Post by dogued on Jun 19, 2018 10:03:50 GMT
It's the "I'm bored and wired on energy drinks" post time!
Here's a look at the status of 2019. There are a LOT of TBC next to drivers names.
My pure speculation right now is:
Lewis & Valtteri will stay at Mercedes. Leclerc will move to Ferrari after Kimi is given the golden handshake, with Giovinazzi replacing him at Sauber.
Torro Rosso will allow Renault to pay out the Sainz contract, and with Honda picking up the tab to put their man Matsushita in a seat, Torro Rosso will have some serious money to drop on chassis development staff.
Poor Ricciardo will have no option but to stay at RedBull, but will smile and spin it as "A huge chance to show what Honda can do when given the right partnership!"
Williams cannot continue with 2 potato drivers. I think they will keep whoever brings a bigger purse, and replace the other with Mercedes-sweetened Wehrlein deal.
Speaking of sweet deals, Mercedes have to have one eye on the future and not want all thier eggs in one basket, so expect a large envelope of cash to be on Force India's doorstep alongside a young George Russell to replace Sergio Perez.
Renault will be so excited about keeping Sainz that they will accidently sign a 1 year extension for The Hulk. Sauber will do the sign with Ericsson, reasoning "a potato that pays is ok, Ferrari will provide the REAL driver!"
McLaren will throw thier hands up and scream "But we ARE a good team!" They will then reveal thier 2019 McLaren-Honda Indycar team, lead by Fernando Alonso. In all the hype, nobody will notice them dumping not-so-wonderboy Vandoorne and instead signing Norris and Lafiti, figuring that a rookie pairing can't be any worse and will be a hell of a lot cheaper (especially since Daddy Lafiti has just bought into the group!)
Haas will pick up Vandoorne and bring Perez over to pick up the "US" market.
Mercedes
Engine: Mercedes
Ferrari
Engine: Ferrari
Red Bull Racing
Engine: Honda
Force India
Engine: Mercedes
Williams
Engine: Mercedes
McLaren
Engine: renault
Torro Rosso
Engine: Honda
Haas
Engine: Ferrari
Renault
Engine: Renault
Sauber
Engine: Alfa Romeo (Ferrari)
Here's a look at the status of 2019. There are a LOT of TBC next to drivers names.
My pure speculation right now is:
Lewis & Valtteri will stay at Mercedes. Leclerc will move to Ferrari after Kimi is given the golden handshake, with Giovinazzi replacing him at Sauber.
Torro Rosso will allow Renault to pay out the Sainz contract, and with Honda picking up the tab to put their man Matsushita in a seat, Torro Rosso will have some serious money to drop on chassis development staff.
Poor Ricciardo will have no option but to stay at RedBull, but will smile and spin it as "A huge chance to show what Honda can do when given the right partnership!"
Williams cannot continue with 2 potato drivers. I think they will keep whoever brings a bigger purse, and replace the other with Mercedes-sweetened Wehrlein deal.
Speaking of sweet deals, Mercedes have to have one eye on the future and not want all thier eggs in one basket, so expect a large envelope of cash to be on Force India's doorstep alongside a young George Russell to replace Sergio Perez.
Renault will be so excited about keeping Sainz that they will accidently sign a 1 year extension for The Hulk. Sauber will do the sign with Ericsson, reasoning "a potato that pays is ok, Ferrari will provide the REAL driver!"
McLaren will throw thier hands up and scream "But we ARE a good team!" They will then reveal thier 2019 McLaren-Honda Indycar team, lead by Fernando Alonso. In all the hype, nobody will notice them dumping not-so-wonderboy Vandoorne and instead signing Norris and Lafiti, figuring that a rookie pairing can't be any worse and will be a hell of a lot cheaper (especially since Daddy Lafiti has just bought into the group!)
Haas will pick up Vandoorne and bring Perez over to pick up the "US" market.
Mercedes
Engine: Mercedes
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Lewis Hamilton | TBC | Either going to stay, or quit driving to become a rap star |
Valtteri Bottas | TBC | Will stay if asked. Probably even if not asked. |
Ferrari
Engine: Ferrari
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Sebastian Vettel | YES (2020) | Will start wearing a wig and demand to be called Betty |
Kimi Raikkonen | TBC | Will finally be told that it's the end. |
Red Bull Racing
Engine: Honda
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Daniel Ricciardo | TBC | Wants a top seat, will have to stay. |
Max Verstappen | YES (2020) | Will remember how to brake and that hitting others is bad. |
Force India
Engine: Mercedes
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Sergio Perez | TBC | How many years of sub-par results does this guy get? |
Estaban Ocon | TBC | Still being told "We're watching" by Mercedes. Has impressed team bosses, will stay. |
Williams
Engine: Mercedes
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Lance Stroll | TBC | Brings money and is probably not as bad as results suggest. Should be gone, but will stay. |
Sergey Sirotkin | TBC | Brings a LOT of money, and is as bad as results suggest. Gone. |
McLaren
Engine: renault
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Fernando Alonso | TBC | Greatest ever driver of anything ever made, just ask him! Off to Indy (or FE if Buemi is right) |
Stoffel Vandoorne | TBC | Hyped to be the next McLaren-Hamilton, has fallen short. Seat good only if Norris isn't ready to step up. |
Torro Rosso
Engine: Honda
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Pierre Gasly | TBC | Likely safe. |
Brendon Hartley | TBC | Should be gone, may bring members of the All Blacks to contract negotiation which means he stays and gets a raise! |
Haas
Engine: Ferrari
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Romain Grosjean | TBC | Please.. just go already. |
Kevin Magnussen | TBC | Take him with you! |
Renault
Engine: Renault
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Nico Hulkenberg | TBC | Join the Exit line! |
Carlos Sainz Jr | TBC | The next Spainish WDC if you ask anyone in Madrid. Should stay. |
Sauber
Engine: Alfa Romeo (Ferrari)
Driver | Contract | Rumor |
Marcus Ericsson | TBC | Has cash, but how long will that keep the seat warm. Ferrari Jr drivers need to be able to step up to the big time, and he can't. |
Charles Leclerc | TBC | Going to get the nod to join the big leagues. |