Shelf life of F1 drivers

Either Max knows something we don't regarding engines (very likely) or he'll have sufficient performance clauses to allow him to move if they don't come good.

It does look like Ricciardo will be on the market though - the reason why they've only loaded Sainz out next year of course, so at the very least have a strong option in reserve.
 
Ultimately Ricciardo can use offers from others to get a better wage at RBR. There is a reason RBR put Verstappen in the RBR early and have given him an extension which includes far higher wages for next year as well.... because interest from other drivers helps you in negotiating. Realistically Ricciardo is seeing Max beat him pretty easily in qualifying and in race pace, he may well see being Max's team mate as signing up to be Mark Webber for the remainder of his career so in his situation moving to Ferrari or elsewhere and hoping to have the better car is a much stronger move than sticking in a team with Verstappen and hoping for Rosberg levels of luck(and hitting his team mate) to win a title.

Also in terms of who the best drivers are, exciting youngsters coming through, Ocon and Leclerc 2-3 years from now, this is the best window for Ricciardo to get a deal with the kind of wage that sets you up for life at Ferrari compared to the generally much more than RBR have paid in the past. Like Vettel was only on was it 12 or 15mil while a 4 time world champ. Ricciardo might be looking at 5mil a year at RBR as a guy who is clearly slower than Max or maybe 15mil a year at Ferrari with Vettel closer(but not necessarily that close) to retiring than Max is.

Also regardless of if Vettel was having a really bad year in 2014 or not, ultimately Ricciardo should feel much more able to compete with Vettel than Max. Ferrari tend to support their main driver, but if Ricciardo beats him in the first few races and is ahead still at midseason then Ferrari may still back him at the expense of Vettel.
 
I'd give Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso another 3 years at most tbh.

Vettel does have 18 months on Hamilton so will probably do a bit more than Hamilton, if only to try are win a WDC with less competition (assmuming he doesn't in the next couple of years).
 
Hamilton himself has said he thinks he has 5 or 6 years left in the sport.

He says feels like he is in his prime and is enjoying F1 "more than ever".

“I’m loving driving more than ever, I feel like I’m driving better than ever. I feel the most whole as a driver that I’ve ever been, which is a great feeling.

“I’m enjoying the challenge - the fact we have a balanced car alongside a Ferrari and sometimes a Red Bull, so it’s great to be able to be challenged by another team and really have to play on your qualities and work on your weaknesses.

“But at the end of every season, you always have a think about your future. A couple of years ago I set a good five-year plan, but it gets altered every year as you add another year onto it."


He has a contract with Mercedes till end of 2018, but has said recently he is likely to extend that by signing a new three year deal before end of next year.
 
Entai said:
Hamilton himself has said he thinks he has 5 or 6 years left in the sport.

He says feels like he is in his prime and is enjoying F1 "more than ever".

“I’m loving driving more than ever, I feel like I’m driving better than ever. I feel the most whole as a driver that I’ve ever been, which is a great feeling.

“I’m enjoying the challenge - the fact we have a balanced car alongside a Ferrari and sometimes a Red Bull, so it’s great to be able to be challenged by another team and really have to play on your qualities and work on your weaknesses.

“But at the end of every season, you always have a think about your future. A couple of years ago I set a good five-year plan, but it gets altered every year as you add another year onto it."


He has a contract with Mercedes till end of 2018, but has said recently he is likely to extend that by signing a new three year deal before end of next year.
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This is good to read. I'd like to see Hamilton, a real fighter on track to race until the wheels fall of, so to speak. It'll be good viewing and competition for the rest. And now that he's won title number 4, I'm sure he believes that Mercedes can produce title contending cars for the next 3 years before the new regulations come into effect.
 
Given the fact Alonso is 36 and I still believe he's one of the best drivers on the track, I would say not far from 40. But it's certainly a case-by-case situation, i don't believe there's a set age.
 
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