Things ... Musical chairs (2017-2018 Silly Season)

[RasputinLives]

Well there you go folks. Silly seasons is now done.

Merc:
Hamilton
Bottas

Ferrari:
Vettel
Raikonnen

Red Bull:
Verstappen
Ricciardo

Force India:
Perez
Ocon

Williams:
Stroll
Massa

Haas:
Grosjean
Magnussen

Renault:
Hulkenberg
Sainz

Torro Rosso:
Gasly
Kvyat

Sauber:
Leclerc
Ericsson.

Mclaren:
Alonso
Vandoorne.

I'm sure James Allen will be able to spin it out in his column for a few more months though.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Is it just me or in this day and age (apart from Rosberg's shock departure) that even the 'silly seasons' are becoming increasingly boring.

 

[Rutherford]

Massa has not been confirmed at Williams and he needs to be replaced, unless Williams don't want to make progress.

 

[RasputinLives]

He'll be there next season.

 

[Rutherford]

Awesome, so Williams are going to have to build a world-beater to get close or into the midfield.

 

[cider_and_toast]

There's more chance they'll build an egg beater

 

[RasputinLives]

I do love my eggs scrambled so that suits me.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Mmmmmmmh Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Salmon and a dash of black pepper...

 

[FB]

Not to go rambling too much off topic (you know that's not my style ) Williams will be helping to keep your smoked salmon cool in a supermarket near you soon: Williams F1

And they make those shoes designed by that French bloke Phillipe Phlop: Williams Martini Racing Flip Flops by Hackett

 

[Greenlantern101]

Massa hasn't signed has he this is speculation?
Still talk of Kubika going to Williams.
If I was Williams I would get LeClerk in or have Sauber already signed something?

 

[F1Brits_90]

as a viewer. i would love a 2nd season of Perez/Ocon such drama. but from business point i dont see Force India wanting to renew that partnership. because perez & ocon clearly not on speaking terms now after Montreal, Baku, Hungary & Spa. probally last time they spoke was when knocking 10 bells out of each other in Beligium. so if its like that now how will it degrade by 12 months time

also with Bottas resigning & its deserved but after quite a good 1st half of season. i dont know if Lewis upped his game with vettel huge competition. he has now been beaten comfortably by hamilton in last few races austria was the last time he had beating of him. so would have to be at least serious title challenger to keep it for 2019 otherwise hes in Kimi territory & i can see Verstappen being alot nice to his red bull team for the rest of the season. now that avenue is shut

 

[F1Brits_90]

If I was Williams I would get LeClerk in or have Sauber already signed something?

martini deal i believe states they need a 25yr old for the sponsorship side

 

[cider_and_toast]

Bottas is just right for Merc. A quick number two who can win races and keep the number one on his toes but works well alongside him. Hamilton clearly has a bit of respect for him as he gave that place back. Can you imagine Hamilton doing that for Rosberg a few years ago?

 

[RasputinLives]

F1Brits_90 - Perez brings the sponsorship and they won't dump Ocon so you'll got Force India Wars part 2 next year.

Also I Don't believe for a second that Williams have to have a driver that is 25 years of age. That is ridiculously restrictive and silly.

 

[F1Brits_90]

F1Brits_90 - Perez brings the sponsorship and they won't dump Ocon so you'll got Force India Wars part 2 next year.

Also I Don't believe for a second that Williams have to have a driver that is 25 years of age. That is ridiculously restrictive and silly.

cant wait for austin then in 6 weeks. as taylor swift was the main event last yr on saturday night (a very enjoyable one i may add) so this yr as mike buffer would say sergio perez v estaben ocon with 12rds of championship boxing.

ill do some research. but i sure I've heard ted kravitz mention it when bottas left & why massa will be retained. because of the criteria
_________________________________
got this from bbc sport when bottas signed for Mercedes in Jan

 

[Greenlantern101]

Can Rab hold a Martini glass with his gammy hand?

 

[Il_leone]

F1Brits_90 Greenlantern101 Thanks for pointing about the Martini situation which eliminates Wehrlein if I am right so Williams can stick with Massa or go with Di Resta to try and get an engine discount through Mercedes connections

I'd very much doubt they can tempt Button back the shocker would be if they go for Jolyon Palmer who might bring some sponsorship money

Going for Kubica will be a real risk considering he has not driving full race distances in the 2017 cars

What is Heikki Kovalainen up to these days ?

There is not much alternative for Williams then

 

[Il_leone]

How about Williams go for Alexander Rossi having signed previous Indy 500 winners Montoya and Villeneuve and he will be 26 later this month?

 

[Andyoak]

That would work with "Martini & Rossi"; to refer to the brand's full name.

Now if they can find a driver called N Pratt...

 

[RasputinLives]

F1Brits_90 - that says 25 and over which makes a lot more sense. I thought you were suggesting the driver had to be 25 exactly!

Il_leone just a question out of curiosity. You keep mentioning cheaper engine deals for Williams running Mercedes drivers. I've never seen any information on this at all so am in the dark. Do Force India get a cheaper deal for running Ocon? What deal do Sauber get for running Wehrlein when they Don't have Merc engines? Plus is Paul Di Resta still even a Merc driver?