It may be early to predict the driver line-up for 2018 but the paddock has been brimming with a few rumours.

Next year could be pivotal, especially for Perez & Sainz as there is a good chance of an open seat at Ferrari & Renault (am sure Palmer is going to be ousted).

1 rumour that's been going on in the paddock in Monaco is that Perez is being shortlisted / chosen to replace Raikkonen in 2018. He just deciding to extend his contract for 1 year instead of a multi year deal explains his aspirations too. It all depends if Raikkonen will be retained for another year or not. If the rumour turns out to be true, who would then take Perez's seat? Wehrlein or Nasr? A Force India seat is quite a competitive one not to miss for many.

Sainz's move to Renault was blocked by Red Bull but he could be a good option to replace Palmer at Renault.

Ricciardo also would love to go to Ferrari some day but with Vettel being there, I don't think it would be happening sooner.

And Button does have a contract for 2018 as well!

https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2017/05/monaco-gp-playing-out-amid-moves-on-long-term-ferrari-f1-driver-line-up/

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Feel The Fourth

Ferrari to keep Raikkonen for next year while bringing in Leclerc at another team, promoting him to Ferrari when Raikkonen leaves.

At least that's how I would do it. But for all the talent Leclerc possesses, everybody seems to forget about him.

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

Not the Ferrari way. LeClerc will need to prove himself elsewhere before he gets the Ferrari gig.

Leclerc will almost certainly be brought into F1 by Ferrari if they can find a seat for him. With Sauber going to Honda you'd have to say Haas is looking the most likely. I get the feeling he may have to settle for a 3rd driver role like Vandoorne first though.

Just to bring it back to 2017 for a moment it was rumoured that Monaco would be Palmer's last race for Renault, assuming they do look to replace him for Canada who do we think they would be looking at? Call me crazy (I'm thinking it myself) but with Maldonado at the last 2 races in a row and his history with Enstone... is that possible? I feel like I'm going crazy but the pieces sort of fit.

In any case I doubt Palmer will be in the seat next year so do we think Sirotkin has a shot or will they maybe look to Rowland if he performs well this year?

I've read many rumours about that happening on several sites now, you certainly aren't the only seeing the pieces possibly fitting.

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Raikkonen Bottas Ricciardo

Thanks for the memories Nico

Not to be blunt, but did you actually read my post?

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

Would Alonso do a mid-season swap to Renault? I'm certain he has a performance clause that would release him from McLaren if he wanted to..

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Räikkönen - Vettel - Bottas
Thank you Nico - You´re the champ!

PF1 Pick 10 Competition 2016: CHAMPION (2 wins, 8 podiums)

If not mid season, then next season he's bound to go there.

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Feel The Fourth

Yes. Raikkonen won't be a Ferrari driver in 3 years.

Who said anything about 3 years?

Now, at his current performance level I can see Ferrari holding on to Raikkonen for 2018 and possibly even beyond.

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

As per the article below, Renault is trying hard to get Perez onboard for 2018. They even wish to poach him to replace Palmer but this will never happen.
http://en.f1i.com/news/269640-renault-closing-sergio-perez.html

There was a rumour going about in Monaco that Ferrari will probably sign Perez for Kimi's replacement. Perez too would prefer Ferrari over Renault anyday.

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Feel The Fourth

Very intriguing re: PALMER. Any links to the sites??

Why would they not just put Sirotkin in the seat, instead of bringing in Maldonado to do half a season?

What's the bet McLaren turn it around as soon if ALONSO leaves

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1996 and Onwards
Ricciardo .:. Massa .:. LeClerc .:. Sainz

I bet Hulkenberg would oppose that if he has a vote . Certainly seems a possibility but I would guess they would use someone more like Maldonaldo/Sirotken for the rest of year to see how the car develops under Hulk then decide if its worth spending huge money on Alonso? My guess at this stage is that they could be 4th best by the start of next year.

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Raikkonen Bottas Ricciardo

Thanks for the memories Nico

First one I found: http://en.f1i.com/news/269112-monaco-pa ... nault.html

Ted Kravitz on Sky also mentioned the rumours going around the pit lane during one of his notebook episodes on the weekend.

I had read this article. Question is - who's the best fit?

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Feel The Fourth

Can someone enlighten me about Button from the OP? Or is it just his McLaren contract he's in atm?

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There is no theory of evolution, just a list of animals that Chuck Norris allows to live.

What I meant was he has an option to return to racing at McLaren in 2018. I doubt if he'll return though.

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/f1-grand-prix/one-f1-comeback-is-enough-for-button-9425644

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Feel The Fourth

Ah ok, thanks. Yeah I knew he had that, just thought he'd signed a new contract from his mention in the OP.

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There is no theory of evolution, just a list of animals that Chuck Norris allows to live.

It's hard to see were Leclerc might get placed for next season, Haas would seem the most obvious but KMag is under contract and it seems unlikely that they would drop Grosjean.

The other most viable team would be Sauber but Ericsson looks solid there with his backers owning the team and Wehrlein is doing well within the team and has his own backing from Mercedes plus they will no longer have Ferrari engines which would have favoured Leclerc.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: 7th place

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (8)

I think the most likely driver to replace him would be Sirotkin plus I believe he would bring some money as well.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: 7th place

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (8)

Sirotkin is the reserve driver and probably would bring money as well.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: 7th place

Wins: Canada 2018, Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: (8)

Abiteboul has stated indirectly Palmer's seat is not secure:
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns36555.html

Has Sirotkin shown signs that he'll be faster than Palmer?

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Feel The Fourth

It strikes me with a number of drivers not expected to go beyond this year they maybe quite a few rookies next season.

I am also going to put something out there... Grosjean to Force India as Perez replacement.

Good guess for Grosjean.

Perez going to Ferrari?

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Feel The Fourth

He was more impressive in GP2, whether that will translate to F1 and how long it would take him to get up to speed are the other things to consider. In terms of who has the most raw talent I'd put money Sirotkin.

True. Palmer has blown his chance to make a career in F1. It's good to see young talent enter into F1.

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Feel The Fourth

Mercedes: Hamilton/Alonso
Ferrari: Vettel/Perez
Red Bull: Ricciardo/Verstappen
Force India: Ocon/Wehrlein
Williams: Bottas/Di Resta
Toro Rosso: Sainz/Gasly
Renault: Hulkenberg/Maldonado
McLaren: Vandoorne/Norris
Haas: Grosjean/Magnussen
Sauber: Ericsson/Giovinazzi

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#KeepFightingMichael

Alonso feels that he has a chance for a seat with every competitive team except Red Bull. I'm assuming he's ok (or the teams such as Mercedes or Ferrari) to join. Am sure he only expects to join Mercedes or Ferrari (maybe Renault) as he wants to win & fight for the titles.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns36554.html

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Feel The Fourth

I don't want to see Alonso in a McHonda next year. It's a waste of a talent that doesn't have many years left.

Granted, a lot of people put the blame firmly at Alonso's door (me included) for his career decisions but how good would it be for the sport (and Liberty for that matter - after all they want bums on seats) if we had a proper title fight between Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, Ricciardo and Verstappen?

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#KeepFightingMichael

I have a grand feeling Alonso will be fighting for wins. Ofcourse it means he's ditching McLaren for good.

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Feel The Fourth

As good as it would be for the sport were McLaren to get back to the front, probably. Alonso fighting for the title in a McHonda would be F1's equivalent of rags to riches.

I read a report recently where Prost stated that Renault wouldn''t be winning anything for at least the next two years and that, as much as he would love to have Alonso in the team, . I can't see Alonso wanting to join another team in a development phase at this stage of his career. Which leaves Mercedes or Ferrari. And I just don't see either as a realistic possibility

I hope it's not a dead end where it would force him to retire!

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Feel The Fourth

I think it's almost certain he'll leave McLaren.

The only real reason to stay there is to get the opportunity to take part in Indy 500.

That was Honda's chance to power him to a win and show that they can actually build decent engines - it blew up instead.

If I were him I'd want to be nowhere near Honda.

OK for those of you Whom do not know… Andretti and Alonso met with Honda to discuss what they wanted from their (Alonso's) engine as a team for the 500.
Honda said we can go the more reliable way and be a touch down on power to a few guys in the field and rely on superior driving, OR… we can give you more power but risk reliability. After being given all the pertinent information, THE ENTIRE TEAM opted for more power.

There were other mechanical failures that were not Hondas, and plenty of Honda's finished the 500, not to mention the winner.

I think Fernando will leave McLaren at the end of the season for sure, BUT I wouldn't be at all surprised if he parts ways with the team mid way through the season.
No sense in going around doing laps without even a shot in the dark of accomplishing much of anything. He already knows every circuit like the back of his hand so he's not gaining anything by being out there. The entire organization simply isn't up to par ATM and it's anyone's guess if and when they will turn it around, and with rumors flying about regarding a discontent and disconnect between McLaren and Honda, the whole thing is very up in the air for any driver of Alonso's pedigree to want to stick around.

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HAMILTON :: VERSTAPPEN :: LECLERC :: BOTTAS :: VETTEL :: SAINZ :: NORRIS
KVYAT :: RAIKKONEN :: RUSSEL :: ALBON :: RICCIARDO :: HULKENBURG :: PEREZ
STROLL :: MAGNUSSEN :: GROSJEAN :: GASLY :: GIOVANAZZI :: KUBICA

Alonso winning at McLaren simply is NOT going to happen. It's not even remotely realistic to expect that. So he would be in a much better shape teaming up even with Renault. At least they are not as hapless as Honda.

Agree completely. Let Button come back and putz around in the back of the grid. Alonso is one of the finest drivers in recent times and it's a criminal waste to see him with McLaren Honda. He needs to move on.

Renault have more or less said they don't want him.
They put it as the cost of bringing him in would not be worth the returns, but there must be at least a small element of not wanting him slagging them off because he does not have the fastest car out there.

Who said that? I'd be interested in reading it.

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PICK 10 COMPETITION (4 wins, 15 podiums): 3rd in 2016
TOP THREE CHAMPIONSHIP (No Limit Excedrin Racing): Champions in 2015 & 2018 | 2nd in 2017 & 2019
AUTOSPORT GP PREDICTOR: 2017 USA & P-F1 Champion

I can not find the actual article I read, but these from PF1 are more or less the same.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/abiteboul-cool-on-alonsos-renault-rumours/

(Abiteboul)
"I don't think next year we will be in a position to fight for the championship. So we need a driver who can support us in this ultimate fight for the championship, but be prepared to wait for the time to come for this to happen."

and http://www.planetf1.com/news/now-renault-shut-the-door-on-alonso/

Renault advisor Alain Prost told Sky Sports News HQ. “I don’t think we can offer him a car to be World Champion next year....We have to be really careful about that. We want to progress but we cannot have stupid objectives only because Fernando would be there.”



But while Renault are the favourites to sign Alonso for next season, Prost has poured cold water on the speculation with the admission that the team, still finding their feet after returning to the status of fully-fledged works outfit barely a year ago, will not yet be able to give the Spaniard what he craves in the foreseeable future

Sky f1