Silly Season 2018/2019

[Big Tea]

I don't think a driver would ever own an F1 team. They can just drive/turn up in sunglasses and let someone else take the financial ruin.

Does not mean he has to get mixed up in the management. Just get the perks
As I said above, Kimi probably has more pocket cash than he knows whet to do with, so having a chunk of the team instead of pay means he has a continuing link with F1 and they get a driver they can not afford.

He could just drive for free then?

Free as in not being paid by the team, quite possible.
He has his own sponsors who would still pay, by the sound of things, he could also be on a 'retainer' by Ferrari and he is free to do his own appearance/promotional work. Which ever way you look at it he would still get far more than most of us here and be doing what he enjoys.

[Manoah2u]

Might be the combo of Alfa Romeo (Ferrari) and Kimi is enough to overtake/buy out longbow thus removing the Swedish influence there and thus easily booting ericsson.

[jjn9128]

Might be the combo of Alfa Romeo (Ferrari) and Kimi is enough to overtake/buy out longbow thus removing the Swedish influence there and thus easily booting ericsson.

Oh almost certainly Ericsson out and Giovinazzi in!

[Ground Effect]

So what seats are left unconfirmed / likely?

Force India - Stroll / Perez
Haas - Grosjean / KMag
Williams - Sirotkin? / Somebody
Sauber - Kimi / Somebody
STR - Kyvat / Somebody

Ericsson not being announced at the same time suggests there could still be a fight going on, likely between him and Giovinazzi. Seems probable that Haas stick with what they have now Leclerc isn't available, so the only other stories to be resolved are who Red Bull put in the STRs and if Merc manages to squeeze Ocon in at Williams ahead of whatever other rich Russian wants the seat.

It's not impossible that Ferrari may still be paying Kimi's salary when he moves to Sauber

[Manoah2u]

Sign shock: Alonso changes his mind and accompanies Kimi @ Sauber together they fight for the title against Ferrari. It's a win-win

[hurril]

Sign shock: Alonso changes his mind and accompanies Kimi @ Sauber together they fight for the title against Ferrari. It's a win-win

Ha! Did I hear a bet?

[WaikeCU]

Sign shock: Alonso changes his mind and accompanies Kimi @ Sauber together they fight for the title against Ferrari. It's a win-win

Who's paying Fernando's salary?

BTW, anyone think the possibility of Perez in a Sauber next season alongside Kimi?

[Fulcrum]

Sign shock: Alonso changes his mind and accompanies Kimi @ Sauber together they fight for the title against Ferrari. It's a win-win

You beat me to it.

[Big Tea]

Sign shock: Alonso changes his mind and accompanies Kimi @ Sauber together they fight for the title against Ferrari. It's a win-win

Who's paying Fernando's salary?

BTW, anyone think the possibility of Perez in a Sauber next season alongside Kimi?

I think the 'along side Kimi' is a key thought. If they want to test a driver now they have yardstick.

[WaikeCU]

Sign shock: Alonso changes his mind and accompanies Kimi @ Sauber together they fight for the title against Ferrari. It's a win-win

Who's paying Fernando's salary?

BTW, anyone think the possibility of Perez in a Sauber next season alongside Kimi?

I think the 'along side Kimi' is a key thought. If they want to test a driver now they have yardstick.

My thinking is that Stroll is going to be 1st driver at RPFI, because his father can make it happen, which can hamper Perez' and the team's performance, while at Sauber, Kimi is a worthy driver and nearing the end of his F1 career. I think Perez is on par with Kimi and when Kimi decides to call it a day, he can become 1st driver. At least he can drive a Ferrari'esque kind of car and it can be a platform for a promotion to a Ferrari drive.

[zac510]

Does not mean he has to get mixed up in the management. Just get the perks
As I said above, Kimi probably has more pocket cash than he knows whet to do with, so having a chunk of the team instead of pay means he has a continuing link with F1 and they get a driver they can not afford.

He could just drive for free then?

Free as in not being paid by the team, quite possible.
He has his own sponsors who would still pay, by the sound of things, he could also be on a 'retainer' by Ferrari and he is free to do his own appearance/promotional work. Which ever way you look at it he would still get far more than most of us here and be doing what he enjoys.

Exactly! and he doesn't have to worry about his share of a team that might go broke, as F1 teams tend to do quite often!

[ScottB]

The second Sauber seat will be between Ericsson and Giovinazzi, with maybe Vandoorne as an outside bet, can't see any chance of Perez appearing there.

[djos]

It's quite unlikely that Perez will get the boot from RPFI imo, his actions allowed FI to be rescued.

[Big Tea]

The second Sauber seat will be between Ericsson and Giovinazzi, with maybe Vandoorne as an outside bet, can't see any chance of Perez appearing there.

I would have gone along with that, until they signed Kimi, now all bets are off

[Ground Effect]

The second Sauber seat will be between Ericsson and Giovinazzi, with maybe Vandoorne as an outside bet, can't see any chance of Perez appearing there.

I would have gone along with that, until they signed Kimi, now all bets are off

I get the feeling Ericsson will be driving to keep his seat over the next few races. What I can't guess if Giovinazzi is still in the frame or if Kimi has taken up Ferrari's one free seat. Maybe Stoffel still has a shot there, even if it's a remote one. On the other hand, Haas haven't confirmed anybody, so Giovinazzi may also get consideration there. Personally, I think it's less likely for him. It's an interesting situation at Haas, KMag has more points at the moment, but Romain is quicker overall. Call me crazy, but I would keep Romain Grosjean over KMag.