The 2009 grid as it stands

The 2008 Formula One season comes to a close this weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a grid identical to that of the first race of the season in Australia, without Super Aguri, the first time in the history of the sport such consistency has been observed. With just over five months to go until the inaugural race of 2009, the grid is quickly being filled, with 14 of the 20 seats currently confirmed. We now take a look at the grid for next year, and who will be racing where.

Ferrari
In spite of speculation to the contrary, Kimi Räikkönen is scheduled to race for a third season with Ferrari next year, having signed a contract extension to stay there until 2010. He will be alongside Felipe Massa again, who also stays at Ferrari until 2010.

McLaren-Mercedes
Both Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are said to be on long-term contracts at McLaren, meaning they will be racing alongside each other again in 2009.

BMW Sauber-BMW
BMW confirmed at the beginning of the month that both Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld would be retained for another year, after intense speculation that Nick Heidfeld's seat was in jeopardy. The German has struggled in qualifying this year, but the absence of a suitable replacement meant he kept his seat alongside Kubica.

Renault
Fernando Alonso has confirmed his presence at Renault for 2009 and 2010, while the identity of his team-mate is much less certain. Although Nelson Piquet has been performing well of late, his poor early- to mid-season form may force Renault officials to look elsewhere, while GP2 driver Lucas Di Grassi looks most likely to step in should Piquet be dropped. Di Grassi has been travelling to all F1 races recently, and is seemingly being groomed for the role of race driver, although it's uncertain whether the team will take a chance with a third rookie in three years, following on from Kovalainen and Piquet.

Toyota
Like the top three teams, Toyota will field an unchanged line-up for 2009, featuring Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock. While Trulli has been performing strongly all year, Glock has recovered from a relatively substandard start to the season, and is now regularly challenging his team-mate.

Toro Rosso-Ferrari
With Sebastian Vettel departing for Red Bull after Brazil, Toro Rosso are in search of a new driver. With Sébastien Bourdais likely to be retained, although not yet confirmed, the team's second seat is open to a number of applicants. Takuma Sato and Sébastien Buemi tested for the team at the final in-season test last month, but GP2 runner-up Bruno Senna and others are said to have a chance. But, it's speculated that Sébastien Buemi could get the nod, thanks to his strong connections with Red Bull.

Red Bull-Renault
Red Bull is the only team in the pitlane to have confirmed a driver change for 2009, with German sensation Sebastian Vettel penned into replace the retiring David Coulthard. Mark Webber stays on for his third year at the team.

Williams-Toyota
As confirmed earlier this year, Nico Rosberg will stay with the team for 2009, while team-mate Kazuki Nakajima has also secured his seat at the team for the coming season, having been confirmed at the very start of the month.

Honda
Uncertainty continues to surround Honda's future for 2009, as the Japanese side have officially quit f1 following the global turmoil. with speculation of various 'buyers' from across the globe interested in the team it looks like Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will stay on for their fourth season together. The only spanner in the works could be Bruno Senna, who is rumoured to be in the running for a role at the team next year. A year's testing is the most likely outcome for the Brazilian youngster however.

Force India-Ferrari
Finally to Force India, who's line-up is also said to be remaining unchanged for next year. Although team owner Vijay Mallya confirmed that Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella would stay on-board for 2009, the partnership with McLaren however still might see the team taking Scottish DTM runner-up Paul Di Resta as a race driver, a move which could cost either Sutil or Fisichella his seat. The teamnow enjoys Mercedes engines and McLaren technical support, akin to the relationship between Toro Rosso and Red Bull.