F1 2018 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

Reports Sainz is Renault bound and maybe sooner than 2018. May be part of the Renault McLaren Honda STR rotation.

What does this mean for Kubica? Williams?

 

Good deal for Sainz if true. If he can move this season that would be good for him to compare this years car with next years in theciff season development. Not sure if TR will take that risk because of the team points?

 

So Gasly(?) to Toro Rosso, Sainz to Renault, Jolyoff?

 

and another door closes on Alonso

 

That's a week TR lineup for next year

 

I believe Alonso closed the Renault door. His only options are

McLaren Renault
Mercedes - Bottas deal isn't done yet is it?
Williams
Red Bull - if Verstapen or Ricciardo go to mercedes. Sainz now out of the picture as a replacement.

Or Indy

 

Indy! Sorry fellas, but I think he'd boss it and it's far better than any other option available.

 

I don't think Kubica will be back , it would have been interesting though .

 

The TR pipeline appears to have rather dried up of late. There's no way Kvyat should get another season with them, and Gasly is their only youngster with any chance of being ready to step up. I could well see Matsushita getting a seat there next season as part of a Honda deal.

As to Alonso, I think he gives McLaren-Renault one more chance, whilst perhaps doing Le Mans and the 500, but that's the only place I think he gets an F1 drive. Bottas is quick enough and placid enough that Mercedes won't dare replace him with Alonso for little gain.

 

I saw Zac Brown say a while ago , that if Alonso is with them next year , he will not be allowed to do the Indy 500. .

I still think they are making a big mistake doing all they can to keep Alonso , time will tell .

 

If they go down the route of making their own engine, they could certainly use the large amount of money they pay him to develop the engine instead!

 

Deal done and alonso is staying.


I wonder if Honda will end up buying STR eventually? The red bull driver program has dried up a bit now. With Sainz gone and nothing decent down the line. Maybe next year they could have Button or Kubica?

 

Bottas has signed a 1 year deal

 

Leaving the door open for Vettel in 2019?

Alonso just has McLaren then realistically if he wants the chance to be competitive in F1 next year.

 

I Like Bottas & I think he is very good , but I can't see Merc keeping him in 2019 if there is even a sniff of Seb going there . Bottas out on his ear in 2019 ?

Or

Back to Williams ?

 

Thrilling driver mixup next season...

 

I'm glad he's got at least a second season with them, has been pretty solid this year. Reckon Alonso will be gutted as he must have been angling to get into the Merc in 2018.

 

Pretty sure I read or heard somewhere that Hamilton said Alonso will not drive at Merc while I am here . Think I read / saw it anyway .

Here it is ( although this is not where I saw it ) . .


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

 

Unless your team has two duds for drivers then you'd be insane to sign Alonso. For all his talent it's just not worth the agro

 

He's got 12 months to prove that he us equal or better than Ricc or a true No2.