Vandoorne to Ferrari, Sauber set to confirm Giovinazzi?
The current McLaren driver, stripped of an official seat for next year, is on the verge of maintaining his presence in the top category for the 2019 season. Although this information is not yet official, it seems likely that the Belgian will replace the current third Ferrari driver, Daniil Kvyat, who would join Toro Rosso.
According to the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad and now various other sources, the Belgian driver with an impressive track record in promotional formulas, Stoffel Vandoorne, is on the verge of securing his future in F1.
For many a great hope, it is clear that his tenure at McLaren resembles a failure. While this assessment seems linked to car issues and/or competition with his teammate Fernando Alonso, it is evident that his departure from the British team marked the end of an obvious talent.
So it is Ferrari who, replacing the Russian Danil Kvyat, will hire the services of the Belgian as the third driver. While this situation likely won’t allow Stoffel Vandoorne to start in a Grand Prix, it is reassuring for him to maintain a foothold in the discipline with a view to a comeback in 2020.
This transfer will likely be beneficial for Daniil Kvyat, tipped for Toro Rosso, and this appointment would only confirm it.
The Russian having replaced Antonio Giovinazzi as Ferrari’s reserve driver, the latter also seems set to be confirmed at Sauber alongside Kimi Räikkönen, as confirmed by Frédéric Vasseur in a recent interview with Neue Zürcher Zeitung, a Swiss media outlet.
According to the French, the official announcement of their second driver should happen this week: « It’s a short list, it’s true. We have been busy bringing Kimi on board, but this week we will take care of the second driver. »
In this year’s transfer frenzy, there are now 2 fewer seats available for drivers looking for a ride.
The future in the discipline thus becomes even more uncertain for Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who seems to have accepted the prospect of a year without F1 in 2019, although the possibility of a seat at Williams hasn’t yet been closed.
