BMW likes stability. The team has fielded the same two drivers, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld since the 2007 season with Heidfeld being there since the 2006 season. In Formula One, this is considered a long streak. Alas, the question is whether the streak will continue and all indications are it will not. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each driver.
Nick Heidfeld likes to be called "quick Nick", but the statistics don't really bear this out. He has been much better than Kubica in the current campaign, but consistently underperformed in previous seasons. He is a tough nut to figure out. He can do brilliant things like pass both Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in a car that is not quite the measure of theirs, but then drive around the back of the field for three or four races in a row.
His qualifying leaves a lot to be desired, but he has an ace in the hole in that he is German and BMW is known to prefer to have at least one German driver.
Robert Kubica is the first Polish driver in the history of Formula One. He has been brilliant during the first two seasons he spent at BMW. In the 2008 season, he both snagged the first win for the team and led the driver's standings half way through the season. His star was rising so fast it was considered only a matter of time till he and the team were on the top step of the podium on a regular basis.
Then the 2009 season hit.
Like his team, Kubica has had a very rough year. He regularly is stuck in the last few rows of the field after qualifying and doesn't show much during the race. The problem is clearly the car, but the driver has done himself no favors by continually complaining about it and the team. This is in contrast to Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton who have had equally bad cars, but have tried their best to remain positive and keep spirits high on the team while further development has occurred. Interestingly, Ferrari and McLaren are bouncing back to the front of the field while BMW is not.
So, will both drivers be back in 2010? Based on the 2009 season, it would appear that Robert Kubica would be in trouble. The powers that be at BMW are not fools. They know Kubica is a star waiting to happen and will not release him. Heidfeld is a bigger question. All indications are he will be out of a ride based on his overall performance across four seasons. Nico Rosberg has been touted as a replacement, but nobody really knows till it happens.
What will happen? I would look for Kubica to stay and Heidfeld out. In a surprise move, it will be Timo Glock moving from Toyota to BMW instead of Nico Rosberg. You heard it here first!
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