2018 Driver Speculation

[Chrill]

Kvyat has raced his last race for Red Bull / Toro Rosso.

https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/10/25/kvyat-reaches-the-end-of-the-road-as-marko-confirms-he-wont-return/

This indeed implies that Gasly will partner someone other than the Russian for 2018. Maybe Hartley, especially since neither Sean Gelael or Nobuharu Matsushita (did I get those names right?) have the needed points for the SUPER LICENSE.

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And Pascal could be set to lose the backing of Mercedes unless he secures a deal with Williams for 2018:

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/formula-1/mercedes/news/wehrlein-set-to-lose-mercedes-backing_310200.html

[Penfold]

I like the Hartley for Red Bull sponsorship idea.  As you say, everyone wins... except Kvyat.

Now unless Williams is going to get another chunk of money off their annual engine subscription, I really can't see why they'd consider Blaise (Pascal) over someone like Kubica - hell, I'd rather keep Massa in the seat for another year.

[Chrill]

With Bottas failing miserably in the second half of the season, I think Mercedes might be regretting their pick for 2018. Then again, who else would they have opted to hunt? Ricciardo/Verstappen? Sainz? Vettel? ALONSO?

[Matt]

Ganassi has signed Ed Jones, which points to Hartley staying with STR.

[Chrill]

Hartley has also selected his own racing number rather than using Toro Rosso's spare number. He will be number 28 which he used in Formula Renault 3.5 in the past. This implies that he will definitely see out the season.

https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/10/26/hartley-change-number-second-grand-prix/

[Penfold]

Massa questions whether Kubica can cope physically with F1; says di Resta is too rubbish to deserve his seat: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa-kubica-di-resta-williams-drive-970197/

[Chrill]

Chrill questions whether Massa is mentally fit; says Massa is acting like Villeneuve in the media at the moment.

[Chrill]

I really do want to create a 2019 Driver Speculation thread now:

Hamilton says Ricciardo as his team mate would be a privilege:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-ricciardo-teammate-privilege-mercedes-red-bull-970864/

Also, Hartley to complete the season alongside Gasly as Red Bull evaluates whether the Kiwi should get a full 2018 season:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hartley-gasly-set-to-complete-season-at-toro-rosso-970907/?s=1

[Penfold]

You could create a '2020 Driver Speculation' thread if the mood takes you... I don't think anyone will object.

[Chrill]

Is Kvyat finding a lifeline with Williams?

http://www.planetf1.com/news/kvyat-in-contention-for-williams-seat/

[Penfold]

Stroll & Kvyat, doesn't get much better than that.

[Chrill]

Well, yes. Any pairing, ever, of all time, would be better.

[Chrill]

Roger Benoit, arguably the journalist we can trust the most when it comes to Sauber (he found Longbow before announcement, he fired Nasr before announcement, etc.) claims that Ericsson-Leclerc is a done deal for 2018 and is to be announced very soon.

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/formula-1/sauber/news/sauber-decide-to-drop-wehrlein-for-2018_310774.html

Bye bye Wehrlein then.

[Penfold]

Fine by me.  Marcus has clearly been the better driver this year.

[Chrill]

Fine by me.  Marcus has clearly been the better driver this year.

You didn't think 12 months ago that "Ericsson is a better driver than Wehrlein", yet here we are saying he has been just that this year.