[MCR]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Fernando looks to have come to terms with his future

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...vity-explained

I remember his behavior changing to become more relaxed when he made the decision to leave Ferrari.

Has to be between Renault or an interim McLaren Mercedes drive eh?

Most likely Mercedes AMG F1 team. Alonso's manager and mentor Briatore had posted a 'happy' picture with Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff.

May be the reason Lewis Hamilton talked about retirement in 2018: http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/241...17-competition

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by MCR

Most likely Mercedes AMG F1 team. Alonso's manager and mentor Briatore had posted a 'happy' picture with Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff.

*

May be the reason Lewis Hamilton talked about retirement in 2018: http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/241...17-competition

That would be far fetched, but nice! Interesting public comments about Sainz from McLaren as well so something is cooking in the background.

Originally Posted by Hatari

I wonder if Mclaren can sign a provisional 2yr contract with Mercedes and then go back to Honda if they get back on track.

http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...eak__Boullier/


You read it here first! I dont see McLaren continuing with Honda for next year, especially when the 'big update' originally meant for Canada is worth only 2-3 tenths.

[MCR]

Ferrari have turned down Alonso. FCA Boss Marchione has cleared the air saying that Alonso did approach them but Ferrari turned him down. Looks like Alonso burnt the bridges at Ferrari before he left!

Link : https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...return-928941/

So, Alonso's options are very limited. Either Mercedes or Redbull!

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by MCR

Ferrari have turned down Alonso. FCA Boss Marchione has cleared the air saying that Alonso did approach them but Ferrari turned him down. Looks like Alonso burnt the bridges at Ferrari before he left!

Link : https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...return-928941/

So, Alonso's options are very limited. Either Mercedes or Redbull!

You don't ask Ferrari to break contract and let you go, only to ask about going back later.

Mercedes have said no slots available either. Red bull prefer to use younger drivers in line with their image.

So Renault or McLaren.
I think he's staying put. Shame since he was offered a drive by all teams that have won a championship since 2006.

[MCR]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Mercedes have said no slots available either. Red bull prefer to use younger drivers in line with their image.

So Renault or McLaren.

Mercedes are yet to confirm Bottas for 2018! The whole reason why they signed Bottas for one year was because they wanted Alonso!

Link to latest rumor mill : http://www.skysports.com/f1/live-blo...-gossip-column

Verstappen will stay at Redbull for 2018!

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by MCR

Mercedes are yet to confirm Bottas for 2018! The whole reason why they signed Bottas for one year was because they wanted Alonso!

That may have been the original plan pre-season, but is no longer valid after witnessing the harmony within the team.

Kimi is the luckiest driver i know, in the team inspite of being called a laggard.
He has been off the pace for years now.

[MCR]

Alonso's chances of being in either Ferrari or Mercedes seems to be waning! He has asked McLaren to decide their engine supplier for 2018 ASAP.

Link to article : http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130786

Also, looks like top teams don't need him anymore.

Link to article : http://autoweek.com/article/formula-...des-are-fading

Also, Honda have supposedly cancelled their contract with Sauber as they evaluate their existence in F1.

Link to article : https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/s...ed-off-929575/
http://www.f1supernews.com/2017/07/13/f1-honda-to-quit/

[jfxavier]

Barcelona and the Hungaroring are set to each hold two-day Formula 1 in-season tests in 2018, Autosport has learned.

The Spanish and Hungarian Grand Prix venues have been chosen by the teams, subject to contracts being finalised.

Each test will take place on the Tuesday and Wednesday following the track's F1 race - on May 15-16 at Barcelona, and July 31-August 1 at the Hungaroring.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...edule-revealed

[sun_king]

Bad news, Halo is on for 2018.

Source: http://www.planetf1.com/news/fia-gre...halo-for-2018/
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/h...-for-2018.html

I never felt that the cage would really enhance driver safety, it may stop something large like a loose wheel, but smaller objects like part of an aerodynamics surface or a heavy body part like the suspension spring (Massa, 2009) can still make it through.

Why impede the forward vision of the drivers? I am pretty sure that the Torpedo will blame the Halo at least once next year for causing a collision. That is, if he is still in F1 next year.

[anachronix]

Looks like Vettel is offered a massive cheque worth $138M for signing a 3 year deal with Ferrari

[Hatari]

Interesting time ahead on the driver market for 2019 with moves in 2018 giving us direction.

Mercedes are happy though are looking to see Verstappen's contract scenario.
Bottas might still get a 1 yr extension inspite of his good work on track.

Ferrari will be looking at Max for 2019, thats the reason Vettel wants Raikonnen to be his team mate and including it is his own contract!

I dont see Vettel going to Mercedes with Lewis still there, and Lewis has no reason to leave a championship winning car/team.

Red Bull clearly have a fight on their hands to keep Max in 2019 and beyond.
What will play into their hands is, both Mercedes and Ferrari know the importance of harmony within the team, they might not want to risk putting Max in with Lewis/Vettel respectively.

Red Bull will be mindful of Sainz as well. Doubt they will manage to keep him at Toro Rosso for long.

Alonso will renew for 2/3 more years.
Would have loved to see him drive 1 year in the fastest car on the grid before he retires.

[Fullrevs]

Sauber were quite close to signing Honda as an engine supplier for 2018 and beyond. Final discussions and confirmation seem to have caved. Probably because Mclaren couldn't freeze on a supply from Mercedes and put the brakes on Honda supplying to any other team for next year.

Sauber have now officially confirmed Ferrari as engine supplier with latest spec engines from 2018. The tenure of the new deal hasn't been revealed yet.

Link to story

Source: Motorsport.com

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Sauber were quite close to signing Honda as an engine supplier for 2018 and beyond. Final discussions and confirmation seem to have caved. Probably because Mclaren couldn't freeze on a supply from Mercedes and put the brakes on Honda supplying to any other team for next year.

Sauber have now officially confirmed Ferrari as engine supplier with latest spec engines from 2018. The tenure of the new deal hasn't been revealed yet.

Link to story

Source: Motorsport.com

Sauber were getting free engines from Honda! still turned it down to pay for Ferrari power.
Toro Rosso next on the list for Honda.

[Meccanico]

I noticed a few races back that Moët & Chandon is no longer the official champagne supplier of F1. The rights have now been given to Carbon. The bottles are coated with carbon fibre (similar to almost everything in Formula 1) and hence get their name. The deal is said to be done at $3000 per bottle.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Carbon is only 5 years old whereas Moët & Chandon are a historic (274 year old) luxurious winery from the home of good wine, France. Not that it makes a difference to us veiwers anyway!

Sources-
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/h...-supplier.html

https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.m...nd-936365/amp/

[deetjohn]

Ferrari' new rising star Charles Leclerc set the fastest overall time in the first day of testing at the Hungaroring yesterday.


With Sauber ditching Honda and getting Ferrari power in 2018, there is a good chance for Leclerc to be in the F1 grid next season!

The Ferrari Academy driver is a hot prospect and is currently the toast of F2 (the new name for GP2 Series).

Want a piece of him? Take a look at how he cuts down the competition at the 2017 Bahrain F2 sprint race on fresh rubber and an insane strategy. Fast drivers gives the team options to pull off ridiculous strategies! I have seen this before and it gives me goosebumps.

There is really something about a young driver coming up through the ranks and getting the big drive. No big names can give you that thrill from the get go.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7yhzysphIg