Monza Weekend - Musical Chairs at BMW Sauber

First, let's dispense with the predictions. On Saturday, Kimi or Massa will get the pole at Monza, their home turf. On Sunday, one of the Ferraris will DNF due to mechanical problems or driver error. Based on Heidfeld's performance in practice at Monza last week and today (Friday), I believe his car will be properly set up for a podium finish. With rain expected, the great equalizer will favor Quick Nick. Let's hope he clinches his first win Sunday.


With Kimi signed on with Ferrari next season, we know where Alonso is not going. This makes our favorite (and least favorite) Spaniard's chances of driving for BMW for a year that much more likely. In fact, the decision may have been made already. This means, of course, that even if Heidfeld performs better than Kubica on Sunday, he'll be out.


But then again, Kubica has been whining recently about how BMW Sauber has been paying more attention to Heidfeld than to him. Could it be that BMW, through its engineers and pit crew, is backhandedly trying to get Kubica to leave the team? The intrigue. To be inside Mario Theissen's mind right now.


I believe that with Heidfeld's experience and speed and Alonso's amazing talent and wonderful ability to communicate with the engineers to create the perfect car set-up, the Alonso-Heidfeld team can help BMW Sauber capture the manufacturer's trophy next year. I also believe that Alonso's chances of re-gaining the driver's title are high with BMW. And I'm sure Heidfeld would be more than happy to finish 2009 in second place, with a couple of first place finishes under his belt. And no, Heidfeld is not going to butt heads with Alonso a la Hamilton in 2007. Heidfeld is too mature and humble for that non-sense.

CKY