F1 rumours: what will the grid look like in 2017?

Yes, it’s that time of year again. With virtually everyone in the Formula One paddock taking a well-deserved summer break, the only people left working are the people who write about Formula One. Hmm.

This probably explains why rumours about driver line-ups for the following season usually begin to build up around now. That and the fact that with the European section of the calendar coming to an end, the subject will probably be creeping into the teams’ minds as well.

Are there any big moves on the horizon? Well, maybe. Both Mercedes and Ferrari have their drivers under contract for next season, and Red Bull is highly unlikely to part with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen any time soon.

So that’s the top three teams sorted already.

But as for the rest of the field, it could be a different story. Here’s why...

The biggest rumour within the sport at the moment is that Jenson Button could make a return to the Grove-based team, 16 years after he made his F1 debut with them back in 2000.

Deputy team principal Claire Williams has been quoted saying that Button would be a “very attractive” prospect for her outfit, no doubt because of his vast experience and commercial appeal.

However, there are no guarantees that Williams could afford his salary, and Button may decide that after a decade and a half in F1, it’s time to call it a day.

Sergio Perez is another driver who is reportedly in the frame, with 35-year-old Felipe Massa looking the most vulnerable of the current pairing if the team does acquire a new driver.

Another option is development driver Alex Lynn, who is desperate for a chance to prove himself after securing the GP3 title in 2014.

Deputy team principal Bob Fernley has said that Force India are keen to retain Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg for a fourth consecutive season, although they may face a battle to retain the Mexican in particular.

The team has taken up the option of extending Perez’s stay for another year, although he and his sponsors may decide that they want to move on if they receive a better offer.

Hulkenberg meanwhile might prove easier to keep hold of. The team are in a strong position battling with Williams for fourth in the constructors standings, and 2015 Le Mans winner’s credentials have never quite been enough to attract attention from bigger teams.

Without a single podium finish to his name and a teammate outperforming him at present, it could be a case of prolonging the waiting game for the German.

Red Bull’s sister team already has one half of the garage confirmed for next season, with Carlos Sainz signed up to drive for them in 2017.

The Spaniard has impressed with his performances over the last 18 months, and a third campaign with Toro Rosso will surely be enough to prepare him for life at a top team.

However, the identity of his teammate is another question. Daniil Kvyat’s form has slumped since his demotion from Red Bull earlier in the year, and he has admitted to a loss of confidence as a result.

Unless Kvyat can live up to Christian Horner’s 2015 claim that he is “the real deal”, he may find himself surplus to requirements given Toro Rosso’s history of handing opportunities to those in Red Bull’s young driver programme.

One such name thought to be in contention is Pierre Gasly, a 20-year-old Frenchman who currently lies second in the GP2 standings.

That said, it might not be the end of the road for Kvyat: Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has said he hopes the Russian remains with the team, and he’s “convinced” the 22-year-old will rediscover his speed.

Fernando Alonso has had a tough time of it since rejoining McLaren, finishing no higher than fifth in the 29 grands prix he has started in since leaving Ferrari at the end of 2014.

The Spaniard has admitted to falling out of love with F1 in recent years, and has even said that if next season’s planned regulation changes don’t restore his passion for the sport, he will likely seek a new challenge.

But he will at least be on the grid in 2017.

The question mark for McLaren hangs over Jenson Button, who has survived the previous two seasons at the expense of Kevin Magnussen on both occasions.

Williams would be happy to secure the 2009 word champion’s services, and if he does leave Ron Dennis and co can rely on reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who successfully stood in for the injured Alonso in Bahrain back in April, scoring the team’s first point of the season in the process.

The American team has refused to be drawn on its line-up for 2017, with owner Gene Haas and team principal Gunther Steiner agreeing to avoid the topic until the European races are out of the way.

Steiner has said that the team is “pretty happy” with the job that Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez have done so far this season, although he has also praised Ferrari’s young driver Charles Leclerc following practice stints for the team in the last three races.

If Leclerc were to force himself into one of Haas’s seats for next year, Gutierrez would surely be the man to make way. The Mexican is yet to finish in the top ten in 2016, whereas his teammate has collected points on fourth separate occasions.

Mind you, if Haas are happy with the work going on behind the scenes then they may well leave things unchanged...

Neither Kevin Magnussen nor Jolyon Palmer is certain of retaining their place on the grid for 2017, and while team boss Cyril Abiteboul has backed both of them publically, he has also said that Renault is looking for a “charismatic” leader who believes in their long-term project.

Abiteboul understands that with all the big names under contract for next season, there’s no chance of them attracting a top driver this winter, although that may change down the line if they become title contenders within five years as is their ambition.

In the meantime reserve driver Esteban Ocon is a potential candidate, although any opportunity at Renault would have to be approved by Mercedes, as he is a part of their development programme.

Renault have also been linked to Sergio Perez, whose experience and pedigree might be too tempting to ignore. The Mexican is assessing his options: could the French manufacturer be a long-term gamble worth taking?

Far from being certain of their 2017 line-up, Manor don’t yet know who will be driving for them at the next race.

Rio Haryanto had enough financial support to see him through the first half of this season, although he may not feature in Belgium at the end of the month if talks with his sponsors prove unsuccessful.

Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi has confirmed that he turned down the chance to drive for Manor for the rest of 2016, although 2017 remains an option for the American if he decides to move away from IndyCar.

Instead, rumour has it that Esteban Ocon is in prime position to replace Haryanto should his funding fall through. It would give Renault the chance to assess him ahead of a potential race seat in 2017, and fans would be treated to watching Mercedes’ two young drivers go head to head for the nine remaining races of the season.

The Swiss team has a mixed history with line-ups having signed five drivers ahead of the 2015 season, although they were on the ball last summer when they confirmed their 2016 pairing in July.

But there has been no repeat of that feat 12 months on, with new owners stepping in last month to give the outfit a better financial outlook.

With that in mind, it’s not known if they are now more or less heavily reliant on the tens of millions of pounds that current pairing Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr are thought to bring into the team each year.

Pastor Maldonado – who spent five years in F1 thanks to sponsorship from Venezuelan oil company PDVSA – has confirmed that he is weighing up his options, but the one-time grand prix winner is only interested in a car that can compete for points.

Bottom of the constructors' championship as things stand, Sauber might not have many suitors if their prospects don’t improve...