How the 2019 Formula 1 grid is shaping up

With some major updates and news coming out in recent weeks and while we wait for the 2018 season to resume at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, it is time to take a look at how the 2019 Formula 1 grid is shaping up. Despite the fact that most top seats are taken, only seven out of 20 seats are actually locked in, leaving plenty of moves still to be made in this year’s transfer market. Here is what we know so far — and what could be set to happen.

SCUDERIA FERRARI

Sebastian Vettel

TBA

We are still waiting for the Scuderia to officially name Sebastian Vettel’s teammate for 2019. The incumbent is still thought to have a nose ahead in that race, with Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen most likely to remain for at least one more season, which means that the Maranello team will place its most promising member of its young driver academy elsewhere for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

MERCEDES

Lewis Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes will head into 2019 with an unaltered line-up, announcing both its drivers ahead of its home Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas is only confirmed for 2019, however, with Lewis Hamilton’s deal covering the 2020 season also.

RED BULL-HONDA

Max Verstappen

TBA

The race to replace Ricciardo is down to one most likely candidate now, with Pierre Gasly the favourite to fill the seat alongside Verstappen. Red Bull has nobody else better qualified among its junior team, and the best options outside that have been secured elsewhere.

RENAULT

Daniel Ricciardo

Nico Hulkenberg

Renault has pulled off a coup in securing Daniel Ricciardo for two seasons, pairing him alongside veteran Nico Hulkenberg. Incredibly, that makes it one of just two squads that has its 2019 driver line-up locked and loaded.

HAAS-FERRARI

TBA

Kevin Magnussen is almost certain to be retained for 2019, but Romain Grosjean’s place will depend on what Ferrari decides to do with Charles Leclerc. If the impressive Monegasque rookie does not get a seat at the factory team, Ferrari will likely want to place him in a team that is further up the grid, despite Sauber’s marked improvement in 2018. A recent uptick in Grosjean’s patchy 2018 form may not be enough to keep his place.

FORCE INDIA-MERCEDES

TBA

Neither seat at the team has been confirmed for 2019, although the team’s own future had been up in the air until only last week. That the new ownership consortium is headlined by Lawrence Stroll suggests son Lance may be on his way to the team. A head-to-head comparison with either of Force India’s current steerers would prove a good benchmark of his improvement in 2018, masked by this year’s dire Williams chassis. But which of the two current drivers stays? Sergio Perez brings Mexican sponsorship, a wealth of F1 experience, and undoubted speed and racecraft — he has that Ricciardo-esque ability to pull podium finishes out of a hat. Esteban Ocon is younger and potentially quicker, and is a favoured son of Mercedes — who just happen to supply Force India’s engines.

MCLAREN-RENAULT

Carlos Sainz

TBA

The announcement Carlos Sainz will join the team to replace the departing Fernando Alonso still leaves one vacancy unaccounted for. It has a very talented driver on the books in Stoffel Vandoorne, but for whatever reason the Belgian hasn’t been able to consistently demonstrate the talent that earnt him a GP2 title. Alonso’s exit may give him a stay of execution, however, unless it decides to promote similarly impressive F2 racer — and McLaren junior driver — Lando Norris to the main game in 2019. But Norris may yet have an option outside McLaren.

TORO ROSSO-HONDA

TBA

Gasly’s likely promotion gives Toro Rosso a bit of a dilemma with its driver line-up for 2019, in that it doesn’t really have any left to choose from. Although Brendon Hartley has been outshone by Gasly, he may well get a reprieve and at least start next year as Red Bull’s junior driver pool is on the shallow side. Dan Ticktum was next in line behind Gasly but will not have enough Superlicence points to graduate to F1 without an exemption — which would make a mockery of the whole Superlicence points system if one was granted. However, Red Bull could make a play for Lando Norris, who has been mightily impressive in Formula 2 this season, should they elect to keep Vandoorne alongside Sainz. The two teams are known to be in dispute over the services of Toro Rosso designer James Key, and a Norris-to-Toro Rosso deal could be a way for McLaren to gain his services as early as possible.

SAUBER-FERRARI

TBA

The investment in the team of Fiat-Chrysler sister brand Alfa Romeo means a Ferrari Academy driver will almost certainly hold down at least one seat. With the current thinking that Charles Leclerc will be moved up the grid, Antonio Giovinazzi would likely make his full-time F1 debut after an impressive debut on short notice for Sauber at last year’s Australian GP. Next year’s changed driver weight rules will make life easier for the lanky Marcus Ericsson, assuming the veteran Swede is able to retain his seat. Money talks in F1, and few drivers possess the combination of Grand Prix experience, ability and sponsorship backing that Ericsson can provide.

WILLIAMS-MERCEDES

TBA

Plenty of questions linger over Williams for 2019, its driver line-up among them. With Stroll likely off to Force India, that leaves two seats available. Pencil talented Mercedes junior George Russell in for one, the F2 frontrunner likely to be granted his F1 debut by dint of his Mercedes junior driver status. Take your pick for the second seat. Sergey Sirotkin is a known quantity to the team and brings funding. Test driver Robert Kubica is also a known quantity, but was believed to have lost out on a race seat this year because he brought less funding than the Russian. Or could Williams’ struggles — which includes the imminent departure of title sponsor Martini — mean Mercedes takes a bigger role? That could make it a home for Esteban Ocon should Force India opt for a Stroll/Perez line-up.