So, this morning I planned to write my driver predictions draft 2. I'd started this planning and thinking this set would be more logical. However do not expect that to be the thing happening here. I want to say at around 12 o'clock rumours started to swirl, and then the driver market, changed complete
Mercedes:
Let's start at the world champions, well we already know what is happening there, As I already thought they will keep their current driver line up. As Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year deal worth a believed 40 million pounds per year. Along with that contract came Bottas signing for 1 year, with a year add on possible.
Prediction: Bottas and Hamilton (confirmed)
Ferrari:
Well, the second red seat looked so promising to change earlier this year, I really thought we would see Charles Leclerc in the seat. But now, upon Sergio Marchionne's death it seems likely it will not change. It seems increasingly more likely that Raikkonen will postpone retirement and stay at the Italian team for another year.
Prediction: Vettel and Raikkonen
Red Bull:
Now, now this is where we start to get interesting. If you'd have said to me earlier today, that Riccardo would leave Red Bull today. I would not have believed you. But here we have it, just like that the Honey Badger has left them. So who replaces him, well with Riccardo gone, anything in this driver market can now happen. But Red Bull will be looking to promote from inside their junior programme. There is two possible options, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz. Right now Sainz does not have a seat for next season, and I do not think he will be racing with Red Bull next season. Overall his season has been okay with Renault, he has had some good finishes and qualifying. However, he has a better car than Gasly, and with Gasly's experience already with Honda, I think he will be heading toward the seat at Red Bull. He has had two finish in the top 6, and it is impressive from him in his rookie season of F1.
Prediction: Verstappen and Gasly
Renault:
I really did not see this coming. I thought Ocon was definitely on for a drive at Renault but here we are, I was shocked. Nico Hulkenberg will retain his seat, I hope his podium chance is higher next season as Renault could displace RBR as the 3rd place team. But let's see what happens.
Prediction: Riccardo and Hulkenberg (confirmed) (I am very shocked.)
Haas:
I think Haas will pay duty to Romain Grosjean and his loyalty to the team when they did not have anything really to offer. I think he hasn't had the best start to the season and he should realistically be drooped by Haas for 2019 however I do not think that will happen. Magnussen has had a very good start to 2018. He has had some really underrated drives and has a really good time of it in 2018, he is finally starting to show that talent we originally thought he had. It's extremely exciting times for Haas as they are turning into a very good team.
Prediction: Grosjean and Magnussen
Force India:
Well Force India didn't have the greatest start to 2018. And now they are on the hunt for a new owner as they have entered administration, it looks like they will find a new owner and we should witness them on the grid next year. With the likely hood, that Perez will stay, as he has very much proved his loyalty to the team as he tries to help them through their financial struggle. But Ocon, due to the news of Renault's driver line up, Force India have now been a struggle to place. i originally though George Russell was on for a seat. Now, now I don't think he will be heading to the Silverstone based team. As it looked more and more likely that Lawrence Stroll would help Force India and very much invest into the team, it looked likely that his son would go with his investment. I still believe this could happen. I still very much think that Stroll will head to Force India, with a lot of work to do, and a lot to prove as a driver. His current season in formula 1, is not going great, granted he is in an awful car but he'll have a lot to prove in F1 next year as he enters his third season.
Prediction: Stroll and Perez
Toro Rosso:
This one is also a team, I'm up in arms about. It's hard to say who will be racing at the Red Bull B team next season. With the amount Red Bull have gotten rid of their junior drivers it is really hard to pick who will be in the car next year. With me saying Gasly is off to Red Bull, I think there is possibly two seats up for grabs next year. However, I think Toro Rosso will have no choice but to keep Brendon Hartley, otherwise, they could call up Dan Ticktum to get his move up. But he probably isn't ready yet and he won't have the points at the point of 2019, I believe. So with James Key swapping to McLaren, has a certain Brit been a bargaining chip? Well, Lando Norris was already approached by them. I think he'll be off on "loan" to Toro Rosso next year.
Prediction: Norris and Hartley
McLaren:
This one, my prediction here is shocking. It will not happen, well half of these won't happen but I'm betting this one certainly will not happen. However, I predicting it, and I'm saying it just because I feel like anything can happen now Riccardo has moved. So, with my logic that Alonso will leave at the end of this season, because I still feel like he will. I do not know if Vandoorne has proved himself, he hasn't had the best of season so far, and with him believed to be out of contract at the end of the year. I think the rumour that Sainz will go to the British team, will come to play and will happen. His season for me does not put him at Red Bull, but I do however this he could end up at MCL. His teammate, it's really hard to decide but I've put it out there. Secretly I'm hoping that he will be the key to getting a duo back together (McLaren-Mercedes, one can dream) I think we cannot lose the talent of Ocon from the grid. So...
Prediction: Ocon and Sainz
Sauber:
I think they will retain their lineup, why would they get rid of Leclerc, when he is doing a mega job for them. The Alfa backing has really helped them this year. While Marcus Ericsson, whom had had some good drives this year, is still pumping money into the team. I see no reason why they would get rid of their current lineup
Prediction: Leclerc and Ericsson
Williams:
Last but not least, the back marker team. So, whom do I see at this team. Well to start off with they need to write off this season and start prepping for 2019, standardised front wings and the possibility they will take the Mercedes gear box, they should start preparing for it. Now, if they put who I think they should in the car, I believe that they should get more Mercedes backing, With Stroll gone, they need some more money, and that money would come from the higher investment of Mercedes as they take on the junior driver of George Russell and stick with Sirotkin. Sadly, I don't see Kubica getting the seat, because even currently his times are just as good as Stroll's and Sirotkin's.
Prediction: Russell and Sirotkin
Now the predictions are out there for sure, and they will probably be very wrong. However it's silly season so anything can happen. Enjoy the summer break guys!
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