The Big Picture
With 2013 now over, the big picture is entirely the 2014 season, both regarding cars and drivers. Seats are still not set, but it looks like Lotus will be the key to how it all drops out in 2014. Whilst they seem to favour Hulkenberg, it seems financial pressures will prevent such a hiring, as they simply can't afford to bring him on board and it is quite likely that Maldonado will get that seat so they can benefit from the millions of dollars of sponsorship he brings. Grosjean is not confirmed in the other seat but looks very likely to stay, and it seems once his teammate mate is decided then it will knock onto the other teams. With similar financial problems, Sauber will likely seek to take Maldonado should he not sign for Lotus, and possibly Perez again as he has significant backing. The signing of either or both would bring a boost to their finances and ability to challenge in 2014, though may not be their ideal driver pairing when others like Hulkenberg are more highly rated. Force India are yet to make any decisions, and have said nothing will be decided until next month though rumours are they've offered a two-year deal to Hulkenberg. It's unsurprising they would want to take Hulkenberg back again if he fails to go to Lotus, though after the German's move between them and Sauber for this season, based on their performance in 2012 that failed to translate to 2013, he may be wary of leaving Sauber now to move to Force India again in case he misses the boat of a decent, alternate-year performance. Ultimately the midfield teams of Force India and Sauber have a choice between money and talent, with some excellent drivers failing to bring the sponsorship of others not as highly lauded, but ultimately teams have to balance business needs with performance wants, and some teams have to tip that scale more to one side than the other. It seems likely to me that Gutierrez will drop out of the sport due to the teams choices of more accomplished drivers, which would leave five drivers fitting into five seats, and it will be interesting to see which domino falls first. I think Maldonado will likely end up at Lotus with Grosjean due to financial needs, and that will leave Sauber taking Perez again for their similar needs. Hulkenberg will then I think continue to be chased by Force India but opt to stay with Sauber, which will leave Di Resta and Sutil to keep their seats at Force India. Aside from who will drive, it will also be what they'll be driving. The 2013 car is now consigned to the history books and full drive is on the 2014 machine, with its new engine and hybrid systems. The 2.4 V8 engines are gone now, their high-pitched wail never to sing in the heat of battle again. Instead we will move to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines, with more restrictions on fuel, revs and number per driver per year, combined with higher power hybrid systems in the continued quest to "go green" with Formula 1. How this will affect F1 is the big question and the engine manufacturers are working hard on their new powerplants in readiness for the 2014 battle. One is not however, which is Cosworth, dropping out of the sport for good. It is a sad day after over 50 years at the pinnacle of motorsport, having brought us legendary engines like the DFV, but now it does not look like they'll be back.