• Fernando Alonso (McLaren to F1 retirement) The double world champion is retiring from the series after becoming frustrated with being stuck with uncompetitive equipment. Considering he has not won a race in five years in F1 swapping midfield mediocrity for the chance of winning the Indy 500 and more success in endurance racing is a positive thing. Move verdict: Good. Chance to increase his legacy away from F1. Getty Images
    Fernando Alonso (McLaren to F1 retirement) The double world champion is retiring from the series after becoming frustrated with being stuck with uncompetitive equipment. Considering he has not won a race in five years in F1 swapping midfield mediocrity for the chance of winning the Indy 500 and more success in endurance racing is a positive thing. Move verdict: Good. Chance to increase his legacy away from F1. Getty Images
  • Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing to Renault) On paper this is a backwards step, leaving a team he has won seven races with for a team who have not scored a podium as a manufacturer since 2011. Ricciardo is playing the long game, however, believing if he can mould Renault around him they have the potential to challenge for wins again in the near future. Move verdict: In short term bad but, while risky, come 2021 or 2022 it could be an inspired move. Getty Images
    Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing to Renault) On paper this is a backwards step, leaving a team he has won seven races with for a team who have not scored a podium as a manufacturer since 2011. Ricciardo is playing the long game, however, believing if he can mould Renault around him they have the potential to challenge for wins again in the near future. Move verdict: In short term bad but, while risky, come 2021 or 2022 it could be an inspired move. Getty Images
  • Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari to Sauber) The 2007 world champion is heading back to the team he started his career with in 2001. Sauber, while the most improved team in 2018, will not be a podium challenger in 2019 so Raikkonen will be running around in the midfield. Move verdict: Bad, for Raikkonen’s hopes of ever winning again, but Sauber could be the fun environment that he may thrive in as he sees out his career.
    Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari to Sauber) The 2007 world champion is heading back to the team he started his career with in 2001. Sauber, while the most improved team in 2018, will not be a podium challenger in 2019 so Raikkonen will be running around in the midfield. Move verdict: Bad, for Raikkonen’s hopes of ever winning again, but Sauber could be the fun environment that he may thrive in as he sees out his career.
  • Charles Leclerc (Sauber to Ferrari) The 2018 rookie has been a revelation and he now has the chance to challenge for wins and possibly a world title. How he holds up with Sebastian Vettel will be fascinating, but he certainly will not be lacking in confidence. Move verdict: Very strong. Leclerc could well become Ferrari’s first world champion since 2007 within the next season or so. EPA
    Charles Leclerc (Sauber to Ferrari) The 2018 rookie has been a revelation and he now has the chance to challenge for wins and possibly a world title. How he holds up with Sebastian Vettel will be fascinating, but he certainly will not be lacking in confidence. Move verdict: Very strong. Leclerc could well become Ferrari’s first world champion since 2007 within the next season or so. EPA
  • Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso to Red Bull) A great opportunity for the Frenchman after an impressive first full year in the sport. Replaces Ricciardo, but trying to match his new teammate Max Verstappen will be a huge challenge. Verstappen has made Ricciardo look very ordinary this season and Gasly will need to hit the ground running at the Austrian team. Move verdict: Good but it could be a chastening one if he struggles against Verstappen.
    Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso to Red Bull) A great opportunity for the Frenchman after an impressive first full year in the sport. Replaces Ricciardo, but trying to match his new teammate Max Verstappen will be a huge challenge. Verstappen has made Ricciardo look very ordinary this season and Gasly will need to hit the ground running at the Austrian team. Move verdict: Good but it could be a chastening one if he struggles against Verstappen.
  • Carlos Sainz (Renault to McLaren) Over the course of the season beaten on overall performance by Nico Hulkenberg. Now has the chance to rebuild himself at McLaren. The British team are a shadow of the unit that won titles galore in the 1980s and 1990s but they should still be quick enough for Sainz to be a regular points scorer. Move verdict: Slight backwards step in Renault have been quicker then McLaren this year, but Sainz has talent to keep morale up. EPA
    Carlos Sainz (Renault to McLaren) Over the course of the season beaten on overall performance by Nico Hulkenberg. Now has the chance to rebuild himself at McLaren. The British team are a shadow of the unit that won titles galore in the 1980s and 1990s but they should still be quick enough for Sainz to be a regular points scorer. Move verdict: Slight backwards step in Renault have been quicker then McLaren this year, but Sainz has talent to keep morale up. EPA
  • Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren to Formula E) A change of surroundings is exactly what the Belgian needs after two tough seasons in F1. Being in an underwhelming car, with Alonso as your teammate, was never going to be easy and Vandoorne has struggled. Moving to Formula E gives him a chance to restart his career. Move verdict: Good as he has the chance to forget his McLaren nightmare. EPA
    Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren to Formula E) A change of surroundings is exactly what the Belgian needs after two tough seasons in F1. Being in an underwhelming car, with Alonso as your teammate, was never going to be easy and Vandoorne has struggled. Moving to Formula E gives him a chance to restart his career. Move verdict: Good as he has the chance to forget his McLaren nightmare. EPA
  • Esteban Ocon (Leaving Force India) Ocon has nothing yet lined up for 2019, despite the best efforts of Mercedes, who own his contract, to find him somewhere. A year out may not be too bad for the Frenchman. He has hurt his reputation with his crash, while trying to unlap himself from Verstappen in Brazil, and his only F1 option appears to be with the struggling Williams team. A sabbatical, with a decent chance of a drive at Mercedes in 2020, is the outcome that could work out for him, Move verdict: Sitting on the sidelines is never good, but short term pain could lead to long term gain. Getty Images
    Esteban Ocon (Leaving Force India) Ocon has nothing yet lined up for 2019, despite the best efforts of Mercedes, who own his contract, to find him somewhere. A year out may not be too bad for the Frenchman. He has hurt his reputation with his crash, while trying to unlap himself from Verstappen in Brazil, and his only F1 option appears to be with the struggling Williams team. A sabbatical, with a decent chance of a drive at Mercedes in 2020, is the outcome that could work out for him, Move verdict: Sitting on the sidelines is never good, but short term pain could lead to long term gain. Getty Images
  • Lance Stroll (Williams to Force India) Not officially confirmed but almost certain to happen, due to the Canadian’s father having become a leading share holder in Force India. A step up in team but Stroll will have nowhere to hide if he struggles at his new home, having been able to hide behind the disappointing Williams for his lack of pace in his first two years in the sport. Move verdict: Good on paper but going up against Sergio Perez could highlight his lack of speed. Getty Images
    Lance Stroll (Williams to Force India) Not officially confirmed but almost certain to happen, due to the Canadian’s father having become a leading share holder in Force India. A step up in team but Stroll will have nowhere to hide if he struggles at his new home, having been able to hide behind the disappointing Williams for his lack of pace in his first two years in the sport. Move verdict: Good on paper but going up against Sergio Perez could highlight his lack of speed. Getty Images
  • Marcus Ericsson (Sauber to IndyCar) Like Vandoorne this may be him exiting F1, though superficially he still remains as reserve driver with Sauber, but this is realistically the end of the Swede’s time in the series. Leclerc’s speed has shown him up and IndyCar is the chance to find out if he can be more competitive in North America. Move verdict: Not good enough for F1, this has to be a positive in he may find better form in new surroundings. AFP
    Marcus Ericsson (Sauber to IndyCar) Like Vandoorne this may be him exiting F1, though superficially he still remains as reserve driver with Sauber, but this is realistically the end of the Swede’s time in the series. Leclerc’s speed has shown him up and IndyCar is the chance to find out if he can be more competitive in North America. Move verdict: Not good enough for F1, this has to be a positive in he may find better form in new surroundings. AFP
  • Sergey Sirotkin (Williams to unknown) The Russian is unlikely to be kept on the British team and his ability to get himself caught up in incidents in recent races has shown he is out of his depth. Clearly has some talent but needs a step away from the sport. Move verdict: His sponsorship money may earn him a testing role that can help him gain more experience. AFP
    Sergey Sirotkin (Williams to unknown) The Russian is unlikely to be kept on the British team and his ability to get himself caught up in incidents in recent races has shown he is out of his depth. Clearly has some talent but needs a step away from the sport. Move verdict: His sponsorship money may earn him a testing role that can help him gain more experience. AFP
  • Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso to unknown) Would be surprising if the New Zealander did not end up back in endurance racing. Has shown flashes of good form in his first, and probably only, full year in F1. But he was out performed by Gasly and too often got caught up in incidents, not all of which were his fault admittedly. Move verdict: No disgrace. Had a go and was not quite good enough. Back to endurance racing and challenging for titles should be his future. Getty Images
    Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso to unknown) Would be surprising if the New Zealander did not end up back in endurance racing. Has shown flashes of good form in his first, and probably only, full year in F1. But he was out performed by Gasly and too often got caught up in incidents, not all of which were his fault admittedly. Move verdict: No disgrace. Had a go and was not quite good enough. Back to endurance racing and challenging for titles should be his future. Getty Images

F1

Ranked: The winners and losers of the Formula One drivers on the move in 2019

Twelve drivers are without a drive or joining new teams after Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Here is a rundown on who is going where and if if is a good move or not

Graham Caygill

November 19, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Sunday’s Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is not just the conclusion of the 2018 Formula One season but the end of an era for many on the grid.

Only eight of the 20 drivers competing this year will be with the same team when the 2019 campaign begins in Australia in March.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso is retiring from F1, while 2007 title winner Kimi Raikkonen is joining Sauber, the team with who he started his career back in 2001, after being replaced at Ferrari by Charles Leclerc.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the drivers who are departing their current employers after the action at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday and whether it is a good or bad move for them.

_______________

Read more on the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2018

Fernando Alonso bids adios to F1 in Abu Dhabi, but his career serves as a cautionary tale 

Ranked: Max Verstappen's best and worst races of the 2018 F1 season

In pictures: The most successful drivers at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Ranked: Every Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that has been held since 2009

Ranked: From Hamilton to Sirotkin, how did 2018 F1 drivers score?

_______________

Fernando AlonsoAbu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025F1Australia