As the summer break, the traditional rumours, sometimes fantastic, agitate the F1 drivers’ transfer market after the Great Britain Grand Prix on last Sunday (7/16).
Kimi Raikkonen has not given any clues about a possible extension at Ferrari, faithful to his silence. But the 37-years-old said that Ferrari will make a decision about his future in F1.
“The situation is the same as it was a year ago. You must ask Ferrari if you want to know more,” Raikkonen said. “Every year for the past 10 years has been pretty much the same story. Of course, people make it a big issue but I’m not stressing about it.
“Life is more than just here and answering questions. I’m not happy about same races have gone, but I cannot change it.” the Finnish added.
Raikkonen’s future also revealed by Haas F1 Team, Romain Grosjean, the Frenchman believes Raikkonen will stay until the end of the season.
“Since 2010, everybody thinks that he will leave F1 every year, but we are now in 2017 and he is still there,” said Grosjean, who is still dreaming to join Ferrari.
If the 2007 world champion retires, several candidates are on the roster, starting with Sergio Perez. At Force India since 2014, the Mexican would be well at Ferrari, thanks in particular to his sponsor, the billionaire Carlos Slim.
Gossip also indicated a pre-contract concluded by Ferrari with Max Verstappen, who recently issued the desire to drive the Italian car. However, Red Bull Racing Team confirmed that Verstappen and his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo cannot leave their contracts.
Lewis Hamilton and his team-mate Valtteri Bottas will stay in 2018 at Mercedes. (Source:www.formula1.com)
“Ricciardo and Verstappen have fixed contracts, said Red Bull boss Helmut Marko. “Ricciardo for 2018, and Verstappen with some clauses for 2019. Only we can end contracts, the drivers cannot.” he added.
Concerning in the second half of 2017, Sebastian Vettel, who under the end of the contract has suggested to staying at Maranello team. Vettel is currently on the top of the F1 standings with 177 points, just one point ahead of Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton.
“I told him very clearly we are ready to sign a new contract if he wants to stay with us,” Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said to media last week.
On the other side, Mercedes team seems to keep the same pair of drivers in 2018. Mercedes confirmed Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to stay.
