The 2018 Season

[Chrill]

This goes just as well in the 2018 Drivers Speculation, or the engine thread, but let's post this here:

An announcement should be imminent confirming the following:
1. Carlos Sainz to Renault
2. McLaren to use Renault engines for 2018
3. Toro Rosso to use Honda engines for 2018

Step 2 of this could include:
1. Carlos Sainz to Renault as soon as Malaysia
2. Palmer leaves Renault
3. Pierre Gasly replaces Sainz at Toro Rosso

Step 3 of this could include:
1. Alonso stays at McLaren-Renault for 2018
2. Matushita to Toro Rosso-Honda for 2018, leaving McLaren since they are no longer tied to Honda.

All these announcements should happen before or during the Singapore GP next weekend.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131722/sainz-renault-deal-sets-up-mclaren-changes

[Penfold]

Holy schmoly... that's a lot of news waiting to drop in the next few days.

All the 'step 1' movements seem to be set in motion, it's really only the timing of some (see step 2) that are up in the air.

[Chrill]

Indeed. And step 3 is even more speculative. Is McLaren-Renault enough to keep Alonso onboard? Is Matsushita even able to reach the required points for an FIA Super License?

As it stands, Matsushita won't be fit for F1 come next season, he'll have scored too few points in Formula 2.

[Penfold]

If only he was a better driver.... I suppose they could give him a bunch of FP1 outings next year and see whether he can amass sufficient Super Licence points for 2019.

Who knows with Alonso.  I suspect a switch to Renault power will be enough to persuade him to stay on, he does at least seem to be enjoying this current style of F1 car mated to tyres that don't shred after two fast laps.

[Chrill]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gasly-confirms-toro-rosso-chance-951689/

Gasly speaks too soon again. Claims he is in the running for a Toro Rosso drive from Malaysia onwards.

[Penfold]

And then says the media is putting words in his mouth: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/09/11/media-twisting-words-chance-malaysia-drive-gasly/

[Penfold]

McLaren-Renault sort of confirmed: http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/11033348/mclaren-to-switch-from-honda-to-renault-engines-in-2018

Also in that piece it's stated that Palmer will see out the season with Renault.

[Penfold]

Red Bull to ditch Renault at end of 2018: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/09/14/red-bull-honda-2019-renault-end-engine-deal/

Didn't want to start a thread for the 2019 season quite yet, and besides, this tale follows on nicely from previous postings.


Edit: Now that the whole story is out (rather than F1 sources giving a BBC journo some early info.) we know it was Renault who told Red Bull to go take a long walk off a short pier, and not t'other way round.  Red Bull now stuck with Honda from 2019 until... new engine rules in '21 I suppose.  Perhaps Cosworth will make a return, or that rumour of Porsche buying Red Bull will come to something.

[Chrill]

Confirmed:
* Toro Rosso to end Renault partnership at end of 2017 season
* Carlos Sainz to Renault on loan for 2018
* McLaren-Renault for 2018 to 2020

Source on McLaren-Renault
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/09/15/mclaren-confirmed-split-honda-renault-engine-deal-2018/

[Penfold]

Hope this keeps Alonso in F1 and sees McLaren back in their rightful place as the third or fourth best team on the grid.

[Chrill]

https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/09/18/aston-martin-we-want-to-be-more-involved-in-the-sport/

Aston Martin Red Bull for next season?

[Penfold]

Saw the Aston guy chatting on Channel 4's race coverage, all quite vague stuff, much hanging on what happens with future engine regulations; and even if they turn out well, I can't picture Aston doing an F1 engine without cash coming from the Red Bull side.

[Chrill]

Title sponsor, rather than engine manufacturer.

[Penfold]

Title sponsor next year but also talking about engines depending on future (2021) regulations.

[Penfold]

Paddy Lowe has a cunning plan for Williams in 2018 which I shall condense into this tasty little morsel: Be better.  Full wordage: https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/09/21/lowe-we-will-be-making-substantial-changes/