2019 Driver Speculation

[Chrill]

We all know.

[Chrill]

Rosenqvist is flirting with F1:
http://www.planetf1.com/news/rosenqvist-hopes-fe-success-opens-f1-doors/

And we all know he should be there.

[Penfold]

Wonder how much store F1 teams put into FE results?  What he really needs is money... loads, and loads of money.

[Chrill]

Can we crowdfund F1 drivers? It worked for Caterham for a race...

[Penfold]

Why the hell not, I reckon 500k per race should do it.

[Chrill]

Your Ericsson idea is now gathering steam in Swedish media. Ericsson says that if he can beat Leclerc, his eyes must be on moving up to Ferrari for 2019.

https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/Xwe3Kx/ferrari-ska-ta-marcus-ericsson-till-toppen
Learn Swedish.

Google Translate:
And in the back of his mind, Kimi Raikkonen turns 39 and has a contract with Ferrari, which will expire after 2018. Charles Leclerc, new team colleague of Marcus Ericsson, has long been referred to as a future Ferrari driver - if he is not beaten by Sweden. Then Ericssons's career can suddenly take a completely different way to one of F1's most classic teams.

- Who knows? says Marcus Ericsson and laughs.

"First of all, I have to do a really good year here, I have the perfect benchmark in Charles. He is the hottest newcomer to Formula 1 since Max Verstappen. He has a great reputation and can I beat such a guy, then I can beat anyone.

[Chrill]

Could Kubica's return be on the cards for 2019 instead?
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/134008/williams-kubica-has-got-to-earn-2019-race-seat

He's getting older, you know.

[Penfold]

Kubica has got to earn the right to a race seat, opines Paddy Lowe.  I suppose that's only fair, a team like Williams doesn't want to go giving seats to unworthy drivers.


My Ericsson idea... as if.  Fascinating to see how Mark 'Toys R' Us and 'It is I' compare on raw pace and race craft this year.

[Chrill]

Ocon keen to return to battling with Verstappen (and Leclerc), old rivalries in junior series:

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ocon-would-relish-verstappen-title-fight-1014477/

Is he angling for Ricciardo's seat or Valtteri's? Not quite sure. Perhaps both.

[Penfold]

Love to see him at Merc. if Val doesn't cut the mustard this year.

[Matt]

Ocon is my favorite of the young drivers. I think he is really good.

[Penfold]

Was impressed with him right from the off with Manor, but duking it out with Perez last year was just a terrific showing.

[Matt]

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/148165-ericsson-performances-masked-by-weight-vasseur

Turns out Ericsson was just too fat last season. Ferrari 2019 looking more likely by the day.

[Chrill]

Ericsson indeed was too fat. He's quite a tall lad, and the Sauber was overweight even with Wehrlein behind the wheel. So yup. 2019 Ericsson. I do think he stands a chance, I'd rate Ericsson to race for Ferrari in 2019 at 0.1%.

[Chrill]

I'm actually going to start this now.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why-ricciardo-f1-career-hinges-on-2018-1021182/

Ricciardo, Bottas, and Ocon in the running for second seat at Mercedes.

So, therefore we get:

Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport:
3. Daniel Ricciardo (link)
31. Esteban Ocon (link)
77. Valtteri Bottas (link)

Scuderia Ferrari:
5. Sebastian Vettel (link)
?.

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing:
33. Max Verstappen (link)
?.

Sahara Force India F1 Team:
?.
?.

Williams Martini Racing:
?.
?.

Renault Sport Formula One Team:
?.
?.

Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda:
?.
?.

Haas F1 Team:
?.
?.

McLaren F1 Team:
?.
?.

Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team:
?.
?.