The F1 Thread

[Carrotdude]

I think he’ll prove good enough but that’s not always enough. Looks like Ocon won’t get a drive and Russell will be screwed despite looking like winning F2 but the likes of Ericsson and Stroll will still be around

 

[Nando]

Russell will hopefully end up at Williams, he's very good and a better driver than Norris at this point in time in my opinion. He's more consistent and is winning races which Lando isn't doing - no victory since the round in Bahrain would concern me.

He'd benefit from an extra season (and cleaning up) in F2 in my opinion, but seemingly McLaren's hand was forced given the option on him expiring at the end of the month, and Red Bull sniffing around given the dearth of young talent on their hands at the moment.

 

[Carrotdude]

Russell will hopefully end up at Williams, he's very good and a better driver than Norris at this point in time in my opinion. He's more consistent and is winning races which Lando isn't doing - no victory since the round in Bahrain would concern me.

He'd benefit from an extra season (and cleaning up) in F2 in my opinion, but seemingly McLaren's hand was forced given the option on him expiring at the end of the month, and Red Bull sniffing around given the dearth of young talent on their hands at the moment.

Think Williams will have Sirotkin and Kubica but I’d love it if they had Russell and Ocon. Think you may be right about Norris but Sainz will be a good barometer for how he’s doing I reckon.

 

[The Bear]

I'd love to see Kubica back in the races. Would be a great story.

 

[Carrotdude]

I'd love to see Kubica back in the races. Would be a great story.

From what they’ve been saying he’ll be taking Strolls seat before the end of this season when Lance takes over from Ocon. Sometime after Singapore.

 

[Kenny]

Ferrari confirm Kimi is leaving the team at the end of the season

 

[Nando]

Leclerc confirmed as his replacement.

 

[Nando]

And Kimi is going back to Sauber. Bizarre.

 

[Kenny]

The wording from Ferrari indicate Kimi is still their driver as he is just leaving his current role at the team. So they keep paying him, loan him to Sauber and if Leclerc bombs they can swiftly move Kimi back in

 

[Carrotdude]

Was hoping to see Giovinazzi at Sauber so hopefully they’ll finally bomb off Ericsson

 

[lemonjelly]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/45459334

 

[Nando]

That's something else from Lewis. Bloody hell.

 

[Tredman]

That was an amazing lap.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I am beginning to come round to the idea that is in the absolute top pantheon with Senna. He is just ridiculous.

 

[Nando]

It's one of those laps you just sit back and say wow. Everybody here will know I'm an Alonso fan, but I don't think anybody on the grid could have produced that over a single lap. Stunning.

 

[Kenny]

Just been watching this. Where the hell did he find that lap? Stunning stuff, got to be pretty close to perfection.

Now just needs to avoid Max on the start.

 

[jlo]

Yeah watched this live too, and the onboard they showed later on...wow. Absolute perfection. I thought I knew the Singapore track pretty well, but the pace he attacked it had me confused whether it was a left or a right corner ahead in a few parts of the circuit. Great track too. Suspect Max is more for Vettel's avoidance than Lewis's at the start. Actually disappointed to be missing this (but thanks to NDorest I'm at the game )

 

[Nando]

Giovanazzi in at Sauber.

That gives us the following confirmed line-ups:

Mercedes - Hamilton & Bottas
Ferrari - Vettel & Leclerc
Red Bull - Verstappen & Gasly
Renault - Ricciardo & Hulkenberg
Sauber - Raikkonen & Giovanazzi
McLaren - Sainz & Norris

Still to confirm:

Haas - Magnussen & Grosjean (expected)
Williams - ? & ?
Toro Rosso - Kvyat & ? (expected)
Force India - Perez & Stroll (expected)

Ideally, Perez goes to Haas which leaves a space for Ocon at Force India. It doesn't seem likely though, particularly given Perez's recent comments about how happy he is at FI.

I wouldn't be surprised if Williams now took Ericcson on with his huge financial backing given that Sauber are clearly now well in amongst Ferrari/FIAT.

 

[Kenny]

Ericsson staying on at Sauber as reserve driver and brand ambassador

 

[Nando]

Fair enough. Odd one for him.

I assume he'll sit it out and await Kimi to depart then.