In football, the summer indicates the silly season where news and rumours regarding players transfers takes hold with the lack of games.
In Formula One, the silly season is usually far later in the season, but this year things appear to be a little bit different.
Max Verstappen’s move from Toro Rosso to sister team Red Bull Racing mid-season indicated that there might have been some movement in the background.
For 2017, technically there could be available seats at Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams and McLaren.
Nico Rosberg is currently set to see his contract with Mercedes expire, but it is fully expected that the 2016 Formula One World Championship leader will sign a new deal. Over the weekend in Baku, it was even reported in Germany that a deal had already been struck.
At Ferrari, there is always speculation regarding Kimi Raikkonen, it seems that Ferrari are always keen to keep him, but is the Finn really performing as best as he, or someone else could?
In Baku, Force India’s Sergio Perez was being linked with a move to Ferrari and that was even before he went on to beat Kimi to a place on the podium.
I am very happy where l am. I am enjoying it, l love this team. What happens next year? I just hope l am in Formula 1, but who knows where,
‘It is too early to talk about the future.’ he told Sky Sports.
At Williams Felipe Massa is out-of-contract and at McLaren Honda, once again Jenson Button finds his future up in the air.
The 2009 Formula One World Champion has been linked with a return to Williams, something that Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams described as ‘an attractive proposition’.
She told Sky Sports: ‘we are having other conversations with other drivers in the paddock to see what other opportunities there are, But that’s not to say we aren’t happy with the job Valtteri [Bottas] and Felipe [Massa] are doing. We have a great line-up, but no decision has been made. We just have to work through the conversations.’
She continued: ”Button back at Williams’ is a great headline. He started his career here, he’s a world champion and extremely intelligent when it comes to building a team around him and helping the engineering side develop the car, Of course he is going to be an attractive proposition if he is available. But we are talking to a lot of drivers in the paddock at the moment – and he may or may not be on the list.’
With McLaren confirmed that they will not open talks about their 2017 driver line-up until September, Jenson Button may feel the need to seek out a deal elsewhere for additional stability.
F1 musical chairs begins
