Silly Season 2018/2019

[Ground Effect]

Hope for Stoffel??

http://www.f1i.com/news/316278-vandoorn ... uture.html

[WaikeCU]

I could see another Belgian guy other than Thierry Neuville within the Red Bull program.

Yet another time RB is proving that Mclaren have got it all wrong...

[Ground Effect]

I could see another Belgian guy other than Thierry Neuville within the Red Bull program.

Yet another time RB is proving that Mclaren have got it all wrong...

Sauber is also an option, even though less likely. Maybe Mclaren will prove Red Bull wrong with Carlos Sainz?

[rosters]

Toro Rosso should do everything to snach Ocon if he is without a drive and pair him with Stoffel.
That would be a great pairing and 100% future drivers for RB.

[Fulcrum]

It will be interesting to see if the new Ferrari chief honours the alleged agreement with LeClerc, or if he tries to exercise force majeure and keep Raikkonen.

[Ground Effect]

Toro Rosso should do everything to snach Ocon if he is without a drive and pair him with Stoffel.
That would be a great pairing and 100% future drivers for RB.

Ocon isn't going to Mclaren because Mercedes wouldn't cut their ties, Mclaren wanted him only as a full time driver. You think Mercedes wouldn't now release him to a more formidable outfit that is Red Bull? It's like supplying your enemy with bullets when he's out.

[Sniffit]

Toro Rosso should do everything to snach Ocon if he is without a drive and pair him with Stoffel.
That would be a great pairing and 100% future drivers for RB.

Ocon isn't going to Mclaren because Mercedes wouldn't cut their ties, Mclaren wanted him only as a full time driver. You think Mercedes wouldn't now release him to a more formidable outfit that is Red Bull? It's like supplying your enemy with bullets when he's out.

Or it was because they needed to get Norris in a seat before their option ran out.

[thelimey]

What I'd like to see in the available seats (but still be somewhat realistic):

Ferrari:
Vettel,
Leclerc (really want to see what he is capable of, I wouldn't be surprised if he pushes Vettel like Ricciardo)

RPFI:
Perez
Stroll (wasn't impressed with him last season but has an impressive junior record, wouldn't be surprised if he develops into a decent driver in his own right)

TR:
Vandoorne (think he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, could still flourish with a fresh start),
Vergne (think he was a bit hard done by, competitive against Ricciardo & Kvyat, looks a different class to the FE grid fwiw) -> realistically I think this'll be Kvyat, too many bridges burnt by Vergne & too long away. RB might also value Kvyat's experience at Ferrari as a development driver.

Williams:
Ocon (can't believe a driver of his obvious ability might be out if a seat next year)
Russell (not sure what to make of him & Norris, not as dominant as Vandoorne & Leclerc before them, but anyone who wins F2/GP2/F3000 in their rookie season demands attention) --> realistically I can't see Merc being able to place two of their drivers at Williams, I suspect this might go to Sirotkin & his funding, Russell will have to sit out a season as a TD.

Sauber:
Giovinazzi (erratic in F1 practice but was a match for Gasly as a rookie in GP2)
Ericsson (still untouchable due to financing?)

HAAS:
Grosjean (very up & down mentally but I think when his head is right he is the faster of the pair)
Magnussen (just needs to be careful, if his results drop but the incidents continue he could fall off the grid)

[outer_bongolia]

Hope for Stoffel??

http://www.f1i.com/news/316278-vandoorn ... uture.html

In addition to turning into a regular backmarker, McLaren is continuing to chew and spit young drivers: first Perez and now Vandoorne.

Perez was able to prove himself at FI, but It took him a long time to erase the stigma. Vandoorne was in a much worse car and with a much worse teammate (for him). He may not recover from 2018.

[Ground Effect]

Hope for Stoffel??

http://www.f1i.com/news/316278-vandoorn ... uture.html

In addition to turning into a regular backmarker, McLaren is continuing to chew and spit young drivers: first Perez and now Vandoorne.

Perez was able to prove himself at FI, but It took him a long time to erase the stigma. Vandoorne was in a much worse car and with a much worse teammate (for him). He may not recover from 2018.

To be fair, they're no worse than Red Bull/Toro Rosso in that regard. F1 is highly competitive seats-wise, you really need to prove yourself, if you're not a comfortable pay-driver. Luckily, they haven't gone down route. Other big teams like Mercedes and Ferrari wouldn't even gamble on young drivers these days, (we're still waiting for LeClerc to get confirmed) no matter how promising they are e.g. Pascal Wehrlein, and more shockingly, Esteban Ocon.

[Gaz.]

Hope for Stoffel??

http://www.f1i.com/news/316278-vandoorn ... uture.html

In addition to turning into a regular backmarker, McLaren is continuing to chew and spit young drivers: first Perez and now Vandoorne.

Perez was able to prove himself at FI, but It took him a long time to erase the stigma. Vandoorne was in a much worse car and with a much worse teammate (for him). He may not recover from 2018.

To be fair, they're no worse than Red Bull/Toro Rosso in that regard. F1 is highly competitive seats-wise, you really need to prove yourself, if you're not a comfortable pay-driver. Luckily, they haven't gone down route. Other big teams like Mercedes and Ferrari wouldn't even gamble on young drivers these days, (we're still waiting for LeClerc to get confirmed) no matter how promising they are e.g. Pascal Wehrlein, and more shockingly, Esteban Ocon.

Why would Merc drop Bottas for Ocon? They are top of the WCC with what they have and it works for them.

[Ground Effect]

In addition to turning into a regular backmarker, McLaren is continuing to chew and spit young drivers: first Perez and now Vandoorne.

Perez was able to prove himself at FI, but It took him a long time to erase the stigma. Vandoorne was in a much worse car and with a much worse teammate (for him). He may not recover from 2018.

To be fair, they're no worse than Red Bull/Toro Rosso in that regard. F1 is highly competitive seats-wise, you really need to prove yourself, if you're not a comfortable pay-driver. Luckily, they haven't gone down route. Other big teams like Mercedes and Ferrari wouldn't even gamble on young drivers these days, (we're still waiting for LeClerc to get confirmed) no matter how promising they are e.g. Pascal Wehrlein, and more shockingly, Esteban Ocon.

Why would Merc drop Bottas for Ocon? They are top of the WCC with what they have and it works for them.

Then they should release Ocon so he can secure a full time drive. Nobody wants him while tied to Mercedes, as at now 2019 drive is in jeopardy

[Big Tea]

What happened to this 3rd car rule they were talking of bringing in? Would solve some problems ( and create a hell of a lot more)

[nevill3]

reports today on Sky website that Toto is considering releasing Ocon from the "Mercedes young driver program" because it is limiting his chances of being a F1 driver next year

[NathanOlder]

If they release him, George Russell will be licking his lips. This opens up his Mercedes seat a lot sooner and easier than expected.