With 8 races to go in 2011 there is plenty of drivers fighting for their futures, particularly in the midfield. From signed contracts to foreign rumours, there's plenty of factors that make up the 'silly season' Here is a little summary of things. Of course even the drivers i have marked as confirmed may change as options are to be taken up or contracts could be cancelled but hopefully it's a half realistic perspective on how things will take shape next season!
Key
ConfirmedAlmost certainMaybeOutside chanceRed Bull Racing
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber
The current world champion Sebastian Vettel has a long term contract with Red Bull. Mark Webber will decide his future this month as he decides if he has the motivation to continue. I think he will but that 2012 could well be his final year driving in F1.
McLaren
Jenson Button
Lewis Hamilton
Both drivers have deals which go to the end of 2012 but Jenson Button still has an option on his contract to sort out. Expecting that to be a formality.
Ferrari
Felipe Massa
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso is now well embedded with the Scuderia. Rumours still crop up over the future of Felipe Massa but Ferrari insist he will be part of the team in 2012.
Mercedes GP
Michael Schumacher
Nico Rosberg
Again this should be an unchanged line up. A decision over Michael Schumacher's future is in his hands and he says he wants to complete the 'project' he set out to do when he returned to the sport in 2010.
Renault GP
Vitaly Petrov
Robert Kubica
Romain Grosjean
Nick Heidfeld
Bruno Senna
Adrian Sutil
Nico Hulkenberg
Vitaly Petrov is signed for 2012. However the second seat at Renault is shrouded in doubt. Robert Kubica has it waiting for him but he needs to prove before next season that he is over his rallying accident and is able to drive at the level required. Current driver Nick Heidfeld has had a mixed season and been criticised at times by Eric Boullier. Bruno Senna got a practice run in Budapest whilst GP2 championship leader Romain Grosjean is on the 'radar' for next season. Adrian Sutil and Nico Hulkenberg could be outside shots if either leaves Force India.
Williams
Pastor Maldonado
Rubens Barrichello
Adrian Sutil
Nico Hulkenberg
Romain Grosjean
Despite no points registered yet, Williams have indicated that they are happy with Pastor Maldonado and want him to stay on. Rubens Barrichello has made it clear that he wants to stay on with the Grove based team as well but talks have stalled so far. An unchanged line up still remains the favourite outcome but Adrian Sutil and Romain Grosjean have been linked. Nico Hulkenberg left last year after being offered a 5 year deal which would have sent him to HRT for this season. Would be a shock u-turn but he still has many admirers within Williams
Force India
Paul di Resta
Adrian Sutil
Nico Hulkenberg
Paul di Resta has impressed in his rookie year and though tipped for a future at Mercedes will likely be still with Force India next year. Adrian Sutil was looking away last year but ended up staying on and again options seem limited. With Nico Hulkenberg waiting in the wings will he find himself squeezed into a sideways move in the driver market?
Sauber
Kamui Kobayashi
Sergio Perez
No changes at Sauber who are having a good year with this pairing
Toro Rosso
Sebastien Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari
Daniel Ricciardo
Jean-Eric Vergne
All to play for at Toro Rosso but how will it play out? Daniel Ricciardo impressed early on in his practice outings and seems set to get one of the seats. With his career diverting to HRT it puts a bit more pressure on him to show his worth but he'll likely get his chance. For Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, well both have impressed at different moments of the season but with no opening at Red Bull likely, somebody is heading for the exit door. Jean-Eric Vergne is another hot young talent but i would expect the best he will get at Toro Rosso next season is a Friday role.
Lotus
Heikki Kovalainen
Jarno Trulli
Karun Chandhok
Mike Gascoyne has strongly hinted that Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will be retained. Karun Chandhok struggled in Germany and though he may race again in India it is unlikely he'll get a regular seat without one of the current pair moving on.
HRT
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Narain Karthikeyan
Javier Villa
Dani Clos
Daniel Ricciardo
Jean-Eric Vergne
Oh HRT, how on earth can you tell what will happen with this team next month, let alone next year! Vitantonio Liuzzi should have a good chance of staying on. Of the other current drivers, Narain Karthikeyan has struggled but has the backing of Tata. Daniel Ricciardo will probably move on. The current owners are keen to get a Spaniard in with WTCC driver Javier Villa amongst those linked. An outside shot but if Red Bull want to give Jean-Eric Vergne experience will he get slotted in with HRT like Ricciardo has been? You never know...
Virgin Racing
Timo Glock
Jerome D'Ambrosio
Robert Wickens
Timo Glock is staying on with Virgin and hoping for a better future. Jerome D'Ambrosio seems to have a good relationship with the team and really his main stumbling block could be a potential lack of financial backing. Young starlet Robert Wickens is currently a reserve and potentially a future option
