It's only September and the 2018 grid is almost complete

[Everso Biggyballies]

Bottom post of the previous page:

I realised that when I re read the post after I hit the submit button! I was going to delete my post but thought what the hell, I have written it so...

[DoubleFart]

Gasly and Hartley confirmed for 2018.

Not bad for a guy who only got the drive this year because Gasly took a pointless holiday in Japan...

[erwin greven]

Great to have them at the grid. Both are talented drivers.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Montoya thinks the idea of Kubica returning to F1 is a joke.... he is not alone.

But RK still seems the favourite for the Williams gig.
Now his case has been strengthened by an alleged 8 million Euro sponsorship package put together by Nico Rosberg his co manager. He knows the language Williams understands.... $$$

http://en.f1i.com/news/285872-montoya-k ... -joke.html

[erwin greven]

I read the first news reels about Kubica signing a 2 year contract with Williams!!

Until now only Dutch messages... Looking for English/German articles.

Edit: 17:05 UTC Twitter and other fast sources are silent. Only one Dutch source. Although it is pretty reliable (RTLGP) i am not convinced yet.

Only Dutch resources.
http://www.rtlgp.nl/item/163905/rtl_gp_ ... j_williams
https://racingnews365.nl/breaking-rober ... ose-cookie

[erwin greven]

His father confirming?

I still consider it as a rumour as no other reliable F1 news source confirms it.

[erwin greven]

Now we getting somewhere

[Antonov]

I always wondered for the French GP whether Paul Ricard or Magny-Cours would be better.

Actually, on second thinking, I'd like to see it at Dijon.

[John]

As much of a parking lot Paul Ricard is, Magny-Cours is a horrible circuit for F1 cars.

Dijon doesn't have the Grade 1-license, I think.

[Everso Biggyballies]

I read the first news reels about Kubica signing a 2 year contract with Williams!!

Until now only Dutch messages... Looking for English/German articles.

Edit: 17:05 UTC Twitter and other fast sources are silent. Only one Dutch source. Although it is pretty reliable (RTLGP) i am not convinced yet.

Only Dutch resources.
http://www.rtlgp.nl/item/163905/rtl_gp_ ... j_williams
https://racingnews365.nl/breaking-rober ... ose-cookie

I dont understand the logic regarding an announcement / confirmation prior to RK having his first taste of a 2017 car and the increased loads over anything he has ever driven. Surely having waited this long they would hold off for another week until they have the most relevant information with which to make a decision. I guess 8 million euros in backing for RK is about 8 more than di Resta.... enough to cover his insurance payback if it does not work out.

Unless they are going to spring a surprise and make a last minute call to run RK instead of FM in Abu Dhabi. With a contract in his paw then I am sure the risk in a one off this year has less implications re the insurance.

Regardless of what I have read to date I dont believe until something breaks from an official source.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Williams are denying any truth in the rumour....

'Although conversations are ongoing with Kubica, it is still yet to be finally decided who will replace Massa. We will make an announcement when we have something to announce but nothing is planned this weekend in Abu Dhabi.'

Of course maybe Kubica does have a contract (perhaps more a letter of intent).... subject to a satisfactory performance in the tyre test in a 2017 car.

[John]

Williams are denying any truth in the rumour....

'Although conversations are ongoing with Kubica, it is still yet to be finally decided who will replace Massa. We will make an announcement when we have something to announce but nothing is planned this weekend in Abu Dhabi.'

Of course maybe Kubica does have a contract (perhaps more a letter of intent).... subject to a satisfactory performance in the tyre test in a 2017 car.

This may well be the case, a written pre-contract, determining what happens if and when he completes the post Abu Dhabi-test.

[Antonov]

As much of a parking lot Paul Ricard is, Magny-Cours is a horrible circuit for F1 cars.

Dijon doesn't have the Grade 1-license, I think.

maybe better, before they ruin that one as well. The track lay-out hasn't changed one bit since its original opening. Good stuff

[DoubleFart]

What is all this about Kubica's first run in 2017 machinery? What was he driving out of the garage when he clipped the garage wall and knocked the Hulkenberg sign down?

[Everso Biggyballies]

Quite right.... forgot about that. He did the post Hungary test in the RS17 to see if he could cope with current machinery. And then Renault dropped him, although IIRC he posted some reasonable times. I do remember he was beaten by Norris in a McLaren. Mind you I dont know what tyres v others he used, or fuel loads etc.

[John]

Quite right.... forgot about that. He did the post Hungary test in the RS17 to see if he could cope with current machinery. And then Renault dropped him, although IIRC he posted some reasonable times. I do remember he was beaten by Norris in a McLaren. Mind you I dont know what tyres v others he used, or fuel loads etc.

You know well enough that the lap times from these tests are quite useless.