2020 Driver Speculation

[Penfold]

One of us really should drag it back on-topic, or at least to something less Hitler-based.

[Chrill]

Yes. What's your take on Benito Mussolini?

[Chrill]

OK, back to F1.

In what is a surprise to me, Haas announce they are retaining both drivers for 2020. That means Grosjean is picked over Hulkenberg. Huh.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-keeps-haas-seat-hulkenberg/4543516/

What next for Hulk? He can hope to join Kimi at Alfauber, or maybe grab a seat at Williams. Other than that, his best bet is a surprise shuffle at Red Bull or Ferrari really. Or he's out of F1.

[Chrill]

Kubica confirms he will not remain at Williams for 2020, paving the way for his move to DTM (which today announced a round in Sweden! It'll be our first international road course race since 2007!). Most likely, Latifi will take the vacated Williams seat.
https://www.racefans.net/2019/09/19/kubica-confirms-he-will-leave-williams-at-end-of-season/

[Penfold]

Hmm, doesn't look tremendous for the Hulk.  Like you say, Latifi has to be favourite for the Williams spot - apart from anything else he'll be considerably cheaper than Hulkenberg!  As for Alfauber, well I had thought it likely that Gio would get the boot, but they seem to be pivoting towards keeping him for another year until Mick Schumacher is brought on board in '21.  On the plus side, we do keep Grosjean in F1... and I rather like that chap.

[Chrill]

On the plus side, we do keep Grosjean in F1... and I rather like that chap.

why.

The only one I like less is Kevin Magnussen. However, I love Gunther Steiner. I am very conflicted when it comes to Haas.

[Penfold]

No great reason, just that he seems quite personable.

[Chrill]

Could Kubica find himself in a simulator (third driver) role with Haas for 2020? The sponsorship from his oily Orlen friends will help Haas, surely.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/146183/haas-opens-talks-with-kubica-over-2020-role

[Penfold]

Should be able to provide some useful feedback to Haas, plus he'll be on hand for when Grosjean or KMag finally pick up a race ban for crashing into people. 

[Chrill]

Should be able to provide some useful feedback to Haas, plus he'll be on hand for when Grosjean or KMag finally pick up a race ban for crashing into people.

Vettel is closer to one right now, 3 more points in any of the coming 2 (or 3?) races would see him out for a race. Who would Ferrari draft? Hartley or Ericsson ( ), I suppose, but they wouldn't do very well.

[Penfold]

They could always try to tempt Kimi back for a race and give Eric's son the Alfa seat....

[Chrill]

Marko has confirmed that Kvyat will remain at Toro Rosso for yet another season. We'll soon find out who joins him there, and who goes to Red Bull.

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

Scuderia Ferrari:
5. Sebastian Vettel (link)
16. Charles Leclerc (link)
14. Fernando Alonso (link)
33. Max Verstappen (link)

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing:
33. Max Verstappen (link)
5. Sebastian Vettel (link)
10. Pierre Gasly (link)
23. Alexander Albon (link)

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

Renault F1 Team:
3. Daniel Ricciardo (link)
31. Esteban Ocon (link)

Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda:
26. Daniil Kvyat (link)
10. Pierre Gasly (link)
23. Alexander Albon (link)
?. Patricio O'Ward (link)
?. Sébastien Buemi (link)

SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team:
11. Sergio Perez (link)
18. Lance Stroll (link)

Alfa Romeo Racing:
7. Kimi Räikkönen (link)
27. Nico Hülkenberg (link)
99. Antonio Giovinazzi (link)
?. Mick Schumacher (link)

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

ROKiT Williams Racing:
63. George Russell (link)
?. Nicolas Latifi (link)
88. Robert Kubica (link)

[Chrill]

Russell would not mind the Hulk at Williams for 2020:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/russell-hulkenberg-williams-challenge-2020/4548092/

Question is, would Hulk take a seat at Williams in order to remain on the grid? I ain't too sure.

[Penfold]

Probably would, if nothing else it'd give him a place in any beauty parade should other berths come available in 2021.

[Chrill]

Wouldn't he rather do a full season of WEC, and have a go at a one-off race in something like the World Rallycross Championship or IndyCar?