The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*

[Vaud]

cuprabob said:

Didn't he do Formula E a few years ago?

Yes, then quit after finishing 13th (?) IIRC

[Vaud]

44. Lewis Hamilton (2020)
77. Valtteri Bottas (2019 + option for 2020)

33. Max Verstappen (2020)
- TBC

5. Sebastian Vettel (2020)
7. Kimi Raikkonen (out of contract)

11. Sergio Perez (out of contract)
31. Esteban Ocon (2019)

35. Sergey Olegovich Sirotkin (2019)
18. Lance Stroll (2018?)

55. Carlos Sainz Jnr (2020 probably)
2. Stoffel Vandoorne (out of contract?)

10. Pierre Gasly (?)
28. Brendon Hartley (?)

8. Romain Grosjean (out of contract)
20. Kevin Magnussen (out of contract)

3. Daniel Ricciardo (2020?)
27. Nico Hulkenberg (option for 2019) but unconfirmed

9 Marcus Ericsson (?)
16 Charles Leclerc (?)

Updated
And edited for Sainz.

Edited by Vaud on Saturday 18th August 10:38

[Vaud]

kambites said:

The BBC say Sainz's new contract is "multi-year" so presumably at least to 2020.

Thanks, edited.

[Vaud]

Maybe Sauber to replace Leclerc if he goes to Haas?

[Vaud]

MissChief said:

Ricciardo will certainly be a good marker for Hulkenberg to put himself up against. if he can match him then I think it'll confirm what some have said on here, that he's a top level driver who just hasn't had the chance with a top level team. I suspect had Mercedes known Rosberg was going to retire they'd have been straight on the phone to him before he signed for Renault. Called Nico and is German. What more could they have asked for?

In the modern era, I'm not sure the nationality has so bearing on drivers. China and the US are both bigger markets.

[Vaud]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Missed Apex Podcast reporting that Saintz was offered the red bull drive but turned them down.

Suspected reason was either the Team Verstappen effect or Newey leaving.

I had forgotten about Newey. He's out of contract this year IIRC...

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

Same Podcast, Enstone growing their workforce from ~450 to 700 or more, rumours suggesting Newey will be one of those clocking in at Renault.

Mind you he denied it in June:

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/renault-rules-o...

[Vaud]

I would have thought that Ferrari would be the only place left to tick off on his CV, and now that his family is older maybe he will (he had always cited family as the reason before)

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

I don't think 'ticking places off his CV' is a Newey priority and he has been quite explicit in discussing the fact that Ferrari have tried unsuccessfully to court him in the past and why he wouldn't go there.

Yes, 3 times? And he cited his young family as a main reason. They aren't young anymore.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11170423/ad...

As he said he came incredibly close.

[Vaud]

Plus there is the small matter of Ocon who will have a contract.

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

It'd be madness for Lawrence Stroll to cause that kind of upheaval for the two teams in which he is invested. Lance may well want his pony and want it now but image the inconvenience for both teams. Poor F.I. have to adjust to having only one decent driver and poor Esteban has to adjust to driving a crap car which he probably doesn't fit in properly.

Did he invest at all in Williams, or was it just through funding attached to Lance? (I forget)

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

He raised the funds through sponsorship, canada life, bombardier and a few others.

I meant did he swap investment $ for shares, or did he just provide sponsorship and a very large bank transfer?

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

My understanding its just 3rd party sponsorship into williams, no cash provided, if he pulled lance the sponsors might not be too happy.

I guess they would be if he can put them on a rebranded Force India and get more TV exposure by virtue of being closer to the front?

[Vaud]

bobbo89 said:

Kind of throws away the whole point of Torro Rosso being Red Bull's junior team, especially if they retain Hartley too! Do Red Bull not have anyone in the lower Formulae ready to step up?

Not with enough superlicence points, no. Until Ticktum wins his series.

[Vaud]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

I don’t think he does even if he wins the series.

Ahh looks like you are right, at least with the current method. Enough to test in F1 if he wins, but not race.

[Vaud]

bobbo89 said:

I think I like the idea of that.
What's the theory behind Ocon going to McLaren?

Holding spot. Perez brings the experience needed at FI plus funding. Ocon doesn't carry as much funding so needs a home for a year or two until Hamilton and/or Bottas exit. ??

[Vaud]

slipstream 1985 said:

Is there any scope for Mclaren to get a mercedes engine for placing ocon in their car? Surely they would want that, But would mean another year of retrofitting an engine into a different designed chassis for it.

No. Better just to send some cash.

Also it's too late in the supply chain process to add another team.

[Vaud]

Angpozzuto said:

If stroll goes to fi this season I'm going to be pissed as they're on my fantasy f1 team, besides isn't he still under contract to Williams? I assume that some sort of financial settlement would need to be agreed by Williams

There a probably performance clauses, etc.

[Vaud]

DanielSan said:

When the source is Motorsport.com I’m not inclined to believe a single word that’s said. Clickbait extraordinaires at best.

Joe Saward is mooting the same.

https://www.motorsportweek.com/joesaward/id/00296

[Vaud]

andburg said:

I'd say that's the most likely option, FI cant go to Merc asking for B team status while ditching their junior driver.

He's said numerous times his FI contract didn't need a signature so either its a new multi year deal with them rather than a single year option or hes going elsewhere. HAAS is a good sideways option, the seat immediately available would be the Williams as they want the sponsorship cash and experience but i don't think hes interested in running around at the back.

Interesting bit is the timing, signing and not announcing at Spa could possibly be an announcement at Monza suggesting an Italian link. Raikonnen is expected to get a new Ferrari deal but its by no means a guarantee and LeClerc probably needs another season before the pressure of a red car.

If he is leaving FI, questions is will he finish the season there?

Well apparently he has big feet and he is tall so he won't fit anywhere else for this season.