The summer break after the Grand Prix of Hungary on Sunday is used by the racing teams not only for technical advancements. Traditionally, the „Silly Season“, the transfer market for Formula 1, will kick off in August – and thus the race for the best drivers for 2020. The focus will be on Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon.
The Frenchman Ocon is currently only substitute driver for the Silver Arrows and in 2020 he could become the team mate of World Champion Lewis Hamilton – if there is no other cockpit for the highly talented 22-year-old. Last year, the Mercedes-Protege was the big loser of the transfer market. Renault had already committed the Formula 3 European champion of 2014 and GP3 champion of 2015 as good as fix, before Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull could lose iron.
In view of the short-term plan change Mercedes found no cockpit for Ocon, since he acts as a test driver for Mercedes and is always seen at the side of motorsport director Toto Wolff in the race. He wants to prevent a defeat as much as possible the previous year – and as early as possible have certainty for Bottas and Ocon.
Wolff: „Decision will fall in August“
The decision to go to Hamilton’s side in 2020 should be made in August, Wolff said in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt. „We have a top driver in Valtteri, we are aware of that,“ said Wolff. Bottas is 29 years old and has been driving for Mercedes since the 2017 season. He was then hired by Williams as the successor of the surprisingly retired world champion of 2016, Nico Rosberg. „But we also have this exciting young driver, Esteban Ocon, who deserves his place in Formula One,“ said Wolff.
In any case, with Ocon or Bottas a top pilot on the market. The already committed drivers meanwhile try to strengthen their positions. At Racing Point, for example, Sergio Perez is currently negotiating a long-term contract.
Traditionally, the Mexican has traditionally only signed contracts for more than a year. With the acquisition of the team by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, the attitude of the 29-year-old has changed. He is aiming for a contract that spans several seasons – and brings with him potent sponsors.
Hülkenberg wants to stay with Renault
A shaky candidate is Nico Hülkenberg at Renault. The German veteran could have to give way to Ocon. The 31-year-old is not only a negative record holder – 166 races without a podium „managed“ so far no one – he distinguished himself, on the other hand, several times in defending his cockpit.
On the sidelines of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Hülkenberg was confident that he would also be racing for Renault in 2020: „Nothing is carved in stone, but I think it’s very likely that I’ll stay.“
While the driver pair at Red Bull with Max Verstappen, who has an exit clause, but according to Motorsport consultant Helmut Marko „remains 99 percent“, and Pierre Gasly is likely to be maintained, it could come with the sister team Toro Rosso to change. According to reports engine partner Honda wants to accommodate a driver in the second team. According to a report by „Autosport“ it is supposed to be the 31-year-old Naoki Yamamoto, currently defending champion in the Super Formula Series.
Thick air at Haas: Driver change during the season?
In Haas F1, however, could the „Silly Season“ already in the current season lead to a separation: The teammates Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean got this year several times together, in the last two races not only verbal, but also on the track – including crash in the first round of Silverstone. On the outside, team boss Günter Steiner is reluctant – yet.
A driver change during the current season would be „almost an act of despair“, as the South Tyrolean told „Autosport“: „I do not think so. It would be possible, but it makes no sense. You would raise more questions than answer. “
Not being able to stand the test of time does not rule out successful cooperation, according to Steiner in the direction of his two pilots: „If they can not get along with each other, I can not change that. As long as she respects the team and what the team wants, that’s okay with me, „said the 54-year-old.
