Who will be the first driver to be replaced or fired in 2018?

[kals]

Who will it be? My thoughts are:

Brendan Hartley - I like that he’s been given a second chance and I’m sure he’ll do a decent job but will he last the season let alone get a second year in 2019?

Sergey Sirotkin - considering his investment into the Williams team I don’t believe he’ll get fired however considering the lack of performance the car is showing there could be a chance that Kubica is given a race weekend to provide feedback and a performance comparison.

What are the other nominations?

[theracer120]

I'm not sure if there's anyone better to replace Hartley during the season (unless Toro Rosso needs a pay driver)?. I would be pleasantly surprised if he gets another season, I don't really see it happening though.

Who knows what will happen with Williams. I feel like Stroll may end up elsewhere next season.

My other nomination is Ericsson. He'll last the season but there has to be a chance of him being removed for 2019. Then again I've been thinking that since 2015 and it hasn't happened yet so I'm not getting my hopes up at all.

[SBan83]

It all depends on how deep each driver's financial schlong is down their respective team's throats really. Amongst STR, Williams and Sauber, STR is the only one that still rates driver's ability over driver's wallet so Hartley is probably going to be the first to get the boot if he keeps lagging behind Gasly.

[DoubleFart]

Matsushita for Hartley by the Japanese GP

[Everso Biggyballies]

Matsushita for Hartley by the Japanese GP

You beat me to it. It might be earlier than that.

[kals]

Yeah that’s a good shout.

@theracer120 - agree on Stroll moving next year, perhaps his father will take a stake in Force India. As for Ericsson, considering his relationship with Sauber’s owners I can’t see him being replaced at any point in 2018 unless he suffers an illness or injury like Wehrlein did at the start of 2017.

[caneparo]

I agree with kals...hartley or sirotkin. Ericsonn is bullet proof until he keeps on preceeding leclerc

[kals]

Ericsonn is bullet proof until he keeps on preceeding leclerc

He is bulletproof. His performances seem to not matter. Having been comprehensively outperformed each and every year you’d think his head would be on the chopping block. But no. If there were many more cars (like 24 or 26 total) then Ericsson being a continual fixture part of the grid would be ok. But no. Taking a spot that Giovanazzi deserves is unacceptable.

[kals]

So three races left and so far no firings or substitutions. The first time since 2008.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yes. It comes as quite a surprise after all the talk of mid / late season musical chairs with Ocon, Stroll, Vandoorne, Hartley, even Raikkonen and CLAP and others I cant even think of atm.