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2013 Formula One F1 Driver Line-up, Rumor Round-up & 2014 Silly Season Rumors - February 23rd
By Mike Sulka
The 2013 Formula One F1 season was back testing this week at the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona, Spain. With Mercedes topping two days, Ferrari one, and McLaren one.
The most interesting news has been the lack of a clear pecking order with Button playing down the new McLaren, Ferrari saying their new car isn't "flawed". Williams were able to get their innovative brake solution past the FIA, but the exhaust system... not so much. A bit of rework will need to be done ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in just 19 days.
The lone seat on the grid continues to be the final Force India seat. Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil, Kamui Kobayashi, Bruno Senna, and Narain Karthikeyan are all rumored to have a shot. Sponsorship is rumored to be a valued asset of the final occupant. Bianchi is rumored to have "no budget", but have a lock on the seat for 2014. The supposition is that Ferrari would need to kick in some funds for the 2013 seat to lock him in.
Meanwhile, on track Adrian Sutil put up a fast lap of 1:22.8 on Thursday, besting the times of regular driver Paul di Resta on Tuesday and Wednesday by a second, though the track was quicker each day. However, Bianchi took the track on a damp Friday, and was at a significant gap - 1.25.7, but then everyone was slower on Friday.
Rumors continue to swirl about the financial affairs of Force India boss Vijay Mallya's whose grounded airline Kingfisher appears close to collapse. The team continues to postulate they won't be hit by the owners problems.
Once the 2013 grid is filled out, the rumors will begin for 2014. And actually, they already have. Nico Hulkenberg has been mentioned for the second seat at Red Bull for 2014.
So let's get the 2014 silly season list updated so we can track the ruminations through the year.
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| 2013 Formula One F1 Driver Line-up & 2014 Silly Season |
| Team |
Driver |
Contract End Date |
2014 Rumors |
| Red Bull |
Sebastian Vettel |
2014 |
- |
| Red Bull |
Mark Webber |
2013 |
Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso |
| Ferrari |
Fernando Alonso |
2016 |
- |
| Ferrari |
Felipe Massa |
2013 |
- |
| McLaren |
Jenson Button |
2013? |
- |
| McLaren |
Sergio Perez |
2013 |
- |
| Lotus |
Kimi Raikkonen |
2013 |
- |
| Lotus |
Romain Grosjean |
2013 |
- |
| Mercedes |
Nico Rosberg |
2013? |
- |
| Mercedes |
Lewis Hamilton |
2015 |
- |
| Sauber |
Nico Hulkenberg |
2013 |
- |
| Sauber |
Esteban Gutierrez |
2013 |
- |
| Force India |
Paul Di Resta |
TBC |
- |
| Force India |
TBA |
TBA |
2013 - Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil, Kamui Kobayashi, Bruno Senna, Narain Karthikeyan 2014- Jules Bianchi |
| Williams |
Pastor Maldonado |
2013 |
- |
| Williams |
Valtteri Bottas |
2013 |
- |
| Toro Rosso |
Daniel Ricciardo |
2013 |
- |
| Toro Rosso |
Jean-Eric Vergne |
2013 |
- |
| Caterham |
Charles Pic |
2014? |
- |
| Caterham |
Giedo van der Garde |
2013 ? |
- |
| Marussia |
Luiz Razia |
2013 ? |
- |
| Marussia |
Max Chilton |
2013 |
- |
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PaddockTalk Perspective
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