Lotus have today confirmed their drivers for the 2010 Formula 1 season – Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen in race seats with Fairuz Fauzy the team’s third driver. The announcement was made by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

Trulli was left without a drive when Toyota left F1 at the end of the 2009 season. He is a veteran of 219 races, collecting 246.5 career points but just one win since his first race in 1997. He has driven for Jordan, Renault and Toyota.

28-year-old Kovalainen has been in F1 since 2007 where he raced for Renault before moving to McLaren for 2008 and 2009, before being replaced by Jenson Button for 2010. Kovalainen has raced in F1 52 times, collecting 105 points but only one race win.

Fairuz Fauzy, a Malaysian driver now on a Malaysian team at Lotus. 27-year-old Fauzy is a veteran in the formulae below F1. This year Fauzy finished 2nd in the World Series by Renault.

Lotus F1 have announced today that they have signed their first driver for 2010, however have yet to release the name of said driver.

Tony Fernandes, via social media website Twitter announced:

“One Malaysia formula one team aka lotus has signed it’s first driver. Public announcement soon. The dream continues.”

In recent weeks Jarno Trulli has been strongly linked with a move to the new team, since Toyota’s demise, and CTO Mike Gascoigne hardly denying that they were interested in the driver. Lotus have also stated that they’re looking for experienced drivers in order to move the team forward with development, rather than cheaper rookie drivers.

If there were any dreams that the Toyota team may yet again rise from the ashes and “do a Brawn”, they have been quickly dashed as ex-Team Principal John Howett has confirmed that the team is not for sale. It appears that the option to put the team up for sale has,

“…already been discussed and rejected. Maybe these ideas can be reopened but, at the moment, it would appear not”

Assumingly by Toyota’s corporate management. This leaves existing employees and drivers in little doubt that they should be looking for new jobs in 2010. Timo Glock is rumoured to be looking at a Renault seat, whilst Jarno Trulli seems sure to be going to Lotus to fill their “experienced” driver expectations.

Fill-in driver Kamui Kobayashi remains the final question mark of the three, and arguably the most interesting after having an excellent final 2 races of the season filling in for injured Glock. Kobayashi previously said he’d love a Lotus seat, but that seems unlikely.

Jarno Trulli is slowly emerging as a clear favourite to sit in a race seat for Lotus F1 in the 2010 season. Trulli recently became unemployed when his current team Toyota, pulled out of the sport due to economic reasons. Speaking with Autosport recently, Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne told them on Trulli,

“He is one of the guys we would like to. Jarno has, over one lap, always been sensational. That is even more important in a new team because you need to know where you are on a Saturday. Jarno can always give you that.”

Gascoyne had previously stated that they’re aim is to get 2 drivers in the car with experience under their belt,

“We are not looking for pay drivers or new drivers. We think that is very important for the team”

With the team having a lot to learn about their brand new car when they finally get it on the track, the best they need is real, solid, experienced feedback from the drivers, something a rookie is unlikely to give them.

With a number of other experienced drivers currently on the market due to the departure of BMW Sauber as well this season, Lotus could easily find 2 highly qualified drivers for their outfit – if they can afford them.

In news that probably isn’t all that surprising this morning, Japanese car firm Toyota have confirmed that they will no longer take part in Formula One racing due to posting its worst ever financial loss. The world’s largest car manufacturer is leaving the sport to concentrate on its core business and to cut costs.

Rumours had been gently spreading over the past few weeks that the team were to possibly leave F1. Earlier last week Williams announced that they were no longer to use Toyota engines which some point out as one of the causing factors.

Last night @f1scoop found an article reported by Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily News that the Toyota board have decided to pull out of Formula 1. A translation of the news article can be found here. To quote the article:

“Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s greatest motor racing, Formula One (F1) has decided to withdraw as far as this year.”

The announcement was made at 0800 hrs GMT today, 1700 local time.

This now leaves an empty slot on the grid for a team next year, which will likely mean the ex BMW Sauber team will be able to join in the the 2010 season after all. This also leaves Toyota drivers Jarno Trulli, Timo Glock and the impressive Kamui Kobayashi out of a job.

Note: This article has been updated – please see last section.

It is being reported that Toyota have set November 8th as the day they will announce the future of the team. Previously it had been believed that the team would wait until their board meeting in mid November before any announcements would be made, however for whatever reason this has now been brought forward.

The future of the team has been in question for many weeks, with the team under performing throughout the tail end of the season. Toyota wouldn’t be the first casualty either of the big car manufacturer pull outs from Formula 1, with Honda and BMW already out of the game due to the world financial crisis.

Current drivers are also unconfirmed for 2010 seats, with Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli seemingly about to fly the nest, with the Toyota team looking for fresh blood such as the promising Kamui Kobayashi. Team boss John Howett has been positive however, keen to sign new drivers – even looking at the expensive Kimi Raikkonen.

If Toyota were to leave the sport this would free up a space on the grid for another team, which would work out quite nicely for the ex BMW Sauber team, who currently have new owners, but no grid places in 2010.

Update 03/11/09 19:15

It is being reported by Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily News that the Toyota board have decided to pull out of Formula 1. A translation of the news article can be found here reported by @f1scoop. To quote the article:

“Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s greatest motor racing, Formula One (F1) has decided to withdraw as far as this year.”

According to the article, Toyota will now make announcement tomorrow (4th November) to confirm this news.

Update 04/11/09 08:15

Toyota have confirmed they will not take part any further in Formula One… Read More.

For more information on the Formula 1 driver lineup for 2010, check out our Ultimate Guide.

On lap one of last week’s Brazilian Grand Prix there was a collision between the German Force India driver Adrian Sutil and Italian Toyota driver Jarno Trulli, wiping both out of the race. Trulli went over and aggressively confronted Sutil despite the 5 inch height handicap the Italian had. This confrontation got Trulli a £6,000 fine.

However in today’s  Thursday press conference prior to tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Friday practice day sparks flew again as there was heated exchanges between the two drivers. The exchanges that were recorded are below:

JT: “Obviously it was very disappointing to end the race like that, especially on the first lap. I think I had all the reason to be extremely furious. I’ve got all the evidence to show that I was there and was next to him, and tomorrow we are going to discuss about it.”

AS: “There’s nothing to discuss, it was quite an obvious incident. In the end it was very disappointing for myself, even more because I was the one who was driving and he lost control of his car and crashed into my back. It was his problem. I don’t know why he’s freaking out like that to be honest.”

JT: “I don’t know if you’re blind but I can clearly show you my front wing is next to your front wing.”

AS: “But you’re trying to overtake around me the outside on the kerb. There was not a problem. You were just not going off the power. The same happened in Barcelona where you lost control again and crashed again into a Force India car. You have to sometimes respect the limits of the car. If you’ve nowhere to go, you have to back off. That’s how racing is. I don’t know how long you want to learn it.”

JT: “In Barcelona I spun and he hit me because he cut the kerb, cut the circuit completely, and he didn’t slow down.”

AS: “I didn’t hit you. You hit me. I don’t know what is your problem. I really don’t understand.”

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

Looks like Kamui Kobayashi has put himself in contention for an F1 seat next year, specifically with Toyota following his brave and impressive race debut last week in Brazil.

Toyota team boss John Howett described the debutante’s race:

“He did a fairly good job I think. He got past Fisi with a really good overtaking move and did a really good job to defend against Button and retake it a couple of times. Very impressive for a debut.”

Kobayashi ended the race in 10th position, despite jumping in the car at short notice following Timo Glock’s withdrawal. Glock crashed out at the Japanese Grand Prix, suffering injuries to his chest that would not heal in time for Brazil.

As previously reported, Toyota are also pursuing Kimi Raikkonnen for a drive with the team in 2010, however that looks like it may go nowhere due to the asking price. Jarno Trulli and Glock’s race seats are also not confirmed for next year, leaving Toyota’s options fully open.

On Trulli specifically, Howett said:

“All I know is the position of Toyota towards Jarno is that we don’t exclude the possibility [of keeping him], but there needs to be one or two issues that we get straight.”

Trulli is understood to have discussed the situation with Toyota’s Tadashi Yamashina over the race weekend in Brazil, where he was reported as stating that he will not make any decisions to continue with the team until after their board meeting on November 15th. It is understood that this is where Toyota will decide their future in the sport, as well as the budget for 2010.

Toyota are continuing in their pursuit of Kimi Raikkonen with team president John Howett revealing that they have offered the Finn a contract for next season. Raikkonen is without a 2010 race-seat after agreeing to part ways with Ferrari a year earlier than expect, earning the 2007 World Champion a hefty pay-off.

Subsequent rumours have linked him to a possible move to McLaren while Toyota have also expressed an interest. In fact, Howett says they’ve even put an offer on the table. Howett told Reuters:

“We don’t play too many games. We put on the table what we can afford and what we think is a serious offer in the current market. I think genuinely we could work well with him, give him a car that’s quick. We have had very good relationships with Scandinavian drivers in the rallying times that enjoy life and it works very well, so we could cope with it as a team.”

As for existing drivers, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, neither driver is assured of a deal for next season. Howett did, however, admit that the team has made Trulli an offer, although they not sure if he will accept.

“With both drivers we are still maintaining a degree of discussion. We have put an offer on the table with Jarno, I think that he himself is not dissatisfied with the financial offer, the bottom line to some extent is certain issues on the contract and I don’t think they are negotiable from our side.”

“He may well be in the car next year but it’s not at all clear.”

Another option available to the team is Kamui Kobayashi, who made his debut in Brazil, replacing the injured Glock.

“I thought he defended well, he retook Jenson. He’s fearless and did a good job to get past Fisichella.”

“He was a bit off the pace overall but it was very impressive. You have to say we have to give him serious consideration but still pace-wise he was a bit slow so we have to see.”