The latest on transfers after the moves of Hamilton and Pérez

If for a long time the Red Bull Racing team was the only one to have sealed the fate of its two drivers for 2013, this is no longer the case following the announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Mercedes, where he will team up with Nico Rosberg, and the official confirmation of his replacement by Sergio Pérez, who is now the new teammate of Jenson Button.

As the transfer of the 2008 world champion has been announced for several weeks as the potential catalyst for the transfer market, casinoenligne.uk.com offers you an update on the seats still available until next March.

Caterham

Currently, both Caterham seats are vacant for 2013. At the end of his contract with the Malaysian team, Heikki Kovalainen might continue the adventure there due to a lack of a better seat for next year. Discussions with Vitaly Petrov have been put on hold by the Russian driver’s entourage, who is currently facing financial difficulties.

Some mention an interest from Tony Fernandes’ team in Charles Pic even though Olivier Panis, the Frenchman’s technical advisor, recently told us that “it’s very flattering but it’s still a rumor.”

The team could, however, also promote one of its two GP2 team drivers – Rodolfo Gonzalez or Giedo van der Garde – both of whom have driven the CT01 during tests this season, or they might secure the services of the new GP2 Series champion, Davide Valsecchi.

Alexander Rossi, currently under contract with the Caterham team, could also aim for a starting position even though the American driver is focusing on a more long-term perspective for Tony Fernandes’ team.

Ferrari

If Fernando Alonso is under contract with Ferrari until 2016 and recently stated that he does not foresee another team but Ferrari to end his career, Felipe Massa’s situation is much more fragile. However, the trend seems to be towards renewing the Brazilian’s contract, who recently told the website Lancenet that he should soon have a clear understanding of the situation. Luca di Montezemolo stated on Thursday that it would take a few more days for Ferrari to make its decision.

Following the announcement of the recruitment of Sergio Pérez – a driver from the Ferrari Driver Academy – by McLaren, Heikki Kovalainen is now considered the favorite in case of Massa’s departure, as the media recently reported contacts between the Scuderia and the entourage of the Finnish driver. Nico Hülkenberg and Paul di Resta could also be selected by Maranello, which would give Ferrari the opportunity to see Jules Bianchi promoted to a main driver position at Force India.

Force India

After the recent good results from his drivers, Vijay Mallya recently confirmed to *Speed.com* his intention to keep Paul di Resta and Nico Hülkenberg at his service for 2013: « I have confirmed to my two drivers that I want to keep them, and that’s all. I will do everything I can to retain them. No one has approached me, contrary to all speculation. The fact that their names are mentioned simply shows that my confidence and faith in them were justified. »

However, in the event of a departure of one of its drivers, Vijay Mallya stated a little earlier this season that Jules Bianchi could have his chance like all the reserve drivers of the Indian team before him. But the Silverstone team could also secure the services of Jaime Alguersuari, who persistently claims to be assured of his return in 2013. Charles Pic could also be a possibility as the Frenchman’s entourage reportedly met with representatives of Force India alongside the Belgian Grand Prix.

HRT

Pedro de la Rosa loudly claims to have a contract with the Spanish team for 2013, even though the recent history of the Madrid team has shown that a contract is not a guarantee. For his part, Narain Karthikeyan recently expressed his desire to extend with HRT in 2013.

However, the financial situation of the team will undoubtedly dictate the choice of its drivers for 2013 once again. Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua is among the potential candidates for the next HRT seat, while the range of possibilities is broad enough to rule out making any exhaustive list.

Lotus

Kimi Räikkönen signed a two-year contract with the Lotus team at the end of 2011. Recently, Gérard Lopez, owner of the British team, confirmed that the Finn was tied to Lotus by a performance clause: “At least in the short term, Kimi is with us. We have an agreement based on performance, and it has been fulfilled,” stated the Luxembourgish businessman in the columns of the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, while acknowledging that a team cannot force a driver to stay against his will. However, the Finn’s options have dwindled significantly, and only the Ferrari seat seems to be able to rival that of Lotus, provided the Espoo native wishes to return to Maranello.

Romain Grosjean’s situation, on the other hand, is less clear. The team is satisfied with the Franco-Swiss driver and expresses the desire to continue the adventure with him in 2013, even though his contract has not yet been officially renewed.

Marussia

Timo Glock is tied to the Russian team until 2014. Alongside him, Olivier Panis does not rule out the idea that Charles Pic might extend his stay, even though the trend is toward the Frenchman leaving for other opportunities. As it stands, Max Chilton is the main contender for the second Marussia seat if Charles Pic departs. The Briton has recently been promoted to reserve driver for the Russian team, replacing Maria de Villota, and according to Autosport, he is on track to be appointed in 2013.

Sauber

Following Sergio Pérez’s departure to McLaren, the Swiss team has stated that it intends to take its time before making a decision for 2013. However, Peter Sauber might not have just one seat to fill, as the trend would be towards not renewing Kamui Kobayashi’s contract.

For several weeks, if not months, the name of Heikki Kovalainen has been repeatedly mentioned in connection with Hinwil. However, some believe that Michael Schumacher could now find a landing spot there after his forced departure from Mercedes, provided, of course, that the German wishes to continue his career.

Lately, the Sauber team has also been mentioned as one of the potential destinations for Jaime Alguersuari for a possible return in 2013, while Peter Sauber might also be forced to field the Mexican Esteban Gutierrez, supported, like Sergio Pérez, by Carlos Slim, and who has been serving as the third driver for the Swiss team for two seasons.

Toro Rosso

Even though he hints in the Australian press that he is not yet fully assured of having his contract extended with Toro Rosso next season, Daniel Ricciardo should still be part of the team in Faenza in 2013. The same should apply to Jean-Eric Vergne, who signed a three-year contract with Red Bull in 2011, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to giving the French driver a chance.

Toro Rosso should therefore aim for stability this winter after having dismissed its two drivers in 2011. Unlike Buemi and Alguersuari, both Ricciardo and Vergne are indeed only in their first season with Toro Rosso, and the next generation in Red Bull’s young driver program does not yet seem guaranteed.

Williams

At Williams, everything is open according to Toto Wolff, executive director of the Grove team, to the point where even Pastor Maldonado, a Grand Prix winner this season, admits hoping to stay in 2013. As it stands, the situation seems to boil down to a three-way choice between the Venezuelan, Bruno Senna, and Valtteri Bottas. The Finn notably has the support of Toto Wolff, who has increased his involvement with the team this season. Bruno Senna, often at fault and without a contract for 2013, could face the consequences as Valtteri Bottas looks to the long term at Grove.