by WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot » 15 Oct 2016, 10:02
It's a good risk for Hülkenberg; Force India is a good team, but unlikely to ever make it higher than the upper midfield. Renault - well, they haven't convinced this season, but I think it's still more Lotus with Renault branding than actual Renault. With proper time to get ready for the next season, and the new regulations, it is very much possible that Renault will be contending for at least podiums. Remember when Nico Rosberg went from Williams to Mercedes - Mercedes wasn't a winner yet, but now he's the favourite for this season's championship!
Who will partner Hülkenberg, and who will replace him at Force India? Esteban Ocon has been mentioned; for Renault, he might be too much of a risk, but he might have a shot at Force India with potential backing from Renault. However, Mercedes will want Wehrlein higher in the grid, and this should be the more lucrative option for Force India.
Hülkenberg's teammate? Autosport reported that Valtteri Bottas is negotiating with Renault, while the Finnish media claims that he will continue at Williams, which means he will probably end up at Renault. Well, that depends - the thing about Bottas is that he wants to be free by the time Kimi retires, or a spot opens up at some other team. That's why he wants a one-year deal, but Williams wants a two-year deal. However, I assume it's the same problem with Renault. That's why I'd say Bottas will continue at Williams, but I'd also mark him down for a total surprise move. Force India - or even Haas!
Romain Grosjean? Great driver, French, no contract yet - however, there is that Ferrari seat up for grabs in near future, and he might see staying at Haas with its Ferrari partnership as a more lucrative long-term option. Still, I think it would be a good opportunity for him, and let's not forget that he has driven for Renault before. Of course, that 2009 stint was hardly convincing, but those were probably the worst imaginable circumstances for an F1 debut. I think he is a very strong option.
Let's look at Williams, then. Lance Stroll is strongly rumoured to take one seat - the announcement is supposedly held back until the 29th when Stroll turns 18 because Martini. Bottas is very likely to retain his seat, although if he should leave, who would replace him? It would be very hard for Williams to find an experienced enough driver to lead the team at this point. Daniil Kvyat or Kevin Magnussen would be the best options.
Sauber? I am going to assume that they will retain Felipe Nasr so that they can save up a bit of money in not having to design a new sponsorship livery. Since there seems to be some new money pouring into the team, they might opt to keep Marcus Ericsson, or they might see an opportunity to get some more money. Charles Leclerc has been rumoured for Haas - a Ferrari man - but if Haas doesn't change their line-up, Sauber could be an option for Leclerc. There is also Antonio Giovinazzi - another Ferrari man - and the current leader of GP2. But if the whole Ferrari connection doesn't happen here, then there's also Sergey Sirotkin, who has been involved in Sauber rumours before. All in all, I just don't see Marcus Ericsson remaining, even if he hasn't been that bad.
Toro Rosso? Pierre Gasly.
As for Haas, if they lose Grosjean, I can see them bringing in Charles Leclerc. If Grosjean stays, I can still potentially see Leclerc coming in.
Finally, my favourite, Manor. They've had a great season, courtesy of Pascal Wehrlein. With Wehrlein most likely moving on towards greener pastures, they will struggle to find anyone as good. Unless they opt for a pay driver, I can see one of the potential midfield rejects driving for them: Esteban Gutiérrez, Kevin Magnussen, Jolyon Palmer, Daniil Kvyat or Marcus Ericsson. Esteban Ocon might or might not continue.
THE WTF SEASON
Scuderia Ferrari
Kimi Räikkönen
Sebastian Vettel
Test driver: Kimi's son
Force India
Sergio Pérez
Esteban Ocon
Haas
Pastor Maldonado
Charles Leclerc
McLaren
Fernando Alonso
Stoffel Vandoorne
Mercedes
Nico Rosberg
Pascal Wehrlein (Hamilton takes a sabbatical)
Manor
Donald Trump
Ronald McDonald
Test driver: Donald Duck
Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen
Renault
Romain Grosjean
Valtteri Bottas
Special test driver: WTF (Testing new parts in my Clio to circumvent testing limitations)
Sauber
Felipe Nasr
Kamui Kobayashi
Toro Rosso
Carlos Sainz
Pierre Gasly
Williams
Lance Stroll
Susie Wolff