The 2018 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation threadFormula 1

[mustafur]

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

Pretty much, Redbull have had the best chassis or close to it since the reg change and they still can't compete for the title.

 

[Alpha Cipher]

All you need to know about the current driver market in 1 minute

WHY DID RICCIARDO LEAVE RED BULL I'M AKDLCLWNFLSKGLSMVSLDMCLSLCLD

edit: wow I sounded like a stereotypical twitter guy

 

[FutureF1]

I think the move is less Ricciardo not trusting Honda and more Marko not giving him equal terms to Verstappen. We know red bull selects their golden child every couple of years and despite Daniels superior talent, they picked max (sound like 2010 anyone?). Ricciardo got sick of their s**t and signed with Renault, who I think will be equal with Red Bull in 2019. Should be fun

 

[Alpha Cipher]

I think the move is less Ricciardo not trusting Honda and more Marko not giving him equal terms to Verstappen. We know red bull selects their golden child every couple of years and despite Daniels superior talent, they picked max (sound like 2010 anyone?). Ricciardo got sick of their s**t and signed with Renault, who I think will be equal with Red Bull in 2019. Should be fun

whoa whoa whoa this is the first time I heard this news? Can you elaborate or gimme a link where Red Bull chooses Verstappen? I'm not quite sure what that exactly means

 

[DesertPenguin]

It's believed that Verstappen was given more money in his contract upgrade and Ricciardo fearing becoming the #2 like Webber decided to move on to another team where he can be #1 and get somewhere.

 

[PocketZeven]

Pretty much, Redbull have had the best chassis or close to it since the reg change and they still can't compete for the title.

It is not entirely unrealistic to see renault taking over the top 3 from RBR. As I understand the partnership with Honda is focused more on the longer term then immediate results. But going back to your comment about manufacturer teams... As I understand the new partnership between Honda with RBR is going to be more that of a manufacturers team, since they dont need to purchase the engine from Honda.

 

[Alpha Cipher]

It's believed that Verstappen was given more money in his contract upgrade and Ricciardo fearing becoming the #2 like Webber decided to move on to another team where he can be #1 and get somewhere.

Ohhhh damn...

 

[mastretta_mx]

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.

I dont see Alonso moving to RB due The Honda engine being mounted in the cars

 

[PocketZeven]

I dont see Alonso moving to RB due The Honda engine being mounted in the cars

I already said that in an earlier post.
The 2018 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation thread

But this season already proved that the reason Mclaren was not underperforming was solely because of the engine (because they had the best chassis). At toro Rosso Honda is proving to be a reliable engine. But this could be his last chance in a competitive car.

 

[Dennisch]

It's time for Fernando to take his salary out of F1.

 

[Sureboss]

It's time for Fernando to take his salary out of F1.

And the ego.

Interesting though, Ocon tipped to Renault too?

Where's Hulk going, Red Bull?

 

[Dennisch]

And the ego.

Unless that ruins the team spirit, I could care less about the personalities. It always better than having a political correct robot.

 

[Sureboss]

Unless that ruins the team spirit, I could care less about the personalities. It always better than having a political correct robot.

Kimi's personality over Alonso's.

 

[psychoazubi]

And the ego.

Interesting though, Ocon tipped to Renault too?

Where's Hulk going, Red Bull?

Renault confirmed Hulk + Ric for next season. They just had an option on Ocon for replacing Sainz, but now that they have Ric, Ocon might stay at Force India (or switch to Williams for Stroll which was also rumored after Stroll Sr. was interested in helping Force India..)

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

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.

Some did others didn't because we saw the engineering market shift which is as important if not more so than the driver one. Renault is having that shift but not on level with Mercedes 2012/2013 picks.

My issue is that the argument he is at a factory team is bs. Considering RBR are a factory team again next year. So that can't be why he left. I think a change of scene is the most likely cause. Wish him the best.

 

[PocketZeven]

Renault confirmed Hulk + Ric for next season. They just had an option on Ocon for replacing Sainz, but now that they have Ric, Ocon might stay at Force India (or switch to Williams for Stroll which was also rumored after Stroll Sr. was interested in helping Force India..)

If Mercedes are willing to let him go to Renault, then why not RBR? Ocon and verstappen were rivals once upon a time.

 

[marco89IT]

I would be really surprised to hear/read about Honda even thinking about signing Alonso again for that RedBull seat. He had all the reasons to be furious about that situation but instead of letting go all his frustration behind closed doors, he did the exact opposite. Interviews and funny interactions with fans, TV crews, deckchairs and so on just to underline the fact the he can't drive because his car is broken again. And of course team radios, with the "iconic" GP2 engine screamed just at the perfect time of the year, home GP at Suzuka.
From Honda's point of view that was the worst way possible, also considering how popular he is even amongst non-F1 fans. He basically behaved like the kid which is playing a team sport, his team is losing and he's doing everything he can to highlight how good he is, how hard he's trying and how bad his teammates and coaches are. As if the world needs to be reminded how good of a driver Alonso is, from Alonso himself.
Also, I don't know the exact details of his contract with Toyota, but I think he's signed with them for the full 2018-19 season and I don't see Honda letting him drive for them as McLaren and Renault are doing this year.

 

[PocketZeven]

I would be really surprised to hear/read about Honda even thinking about signing Alonso again for that RedBull seat. He had all the reasons to be furious about that situation but instead of letting go all his frustration behind closed doors, he did the exact opposite. Interviews and funny interactions with fans, TV crews, deckchairs and so on just to underline the fact the he can't drive because his car is broken again. And of course team radios, with the "iconic" GP2 engine screamed just at the perfect time of the year, home GP at Suzuka.
From Honda's point of view that was the worst way possible, also considering how popular he is even amongst non-F1 fans. He basically behaved like the kid which is playing a team sport, his team is losing and he's doing everything he can to highlight how good he is, how hard he's trying and how bad his teammates and coaches are. As if the world needs to be reminded how good of a driver Alonso is, from Alonso himself.
Also, I don't know the exact details of his contract with Toyota, but I think he's signed with them for the full 2018-19 season and I don't see Honda letting him drive for them as McLaren and Renault are doing this year.

Actually it would be a genius move to sign him. How big a news would honda and Alonso reconcile be throughout the motorsport world. A lot of extra publicity that could turn into a disaster (if reliability issues return) or a fairy tale (winning the title or top 3 finish in his last season in F1). Alonso already made a name for himself by winning LeMans and performing great in Indycar in recent years. So he is still very much a popular person in motorsport. And a great representative for Red Bull.

 

[Carbon_6]

Anything can happen in this game, as a wise man once said.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Anything can happen in this game, as a wise man once said.

It's "IF" backwards, you know.

 

[twitcher]

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.

Redbull have all the excuses they need.

Max and Sainz, dispite being friendly off the circuit, don’t exactly get along in the garage. There was big tension at TR before, and with Sainz being brought in to being Golden Boy’s #2, things might not necessarily go smoothly.

Sainz hasn’t exactly destroyed Hulkenberg, who is a very known quantity in the paddock. If Sainz can’t thoroughly beat Hulk, what shot does he have against Max?

Gasly is raising eyebrows. It would be a big risk to put him in the RB next to Max, but the potential payout of finding another golden boy in Pierre (still a relatively unknown quantity) is much higher than plugging in Sainz (who is a known quantity at this point).

If F1 was all about being fair, then Sainz should get get the RB seat. But it’s not like that, and especially when you’re talking about RB, I can very easily see them cutting Sainz lose and going with Gasly. Who they put in the TR then, I’m not sure, but I don’t think Sainz to RB is a given.

Edit:

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 think this is quite a reach to say Dan is this generation’s Berger because he hasn’t won a championship yet.

How many championship winning cars did Berger drive? How many championships have RB had a shot at whilst Dan has been with them.

Hakkinen was in his 7th year when he won his first title. Button was in his 9th season when he won it all!

This is F1, it’s 95% the car and being in the right team at the right time. Dan has done nothing to indicate he can’t win a championship, he’s never been given anything close to a realistic chance, so he’s never had to go into championship fighting mode.

 

[adb]

After being turned down by Merc and Ferrari it was his only choice really. Max has him covered speed wise, and he’s proving he can keep it clean, now Dan has his hands full and actually is getting beaten more often than not, few more years of this and he would be off into the midfield.

Renault is the only team on the way up with resources to fight for WC, it’s his only shot.

That being said, I’m not so sure he will destroy Hulk, I think in qualy they will be close

 

[Alpha Cipher]

After being turned down by Merc and Ferrari it was his only choice really. Max has him covered speed wise, and he’s proving he can keep it clean, now Dan has his hands full and actually is getting beaten more often than not, few more years of this and he would be off into the midfield.

Renault is the only team on the way up with resources to fight for WC, it’s his only shot.

That being said, I’m not so sure he will destroy Hulk, I think in qualy they will be close

So Dan did try to get a contract from Merc and Ferrari?

 

[mustafur]

So Dan did try to get a contract from Merc and Ferrari?

Well he did say in public he didn't want to sign a contract untill he knew what Hamilton was doing.

 

[Alpha Cipher]

Well he did say in public he didn't want to sign a contract untill he knew what Hamilton was doing.

Ohhh

 

[adb]

So Dan did try to get a contract from Merc and Ferrari?

I don’t get it? Why wouldn’t he?

 

[Alpha Cipher]

I don’t get it? Why wouldn’t he?

I mean yeah there's all the reasons for him to try and negotiate with them, it's just that I haven't read any official news about it prior to the subsequent replies

 

[adb]

I mean yeah there's all the reasons for him to try and negotiate with them, it's just that I haven't read any official news about it prior to the subsequent replies

I don’t think there is ever official news about negotiations

 

[BrainsBush]

And it could be that his agent/management team did some talks with the teams and not Daniel personally? So he did not talk with Ferrari/Mercedes himself.

 

[twitcher]

Has anyone heard what Newey’s plans for the next couple of years are? Not suggesting the rumours of Renault trying to snatch him are remotely true....but is he still trying to “semi retire”? He tried to scale back his involvement, only to be called back to rescue the team.

Will the 2019 RB be a Newey car, or a RB car that Newey has to rescue midway through the ‘19 season.

I wonder if Dan has any insight into the scale of Newey’s continued involvement which may have influenced his decision.