Things ... Welcome to the Future (2018 - 2019 Silly Season)

I'm shocked, I really like Leclerc but I think that he's too young for Ferrari (not in terms of driving but personality wise, the media will watch every step he takes and if things don't go well from day one will soon turn critical), with respect to Kimi I just can't quite understand why he's moving to Sauber other than $$$ (and being cynical I get the feeling that he was offered the deal with Sauber only to keep him happy for the last few races of the season and to try and avoid what happened at Monza)
 
Yeah I can't see how it's going to be productive for anyone. Maybe it's Ferrari's fall back in case Leclerc tanks?

So just Haas, Torro Rosso and Williams to go then. Torro Rosso won't be until at least after F3 finishes, Haas will probably stick with what they have and I imagine Williams will be Sirotkin with either Russell or Ocon.
 
Publius Cornelius Scipio Agree, pressure on young Monégasque will be immense, but just take a minute and imagine in what kind of trouble Arrivabene is potentially going to be, if media begin question strategy choices, and decide that Leclerc is not treated well. I think Mauricio is facing potentially difficult life in paddock, especially should Charles start complaining.
 
Not surprising. It's been a rumour in the paddock for quite some time. I'm interested in seeing how well Raikkonen does next to Ericsson, and how Leclerc compares to Vettel.
 
Publius Cornelius Scipio Agree, pressure on young Monégasque will be immense

The pressure on Vettel will be immense too, if he wants to maintain his status in the team. He's four time WC, but as of late he has been making too many mistakes and his contract is coming to an end next year. How will he deal with an inter-team battle and an external one against Hamilton. He truly will face three opponents, if Leclerc can keep up.
 
Agreed Clay, next season is huge for Vettel. Another year goes by without a championship (maybe), he's not getting any younger and it doesn't seem that he's getting any better. But whether his bad run continues remains to be seen. It could be just more of the same, with Vettel outclassing his opponent but not getting the results to beat Hammy.
 
Scenario, post-driver swap:

Confirmed:
1. Mercedes (Hamilton, Bottas)
2. Ferrari (Vettel, Leclerc)
3. Red Bull (Verstappen, Gasly)
4. Renault (Hulkenberg, Ricciardo)
5. McLaren (Sainz, Norris)
6. Sauber (Raikkonen)

Pretty certain:
1. Force India (Perez, Stroll)
2. Ericson at Sauber
3. Sirotkin at Williams

Available seats:
1. Haas #1 seat: Ocon? or Grosjean?
2. Haas #2 seat: Magnussen? (option for 2019, has not been exercised yet)
3. Williams #1 seat: Another paying Russian driver?, Kubica?, Ocon?
4. Toro Rosso #1: Hartley or someone in the Red Bull system?, Kvyat?
5. Toro Rosso #2: Ticktum?, Buemi?

Adrift:
1. Ocon
2. Grosjean?

Not seated:
1. Giovinazzi
2. Many others

Lost to F1:
1. Alonso

Anyhow, the Leclerc/Raikkonen swap was, I gather, at the expense of Giovanazzi. There are still three seats open for Ocon, Grosjean, Magnussen, Kubica, etc. So....we shall see how it sorts itself out.
 
I heard ocon & kubica at Williams next season. Williams is a shocker of a car but it better than nothing. I geninuely havent a clue at toro rosso as the youngsters look not likely til 2020

Also saw this on twitter & i can really see this happening. As i can 2007 saga all over again
Screenshot_20180912-190713.jpg
 
I heard ocon & kubica at Williams next season.

Doesn't Williams need paying drivers to cover their budget shortfall? Granted Kubica is paying ( I remember the figure of $8 million) but I gather Sirotkin paid more ($14 million comes to mind). How much is Ocon/Mercedes going to pay?
 
Williams links with SMP Racing (the name has suddenly appeared very prominently on the car) suggests they will have at least one Russian driver. Markalov is an outside bet but I'd be stunned if Sirotkin doesn't get a second year.
 
Looks like Frédéric Vasseur is thinking about some housecleaning, and drivers are not immune invitation to leave. One must love this guy. I do. Loosing Leclerc was a strategical call, but hiring potentially Giovinazzi would go far in pleasing Ferrari's (and Italy).
 
Doesn't Williams need paying drivers to cover their budget shortfall? Granted Kubica is paying ( I remember the figure of $8 million) but I gather Sirotkin paid more ($14 million comes to mind). How much is Ocon/Mercedes going to pay?

I believe it could be the same arrangement as bottas, with free engines for ocon
 
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