2017 Drivers

[Penfold]

Antonio Giovinazzi signs as 3rd driver for Ferrari (and I suppose Haas) for 2017:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/giovinazzi-joins-ferrari-f1-team-as-third-driver-860301/?s=1


I am honestly not joking now, but bear with me.

The main plan for Mercedes is Valtteri Bottas. If Williams won't let him go, the backup plan is supposedly Felix Rosenqvist of Sweden. Why? Because in the simulator, he is the fastest of all Mercedes drivers. Even faster than Rosberg or Hamilton over a single lap. If he could translate that to actual race pace, he'd be a match for Lewis from the get-go.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa-accepts-offer-to-stay-at-williams-in-2017-860616/?s=1

Massa ready to be confirmed at Williams, paving way for Bottas at Mercedes. 44 and 77 driving them silver arrows.

Hopefully Massa will return re-invigorated by his spell of retirement and show some of his earlier pace - he was somewhat lacking this year.  Also (probably) returning to Williams, albeit after a slightly longer period away, is Merc. technical chief Paddy Lowe: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38384155

Hi. It's now 2017.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-agrees-wehrlein-deal-for-f1-2017-862405/?s=1

Wehrlein to Sauber is supposedly a done deal. Just waiting for proper confirmation.

Wassail! 

So, Wehrlein to Sauber... does that mean Nasr to Manor?

Also, Bottas popped into the Mercedes factory for a spot of seat fitting: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-mercedes-factory-visit-suggests-deal-is-done-862197/

So, Wehrlein to Sauber... does that mean Nasr to Manor?

It means Nasr leaving F1. He's got no money, and won't be signed on talent alone. Banco do Brasil is out. Will be interesting to see what the Sauber will look like.

Didn't realise he'd lost his backers... damn careless for a driver of his quality.

All confirmed now. Wehrlein to Sauber, Bottas to Mercedes, Massa to Williams.


Bottas ended up costing Mercedes some cool $16 million in "transfer fees" alone. $5 million for releasing Bottas, another $6 million paid by Mercedes to lure Massa back to Williams, and a $5 million discount on the Williams power units.

Mercedes is paying Bottas a salary too, one can assume.
http://www.grandprix247.com/2017/01/19/wolff-too-early-for-wehrlein-to-be-hamiltons-teammate/

Seems like a great deal for Williams.  Looking forward to seeing how Bottas goes in a truly top car... he had some great performances at Williams but I get the feeling his motivation drifted as the car slipped further away from the front.

I like how Mercedes happily admitted that they're paying for Massa's return to F1 in the link I posted. Unusually transparent. Also Claire Williams happily admitting that Massa didn't want to retire, he only chose to because there wasn't a drive available for him. It felt unusually open and honest.

Pascal Wehrlein to miss at least first week of testing in Barcelona. Antonio Giovinazzi replaces him.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wehrlein-to-miss-first-barcelona-f1-test-874208/?s=1

[Penfold]

Wehrlein passed fit for upcoming tests: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/06/wehrlein-make-testing-return/

[Penfold]

Charles 'It is I' Leclerc in the running to be Sauber's reserve driver: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/128397/leclerc-in-contention-for-sauber-reserve-role

[Penfold]

Indonesian bloke Sean Galael to drive in three test sessions for Toro Rosso: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/22/indonesias-gelael-make-test-debut-toro-rosso/

Comes as a relief to me, I've been kept awake at night worrying about whether Sean's career will progress....

[Chrill]

Very odd selection, Toro Rosso. He's not a very big talent and hasn't hade success at all. Heck, selecting Haryanto would make more sense if they're aiming for the Indonesian market.

[Penfold]

Okay, so now this Sean Galael chap has bagged himself four FP1 sessions: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/08/28/gelael-drive-four-practice-sessions-toro-rosso/

[Penfold]

Good news for Leclerc (and for fans of talented drivers progressing to F1) as the Frenchman is confirmed for five FP1 sessions with Sauber, starting with the Malaysian GP: https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/09/01/leclerc-gets-five-fp1-sessions-with-sauber/

[Chrill]

Is Gasly racing at Sepang after all? And if so, is he doing it ALONGSIDE Sainz rather than by replacing the Spaniard?
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gasly-poised-racing-debut-kyvat-957782/

Kvyat on the out, it seems.

[Penfold]

Certainly fascinating to see how Gasly performs if he gets this chance - will he be stronger competition for Sainz than Kyvat has been of late?  Then what does this mean for next year... Sainz is leaving so will we get Gasly and someone other than Kvyat at Toro Rosso?  Two rookies?  Perhaps that not overly impressive Japanese chap will be thrown in by Honda.

[Penfold]

George Russell (GP3 champion) gets FP1 outings with Force India in Brazil & Abu Dhabi: https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/11/07/russell-drive-force-india-first-practice/

So that's two British lads nudging their way towards F1.