After such a rollercoaster season filled with strategy, tyre changes and all round excitement, it's only right to look back on some of the most shocking decisions of the season. Starting with Daniel Ricciardo's move from Red Bull Racing to Renault...
After the summer break ended, the news was announced that the ever smiling Daniel Ricciardo declined an extension of his Red Bull Racing contract to race for Renault in the 2019 season onwards. This decision shocked millions with one of them being Red Bull's team principle, Christian Horner, who had previously assured the media of the continuation and re-signing of Daniel's contract... But that was not to be! Daniel announced his departure with a video on his social media accounts stating, "The news is out, it's real! It's by far the toughest decision I've made in my racing career. Twenty-nine years living on this earth, it was definitely one of the toughest life decisions I've made."
Although the decision was shocking, Daniel had spent all of his time in Formula One with the Red Bull family. He began in the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2008, where after winning the Formula Renault Championship he was promoted to race in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2012. Before eventually being promoted to the sister team, Red Bull Racing, in 2014. However, the Australian narrowly missed out on the winning streak that the Austrian team had just experienced for the previous 4 years, where they had secured 4 Constructors Championships and had crowned Sebastian Vettel a 4 time World Champion. Therefore, after such high enthusiasm of securing a world title yet nothing materialising, it's only fair for Daniel Ricciardo to move on to another team that can bring him closer to his childhood dream.
Following Daniel's decision to sign to Renault, the Australian along with poor management led to the departure of the young talent, Esteban Ocon, for the 2019 season. This decision shocked millions, after Ocon had proved time and time again of his worthiness in the fastest sport in the world, F1. Esteban managed to score in the top ten 9 times this season whilst also dealing with the unpredictability of a team plunged in to administration and the uncertainty of his seat for the following season.
After such certainty before the summer break from both Mercedes team principle, Toto Wolff, and Esteban Ocon himself of a drive in 2019, many were shocked to hear that Esteban would have to take a break from Formula 1. After the drive at Renault was filled, there were no other options for Esteban's 2019 season. Fortunately, Esteban is a Mercedes Young Driver, as such he will remain a familiar face around the F1 Paddock in 2019 but only as a reserve and test driver. Toto Wolff confirmed, "He is going to be pretty close to the Mercedes team - he will be our reserve driver and third driver."
Many were against this move as Esteban had clearly shown his talent during his F1 stint and before in other series such as Formula 3 and GP3, both of which saw the Frenchman crowned the Champion. However, after such an uproar created from the decision that shocked millions, it's fair to say Esteban Ocon will be back racing in Formula One in no time. Fernando Alonso is living proof that a year out of the sport isn't the end of the world. In 2002, Alonso failed to secure a drive for the season however, he returned for the following season and eventually became two time World Champion...
Esteban Ocon will leave behind his iconic pink overalls as his old team plunges into the new year under new ownership. However, this was not the plan for the Silverstone based team. Just before the summer break, the team was entered into a state of administration by their own driver, Sergio Perez, and Mercedes. Which rapidly became another moment in the 2018 F1 season that shocked many. Force India was in a tough situation which was solved by Lawrence Stroll and his consortium however, after the buying of the team the new owners decided on a name change to Racing Point. Unfortunately alongside the name change came a zeroing of constructors points which ultimately meant Racing Point finished 7th overall.
Sauber finished just behind Racing Point in 8th position, the Italian team managed to gain 2 positions from last year. The future is looking even brighter for Sauber as they go into next season with a World Champion, in the form of Kimi Raikkonen. Which leads on to the next biggest shock of the F1 season, Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc's swap from Ferrari to Sauber and vice versa. Although, this decision may not have been a complete shock as rumours had begun mid way through the season of Leclerc being promoted to the iconic scarlet coloured team. However, the fact of Raikkonen moving from such a top running team to barely just a mid-fielding team was a huge shock to everyone. Some had suspected Leclerc's promotion but nobody could have predicted Kimi moving to Sauber! Some expected Kimi to retire, but that wasn't to happen. However, another legend from the sport did... Fernando Alonso!
Although Alonso's retirement wasn't entirely shocking, he will most definitely be missed from the sport. After his two World Titles and 18 years in the sport, you'd be lying if you said you weren't going to miss his presence in the world of Formula One.
The final most shocking moment of the 2018 season, although the decision was made after the season ended it still has to be mentioned... Robert Kubica making his F1 return in 2019! After such a rollercoaster career in Formula 1, from his debut in 2006 and then almost getting signed to Ferrari before enduring his huge rally accident, which nearly severed his arm off, this man has shown pure determination and passion for the sport and definitely deserves his drive at Williams next year.
To sum up, the most shocking decisions of the 2018 season was: Daniel Ricciardo's move to Renault; Esteban Ocon's lack of a drive for 2019; Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc's swap from Sauber to Ferrari and vice versa; Force India's administration and transformation into Racing Point; Fernando Alonso's retirement and finally, Robert Kubica's F1 return!
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