Transfers 2014: The game of musical chairs is underway

The program implemented by McLaren to help young drivers reach F1 has led to the emergence of two talents – Stoffel Vandoorne and Kevin Magnussen – whom the Woking team is looking to place in F1 in 2014 to gain experience before they return as leaders in a few years.

Kevin Magnussen, in the running to win the Formula Renault 3.5 title against Vandoorne, seems well-positioned to secure a seat next season. While the Force India team has been mentioned, it now appears that attention should be turned towards Marussia. The Dane is indeed in the good graces of the team’s principal, Graeme Lowdon, for 2014 as he revealed to Sky Sports F1: “Like any team that hasn’t confirmed its drivers, there are a number of possibilities. Kevin has clearly impressed during the tests he did, and as a team that brings young drivers into Formula 1, he is on our radar. But there are probably three or four drivers with good potential looking to enter Formula 1, and we are in talks with several of them, as are other teams.”

Jules Bianchi having been confirmed by Marussia for 2014, the only seat Magnussen can target is Chilton’s, but the Briton seems well positioned to continue with the Russian team, as Lowdon stated: Max is clearly an option because from a driving standpoint, he’s doing very good work. There have been real improvements in many areas, and he has formed a tight-knit team around him. We really want to see continuity for next year because of the significant technical changes. If we decide to keep our current duo, it would be the first time we start a new season with two drivers who have some experience. At the moment, there is no rush [to extend Chilton]. We are in a normal phase of discussions.

Max Chilton believes in his chances of continuing for another season with the Marussia team, stating that he has delivered sufficient performances in his first year to deserve to continue, as he revealed to Sky Sports F1: “I think I’m showing not just the team, but everyone, that I deserve a seat for next year. Everyone is judged, so you have to prove yourself, which is difficult for newcomers these days because there are so few tests, meaning you use the season to find your rhythm. I admit that sometimes I didn’t do things well, like at Silverstone or in Germany, but overall, it has been good, and since the August break particularly I couldn’t have done better. I have really been happy with my performances, just like the team, and I’m really happy with them, so everything is going well.”

Stoffel Vandoorne

The other member of McLaren’s young driver program aiming to reach F1, Stoffel Vandoorne, revealed that he turned down an offer from Red Bull to race with the Toro Rosso team in 2014.

« Helmut Marko contacted me in September. Since Da Costa is not having an exceptional season, they began to doubt him and contacted me. I spoke with my management team, which is obviously very close to McLaren, and they advised me to continue [with McLaren]. Red Bull’s proposal only covered one year [with Toro Rosso], but here [with McLaren] we see things in the long term, » Vandoorne told the Belgian daily Le Soir.

The native of Courtrai has proven his worth in the World Series, and while F1 still seems a bit far off for 2014, Vandoorne believes that the most probable option for him is to continue for another year in Formula Renault 3.5, as McLaren does not have much interest in GP2.

Regarding the second Toro Rosso seat, it will likely be assigned to Antonio Felix da Costa, who is expected to be confirmed alongside Jean-Eric Vergne for next season in the coming weeks.

McLaren

Still on the McLaren side, neither Button nor Pérez has been announced for next season, and while it should be a formality for the former – the Daily Mail even mentioning a contract extension for the 2009 world champion until 2017 – things are dragging for Pérez, even though Martin Whitmarsh believes the situation is progressing.

« We are not in a rush. I have always said that we should let a few more races take place, and then we will discuss. And that is exactly what we are going to do. There is no urgency at the moment. I know it’s becoming a real story and many rumors are emerging, but there is no urgency, » said the director of the McLaren team in Suzuka.

This absence of announcement regarding Pérez has led to the possibility of the Mexican being replaced by Nico Hülkenberg, who seems to be one of the most sought-after drivers in this transfer market. The German, who drives for Sauber, is reportedly being targeted or in discussions with no less than four teams. Besides McLaren, which seems to be a not necessarily convincing option, the Sauber team would ultimately not be against keeping him, but they will face stiff competition from the Lotus team, whose director Eric Boullier has made Hülkenberg his priority. Another team also reportedly interested in the German is Sahara Force India, but even though Hülkenberg is familiar with the Indian team, a return there seems unlikely given its current form.

Romain Grosjean

If he were to be recruited by Team Lotus, Nico Hülkenberg should team up with Romain Grosjean – even though the latter has not yet been officially confirmed. According to Eric Boullier, the team director, this should be a formality.

I don’t know [when Grosjean will be extended]. I need written confirmation from the board of directors, and then we’ll see. Romain already has a contract with us for next year, but it’s not a fixed contract – Lotus must either exercise the option or not. We have to do this within a few days, so we’ll see. I think this is the level [of performance] we can expect, and that’s what we want to see him do. We initially wanted to help him become the driver he is today, but moreover, since Kimi announced he was leaving, it was up to him to take another step forward – and he’s doing it very well, » explained Boullier as quoted by Autosport.

Force India

On the Force India side, Adrian Sutil—who replaced Hülkenberg at the start of the year—seems set for another season as he told *Autosport*: “I will probably do another season here [with Force India]. It’s a good team. At the moment, we are not as strong as usual, but it’s one of the best private teams and it’s hard to find a better seat, so I would like to do another season here. But I haven’t completely decided yet and no decision has been made.”

But regarding his teammate, although Paul di Resta has proven his worth in recent years, due to the lack of convincing results in the latest races, his future doesn’t seem really assured as indicated by his manager Richard Goddard to the Press Association: « It’s difficult to know what’s going to happen next year. There are many drivers in this sport with money, and there are many teams that need money. It’s probably the biggest issue; it’s no longer just your talent that gets you a seat in a single-seater now. Force India has always been fair in prioritizing talented drivers, and they haven’t looked for a driver who brings a budget, which is good. »

Heikki Kovalainen

After managing to return to F1, Sutil seems on the verge of once again establishing a long-term presence in this championship, and this is also what Heikki Kovalainen is aiming to do, having been appointed as the reserve driver for the Caterham team, which has allowed him to drive multiple times during free practice sessions 1.

The Finn is hopeful of returning to F1 in 2014 with the British-Malaysian team, as he told the Finnish daily Turun Sanomat in Suzuka: « The only serious discussions have been with Caterham, so I’m eagerly awaiting their decision. It’s hard to say what my chances are, but our relationship is good. »

Giedo van der Garde

If Kovalainen returns to Caterham, it could cost Giedo van der Garde his spot, as Charles Pic has a multi-year contract with the team. However, the Dutchman could find refuge in another team because, according to the Dutch publication De Telegraaf, his father-in-law, multi-millionaire Marcel Boekhoorn, is interested in investing in the Williams team by buying the 15% stake held by Toto Wolff, who has now moved to Mercedes.

Williams

This investment, coupled with McGregor’s sponsorship which Van der Garde has benefited from for several years, could thus place the native of Rhenen within the Grove team. He could replace Pastor Maldonado, who no longer seems inclined to drive such an underperforming car and whose performance the Williams team may not be fully satisfied with.

But Van der Garde would not be the only one eyeing Maldonado’s seat if the latter were to leave; indeed, according to O Estado de S.Paulo, Felipe Massa – replaced by Räikkönen at Ferrari for 2014 – could replace the Venezuelan who is aiming for the seat left vacant by Kimi Räikkönen at Lotus.

Felipe Nasr

Another Brazilian driver looking for a seat in Formula 1, Felipe Nasr, will likely have to settle for a third driver role next season. The current GP2 driver was mentioned as a candidate for the Toro Rosso seat left vacant by Ricciardo, but while he continues to dream of a starting seat, he knows that a reserve driver role with Friday running would also be a very good starting point.

« I maintain my goal [of going to F1]. We are looking to make it happen. [But being a reserve driver] is undoubtedly something that is also in our plans. You can see the examples of Hülkenberg and Bottas, who did the [Friday practice sessions] before becoming race drivers. For me, it would be good because I don’t know all the circuits. So having that kind of mileage would be very important, » explained Nasr to Globo.

Summary of the drivers for the 2014 F1 season

The table updated on the 2014 transfers is available here.