[Jody Barton]

Yeah, I get what you are saying, but in the younger Formula, up against the likes of Sainz and Vandorne he stood out. I mean really stood out. His races for Manor deserved way more points finishes too, and his drive in Australia was superb in 2016, a really racing drivers performance. Was my driver of the day that day, because that Manor had no right being in the top 10. I think Mercedes choosing to back Ocon for the Force India drive was a blow (but I think Toto was right), and then this season when Monica left Sauber and he essentially got stuck with the car from winter testing up until Brazil has to have had a demotivational effect. Yet he still out qualifies Marcus, even though he’s had his car ‘loaned’ to Leclerc and Giovinazzi at multiple races this season, and generally does better. There’s also the fact he’s still running the old diffuser and suspension too. Given Ericsson improved his lap times considerably when the new diffuser was fitted in Spa we can say the advantage he has is probably between 3 to 4 tenths, yet in single lap pace that’s just not happening. Yet in race trim, you see the backend of Pascals Sauber sliding around while Marcus’ car seems more planted. How much is driver, and how much is the greater downforce? Who knows, but I think Pascal is better than a number of drivers on the grid.

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Well I think this confirms it then:

http://www.williamsf1.com/racing/news/2017abudhabitest

I don’t think Sirontkin is in with a shout, so I think that confirms Williams are close to announcing Kubica as their second driver next season. So we definitely lose Pascal and Kvyat from F1. Shame, but hey, it’s a brutal sport, especially with only 10 teams on the grid.