The Official 2018 F1 Silly Season *Contains Speculation*

[HustleRussell]

Z3MCJez said:

I haven't seen Ferrari actively favour Vettel. He's in front because he's in front.

Really?

[suffolk009]

Can anyone please tell me who is confirmed -100%- with which teams yet?

I'm a bit lost as to what is rumour, and what is fact - with an actual contract.

Thanks in advance.

[FW18]

Mercedes: Hamilton / –
Ferrari: – / –
Red Bull - Tag Heur: – / –
Force India - Mercedes: Ocon / –
Williams - Mercedes: Stroll / –
Toro Rosso - Renault: – / –
Renault: Hulkenberg / –
Haas - Ferrari/Alfa Romeo: Magnussen / Grosjean
Sauber - Ferrari/Alfa Romeo: – / –
McLaren - ???: Vandoorne / –

[ralphrj]

Raikkonen is confirmed at Ferrari next year.

[suffolk009]

Thank you FW18.

[carl_w]

ralphrj said:

Raikkonen is confirmed at Ferrari next year.

Without a spare seat at Ferrari I guess we'll see little shuffling of the pack.

I guess the next big players will be whether Stroll Sr buys Force India/Force One and whether Massa retires again. Doesn't seem to be anywhere suitable for Verstappen, Ricciardo or Sainz to go.

Fred's options now look to be limited to McLaren, Renault or leave for another series.

Edited by carl_w on Tuesday 22 August 13:09

[HustleRussell]

ralphrj said:

Raikkonen is confirmed at Ferrari next year.

So he's going to go back to sleep until 2-3 races before contract renewal time comes around again.

[thegreenhell]

I'm sure that Red Bull have already confirmed both of their drivers for next year.

[HustleRussell]

I believe Riccardo is contracted up to 2018 and Verstappen until 2019.

[TheInternet]

HustleRussell said:

So he's going to go back to sleep until 2-3 races before contract renewal time comes around again.

And why wouldn't you when you're the only driver on the grid paid to lose.

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

I'm sure that Red Bull have already confirmed both of their drivers for next year.

I think their position is that they are under contract, so no need to confirm anything.

I think they said that they might let Sainz go if they were paid all of their development costs for him?

[suffolk009]

TheInternet said:

HustleRussell said:

So he's going to go back to sleep until 2-3 races before contract renewal time comes around again.

And why wouldn't you when you're the only driver on the grid paid to lose.

I remeber reading somewhere that Massa and certainly Irvine made a lot more money out of their years at Ferrari than they ever could have made at any other team.

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

I remeber reading somewhere that Massa and certainly Irvine made a lot more money out of their years at Ferrari than they ever could have made at any other team.

Someone described it to me this way... every driver thinks they are the next Senna/Prost/Schumacher - self belief and a level of arrogance is very important in a top driver.

However, the really smart ones - once they realise that they may be top 10 or even top 5, but are not the next Senna/Prost/Schumacher cash in... as Irvine/Massa/Barrichello did. All competent in their day but realised that it would be better to be in the right car and win occasionally, and take the money...

[Vaud]

Vandoorne confirmed at McLaren, but Alonso not (yet)

[ajprice]

Silly season curve ball, would Fernando go to Williams? (I'm guessing alongside Stroll, and Massa can retire properly this time)

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131427/could-alo...

[Smollet]

ajprice said:

Silly season curve ball, would Fernando go to Williams? (I'm guessing alongside Stroll, and Massa can retire properly this time)

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131427/could-alo...

I like the idea of Fred at Williams. Norris can then replace him at McLaren...........although possibly not until 2019

[thegreenhell]

I can't see it happening. Williams are the the biggest under-performers this season for me, making very poor use of the best PU package. Both Williams were slower than both McLarens in FP3 at Spa just now, so I can't see why he would make that switch.

[FW18]

As much as I would love to see it as a fan of both, I don't think it would be the right decision for Fernando, as he would be better off staying with McLaren who have much more resources and a works engine deal in their pocket.

[thegreenhell]

Vettel just confirmed at Ferrari until the end of 2020.

[hairyben]

ajprice said:

Silly season curve ball, would Fernando go to Williams? (I'm guessing alongside Stroll, and Massa can retire properly this time)

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131427/could-alo...

I doubt we'll see more than midfield from williams untill something fundamental changes, I dont see alonso settling for a pasture role in F1 and I doubt williams would offer the kind of greenback that would make him consider it.