Formula One: On the Likelihood Of a Threeway Driver Switch After Montreal!!

In a recent article on the f1-live.com website, sources close to Renault, RBR and STR let slip of a cunning plan involving three of their drivers: David Coulthard, Nelson Piquet and Sebastien Vettel in a "musical chair" style reshuffle.

According to rumours here is what's been agreed between Renault, RBR and STR:

Following a disastrous start to his Formula One career, young Piquet would be leaving Renault thus relinquishing his seat to none other than David Coulthard from RBR. However this is not a two-way switch for Piquet will not be taking Coulthard's seat at Red Bull.

Instead it is the promising German talent Sebastien Vettel who will be unleashed alongside Mark Webber at RBR (Expect a rocky relationship: see last year's race in Japan for starters. Webber made Vettel cry—literally). This would leave Piquet ending up filling the boots of Vettel at Toro Rosso, a move considered a strategic masterpiece of genius because Nelsinho would still be given the chance to prove himself worthy of an F1 drive. Plus he'll get the chance to compete in a less pressurised environment where he shall be given the opportunity to focus on improving his driving skills.

Let's face it: looking back at his track record this season, the son of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, Sr. has yet to score a single point in Formula One.

Breaking down this three way switch, the likely consequences for the three drivers would be as follows:

Let's start with David Coulthard. Why would the veteran Scotsman get the chance over the young aspiring Vettel to drive for Renault? Well, D.C.'s experience in F1, his mean character (been-there-done-that type of spirit) and his ability to deal with pressure makes him a better candidate in the short term to that extent.

Furthermore, moving to Renault and leaving a seat open at RBR for the ever-opportunistic Vettel from sister team STR is literally a "last kiss-goodbye" from D.C., ending a career spanning over 14 years at the top of this business.

For Vettel, the switch to RBR is the natural progression Matezitsch had in mind for him anyways. It is safe to bet on Vettel to make steady progress driving for a team that's doing very well at the moment. Thus it is a chance to take the fight to the other end of the midfield for a change, but also to challenge Mark Webber, thus showcasing what he is truely capable of.

Moving on to Piquet, the consequences of a move to STR are a direct result of his lacklustre performance so far, despite backing and encouragement from team manager Flavio Briatore. Not everyone at Renault sees Piquet as a driver of choice for the team; therefore moving to Scuderia Toro Rosso is in itself a blessing in disguise because Nelsinho will be able to keep up on the learning curve whilst benefiting from a less pressurised environment. Let's face it: Toro Rosso and Renault have different expectations and goals altogether.

The winner in all these proceedings (if these were to happen of course) has got to be Sebastien Vettel; upgrading to RBR will definitely give the young German wings. How ironic!

Furthermore, word on the street—let me rephrase that—word around the paddock has it Coulthard is likely to retire at the end of this season. If he does, this would open the door for Vettel to replace him at either RBR or Renault.

Vettel will be hoping this driver switch happen, for this will be the perfect timing for his career to move on to the next level, apart from charging up the midfield and challengingMark Webber. The opportunity is there to showcase his true talents and if he can live up to and beyond that standard, then do expect some bigger teams to start courting Vettel's services sooner rather than later.

For example, if Briatore puts the cash up front where it matters, plus the promise of a decent car package for 2009 (hopefully), how would Vettel refuse then?

And how could he further have reservations coming in as second driver for Renault in 2009 knowing full well Alonso will be looking to switch to Ferrari (plan A) or BMW (plan B) anyways? The chance for a long term opportunity to become Renault's number one driver in the space of a season and a half for Vettel would surely be a chance not to be missed.

Then again, these are only three drivers out of the whole Formula One circus; there's Rosberg, Glock, Kubica, Kovalainen, Hamilton and the rest as well. So much potential out on the track and beyond in GP2 talents in the shape of Grosjean and Bruno Senna are already knocking on the Formula One door, looking to clinch a drive as soon as possible.

The possibility of a threeway driver switch so early in the season will have tremendous implications for all involved, hoping this is the right strategy.

The only way to avert this would be for Piquet to finish in top five in Montreal at least, but then again let's not get ahead of ourselves.  

Bottom line is Piquet is going to find it hard to prevent being dumped all the way down to h.ll I mean STR!!!

Nelsinho, good luck mate, because you'll need all of it and more!