Kmag was apparently offered the Renault seat and declined. What does that make Palmer now, 6th choice? Still he probably did just enough to earn another chance. Ocon to FI seems inevitable and then the grid is pretty much finished. Sauber will probably retain both drivers so it leaves the Manor seat alongside Wehrlein.
As much as Palmer comes in for a mocking he's done alright against kMag really. Will be a big year for him next year, and for kMag as well. Both are at the cusp of F1.
Palmer's improved through the year from looking totally out of his depth, to competent. I think he's earned the right to have a chance to continue his development. Will he seem lesss angry now? For some reason, I'm expecting Haas to slip back next year, but I can't justify why...
I think it's quite a big if. With Ferrari's help they got a remarkably competitive car to the grid in Melbourne, but since then have really struggled to keep up with the development war. 3 of Grosjean's 5 points finishes came in the opening 4 races, and Gutierrez has never got in the points. With less Ferrari support next year, and new rules making it harder to copy existing trends from other teams, I really expect them to struggle.
This year's Ferrari has not been as competitive as last year's either, so if Haas 2017 car is based on 2016 Ferrari bits then its hard to see them closing the gap.
Apparently KMag has said to the danish press that he turned down the Renault seat because they gave the impression that they have others lined up for 2018. Also said he was annoyed by the management asking to extend the option on his contract and still not deciding in time. So that means Palmer will be under pressure pretty much immediately, as he needs to put himself in the shop window for 2018.
Renault will miss Kevin, outperformed that the dog of a car on many occasion. If I was Kev, personally I would have chosen to stay, manufacturers will always have that advantage over customer teams.
I think he had a very average season. Too many mistakes and incidents, maybe overdriving the car a bit to make up for its lack of performance, but you still need to bring it home.
Meh, one decent showing doesn't make up for an entire season. If he has the funds he will stay, unless someone outbids him. If Sauber truly don't need the money with their new backing and want to keep one driver for continuity, then I would still pick Nasr over Ericcson. But that's like choosing between malaria and ebola. Neither is a particularly great choice if you had other options.
Marcus Ericsson will stay at Sauber for the 2017 season after signing a one-year contract extension. The Swede, 26, joined Sauber in 2015 but has not scored a point in this season's drivers' championship. "It is great news," Ericsson said. "I have developed a lot as a driver during my time at Sauber. We have had ups and downs, but we always stick together and work as hard as we can." Sauber said they will announce their second driver for 2017 in due course. More from F1
That doesn't look great for Nasr. Would have thought they'd announce both were staying if they had no plans to change the lineup.
Wow, if that is true!. Did he mean to say all of that? It does make it sound like he has decided to finish in F1 next year.
