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What do Honda gain from insisting that Toro Rosso employ a not good enough Japanese driver?

Honda have absolutely zero leverage when it comes to demanding certain drivers.

I can't see it myself Palmer will more and likely end up in Formula E or Indy Car.

If and it's a big IF Williams are looking at British driver for next season Palmer has a chance, but Williams do have a British driver on their books with Mercedes connections?

I had big hopes for Palmer, but I think he has had his chance and muffed it. The only reason they would take him is if they want a driver to make Stroll look good. To me, the ideal driver for Williams is Di Resta. undemanding but reliable.

If they feel they need the prestige, Alonso has to be the target, but I don't know how that would work out. It would be the perfect seat for Roseberg to feel his way back into F1 though.

Thinking about it, the biggest loser out of the whole McLaren/Renault/Honda situation might actually be Pascal Wehrlein. He really needed one of Ocon or Perez to switch to Renault, therefore freeing up a seat at Force India for him to (probably) step into. Now that it appears Sainz is going to be taking Palmer's seat, and a driver not currently on the grid is going to replace Sainz, it pretty much leaves Wehrlein's hopes of being on the grid next year depending on Perez springing a surprise and going to Williams.

Amazing to think that had Bottas not been available, Wehrlein might have actually been driving for Mercedes this year, and now he's facing a situation where he's possibly not even on the grid in 2018.

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Cheering for: Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Vandoorne
Pick 10 | 1st x1, 2nd x3, 3rd x7
2018: 10th | 2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th

I think Perez may well move to Williams. Suits everyone really. Except for perhaps FI.

Wehrlein is having trouble beating Ericsson, it will be no loss to F1 if he loses his seat. I would like to see Kubica at Williams as I think he would appreciate it more than Massa and give better race performances. As for Palmer he is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma in terms of consistency but I think he could do well in another series if he could tap his talent more reliably each race.

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Kimi: "Come on, get the McLaren out of the way!”

So who is going to start the Alonso to FI rumour then?

Why would Rosberg come back to Williams?

As expected, Mercedes has confirmed Bottas for 2018:
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12040/10973583/valtteri-bottas-signs-contract-extension-with-mercedes-for-2018

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Feel The Fourth

He probably would not, dont get the idea am saying he is coming back, but he said he was considering racing again, but did not want the stress, so I think it would do, especially as they are a Merc customer. Competitive, but not so much full on as his last job

Only a one year deal, Mercedes keeping their options open for the RB boys in 2019 then.

Miss those days when we used to have 2 team-mates that would be equal in most aspects.

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Feel The Fourth

Yes indeed just for 1 year.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

Yep, Verstappen would need to find a way to wriggle out of his contract though.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

This set me thinking.
Been reading a lot lately about Red Bull wanting out of F1. Selling the teams is one thing but what happens to the contracts? Do they go with the team or a separate deal?

The Schumacher years perhaps?

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

Red Bull are contracted until 2020.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

I would assume all contracts remain valid. It would massively, massively decrease the value of a team if whoever was buying it risked losing anyone who wanted to go elsewhere in the process.

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Cheering for: Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Vandoorne
Pick 10 | 1st x1, 2nd x3, 3rd x7
2018: 10th | 2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th

But valid to who? The teams new owners, Red Bull or someone like the Helmet left in place to handle it.

Red Bull, and in the event that Red Bull sell up, whoever it might be that buys the team.

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Cheering for: Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Vandoorne
Pick 10 | 1st x1, 2nd x3, 3rd x7
2018: 10th | 2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th

1 year deal.

Looks like Ferrari/Merc are going to be fighting over Ric then.

If Dan did end up at one of them it would be interesting to see what Red Bull do for 2019. Sainz is presumably gone and if Gasly was any good I feel he'd be in the STR and Kvyat had his chance.

With the junior programme getting trimmed and no obvious promotion alternative I wonder if they'd change tack and try to sign someone?.

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"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."
-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Alonso in a Red Bull-Honda for 2019.

Book it.

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"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."
-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Sainz is only on loan to Renault apparently.

Ah,fair enough. Makes sense to keep options open.

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"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."
-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Looks like Sainz is effectively loaned to Renault. If they want him back they can have him.

Perez, who was hoping to get a new contract before Spa, still has not been officially confirmed. He'll likely stay at Force India but Perez has said that he has 2 options. 1 surely is FI but other could be Williams?
http://www.crash.net/f1/news/882380/1/perez-considering-two-f1-options-for-2018

Perez believes that FI will find it tough to maintain 4th in the WCC next year so is considering the other option.

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Feel The Fourth

If Mercedes don't keep Bottas beyond 2018 then it'll be because they've promoted Ocon.

I think they want Max for their next main driver after Hamilton moves on personally.

They're bang after Verstappen.

It's being said that Sainz is on loan to Renault and Red Bull can take him back if either Ricciardo or Verstappen were to leave.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

Yes I would say that the only other option is Williams.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

I would say that depends on how Ocon performs next year, the options are supposedly Ocon, Bottas and Ricciardo.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

Palmer had some fighting words in the press conference, he's definitely finishing the season with Renault plus he has option(s) for next year, I wonder if there are any legs in what Joe Saward said in that Palmer is being considered by Williams?

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

Ocon is already doing well this year. Next year, he's bound to improve.

Ricciardo will be spoilt for choice for 2019 - Mercedes or Ferrari. Ditto for Max.

Question is if Porshe is buying Red Bull & will be using Porshe engines as well, will it be competitive enough from the get go or will they take time remains to be seen. Would Ricciardo or Max risk staying back?

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Feel The Fourth

What if Ocon gets beat by Perez?

Verstappen is under contract for 2019, if Mercedes want to wait for him until 2020 then we might see Bottas given another 1 year contract?

A new rumour regarding Red Bull and engines is that now they have a tie up with Honda and Renault will be supplying engines to McLaren, Renault are looking to end the engine supply to Red Bull after next year thus pushing the Honda engine on to Red Bull.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 8th

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (5)

Would be absurd By Williams they already have the either the worst or 2nd worst driver lineup on the grid. It's almost harder to make it worse than better!

He's 26 years old though, so fits the Martini criteria......

You know that thread where I said I would never support another F1 team other than Williams, wellll.........

There are plenty of better and available drivers over 25.

One of which currently drives for Williams.

I'd understand dropping Massa if you can sign Alonso, or even if you can sign Sergio Perez. But Palmer? Come on, you may as well stick di Resta in the car full-time.

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Cheering for: Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Vandoorne
Pick 10 | 1st x1, 2nd x3, 3rd x7
2018: 10th | 2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th