F1 2018 Season

Anyone up for driver market predictions?

Obviously a lot of it hinges on Ricciardo, but here goes mine:

Mercedes - Hamilton, Bottas

Will probably announce the deals pretty soon. Hamilton's the guy who's more likely to win you a championship given a good car in the entire grid, Botta's improved his performance.

Ferrari - Vettel, Leclerc

I think they'll have a bit of a gamble for once, going with the prodigious talents of Leclerc ahead of a pair of "safe hands" to please Seb. Might push Seb as well - at the moment I wouldn't rule out Leclerc actually taking the fight to him!

Red Bull - Ricciardo, Verstappen

Boring, but I think they'll end up with the same lineup. Neither Ferrari nor Mercedes seem to be after Ricciardo, which means Red Bull is his only option.

Renault - Sainz, Hulkenberg

I think Renault would be mad not to do what it takes to get Sainz in on a permanent basis. And he won't have the option of Red Bull, so easy choice. Him and the Hulk is one of the better driver lineups on the grid. If they improve at the same rate next year a couple of podiums isn't an outrageous goal.

McLaren - Perez, Norris

Admittedly a bit of a stretch, but McLaren will loose Alonso to Indy and ditch Vandoorne. They'll obviously promote Norris, and they'll need some experience alongside him - que breaking the bank for Perez, who's probably the most attainable of the elder statesmen on the grid.

Haas - Magnussen, Fuoco

Another one out of left field. But Leclerc's success at Sauber will lead Ferrari to try and grow another talent by securing them an F1 seat, and Haas are willing to oblige thanks to the wretched work of Romain Grosjean this season. Enter Antonio Fuoco...

Force India - Ocon, Russell

F1's most eyecatching pair of cars will keep Ocon, and draft in Mercedes rookie George Russell after an impressive season, while opting to let Perez go to frustration at McLaren.

Toro Rosso - Gasly, Stroll

Again a bit of guesswork, but I think they'll ditch Hartley and they probably haven't got too many options from the young driver programme at this point. So they'll take a punt on a frustrated Stroll.

Sauber - Grosjean, Kvyat

A surprise signing of Romain Grosjean, and a surprise return for Daniil Kvyat after losing Leclerc and ditching Ericsson (finally).

Williams - Kubica, Sirotkin

I can't predict the driver's market without predicting a return for Kubica. Hopefully they'll have at least something resembling a F1 car in 2019.
 
If the domino's fall:

Mercedes - Ricciardo, Bottas
Ferrari - Vettel, Raikonnen
Red Bull - Sainz, Verstappen
Renault - Ocon, Hulkenberg
McLaren - Vandoorne, Norris
Haas - Magnussen, Leclerc
Force India - Grosjean, Perez
Toro Rosso - Gasly, random red bull junior
Sauber - Stroll, Ericsson
Williams - Kubica, Sirotkin
 
altodevil86 said:
If the domino's fall:

Mercedes - Ricciardo, Bottas
Ferrari - Vettel, Raikonnen
Red Bull - Sainz, Verstappen
Renault - Ocon, Hulkenberg
McLaren - Vandoorne, Norris
Haas - Magnussen, Leclerc
Force India - Grosjean, Perez
Toro Rosso - Gasly, random red bull junior
Sauber - Stroll, Ericsson
Williams - Kubica, Sirotkin
Click to expand...
Hamilton?
 
Apparently his deal will be announced at Silverstone and has been done for some time.
 
Exciting to see more young British talent coming through in Russell and Norris. Norris in particular could be a top talent and I suspect he will hit the ground running once he gets in much like Hamilton did.
 
Leg-End said:
Exciting to see more young British talent coming through in Russell and Norris. Norris in particular could be a top talent and I suspect he will hit the ground running once he gets in much like Hamilton did.
Click to expand...
He's good, but Hamilton was clearly a different class in the lower formula. I've watched Norris drive sims on twitch recently, he's such a wee dick :lol:
 
KirkDuyt said:
As a complete F1 noob. Do people mostly support teams over individual drivers?
Click to expand...
I supported Jordan and whoever happened to drive for them, that's the team that got me into Formula 1.
Since then there is always a driver I want to win above others but it just depends who I like as the season progresses
 
altodevil86 said:
He's good, but Hamilton was clearly a different class in the lower formula. I've watched Norris drive sims on twitch recently, he's such a wee dick :lol:
Click to expand...
Oh yeah not saying he’s gonna jump in and be as successful as Hamilton was but I think he has the potential to be like Le Clerc, put him alongside Stoffel and he might challenge him day 1.
 
Being claimed Leclerc has agreed a 2 year deal at Ferrari starting next year. Surprised it's that short a deal to be honest. Looking certain Ricciardo stays at Red Bull with Verstappen. The other rumour that seems to be going round is Kimi to Mclaren assuming Alonso goes to Indycar.
 
Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87 said:
Vettel and Hamilton very close. Gonna be a great battle for pole position.
Click to expand...

Yup, this one's going to be decided by driver's skill. The machinery is pretty much inseparable. Nail your lap, you're on pole, basically.

I think the difference between the top four drivers are just about where they are in terms of ultimate speed this season as well - Hamilton and Vettel neck and neck, Bottas just that tiny fraction behind (but taking advantage when Lewis has his off weekends) and Raikkonen just a bit behind.

I'm a tad surprised with the distance to Red Bull though. (Where once more Max is slightly faster than Daniel, as has been the trend lately). Haas could trouble them, although I'd imagine they'll sit 5th and 6th barring a Kimi feck up in Q3.
 
Expecting Bottas and Vettel on the front row if it stays dry. I'd probably give Merc the slightest of edges for pole given that you'd assume Ferrari's slow pace in S3 won't be solved by their quali mode but there will probably only be half a tenth in it either way.
 
Giggsy92 said:
Expecting Bottas and Vettel on the front row if it stays dry. I'd probably give Merc the slightest of edges for pole given that you'd assume Ferrari's slow pace in S3 won't be solved by their quali mode but there will probably only be half a tenth in it either way.
Click to expand...

Why not Lewis?, the obvious choice for Pole.
 
Incredible lap by Grosjean. Hopefully can start in the 3rd row ahead of one of the Red Bulls.
 
Bottas pole! Mercedes front row and Ferrari second row. Grosjean splits the Red Bulls.
 
RedFish said:
Why not Lewis?, the obvious choice for Pole.
Click to expand...
He's never been stellar around this track, plus he was struggling in FP3 and hasn't been up to his usual standards in Q3 this year. Not a bad result for him all things considered though.
 
SEBASTIAN VETTEL DEMOTED THREE PLACES FOR THE AUSTRIAN GP
Click to expand...

That's BS, no consistency as always, we saw several similar incidents before that didn't get punished. Canada with Hulkenberg, Lewis and Grosjean, Bottas and Kimi.

He deserves the penalty, the other incidents do too.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87 said:
Well, guess the race is over now. Not even gonna complain because it is useless.
Click to expand...

If nothing happens during the race, Vettel's gonna be third. but i'm pretty sure that there will be a safety car in the race, so let's see. he just has to get a clean start, being in 6 isn't gonna help as he is in the middle of the pack but Riccardo is a cool head, he's no max, so he should be safe.

Let's hope Max gets a good start and passes Lewis or torpedos one of the Mercedes.
 
Mr H said:
If nothing happens during the race, Vettel's gonna be third. but i'm pretty sure that there will be a safety car in the race, so let's see. he just has to get a clean start, being in 6 isn't gonna help as he is in the middle of the pack but Riccardo is a cool head, he's no max, so he should be safe.

Let's hope Max gets a good start and passes Lewis or torpedos one of the Mercedes.
Click to expand...
Vettel will start along with Grosjean, not exactly someone who doesn't cause an incident :lol:. Let's just hope for a third and a Bottas win. It's the best he can have tomorrow.
 
Just a question: what is the difference between Vettel-Grosjean and Hamilton-Grosjean? Both should be a penalty, right?
 
Think Bottas has it in the bag unless they wanna play shenanigans and give Lewis a win.

Ferrari and Red Bull aren't gonna catch them tomorrow.

Predicting a crash or two at the first corner or the hairpin at the top of the hill to take a few out, otherwise it'll be a dull race.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.