It happens every year during summer break when jockeying occurs as drivers and teams negotiate new contracts.
Formula 1 is now past the halfway point of the 2019 season. We have on race remaining–in Hungary this Sunday– before heading into the three-week summer break. However, for F1 fans, the break means this: “It is silly season time!” That’s when specific drivers have their contracts expire at season’s end. A big question looms: Where will they go now?
Some will go to one place, and others will go to another. Even a few won’t find another position for next season and will end up going to another formula.
We already know where Daniel Ricciardo will land. He struck a two–year deal with Renault after many fans and journalists thought that he’d remain at Red Bull with Dutch superstar Max Verstappen.
The key to the madness this year is what two drivers will do: Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon, and former two–time world champion Fernando Alonso. One should get a seat (Ocon), while the other is a legend in his own time. But despite that historical status, there might be a slight chance that Alonso could find a drive–if it appeals to him.
Ocon, though, holds the major key. Many are interested in him, and the rumors are flying about where he might land.
There are other teams, too. The American Haas F1 Team might want Ocon and, maybe, another driver following collisions between their current two drivers–Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean. Team manager Guenther Steiner might be relieved that his team can improve after all the debacles this season. Renault is another possibility. The team used to have Ocon in their program and he is French as well, which could help with sponsorship duties. With Ricciardo as his teammate, it could be interesting with so much talent, which could make a lot of difference depending on how good the car will be for next season.
Then there is Alonso, who seems to be fading. The Spaniard wants to return to F1, but he also wants a team where he can win races.
In addition to Ocon, Grosjean, and Magnussen (who could be released even with another year on his contract), Pierre Gasly, Robert Kubica, Sergio Perez, and the two Toro Rosso drivers, Dani Kvyat and Alexander Albon, are also on the market. If Gasly fails at Red Bull, Kvyat could step in and return to drive alongside Verstappen.
Anything could happen in the next two weeks and, possibly, as far in the future as the last race in Europe (Monza, Italy on September 8). But whatever happens, it makes the sport interesting as drivers negotiate new contracts. It gives fans and analysts a chance to begin thinking about what might happen in 2020.
