With the 2009 Formula 1 season drawing to a close, there is the inevitable departures of drivers, team members, and in some cases – whole teams that needs to take place. Some will get reshuffled into new teams, some will go altogether, and some new blood will enter the paddock. Here’s a brief rundown of the F1 goodbyes in 2009.

Kimi Raikkonen & Fernando Alonso

After 3 years with Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen is being replaced by Fernando Alonso. Raikkonen is yet to sign a deal with a new team for 2010, however he has been linked with a drive at McLaren and Toyota, the former being the most likely slot.

Raikkonen won the drivers world championship with the team in his debut year, as well as the constructers in 2007 and 2008.

There is also an outside chance the Raikkonen will leave the sport altogether. He has frequently mentioned when interviewed that if the right race seat doesn’t become available he will leave Formula 1 for good. We don’t think he’s bluffing…

Fernando Alonso also leaves his Renault team for the second time in his F1 career. With the team in disarray, Pat Symonds and Flavio Briatore also gone, it makes complete sense that Alonso would want to move away. That said, there are some whispers that the Ferrari deal has been in place since last year, however it couldn’t be made then for whatever reasons.

Giancarlo Fisichella

Giancarlo Fisichella started what appears to be his final season in Formula 1 with the Force India team. They made a decent start, with Fisichella taking the team’s first pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix. Unfortunately that couldn’t convert to a race win, with the KERS powered Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen doing early damage.

During that race weekend there were rumours flying around that Fisichella would soon be driving for Ferrari, in place of Luca Badoer, who in place was covering for the injured Felipe Massa. The teams and drivers played it down, however within days Fisichella was announced to have been released from his contract in order to drive for his dream team, Ferarri.

It wasn’t all roses for Fisichella though in the red car. He struggled from the outset, despite having done the milage in the Force India. Turns out the Ferrari isn’t all that easy to drive, and with testing not allowed Fisichella had to struggle through during practise and race conditions in order to familiarise himself. He is yet to get any higher than 9th.

Fisichella has signed a deal with Ferrari to be their test driver for 2010, however is still open to a race drive next season if the right deal should come about. We shall see.

Rubens Barrichello

A great year for Rubens Barrichello this year with the Brawn GP team. In early 2009 it seemed all was lost for the ex Honda team, however they were able to pull through. Barrichello’s team mate Jenson Button won 6 our of the first 7 Grand Prix in 2009, however Barrichello’s skills at the wheel were soon to become apparent as he more often than not had one over his team mate for the remainder of the season.

With 2 victories and 6 podiums, this was Barrichello’s most successful season since 2004 with Ferrari, however he has not seemed completely happy within the Brawn GP garage.

At this time it appears Barrichello will move over to Williams for 2010, alongside test driver Nico Hulkenburg.

BMW Sauber

Earlier this season BMW announced that they would be pulling out of Formula 1, leaving the ex Sauber team to find another buyer, or leave the sport altogether. With QADBAK stepping in to buy the team, the FIA granted the returning Lotus team the remaining slot for 2010, leaving Sauber with new owners, but not ability to race next season.

Drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld will also leave the team, with Kubica signing up with Renault, and Heidfeld yet to secure a race seat with any team.

Those who could disappear

Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and Kazuki Nakajima could all find themselves without race seats next year. Trulli has been rumoured to be looking at Lotus, as well as an outside chance of remaining at Toyota, however we think that is slim.

And of course, there is the chance Raikkonen could go too.

Lastly, those that have already gone

Ron Dennis (McLaren) – Left the team to concentrate on the McLaren road car. However, was seen as a peace gesture towards the FIA in order for them not to prosecute the team any further after they were found to have deliberately misled marshals in Australia.

Sébastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso) – Effectively sacked from the Toro Rosso team after not performing to expectations.

Nelson Piquet Jr (Renault) – Sacked again for not performing. However subsequently became chief witness in the Renault “crashgate” episode where he told the FIA that Pat Symonds and Flavio Briatore convinced him to deliberately crash his car in Singapore in order for Alonso to win. Piquet Jr escaped punishment in exchange for his evidence.

Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds – banned from the sport for the Renault “crashgate” episode

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso, Toyota, Williams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.