Formula One: Who Will/Won't Be On The Grid In 2010?

We have seen Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Toyota and BMW-Sauber all claim they will withdraw from Formula One in 2010, and they all say they are serious about it too.

So, which team(s) are actually serious about leaving Formula One? Let's have a look at a team-by-team basis.

Ferrari

The oldest team on the grid, as well as the most prestigious and successful in F1 history, and apparently the most serious about leaving the sport, but why? Well, Ferrari do not the like idea of two regulations in one championship, and the heavy spending restrictions imposed under the £40 million budget cap.

Ferrari say they are evaluating the possibilities of moving to another form of racing, so what are there options?

NASCAR

Toyota are in NASCAR and doing well I believe, so we could see a move the States for the Italian marque. But, there is a problem, Ferrari do not produce a car like Toyota's Camry which their NASCAR bomber is based upon, and are unlikely to produce a car like it.

IndyCar

They have threatened it once before, in the late 1980's, and even had an IndyCarready to go, but with the Honda engine in use, Ferrari are unlikely to have a team called Ferrari-Honda. Another no-go area.

LeMans Series

The obvious option, the technology used in the prototype cars is far more relevant to road cars than anything used in Formula One. A classic example is the tech used to created the Audi R10 and R15 TDI cars, which was then used to make the Audi R8 V12TDI in 2008.

Ferrari could use the prototypes to develop supercar-relevant technology, and subsequently make their road cars even better, as if that is even possible.

Result: I do not think Ferrari will give up F1, they need it more than F1 needs them because the same was said when Lotus left. Not the same history, I know, but anyone who is not a Tifosi will see my point.

Should Ferrari do the unthinkable and actually leave F1, then we could see them contesting the 2010 LeMans 24 hour race. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?