Dave "Gizmo" Gymer returns to Atlas Team F1 to share his predictions of driver, team and engine changes for the 1996 Formula One season
1. Teams with engines and drivers (order significant)
No change to the potentially winning combination at Jordan, or for Hakinnen who's worked miracles with the seriously flawed McLaren. Coulthard will join him, as Ron Dennis tried to have happen for this year, leaving Blundell to earn a crust in touring cars. Brundle gets a permanent seat at Ligier, having proven himself to have the edge over Panis, who remains where he is. Ligier wiil be bought by Prost who's looking for a non-driving opening in F1, and secures the French Renault engines left abandoned by Willy and Benetton.
Young Frentzen, expecting a drive at McLaren because of his Mercedes connection, finds instead a vacant seat at Williams, and Benetton finally see Verstappen back, alongside the displaced Alesi. Alesi goes on to win the championship, with Villeneuve second -- despite constant problems with the new engine. Ferrari win the constructors' championship.
2. Drivers losing their drives
Blundell goes to touring cars, his seat taken by Coulthard. Herbert goes to Indy having been made to look silly by Schumi. Hill goes to Indy after finishing 3rd or 4th in the championship, behind Alesi.
3. Old farts with no chance of getting drives
Mansell
(Sorry, just had to throw that in. If only he'd driven for Penske last year I'm sure he'd have done very well in Indy.)
I welcome any dispute or agreement you may have with my predictions. Reply to me directly, or through the new Atlas Team F1 section called "Readers Comments" appearing in the next issue.