F1 ‘Silly season’ to end in Brazil (2nd Update)

Marcus Ericsson

UPDATE (GMM) Sauber looks set to keep its existing drivers in 2017.

Although Marcus Ericsson is closely linked with the Swiss team's new group of owners, the Swede had indicated he was interested in the Force India seat.

But with Esteban Ocon now confirmed in that role, Ericsson said in Brazil: "As long as nothing is signed, I can't tell you anything.

"But it's clear that there are not so many choices.

"I have already said that the team is moving in the right direction, a lot of good peopling are coming in, so for me Sauber remains a very attractive option," he added.

As for Ericsson's teammate Felipe Nasr, there are reports of potential trouble with his main backer, Banco do Brasil.

However, the doors at Force India and Renault have closed on him as well, and he said at Interlagos: "I have always kept the door open here at Sauber."

It is fairly clear that Haas is not an option for Nasr, with Kevin Magnussen set to be confirmed alongside Romain Grosjean as soon as this weekend.

Nasr, however, said he is not expecting clarity on his own future in Brazil.

"I think we have enough people taking care of my future," he told the Brazilian press at Interlagos. "Monday we will get back to thinking about it because I don't think an announcement is expected before that.

"I don't have any fear of not being here (in F1)," Nasr added, "although in this life nothing is 100 per cent."

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn said she hopes the Swiss team's decision can be made before the end of the season.

"We will do as we do every year: look at our options and what is best for the team," she is quoted by Speed Week. "Sometimes it's faster and sometimes it's slower, but my goal is still to announce the drivers during the season."

Force India gets a lower cost for its Mercedes engines by taking Esteban Ocon

11/08/16 (GMM) The rest of the 2017 grid looks set to lock into place in the coming days.

Brazil's SporTV, headed by F1 commentator Lito Cavalcanti, claims that Esteban Ocon has now been signed up for the 2017 season by Force India.

That will be good news for Renault's Kevin Magnussen, as the Mercedes and Renault-linked Frenchman Ocon had been strongly linked with the French works team.

But Cavalcanti claims that Brazilian Felipe Nasr had also been a strong candidate for the Force India seat.

"(Toto) Wolff made it clear to Force India that 'I want Ocon for this job'," he said, claiming the Silverstone based team will get a subsidy for its Mercedes engine debt by signing Ocon.

It is believed Nasr will now stay at Sauber, alongside his current teammate Marcus Ericsson.

"The television audience in Brazil is very large," said Cavalcanti, "and this is significant for Bernie Ecclestone. So Nasr has all the support to get a spot."

And if Magnussen stays at Renault, that also gives a boost to Esteban Gutierrez's chances of staying at Haas for a second year.

"Fortunately, we have other options," Gutierrez said, "which we are now considering strongly. I think it will be important to close something soon."

Gutierrez married his partner Monica last weekend, the Mexican driver announced on Twitter.

Anti-American Gunther Steiner

11/03/16 (GMM) A long driver 'silly season' is finally coming to an end, according to Haas boss Gunther Steiner.

While it appears there are only a few seats left for 2017, vacancies at Force India, Renault, Manor and Sauber remain open.

Williams will confirm Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll on Thursday.

And Auto Motor und Sport reports that Esteban Gutierrez is leaving Haas, with Kevin Magnussen and Pascal Wehrlein on the shortlist to replace him.

"Everyone's waiting to see what the others do," said Steiner.

"But someone has to decide now and I think it will be by Brazil. It's getting tight," he added.

"To conclude deals after the last race in Abu Dhabi is always difficult because people go on holiday," said Steiner.

Force India has the most competitive vacant seat on offer, and Sergio Perez is urging the team to choose the fastest possible option to be his teammate.

"It would be ideal to have two strong drivers," he told France's Auto Hebdo.

"With Nico (Hulkenberg) we have strong internal competition and this in large part explains the success of the team," added Perez.