Contract talks and potential moves for 2017 look likely to provide the main off-track talking points of the year
Wednesday 16 March 2016 10:20, UK
As the new breed of racers look to lay down their marker once again in 2016 the pressure is firmly on many established drivers, experienced minds and even former world champions to secure their seat for next year.
After an off-season which saw only two teams - Manor and Renault - change their line-up, Formula 1 can expect a transfer frenzy at the end of the campaign.
While Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel can already look forward to 2017 at Mercedes and Ferrari, team-mates Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen are just two of the current crop whose contracts expire before the expansive rule changes kick in.
Jenson Button's future at McLaren beyond this year is up in the air and although fellow former champion Fernando Alonso is in theory signed on for a further season, much of that depends on the progress of the Honda engine.
Daniel Ricciardo is another who should have no shortage of suitors if he leaves Red Bull when his contract expires at the end of the season while Valtteri Bottas, heavily linked with Ferrari last summer, can expect more of the same speculation should he impress in the Williams again.
Their respective contract talks and transfer dilemmas look likely to provide the main off-track talking points of the year as the drivers prepare to arrive in Melbourne to get back to business. Rarely does the sport head into its first grand prix weekend with so few new faces.
Manor have brought two rookies onto the grid in Pascal Wehrlein and Ryo Haryanto. Renault, formerly Lotus, have signed Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer while Romain Grosjean has joined debutants Haas along with Esteban Gutierrez. The Frenchman is another with it all to prove.
With Ferrari powering America's first team in F1, Grosjean made no secret that he sees his move as a great opportunity to earn a drive in the famous red in the future.
"For everyone working in motorsport - engineers, mechanics, drivers - it's a dream team. That red colour is something special," Grosjean told Sky Sports News HQ upon being confirmed at Haas.
"It would be good in the future, but there are more steps behind that."
Grosjean comfortably outperformed Pastor Maldonado last season and, while he has always been quick, the 29-year-old seems to have transformed his reputation from an unpredictable, often careless, driver to a steady set of hands behind the wheel.
Come lights out at the Australian Grand Prix this Sunday, exclusively live on Sky Sports F1, Bottas, Ricciardo and Grosjean will be starting possibly the biggest season of their careers. But it is perhaps the form of an 18-year-old which the elite will focus more of their attention on.
Max Verstappen will be eager to prove his many admirers right about his title-winning potential after an incredible first year at such a young age. Accompanied by Carlos Sainz, the Toro Rosso man took it to his far more experienced rivals in a breathtaking debut season.
As Sky F1 commentator David Croft puts it: "If you're Toto Wolff, if you're Maurizio Arrivabene, there is only one name on your list for the medium and long-term future at the moment,"
"There are no two ways about it: there is no other driver who they haven't already got who would fit the bill."
Depending on how Raikkonen performs this season and how he supports Vettel's title charge, Ferrari will surely have Verstappen firmly in their sights. But what about Mercedes?
Rosberg will be more fired up than ever to claim his first world championship after Hamilton's dominance in 2014 and 2015, but as their sour relationship shows no sign of improving any time soon, the Silver Arrows may be in a position where one of their star drivers suddenly becomes expendable. If that happens, the German is surely the fall guy.
Despite concerns over the intra-team balance of power Rosberg is not panicking, yet.
"I'm sure there is going to be many more years to go here at Mercedes," he told Sky Sports News HQ last month.
"I feel comfortable here, I really enjoy being part of the team, we've achieved so much, and there's even more to achieve in the future."
Rosberg evidently has the pace to compete with Hamilton but whether he can consistently be as fired up as he was towards the back of 2015 is another question entirely. When it comes to answering and stepping up this year when it really matters, he finds himself in esteemed company.
The transfer market is ready and waiting.
The first race of the 2016 F1 season, the Australian GP, is exclusively live on Sky F1. The race in Melbourne starts at 5am on Sunday March 20. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
