Fergal Walsh: Silly season for 2018 has already begun

  • Published on 21 Jan 2017 12:20
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

It seems every year silly season begins earlier and earlier and I remember a few months ago a friend and fellow Formula One fan joked to me that the way things were progressing, silly season would start in January in the forthcoming seasons.

I laughed it off and merely took it as a joke, but reflecting on those comments, my friend was absolutely right. The 2017 season hasn't even got underway, we're still a month away from entering the enlivening pre-season test, and yet we are already talking about the 2018 line ups.

I was as shocked as anyone when I was scouting for news and suddenly saw the perturbed headline that world champion Nico Rosberg had retired from Formula One. It took me a few moments to remember that I needed to create an article about it, and another few moments before I realized my jaw was still hanging wide open!

After writing the article, it then dawned on me that we would have a new driver at Mercedes for 2017 which quite excited me. All the flashy names danced around my head as I imagined my personal perfect scenario, but yet as the story progressed the hype faded slightly as the unpredictability of who will take the seat faded away.

Valtteri Bottas gets his opportunity, but for how long?
I'm quite happy for Valtteri obtaining the seat as he deserves a shot at a top team, but I was even more interested in how long Mercedes would make him pen a deal for. When it emerged that the agreement was for a single year with the option of an add on, I was not at all surprised. 

Mercedes obviously admire Valtteri, otherwise he would not have been chosen, but the Finn does not quite possess the resumé that Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso does, with both drives out of contract at the end of 2017.

Toto Wolff himself has stated that the team are to keep their options open for 2018, and you can't really blame them for that. There is no harm in the method. It will put Bottas under pressure knowing that he only has half a year or so to impress in a Silver Arrow. A world championship may not be the minimum that's expected of him but he will definitely be anticipated to challenge Lewis Hamilton.

Rest assured that during the early part of the 2017 F1 season there will be many discussion about Mercedes' 2018 line up. A lot of people would love to see a Hamilton/Vettel or Hamilton/Alonso pairing to really shake up the title fight and excitement.

Who could come into play in 2018?
McLaren have already said they will start negotiating with Fernando early in the 2017 season, but surely he will be eyeing the opportunity at a Mercedes seat. Ferrari also spoke about wanting a calmer Sebastian Vettel before they start talking about a new deal for him. Both drivers seem happy with the current projects they're embedded in, but after the recent success Mercedes have endured, they will surely be a legitimate consideration for a transfer.

Then who's to say that Hamilton won't stay at the team after 2017? Perhaps that's a story for another day. It really all depends on which teams will be the most competitive for next season, as both Vettel and Alonso would not abandon their current teams if they were championship contenders or they could see the path to title contention. And don't forget Bottas who, if he performs exceptionally will be retained.

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Bottas meanwhile, has never been on the right place at the right time before, and we dont know if Mercedes will be "the right place" next year. I think it will be, but its not fair to say that Bottas doesnt have e.g Hamilton's resumé when he hasnt been in a top team before.

    • + 0
    • Jan 21 2017 - 13:36
    • Bottas doesn't need Mercedes to be in contention for the titles, he just needs to score more points than dummyspitter. That alone will ensure his stock goes through the roof while hamilton's goes down crashing. Mercedes being at the top end again would be just icing on the cake if Bottas is ahead in the points.

      Being in a title winning car is more of a fluke these days for most drivers, they can't predict anything about another team when they sign up. Basing what happened in the previous seasons is as a always a calculated gamble.

      • + 0
      • Jan 21 2017 - 17:51
  • Mammi78

    Posts: 5

    Red Bull will have to negotiabel a New contract with Ricardo aswell. If they comeback to an agrement, i believe Sainz will be on the marketing. If not Ricardo will.

    • + 0
    • Jan 21 2017 - 19:46
  • Harryw

    Posts: 107

    I am a McLaren fan and like Alonsa a lot but i hope he goes there for one last crack at a title. He deserves it and f1 too

    • + 0
    • Jan 21 2017 - 20:06

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 518
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 147
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar