Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

kopite386 · 11-09-2018 09:47AM

I didn't realise Kimi was going to Sauber thought he would just leave. Guess that means Antonio Giovannzzi is still without a full time drive.

skipper_G · 11-09-2018 09:49AM

It's official

https://twitter.com/ScuderiaFerrari/status/1039432882677342210

HighLine · 11-09-2018 09:58AM

Think I'd prefer to see Kimi retire completely rather than sit in a bucket mid-back field for 2 years.

eviltimeban · 11-09-2018 10:06AM

Leaving a team with 390 points for a team with 19 points is certainly a step back.

Pity he couldn't have gone Renault / Haas / Force India as he'd have had a chance at least of points or podiums. I wonder what's his ambition or motivation to race for a back marker?

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 10:13AM

Ferrari will pay Raikkonen’s wages as part of this deal I reckon

flazio · 11-09-2018 10:18AM

So, unless Sauber dump Ericsson as well Vandoorne is well and truly high and dry.

flexcon · 11-09-2018 10:22AM

Kimi is an investor in Sauber. Looking at their recent uptick in form next year they could be aiming for top 4 with even closer links to Ferrari.

Kimi really doesn't seem to care what people think. He has said in previous interviews he likes helping develop a car. Also, if Charles doesn't work out - He is still sitting there.

I think overall a strange move as we all seem to think very lateral for success, but, for Kimi, maybe this is what he is happy to do to see out he career. Coming home.

Adamocovic · 11-09-2018 10:27AM

I'm shocked by the move by Kimi. One I didn't think was on the cards.

It would make for an interesting year next year if he could get the Sauber competing and Ricciardo the Renault, but then again I had hoped the same for Alonso at McLaren.

H3llR4iser · 11-09-2018 10:27AM

So in the end they didn't manage to make the switchback work - let's hope Leclerc starts with the right foot and doesn't burn up.

As for Kimi, he's always had a bit of a childhood crush on Sauber, it's the team he started with - it's likely fitting he ends up his career there. I wouldn't discount them for good points next year, it will be the first car designed from the ground up with the Alfa/Ferrari/FCA money available to them; Having an experienced driver might actually make the difference: often times, this season, it was clear the car had the speed and potential but they struggled with the setup, Monza being the latest case.

eviltimeban · 11-09-2018 10:35AM

No doubts that LeClerc will be a number 2 driver.

Adamocovic · 11-09-2018 10:43AM

eviltimeban wrote: »

No doubts that LeClerc will be a number 2 driver.

No doubt to begin with but if he succeeds it may make life uncomfortable for Vettel, especially if he fails to win the championship this year, which is looking more likely.

I'm worried it's too much too soon for Leclerc but he is so talented and Ferrari are hoping for him to be their next dominant driver in F1. I can imagine Vettel getting annoyed if Leclerc shows signs to prove this.

pjohnson · 11-09-2018 10:47AM

kopite386 wrote: »

I didn't realise Kimi was going to Sauber thought he would just leave. Guess that means Antonio Giovannzzi is still without a full time drive.

I'd have thought Ericsson be dropped completely from the grid but think his da owns a bit of Sauber so he'll probably stay like Sirotkin.

skipper_G · 11-09-2018 10:55AM

We could yet see Giovinazzi alongside Kimi in Sauber, it's not a certainty that Ericsson keeps his seat

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 11:00AM

Vandoorne could end up in the Sauber due to his contacts there. Ericsson hasn't done enough to justify his seat in F1.

He'll be more remembered for the massive crash at Monza than anything else he has done to date.

El_Duderino 09 · 11-09-2018 11:03AM

pjohnson wrote: »

Great hes staying on the grid. Worry for Leclerc mind. Not fully sure he's ready.

Sometimes it’s just time to let go of the old favourites. He’ll be a mid table footnote next year. I imagine his appeal to fans is proportional to his time in the sport. Do it will be sad to see him go but there will be other old drivers who inherit the mantle of fan favourites due to longevity.

It might have been better if he just left and another young driver was given a chance. But he’s the one who should make his career decisions.

pjohnson · 11-09-2018 11:13AM

Confirmed

Ferrari:
LeClerc
Vettel

McLaren:
Norris
Sainz

Red Bull
Verstappen
Gasly

Renault
Ricciardo
Hulkenberg

Mercedes
Bottas
Hamilton

Sauber
Raikonnen
?????

Haas
?????
?????

Racing Point
??????
??????

Williams
??????
??????

Toro Rosso
???????
???????

So thats how it stands afaik. Sirotkin is a pay driver so he should retain his Williams seat. Stroll will probably move to join daddy at Racing Point (pka Force India) so could probably add them in above but wont until its confirmed.

pjohnson · 11-09-2018 11:36AM

pjohnson wrote: »

Haas
?????
?????

I'd say plenty of interest for these seats when I see it listed out. Possibly the best chance Ocon and/or Vandoorne have of securing a seat.

El_Duderino 09 · 11-09-2018 11:40AM

pjohnson wrote: »

pjohnson wrote: »

Haas
?????
?????

I'd say plenty of interest for these seats when I see it listed out. Possibly the best chance Ocon and/or Vandoorne have of securing a seat.

Ocon would need to be released from his Mercedes relationship for they yo happen.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 11:42AM

pjohnson wrote: »

I'd say plenty of interest for these seats when I see it listed out. Possibly the best chance Ocon and/or Vandoorne have of securing a seat.

Magnussen is a safe bet for 2019 I reckon

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Ocon would need to be released from his Mercedes relationship for they yo happen.

They are prepared to do exactly that it seems.

El_Duderino 09 · 11-09-2018 11:47AM

Addyson Gray Glue wrote: »

Magnussen is a safe bet for 2019 I reckon

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Ocon would need to be released from his Mercedes relationship for they yo happen.

They are prepared to do exactly that it seems.

It seems a shame for Ocon to be dropped from his Mercedes relationship, but it would be a bigger shame for him to drop out of F1. I know he’s having a bit of a difficult second season but I think he’s a good driver who could grow into a great driver.

I’d put him in the category with hulk, grosjean, Perez, as drivers who are obviously good but time will tell how they develop (and whether they get opportunities to drive the better cars)

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 11:58AM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

It seems a shame for Ocon to be dropped from his Mercedes relationship, but it would be a bigger shame for him to drop out of F1. I know he’s having a bit of a difficult second season but I think he’s a good driver who could grow into a great driver.

I’d put him in the category with hulk, grosjean, Perez, as drivers who are obviously good but time will tell how they develop (and whether they get opportunities to drive the better cars)

I'd say Mercedes are only releasing him from the program to help him get a seat as they don't have one.

If Bottas is dropped over the coming years or Hamilton retires then they may well look to him, they aren't for turning their back on drivers from what I can see, in the same way that Ferrari wouldn't touch Perez after his McLaren stint.

Unless Renault get their act together quickly I don't see Hulkenberg ever stepping onto the podium.

Perez is a good midfield driver.

Grosjean showed flashes of brilliance in the Lotus but Magnussen has the overall measure of him so far this year, could change yet though.

Ghost Train · 11-09-2018 01:31PM

Glad to see Kimi stay around, I think it's good when a team can pair a senior driver with younger driver, I think Williams really missing that type of combination

Hope it works for Ferrari

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 01:33PM

Can't say I fancy Kimi getting a podium on his return to Sauber, will he see out the 2 years is another thing.

AMKC · 11-09-2018 01:54PM

Well that's a bit of a surprise I was not expecting. Great to see Kimi get to stay in the sport another year or two but it does seem like a backwards step. Maybe he should have just retired and let another young driver get his chance in the sport. Hopefully the Sauber car will be even better next year. As for Leclerc to Ferrari I really think he could have done with another year in a midfield team first but its a brave move by Ferrari and I applaud them for that.

cherryghost · 11-09-2018 02:41PM

I'm loving the driver changes this season as much as the championship itself

El_Duderino 09 · 11-09-2018 02:45PM

AMKC wrote: »

Well that's a bit of a surprise I was not expecting. Great to see Kimi get to stay in the sport another year or two but it does seem like a backwards step. Maybe he should have just retired and let another young driver get his chance in the sport. Hopefully the Sauber car will be even better next year. As for Leclerc to Ferrari I really think he could have done with another year in a midfield team first but its a brave move by Ferrari and I applaud them for that.

Completely agree.

Ferrari has been very conservative with its driver selection which has meant they kept hold of an ageing and disinterested looking Kimi for the last few years.

I think Kimi’s ability to almost match Vettel this year casts doubt on Vettel’s speed rather than a huge improvement by Kimi. At his age and taking the last 4 years of declining performance as a trend, I doubt he has found a lasting form this year. His recent speed is likely to be a swan song or else the car is actually better than we think and Seb is underperforming.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 02:49PM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Completely agree.

Ferrari has been very conservative with its driver selection which has meant they kept hold of an ageing and disinterested looking Kimi for the last few years.

I think Kimi’s ability to almost match Vettel this year casts doubt on Vettel’s speed rather than a huge improvement by Kimi. At his age and taking the last 4 years of declining performance as a trend, I doubt he has found a lasting form this year. His recent speed is likely to be a swan song or else the car is actually better than we think and Seb is underperforming.

Looking at Vettel overall this year he’s underperforming.

I’m anti Hamilton but you read it here first.

***congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on his fifth world title***

Jordan 199 · 11-09-2018 02:53PM

Addyson Gray Glue wrote: »

Looking at Vettel overall this year he’s underperforming.

I’m anti Hamilton but you read it here first.

***congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on his fifth world title***

The title race is not over yet.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 11-09-2018 03:08PM

Jordan 199 wrote: »

The title race is not over yet.

We’re only kidding ourselves

Inviere · 11-09-2018 03:23PM

Addyson Gray Glue wrote: »

We’re only kidding ourselves

Not at all, Vettel will switch on for the flyaway races, as he always does. I still see him lifting the title. I don't think Mercedes can continue to hold Ferrari at bay, certainly not with Singapore, Suzuka, Mexico, etc on the horizon.

As for Kimi, I think for him, it makes perfect sense. There's only so much fun to be had as a #2 to Seb. He'll likely not be able to fight for titles, so picking up the crumbs on the podium will only hold its appeal for so long. Moving to Sauber, he'll likely be top dog, brings a HUGE amount to the team, and will be back in the fight again (albeit a different fight).

All eyes on Le Clerc, I think he'll impress. Can't see him deposing Seb like Ricciardo did, but he'll impress nonetheless.

Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

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