The 2018 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation threadFormula 1 

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Getting Simone Resta without gardening leave sounds to me like they are becoming Ferrari's B-team, and starting early on 2019 car sounds like they want to capitalise on rule changes, can't see why they couldn't beat Haas next year.
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Yes which I said when it happened, however it doesn't mean they'll jump up. Especially when this year alone they've said they're trying to get thing in order. This was more of a do something radical and see what works and then evolve from there forward. However, with them cutting development I don't see that evolution happening, quite the same.

Haas have a proven car, and with the template of this years Ferrari, they have something even more to build on by evolving the VF. We're talking about teams that are literally levels apart at the moment, and somehow making gains. It could possibly be done but it's not nearly that easy nor is the engineering process especially for mid field teams on significantly smaller budgets. I would see it more likely that Haas and Sauber could finally be on even play grounds and a consistent threat to Force India, McLaren and possibly Renault.
 


Posting this here too since it also has to do with driver changes, Ocon supposedly has option deal with Renault. Which would supposedly see him replacing Sainz. While Stroll to FI rumors are now stronger, because FI would supposedly be bought (know some will whine) Lawrence Stroll.
 
Anyone else hear the rumour that Ferrari’s new boss wants Alonso back? Could be good for the sport if he’s in a top car but I dunno if Vettel will approve of a strong teammate
 
FutureF1
Anyone else hear the rumour that Ferrari’s new boss wants Alonso back? Could be good for the sport if he’s in a top car but I dunno if Vettel will approve of a strong teammate
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What I do know is that it makes a classic F1 Summer Break story :D

Not beyond the realms of possibility I suppose (like all good rumours), and I doubt it would be a long contract so it wouldn't rule Leclerc out in the future.
 
TenEightyOne
What I do know is that it makes a classic F1 Summer Break story :D

Not beyond the realms of possibility I suppose (like all good rumours), and I doubt it would be a long contract so it wouldn't rule Leclerc out in the future.
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My understanding of the situation is that the new interim Ferrari boss will probably not be making massive changes to the F1 team in the short term. He isn’t experienced in the car industry or Formula One and so will be following the lead/advice of people who have for the time being while he probably focuses his F1 attention on the 2020 rule changes.

I’d expect that to mean Seb and Kimi stay team mates for 2019.
 
Can't reach that site, and all the other report that it's strong rumours.

If true, it seems like a massive step backwards.
 
WOW. That's a surprise, didn't see that transfer coming. Renault vs Honda - Daniel vs Max. Interesting season on the horizon.

Who will join Max? Any volunteer ;)
 
7 years and no championships but can win a race here and there. He's this generation's Jackie Ickx or Gerhard Berger.

Unless Enstone are planning on pulling a rabbit out of the hat next year, it's a poor move from the looks of it. But if he needs a change of scenery, I don't suppose there are many alternatives.

Factory team might be the way to go; we all laughed at Hamilton when he went to Mercedes-Benz.
 
I'm stunned by that news. Guess he fears what the new engine deal will do to RBR and maybe he knows something we don't about what is happening at Renault. Could be my favourite driver pairing next year at Renault.
 
PzR Slim
I'm stunned by that news. Guess he fears what the new engine deal will do to RBR and maybe he knows something we don't about what is happening at Renault. Could be my favourite driver pairing next year at Renault.
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Daniel just like (half) Dutchies as teammate ;) Fun and laugther guaranteed!

Indeed it would be nice to see what happens behind the scenes between and RBR, Honda and Renault. Of course also the drivers know much more details. I guess we never find out?
I think the main reason are the ambitions of Daniel (and maybe some €/$?). He doesn't want to play the second fiddle (in Dutch we say violin).
 
Liquid
7 years and no championships but can win a race here and there. He's this generation's Jackie Ickx or Gerhard Berger.

Unless Enstone are planning on pulling a rabbit out of the hat next year, it's a poor move from the looks of it. But if he needs a change of scenery, I don't suppose there are many alternatives.

Factory team might be the way to go; we all laughed at Hamilton when he went to Mercedes-Benz.
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The thing Renault has going for it, is that they are a manufacture who's properly gearing up. This year's car is a step up from last years and I don't see a reason why next years wont step up again.
They lack somewhat in the power-train, but nothing that can't be solved with time and money, as Ferrari have shown so clearly this year.

I've not see anything about how long he'll be contracted to Renault for, so if it's a one year deal he could look to somewhere like Mercedes to replace Bottas? I think it's clear Red Bull are going to make no more progress with the Honda engine than they have the Renault engine compared to Merc and Ferrari so, as side-step is as good as doing nothing.
 
I really cant understand his decision. Ricciardo must also have been frustrated by renault's unreliability and in my opinion is ready to battle for the title. Renault is clearly a step down from Red Bull, unless he thinks Honda Power will not deliver next year. I dont know the contract details, but I would only leave Red Bull for either ferrari or Mercedes. And since that option was blocked any other option would have been a step down. At least he should have signed a 1 year contract to see if Honda is competitive and then leave to another team. If he performed well and perhaps beat Max consistently he could have always upgrade his contract or move to a more lucrative team. Red Bull also perhaps failed in meeting his contract ecxpectations. In my opinion though Ricciardo is and has been a great face brand and a perfect fit.
 
Well that throws the cat among the pigeons as they say. Renault had to do some major convincing that they would get their act together since he's been left at the side of the track a few times by that power plant.

Gasly to RBR then? Perez & Ocon stay put at Force India?
 
It should be Sainz to Red Bull, he has enough experience in F1 now and was loaned to Renault because there wasn't a seat at Red Bull free. Red Bull really don't have any excuses to not announce Sainz as Ricciardo's replacement.
 
Liquid
British Telecom to RBR:

"You have thirty-seven missed calls from a Mr F Alonso"
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I would definately would like to see Alonso with max in a dreamteam. But very unlikely seeing the bad relationship Alonso has with Honda. But one can dream...

Jimlaad43
It should be Sainz to Red Bull, he has enough experience in F1 now and was loaned to Renault because there wasn't a seat at Red Bull free. Red Bull really don't have any excuses to not announce Sainz as Ricciardo's replacement.
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Sainz is Mclaren bound and the most recent rumor Gasly is moving to RBR.
 
I can see why it might have been difficult alongside Verstappen at RBR - two number ones, both considered worthy of a shot at the championship in the near future? With Honda engines guaranteed for next year perhaps he also prefers the devil he knows? Honda have had twice as many PU parts as Renault per-car this year after all.

I'm still shocked though :)
 
My only guess is Renault showed Ricciardo that they plan to spend big in the future, Renault is a much better then option then Mclaren and a real opportunity to be a top team with the resources they have, but the engine needs a massive kick up the butt.
 
mustafur
My only guess is Renault showed Ricciardo that they plan to spend big in the future, Renault is a much better then option then Mclaren and a real opportunity to be a top team with the resources they have, but the engine needs a massive kick up the butt.
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I think they promised him the Nr 1 seat at renault. He has been involved in multiple small incidents with Max the past years. Max also has consistently been outqualifying him. Perhaps he was starting to feel like as a "second" driver to Max? I think these reasons started to add up in frustration and eating away some confidence and wants to go to a team that is built around him. Maybe he thinks he can perform better in that kind of atmosphere then staying at RBR battling with Max.

My favourate candidates would be: Alonso, LeClerc or Ocon. allthough highly unlikely it would be a guarantee for an exciting 2019 season for Red Bull. I prefer to think a young Max could still learn from an old dog like Alonso. And Alonso wants to close out his F1 career in a competitive car and this could be his last chance for that.
 
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PocketZeven
I think they promised him the Nr 1 seat at renault. He has been involved in multiple small incidents with Max the past years. Max also has consistently been outqualifying him. Perhaps he was starting to feel like as a "second" driver to Max? I think these reasons started to add up in frustration and eating away some confidence and wants to go to a team that is built around him. Maybe he thinks he can perform better in that kind of atmosphere then staying at RBR battling with Max.
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My guess is he is fed up with being in the same situation since when he joined Redbull, nearly there would get tiresome after awhile, plus he will be on more money then he would ever get at Redbull given he has been paid 5 mil or less every season.
 
mustafur
My guess is he is fed up with being in the same situation since when he joined Redbull, nearly there would get tiresome after awhile.
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He also wants to win a world championship, given the current regs, it seems clear the only people who have a shot are manufacturers. Renault seems like the best bet for a non-Ferrari/Mercedes at the moment
 
Bram Turismo
So if Sainz doesn't go to RBR, do you guys see Mclaren replacing Vandoorne with Sainz?
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I see Sainz replacing Alonso to be honest, I don't see any reason for him to stay and it looks like Mclaren are in for a rocky few years due to the restructuring needed
 

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