F1 2019 - Teams and Drivers - Who goes where?!

[MissChief]

Great news for him, not so much for Vandorne, not sure it can be said he had a fair crack of the whip. I heard rumours his car was not being given the same performance or focus by the team whilst they were trying to keep Alonso happy.

Other than the dodgy chassis issue earlier this season and the very occasional upgrade that could only be put on one car due to manufacturing delays I believe they've had all the same equipment. Stoffel is a great guy but consistently outclassed by Fernando and AFAIK without checking, hasn't out-qualified him once this season.

Two new drivers is unusual for a team, I wonder if McLaren are going to sort out their management structure and get their chassis and aero right next season?

 

[Lakeland]

Who would expect him to beat Fernando though? He’s a rookie vs a world champion and he’s usually pretty close given the circumstances.

 

[Psycho Ned]

I remember watching Vandoorne in GP2 and thinking this lad is going to be big in F1, ended up joining an utter basket case team and being chewed up and spat out by them!

Definitely think he deserves another crack elsewhere.

As for Norris not even seen that level of talent in F2 from him really. George Russell has had his number for most of the season.

 

[The_Abyss]

Great opportunity for Norris. Sainz is familiar with the engine and tyres but they'll both be new to the team. If Norris can beat Sainz in 6 or 7 qualifications and races then it will probably be enough to keep him there the year after. Nice to see another British driver will be on the grid.

I hope Stoffel finds another team. He's had a terrible beginning to an F1 career in terms of the car and team, but equally he's hardly made the most of his opportunity.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Stoffel is a great guy but consistently outclassed by Fernando and AFAIK without checking, hasn't out-qualified him once this season.

Indeed, but as mentioned above, I really feel no one would expect a noob in a dog of a car to be able to extract more than Fernando with all those many years and experience from the unlimited testing era.

Alonso must have over 200,000 km testing under his belt, not to mention his *100,000+ km in race trim. Naturally it can take a few years to get close for most drivers

*Correction - 82,000 ish in race

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

http://www.f1i.com/news/299049-hamilton-vettel-set-stunning-mercedes-ferrari-swap.html

Haha, found this little gem online too...

Hamilton to join Ferrari early from his Mercedes contract, Ferrari to buy him out of it, dropping Vettel to join as a swap (might negate some of the £££ required), as he has a clause in his contract saying he will leave if Ferrari sign Hamilton...

 

[Armageus]

http://www.f1i.com/news/299049-hamilton-vettel-set-stunning-mercedes-ferrari-swap.html

Haha, found this little gem online too...

Hamilton to join Ferrari early from his Mercedes contract, Ferrari to buy him out of it, dropping Vettel to join as a swap (might negate some of the £££ required), as he has a clause in his contract saying he will leave if Ferrari sign Hamilton...

01/04/2018 at 06:19

 

[timmeh]

Lately it seem that if you want to damage/end your F1 career then move to McLaren. Alonso, Perez, Magnussen, Vandoorne.

I can't believe Sainz has signed there from the works Renault team. Hopefully Vandoorne can get a drive in a competitive car next season.

 

[413x]

Lately it seem that if you want to damage/end your F1 career then move to McLaren. Alonso, Perez, Magnussen, Vandoorne.

I can't believe Sainz has signed there from the works Renault team. Hopefully Vandoorne can get a drive in a competitive car next season.

Sainz didn't exactly have a choice

 

[The_Abyss]

At least McLaren's wage bill has been slashed. Perhaps they could spend some of the savings on a chassis.

 

[andicole0]

Have to wonder what George Russell is feeling
Andi.

 

[Shimmy]

George Russell definitely deserves a seat, Toto is probably still trying to arrange something. Problem is that Toto is trying to keep a seat for Ocon too.

 

[GravyMonster]

Have to wonder what George Russell is feeling

That's the problem with being tied to a successful team's junior program. You're unlikely to get a seat.

 

[Psycho Ned]

Doesn't help that if you win the F2 series you can't even stay in it! So if no F1 seat pops up you've got to kick your heels as a test driver for a year or more and find a different formula to compete in.

 

[MagicBoy]

Left field option .... Stoffel and Fred to IndyCar with McLaren?

 

[MissChief]

Left field option .... Stoffel and Fred to IndyCar with McLaren?

Although the McLaren IndyCar option is, I believe, dead in the water, it could be good for him. Not many have come back into F1 from IndyCar though.

 

[Shimmy]

Stoffel needs to somehow find an F1 seat, Perez and Magnussen both got dropped by McLaren and have since shown their worth.
Very difficult right now though, we need more cars on the grid.

 

[Mr Jack]

Stoffel needs to somehow find an F1 seat, Perez and Magnussen both got dropped by McLaren and have since shown their worth.
Very difficult right now though, we need more cars on the grid.

I can't see anyone wanting him, after a brief bright flicker at the start of his career he's been utterly mediocre even if stuck in Alonso's long shadow.

 

[GravyMonster]

Agree. His best chance is going off to WEC or DTM.

I would say Formula-E, but that's where careers go to die.

 

[Shimmy]

I think if he leaves the F1 paddock he has no hope of returning. Stoffel's track record leading to F1 was one the best in the last decade, but he arrived at a time when McLaren have been absolutely woeful.
Plus Alonso as your benchmark is never going to be easy, Lewis/Alonso imo have been a step above the rest for the last decade.

KMag for example was very mediocre against Button, but has since done OK.