The 2018 silly season has to be one of the most entertaining ones, with multiple surprsing moves going through, starting with Ricciardo’s move to Renault and Ferrari then deciding to do away with Raikkonen and get Leclerc on board just after his first season in F1.
Force India going into administration triggered a series of driver moves, the culmination of which hasn’t quite happened until now, as Lance Stroll is yet to confirm his move to Racing Point Force India.
Now, with the silly season finally having coming to a halt, two seats are largely left to be contested, one at Toro Rosso and the other at Williams.
The Williams seat was supposed to be a straight toss up between Ocon and Kubica, with financial backing being at the centre of the deal. Kubica would have had some emotional bias working for him, but it now seems that Williams could do away with both these option and get a surprise driver instead for the 2019 season.
Ex Sauber and Haas driver, Gutierrez, who was last seen in F1 in 2016 could pip both Kubica and Ocon and get that second Williams seat.
According to reports in Motorsport.com, Gutierrez has a very good chance of landing that Williams seat.
Gutierrez has kept a very strong link with F1 as he has joined Mercedes as a simulator driver. He also has strong financial support from Mexico, something that is almost a pre-requisite in order to land that Williams seat.
“I am working very hard, I’ve been preparing a lot this year, I am very motivated,” he said.
“I’ve been working with Mercedes, a very professional team, actively on the simulator, doing different things, and I am really positive about the future.” he added.
Gutierrez aiming for Formula 1 return with Williams #F1https://t.co/7wsX8kchpU
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) October 27, 2018
He spoke highly of Williams, saying that the team had the right attitude to get back to where it was.
“It is a great team. It is one of the most respected teams in Formula 1.
“I think they’ve had difficult years, but the people they have and the team they are I am pretty sure they can recover pretty well.” he said,
Gutierrez is confident of making an F1 comeback and is working hard towards achieving that goal.
“I have chances, I am here. At the beginning of the year I was not involved with a Formula 1 team and now I am with Mercedes, which is at the moment one of the most important teams in Formula 1.
“I’ve been working very hard, it hasn’t been easy, but I am really positive about the future. I think there is a lot to come in my career, and there is a lot I can give as well.” he added.
If Williams indeed goes in with Gutierrez, it could mean the end of the road for Kubica, who initially was in pole position to get that Williams seat.
Do you think Kubica has any chance of sticking around in Formula 1 now and also Ocon who could be in for a sabbatical year next time round.
