J i m Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So.. Recent announcements and rumours call for a recap
Mercedes
#44 - Lewis Hamilton
#6 - Nico Rosberg
> It's looking more likely that Britney and Lewis will tolerate each other into next year and they're both under contract. Lauda has ruled out taking on Alonso.
Red Bull - Renault
#3 - Daniel Ricciardo
#26 - Danill Kvyat
> Vettel has jumped ship, Vergne has be been given the mother of all snubs as has Alonso for that matter and Young Kyvat has won the promotion.
Ferrari
#5 - Sebastian Vettel
#7 - Kimi Raikkonen
> Alonso has effectively cried "@#$%& this @#$%&" and is basically out of there. Red Bull have very considerately taken it upon themselves to effectively confirm what everyone would be naturally assuming anyway. Seb wants to be mini Schumi.
Williams - Mercedes
#77 - Valtteri Bottas
#19 - Felipe Massa
> Got the announcement out of the way at Monza, keeping status quo.
McLaren - Honda
#14 Fernando Alonso?
Magussen / Button??
> McLaren are making no secret that they are trying to woo Alonso with open arms and possibly an open Honda wallet as well. It does seem evermore likely that he's on his way back to Woking. Who to partner him? Could even Vettel confound the expectations and turn up at winter testing wearing grey instead of rosa corsa? Will either Magussen or Button earn a reprieve? Might Alonso take a sabactical and let Button do all the legwork?
Force India - Mercedes
#27 - Nico Hulkenberg
#11 - Sergio Perez
> * Note, Hulkenberg has multi year deal, team are happy with current line up, although according to Eddie Jordan apparently the Hulk has an offer to go to sportscars with Porsche.
Toro Rosso - Renault
#?? - Max Verstappen
#?? - Carlos Sainz Jr?
> They had the lineup all done and dusted, but Vettel has untimely created a vacancy at RBR which has been granted to Kyvat. Vergne won't be amused but logic suggests that Sainz ought to get the resultant STR vacancy although this is yet to be confirmed.
Lotus - Mercedes?
#8 - Romain Grosjean
#13 - Pastor Maldonaldo
> PDVSA obviously don't mind paying the Maldonaldo repair bills as he's confirmed for next year despite a dud season. I get the impression that Grosjean is yearning for a better car but there doesn't appear to be any likely options for him except to stay at "Lotus".
Marussia - Ferrari
#17 Jules Bianchi
#4 - Max Chilton?
> Ferrari support (or politics) should probably keep Bianchi in that seat. Chilton could yet be outbid by the likes of Alex Rossi, Will Stevens or anyone who cares to spend more than Daddy.
Sauber - Ferrari
> There are some serious doubts about Sauber even being in F1 next year, as they're still lacking the investment. De Silvera's backers have legged it and the so called Russian deal from last year still doesn't seem likely to be happening. Whatever happens it's going to be a very lean team next year.
Caterham - Renault
> Serious clusterfuck of an team right now even having a spot of trouble with bailiffs who care little for which company named 'Caterham' they seize property from. They've been trying to auction off Kobayashi's seat race by race for half a season now, only they can't even manage to do that properly.
> ---
> Hass not ready until 2016
> Other new team not yet confirmed and probably won't be.