F1 2019 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

Probably the right decision. RBR didn't want him and he is clearly fed up of trundling around the back of the mid-field feeding off scraps from those who retire ahead of him to pick up points. Could argue it is a season too late but he had to see what Renault power could do for McLaren, he must have seen that next year doesn't look much better as McLaren are in a right state with their design team.

Hope he goes to Indycar. He should wipe the floor with most of them, but will also be a good barometer to see how good some of the talent over there is as I am sure there are some properly decent drivers in that field. Be interesting to see how he copes with dominating a race and then losing it due to a late yellow as can happen a lot over there. He did very very well at Indy, the really good F1 drivers always seem to cope with ovals just fine based on history, see Mansell, Montoya etc so Alonso should adapt well to the different types of circuits they have.

 

It does stop short of a full retirement, saying he'll be back if Mclaren improve.

Realistically though this is the end. Sad to see one of the greatest drivers in history leave, but it's good for him.

Kimi is the last of a generation now.

 

Hopefully he won't do a Schuey and come back after a few years. Once you're retired that should be it, let your legacy live on. He's had a rough few years which have taken the sparkle out of his career. I can understand why he may then want to come back and right some wrongs, but just can't see it unless he goes to Indy and tears up trees for a couple of years such that a big F1 team would take him back.

 

Has Kimi staying at Ferrari actually been confirmed anywhere please ?

 

I think it's Fernando finally being sensible. Just in case that one in a million chance of McLaren getting it together happens, he wants to leave one bridge unburnt.

He posted an emotional goodbye video. I don't think he's planning on a comeback.

 

He's said he won't rule it out for 2020 and beyond. Realistically though, it's going to take Hamilton doing a Rosberg and leaving F1 abruptly to bring him back. Red Bull and Ferrari won't have him, and nobody else will have the package to tempt him.

 

Kimi is the only driver left to race a V10 (assuming he stays on), we must be getting short on drivers who raced the V8s now too!

 

This is superb for IndyCar!

 

Haha. Just you wait until problems appear .....

I don't want them to , but they will .

 

Or he is staying with mclaren but in Indy

 

Anyone ?

 

No. Just a leak of the contract but could be fake. Though Kimi contract leaks are not new. He has a leaky contract problem

 

Ta

Ta

 

I’m guessing that with the marquee drivers now taken care of, McLaren might offer Kimi a 2 year deal if he hasn’t signed his Ferrari contract. He’d be the safety first, experienced ‘name’ to rebuild steadily with?

Otherwise McLaren might be making Sainz the lead driver next year, unless this Norris fella is something special.

 

If Mclaren do end up, as expected, with some combination of Sainz, Ocon, Vandoorne or Norris, it'll be a depressing landmark for them.

First year without a WDC since 08.
Fist year without a race winning driver since 94.
First year where neither driver has ever scored a podium since... actually has that ever happened?

 

I think they need an experienced driver who is very good with feedback to develop the car. Not sure Kimi's heart would be in it. I do wonder if that is why Williams are struggling so much this year. They don't have the experienced drivers to help them develop out of their issues.

 

Nothing signed with Indy for Fernando yet.

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/2288/indycar-release-statement-on-alonso-future/

"IndyCar remain hopeful of attracting Fernando Alonso to a full-time drive in 2019 after the McLaren driver confirmed he will not race in Formula 1 next year. Alonso needs a victory in the Indianapolis 500 to complete motorsport's 'Triple Crown' and match Graham Hill's unique feat."

 

Sainz to McLaren, Gasly to Red Bull. Apparently. Maybe.

http://www.espn.in/f1/story/_/id/24379094/carlos-sainz-set-replace-fernando-alonso-mclaren

 

Looks nailed on doesn’t it. Sainz needs a drive, McLaren will have Alonsos recommendation for him IMO. It’s a huge coup for Sainz actually, despite McLaren undergoing a huge rebuild. Given how he’s essentially (and unfortunately) frozen out of the RBR and Renault picture, ending up in the McLaren team is a real big result. If they get James Key on board soon they would be a team to want to be with in 2021 assuming the engines do get simplified (the simpler and cheaper they are, the less the works teams advantages IMO).

Gasly has earnt a shot at RBR- and they don’t tend to care about inexperience there do they.

 

Toro Rosso might as well sell up as there will be no red bull talent left