Silly Season 2018/2019

[netoperek]

Some rumours have it, that Kubica have some better options than jumping into Lance's seat.

[NL_Fer]

Looks like Mercedes has to much junior drivers, but no seats. Would pairing Ocon with Russel at Williams and losing Sirotkins Russian Rubbels, cost that much?

[ScottB]

Looks like the grid might be looking a bit different in Monza.

https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/25/str ... -ericsson/

Stroll > FI
Ocon > McLaren
Vandoorne > Sauber
Kubica > Williams
Ericsson > Job Centre

Monza is next weekend, I’d imagine for this to happen, seat fittings etc would have to have already been done? Teams won’t be returning to base, dunno how long it takes to manufacture a new seat, any other stuff that would need done. From other reports, Ocon has already been to Mclaren, but the rest...

Also, Sauber’s Swedish owners have stuck by Ericsson this long, why punt him for Vandoorne now?

[PlatinumZealot]

I think Hartley has half a chance just purely down to the fact Marko has no one to replace him with. Red Bull have run out of drivers for F1 right now. With Sainz and Ricciardo both leaving at the same time, Red Bull are short of drivers with a licence for F1.

I would love to see Ocon over there because he will lose his force india seat to Lance stroll and the William's seat is contractually Kubica's I hear.

[kptaylor]

Looks like Mercedes has to much junior drivers, but no seats. Would pairing Ocon with Russel at Williams and losing Sirotkins Russian Rubbels, cost that much?

Not if Merc gives them an engine deal to take on Russell and Ocon. (and maybe more "listed parts" deals)

[Zynerji]

If Ocon doesn't get a look at the STR seat, F1 is broken....

[ScottB]

If Ocon doesn't get a look at the STR seat, F1 is broken....

Why should he? STR have never been about hiring the best driver available, they are a proving ground for Red Bull youngsters.

Now, they face a potential shortage on that front, but I’d think it far more likely they hook back up with someone previously in the program, or even a free current F1 driver, long before Red Bull give a seat to Mercedes number 1 junior...

[Zynerji]

RedBull pulling off a coup of such a good driver would be huge for their program.

I think Merc would release Ocon before letting him fall out of F1.

[iotar__]

If Ocon doesn't get a look at the STR seat, F1 is broken....

He only got his seat because F1 is broken.

[Clearhooter]

As the players find new partners. What do you think HAAS will choose to do ?

My HAAS Crystal ball was defective and Alonso quit altogether.... I really thought HAAS had a remote chance of enticing Alonso. Kind of a "get your cake and eat it too." scenario. Oh well. Would of been a great story. So now I got nothin'

[kptaylor]

I think KMag, Perez, LeClerc and Giovinazzi are all in scope. Have to wait to see other dominos fall first. Ocon could as well if he gets screwed by RPFI and Williams but Merc would have to approve or drop him.

[NathanOlder]

Perez in talks with Mclaren according to SkySports.

[Big Tea]

As the players find new partners. What do you think HAAS will choose to do ?

My HAAS Crystal ball was defective and Alonso quit altogether.... I really thought HAAS had a remote chance of enticing Alonso. Kind of a "get your cake and eat it too." scenario. Oh well. Would of been a great story. So now I got nothin'

As strange as it may seem, I think no change, as you were. I would swap out RoGro, but who for, and I think the other seat is bought and paid for (unless Mexican money slides it out)

[Ground Effect]

As the players find new partners. What do you think HAAS will choose to do ?

My HAAS Crystal ball was defective and Alonso quit altogether.... I really thought HAAS had a remote chance of enticing Alonso. Kind of a "get your cake and eat it too." scenario. Oh well. Would of been a great story. So now I got nothin'

As strange as it may seem, I think no change, as you were. I would swap out RoGro, but who for, and I think the other seat is bought and paid for (unless Mexican money slides it out)

Grosjean may be inconsistent, but on his day, when he keeps it all together, he's quicker than KMag. Their last upgrade package, which I think came in Canada or France, suit him more.

[iotar__]

Grosjean may be inconsistent, but on his day, when he keeps it all together, he's quicker than KMag. Their last upgrade package, which I think came in Canada or France, suit him more.

- I diagree about inconsistency but it can be a good thing like in Germany . Sub par for standards but top performance has been there all season, from memory so not a full picture: three major team f-ups (2. eninge and Aus), qualifying higher in top 10 that resulted in TO, best race in Canada that brough no points and some details (GB Q2 and Q3), mistakes too. Haas is no RB or Ferrari either in terms of suiting drivers.

- Magnussen is quick and has a better season but not by much. Grosjean better overall, in top performace (Can, Germany, Austria), racecraft, being quick when you have to or when car doesn't work (Baku, Canada) - differences between very good and top drivers.

- It's a sad symptom of current F1 that a tin pot team like Haas instead of begging to stay is "considering" .

- A. Haas can't be that stupid. B. It's the same as Ferrari keeping Raikkonen - whatever. C. Funny how Haas seat got so valuable and media vultures got interested.