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https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sainz...89/?nrt=54

Former McLaren Formula 1 driver Jenson Button says that new signing Carlos Sainz will need to be patient and shouldn't expect a swift turnaround in the team's fortunes.

Button, who claimed the team's most recent grand prix win in the 2012 season finale in Brazil, left the championship two years ago, in the middle of McLaren's ultimately ill-fated stint with engine supplier Honda.

McLaren has switched to using Renault engines from 2018 onwards, but its first campaign with the French manufacturer's power units has also been a disappointment – as it sits only seventh in the constructors' standings.
The team will not retain two-time champion Fernando Alonso in its line-up for next year, but has signed Sainz in his place – the latter forced to find alternative employment after his current team Renault pulled off a surprise move for Daniel Ricciardo.

"It's good - but is it stepping up, you know?" Button said when asked of Sainz's McLaren switch.
"He was racing for the works Renault team, who are performing very well this year. He's moving to McLaren, whether it's the right move I don't know.

"I think he obviously didn't have the option to race at Renault this year with Daniel moving there, so I guess it's the right decision."
Button warned that Sainz has to realise the scope of the challenge he will face at McLaren as the Woking-based team will need time to return to its former glory.
"I don't think the pace of the car is going to turn around for next year, it's going to be difficult, 'cause they've dropped a long way back," Button said.
"It is a big team, it is a team that has won multiple world championships, so they will find a way back.
"But it's going to take a little bit of time, I think.

"He [Sainz] needs to understand, I guess, that it's going to take a few years of working hard and making himself feel present and making his opinion count, and hopefully moving the car forward."
Button also said that Sainz will have big shoes to fill in replacing his two-time world champion compatriot.
"Obviously Fernando's retired, and he knows what he's doing, and he's getting the best out of the car pretty much every weekend.
"So it's always going to be a hard act to follow. But they wouldn't have chosen him [Sainz] if they didn't think he was worthy."

Red Bull has confirmed that Pierre Gasly will partner Max Verstappen in its lead Formula 1 team next season, in place of Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo.

Yes this promising young and up and coming driver could be out of a seat very soon (surely he is okay for Spa?) depending of course what happens with Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez.  I would think short term ie the rest of the season the team will want to keep Perez and the money he brings to the table and I am sure Lawrence Stroll did not buy the team only not to have his son drive for them.

There was much talk earlier in the year of him going to Renault but it looks like that door has been very firmly closed so his options are looking decidedly thin on the ground. I doubt Haas will want a Mercedes driver in the team. Likewise Sauber (but would he want to go there even if he could).  I dont think Toro Rosso are in play and I highly doubt Red Bull are either but I would not completely close that door but it is probably 99% shut! That basically leaves McLaren and Williams.

I think Vandoorne is probably done at McLaren or in my opinion he should be, he could go to Sauber as he supposedly has a relationship with Freddie Vasseur but I dont see that happening. That would leave one seat open with Norris also in play.

Then we have Williams. Strolls departure will leave one seat open and I do not think Sirotkin is a certainty for the other seat either. I am not even certain Williams will survive in its existing state of play.  I am certain Mercedes are watching very closely what is going on there. A) I think they will be looking to acquire a 'second' team just as Ferrari have.  B) They have a lot of drivers and nowhere to put them.  If they took over I see two of either Russell, Ocon and possibly even Wehrlein driving there next season.

Roll on Spa its been a miserable few weeks, compounded this week by the pathetic performance of the England cricket team but thats for another forum or another day (I dont need Morini kicking me in the posterior again I am already on a 15 place grid penalty)

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hulke...i/3160843/

Nico Hulkenberg says he takes some pride in having "survived" for nearly a decade in Formula 1, despite the ever-growing threat posed by pay drivers.

The German, who once came close to a race seat with Ferrari, is highly regarded for his speed but has yet to take a podium in F1.

However, with Renault showing encouraging progress ahead of the arrival of Daniel Ricciardo in 2019, Hulkenberg has the best chance yet of getting that monkey off his back.


The Ferrari deal was real.

Hulkenberg came close to a breakthrough deal with Ferrari for 2014, as the Italian outfit weighed up a replacement for Felipe Massa.
But despite contracts having been drawn up, in the end Ferrari made a last-minute decision to sign Kimi Raikkonen as teammate to Fernando Alonso.
Looking back at that time, Hulkenberg admits that the Ferrari move had "seemed close" but says he does not waste time wondering what might have been.

“It seemed, you know, serious. It seemed close,” he said. “There were negotiations, there were contracts flowing about, being sent between lawyers, but it doesn't matter now.
"At the end it didn't happen, and yeah, the rest is history.”

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/mic...spartanntp

Michael Schumacher, the Formula 1 legend, will reportedly be moved to a £27 million mansion in Majorca that his wife is said to have bought last month. 
Schumacher, 49, sustained severe head injuries in a skiing accident in France on December 29, 2013 and has been cared for at his home in Switzerland since September 2014.
Katia Rouarch, who became mayoress of Andratx in June last year, told weekly Swiss magazine L’Illustre that preparations had been made to welcome the German to the Spanish island. 
“I can officially confirm Michael Schumacher will move in to our municipality and that everything is set up here to welcome him,” she was quoted as saying. Spanish magazine Marca reported it had also also confirmed the move.
It was not known exactly when Schumacher would arrive or how long he would be staying there. 
Schumacher's wife Corinna reportedly bought the mansion last month from Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, for almost £27 million (30 million euros).
She purchased the property near Andratx in the southwest of the island in order to spend holidays there with her children and friends, German newspaper Bild reported. 
Schumacher used to spend holidays on the island in the past while his brother Ralf has also spent time there.
The 15,000 square metre estate is said to boast two swimming pools, a helipad, a gym and a huge palm-tree-fringed garden.
"The place, surrounded by solid walls, has many advantages: it is located on a promontory, a part of which becomes a small precipice, which makes the property inaccessible to prying eyes," the magazine reported.
Schumacher's accident happened on a family holiday as he was skiing with his son at the Meribel ski resort in the French Alps.
The avid skier hit the right side of his head on a rock, cracking his helmet. Doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain, but some were left because they were too deeply embedded.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has announced he will not race in Formula 1 in the 2019 season.

Fernando Alonso has retired from Formula 1 and will quit McLaren at the end of the season.

Despite being considered to be one of the best drivers to ever grace an F1 cockpit, the 37-year-old has not won an F1 race in five years and the Drivers' World Championship in over a decade.

The two-time world champion is to make a full-time switch to the Indy Car series.

Came across this Youtube video today, again ideal for those F1 fans like me who are technically challenged (which if I am being honest with you people is just one area I struggle in life but that will do for now!)

I have seen reference to active suspensions many times but is that not just another driver aid?  Dont get me wrong I am not going to live and die on the issue but it seems to me with having to completely redesign the suspension and other ride factors it another case of massive expense for the teams which i thought Liberty were trying to avoid. (or is that just another bitch at the engine manufacturers?)

Having said that I do like the looks of the 18" wheels over the 13" inch ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOciDjS-hRw

https://www.planetf1.com/news/haas-will-...the-break/

[b]Romain Grosjean could learn his fate after the summer break with Guenther Steiner saying that’s when Haas will look at their 2019 driver line up.[/b]

The Frenchman has crashed more often than most including one behind the Safety Car in Baku and then causing a multi-car pile up at the start of this Spanish GP.
His adventures have reflected in the points with Grosjean on 21 while his team-mate Kevin Magnussen has 45 to his name.
His troubled season has led to speculation that this year could be Grosjean’s last with Haas.
Steiner says they won’t be rushed into making a decision.
“I don’t want to talk about the future,” the team boss told France’s Auto Hebdo.
“We will study this question after the summer break.
“We have not made any decisions.
“I have a lot of respect for Romain on a human level.
“Who would have taken the risk of joining us three years ago? He believed in us and our project.”

I boldly and rather stupidly posted my predictions for the 2019 line up on 12th July.  Scrap that it about as close to reality as the Star Wars movies!

Daniel Ricciardo and his move to Renault has shocked the F1 world, nobody and I mean nobody saw this coming.  The move has many implications. First I wonder if at some stage this season now Red Bull will drop him from team and maybe bring in Gasly who many think will be his replacement. It would be harsh and in my eyes classless but this is Red Bull we are talking about. The most ruthless team in F1.

What does that mean for Carlos Sainz?  Clearly he has no drive for 2019 now and although Red Bull hold his contract I do not think there is anyway he will be driving for the number one team. Toro Rosso sure could use his experience but I doubt he would accept that demotion. This probably leaves McLaren who most say is the obvious move but what about a move to Hass?

Clearly Ocon will not be moving to Renault now so what does that mean for Force India?  Does that affect the alleged Stroll family and their proposed buyout of the team?

If Sainz does move to McLaren who will he replace?  The thought is Vandoorne but are we sure Alonso is going to be there next season? Lots of people are saying with the personnel moves they are making that Alonso will probably remain for another season. So does that mean goodbye Stoffel?

Vandoorne to Sauber is another major rumour to replace one of their drivers. Talk from there is Leclerc may go to Ferrari but the rumour mill is churning out more Kimi for another year rumour. Talk of even moving Leclerc to Hass.  Ericcson to survive another year OMG please no.

Williams Stroll to Force India has been a long standing thought but will it now happen?  Russell to Williams is also thought to be a possibility for next year so where would that leave Sirotkin?

Toro Rosso could have two seats available but if Gasly does go to Red Bull does that mean Hartley will stay as an experienced driver?  Surely two young rookie talents in the team at the same time is not a smart move moreso when still trying to develop the Honda engine.

So what now I ask you knowledgeable bunch of F1 fans?

Come on I want to see your bold predictions, dont be shy now I will not hold it against you in the future