The 2017 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation threadFormula 1

[TenEightyOne]

Obvious money related reasons aside, is there another explanation as to why McLaren doesn't simply ask Ricardo to build their F1 engines alongside their roadgoing engines?

That's a possibility for 2021, we're told.

 

[FutureF1]

Welp... Looks like Alonso is staying in F1... Zach Veach just got the open Andretti seat.

 

[Eva]

Welp... Looks like Alonso is staying in F1... Zach Veach just got the open Andretti seat.

There is more than one open seat in IndyCar. Until he says exactly where he's going, we can't rule out much.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Welp... Looks like Alonso is staying in F1... Zach Veach just got the open Andretti seat.

In fairness it looked like he was staying when Sainz Jr. got the Renault seat.

 

[mustafur]

I would fully expect Alonso to stay if they have Renault power, that way if Mclaren can develop a good chassis the potential is to be atleast where Redbull is at.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Lewis Hamilton confirmed as The Work Experience Boy.

https://d2kmm3vx031a1h.cloudfront.net/jzzRXlyVQaON02QBXyND_Hamilton workie.jpg

 

[TenEightyOne]

Kubica has been released from his short-term contract by Renault and is thought to be a contender for the Williams seat if Massa once again retires.

 

[PeterJB]

I'm betting on Massa retiring every year for the next ten years.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I'm betting on Massa retiring every year for the next ten years.

It doesn't seem to relight the spark like sacking Kimi every ten races does.

 

[TheElbows]

I was really hoping to see Kimi and Massa both leave (again) this year - two valuable seats with older drivers who simply aren't really competitive (except the occasional race where Kimi actually shows up). I'm never a fan of older drivers fading slowly and keeping seats for 2-3-4 years past when they should depart.

 

[DesertPenguin09]

Kimi has shown through radio that these cars are too complicated for him.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Bottas stays at Mercedes for 2018
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-secures-mercedes-contract-for-2018-952398/

 

[Lord Kacperov]

Bottas stays at Mercedes for 2018
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-secures-mercedes-contract-for-2018-952398/

Not surprised. He's been performing very good at Mercedes!

 

[Liquid]

I have to agree that Massa and Räikkönen departing wouldn't be the biggest loss to the sport these days. At one point Räikkönen was one of the very best but it's been far too long since then and hardly ever since his comeback.

I'd be happy to see someone else given a chance in the Ferrari and Williams don't seem to be going anywhere anyway.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Bottas has re-signed for Mercedes for 2018 only. BBC.

EDIT: If I could only learn to read I've have seen that it was posted already

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

It's Valtteri
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/08/...-with-mercedes-is-why-he-wont-get-2018-drive/

Bottas stays at Mercedes for 2018
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-secures-mercedes-contract-for-2018-952398/

Bottas has re-signed for Mercedes for 2018 only. BBC.

EDIT: If I could only learn to read I've have seen that it was posted already

Good thing that guy up there called it a few weeks ago. Or we'd be having to wait for Merc to officiate another one of their worst kept secrets

 

[Dotini]

Apparently Sainz will drive a Renault at Singapore, and Pierre Gasly the Toro Rosso, According to Racer Magazine.
http://www.racer.com/f1/item/144063-mclaren-and-honda-split-agreed

 

[Jakedog23]

Apparently Sainz will drive a Renault at Singapore, and Pierre Gasly the Toro Rosso, According to Racer Magazine.

Singapore or Malaysia?

 

[Dotini]

Singapore or Malaysia?

No, you're right - announcement at Singapore, switch to take place at Malaysia.

 

[Jakedog23]

No, you're right - announcement at Singapore, switch to take place at Malaysia.

That makes more sense, Haha.
Or else we all would be talking about it right now.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Palmer's booked into the Press Conference as a Renault driver. It would be a bit silly to suddenly have him talking about nothing.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Sainz will replace Palmer immediately, and Pierre Gasly will step in at TR, according to Racer Magazine.
http://www.racer.com/f1/item/144063-mclaren-and-honda-split-agreed

The question is whether or not the rumour (the same one that we've been discussing and which is referenced in your article) that Sainz will drive for Renault from Malaysia onwards is true or not. The rumour started after a Gasly interview which he later claimed had been misunderstood.

Here's a screenshot from the Sky gossip column taken before the last race (when the rumour started).

 

[BrainsBush]

 

[Kurei]

Well that's cryptic. Haven't really seen or heard much of Nico outside of modelling for his Instagram.

 

[Eva]

Well that's cryptic. Haven't really seen or heard much of Nico outside of modelling for his Instagram.

He's joined Robert's management team to help get him back into F1.

 

[Kurei]

He's joined Robert's management team to help get him back into F1.

Sure enough. must've only been announced recently, and with all the other announcements coming out of Singapore, it must've got lost in all the noise. I just recall Nico taking on the 'ambassador' role earlier this year, and looking at staying involved in racing somehow, which I suppose this fills.

Now we just need Felipe to retire for real , other seats are looking filled and I don't think anyone would want to see Robert linger at Sauber.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Sure enough. must've only been announced recently

Only today, as far as I know. As you imply it's been a big-news-day in F1 and this story didn't get the coverage that it might have on other days.

 

[Dennisch]

Dutch TV reports (rumors) that Palmer has a pretty tight contract, and that if Renault kicks him out before his contract ends he gets all his invested money back.

 

[mustafur]

Dutch TV reports (rumors) that Palmer has a pretty tight contract, and that if Renault kicks him out before his contract ends he gets all his invested money back.

Renault are a factory team they should be able to handle the payout regardless.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Renault are a factory team they should be able to handle the payout regardless.

Indeed, the question for the Renault board is whether or not getting Sainz aboard early is worth the payout. It probably isn't.