Romain Grosjean’s long-expected confirmation at Haas for 2016 leaves just four seats available on next year’s Formula One grid. We look at each team to consider who may take the available drives.
MERCEDES
Lewis Hamilton signed a long-term contract with the Silver Arrows earlier this season, meaning that the current championship leader’s destination is already decided. He will remain alongside German teammate Nico Rosberg, who extended his stay with the team last year.
The combination has seen the team dominate the sport in the new hybrid era, with Mercedes winning the constructors’ title last year and Hamilton leading a championship one-two. For the second year in a row, the Banbury-based outfit could well wrap up the constructors’ in Sochi, but Sebastian Vettel poses a threat to a WDC clean sweep.
CONFIRMED: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg
FERRARI
Vettel and Raikkonen will remain at Ferrari next season after a successful first year as teammates. The four-time drivers’ champion has won three races for the Scuderia this year, as well as taking an additional seven podiums. Raikkonen hasn’t been able to match Vettel in out and out pace, but has been unfortunate not to spray the champagne more than twice this season.
Confirmed: Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
WILLIAMS
For the third year in a row, Williams have partnered the veteran Felipe Massa with young gun Valtteri Bottas. Despite interest from Ferrari, the ever impressive Bottas will stay at the Grove team for a fourth year.
Former Ferrari driver Massa, 34, has been rejuvenated this year – matching his Finnish teammate at most of the races and bringing home two podiums compared to Bottas’ one. With such a strong pairing, the team’s breakthrough win will surely come next year.
Confirmed: Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas
Red Bull
The doubts about Red Bull are over their future in the sport, rather than their driver line up. Triple Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo has once again impressed when the Renault power unit has let him. After a slow start, Toro Rosso’s star of last season Daniil Kvyat has proven to be a match for the Australian. The highlight of his season so far was claiming a maiden podium at Hungary, finishing second ahead of his teammate.
However, whilst their seats in the team are secure, the future of the team is not. It’d be a great shame to lose the four-time constructors champions, but an even greater shame to lose either of the team’s drivers.
Prediction: Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat
Force India
Despite having one of the smallest budgets on the grid, Force India have been in and around the upper midfield for four or five years. Like the teams above them in the championship, the Silverstone squad have confirmed their driver line-up too. Le Mans winner Nico Hulkenberg has agreed a two-year contract extension, whilst Sergio Perez is also confirmed for a third term.
Despite a disappointing spell at McLaren in 2013, the Mexican has matched the highly rated Nico Hulkenberg in their two years together. Perez took the team’s second ever podium at Bahrain last year, whilst Hulkenberg – still not in a top team – has not taken advantage of the chances he has had to finish in the top three. That may change, though. Rumblings in the paddock suggest that the team’s 2017 car is very strong. Should they be able to maintain fifth place in the standings, there is a real possibility the added income could propel them to the front of the grid.
Confirmed: Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez
Renault
Pastor Maldonado has been confirmed at Renault for next season, but the identity of his teammate remains a mystery. Grosjean is departing for pastures new, but the question is whether Renault want a Frenchman in their team. Jean-Eric Vergne would be the obvious choice if this were the case, but it is unknown whether he can break his Formula E contract or not.
Other names in the mix include the team’s current reserve driver Jolyon Palmer, whilst both McLaren drivers have been linked with a return to the Enstone outfit. Fernando Alonso won both of his titles in his first stint with the team. Button’s period at Benetton was unsuccessful, but it is known that Alain Prost – who will be taking a Niki Lauda style role at the team – is a big fan of the 2009 world champion.
Prediction: Pastor Maldonado and Jean Eric Vergne
Toro Rosso
Like sister team Red Bull, it is the future of the team in doubt and not its driver line-up. There were doubts over the ability of young Max Verstappen, but he has proven his worth as a fantastically brave racing driver.
Despite the media being firmly focussed on the Dutchman, Carlos Sainz has shone as well. The 21-year-old endured a torrid mid-season, retiring from four consecutive Grands Prix with mechanical issues. The Spaniard, though, has scored points in six of the nine races he has finished, putting him 15th in the standings – ahead of countryman Fernando Alonso.
It’d be a great shame to lose either of the Toro Rosso stars from the grid if Red Bull do decide to withdraw.
Prediction: Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz
Sauber
Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr will remain with Sauber for a second season, with the team one of the first to confirm their driver line-ups. Ericsson has been average in his second season, but his wheel to wheel battle with Felipe Massa at Canada showed there is a racer in him.
The highly rated Felipe Nasr has performed well, finishing ahead of his teammate on eight occasions. He currently sits thirteenth in the table.
Confirmed: Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr
McLaren
Fernando Alonso may well be regretting his decision to leave Ferrari for McLaren. Whilst the Scuderia have shot to the front, McLaren have fallen to the rear. Ron Dennis insists the Honda power unit will come good, but the question is over how long it will take to develop the system.
Alonso has two years remaining on his contract, but left his first term with McLaren early and the return of Renault may tempt him to do so again.
Jenson Button was expected to announce his retirement at Suzuka, but reports suggest he will stay in F1 at either current team McLaren or move to Renault. The team insist that Button will remain there for next season, but constant rumours over a salary dispute spread around the paddock.
The list of potential replacements has to include reserve driver Kevin Magnussen and GP2 champion elect Stoffel Vandoorne, but which one is front of the queue is not even known by the team’s board.
Prediction: Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button
Manor
Manor are the only team without any drivers contracted for 2016. The revived Marussia outfit are expected to run Mercedes engines from next season, with the Silver Arrows’ third driver and DTM championship leader Pascal Wehrlein taking a seat as part of the deal.
With the team always trying to find cash, you would expect a pay driver to take the other seat. Current driver Will Stevens brings some sponsorship, as does Alexander Rossi. The American seems to be the most likely to be retained after beating his teammate in both of the races he has taken part in so far.
Prediction: Alexander Rossi and Pascal Wehrlein
Haas
As mentioned in the introduction, Romain Grosjean has been confirmed at the brand new team for their début season. Effectively a Ferrari “B Team”, the American squad are expected to partner the experienced Frenchman with one of the Scuderia’s test drivers – either Jean Eric Vergne or Esteban Guttierez.
The Mexican’s younger age means that he is the more likely contender.
Prediction: Romain Grosjean and Esteban Guttierez
