Lance Stroll is being linked with a move to Force India.
The Canadian has sounded frustrated with Williams' situation recently, and his billionaire father Lawrence has been spotted in heated conversations with team bosses.
When asked about the Force India rumours at Hockenheim, 19-year-old Stroll answered: "I'm really focused on the race and won't comment on these rumours.
"Yes, this year we were surprised and shocked by the performance of the car. But I would like to make progress and I want to win races. Why not with Williams?"
But first, he wants at least to see Williams make progress amid its abysmal 2018 season.
The once-great British team has a raft of improvements in Germany.
"I would like to see our improvement and get where we want as a team. But I still want to do what is best for me as a driver, so we will have to see.
"I'm still focused on where I am now."
Some, like Williams' last champion Jacques Villeneuve, think the team is already effectively "dead".
Asked if those comments upset him, current team driver Sergey Sirotkin answered: "No, not upset.
"It's just that not many people see how seriously we are working.
"From the outside, the situation seems more pessimistic than it really is," said the Russian. "It is a pity that I cannot tell you how things are, but from the inside I see much more."
Sirotkin did admit, however, that a lot is riding on Williams' car improvements at Hockenheim.
"The weekend is important, because the team has worked on these parts for a long time.
"If they do not work, we have serious problems with the correlation of data and it will take a long time to solve them, which will become very painful for the team.
"That's why I hope they work as we expect them to," he said.
Replies (12)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Nooooo!
jimac
Posts: 30
YESSSSSSS!!!! I hope he moves to another team (or just leaves F1), that leaves an opening for Maldonado's return to rescue Williams from financial ruin! hahaaa! :D
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh, to open haspastormaldonadocrashedtoday.com again... Its been so long *glances longingly at the long unused favourited website*.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
and I don't deny, me joining Ferrari as a driver for 2019.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Mind, @JIMAC, I dont think we'll see Maldonado back anytime soon. The only reason he remained was thanks to his PDVSA deal, and they arent in shape to sponsor anything as of present.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Hahahaha good joke! Na really though, gocus on staying in F1 at all, Stroll hobey.
Hepp
Posts: 200
If Lawrence Stroll and Latifi's dad bought out VJ, Mr. Malya would yet again get away with another Ponzi scheme. Force India (as a team) should thrive ... Force India (as company) should be in jail ...... Take Monisha behind bars too.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Whatever happens, Mallya needs to get his filthy hands away from that team.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Maybe if his daddy buys out Vijay but otherwise he doesn't really seem to be good enough to drive for Force India. They have typically hired drivers who stand out a little more than Stroll.
k.gandhiin
Posts: 17
Whichever driver SFI has signed has ended his career as "Decent/Strong" driver not "Champion" driver. But looking at Williams, I think SFI is the best choice for him to try his luck and be labelled as "Strong" driver.
Plus it'll be good news for SFI fans as he brings some $ 35-40 million as sponsorship.
But who will he replace, Checo or Ocon ? Both are much stronger than him and bring some financial help too along with racecraft and consistency.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
According to Martin Brundle he is going to Renault and Sainz is moving to mcLaren
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Perez to Renault? That'd be interesting, seeing him in a works team on the rise. But I'd bet they are looking at trying to snatch Ocon from Merc', if maybe only to destabilize Merc' in whatever way they can.