{"id":298,"date":"2016-10-05T18:41:23","date_gmt":"2016-10-05T22:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonmotorsport.com\/?p=298"},"modified":"2016-10-05T18:41:23","modified_gmt":"2016-10-05T22:41:23","slug":"2017-f1-driver-market-shaping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2016\/10\/05\/2017-f1-driver-market-shaping\/","title":{"rendered":"How the 2017 F1 Driver Market is Shaping up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Announcements galore over recent weeks have started to help piece together the 2017 F1 driver market puzzle. A major technical regulation change has perhaps persuaded some teams to retain their respective driver pairings for 2017. However, with experienced names such as\u00a0Felipe Massa<\/strong> and Jenson Button<\/strong> not on the grid for next year, some teams have taken up options with younger drivers. Five of the top six teams are locked-in as of this time of writing, but there is intrigue regarding the whereabouts of several names on the grid when we hit Melbourne in March.<\/p>\n

The 2017 F1 Driver Market<\/h2>\n

Mercedes<\/strong>
\nNico Rosberg (GER) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2018<\/em>
\nLewis Hamilton (GBR) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2018<\/em><\/p>\n

Somewhat unsurprisingly, World Champions-elect Mercedes<\/strong> will house the lukewarm relationship between Lewis Hamilton<\/strong> and Nico Rosberg<\/strong> for another two years at least. 2017 will be the fifth season that the two have faced off against each other at the same team in F1.<\/p>\n

Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer<\/strong>
\nDaniel Ricciardo (AUS) \u2013 \u2018Long-term contract\u2019
\nMax Verstappen (NED) \u2013 \u2018Long-term contract\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The young yet very talented pairing of Daniel Ricciardo<\/strong> and Max Verstappen<\/strong> is locked-in for the foreseeable future. It would appear that this will be the case for a long time, unless the relationship turns frosty, or there is a sudden demotion to the sister team for one of the drivers.<\/p>\n

Ferrari<\/strong>
\nSebastian Vettel (GER) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2017
\nKimi Raikkonen (FIN) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2017<\/em><\/p>\n

A series of reliability issues, crashes, mistakes and off-track issues has resulted in 2016 being a disaster for Ferrari<\/strong>, when they were hoping to challenge Mercedes for the championship. 2007 Ferrari champion Kimi Raikkonen<\/strong> is arguably on borrowed time now, whilst a frustrated Sebastian Vettel<\/strong> will not want to exit on the terms that his predecessor (Fernando Alonso) did at the end of 2014.<\/p>\n

Force India-Mercedes<\/strong>
\nSergio Perez (MEX) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2017
\nNico Hulkenberg (GER) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2017<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite rumours that he was off elsewhere, Sergio Perez<\/strong> remains at Force India for 2017, acknowledging the two-year deal he signed at the end of 2015. Perez was arguably the centrepiece of the 2017 F1 driver market puzzle, and now he is in place, it should be expected that other drivers will fall in soon as well. Nico Hulkenberg <\/strong>will start his sixth year with the team over two stints.<\/p>\n

Williams-Mercedes<\/strong>
\nValtteri Bottas (FIN) \u2013 TBC
\nLance Stroll (CAN) \u2013 TBC<\/em><\/p>\n

Felipe Massa\u2019s retirement has opened up a space at Williams<\/strong> for 2017. This is expected to be taken by FIA European Formula 3 Champion Lance Stroll<\/strong> \u2013 son of billionaire Lawrence Stroll<\/strong>. Stroll, 18, has been testing a 2014 car recently in preparation for his promotion. According to rumours, Valtteri Bottas <\/strong>has signed a two-year extension to his existing deal, but this is not set in stone just yet. An announcement is expected fairly soon.<\/p>\n

McLaren-Honda<\/strong>
\nFernando Alonso (SPA) \u2013 Confirmed until the end of 2017
\nStoffel Vandoorne (BEL) \u2013 Contract length unknown<\/em><\/p>\n

McLaren<\/strong> stalwart Jenson Button will step aside in 2017, which will allow the very hot prospect,\u00a0Stoffel Vandoorne<\/strong> to finally make his proper F1 debut. Fernando Alonso<\/strong> will start the third and final year of his McLaren contract, and will decide whether he can be bothered with F1 any more during 2017. Button, who will be on a sabbatical, could re-enter Formula One in a similar manner to Alain Prost<\/strong>, or could fade away entirely like Mika Hakkinen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toro Rosso-Renault<\/strong>
\nCarlos Sainz Jr. (SPA) \u2013 \u2018Long-term contract\u2019
\nDaniil Kvyat (RUS)<\/em> or Pierre Gasly (FRA) \u2013 TBC<\/em><\/p>\n

The very rapid Carlos Sainz Jr.<\/strong> will start his third season with Toro Rosso<\/strong> in 2017. However, the identity of his team mate is still very much up in the air. Daniil Kvyat<\/strong> has found form in recent races at a pivotal moment in his career, whilst Red Bull-backed Pierre Gasly<\/strong> could well take the GP2 championship. It absolutely will be one of these two drivers, and at the moment it is looking favourable for Gasly.<\/p>\n

Haas-Ferrari<\/strong>
\nRomain Grosjean (FRA) \u2013 Contract length unknown
\nEsteban Gutierrez (MEX) \u2013 TBC<\/em><\/p>\n

Newcomers Haas<\/strong> will house Romain Grosjean<\/strong> for a second season, despite rumours that he could be back off to Enstone after being troubled in recent races. Grosjean\u2019s team mate is expected to be the luckless Esteban Gutierrez<\/strong> once again, but it is understood that a decision is yet to be made. All we do know is that GP3 title contender,\u00a0Charles Leclerc<\/strong> will not<\/em> be in the second car next season.<\/p>\n

Renault<\/strong>
\nKevin Magnussen (DEN) \u2013 TBC
\nJolyon Palmer (GBR) \u2013 TBC<\/em><\/p>\n

Renault\u2019s<\/strong> line-up for 2016 comprised of a mixture of leftovers from Lotus<\/strong> in the case of Jolyon Palmer<\/strong> and the best available driver at short notice in Kevin Magnussen<\/strong>. These two seats are now arguably the most valuable seats up for grabs in F1 now that other seats have been taken. Have Magnussen and Palmer done enough to retain their seats? That is very much up for debate, but the list of big, available names is very swiftly dwindling. However, Renault have a long list of drivers in thier academy including Sergey Sirotkin<\/strong>, Oliver Rowland<\/strong> and Nicolas Latifi<\/strong>. It is also believed that they could take former third driver Esteban Ocon<\/strong> on loan from Mercedes. From Magnussen\u2019s eagerness to know Renault\u2019s plans, it would appear that he has options elsewhere. If Renault does want an available-but-experienced driver, there could be a young Russian looking for work at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

MRT-Mercedes<\/strong>
\nPascal Wehrlein (GER) \u2013 TBC
\nEsteban Ocon (FRA) <\/em>or Rio Haryanto (INO) <\/em>or Jordan King (GBR) \u2013 TBC<\/em><\/p>\n

It would be very surprising to see Pascal Wehrlein<\/strong> off elsewhere now that all of the other Mercedes-powered seats are pretty much set in stone. He is leaving his future down to his parent team but it would be amazing should he be left without a seat next year. The second seat is very much up in the air however. We know that former reserve driver,\u00a0Alexander Rossi<\/strong> will not be in F1 next year, committing himself to IndyCar<\/strong> for the foreseeable future. Ocon could be off to Renault, which could pave the way for Rio Haryanto<\/strong> to return, now that he has found substantial financial backing once again. Another driver eyeing up a seat in F1 is GP2 driver\u00a0Jordan King<\/strong>, but this would appear to be an unlikely choice.<\/p>\n

Sauber-Ferrari<\/strong>
\nMarcus Ericsson (SWE) \u2013 TBC
\nFelipe Nasr (BRA) \u2013 TBC<\/em><\/p>\n

The links between Marcus Ericsson<\/strong> and the investment team involved in Sauber<\/strong> will almost certainly guarantee the Swedish driver a fourth season in F1. If Felipe Nasr\u2019s<\/strong> sponsorship continues to deliver despite the economic troubles in his native Brazil, then it would be unlikely to see him being ousted. However, should either driver not be on the grid next year, and Sauber would like to seriously consider young talent \u2013 they should look no further than Italian Antonio Giovinazzi<\/strong>, who has had a successful rookie season in GP2- almost as successful and as impressive as McLaren’s Stoffel Vandoorne.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n