2019 Driver Speculation

[Chrill]

I mean, if I am to bet who will go out of F1 at the end of this season:

Alonso, Vandoorne, Ericsson, Hartley, (Ocon)

Replaced by:
Giovinazzi, Norris, Kvyat, Wehrlein, (Markelov/Russell)

I mean, not quite in that order, but yeah you get the idea.

I could still see Grosjean leaving Haas replaced by Perez, for example, but it seems like the Mexican will accompany Stroll next year. I could also hope for Giovinazzi to find a spot at Haas instead of at Sauber. But then again, I know I'm one of few who would miss Ericsson. And then again, who knows, maybe I'll get a Swede in F1 sometime in the future. Linus Lundqvist of British F3, for example.

[Matt]

I like Wehrlein. Kvyat, on the other hand, has had more than enough chances.

[Penfold]

You know what they say: Third time's the charm!

Ericsson still in with a shot at Williams; if Merc won't fund a driver it will need to be someone with personal backers.

[Chrill]

Yes, Ericsson's personal backers who seem to have sold out to Raikkonen. In other words, they have got their money's worth with Ericsson. I think if he leaves Sauber, joining Williams may not be right for him.

Ericsson would be excellent in WEC, he is great at tyre management and managing a car. He just lacks that absolute top speed. WEC, no problem, Ericsson would be a brilliant endurance racer.

[Chrill]

Helmut Marko declares that Toro Rosso is weighing up three drivers, and he names them:

Daniil Kvyat
Antonio Giovinazzi
Aaandddd....

Robert Kubica

https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/09/20/marko-kvyat-giovinazzi-or-kubica-for-toro-rosso/

They'll announce one driver in Russia, and Kvyat is Russian so there's that. Kubica vs Giovinazzi, unless Hartley improves decently in the last few races.

[Matt]

And Giovinazzi is still considered likely to take the remaining Sauber seat? I really want to see Kubica get one real chance to return.

[Chrill]

I'd say right now my money would be on Giovinazzi at Sauber, but then again Ferrari only just promoted Leclerc. Giovinazzi has been a solid simulation driver but not as solid as a test/reserve driver.  I think Ferrari are hesitant to "waste money" on Giovinazzi.

I'd give it something like 60% for Giovinazzi to race for Sauber in 2019, 25% for him to remain in a supportive role and maybe 10% for him to join a non-Ferrari team. The last 5%, I suppose, is divided between "being dropped entirely" or "Ferrari paying to put him in Haas".

I'd place my money on Kvyat-Wehrlein at Toro Rosso, or indeed Kvyat-Hartley if he shapes up some more. Kubica is old, but then again a great PR stunt if you'd bring him back. Not to mention, if Gasly simply doesn't deliver then who wouldn't want to see Kubica racing Verstappen in a Red Bull?

[Chrill]

Giovinazzi confirmed alongside Kimi for 2019, ousting my fellow Swede:
http://www.fiatpress.com/press/article/antonio-giovinazzi-to-race-for-the-alfa-romeo-sauber-f1-team

Expected, the right call too, but definitely saddens me nonetheless. I like Ericsson.

[Chrill]

Ericsson stays on as "brand ambassador" and third driver for 2019:
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/906188/1/ericsson-become-sauber-third-driver

Effectively confirming he is not in the running for a seat at Williams.

[Penfold]

... so will it be Markelov?  I'm still assuming they need someone with a wodge of cash to help keep the lights on at Williams HQ (at least for their F1 operations, the engineering business is going fine).

[Chrill]

I'd say this opens up for Ocon or Kubica at Williams. Or, indeed Markelov. Russell, why would he get a seat ahead of Ocon? That makes little sense.

[Chrill]

No change at Haas:

https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/28/haas-keep-grosjean-and-magnussen-for-2019/

[Chrill]

Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport:
44. Lewis Hamilton (link)
77. Valtteri Bottas (link)

Scuderia Ferrari:
5. Sebastian Vettel (link)
16. Charles Leclerc (link)

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda:
10. Pierre Gasly (link)
33. Max Verstappen (link)

Renault Sport Formula One Team:
3. Daniel Ricciardo (link)
27. Nico Hulkenberg (link)

Haas F1 Team:
8. Romain Grosjean (link)
20. Kevin Magnussen (link)

McLaren F1 Team:
55. Carlos Sainz (link)
?. Lando Norris (link)

Racing Point Force India F1 Team:
11. Sergio Perez (link)
18. Lance Stroll (link)
31. Esteban Ocon (link)
?. Nicholas Latifi (link)

Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda:
25. Jean-Eric Vergne (link)
26. Daniil Kvyat (link)
94. Pascal Wehrlein (link)
?. Alexander Albon (link)
?. Dan Ticktum (link)
?. Mick Schumacher (link)
?. Robert Kubica (link)
?. Sebastien Buemi (link)
31. Esteban Ocon (link)

Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team:
7. Kimi Raikkonen (link)
?. Antonio Giovinazzi (link)

Williams Martini Racing:
18. Lance Stroll (link)
35. Sergey Sirotkin (link)
?. Artem Markelov (link)
?. Nikita Mazepin (link)
?. Oliver Rowland (link)
?. Robert Kubica (link)

[Penfold]

Just popped by to post the Haas story... beaten to the punch, yet again.

[Chrill]

I like beating and punching.