Once again it is that time of year where Formula One sees the return of ‘silly season’ where all the teams and drivers are in talks with each other in order to secure their driver line ups for the next season and beyond. This year, we has seen already some (well in my opinion), quite amazing rumours that have been circulating around the paddock.
But what do I feel about the latest rumours and speculation surrounding the driver line ups of each team? Read on…
Mercedes
Current drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg
Drivers linked to the team: Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo
Likely to change for 2015: No
With Mercedes currently dominating the sport in the dominant fashion that they are at the moment, I do not feel that Mercedes will want to change the driver pairing they have and why should they?
They have demonstrated that the partnership Hamilton and Rosberg might be fiery at times, but it is an equal partnership and a partnership that brings out the best in the team and both of its drivers respectfully and also competitively while fighting for the championship.
With Rosberg having already signed a “multi-year” deal to stay with the Mercedes team that was announced at the German Grand Prix and Hamilton stating his desire to open contract talks with the Mercedes team as soon as possible, I do not see the team getting rid of this partnership for next season for Alonso, Vettel and Ricciardo as it is currently being speculated.
Red Bull
Current drivers: Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo
Drivers linked to the team: Fernando Alonso
Likely to change for 2015: No
With Red Bull quite clearly being the second best team behind the Mercedes team currently, I feel that the partnership between Vettel and Ricciardo is going to remain for the 2015 season, despite Alonso once again being linked to the team.
At the moment, Ricciardo is extracting the pace and performance that many pundits and fans did not expect him to, while showing that he is more than a match for Vettel and has won two Grand Prix this season. Meanwhile, Vettel has struggled to match Ricciardo’s pace and has had more than his fair share of bad luck. But that is not to say that Vettel cannot get back to the level we all know he is capable of.
With both Vettel and Ricciardo being signed to Red Bull until at least the end of the 2015, it would seem that Red Bull will continue with the partnership they have now and are happy with this arrangement.
Ferrari
Current drivers: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen
Drivers linked to the team: Jules Bianchi and Nico Hulkenberg
Likely to change for 2015: No
With all eyes focusing on Ferrari and their lack of performance so far this season, there is no questions that many pundits and fans have turned their attentions towards Ferrari’s driver line up for 2015 and who will be driving for them next year. At the moment, I believe that Ferrari will remain with their current line up until the end of 2015 and will make a change in 2016.
With Alonso this season doing what he does best which is putting himself and the Ferrari car into positions that many feel would not be possible, he has been the best performer for the team. Meanwhile, Raikkonen just like Vettel has struggled to extract pace and performance from the car but has over the past few races has improved slightly.
With all eyes focusing on what Raikkonen will do in particular about his future in the sport especially after recent interviews he has given to the media in the past few weeks, it would be stupid not to discount Ferrari making a change to their driver line up for next season despite Raikkonen being contracted until the end of 2015.
The current favourites to take the place of Raikkonen if Ferrari wish to replace him would be their Academy driver Jules Bianchi who has impressed since joining Marussia in 2013 and has scored his first points in the sport in Monaco this season. Also, Nico Hulkenberg has been tipped by many with a shout to drive for Ferrari in the near future. However, with a Ferrari deal apparently on the table last season until the team decided to go with Raikkonen, will Hulkenberg want to talk to the team again?
Also, the future of Alonso has been the talk in the paddock too with apparently the driver being linked to McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes once again. But Alonso has made it clear that his intention is to stay with Ferrari. I see no change at Ferrari for 2015 and I would be surprised if the team decided to replace either driver a year earlier than I think they should do.
Williams
Current drivers: Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas
Drivers linked to the team: Jenson Button and Felipe Nasr
Likely to change for 2015: No
After Williams retained Valtteri Bottas and signing Felipe Massa for Ferrari for this season, it would seem that the partnership has been fruitful and has allowed Williams to challenge at the front of the grid and for strong points finishes at last. At the moment, I do not see the driver line up changing at Williams.
With Massa signing for Williams on a “multi-year” deal until it is rumoured until the end of the 2016 season, I feel that Massa will bow out of the sport then unless Williams decide that they wish to terminate the deal. Meanwhile, this season has saw Bottas showing why he was signed with Williams on a “multi-year” deal in 2013 when he made his debut.
With interest ever increasing in Bottas, will Bottas be tempted to change ship and join a team such as McLaren who have indicated an interest in him? I feel that if Bottas continues to improve next season, Bottas might be tempted if he gets the call for 2016.
If Bottas or Massa for whatever reason decide to leave, there is talk that McLaren driver Jenson Button is rumoured to be interested in coming back to the first team that gave him chance in Formula One. However, I do not see that happening especially after the way things ended with the team and also his intention to end his career with McLaren.
Also, with their test driver Felipe Nasr improving all the time in GP2 and has now gained some experience with the team during pre-season testing, is it time for him to shine if he gets the call and the nod for Williams if their drivers decide to leave?
But I feel that Williams will stay the same for the 2015 season and changes could be afloat in 2016 for the team if Bottas continues to improve at the rate he is currently and if Massa decides to retire from the sport.
Force India
Current drivers: Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez
Drivers linked to the team: Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi
Likely to change for 2015: No
After Force India resigned Nico Hulkenberg back to the team and securing the services of Sergio Perez, the future has been looking incredibly bright for the team and I see the current driver line up not changing as we go into the 2015 season.
This season has seen the partnership of Hulkenberg and Perez proving successful as Hulkenberg has managed to finish every race but one consistently in the points, whereas Perez has had suffered some bad luck but has managed to secure their second podium in their history at Bahrain.
With speculation surrounding Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi (for the second year running) being linked to the team if the team wish to change their line up, I do not see either driver getting the chance to drive for Force India.
With Force India’s Team Principal Vijay Mallya and their Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer publically stating over the past few weeks that they are very happy with their current driver line up of Hulkenberg and Perez, I don’t foresee any changes at Force India for next season unless Hulkenberg gets the call to a front running team.
McLaren
Current drivers: Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen
Drivers linked to the team: Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton, Stoffel Vandoorne and Valtteri Bottas
Likely to change for 2015: Unsure
With Jenson Button at McLaren until the end of the year and with McLaren signing rookie Kevin Magnussen from Formula Renault 3.5 this season as reigning champion, it would appear that a change was needed at McLaren for this season. At the moment, I am unsure about if Button or Magnussen will stay at the team for next season.
The start of the season saw the partnership of Button and Magnussen achieving their first double podium of the year in Australia and their first in just over a season. However, throughout the course of the season, both drivers haven’t had the pace to challenge consistently and regularly for points like their rivals Force India, but their recent batch of upgrades have helped them improve their performance over the past few races.
With Magnussen rumoured to have a deal in place for next season, speculation is rife over the future of Button especially after the recent media interviews with himself and Dennis about him “needing to up his game and improve” alongside the death of his father John in January slightly affecting his racing (not much I will admit).
Button has stated that he is more motivated and determined to stay in Formula One until he is ready to retire, with Boullier believing that he will be staying with the team next year despite looking at every “viable option” in regards to driver line up for 2015 and beyond.
With the McLaren team looking quite rightly at every “viable option” regarding their driver line up, it has been hinted by the team that they are looking to attract a world class driver such as Alonso, Vettel or even Hamilton to join them as early in 2016, if McLaren have a great first season with Honda next season, this could be all they need to secure a big name.
However, if McLaren cannot secure the big name that they want, drivers such as Valtteri Bottas, Romain Grosjean and even young driver Stoffel Vandoorne have been linked to the McLaren team and it wouldn’t be a bad thing if either of these drivers got the call to drive for the team in 2015 or 2016.
At the moment, I am unsure which way McLaren will go as they are waiting to see what happens in the driver market. But I feel that if McLaren decide to continue with Button and Magnussen for next season, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. If anything, it would provide them with consistency and Button’s experience at Honda would be very handy as Honda and McLaren settle into their first season together.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if McLaren either attract the big name driver they are aiming for either next season or the season after and putting either Magnussen, Grosjean, Bottas or Vandoorne into the second seat of the car after Button retires which I feel will be at the end of the 2015 season.
Toro Rosso
Current drivers: Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat
Drivers linked to the team: Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen
Likely to change for 2015: Yes
With Toro Rosso retaining Jean-Eric Vergne for a third season and signing rookie driver Daniil Kvyat from GP2, the team needed to perform this year straight from the off, especially Vergne who I feel was very lucky to still be in Formula One still.
The partnership of Vergne and Kvyat has been one of surprise. With Kyvat so far being the more consistent driver and scoring more points than Vergne, he has shown that he is a potential talent of the future. Meanwhile, Vergne has had bad luck and reliability issues that have affected his performances and he needs to ensure that when he has the opportunity, he can deliver.
In regards to 2015, I do feel that Kvyat has earned already the right to be there next season. He has been able to show what he can do and I believe that he has a lot of potential and will only get better. I feel strongly Vergne will not be retained for next season.
To me, Vergne is talented enough and is capable but he has not maximised the opportunity he has been given. With young drivers such as Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen being linked to the team in recent weeks, this could be a sign that Toro Rosso are looking for a fresh and young driver line up that will push each other. So for 2015, I feel that it will be Kvyat and Sainz Jr at the team as even though Verstappen is talented, it is too early for him to make the jump to Formula One.
Lotus
Current drivers: Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado
Drivers linked to the team: Esteban Ocon, Jolyon Palmer and Johnny Cecotto
Likely to change for 2015: Unsure
With Lotus retaining Romain Grosjean for a second season and controversially signing former Williams driver Pastor Maldonado, Lotus needed to make sure that they started the season they way they ended in 2013. However, it was clear during pre-season testing that Lotus had simply got it wrong and have struggled to perform this season.
The partnership of Grosjean and Maldonado has shown that Grosjean has been able to outperform Maldonado consistently, even if Maldonado has shown small signs of improvement in the last few races.
With Maldonado already securing his future with Lotus until the end of the 2016 it is to be believed , the speculation surrounding Grosjean is ever present. With Grosjean stating that he is looking into all the options he has, I don’t think many would blame him if he left the team if he got the call say from McLaren. But I do feel as the season goes on that Grosjean could stay with the team if the team are able to convince him that they have the resources to massively improve next year.
With young drivers Esteban Ocon, Jolyon Palmer and Johnny Cecotto being linked to the second seat if Grosjean decides to leave, once again it could come down to money for the second drive at Lotus.
But I do feel that Grosjean may stay at Lotus until the end of next season and could move to McLaren if he got the call in 2016 and as for Maldonado, he’s just lucky to be in a seat for next season as I believe he has shown no signs of why he was signed to the team in the first place.
Marussia
Current drivers: Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton
Drivers linked to the team: Alexander Rossi
Likely to change for 2015: No
With Marussia retaining Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton for a second season, Marussia needed to make sure that they started the season they way they ended in 2013 and keep tenth place ahead of their rivals Marussia.
Already this season, Marussia have improved and are miles ahead of Caterham. With the partnership of Bianchi and Chilton, they managed to secure two valuable points after Bianchi finished ninth at the Monaco Grand Prix. Also, they have took the opportunities to get themselves out of Q1 when it has been presented to them unlike their rivals.
In regards to 2015, I do feel that change is heading for Marussia. If Bianchi gets the call to move further up the grid, there is no question that Bianchi would grab the chance with both hands. If Bianchi doesn’t get the call, then I believe Bianchi will be retained for next season at the team.
Meanwhile, I feel that Chilton may leave the team at the end of the season. Even though he has improved from last year, I feel that Chilton is not able to perform to the level that Bianchi can and if he can’t improve during the rest of the season, his future looks uncertain. This then could allow Alexander Rossi the chance to gain even more experience in the sport and take the seat that is available if either Bianchi or Chilton leave the team.
Currently, I feel that if Bianchi gets the call and step up he deserves, I am unsure who would replace him. I believe if Chilton leaves and Bianchi is retained, Rossi will get the seat for 2015.
Sauber
Current drivers: Adrian Sutil and Esteban Guiterrez
Drivers linked to the team: Gideo van der Garde and Sergey Sirotkin
Likely to change for 2015: Yes
With Sauber retaining Esteban Guiterrez for a second season and signing former Force India driver Adrian Sutil, Sauber needed to make sure that they started the season they way they ended in 2013 under Hulkenberg and Guiterrez.
This season has seen Sauber gone backwards and struggle to even get out of Q1 even mind fighting for points. Sauber have struggled since pre-season with issues such as brakes and weight that have contributed to their lack of form.
With the partnership of Sutil and Guiterrez, Guiterrez has consistently outqualifed and outperformed his more experienced team mate with begs the question of why was Sutil signed in the first place.
Personally, I can see Guiterrez being retained for a third season after showing much signs of improvement in a car that is one of the most uncompetitive cars on the grid, even if his financial backing is the only reason for him staying there alongside the return of Mexico to the calendar in 2015.
I do see Sutil leaving the sport at the end of the season as I feel he has had his chances in the sport and has failed to deliver. With Sauber’s test driver Gideo van der Garde favourite to get the seat if Sutil leaves the team at the end of the year, it has also been suggested that Sauber’s Development drivers Simone de Silvestro and Sergey Sirotkin cannot be discounted to challenge for the seat also.
For 2015, I see Sauber retaining Guiterrez and Van der Garde taking over Sutil’s seat and using his experience during his time with the team and also with Caterham to lead Sauber forward next year where they simply have got to deliver.
Caterham
Current drivers: Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson
Drivers linked to the team: Carlos Sainz Jr, Rio Haryanto, Will Stevens, Julian Leal and Nathanael Berthon
Likely to change for 2015: Yes
With Caterham signing former Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi after a year’s absence from the sport and also him raising the money for the drive and then signing rookie Marcus Ericsson, many pundits and fans were wondering what to expect from Caterham this year.
This season has seen Caterham gone even further backwards and struggle to even get out of Q1 even mind fighting for points. Sauber have struggled since pre-season with issues such as brakes and reliability issues alongside speculation surrounding their future of the team which has last month been bought out by a Swiss and Middle Eastern consortium.
The partnership of Kobayashi and Ericsson has not been what they or the team expected. With both drivers struggling to drive the car and then suffering from bad luck, mistakes or reliability, it is looking likely that their future within the Caterham team is looking very shaky indeed.
With young drivers such as Carlos Sainz Jr, Rio Haryanto, Will Stevens, Julian Leal and Nathanael Berthon being linked to the team either through testing for them or signing up to their driver programme, it appears that Caterham once again would take the risk to replace either driver if they cannot regain back tenth place in the Constructors Championship.
For 2015, if Caterham cannot regain tenth place in the Constructors, then Kobayashi and Ericsson will be leaving the team without a doubt. If that doesn’t happen, then I truly believe that Caterham will choose either Sainz Jr or Stevens alongside Kobayashi for 2015 (that’s if Toro Rosso don’t sign up Sainz Jr first) But I do believe that 2015 will be the year that Caterham will gamble on a new driver line up in the hope of regaining tenth back in the Constructors Championship and if that happens, then it will Sainz Jr and Stevens in the cars.
Overall, it would appear a mixed bag in regards to the “silly season” rumours at the moment. It is clear that some teams will either retain both of their drivers or at least one of them for 2015. Some teams it is either certain or very likely that either one driver or both drivers could be leaving at the end of the season.
Question is; how many of my predictions will be correct at the end of the year? We will have to see what happens in the next few weeks and months, but I think we will be in for a shock or two along the way!
