F1 Silly season sizzling in Sepang heat, still bubbling in Mexico (Update)

UPDATE (GMM) The 2017 driver 'silly season' is continuing to bubble away in the F1 paddock.

The rumors and rumblings have now moved on to Mexico City, but all eyes will be on Williams' Grove HQ next Thursday when the British team makes an announcement.

Lance Stroll is set to be confirmed as Felipe Massa's replacement, but his likely teammate Valtteri Bottas was not confirming he will be there for the November 3 call.

"I don't know yet, I'll have to see," he is quoted by the Finnish media in Mexico.

In truth, the real intrigue is about the Renault and Force India seats, with each team having a single vacancy.

"I see it as mainly me or Kevin (Magnussen)," said Jolyon Palmer on Thursday, although the Briton is linked with a potential move to Sauber.

Some now think Dane Magnussen is the favorite to keep his seat, but he said in Mexico: "I haven't signed anything, but I want to stay.

"It's my best option, but I don't know when there will be clarification."

Force India team boss Vijay Mallya has denied he wants a 'pay driver' to replace the Renault-bound Nico Hulkenberg — but a couple of well-backed drivers are strongly linked with the seat.

One of them is Sauber's Felipe Nasr, who said in Mexico: "Hopefully we can announce something about my future in Brazil."

But Force India is already strongly backed by Sergio Perez's Mexican dollars — so his countryman Esteban Gutierrez is now eyeing that seat.

"Yeah, why not? It would be fantastic," he said.

Gutierrez admitted that his future at Haas is unclear.

"I think Gene (Haas) has been very clear that they want to wait a few races, but we cannot risk to fall between two chairs," he said.

The Mexican added that the "deadline" is the next two weeks, which ties in with Nasr's statement about the Brazilian grand prix in a fortnight.

Sergio Perez – has 'big' check will drive

10/01/16 (GMM) Although the top seats are mainly secured, the driver silly season is now in full swing.

The key to the market, it seems, is Sergio Perez.

Indeed, the Mexican sounds so confident of his position that he has even declared a one-week deadline.

But even Force India, his existing team, sounds relaxed.

"It will happen — we're very confident Checo will be with us next year," said deputy boss Bob Fernley.

"If it takes a week, that's wonderful, if it takes a couple of weeks, so be it. "

If the deal does fall through, Auto Bild suggested the Mercedes-backed Pascal Wehrlein is front of the queue to replace him.

"It's in Mercedes' hands," the young German is quoted as saying.

Perez, meanwhile, would be expected to go to Renault.

Indeed, the French works team is pushing hard for a top candidate for 2017, not even limiting itself to drivers who don't already have a contract.

The latest names being mentioned are Nico Hulkenberg and Valtteri Bottas, while Carlos Sainz could be traded by Red Bull in exchange for a better engine deal.

"Red Bull knows there are plenty of people who also want me," Sainz told the Spanish media at Sepang.

"We'll see if that somehow propels me towards Red Bull, because Toro Rosso is fine but I want something more," he added.

Sainz's friend Fernando Alonso, however, has recommended Sainz to McLaren for 2018.

When asked about that, Sainz told AS newspaper: "It is always good news that Fernando wants me there because he sees me as a potential world champion, so thanks for the comment."

As for the places at Renault and Force India, it is holding up the rest of the market, including Williams, Sauber, Haas, Manor and potentially Toro Rosso.

Sauber's Felipe Nasr told UOL: "There are many drivers who are just waiting."