Horner: Alonso move could spice up merry-go-round.

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner has admitted that he is now looking forward to seeing how the annual Formula One chess match pans out in 2006, having been one of those caught on the back foot by Fernando Alonso's decision to join McLaren for 2007.

While most of the motorsport world was stunned to learn that the new world champion would be switching camps and joining the regie's biggest rival, Horner has suggested that it could lead to the biggest shake-up in personnel for some time.

Heikki Kovalainen, an employee of Horner's Arden International team in 2005, is expected to slot in to Alonso's seat at Renault in what could be the team's final season in F1, while Mark Webber remains an outside bet for the seat - or to replace Giancarlo Fisichella - thanks to his links with Flavio Briatore. Kimi Raikkonen, out of contract at McLaren at the end of next season, is widely tipped to leave Woking for Ferrari, although team-mate Juan Montoya is also at the end of his current deal at the same time and could find himself ousted to make way for Alonso if Raikkonen's relationship with the team is more secure than believed.

Michael Schumacher is expected to call time on his career at the end of next season, ostensibly making way for Raikkonen to complete his move, while the German's 2006 team-mate, Felipe Massa, is currently on a one-year trial with the Prancing Horse and could also be back on the market next season.

Elsewhere, Horner's Red Bull team leader, David Coulthard - who found himself being handed twelve month's notice when McLaren signed Montoya for 2005 - will also be free to leave his current employer, while fellow veteran Jacques Villeneuve only has a one-year deal at BMW and could also be casting around for another job.

"Alonso's move was certainly very interesting, particularly in terms of its timing," Horner told Britain's Guardian newspaper, "I think the Formula One driver market in twelve months' time will be more fluid than at any time over recent years. It will be fascinating to see how it all works out."

The face of Formula One could also change dramatically by the time Alonso suits up for McLaren as, with so many veterans nearing the end of their deals, a new crop of talent could be ushered in. Apart from Kovalainen, GP2 rival Nico Rosberg is already ensconced at Williams, while Robert Kubica, Gary Paffett and Anthony Davidson all appear poised to make F1 breakthroughs in the next couple of seasons.

"This is a competitive business, as McLaren knows," Coulthard commented, "It's all about long-term planning and investment well down the line for achieving success in the future. In that respect, Formula One is no different to any other business or sport. I'm not surprised McLaren made the move for Alonso."