The Official 2018 F1 Silly Season *Contains Speculation*
Discussion
carl_w said:
Why would Renault run him in a test if they didn't want to offer him a race seat? If he's any good and Williams get him then they've given away an advantage to a competitor. If Williams thought he had potential surely they would have run him at a test.
Unless it's sandbagging and they want him to look good so a competitor picks him up, but then he's crap
They were seriously considering him, and I think if McLaren weren't bailing on the Honda engine deal, I would say it was more than 50/50 he would have got the seat. But the Honda/McLaren/TR affair meant they could snaffle Sainz up, who is a damn good young driver, as part of the deal with I suspect no outlay. They have been fair to Kubica by releasing him from his contract to allow him to talk to other teams. I hope he gets the Williams seat, if not him then di Resta or Palmer. Unless it's sandbagging and they want him to look good so a competitor picks him up, but then he's crap
Glad to see it all moving, I thought this year's 'silly season' might turn out to be a damp squib.
Glad to see Saintz moving on especially as it is at the expense of Palmer. I expect Saintz will be able to match Hulkenberg's points haul which is exactly what Renault need.
If only Torro Rosso would get rid of Kvyat, we could have two new drivers for next season.
I would love to see what the Williams team, Paddy Lowe and one good driver could acheive in 2018. Their current driver lineup must be the most underperforming pair overall. Kubica, on his day, could show us what that car can do. Rosberg would be great but suspect it won't happen. Were it not for Stroll's special contract I'd advocate Wehrlein being that Ocon appears to be bolted down.
I don't want Di Resta back but I would welcome Nasr or Giovinazzi, both have more potential IMO. If only Ericsson wasn't blocking the Sauber seat.
Glad to see Saintz moving on especially as it is at the expense of Palmer. I expect Saintz will be able to match Hulkenberg's points haul which is exactly what Renault need.
If only Torro Rosso would get rid of Kvyat, we could have two new drivers for next season.
I would love to see what the Williams team, Paddy Lowe and one good driver could acheive in 2018. Their current driver lineup must be the most underperforming pair overall. Kubica, on his day, could show us what that car can do. Rosberg would be great but suspect it won't happen. Were it not for Stroll's special contract I'd advocate Wehrlein being that Ocon appears to be bolted down.
I don't want Di Resta back but I would welcome Nasr or Giovinazzi, both have more potential IMO. If only Ericsson wasn't blocking the Sauber seat.
Has Kvyat been confirmed yet? With them losing Sainz, I would expect him to stay, both for continuity and the fact that Red Bull don't seem to have two other drivers ready to step up to F1. The only other option for the team might be that young Japanese driver if Honda want to place him there, and if he can get enough points for a Super licence.
thegreenhell said:
Has Kvyat been confirmed yet? With them losing Sainz, I would expect him to stay, both for continuity and the fact that Red Bull don't seem to have two other drivers ready to step up to F1. The only other option for the team might be that young Japanese driver if Honda want to place him there, and if he can get enough points for a Super licence.
Not so young anymore but Kobayashi has a super license. As does Lotterer, he's raced most of his career in Japan. I would like to see them get a proper chance. RobGT81 said:
thegreenhell said:
Has Kvyat been confirmed yet? With them losing Sainz, I would expect him to stay, both for continuity and the fact that Red Bull don't seem to have two other drivers ready to step up to F1. The only other option for the team might be that young Japanese driver if Honda want to place him there, and if he can get enough points for a Super licence.
Not so young anymore but Kobayashi has a super license. As does Lotterer, he's raced most of his career in Japan. I would like to see them get a proper chance. 
ta- however as TGH has already alluded to, his chances of gaining a super licence are now very remote. The 2017 list (so a bit dated) of drivers who could possibly race:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/01/23/38-drivers-e...
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/01/23/38-drivers-e...
lee_fr200 said:
one of my customers sons works in F1 and he's heard a rumour that if jenson isn't racing for mclaren he could also join williams, or even str as a honda driver
i can't see him coming back but you never know,
I can see him as a brand ambassador (like Hakkinen is/was) and retaining a connection with a team. But not as a reserve driver.i can't see him coming back but you never know,
Vaud said:
lee_fr200 said:
one of my customers sons works in F1 and he's heard a rumour that if jenson isn't racing for mclaren he could also join williams, or even str as a honda driver
i can't see him coming back but you never know,
I can see him as a brand ambassador (like Hakkinen is/was) and retaining a connection with a team. But not as a reserve driver.i can't see him coming back but you never know,
That means he'll still be there in thirty years time like Jackie Stewart and his stories about the Nurburgring and what he alone did for driver safety - Button will be hanging around, waiting for it to rain so the TV crews will talk to him and he can tell us all about that race in Canada, and his year with Brawn....
suffolk009 said:
Oh, no.
That means he'll still be there in thirty years time like Jackie Stewart and his stories about the Nurburgring and what he alone did for driver safety - Button will be hanging around, waiting for it to rain so the TV crews will talk to him and he can tell us all about that race in Canada, and his year with Brawn....
Well, quite, but you need a retirement income and paddock access. That means he'll still be there in thirty years time like Jackie Stewart and his stories about the Nurburgring and what he alone did for driver safety - Button will be hanging around, waiting for it to rain so the TV crews will talk to him and he can tell us all about that race in Canada, and his year with Brawn....
2fast748 said:
Palmer in any F1 car is a waste of an F1 car. He may have been GP2 champ but 4 years to win it is not a sign he's the next big thing.
Only 3 drivers have won GP2 in their first year, ROS, HAM & HUL so I am surprised that HUL has not achieved more.I am sure that Palmer can put in an occasional good performance, but he lacks consistency, despite the poor equipment. Williams desperately need an inspired winner, but I do not think any are available that meet their criteria.
They have switched places with Force India, that should have been impossible given their resources and equivalent PUs
thegreenhell said:
I had seen elsewhere that it was originally a 1+1 deal.Not the greatest of endorsements though with only a year, I wonder who they have their eye on for 2019. Maybe Ocon.
Vaud said:
thegreenhell said:
I had seen elsewhere that it was originally a 1+1 deal.Not the greatest of endorsements though with only a year, I wonder who they have their eye on for 2019. Maybe Ocon.
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