Sainz Signs Williams Deal? Major Grid Shake-Up Before Spanish GP
Jun.13 - Even in the break between the Canadian and Spanish grands prix, the driver rumour-mill is still churning.
One rumour, reported by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, is that Alpine has not ruled out ejecting Esteban Ocon before the end of the season.
With Ocon definitely set to leave after the 2024 finale, the last two grands prix have been highly troubled for the French driver's relationship with the team.
"It would be ideal for Jack Doohan to gain some practical race experience before 2025," said correspondent Tobias Gruner.
However, he thinks Ocon's contract is actually watertight, amid related speculation that the only way Alpine could get out of the deal is if the 27-year-old continued to breach team instructions.
Team boss Bruno Famin, however, said after the latest troubles in Montreal: "There are no serious disagreements in the team.
"Esteban has the right to count on full support for the best result, because the best result for Esteban is the possibility of the best result for the team."
Australian team reserve and rookie Doohan, 21, is the favourite to replace Ocon, but also rumoured is that likely Sauber refugee Guanyu Zhou's sponsors are offering a potential employer for the Chinese driver a huge $35 million for 2025.
That sort of offering may also endanger Ocon's likely next destination, with Zhou's Chinese backers said to be in talks with Haas as well.
As for the biggest player on the 2025 driver market, departing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, sport.de claims the Spaniard really is set to sign a 4-year contract at Williams.
The deal would reportedly allow him to quit after 2026, if Williams doesn't hit certain performance markers at the start of the new regulations period.
"Toto Wolff originally planned to transfer Kimi Antonelli to its customer team Williams," reports sport.de, "but every indication is that Sainz has now signed there.
"The Spaniard apparently has no interest in Sauber-Audi."
So with Sainz signing at Williams, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff apparently had no other option than to pair Antonelli, 17, with George Russell at the works team next year.
Sport1 explained that a clause in Antonelli's contract with the Mercedes junior program and his manager Wolff promised the young Italian a full F1 seat by 2025.
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Ocon will most certainly see out the season in any case, & Zhou will most likely end up without a drive alongside Sargeant & Magnussen.
The sponsor money aspect is too secondary these days, especially alongside his current general performance level.
In full, next season's driver pairings will probably be as follows or along the following alternatives, already confirmed or otherwise clear-cut pairings included.
Red Bull Racing: VER-PER
Ferrari: LEC-HAM
Mclaren: NOR-PIA
Mercedes: RUS-ANT
Aston Martin: ALO-STR
Visa RB: TSU-LAW/RIC
Haas: BEA-OCO/BOT
Alpine: GAS-DOO
Williams: ALB-SAI/BOT
Sauber: HUL-SAI/OCO/BOT (I still don't rule out the former ultimately accepting Audi's offer, after all, while Bottas could still have a chance, depending on Sainz & Ocon).
Agreed. It should be Yuki and Lawson at RB Visa card.
Sainz at Williams then it is just a question of where Ocon and Bottas go to Haas or Sauber but both on the grid.
Should not be any place for Sargeant, Magnussen or Ricciardo.
Add to list of 'should not be' Stroll and Perez and Hulk.
I'm surprised about that you mention Hulk among current full-time drivers who shouldn't be racing in F1.
The other two are fit in that category, though.
Rubbish. Hulk deserves a top team. Zhou should be out though.
Yeah, Hulk is a top driver and has a great qualifier.
I hope he will score his first podium and win at Audi
Sainz to Williams, I do hope for his sake that Audi are slow at getting results, something tells me though , theyll be on the button in 26, very much in the Mercedes groove, very efficient, very clinical and very sucessfull, however i dont want to ignore Hondas reintroduction to f1, but putting some of that failure down to the Mcl side of the car, for me , the real question is Rbs engine, sure Ford will help them and yes theyll whip a bit of knowledge off the Honda engines But, theyll be no one to blame except Rb , if its not A1
One driver not on the list is Lucy lou, she should not be on the grid, for umpteen reasons
Said it before NH has been a works Porsche/Renault driver and soon works Audi driver....