The Official 2018 F1 Silly Season *Contains Speculation*

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

I agree but that’s the situation the team finds itself in thanks to the decisions of the past year or two (or more)… Who would you like to see in the frame who isn’t already under contract elsewhere or subject to some other team allegiances etc etc? Remember whoever it is has to be 25+ years of age and have the experience to lead the team and bring points.

I think Stroll is coming on and could well have an F1 drive on merit given time but for 2018 Williams have very limited options for its other driver.

I was never a Di Resta fan, as you and Vaud have said he came across as a miserable so-and-so with accountability issues- frankly I don’t see why you’d pick him over Palmer as IMO they are from a very similar mould in many ways.

The Kubica comeback is a great story but I’m not convinced he can do it, he doesn’t look fit even if you discount the arm. I know he has done an extended test but…

Are any one of these guys significantly better than Massa? I’m really not sure. But I am glad they are tackling this properly with comparative tests.

They have an issue.

Who is:

• Available
• Affordable
• Over 25
• With a super licence
• With experience of the modern era
• Good with sponsors

It's a short list. Massa, Palmer, Di Resta

I though Di Rest acquitted himself well given the notice he had, but I don't see him as the future of Williams.

There are a raft of younger drivers but they fail the 25 year old requirement.

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

Motorsport.com are reporting that Mercedes are trying to place Wehrlein there, in spite of the age issue.

Well if the sponsors get a part refund I'm sure they will find a way.

[Vaud]

The Moose said:

Button?

Kvyat if Gasly replaces him?

Will Haryanto still be under contract for 2018? Wasn't there an American dude at some point?

Button doesn't want to race again, he made that clear at Monaco. Maybe brand ambassador.

Kvyat - hadn't though of him. He might bring some Russian money to Williams and he is pretty fast when he keeps it on the track.

[Vaud]

The Moose said:

Very true about Button. Although, if I'm not mistaken, he started out with Williams? Would be interesting to see him go back to his first team!

Aside from the history at the end of the contract, yes.

[Vaud]

The Moose said:

I'm afraid I don't recall! But then I can barely remember what I had for dinner last night!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula...

Jenson had to pay, by all accounts, to get out of the binding Williams contract.

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

Kvyat will be at Toro Rosso with Gasly. Remember Saintz is going to Renault.

Fair point... Or two new drivers with some Honda influence?

[Vaud]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Button and Rosberg will not be back in F1.

Your statement about Button however is laughable.

Button. Meh. Probably heresy on a predominantly UK forum. Ditto when people say anything about Hill.

Button was in the right place and right time, and a very nice guy, but it was a huge chunk of luck. Even Ross commented that he was a bit flaky at times and he had him in 2009 as Button/Barrichello had nowhere else to go, but nor did Ross have any choice.

I think it is telling that Mercedes didn't retain him; they had the financial ability to do so.

[Vaud]

cuprabob said:

CanAm said:

Sorry, what am I missing here about the 25 year old requirement?

It's a requirement of Martini Sponsorship.

Isn't it down to some of their key markets - that don't allow <25 year olds in alcohol advertising?

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

Leclerc will go wherever Ferrari wants him to, and that is likely to be Sauber

Which is the right move I think. Sauber are at the back of the grid, so expectations can be low. OK, a better engine next year and they seem to be building up the team.

So he can develop a full year of experience without the pressure of dropping into a top line team and all that entails. If he picks up some points then all the better.

[Vaud]

StevieBee said:

My feeling is that if Kubica was up for it and capable, Renault would have had him signed up by now.

More complex than that given the whole Sainz loan, etc?

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

Really? Anyone who actually watches the sport will be able to tell you that he's beaten Massa in each of the last three GP, on merit, and is only one point behind him in the standings. I think the team are actually very happy with him, and not just for the money.

He is maturing well. Maybe not the next Schumacher but seems pretty solid at the moment, given the very variable Williams he has to drive.

[Vaud]

DanielSan said:

I know everyone likes to knock Stroll but you're right. Since Baku he's gained confidence and isn't doing a bad job, he's doing about as well as anyone could do in that car in the races. Qualifying pace is where he needs to up his game, it's like he can't quite get to the limit of his or the cars speed yet over one lap. Once that comes and he gets that last bit of confidence combined with experience and that last bit of ability he has potential to be a quality driver. He's not the be Hamilton or Vettel but I don't think he'd be any worse than Perez/Hulk/Grosjesn etc

I agree. I think it's a useful relationship for Williams and for Stroll.

[Vaud]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Massa has had two retirements and a withdraw due to illness. Stroll has had three retirements so both on level terms.

Throughout the rest of the season when both drivers have finished the races it is 6-3 to Massa.

Stroll is only close to Massa this season points wise due to his fortunate 3rd place at the Azerbaijan GP.

He has only proven that money gets you into F1.

No, he hasn't. He shows that money AND talent get you into F1. Are there more talented drivers? Yes, sure. But F1 has always been that way.

Stroll is no slouch. Is he the next Senna? Probably not. But proving to be a useful driver.

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

The report explained that at the few countries on the F1 calendar where the legal alcohol consumption age is 25, test driver di Resta could stand in as a PR representative."

If I had to talk to PdR for too long, I'd want a bottle of whisky, not a Martini.

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

Wow. Choosing Di Resta to be the PR spokesman for a title sponsor. All kinds of wrong.

Maybe dour doesn't come across for non-native English speakers.

I know my sarcasm doesn't come across to my American colleagues.

[Vaud]

Should close out any Button ideas...

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/132230/button-i-...

[Vaud]

I guess it depends if the cheque helps him secure a seat at Williams...

[Vaud]

DanielSan said:

hairyben said:

Really? Its not like he wants for money.

I thought he was determined to stay and had a watertight contract.

He claimed he had, he was wrong also

Really, have you read it?

Sounds more like the cheque got big enough...

[Vaud]

VladD said:

Dario's injury wasn't on an oval though. No different from having a similar crash at Monaco in my opinion.

I just watched it back. More of a temporary circuit than Monaco, a lot less techpro, etc?

[Vaud]

So basically 1 Williams seat, Torro Rosso and Sauber left to finalise.

Grouped by existing team (with end contract date where known)

44. Lewis Hamilton (2018)
77. Valtteri Bottas (2018)

3. Daniel Ricciardo (2018)
33. Max Verstappen (2020)

5. Sebastian Vettel (2020)
7. Kimi Raikkonen (2018)

11. Sergio Perez (2018)
31. Esteban Ocon (2018)

-- TBC
18. Lance Stroll (2018)

14. Fernando Alonso (2018+)
2. Stoffel Vandoorne (2018)

-- TBC Torro Rosso
-- TBC Torro Rosso

8. Romain Grosjean (2017?)
20. Kevin Magnussen (2018?)

27. Nico Hulkenberg (2018)
55. Carlos Sainz Jnr (2019) - loan for 2018 from TR

-- TBC Sauber
-- TBC Sauber

edited for realists...

Edited by Vaud on Friday 20th October 17:31