jjn9128 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2018, 13:03
How I see the 2019 grid working out
Mercedes - Hamilton / Bottas
Ferrari - Vettel / Raikkonen*
RBR - Verstappen / Gasly**
Renault - Riccicardo / Hulkenberg
Haas - Magnussen / Perez***
McLaren - Alonso / Sainz
Toro Rosso - Hartley / Vandoorne/Norris****
Sauber - LeClerc / Eriksson
Williams - Sirotkin / Russell*****
Force Stroll - Stroll / Ocon******
* I'd like to see LeClerc given a chance, but something just feels like Raikkonen's going to be given another year. If Raikkonen does hang up his helmet then LeClerc here with Giovinazzi at Sauber.
** I think the Sainz/Verstappen issues all stemmed from them competing for Kvyat's seat at the top team, even so I think Red Bull will want to avoid issues with the 2 of them together again. Sainz won't go backwards to Toro Rosso so McLaren it most likely. Outside bet might be Haas, but I think they'd prefer Perez.
*** If Force India become a Merc junior team or running the Haas model I can see Perez here with Ocon staying at FI/Stroll/whatever, else I see Grosjean remaining for another year. Mercedes won't want Ocon in a non-Merc powered team.
**** This depends on Alonso, I can see Vandoorne or Norris here as there are currently no Red Bull juniors with enough license points to take over. I doubt Buemi would come back as he's the only former TR driver with ties to Red Bull and enough points from his Formula E and LMP. If Alonso quits to chase Indycar then Norris is more likely with Vandoorne staying at McLaren.
***** George Russell might be a good bet for this second seat. But again depends on deals with Mercedes, if Williams get a Haas style tie up maybe Ocon ends up here and Perez stays at Force F1.
****** Depends on the various connotations mentioned above.