The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*

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The silly season speculation has started given the number of drivers out of contract for 2019... this must be close to a record number of drivers becoming available?

(-) denotes out of contract for 2019, or unclear position; sourced from Reddit, Autobild and surfing.

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

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

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

11. Sergio Perez (-)
31. Esteban Ocon (2019)

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

14. Fernando Alonso (option?)
2. Stoffel Vandoorne (option?)

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

8. Romain Grosjean (-)
20. Kevin Magnussen (-)

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

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

So many variables...
The main chess pieces (in my view): Hamilton, Ricciardo, Alonso

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Some random thoughts.

Given the current performance, I can't see either Force India (and their rumoured problems) retaining either driver.

From a racing perspective I'd like to see Ocon in one of the top seats. I think he would fit well at either Ferrari or Mercedes.

I'm torn on the Honey Badger. He brings a lot of personality but I suspect neither Vettel nor want him in the team. Merc still have the scars of managing two very high performing drivers.

I think Kimi will retire. Ferrari culture would imply taking someone like Bottas or Perez; solid, experienced but a number 2. Or take a risk on Sainz? LeClerc needs another season. Two years ago I would have said Grosjean, but he seems to have lost a little?

RB have plenty of choices; Gasly/Sainz would be good if they lose DR.

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Are these the hottest seats (in order)?

Mercedes
Ferrari
(ignore RB as they will source from within)
Renault
Haas
McLaren
Torro Rosso
Force India / Williams / Sauber (all equally screwed at the moment)

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super7 said:

For what it's worth....... Botas to stay. Nobody really ready to replace him.

Not Ocon? Mercedes back driver, pretty solid last year?

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housen said:

ugh im not saying anything but if you know some of the italian culture you will never see hamilton at ferrari

the italain football fans booed Mario Balotelli when he was playing for the national italian side ....AND NOT BECAUSE HE WAS A BAD FOOTBALL PLAYER

Lewis was racially abused in 2008/2009 by Spanish fans.

I'm not sure racing for Ferrari would be an issue given only 1 race is in Italy, and any travelling fans would be minimal?

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Gaz. said:

Force India- their financial situation means it's too complex to guess who drives for them.

I'm not sure they will survive.

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Muzzer79 said:

Current performance?

You mean, first three races? That's a bit early to be judging either the car or the drivers.

I meant financial as much as anything. From a number of articles they are in financial trouble and may not last the season; the performance may be due to an underfunded development cycle.

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Muzzer79 said:

The team is for sale (along with several others) but the only danger I can see is Mallya's ongoing legal issues.

If they get in real schtuck, then I suspect Mercedes will step in and help and potentially set up something like Haas have with Ferrari.

However, it makes sense to leave that as late as possible to get a good price.

Possibly, that is quite logical

Who else is for sale? Torro Rosso? I can see Williams selling to a major manufacturer if the new rules are favourable (for the long term stability).

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HustleRussell said:

Is nobody entertaining the idea that silly season 2018/19 might have been massively over hyped and will ultimately disappoint?

Is Bottas bound to be dumped? Not convinced
Might Kimi’s recent form earn him a place for yet another year?
Could Ricciardo stay at Red Bull and Red Bull stay with Renault?
I’m sure we’ll see changes in the lower teams...

I've hyped as much as I can

I just can't remember when so many drivers contracts were at an end, and with at least 2 WDCs viewed as possibly exiting (Fernando and Kimi).

Kimi certainly looks on form this year in terms of base line pace and he seems to be following the "good no 2" role, so maybe he will, to give LeClerc another year of assessment in a Sauber.

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suffolk009 said:

I've just seen a report on twitter that Ferrari have purchased rights to exclusive contract discussions until the end of June with Ricciardo.

It may of course be total bks.

Options are quite common so it wouldn't be surprising.

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super7 said:

Need to remember that Williams is listed in the German Stock Exchange and as such are entirely responsible to it's Shareholders.

Ownership is as follows: Frank Williams (52.25%); Brad Hollinger (14.75%); Patrick Head 9%; 20% on the public market place; and 4% is held by the trust fund employee.

Only 20% is listed, shareholders have minimal power.

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HustleRussell said:

IMO at least two things are in play with Williams. This seasons car is a radical departure in terms of philosophy and signals the ambition of Paddy Lowe, De Beer etc. These guys are not on board to plod along in 15th. It has not been successful as yet, but with Williams' resources who'd expect it to be? And why blow the budget on big name drivers when car and team is in a transitional state? Financially speaking, Williams were not in a good way a few years ago. When Mercedes came knocking for Bottas, they cashed that cheque. When papa Stroll showed up, they cashed that check. When Sirotkin appeared, they cashed that cheque. Now they have more financial security as a team and may be able to start following through on that ambition... with one eye on a possible cost cap.

I am optimistic that they are at the beginning of something. The technical direction of the team indicated that they are no longer content to build a basic, slippery car which will go well in Italy and Canada by virtue of Mercedes engine advantage. I think they fully intend to go racing.

I'd like to agree, I'm just worried that they built a car that was slower than last years, not even "no gain"...

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ghost83 said:

Anyone toyed with the idea that Lewis might join Ferrari with vettel which might put ricciardo at merc and possibly Alonso as well

I have it on very good authority that they do not want the challenge that they had in managing two high performing drivers and personalities as they had HAM-ROS. So no RIC-ALO...

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Mr Pointy said:

Would that include not wanting Hamilton & Ricciardo?

When I spoke with the source that wasn't on the radar. Just no HAM-VET, HAM-ALO.

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Maybe Alonso has nothing to do with their plan, just brand expansion into a key market for McLaren?

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suffolk009 said:

Somebody will pick up the pieces of Force India at a bargain basement price. I think it's about evens it'll be the Stroll family.

Or Mercedes to form a true b team, though they don’t have many sub brands to use (not that this is a big issue)

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ELUSIVEJIM said:

Force India will be a huge loss to F1 if they do go.

I very much doubt whoever takes it over will do as good a job.

Real shame for the sport.

The owners have done nothing for them, Mallya can’t even visit races due to his extradition risk. Their budget was so tight over the winter that their dev was massively set back.

New ownership is the only hope to keep the good team resources together?

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https://www.f1today.net/en/news/f1/239169/liberty-...

Dire times.

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Don't get me wrong, I think the operational team have done a GREAT job on a shoe string budget, made some smart decisions. But their success has been in spite of Mallya, not because of.

A now self appointed team principal who cant attend races? Not sure that is great for anyone.

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MartG said:

Hankook to replace Pirelli ?!

https://thesportsrush.com/hankook-to-replace-pirel...

Very healthy to cast the net wide and see who is interested. Global sport and Hankook are the 7th largest tyre brand in the world.

It may just be noise, but I have heard worse ideas.