From GMM
Even before Nelson Piquet beached his Renault in the gravel during 'Q1' on Saturday, speculation that his seat is still in danger was floating around the Istanbul paddock.
The latest rumour is that the Brazilian has been given until next month's Hungarian grand prix, to be staged the day after his 24th birthday, to prove he should remain Fernando Alonso's teammate for the rest of 2009.
Alonso has scored all of Renault's 11 points so far this season, but in Turkey Piquet vowed not to let the negativity get him down.
Worsening the speculation about Piquet's future is the increasingly high profile of team reserve driver Romain Grosjean, who watches the action at races from the Renault pitwall.
Meanwhile, off the back of constant speculation linking him with McLaren next year, current Williams driver Nico Rosberg has finally admitted he may soon steer a Mercedes-powered car.
The 23-year-old was asked by the Independent newspaper if Lewis Hamilton could be his next teammate. "McLaren are a great team and Lewis and I have known each other for a long time, so I guess, yeah," Rosberg answered.
Rosberg's contract at Williams, for whom he debuted in 2006, runs out this year, and he is openly considering his options for 2010.
Another young star, tipped by many as a favourite for pole and victory in Turkey this weekend, is also the constant subject of speculation: Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.
So highly rated is the 21-year-old that, even with the lack of real rumours about his next move, observers believe Vettel must be a candidate for Ferrari or another top team.
He told the Abendzeitung newspaper: "My goal is to sit in the best car possible and win races. At the moment I am happy where I am."
Even before Nelson Piquet beached his Renault in the gravel during 'Q1' on Saturday, speculation that his seat is still in danger was floating around the Istanbul paddock.
The latest rumour is that the Brazilian has been given until next month's Hungarian grand prix, to be staged the day after his 24th birthday, to prove he should remain Fernando Alonso's teammate for the rest of 2009.
Alonso has scored all of Renault's 11 points so far this season, but in Turkey Piquet vowed not to let the negativity get him down.
Worsening the speculation about Piquet's future is the increasingly high profile of team reserve driver Romain Grosjean, who watches the action at races from the Renault pitwall.
Meanwhile, off the back of constant speculation linking him with McLaren next year, current Williams driver Nico Rosberg has finally admitted he may soon steer a Mercedes-powered car.
The 23-year-old was asked by the Independent newspaper if Lewis Hamilton could be his next teammate. "McLaren are a great team and Lewis and I have known each other for a long time, so I guess, yeah," Rosberg answered.
Rosberg's contract at Williams, for whom he debuted in 2006, runs out this year, and he is openly considering his options for 2010.
Another young star, tipped by many as a favourite for pole and victory in Turkey this weekend, is also the constant subject of speculation: Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.
So highly rated is the 21-year-old that, even with the lack of real rumours about his next move, observers believe Vettel must be a candidate for Ferrari or another top team.
He told the Abendzeitung newspaper: "My goal is to sit in the best car possible and win races. At the moment I am happy where I am."