It is. Vijay’s set up a talent search programme in national-level series, but I haven’t heard any names come out of it yet, so it may be a few years before we get an Indian driver who meets Vijay’s standards at F1-level. Last I heard, Vijay was talking in terms “within five years”. That would make it 2014 before an Indian drives a Force India F1 car.

Narain didn’t meet Vijay’s standards for some reason and although Vijay probably still has one eye on Karun, he appears to have found his level at GP2.

Liuzzi suggests his contract include two years as main driver. Might be true, might not but I’d expect Fisi to annouce retirement soon. I also don’t see Di Resta moving to Force India or anywhere. I know brit press love the idea but Mercedes hasn’t done a single thing to suggest they are planing to bring the kid back to open wheel (he hasn’t drive an open wheel car in a race since 2006). I think is more realistic to add poor Di Resta to the same list of very talent brit young drivers whose shot at F1 was ruined by McLaren Mercedes that also include his teamates Gary Paffett and Jamie Green.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/11/27/jonathan-summerton-f1s-next-us-star/

In fact, didn’t Vettel come from the World Series by Renault?

He did indeed, leaving the World Series mid-season whilst leading the championship.

Isn’t Force India interested in trying to develop Indian drivers? Are there any Indian drivers in the pipeline?

Karun Chandhok is probably their best bet. But he’s failing to live up to his ‘08 performance in GP2 this year for Ocean Racing.

Other than that, the only other Indian driver I can think of is Narain Karthikeyan. But he’s 32, done F1 already and isn’t really anything to write home about.

So Vijay’s not really got a lot to choose from right at the moment you’d have to say.

Isn’t Force India interested in trying to develop Indian drivers? Are there any Indian drivers in the pipeline?

As far as I can remember, it is a goal of Vijay Mallya to put an Indian driver in one of his cars, but Mallya has stated in the past that he would only do this if the driver in question was actually good enough. This perhaps explains why Narain Karthikeyan has not been enlisted, and also why Karun Chandhok has not yet been promoted.

Any other up-and-coming Indian drivers I’ve forgotten about? I was sure there were two or three others who’s names were floating around recently…

Sutil has a long-term contract, but it ends this year unless his option is taken up.

I always forget how long long Sutil has been around! This is his third year in F1!

Sutil has a long-term contract, but it ends this year unless his option is taken up. It may be that Sutil decides to take some other team’s option instead

Tonio thought that last year (according to the interview he gave BBC TV in Germany) and was proven wrong. I’m not entirely convinced he’s right this time either…

A lot happens in F1 in four months (Jul-Nov 08).

I rate Liuzzi, he upped his game when Vettel came along at Toro Rosso and was a match for him. Vettel’s gone on to bigger things, Liuzzi’s in the third-driver duldrums and driving in the now vanished Speedcar series. Liuzzi for Fisichella? I’d do it in a heartbeat.

With regards to the second USF1 seat, I am really pulling for Jonathan Summerton to lock it down…I’ve interviewed him for an article on a different blog, and he’s raced against many of the current young hotshots in the sport.

Feel free to pop a link in; always good to read other stuff by the commenters here.

The World Series has proven to be an excellent feeder category for Formula One, so I don’t think Bertrand Baguette should be ignored.

Good point. The World Series has been attracting some attention recently with some of the recent promotions. In fact, didn’t Vettel come from the World Series by Renault?

Unless Force India decide that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, or Adrian uses his career momentum to get into a faster team…

I was always under the impression Sutil was on a long-term contract, thanks to his close friendship from one of the managers from the squad’s Spyker days. Might have been Kolles, whom is no longer a part of the team. Although having said that, Adrian was linked to McLaren in late 2007, albeit very briefly.

If Sutil can stop throwing it off the track and somehow repel those Ferrari’s away when he’s in great positions, he could impress enough to move up the field.

Unless Force India decide that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, or Adrian uses his career momentum to get into a faster team…

Tonio thought that last year (according to the interview he gave BBC TV in Germany) and was proven wrong. I’m not entirely convinced he’s right this time either…

With regards to the second USF1 seat, I am really pulling for Jonathan Summerton to lock it down…I’ve interviewed him for an article on a different blog, and he’s raced against many of the current young hotshots in the sport. Graham Rahal is another one getitng high consideration, and I would expect Alex Rossi to be kept in the fold for the future somehow- I was quite pleased to hear he’ll still get his BMW test later this year.

I would expect Heidfeld to land with one of the other two new teams- he’s got the top talent as well, but sadly, he may not be viewed as flashy as Rosberg, Kubica, etc..

I reckon that the movement on contracts will only really begin when the Concorde agreement is signed.

Funnily enough, the Concorde Agreement was announced just a couple of hours after your comment. Our crystal balls must be very clear today.

‘Me’ (from Sidepodcast) and I were told by a close pal of Liuzzi’s (whilst on our Red Bull tour last year) that he had a race seat at Force India guaranteed for 2010

So Fisichella’s best hope is with a new team then.

While there is still concern about Toyota and Renault remaining on the grid it’ll take a while to sort out the pairings. Plus, Fernando’s decision is usually the thing that slows down the whole process. Odd that he’s the one having to do the waiting this year.

we should not forget the KERS effect

This is also true. Williams were mentioned recently as potentially not giving up on their flywheel system for 2010. And if it isn’t successfully outlawed by FOTA (which Williams aren’t against going, erm, against) then they could be an interesting watch for next year.

I think that following the BMW news all of a sudden McLaren is spoiled for choice. Hamilton is safe there but I am probably not alone thinking that the second seat is up for grabs next year. And in all likelihood that seat will be the most competitive seat available on the 2010 market. Heidfeld, Kubica, Rosberg – I can see nice queue forming there …

Talking about Rosberg he is facing tough choice – if he goes to McLaren his chances of winning races may be much bigger than now in Williams. But will he have chance to fight for title there ? And when talking about McLaren making bigger steps forward than Williams – may be true but we should not forget the KERS effect …

I haven’t given much thought to the rest of the field yet but I remember some talk about Liuzzi getting the Force India drive next year

I could see Ross Brawn opting to partner Button with Kubica.

Oooh, hadn’t thought of that option, and I would have to agree with you. I could see a clash of personalities between the pair, but I could also see Brawn as being the best of the options for Kubica and therefore hard to resist.

I say a clash of personalities because I get the feeling Kubica might be starting to think about some kind of semi-definite number one status within a team. And if Button does take the title (or even if he doesn’t (and remains at Brawn)) he would be the default number one for 2010. Which may put Kubica off should that offer emerge.