Perhaps even less of a surprise – despite mentions of Alonso making a shock switch in recent media-fuelled days –
BMW have revealed that
Nick Heidfeld and
Robert Kubica will be going nowhere in 2008 as they bid to extend a breakthrough season that this year that has put them a comfortable third in the standings.
Although suggestions that Heidfeld could be Toyota-bound and Alonso be BMW-bound were rife at various stages of an increasingly ‘silly season’, BMW have picked continuity over major changes as they hope to make the step to race winner next year – even though neither Heidfeld or Kubica have won a race yet…
NEWS FROM THE TEAMS:
McLaren – Fernando Alonso (#1), Lewis Hamilton (#2):
Hamilton and Alonso remain focused heading into the Turkish Grand Prix, even though their focus is likely to be very different to those of onlookers, who will be watching the two drivers closely for any signs of the bad feeling they have reportedly been experiencing.
Famously tight-lipped McLaren on the other hand will be keen to hide any disparity this weekend and that is likely to mean the drivers will be forced to do their talking on the track and not in the media – something that is hardly a bad thing.
Nonetheless, Hamilton and Alonso may well have to bury their differences if they are fight off
Ferrari, who are expected to have a stronger package around the high-speed circuit. Still, the desire getting one over on each other will be strong too and could work in their favour to try and deny their other rivals a victory.
Furthermore, both drivers enjoy the circuit, Alonso in particular after prevailing in a lengthy fight with
Michael Schumacher last season that ultimately proved the changing of the guard in terms of
Formula 1 superiority.
