25/09/2007
NEWS STORY
Giancarlo Fisichella's manager, Enrico Zanarini, has said that the annual game of musical chairs - whereby drivers move teams - has ground to a standstill as everyone watches to see whether Fernando Alonso will remain with McLaren or leave.
Until recently, there were just a few vacancies still unfilled for 2008 - most notably at Renault, Williams, Toyota, Spyker, Super Aguri and Prodrive. However, with growing speculation as to Alonso's position with McLaren there could be an almighty driver re-shuffle should the Spaniard and his Woking employers opt to part company.
"Everyone is waiting to see where Alonso will race in 2008," Zanarini told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Until we know, we will just have to wait. It is very confusing at this moment."
In recent days there has been all manner of speculation as to where Alonso might go should he leave McLaren, and consequently which other drivers might find themselves caught up in a new round of musical chairs. There is talk of Alonso heading to Ferrari, with Massa leaving for Toyota, but much of it is just that, talk.
For now, Zanarini has to concern himself with the future of his own client, Giancarlo Fisichella, who has yet to secure a deal for 2008, and will hardly be delighted to hear Flavio Briatore publicly wooing his former protege.
"We have already talked a lot with Renault," said Zanarini, "but everyone is waiting to see whether or not Alonso will leave McLaren. We will have to see where free seats are available."