The 2018 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation threadFormula 1

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I knew it was unlikely that Wehrlein would stay at Sauber if Alfa came in but was expecting Giovinazzi instead of Ericsson alongside LeClerc.

I guess with limited sponsorship at the moment, Ericsson's money should come in quite useful for the time being.

Ericsson's money is the team that's the thing. Unless Alfa decides to take over, you wont be seeing two Ferrari drivers there at once. I too would rather see Giovanazzi get a shot, but like Maldonado and Palmer somewhat, money does give you a place holder.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Ericsson's money is the team that's the thing.

Not just that, a large portion of Ericsson's money seems to come through Longbow/Sportpro, the team's owner.

 

[Jimlaad43]

The choice is Ericsson and Sauber with some money, or Giovinazzi and a penniless and uncompetitive Sauber

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Not just that, a large portion of Ericsson's money seems to come through Longbow/Sportpro, the team's owner.

That was my point...not sure how that didn't translate for you. When I say "Ericsson's money is the team" I'm clearly talking about Longbow and their massive buy in to the Sauber team to ownership.

 

[TenEightyOne]

That was my point...not sure how that didn't translate for you.

Now I know what you mean I see you were missing a comma!

"Ericsson's money is the team, that's the thing", not "the team that's the thing". That's where I misunderstood - sorry!

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Now I know what you mean I see you were missing a comma!

"Ericsson's money is the team, that's the thing", not "the team that's the thing". That's where I misunderstood - sorry!

Not sure how that pause in statement helps you understand it better than the original but okay. Glad you understand now.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Not sure how that pause in statement helps you understand it better than the original but okay. Glad you understand now.

I'm having a bad Asperger's day

In driver news... Kubica is to test in the Williams simulator in yet another chapter of the will-he-won't-he saga. Presumably the team want to test scenarios/tracks/corners that haven't occured in his real-world testing.

 

[Dan Hill]

Just seen an article on Autosport but apparently it is being reported elsewhere that Sergey Sirotkin is now the favourite to replace Felipe Massa at Williams.

Apparently Williams saw that on pure performance Sirotkin was a stronger candidate than Robert Kubica. Also says that they will be getting between £12-15million in sponsorship for him.

 

[TheElbows]

Yeah...the more tests Kubica got the less likely I figured it was going to happen. Probably extending tests because a few other pokers were in the fire (pokers with bigger sponsorship than the Pole).

 

[EngieDiesel]

If this slightly old BBC article is correct, Sirotkin was only a half second slower on soft tires than Kubica's best time on the marshmallow hypersoft tires at the Abu Dhabi test session. That and bringing in his own money would definitely put Sirotkin in serious consideration.

 

[Bram Turismo]

It's only logical he is the favourite. He is younger, faster, AND brings money. At this point putting Kubica in the car feels like a move just to bring hype and media attention to the team. As much as I'd have loved to see Kubica make a return and be succesful.

 

[FutureF1]

So then I guess we kiss bye bye to the beautiful Martini Sponsorship and say hello to SMP Williams Racing haha. Maybe this gives Alfa the chance to join forces with Martini (I would love to see that)

 

[TheElbows]

Or, could possibly give Martini an out. Williams, even in 2018 was unlikely to be breaking records or getting race wins. I suspect Martini may take advantage of this to simply bow out politely.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Or, could possibly give Martini an out. Williams, even in 2018 was unlikely to be breaking records or getting race wins. I suspect Martini may take advantage of this to simply bow out politely.

I see it like this somewhat, but instead of completely bowing out, being happy to allow this and give title sponsor to someone else, while taking a smaller plot on the car. I figured perhaps the deal was, get a guy that is 25 are older for title sponsorship, or get another driver with a sponsor willing to take over title responsibilities. This way they stay relevant, while saving money.

 

[TheElbows]

Racer now saying Williams may delay until January an actual decision...so the drama continues. (I imagine the decision is made though).

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/146316-williams-delays-driver-decision-until-january

 

[Simmpa]

So Williams have yet another pay driver in their team? They have really become the laughing stock of F1

 

[Jimlaad43]

Stroll may be a pay driver, but he has proved that he deserves to be in F1. This year, he needs to prove he deserves to stay in F1, but he's done enough to show that he does have some talent.

Calling them a laughing stock is harsh. If getting money from Sirotkin allows them to get back up the grid, then why blame them.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

So Williams have yet another pay driver in their team? They have really become the laughing stock of F1

Ah yes another Simmpa perspective on Motorsports that only he shares within himself. Yeah the fifth place finishing team in 2017 is the laughing stock of F1. Kubica wasn't going to come back he had a chance perhaps, but signs show speed was never strong with him in his post accident form. Sirotkin is faster, has been around the team before, and was actually the prospect of William prior to Stroll. So it seems pretty apparent as to why they went the way they did on it. As for money, every driver needs to bring in money, even Kubica had to line up some backing to get this far again.

 

[Dennisch]

They have really become the laughing stock of F1

That would be McLaren.

 

[EngieDiesel]

As for money, every driver needs to bring in money, even Kubica had to line up some backing to get this far again.

Yep. Companies are getting very reluctant to invest in motorsports these days, and when they do they want to make sure they're backing someone who will get their name as much visibility as possible to get maximum return on that investment, so they're increasingly sponsoring drivers rather than teams. That way if a star driver leaves for another team, their logo isn't left behind and possibly represented by a future graduate of the Pastor Maldonado Driving Academy.

That would be McLaren.

That's a very odd way to misspell Honda.

 

[Tired Tyres]

That's a very odd way to misspell Honda.

You missed all the stellar performances by McLaren in the last few years?

I'd say you can faily share the blame between McLaren and Honda. But McLaren definitely have the form for screw ups.

 

[Michelin Man]

Agreed. Not all the blame can be apportioned to Honda, Mclaren have had they're fair share of trials and tribulations these last few years too, after all is was a partnership was it not, so the blame cannot be solely put on one party.


PS: Just to be clear I'm not defending Honda and ignoring the troubles they've had either.

 

[EngieDiesel]

You missed all the stellar performances by McLaren in the last few years?

I'd say you can faily share the blame between McLaren and Honda. But McLaren definitely have the form for screw ups.

I knew I should have put a at the end of that. Believe me, I'm fully aware that McLaren isn't entirely blameless for what's happened to them. Or even mostly blameless, really.

 

[TenEightyOne]

That would be McLaren.

Although STR weren't far off in 2017. They actually completed fewer pre-season testing laps then McLaren too... and that takes some serious lack of ability

 

[TenEightyOne]

It looks as if Sirotkin will take the spare Williams seat for 2018. That's a shame for Kubica but it's an achievement for him to even have been in the position of giving the solid testing performances that he's managed. Not that it'll feel like it for him.

 

[TheElbows]

Can't say I'm tremendously surprised. Time for Kubica to move onto the world of Sports Car racing and get properly stuck in.

 

[MustangManiac]

It looks as if Sirotkin will take the spare Williams seat for 2018. That's a shame for Kubica but it's an achievement for him to even have been in the position of giving the solid testing performances that he's managed. Not that it'll feel like it for him.

Should be an interesting driver pairing.

 

[TheElbows]

I hadn't considered it as a pairing either...that is actually pretty interesting. We know Stroll has enough skill to push an F1 car around a track. He probably got a rather undeserved amount of negative attention last year, but now he'll have nowhere to hide. Even in only his second year, he'll be the "experienced" driver. While his daddy is bringing a lot of money, it'll be a tough pill to swallow if Sirotkin turns out to be the real deal and obliterates him performance-wise. I wonder if that ramps up the stress level for Stroll or if he's confident going forward.

 

[mustafur]

I think with Strolls level of racing xp in general it will probably take 3 seasons to get his potential unlocked, he came to F1 a year or two too early.

He made alot of mistakes but we know he is quick on tracks that are more difficult and in the wet.

Not all drivers are the same and it can do real damage to drives future by raising them up the ladder to quickly when they might be more of a late bloomer.

 

[psychoazubi]

Kvyat found a new home in Italy: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/kvyat-joins-ferrari-development-driver-994378/