The dominos in the driver market are falling ahead of the Hungarian GP, with Red Bull expected to be the next team to confirm their 2019 line-up by tying Daniel Ricciardo down to a new contract.
But although the summer break is often a critical deadline imposed by teams as they look to make an announcement, there are still plenty of drivers in limbo up and down the grid, and plenty of rumours floating around the paddock.
F1’s ‘silly season’ has well and truly begun – and the Sky F1 pundits have been rounding up the latest gossip…
How to watch the Hungarian GP on Sky this weekend
The Formula 1 Gossip Column
Raikkonen now ahead of Leclerc at Ferrari?
With both Mercedes drivers confirmed for 2019, Ferrari now hold the most attractive seat on the driver market as Sebastian Vettel waits to find out who he will partner next year.
And Martin Brundle put it perfectly when he said: “I think there’s divided opinion in Ferrari on whether they’re going to keep Kimi Raikkonen or not for another year.”
For months, paddock consensus has been that Charles Leclerc – the Scuderia protege dazzling in his first F1 season at Sauber – would get the drive, his signature thought to be a matter of when rather than if.
However, has the pendulum shifted back in Raikkonen’s favour for another extension?
“A lot of decisions are now going to be made by Louis Camilleri, and one of those decisions concerns Kimi Raikkonen,” said Ted Kravitz in Germany.
“The information I have from colleagues in Italy is that it’s now looking more and more likely that Raikkonen will keep his drive at Ferrari.”
Ted continued: “What Louis Camilleri doesn’t want to do as one of his first jobs in charge of Ferrari is to come in and disrupt things.
“So the thought is, because he wants everything to bed down, he wants to confirm Raikkonen next year as Vettel’s team-mate.”
3:23 Hungarian GP: Welcome to the weekend
Or could a familiar face give it one last go?
It’s the most outside of outside bets, but Brundle wrote in his most recent Sky F1 column: “I’m pretty sure that Fernando Alonso will be having a word with the new boss Louis Camilleri in one last desperate attempt to regain a winning car.
“Judging by his on-track performance and radio transmissions in Hockenheim he’s at the end of his tether otherwise.”
What next for Haas and Sauber?
Ferrari’s decision will have major ramifications further down the grid, especially with the Ferrari-powered teams.
As Ted added: “It [Raikkonen’s extension] would mean Charles Leclerc potentially moving from Sauber to Haas, instead of where we thought he was going to be earlier this month.”
Haas are also thought to be monitoring Sergio Perez’s situation at Force India.
But Sauber are also now an appealing option for drivers for 2019 due to their Ferrari link and the fact they are aiming for fourth place themselves next season.
Raikkonen’s name was even floated about as an option for the team, the Finn rumoured to be tempted in ending his Formula 1 career with the team he started with 17 years ago.
“Knowing Fred Vasseur, I don’t think he would be doing that,” contested Paul di Resta. “Fred’s very much about bringing through young talents.”
Young talents, you say? Well, Ted has some other contenders for the seat, presumably alongside Marcus Ericsson who still has strong support within the team.
“Antonio Giovinazzi is one name in the frame,” he says. “If they’re going to continue getting Ferrari personnel, Daniil Kvyat is not impossible.
“But here’s a funny one – how about if Stoffel Vandoorne doesn’t find his contract renewed at McLaren next year? Team boss Fred Vasseur is very keen on Vanndoorne, he’s always rated him, and ran him in GP2.”
Movement at McLaren?
Without a point in the last seven races and 11-0 down in qualifying to McLaren team-mate Alonso, Vandoorne is certainly enduring a disappointing season and it’s no wonder the team haven’t yet committed to him for 2019.
“If he does go, Toro Rosso along with Pierre Gasly is a maybe,” says David Croft. “Who else do Toro Rosso have to benchmark Gasly? They could try Lando Norris but McLaren have already said ‘no’ to that.”
Another reason for McLaren’s delay, of course, could be that they’re waiting on Alonso for a decision on his future – he says he will think about it more over the summer break – but could he stick around for an all-Spanish affair?
“Carlos Sainz might be in the marketplace and I would imagine him talking very heavily to McLaren,” adds Brundle.
And Croft adds: “If McLaren do go for Alonso and Sainz, they may want Norris to have a full season at Toro Rosso.”
A Renault/Force India/Williams love triangle
Although Renault insist they’re happy with Sainz while Force India claim to have first option for Esteban Ocon, there appears to be a move on the cards here.
Red Bull will obviously have a big say on Sainz’s future, as will Mercedes with Ocon, but speculation continues to mount the Frenchman will get his move to a French team in Renault.
“I believe Ocon will go to Renault,” says Brundle. “He’s obviously in the Mercedes camp long-term. Will he leave that camp? I doubt it.”
Paul di Resta, meanwhile, noted: “It would be a great move for him, but where does that leave Force India?”
Where it leaves Force India, should Perez stay, is with an attractive seat available – and one that could be filled by Lance Stroll.
“It could solve some Force India issues,” explains Brundle.
Williams are expected to keep faith in Sergey Sirotkin, but would still have a space available should Stroll leave.
“For Williams, could Mercedes slot in George Russell?” wonders Croft.
There are plenty of questions, and we could get some answers this weekend.
Who will sign off for the summer break in style? Watch the Hungarian GP live only on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Sky Sports F1 is the only place to watch every Formula 1 Grand Prix, qualifying and practice session live in 2018. Get Sky Sports F1.
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