Winners and losers of the F1 drivers who are on the move next season
▶ Graham Caygill gives his verdict on the 12 men without a drive or joining new teams
Fernando Alonso (McLaren to F1 retirement)
The double world champion has not won a race in five years and the chance of winning the Indy 500 and more success in endurance racing is a positive thing.
Move verdict Good.
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing to Renault)
On paper, this is a backwards step, leaving a team he has won seven races with for one that hasn’t finished on the podium since 2011. Ricciardo, however, believes Renault have the potential to challenge for wins again in the future.
Move verdict In short term, bad, but could be an inspired move further down the line.
Kimi Raikkonen
(Ferrari to Sauber)
The 2007 world champion is heading back to the team he started his career with in 2001. Sauber, while the most improved team in 2018, will not be a podium challenger in 2019.
Move verdict Bad for Raikkonen’s hopes of ever winning again.
Charles Leclerc (Sauber to Ferrari)
The 2018 rookie has been a revelation and now has the chance to challenge for wins. How he holds up with Sebastian Vettel will be fascinating. Move verdict Very strong. Leclerc could well become Ferrari’s first world champion since 2007.
Pierre Gasly
(Toro Rosso to Red Bull)
A great opportunity for the Frenchman after an impressive first full year in F1. Trying to match his new teammate Max Verstappen will be a huge challenge.
Move verdict Good, but it could be a chastening one if he struggles against Verstappen.
Carlos Sainz (Renault to McLaren)
Beaten on overall performance by teammate Nico Hulkenberg this season. Now has the chance to rebuild. Move verdict A slight backwards stepfor the Spaniard step up as Renault have been quicker then McLaren this year, but Sainz has talent to improve the struggling British marque.
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren to Formula E)
A change of surroundings is exactly what the Belgian needs after two seasons of struggle. Moving to Formula E gives him a chance to restart his career. Move verdict Good. A chance to forget his nightmare at McLaren.
Esteban Ocon
(Leaving Force India)
Ocon has nothing lined up for 2019, despite the best efforts of Mercedes-GP, who own his contract, to find him a race seat. A year out may not be bad for the Frenchman. Move verdict Short-term pain could lead to long-term gain.
Lance Stroll (Williams to Force India)
Not officially confirmed but almost certain to happen, due to the Canadian’s father having become a leading share holder in Force India. A step up but Stroll will have nowhere to hide if he struggles. Move verdict Good on paper but going up against Sergio Perez could expose him.
Marcus Ericsson
(Sauber to IndyCar)
Superficially he still remains as reserve driver with Sauber, but looks like the end of the Swede’s time in F1.
Move verdict Good. Sadly just not good enough for F1.
Sergey Sirotkin (Leaving Williams)
The Russian’s ability to get himself caught up in incidents in recent races has shown he is out of his depth. Move verdict Potentially good. His sponsorship money could buy him a testing role for another team.
Brendon Hartley
(Leaving Toro Rosso)
Would be surprising if he did not end up back in endurance racing. Has shown flashes of good form in his first full year in F1, but was outperformed by Gasly and too often got caught up in incidents.
Move verdict Good. Had a go at F1 but was not quite good enough.