F1 2018: What the top drivers are looking for before making the final move

The market is hot, fat paychecks are ready, and top seats are yet to be filled - but still, no one is signing. For some, it will be their last shot at the title, for some simply being in a competitive car is not enough. Let's take a look at what is it that top drivers are looking for?

---

#1 Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton wins at Paul Ricard

The leader always comes first, going in the same vein, let's start with the reigning world champion, Lewis Hamilton. With Mercedes dominating the hybrid era and Lewis winning three titles with them, it certainly makes one wonder why he is waiting to re-sign with the world champions.

One major reason is the resurgence of Ferrari, which has won three races in 2018 so far. It's natural for Hamilton to assess whether Mercedes will still be a leading car in future?

Another factor which most sources are pointing to is the paycheck. When Lewis signed with Mercedes last time around, he was a double world champion. Now he is quadruple world champion which means he is in a position to demand higher wages for his services.

Toto Wolff is willing to play the waiting game as he knows Hamilton will eventually re-sign as the season reaches its summer break and other teams start confirming their lineups for 2019.

#2 Kimi Raikkonen

Raikkonen in action in France

Next in line is Kimi Raikkonen, who notably is in his eighth season with Ferrari, a feat not many can boast of. The Finnish driver has been under tremendous pressure as his teammate Sebastian Vettel has dominated qualifying and races during most of their time together.

The last two years have been the same story - Kimi coming under fire for underdelivering and finally Ferrari signing him up again because of lack of available options. Not this time though, as there are drivers on the market who will be more than willing to take that elusive Ferrari drive. Ricciardo, Leclerc and even Valtteri Bottas have been linked to Kimi's seat.

Ferrari needs to assess its long-term future as any move now will be having possible implications on their future post-2021 when new regulations come into effect. A competitive lineup who can take them to the front will be high on their agenda. Kimi on his part needs to step up his game to show Scuderia that he is the one for the job.

#3 Daniel Ricciardo

Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo may be one of the hottest property on the grid right now but he is in a fix that no one else is. The Aussie has been linked with a move to Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Renault.

Though Mercedes and Ferrari have reserved themselves to acknowledge their discussions with Ricciardo, Renault and McLaren have made it clear that they are willing to sign him for next year. With a contract from Red Bull with better paycheck already on the table for next season, it leaves Ricciardo with a lot to mull upon.

To make things more complex, Red Bull has signed for Honda power units from next year which certainly makes it a gamble to re-sign with them considering how Honda PU has performed over the last couple of years. Renault on their part has been making steady progress and come 2019 F1 pundits have tipped them on challenging the frontrunners.

This move might be the last one for Ricciardo who celebrated his 29th birthday this weekend at Austrian Grand Prix.

#4 Fernando Alonso

Alonso during Canadian F1 Grand Prix qualifying

Fernando Alonso's situation is different than other drivers in that he has the option of getting out of F1 and attempting a full season of Indycar.

McLaren has gone from a decent midfield contender during initial races of 2018 to fighting with backmarkers in recent races. It makes one wonder how long is it before Fernando decides it is enough and walks away to pursue his triple crown dreams.

If that happens then Lando Norris is waiting in the wings to jump to a full-time race seat.

#5 Valtteri Bottas

Bottas at the Austrian Grand Prix

Valtteri Bottas has done a solid job at Mercedes and even Mercedes has acknowledged it. The only reason a deal hasn't been signed is due to the differences in contract length that both parties are asking for.

Bottas has been eyeing at least a two-year extension while Mercedes are willing to give just a one-year.

Sooner or later the deal is going to be signed, with Toto Wolff clearly indicating on keeping the highly rated Finn. There have been some rumours of Ferrari being interested in Bottas but with Kimi and Leclerc already under its roof, it's hard to see Bottas racing in red next year.

Special Mention: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz

Charles Leclerc at winter testing in Barcelona

There is some chance of these two drivers racing in a different colour next year but it depends on what choices other drivers make.

We might see Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari or Haas next year. With both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean struggling against their teammates and Leclerc continuing to impress in a revived Sauber, it might open up the perfect opportunity for him. Reports surfaced earlier this week that Leclerc has agreed to a two-year deal verbally but these were not confirmed by any source.

Sainz currently is in his first full season with Renault and so far has lagged behind his teammate Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying and races. If Daniel Ricciardo decides to leave Red Bull, it is no secret that Sainz will be promoted to Red Bull.