, just remembering Villeneuve driving that Renault for the last two rounds of last year and people saying they might have kept him over Fisichella. Could you imagine!? McLaren would be bolting away!

esorniloc · 5 Aug 2005, 22:07 (Ref:1373453)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Did he name the teams or the places? Renault finished 3rd last year.

Yes, but I guess it would have been based on the 2003 finishing positions!

Sodemo · 5 Aug 2005, 22:32 (Ref:1373467)

I doubt Fisi will be at Renault in 2006, he has had a shocking season, though much of it was not his fault, reliability issues somehow always make drivers look bad even when it wasn't their fault...

Dutton · 5 Aug 2005, 23:49 (Ref:1373497)

I would say Giancarlo will remain at Renault next year.

It would be good, were JB to join Williams (thsu turfing Nick out), for Nicj to go to BAR and join BAR. I don't want Nick to be stuck with BMW. That would be so, so unfair: he is finally getting an opportunity to progress in his career, and it would be so sad to see him shunted to the lower mid-field once more.

Hrrrmmm, but this whole scenario could turn out in numerous ways: we al know how strange things can be in F1 at times.

Raglanparade · 6 Aug 2005, 00:09 (Ref:1373502)

I seem to remember that Fisichella was indeed contracted by Williams, and then through some clever wheeling and dealing, he ended up at Renault.

I think he had a contract with Williams, which Renault bought out. Whether they are buying it out on a yearly basis, or they payed the full two year sum up front is a different matter.

If Fisichella did indeed end up at Williams, he would have to be one of the most travelled drivers in F1 History.

1996 - Minardi
1997 - Jordan
1998 > 2001?02? - Benetton
2003 - Jordan
2004 - Sauber
2005 - Renault

Raven · 6 Aug 2005, 00:50 (Ref:1373516)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

If not, Flavio may wish to place Mark Webber alongside Fernando Alonso next season.

People have uttered before that he wouldn't want to put two of his own 'managed' drivers in one team, but surely he wants the best deal for Renault to win their first ever constructors' championship.

Webber would potentially finally get the competitive car he expected this year (although the V8 situation may change a lot for all we know), although he would face a stern challenge from a rapid team-mate.

Considering Fisichella's record/reputation prior to joining Renault, in addition to the amount of problems they have had on Fisichella's car, insinuating that Webber could do any better than him is a stretch IMO.

JeremySmith · 6 Aug 2005, 03:42 (Ref:1373535)

He will be at Renault next year IMO.

FPV GTHO · 6 Aug 2005, 06:39 (Ref:1373561)

Whether Fisi stays or not, it wont be Webber that replaces him, thats for sure. IIRC, Webber's got a 3 year deal to Fisi's 2 year deal

BootsOntheSide · 6 Aug 2005, 10:08 (Ref:1373642)

I think the contract clause was for Williams, McLaren or Ferrari - the specific teams rather than the finishing positions. As such I think his contract may well be held by Williams, although a swap with Webber seems unllikely. Thinking out loud, maybe this is where Jenson will end up if BAR don'ty buy out his Williams contract?

the_royksopp · 6 Aug 2005, 12:57 (Ref:1373695)

I'm pretty sure he'll be staying. He's got a 2-year deal, and honestly, i don't think Flav has completely given up on him.

Even if Fisi would be leaving, it would never ever be Webber replacing him. Renault has got Montagny, and, more importantly, Heikki Kovalainen, whom i think will replace Fisi after 2006.

This brings me to another question - is Flavio actually the manager of Kovalainen, or is it purely an RDD-link?

Silk Cut Jaguar · 6 Aug 2005, 22:05 (Ref:1374003)

As far as I can tell Kovalainen is signed purely on a long term deal with Renault, how much influence Flavio has on all that is anyone's guess but I'd imagine it's a lot.

Looking at quotes on other message boards (so it's about as reliable as a chocolate teapot) it seems that Christian Horner tried to buyout Kova's contract for 2006 so he could race in the Red Bull.

Flavio replied: "There is no possibility what so ever. Kovalainen`s path is determined in advance. Heikki will test more intense and he will be our official third driver in the next season. From the start of 2007 Kovalainen will be officially seated behind of Renault`s steering wheel."

Allegedly the quote comes from a recent German magazine. *shrug* Who knows?

the_royksopp · 7 Aug 2005, 10:04 (Ref:1374190)

Well, the fact that Renault has got Kovalainen so firmly in place also means they don't have to rush him in.

mac · 8 Aug 2005, 02:06 (Ref:1374602)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

A quick look into it and it seems Fisi signed for a two year deal.

So did Webber ........ doesn't seem to mean much in silly seasons these days.

Who knows what's really going on!?

NO1SPECIAL · 8 Aug 2005, 02:53 (Ref:1374613)

hi, long time reader, first time poster...couldn't let this speculation continue any longer without putting in my two cents...

Webber WILL be at Williams next year - set in stone.

Button WILL be at Williams next year or nowhere.

PS - cannot say how i know so i won't (and i know i'll get blasted for this - and rightly so - yet i might still set some minds at ease) but it's an absolutely 100% reliable source.

Dutton · 8 Aug 2005, 02:57 (Ref:1374615)

So that means you know for certain that BAR will not be hiring him under any circumstances, which means the source you speak of is from BAR or else Williams and they know Williams have a contract that says he must drive for them or nobody.

Not sure how that would work.

NO1SPECIAL · 8 Aug 2005, 03:27 (Ref:1374622)

No it's a Williams source.

I just mean that under no circumstances will SFW let Button wriggle out of his contract or be bought off.

And Webber will be driving for Williams in 2006 too. Heidfeld i don't know about.

NO1SPECIAL · 8 Aug 2005, 03:45 (Ref:1374631)

sorry should clarify that..

obviously Heidfeld will not be racing for Williams in 2006, unless Button wins if he takes his dispute to the CRB...Williams do have an option on Heidfeld, so if Button loses or just comes quietly then my guess is Heidfeld will leave for another team. I doubt he would like to remain as tester and i don't think SFW would do it to him...but as i said i'm just guessing about heidfeld.

Wrighty05 · 8 Aug 2005, 03:54 (Ref:1374632)

Renault took up the option on Fisi for next year after the Spanish race IIRC.

1200Datto27 · 8 Aug 2005, 09:37 (Ref:1374786)

How about this for a 2006 Williams lineup?

Webber
Heidfeld
Button - Test/third driver.

Ralf's Girl · 8 Aug 2005, 10:01 (Ref:1374806)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1200Datto27

How about this for a 2006 Williams lineup?

Webber
Heidfeld
Button - Test/third driver.

Highly unlikely, I'd say! If you were Jenson Button and had managed to get involved in two contract wrangles in as many years, would you then want to go and be a test driver?

On the original topic of Fisichella's contract, it seems to be taken as a given that he won't last longer than another season at Renault (popular opinion seems to have Kovalainen down as his replacement), but unless his form picks up dramatically next season, I'd be surprised if he can get himself a drive at any of the top 5/6 teams after that.

1200Datto27 · 8 Aug 2005, 10:56 (Ref:1374841)

Jensen may not have a choice though.

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