Well, someone else from the Red Bull program was my point. Unless they poach someone else e.g. Frijns, Juncadella
Ah fair. I was amazed to find out Mitch Evans isn't on the program, despite the fact he's been with the Arden team in GP3 and GP2 past few years...
Colletti, Vandoorne, Magnussen and Da Costa are the only ones worthy of being promoted to F1 in my opinion. The others are either not ready, not good enough or unproven.
So scenario's: RB take Ricciardo - Da Costa promoted and presumably Vergne stays RB take Raikkonen - Current TR boys remain - Ricciardo kept on, and Vergne ditched for Da Costa? I can't really see how else that one will play out now, if RB think Ricciardo is good enough for them, they'll want to at least keep him in TR as Kimi might not work out.
Those are the noises coming out of Red Bull at the minute. Based on past form (Alguersuari) I'd say Vergne has little chance of even being on the grid next season barring a superb second half to the season.
Red Bull haven't said anything to suggest he's in contention, which seems odd really when there isn't really all that much between them. Giving Ricciardo this YDT, without any suggestion that Vergne will get a similar opportunity, is fairly damning to me. I agree with TomTom, Vergne is under serious threat, I guess I haven't considered the option that Kimi get's the RB seat, but TR still drop Vergne and bring in Da Costa.
It looks like it it will be Ric in the Red Bull, cheaper, younger and more subservient than Kimi. Anyone fancy Kimi to take Massa's seat, as I can't see Merc making changes to their lineup and Lotus may start slipping down the competitive order.
Sainz will not be in F1 next year. As I said earlier, he'll be lucky to even be on Red Bull's books next year.
More than 0.1%, his racecraft's still pretty streaky, he hasn't won a race yet and doesn't seem to have bags of raw pace. He's in the 'not ready' category for me, I think he'll make it eventually but needs at least one more season in GP2 or WSR. As for the Red Bull situation, it does look like Ricciardo to Red Bull and Da Costa to Toro Rosso. A big let down for me, I was really hoping to see Raikkonen and Vettel in the same team/best car. Lotus, Mercedes, Williams and McLaren will probably be unchanged. Di Resta will stay at Force India, and I think Bianchi might replace Sutil. Gutierrez will be gone, I think Hulkenberg's only hope of a drive is Ferrari, I can't see him staying at Sauber. Chilton will keep his seat, god knows who his team mate and the two Caterham drivers will be.
Sam Bird? I think he's been ready for a while and just doesn't have the luck of other drivers. He's due a seat somewhere surely.
Haven't noticed too much of a difference between Ricciardo and Vergne so far this season, both had their ups and downs. Looks like Vergne will be another Alguersuari
I honestly can't see how it can be argued that Ricciardo is better than Vergne. Ok, the Aussie may have the advantage on Saturdays, but Vergne has generally come out on top in the races.
Are saturdays the important bit for Red Bull though? Vettel can stick it on pole and drive off into the sunset, whilst his team-mate can quali 2nd and act as rear gunner for as long as possible. Ricciardo could do that, Vergne is less likely to qualify high enough.
Let's be honest, the RB is a car which requires front row starts and isn't great in traffic. Ricciardo is more likely to put it at the front than Vergne. I see their logic but I would personally take Vergne
