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F1: The state of the Formula 1 driver market

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Khatir Soltani
Adapted from GMM

Right at the front of the grid, the 2015 Formula 1 'silly season' is threatening to burst into life.

On paper, the top teams are all locked up contractually.

Ferrari: Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen

Mercedes AMG: Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg
Toto Wolff is not ruling out a change to the Mercedes squad's driver line-up should the increasingly bitter Hamilton and Rosberg feud prove impossible to manage.

"We would have to take decisions and take the consequences of having a different line-up," Wolff told the BBC at Monza.

"If we are not able to manage the two of them following the Mercedes-Benz spirit then we need to admit that."

Red Bull Racing: Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo
Sebastian Vettel denied he was linked with a huge-money move to McLaren-Honda.

McLaren: Jenson Button is waiting on his future.

Sahara Force India: Nico Hulkenberg gave the strongest sign yet that he is not a player on the driver market this time around.

He said it "can be assumed" that he is staying at Sahara Force India in 2015.

"I am very comfortable where I am sitting," Hulkenberg told German reporters at Monza. "I have no headaches."

It's not quite the same situation for his teammate Sergio Perez, as Spaniard Dani Juncadella is knocking on the door with sponsor Astana in tow.

"I have only read newspaper reports," Mexican Perez said when asked about Juncadella.

"I'm not worried. It's not like a year ago with McLaren -- I have a greater role in the decision-making now and I feel comfortable at Force India."

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada