Red Bull & McLaren

[Panther_99FS]

2 open seats now for 2019.....

[Ferry_vO]

The only seats confirmed for next year are: Hamilton, Bottas (Both Mercedes), Verstappen (RBR), Ricciardo and Hulkenberg (Renault). Vettel has a long term deal at Ferrari so most likely safe too.
All others are still open, and with the situation at Force Stroll still unclear, it is still a very interesting silly season!

Most likely safe are Gasly (Either RBR or STR), Stroll (As daddy bought him a team), Kevin Magnussen (Haas) and Ericsson (As his personal sponsors own the Sauber team). Leclerc could go to Ferrari if Kimi retires or goes to another team, or to Haas to make a step up for next year. Or he could just stay at Sauber for one more season.
Most likely out are Grosjean, Vandoorne and maybe Hartley although the RBR talent pool has pretty much dried up.
Alonso's retirement could save Vandoorne's seat for 2019, maybe joined by Lando Norris or Carlos Sainz.
Norris (McLaren junior) might be included in a swap with STR's technical director James key, who apparently goes to McLaren.
But if Ocon and perez are available for next season, this all could change... Perez is named for the Haas seat.

[wombat666]

With Alonso out my interest in Effwun is evaporating.
I like the way RBR and STR are starting to run out of recruits, but still think Sainz should be at RBR on merit.
The Farce Stroll situation is 'interesting'...... maybe Daddy Stroll should keep up funding Williams as a Junior team?
I've been trawling the news and this silly season is sillier than most.

[Panther_99FS]

I'd like to see Alonso get a GOOD Indycar ride!

[Ferry_vO]

Apprently Roger Penske blocked the Chevrolet engine option for Mclaren, and Honda isn't exactly waiting for Alonso either....

More rumors here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/19493

[Ferry_vO]

Sainz confirmed for 2019 at McLaren: https://www.crash.net/f1/news/903458...en-switch-2019

[Ferry_vO]

Gasly confirmed at Red Bull Racing in 2019:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/13...do-replacement

[noddy]

No surprise, wonder if he will have to be the number 2 driver?

[huub vink]

No surprise, wonder if he will have to be the number 2 driver?

Most likely this will depend how he drives. Gasly is a logical choice for RBR as he is a huge talent from their own project and he has experience with the Honda engine. I expect he will start as their second driver, but when does as good as I think he can, he will be on par with Max Verstappen quite soon.

Cheers,
Huub

[Ferry_vO]

I think Gasly will do well, and RBR never had a true #2 driver. So far Gasly's season is very similar to Verstappen's first season: In the first twelve races both scored 26 points, with a fourth place being their best finish.
Gasly is also the last GP2 champion (befrore it became Formula 2), and almost won the japanese Super Formula title in his first season.

The curent 2019 line-up so far: (Confirmed, likely, not likely)

Mercedes: Hamilton, Bottas
Ferrari: Vettel, Raikkonen
Red Bull Racing: Verstappen, Gasly
Renault: Hulkenberg, Ricciardo
Haas: Magnussen, Ocon, Leclerc, Grosjean
Force India: Perez, Stroll
Toro Rosso: Hartley, Norris, Vergne, Buemi
Sauber: Ericsson, Leclerc
McLaren: Sainz, Vandoorne, Norris
Williams: Sirotkin, Kubica