| Team |
Driver 1 |
Driver 2 |
Test Driver |
Engine |
Tires |
Sponsors |
Launch Date |
| BAR |
Jenson Button
Anthony Davidson
Mika Häkkinen
Jacques Villeneuve |
Takuma Sato |
Enrique Bernoldi
Anthony Davidson
Nelson Piquet Jr.?
Tristan Gommendy?
Richard Lyons?
Jamie Green?
Alan Van der Merwe?
Adam Carroll?
James Rossiter? |
Honda |
Michelin |
Lucky Strike |
January 16
|
|---|
 |
November 25: Anthony Davidson is likely to return to his BAR test role after the team blocked his shoot-out test at Williams. He has a long-term contract with BAR. Autosport says BAR could have loaned him to Williams, but were unable to agree on contractual terms. |
| November 24: Enrique Bernoldi returns as test driver, starting in Barcelona this week. |
| October 20: The F1 Contracts Recognition Board has ruled that BAR has a valid contract with Jenson Button. Williams has said it will not contest the decision, so Button is confirmed to stay with BAR, who will finish third in the Constructors' Championship this year. |
| October 6: Takuma Sato has been confirmed to stay at BAR for the third year of his contract, having fulfilled all the performance requirements. |
| September 22: Autosport says French driver Tristan Gommendy, managed by Alain Prost, is talking to BAR about being reserve driver for 2005. |
| September 15: The F1 Contracts Recognition Board may not meet now until the Brazilian Grand Prix. Jacques Villeneuve has signed for Sauber. |
| September 12: The F1 Contracts Recognition Board will sit at the Chinese Grand Prix on September 26 to decide whether Jenson Button will drive for BAR or Williams in 2005. Both teams have said they will respect the decision. |
| September 9: Williams has finally lodged its contract with Jenson Button with the Contracts Recognition Board. |
| August 29: No progress in BAR and Williams' fight over Jenson Button. Williams has yet to submit its contract to the Contract Recognition Board. Autosport suggests BAR may have offered new improved terms to Jenson. |
| August 25: Former Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi will test for BAR with a view to a test driver role next year. |
| August 24: Autosport quotes Villeneuve as saying pride could block his return to BAR. |
| August 19: Autosport says Jacques Villeneuve could return to BAR! |
| August 10: Williams and BAR are still bickering over who has the legitimate contract with Jenson Button. Mika Häkkinen has been linked with BAR. |
| August 5: Jenson Button has announced he is leaving BAR at the end of the season to join Williams. Anthony Davidson could be set to replace him. |
| June 12: Jenson Button is under contract through 2006 and Takuma Sato through 2005. The combination seems to be working well, so expect no race driver changes. Anthony Davidson has shown great skill in Friday testing - could he get a race seat in another team? |
|
|
|
|---|
| Ferrari |
Michael Schumacher |
Rubens Barrichello |
Luca Badoer
Marc Gené
Andrea Bertolini?
Luciano Burti?
Vitantonio Liuzzi |
Ferrari |
Bridgestone |
Marlboro
Vodafone
Shell
AMD |
February 25
|
|---|
|
November 22: Marc Gené has signed on as test driver alongside Luca Badoer. |
| June 12: Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Jean Todt and Ross Brawn all have contracts through 2006. |
|
|
|
|---|
Jaguar |
|
|
|
|
|
HSBC
Du Pont
Pioneer |
TBD |
|---|
|
November 15: Ford announced today that the Jaguar F1 team has been acquired by Red Bull. |
| November 12: Red Bull is believed to be closing in on the purchase of the Jaguar team. |
| September 17: Ford has announced it is withdrawing the Jaguar team from F1 and is putting its assets up for sale at the end of the season. |
| September 14: Jaguar is rumored to be interested in testing Sébastien Bourdais. |
| July 28: Mark Webber has signed to Williams. |
| July 10: Pete Windsor says Christian Klien's position is safer than we might expect, due to his Red Bull sponsorship. |
| July 8: Autosport says David Coulthard is high on the team's shopping list, and also suggests interest in Anthony Davidson, Alexander Würz and the experienced Olivier Panis. |
| June 12: Mark Webber is expected to be snapped up by another team. Friday tester Bjorn Wirdheim could move up to a race seat. HSBC is rumored to be gone as sponsor and Ford's continued support is in doubt. There are rumors of Red Bull buying the team and running one or more American drivers. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Jordan |
Narain Karthikeyan
Timo Glock
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Nick Heidfeld |
Tiago Monteiro
Robert Doornbos
Anthony Davidson
Jos Verstappen
Ryan Briscoe
Christijan Albers
Giorgio Pantano |
Robert Doornbos
Nicky Pastorelli
Mario Domínguez
Timo Glock
Richard Lyons
Ryan Briscoe |
Toyota
Cosworth |
Bridgestone |
Benson & Hedges
Trust
Deutsche Post? |
February 25
|
|---|
|
February 25: Nicky Pastorelli was announced as a test driver earlier this week, but Robert Doornbos was confirmed today as Jordan's official third and reserve driver. |
| February 22: Jordan confirms Nicky Pastorelli as test driver. |
| February 18: Nicky Pastorelli is in negotiations with Jordan for role of Friday test driver. He had a surprise test drive with the team at Barcelona today. |
| February 16: Mario Dominguez says he has signed a deal to race for Midland/Jordan in 2006. |
| February 8: Despite being "completely overwhelmed" at being passed over for a race seat, Robert Doornbos tells Autosport his management has already started talks with Jordan for the possibility of the test drive. |
| February 3: Jordan has confirmed Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro as its drivers for 2005. |
| February 1: Autosport quotes Narain Karthikeyan as saying he has agreed terms with Jordan/Midland and expects to sign in the next few days. Autosport believes he will be joined by another former Carlin Motorsport driver Tiago Monteiro. |
| January 26: Autosport says Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan, who has previously driven for Midland sporting director Trevor Carlin, looks set to join Midland-owned Jordan for 2005. |
| January 25: With the sale of Jordan to Midland, Autosport reports that Mario Domínguez's manager is working to get him a seat in 2005. Mario still has a contract to race for HVM and his move to Midland was planned to coincide with a new Mexican F1 race in 2006. |
| January 24: Midland Group boss Alex Shnaider confirms that he has signed a contract to buy Jordan. The team will continue to be known as Jordan Grand Prix during the 2005 season. |
| January 15: Autosport reports that the sale of the Jordan team to Midland F1principal Alex Shnaider has been agreed and is moving towards a final contract. |
| December 23: Christijan Albers has signed to Minardi. |
| December 1: Robert Doornbos will join fellow Dutch driver Christijan Albers in Jordan's first test this week. |
| November 19: Several drivers, including Christijan Albers, will test for Jordan on December 1. |
| November 15: Jordan will switch to Toyota customer engines for the 2005 season. |
| November 1: Crash.net speculates that a race drive for Toyota test driver Ryan Briscoe could be the key to an engine supply deal. |
| October 27: Autosport says Jordan is close to securing a supply of Toyota customer engines for 2005. In another item the magazine quotes Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko as saying he is still hopeful that Vitantonio Liuzzi can be found an F1 seat - personal Red Bull sponsorship could slot him in at Jordan or Minardi, or Jaguar, depending on the outcome of its sale. |
| September 22: Giorgio Pantano has been dropped as driver for the Chinese Grand Prix, to be replaced by Timo Glock. This cannot be good news for his chances for 2005. |
| September 17: Ford's announcement that it is selling Jaguar also includes the news that Cosworth will be sold too, putting engine supplies in doubt for the 2005 season. |
| July 28: Autosport says Christian Albers will to test for Jordan later in the year at Silverstone. He is rumored to have substantial personal sponsorship and, being Dutch, is a good fit for Jordan sponsor Trust. Ryan Briscoe could also be in the frame, as part of a deal to switch to Toyota engines. |
| July 10: Timo Glock has personal sponsorship from Deutsche Post, which could be more important if the German mail carrier returns as a primary team sponsor. Nick Heidfeld being German helps too. |
| June 11: Timo Glock will stand in for Giorgio Pantano at the Canadian Grand Prix due to a contractual dispute. |
| June 10: The team is having a terrible 2004 season with a badly performing chassis. Rumors are swirling that Eddie Jordan may sell up mid-season. Drivers for next year are anybody's guess! |
|
|
|
|---|
| McLaren |
Kimi Räikkönen |
Juan Pablo Montoya
David Coulthard |
Pedro de la Rosa
Alexander Würz
Jamie Green?
Alex Lloyd?
Lewis Hamilton? |
Mercedes |
Michelin |
West
Johnnie Walker
Mobil
Siemens
Nescafe? |
January 24
|
|---|
|
February 15: McLaren has signed Pedro de la Rosa to drive the third car on Fridays for at least the first few Grands Prix. Alexander Wurz may take the seat once the new car has been modified to allow him to fit more easily. |
| December 3: Three young British drivers, Jamie Green, Alex Lloyd and Lewis Hamilton, tested for McLaren at Silverstone this week. |
| November 24: Alexander Wurz is back as test driver and is testing in Barcelona this week. Juan Pablo Montoya was the fastest of 15 drivers today. |
| July 4: McLaren's improved performance with the new MP4-19B should ensure Montoya takes up his two-year contract. |
| June 12: Kimi Räikkönen stays, but Juan Pablo Montoya will replace David Coulthard. That is, unless Montoya invokes a rumored clause in his contract due to how poorly McLaren is performing in 2004. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Midland F1? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TBD |
|---|
|
January 24: Midland Group boss Alex Shnaider confirms that he has signed a contract to buy Jordan. The team will continue to be known as Jordan Grand Prix during the 2005 season. |
| January 15: Autosport reports that the sale of the Jordan team to Midland F1principal Alex Shnaider has been agreed and is moving towards a final contract. |
| November 7: Mexican newspaper Reforma is reporting that Midland F1 has approached Champ Car driver Mario Dominguez to help develop the Dallara chassis in 2005 and race for the team in 2006. Racing-mad Mexico should be a good source of sponsorship when the Cancun race is added to the schedule in 2006. |
| October 20: The Russian-backed Midland Formula 1 project is in the running to acquire Jaguar and Cosworth. The team had been planning to enter F1 in 2006 with chassis built by Dallara and run by British F3 team Carlin Motorsport. Trevor Carlin tells this week's Autosport he "would love" to employ Anthony Davidson. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Minardi |
Christijan Albers |
Patrick Friesacher
Nicolas Kiesa
Zsolt Baumgartner
Robert Doornbos
Nicky Pastorelli
Giorgio Pantano
Jos Verstappen
Will Power
Will Davison
Ronnie Quintarelli
Olivier Maximin
Enzo Pastor
Giorgio Mondini
Christian Montanari
Damien Pasini
Robert Kubica
Pastor Maldonado
Ryan Briscoe
Heikki Kovalainen
Patrick Huisman
Jeffrey van Hooydonk
Tiago Monteiro
Franck Montagny
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Neel Jani
Gianmaria Bruni |
Chanock Nissany
Marchy Lee
Norbert Siedler
Sergey Zlobin
Matteo Bobbi
Fabrizio del Monte
José Maria Lopez
Heikki Kovalainen
Narain Karthikeyan |
Cosworth |
Bridgestone |
Lost Boys
Trust
European Aviation |
March 3
|
|---|
|
April 27: Chinese driver Marchy Lee will test for Minardi at Mugello this week, with a view to joining the team as a test driver. |
| February 15: Minardi has confirmed that Patrick Freisacher will get the second race seat. Nicolas Kiesa failed to come up with the required funding. |
| February 2: Minardi announces Israeli Chanock Nissany as a test driver, but he will not get to run on Fridays. |
| January 25: Gianmaria Bruni has given up hope of competing in F1 this year and has accepted a seat in GP2 with Coloni Motorsport. |
| January 14: Christijan Albers, Chanock Nissany and Nicky Pastorelli will drive for Minardi in next week's test at Misano. |
| December 28: Autosport tips Franck Montagny and Giorgio Pantano as contenders for the second seat alongside Christijan Albers. |
| December 23: Minardi announced today that Dutch driver Christijan Albers will be one of its two drivers for 2005. He brings sponsorship from several Dutch companies, including Lost Boys. |
| November 26: Patrick Huisman and Jeffrey van Hooydonk joined the Misano testing today. Jos Verstappen drove the two-seater, along with Zsolt Baumgartner, Nicolas Kiesa and Robert Doornbos. |
| November 24: According to Autosport, Patrick Freisacher is the fastest driver so far in this week's Minardi test in Misano. Tiago Monteiro and Chanock Nissany also tested on Monday. Australians Will Power and Will Davison are up next. |
| November 15: In acquiring Cosworth from Ford, Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe confirm that Cosworth will continue to supply Minardi with engines, at least trough the 2005 season. |
| November 11: 19-year-old Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado has been added to the list of drivers who will test for Minardi November 22 to 25. |
| November 3: Autosport reveals that ten drivers from junior series, including Japanese Formula 3 champion Ronnie Quintarelli, will test for Minardi at Misano in Italy from November 22 to 25. |
| October 6: World Series by Nissan points leader Heikki Kovalainen tested for Renault last week. He had previously tested for Minardi, where he could be a candidate for a race seat, if he can find enough cash. |
| September 17: Ford's announcement that it is selling Jaguar also includes the news that Cosworth will be sold too, putting engine supplies in doubt for the 2005 season. |
| June 12: It is still too early to know which drivers will be able to scrape together the budget to buy a ride. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Red Bull Racing |
David Coulthard |
Christian Klien
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Bjorn Wirdheim |
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Christian Klien
Neel Jani
Scott Speed |
Cosworth |
Michelin |
Red Bull
Repsol? |
February 7
|
|---|
|
April 14: Ferrari has joined the other teams in approving a rule change that will allow Christian Klien to serve as Friday test driver as he alternates with Vitantonio Liuzzi, despite having competed in more than six Grands Prix. |
| April 13: Red Bull has the consent of all teams except Ferrari to run Christian Klien as Friday test driver while Liuzzi has the race seat. If Ferrari refuses, Neel Jani is in line for Friday duty. |
| April 5: Vitantonio Liuzzi will replace Christian Klien for the next three races. Klien has driven in too many F1 races to be Friday test driver - speculation centers on whether American Scott Speed will take that role. |
| February 18: Red Bull confirms that Christian Klien will have the race seat and Vitantonio Liuzzi will be the third driver in Friday tests. |
| January 5: Red Bull has confirmed that it has signed both Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi for 2005, but has yet to decide which will take the second race seat. Klien has competed in too many Grands Prix to qualify for the Friday testing role. |
| December 17: David Coulthard has signed a one year contract with Red Bull Racing. The second driver will not be revealed until January, but Autosport believes the team is close to signing Christian Klien as race driver and Vitantonio Liuzzi as test driver. |
| December 9: Christian Klien and Neel Jani will test for the team at Jerez tomorrow. David Coulthard made a good impression yesterday, comfortably outpacing both Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, who were also testing for Red Bull. He must surely be in a strong position to lead the team next year. |
| December 4: David Coulthard will test for Red Bull in the coming week at Jerez. Autosport speculates that he could be named as the team's lead driver in the near future. |
| December 1: Swiss driver Neel Jani will test for Red Bull at Jerez this week. |
| November 30: Bjorn Wirdheim has been released from his contract early so he can pursue other opportunities for 2005. |
| November 22: New team owner Dietrich Mateschitz says David Coulthard is not under consideration as a driver. However, he does name American driver Scott Speed as a potential test driver. |
| November 17: Bjorn Wirdheim will join Vitantonio Liuzzi and Christian Klien at tests in Barcelona and Jerez in early December, following his Champ Car test with PKV Racing. |
| November 15: Ford announced today the acquisition of the Jaguar F1 team by Red Bull. Cosworth has separately been acquired by Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe, and will supply the team with engines for 2005. There is already media speculation about who will drive for the team, although team principal Tony Purnell insists the team will take its time deciding. Formula1.com says David Coulthard is among those being considered, along with Red Bull-backed drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Christian Klien. |
| October 20: Still in the running to buy Jaguar. Red Bull-sponsored driver Christian Klien might yet get to keep his job. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Renault |
Fernando Alonso |
Giancarlo Fisichella
Jarno Trulli
Mark Webber |
Franck Montagny
Heikki Kovalainen?
Richard Lyons? |
Renault |
Michelin |
Mild Seven
Telefonica |
February 1
|
|---|
|
February 1: Flavio Briatore will hold Franck Montagny to the second year of his testing contract, rather than allowing him to race for another team. |
| November 23: As the testing ban lifts, Franck Montagny returns for this week's testing in Barcelona. |
| October 6: World Series by Nissan points leader Heikki Kovalainen tested for Renault last week and could be in line for the test role next season. He had previously tested for Minardi. |
| September 15: Jacques Villeneuve has been testing for Renault at Silverstone today, despite announcing he has signed for Sauber next year. He is expected to replace Jarno Trulli for the last three races of the season. |
| July 28: Renault has signed Giancarlo Fisichella for a three-year contract. Jarno Trulli is out, but is expected to be confirmed at Toyota in September. Renault will keep Fernando Alonso on his existing contract through 2005. |
| July 14: Autosport claims Trulli's most recent run of poor results have him going out of favor with Renault. With his impressive performances in France and England, Fisichella is a potential replacement, as is Webber if Williams or Toyota do not get there first. |
| July 10: Renault would like to sign Mark Webber, but Williams probably already have him. |
| June 30: AutoWeek reports that Renault is expected to announce it is keeping its driver line-up unchanged for 2005 at the French Grand Prix this weekend. |
| June 12: The team has really stepped up this year, even though they appear to be down on horsepower. Trulli and Alonso stand a good chance of being retained. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Sauber |
Felipe Massa |
Jacques Villeneuve
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Gary Paffett
Anthony Davidson
David Coulthard
Nick Heidfeld
Giancarlo Fisichella |
Anthony Davidson?
Neel Jani?
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Gary Paffett
Christijan Albers
Richard Lyons |
Ferrari |
Michelin
Bridgestone |
Credit Suisse
Petronas
Malaysia
Red Bull |
January 13
|
|---|
|
November 2: Autosport reports that Sauber has reached a tire supply agreement with Michelin, starting in 2005. This may open the door for Toyota to switch to Bridgestone. |
| September 17: Vitantonio Liuzzi had a good test with Sauber yesterday and seems on track for the Friday driver role. Gary Paffett and Christijan Albers' tests with the team have been cancelled, taking them out of the picture. |
| September 15: Jacques Villeneuve has signed to drive for the team for the next two years. If all goes well, this could be a stepping stone to a drive for Ferrari in 2007. This ends Vitantonio Liuzzi's hopes of racing for the team, but he could still be signed as a test driver. |
| August 20: Several sources reveal that Jacques Villeneuve visited the Sauber factory earlier in the week. |
| August 19: Autosport reports that Sauber is interested in testing Gary Paffett, Anthony Davidson and Vitantonio Liuzzi at the end of the season. |
| July 28: Giancarlo Fisichella has been signed by Renault. Autosport lists British drivers Anthony Davidson and Gary Paffett as possible replacements. Sauber would like to test Paffett in the near future, but is limited by the F1 summer testing ban. |
| July 10: Felipe Massa is managed by Jean Todt, so his position is secure while Ferrari is associated with the team. Anthony Davidson's new manager is negotiating for him to join Sauber, while Giancarlo Fisichella is high on the list to join Williams. |
| June 12: Considering this year's Sauber is so similar to last year's Ferrari, 2004 is turning out to be a big disappointment for the team. There could be big changes in 2005. |
| January 11: Sauber has postponed its January 11 launch in Malaysia out of respect for the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Team Dubai F1? |
|
|
|
Mercedes? |
|
|
TBD |
|---|
| October 20: Team Dubai F1 has announced its intention to campaign the 2006 season. Autosport says it is in negotiations with McLaren for technical assistance and to run Mercedes engines. The team has withdrawn from negotiations to buy Jordan, preferring to establish its own identity. |
|
|---|
| Toyota |
Ralf Schumacher |
Jarno Trulli
Ricardo Zonta
Ryan Briscoe
Cristiano da Matta
Olivier Panis
Mark Webber
David Coulthard
Scott Dixon |
Ricardo Zonta
Olivier Panis
Ryan Briscoe |
Toyota |
Michelin
Bridgestone |
Panasonic
Denso
Esso
Intel |
January 8
|
|---|
|
October 20: Autosport believes Toyota could still switch to Bridgestone tires for the 2005 season. Olivier Panis enters retirement one race before the season finale, allowing Ricardo Zonta to compete in his home race in Brazil, alongside Jarno Trulli. |
| September 30: Jarno Trulli will start his driving duties for Toyota at the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix. |
| September 16: Jarno Trulli has been confirmed as driver for the team. Toyota says he will have the same status as Ralf Schumacher. Ricardo Zonta is Friday driver, unless he finds a race seat elsewhere. |
| September 15: With Jarno Trulli being dumped by Renault, he is free to test for Toyota at Silverstone tomorrow. An official announcement that he will drive for the team next year is also expected. Meanwhile, Autosport says Olivier Panis will take a behind-the-scenes role next year, including some testing, but Ricardo Zonta will continue as Friday reserve driver. |
| September 9: Olivier Panis will retire from racing at the end of the season, but says he has signed a two-year contract to test for Toyota. Meanwhile, Jarno Trulli says he has signed for next season, but will not say with which team. |
| September 1: Autosport says Toyota is prepared to keep Olivier Panis as a test driver if he fails to secure a race seat elsewhere. The British magazine also believes that Ralf Schumacher has a performance clause in his contract, allowing the team to drop him if he has poor results in his first six races. Panis might make a good backup for that situation or if Ralf has still not returned to full health. |
| August 5: Toyota has replaced Cristiano da Matta with Ricardo Zonta for the remainder of the season. Ryan Briscoe will take over as test driver on Fridays. |
| July 28: Jarno Trulli has lost his seat at Renault to Giancarlo Fisichella, but is expected to be scooped up by Toyota, with an announcement sometime in September. |
| July 14: While David Coulthard is top of the list at Jaguar, Autosport says he is still in with a chance at the faster Toyota and Williams. Toyota has also denied speculation that it will switch to Bridgestone tires: the team has a contract with Michelin through 2005. |
| July 12: Of the two current drivers, Olivier Panis is most likely to stay with the team. There are several reports of Cristiano da Matta returning to the USA, with Robin Miller placing him in a Champ Car at an expanded Newman/Haas team that will also run two cars in the IRL. |
| July 8: Autosport reports that Toyota have upped their offer for Mark Webber, in light of concerns over Ralf's long-term fitness. A change to Bridgestone tires is also on the cards - an all- Japanese partnership makes sense. |
| July 7: Ralf Schumacher has signed a three-year deal with Toyota. The team says both Panis and da Matta are under consideration for the second seat next season. |
| June 12: A disappointing season for Toyota so far could lead to a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to drivers for next year. Both drivers could be out and Ralf Schumacher is widely expected to be signed to bring some experience. Mark Webber is also rumored to be a potential fit for the team. Carl Haas has an option on Cristiano da Matta, so he could end up back in the States in an IndyCar or a Champ Car. |
| January 13: An announcement that Ryan Briscoe has signed to drive for Chip Ganassi's IRL squad is imminent. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Williams |
Mark Webber
Juan Pablo Montoya |
Nick Heidfeld
Antonio Pizzonia
David Coulthard
Anthony Davidson
Mika Häkkinen
Jenson Button
Jacques Villeneuve
Sébastien Bourdais
Christian Klein
Olivier Panis
Scott Dixon
Giancarlo Fisichella
Ralf Schumacher |
Antonio Pizzonia
Nico Rosberg
Marc Gené
Scott Dixon |
BMW |
Michelin |
BMW
Royal Bank of Scotland
Budweiser
FedEx
HP |
January 31
|
|---|
|
April 27: Nico Rosberg, son of 1982 world champion Keke, has been signed as second test driver. |
| February 22: Autosport reports that Frank Williams has made it clear that he will not release Antonio Pizzonia from his contractual commitments to the team. No Champ Car ride for Antonio. |
| January 31: With the launch of the FW27, Williams has confirmed Nick Heidfeld for the second seat alongside Mark Williams, with Antonio Pizzonia remaining as test driver. |
| January 6: Williams has announced its new sponsorships and alliances today, but the official car launch will be in Valencia, Spain, on January 31. The driver evaluations continue and the team promises to decide between Pizzonia and Heidfeld in time to announce at Valencia who will drive alongside Webber. |
| December 15: Both Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia tested well. Autosport says Williams will test them again in the first few days of the New Year before deciding in time for the January 6 launch. |
| December 9: Autosport says Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia will go head-to-head in a shoot-out for the second race seat in Jerez tomorrow. Whichever driver is not chosen is likely to be the test driver. |
| December 1: Nick Heidfeld tested for Williams in Jerez today, a week earlier than expected. |
| November 25: Autosport says BAR have blocked Anthony Davidson's test after being unable to agree contractual terms with Williams. BAR has a long-term contract with Davidson, but could loan him to another team to help him gain F1 race experience - with the potential to return to race for BAR in the future. Antonio Pizzonia remains favorite for the second race seat, although Nick Heidfeld is still due to test next month. |
| November 8: Autosport reports that Williams will test Anthony Davidson and Nick Heidfeld at Jerez in early December. Pizzonia and Coulthard are still in the running for the second seat but, as known quantities, there is less point including them in the test. |
| November 6: Mika Häkkinen has signed with Mercedes to race in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) after a successful test three weeks ago, taking himself out of contention for the second seat at Williams. |
| October 27: Autosport says Williams is still considering Mika Häkkinen for a race seat in 2005. The magazine quotes co-owner Patrick Head as saying there is a need for a driver of proven ability alongside Mark Webber. Despite that, Antonio Pizzonia remains favorite for the seat, with David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson still in contention. Marc Gené has left the team and Nick Heidfeld is being pursued as a replacement test driver. |
| October 26: Sam Michael, Williams technical director, tells Autosport that Antonio Pizzonia will be either race or test driver for the team next year, but no decision has been made yet. |
| October 20: The F1 Contracts Recognition Board has ruled that BAR has a valid contract with Jenson Button. Williams says it will not appeal the decision, but hopes to sign him for 2006. After doing a good job sitting in for Ralf Schumacher during his injury, Autosport predicts Antonio Pizzonia will take the second Williams seat. Mika Häkkinen has tested a DTM car and looks likely to join the Mercedes team in that series. |
| September 15: The F1 Contracts Recognition Board may not meet now until the Brazilian Grand Prix. |
| September 12: The F1 Contracts Recognition Board will sit at the Chinese Grand Prix on September 26 to decide whether Jenson Button will drive for BAR or Williams in 2005. Both teams have said they will respect the decision. Mika Häkkinen is most likely to benefit if Williams does not win. |
| September 9: Williams has finally lodged its contract with Jenson Button with the Contracts Recognition Board. |
| August 29: No progress in BAR and Williams' fight over Jenson Button. Williams has yet to submit its contract to the Contract Recognition Board. Autosport suggests BAR may have offered new improved terms to Jenson. |
| August 10: Williams and BAR are still bickering over who has the legitimate contract with Jenson Button. |
| August 5: Jenson Button announced today that he is leaving BAR at the end of the season to join Williams under a two-year contract. |
| July 28: Mark Webber confirms today that he has signed to Williams. |
| July 25: Strong rumors in the paddock at the German Grand Prix say that Mark Webber has signed with Williams, but Giancarlo Fisichella has gone to Renault. |
| July 14: While David Coulthard is top of the list at Jaguar, Autosport says he is still in with a chance at the faster Williams and Toyota. |
| July 13: Racer magazine, through Speed Channel's web site, is reporting that Mika Häkkinen is considering a comeback and could race for Williams. Quotes from Ron Dennis and David Coulthard, speaking to London's Evening Standard, back up the news. Well, it is called the "Silly Season"! |
| July 12: Nick Heidfeld is expected to test for Williams at Jerez on Friday, with a view to running for the team in the German Grand Prix, where BMW would like to see a German driver in Ralf's seat. A good performance could lead to a full-time seat next year... at least it indicates BMW's nationalistic preference. |
| July 10: Talk from the British Grand Prix suggests Giancarlo Fisichella is already a done deal to drive the second Williams, alongside Mark Webber. Anthony Davidson's name is still mentioned, though. |
| July 8: Autosport says Olivier Panis has been linked with a switch to Williams. This seems a long shot to us. |
| June 12: Juan Pablo Montoya has signed to McLaren. Ralf Schumacher is rumored to have signed with Toyota - the public way he has been discussing his future is hardly likely to enamor him with Williams. So who will drive for the team is the biggest subject for speculation in the F1 paddock. Mark Webber is said to be high on the team's shopping list and Jacques Villeneuve could be set to return. Scott Dixon has tested several times, but has recently re-signed to Chip Ganassi - that might indicate Williams wanted him as test driver for a year before they would give him a chance to race. Some young guns, like Nelson Angelo Piquet or Nico Rosberg, may be in line for the test seat in preparation for a future race drive. |
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